Friedemann Bach [pp. 805-824]

Fricdernann Back. 81 1
umpli! You have made me wretched. Friedemann's pale face crimsoned;
I~eave me the only consolation that he stamped his foot fiercely.
remains-the conviction that I suffer "Hypocrite! liar! coward that I
alone!" am," he cried; "and all for a co "Friedemann," said the countess, quette!"
shocked to see him thus, "compose Natalie protested against his injusyourself, I entreat you! Spare me!" tice. She reminded him of her his "I will not spare you!" burst forth tory: her noble birth and orphaned
Friedemaun, unable longer to master condition; the state and splendor
his agitation. "You have torn open with which her uncle had surrounded
my bleeding heart-wounds in cruel her; her scorn of mere pomp and
sport! I will not spare you! I have luxury; her isolation in the midst of
bought the right to speak with my flatterers and smiling fools; her dishappiness here and hereafter. I gave cemment of the manhood in himyou all, Natalie-truth for falsehood, her lover.
pure, faithful love for frivolous, heart- "Then be my wife, Natalie!"
less mockery!" She shook her head.
"I did not mock you!" cried Na- "You will not? You will marry
talie. the creature of your uncle, whom you
"Did you love me, then?" regard with aversion?"
"I can not answer that." "You know, Friedemann, I do not
"Tell me, Natalie-did you love take this step from interest, but a sense
me?" of duty."
"What good can it do? Are we "Duty! Toward whom?"
not parted for ever?" "Yourself! I could never be happy,
"No; by my soul, no! Nothing nor make you happy, as your wife.
shall part us if you love me! But, I You are a great artist; but you can
must be convinced of that. If you never rise to my sphere. And should
have not-if you do not-I ask you, I sacrifice all for you, would not my
why did you tempt the free-hearted incensed uncle pursue us with his venyouth, who lived but for his art, with geance? If we found shelter in soliencouraging looks and flattering tude, how long would you or I bear
words?" this concealment?"
Be silent!" cried the girl. FHedemann grew pale, and looked
Friedemaun's burst of grief was down.
convulsive, and he covered his face "We could not be happy," resumed
with his hands. the countess. "All I can do is to
At length Natalie said, keep my heart for you. You can live
"I honored your genius-your for your art and me."
heart-" "And love you in secret?" asked
"You loved me not then, and you the young man bitterly.
do not love me now. If you love me, "I would bear condemnation for
how can you bear to think of becom- your sake."
ing the wife of another?" "You shall not! The woman for
"Alas! you know; my station, the whose sake I am rniserahle, for whom
will of my uncle-" I have deceived father, brother, friends,
"Afy happiness, my peace is no- shall never know the world's scorn.
thing to you?" Farewell, Natalie! We never meet
My affection is still yours. I again. Be unlike your future husshall never love another. Will not band-be noble and true. Crushed
that content you?" as I am, you shall yet esteem me,