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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Quisisana
+       or Rest at Last
+
+Author: Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+Translator: H. E. Goldschmidt
+
+Release Date: December 27, 2010 [EBook #34764]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUISISANA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031341906
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+                           Q U I S I S A N A
+
+
+                                   OR
+
+
+                              REST AT LAST
+
+
+
+
+                    From the German of F. Spielhagen
+
+
+                                   BY
+
+                           H. E. GOLDSCHMIDT
+
+
+
+
+            ONLY TRANSLATION SANCTIONED BY THE AUTHOR AND BY
+                 THE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY ASSOCIATION
+
+
+
+
+                               NEW YORK:
+                   JAMES B. MILLAR & CO., PUBLISHERS.
+                                 1885.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 TROW'S
+                   PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY,
+                               NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               QUISISANA.
+
+
+                                   I.
+
+
+"Why have you roused me, Konski?"
+
+"You were lying on your left side again, sir," the servant, who held
+his master clasped by the shoulder, replied, as he completed the task
+of restoring him to a sitting posture on the sofa; "and you have been
+drinking champagne at dinner, more than a bottle, John says, and that
+surely is ..."
+
+Konski broke off abruptly, and turned again to the travelling boxes,
+one of which was already unlocked; he commenced to arrange its contents
+in the chest of drawers, and went on, apparently talking to himself
+rather than to his master--
+
+"I am merely doing what the doctor has insisted upon. Only last night,
+in Berlin, as I was showing him to the door, he said: 'Konski, when
+your master is lying on his left side and begins then to moan, rouse
+him, rouse him at once, be it day or night. I take the responsibility.
+And, Konski, no champagne; not for the next six weeks, anyhow, and best
+not at all. And when you have once got into Italy, then plenty of water
+to be mixed with the wine, Konski, and ...'"
+
+"And now oblige me by holding your tongue."
+
+Bertram had remained sitting on the sofa, his hand pressed to his brow;
+he now rose rapidly and strode impatiently about the room, casting
+every now and then an angry glance at his valet. Then he stepped to one
+of the windows. The sun must be setting now. The high wooded hills
+yonder still shone forth in sunny splendour, but the terrace gardens
+sloping towards the valley, and the valley itself, with the village
+within, lay already in deepest shadow. The picturesque view, the
+graceful charm of which he was wont to appreciate so heartily, had no
+charm to-day for his dulled brain. Konski was quite right; the
+champagne which he had to-day taken for the first time since his
+illness, in direct defiance of the doctors injunctions, had not agreed
+with him. Well, he had taken champagne because his throat had got
+unbearably dry from much talking, and he had talked so much because the
+frequent pauses in the dinner conversation were making him nervous. The
+whole thing had been a positive bore; the genial host, the fair hostess
+had surely fallen off, changed sadly for the worse during the last
+three years. Or ... could he possibly have changed himself? Did he
+really begin to grow old? If you get seriously ill at fifty, you are
+apt to go downhill with startling rapidity!
+
+This had been the second emphatic _memento mori_--after an interval of
+twenty years! The first--the first had been her work. Aye, and she had
+kissed him a thousand times, and had vowed deathless fidelity yonder on
+the mountain-slope, where the giant oak still lifted its mighty crown
+of foliage above the bronze-coloured leafy roof of the beeches. Why the
+deuce did they always give him these rooms? He'd better ask Hildegard
+this very evening for other rooms--at once, before that blockhead
+Konski had unpacked everything.
+
+"Leave these things alone," he exclaimed, turning round from the
+window; "I do not intend to remain in these rooms. I do not intend to
+stay here at all, I think. We shall probably be off to-morrow."
+
+Konski, who was already deep in the recesses of box number two,
+believed he had not heard aright. He lifted his head out of the box and
+looked in amazement at his master.
+
+"To-morrow, sir? I thought we were to stay a week at the least."
+
+"Do what I bid you."
+
+Konski replaced, the shirts which he was holding in the portmanteau and
+rose hastily from his knees. His master was evidently in a very bad
+temper; "but that kind of thing never lasts long with him," Konski was
+saying to himself, "and then the champagne ..."
+
+Aloud he said--
+"You can be sure, sir, that there won't be much trouble about the
+officers who are going to be quartered here. I know all about it from
+Mamsell Christine. Only a colonel, a major, a couple of captains, and
+some six lieutenants or so, and perhaps a surgeon-major. None of our
+princes, and certainly none of theirs. A mere handful for a large place
+like this; they'll be lost, like currants in a bun. And you can remain
+in these rooms, where we always have been, and you'll see none of them,
+for I don't suppose they'll have this blessed man[oe]vre in the garden
+below."
+
+"I do not know at, all what you want with your everlasting
+man[oe]vres," Bertram exclaimed angrily.
+
+He had gone back, to the open window, through which there came a strong
+current of air. Konski went and closed the door of the adjoining room,
+then stepped up to within a certain respectful distance of his master,
+and said modestly, lowering his voice--
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but what does it matter, after all, if Miss
+really comes ..."
+
+"What do you mean?" Bertram said without turning round. "What has that
+to do with my going or staying? Why should the little one not come?"
+
+Konski rubbed up his stiff black hair with a certain sly smile, and
+said--
+
+"Not Miss Erna; the other lady--who is never allowed to come when you
+are here."
+
+"Lydia? Fräulein von Aschhof? Are you mad?"
+
+Bertram turned round with the rapidity of lightning, and now uttered
+these words in a rough tone, whilst his eyes, generally so gentle,
+shone out in great anger. Konski was frightened; but his curiosity was
+greater than his terror. He would gladly have at last learned the real
+truth about the young lady who was not allowed to come when his master
+came on a visit to Rinstedt, and whom he had therefore never yet seen,
+although in the course of years he had accompanied his master half a
+dozen times. But he was once more doomed to disappointment; his master
+had suddenly become perfectly calm again, or at least preserved the
+appearance of perfect calmness, and now asked in his usual voice--
+
+"From whom have you got your information? Of course from Mamsell
+Christine?"
+
+"From Mamsell Christine, of course," Konski made answer.
+
+"And she got it from My Lady?"
+
+"From her Ladyship direct."
+
+"And when is the lady expected to arrive?"
+
+"This very evening, along with Miss Erna; and there will also come a
+Baron Lutter or Lotter--I could not quite make the name out; they
+pronounce things so queerly here in Thuringia."
+
+"Well, well!"
+
+Bertram now remembered that Hildegard, his hostess, had at table
+mentioned more than once the name of the Baron von Lotter-Vippach. Of
+Lydia, too, although he made it a point never to be drawn into
+conversation about her, she had again and again commenced to speak;
+clearly, as he perceived now, with the intention of preparing him to
+some extent for the intended surprise. But My Lady had reckoned without
+her host. This was a downright want of consideration; nay, worse, it
+was a breach of good faith. There was no reason why he should put up
+with it, and he did not mean to put up with it.
+
+"Where's the master? and where is My Lady?" he asked aloud.
+
+"The master has ridden over to the coal mines; her Ladyship has gone
+into the village. They left word that they would be back before you
+were awake again; and you had not lain down on your left ..."
+
+"That'll do. Into the village, did you say? Give me my hat."
+
+"Please take your overcoat too, sir," said Konski; "there's a nasty
+mist rising from the valley, sir; and the doctor, he did say that if
+you caught cold now, sir ..."
+
+Bertram had put his hat on, and waived the proffered garment back. In
+the doorway he turned, and said--
+
+"Do not trouble about the boxes. We leave again in an hour. And one
+thing more. If you say one word to Mamsell Christine, or to anybody in
+the house, now or later--you understand me--and I hear of it--we
+part--for all that."
+
+He had left. Konski was now standing by the open window scratching his
+head, and the very next minute he saw him striding swiftly down the
+garden.
+
+"Upon my word!" he murmured; "who'd think that six weeks ago he lay at
+the point of death?--And off this evening again--an hour hence! Not if
+I knows it. First, I must settle my little business with Christine, and
+that is not to be done all at once. Christine says that at that time
+the Fräulein would have nothing to say to him. I can't make it out.
+Twenty years ago he must have been a very handsome fellow; why, he is
+so almost still. Nor was he a poor man even then, though, of course, he
+has inherited lots since. I am devilish keen about seeing the old maid.
+One thing is sure and certain, she will arrive this very evening."
+
+Then he cast one dubious look at the boxes. Perhaps it was taking
+needless pains to unpack them.
+
+"But, but--he'll surely think better of it--he is not the one to run
+away from any woman, even if she should number forty years or
+thereabout; and--and ..."
+
+And so the faithful Konski, after having given a most incredulous shake
+of the head, set to work, and continued to unpack his master's
+travelling boxes.
+
+
+
+
+                                  II.
+
+
+Meanwhile Bertram, had already crossed the bridge which spanned the
+brook at the bottom of the garden terrace, and was hurrying along to
+the village along the line of meadows. His hostess, Hildegard, had said
+at dinner that she meant to-day, like every Thursday afternoon, to
+visit her newly-founded Kindergarten; so he thought there would be no
+difficulty in finding her. He had been a frequent visitor at Rinstedt,
+and knew every lane in the village; and the Kindergarten, they said,
+was on the main road, not far from the parsonage. Well, and what did he
+mean to say to Hildegard when he met her? First, of course, make sure
+of the facts. But there was little need for that. Konski was a smart
+fellow, who was not likely to have made a mistake; and then he was on
+such excellent terms with the omniscient Mamsell Christine! He would
+ask her what had induced her to break through the agreement to which
+she had now adhered for the last twenty years. And yet--what a needless
+question! Why, women are never consistent! And in such things they
+always like to assist each other and work into each other's hands, even
+if they are by no means specially fond of each other. And now it seemed
+as if there were special fondness between these two. His beautiful
+hostess had, quite contrary to her wont, sung Lydia's praises in every
+possible variety of way! And then, take the fact that she had sent her
+own daughter to Lydia's _pension_, and had left the girl there in the
+small _Residenz_ for three years. Poor Erna! Fancy her for three years
+under the care of that crazy woman! Poor Erna--the beautiful creature
+with the great, deep, blue eyes! That should never have happened. It
+was a positive insult to him. He had urged every argument against it;
+had found out a supremely suitable place in Berlin for her; had offered
+to undertake careful personal supervision; had urged them to confide
+the child to his care, to give the child an opportunity of seeing
+something of life under its larger, nobler aspect. And they had said
+yes to everything; had thanked him so very much for his exertions, his
+kindness; and at the last moment they had contentedly plumped back into
+the beloved mire and stagnant waters of the pettiness of life in the
+small _Residenz_. To be sure, My Lady herself had been brought up in
+that social quagmire, and still cherished with plaintive delight
+recollections of bygone splendour, and mourned in secret over her own
+hard fate which had not permitted her, like Lydia, to sun herself all
+the days of her life in the immediate rays of princely favour, but had
+doomed her to marry a man who was not nobly born--a man rich enough,
+forsooth, but bearing the unaristocratic name of Bermer, and having
+friends of similarly unaristocratic names, to whom, for all that, one
+had to be civil. Yes, a real Baron--a Baron von Lotter-Vippach--would,
+of course, be infinitely preferable! And fancy her, fancy My Lady
+forcing the Baron's company upon him after he had expressly urged that,
+being only half convalescent, he needed perfect repose; and would, if
+they were to have company in the house, rather in the meanwhile deny
+himself the delight of seeing his old friends, and would come to them
+in spring instead on his return from Italy!
+
+Yes, something like this he would say to his beautiful hostess, in
+perfect calmness and good temper, of course, only tinged with a touch
+of finest irony.... And this new building by his side--why, it must
+surely be the Kindergarten!
+
+So it was. But the girl who was in charge of the children who were
+playing on the garden-plot in front of the building, said to him, in
+answer to his question, that My Lady had left half an hour ago; had
+gone to the parsonage, she thought. A couple of boys who were running
+about told him My Lady had gone to the village-mayor along with the
+parson.
+
+The mayor's farm was situated at the opposite end of the village.
+Bertram started off in that direction, but before he had got half way
+he bethought himself that the parson would probably walk back with
+Hildegard, and that in that case he would of course have no opportunity
+of speaking plainly to her. So he turned back, determined to wait for
+her near the parsonage, which she was bound to pass on her way home.
+And yet, how could he wait? He could not tell whether he would have
+time left to carry out his intended flight; nay, every moment brought
+Lydia nearer, every moment he must expect to see the carriage whirl her
+past him where he stood. What? was he to stand here like this, and be
+compelled to bow to her? Never! To the left a narrow lane led direct to
+the forest, which, higher up, almost bordered on the mansion-house.
+This road back was somewhat longer than the one he had come by, and was
+steeper too; but anyhow it was much shorter than the carriage-drive,
+for that branched off from the high road in the main valley at the
+entrance to the side valley, thus intersecting the whole length of the
+village, and ultimately wound its long serpentine road up the high hill
+crowned by his friend's stately mansion. This way he would gain an
+advance of a good half-hour anyhow. It was to be hoped that his friend
+and host, Otto Bermer, had meanwhile returned from the coal mines; they
+lay in the opposite direction. He'd make a clean breast of it to Otto,
+and make Otto take his farewell compliments to My Lady. Poor Otto! "The
+grey mare was the better horse," no doubt; and poor Otto would not
+relish the task; but what was to be done? And did not he, Bertram,
+anyhow enjoy the doubtful reputation of being selfishness incarnate!
+Well, then, this done, they would swiftly get some conveyance or other
+ready for him. If required, Konski could stay behind with boxes and
+such-like impedimenta; and in two or three hours' driving, first
+through the forest, to avoid the danger of meeting her, then along the
+high road, he would reach Fichtenau. He was fond of Fichtenau. There he
+would rest in that evergreen dale for a few days, and recover from the
+fatigue of the journey and from this day's manifold annoyances. Anyhow,
+he would have escaped from Lydia, have broken away from the snare which
+those women had set for him! He owed this satisfaction to himself, and
+perhaps the reflection would smooth the rough forest path he had now
+entered upon.
+
+For it was rough, was that path; much more so than he remembered it
+being formerly. Much rougher and much steeper too; in fact, most,
+most--abominably steep. Never mind; by following the tiny brooklet
+which was murmuring in the glen by his side, and which fell into the
+big brook in the valley below, he must speedily reach the little bridge
+leading to the opposite side; and then a smooth, or at least a fairly
+smooth, path would lead him on to the mansion.
+
+What on earth could she have to do, she and the parson, at the mayor's?
+Something, probably, about getting appropriate quarters for those who
+were coming to the man[oe]vres; to be sure, My Lady, never idle, must
+needs take an interest in everything! Or perchance it was some
+charitable purpose, something for the sick, for the poor; in the
+pursuit of such noble aims My Lady never spared herself now, that is
+never since Royalty had set the example, and made it fashionable! And
+anyhow, it was hardly polite, in one so uniformly polite as My Lady, to
+leave the house and walk right away to the far end of the village with
+one guest already in the house, and with other guests expected every
+minute. Possibly--possibly My Lady was not unwilling to avoid the one
+guest; and the others, to be sure, must needs drive past the mayor's
+house. What more natural than, in such a case, to enter the carriage
+that brought the new guests; whilst driving with them through the
+village, what more simple than to give a confidential hint or two, just
+the merest suggestion, as to the treatment of the bird which she had
+captured--oh, so cleverly! No, no, My Lady--not captured yet ... not
+yet!
+
+But where was the little bridge? It ought to have appeared long ere
+this. What! Climb down the steep glen, get your feet wet in the brook
+below, and climb up again the opposite side? Perish the thought! Why,
+everything seemed to go against him to-day!
+
+At last. And a broad new bridge too. And pair fully rustic, with
+elaborate rustic ornaments of curiously entwined and intertwisted tree
+branches. And, worst of all, such a confounded bit higher up the stream
+than where the old bridge had been.
+
+And the path on the opposite side, too; new, new like the bridge, new
+and fashionable, a regular promenade path; belonging, no doubt, to the
+elaborate system of paths which his noble and beautiful hostess had for
+years woven, like a complicated network, through the woods around. Of
+course, like Charlotte in the "Elective Affinities," the fair
+châtelaine must needs have that passion for beautifying everything;
+like Charlotte, but not, oh dear! no, with any tender _penchant_ for
+her husband's well-born friends. Well, well! He himself had never
+doubted the unapproachable virtue of My Lady: what if she now, tried
+her gentle hand ever so little at this, surely it was only the outcome
+of the excessive goodness of her chaste, and cool, and philanthropic
+heart.... Heart! ... And oh the wretched pain, the horrid, horrid
+sensation in my own heart. Who the mischief could be philanthropical if
+he felt like this? Perhaps this insane running and climbing has brought
+on a relapse. The story might then close where it began, and fair Lydia
+would come just in the nick of time to see that when people talk of a
+broken heart, they are not necessarily talking nonsense.... What
+rubbish, though! If my heart breaks, it will be because it has got some
+organic fault, and because I took champagne when I should not have done
+so.
+
+He had dropped upon a bench by, the wayside, and there he crouched,
+almost bent double, pressing his handkerchief to his mouth, to prevent
+his moans from being heard in the silence of the darkening woods.
+
+The attack passed away. Gradually the agonising pains grew less. With
+the physical anguish much of the fierce passion into which he had
+worked himself passed away too. In its stead he felt a terrible
+heaviness, a dull languor in all his limbs, and there was a sort of
+stupor about his brain.
+
+Supposing it had given way, he mused. Fancy, sitting alone here in the
+wood, a dead man, for goodness knows how long, and then terrifying a
+poor wretch who chanced to pass this way first! This was not a pleasing
+thought. But this anyhow would have been the worst. Death in itself he
+did not dread. Why should he? Death was but the end of life. And life?
+His life? If he could say that his living harmed no one, except perhaps
+poor Konski whom he sometimes tormented by his wayward moods--yet, on
+the other hand, it gladdened no one, least of all himself. The few poor
+students or struggling artists would have their allowances paid out to
+them for the time fixed, whether he lived on or not, and a few public
+institutions were welcome to divide the residue between them. All that
+would be settled in the shortest and most business-like manner. Never a
+tear would be shed by any human being, unless perchance by old Konski.
+But no; it was impossible to think of the good, easy-going fellow in
+tears.
+
+He was sitting at the foot of a spreading beech tree. A crow, perched
+on the top, uttered a shriek.
+
+Bertram looked up with a grim smile. "Patience!" he said.
+
+But it was not on his account that the crow had uttered that cry, but
+probably because somebody was approaching. He saw a lady coming down
+the side-path which led from the forest direct to his bench. Again,
+this convulsive pain at the heart! But he forced himself to look again;
+and no, it was not Lydia. Lydia was taller, and her blonde hair was of
+ashen hue; this lady's hair was dark, very dark. And the style of
+walking, too, was different, very different: an easy, even, step,
+making it appear as if she were floating down the somewhat steep path,
+although he could see the movement of the feet beneath the light summer
+dress. And now she had come quite close to him. She gave a little
+start, for, gazing up to the shrieking crow, she had not noticed him,
+and he had sprung up somewhat abruptly from the bench. But in a moment
+she was collected again, and the flush faded as quickly from her cheek
+as it had spread.
+
+"Is, it possible?--Erna!"
+
+"Uncle Bertram!"
+
+There was something wondrously melodious in the voice, but not the
+slightest trace of the glad emotion which he himself had experienced
+which he himself had experienced on seeing his darling. His heart
+contracted; he would fain have said: "You were wont to give me a
+different reception;" but he blushed to face the young beauty as a
+beggar, and letting, go her hands, he only said--
+
+"You did not expect to find me here?"
+
+"How could I?" was her reply.
+
+"To be sure!" thought Bertram. "How could she? What a silly question of
+mine!"
+
+He knew not what next to say, and, in some embarrassment, he stood
+silent. The crow above had been silent during the last half-minute or
+so, and now commenced to croak, abominably. Both had involuntarily
+gazed up; now they were, walking silently side by side along the path.
+
+
+
+
+                                  III.
+
+
+The evening was closing in around them. Through the thick undergrowth
+of wood which bordered the path on both sides but little light could
+penetrate; overhead the leafy crowns of the beeches interlaced and
+formed an almost continuous roof. At a certain abrupt declivity a few
+rough steps had been placed.
+
+"Will you take my arm. Uncle Bertram?" said Erna. It was the first word
+spoken between them since, several minutes ago, minutes which had
+weighed like lead upon Bertram, they had left the bench under the beech
+tree.
+
+"I was just going to put the same question to you," he replied.
+
+"Thanks," said Erna. "I know every step here; but you--and then, you
+have been ill."
+
+This might, of course, have been meant in all friendliness; but there
+was a coldness about the tone, something like giving alms, Bertram
+thought.
+
+"Have been," he made answer; "but quite well again--quite well."
+
+"I understand you are going to Italy for the winter--for the sake of
+your health."
+
+"I am going to Italy because I hope I shall be rather less bored in
+Rome than in Berlin--that is all."
+
+"And suppose you are bored in Rome too?"
+
+"You mean, bores are bored everywhere?"
+
+"No, I do not mean that; indeed, it would have been most disagreeable
+on my part had I meant anything of the kind. I only wanted to know
+where people go to from Rome, if they desire still to travel on. To
+Naples, I should say?"
+
+"To be sure. To Naples, to Capri! In Capri there stands amidst orange
+groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a fair
+white hostelry, embowered in roses, Quisisana. Years ago I was there,
+and I have longed ever since to be back again. _Qui si sana!_ What a
+sound of comfort, of promise! _Qui si sana!_ Here one gets well! Even
+those who ate fairly well, physically, have something to recover from.
+Why, life itself--what is it but a long disease, and death its only
+cure?"
+
+Another pause. He had intended that there should be no new break in
+their conversation and yet the very words he had just uttered, still
+under the impulse of the invalid's peevish humour, were little likely
+to induce the beautiful and taciturn girl by his side to talk. He
+wanted to make heir talk. It never occurred to him that her silence was
+due to a lack of ideas, or even to shyness. Quite the reverse. She
+interested him more and more every moment, and he was strongly
+impressed that he was dealing with a girl of marked individuality,
+reposing securely in her own strength. Of her whom he had known and
+loved as a child, and whose image he had cherished in fondest, truest
+memory, never a trace!
+
+"You know, Uncle Bertram, that you are going to see Fräulein von
+Aschhof--Aunt Lydia--to-night?" she resumed abruptly.
+
+Bertram started. That name--from her, fair, chaste lips--had a doubly
+hateful sound.
+
+"I know," he answered; "not from your parents, but I know."
+
+"They will have shrunk from telling you," Erna continued. "Mamma was
+most reluctant to sanction Aunt Lydia's coming; but Aunt Lydia begged
+so very hard to be allowed to see you once more, and she thought that
+now, when you have been so very, very ill, and when you are going away
+for such a long time, you might be in gentler mood. And yet she was
+afraid to encounter you. She grew so nervous as we were driving along,
+that I believe she was uncommonly near getting out and leaving us to
+continue the journey without her. At last I could scarcely bear to
+witness her uneasiness any longer, and I felt considerable relief when
+I got out myself in order to walk across the hill--from Fischbach,
+don't you know--and as I was coming along, I was debating whether, if I
+reached home before them, I might not beg you to be a little friendly
+towards auntie. You ... but I am not sure whether to go on ..."
+
+"I beg you will do so."
+
+"I only wanted to add: you owe it to her."
+
+"Do I?"
+
+"I should think so; for her only fault has been that she has loved you
+and still loves you, and you ..."
+
+"My dear child, I beg you will go on without any shyness. I am anxious,
+very anxious, you should do so."
+
+"And you ... left her, after you had been engaged for a whole year!"
+
+"And then I wrote her a letter of renunciation, did I not? And the poor
+forsaken one, in her despair, engaged herself within four-and-twenty
+hours to Count Finkenburg, who had long been vainly suing for her hand?
+And the old gentleman was so enchanted that scarce a week after he died
+from rapture and paralysis combined, without even having time to
+remember his fair bride in his will! Was it not so?"
+
+"Let us change the topic, Uncle Bertram," Erna replied. "I hear from
+your words and from your tone that you are excited, and I now feel
+doubly how awkward I was in turning our talk, for auntie's sake, to a
+subject I ought to know nothing of, and which I certainly should never
+have mentioned."
+
+"I cannot let you off like that, alas! my child," Bertram said in
+reply. "I must still ask you from whom your information is derived.
+From Fräulein von Aschhof, of course?"
+
+"I cannot find it unnatural," Erna said, "if Aunt Lydia, in the
+excitement she has laboured under ever since your visit here was
+announced, and since she determined to see you again, has unburdened
+her overflowing heart to me, and has told me all which--or the greater
+part of which--I knew or guessed. And she has urgently entreated me not
+to repeat a word of this to you, and I am sure she is convinced that I
+would do nothing of the kind. But I gave her no promise, for I have
+always been very fond of you, Uncle Bertram, very, very fond; and I was
+so sorry that you ... that I now could no longer be fond of you. I have
+always in my heart taken your side, when they were saying that you were
+cold and selfish, and cared for nobody but yourself. I have always
+thought: he has never found any one worthy of him! And now I know all,
+I should like to say: perhaps Aunt Lydia was not worthy of him either;
+she has many qualities which I do not like at all--but she would surely
+have turned out differently if you had not betr ... had not forsaken
+her. How can a girl remain good, if she is forsaken by the man she
+loves! How can she, if her heart is easily touched, become aught but a
+coquette, and assume manners that people will laugh and jeer at; or, if
+she be proud, and ashamed of her misfortune, she must needs grow cold
+and heartless, and full of contempt for all men, nay, for all mankind!"
+
+The calm, low voice had remained the same to the very last word, but in
+striking contrast to that calm and that self-control there was the
+passionate gleam of the great dark eyes, which now looked up to Bertram
+with wondrous firmness, such as the ancients may have imagined the gaze
+of the gods--"whose eyelids quiver not, like those of mortals."
+
+The narrow path had widened to a glade; there they stood for a few
+moments gazing in each other's eyes; and Bertram felt the fascination
+of that wondrous firmness, felt, too, that no consideration could
+condemn him to stand before those eyes as a contemptible wretch, and
+that, at any cost, he must tear to pieces the dark curtain which
+unscrupulous lies had woven and spread between her and him.
+
+He took her arm, as though to make sure that she would not escape from
+him, and, striding swiftly along, and almost dragging her with him, he
+said--
+
+"And now hear me, too, and despise me, if you still can do so after you
+have heard me! Forsaken, did you say, forsaken and betrayed? Yea,
+verily! But she it was who practised the treachery--most infamous, most
+horrible treachery, with never the shadow of an excuse for it, if
+indeed anything ever can excuse treachery. I loved her--I will not say
+more than ever man did love--I know not how other men love--I only,
+know, that I loved her with the best and purest strength, of my heart.
+I was no longer a youth when, at your parents' wedding, I made the
+acquaintance of your mother's friend. I was almost thirty years
+of age, and was living, as you know, in Leipzig as a mere private
+scholar--_Privat-Gelehrter_ they call it. I had planned my scheme of
+study on a very great scale, and, being very much, in earnest about
+science and art, as indeed about all things I take up, I was wont to
+devote years to tasks which other men, with less time or more genius,
+accomplish in as many months. Moreover, I had what I required for the
+expenses of living, perhaps even a little more--I, am not given to
+paying attention to that kind of thing. Now everything became changed
+at once. I loved her, I fancied myself loved in return. We had met here
+again, and, more than once, and had become engaged, though at first,
+and at my own special request, in all secrecy. I comprehended that a
+man engaged to so high-born and gifted, a girl as Lydia von Aschhof,
+must needs be something better than a mere obscure private scholar, and
+I readily 'pulled myself together,' determined to reach my goal. Some
+time, of course, was required before my great work could be completed.
