Heinz followed step by step. It seemed as if the wild surges of a sea
were roaring in his ears, and glittering sparks were dancing before his
yearning, watchful eyes.

How he loved her! How intense was the longing which drew him after her!
And yet another emotion stirred in his heart with still greater power-
grief, sincere grief, which pierced his in, most soul, that she could
have beckoned to him, permitted him to follow her, granted him what he
would never have ventured to ask. Nay, when he set his foot on the first
step, it seemed as if the temple which contained his holiest treasure
fell crashing around him, and an inner voice cried loudly: "Away, away
from here! Would you exchange the purest and loftiest things for what
tomorrow will fill you with grief and loathing?" it continued to
admonish. "You will relinquish what is dearest and most sacred to secure
what is ready to rush into your arms on all the high-roads.

"Hence, hence, you poor, deluded mortal, ere it is too late!"

But even had he known it was the fair fiend Venus herself moving before
him under the guise of Eva, the spell of her unutterable beauty would
have constrained him to follow her, though the goal were the Horselberg,
death, and hell.

On the second landing she again stood still and, leaning against a
pillar, raised her arms and extended them towards the moon, in whose
silvery light they gleamed like marble. Heinz saw her lips move, heard
his own name fall from them, and all self-control vanished.

"Eva!" he cried with passionate fervor, holding out his arms to clasp