dressed differently, but the figure and features of Coppelius are too
deeply imprinted in my mind, for an error in this respect to be
possible. Besides, Coppelius has not even altered his name. As I hear
he gives himself out as a Piedmontese optician, and calls himself
Giuseppe Coppola.

I am determined to cope with him, and to avenge my father's death, be
the issue what it may.

Tell my mother nothing of the hideous monster's appearance. Remember
me to my dear sweet Clara, to whom I will write in a calmer
mood.--Farewell.

CLARA TO NATHANIEL.

It is true that you have not written to me for a long time, but
nevertheless I believe that I am still in your mind and thoughts. For
assuredly you were thinking of me most intently, when designing to send
your last letter to my brother Lothaire, you directed it to me, instead
of him. I joyfully opened the letter, and did not perceive my error
till I came to the words: "Ah, my dear Lothaire." Now, by rights I
should have read no farther, but should have handed over the letter to
my brother. Although you have often in your childish teasing mood,
charged me with having such a quiet, womanish, steady disposition, that
like the lady, even if the house were about to fall in, I should smooth
down a wrong fold in the window curtain before I ran away, I can hardly
tell you how your letter shocked me. I could scarcely breathe,--my
eyes became dizzy. Ah, my dear Nathaniel, how could such a horrible
event have crossed your life? To be parted from you, never to see you
again,--the thought darted through my breast like a burning dagger. I
read and read. Your description of the repulsive Coppelius is
terrific. For the first time I learned, how your good old father died
a shocking violent death. My brother Lothaire, to whom I gave up the
letter as his property, sought to calm me, but in vain. The fatal
barometer-maker, Giuseppe Coppola followed me at every step, and I am
almost ashamed to confess that he disturbed my healthy and generally
peaceful sleep with all sorts of horrible visions. Yet soon,--even the
next day, I was quite changed again. Do not be offended, dearest one,
if Lothaire tells you, that in spite of your strange misgiving, that
Coppelius will in some manner injure you, I am in the same cheerful
unembarrassed frame of mind as ever.

I will honestly confess to you that, according to my opinion, all the
terrible things of which you speak, merely occurred