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The werewolf. My father was not
born or originally a resident in the Hearts

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Mountains. He was a serf of
an Hungarian nobleman of great possessions in Transylvania.

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But although a serf, he was
not by any means a poor or

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illiterate man. In fact, he
was rich, and his intelligence and respectability

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were such that he had been raised
by his lord to the stewardship. But

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whoever may happen to be born a
serf, a serf must he remain,

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even though he became a wealthy man. Such was the condition of my father.

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My father had been married for about
five years, and by his marriage

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had three children, my eldest brother, Caesar, myself Hermann, and a

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sister named Marcella. Latin is still
the language spoken in that country, and

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that will account for our high sounding
names. My mother was a very beautiful

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woman, unfortunately more beautiful than virtuous. She was seen and admired by the

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lord of the soil. My father
was sent away upon some mission, and

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during his absence, my mother,
flattered by the attentions and won by the

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assiduities of this nobleman, yielded to
his wishes. It so happened that my

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father returned very unexpectedly and discovered the
intrigue. The evidence of my mother's shame

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was positive. He surprised her in
the company of her seducer. Carried away

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by the impetuosity of his feelings,
he watched the opportunity of a meeting taking

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place between them, and murdered both
his wife and her seducer. Conscious that

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as a serf, not even the
provocation which he had received would be allowed

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as a justification of his conduct,
he hastily collected together what money he could

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lay his hands upon, and,
as we were then in the depth of

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winter, he put his horses to
the sleigh, and, taking his children

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with him, he set off in
the middle of the night, and was

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far away before the tragical circumstance had
transpired. Aware that he would be pursued,

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and that he had no chance of
escape if he remained in any portion

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of his native country in which the
authorities could lay hold of him, he

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continued his flight without intermission until he
had buried himself in the intricacies and seclusion

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of the Hearts Mountains. Of course, all that I have now told you

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I learned afterwards. My oldest recollections
are knit to a rood yet comfortable cottage

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in which I lived with my father, brother and sister. It was on

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the confines of one of those vast
forests which cover the northern part of Germany.

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Around it were a few acres of
ground, which, during the summer

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months my father cultivated, and which, though they yielded a doubtful harvest,

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were sufficient for our support. In
the winter we remained much indoors, for

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as my father followed the chase,
we were left alone, and the wolves

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during the season incessantly prowled about.
My father had purchased the cottage and land

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about it of one of the rude
foresters who gained their livelihood partly by hunting

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and partly by burning charcoal for the
purpose of smelting the ore from the neighboring

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mines. It was distant, about
two miles from any other habitation. I

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can call to mind the whole landscape
now, the tall pines which rose up

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on the mountain above us, and
the wide expanse of forest beneath, on

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the topmost boughs and heads of whose
trees we looked down from our cottage.

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As a mountain below us rapidly descended
into the distant valley. In summertime,

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the prospect was beautiful, but during
the severe winter, a more desolate scene

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could not well be imagined. I
said that in the winter my father occupied

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himself with the chase every day he
left us, and often would he lock

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the door, that we might not
leave the cottage. He had no one

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to assist him or to take care
of us. Indeed, it was not

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easy to find into female servant who
would live in such a solitude. But

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could he have found one, my
father would not have received her, for

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he had imbibed a horror of the
sex. As a difference of his conduct

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toward us, his two boys and
my poor little sister Marcella evidently proved.

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You may suppose we were sadly neglected. Indeed we suffered much, for my

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father, fearful that we might come
to some harm, would not allow us

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fuel when he left the cottage,
and we were obliged therefore to creep under

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the heaps of bear's skin, and
there to keep ourselves as warm as we

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could until he returned in the evening, when a blazing fire. Was our

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delight that my father chose this restless
sort of life may appear strange, but

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the fact was that he could not
remain quiet, whether from remorse for having

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committed murder, or from the misery
consequent on his change of situation, or

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from both combined. He was never
happy unless he was in a state of

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activity. Children, however, when
left much to themselves, acquire a thoughtfulness

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not common to their age. So
it was with us, and during the

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short cold days of winter, we
would sit silent, longing for the happy

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hours when the snow would melt and
the leaves burst out, and the birds

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begin their songs, and when we
should again be set at liberty. Such

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was our peculiar and savage sort of
life until my brother Caesar was nine,

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myself seven, and my sister five
years old, when the circumstances occurred on

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which is based the extraordinary narrative which
I am about to relate. One evening,

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my father returned home rather later than
usual. He had been unsuccessful,

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and as the weather was very severe
and many feet of snow were upon the

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ground, he was not only very
cold, but in a very bad humor.

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He had brought in wood, and
we were all three of us gladly

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assisting each other, and blowing on
the embers to create the blaze. When

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he caught poor little Marcella by the
arm and threw her side. The child

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fell, struck her mouth and bled
very much. My brother ran to raise

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her up. Accustomed to ill usage
and afraid of my father, she did

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not dare to cry, but looked
up in his face very piteously. My

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father drew his stool near to the
hearth, muttered something in abuse of women,

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and busied himself with a fire,
which both my brother and I had

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deserted when our sister was so unkindly
treated. A cheerful blaze was soon the

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result of his exertions, but we
did not, as usual, crowd round

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it. Marcella, still bleeding,
retired to a corner, and my brother

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and I took our seats beside her, while my father hung over the fire

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gloomily and alone. Such had been
our position for about half an hour when

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the howl of a wolf close under
the window of the cottage fell on our

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ears. My father started up and
seized his gun. The howl was repeated.

