Ludwig Tieck

“ And to ensure that I must despise myself, that I might mock myself — Fate has granted me friends; it has forgiven me my lack of generosity, from my fall from grace it has brought me back to life; the finest of people accepted me as their son; a heavenly being degraded herself so far as to love me. ”

“ Now Karl von Wildhausen approached and was greatly surprised to find his servant taking part in this conversation. The stranger did not stay any longer after he had exchanged a few friendly words with Kronenberg. The two friends warmly embraced.
— All that is strange, exclaimed Karl, all that is peculiar, becomes normal. Yesterday I arrive here on business, this morning I hear of your misfortunes; I give you up for lost, now I find you a free man; our Christoph makes the acquaintance of the most distinguished of individuals; your uncle Richard is impatient to clasp you in his arms. ”

“ A servant addressed him and led him to a house where the Count was waiting for him. The latter embraced him in a fatherly manner and after congratulating him on his deliverance from an apparently life-threatening situation, to which Kronenberg was almost too ashamed to respond, he finally said:
— No doubt there are many people who are possessed of a certain charm, a talisman, that wins them love and friendship wherever they go, and makes them happy if they respect this obliging sympathy. ”

“ Yes, my dear young friend, there dwells a noble soul, a genuine spirit, within your breast, which will now take wing; we cannot all be completely mistaken, not so many good people. I know your family; your uncle Richard is an old college friend of mine ”

“ When Cecilia and Kronenberg's engagement had been settled to everyone else's satisfaction, the musician said to Liancourt:
— If a man is merely pitiful and stupid, if he indulges in nothing but silly pranks, then Dame Fortune will take good care of him. ”

“ Do not expect to hear another word from me concerning your youthful indiscretions, which have taught you a harsh lesson that you will surely take to heart, for you would have to be more than irresponsible not to. Our entire household has fallen in love with you ”

“ The other devilries that you are peddling are even worse. Do you intend to marry two girls, then? The fool will fall between two stools, and it serves him right. I shan't be sorry if their brothers or their fathers teach you a lesson you won't forget. ”

“ The latter looked at him for a long time, and then said:
— Young man, you are a sorry illustration of how youthful errors, which are often regarded by many people as matters of indifference, can lure one into the deadliest peril. You have friends — not entirely undeserved, I hope — who are doing their utmost to help you. ”

“ You had also been telling him lies, that you were the leader of a secret society whose actions would soon be revealed. I beg you, you good-for-nothing, for the welfare of your body and of your soul, banish all this tomfoolery from your perverted mind once and for all, and give up this accursed habit of telling lies to which you have been inclined since early youth. It's true, I am your uncle, your next of kin, and by rights you should probably inherit my little poverty some day ”

“ Your affectionate uncle
Richard
The Marshal had not been able to listen to this fatherly missive without smiling.
— You can see from this, continued the stranger, that our friend is completely vindicated as far as the present charges are concerned. You can release him; he has suffered enough on account of his poor, misunderstood vanity. If, however, there remains even the smallest doubt of his innocence, I will bear full responsibility for it. I am leaving this very day ”