🧚 A Historical Tale., part 3

Accordingly Alice made her way to the Staufenburg, and after watching from the thick woods three whole days she saw her mother, Magda, issue from a small postern door in the outer walls, so hidden by trees and underbrush as to be unseen when shut.1

Alice hastened to meet her, secure of her disguise, and told her she had a special message from the Master to the Lady Eva, and must speak with her alone.2

Magda, terrified, exclaimed, "Who are you?3 Whom do you mean by the Lady Eva?"4

"I am one who knows all the secret, and that the beautiful maid of honour, Eva von Trotta, does not lie in her coffin.5 Better if she did.6 But my message is pressing and admits of no delay.7 My orders are to deliver it to the lady alone.8 Admit me here, and leave the door unlocked that I may let myself out again."9

Magda stared at the old hump-backed woman and her basket, and hesitated; but seeing she knew the secret, at last concluded all was right.10

"Follow me," she said; and opening the postern door and pointing out to her an outer flight of stone steps leading down to a garden, continued, "mount those steps leading to the stone balcony.11 You will find the lady you seek in her boudoir, which you enter from that open door.12 She is alone.13 I will wait for you here, for I dare not leave the gate open.14 It might be discovered, for I have seen people prowling about here lately a good deal."15

Alice did as directed.16 Arrived on the balcony she paused and gazed at the graceful but passive figure half reclining in a fauteuil in full view of the mountains.17

Eva is now in her twenty-first year, and lovelier than ever.18 Her face and hands are so white as to seem almost transparent; her curls fall in rich masses over her white silken robe; her blue eyes have a strange far-away look in them that strikes Alice to the heart.19

Suddenly Eva becomes aware of the presence of a stranger, starts out of her pensive reverie and exclaims, "Who are you?20 How did you get in the garden?"21

"I met a servant at the postern gate in the wall," replied Alice in a constrained voice. "22 I told her I had a special message for you."23

"From Henry?24 Then you know all!25 Quick! quick!26 What is it?"27

Alice hesitated, for she was so moved at sight of her playmate and foster-sister, she could not command her voice to speak.28

"Why are you so long?29 Speak.30 I will reward you richly if you bring me good news from Duke Henry."31

"I do not bring you a message from Henry of Brunswick, but from God," said Alice, slowly and solemnly. "32 Leave this castle, forget Henry, return to the path of duty and virtue, and seek forgiveness."33

"Who are you?" cried the terrified Eva, springing from her seat. "34 If the Duke did not send you, who did?35 Oh!36 I am betrayed!37 Magda!38 Magda!39 What have you done?"40

"Do not fear, White Lady of the Staufenburg, I will not betray you.41 I have sought you four long years, because I love you, and would save you from a life-long wretchedness.42 I was at your imagined funeral, and discovered the farce, but no mortal save myself knows of my discovery.43

"Who are you?44 Why do you come here? to threaten, to torment me?45 Do you want money?"46

"Why do I come?47 You are in danger.48 The Duchess has spies; stories of a White Lady in the Staufenberg are come even to the Court.49 The Duke's long absences excite suspicion.50 He is watched.51 Think of the storm that will burst upon you both if you are discovered.52 Leave here before it is too late."53

"Why do you interest yourself for a lonely creature like me, dead and buried?"54

"You do not know me--how could you?55 My own mother did not recognise me," and Alice threw off hump and wig, and stood before Eva, a tall, well-formed girl, nearly her own age.56

"Alice!" cried Eva, rushing to her, and seizing her in her arms. "57 I thought you were a nun in the convent of Gandersheim.58 You are come to stay with me.59 Oh! say you are come to stay."60

"No, I will not stay here.61 I have sought you all this time as an old lace-seller, to warn and save you.62 If you will give up Henry and leave this den of sin, I will follow you wherever you go.63 Oh! what words can I use to induce you to leave here?64 Eva!65 Eva! it is your foster-sister, your truest friend, who entreats you.66 Henry is your worst enemy.67 He has trodden your honour and name in the dust, but you consented, and destroyed what you might have been for ever.68 But repentance is left, and there is all eternity to come.69

"How can you stand before God? how can you dare pray?70 You desecrated the holiest; virtue and innocence you have made the tools of vice; you have stolen the _monstrance_ from the altar; you swore a false oath before the altar of the Highest.71 Talk of a left-handed marriage.72 It is an insult to Heaven's laws.73 Eva!74 Eva! once my pure and dear playmate, the darling of your dead mother's heart, come away with me now--_now_.75 No one is here to betray our flight.76 We will go to some distant land, and I will stay with you so long as we both live.77 Follow your true friend.78 It is the voice of Heaven you hear.79 Forget the unworthy murderer of your youth and purity."80

Eva trembled and turned pale. "81 What would become of my children?" she cried, wringing her hands in anguish.82

"Children! have you children?"83

"Yes, three.84 See, that is my noble Eitel with the long brown curls, playing in the garden."85

"God will protect them.86 You can do nothing for them even if you remain.87 They are in the power of their father.88 Come, come; oh, listen to the voice of warning before it is too late," and Alice seized Eva's hand as if she would lead her away.89

"I cannot!90 I cannot!91 I love Henry.92 Love his princely magnanimity, his bravery, his noble pride--even that which others hate in him I love.93 For him I have robbed the Duchess of her husband, deceived my brave father and my brothers, desecrated God's altar, sacrificed life, youth, honour, happiness; I live only for him.94 I cannot deceive him, cannot atone for one sin with another."95

"I must save you, then, by telling your brothers where you are.96 They will punish the vile Henry before the whole German Empire."97 She released Eva's hand and turned to go.98

With a scream Eva sprang forward, threw herself down before Alice, clasped her knees and cried, "Be merciful, Alice; have pity on my misery.99 God is merciful.100 Do not you be cruel.101 Do not betray me.102 I am crushed and bruised, the peace of my mind and heart destroyed.103 I could not be more wretched.104 What good would it do to betray me? and in betraying Henry, you destroy me, rob me of the only earthly protection I can ever hope to enjoy.105 Magda is a mother to my children as she was to me.106 She would not betray me."107

"My mother was your nurse, hence has a mother's feelings for you.108 I will not stay here.109 If I should see Henry, I should forget all respect for his person as Duke, and give him a piece of my mind.110 I will keep your secret, but I warn you of a coming-danger.111 Then I can be of more service to you without than if I stayed here.112 God help you.113 I will not betray you."114 And hastily assuming her disguise, for footsteps were heard approaching, she hurried away.115