Janus; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV. "Oh, what may man within him hide " Measure for Measure. When Elsa Ehlert saw Moritz cross her threshold again, much of what she felt she was able, fortunately, to hide under the greeting due to any absent friend. She had passed the summer in or about B, employed with her studies and her friends. Indirectly she had heard from time to time of Moritz, who had so suddenly entered her life and slipped out from it. Nothing significant was said before parting as to any letter-writing, and there had been occasion for none. But. as weeks passed, the stronger grew an emotion, at first a mystery, then an enemy vainly contested and more dominant till its work was completed. Moritz stood between her and all other men. The shock was severe, when she admitted to herself that this was true. For she was not free, even to the pain of a foolish passion. Unhappy Johann Steins What should she do? Break with him or cleave to him?--persevere in the pretence of loving, or sacrifice pledge to impulse? Alas were she thus to free herself, on what could she base hope? She understood the influence which drew Moritz to her. It was all worse than nothing, so far as concerned this new phase. Such had been the struggle in her heart since her return to B from Wasserthal. Fortunately she possessed no small self-control, or Johann Steins in particular might have suspected that all was not well for him. She kept vigilant watch over every word and look. In the Duke's projected concert in the Singschule she was to take some share. She knew that Moritz might arrive in town at any hour. But she had trouble to be quite her wonted self, as he seated himself this evening near her father, and, after a few moments, they were left to continue their conversation alone. "At last he is h...