Villa Eden Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Villa Eden novel. A total of 236 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Villa Eden.by Berthold Auerbach.BOOK I.CHAPTER I.THE APPARITION."Be patient a few:
Villa Eden.by Berthold Auerbach.BOOK I.CHAPTER I.THE APPARITION."Be patient a few: minutes longer! There's a man beckoning to go with us," said the boatman to his pa.s.sengers, two women and one man. The man was gray-haired, of slender form
- 101 "My second point is only a repet.i.tion of the first. I remember your father's saying once, that the first and only true support, or rather the very foundation of education, must be:--'Thou shalt, and thou shalt not; straight forward without comment, w
- 102 FRAU PETRA.When Sonnenkamp was alone in the garden, in the hot-houses, in the work-room, or his seed-room, he wore perpetually a complacent, triumphant smile, often congratulating himself upon his success in making persons and circ.u.mstances play into hi
- 103 "I trust you will pardon my boldness; is it true that Manna is to be taken from the convent, and have her education completed by you?"The Mother was amazed. What was to her only a vague thought, was the gossip of the neighborhood. She could not imagine
- 104 He stood by the garden-fence, drumming with his fingers upon one of the rails, and lost in so deep a reverie, that the guests stood before him, without his having noticed their approach.The meeting of the Mother and Fraulein Milch was not so cordial as th
- 105 Clodwig was remarkably cheerful and happy, and the day pa.s.sed off with a joyousness that is possible only to persons in entire leisure, and perhaps only on the banks of the Rhine.Roland was the happiest of all; he seemed to be the life and connecting li
- 106 Humility, respect, and helpful kindness were manifest in Sonnenkamp's whole demeanor, as he extended his hand to the Professorin on her getting out of the carriage; as he conducted her to the steamboat; as he looked out for a seat protected from the drau
- 107 The Superior was rich in experience, while the Professorin depended almost entirely on the precepts and opinions of her departed husband; and now that she took the att.i.tude of a scholar, and listened gratefully, gentler thoughts rose within the Superior
- 108 Manna appeared hardly to have heard her, for now she grasped her arm asking:-- "Did you not tell me, that you were specially in the confidence of my mother?""Yes.""And has she told you the secret too?""I do not understand you.""Speak openly with
- 109 And this apparent indecision was increased by the feeling she had of not being justified in contending against a faith so firm and so beneficent in its influence. An unrest, like that of a spy, who, from the highest patriotic motives, inspects an enemy's
- 110 "Are the people who are slaves fond of their children? Do you know any song they sing?"Eric had very little to say in reply. Roland wanted to know how all the ancient nations regarded slavery. Eric could give him only a superficial statement; he proceed
- 111 In the evening, Eric received a large package of books and a letter from Professor Einsiedel, and also a large sheet of memoranda. He commended Eric's intention of writing a treatise upon the idea and nature of slavery, as it would prove a very fertile t
- 112 Eric commenced reading. The fulness and flexibility of his voice gave the requisite expression to each character, and he preserved the proper distinction between reading and theatrical presentation. He brought out no strong colors; it was an artistic embo
- 113 "For heaven's sake, drop this talk! It's not good, 'twill only do harm!"Then he took another look at Sonnenkamp, shrugging up his shoulders."What _does_ the man mean," he thought, "by talking to us in this style! We wouldn't put a hair in his pat
- 114 Roland was summoned to his mother, who wanted him; Eric watched him thoughtfully as he went; he felt also that a new page was to be turned, without knowing what it was to be. He looked towards the door, for he expected that Sonnenkamp would send for him.