+Some time; too much for her patience. Perhaps she doubted its ultimate
+success. Perhaps she cared naught for the success, notwithstanding the
+enthusiasm which she pretended to feel for my efforts, notwithstanding
+her being so very kind as to assure me a thousand times that my genius,
+my talent, had made her my captive, and would hold her my captive, yea,
+though a crown were laid at her feet. As it turned out, no princely
+crown was needed; only a plain coronet--and one surmounting a grey,
+decrepit head into the bargain. Oh! she wrote me a most touching, most
+generous letter of renunciation. 'I am but hindering you in your lofty
+striving; an artist, a scholar must be free, unshackled; your fame is
+more to me than my love,' and so on, and so on. Two or three pages
+more, high-sounding phrases in daintiest handwriting, concluding, of
+course, with the announcement of her new engagement, by which, as by a
+_fait accompli_, she must needs assist her wavering heart.
+
+"The letter was written from here, from Rinstedt. I hurried to the
+railway; at the last station I got hold of a vehicle. When we got to
+Fischbach, the poor overdriven steeds could not get on any further. By
+the shortest, steepest path I climbed to the top of the Hirschstein,
+the hill you have just come by; here, on the top, I fell down like one
+dead. I gathered myself together again, and staggered on, on, until I
+reached your father's house. She must have had some foreboding that I
+would not submit to this in all patience; she had left your father's
+house an hour before, driving to Fichtenau, taking the road by which it
+was impossible for me to come. Afterwards I came to be grateful to her
+for her circumspection and her precaution, for I think I must have been
+simply raving mad; and it was well for both of us that my power was
+broken, that I could not pursue the fair fugitive, but had to remain
+here, a burden on your parents, sick unto death, given up by the
+doctors, until some six or eight weeks' after, I surprised them all by
+recovering, enabled to live on as best one can with a sorely wounded
+heart--and a heart injured, not in the physical sense alone. What good,
+do you think, did it do me whilst I was struggling with death here, and
+afterwards dragged myself on crutches through the terrace-gardens, that
+my work had appeared, had taken the world by storm, and made me, once
+for all, what they call a famous man? What good that, just at that time
+a childless old miser of an uncle took it into his head to die, and
+that, in default of other heirs, his whole huge fortune fell to me? I
+had had enough of the lying and cheating of humanity. Fame, love--I
+cared no longer for these things. I became what I am, what my
+acquaintances know me to be, what they have called me to you--a cold
+egotist. What if for all that I do not cross my hands idly in my lap
+but work on, and now and again utter a word of freedom which others,
+less independent, might lack the courage to utter; or if I start and
+encourage works of general utility; or if here and there I help some
+lame dog over a stile; these things I surely do not for the love of the
+Lord, nay, solely, so as not to lose that modicum of self-respect which
+belongs to the indispensable stock-in-trade of a discreet egotist. And
+talking of self-respect, dear, I begin to perceive with pain that I am
+lessening the aforesaid modicum considerably in telling you all this.
+For, in affairs of the hearts a gentleman should always spare the lady
+the utterance of the first word and leave her the last, and if she
+asserts that he is Don Giovanni and she Donna Elvira, why, he has but
+to bow and thank her for assigning so brilliant a part to him. And now,
+my dear child, now try to be fond of your garrulous old uncle once
+more, will you not?"
+
+The girl made no reply. A feeling of shame had gradually stolen over
+Bertram as he spoke, and he had tried in vain to weaken it by
+concluding with a semi-humorous turn. Now this feeling grew intensified
+by Erna's silence. How had, it been possible for him to forget himself
+so far as to reveal to a young girl, one almost a child still, one
+without comprehension for such sad, ugly, painful experiences, the
+deepest secret of his heart--a secret which he had trained himself to
+pass by, as it were, with his own face turned away? And he had told of
+this, to a girl who stood to the object of his vehement denunciation in
+the peculiarly tender and delicate relation of pupil! How mean, how
+ignoble of him! He had acted like a raw, immature lad! He wished
+himself a thousand miles away; he cursed his want of determination,
+inasmuch as he might have left the place abruptly an hour ago, and thus
+have escaped all this horrible confusion. Now he must needs depart at
+once, this very evening, if possible without seeing, without speaking
+to, a soul; most certainly without entering upon any explanation
+whatever. He had just tasted the delight of such explanations, and it
+would be long before he lost the bitter after-taste of them!...
+
+They were quite cleat of the wood now, and were approaching--walking
+across some meadow land--a tiny gate in the thick old wall, which led
+to the courtyard.
+
+Suddenly Erna said, "And you have told nobody all this?"
+
+"No," he answered; and it cost him a curious struggle to get the one
+brief word--out.
+
+They passed through the tiny gate; it was almost dark in the yard now.
+Before the entrance to the house stood a large open travelling
+carriage; servants were removing the belongings of the travellers who
+had already alighted. Through the main gate, on the opposite side, a
+cart, laden with the heavier articles of luggage, was entering.
+
+"Uncle Bertram," whispered Erna.
+
+Just as they were about to cross the threshold of the tiny gate she had
+seized his hand with gentle pressure. He had involuntarily stopped.
+Again she was gazing up at him, but not now, as before in the wood,
+with a stern expression. Was it a reflection of the radiance of the
+young moon, just then rising above the gloom which was enfolding the
+buildings around--or could it be tears that glistened in the great
+eyes?
+
+"You want to leave us, Uncle Bertram?"
+
+"Who told you so?"
+
+"It matters not. You want to leave us?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Stay! Pray, stay--for my sake!"
+
+She dropped the hand which she had clasped until now, and hurried
+across the yard to the mansion-house, while he ascended the stairs to
+the side wing where his own rooms were situated, his whole soul full of
+the image of this wondrous girl, whose words, whose looks, had so
+potent a spell over him, that he no longer seemed to have a will of his
+own as against hers.
+
+
+
+
+                                  IV.
+
+
+His master's long absence had at length commenced to disquiet faithful
+Konski considerably. True, he knew from his ten years' experience that
+he need not pay much attention to any orders that master gave him when
+in a state of great excitement; and, of course, the later it grew, the
+more improbable it became that the departure, although announced, would
+really take place; but then, supposing some accident had happened to
+him? The doctor in Berlin had most strongly urged him to take every
+possible precaution lest, during the first few weeks anyhow, his master
+should over-exert himself in any way--and master had hurried down those
+terrace steps like one possessed! And all on account of this infernal
+old maid who was never allowed to visit at this house when they, master
+and he, were here! Oh, why had he not held his silly tongue, and not
+brought the great news at once to his master!
+
+He would have liked hurrying after him into the village, but dared not
+leave his post. And now their host came in and inquired for master, and
+seemed greatly concerned when Konski, to soothe his own anxiety as it
+were, hinted that his master had not been over pleased when told that
+additional guests were expected; and Konski added, as a sort of
+conjecture of his own, that he had probably gone out for a walk, so as
+to avoid having to be present at their reception. And meanwhile My Lady
+had returned and had sent for him, and Konski had to repeat to her
+Ladyship--for whom he entertained the most confounded respect--what he
+had already told her Ladyship's husband; and her Ladyship had looked so
+hard at him with those piercing brown eyes of hers, that he was jolly
+glad when he was back at his post of observation at the lobby-window,
+whence he could survey the whole extensive court-yard. And there--an
+open carriage was just entering it; only two people in it--a lady and a
+gentleman--thank Heaven, one lady only! In the gathering twilight
+Konski could not distinguish, the lady's features or figure, but, if
+there was only one lady, why, who could it be but dear Miss Erna? And
+from her, master was not likely to run away; and all was well now, if
+only he himself were safely back.
+
+The door below was opened. Konski heard his master's step upon the
+stairs and hurried to meet him, joyfully telling him all that he had
+observed; and did master know already that Miss Erna was the only lady
+who had arrived?
+
+His master had thrown himself into an arm-chair in the sitting-room,
+where careful Konski had already lighted a liberal supply of candles,
+and was staring hard in front of him, passing at intervals his hands
+over brow and eyes. Suddenly he sat bold upright and said:
+
+"What did you say?"
+
+Poor Konski had said nothing at all during the last few minutes, but
+inquired now whether his master would not dress for supper; he thought
+it was getting quite late enough.
+
+Bertram rose and passed into the adjoining bedroom where Konski had
+laid out such a costume as he deemed appropriate for the occasion. He
+lent him the necessary aid, and marvelled greatly that his master, who
+was wont to talk to him during the process of dressing more than at any
+other time, did not say a single word to-night. Another curious thing
+was this: quite contrary to his custom, the master looked hard at
+himself in the mirror again and again, and, strangest sight of all, he
+pulled and twisted his moustache about! However, seeing that master,
+though looking very grave, did not appear either annoyed or angry,
+Konski was quite satisfied. To-night then, anyhow, their departure need
+not be provided for.
+
+There was a knock at the door. Their host entered as hurriedly as was
+consistent with his being so very stout.
+
+"Thank Heaven that you are here!" he exclaimed, shaking both his
+friend's hands again and again, as though he had been 'long looked-for,
+come at last!' "Thank Heaven; we have been quite frightened about you.
+Hildegard was very angry that I had left you alone. I said to her,
+'Why, he is not a child, requiring to be watched at every step;' that
+is to say, I did not actually say so in so many words. I ... thought
+so. My wife is terribly nervous to-day. I had told her at once ..."
+
+Here he noticed the servant's presence, and in some embarrassment broke
+off abruptly. Bertram having now completed his toilet, the two
+gentlemen left the room together. As they were walking through the long
+passage which led to the main building, his host put one arm round his
+friend's slender waist and said confidentially, lowering his voice by
+way of precaution--
+
+"I had told Hildegard at once that you would be annoyed; at least I did
+not say so in so many words, but I--hinted it, for, you know, my wife
+cannot beat contradiction; and I soon found out that the two women,
+between them, had determined that the meeting should take place. Now
+Erna tells me--she is a darling, is she not? a little peculiar, a
+little odd, but always good to me; how nice that you met on the
+hills--well, Erna tells me that you were not particularly angry that
+Lydia had accompanied her; that is to say, Erna does not know anything
+of the old stories, or has only heard some vague rumours that you
+cannot bear each other, or that you cannot bear Lydia. Never mind, it's
+all the same now; only tell me that you are not particularly angry."
+
+"I was at first, but I am so no longer."
+
+"That's all I ask for. And after all, old chap, well, misunderstandings
+and all that sort of thing! But the blame is sure to be yours, or
+almost entirely yours. Why, it's always the man who is to blame, eh? I
+should know that much, having been married these twenty years!"
+
+He laughed. Bertram, to change the conversation, asked where the others
+were.
+
+"The ladies are on the verandah; the Baron was still in his room when I
+came away."
+
+"By the by," Bertram asked, "who is this Baron? You were talking about
+him once or twice at table, but I confess I hardly listened."
+
+"Lotter?" his friend said. "Look here; you'll like him immensely.
+Stunning fellow, Lotter. Has read every mortal thing; plays the piano;
+paints--portraits, landscapes, anything you like. Has come home to do
+some painting; studies at our academy, don't you know?--and is a
+constant guest at Court, of course."
+
+"Does he belong to these parts?"
+
+"Oh; dear no! hails from Würtemberg. A very, very old family;
+Lotter-Vippach. His father was a General, I believe; his uncle a
+Minister of State; that sort of thing, don't you know? He has been in
+the army himself; was in the '70 campaign. But he is a bit of a rover.
+Has been up and about a good deal; in Algiers, South America; that,
+sort of thing. I pressed him to come and stay here during the
+man[oe]vres, to help me to do the honours, as I never was in the army
+myself. He is awfully anxious to make your acquaintance; has read all
+your works and--and--but where on earth are our ladies? I'll go and
+look. You stop where you are; do not come out bareheaded."
+
+The last words had already been spoken in the garden saloon, the great
+French windows of which, leading to the verandah, stood wide open. His
+host had hurried off to look for the ladies, and Bertram, left alone,
+strode up and down in the large, half-darkened room. Had he not,
+perhaps, yielded all too readily to Erna's command? If obedience was to
+be easy to him, nay, if it was to be at all possible for him, she ought
+to have stayed by his side. And now her very image was gone from his
+inner eye, and its place had been taken by her whom he had once so
+passionately loved, as if twenty years had not gone by since he last
+saw her, as if she had only passed a minute ago with her beautiful
+friend and hostess into the garden, thence to return immediately under
+some pretext or other, to rush to his embrace, to shower hot,
+passionate kisses upon him--here, in this very saloon, as she had so
+often, so often done--here, where the faint fragrance of violets still
+seemed to float, that she was so fond of, and which in those days he
+was ever associating with her presence!
+
+He was standing in the semi-darkness, his back turned to the verandah;
+a gentle rustling sound was coming up the steps. He turned. Framed in
+by one of the doors against the brighter background of the evening sky,
+appeared the shadowy outline of a lady, lingering a moment or two on
+the threshold, then hastening with raised arms towards him, as he stood
+motionless, spellbound.
+
+Before he could prevent it, she had sunk on her knees before him, had
+seized his hands which he was involuntarily stretching forth to lift
+her up, and now she was pressing them to her bosom, to her lips. A
+dense cloud of violet perfume came floating up to him.
+
+"Mercy, Charles, mercy!"
+
+"I entreat you, My Lady, ... for Heaven's sake ..."
+
+He had been barely able to stammer out these words; he felt the most
+acute physical anguish at his heart; cold beads of perspiration stood
+upon his forehead; ice-cold were the hands which Lydia had held till
+then, and which now she dropped, terrified, rising as she did so from
+the ground.
+
+"My Lady!" she murmured, "My Lady ... Ah, I knew it!"
+
+The convulsive pain at his heart had ceased now; it beat on, but
+slowly, heavily; even so his anger and pain were giving way to
+compassion.
+
+"Let bygones be bygones," he said.
+
+"If it were possible!" whispered Lydia.
+
+"It must be possible."
+
+She knew from his gentle but firm tone that, for the moment, she dare
+go no farther; and though she had to confess to herself that she had
+been deceived in her fond hope of reconquering his affections by one
+grand assault at starting, something was secured anyhow, and something
+desirable and even necessary--a fairly satisfactory footing when they
+met in society.
+
+"The dear voice!" she whispered; "the old, dear, gentle voice! But ...
+those hard, cruel words! Yet I have no right to complain, and I will
+not lament; it must, indeed, be possible!"
+
+Much to his relief Bertram was spared the necessity of replying, for
+his host and hostess were just then coming in from the garden,
+accompanied by Erna and Baron Lotter. At the same moment a servant
+opened the folding-door which led to the dining-room; the two gentlemen
+were introduced to each other; the Baron offered his arm to the lady of
+the house, Lydia was clinging to the master, and thus Erna fell to
+Bertram's share. They were lingering a little behind the rest.
+
+"How good you are!" whispered Erna.
+
+"Am I?" he made answer. "I feel most contemptible."
+
+
+
+
+                                   V.
+
+
+In very truth the feeling that he had done wrong in thus opening his
+heart to Erna had come back in renewed strength to Bertram, since he
+had to admit to himself that he had emphatically broken his own dictum
+that bygones were to be bygones. The past was no longer a secret
+between those concerned; and what would henceforth happen--each word,
+each look which they exchanged, all, all would have a sense, a meaning
+for somebody else--for the beautiful girl who was so grave beyond her
+years, the girl with the great, still, godlike eyes.
+
+Thus Bertram was profoundly in earnest when he declined to accept
+Erna's praise; but, anyhow, he hoped that the worst was over now.
+
+How greatly he was mistaken in this, came most painfully home to him
+with the first stolen glimpse which he ventured to take of Lydia's face
+in the pitiless radiance of the bright candles which shone upon the
+round table in the dining-room, where he sat opposite her. Was that
+really ... Lydia? Or had some mischievous imp, by cruel witchcraft, put
+a caricature of herself in her place, and changed the picture of the
+bright and gifted girl, overflowing with jest and fun, with humour and
+wit; the girl with the somewhat irregular but most piquant features,
+with the big, light-blue, mischievous eyes, fresh and rosy of colour,
+with wild, fluttering, blonde locks, into the picture of an aging
+coquette, for ever pouting her thin lips, even when she laughed, so as
+to hide her false teeth; now lowering, now lifting her eyelids, like an
+actress, in vain endeavouring to give some light to her eyes--a light
+as treacherous as the all too bright pinkiness of the lean cheek, the
+all too dark carmine of the ears, adorned though they were with
+sparkling diamonds? An ugly old woman, who now let the gold embroidered
+white silk shawl glide from the scraggy shoulders, only to draw it up
+again immediately and attempt a more picturesque drapery--which was not
+a success, so that the game had to be renewed forthwith!
+
+And he had once loved this painted, dressed-up, revoltingly coquettish
+person; had loved her with the best, purest strength of his heart, as,
+but a little while ago, he had assured Erna with passionate eagerness.
+It was horrible! Would Erna believe that yonder withered shrub had ever
+blossomed in vernal brightness and beauty? How could she believe it,
+when she looked at the friend of Lydia's youth, her own mother, whose
+majestic beauty was barely touched by Time in his flight? Her great
+brown eyes had lost none of their velvety softness, her raven hair
+still shone in undimmed splendour. And if the difference in appearance,
+in manner, was now so great between the two ladies, must it not always
+have existed? And must not the taste of a man, whose feelings could at
+any time have led him so far astray, have been at all times most
+lamentable?
+
+And if the pitiless brightness had brought so terrible a discovery to
+him, how would he himself appear before Erna's searching gaze? Had not
+some horrible change taken place with him too? Why, these twenty years
+had altered Erna's father, who at college had been rightly surnamed
+'The Beauty,' into an excessively stout gentleman, with a somewhat
+bloated countenance, and a mighty skull, which was getting painfully
+bald in the region of the temples! And he himself had never been
+distinguished for personal attraction; true, his hair was as dark as
+ever; and, before supper, in the glass, he had thought that he saw a
+pale and grave, but not a worn, face. But then the complaisant mirror
+of vanity might make one fancy one saw all sorts of things. No doubt
+Lydia had just such a mirror in her room!
+
+Bertram felt more and more sad at heart. He no longer dared lift his
+eyes, but kept them fixed upon the plates, which the servants changed
+without his having tasted any of the dishes to which he helped himself
+mechanically. So he sat on, scarcely hearing a word of the
+conversation, which was principally carried on by Lydia and the Baron.
+Apparently they were talking about some Court affairs, and very amusing
+and piquant they would appear to be. Anyhow, there was much laughter,
+chiefly on the part of Lydia and the Baron, and My Lady held up her
+hand once or twice, and reminded the two of the respect due to the
+Grand Ducal family. Then the conversation touched upon the approaching
+man[oe]vres, and the Baron proclaimed his minute knowledge of every
+detail, and endeavoured to explain to the ladies, with the help of
+spoons and forks and what not, the original positions both of the
+attacking party and the attacked, and duly weighed the various events
+which might or must occur, according whether the commanding officers
+did or did not take certain steps. Under any circumstances, the
+decisive portion of the sham-fight must come off in the immediate
+neighbourhood of Rinstedt itself, if not in Rinstedt itself;
+unfortunately, the ground being singularly unsuitable for cavalry, the
+ultimate issue would lie between artillery and infantry. He himself,
+said the Baron, having formerly been a cavalry officer, was very sorry
+for that; but, anyhow, the ladies, could look forward to a glorious
+sight. What, a pity, he added, that in spite of his having so many
+friends in the army, he did not chance to have any personal
+acquaintances among the officers of this particular regiment.
+
+"Well, I know a number of them," said the host. "The 99th were
+stationed at Erfurt until a twelvemonth ago. I used to meet the
+officers over and over again out shooting."
+
+"Then," said the Baron, turning to Lydia, "you must know some of them
+too. They are sure to have attended some of our Court balls."
+
+"Of course," the lady replied; "and they were also in the habit of
+coming over in shoals to the play; but who is to distinguish one red
+collar from another? Not I! I love plain, quiet, civilian colours. Ask
+Erna; she is sure to know. She spent six weeks last summer with her
+Aunt Adelheid in Erfurt, and there the officers, are constantly coming
+and going. Is it not so, Erna?"
+
+"You are forgetting," said Erna, "that aunt was in mourning at the
+time. Of course there were no parties then."
+
+"But still," the Baron observed, "people go to a house without being
+actually bidden to parties, inspire of the family being in mourning, if
+there are six marriageable daughters in it, as is the case in your
+aunt's house."
+
+"Possibly; then my power of discriminating between different red
+collars is not more strongly developed than Aunt Lydia's; anyhow, I do
+not remember any one of the gentlemen."
+
+This was uttered in such a stern tone, as of one who would decline to
+pursue the subject, that Bertram looked up involuntarily. Her dainty
+features were perfectly composed, but the blue eyes, which she was
+bending upon him, not upon her interlocutor the Baron, seemed to have a
+deeper radiance than that of suppressed annoyance. This was the first
+time that their looks had met across the table, and a curious thrill
+passed through his frame. He felt the hot blood surging to his temples;
+and to mask his growing embarrassment, he asked who was in command of
+the regiment in question.
+
+"Colonel von Waldor," the Baron replied promptly.
+
+"I knew an officer of that name," said Bertram, "long ago, in Berlin;
+at that time he had been told off to the Military Academy of that town.
+For some years I kept up a correspondence with him, but somehow I lost
+sight of him afterwards. But I rather think that was not his regiment?"
+
+"No," replied the Baron. "You are quite right; he used to be in the
+210th. He got the colonelcy of the 99th about a year ago. He made quite
+a name for himself in the '70 campaign."
+
+"Even at the time I recall, my friend was considered a very smart
+officer," said Bertram.
+
+"No doubt, no doubt," replied the Baron; "it must be the same man. As
+far as I know, there are not two Waldors in the army, at least not
+among regimental commanders, for I think I know all their names by
+heart. Your Colonel is a queer fish, anyhow."
+
+"What is a 'queer fish'?" asked Lydia, touching the Baron's arm with
+her fan.
+
+He laughed, and said: "Well, that question is more easily asked than
+answered."
+
+"Then, pray, do not answer it at all," said Hildegard, the hostess,
+glancing at her daughter Erna.
+
+"Why not, my Lady?" the Baron exclaimed. "It is harmless enough to let
+the facts speak, and it is a fact that Waldor who--I do not know him
+personally, but Dr. Bertram will assuredly confirm my statement--was
+known throughout the army not only on account of his gallantry, but
+also on account of his manly beauty, and who had consequently broken
+countless hearts, is still a bachelor."
+
+"You say 'consequently,'" exclaimed Lydia, "and consequently you think
+very meanly of our sex."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Well, you seem to assume that manly beauty suffices to touch--or, as
+you are pleased to call it, to break--female hearts. Alas, my dear
+Baron, how little do you know our sex!"
+
+"I beg a thousand pardons--but I really said nothing of the kind. Venus
+and Mars--the alliance of valour and beauty, you know--your poets know
+something of this. Why, there is a poet here among us--let him speak up
+for me!"
+
+With these last words the Baron had turned to Bertram; his tone and the
+accompanying gesture had something insultingly patronising about them;
+in fact, in Bertram's eye the whole demeanour of the young man,
+almost a giant in stature, was saturated with an arrogant sort of
+self-complacency, which seemed to take unanimous applause for granted.
+Nevertheless he replied with calm politeness:
+
+"I neither consider myself a poet, nor am I, to the best of my
+knowledge, considered one by anybody who has read the few miserable
+trifles in verse which I published years ago."
+
+"I protest against this most emphatically," exclaimed Lydia. "I have
+read those 'miserable trifles in verse,' as you call them--what a
+horrible expression. I know them by heart, and I consider the author to
+be a poet--a poet by grace divine."
+
+"I am extremely obliged to you," replied Bertram. "However, surely what
+a man is born for is wont to announce itself, sooner or later, in a
+man's own heart. With me that voice is absolutely silent; and,
+therefore, I might surely claim the right of refusing to give the
+evidence required of me. But not being specially qualified, and being
+absolutely impartial, I would fain warn my friends not to repose
+overmuch confidence in poets on that particular point. Anxious for the
+applause of the many, as their trade seems to demand, they accommodate
+themselves but too readily to the taste of the many, who, as we all
+know, like very children, seize eagerly upon anything bright,
+glistening, motley-coloured. Therefore, why should they not picture the
+heroine as beautiful beyond compare, the hero as valorous beyond
+comparison, and heap any number of additional titles to fame upon their
+blessed heads! Whether one quality does not perchance exclude another,
+whether the measure dealt out does not, anyhow, exceed all that is
+reasonably possible--dear, dear, there are few who'll ask that
+question; and if any one does, why, then, he is a pedant, and for
+pedants the heroes of romance have no existence, any more than real
+heroes have for their valets."
+
+"Oh! you scoffer--you wretch!" exclaimed Lydia. "Why, you will prove
+next that beauty, that valour, that every virtue in the world, belongs
+to the region of romance. What a terrible thing scepticism is! But our
+friend was ever thus. Did I not say a short while ago: Hildegard, I
+cannot believe that he has changed; he cannot change! And behold, he
+is exactly what he always was!"
+
+"Well, that's coming it pretty strong, seeing it's twenty years since
+..."
+
+The corpulent host had laughingly given utterance to these words, then,
+feeling his wife's dark eyes bent upon him in stern disapproval, he
+broke off abruptly with Ahem! poured some wine into his own glass,
+which was but half emptied, and then wanted to know why the gentlemen
+present were not doing justice to the wine that night.
+
+Bertram, wishing to relieve his friends in their evident embarrassment,
+came to the rescue, saying, with smiling, easy politeness: "Fräulein
+von Aschhof only proves by her kind assertion of my immutability, that
+she is indeed looking upon the world and mankind with a poetical eye.
+But let us remember this--the poets themselves allow only the fair sex
+to participate in the pleasing prerogative of the calmly careless ever
+youthful gods; and the poets may venture on this deception, because the
+listener is willing to be deceived. 'Breathes there a man with soul so
+dead,' who ever ventured to count up the years of an Antigone, an
+Iphigenia, a Helena? They are what they were--else they are not. But,
+even the poet's flattering arts cannot keep the man from aging; and if
+the poet would grant perennial youth to a man, he must needs let him
+die in his youth--like Achilles."
+
+"I protest against this theory," Lydia exclaimed eagerly. "I assert
+that heroes age as little as heroines."
+
+"Even that," Bertram replied with a smile, "would not help me, seeing
+that I am no hero, assuming even that you were right. But I may be
+permitted to indulge in some humble doubt. At best the hero of the
+Odyssey appears distinctly as a man of mature age,--to put it
+mildly,--and Pallas Athene must practise upon him her divine art of
+beautifying before she ventures to introduce him among the Phæaci."
+
+The Baron was meanwhile playing with his spoons and forks again; he was
+evidently annoyed at having been so long kept out of the conversation.
