t
the beloved images there paled to shadows among other shadows. But now,
when in the quiet morning sunlight, he wandered across the deserted
Thiergarten, it suddenly seemed even in broad daylight, as if a
glorified spirit, that wore Balder's features, were walking close
beside him, till he closed his eyes in order not to destroy the waking
dream. All the events of the past, all the love and pleasure of their
young lives together crowded upon his mind, and as he involuntarily
stretched out his hand, for one moment he actually again experienced
the feeling he had had in former days, when he had gently stroked his
brother's soft hair.

Absorbed in these thoughts, he reached the neighborhood where the park
stopped and where new streets and houses, which had sprung from the
ground as if by magic, reminded him how many years he had been away. He
knew that Marquard lived here, nay he even fancied that at one of the
lofty windows, supported by caryatides, he recognized a face which
reminded him of Adele.

He turned away, that he might not be recognized. He did not desire to
meet old acquaintances this first morning. He soon reached the bank of
the Spree, turned to the right, and walked down along the quay,
watching the sparkling water. He thought how strange it was, that the
only thing in which he perceived no alteration, was that which was
constantly moving. While the firm brick and mortar had not resisted the
inroads of time, and house after house seemed to have been renovated,
the old Spree, on the contrary, showed the same face, the floating
houses on it had kept the form and color, and their occupants the
costume and customs they had had on the day, when with the little
artist, he first made his Canaletto studies.

He knew that he would find new buildings erected over the lagune and on
the site of the Venetian palace, and yet something attracted him first
to this part of the Schiffbauerdamm. But when he approached the spot
and saw every trace of the old scene effaced, a wide gateway in place
of the canal, and on the timber yard a tall, sombre building with
glittering windows, he stood still, overpowered by a sudden emotion of
sadness, and feeling as if he had found, on visiting the spot where he
had buried a treasure only a heap of valueless stones. Then he could
not help smiling at the vehemence of his feeling. "So it is that we
cling to tangible things!" he said to himself. "We may fancy ourselves
ever so secure in