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He examine the priming, and then
hastily left the cottage, shutting the

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door after him. We all waited
anxiously listening, for we thought that if

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he succeeded in shooting the wolf,
he would return in a better humor.

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And although he was harsh to all
of us, and particularly so to our

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little sister, still we loved our
father and loved to see him cheerful and

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happy. For what else had we
to look up to? And I may

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here observe that perhaps there never were
three children who were fonder of each other.

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We did not, like other children, fight and dispute together, And

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if by chance, any disagreement did
arise between my elder brother and me,

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little Marcella would run to us,
and kissing us both seal through her entreaties

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the peace between us. Marcella was
a lovely, amiable child. I can

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recall her beautiful features even now.
Alas poor little Marcella, we waited for

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some time, but the report of
the gun did not reach us, and

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my older brother then said, our
father has followed the wolf and will not

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be back for some time. Marcella, let us wash the blood from your

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mouth, and then we will leave
this corner and go to the fire and

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warm ourselves. We did so,
and remained there until near midnight, every

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minute wandering as it grew. Later. Why our father did not return,

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We had no idea that he was
in any danger, but we thought that

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he must have chased the wolf for
a very long time. I will look

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out and see if father is coming, said my brother Caesar, going to

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the door. Take care, said
Marcella. The wolves must be about now,

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and we cannot kill them. Brother. My brother opened the door very

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cautiously, and but a few inches
he peeped out. I see nothing,

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said he. After a time,
and once more he joined us at the

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fire. We have had no supper, said I, for my father usually

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cooked the meat as soon as he
came home, and during his absence we

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had nothing but the fragments of the
preceding day. And if our father comes

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home after his hunt, Caesar said
Marcella, he will be pleased to have

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some supper. Let us cook it
for him and for ourselves. Caesar climbed

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upon the stool and reached down some
meat. I forget now whether it was

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venison or bear's meat, but we
cut off the usual quantity and proceeded to

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dress it as we used to do
under our father's superintendence. We were all

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busied putting it into the platters before
the fire to wait his coming. When

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we heard the sound of a horn, we listened. There was a sound

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outside, and a minute afterwards my
father entered, ushering in a young female

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and a large dark man in a
hunter's dress. Perhaps I had better now

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relate what was only known to me
many years afterwards. When my father had

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left the cottage, he perceived a
large white wolf about thirty yards from him.

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As soon as the animal saw my
father, it retreated slowly, growling

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and snobb darling. My father followed. The animal did not run, but

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always kept at some distance, and
my father did not like to fire until

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he was pretty certain that his ball
would take effect. Thus they went on

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for some time, the wolf now
leaving my father far behind, and then

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stopping and snarling defiance at him,
and then again on his approach, setting

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off at speed, anxious to shoot
the animal, for the white wolf is

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very rare. My father continued the
pursuit for several hours, during which he

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continually ascended the mountain. You must
know that there are peculiar spots on those

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mountains which are supposed, and as
my story will prove, truly supposed to

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be inhabited by the evil influences.
They are well known to the huntsmen,

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who invariably avoid them. Now one
of these spots, an open space,

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and the pine forest above us,
had been pointed out to my father as

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dangerous on that account. But whether
he disbelieved these wild stories, or whether

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in his eager pursuit of the chase
he disregarded them, I know not certain.

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However, it is that he was
decoyed by the white wolf to this

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open space. When the animal appeared
to slacken her speed, my father approached,

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came close up to her, raised
his gun to his shoulder, and

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was about to fire when the wolf
suddenly disappeared. He thought that the snow

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on the ground must have dazzled his
sight, and he let down his gun

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to look for the beast, But
she was gone. How she could have

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escaped over the clearance without his scene
her was beyond his comprehension. Mortified at

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the ill success of his chase,
he was about to retrace his steps when

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he heard the distant sound of a
horn. Astonishment at such a sound,

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at such an hour, in such
a wilderness made him forget for the moment

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his disappointment, and he remained riveted
to the spot in a mid The horn

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was blown a second time, and
at no great distance. My father stood

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still and listened. A third time
it was blown. I forget the term

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used to express it, but it
was the signal which my father well knew

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implied that the party was lost in
the woods. In a few minutes more,

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my father beheld a man on horseback
with a female seated on the crupper,

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enter the cleared space and ride up
to him. At first, my

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father called to mind the strange stories
which he had heard of the supernatural beings

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who were said to frequent these mountains, but the near approach of the parties

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satisfied him that they were mortals like
himself. As soon as they came up

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to him, the man who guided
the horse accosted him, Friend, hunter,

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you are out late. The better
fortune for us. We have ridden

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far and are in fear of our
lives, which are eagerly sought after.

