"It was a pardonable wish to awaken the recollections of a mysterious meeting by the traces which an equally mysterious visitor left behind." "Not the charm of mystery brought us together at that time, it pressed its seal upon our happy meeting." "Not in recollections does happiness lie, but in oblivion; I know no other now." "You are melancholy, Signora! Shall you then retire from the stage?" "Oh, you do not know," broke from Giulia, "with what heavy chains I am bound to the galley! Others may remain constant to it from fear of want. I should fall a victim to much greater misery. Behind the stage-scenery of my life stands a spectre, a fearful spectre, ready to step forth at any moment. If I renounce the glory of the stage, I fall completely into that spectre's gruesome power." "I should have the courage to hazard a conflict with that ghost." "That conflict would not bring me redemption. Oh, how I long for rest!" Giulia's features assumed an expression of most intense exhaustion; she sank upon the sofa and hid her face in her hands. Lieutenant Buschmann was announced. "Count upon my help," said Blanden, "when and wheresoever you may need it. This knightly duty I owe to the gracious lady of the magic lake, and shall fulfil it as faithfully as ever knight served his lady." Giulia rose, and, with a quiet smile, but a tear in her eye, held out her hand to bid farewell. CHAPTER XII. IN THE CITIZEN ASSEMBLY. A dense throng was crowding through the unpretending entrances of the old-fashioned city garden; the citizens of Königsberg had there found a central point for their political and intellectual interests. Although excluded from the programme of these meetings, politics really formed the most vital artery of their life; for it was a period in which every matter in hand became converted into politics; the strongest material began suddenly to assume a political tinge of colour when it was held towards the light. The kernel of the Königsberg citizenship was present at these assemblies, and Blanden was perfectly right when he desired, by means of his lecture, to introduce himself in more extensive circles as the political agitator for the elections of the future. At the entrance to the gallery which led into the room, there was much animation; there the claims were examined, for the assembly was a closed society. Any one who did not possess a card was rejected. "_Corpo di bacco_," echoed a violent voice, "of what use are _biglietti_ when the people assembles?" "No one is admitted without a card." "_Corpo del diavolo_," cried the impatient man, "then I must first return to my friend, _Che Seccatura!_" Blanden, who had just arrived, recognised the amber-merchant, who, in a violent manner, forced a passage through the thronging people, so as to obtain egress again.