- 115 The Aunt condescendingly dropped very slightly the fan which she held, and Frau Ceres made a truly courtly reverence."Come nearer," said the Aunt. "It is very good in you to take up your abode in our country.""It was my husband's wish," answered Fr
- 116 "Now we are quite alone," said the Professorin, "you can tell me every thing. Shall I a.s.sure you that I can keep a secret?""Oh, I am only sorry that I have gone so far," stammered Fraulein Milch, drawing her cap-strings through her fingers. "It i
- 117 Sonnenkamp inspected all the rooms, saying, when he came to those intended for Roland and Eric,-- "All the comforts of this world have their price; those who have nothing must turn coachmen, and freeze down there, waiting for a pa.s.senger."He returned
- 118 The Cabinetsrathin observed, with a smile, that they need feel no uneasiness, for Roland was with Cuno, and of course enjoying himself.She expressed her regrets that she too must now take leave of the company, and, drawing Sonnenkamp into the embrasure of
- 119 "You must tell me more about this matter of slavery sometime; you must come to see me.""Your Highness has but to command," replied Sonnenkamp, most happy that the conversation should end here.Eric stood through the greater part of the evening near Wei
- 120 "They are happier than we," he said, as he drank his heavy Burgundy.On the evening preceding the performance of the French play, Roland, at his father's bidding, invited all his fellow-actors to a party at the hotel. The gentlemen came, but none of the
- 121 "Then," began Sonnenkamp, "I shall proceed at once to tell you the secret of my life."The Professorin had to put both hands on her table to steady herself.What was the man going to say! She silently inclined her head, and Sonnenkamp told how it was hi
- 122 Two topics engrossed the conversation of the capital the next day: Herr Sonnenkamp's ball, the like of which the city had never seen, and the death of the young husband of Fraulein von Endlich, news of which had been received the evening before, but had
- 123 "Do you think she will come?""Certainly."A telegram was at once despatched to the green house, and in an hour the answer came that mother and aunt were on their way.The news of the beautiful boy's severe illness spread rapidly through the city. Serva
- 124 "He is waiting in the reception-room.""I will give him an answer," returned Manna, and began to read her letter a second time.She paced the cell backwards and forwards; at one moment she wanted to seek the Lady Superior and ask what she should do, but
- 125 The lady herself was often unconscious that this was the effect of her presence; she only knew that she was tightening between herself and Sonnenkamp the bonds from which she would gladly be free, and, whenever she returned to the carriage, she begged him
- 126 CHAPTER XI.A NEW LIFE IN EVERYTHING.The Prince must have forgotten that he had meant to send for Sonnenkamp, who now found himself deprived of all opportunity of expressing his thanks in person to him or to his brother, by their departure, in company with
- 127 She rose, and with a loud cry, brother and sister fell into one another's arms."Sit down by me," said Manna at last. They sat together upon the bench beneath the pine-tree, and Manna, pointing to the smaller bench, told of Heimchen, and of her often wa
- 128 When Roland was left alone with his sister, he urged her to visit his grandmother and aunt that very day; but Manna reproved him for giving such names to persons not really related to him."Ah, but you must love them too," said Roland."Must? One can lov
- 129 Manna embraced her brother affectionately, as did Pranken also, but Roland quickly disengaged himself from the latter's grasp, and said to Manna:-- "Shake hands with Herr Eric too, for this is his birthday amongst us. A year ago to-day he became mine, o
- 130 His mother told him he should consider that the money came from Roland, whose coming of age was only antic.i.p.ated. But that idea troubled Eric too: it made him feel that he was sent away, paid off; the account was squared between them. His mother remind
- 131 Here she made a long pause, and Pranken was in great suspense, wondering how she would finish her sentence."He talks much," she said, "but he thinks much too."Pranken cast about for some turn he could give the conversation, which, with a skilful aim,
- 132 The legend tells of that child-giant who took the ploughman, with plough and horse, to be a plaything, gathered them up in his ap.r.o.n, and carried them off.This was the case with Manna. Her thoughts, by day and by night, had been so far removed from the
- 133 Then he went on to advise Manna to consider the world around as alien to herself.The interview seemed now to have become rather painful. The Priest suddenly and abruptly said that it was time for Manna to return home, as they would be expecting her there.
