Rudolph and Alice [pp. 263-275]

26 R:dolph nd Alice. [MA,
Nor was this the first time she had stolen forth
veiled to meet the new moon. Like a wounded
stag who rushes with speed through the woods
and fields, with the arrow of death sticking in its
side-so, from the first time she saw Rudolph, a
burning passion drove Gertrude forth. She sought
long to learn what obstacle prevented her conquering his heart, and now that she had discovered it,
her passion had become uncontrollable, and she
determined nothing should oppose her wishes.
Through the influence of her father, and by every
art, she sought to sever the hated bond between
Rudolph and Alice; but all failing, she resolved to
have recourse to witchcraft.
There lived near, some women who possessed
more than common knowledge, and of whom many
deeds were related which could not have happened
in the common course of nature. Such confidants
and counsellors did Gertrude seek, and soon find.
Truly, this danger she braved, merely to destroy
the happiness of Rudolph and Alice. Notwithstanding all her efforts had been fruitless-Gertrude made no attempt to cure her unfortunate passion, and when that morning, after his sermon, the
preacher had declared the betrothment of Alice
and Rudolph, Gertrude was as much shocked as if
it had been some new misfortune. The neighbors
carried her half fainting from the church. Many
knew the cause, for Gertrude and her parents had
spoken of the affair. When high mass was finished, the crowd collected at the spring, and discussed
Rudolph's approaching marriage, Alice's happiness,
and Gertrude's fainting. The preacher's wife and
daughters, and every body were collected at the
spring. Gertrude not only saw her last beam of
hope vanish, but found herself the jest and derision
of every one. With despairing heart, she watched
the sinking of the sun, that now in her utmost
need, she might seek her confidential counsellor.
Silent and unnoticed, at twilight, she slipped out
of the postern gate, and reached, unseen, the little
hut in the hollow of the rocks;-with burning, impetuous feelings she demanded instant help, or all
would be lost. The old woman besought her to be
quiet and calm; she was now laboring at her work;
all would succeed to her wishes; the position of
the stars had been favorable when these incantations were begun; she need not doubt of her happiness, and all she asked was seven hairs from
Gertrude's head. To this she willingly acceded.
Seated on a low wooded stool, the old woman
passed her withered fingers through Gertrude's
dark hair. A stinging, acute pain shot through her,
as the first hair was plucked, and Gertrude, affrighted, sprung up from the stool. The old woman
powerfully held her down, and repeated, with a
mocking laugh, the same sharp pain six times.
Then she carried the astonished Gertrude out of
the door, locked it behind her, and told her to comne
again at the full of the moon, not before. A long
time yet, stood Gertrude at the locked door; her
head pained he r severely, and an unknown heaviness, such as she never before felt, sat darkly at
her heart. She was miser able, and all a ro un d
bore the impress of her feelings. The Rocky
Points raised themselves high and stiff in the aira mysterious noise rang through the woods,- the
sea struck hollow and groaning on the shore;-with
inmost anguish torn, she quickly left the shore for
the bushes. The shrill cry of the bat, the rustling
of every leaf made her tremble; and in the dark
thickets through which her way lay, in every pale
moon-beam that fell, she pictured to herself some
frightful form. When she reached the shore,heard Rudolph's voice,-saw Alice in his armsfright and grief drew from her a hollow shriek,
and she fled with precipitation to the village.
With much impatience Gertrude waited for the
next full moon. The happy bridal pair too, saw
each morning rise with quiet joy, and every evening with joy they counted, as it brought them a day
nearer their wishes. At last came the long desired
evening. It was cloudy and stormy: wrapped in
a dark cloth veil, with quick steps, Gertrude took
the loneliest way to the sea, and knocked at the
hut. The old woman had expected her:-no light
was visible, save that of the inoon, which now
broke through the clouds, which veiled it, and
shone fuill and clear on the open space where the
hut leant on the rough rocks. The little gate of
the mysterious hole was locked, in which the old
woman kept her drinks and enchantments —whilst
she was carrying on her mysterious processes, in
a kind of ante-room. Gertrude looked at the old
woman, and her frame thrilled with pain, such as
she had before experienced, when they last met.
Her countenance betrayed it. The old woman
grinned frightfully at her Obtrude made no sound;
they exchanged looks, she followed her conductress to the little gatel She opened it and stept
into a dark gloomy looking hole. There was nothing to be seen, but a large massy kettle on some
glowing coals. The old woman took a tinder-box
and bellows; she blew and made a blaze;-Ger trude was carelessly following to help her. The
old woman pushed her back crying " Fool! it is thy
deathl-remain without." Gertrude remained trem bling before the door. The kettle began to boil an overwhelnming steam raised itself in the hole,the face of the old woman shone horribly in the
Efire-light; now the smoke rose in thick clouds from
the vessel, fillingC the whole cavern. " Look there!"
,cried the old woman, and pointed with her withered
hand to the opposite wall.
LThe smoke thickened and vibrated from one side
,to the other. At last, the middle point was free.
A well-furnished chamber appeared, —in it, ata
table, sat a mnan endeavoring to point a flint. It
was Rudolph, nlot his picture, but himself;-one
child played on the fBoor, another slept in the trap
266
Ra,dolph and Alice.
[MAY,