But invisibly my tormenting spirit accompanied
me, pursuing me with keenest reproaches. "These then are one's thanks
for the pains which one has taken to support Monsieur, who has weak
nerves, through the long precious day. And one shall act the fool in
the play. Good, Mr. Wronghead, fly you from me if you please, but we
are, nevertheless, inseparable. You have my gold and I your shadow,
and this will allow us no repose. Did anybody ever hear of a shadow
forsaking its master? Your's draws me after you till you take it back
again graciously, and I get rid of it. What you have hesitated to do
out of fresh pleasure, will you, only too late, be compelled to seek
through new weariness and disgust. One cannot escape one's fate." He
continued speaking in the same tone. I fled in vain; he relaxed not,
but, ever present, mockingly talked of gold and shadow. I could come
to no single thought of my own.
I struck through empty streets toward my house. When I stood before
it, and gazed at it, I could scarcely recognize it. No light shone
through the dashed-in windows. The doors were closed; no throng of
servants was moving therein. There was a laugh near me. "Ha! ha! so
goes it! But you'll probably find your Bendel at home, for he was the
other day providently sent back so weary that he has most likely kept
his bed since." He laughed again. "He will have a story to tell! Well
then, for the present, good night! We meet again speedily!"
I had rung the bell repeatedly; light appeared; Bendel demanded from
within who rung.
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