- 134 "An eye of his own?" Manna asked in wonderment."Yes, you will readily perceive what I mean by that. And now I have one favor to ask for myself.""For yourself?""Yes Simply believe that I hold in high respect your ideal of life, because I regard it a
- 135 Manna looked in amazement at the Aunt; and she had the impression that a new view of life was unfolded to her, that was like the religious, and yet wholly peculiar in itself.Towards Eric's mother. Manna was respectful but reserved. She treated her brothe
- 136 She also liked a gla.s.s of wine, and was rallied on that account. She begged Eric to defend her, and he replied:-- "That's easily done. It's a romantic absurdity to look upon it as a fine thing for a girl not to take pleasure in eating and drinking; a
- 137 Manna listened eagerly. As she looked out of the window, her eyes rested on her father's house, with the park and garden, and it seemed to her as if they must all be overwhelmed, the waters surge up from the Rhine, the everlasting floods submerge the
- 138 "Allow me to take more time," answered Eric; "I must take a longer spring.""Proceed! proceed!" said Pranken sharply, twirling the ends of his moustache."The largest cathedrals," Eric began by saying, "are unfin
- 139 Sonnenkamp promised to carry out the idea, and unfolded a plan which he had much at heart, of establis.h.i.+ng general benevolent inst.i.tutions, the first of which should be a fund for the widows and orphans of boatmen.Manna stroked her beautiful white p
- 140 As soon as Lina heard it she clapped her hands, exclaiming,-- "The princess is set free! Manna has, heretofore, been the princess who couldn't laugh. Captain, you've broken the spell! What name shall we give to the knight who has set our Ma
- 141 CHAPTER IX.DEMONSTRATION OF RESPECT FROM BELOW.When a person is to be surprised in the evening by a demonstration of respect, what does he do in the morning?Sonnenkamp must pretend not to notice anything, but nevertheless, he watched the barometer very cl
- 142 This must be kept a profound secret, but it was very proper that Sonnenkamp should be informed of it. He sent back the request that the visit of the Prince should be announced by a telegram.He seemed to himself now a prisoner in his own domains. He had ha
- 143 He obeyed, and was welcomed by their royal Highnesses in a very cordial manner.The Prince went towards the house, where the Professorin was standing on the steps with Eric; he went up to her with quick step, holding out both hands, and saying how glad he
- 144 Sonnenkamp fumed with rage over the whole business, and now, for the first time, it struck him how strange it was that these people should treat all this humbug of rank so seriously; they knew that it was humbug, but its very existence depended on their v
- 145 Both agreed perfectly in looking upon all communities, all human society, as nothing but a tacit agreement to tell lies: no one believes his neighbor, no one honors his neighbor; all that is valued is a certain outside show, a humbug, which must be kept u
- 146 He whirled her swiftly among the circle of dancers, and she felt as if she were no longer upon the ground, but were floating in the air."Let us go!" said Roland to Eric in the gallery. They left the hall, and took by moonlight the same beautiful
- 147 "It would make his happiness; without that he would have no happiness.I am sure you will not misunderstand me, my very dear, n.o.ble friend. I frankly confess to you that I prize money highly; I have worked hard for it, and should like to keep it; I
- 148 "Or if you mean to devote yourself to practical life," he added, "I have nothing to say against that; only you must decide on one or the other."Eric returned to the hotel as one roused from a dream. He saw the danger which threatened h
- 149 "Not yours," said the gipsy. "But I want that one next you to show me her hand." With great reluctance, Manna consented. The old woman gave a wild cry, and exclaimed:-- "You have a lover by your side, but you must go across the wa
- 150 Clodwig had several objects in view in speaking thus; he wanted to make a direct appeal to his companions in rank, and he wanted, once for all, to divert from their purpose Sonnenkamp and the Banker, who he knew had also been induced to aspire to a t.i.tl
- 151 Roland was too much moved to speak; he could only kiss the old man's delicate childlike hand. The people at a distance looked on in amazement. The postilion blew his horn till he started the echoes in mountain and valley. With no decisive point gaine
- 152 The Major came one day with a request, that Sonnenkamp would allow the Free Masons to have an entertainment in the newly finished armory of the castle, as Herr Weidmann was desirous of having the fete come off there. Sonnenkamp's first impulse was to
- 153 In the great hall Weidmann was standing behind a table, and giving to the people a scientific and at the same time a perfectly comprehensible and directly practical essay on the best method of "making flesh;" for such was the term he continually
- 154 "Miracles still take place! Miracles still take place!" he kept exclaiming, flouris.h.i.+ng at the same time his flute. "But now, children, follow me; do not speak--not a single word. Roland can dance, and you can dance too, Lilian. I beg y
- 155 "Ah, good evening, Brindy! Do you feel proud because you've taken the prize? Shall you tell your neighbors of it? Will you enjoy yourself now at home, or don't you know anything about your honors?"The heifer was led to the barn, and th