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These mountains have enabled us to elude
our pursuers. But if we find not

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shelter and refreshment, that will avail
us little, as we must perish from

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hunger and the inclemency of the night. My daughter, who rides behind me,

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is now more dead than alive.
Say, can you assist us in

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our difficulty? My cottage is some
few miles distant, replied my father.

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But I have little to offer you
besides a shelter from the weather. To

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the little I have, you are
welcome, May I ask whence you come?

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Yes, friend, it is no
secret now we have escaped from Transylvania,

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where my daughter's honor and my life
were equally in jeopardy. This information

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was quite enough to raise an interest
in my father's heart. He remembered his

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own escape, He remembered the loss
of his wife's honor and the tragedy by

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which it was wound up. He
immediately and warmly offered all the assistance which

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he could afford them. There is
no time to be lost, then,

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good sir, observed the horseman.
My daughter is chilled with the frost and

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cannot hold out much longer against the
severity of the weather. Follow me,

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replied my father, leading the way
towards his home. I was lured away

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in pursuit of a large white wolf, observed my father. It came to

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the very window of my hut,
or I should not have been out at

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this time of night. The creature
passed by us, just as we came

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out of the wood, said the
female in a silvery tone. I was

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nearly discharging my peace at it,
observed the hunter. But since it did

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us such good service, I am
glad that I allowed it to escape.

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In about an hour and a half, during which my father walked at a

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rapid pace, the party arrived at
the cottage, and, as I said

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before, came in. We are
in good time, apparently observed the dark

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hunter, catching the smell of the
roasted meat as he walked to the fire,

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and surveyed my brother and sister and
myself. You have young cooks here

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mine here. I am glad that
we shall not have to wait, replied

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my father. Come, mistress,
seat yourself by the fire. You require

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warmth after your cold ride. And
where can I put up my horse?

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Mineher observe the huntsman. I will
take care of him, replied my father,

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going out to the cottage door.
The female, must, however,

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be particularly described. She was young
and apparently twenty years of age. She

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was dressed in a traveling dress deeply
bordered with white fur, and wore a

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cap of white ermine on her head. Her features were very beautiful at least

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I thought so, and so my
father has since declared. Her hair was

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flaxen, glossy and shining and bright
as a mirror, and her mouth,

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although somewhat large, when it was
open, showed the most brilliant teeth I

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have ever beheld. But there was
something about her eyes, bright as they

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were, which made us children afraid. They were so restless, so furtive.

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I could not at that time tell
why, but I felt as if

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00:15:48,399 --> 00:15:52,559
there was cruelty in her eye.
And when she beckoned us to come to

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00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:58,480
her, we approached her with fear
and trembling. Still, she was beautiful,

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00:15:58,759 --> 00:16:03,480
very beautiful, kindly to my brother
and myself, patted our heads and

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00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:07,720
caressed us that Marcella would not come
near her. On the contrary, she

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00:16:07,799 --> 00:16:11,360
slunk away and hid herself in the
bed, and would not wait for the

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00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:15,600
supper, which half an hour before
she had been so anxious for. My

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00:16:15,759 --> 00:16:18,759
father, having put the horse into
a close shed, soon returned, and

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00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:22,720
supper was placed upon the table.
When it was over, my father requested

215
00:16:22,759 --> 00:16:26,200
that the young lady would take possession
of his bed, and he would remain

216
00:16:26,279 --> 00:16:30,720
at the fire and sit up with
her father. After some hesitation on her

217
00:16:30,759 --> 00:16:34,840
part, this arrangement was agreed to, and I and my brother crept into

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00:16:34,879 --> 00:16:38,720
the other bed with Marcella, for
we had as yet always slept together.

219
00:16:38,919 --> 00:16:44,200
But we could not sleep. There
was something so unusual, not only in

220
00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:48,519
seeing strange people, but in having
those people sleep at the cottage, that

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00:16:48,639 --> 00:16:52,159
we were bewildered. As for poor
little Marcella, she was quiet, but

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00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:57,080
I perceived that she trembled during the
whole night, and sometimes I thought that

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00:16:57,159 --> 00:17:02,559
she was checking a sob. My
father had brought out some spirits, which

224
00:17:02,559 --> 00:17:07,880
he rarely used, and he and
the strange hunter remained drinking and talking before

225
00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:11,599
the fire. Our ears were ready
to catch the slightest whisper. So much

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00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:18,400
was our curiosity excited. You said
you came from Transylvania, observed my father.

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00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,039
Even so mine hair replied the hunter. I was a serf to the

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00:17:22,039 --> 00:17:27,960
noble house of Blank. My master
would insist upon my surrendering up my fair

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00:17:29,039 --> 00:17:33,359
girl to his wishes. It ended
in my giving him a few inches of

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00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:37,839
my hunting knife. We are countrymen
and brothers in misfortune, replied my father,

231
00:17:38,039 --> 00:17:42,480
taking the huntsman's hand and pressing it
warmly. Indeed, are you then

232
00:17:42,759 --> 00:17:48,039
from that country? Yes, and
I too have fled for my life.

