THE ROBBER STURMWIND. 71
presents, and again embraced her. He then requested that the marriage might at present remain a secret, for which he said he had weighty reasons; and added, that in a week he would return with one of his nearest relatives, and the day for the ceremony should be fixed. Poverty is generally compliant towards riches, and so Frau Margaretha made no objection to any of Opalinsky's proposed arrangements. They separated after the happy lover had kissed the fair but pale cheek from which timidity and emotion had chased the roses. The same day he sent, as a present, a large basket full of linen, silk, and other materials for dresses; as fine and beautiful as the maternal affection of Margaretha could desire.
On the last day in the week, he returned, with a man richly dressed, whom he named as his cousin. He said that, on his own part, all was ready for the marriage ceremony; but since his temporary and only residence in Wilna was with a Jew, he had bethought him to have it solemnized near the town, on the estate of his cousin, and then to take his young bride immediately to Samogitia. Should this be approved of, he would return in the morning with another friend, and fetch both mother and daughter.
Margaretha acquiesced Susanna scarcely breathed, and the gentlemen departed. The next morning they appeared with three sledges and another friend. Opalinsky had brought two fur pelisses; one of sable for Susanna, another less costly for her mother. Susanna stood like a victim adorned for sacrifice. Her mother's heart was touched; she had not contemplated the marrying her child so hastily, and so coldly; but there was something in the superior condition of her son in law, which seemed to confuse her; and when the sledges drove up, she suffered herself to be led from the house, and they set off rapidly through the snow.
About a mile from Wilna, near the road to Kanen and Riga, lies a small church: here the sledges halted. The door was open, and a priest appeared within: he performed the ceremony with visible haste, and a similar impatience was apparent in the bridegroom and his two friends: the church was ill lighted, empty, and silent, and filled the bride with a dreary feeling of apprehension.
The solemn rite concluded, they set forward again in the same order; for two miles they put their horses to the greatest speed, and reached a small solitary inn. The host, ( a Jew, ) received his guests with abject civility, and conducted them into a warm, comfortable room, where a table was spread with food and wine; and soon a bowl of punch was added.
“Mother, “said Opalinsky, “this wedding has been hastily solemnized, with the disadvantages of travelling; but I hope to see you soon again, a guest in mine own castle. “Frau Margaretha made a confused reply and Susanna sat still, with a breaking heart, and spoke not. In the mean time, the men ate and drank, and were becoming noisy; but Opalinsky suddenly exclaim-
ed: “Enough, friends! another time we can enjoy ourselves longer. But now, Sokol, take my good mother with thee, and conduct her back to her own house; and I go with my bride to the castle. “The words were scarcely spoken, when mother and daughter were locked in each other's arms separated by the men, and seated in different sledges, and they scarcely felt themselves parted, till they perceived the sledges moving rapidly in contrary directions.
The one in which Susanna and Opalinsky rode was covered; and they were, besides, protected from the cold by cloaks and furs. Opalinsky putting his arm round, and pressing her to his side, said: “To night we shall travel, and at break of day we shall reach my castle. “Susanna answered not, but looked fixedly and unconsciously at the snowy landscape, surrounded by a dark pine forest; her recollection was confused, and of the future she could form no idea. After driving with great velocity for three hours, the sledge stopped in the open field; no house was in sight, but a number of men were lying on the snowy ground, around a half extinguished fire. They sprang forward, brought out fresh horses, led away the others, and again the sledge went onwards, as quick as thought. Susanna frequently closed her eyes, but not in sleep; her companion, if not sleeping, was at least silent, and appeared to slumber.
The horses were changed several times; Opalinsky's arrival always seemed to be expected, and when they stopped at an inn, whatever he ordered was brought with the most prompt attention, and his commands implicitly obeyed.The grey dawn began to appear when they entered a forest path, on which the snow lay so deep that the horses could scarcely get on; they presently stopped at the foot of an eminence, where the forest was more open and lighter.“Dearest, “said Opalinsky, “we must alight and conclude our journey on foot. “Susanna followed him, and he assisted her through the thick underwood, up a steep acclivity. She soon perceived the ruins of old walls and towers, which looked drearily over the snowy pine tops, in the cold morning light. “This is my castle, love, “continued Opalinsky; “a little decayed, it is true; but it contains chambers which can shelter us against more than rain and wind. Thanks to the crusaders, * who built such firm walls, that neither time nor man has been able to destroy them. They walked through the ruins till they came to an opening, through which nothing but the interior of a dark vault was perceptible.Opalinsky whistled, and spoke some words in the Schamarte language, and presently a light appeared below, and a flight of rude wooden steps was placed against the opening.
“Good Heaven! “exclaimed Susanna, “where am I? -where are you leading me? "
- When Samogitia was in the possession of the German order, many castles were built for the protection of the coun. try, whose ruins yet exist, and are called by the Samogitian peasantry, the German walls.