- 156 Of all his knowledge, nothing else now occurred to him."You are very clever!" exclaimed the child. "Now tell me, do you think, too, that the bees smell the flowers as we do, and that the flowers put on such pretty colors so that the bees an
- 157 Roland and Lilian accompanied Frau Weidmann into the house.CHAPTER IV.VOCATION AND FATHER-LAND.While the children had been dreaming and chattering together in the garden, the men had gone into the house. They stepped into the large wainscoted entrance-hal
- 158 "No, that's the second. The first is a sound human understanding. There are far more intellectual men than there are men of genuine common sense."The Prince nodded to Knopf, and he gave a merry nod in return.Weidmann opposed, with a warmth
- 159 "Herr Sonnenkamp, or rather, not Herr Sonnenkamp, but, as his name really is, Herr Banfield, is in so many words the most notorious slave-dealer ever known in the Southern States; nay, more. My nephew, Doctor Fritz, could tell you many a thing he has
- 160 Knopf had seized hold of Eric's hand, and in his excessive enthusiasm he kissed it.Eric was calm, and Knopf had a beatific look; his countenance with its smiles was like the stream, on whose bosom the wind tosses along the rippling waves. He maintain
- 161 He fumbled hurriedly in his pocket finally he brought out the ring of keys, went to the fire-proof safe built in the wall, rattled back the k.n.o.bs on it, and at once opened both the folding-doors."See here," said he, "all this will, one d
- 162 "Ah, I wish it may not be with you as it is with me; the older I become, the more mysterious and complicated are many things to me. You men are fortunate; individual things do not vex you so much, because you can see a united whole."As the mothe
- 163 The Professorin rose to go, and Sonnenkamp begged her in a kindly tone to keep his wife company during his absence, and give her all the instruction and advice necessary to enable her to enter upon her new sphere of life with becoming repose and dignity.T
- 164 Fraulein Perini a.s.sented; she knew that she would have to do the whole herself, but Frau Ceres had now become somewhat calmer."Will you not send for the Priest, or hadn't we better go and visit him ourselves?""As you see fit."&q
- 165 The Professorin shuddered inwardly. The restlessness and terror, the wilful, overbearing, and weak nature of Frau Ceres were now for the first time made clear to her; here was a woman who sought to torment her husband by revealing to her child the father&
- 166 Eric's countenance brightened; he had no reason for putting faith in Fraulein Milch's conjecture, and still he did put faith in it. And now it occurred to him, that he had joyfully antic.i.p.ated something, he knew not what, to-day; now he had e
- 167 "Take in the package," said Manna to the servant.She walked quietly on with Eric.CHAPTER XIV.FROM SIBYLLINE BOOKS.On the way Manna said:-- "Do you know that I had an aversion for you, when I came here?""Yes indeed, I knew it."
- 168 Eric looked at his mother; he did not know what answer to give, and the Mother said:-- "According to the ordinary conception of the word 'looking,' we cannot conceive its being done without eyes. We have no conception how a spirit exists, b
- 169 "We were comrades, never friends."They were silent again; there were so many things to be spoken of, crowding upon both of them, that they did not seem to know where to begin.The evening bell tolled, and Manna saw that Eric did not remove his ha
- 170 "Yes, my parents!" said she. "My parents!" Her voice became fainter, her countenance turned suddenly pale, and she drew closer to Eric, as if she were cold. He put his hand upon her head, and played with her tresses, while she held his
- 171 Fraulein Milch, who saw very plainly that Eric had something to communicate, was about to leave the room, but he called out,-- "You are to hear it too, you and my friend here. I entrust it to your true hearts. I am betrothed.""To Manna?&quo
- 172 Eric escorted Bella to the villa, but he could not utter a word.Fortunately, Fraulein Perini came up, and he could hand Bella over to her. He hastened to Manna and informed her in a few hasty words that Bella had arrived. She looked up, half roguishly, ha
- 173 In a very courteous tone she said,-- "Oh, I a.s.sure you, I should be very sorry to antic.i.p.ate Herr Sonnenkamp's dismissal."The calm bearing which the Professorin had been accustomed to maintain in all extremities, now failed her for the
- 174 Proud and erect, he strode for a long time up and down the chamber.Then he recollected that the Cabinetsrath had informed him that the Prince liked certain ceremonies, and that he would have to make oath with his bare hand. He looked at his hand. How woul
- 175 Sonnenkamp did not know how he ought to take this freedom; but the best way was to put up with it silently. He listened with a.s.senting nods, and thought to himself, What a way they have of doing things here in the palace! It is just as if the people in
- 176 "And would you--" asked the Prince, "No, I will put another question to you. How do you regard a man who traffics in beings of this inferior race?"Sonnenkamp started up immediately from his chair, but he sat down again quickly, and sai
- 177 It breathed new life into him to think that the world so despised him."Just so! I can do that too; I despise you all!""But the children! the children!" something whispered to him. When he was waging war in America, the children knew no