+
+Bertram went on as though he did not notice it at all; he very surely
+was not speaking for that fellow's sake. He only cared to clear himself
+in Erna's eyes from any suspicion that he, like the aged coquette
+opposite him, was laying claim to a juvenility which had gone by for
+ever; and seeing those eyes steadily bent upon him, he took heart of
+grace, and went on in the same tone of easy, good-humoured banter--
+
+"Göethe, a modern, and in this case a tragic, poet too, in his
+Nausicaan fragments, wisely forebore to bring in that art of
+beautifying, which is only lawful for the epic poet in his antique
+naïvety, and in order to bridge over the mighty difference and distance
+of years, and to change the evidently improbable into something at
+least credible, he takes refuge in illusion, causing it to arise from
+the child's very heart, like a fog enveloping those pure eyes, that
+clear mind--
+
+
+           'That man must ever be a youthful man,
+            Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes.'[1]
+
+
+Thus the aged nurse, taking the unspoken words, as it were, from
+Nausicaa's chaste lips. A touching saying, touching, like children's
+belief in the omnipotence of their parents! And about that
+youthfulness, which exists nowhere except in the glorious dreams of a
+young, inexperienced, generous soul, well, Göthe has told us something
+with exquisite humour, not, as true humour indeed never is, without a
+touch of melancholy, in the novelette of the man of fifty. Poor old
+Major! I have always been heartily sorry for him. Remember how he begs
+the services of the valet (skilled in the use of cosmetics) from his
+friend the great actor; how that adroit official uses his balm, and his
+stays, and his wadding for the aged gentleman, and yet cannot save the
+diseased front tooth, and certainly cannot keep fair Hilarie from
+falling vehemently in love with young Flavio, solely because she sees
+him in raptures with the clever widow, solely because in Flavio's
+raptures she beholds for the first time a representation of genuine,
+ardent, youthful passion. All this is as true as it is charming, as
+charming as it is melancholy, at least for the reader who is in a
+position to test the hero's experiences and sentiments by his own
+sentiments and experiences."
+
+"Of course; 'there's no fool like an old fool,' and I suppose that
+really is the final outcome of the whole business," said the Baron.
+
+"How dare you talk of things you know nothing about, you prosaic
+individual?" exclaimed Lydia, bringing her fan down upon the giant's
+arm. "There is no talk of old people here. A man of fifty is not old,
+he is in the prime of life, and is often ten times younger than your
+used-up so-called young gentlemen. But I must really say something for
+Göthe against our 'learned friend.' Yes, yes, my friend, I know the
+novelette well; I read it aloud to the Court barely a week ago. Who
+bids you take a comedy in that tragic way?--for the novelette in
+question is a comedy--a 'Comedy of Errors.' Hilarie fancies she is in
+love with the uncle, and really loves Flavio; Flavio fancies himself in
+love with the young widow, whilst really he loves Hilarie; and how the
+Major--well, I think the final scene at the inn proves emphatically
+that he had only turned his feelings to--to--to--the wrong address, if
+I may venture upon the expression; and that he and the clever widow
+subsequently became a happy pair is perfectly clear to me. Or, do you
+think not?"
+
+A warning glance flashed from Hildegard's dark eyes. Lydia positively
+blushed through her layers of paint. She had shown her hand too
+plainly!
+
+Bertram struggled successfully against a strong inclination to smile;
+nay, curiously enough, something like pity for her indiscretion stirred
+within him. He went on--
+
+"To be sure, you are right, right, above all, in calling the novelette
+a comedy. How little Göthe cared to have a tragic conflict is evident
+from the fact that he chose circumstances as favourable as possible for
+a happy conclusion, and that he from the very beginning secured a line
+of retreat for every one concerned. The Major is the uncle of Hilarie,
+the only daughter of his widowed mother, and he has doubtless acted the
+part of father to her--has, up till now, loved her as his own child.
+His rival, in whose favour he resigns his claims, is his own only son,
+to whom he is also very much attached, and with whom he is on excellent
+terms, whom he in fact treats like a comrade. Again, behind Hilarie, as
+she vanishes from him, stands as it were the young widow; and in her
+arms the Major will speedily forget the small humiliation. And lastly,
+and this seems to me to be the chief point, Göethe has wisely avoided
+to introduce the one element whereby he would have been enabled, nay
+compelled, to turn the comedy into tragedy; he has ... but I beg pardon
+of our fair hostess for being so garrulous. To be sure, it is high time
+we rose from table!"
+
+Truly enough, the turn which the conversation had taken had, for Erna's
+sake, been unwelcome to her mother. So she seized the opportunity and
+rose from table. Erna, who had sat without turning her gaze from
+Bertram, took a deep breath, like some one who is being recalled from
+deep dreams to the consciousness of present realities, and followed the
+example of the others. She and Bertram were the last couple that left
+the dining-room on their return to the garden-saloon, which had
+meanwhile been lighted up, and Bertram thought she was walking very
+slowly--on purpose.
+
+"What was the one element, Uncle Bertram?" she asked.
+
+"What one element?"
+
+He knew what she meant; but he had broken off at table, because he
+himself dreaded the utterance of the word. So he delayed his reply, and
+just then his host appeared, bringing cigars: the gentlemen might smoke
+on the verandah, whilst Lydia would give them some music.
+
+"You remember, Charles, do you not," he went on, "the _sonata
+pathétique_--that used to be your favourite piece? And Lydia has
+practised it often since, I think."
+
+Lydia was ready. Bertram, however, begged to be excused from remaining.
+He felt, he said, after all, tired with the day's journey, and it was
+but the charm of their company which had made him forget that he was
+still a convalescent. He barely gave Hildegard time to draw him aside,
+and to say to him in a whisper--
+
+"You really are most amiable. How good of you to take it so kindly. I
+had not at dinner to-day courage enough to make my confession. Indeed I
+have to confess, to say much to you--to-morrow ..."
+
+"To-morrow be it, fair friend," said Bertram, kissing the lady's hand,
+bowing to the rest, and making hastily for the door. He had not reached
+it before Erna was by his side.
+
+"You used to say good-night to me less formally."
+
+He did not venture to press a kiss on the proffered brow, but only took
+her hand.
+
+The great grave eyes gazed at him as though they would fain read what
+was passing in his inmost soul.
+
+"Good-night, dear child," he said hurriedly.
+
+"Good-night," she replied slowly, letting his hot, trembling hand glide
+out of her own cool little one.
+
+"It is lucky," said Bertram to himself, after he had dismissed Konski,
+and as he stood alone by the open window in his bedroom, "it is very
+lucky, indeed, that it is not very easy to read what is passing in
+somebody else's soul. She would have found queer reading!"
+
+He leaned out of the window and gazed into the darkness. Not a breath
+of air. From the garden below the fragrance of mignonette was wafted
+up; the brook murmured aloud; a thin white veil was spread over the
+valley, with here and there a dim speck of light. The sky was
+cloudless, of deep blue, almost black colour; the moon looked like a
+mass of gold, and one solitary star near it shone forth in red
+splendour.
+
+Bertram recalled just such a night, long years ago, when a friend, the
+assistant-astronomer, had given Erna's father and himself the
+opportunity of witnessing, from the Bonn Observatory, the transit of
+that same star--Aldebaran--through the moon! Afterwards he had
+accompanied Otto back to Poppelsdorf, and Otto had in his turn walked
+back with him to the Pförtchen in Bonn; and so backward and forward,
+all through the mild summer's night, until the light of morning had
+come, and the birds were beginning to twitter in the leafy crowns of
+the chestnut trees. And they had been raving of friendship and love--of
+the love they both, most fraternally, cherished for one and the same
+black-eyed beauty, the daughter of one of their professors, and they
+had both been sublimely happy, all their misery notwithstanding, for
+the black-eyed one was known to love another--"Great Heaven, how long,
+how long ago? A generation, and more. And now ...?"
+
+"Now," he went on, "you are about to fall in love with the daughter
+of the same man whom then you rivalled in absurdly exaggerated,
+donkey-like phantasies--with a girl of eighteen, whose father you could
+be. And this time you would not get off with raving incoherently for a
+night of two, and with scribbling a few mediocre sonnets! Be
+reasonable, old man. Let it go--let it go! You know full well you can
+have no abiding place here, any more than the horseman in the
+Piccolomini. Behind you, too, as you ride along, crouches the lean
+companion and clasps you in his bony arms, and every now and again taps
+at your heart, to test if it is still stupid enough to throb for a
+beauteous maiden who is seated by the window among wallflowers and
+rosemary.
+
+"And behind the curtain stands her lover, and bends across her, that
+he, too, may look upon the mad horseman, who is stretching out his neck
+to see his darling. And the clumsy fellow with the bull's neck wrinkles
+his silly brow, twirls his mustachio, strokes his beard, mutters _Mort
+de ma vie!_ and shakes his coarse fist. But she pouts, and giggles and
+bursts out laughing, and falls on the neck of the jealous one ...
+
+"No, no; it cannot be! You only want to hear from her lips that it
+cannot be. And then--away, away--ride out of the gate--to swift,
+honourable death. And God's blessing on thee, thou gentle, lovely, and
+beloved child!"
+
+He closed the window gently, and so to bed; to bed, but not to sleep.
+He could not find that repose he stood so much in need of. The brook
+murmured so loudly, or was it the hot bloody surging to his temples?
+
+And was he about to sink into slumber, he would start up again
+immediately; he seemed again, to be holding her by the hand, and she
+bent her forehead to be kissed by him.
+
+"No--no! Lead me not into temptation! Do not ask me what the one thing
+is! I would not say it, even, if--what God forbid!--it were so. I will
+not let you beguile me into a tragedy, any more than from one comedy
+into another."
+
+
+
+
+                                  VI.
+
+
+This thought, which had at length quieted Bertram's, wildly tumultuous
+spirits, was also his first, when late next morning he awoke from deep
+and dreamless slumbers--neither tragedy nor comedy! Calm and clear
+observation, as best becomes a solitary individual who has done with
+life; who neither hopes nor fears anything from Fate for himself;
+maintaining a benevolent interest in the fate of others, where
+benevolence is merited and interest is justified; cherishing throughout
+the conviction that, after all, every one makes or mars his own life;
+that interference and advice are rarely of much use, and generally
+distinctly hurtful; and that, even under the most favourable
+circumstances, the task of mediator is ever, of all tasks, the most
+thankless.
+
+In the clear light of these contemplations and of the delicious morning
+which was resting in sunny radiance above the lovely landscape, last
+night's scenes appeared to Bertram like the confused darkness of a
+feverish dream; nay, he derived some comfort from the thought that he
+probably had been ill, and was therefore only partly responsible for
+his extraordinary demeanour. Still, he was gravely responsible for one
+thing--he ought sooner to have become conscious of his condition. He
+might well thank his stars that in his excited state he had not behaved
+even more strangely; above all, that to-day, for the first time since
+his last long and severe illness, he felt as fresh and strong as in his
+best days. Assuredly with the morning all things seemed to have become
+better--much better than he could have expected--than he deserved!
+
+The master's disposition was singularly serene, and he gave it a most
+friendly expression in the course of his toilet, showing himself ready
+for a friendly gossip with Konski; but Konski, strange, to say, was out
+of temper, and refused to be gossiped with.
+
+At last Bertram said: "What ails you? If you are displeased, at what I
+said yesterday about our speedy departure, you may calm yourself. We
+still remain here for the whole time we had originally arranged. I see
+you have unpacked already."
+
+"We may leave to-day, for aught I care!" grumbled Konski.
+
+"What's up now? Out with it, Konski! You know I cannot bear sour looks.
+Anything in connection with Mamsell Christine?"
+
+"Of course it is!" replied Konski; "and I wonder who's to keep from
+sour looks under these circumstances! I had written to her that this
+was to be my last trip with you, and when we returned from Italy in
+March we might go and be spliced. I did not want to tell you at all,
+but don't you see, sir, one gets older every year, and it has to be
+some time or other, and ..."
+
+"And now you wish to marry at once, and I am to give you your
+discharge?"
+
+"Marry at once, indeed!" sniffed Konski; "she won't marry at all
+now--leastways, not me--and that, after we have been engaged these
+five years! But there is no trusting them women, and especially the old
+ones! She is five and forty years of age, she is,--a year older than I
+am myself; and now she's going to marry a young greenhorn of five and
+twenty!"
+
+It was some time before Konski, generally so calm and patient, could
+explain in detail to his master how badly he had been treated.
+According to his account, Mamsell Christine had written the tenderest
+letters to him until a few weeks ago, and had declared herself
+agreeable to all his suggestions and proposals; and now it appeared
+from the statements of the other servants whom he had cross-questioned,
+and whose evidence the faithless one could not but corroborate, that
+she had been "carrying on" for a long while with one Peter Weissenborn,
+who had formerly been head-gardener at Rinstedt, and who had been
+settled in the neighbouring town for the last six months, and who was
+now, it was said, likely to be appointed one of the Court gardeners,
+thanks to the protection of the Herr Baron. The Herr Baron, Konski went
+on, had also induced My Lady to give Mamsell Christine leave to quit
+her service at any time without formal notice; and, indeed, the
+servants all said, that the way to get My Lady's consent to anything,
+was to get the Herr Baron on your side; that made success quite
+certain. And My Lady was said to be quite in favour of this marriage
+between Christine and the future Court gardener. In that case she would
+always have two of her former servants at hand when she came to town,
+and that was likely to be an event of frequent occurrence now; if,
+indeed, she did not go to live there altogether, as some of the
+servants asserted--Aurora, for instance--My Lady's maid, who was her
+second favourite, next to Christine.
+
+Bertram endeavoured to comfort the poor fellow. He pointed out to him
+that he should be glad to be rid of a person who had evidently never
+meant honestly by him, and who would in all probability have been as
+faithless in marriage as she had now proved before. This conviction led
+him to reject any wish there might exist to get the matter rectified
+again, as was done sometimes, and in much higher social circles too;
+otherwise he would have been willing to use his influence with My Lady,
+which presumably would have been at least as telling as that of the
+Herr Baron.
+
+Konski shook his head. "I am extremely obliged to you, sir," said he.
+"I am quite content if you will still keep me on, after I have proved
+myself to be such a thorough ass. And, as far as talking to her
+Ladyship goes, that would be in vain--the Herr Baron is cock of the
+walk there. I could tell you a good deal more about that, but I know
+you do not like that sort of thing!"
+
+Bertram was startled. The man's last remark could have but one meaning,
+and the image of the girl among the wallflowers and with the jealous
+lover, emerged in singular distinctness from last night's feverish
+phantasies. He would fain have for once broken through his rule of
+never going out of his way to listen to the gossip of kitchen and
+servants' hall, but, as Konski did not volunteer any further remarks,
+he was ashamed to put any direct questions. Just at that moment, too,
+there came a knock, and a servant brought a message from her Ladyship.
+She had learned that the Herr Doctor had risen, and might she request
+the Herr Doctor's' company on the verandah to tea?
+
+Bertram lost no time in following the invitation. Hildegard, who had
+been sitting in a shaded corner of the verandah at the deserted
+breakfast-table, came forward to meet him. As she moved towards him
+with well-balanced step, he could not but recall last night's talk
+about the never-changing beauty of a poet's heroine. He gazed upon the
+lofty figure in its youthful slimness, the clear, deep colouring of the
+incomparably beautiful countenance, the blue-black splendour of the
+ample hair, smooth at the temples, and crowning the glorious head with
+a dense braid.
+
+There was a smile on her dainty lips, and if deepened a little as she
+saw her guest's speaking eyes bent upon her in undisguised admiration.
+She was making tender inquiries about the state of his health, leading
+him the while to the table and making him sit beside her, with the
+kettle bubbling in front of them.
+
+"Otto," she said, "is, as usual, somewhere about the estate. The Baron
+is painting a portion of the village from the bottom terrace, and Lydia
+is, I believe, keeping him company with a book. Erna, you will probably
+find later on in her favourite place, under the big plantain tree. I
+have sent them all away, because I so long to have a comfortable
+confidential chat with you. Yesterday we did not manage to have one.
+And first of all, dear friend, accept my hearty thanks for having so
+kindly pardoned a breach of confidence of which I--not from choice--had
+been guilty. Nay, do not refuse the expression of my gratitude. I saw
+how hard you found it to appear unconscious and serene; I thank you all
+the more. But I knew that with your wonted cleverness you would at once
+find the only correct point of view--that of pity. Whatever has been
+done and sinned between the two of you,--she is the one to be pitied. A
+poor girl, growing old, even if she is in favour at Court; and although
+the Grand Ducal family could not be kinder, yet all this cannot satisfy
+the cravings of her eager mind--but I perceive that this is a painful
+topic for you!"
+
+"It is not painful for me," replied Bertram; "or at least only so far
+as the description of a dissatisfied, unquiet soul must ever be painful
+for us, if it is hopelessly out of our power to bring satisfaction and
+peace to it."
+
+"I understand you," said Hildegard; "and you will understand me when I
+beg of you not quite to rob the poor soul in question of its utterly
+foolish hopes to which it clings, alas! with incredible tenacity. You
+can do this so easily: you need but be amiable and, courteous to her,
+as you are to everybody--no more, but, to be sure, no less--do you
+consent?"
+
+"I will try, since you wish it--on one condition!"
+
+"And this condition?"
+
+"I have come to the following determination--indeed, it is a matter of
+course for me. In the drama of human life I will not henceforth ever
+again leave, my well-won place in the stalls, and under no
+circumstances will I take a part on the stage itself--no tragic
+part--and still less a comic one!"
+
+"From the latter," replied his fair hostess with a smile, "you are
+safe under any circumstances, through your own cleverness; from the
+former----"
+
+"Through my age."
+
+"I meant to say, also through your cleverness; or, if you prefer it,
+through the cool, unimpassioned frame of mind which you have grown
+into, and which I often envy you!"
+
+Bertram looked up in amazement, and then quickly busied himself with
+his tea-cup. Hildegard, to envy him his coolness! Hildegard, who had
+ever appeared to him the very embodiment of conscious equanimity!
+
+"You may be surprised to hear this from me," she continued; "but must
+we not all, sooner or later, learn the lesson of resignation? And my
+time surely has come. Indeed, it has been so all my life. What have not
+I had to resign in the course of my life! Or do you think that the
+husband's wealth can blind the wife, if she be proud, to the
+consciousness that she is not loved as she longs, and as, may be, she
+deserves to be loved?"
+
+Bertram knew these phrases from of old; but he said to himself that
+to-day particularly he must make the best of everything, so he
+exclaimed--
+
+"Is it possible, my friend, that you still cherish this hypochondriacal
+fear which you have given utterance to before, but from which I deemed
+you cured long ago? How can you complain of a deficiency in love, when
+your husband positively adores you? You can utter no wish, simply
+because what you could wish for is already fulfilled. Or you need but
+have a wish, and it is forthwith fulfilled."
+
+"You are pleading for the friend of your youth," she made answer,
+raising her dark eyebrows. "Do not forget this: I am bringing no charge
+against him. I am resigned. Were I to die to-day, what would his loss
+come to? What would he miss?"
+
+"The brightness of his life," Bertram replied gallantly.
+
+"As if he cared for the brightness of his life!" said his wife. "Is it
+so? Does he share one of my fancies, my harmless _penchants_? Does he
+not vainly strive to appear interested in the things of beauty with
+which I love to surround, myself and to decorate our dwelling? Did he
+not consent wit evident repugnance to have the mansion-house restored
+in a style befitting a whilom princely residence--to let me seek out
+and renew the old, tangled paths through the Park? Does he support me
+in my humane undertakings? Have I not had to beg the few thousand
+thalers from him that I required for my Kindergarten and for my
+poorhouse? Why, he lives solely for his porcelain factory, his sugar
+refinery, his coal-mines, his new railway project! I say again: I have
+accepted all this as inevitable, and as a matter of course, as long as
+I alone was concerned, as long as I alone suffered. But, indeed, to
+bring Erna into this life of trivialities, to leave the dear child in a
+sphere where she sees nothing, hears nothing, that could give the
+slightest nourishment to head or heart, where anything and everything
+revolves round Mammon, is sacrificed to Mammon--that is beyond me,
+beyond my strength!"
+
+"Then, if I understand you aright, you wish, to get Erna married?"
+
+Through the soft, velvety radiance of the deep-brown eyes flashed
+something like a deeper light. The question was evidently not
+expected--at least not yet--but the next moment already her eyes had
+resumed their customary expression, and she forced those beautiful lips
+to smile, as she said, in a tone of gentle reproach--
+
+"Let us express it rather less egotistically. I should like Erna to
+find a husband worthy of her."
+
+"A most natural wish too! One which every mother cherishes for a
+grown-up daughter. And as an old friend of the family I heartily join
+in the wish, and do not for a moment doubt that we shall readily agree
+as to what we shall expect her husband to be."
+
+"I am not so sure on that point."
+
+"Let us try anyhow. Firstly, he should be noble!"
+
+"That is not your conviction."
+
+"Then let it be a concession. If people wish to come to an
+understanding they must be prepared to make concessions."
+
+"This concession I accept gladly. Go on, please."
+
+"He should not be a scholar by profession; but have a good--a man of
+the world's--education, and a taste for the fine arts. In fact, we want
+a cavalier, of course, in the best sense of the word."
+
+"Agreed."
+
+"He need not be wealthy. In fact, it would be preferable that he had no
+fortune, he would in that case be all the more indebted to Erna."
+
+"Most true!"
+
+"He should not be a landed proprietor, or at least not a man who feels
+it a duty and an absolute necessity to live in the country and devote
+himself to agriculture. Best of all, he should have no definite
+calling, or, anyhow, only one which did not impose difficult and
+troublesome duties; say a position which should have it as a natural
+consequence that the man in question moved in the best society, and
+even came occasionally into pleasant contact with Court circles."
+
+"Best of friends, how strangely skilled you are in reading a mother's
+heart!"
+
+"Let me, then, look to the very bottom of it, where possibly the name
+of the individual in question is already written. If I read the
+characters correctly, they form the name ..."
+
+"Now I am truly keen to know."
+
+"Baron Kuno von Lotter-Vippach."
+
+"Lydia has told you!"
+
+"No. Neither Fräulein von Aschhof nor any one else has spoken to me, I
+give you my word of honour."
+
+"But it is most strange ..."
+
+"Why so strange? Am I not a very old friend, to whom you have many a
+time talked on most important topics, and whom you have many a time
+honoured with your most intimate confidence?"
+
+"Then it is all the better, all the more deserving of my gratitude;
+and I thank you heartily, sincerely ..."
+
+She had seized both his hands; her beautiful countenance, now lighted
+up with a flush of gladness, had never been more beautiful; yet to
+Bertram it appeared like some hideous mask.
+
+"I cannot accept your thanks," he said, withdrawing his hands with
+slight and very hurried pressure. "I could but do so honestly, if I
+shared those wishes of yours which I have guessed. That is not quite
+the case. The impression which Baron Lotter made upon me yesterday was
+not specially favourable; to be quite open, the impression was
+unfavourable."
+
+"That," Hildegard replied eagerly, "leaves me very calm. You men
+seldom like each other at a first encounter, and at a second you find
+one another charming. In the Baron's case no second encounter has even
+been necessary; he overflows with your praises; he calls you the
+cleverest and most amiable of men; he is charmed to have made your
+acquaintance; and I am convinced that you, too, my friend, will soon
+modify your judgment--I should almost like to say your prejudice--once
+you come to know the Baron better. He is somewhat spoiled, like all
+very handsome men; somewhat conceited, if you like; but at bottom very
+modest, easily led, good as gold. He will please you, believe me, and
+more than please you! You will come to esteem and love him!"
+
+"Is the more important question, to me the most important, already
+settled? Does Erna think as favourably of the Baron? Does she love him?
+For that he loves her, I must, I suppose, assume."
+
+"That is beyond all doubt," Hildegard made answer; "as for Erna, I hope
+so, I believe so; anyhow she does not express herself unfavourably
+about him, and that, with Erna, means a good deal, for she is not at
+all easily pleased, and is not accustomed to conceal her dislike, if
+dislike there be. It is of course difficult to form a correct opinion
+of Erna's sentiments; doubly difficult for me, because she has
+been so long from home, and we are not always in accord in our
+views and tendencies. Again, in Lydia she has never placed full
+confidence--which, by the by, I can scarcely wonder at. I only know one
+being whom she thoroughly trusts--and you dear friend, are the one!"
+
+"I?"
+
+"Are you surprised to hear this? Surely not? Has not the child always
+been so fond of Uncle Bertram, that we, her parents, might have grown
+jealous? Has she not ever been your favourite? If she is so no longer,
+for goodness sake do not let the poor girl see it. She would be
+inconsolable."
+
+"Now, you are laughing at me."
+
+"Indeed, I am not. Ask Lydia. That Lydia often speaks of you, you will
+find natural enough, and that now and again a word of bitterness slips
+in, you will find pardonable. Erna does not pardon it. In her eyes you
+are once and for good raised above all reproach. You are, as it were,
+her ideal. It is a downright case of infatuation, and it goes so far
+that she once assured us, with all a child's gravity--she was still
+almost a child--that if ever she married, Uncle Bertram must be her
+husband and she got quite angry when Lydia and I laughed at her."
+
+The beautiful lady smiled, and Bertram succeeded in forcing a smile
+too.
+
+"How very funny," he said; "but then very young girls are proverbially
+prone to conceive infatuation for some one or other of their masters,
+and I think, in Lydia's eyes, I have always been one of her
+instructors, in literature and what not. Poor girls! they give their
+affections to old Mentor, but they mean young Telemachus. Well, and
+there is apparently a young Telemachus on the stage already, if you
+have seen aright."
+
+"Just to decide that point," replied Hildegard, "Mentor must not yet
+resign his functions. On the contrary, I must entreat him most urgently
+to help the mother with his clear vision and his advice, and to use his
+old influence with the daughter. I may rely upon this, my trusty
+friend, may I not?"
+
+She held out her hand to him with these words. He raised it
+deferentially to his lips and said--
+
+"You may rest convinced that Erna's well-being is dearer to me than
+anything else in the world."
+
+Hildegard had wished and had expected another, a more definite, answer.
+It was still doubtful whether she had really acquired an ally in him.
+However, the main point was gained; she had taken the initiative, had
+represented the affair from her own point of view, had appealed to
+Bertram's friendship, had asked for his assistance, had given him a
+proof of her confidence, which he would doubtless accept as
+unconditional. This sort of thing is always flattering to a man, always
+makes him feel indebted. Of course, a woman must flatter a man if she
+would make him feel indebted.
+
+Just then it was anyhow impossible to obtain a more definite assurance
+from Bertram, for the Baron and Lydia were ascending the main steps of
+the terrace; the Baron, in his temporary capacity as artist, clad in a
+costume of brown velvet, and a straw hat with a stupendously broad
+brim, and Lydia in such a grotesquely fantastic morning costume as to
+suggest the idea that she had been acting as model for some wonderful
+sketch of the artist. And indeed she did figure upon the canvas, but
+only as a bit of the foreground, which represented a portion of the
+terrace, across which you looked down into the valley and at the
+village, with the wooded hills rising behind. The Baron was evidently
+much pleased with his work, although he declared again and again not to
+have half finished it; it was not fair, he added, to apply to a hasty
+sketch the same standard of judgment as to a regular studio picture, in
+which everything would of course turn out quite different. This,
+Bertram could not but think, would be most desirable, but hardly very
+probable. This so-called sketch was evidently a picture which had
+already been touched and retouched, some portions had been painted over
+two, even three times, and divers desultory dilettante endeavours had
+failed to bring anything like harmony into the composition.
+Nevertheless he politely agreed with the ladies' words of praise, which
+flowed freely from Hildegard's lips, while Lydia, as was her wont,
+launched out in extravagant eulogy: wonderful, was it not, what
+progress the Herr Baron made day by day? At last there was once more a
+painter with a mission for historical landscapes on a grand scale! The
+resemblance of his genius to that of a Rottmann, a Preller--became more
+and more apparent. Nor did she alone think so. Only the other day, at
+Court, when they were talking of the pupils at the Academy of Arts, and
+some one mentioned the Baron's name, Princess Amelia said, and said
+with marked emphasis, "No pupil he, ladies, nay, a master, and a great
+master! The Baron is a distinct acquisition for our School of Arts; he
+represents a triumph!"
