"I felt as one does in those dreams in which we see a monster, a serpent, a tiger prepared for the spring which shall kill us: my nerves were over-excited so that I could not distinguish between my dream and reality.
"Still nearer came the steps of the gruesome ghost. My senses gave way. I fell down in a swoon!
"When I awoke again all was still intensely dark, but morning must soon dawn.
"I was alone, as it appeared; nothing stirred. The altar candlestick still stood upon the desk. I took it up, crept out of the sacristy up to the altar and put it back upon its old place. Nothing molested me! My shoes I found in my corner. I put them on, hid myself behind a pillar, not far from the church door, ready for rapid flight.
"Indeed, it was not long before the sacristan opened the church doors for early mass. He went towards the altar, while I glided out behind him and hastened down the steps as if the church behind me were in flames.
"In Orta, also, I only remained a few minutes, then drove over to Stresa; the coachman could not make his horses go fast enough. In Bellinzona I became ill from the excitement, and when I had recovered, I performed very severe penance; my mind was terribly upset, but the farther north I came, the fresher did the breeze blow towards me. I began then to triumph that I had outmanœuvred that secret emissary of Baluzzi--because it could be no one else--that I had succeeded, despite his watchful ambuscade. I triumphed that I had restored you your liberty, and with this proud emotion I now clasp you in my arms.
"Burned to ashes is the spell that fettered you, and freely may you follow your heart!"
Giulia was intensely excited at her friend's intelligence, amid tears she squeezed Beate's hands. And yet she could not conquer an internal fear. Thus breaking into the sanctuary of the church seemed like an inexpiable act of sacrilege which rested upon her soul; and even if she believed in the newly-gained liberty she could not feel glad. Anxious forebodings of unknown possibilities that lay waiting in the air disturbed her confidence in unclouded happiness. What secrets oppressed her soul! How could she meet her beloved one's eye? The heavy weight that lies in the consciousness of forbidden deeds, did not permit her to draw that free breath without which success loses its triumphant charms. And yet--she was resolved to seize the supremest bliss in life in spite of fate, to set the right of her passion above all the rights in the world. Was her happiness only transitory? She must do penance and succumb; at any rate, that which she now struggled for with such ardent longing would once have been her own.
Beate had not been back many days before Blanden's invitation to Kulmitten was received. The day of the marriage was decided upon. Giulia prepared for her departure with Beate after having made a few purchases for a brilliant toilet.
Numerous guests from the provincial capital set out on horseback and in carriages for Kulmitten. The students had not neglected the invitation; they were glad to be present at a gay wedding. Salomon had arranged a performance for the Polter-abend, adapted from his collection of poetical blossoms, and the doctors, Kuhl and Schöner, drove a spirited team to the lakes of Masuren. Cäcilie was expected to come with Olga and Wegen from the neighbouring estate, where she had gone upon a visit to her sister, and every one in the district, who had not shown a hostile spirit towards the proprietor of Kulmitten, was welcome on this glad occasion.