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00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:52,599
But mine is a melancholy tale.
Your name, inquired the hunter Krantz,

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00:17:53,319 --> 00:17:57,240
what crance of blank? I have
heard of your tale? You need not

235
00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:02,799
renew your grief by repeating, And
how welcome, most welcome mine heir,

236
00:18:03,079 --> 00:18:07,519
And I may say, my worthy
kinsman, I am your second cousin,

237
00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,799
Wilfred of Barnsdorf, cried the Hunter, rising up and embracing my father.

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00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:17,799
They filled their horn mugs to the
brim and drank to one another after the

239
00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:22,960
German fashion. The conversation was then
carried on in a low tone. All

240
00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:26,839
that we could collect from it was
that our new relative and his daughter were

241
00:18:26,839 --> 00:18:30,480
to take up their abode in our
cottage, at least for the present.

242
00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,599
In about an hour, they both
fell back in their chairs and appeared to

243
00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:38,279
sleep. Marcella, dear, did
you hear, said my brother in a

244
00:18:38,279 --> 00:18:42,640
low tone. Yes, replied Marcella, in a whisper. I heard all,

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00:18:42,799 --> 00:18:45,599
Oh, brother, I cannot bear
to look upon that woman. I

246
00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:51,559
feel so frightened. My brother made
no reply, and shortly afterwards we were

247
00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:56,119
all three fast asleep. When we
woke the next morning, we found that

248
00:18:56,200 --> 00:19:00,599
the hunter's daughter had risen before us. I thought she looked more beautiful than

249
00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,839
ever. She came up to little
Marcella and caressed her. The child burst

250
00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:08,640
into tears and sobbed as if her
heart would break. But not to detain

251
00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:12,720
you with too long a story.
The huntsman and his daughter were accommodated in

252
00:19:12,799 --> 00:19:18,559
the cottage. My father and he
went out hunting daily, leaving Christina with

253
00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:22,960
us. She performed all the household
duties, was very kindly to us children,

254
00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:27,559
and gradually the dislike, even of
little Marcella, wore way. But

255
00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:33,079
a great change took place in my
father. He appeared to have conquered his

256
00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:37,279
aversion to the sex, and was
most attentive to Christina. Often, after

257
00:19:37,319 --> 00:19:41,319
her father and we were in bed, would he sit up with her,

258
00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:45,799
conversing in a low tone by the
fire. I ought to have mentioned that

259
00:19:45,839 --> 00:19:49,279
my father and the huntsman Wilfred,
slept in another portion of the cottage,

260
00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:53,079
and that the bed which he formerly
occupied, and which was in the same

261
00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:57,160
rum as ours, had been given
up to the use of Christina. These

262
00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:02,480
visitors had been about three weeks sat
the cottage, when one night, after

263
00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:07,039
we children had been sent to bed, a consultation was held. My father

264
00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:11,720
had asked Christina in marriage, and
had obtained both her own consent and that

265
00:20:11,839 --> 00:20:15,039
of Vilford. After this, a
conversation took place, which was as nearly

266
00:20:15,079 --> 00:20:19,799
as I can recollect as follows.
You may take my child, mynheer Krantz,

267
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,720
and my blessing with her, and
I shall then leave you and seek

268
00:20:23,839 --> 00:20:30,000
some other habitation. It matters little
where Why not remain here, Vilford?

269
00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:34,079
No, No, I am called
elsewhere. Let that suffice and ask no

270
00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:38,359
more questions. You have my child. I thank you for her and will

271
00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:42,799
duly value her. But there's one
difficulty. I know what you would say.

272
00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:47,640
There is no priest here in this
wild country. True, neither is

273
00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:52,440
there any law to bind. Still, must some ceremony pass between you to

274
00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,759
satisfy a father? Will you consent
to marry her after my fashion? If

275
00:20:56,799 --> 00:21:00,799
so, I will marry you directly, I will, replied my father.

276
00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:04,880
Then take her by the hand,
now mine hair, swear, I swear,

277
00:21:06,039 --> 00:21:11,000
repeated my father, by all the
spirits of the hearts mountains. Nay,

278
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:15,079
why not by heaven? Interrupted my
father, because it is not my

279
00:21:15,319 --> 00:21:21,400
humor, rejoined Vilford. If I
prefer that oath less binding perhaps than another.

280
00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:25,599
Surely you will not thwart me?
Well? Be it so? Then

281
00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:29,680
have your humor? Will you make
me swear by that in which I do

282
00:21:29,759 --> 00:21:33,880
not believe? Yet many do so, who in outward appearance are Christians?

283
00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:37,839
Rejoin Vilford, say, will you
be married? Or shall I take my

284
00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:45,400
daughter away with me? Proceed,
replied my father impatiently. I swear by

285
00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:49,440
all the spirits of the Heart's mountains, by all their power, for good

286
00:21:49,799 --> 00:21:55,599
or for evil, that I take
Christina for my wedded wife, that I

287
00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:59,839
will ever protect her, cherish her, and love her, that my hand

288
00:22:00,079 --> 00:22:03,839
shall never be raised against her to
harm her. My father repeated the words

289
00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:08,119
after Wilford. And if I fail
in this my vow, may all the

290
00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:14,039
vengeance of the spirits fall upon me
and upon my children. May they perish

291
00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:18,480
by the vulture, by the wolf
or other beasts of the forest. May

292
00:22:18,519 --> 00:22:23,039
their flesh be torn from their limbs
and their bones blanch in the wilderness.

