“Well, I can only say, I should like exceedingly to read such a book,” I observed.
“You see that ebony chest there, upon that pile of books;” said Wilhelm, pointing in the direction to which he had alluded. “Take it. In it you will find a MS. It is a work such as I have described to you, and I wrote it at intervals, whenever I could find time for the employment.”
“You write such a work, Wilhelm!” exclaimed I with surprise. “I am aware how much you have devoted yourself to study. I know that you have completely ruined your health by your severe application in the pursuit of knowledge; but I had no conception of your attempting a production of such a character, upon a subject beset by so many difficulties.”
“I have been ambitious,” replied my companion. “I was desirous of attempting something out of the common path—I yearned for literary distinction. Take and read it, mein freund, and let me know if you think it worthy of publication. I have endeavoured to make the story full of a deep and pleasing interest. The characters introduced I have sought to create in a sufficient variety, and of various shades, from the humblest in intelligence to the most exalted. The incidents I have strived to make striking and powerful, and vividly drawn; and the opinions you will there find expressed, while I wished to make them natural and true, I have been anxious that they should possess a claim to originality. It has been my aim to combine wit, humour, pathos, and philosophy in such a manner as I hope cannot fail of being thought at once amusing and instructive, and if I live to see realised the aspirations I have entertained, if I can but behold the work I have laboured to produce, in popular estimation, I do not care how soon this feeble frame dissolves into its parent dust. I must live to see that! mein freund; I must live to see that!”
“I have not a doubt but what you will, Wilhelm;” I replied. “The genius I know you to possess has only to exhibit itself fairly before the public, to be considered a public property, and become an object of general estimation. The learning you have laboured so diligently to obtain, will then stand you in good service; and the liberality of your sentiments, your deep love of virtuous principle, and your earnest desire for the diffusion of truth, then cannot long remain without exciting the admiration you covet.”
He made no reply.
“Look!” I exclaimed. “There are Gerhard Kramer, and Hugo Messingen, smoking their meerschaums out of the opposite window.”
He did not move.
“Are you asleep, Wilhelm?” said I, advancing from the window to the bedside, and gazing in the face of my now silent companion. His head was sunk in the pillow, with his light hair falling in waving curls around it. There lay the calm blue eyes, the fair smooth cheek, the delicate moustache, and the mouth so exquisitely small, half open, giving a glimpse of the white teeth within it.
“Are you asleep, Wilhelm?” I repeated, taking the hand that rested outside the bed clothes.