Page:Foreign Tales and Traditions (Volume 2).djvu/71

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DER FREISCHUTZ.
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BY LUDWIG TIECK. ever see him upon any pretence." "Certainly not," replied Edward; "besides, he goes from hence with the foreign prince."

They proceeded to the councillor's house. He led the youth into his library: "Here, young man," said he, "you find again the rarities which your giddy librarian sold me for a one-worth. You will in future guard these trea- sures of your father more sacredly."

When the lovers were left to themselves Sophie sunk into the arms of the youth: "I love you from all my heart," she whispered, "but was obliged when you were here last to yield to the obstinacy of my father, that I might be yours to-day without contradiction. For if he had perceived my love, he would never have consented so readily."

After a few weeks the young people were united in mar- riage. It was no longer difficult for Edward to become a well-regulated and happy man, and in the arms of his wife and amid the circle of his children, the reminiscence of his past youth came over him only like the remembrance of a trou- bled dream. Eulenboch left the town with the prince, and the so-called librarian, who now filled the secretaryship to which Edward had aspired.

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