27. XXVII.
His head swam — his heart sickened — he tottered
from the fearful board, and stammering out
his intention to the rest, passed into the adjoining
apartment, where he was to choose his successor,
and prepare for the execution of his doom.
“Poor fellow!” said one, “he does not seem
to like it.”
“No,” said another, “but better him than us.
It will always be a year too soon when the time
comes, and so no doubt he thinks it.”
“Wonder how he likes leaving his wife,” said
a third; “they say he is very fond of her.”
“Psha! is she fond of him? is the question.
She will have no loss; she's quite as lovely as
ever, and I will take some pains myself to console
her,” said a fourth, who was one of the most
self-complacent of the group. It is in this brutal
fashion that vice presumes to speak of the superior
virtue which it hates and fears. Little did
the pure minded Bertha at that moment imagine
that such as these were the associates of her husband.
Thus had the conversation proceeded for
some time in the hall, when some one remarked
upon the long absence of the victim:
“He stays long!”
“Yes; his choice is difficult. It is to be hoped
he brings us a proper man, a good fellow, not too
proud to know his friends and neighbors.”
“If he does,” said a third, “we should rejoice
in the exchange, for he will then give us a more
sociable and better fellow than himself.”
The delay of Rodolph to return, at length provoked
anxiety. He was sought for, and was nowhere
to be found. The successor was unchosen
— the fatal garment unassumed — the knife of
death unappropriated. The unhappy youth dared
not fulfil his pledges. Life was too sweet —
death too terrible — and scarcely enjoying the
one, or only destined to enjoy it in horrors, he had
yet fled from the utterly bereaving embraces of
the other. He had availed himself of the few
moments which were allotted to the victim for
solitary preparation, to hurry through a neighboring
passage, and regain the court-yard. There,
mounting his steed, he had fled with all desperation,
and a full half hour had elapsed after his
departure before his flight was discovered.