+
+"Yes, it is true; the august lady is very graciously disposed towards
+me," asserted the Baron, stroking his natty beard. "I wonder what she
+will say to my new sketches."
+
+Fortunately for Bertram, who was planning his escape under some pretext
+or other from this painful scene, his host now came up to greet his
+friend, and to ask if he felt strong enough and was inclined to go for
+a little drive with him; only to the porcelain factory, they would be
+back in an hour. Bertram declared his readiness.
+
+"The Baron would surely like to go with you," said Hildegard,
+exchanging glances with her husband; "but I fear there is barely
+comfortable room even for two in your little trap."
+
+The Baron hastened to assure her that he could not go, anyhow, as he
+had promised Miss Erna to try the accompaniment to some new songs with
+her.
+
+Hildegard asked Bertram if he would not, before starting, say good
+morning to Erna, who would be hurt if he left without having done so.
+
+They called for Erna in vain. It seemed to Bertram that Hildegard only
+wished to find time enough to beckon him aside, and to whisper to him
+that he need not conceal from her husband what they had been discussing
+in reference to Erna. On the contrary, she was anxious to learn Otto's
+opinion of the whole matter; he would probably speak with less reserve
+to his friend than, alas! to her, and that Bertram would take her side
+she felt sure now.
+
+"But Erna is not coming, I see," she exclaimed aloud; "I will not keep
+you gentlemen any longer. _Au revoir_--an hour hence."
+
+
+
+
+                                  VII.
+
+
+The little trap was so light, and the road was in such good condition,
+that the friends were able to drive at a very fair pace, in spite of
+the not inconsiderable gradient. Soon they passed into the wood.
+The easy, comfortable motion, the perfect beauty of the morning, the
+fact that the friends were for the first time in undisturbed
+companionship--all seemed to favour a confidential exchange of
+thoughts. Yet both men were silent, and barely exchanged a word or two
+on indifferent topics. At last Otto said, after he had taken a stolen
+side-glance or two of his friend--
+
+"What do you think, Charles--shall we walk a bit? The road now will be
+virtually level for some distance."
+
+Bertram nodded assent. The carriage stopped. Otto bade the man drive
+slowly on in front of them, in the direction of the factory.
+
+"You never can be sure," he began, as they were striding along the
+well-kept footpath by the side of the road, "that these beggars do not
+hear more than they should; and I particularly want to ask you
+something. Tell me--but quite honestly, mind--how do you like the
+Baron?"
+
+"Let us come to the point at once," replied Bertram; "I have had a talk
+with your wife."
+
+"Oh! indeed!" exclaimed Otto, hiding his embarrassment as best he could
+by bursting out laughing, and abruptly leaving off again. "That is to
+say, I rather thought you would. I should like to have done the same--I
+mean had a talk with you--yesterday, in fact; but my wife told me not
+to ... and, don't you know, the ladies always claim precedence."
+
+"Very well; then let me commence at the point where my conversation
+with your wife came to an end--with the question which she either could
+not or would not answer when I pressed her, and which seems to me of
+paramount importance--Does Erna love the Baron? Have you, between you,
+or have you yourself, any proof of--any support of this? Have you made
+any observation from which you could conclude such a thing?"
+
+"Look here, old man," said Otto, "you are asking a lot at once. I can't
+follow you. Proof--support--observation! Good Heaven! Who can look into
+a girl's head and heart? She has said nothing to me, and rather than
+ask her--ask her--it's such a queer question to ask, and possibly one
+might only do harm by it, and learn nothing in the long run, or at
+least not the truth. Of course she is fond enough of me, and has
+confidence in me. Heaven knows how fond I am of her! but father and
+daughter, you know--or rather you do not know, for you never had a
+daughter--that's a curious business!"
+
+He had taken off his hat and was scratching his head in his perplexity.
+Bertram understood that he was not likely to get anything out of him
+that way. After a pause Bertram said--
+
+"Well, let us assume--although, to say the truth, I find it very hard
+to do so--let us assume that Erna does love this man. Would you then be
+able to say Yea and Amen with a good conscience? In other words, are
+you convinced that the man would make Erna happy? That he has, anyhow,
+the qualities which according to human reasoning and experience, render
+her happiness at least possible? That he is a man of honour, of fit and
+upright disposition;--in a word, that he is a gentleman?"
+
+"A gentleman!" exclaimed Otto in amazement "Why, good Heaven!--a man
+belonging to such a family--bearing such a name--a constant guest at
+Court--invited to every ball, every evening party there; besides
+joining their private circle, once or twice every week--why, he must be
+a gentleman!"
+
+"The deuce he must!" exclaimed Bertram angrily. "If you have no better
+guarantee than Court balls and such like humbug!"
+
+"But what more would you have?" said Otto. "What more would any one
+have? If that is no guarantee I wonder what you would call one. I have
+it as a matter of certainty from Lydia, that his nomination as
+Chamberlain is made out, is lying ready for signature in the Grand
+Duke's cabinet; and Lydia ought to know, for, between you and me, she,
+with the help of our Court Marshal, an old friend of Lotter's father,
+has been urging the matter strongly at Court. Lotter is very grateful
+to her, and says quite frankly, that but for her he might have had to
+wait much longer; and I think that is, a trait in his favour--although
+I am convinced--but you must please not give any indication that you
+know--although I am convinced that Lydia has not tried her hardest for
+Lotter's own sake, but to conciliate my wife, who is bent upon seeing
+her future son-in-law hold some Court appointment. And the reason why
+Lydia had to keep in my wife's good graces is not far to seek; and, old
+fellow, she has had her way at last, and is allowed to sojourn once
+more under the same roof with you. You see: _manus manum lavat._"
+
+"So I see, indeed," laughed Bertram. "And now Hildegard must again keep
+me in good-humour, that I, in my turn, may keep you in good-humour. It
+were strange indeed, if, under these circumstances, we were not, all of
+us, in the very best humour!"
+
+"This hardly seems to be your case as yet," said Otto, "your laughter
+notwithstanding."
+
+"Nor, I hope, yours either," exclaimed Bertram.
+
+"Why do you hope so?"
+
+Bertram made no answer. His Heart was full of sorrow and wrath. He saw
+that the whole affair was arranged--among the two women anyhow--and the
+easy-going henpecked husband by his side would be sure to say yes to
+everything, had probably done so already, and this was but the second
+scene this morning in a nicely-arranged comedy, with all the parts
+carefully distributed beforehand. Evidently the drive had but one
+object--to give Otto an opportunity of saying his part. And he,
+himself?--Why, barely an hour ago he had solemnly protested to the fair
+stage-manager that never more would he act again! And she had listened
+to his solemn protest without laughing in his face! Well, well; there
+might yet be a chance of interpreting some passage in a way that the
+clever lady had not thought of!
+
+Otto broke the silence, after they had been walking side by side for
+some little time, by saying somewhat humbly--
+
+"You are angry with me!"
+
+"What right could I have to be so?" replied Bertram. "I am no relation
+of yours. I am nothing but a friend; and, as such, I have no right
+whatever. It is only my duty to give an honest answer if you consult me
+on a matter of importance. And there is properly no consultation in
+this case. You are not in need of any advice; you, her parents, are
+resolved. Nothing is wanting, but the merest trifle--Erna's consent.
+And, as that is sure to be given in good time, the whole thing is
+clearly settled, and we may as well talk of something else."
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Otto, "nothing is settled; and the matter is by no
+means clear--clear--not in my mind, anyhow; and Hildegard has not the
+faintest conception how things really stand. She thinks it is only my
+want of resolution that ... And because she knows how much I value your
+judgment--if I could only tell you everything ..."
+
+"But you cannot, and you would be, sorry for it afterwards. Therefore,
+you had better not try."
+
+"But I must at length tell some one, and there is no one else in the
+world whom I could say it to. Listen: I ... I ..."
+
+A kind of spasm passed over the full, round, good-humoured face; the
+blue eyes, which he kept rigidly fixed upon his friend, seemed to
+struggle against rising tears.
+
+"I--I am ruined!"
+
+He had just managed to pronounce these words hoarsely; then he broke,
+down and sunk upon a log of wood which was lying by the roadside.
+
+Bertram had, at first to struggle against the terrible notion that his
+friend had suddenly gone mad. But his look, though one of utter
+despair, was not that of a madman.
+
+"What is this you say, Otto? Impossible, impossible!" he said, sitting
+down upon the log by the side of his friend, who seemed bereft of all
+strength. "Go on, anyhow, that I may judge what it comes to. I am quite
+convinced--beforehand that it comes to nothing at all. But speak, for
+goodness sake, speak!"
+
+Otto nodded assent, and murmured--
+
+"Yes, yes, I will speak. Come to nothing, forsooth! I have seen it
+coming--for a long time past--for the last four years at least--ever
+since I started, in addition to all the other things, that confounded
+sugar refinery. We made it a Company; but I hold all the shares myself
+now--I could not bear to ruin the poor beggars who, trusting in me,
+had taken up the rest. This has cost me untold money; and the whole
+thing was a failure, and the building is ready to be pulled down
+again--would already have been pulled down if that, again, did not
+require money. Besides, a thousand acres of my best soil planted with
+beetroot--food for the pigs now. And yonder is that porcelain factory,
+year by year a balance on the wrong side; and then the mines--yes, yes,
+formerly, but not now ..."
+
+There had been one long series of enterprises, each of which had turned
+out more unsatisfactory, and, in the long run, more ruinous than the
+other; and with increasing swiftness they had swallowed up ever bigger
+sums, and had now at length given at least a most severe shock to a
+very considerable fortune. This much Bertram gathered clearly from the
+statements of his friend, although he only understood a small part of
+the technical and mercantile details.
+
+"But how on earth," he exclaimed, "could a quiet, sensible man like
+yourself ever dream of venturing on this 'inclined plane'? How could
+you graft one reckless, foolhardy speculation upon another; neglect,
+ruin those splendid estates, the legacy of your fathers; stake your
+peace of mind, your happiness? And if it had been a question of
+yourself only! But your child--your wife ..."
+
+He paused abruptly.
+
+"Poor chap!" he murmured. "I think I understand after all--poor, good
+chap!"
+
+He was pressing Otto's hand warmly. Their eyes met. His unhappy friend
+was smiling, and a most melancholy smile it was.
+
+"To be sure, to be sure," he said; "I did not want it cried from the
+house-tops; I knew you would find the reason. I myself--dear, dear--I
+would not have cared to increase my gains. I should have been more than
+satisfied with the estates and the mines, or with the estates alone, if
+the mines ceased to yield a profit. You know how as a young man I used
+to be quite ashamed of having so much money, never a farthing of which
+I had earned, when I saw how my betters had to toil and moil. And I
+knew too that I was not good enough for her--that it was great
+condescension on her part to marry me at all--that I must needs ever
+be in her debt. From the very commencement I let her have her own
+way--she should never be able to say that I, the _bourgeois_
+proprietor's son, was ignorant of what befitted and became a beautiful
+young lady of high degree. I even--don't laugh at me, man--even tried
+to procure a patent of nobility, she wished it so very much; and I have
+made many a sacrifice with that object. This whole, ill-starred
+porcelain factory, for instance--I had been told that at Court they
+would like me to establish one, and indeed they buy here what they
+require, though, to be sure, only for kitchen and servants' hall--and
+there was many another thing besides. And then she wanted the terraces
+and the park and the mansion-house restored--in the true style, I think
+they call it--and she takes delight in all this, trumpery rubbish of
+dim old mirrors, and shaky old chairs, and worm-eaten old cabinets, and
+coffee-coloured, pictures, and abominable old pots and pans; and I,
+great God! would willingly buy the whole world for her--lay it at her
+feet--if only she would love me a little in return. But--you see,
+Charles, it has all been in vain--quite in vain!"
+
+The big man had buried his face in his hands, and was sobbing like a
+child. Bertram's soul was filled with pity. The wretched weakness of
+his friend in reference to his beautiful and beloved, but cold,
+unloving wife, and its mournful consequences--he now understood it all
+too well not to be ready to pardon--to a certain extent. But that,
+husband and wife must settle, must bear, among them--only Erna should
+not be dragged to ruin, should not also be sacrificed to her mother's
+unbounded selfishness. And perhaps this was the one bright spot in the
+dark picture which his friend had drawn of his position.
+
+"You have not endeavoured to give the Baron a clear view of your
+situation?" he asked.
+
+"For goodness sake--no; certainly not," exclaimed Otto, rising in
+terror from his stooping position. "Anything but that!"
+
+"And yet you will have to do so as soon as he formally asks Erna's hand
+from you."
+
+"How can I tell him the truth? He would withdraw immediately."
+
+"Otto, are you not ashamed of yourself? And you would really give Erna
+to such a cur?"
+
+"What am I to do?"
+
+"What you are simply obliged to do as a man of honour, not to say as a
+father!"
+
+"And he'll talk about it--here, in the town, at Court--and everything,
+everything depends upon my credit remaining unquestioned, at least a
+little longer. If the projected railway is made to pass through here in
+lieu of through the valley below, it would be done mainly on account of
+my establishments, my factories, and what not. And in that case I am
+saved--nay, I must needs grow wealthier than ever I have been. But the
+ultimate granting of the concession--our local Parliament
+notwithstanding--rests with the Government; and Lotter, with his divers
+relations, his well-known influence ..."
+
+He paused, then resumed in a somewhat less confident tone--
+
+"If, therefore, I do not reveal everything to him at present--and, by
+the by, there is no need for it yet--I am not acting dishonestly, but
+in everybody's interest. You will grant me this much."
+
+"To be sure," replied Bertram. "I only fear you will not be able to
+continue this profitable silence for any length of time. For any
+day it may happen that the young people come to an understanding,
+and--to-morrow, perhaps, or this very day--they may come and ask for
+your blessing."
+
+"It would kill me!"
+
+"It would, anyhow, be extremely awkward! Therefore, I beg to make the
+following proposal to you. I am already authorised by your wife to
+sound Erna; I now ask you to give me the same commission; and you will
+tell your wife that you have spoken to me about it. Thus you will both
+have placed the matter into my hands as it were. Now I shall find Erna
+either distinctly favourable to your plan, or else distinctly
+unfavourable, or undecided. In the latter case, I will try to confirm
+her in that state of mind; and would prove to your wife that to advance
+with inconsiderate rashness must needs be risking, and, probably,
+spoiling everything. But even if Erna, really loves the Baron, or, on
+the other hand, if she is satisfied in her own mind that he is not the
+man who corresponds to her ideal--all girls create such an ideal for
+themselves--well, I think I have influence enough with her--or, in case
+of need, I possess diplomatic talent enough, to get the ultimate
+decision put off one way or the other. For how long--we shall judge by
+and by, once you and I are so far agreed."
+
+"My dear boy, I put myself entirely in your hands. I'll not take a step
+without you. Gracious me--what a lucky thing that you have come! I do
+not know what would have become of me, and of the whole business."
+
+He shook and pressed both his friend's hands in the excess of his
+gratitude, looked upon his situation already in a much more hopeful
+light, turned the conversation again to the new railway and to the
+stupendous chances which would come to him in case the decision was
+favourable, and that it would be so, he suddenly assumed to be
+probable, nay, certain. He never noticed that Bertram had made the
+little carriage turn which was waiting for them at the end of the wood,
+and that now they were driving back the way they had come. The
+suggested inspection of the factory had only been a pretext for having
+an undisturbed hour with Bertram.
+
+His friend was now sitting in silence by his side. Otto kept on talking
+to him, lowering his voice on account of the driver's presence. Bertram
+hardly heard what he said. He hardly saw, either--or if he saw, it was
+like in a dream--the golden lights flash down through the top of the
+giant firs, and play around the brown stems and along the mossy ground;
+he saw but as in a dream the lovely vistas which opened here and there,
+giving glimpses of loveliest landscape beauty in the valley far below.
+His busy mind was working and modelling away at the part in the family
+drama which had, after all, been forced upon him, and which he had not
+dared to decline--for Erna's sake.
+
+
+
+
+                                 VIII.
+
+
+For Erna's sake! How often he repeated that phrase to himself in the
+course of the day! He wanted nothing for himself. What, indeed, could
+he have wanted for himself? Nothing more than a man who should see a
+child lost, in danger, among a crowd of carriages, and who should bound
+to the spot and carry the child away to some place of safety; nothing
+more than a wanderer, who sees a fellow-traveller start upon a road of
+which he knows of old the insecure state, and who warns the heedless
+man to take some other road instead. One does so because it is one's
+duty as a human being; one does so because one's heart urges one to do
+it, because one cannot help doing it.
+
+Yes, a man acts and speaks in such situations as he would hardly act or
+speak for his own sake. He is more courageous or more anxious than he
+would be, if his own weal or woe were at stake. One grows beyond one's
+self, or else sinks beneath one's own everyday moral level.
+
+"And the latter is meanwhile my case," said Bertram to himself, as he
+played his part with due zeal, and, as he thought, with great success.
+It was a natural consequence, of that part that he lectured Hildegard
+(after the event), because she had not yesterday taken him at once into
+her confidence; that he exchanged with his friend Otto looks of the
+completest accord and understanding; that he used with Lydia--to her
+evident delight--a tone of mingled melancholy and fun, which appeared
+half to express and half to hide a deeper emotion; and that with the
+Baron he completely dropped his calm manner of the day preceding. How
+else could he form an opinion of the man? And how could he be a
+faithful counsellor to Erna without having formed an opinion?
+
+So he examined the Baron's portfolio with patient attention, whilst
+that nobleman turned over the leaves and gave explanations. The
+collection would have been a priceless treasure if the quality had
+corresponded with the quantity. There were sketches from almost every
+country in Europe; the northern coast of Africa, too--Algiers,
+Tunis--was largely represented. And then the painter's talent
+embraced all styles and kinds of painting:--landscape, architecture,
+still-life, portraiture--nothing had escaped the unwearied brush,
+nothing had appeared too difficult. On the contrary, there were the
+most unlikely effects of light and shade, the oddest scenes, the most
+_risqué_ situations, involving the wildest inroads on the laws of
+perspective and the most reckless foreshortening--and the daring
+sketcher seemed positively to have revelled in these. And yet Bertram
+had to confess to himself that a not inconsiderable talent, which, with
+patient and careful schooling, might have borne beautiful fruit, had
+been recklessly wasted--and, indeed, generally recklessness did seem to
+him to be the Baron's leading characteristic. Anyhow, the painter's
+fluent comments on his own sketches quite corresponded to the reckless
+style of painting. Everywhere his ideas, good ones and bad ones, and
+some really original ones, were clothed in the same hurried, flurried,
+sometimes absurd form, showing a ready, but never a profound insight
+into human relations, into manners and customs of nations; much, but
+most desultory reading; extensive, and yet scattered knowledge. The man
+spoke as he painted, and painted as he played music. Reckless,
+superficial, inconstant, like his work and his talk, will and must his
+love be too, thought Bertram.
+
+Could love like that lastingly suffice for Erna? It seemed impossible.
+But is there such a word as impossible in connection with the magic
+world of the human heart? Are not the natures of truly noble women at
+times visited by irresistible and undying passion for wavering,
+unstable, yes, even for morally worthless men? Does it not well-nigh
+seem to have all the stability of a law of nature, that totally opposed
+characters, all inward resistance notwithstanding, feel drawn to and
+fascinated by each other?
+
+Was this fatal fascination visible in Erna?
+
+Bertram kept his attention unconsciously fixed on that one decisive
+point, but without being able to come to any definite result. True, he
+had to confess to himself that even a still keener observer would have
+vainly tried his hand at the task. Erna joined to-day even less
+directly than on the previous day in the general conversation; nay
+more, he thought he noticed what had not been the case yesterday, or
+what had at least escaped him then, that her gaze, usually so firm,
+seemed at times fixed on vacancy, then again appeared directed inward,
+anyhow was not dwelling on her surroundings--a symptom which by no
+means pleased the observer, because from it one might surely conclude
+that there existed a deeper sentiment, one which absorbed her inner
+life. And this sentiment was not likely to be one of aversion to the
+Baron, to whom she talked more, in her own calm way, than to anybody
+else; with whom she played music two or three times during the day; and
+with whom she played chess after supper in her own grave, attentive
+manner. Hildegard came and explained all these details to Bertram ...
+
+"Believe me," she said, "I know Erna. Mind, my words of this morning.
+She may be long in confessing her preference for any man, but if she
+were to dislike any one, he would find it out pretty soon."
+
+"I fear that I am experiencing something of the sort," Bertram replied.
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Have you not noticed that she has not said three words to me all the
+evening?"
+
+"Insatiable man! Are you not satisfied with Lydia who is ransacking her
+repertory for your sake? Would you have all womankind at your feet? I
+shall warn Lotter against you as against his worst rival."
+
+"Do not destroy our budding friendship. But, joking apart, can there be
+a rival?"
+
+"What are you thinking of? And if there were, I should be sure to know
+it through Lydia, who, like all elderly girls, is apt to err on the
+side of seeing too much rather than too little. Moreover, we two, Lydia
+and I, have never lost sight of the child, and in Erfurth, where, it is
+true, she went alone once or twice during the last few years, she was
+always in the company of my sister and her six girls, and I never heard
+a word, nor the slightest hint. One of the girls, Agatha, the third,
+Erna's bosom friend, is coming here, by the way, in a day or two; and a
+good, modest, sensible girl she is, though not as pretty as the rest.
+But you surely remember Agatha? Well, I'll question her a little when
+she comes, but I know beforehand that she will not have anything to
+tell. Oh, you'd better concentrate your jealousy upon Lotter!"
+
+Hildegard surely felt very certain of her ground, else she would not
+have jested--a rare occurrence with her. Bertram took up a similar
+tone, and during the game of whist to which he and Otto soon afterwards
+sat down with the two older ladies, he was remarkably merry and
+talkative.
+
+But two hours later Konski found him all the more gloomy and taciturn,
+and so silent that he did not even reply to the "good-night, sir," of
+that faithful servitor.
+
+"It's the old one," soliloquised Konski, as he meditatively brushed his
+master's boots in his own little room, "who is bothering him. 'Dear Mr.
+Konski,' here, 'My good Mr. Konski,' there--I know what she is after.
+And then, to give me a whole dollar! And she has not any to spare, I
+can see that much, in spite of her grand airs and her trimmings. And
+she to rule the roast for master and me! Not if we knows it! And now
+we'll both marry; and marry smart young ones too! And may the devil fly
+away with all old women!"
+
+
+
+
+                                  IX.
+
+
+For this morning, after breakfast, a general expedition had been
+planned--a drive to a certain eminence, from which the Baron was
+desirous of expounding to them all the arrangements for the forthcoming
+man[oe]vres. Bertram had at the last moment made an excuse: much to his
+regret, he sent Konski to say, that he had forgotten to write some
+really important letters, and must needs stay at home to do so now.
+Would the others, please, on no account give up their drive for his
+sake.
+
+"At first they would not go without you, sir," Konski reported; "but I
+got them to do it, and they are getting the horses ready now; the
+ladies are to drive, the gentlemen will go on horseback. So you may
+stay quietly in bed and try to get another hour's sleep. I am afraid,
+sir, you have had another awful night!"
+
+And indeed it had been a worse night for Bertram than the preceding
+one, and this time the morning had not improved him. That he had to
+admit to himself when, after having first vainly endeavoured to follow
+the faithful servant's advice, he had at length risen in very low
+spirits and dressed, trying whether a stroll along the terrace
+garden-walk would cool his fevered brow and refresh his weary heart.
+
+He had no right to be wearied. He was bound, when they came back, to
+meet them merrily and serenely; that belonged to his part. How could
+they give their confidence to one who appeared to have none in himself,
+in his own strength, his own courage?
+
+And he would need all his courage to look, if it could be done, deeper
+than hitherto into Erna's eyes, into Erna's heart: and he would need
+all his strength if that look were to confirm what, yesterday, he had
+deemed impossible, but what, during the awful night, had come to appear
+to him as thoroughly possible, nay, as probable. If it were so, then
+the whole elaborate plan which he had yesterday confided to his friend,
+had therewith fallen to the ground. Otto's embarrassments were scarcely
+as great as he had represented them; and even if he had not, according
+to his wont, exaggerated things, what would be the use of delaying the
+decision? On the contrary, the more swiftly it came, the better for
+all. If the Baron was a man of honour; he would not withdraw on
+learning that the maiden of his choice was not wealthy; if he had
+influence at Court, if this influence really amounted to something
+considerable, he would now try all the more to use it for his future
+father-in-law. They might then make their own arrangements, as best
+they could; and they would make arrangements; sacrifice some things on
+both sides, give up some hopes. What would one not sacrifice, what
+would one not give up, if one loved from one's very heart? But to have
+to look on at such hearty love, love delighting in sacrifice--never! To
+run away would be cowardly, no doubt. But then valour, like honesty, is
+appropriate only when it is needed, and when it will be of some use. He
+would have to think beforehand of some suitable pretext which should
+render a sudden departure possible.
+
+Thus lost in mournful thought, Bertram was pacing backward and forward
+along the terrace-walk, now past sunny espaliers, along which ruddy
+grapes were already commencing to shine through the dense clusters of
+vine-leaves, anon between rows of beeches, which were entwined overhead
+and formed dusky arbour-like groves.
+
+Having reached the end of one of these groves, he paused as one
+terrified. In front of him, on the platform where the terrace widened,
+Erna was seated beneath the great plantain tree which overshadowed the
+whole place with its broad branches. An open volume lay upon the
+round table before her; she was writing busily, bending over a
+blotting-book. The graceful form, the finely-chiselled features, stood
+out in clearest profile against the green terrace above her. In this
+subdued light the dainty cheek seemed even paler than usual; and as she
+now paused, pen in hand, lifting a long eyelash and glancing
+meditatively up at the leafy roof above, the great eyes shone like
+those of an inspired Muse.
+
+"One draught before I pass onward--on the shadeless remainder of my
+dreary road," Bertram muttered to himself.
+
+He might have stepped back without being noticed, but he did not do so;
+his motionless eyes clung to the beautiful picture before him, as one
+perishing of thirst might gaze upon a brimming cup, when, lo! she
+turned.
+
+"Uncle Bertram!"
+
+She had said it quite calmly, and now, slowly, she laid down her pen
+and closed her blotting-book, rising at the same time and holding out
+her hand to him as he came up.
+
+"I felt that somebody, was looking at me."
+
+"And you wished, to remain unseen, or at least undisturbed. But could I
+have guessed that I should find you here? Why are you not away with the
+others?"
+
+A smile flitted over her face.
+
+"I had important letters to write, too."
+
+"Well, you have written, anyhow."
+
+"And have you not? For shame. If you make any excuses you should
+yourself take them in earnest; then you will come to fancy afterwards
+that the excuses were really valid."
+
+"I'll remember this in future. But what makes you tell me to my face
+that my important letters were but an excuse?"
+
+"I thought that you did not care to go; and I think I know the reason
+why."
+
+"Indeed! I am curious to hear it from you."
+
+"I will tell you. I wanted to say so last night already, for then I
+noticed quite well how gladly you would have made an excuse, only you
+could not at the moment think of a suitable one; but I could not have
+said what I wished to say in a few words, and so I determined to try
+and have an undisturbed talk with you. Shall we not sit down?"
+
+They sat dawn, Erna with her blotting-book before her, Bertram on the
+seat opposite. Her large eyes were lifted up to him. But a minute
+before he had greatly longed to be able to see deep, deep into these
+eyes, right to the innermost recess of her soul; and now, when it could
+be, when it was to be, he shrank from it, he wished the time deferred.
+He would in any case learn the secret all too soon.
+
+"Uncle Bertram, I wanted to tell you that ..."
