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Updated: June 25, 2025
"O Almighty God, have compassion upon my poor little Marie," murmured Trude, kneeling, and covering her face. Ebenstreit in the mean time withdrew to the other room, followed by the servant. "Speak!" commanded his master, "and tell me what you have to say." Leberecht shrugged his shoulders. "We are two men who have urgent business with each other. I am not at present a servant and you the master.
"I am going, but first I would get the wages of my sin, and play the hypocrite, and tell a few untruths; then I will go to Moritz's lodgings, and the baker also. Do not despair; I have a joyful presentiment that God will have pity upon us and send us aid." Trude kissed and embraced her child, and scarcely waited an hour, when she was demanded in the parlor to receive her money.
"I said that it was old and frail what do you say now, beautiful Trude?" The old woman wiped with her hand the drops of perspiration from her forehead, caused by her anguish. "You are a bad fellow, and God will punish you for your treason, that you have tormented a noble, unhappy girl. I saw that you were an eavesdropper, and you know all."
Her mother pushed her back violently. "Not a step farther; you have no right to go near him, you are his murderess. On your head will fall the guilt, if these dreadful scenes should cause his death." "No, no, the general will not die quite yet," said Trude busying herself about his arm-chair. "But, Fraulein, you have got something else to do than stay here.
"God's blessing go with you," she said, laying her hands upon her head, "and may it render of no avail the curses of men, but permit you to walk in love and happiness!" "Amen, amen!" sighed Marie, "now farewell, dear mother, farewell!" Marie rose, and kissing Trude again, flitted down the stairs, and out of the house, Trude following, holding her breath and listening in fearful excitement.
"Certainly I am, Trude, as he has returned to his former habits, frequenting the society of drinking-houses and gamblers. Imagine the general played yesterday, lost all his ready money, and that was not enough, but signed away the year's pension from Herr von Ebenstreit, during which time we have nothing but the miserable army annuity to live upon."
"How can you permit yourself to speak so intimately of the rich Baroness von Ebenstreit?" "Very true, it is not right," sighed Trude; "I beg pardon." "I came here to see if every thing was in readiness, and ordered the steward to ornament the doors and corridors with garlands of flowers; he has had the boldness to tell me he dares not do it!" "He is right, Frau von Leuthen.
O aunt! you did not hear, but I did, for I have been awake, and have heard and seen how the door curtain shook, and there they lurk now, those wicked spirits, and look at us and laugh. Oh, I know that, I do! My nurse, Trude, told me all about it the other evening, and she knows. There are good and bad spirits; but the good spirits make no noise, and you would not know they were here.
A carriage is coming, and a post-horn sounded. They have arrived!" Old Trude hurried out just as they drove up to the door. The steward and two servants in livery rushed down the steps to assist them to alight, and Trude also to greet her favorite, who was now so pale, grave, and chilling in her appearance.
"Marie, do not laugh so, it makes me feel badly," whispered the old woman. "I came to tell you the bridegroom and the clergyman are there." "The time has arrived for the marriage of the rich and happy bride. Go, Trude, beg my mother to come up and adorn me with the myrtle-wreath." "Dear Marie, can I not do it?" asked Trude, with quivering voice. "No, not you; touch not the fatal wreath!
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