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CHAPTER V.
On the road to the castle, our friend, to his astonishment, found nothing that
would have resembled an older pleasure-garden or a modern park. Upon a gently
sloping space he beheld, in one glance, fruit-trees planted in straight lines,
vegetable beds, large plots sown with medicinal herbs, and only what could be
esteemed useful in some way or other. A space, shaded round by tall lime-trees,
expanded like an entrance-hall worthy of the fine building; a long alley leading
out of it with trees of similar growth and beauty afforded an opportunity, at
every hour of the day, of taking exercise or strolling in the open air. On entering
the castle, he found the walls of the ground floor covered in a peculiar fashion:
large geographical drawings of all the four quarters of the world met his eye.
The walls of the stately staircase were similarly adorned with maps of particular
countries; and on being admitted into the principal hall, he found himself
surrounded by views of the most remarkable cities, enclosed above and below by
landscape pictures of the neighborhoods in which they were situated; all
depicted with such art, that the peculiarities of each distinctly met the eye, and at
the same time an uninterrupted connection was perceptible throughout. The
master of the house, a cheerful little man, somewhat advanced in years,
welcomed his guest, and asked, without further introduction, pointing to the
walls, whether by chance one of these towns were known to him; whether he had
ever lived in any of them? Of many of them our friend was now able to give an
account at length, and prove that he had not only seen several of the places, but
also that he had not neglected to observe carefully their condition and
peculiarities.
The master rang, and ordered that a room should be assigned to the two
guests; and that presently they should be shown in to supper, which was
accordingly done. In a large hall on the ground floor two ladies advanced
towards him, one of whom said to him with great liveliness: “Here you will find
little company, but good. I, the younger niece, am called Hersilia; this my elder
sister is named Julietta; the two gentlemen are father and son, officials, as you
know — friends of the family, who enjoy all the confidence that they deserve.
Let us sit down!” The two ladies placed Wilhelm between them, the officials sat
at the ends, Felix at the other side, where he at once moved himself opposite to
Hersilia, and never took his eyes off her.
After some general preliminary talk, Hersilia seized an opportunity of saying:
“In order that the stranger may the sooner become familiar with us, and initiated
into our conversation, I must acknowledge that we read a great deal here, and
that by accident, inclination, and perhaps also from a spirit of contradiction, we
have divided ourselves amongst the different literatures. Our uncle has taken to
the Italian; this lady, here, does not take it ill to be thought a perfect
Englishwoman; but I hold to the French, in so far as they are cheerful and
elegant. Papa-steward here rejoices in German antiquities, and the son is thus
able, as is fitting, to devote his sympathy to the more modern and younger. You
will judge of us accordingly, take part accordingly, agree or dispute; in every
sense you will be welcome.” And in this sense, too, the conversation grew
animated.
In the meantime the direction of the handsome Felix’s ardent glances had by
no means escaped Hersilia; she felt surprised and flattered, and sent him the
most delicate morsels, which he gladly and thankfully received. But at dessert,
as he was looking towards her across a dish of apples, she fancied that in the
splendid fruit she beheld so many rivals. Quick as thought she seized an apple,
and reached it across the table to the enterprising youth. He, seizing it hastily, at
once began to peel it; but as he looked unremittingly at his lovely opposite
neighbor, he cut himself deeply in the thumb. The blood flowed quickly: Hersilia
jumped up and attended to him, and when the blood had been stopped, she
closed the wound with English plaster from her case. In the meantime the boy
had caught hold of her and would not let her go; the interruption became general,
the company rose from the table, and preparations were made to separate.
“I suppose you read before going to sleep,” said Hersilia to Wilhelm; “I will
send you a manuscript, a translation from the French by myself, and you shall
say whether you have ever met with anything prettier. A distracted girl enters
upon the scene — that perhaps might not be any particular recommendation; but
if I ever should become demented, as I sometimes have a wish to be, it would be
in this manner.”
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