293
00:22:23,079 --> 00:22:29,519
All this I swear, My father
hesitated as he repeated the last words.

294
00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:33,240
Little Marcella could not restrain herself,
and as my father repeated the last sentence,

295
00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:38,599
she burst into tears. This sudden
interruption appeared to discompose the party,

296
00:22:38,799 --> 00:22:44,839
particularly my father. He spoke harshly
to the child, who controlled her sobs,

297
00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,640
burying her face under the bedclothes.
Such was the second marriage of my

298
00:22:48,799 --> 00:22:55,160
father. Next morning, the hunter
Wilfred, mounted his horse and rode away.

299
00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,559
My father resumed his bed, which
was in the same room as ours,

300
00:22:57,759 --> 00:23:02,319
and things went on much as before
the marriage, except that our new

301
00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:06,640
mother in law did not show any
kindness towards us. Indeed, during my

302
00:23:06,759 --> 00:23:11,599
father's absence, she would often beat
us, particularly little Marcella, and her

303
00:23:11,599 --> 00:23:15,240
eyes would flash fire as she looked
eagerly upon the fair and lovely child.

304
00:23:15,559 --> 00:23:19,519
One night, my sister awoke me
and my brother. What is the matter,

305
00:23:19,599 --> 00:23:23,759
said Caesar. She has gone out, whispered Marcella. Gone out,

306
00:23:25,039 --> 00:23:27,640
Yes, gone out at the door
in her nightclothes, replied the child.

307
00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:32,440
I saw her get out of bed, look at my father to see if

308
00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:36,400
he slept, and then she went
out at the door. What could induce

309
00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:41,039
her to leave her bed and all
undressed to go out in such bitter wintry

310
00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:45,440
weather, with snow deep on the
ground, was to us incomprehensible. We

311
00:23:45,559 --> 00:23:48,480
lay awake, and in about an
hour we heard the growl of a wolf

312
00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:52,880
close under the window. There's a
wolf, said Caesar. She will be

313
00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:57,759
toned to pieces. Oh no,
cried Marcella. In a few minutes afterwards,

314
00:23:57,759 --> 00:24:00,799
our mother in law appeared. She
was in her night dress, as

315
00:24:00,839 --> 00:24:04,960
Marcella had stated. She let down
the latch of the door so as to

316
00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:10,240
make no noise, went to a
pail of water and washed her face and

317
00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:15,160
hands, and then slipped into the
bed where my father lay. We all

318
00:24:15,279 --> 00:24:18,839
three trembled. We hardly knew why, but we resolved to watch the next

319
00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:22,839
night. We did so, and
not only on the ensuing night, but

320
00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:27,480
on many others, and always at
about the same hour would our mother in

321
00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:33,119
law rise from her bed and leave
the cottage. And after she was gone

322
00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:37,279
we invariably heard the growl of a
wolf under our window, and always saw

323
00:24:37,319 --> 00:24:42,720
her on her return wash herself before
she retired to bed. We observed also

324
00:24:42,839 --> 00:24:47,440
that she seldom sat down to meals, and that when she did, she

325
00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:51,440
appeared to eat with dislike, but
when the meat was taken down to be

326
00:24:51,519 --> 00:24:56,160
prepared for dinner, she would often
furtively put a raw piece into her mouth.

327
00:24:56,799 --> 00:25:00,799
My brother Caesar was a courageous boy. He did not like to speak

328
00:25:00,839 --> 00:25:03,680
to my father until he knew more. He resolved that he would follow her

329
00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:08,880
out and ascertain what she did.
Marcella and I endeavored to dissuade him from

330
00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:14,079
this project, but he would not
be controlled, and the very next night

331
00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:17,440
he lay down in his clothes,
and as soon as our mother in law

332
00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:19,960
had left the cottage, he jumped
up, took down my father's gun,

333
00:25:21,279 --> 00:25:26,279
and followed her. You may imagine
in what a state of suspense. Marcella

334
00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:30,359
and I remained during his absence.
After a few minutes we heard the report

335
00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:34,440
of a gun. He did not
awaken my father, and we lay trembling

336
00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:40,000
with anxiety. In a minute afterwards, we saw our mother in law enter

337
00:25:40,039 --> 00:25:44,680
the cottage. Her dress was bloody. I put my hand to Marcella's mouth

338
00:25:44,799 --> 00:25:48,519
to prevent her crying out, although
I was myself in great alarm our.

339
00:25:48,559 --> 00:25:53,119
Mother in law approached my father's bed, looked to see if he was asleep,

340
00:25:53,279 --> 00:25:57,440
and then went to the chimney and
blew up the embers into a blaze.

