Transcriber's Note:
Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/onheightsanovel01auergoog

ON THE HEIGHTS

A NOVEL

BY

BERTHOLD AUERBACH

TRANSLATED BY

SIMON ADLER STERN

NEW YORK

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY

1907

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by
HENRY HOLT,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

ON THE HEIGHTS.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

Early mass was being celebrated in the chapel attached to theroyalsummer palace.

The palace stood on a slight eminence in the center of thepark. Theeastern slope of the hill had been planted with vineyards, and itscrest was covered with mighty, towering beeches. The park abounded withmaples, plane-trees and elms, with their rich foliage, and firs ofvarious kinds, while the thick clusters of needles on the fir-leavedmountain pine showed that it had become acclimated. On grassy lawnsthere were solitary tall pines of perfect growth. A charming variety offlowers and leaf plants lent grace to the picture which, in all itsdetails, showed evidence of artistic design and exquisite taste.

The paths were neatly kept. The flowers were sparkling withthe dews ofmorning; birds were singing and the air was laden with the fragrantperfume of the new-mown grass. Swans, and rare varieties of ducks fromforeign lands, were swimming in the large lake, on the banks of whichthe bright-hued flamingo might also have been seen. The fountain in thecenter of the lake sent its waters to such a height that they were lostin spray.

A clear mountain brook, running between alders andweeping-willows, andunder many a rustic bridge, emptied into the lake, flowing thencethrough the valley until it reached the river, bright glimpses of whichmight here and there be caught through openings in the shrubbery.

Tables, chairs and benches of graceful form had been placedunder thetrees and at various points that commanded a fine prospect.

Seated near the chapel there was a man of impressiveappearance. Hisdress betokened scrupulous care. His thick hair was as white as hiscravat. His eyes were blue and sparkling, and full of youthful fire. Helooked out upon the broad landscape, the valley crowded with fruit-trees,the near-lying hills, and the mountain beyond, whose lines stoodout in bold relief against the blue sky above. He had a book in hishand, but now laid it aside and drank in the peaceful influences of thescene before him.

The great door of the chapel was open: the mighty sounds ofthe organwere heard; a soft cloud of incense floated out on the morning air andthen vanished into space.

This impressive-looking man was the king's physician, DoctorGunther,who, being a Protestant, had not attended mass.

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