+
+The dark eyelids had closed after all; well, she anyhow did not see the
+breathless excitement with which he hung upon her lips. In his mind he
+heard already the words--"that--I engaged myself last night to be
+married to the Baron." The pause she made--of a second or two--seemed
+to him an eternity.
+
+"My dear child," he said in a voice well-nigh inaudible ...
+
+"That ... you shall not for my sake lay upon yourself a burden which
+you can no longer bear."
+
+The large eyes were gazing firmly at him again, while he bent his own
+in deadly confusion.
+
+He murmured--
+
+"I--I do not understand you."
+
+"You are too good to wish to understand me; but the excess of your
+goodness weighs me down and frightens me. I know that you are fond of
+me, that you do it only because you love me. But I love you too, Uncle
+Bertram, love you very much, more than formerly, when I did not really
+know you, did not at all understand you. I am no longer a child, and
+therefore you should not treat me like a spoiled child and do what I
+ask, especially when I see that I ask for something to which I had no
+right. I had no right to ask--I should not have entreated you to be
+kind to Aunt Lydia. And now I beg of you not to be so any longer, or to
+the same extent. I cannot bear it. She has harmed you as terribly, as
+terribly as only an evil heart can harm a good one. And she to be
+allowed to take your hand, look into your eyes, jest with you, as if
+nothing had occurred! If this had happened to me, I would not tolerate
+it--never, never!"
+
+Her voice quivered, her lips trembled; the pale cheek was flushed now,
+the great eyes were flashing. She said she had not known him, had not
+understood him--and he? What had he known of her? of the strength of
+feeling of that heart of hers which had seemed to him to beat in such
+steady measure? His gaze was fastened on her now in raptured amazement,
+like the gaze of a mortal to whom something divine is being revealed.
+
+But next moment the wondrous girl had conquered that passionate
+impulse, her features regained their usual expression, and she went on,
+calmly enough--
+
+"And you, Uncle Bertram, should not tolerate it either--you, least of
+all. You cannot lie, cannot play the hypocrite. Let others do so; it
+befits you ill, it is unworthy of you. I cannot, will not see anything
+unworthy in you. I will have one human being whom I can believe and
+trust unconditionally. This one you are, you must be; is it not so,
+Uncle Bertram?"
+
+She held out her hand to him across the table. He could not refuse it,
+and yet, as he touched those slender fingers, something thrilled
+through him as though he had been guilty of some act of desecration.
+
+"You think me too good, too great," he said. "I can only reply, I will
+try to deserve your confidence."
+
+"And I will give you an opportunity at once. I am not contented with
+myself either. I too--for the sake of others, to please papa and mamma
+who seemed greatly to wish it--have been kinder to somebody than at
+heart I felt justified in being, and I must henceforth change my
+conduct towards him."
+
+"He has proposed to you?"
+
+"Proposed? To me?"
+
+A scornful smile played round her exquisite lips.
+
+"I beg your pardon, dear Erna. He was so remarkably assiduous in his
+attentions to you yesterday. You admit yourself that you have been
+kinder to him than now you care to have been, and he strikes me as
+being one of those men who grasp the whole hand the moment you hold out
+your little finger to them. And moreover, I know that your parents
+encourage him much, and he is surely aware of that too. Thus my
+question was not wholly groundless; still, I beg your pardon."
+
+"And indeed you need it in this case, Uncle Bertram. Or, have I perhaps
+behaved so childishly that even a clever man like you could deem such a
+thing possible?"
+
+"No, no; pray, try to forget what I said without thinking, or take it
+for a proof that I was right, that I am neither so good nor so clever
+as you thought."
+
+The words sounded diffident, almost submissive, but his heart was
+swelling with proud delight, and the songsters perched above in the
+shady recesses of the big plantain tree seemed to have been silent till
+now, and to be then commencing all at once to twitter and sing and make
+sweetest melody; and from the terraces beneath there was wafted up to
+them in fragrant cloudlets the perfume of carnation and mignonette.
+What a beautiful, divinely beautiful morning it was!
+
+"Henceforth," said Erna, "we will be open to each other, and then such
+misunderstandings will not occur again. This one, truly, should make me
+blush. The Baron is the very last man in whom I could take the very
+slightest interest. I find nearly everything he says stupid and silly,
+and if a fairly good idea turns up, as it does every now and then, it
+is impossible to enjoy it, for the question is sure to obtrude itself:
+'What nonsense will he talk next?' I am only now making his
+acquaintance; he, it is true, has been often here before, but in my
+absence; and in town, when he came, as he sometimes did, to see Aunt
+Lydia, I always avoided having to meet him."
+
+"You have met few young men yet?"
+
+"And those few have not made me anxious to meet any more."
+
+"This sounds very hard; but, to say the truth, you are not the first
+girl whom I have heard talk like this."
+
+"My only wonder is that all do not talk, or, at least, think like this.
+My own idea is, that men are naturally selfish, frivolous, and vain,
+and only become with advancing years good, and noble, and amiable, and
+this applies only to the few exceptions; for I suppose the bulk remain
+as they were."
+
+"Are you serious?"
+
+"Perfectly. And that is why, the night before last, I could not agree
+with you at all when you asserted that a young girl could not love a
+much older man, or was at least committing an act of folly if she did
+so, which, to her sorrow, she was bound to realise sooner or later, and
+therefore the sooner the better. Nor is it at all this consideration
+which makes Hilarie change, and which throws her into the arms of that
+youth who is behaving so childishly and insanely, that Flavio;--there
+is quite a different reason for it."
+
+"Then you know the novelette?"
+
+"No; I only read it now; and I had to hunt a long time for it, until I
+found it in the _Wanderjahre_. The book is lying there. And now I also
+understand the 'one element,' which you said the night before last
+that Göthe had excluded, or had not made use of--which is the right
+expression in this case?--because otherwise the comedy would have been
+turned into a tragedy."
+
+"And this 'one element,' what is it?"
+
+"The fact that her uncle is not in love with her at all. Was not that
+it?"
+
+"To be sure. I only wonder at your having found it out."
+
+"And my only wonder is that Hilarie did not discover it sooner. She
+must have been very blind not to have seen that her uncle returns--or
+rather does not return--her love from sheer kindliness of disposition;
+that at best his _penchant_ is but the faintest reflex of her
+passionate love. Look at this passage: 'You are making me the happiest
+man beneath the sun! Exclaiming this, he fell at her feet.' How feeble,
+how strained! And it contents her, makes her happy. I should have been
+ashamed of the whole business."
+
+"You must make some allowance for the spirit of the time, for the
+manner and expression of the period; in that case, these things do not
+look or sound quite as bad. But now for the other side of the medal:
+You hold that Hilarie did truly love her uncle, and would have remained
+faithful to her love, in spite of any number of Flavios, if her passion
+had been returned?"
+
+"Most certainly!"
+
+"Well, be it so. He loves, loves passionately. Enter Flavio, loving,
+loving passionately, too. The father perceives it. He sees that his own
+love would seal the doom of the son whom he loves. Moreover, he is
+sure--if he is not a conceited fool, but a man of heart and head, he
+must be sure--that Hilarie would undoubtedly, return his son's passion,
+if he, the father, the uncle, did not unfortunately stand between them;
+that the girl's love for the young man, and _vice versa_, is the only
+natural--that means, the only right thing; that therefore Hilarie
+cannot truly love him; that her love rather, if it be not absolutely
+unnatural, is anyhow an error, an aberration, from which she shall and
+must turn. Given these things, am I wrong in asserting that then,
+indeed, the comedy changes to tragedy--a tragedy the secret and silent
+stage of which, I admit, will be solely ... the elderly man's heart? Do
+you not agree with me?"
+
+"I must, I think; if I have first granted your suppositions and
+assumptions, particularly this: that a girl's love for a man much older
+than herself must needs in every case be an error, an aberration. But
+then, again, I do not see why the elderly man's love for the girl does
+not also tend to self-deception, to a fact which he, being more
+far-sighted, clever, experienced; is bound to realise all the sooner.
+And then, where is your tragedy?"
+
+Once more the great eyes flashed, the dainty lips quivered, an angry
+cloud lay on her brow. There was a wild voice in his heart crying:
+"Where?--here, here--for I love, I love thee! and it is impossible that
+into thy maiden heart, there should ever fall one spark of the wild
+conflagration raging here." But he succeeded this time, too, in
+subduing the tumult in his heart, and he said smilingly--
+
+"I hoped, nay, I knew that you would make this objection, which is
+absolutely correct, and which helps the Master to regain that absolute
+sovereignty and undeviating correctness in matters of the heart in
+which I, wantonly, tried to argue Göthe was deficient. Of course, so
+the matter stands, turn and twist it as you will--Hilarie's love is an
+illusion; or, more correctly, it is a foreshadowing of that true and
+genuine passion which she will feel one day. The Major's love is a
+reminiscence of what his heart once, in the bygone days of his far-away
+youth, was glowing with, and what it never again will glow with now.
+Anything of a warmer feeling that haply still survives, may be
+sufficient for a sensible, reasonable marriage, with the clever widow,
+in whose sentiments towards him again reminiscence acts the part of a
+kindly mediator, and ... but surely ... why, they are back already!
+Shall we go and meet them?"
+
+From the verandah Lotter's loud voice was heard. Lydia, too, was
+calling out; she was calling Erna. Bertram had risen, glad of the
+interruption; he felt his strength very nearly exhausted. He was
+resting his hand on the back of her chair, lest Erna, if they shook
+hands, should feel how his hand trembled. But Erna was gazing straight
+before her with a very gloomy expression of countenance.
+
+"I should like to finish my letter first," she said.
+
+"Then I will disturb you no longer."
+
+He had gone; had gone without offering her his hand. Erna sat for a
+while without looking up; then she re-opened her blotting-book, and
+read the last page she had written:--
+
+"I see him always, absent or present; I see his noble, pale
+countenance, the deep, thoughtful eyes, that mouth which can jest so
+delicately, and which yet (for me) quivers so often in sorrow for a
+wasted life, a lost happiness. For me! The others never see it; how
+should they? To them he is the cold-hearted egotist, the bitter jester,
+who believes in nothing, least of all in love. To be sure--once
+betrayed as he has been--alas! Agatha, that is the very thing which
+draws me irresistibly to him. I can now gaze deep, deep into his noble
+heart, can feel all the pangs that have torn it, and must be tearing it
+again now in the presence of the viper who--oh, I do hate her! ... And
+he manages to be quite friendly in his demeanour to her, because I
+asked him to, before I knew all the circumstances. But he shall do so
+no longer. I cannot bear it, when he turns his good, truthful eyes to
+me, as though he would ask: 'Is it right thus?' No, it is wrong, a
+thousand times wrong! But is it not wrong, too, that I should be
+allowed to read in his heart, and he not in mine? Shall I tell him ...
+all? It is ever on my lips, but then ... no. I should not be ashamed in
+his presence, he is so kind, and he would understand me! Resting on his
+protecting arm he would let me shed the last of those hot, angry tears,
+which will yet persist in sometimes rising to my eyes, and which I
+brush away indignantly; and I would gratefully accept his mercy, but on
+one condition only, that I may go on resting on that arm, that he would
+permit me to love, to serve him, to-day and for ever, as his friend,
+his daughter, his slave! ... Shall I tell him?"
+
+Erna gave a bitter smile, and took the sheet of paper in both her hands
+in order to tear it in pieces. Then she laid it down again, and seized
+her pen once more.
+
+"She who has written this is a conceited little fool, and deserves
+exemplary punishment for her conceit, and the said punishment is to
+consist in her sending these lines to her granny, in order to receive
+by return of post the requisite scolding, even if granny, and this is
+an urgently repeated request, is coming here the day after to-morrow.
+For between granny and me there shall not be said one word on this
+subject, and even less about the other thing and the other one; and
+now, dearest granny ..."
+
+"Ah, there is Miss Erna!" exclaimed the Baron, issuing with Lydia from
+the terrace walk.
+
+"We have been looking everywhere for you," said Lydia. "Heavens! how
+the child has flushed and heated herself over her writing! To Agatha,
+of course!"
+
+"Ah, if one could read the letter!" exclaimed the Baron.
+
+"There is nothing about you in it, I can give you that assurance, if it
+will set your mind at ease," said Erna, closing her blotting-book with
+the unfinished letter in it, and rising.
+
+
+
+
+                                   X.
+
+
+"Have you availed, yourself of the opportunity to talk to Erna?"
+Hildegard asked Bertram as soon as they were alone.
+
+Bertram had expected this question, and had sought and found time to
+prepare his answer to it. His first impulse has been to taste the full
+delights of triumph, and to assure Hildegard, in strict accordance with
+the actual truth, that the Baron need never expect to gain Erna's
+affection. But then he considered that so brusque a revelation, would,
+without the slightest doubt, cause the proud lady to burst forth into a
+tempest of indignation, would bring Erna into a disagreeable position,
+and possibly involve her in extremely awkward scenes. Her feeble father
+would be no support to her whatever--on the contrary, he wished the
+decision to be put off as long as possible. And, lastly, he saw now
+quite clearly that Hildegard's pressing invitation to make a lengthened
+stay had had the very definite aim to secure in him, as in a very
+influential friend, an ally in the execution of her plans. Now he had
+failed in his diplomatic mission, and though they would not openly
+deprive him of his confidential position, they would very surely not
+consult him again. Future events would then occur behind his back, and
+the sooner he went away the better for them. And was he to go now? He
+felt as though he could as readily bid farewell to life and light.
+
+And so his answer came to be nothing but an adroit evasion. He had, he
+said, done his best, and Erna had met him in the heartiest and most
+confiding manner. But on this very ground he considered himself
+justified in stating that there was at present no trace of any definite
+_penchant_ for the Baron on Erna's part, and that he could only advise
+them all to possess their souls in patience, to bide their time, and to
+hope for the best from the gradual, but all the more sure, influence of
+daily intercourse.
+
+The apparent genuineness of conviction with which all this was
+expressed deceived Hildegard completely. Her assumption that Erna took
+a special interest in the Baron was chiefly founded on Lydia's
+assertions, and Lydia, poor soul, was for ever weaving matrimonial
+projects, was much addicted to exaggeration, and to the making of
+molehills into mountains, and would, in this particular case, to get
+into Hildegard's good graces and maintain herself there, amply confirm
+anything she might be desirous of hearing. Now, when Hildegard was for
+the moment looking at things through friend Bertram's clearer and, as
+she thought, perfectly unprejudiced eyes, she was bound to admit the
+justice of his observations; indeed, in Erna's manner to the Baron
+there was very little indication of anything like a warmer sentiment,
+so little in fact, that the varying ways in which she treated him might
+almost seem matters of congratulation. Bertram asked himself why
+Hildegard did not give up a project which looked so very unlike
+fulfilment, since Erna, in all the charm of her young beauty, would
+assuredly have no lack of suitors, while her mother, not having the
+slightest suspicion of her husband's awkward financial situation, must
+needs, as indeed she did in her matrimonial plans in reference to Erna,
+reckon wealth among the attractions. There seemed to be something
+self-contradictory here, anyhow it was passing strange; and yet, as he
+went on meditating, he thought he had found the key to the enigma. Fair
+Hildegard herself was most pleasantly impressed by the Baron's striking
+appearance and confident manner, and was much flattered by the homage
+he paid to her beauty, her cleverness, her kindness, a homage to which,
+he gave even in company a very perceptible, and in their not infrequent
+_tête-à-têtes_ probably even a more emphatic expression. And then the
+circumstance which, by the by, the Baron by no means concealed, that,
+to use his own words, he was as poor as a church mouse, she looked upon
+as a distinct point in his favour.
+
+"Herein," she said to Bertram, "I see the finger of a just and
+compensating Fate. I know, my friend, that you are too wise and
+enlightened not to pardon an aristocratic fancy of mine, namely, that
+it is best if the aristocracy marry among themselves, and the
+_bourgeoisie_, for whom I have the greatest respect, also among
+themselves. Well, I, being a very poor lady with a long pedigree--for,
+indeed, the traditions of our family are reckoned by centuries--have
+had to break with these traditions, and was in this way the first to
+contract a _bourgeois_ alliance. I do not complain of my lot; it was my
+lot, and there's an end of it; but I have never ceased to pray to God
+that my only daughter might be granted a different fate. And if a
+family, which is still older than mine, is enabled to resume its
+rightful position in the world, I really do not know what better I
+could wish, assuming always that Erna, as would doubtless be the case,
+gets a husband who loves her, and who--not to reckon his little
+cavalier's foibles, in reference to which a wise woman will be
+judiciously blind, knowing that this kind of thing is sure to stop of
+its own accord--is in every way worthy of her love."
+
+"And whom," added Bertram mentally, "I hope to bring as completely
+under my control as my husband."
+
+He was convinced that this thought was the leading one in the
+calculations of the selfish lady, in spite of the great care with which
+she endeavoured to avoid even the faintest appearance of any egotistic
+motive. Even as she was fond of representing her life as one long chain
+of sacrifices made by her on behalf of others, so she would now appear
+prepared to give up her own comfort for Erna's sake. Of course, she
+explained, it would not be possible to leave the poor child alone in
+town, among indifferent strangers; and she and Otto must in consequence
+make up their minds to spend the winter there in future. This, to be
+sure, would necessitate the purchase of a house of their own in town;
+but the question of expense was not to be taken into consideration
+where the happiness of their child was concerned; and, by a lucky
+accident, there happened to be for sale, and at quite a reasonable
+price, a newly-erected villa close to the Park, surrounded by a pretty
+garden, and roomy enough to enable them all, parents and children, to
+live comfortably together. And it would be quite feasible and not
+very expensive either, to build a studio for the Baron, she added.
+Perhaps Bertram would not mind driving to town with Otto, to look
+at the house? When? Why not to-day? Otto, as usual, could not make
+up his mind, although it would be an excellent investment, even
+supposing--supposing--but no, that case was not likely to occur, the
+momentary, somewhat unfavourable, aspect of things notwithstanding.
+
+"For in this, too, my friend," she said, in concluding her
+explanations, "you will agree with me: the more carefully we prepare
+all things needful, and thus show the child, as it were, an image of
+the safe and sure and peaceful happiness awaiting her, the more swiftly
+and fondly her fancy will busy itself with that image, and from the
+fair image to the fairer reality--_il n'y a qu'un pas_. But first we
+must settle about the villa. There will be no difficulty if you speak
+seriously to Otto."
+
+"I promise," replied Bertram.
+
+The incident was most opportune, he thought. Here Otto, already
+harassed on all sides, was threatened, with huge additional
+expenditure, before which even his fatal readiness to yield must needs
+pause at length, as before an absolutely insuperable obstacle. The
+consequences were clear. He could not simply meet his wife's request by
+a refusal. There must be a full explanation between husband and wife;
+there would be a fearful storm, but it had to come, it was absolutely
+required to clear the sultry atmosphere, to disentangle the wretchedly
+involved situation. Hildegard's frivolous scheme would burst like a
+soap-bubble, and at one stroke Erna would be freed from an importunate
+suitor, and her father from an unworthy and intolerable position.
+Yesterday already he had been determined to stand by his friend through
+all the anxieties, embarrassments, and perils which were bound to
+ensue. To-day his heart beat anxiously, eager as he was to face those
+perils, for every peril cleared out of her path and victoriously
+conquered, was a trophy laid at her feet, hers, for whom he would have
+willingly shed his heart's blood drop by drop.
+
+Fancy his terror and his indignation when, driving to town with Otto
+later in the day, he found his friend more removed than ever from any
+manly resolve.
+
+"The purchase of this villa, dear me--why, if Hildegard cares for it so
+much--would, after all, be a comparative trifle--really. And then, what
+I told you yesterday regarding my situation, why, dear me, you know me
+well enough, old man, to ... to know how I am influenced by passing
+moods. That makes me look at all things accordingly; things are either
+black or white to me. And yesterday, why, I had a black, a very black
+mood. To be sure, my factories are not a success, and, indeed, may now
+and again involve a loss. But, then, look at those fields, and think of
+the crop we'll have; and with such a prospect I can afford to leave
+myself a very fair margin, the more so as the harvest in Russia and in
+Hungary promises to be very bad--so the reports say--and in that case
+we shall make no end of money. And then--look here--just you read his
+paragraph in the paper about the railway question. Eh--and the
+paragraph, I feel sure, is from the pen of the President of our own
+local Parliament, who is, by the by, a great friend of mine, and has
+for years been my lawyer. Well, what do you say now?"
+
+"I say," replied Bertram gravely, "that things are exactly in the
+position which you described yesterday. Your friend here clearly
+represents only his own, or, if you like, your views and wishes; and
+will, moreover, naturally put some pressure upon Government, by
+representing it as impossible for them to decide differently from your
+wishes and hopes."
+
+"But the Government--which means the Court--is already more than half
+won over. Lotter assures me...."
+
+"For Heaven's sake! leave him out of the business."
+
+"Oh, of course, of course; if you are so prejudiced against him that
+you refuse him even the common credibility which you allow otherwise to
+everybody!"
+
+"There is no question here of credibility or incredibility," exclaimed
+Bertram indignantly; "but the thing is this: you are mistaking your
+illusions and hopes for realities and facts; you are voluntarily
+blinding yourself lest you see the abyss into which you are about to
+plunge. And mind this: by your miserable hesitation you are really
+accelerating the coming of the dreaded moment; nay, you render it only
+the more dreadful. There is still time; this very day you can go and
+say to your wife: I have met with losses, terrible losses, and we must
+needs retrench, and therefore.... Why, man, you will let it come to
+this, that you must confess to her: We have nothing further to lose;
+all is gone! Think of this, friend, I entreat you. Your boat is
+overloaded; away with the ballast which all but sinks it now; overboard
+with it all! Were it a question of yourself alone, you would be manly
+enough not to hesitate; and with wife and child on board, whose ruin is
+certain unless you act at once, you ... cannot, will not act!"
+
+Otto would say neither yea nor nay. Bertram was silent in his despair.
+What would come of it all?
+
+And so they arrived in town, having hardly exchanged a word more. They
+looked over the villa, and again hardly a word was exchanged; just an
+indifferent remark here and there, nothing more. Otto was apparently
+annoyed at something, but Bertram saw well enough that this appearance
+of annoyance was but assumed to hide his irresolution.
+
+"I know, I know," Otto said at last grumpily, "we are not likely to
+agree as it is. Had we not better call together upon my lawyer and hear
+his opinion about the whole business? He is, moreover, on your side, in
+politics, and will be delighted to make your acquaintance."
+
+Bertram seized eagerly upon so sensible a proposal, and to the lawyer's
+they drove accordingly; but when they had got to the door, Otto
+remembered that he had to do some commission for Hildegard: he even
+explained--
+
+"About those officers who are going to be quartered upon us, don't you
+know?--extra provisions and that kind of thing. She can never, she
+thinks, have too much on hand, in case.... Well, well, it's her nature
+to ..."
+
+And so the broad-shouldered figure of his friend passed down the lonely
+sunlit street; and Bertram added, speaking to himself, this comment,
+"And your nature is ... to do things by halves only, unless you mean,
+in this case, to throw the whole responsibility upon my shoulders."
+
+And in this view his friend's lawyer completely confirmed him.
+
+"Look here," said the latter to Bertram, when, after a hearty, mutual
+welcome, the two had swiftly grown to be confidential with each other,
+"you may take my word for this, he is most anxious we should have a
+perfectly unrestrained talk about his affairs, and has backed out of
+being present simply to avoid having to hear all the disagreeable
+things we could not spare him; moreover, he might oppose to you and to
+me, separately, a certain resistance which he would not have the
+courage to do if he, found us confronting him together. Under these
+circumstances I do not consider it indiscreet, but I think I am acting
+according to the wishes, and I know I am acting in the interest of our
+common friend, if I now add a few words of explanation to what you know
+already; then, indeed, you will be thoroughly acquainted with the state
+of his affairs."
+
+The lawyer then proceeded to describe Otto's position in detail; and to
+his amazement Bertram found his own conception confirmed throughout.
+Why, even his own image of the ballast which required to be heaved
+overboard to set the ship once more afloat, figured in the exposition.
+To be sure, Bertram now learned for the first time how weighty that
+ballast really was. Thus, to give but one example, Otto had never
+mentioned, had not even hinted at the fact that Hildegard's elder
+sister, the widow of the late Secret Counsellor von Palm, and her whole
+family, lived entirely upon Otto's bounty. "And that," said the lawyer,
+"is an awful item! For the lady in question is, in every respect, a
+true sister of your friend's wife. She thinks that death and the end of
+all things must needs be at hand, if she and hers cannot live on a very
+grand scale indeed. And then her house in Erfurth is a sort of
+gathering-place for all who, by rank or position, may aspire to the
+honour of appearing in such sublime surroundings; half-pay general
+officers and colonels galore--and the little town was ever full of
+them--and, of course, the whole number of officers actually on
+duty in the garrison, and so on, and so on. The girls--and there is
+half-a-dozen of them--are as bad as their mother, always excepting one
+dear, sensible creature--not one of the pretty ones, though--whom, I
+understand, you are about to meet in Rinstedt. Well, if the daughters
+are extravagant, the two sons--both, as you know, in the army, go on as
+though their uncle's cashbox had no bottom to it. Three times, four
+times, already he has paid the debts of those young men, whom, by the
+by, he cannot bear at all, and this, and all this, simply _in majorem
+gloriam Hildegardis_, his well-beloved wife, a lady of such an old
+family that the scions thereof cannot, of course, be measured by the
+same standard as common mortals."
+
+"And do you not perceive any way of escape from this vicious circle our
+friend is wandering in?" Bertram asked.
+
+"Only the one you have already pointed to," the lawyer made answer.
+"But how the deuce can you advise a man who will not be advised, or
+rather, who accepts all the advice you give him and never acts upon it
+for all that ...? And there is one thing yet in which you have, too,
+judged aright. It is by no means too late yet! If he give up those
+factories of his which will never pay, even if--and on that his whole
+hope is now centred--the new line of rails passes straight through his
+estates, and if he meets My Lady with a _sic voleo, sic jubeo_, and if,
+with one determined cut, he severs the boundlessly costly train from My
+Lady's garment, leaving it, for all that, a very respectable garment,
+he would be enabled to discharge his other liabilities gradually, or at
+once if somebody would, at fair interest, lend him a biggish capital.
+This, of course, times being bad, will not be very easy to manage, more
+particularly if people begin to talk about his being embarrassed."
+
+"And how large, think you, should that capital be?"
+
+"I think that I could settle everything if I had a hundred thousand
+thalers at my disposal, without there being any formal arrangement with
+his creditors, or even a voluntary surrender."
+
+"In that case I beg to put the sum mentioned at your disposal."
+
+The lawyer looked up in amazement.
+
+"I had no idea that you were so wealthy," he said simply.
+
+"It does not represent half my fortune. Anyhow, I am not running any
+risk."
+
+"No, to be sure," replied the lawyer; "I should be able to secure you
+against any loss; the rate of interest, as I observed before, would be
+low. But I may tell you beforehand that your generous offer will be
+refused. I know our friend. He would rather borrow from the most
+unscrupulous cut-throat of a usurer than from you, for whom he has, as
+I know, the profoundest respect. For, though you may be the best of
+friends, you are not his brother, not his cousin, not a kinsman at all.
+If you could say to him, you owe it to our family to do so--such an
+appeal to the family honour, which he holds in the highest esteem, he
+would comprehend much better. But as it is, his very pride, or his
+vanity rather--for vanity is distinctly his ruling passion--will be
+hurt; he will appear to be immensely grateful to you, will say that you
+are his good angel, and--will not accept a farthing from you, as long
+as he sees, or fancies he sees, any other way out. He may possibly come
+to his senses when his last hope, the railway, proves illusory. I
+fear--I am a keen promoter of the project myself, but on different
+grounds--I fear that will occur presently. Meanwhile, try your luck, or
+his rather, by all means. But I repeat, you will not succeed with the
+mere appeal to your friendship."