341
00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,920
Who was there, said my father
waking up? Lie still dearest,

342
00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:04,960
replied my mother in law. It
is only me. I have lighted the

343
00:26:06,039 --> 00:26:10,599
fire to warm some water. I
am not quite well. My father turned

344
00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:14,480
round and was soon asleep. But
we watched our mother in law. She

345
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,079
changed her linen and through the garments
she had worn into the fire, and

346
00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:22,519
we then perceived that her right leg
was bleeding profusely, as if from a

347
00:26:22,559 --> 00:26:29,119
gunshot wound. She bandaged it up, and then dressing herself, remained before

348
00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:33,799
the fire until the break of day. Poor little Marcella. Her heart beat

349
00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:37,200
quick as she pressed me to her
side, So indeed did mine. Where

350
00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:41,279
was our brother Caesar? How did
my mother in law receive the wound and

351
00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:45,680
less from his gun? At last
my father rose, and then for the

352
00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:51,240
first time I spoke, saying,
Father, where's my brother Caesar? Your

353
00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,839
brother, explained he? Why where
can he be? Merciful? Heaven?

354
00:26:56,039 --> 00:26:59,599
I thought? As I lay restless
last night, observed our mother in law

355
00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,359
that I heard somebody open the latch
of the door, and dear me,

356
00:27:03,519 --> 00:27:07,720
husband, what has become of your
gun? My father cast his eyes above

357
00:27:07,759 --> 00:27:11,759
the chimney and perceived that his gun
was missing. For a moment he looked

358
00:27:11,799 --> 00:27:15,720
perplexed. Then, seizing a broad
axe, he went out of the cottage

359
00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,799
without saying another word. He did
not remain away from us long. In

360
00:27:18,839 --> 00:27:22,880
a few minutes he returned, bearing
in his arms the mangled body of my

361
00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:27,640
poor brother. He laid it down
and covered up his face. My mother

362
00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:32,680
in law rose up and looked at
the body, while Marcella and I threw

363
00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:37,440
ourselves by its side, wailing and
sobbing. Bitterly go to bed again,

364
00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,799
children, said she sharply. Husband
continued, she, your boy must have

365
00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:45,359
taken the gun down to shoot a
wolf, and the animal has been too

366
00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:49,920
powerful for him. Poor boy,
he has paid dearly for his rashness.

367
00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:55,599
My father made no reply. I
wished to speak to tell all, but

368
00:27:55,799 --> 00:27:59,599
Marcella, who perceived my intention,
held me by the arm and looked at

369
00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:04,000
me so imploringly that I desisted.
My father therefore was left in his air.

370
00:28:04,279 --> 00:28:08,319
But Marcella and I, although we
could not comprehend it, were conscious

371
00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:12,319
that our mother in law was in
some way connected with my brother's death.

372
00:28:12,759 --> 00:28:15,960
That day, my father went out
and dug a grave, and when he

373
00:28:17,039 --> 00:28:19,839
laid the body in the earth,
he piled up stones over it, so

374
00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:23,799
that the wolves should not be able
to dig it up. The shock of

375
00:28:23,799 --> 00:28:30,200
this catastrophe was to my poor father
very severe. For several days he never

376
00:28:30,279 --> 00:28:34,359
went to the chase, although at
times he would utter bitter anathemas and vengeance

377
00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:38,880
against the wolves. But during this
time of mourning on his part, my

378
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:45,160
mother in law's nocturnal wanderings continued with
the same regularity as before. At last,

379
00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,920
my father took down his gun to
repair to the force, but he

380
00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:53,559
soon returned and appeared much annoyed.
Would you believe it, Christina, that

381
00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:59,279
the wolves, perdition to the whole
race, have actually contrived to dig up

382
00:28:59,319 --> 00:29:03,039
the body of my poor boy.
Now there's nothing left of him but his

383
00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:07,039
bones. Indeed, replied my mother
in law. Marcella looked at me,

384
00:29:07,079 --> 00:29:11,279
and I saw in her intelligent eye
all that she would have uttered. A

385
00:29:11,319 --> 00:29:15,640
wolf growls under our window every night. Father said, I aye, indeed,

386
00:29:15,799 --> 00:29:18,880
why did you not tell me,
boy? Wake me the next time

387
00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:22,839
you hear it. I saw my
mother in law turn away, her eyes

388
00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:27,039
flashed fire, and she gnashed her
teeth. My father went out again and

389
00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:32,559
covered up with a large pile of
stones the little remnants of my poor brother

390
00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:37,039
which the wolves had spared. Such
was the first act of the tragedy.

391
00:29:37,279 --> 00:29:41,599
The spring now came on, the
snow disappeared, and we were permitted to

392
00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:45,119
leave the cottage, but never would
I quit for one moment my dear little

393
00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,640
sister, to whom, since the
death of my brother, I was more

394
00:29:48,799 --> 00:29:53,039
ardently attached than ever. Indeed,
I was afraid to leave her alone with

395
00:29:53,079 --> 00:29:57,160
my mother in law, who appeared
to have a particular pleasure in ill treating

396
00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:02,640
the child. My father was now
employed upon his little farm, and I

397
00:30:02,759 --> 00:30:07,559
was able to render him some assistance. Marcella used to sit by us while

398
00:30:07,559 --> 00:30:11,000
we were at work, leaving my
mother in law alone in the cottage.

