Our artist lost no time in hastening to the chapel-master’s house. He rang, and rang; but no one admitted him. After several trials with the same success, he resolved to wait till evening, when Ricco and Nina might be expected to return. Caroline would then be certainly at home. Who knows, thought he, that she has not some friend, whom she has gone to consult?
He counted the hours impatiently, till it was quite dark; and stood again among the lindens opposite the house. The windows were open, but the curtains down; there was no light, a sure sign that the chapel-master had not returned. All at once he heard the sound of a piano. It must be Caroline, taking the opportunity of the absence of her master and mistress, to indulge herself in her beloved art!
Quickly, but noiselessly, Louis stole up the steps, entered at the door, and passed through the hall. He listened at the door leading into the room; she was singing, with her rich, expressive voice, the same song he had first heard. He could distinguish every word, the closing line being repeated with some variations. The whole song was unspeakably touching, and full of life, love, and hope, such as only a poetic spirit could express. It filled the listener, like magic, with a feeling of delicious sadness; the soft breath of spring, the whisper of love, could alone be compared with it!
Louis breathed quickly. Now is the time or never, thought he, and opened the door. There was only sufficient light in the room to show the outline of a female figure, sitting with drooping head before the piano.
The young man drew nigh, unobserved; and suddenly seizing her hand, “Caroline!” he cried, in a voice trembling with emotion. She started up; he still held her hand, and whispered, “Caroline, canst thou love me?”
The girl trembled, and placed the hand that was at liberty before her eyes. Her lover tried to remove it, and felt her burning tears upon his own. He pressed her to his bosom.
At last, she whispered softly, “Will you love me, questioning not who I am?” Louis kissed the lips that uttered these words, and replied, “Forever and ever!”
Leaning on the arm of the young man, the agitated girl led the way out of the music room, and through two or three apartments, towards Nina’s cabinet. As they stood before the door, she whispered again, “Grant me my first petition; close your eyes till the word is given to open them.” Louis obeyed, in some surprise; they entered the cabinet; she drew away her hand; they stood a moment still. At last, he heard a strange voice say, “Now, Louis!” and opened his eyes.
The room was lighted up; directly before him stood Heissenheimer; a few paces off, Ricco, supporting the form of a young girl, whose face was hid on his breast. The Italian seemed much moved, but did not utter a word.
Louis stood mute with surprise and embarrassment; at length, recollecting himself, he repeated anxiously the name of “Caroline!” The weeping girl lifted her face from Ricco’s bosom, and turned towards him. It was Nina!