+
+Bertram, as previously arranged, then called for his friend, and as
+they drove home together he made his attempt The lawyer's prophecy was
+literally fulfilled. Otto overflowed in expressions of the greatest
+gratitude for an offer so thoroughly characteristic of his generous
+friend, and which, for the sake of their long friendship, he would
+unconditionally accept--if there were any occasion for it. But that,
+thank goodness, was not the case.
+
+And then came the wretched old story which Bertram knew by heart
+already, and to which, for all that, he now listened; not, as before,
+with disgust, but with an odd feeling of anxiety and doubt. To be sure,
+mere friendship was not sufficient. He would have required another
+title, one giving the right to demand what now he begged for in vain.
+Should he venture upon the word that was trembling on his lips, and
+that yet was ever beating a cowardly retreat to the tremulous heart?
+Cowardly? No! It would have been cowardice, miserable cowardice, if he
+had spoken it; cowardice, trying to take by miserable money-bribes a
+fortress invincible to valour and high courage; cowardice and treason,
+treason to the sanctity of a love which had hitherto been unselfish and
+as pure as the heart of the great waters. If things came to the worst,
+if it was a question of guarding the beloved child against common want,
+she would be noble enough not to refuse the helping hand of a
+protecting friend. But woe to him if that hand were not unsullied; if
+even the shadow of a suspicion of selfishness fell upon it!
+
+And as they thus drove homewards, with the evening darkening around
+them, he fixed his eye on high, where now the heavenly lights were
+appearing in ever-increasing numbers, with ever-growing splendour; and
+he reverently repeated to himself the poet's great saying of the stars
+above, in whose majestic beauty man should rejoice without coveting
+their possession.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XI.
+
+
+But no poet's word could henceforth stay the wild conflagration which
+raged in his heart; and every thought by which his mind strove to
+obtain rest and clearness proved a faint-hearted hireling soldier that
+takes the first opportunity of deserting to the ranks of the more
+potent foe. In vain did he recall the arguments by which, in a certain
+memorable conversation, he had tried to refute Erna's assertions--it
+had been a lie, a lie--or, at best, mere theoretical twaddle. His love
+a reminiscence merely? And of what, pray? Perhaps of that mournful
+aberration when his heart, his thirty years notwithstanding, was
+still full of faith and devoid of experience? Or of the coquettish
+phantom-fights and ugly caricatures of passion with which a heart that
+has ceased to believe, in love, endeavours to deceive itself regarding
+its own needs? Thee, he exclaimed, thee I have always loved. My whole
+life has been one unbroken longing for thee; and when now at length I
+have reached the land of promise, am I solely to see it, bless God, and
+die? I am no longer weary of life. Nay, life has never yet appeared so
+fair to me, and never yet have I so felt the desire and the power to
+enjoy it. Die we must; die, however empty life may have been; but oh,
+how better far to die in the full bliss of love! No, no! If I love her,
+my only reminiscence is one of weary deserts traversed until I reached
+her: if she could love me, her love should be no mere mirage of an
+oasis in the future; palms should rustle above her fair head, silvery
+brooks should run at her feet. Love surely has this potent spell: it
+can create a paradise on earth!
+
+And from these fairy dreams of future bliss he was startled by the
+thought that Erna's heart must have already once received some mighty
+impression. For it was surely passing strange that she knew so well how
+to interpret some of the mysterious symbols in the book of passion;
+that she evidently liked to read in that book. But since all his
+cautious questioning led to no result, since she spoke of the few young
+men whom she seemed to know at all either with indifference, or even,
+as in the case of her two cousins, with a perceptible touch of irony,
+he could not but conclude that his suspicion was unfounded, and he
+became more and more familiar with a fond hope, from which he at first
+recoiled as from a temptation to sheer madness.
+
+But he still had the full use of his senses, and they, had never been
+so acute as now. How was he to explain that her voice, whenever she
+turned to him, and particularly when they were alone, was quite
+different from its usual tone--softer, deeper, more intense? How was he
+to explain that she--surely without being aware of it--kept sometimes,
+at table, if he happened to speak eagerly, her gaze fixed upon him for
+several minutes--that strange, fixed gaze which he had never before met
+from any human eye, and which reminded him again and again of the gaze
+of the gods,--
+
+
+           "Whose eyelids quiver not like those of mortals;"
+
+
+and then when he ceased to, speak she was like one awakening from a
+dream, drawing a long breath, which caused her maiden bosom to rise and
+sink!
+
+Nor were other promising tokens wanting. He had, for good reasons of
+his own, disregarded Erna's request to be henceforth less kind to
+Lydia; nay, he had doubled his attentions and courtesies, not only
+towards the coquettish lady, but towards the Baron too. It seemed so
+easy now to pardon, to show indulgence, to look at all things from the
+best and most amiable point of view; and politeness is a veil behind
+which one may hide so much. At first he had been prepared for
+opposition or serious displeasure on the part of the proud, self-willed
+girl; but nothing of the kind occurred; she either seemed not to notice
+his disobedience, or actually to approve of it; and once or twice, when
+he somewhat overdid his part, a meaning smile played about her mouth.
+Nay, more, she followed, though with evident hesitation, his example;
+she no longer met Lydia's fantastic exaggerations with short and sharp
+replies, or with that frigid non-recognition which is more cutting than
+direct blame: she continued, as on the first evening or two, to sing
+and play with the Baron; she even suffered herself to be put into the
+famous terrace picture, and was patient enough to sit to him for a
+couple of hours, in which the Baron, with his brush, was constantly
+taking one step forward and two backward, as it were; while he vowed
+again and again that this was the most grateful, but also the most
+difficult, task which he had ever undertaken in his life.
+
+And there was yet one thing more which had struck him as peculiarly
+strange and important. Erna was accustomed to repeat her interlocutors'
+names frequently in the course of conversation, and to add them, even
+to quite trivial phrases or questions. From the first days of his
+visit he still recalled with delight her sweet "How are you, Uncle
+Bertram?"--"Yes, Uncle Bertram"--"No, Uncle Bertram." But sweeter,
+sweeter far it seemed to him that he now no longer heard it--no, not
+once--that her conversation now was plain yea and nay, as enjoined in
+Holy Writ, and quite in accordance with the wild wish of his heart.
+Hilarie, too, had surely ceased to call her lover--Uncle. Poor Major!
+But it served him right, after all, for it was not youth so much that
+he lacked, as the courage and force of genuine passion.
+
+
+           "That man must ever be a youthful man
+            Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes!"
+
+
+And he does please her well, because she feels with the unerring
+instinct of true love that he can and will give love for love.
+
+And as though he would force Fate to grant him all, because he was
+staking his all upon it, he looked on with a happy smile, whilst the
+fire of his great love burned up with increasing vehemence with every
+day, with every hour, spreading around and engulfing his entire being.
+He was proud that he could no longer feel anything else, think of
+anything else, but always her, and her alone. If she was away, how
+empty, how barren did the whole world seem! With what painful
+impatience did he await the moment when he should behold her again; and
+when he beheld her again, it seemed as though he had never beheld her
+before--as though the Creator had but just uttered the command: "Let
+there be light!" and as though the world lay before him in all the dewy
+freshness and brightness of the morn of creation.
+
+Then, when the torment of delight became overpowering, he fled from
+her, to dream, often for hours, in the solitude of the forest, in lone,
+rocky caves, or on sunny summits--to listen in the deep silence around
+for the echoing of her sweet voice within his heart, to whisper her
+loved name to the discreet herbs and trees; to hear that name in the
+murmur of the brooks, in the rustling of the breezes, in every note of
+the birds' songs; to see her fair image smiling down upon him from
+among the dainty white cloudlets that flecked the deep-blue sky, or
+gazing at him with musing gravity from the dusky shadows of the
+towering trees, gazing with those great, still, potent, godlike orbs.
+
+That those orbs were now smiling more rarely, that they were fuller of
+gravest thought, often gazing with a certain sweet fixity of intensest
+concentration, he had not failed to observe, and he had not interpreted
+it as a symptom unfavourable to himself; how should, how could it be
+otherwise, if there fell into her young soul even the faintest reflex
+of the bright radiancy that was filling his own to its deepest depths?
+
+But he had not failed to observe either, and this he knew not how to
+explain, that this musing gravity from which his own love in its
+hopefulness drew sweetest sustenance--like a bee from the chalice of a
+budding blossom--was turning to a gloomy indignation, which not only
+was for ever veiling the beloved eyes, but was not unfrequently
+enfolding the fair face with its fine, energetic features in darkest
+night, luridly illumined by wrathful flashes.
+
+This startling change had occurred quite suddenly, coincident,
+strangely enough, with the day, almost with the hour, of Agatha's
+arrival.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XII.
+
+
+On the occasion of former visits at Rinstedt Bertram had repeatedly
+seen Agatha, and had always been on the best of terms with the ever
+equally pleasant, amiable child. Now, of course she had, like Erna,
+developed during the last few years into a maiden, though one could not
+say that she had gained by the process of metamorphosis. The blonde
+hair now was almost red, freckles abounded unpleasantly on brow and
+cheek, and an awkward tendency to one side had become an undoubted
+lurch; so that, taking all these things together, one might indeed be
+tempted to take the nickname "Granny," which Erna had bestowed upon her
+cousin and bosom friend, not in its moral meaning alone. But the bright
+blue eyes had faithfully preserved the old, dear expression; nay, even
+more openly than of old, there spoke out of them a heart full of
+kindliest goodwill to all men, desirous of riving in peace and
+friendship with all men, and seeming not so much to loathe as simply
+not to comprehend the evil emotions and passions of the human heart.
+
+So gentle a creature, made but for sympathy in joy or in sorrow, could
+scarcely have found the requisite courage to destroy even the
+commonplace illusions of a commonplace heart, and would most likely
+have recoiled from the mere attempt to lay violent hands upon a heart
+like Erna's, deviating as it did so greatly from the humdrum, everyday
+pattern. And, again, Bertram had to drop the suspicion which at first
+had come to him in his perplexity; to wit, that Agatha had, whether in
+carelessness or intentionally, blabbed about something confided to her
+by Erna. Such a thing would have been in downright contradiction to the
+character of the girl, who was as clever as she was good; and, lastly,
+that he himself should have betrayed his feelings to the rest--that was
+absolutely impossible. He was only too painfully conscious of having
+from the very first moment put a most careful guard on his conduct, of
+having weighed his every word, controlled his every smile and look: of
+course he had! Why, he recoiled in horror from the very thought that
+Erna might discover his great secret; it was certain that she had not
+discovered it, and how could others have done so?
+
+But why should they, again, not have seen, and seen in envy,
+uncharitableness, and terror, what it was the utmost delight to him to
+see? Though he, in the full consciousness of his love, in the anxious
+doubt as to whether that love was not a folly, a crime even, had put
+the utmost restraint upon himself, yet Erna had assuredly not been
+equally careful in expressing her feelings, whose real significance she
+might guess at, though most assuredly she could not measure it. Why,
+the most harmless and innocent things in the attentions she was
+spoiling him with, the many kindly little offices which she did for him
+without any fuss, _en passant_, as it were--all these things might have
+been malevolently criticised and viciously explained, suspicion being
+once aroused one way or the other!
+
+And that such must be the case he could scarcely doubt any longer, when
+he submitted the demeanour of the others towards him during the last
+few days to a subsequent examination. Thus, in the light of newly-won
+knowledge, sundry things stood out in a very marked way, which, under
+other circumstances, he would either not have heeded, or anyhow have
+interpreted differently. His beautiful hostess, who used to avail
+herself of every tête-à-tête with him to turn their talk to Erna and
+the Baron, had not resumed her favourite topic of conversation; and, on
+the other hand, Lydia now manifested infinite interest in Erna, and
+never wearied of starting contemplative talks in reference to the
+qualities of her former pupil, wondering how one should represent to
+oneself the future of such a singular being as likely to develop
+itself. The Baron had still, on each Occasion when Bertram and he had
+met, overflowed with civility, but had yet tormented him less often
+with challenges to billiard-matches and to contests in pistol-shooting,
+but had on the other hand undertaken more frequent solitary shooting
+expeditions--neither Bertram nor Otto, their host, cared for shooting,
+as it happened--and had extended them farther too. Otto himself had
+certainly and most clearly avoided him. At first he had thought that
+Otto did it to avoid new and painful discussions in reference to his
+financial position, but Bertram now assumed that it was done lest Otto
+should distinctly show that he was angry with his friend for Erna's
+sake, or, what--with his natural weak readiness to yield--came
+virtually to the same thing, that he had been bidden by the ruling
+spirit to be angry with Bertram.
+
+These were curiously mixed feelings which were roused within him by his
+recognition of the new position he so suddenly found himself in. He
+said to himself that the things which caused anxiety and terror to his
+adversaries were for himself objects of joy and triumph, and
+constituted the clearest proof that he had not only dreamed a dream of
+rapturous delight. And to be sure, his love could not for ever remain
+in the far-off regions of starry splendour; it was bound some time to
+approach this earth, to become visible to the dull, mole-like eyes of
+these men. But then again, putting himself in the place of these
+others, and examining himself and his love, as these others were
+undoubtedly doing, he would hear anew, and this time from the lips of
+unjust accusers, the old evil questions which he thought had long ago
+been done with, to wit--Is your longing and your desire really and
+truly free from every vestige of selfishness, from every frivolous
+admixture? Has the satisfaction of your own vanity, inasmuch as you may
+prove that you, a man of fifty, are able to win the love of such a
+youthful, and, in every respect, such a highly-favoured and gifted
+girl, against the wishes of her own parents, before her who had once
+spurned your love, in the presence and to the shame and discomfiture of
+so much more likely a rival--have these considerations nothing, nothing
+whatever to do with your love?
+
+And supposing he were to allow himself to be urged by pressure on the
+part of his foes to make a declaration before the right time; or
+supposing there never had been and never would be such a time at
+all--supposing he and all of them had blundered;--supposing Erna's
+heart knew nought of love, and rejected his love, amazed, terrified,
+insulted--what then? Ye Heavens above! what then? Where was then that
+line of retreat which Göthe had so wisely secured for his hero?
+
+He realised it to be one of those horribly hideous contradictions of
+human life that, while before his inner eye the possibilities of his
+future fate concentrated themselves as in a focus, he was busied before
+the mirror in exchanging the cravat which Konski had put out for him
+for the early dinner, for another (the first dressing-bell having just
+rung), in reference to which Erna had once said that it suited him
+particularly well.
+
+He stepped, annoyed, from the mirror to the open window. There came
+floating through the balmy, sunny air a gossamer thread and fixed
+itself on his shoulder. He sighed wearily, he felt unutterably sad.
+
+There was always one line of retreat open, and that was--Death. Perhaps
+his life was really hanging on as slight a thread as this bit of
+gossamer. But then, was not his love for that very reason both madness
+and sacrilege? Was that love which at bottom thought, after all, of
+itself only, and thought not first and last of this? Could one,
+according to human judgment, really undertake the guarantee for the
+well-being of those whom one ... made believe one loved? Whether, for
+her, weal would not swiftly change to woe, whence, even though time and
+that youthful vigour which refuses to be crushed were to heal the
+grievous wounds, there could never again blossom forth a full, whole
+happiness? And thus, and for this reason, to have henceforth, like
+humdrum everyday folks, to dread death, when he had already again and
+again looked into his hollow eyes!
+
+There was some noise behind him, and he started in terror. It was only
+Konski who had come back bearing a letter. The post which was due in
+the morning had arrived now, and there had been lots of letters for the
+other ladies and gentlemen too, and some of them would seem to be
+mighty important, for My Lady had given orders to put dinner back half
+an hour, so the Herr Doctor could anyhow read his letter in peace.
+
+Konski had gone away again, and Bertram held the letter still unopened
+in his hand. How odd that his physician and friend should write to him
+just now--that the busiest of men should so swiftly reply to his own
+letter, in which, on the second day of his visit, he had, as requested,
+given news of his state of health, a letter which really called for no
+reply at all. Was his friend now going to tell him that he ... was
+doomed to speedy death? Well, the letter could not have come at a more
+opportune moment.
+
+With trembling hand he broke the seal and read this--
+
+"Dearest Friend,--Laugh if you like. On reading your letter a second
+time--your letters are not, like most others, consigned to the
+waste-paper basket--I have even more strongly the same impression which
+the first perusal had given me; namely, that, possibly unknown to
+yourself, there is to be read between the lines of your letter a
+question, which can be answered only by omniscient Fate and by 'Yours
+Truly;' and which, seeing Fate is not altogether to be relied upon in
+this respect, Yours Truly has the honour and likewise the great
+pleasure of answering herewith. Reduced to its simplest formula, then,
+the question comes to this: May I marry? Seeing that you do not laugh,
+but, on the contrary, look extremely grave, I will not keep you
+needlessly on the tenter-hooks of expectation, but will reduce my
+reply, too, to the simplest form, viz.:--Yes, best of friends, you may
+marry, in spite of your late serious attack; nay, oddly enough, all the
+more because of it. For although even before your illness I had no
+doubt that your curiously powerful nature would for years continue to
+hold its own against the severe damage done (to deny or reason away the
+existence of which was unfortunately impossible), I now have hardly any
+misgiving in that respect. For your last illness was simply and solely
+a remarkably energetic attempt at self-help on the part of nature, and
+the attempt has all but succeeded. What remains to be done to complete
+the cure is but little, and that this little be done as swiftly and
+thoroughly as possible, you can yourself greatly help. How so? Well, by
+marrying! You, having always been over-conscientious and abnormally
+scrupulous, having ever lived but for ideal aims and for the benefit of
+other folk, should now at length begin to live for yourself, should now
+at length find that quiet happiness which you so richly deserve, and be
+happy in that happiness; though, to be sure, for the last condition
+more good sense is required than what the majority of mankind have been
+ready to employ. You, my good friend, have that amount of sense.
+_Ergo_--marry for goodness' sake, marry for your own good, marry for
+the good of those whom you love, and, lastly, marry with my full
+consent, without which I know you would not do it at all.
+
+"But now, seeing that you are too accustomed to suffering of some sort
+to be able to dispense with it altogether, I owe you a fresh supply to
+make up for what I am depriving you of, and I am going to saddle you
+with one of the most awful kinds of suffering a free man can be
+tormented with in these hard and distressing times--you must stand for
+Parliament. There is no help for it; we must have you in the
+_Reichstag_. Good old S. can bear the burthen no longer; he is going to
+retire. I should have insisted upon it on medical grounds if he had not
+at length come to see himself that there was no help for it. He is done
+for, and doomed to speedy death. And you, who are vigorously advancing
+to complete restoration of health, shall and must take his place--by
+order of the Electoral Committee, who met at a late hour last night and
+ultimately came to a unanimous conclusion on the subject, all, finally,
+voting for you! There is no reason why I should keep back the fact
+that, to begin with, O. and B. were opposed to it, and so were a few
+others, asserting that you could be of greater use to the common cause
+as an outsider. They went on arguing that your absolutely independent
+position within the party had hitherto enabled you, and would continue
+to enable you, to ventilate certain grievances which really require to
+be ventilated, and which it is impossible for ourselves, sitting as
+members of the _Reichstag_, to bring forward, because, sitting there,
+we must pay a certain regard to ... what not. This great and invaluable
+activity of yours, they wisely contended, would be rendered absolutely
+barren by your entering the serried ranks of a definite political
+phalanx within the House itself. Right they are, I know well enough,
+none better; for I have, as you know, always maintained the same view.
+But, for all that, you must stand. The need is imperative. We have,
+alas! none but you; and therefore our arguments prevailed: and the
+requisition I am now forwarding to you in the name of our common party
+is, as aforesaid, unanimous. Knowing you as well as I do, and knowing
+therefore with what a struggle you make up your mind, ever determined
+to adhere unswervingly to a resolution you have once arrived at, I'll
+give you three days to think it over. Perhaps you'll talk it over with
+our friend G. in W., whose acquaintance you have probably made ere
+this; not to get him to appeal to your conscience--small need for that
+in your case--but because an old veteran like him may be able, from the
+fulness of his experience, to give you some hint or other which may be
+of use to you in your candidature. It is very probable that you may
+have to appear speedily in the arena. The Government would appear to
+feel very confident of success, and will not delay the election. Four
+weeks hence everything may be settled. That would leave you another
+month before the meeting of Parliament to recover from the fatigue of
+the electioneering campaign. The Italian trip will have to be given up,
+it is true. But no one can serve two masters; and as for the mistress,
+if my conjecture be correct, I do not dread her jealousy. If it were
+permitted to harbour any doubt whether you have chosen wisely, or if
+there were any need to apply a special test, there could be no surer
+touchstone than this. The true gold of a genuine woman's love never
+shines more brightly than when a sacrifice has to be made for the sake
+of letting a man's worth stand out clearly. Commend me cordially to the
+fair unknown, and accept my own affectionate greetings."
+
+The second dinner-bell had rung, and Bertram still sat staring at the
+letter. Could this be true? It looked like witchcraft. By what
+wonderful ingenuity had his friend rightly interpreted the state of his
+heart, judging from hints which were not intended to be hints at all?
+Well, if it was a miracle, it was a very auspicious one--one that could
+only have had its origin in the great strength of truest friendship.
+Impossible for the tempter to have assumed the guise of the best and
+noblest of men!
+
+He pressed the letter to his lips, and gazed upward to the blue sky.
+And, lo! as he moved, the gossamer thread floated away from his
+shoulder, away into the sunny afar.
+
+With glowing eye he followed its flight.
+
+"Right, right! Fly and float with it, ye cowardly thoughts of retreat!
+Who fears not death has already half won the battle!"
+
+
+
+
+                                 XIII.
+
+
+Below, in the garden saloon, Bertram found only Otto and the Baron, who
+abruptly stopped an eager conversation as Bertram entered. Otto looked
+greatly embarrassed; the Baron gave him one angry look, then turned
+away to the young ladies, who were walking on the verandah.
+
+"I seem to have disturbed you," said Bertram.
+
+"Don't be annoyed," replied Otto. "The Baron had, last night already,
+disagreeable news from home, which is confirmed to-day, and will compel
+him to travel back; and just now, in this time of tension, he wishes of
+course--it is extremely awkward ..."
+
+"In one word, he has officially asked you for your daughter's hand?"
+
+"Not exactly officially; we really do not know about Erna. You had
+undertaken to put us _au courant_, to advise and help us, and now you
+are not helping us at all, and--and my wife is rather annoyed with you
+on this ground."
+
+"So I have observed; and therefore, to make up for previous omissions,
+I'll give you my advice now: get rid of him as quickly as possible, and
+spare Erna the humiliation of having to refuse the fellow."
+
+"Humiliation? The fellow? How oddly you talk!"
+
+"I talk how I feel. He is unworthy of Erna, absolutely."
+
+"So you say; but why?"
+
+Bertram made no answer. What good could it do now to have a dispute
+with Otto about the worthiness or unworthiness of the Baron?
+
+"You see," said Otto triumphantly, "you have no real reason to give!"
+Then, seeing his friend look extremely grave, he went on--"I know of
+course that you mean well by Erna, by me, by all of us. Perhaps you are
+right, too, at least in this--that Erna may say: No. If she does, well,
+then there is an end of it, and Hildegard and he may see how they can
+best put up with it. If only it had not happened just now. I have my
+head quite full enough as it is--all these officers coming to be
+quartered here to-morrow, then the final debate on the railway
+question, and then I just remember that I have also to redeem
+to-morrow a certain mortgage, not much, only five thousand thalers, but
+it happens most inopportunely, I wanted to talk to you about it before,
+but I did not like to disturb you in your rooms; perhaps after dinner,
+or to-night sometime--there is my wife coming, for God's sake no fuss,
+I entreat you!"
+
+Hildegard entered, Lydia followed soon after, the young ladies and the
+Baron came in from the verandah, and they all went to dinner.
+Conversation somehow flagged; every one was busy with his own thoughts,
+and, if one were to judge by looks, these thoughts did not seem to be
+pleasant ones, except in Hildegard's case. She kept smiling
+mysteriously to herself, and at last, when there had been a pause of
+some little duration, she held up a couple of letters which she had
+laid by the side of her plate, and said--
+
+"It is really too bad; here, I am sitting with quite a treasury of most
+interesting surprises, and none of you take the trouble to show the
+slightest symptom of curiosity. It would really serve you right if I
+were not to say a word to you; but I will be gracious, as usual, and
+let you participate in my joy. First, then, your mother, Agatha, has
+after all yielded to my entreaties. It is most kind of her. She has a
+big party to-morrow, too; some twenty officers, she says, and can ill
+spare any of the girls. Still, she understands that I have even greater
+need of them in our solitude, if the crowd of uniforms is not to become
+intolerably monotonous--_enfin_, she'll send Louise and Augusta. They
+will arrive to-day; so we shall really be able to have a dance to
+morrow evening, if we invite the girls from the parsonage and a few
+others. Well, what do you say?"
+
+Erna made no reply; she seemed hardly to have listened. Agatha said--
+
+"You are very kind, aunt," but it did not sound hearty.
+
+"Is that all?" exclaimed Hildegard. "Of course I am kind, far too kind
+to you ungrateful _blasée_ girls, who cannot rise to enthusiasm even
+with the prospect of a dance! But you, Baron?"
+
+"I envy the gentlemen," replied he, "who will benefit by your kindness;
+I myself, as you are aware, will scarcely be able to participate in
+it."
+
+Hildegard raised her eyebrows.
+
+"I thought," she said, "that the matter was settled. Your relations may
+see how they can best do without you. I wish to hear nothing more upon
+the subject. This is my ultimatum, and I beg you will respect it."
+
+The Baron bowed, and muttered something about _force majeure_.
+Hildegard paid no heed to it; she had already taken up the second
+letter.
+
+"I must beforehand apologise for my bad French accent. The letter is
+from the Residenz, and I ought to mention ..."
+
+"From Princess Amelia?" the Baron asked eagerly.
+
+"Not from our gracious Princess," replied Hildegard with a courteous
+smile, "but from a princess, for all that."
+
+"Perhaps you would translate it?" suggested Otto timidly.
+
+"Very well," replied his wife. "I was thinking of doing so anyhow, for
+I know you pretend that you do not understand French.  Well, then--
+
+"Madam,--Will you pardon a perfect stranger who ventures to request a
+favour which it is usual to grant only to one's friends, or to duly
+accredited persons--the favour of being your guest for a short time?
+You are amazed, madam; but why do you own a mansion whose classic style
+of architecture and whose internal fittings are the marvel of the land?
+Why does every one who can judge, laud you as unsurpassed in the
+horticultural art? I travel through Germany chiefly with the object of
+studying all that is best and most beautiful in these things, in order
+to try and imitate it upon my estates in Livadia. I shall not, as I
+said, trouble you long; only a day or two. To-morrow and the day after,
+if I may, for I can unfortunately not dispose differently of my time.
+And as regards the inconvenience I must needs cause you, I will try to
+reduce it to a minimum. A gardener or forester to pilot me about
+outside, a steward to show me some of the things inside, a little
+corner by your fireside, a little place at your table, a little chamber
+to sleep in; that is all! True, already too much, if I reflect; but one
+should not reflect, if one is the thorough egotist who has the honour
+of remaining, Madam, your obedient servant,--Princess Alexandra
+Paulovna  ..."
+
+Hildegard looked up from her letter, and said with a smile--
+
+"I cannot make out the surname."
+
+She passed the letter to Bertram, who was sitting on her right.