399
00:30:11,279 --> 00:30:15,799
I ought to observe that as the
spring advanced, so did my mother decrease

400
00:30:15,839 --> 00:30:19,160
her nocturnal rambles, and that we
never heard the growl of the wolf under

401
00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:23,039
the window, after I had spoken
of it to my father. One day,

402
00:30:23,119 --> 00:30:26,440
when my father and I were in
the field, Marcella, being with

403
00:30:26,559 --> 00:30:30,240
us, my mother in law came
out, saying that she was going into

404
00:30:30,279 --> 00:30:34,799
the force to collect some herbs my
father wanted, and that Marcella must go

405
00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:38,680
to the cottage and watch the dinner. Marcella went, and my mother in

406
00:30:38,759 --> 00:30:44,799
law soon disappeared in the force,
taking a direction quite contrary to that in

407
00:30:44,839 --> 00:30:48,119
which the cottage stood, and leaving
my father and I as it were between

408
00:30:48,119 --> 00:30:52,839
her and Marcella. About an hour
afterwards, we were startled by shrieks from

409
00:30:52,839 --> 00:30:57,519
the cottage, evidently the shrieks of
little Marcella. Marcella has bunt herself.

410
00:30:57,559 --> 00:31:02,480
Father said, I throw down my
spade. My father threw down his,

411
00:31:02,599 --> 00:31:06,440
and we both hastened to the cottage. Before we could gain the door,

412
00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:11,440
out darted a large white wolf,
which fled with the utmost celerity. My

413
00:31:11,559 --> 00:31:15,640
father had no weapon. He rushed
into the cottage and there saw poor little

414
00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:21,200
Marcella expiring. Her body was dreadfully
mangled, and the blood pouring from it

415
00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:26,160
had formed a large pool on the
cottage floor. My father's first intention had

416
00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:30,640
been to Caesar's gun and pursue,
but he was checked by this horde spectacle.

417
00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,680
He knelt down by his dying child
and burst into tears. Marcella could

418
00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:38,839
just look kindly on us for a
few seconds, and then her eyes were

419
00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:44,480
closed in death. My father and
I were still hanging over my poor sister's

420
00:31:44,519 --> 00:31:48,200
body when my mother in law came
in at the dreadful sight. She expressed

421
00:31:48,279 --> 00:31:52,000
much concern, but she did not
appear to recoil from the sight. Of

422
00:31:52,079 --> 00:31:57,319
blood as most women do. Poor
child said she it must have been that

423
00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:02,839
great white wolf which asked me just
now and frightened me. So she's quite

424
00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:07,480
dead. Krantz, I know it, I know it, cried my father

425
00:32:07,599 --> 00:32:10,279
in agony. I thought my father
would never recover from the effects of this

426
00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:15,079
second tragedy. He mourned bitterly over
the body of his sweet child, and

427
00:32:15,119 --> 00:32:20,960
for several days would not consign it
to its grave, although frequently requested by

428
00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:24,240
my mother in law to do so. At last he yielded and dug a

429
00:32:24,319 --> 00:32:28,920
grave for her, close by that
of my poor brother, and took every

430
00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:34,759
precaution that the wolves should not violate
her remains. I was now really miserable.

431
00:32:34,799 --> 00:32:37,400
As I lay alone in the bed
which I had formerly shared with my

432
00:32:37,519 --> 00:32:42,440
brother and sister. I could not
help thinking that my mother in law was

433
00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:45,720
implicated in both their deaths, although
I could not account for the manner,

434
00:32:45,839 --> 00:32:50,599
but I no longer felt afraid of
her. My little heart was full of

435
00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:53,880
hatred and revenge. The night after
my sister had been buried, as I

436
00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:58,720
lay awake, I perceived my mother
in law get up and go out of

437
00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:02,839
the cottage. Waited for some time, then dressed myself and looked out through

438
00:33:02,839 --> 00:33:07,359
the door, which I half opened. The moon shone bright, and I

439
00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:10,240
could see the spot where my brother
and my sister had been buried. And

440
00:33:10,359 --> 00:33:15,000
what was my horror when I perceived
my mother in law busily removing the stones

441
00:33:15,119 --> 00:33:20,160
from Marcella's grave. She was in
her white night dress, and the moon

442
00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:23,599
shone full upon her face. She
was digging with her hands and throwing away

443
00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:29,039
the stones behind her with all the
ferocity of a wild beast. It was

444
00:33:29,079 --> 00:33:31,720
some time before I could collect my
senses and decide what I should do.

445
00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:37,160
At last, I perceived that she
had arrived at the body and raised it

446
00:33:37,279 --> 00:33:39,359
up to the side of the grave. I could bear it no longer.

