The Solitary Baron [pp. 240-249]

THE SOLITARY BARON.
has appeared in the Passion Play for more than two hundred
years," continued Theresa; and she was proud to tell this, nor
can we wonder at it.
Not in a long time had Baron Ulrich spent so enjoyable a
night as this summer's night, not even when in the heyday of
youth at the court of Bavaria. Theresa sang for him, and the
violin played its very best. And when the concert was over
she made him tell her the history of the chapel and the castle.
Baron Ulrich, who had taken care to seat himself between the
maiden and her grandparent,'wrought a graphic story out of
it; and as he went on Theresa several times glanced over her
shoulder, as though she expected to see a ghost emerging out of
the shadows behind them, while once she interrupted him and
said: Do you not believe that Ulrich the One-Eyed is listening?" To which the baron answered:" Were the founder of
my house to come back to earth he would have more kind words
for you than for me. I have never so much as dropped one
flower on his tomb." "Well, you have a large fortune," said
Theresa. "Promise to restore this dilapidated chapel. You tell
me that St. Elizabeth of Hungary once visited it. Restore it
for her sake. Then grandfather and I will often come here to
Mass and pray for you."
It was more than a minute before Baron Ulrich answered,
and during this silent interval a great many things passed
through his mind. "Yes, I promise it," he spoke at length,
"provided you will give me the violin." "Oh, fie! Make no
conditions. Do the good work for love of dear St. Elizabeth."
"Well, I must first have a talk with your grandfather," said the
baron. "With grandfather! Why, what could he do to assist
you?"
"Come with me a moment," continued Baron Ulrich, taking
the blind man's hand and leading him to the other side of the
ruin.
What passed between them was never made known to Theresa, for her grandfather gave a solemn promise not to divulge a
secret-a great secret. But she observed when they were descending to the peasant's cot at the foot of the hill that he was
uncommonly cheerful. Nor did his happy mood soon pass
away; it went with him back to Ober-Ammergau, where others
observed it besides herself. But whenever Theresa was asked
the cause of it she could only shake her head and truly say: "I
do not know."
For some good reason, which he kept to himself, the aged fid
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