+
+"Well," said the Baron, on her left, "she would seem to be a Russian,
+anyhow."
+
+"No doubt of that. Well, my friend?"
+
+"No," replied Bertram, "I cannot make it out."
+
+"Will you allow me?" said the Baron.
+
+Bertram handed the letter back to Hildegard, who passed it on to the
+Baron.
+
+"Why," he exclaimed, "it is quite plain, Bo--Bo!" He paused.
+
+"Bo, Bo, Bo!" laughed Lydia. "Let me try."
+But Lydia failed too; the note was passed round the table; Otto and
+Agatha tried and failed; Erna passed it on to Bertram without casting
+one glance at it.
+
+"Will you not try?" asked Bertram.
+
+"No."
+
+She uttered this so sharply that Bertram looked up terrified.
+
+"How very unkind," said her mother.
+
+Bertram had the same impression at first, but he knew Erna too well;
+there was assuredly something else going on in her mind, something
+which had tried to find expression in the abrupt No. She was very pale,
+and had pressed her teeth against her under lip, whilst her eyes looked
+gloomily and fixedly straight in front of her. One might have expected
+her to burst into a flood of tears the next moment. To turn the
+attention of the rest from her, and also to overcome his own feelings
+of uneasiness, he began once more diligently to spell away at the
+signature, and suddenly exclaimed--
+
+"I have got it, I think--Volinzov--Alexandra Paulovna Volinzov!"
+
+"Let me see, please?" exclaimed Hildegard. "Really, Volinzov; and quite
+plain too. How blind we have been! Dear me, Herr Baron, what is the
+matter with you?"
+
+"I beg a thousand pardons," said the Baron from behind his
+handkerchief, which he held pressed to his face, rising from the table
+as he spoke, and swiftly withdrawing from the room.
+
+Hildegard looked sadly after his retreating figure.
+
+"Poor fellow!" she said, "I am so sorry. He is in a terrible state of
+excitement. And now, in addition, this home news--if I only knew what
+it is all about, but he is discretion personified."
+
+Bertram, still pondering over Erna's strange demeanour, had almost
+mechanically cast his eye over the whole letter, and only became
+conscious of this on coming to a passage which he did not remember
+having heard in Hildegard's translation.
+
+"Here," he said, "is one line, my fair friend, which has escaped you,
+and which yet strikes me as important. Listen: 'thorough egotist who
+has the courage to follow her letter at once, and has the honour,' &c."
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Hildegard.
+
+"There it stands; see for yourself. You passed from the last line but
+two on to the last."
+
+"Oh dear! oh dear!" exclaimed the hostess. "She will be wanting to
+dine of course; and that is not the worst, but all the rooms will be
+occupied by to-morrow afternoon."
+
+"The officers must do with a little less accommodation," said Otto. "It
+will be all right."
+
+"No, it will not be all right," said his wife, "if each of them is to
+have a room of his own;  and we cannot put less than two each at the
+disposal of the two Majors and the Colonel."
+
+"Let me help you in your embarrassment," said Bertram. "You know, I
+originally intended leaving early to-morrow, let us adhere to the old
+plan; the more so, because I have just received a letter which
+necessitates my very speedy return to Berlin."
+
+"That is an excuse," exclaimed his friend.
+
+"No excuse, my dear fellow; you may see the letter yourself. But I may
+as well say what it is about. I have been selected by my political
+friends for a forthcoming vacancy in the _Reichstag_."
+
+"But you will surely not stand?"
+
+"Indeed, I mean to do so."
+
+"And your Italian trip?"
+
+"Postponed to some future day."
+
+"But your illness?"
+
+"Thanks to your excellent nursing, I never felt better in my life."
+
+"But it's quite out of the question!" cried Otto. "I cannot let you.
+It would be downright ..."
+
+In thus urging his friend to stay, Otto was simply following the
+dictates of his own good-natured heart, without any reference to his
+own special interests; now it suddenly occurred to him that his wife
+had that very morning called Bertram's presence a positive misfortune,
+and had accused him of standing--the one obstacle--between herself and
+the execution of her favourite plan.
+
+So he broke off abruptly, casting a sheepish, embarrassed look at his
+wife.
+
+Hildegard blushed to the very temples. Now she was obliged to urge him
+to stay, if everything she had been settling during the last few days
+in secret with Lydia and the Baron, and at last with her husband too,
+was not to lie like an open book before Bertram, and unless there was
+to be a real rupture, which, of course, it was desirable to avoid as
+long as possible. In order to conceal the true reason of her blush, she
+seized, as though obeying some uncontrollable impulse, both his hands,
+and said--
+
+"I am almost speechless with amazement, my friend! Otto is quite right;
+the thing is impossible, it would be downright--abominable--that is
+what you were going to say, is it not, dear Otto? You cannot, must not
+leave us now. In a few days, if it really must be, well and good; but
+not now. I have--quite apart from our own feelings--revelled in the
+thought of the pleasant surprise it will be for Herr von Waldor to meet
+here, upon the threshold of a strange house, an old friend of his own.
+And if old friendship cannot exercise a spell over you, are you not
+allured by the prospect of meeting the mysterious Russian, whose name
+you alone were able to decipher, and who will not care to converse with
+any one except yourself, once she has heard how beautifully you speak
+French? But come--Otto, Lydia, Agatha--help me to entreat our friend to
+stay."
+
+In the general excitement, every one had risen from table, dinner being
+finished anyhow, and now they were talking on the verandah. The Baron
+had reappeared too, but was keeping at some little distance; he
+evidently had not quite recovered from his attack. Those to whom
+Hildegard had appealed by name hastened to comply with her request, and
+were all urging Bertram to remain. He never heard them at all; he did
+not even see them;  he had eyes for Erna only.
+
+Erna, as though she had no interest whatever in the matter under
+discussion, had stepped down from the verandah to one of the
+flower-plots on the lawn. Suddenly she turned, retraced her steps
+slowly, ascended the verandah again, and approached him. Her cheeks--so
+pale but a short time ago--were flushed now; there was a light in those
+large eyes, and a defiant smile played round her dainty lips. She
+fastened a beautiful red rose, just about to unfold, in his buttonhole.
+
+"I prayed you the night you came--I pray you again: Stay! stay--for my
+sake! Come, Agatha!"
+
+She had seized her cousin by the hand, and drawn her away into the
+garden; Bertram had stepped into the billiard-room, and was knocking
+the balls about; the others looked at each other, amazed, embarrassed,
+frightened, scornful. But, greatly though their various feelings
+desired expression and exchange, and opportune though the occasion
+might appear, there was no chance in the meantime. For the very next
+moment the sound of a post-horn was heard coming from the great
+courtyard, and announced, to Hildegard's terror, that Princess Volinzov
+had interpreted her own letter literally, and had really followed it
+without delay.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XIV.
+
+
+The sunny brightness of the day was suddenly interrupted by a
+thunderstorm, and the evening closed in dark and stormy. Up from the
+valley and down from the wooded hills thick grey mists came rolling
+along, and violent showers of rain ensued. It was chilly and
+disagreeable; and the "corner by the fireside," referred to in the
+letter of the Princess, seemed no longer to be a mere phrase, but to
+embody a very natural wish, and one which Hildegard took care to
+fulfil, by having fires kindled in all the drawing-rooms. There was
+quite a party at the mansion this evening. An hour after the arrival of
+the Princess, the sisters of Agatha had come; then the forest-ranger,
+the Herr _Oberförster_,  had turned up, without having brought his
+ladies, on account of the disagreeable weather, but there had come with
+him a young gentleman from the Forests and Woods' Department, Herr von
+Busche, who had been absent for a week, and who, as he laughingly
+assured them, must try very hard to make up for the many pleasant hours
+he had lost. He seemed determined to carry this into practice, for he
+was most indefatigable in suggesting new games and new jests, and kept
+the four young ladies in constant laughter.
+
+"_Qu'y a-t-il de plus beau_,"  said the Princess, talking, as before,
+now French, now German with equal readiness, "thus to hear, from an
+adjoining room, the happy laughter of girls, while one is sitting
+snugly by the fire talking to a friend. The past and the present mingle
+and separate again, like the red and blue flames among those coals; and
+sometimes there flashes between them a green one, which we may take for
+a light giving a glimpse of the future--and indeed it vanishes again
+very swiftly. How comfortable, how beautiful everything's in your
+house, _ma chère_.  And how can I thank you enough for admitting me to
+the full enjoyment of your charming home?"
+
+She had seized both Hildegard's hands as she spoke, and seized them so
+eagerly that the bracelets on her round white arms jingled.
+
+"I have to thank you, Princess ..."
+
+"For goodness' sake, do not call me that any longer. Say Alexandra,
+will you not?"
+
+"Will you say Hildegard?"
+
+"_Cela va sans dire_--Hildegard--a beautiful name--beautiful like her
+whose it is! What were we talking about? The future, yes, to be sure.
+Well, there is a glorious future in store for you in your lovely
+daughter."
+
+"Do you like Erna?"
+
+"Like her?  _Mon Dieu!_  only a mother's modesty can ask this. She is
+simply divine. Not that I never saw more beautiful girls--you see I am
+quite frank--but there is something in her whole bearing, the way in
+which she walks or stands, every movement, every gesture, her
+expression, her smile, her gravity even, there is a grace and a charm
+about it all which completely bewitch me, woman though I am. How may
+men feel?  Poor men!  Poor broken hearts, I pity you!"
+
+"She has scarcely had the chance yet of breaking hearts," replied
+Hildegard with a smile; "she has only just left school."
+
+"But even very young ladies, I am told, manage sometimes to do it,"
+said the Princess. "I am afraid I broke one or two myself whilst I was
+at a boarding-school, and it was a strict one, too! But to be serious,
+have you already chosen for your fair child?"
+
+"Our girls in Germany are wont to claim the right of choice for
+themselves," replied Hildegard, casting a stolen glance at Bertram,
+who, walking up and down the saloon with Otto, happened just at that
+moment to be inconveniently near.
+
+"A bad German peculiarity," said the Princess. "If a girl who does not
+know the world, does not know men--except her father, of whom she is
+afraid, and her brothers, whom she thinks ridiculous--is allowed to
+choose a husband according to the confused illusions of her silly
+little head--you may bet a hundred to one that the result will be
+either a  _bêtise_  or a  _malheur_--which, according to the saying of
+the witty Frenchman, are, however, identical terms."
+
+"That is quite my idea, dear--Alexandra," said Hildegard, bending her
+head with a courteous smile to her new-found friend; "quite my idea!"
+
+"Clever women understand each other _à demi mot_," replied Alexandra.
+"But there are exceptions, and your Erna is such an exception. She
+would never dream of losing her heart to a man simply because he stands
+six feet, and knows how to brush himself up and to cut a figure,
+however confused things may look beneath the smoothly-parted hair,
+however rotten a heart may beat behind the dainty cambric shirt-front."
+
+Hildegard did not dare to stir; she had noticed that during the last
+few words of the Princess the Baron had been standing within a couple
+of steps from them, evidently with the intention of joining them. But
+as neither lady seemed to see him, or wish to see him, he examined a
+vase which stood upon a marble table near, and turned on his heel
+again. Hildegard breathed more freely.
+
+"You may be quite assured," said Alexandra, "I spoke in French on
+purpose when I saw him coming. I had made sure that he speaks it very
+badly, and understands it even worse, which, by the by, is rather
+curious in a cavalier who is anxious to obtain a Court appointment."
+
+Hildegard felt very uneasy, although it was of course out of the
+question that the Princess should have meant the Baron when she spoke
+of a "man standing six feet."
+
+"You know," she said with some little hesitation, "that the Baron is
+very intimate at Court?"
+
+"I was at Court last night," replied Alexandra, "to tea. We Russians
+are in very good odour at your Court, you know; and, moreover, I had
+made the acquaintance of their Highnesses during their last visit to
+St. Petersburg. Princess Amelia is specially gracious to me, and she is
+the one who interests herself in the Baron."
+
+"To be sure," Hildegard assented eagerly. "Pray, tell me more, it has
+much interest for me."
+
+"I have not much to tell. I mentioned in the course of general
+conversation that I intended to pay you a visit to-day. This led to
+Fräulein von Aschhof and the Baron being mentioned as your guests. For
+that curious lady every one seemed to have a smile, nothing more,
+which, by the by, I can quite understand. About the Baron--well, _chère
+amie_, since you are interested in the young man, I must be indiscreet
+enough to tell you of a very confidential conversation I had afterwards
+in a window recess about him with that dear old man, Count Dirnitz, the
+Court-Marshal. He told me that the opinions regarding the Baron were at
+least much divided at Court. The Grand Duke himself, he said, in
+particular, could not overcome a certain antipathy to him, and that was
+the reason why his appointment as one of the chamberlains, although
+duly made out, still awaited the Grand Duke's signature. The Count said
+that he himself, although he had been an intimate friend of the Baron's
+father, did not know what to advise. Just then the Grand Duke came up
+to us; he had heard the last words of Count Dirnitz, and said
+laughingly: 'That, my good Count, happens pretty often to you; but may
+I ask what it is about?' And when Dirnitz, who, I suppose, had no
+option, had told him, he said: 'Well, in this case, I must admit I am
+perplexed myself; I should so much like to oblige Princess Amelia, and
+yet ...' Then the Grand Duke suddenly turned to me and said: '_A
+propos_, Princess Volinzov, as you are going to Rinstedt to-morrow, you
+might have a good look at our man. I will gladly confide the matter to
+your unprejudiced decision. If you think him suitable for us, _eh
+bien_, I'll risk it.' ... What a truly charming ceiling this is! Quite
+a work of art."
+
+Princess Alexandra was leaning back in her arm-chair examining through
+her double eye-glass the painted ceiling.
+
+"I see," she said, "a fine imitation of that Guercino in the Villa
+Ludovisi. It is superb, truly superb!"
+
+Hildegard was in a state of painful excitement. The young Princess had,
+anyhow, impressed her greatly; now this unexpected, but of course
+perfectly natural, intimacy at Court, and specially such a mission,
+possibly the one solitary motive of the whole visit, and upon which the
+Baron's fate depended. She felt almost dizzy, and it cost her a
+considerable struggle to be able to say with some calmness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Alexandra, but you have forgotten the main
+thing."
+
+"The main thing! What main thing?
+
+"What your unprejudiced opinion of the Baron now is."
+
+"To be sure!"
+
+She looked again at Hildegard. There was an odd smile on her lips now.
+
+"If my opinion were only unprejudiced. But how can that be when the
+friends of our friends are our own, or ought to be?"
+
+"You shall not escape thus," said Hildegard, whose sinking courage the
+fair visitor's smile had revived a little.
+
+"I do not mean to escape," replied the Princess; "only I do not quite
+like to confess a silly trick to you which my memory, which is
+generally very fair as far as physiognomies are concerned, is playing
+me in this case. But it is simply impossible to free one's self
+altogether from the influence which a marked personal likeness
+exercises; and when I first saw the Baron, there came to me the most
+disagreeable reminiscence of an episode of the last journey I made with
+my lamented mother to Italy. However, as I ought at once to state,
+there is no harm in the matter, for the Baron, whom I asked, says he
+was not in Monaco that year."
+
+"In Monaco?" cried Hildegard.
+
+"Alas, my good mamma, the Countess Lassounska, you must know, was a
+great votary of the green cloth. Well, she could afford to indulge a
+passion which, among the ladies of the Russian aristocracy, not seldom
+survives or reappears, when they have had to bury all other passions.
+And in all others poor mamma had been so very unfortunate; but in this
+she was singularly lucky. Thus, one night--it was in autumn '72--she
+died next spring, four weeks after my marriage with the Prince, who had
+at that time followed us to Monaco, and to whom I had just, being then
+sixteen years of age, become engaged--good Lord, and he has been dead
+these two years! How time passes! But what was I going to say? Oh yes;
+mamma had won an immense sum one night, so much that at last she was
+barely paying any attention to what she was staking, and when she
+noticed a friend, she turned round to talk to him, without leaving her
+chair, until the gentleman himself called her attention to the
+accumulating gains, and asked if she would not withdraw them. But she
+said there was no hurry, and went on chattering, to the amazement of
+her neighbours and the terror of the bank, for they kept and kept
+losing on the red. At last mamma did turn round again to the table, her
+own curiosity roused by the divers exclamations of the bystanders; but
+just at that moment a gentleman, who had been sitting by her side all
+night, was pocketing the whole huge heap of banknotes and rouleaux of
+gold. Mamma claimed her property, of course; the gentleman assured her
+she was mistaken. Mamma knew that this was not the case, but a scene in
+a gambling-room, don't you know, dear, _c'est une horreur_ for a lady
+with aristocratic nerves like poor mamma, the friend she had been
+conversing with wanted to interfere, so did a number of the bystanders,
+and play had to be suspended. Mamma said that if the gentleman asserted
+that the money was his, she would waive her claim; rose, took her
+friend's arm, and left the room. Here the matter ended, and nothing
+further followed, for the 'gentleman' elected to leave that very night
+for Nice. There, they say, he speedily got rid of his illgotten gains.
+At least, when we arrived there four weeks later, they pointed out a
+gentleman in the play saloon to us who had recently lost fabulous sums.
+On that occasion I saw him for the first time--I was not generally
+allowed to enter the gambling-rooms--and for the last time, for he had
+no sooner caught sight of our party, than he rose from the table and
+vanished from the room, and I think from Nice; anyhow, he never,
+appeared again during the rest of our sojourn. Mamma had given strict
+orders not to take any notice; whatever of the adventurer."
+
+"And this--adventurer, had a distant likeness to the Baron?"
+
+"A distant likeness? No, dear, a most distinct one. That's the
+misfortune!"
+
+Alexandra was leaning back again in the arm-chair and toying with her
+rings. Hildegard was staring gloomily in front of her. The execution of
+her long-cherished, plan, the fulfilment of her eager desire, was now
+threatened by an obstacle which seemed much worse than any previous
+one; and she was already almost reduced to despair by the others that
+she had to struggle against.
+
+"A misfortune, indeed!" she said; "a great misfortune for our friend,
+who, will now have to suffer so bitterly for an accident he is
+guiltless of."
+
+"How suffer, dear?"
+
+"Were you not saying yourself a short while ago that this wretched
+likeness was making it impossible for you to arrive at an unprejudiced
+opinion about the Baron? Well, it matters everything to him, of course,
+that your opinion should not only not be prejudiced but favourable.
+And--to confess the truth--to me, to us, it matters much, very much."
+
+Alexandra drew herself up, the old odd smile was hovering about her
+lips again.
+
+"Does it really matter so much to you?" she said. "Do I understand you
+correctly?"
+
+"Let us assume that you do," replied Hildegard, trying as she spoke to
+imitate Alexandra's smile.
+
+"Then I can only answer: _Je n'en vois pas la nécessité._"
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"That this particular man should marry Erna. Where is the necessity? If
+she were in love with him, the matter would have to be discussed at
+least. Now it is not worth while. A girl like your Erna--proud,
+self-willed, large-hearted--will never be in love with this Baron,
+never! It is impossible, it is contrary to nature--I mean contrary to
+the nature of a gifted heart, for there are gifted hearts, just as
+there are gifted heads. One can, nay, one must, have absolute
+confidence in both, even supposing that, from very excess of feelings
+or thoughts, they seem not to have confidence in themselves. One must
+let them have their way, they cannot err long."
+
+"But they can err for all that," replied Hildegard bitterly. "Would
+you not call it an error, would you think it to be in accord with the
+nature of that gifted heart you speak of, if the girl in question were
+to take a special interest in--out with it, were to love--a man who,
+according to years, might be her father, a man of fifty?"
+
+The question seemed to come upon Princess Alexandra as a great
+surprise. She had almost risen from her chair, and was staring fixedly
+at Hildegard with a burning blush on her cheek. But the very next
+moment mien and colour had resumed their former state, and nestling
+even more snugly in the recesses of the deep arm-chair, she said
+slowly--
+
+"This question it is impossible to answer with an unconditional Yes or
+No. So much would depend upon the individual. Let us speak of the girl
+first. You are of coarse referring to ..."
+
+"To Erna."
+
+The eyes of the Princess were all but closed now; something seemed to
+flash from beneath the long eyelids.
+
+"Of course," she replied very slowly. "And ... he?"
+
+Hildegard bent her eyes in the direction of the opposite side of the
+drawing-room, where Bertram was conversing with the forest-ranger.
+
+"Ah!" was all the Princess said, putting up her double eyeglass and
+surveying Bertram curiously. Then, after a long pause--
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Quite."
+
+"It is so easy to make a mistake in these things."
+
+"There is no chance of a mistake here."
+
+"How so?"
+
+Hildegard hesitated before she replied. But her heart was too full. The
+pain--repressed with difficulty--caused her by the merciless
+condemnation of the Baron, her displeasure in reference to Bertram, her
+anger against Erna--all these emotions were clamouring for expression,
+although her pride bade her desist. She bent over the Princess and
+whispered hurriedly--
+
+"You will not condemn a mother even if, in her despair, she has
+recourse to desperate remedies, or, at least, allows things to be done
+on which she could never voluntarily determine. I was positively free
+from the faintest suspicion, but Lydia--Fräulein von Aschhof--who had
+reasons of her own for exercising minute control over the gentleman's
+demeanour, felt sure she had found it out. Indeed, she communicated to
+me observations she had made--words she had heard, looks she had
+intercepted--I thought the charge monstrous, incredible, abominable;
+but my confidence was shaken--I saw with new eyes, heard with new
+ears--saw and heard what caused me to shudder. And yet I would
+certainly have shrunk much longer from accepting a conviction which
+every day and every hour was urging upon me anew; but two days ago
+Fräulein von Aschhof brought me a letter which my daughter had written
+to her cousin Agatha, written but not sent--why, I know not. Nor do I
+know how Lydia--Fräulein Von Aschhof--got hold of the letter. I
+believe ..."
+
+"Go on, go on!" said Alexandra, as Hildegard, embarrassed, was pausing.
+"That does not matter at all. The chief thing is that you have seen the
+letter. And what did the letter say? That she loved this man?"
+
+"Not in these words, but in words which it were impossible to interpret
+differently."
+
+"Have you the letter still?"
+
+"No, I am sorry to say. Lydia has ..."
+
+"Has replaced it where she found it; of course. It's a pity, though. It
+might be possible to imagine another interpretation. However, let us
+assume that it is so. What have you resolved?"
+
+"To die rather than give my consent--a thousand times rather!"
+
+Their eyes met, and they looked; steadily at each other for a few
+moments. Then the Princess nodded, and said--
+
+"I see you are in earnest. I can quite understand it; nay, more, I will
+help you. You will not have to die. I promise my help. Will you reject
+it?"
+
+She had seized Hildegard's hand.
+
+"I shall be eternally grateful to you," said Hildegard; "but ..."
+
+"No 'but!' I am one of these people who always do what they undertake.
+You shall be content with me."
+
+"I fear, I fear it is too late."
+
+"We shall see about that. Now, in the first instance, bring me the man,
+and leave me alone with him. One more condition: you are never to ask
+me what means I have employed. Will you promise?"
+
+"Anything you wish, my kind, good friend!"
+
+She would have pressed the little ringed hands, (which she still held
+clasped) to her lips, but the Princess prevented it by a swift
+movement, saying as she did so--
+
+"For goodness sake, do not be demonstrative! People are not to see what
+intimate friends we have become!"
+
+Hildegard had risen to fetch Bertram. Alexandra was again examining,
+with the help of her double eyeglass, the painted ceiling above; but
+her thoughts were not with Apollo and the nymphs.
+
+"So now we are going to see Mr. Right! To be sure, the other one was
+scarcely worth the trouble. But this one it will not be so easy to
+subdue. Poor Kurt--I could take such sweet revenge here! But no, no! I
+have vowed to myself, by the love wherewith I loved you, wherewith I
+love you still--as a brother--that I would bring you back your loved
+one though I should have to fetch her out of Inferno. I will keep my
+vow. I will be able to look with a clear conscience into your beautiful
+eyes to-morrow.... Ah, Mr. Bertram! Now I call this very nice of you. I
+was already beginning to feel offended. I am not accustomed to be
+neglected by clever people. You must try to atone for it now. Pray, sit
+down!"
+
+
+
+
+                                  XV.
+
+
+Bertram had no difficulty in replying merrily to the merry questions of
+the fair stranger. His head was full of merry thoughts, there was
+nothing but rapture in his heart. All the world seemed to him to be
+filled with the fragrance of that rose Erna had given him to-day, that
+rose which he had since worn near his heart, and from which the hostile
+looks of Hildegard and the others fell off harmless, as from a potent
+talisman. Human envy notwithstanding, things awarded him by the grace
+of the gods were coming to him, nay, had come. If he had still required
+any confirmation, what confirmation more delightful could he have had
+than the exuberant mirth to which the beloved child's melancholy
+gravity had suddenly turned? Like fairy music her rippling laugh seemed
+to him, coming from the adjoining room, where, surrounded by her
+cousins, she was as indefatigable in admiring Herr von Busche's feats,
+as that gentleman himself was in performing them. And he was willing to
+bear in patience that she was taken up by her friends all the evening,
+even as he was himself by the rest of the company, and that thus he had
+not found one single moment when he might have approached her, might
+have told her what she knew already, what no longer required to be
+said, what could be said only by a kiss on those pure, sweet lips.
+
+In such rapturous dreams his soul was rejoicing whilst he was
+conversing gaily with the Russian beauty. And rapture, too, it was to
+compare this foreign beauty, from whom, in spite of her youth, the
+strong and not always pure breath of the great world had long ago
+brushed away the dainty down, with the chaste grace of the beloved
+maid. She needed no sparkling diamonds, no jingling of golden
+bracelets; she could dispense with all these over-refined arts of the
+toilet, this coquetterie which calculated every pose of the plump
+little frame, every movement of the round arms and the white hands,
+every rise and fall of the long lids, every glance, every smile from
+the black eyes! His Erna was the fairer and nobler of the two, a born
+Princess!
+
+In their conversation, which was carried on, as far as Bertram was
+concerned, all the more eagerly the less his heart was touched by it,
+and to which Alexandra, passing as lightly as a bird from one subject
+to another, was constantly adding fresh topics of interest, they were
+interrupted by the loud laughter of the girls. Indeed, two of the
+sisters came rushing into the drawing-room to invite those who were
+there to come and admire a positively incredible trick which Herr von
+Busche had just performed, and which he was prepared to repeat--but by
+universal desire only. They drew the others away with them, uncle and
+aunt, the Herr _Oberförster_ and the Baron.
+
+"You would like to go," said Alexandra. "Do not stay on my account. I
+have already withdrawn you too long from the society of the others."
+
+"You dismiss me?"
+
+"One should never detain any one who wants to escape!"
+
+"But what has brought such evil suspicion upon me?"
+
+"Your eyes, which are constantly, though ever so discreetly, wandering
+to that door, in whose frame, it is true, the group of young ladies
+appears as full of charms as one of Winterhalter's tableaux. Four
+girls, one of whom, for the sake of contrast, I suppose, has had the
+superb inspiration to be ugly, while the other three vie with each
+other in beauty. Which of the girls do you think the most beautiful?"
+
+"I thought the question could not be asked."
+
+"Do you think so? But since I have asked it, I suppose you will have to
+be polite enough to answer it. You mean the young lady with the lovely
+neck and the glorious Titian-like hair? I could wager that you do."
+
+"Don't; you would lose your wager."
+
+"Then I declare that you are not an impartial judge, perhaps absolutely
+bribed; bribed by the rose, say, that you wear in your button-hole."