447
00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:44,480
I ran to my father and awoke
him. Father, father cried, I

448
00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:47,440
dress yourself and get your gun.
What cried my father, The wolves are

449
00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:51,839
there? Are they? He jumped
out of bed, threw on his clothes,

450
00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,440
and in his anxiety, did not
appear to perceive the absence of his

451
00:33:54,519 --> 00:33:58,359
wife. As soon as he was
ready, I opened the door. He

452
00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:02,160
went out, and I followed him. Imagine his horror when, unprepared as

453
00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:06,839
he was for such a sight he
beheld as he advanced towards the grave,

454
00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:09,880
not a wolf, but his wife, in her night dress, on her

455
00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:15,000
hands and knees, crouching by the
body of my sister, and tearing off

456
00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:19,800
large pieces of the flesh and devouring
them with all the avidity of a wolf.

457
00:34:20,119 --> 00:34:22,719
She was too busy to be aware
of our approach. My father dropped

458
00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:27,400
his gun. His hair stood on
end, so did mine. He breathed

459
00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:30,159
heavily, and then his breath for
a time stopped. I picked up the

460
00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:35,920
gun and put it into his hand. Suddenly he appeared as if concentrated rage

461
00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:39,039
had restored him to double vigor.
He leveled his piece, fired, and

462
00:34:39,119 --> 00:34:44,039
with a loud shriek, down fell
the wretch whom he had fostered in his

463
00:34:44,159 --> 00:34:49,239
bosom. God of Heaven, cried
my father, sinking down upon the earth

464
00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:52,360
in a swoon. As soon as
he had discharged his gun, I remained

465
00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:57,679
sometime by his side before he recovered. Where am I said? He?

466
00:34:58,039 --> 00:35:01,679
What has happened? Oh yea,
yes, I recollect Now Heaven forgive me.

467
00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:06,360
He rose, and we walked up
to the grave. What again was

468
00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:09,360
our astonishment and whore to find that
instead of the dead body of my mother

469
00:35:09,440 --> 00:35:14,679
in law, as we had expected. There was lying over the remains of

470
00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:20,280
my poor sister, a large white
she wolf. The white wolf, exclaimed

471
00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:23,599
my father, the white wolf which
decoyed me into the forest. I see

472
00:35:23,599 --> 00:35:28,159
it all now. I have dealt
with the spirits of the Hartz Mountains.

473
00:35:28,559 --> 00:35:31,679
For some time, my father remained
in silence and deep thought. He then

474
00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:36,719
carefully lifted up the body of my
sister, replaced it in the grave,

475
00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:39,880
and covered it over as before,
having struck the head of the dead animal

476
00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:44,519
with the heel of his boot,
and raving like a madman, he walked

477
00:35:44,559 --> 00:35:47,360
back to the cottage, shut the
door, and threw himself on the bed.

478
00:35:47,519 --> 00:35:51,679
I did the same, for I
was in a stupor of amazement.

479
00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:53,960
Early in the morning, we were
both roused by a loud knocking at the

480
00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:59,039
door, and in rushed the hunter
of Elfred my daughter. Man, my

481
00:35:59,199 --> 00:36:02,079
daughter, where's my daughter? Cried
he in a rage? Where the wretch,

482
00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:07,480
the fiend should be? I trust, replied my father, starting up

483
00:36:07,480 --> 00:36:12,360
and display equal collar where she should
be in hell? Leave this cottage or

484
00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:15,559
you may fare worse. Ha Ha, replied the hunter. Would you harm

485
00:36:15,599 --> 00:36:22,000
a potent spirit of the Heart mountains, Poor mortal who must needs Weder.

486
00:36:22,079 --> 00:36:25,679
Weare wolf out demon. I defy
thee in thy power. Yet shall you

487
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:30,000
feel it? Remember your oath,
your solemn oath, never to raise your

488
00:36:30,039 --> 00:36:35,840
hand against her, to harm her. I made no compact with evil spirits.

489
00:36:35,880 --> 00:36:38,199
You did, and if you failed
in your vow, you were to

490
00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:43,840
meet the vengeance of the spirits.
Your children were to perish by the vulture,

491
00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:49,440
the wolf out out demon, and
the bones Blanche in the wilderness.

492
00:36:49,519 --> 00:36:53,000
Ah. My father, frantic with
raid, seized his axe and raised it

493
00:36:53,039 --> 00:36:59,400
over Wolfrid's head to strike all this, I swear, continued the huntsman mockingly.

494
00:37:00,039 --> 00:37:02,320
The acts descended, but it passed
through the form of the hunter,

495
00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:07,159
and my father lost his balance and
fell heavily on the floor. Mortal,

496
00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:13,440
said the hunter, striding over my
father's body. We have power over those

497
00:37:13,559 --> 00:37:17,159
only who have committed murder. You
have been guilty of a double murder.

498
00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:22,079
You shall pay the penalty attached to
your marriage vow. Two of your children

499
00:37:22,119 --> 00:37:27,280
are gone, the third is yet
to follow, and follow them he will,

500
00:37:27,519 --> 00:37:31,639
for your oath is registered. Go
it were kindness to kill thee.

501
00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:38,800
Your punishment is that you live.
End of the Werewolf by H. B. Marriott