- 178 "Does this Herr Sonnenkamp know that you are acquainted with his past life?""O no, and he must never know it."Again there was a long pause.From the cathedral near by came the stroke of noon; the bells rang out the Angelus, the Priest r
- 179 "Herr Sonnenkamp, I always go counter to the public sentiment; I respect you, notwithstanding, and I love your daughter. I am almost glad that I can show you by a sacrifice how my intention----""Herr von Pranken, you do not know what you ar
- 180 And again father and son sat opposite to each other in silence, until Roland began:-- "Father, let us go home to-day.""No, not to-day. We must both, first of all, get some strength."Pranken had withdrawn into the adjoining room; he now
- 181 Roland went into the garden, where a bright voice called to him:-- "Mutual congratulations! we congratulate you, and you should congratulate us, too; we are betrothed."Lina and the Architect were coming, holding each other's hand, through t
- 182 CHAPTER VIII.THE TRIUMPH OF THE OPPRESSED.Roland entered the cottage, and found the Professorin, Eric, and Manna in grave conversation together; they had imparted the dreadful secret to each other, and what weighed the most heavily upon them was the thoug
- 183 "Indeed?" cried Sonnenkamp. "Have you not walked the horse out for exercise? Has any one ridden him?""Yes; the Herr Captain ordered the horse to be saddled the night before, and was a long time gone with him.""So! Come,
- 184 "Do you know the story of the little brother and the little sister?They lost themselves in the wood, and then found their way home again.And we are like two children in the wild forest. But we are children no longer; you are grown up, you are strong,
- 185 "If slaves could not speak, could not pray, they would be happy like you, and like you, my faithful dogs!"Manna was becoming uneasy at the unwearying tenor of Roland's thoughts; she said:-- "You must now remain all the time with our fr
- 186 Roland thanked him and went on. As he entered the Huntsman's house, the latter cried out to him:-- "Knew you were coming. Have a salve for you. Needn't tell me anything, know everything this long while. Can give you something.""Wh
- 187 "It is I, the Countess Bella."Sonnenkamp s.h.i.+vered.Is it a trick? It is some one who insists on speaking to him, a.s.suming that name and that voice.Well! At any rate, the person who puts on that mask is very cunning.Let us see who it is that
- 188 Roland rose to his feet in the next room. Would this really be better than musing by one's self? He kept quiet, and heard the Prince ask how the daughter and how the wife had received the exposure of the dreadful secret.The Prince spoke in a loud, Er
- 189 You can be happy, you have imparted to the boy genuine strength.When at last they were bidding good-bye, Roland begged Knopf to ride home on the pony. Knopf a.s.sured him repeatedly that it was a pleasure to him to roam about in the dark on foot; Roland a
- 190 From that day forth, she had determined to keep clear of every luxurious indulgence which this ostentatious man might feel like putting in her way, and this she would do in a modest and retiring manner; from that day forth she looked upon herself as a tra
- 191 "Let him clear out!" "Hustle him out!" was the general cry.Just as this was yelled forth, Sonnenkamp appeared on the steps. The howling, shrieking, and kettle-banging began anew; stones crashed through the great window-panes.The Scream
- 192 BOOK XIII.CHAPTER I.OBLITERATED TRACES.The gardeners raked smooth the footpaths: they bound up the down-trodden shrubs again, removing the broken ones. Even the grooms a.s.sisted to-day in the garden, while up in the house the glaziers were already busy,
- 193 "I must recover my composure; for I alone can help myself.""Thou alone?" he asked again, and his thoughts pa.s.sed to Bella. There is a woman such as he has never found before. There is courage, power, genius. But in what can even she
- 194 Sonnenkamp's countenance relaxed. It was nothing after all. This woman seemed in truth n.o.ble and pure; for she was not so prudent, no one could be so prudent, as to a.s.sume forthwith such a mask of virtue. He was not a little astonished, however,
- 195 "Because he is understood as a matter of course, and also the Priest,"replied Sonnenkamp.Eric named, besides, Prince Valerian, the Banker, and Knopf. The number was full.Sonnenkamp urged that not an hour should be lost, and Eric ordered a horse
- 196 "Rise," said the Superior severely. "We suffer no vehemence here. It is to be hoped you yet remember this. Have you been in the church?""No," said Manna, rising.It was long ere the Superior spoke. She probably-expected Manna
- 197 "Poor man! Poor man!" he repeated, over and over again, "He was not open with me; but then, neither was she. I do not take it ill of him.She was not so either: it was the first time in her life. She"--this was of course, Fraulein Milch
- 198 CHAPTER V.ACQUIESCENCE AND RELUCTANCE.It was already night when Eric reached Mattenheim. The Weidmann family had entered their winter residence, as they called the beautiful, bright rooms on the upper story of their house, with pictures on the walls, and
- 199 "No.""Nothing at all? Did she speak of no member of this household?""Oh! yes. Of the children.""Indeed! Of the children? Well, I thank you. Pleasant dreams."Eric went to his chamber. He stood long at the window, gaz
- 200 "Will you allow me to send for the Priest?""Certainly, I will bring him myself.""No! Remain here."He gave through the speaking-tube an order that the Priest should be requested to come to him; then, turning again to Pranken,