hand, and you would have felt the
temptation irresistible. This you would have been permitted to do, but
not so the young merchant Traugott, who, on beginning to do anything of
this kind, encountered a thousand difficulties and vexations. "Advise
our friend in Hamburg at once that that business has been settled, my
good Herr Traugott," said the wholesale and retail merchant, Elias
Roos, with whom Traugott was about to enter upon an immediate
partnership, besides marrying his only daughter, Christina. After a
little trouble, Traugott found a place at one of the crowded tables; he
took a sheet of paper, dipped his pen in the ink, and was about to
begin with a free caligraphic flourish, when, running over once more in
his mind what he wished to say, he cast his eyes upwards. Now it
happened that he sat directly opposite a procession of figures, at the
sight of which he was always, strangely enough, affected with an
inexplicable sadness. A grave man, with something of dark melancholy in
his face, and with a black curly beard and dressed in sumptuous
clothing, was riding a black horse, which was led by the bridle by a
marvellous youth: his rich abundance of hair and his gay and graceful
costume gave him almost a feminine appearance. The face and form of the
man made Traugott shudder inwardly, but a whole world of sweet vague
aspirations beamed upon him from the youth's countenance. He could
never tear himself away from looking at these two; and hence, on the
present occasion, instead of writing Herr Elias Roos's letter of advice
to Hamburg, he sat gazing at the wonderful picture, absently scribbling
all over his paper. After this had lasted some time, a hand clapped him
on the shoulder from behind, and a gruff voice said, "Nice--very nice;
that's what I like; something maybe made of that." Traugott, awakening
out of his dreamy reverie, whisked himself round; but, as if struck by
a lightning flash, he remained speechless with amazement and fright,
for he was staring up into the face of the dark melancholy man who was
depicted on the wall before him. He it was who uttered the words stated
above; at his side stood the delicate and wonderfully beautiful youth,
smiling upon him with indescribable affection. "Yes, it is they--the
very same!" was the thought that flashed across Traugott's mind. "I
expect they will at once throw off their unsightly mantles and stand
forth in all the splendours of their antique costume." The members o