+
+Alexandra had dropped the eye-glass which she had raised to look upon
+the group of girls in the doorway, and now, turning swiftly round to
+Bertram, she looked laughingly into his eyes, and said--
+
+"That was indiscreet, was it not?"
+
+"Not at all," Bertram replied. "This rose, it is true, is the gift of
+one of the young ladies, and indeed, of the one who seems to me to be
+by far the most beautiful--the daughter of our host, if you wish to
+know. But it was no secret gift. I have had it awarded to me before the
+whole party assembled, as a reward, by the way, for staying a few days
+longer than I had promised. You see in this case, as in so many others,
+the small merit is out of all proportion to the great reward."
+
+"Then I was not altogether wrong," said Alexandra, "there was a certain
+amount of bribery connected with it, although there was no call for it.
+Openly speaking, I can but confirm your decision. Fräulein Erna is by
+far the most beautiful, most graceful, most interesting, not only of
+the few young ladies yonder, but of all those I have recently, perhaps
+whom I have ever seen. And my evidence is assuredly unprejudiced and
+unbribed, nay, more, it is generous, for, between you and me, Fräulein
+Erna is not treating me in a friendly way."
+
+"That," Bertram asserted eagerly, "is assuredly a mistake; it may seem
+so, but her cousins are claiming so much of her attention, and, perhaps
+too, having been so little in society as yet, she may be a little shy
+before a lady of the _grand monde_."
+
+"Perhaps," said Alexandra, "although the latter alternative would not
+be very flattering for me, seeing that I fancy, besides being somewhat
+of a grand lady, I have remained a good deal of the _bonne enfant_. Nor
+have I at all given up the hope of proving to the dear child that I am
+indeed her friend. I believe I have found out that she needs one. Do
+you not think so?"
+
+Bertram was puzzled. But she had spoken kindly, naturally, just like
+some one rather given to blurt out whatever thought came uppermost.
+
+"Who does not need friends?" he answered with a smile.
+
+"Very true," replied the Princess, "and very diplomatic. I quite
+understand your diplomacy. You are the friend of this fair creature; it
+is therefore your bounden duty, if other people clamour for admission
+to the ranks of her friends, to be very critical, particularly so if it
+strikes you as incomprehensible whence those others derive the sudden
+sympathy to which they lay claim. But, _que voulez-vous?_ A young
+woman, whose heart is wholly unoccupied, and who is driven about in the
+world by this aforesaid unoccupied heart, like a balloon that has lost
+its ballast--what other and what better thing can she do, than be
+interested in anything interesting that chance puts in her way? This is
+my occupation. Any occupation seriously pursued makes you an expert,
+sooner or later, in that occupation. I have always pursued mine
+seriously, and have pursued it long enough to claim to be something
+like an expert in it. Now here everything is so simple and clear that
+the meanest understanding can make for itself a fairly correct picture
+in half a dozen hours. Given: a man who would be the very pattern of a
+loving father for his daughter, if he were not a rare specimen of the
+truly obedient husband; a wife who would swear by all she held sacred
+that she thinks of nothing but how to make her daughter happy, and who
+makes her as unhappy as only a narrow-hearted narrow-minded mother
+can make a singularly gifted, large-hearted daughter; an aged
+scandal-loving, intriguing _confidante_, who likes to make mischief,
+the better to pursue her own mean objects in troubled waters; a young
+suitor, endowed by nature for the very part of _jeune premier_ at a
+second-rate theatre; an older friend of the family whose clear, clever
+eyes see all this, of course, and whose whole sympathy, equally a
+matter of course, is enlisted for the girl whose gradual growth and
+glorious development he has watched. Why, I should think the matter was
+as plain as the 'secret' in the most casual novel. And, should you care
+for a more complicated ... fable,--let the friend of the family
+conceive a serious, passionate attachment to the 'dear child,' and then
+you have abundant material for volume number two."
+
+Bertram started. This could no longer--it was impossible--be the mere
+inspiration of the moment, and only a harmless _causerie_. There was
+treachery at work here, evidently inspired by Hildegard, with whom the
+Russian lady had, a short time ago, conversed so long and so eagerly.
+And if the Princess, as was quite possible, considering the great
+vivacity of her disposition, had already chosen a side: which side?
+Erna's? or that of her mother? Probably the latter, for she spoke so
+very bitterly of her. One does that kind of thing to draw one's
+opponent out. But in that case the great lady must use greater cunning
+yet.
+
+"I admire your wonderful imagination," he said, "and if I were a poet,
+I would envy it. How charming to see poetical elements everywhere, and
+also to be at once clear as to the arranging and dove-tailing which
+torments the poet so much. You should really make a book of it. Even if
+the subject is not quite new--where, indeed, could, quite new ones be
+found nowadays?--a clever author will see something new even in the
+most hackneyed subject. For myself, of course, the second volume would
+be specially interesting, when the old friend of the family comes on
+the stage; for him, of course, the business cannot possibly end well."
+
+"I beg," said the Princess, "that you, will not spoil my text. I have
+by no means said that my hero is old. On the contrary, he is in the
+prime of life; of that age when we women only begin to find you men
+amiable, and rightly so, for you only begin then to become amiable;
+somewhere about fifty, we'll say."
+
+Bertram bowed.
+
+"Accept my sincere thanks," he said, "in my own name, seeing I am of
+the amiable age, and in the name of my many contemporaries. You are
+taking a load off my heart, for now, equally of course, the issue need
+by no means be so bad. The chances for and against are anyhow equal."
+
+"There, again, you go too far," replied the Princess. "The bad issue,
+to be sure, is no longer necessary; it must, however, always remain
+probable."
+
+"Always?"
+
+"I think so, even under the most favourable circumstances."
+
+"What would you call favourable circumstances?"
+
+"We will talk of that later on. Let us first take a specially
+unfavourable case, which, perhaps, is so all the more the less it would
+appear to be so. It seems, for example, that our fair young friend
+would feel less keenly the difference in years, and all the unpleasant
+and awkward things connected with it, and resulting from it. She is--at
+least so I judge her to be, and that is sufficient for our purpose--one
+of those deeply serious natures who are greatly given to confounding
+the wild phantasies of the head with the true enthusiasm of the heart,
+and who will conscientiously, and to its utmost consequences, adhere to
+what once they have seized upon and vowed. But I presume that she is as
+passionate as she is conscientious; and if her passion and her
+conscience once come in conflict, the struggle will be terrific. She
+may come forth victorious from the battle, but what avails a victory
+that ends in resignation? There we should have an issue, which may be
+convenient enough for the oldish husband, but then--his convenience and
+her happiness are surely very different things."
+
+"If I under stand you correctly," Bertram made answer, "you plead for
+the same theory which I hold, too, and which, as it happens, I have had
+to defend repeatedly during the last few days in our little circle:
+namely, that a man who is no longer young, cannot become the object of
+a passionate attachment on the part of a young girl; or it is anyhow in
+some way an aberration, and therefore cannot last."
+
+"That is exactly what I mean," the Princess assented eagerly. "We come,
+then, to a law of nature, which we must accept like other laws,
+although they are by no means flattering, nay, downright humiliating to
+our pride. Perhaps, however, on the other hand, the danger of an error
+and of the consequent conflict is not quite so great in the case in
+point, since the curiously-veiled radiance of the glorious eyes of that
+fair child seems to imply that she has already more than a mere vague
+foreboding of that passion--that she has already loved, perhaps loved
+unhappily, and would, consequently, not have to make these bitter
+experiences, which teach us to be wise, and quiet, and resigned, one
+after the other, in actual wedlock. But who is to give us the guarantee
+that the last supposition is correct? I could tell you a curious story,
+if you care to hear it."
+
+"You simply owe me the story, my gracious Princess, as a proof of our
+joint theory."
+
+"Well, it is fortunately not a long story, and the rest of the company
+have given us up, anyhow. Listen, then."
+
+Alexandra's eyes had been examining the large chamber; they were quite
+alone in it now, for all the others were crowding with merry laughter
+round the magician's table. She leaned forward in her chair; Bertram
+courteously, approached his own, and she began with a lowered voice,
+keeping her black eyes under the half closed lids steadily fixed upon
+him:--
+
+"The scene is Paris; the time some two years ago; the heroine is a
+friend of mine, a lady belonging to the highest society in France,
+whose fate had been similar to my own in one respect only: she too had
+married at sixteen, and been shortly after left a childless widow.
+Claudine--I give you her Christian name alone, for the other is
+unimportant to us--was not only, of course, much more beautiful than I,
+in fact, extraordinarily beautiful and much more gifted; she was also
+for good--and, as I may add without boasting, for evil--a much greater,
+more energetic creature. Not that I have anything very bad to say of
+dear Claudine, or, at least, nothing worse than has been said of many a
+woman who could not, perhaps, claim such weighty 'extenuating
+circumstances.' Her mother had, for reasons of her own, persuaded her
+into this marriage, which had turned out singularly unhappy. Her
+husband, although allowing for the difference of sex, he was scarcely
+older than she herself at the time of the marriage--he was then
+two-and-twenty--had, though so young, already managed to be
+acknowledged as one of the completest _roués_ of all Paris, in spite of
+the keen rivalry of his high-born compeers. He had seen in the innocent
+young girl only an additional mistress whom, after a brief period, one
+could neglect with the greater impunity, since one could feel sure of
+her, and since she, moreover, in spite of, or perhaps, rather because
+of, her pride, did not seem to belong to those troublesome women who
+make 'scenes.' And indeed, after she had realised what, from another
+side, was made clear to her, they had but one 'scene,' but a terrible
+one, a recurrence of which was both impossible and unnecessary. He
+thoroughly understood her then--and she had proved a hundred times the
+stronger of the two. He was allowed to continue his own way of living,
+on the one condition that he did not concern himself in the least about
+hers. And hers? Well, I told you hers was a passionate nature, and she
+was an unhappy wife; that combination can yield nothing but
+unhappiness. Fortunately for her, she was speedily set free from the
+worst impulse, the one which had poisoned and warped her passionate
+nature; for her husband died. She was free once more, and vowed to
+remain free. Not that she did not mean to marry again; in the circles
+where she lived, she could only by a second marriage escape from the
+bondage of those relationships into which one is forced as into a new
+fashion, abominable though you may think either. Her second marriage
+was but to guarantee her a clear position in the world; the other
+guarantees for peace and for freedom she thought she bore within
+herself. And so she made her choice.
+
+"At this period of the story I became intimate with Claudine, whose
+acquaintance I had previously but hurriedly made when travelling. It
+was in Trouville. You know how swiftly people become intimate in a
+watering-place. She introduced to me the victor in the endless row of
+suitors for her hand. After careful examination I could not altogether
+agree with her choice. In most points, it is true, he answered the
+requirements of the programme. He was no longer young--fifty-one,
+or -two; held a high command in the army, and brought her as dower a
+not inglorious past. He had led a wild and wandering life, and been the
+hero of a thousand adventures, but there was not the slightest stain
+upon his name--at least not in the eyes of society. Moreover, though
+not an intellectual man,--which she would have disliked in the long
+run,--he was one of those who are able to captivate even the most
+fastidious company, by their quick perception, their lively
+temperament, and their varied and abundant experience, upon which they
+can, aided by an excellent memory and natural eloquence, draw at all
+times. All this was, as I said, excellent as far as it went; but one
+thing I thought very hazardous--it seemed by no means impossible to me
+that he should still be capable of a serious, passionate attachment,
+and--this comes, almost to the same thing--still capable of inspiring
+it. Now, either lay assuredly beyond the programme which my friend had
+sketched out for herself.
+
+"I told Claudine of my fears. She endeavoured to argue me out of them
+thus: 'What you think to be real and direct light,' she would say, 'is
+nothing but the reflection of the sun that set long ago upon glacial
+Alpine summits. It looks beautiful, and people cry, Ah! and Oh! when
+they see it; and for their sake I would not willingly miss it. But one
+cannot be warmed by it, or set on fire by it! My dear child, with all
+that blaze you could not make your kettle boil, far less rekindle the
+bitter and bare embers of a heart like mine!'
+
+"As far as the gentleman was concerned, Claudine might be right. At
+least the somewhat boastful and exaggerated gallantry with which he
+laid his homage at her feet corresponded, as far as I could judge,
+exactly with her prediction. But how greatly she had been mistaken
+about herself the immediate future was to show.
+
+"There were delays before the marriage could be concluded. Both
+Claudine and her friend had to free themselves from certain tender
+bonds. That required tact, management, caution. Moreover, she had
+become entangled in a law-suit with the family of her first husband,
+which, for some reason or other, might end badly for her, if it became
+known that she was contemplating a second marriage. Enough, absolute
+secrecy regarding their relations and intentions was requisite for some
+considerable time, and they had both taken their measures accordingly.
+Claudine had retired from society, and lived in deepest seclusion near
+Paris, on the estate of a widowed sister of her friend's--she, of
+course, being in the secret. Her friend went to see her when he
+could--which was not often the case. The requirements of the service
+were just then peculiarly exacting, and it was not possible for him to
+indulge in frequent absences, which anyhow, in the case of a man whom
+society did not care to miss, and whose doings society carefully
+controlled, would have caused remarks. The situation became even more
+critical when, in spite of all precaution, Claudine's place of sojourn
+had after a little been discovered, and when she saw herself watched by
+her foes at every turn. At last they scarcely dared to write to each
+other, dreading lest by treason on the part of bribed domestics a
+letter should be intercepted or purloined. It became absolutely
+indispensible to employ a thoroughly trustworthy go-between, on whom,
+at the same time, it should be impossible that suspicion could fall,
+and her friend found one--found him in the person of a young officer in
+his regiment, the son of an old companion in arms who had fallen in the
+last campaign--a young officer whom he loved like his own son, and who
+was likewise devoted to his chief in most loyal love. The youth had
+soon an opportunity of indeed proving that love and loyalty."
+
+Alexandra drew a long breath, as though she were fatigued by the rapid
+low-voiced utterance. In her deep black eyes which now, after a quick
+survey of the still untenanted chamber, she turned upon Bertram again,
+there was an uneasy light, and the soft voice quivered as she went on,
+now speaking even quicker and lower than before, so that Bertram could
+scarcely follow her--
+
+"I must be more brief if I am ever to finish my story. And why, indeed,
+picture in detail to a man like you what you understand without
+comment, and what, understanding, you pardon! Poor Claudine! She
+thought she needed no forgiveness. She thought she was in the right
+when she abandoned herself without resistance to a passion, which
+indeed would seem to have brooked no resistance. I had never observed
+anything like this with any other woman--least of all, God be thanked,
+with myself. I should simply not have deemed it possible. It was like a
+hurricane--a cyclone; it was simply awful! I trembled for the reason,
+for the very life of the unhappy woman: for she could not conceal from
+herself that her passion was not returned, although she, being anyhow
+little accustomed to control herself, and being now solely engaged by
+her own overpowering feelings, neither would nor could hide her great
+love from the handsome young officer. Fortunately for her, the
+catastrophe was not long in coming. Nay, rather, she brought it about
+herself, resolute and energetic as she always was; and now feeling that
+so, and only so, she might yet save herself from herself, she forced
+from him the avowal that his heart was no longer free, that it was
+entirely filled by his love for a charming young girl whose
+acquaintance he had made in a distant garrison-town where a portion of
+his regiment had until recently been quartered, and to whom he had
+become engaged in secret. The youth was bitterly poor, the girl's
+parents were rich and proud; he wanted to have his captain's commission
+before he ventured to apply for her hand, and--dear, dear--they were
+both of them so young and so romantic, and so fond of each other, and
+in their love they were so sure of the future. Why then be niggardly
+with the moment? And secrecy is like a phantastic mask through the
+hollow apertures of which the light in the eyes of those we love shines
+with doubly seductive brilliancy.
+
+"Claudine was at first utterly crushed by a blow which, in spite of
+everything, had found her unprepared--for where is the loving heart
+that would willingly let the last faint gleam of hope die out? Then
+there came a fierce burst of jealous resentment, raging like a fever;
+then she endeavoured to wrap herself in her pride and to see in the
+idol of her heart the last and least of men; and ultimately she
+grovelled at his feet and entreated him to look upon her as his slave,
+and the slave of her whom he loved, and to ask from her what he would,
+to bid her do what he chose, and do it she would by all that she held
+sacred!
+
+"Nor was it long before he took her at her word.
+
+"One day he came to her presence, haggard of look, in a state of
+desperation, scarcely worse than the one over which she herself had but
+so recently triumphed. The girl had sent him back the half-dozen
+letters which he had written to her in the twelvemonth since they were
+separated, and the tiny collection of ribbons and flowers and other
+tokens with which innocent love tries to prove to itself its own
+fabulous fairylike existence. I know not, nor does it matter, how she
+had heard the story of his connection with Claudine; not of course, the
+true story, but a caricature, such as the clumsy hands of one's own
+good friends and the subtle hands of one's foes are equally able to
+sketch and fill in with revolting effectiveness. Anyhow, the young lady
+had made up her mind, and as she belonged to those energetic characters
+that cling tenaciously to their errors, things really looked desperate
+for Claudine's youthful friend. Every attempt on his part to bring an
+understanding about was abruptly refused; the poor fellow at last was
+in downright despair; he told his sorrows to Claudine, who told him
+that she would bring him back the loved one whom, for her sake, he had
+lost; he looked at her with an incredulous smile. How was she--she
+particularly--to manage that?
+
+"But she had never yet let herself be baulked by difficulties if she
+really cared to have her own way, even though, it might have been but a
+whim. And now the noblest impulse that can fill a woman's heart urged
+her to energetic action. Above all, she had to prove to herself, and to
+those to whom she had so greatly boasted, that, though she had become
+unfaithful to her programme, and had not guarded herself against a
+passionate attachment--which she called the only real one of all her
+life--she yet possessed the force to subdue this passion, and to
+re-conquer her own peace of heart. Only personal interference on her
+part could now bring them to the wished-for goal; but that alone would
+not suffice; the friend, too, for whose sake the youth had sacrificed
+himself, must needs come forward. That, of course, would completely put
+an end to the secrecy of their connection, and this just at the moment
+when the lawsuit was at last about to be settled, and when so much
+depended upon having the veil drawn as closely as possible. For herself
+no such consideration existed; but she was by no means sure that her
+friend, who, of course, did not know her real motives, and could never
+be allowed to know them, and who equally, of course, took things much
+more coolly, thought the same; nor did she know at all whether the
+young man would accept the sacrifice. So it became necessary to create
+a situation, which should not leave either of them a choice, whether
+they cared to join or not; and whilst she was cudgelling her brain how
+to bring such a situation about, an unprecedentedly lucky accident had
+already arranged everything according to her wishes, nay, far beyond
+her most daring wishes, in the very best manner possible. To explain
+the full details would take me too long, and is not really called for;
+enough, circumstances over which they could not possibly have control,
+would bring both gentlemen on a given day to the house of the parents
+of the young lady in question. Claudine, still keeping her own counsel,
+managed to get a day's start of them, introduced herself--by what means
+I cannot remember--into the family who, I may add, was absolutely
+unknown to her, and she was, having presumably got hold of some
+excellent letters of recommendation or something of that sort, most
+kindly received by every one, excepting, of course, the young lady
+herself, who, with feelings that can be readily imagined, saw the foe
+suddenly in the secure camp of her parental abode, and avoided her in
+every way. That, Claudine had expected; she looked forward with glee to
+the following day which was to remove all obstacles, solve all enigmas.
+But who can describe her terror when she, who has eyes and ears for
+everything, and who, in a few hours, was completely at home on the new
+and strange ground, discovered among the visitors, besides a suitor
+_sans conséquence_, a man whom an abundance of exquisite gifts and
+qualities and a whole sequence of special relations, every one of which
+spoke for him, might turn, nay, if everything did not belie assurances,
+had already turned into a terrible rival for her young friend. For ..."
+
+Alexandra paused, glancing at the same time at the other room; then she
+said with a laugh which sounded quite natural--
+
+"But I really do not think it right to keep you any longer from the
+rest of the company, and to go on with my experiment as to whether is
+greater, your patience or my garrulousness. Moreover, the rest does not
+properly belong to the story, at least not to the story I meant to tell
+you. Come away!"
+
+She had risen swiftly; Bertram followed her example so hesitatingly
+that she could hardly leave at once. And then, having risen, he
+remained standing, leaning one arm on the mantelpiece, and said--
+
+"What a pity! What a great pity! I should have so much liked hearing
+the rest. The more so, as I believe it contains a new illustration to
+the moral of the fable. Or am I mistaken in assuming that the
+unexpected rival is ... no longer a young man?"
+
+His lips were smiling; still Alexandra thought that his large
+expressive eyes we're resting upon her with a very meaning, very
+searching look; yet she managed to put on an air of surprise, deeming
+it absolutely requisite now.
+
+"Indeed!" she exclaimed. "How very curious! But then there is no hiding
+anything from you clever men!"
+
+"Oh yes, yes. For example, which of the two suitors succeeded--the
+older and younger, or the newer and older?"
+
+"Charming! Charming! An exquisite play on the words. What a suitable
+language yours is for that kind of thing, in the hands of a real
+master, I mean. Ah! which succeeds? Why, the former, of course!"
+
+"I should scarcely have considered it such a matter of course. I should
+not be surprised if, for all that, the young lady's feelings for him
+had never again recovered the former degree of warmth. Your beautiful
+and clever friend, I admire her extremely, but--do not be angry with me
+for what I am going to say--but I had, during your description of her,
+always to think of Circe. There was only one man who left the palace of
+the sorceress with absolute impunity, and he only by the aid of a
+certain herb a god had given him. Now, young and ardent officers are
+not said to meet the god very frequently."
+
+"But I really cannot make the story anything different from what it
+truly was like," cried the Princess, half pouting, half laughing.
+
+"Certainly not; but what became of the man who was no longer young? How
+bore he the loss of hopes to which he had clung all the more
+tenaciously because he had not many more to lose?"
+
+"That, as a punishment for your scepticism, you are to say yourself."
+
+"How can I? Had he been a poet he might have written a novel, after the
+manner of the 'Elective Affinities,' and thus cleared his soul from the
+purgatory of jealousy and humiliation. But being no poet ..."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"I assume it. I am driven to assume things, am I not?"
+
+"Well then?"
+
+"Therefore his ultimate fate is quite problematical to me. There are so
+many and such various possibilities. Perhaps he killed himself, or
+perhaps he married your fair friend."
+
+"My friend--Claudine? Oh, this is exquisite!" The Princess laughed
+aloud, and Bertram laughed too.
+
+"It is not," he said, "after all so very laughable, or at least so very
+improbable. Upon the basis of mutual imperturbability, I should think
+one could erect and overthrow and rebuild relationships, like houses of
+cards."
+
+"Mow malicious!" cried Alexandra, "and yet how true! Claudine must hear
+of this; I must write this to Claudine!"
+
+"For goodness sake not, most gracious lady; or, anyhow, do not mention
+me by name! I travel a good deal, the lady probably too; we might meet
+some day by some unlucky chance, even as the luckiest of chances has
+brought me into your presence. How hideously embarrassed I should be!"
+
+"Very well, your name shall not be mentioned, then. Here is my hand in
+pledge of this."
+
+And she held out to him her small hand with its many rings.
+
+"But now I really must disturb your tête-à-tête," said Hildegard,
+entering from the adjoining drawing-room.
+
+"It is just finished!" the Princess called out to her; then turning
+again to Bertram, she said, "And thank you very much for a most
+charming _causerie_!"
+
+"It is for me to say thank you, my Lady. Your story was most
+interesting, and you told it capitally."
+
+He touched those slim fingers with his lips as Alexandra left him. She
+hurried up to Hildegard, who had remained standing, gazing with great
+wondering eyes at the group by the fireside, and putting her arm
+through that of her hostess and drawing her away with her, the Russian
+lady whispered--
+
+"You are absolutely mistaken, or else the man is the greatest actor I
+ever saw."
+
+Bertram had bent over the fire; with his left hand he was half
+unconsciously stirring up the dying embers in the grate, his right hand
+was laid on the rose he wore, which he wore above a heart now quivering
+in spasmodic agony, and he painfully whispered to himself--
+
+"Ashes to ashes!"
+
+His hand, nerveless, glided down.
+
+"No," he murmured, "no, not yet; I will hear it from herself."
+
+
+
+
+                                  XVI.
+
+
+The company was breaking up now. The gentlemen from the _Oberförsterei_
+were anxious to avail themselves of the momentary cessation of the rain
+for their homeward drive; the Princess, pleading fatigue, had retired,
+and Hildegard speedily gave the signal for retreat to the others.
+
+"We shall have a trying day to-morrow," she said, "we all need rest
+beforehand. And this remark is specially meant for you young ladies; I
+really must request you not to lark and laugh, as is usual with you,
+till a late hour!"
+
+The unexpected visit of Princess Alexandra had considerably diminished
+the available spare rooms, seeing so many were reserved for the
+officers, who were expected on the following day; for her protest
+against having to accept a splendid saloon, a dressing-room, and a
+couple of bedrooms for herself and her maid, had met with no response.
+Hildegard had assured her that there was abundant room, and that she
+blushed as it was at having to offer such humble quarters to so valued
+and cherished a guest. But the two bedrooms had really been originally
+intended for the three sisters von Palm, who had now to be content with
+a tiny chamber in the turret, whilst a bed for Agatha was rigged up in
+Erna's bedroom. Fortunately for the young ladies, the corridor by the
+side of which Erna's rooms were situated, brought one after a very few
+steps to the door of the turret-chamber; and thus, in spite of
+Hildegard's special injunction to the contrary, there was for an hour
+or so plenty of rushing to and fro, and no end of laughing and giggling
+and eager secret whispering and chattering, until at last 'Granny'
+Agatha blew out the light in her sisters' room, and drawing with her
+Erna, who this evening was in the highest spirits imaginable, groped
+her way to the door.
+
+"I could not bear your mirth any longer," she said, when they had
+arrived in Erna's room; "I thought every moment ... Good Heaven! I knew
+how it would be."
+
+She had begun to undo her hair before the mirror, and now started on
+hearing a pitiful moan. Erna was sitting in a low chair by her own
+bedside, both hands pressed to her face. The slender frame seemed
+shaken as though by a fit of ague, the gentle bosom rose and fell
+feverishly, and her breath came and went with difficulty, as if she
+were moaning. Her friend was now kneeling by her side, and held her
+clasped with both arms; her head fell on Agatha's shoulder, and at last
+the long-repressed tears welled forth in a violent flood. She was
+weeping as though her very heart must break.
+
+"My poor, poor Erna! My own sweet love! Weep, weep away! Better this,
+better far than that awful unnatural mirth of yours all day. You will
+come round now. You will be again my own sensible Erna. Poor, unhappy,
+darling child! All things will come right now. It is impossible for any
+one not to love you, and, believe me, he, too, loves you still."
+
+"I would not have his love. I am no longer thinking of him. I hate, I
+loathe him!"
+
+"Then why should you weep like this?"
+
+Erna started to her feet, flinging off Agatha's protecting arm.
+
+"Do you think I weep for him?"
+
+She was pacing up and down the bed-chamber. Her long hair, which she
+had previously undone, fell in dark masses over her neck and bosom; her
+face was aglow, her eyes were flashing wildly.
+
+"For him? Never say that again! For him, forsooth! I have wept for very
+shame, because that woman dares to come before me, and I must bear it!
+because I cannot step up to her and hurl defiance at her painted face:
+Away from this house--honest people live here! Even audacity should
+have its bounds, and hers is boundless!"
+
+Agatha had now risen from her knees, and was sitting in her chair
+casting looks of pain at Erna and waiting in patience, until at least
+the first tempest of wrath should have passed.
+
+"I am sure," she said at last, "that he does not even know that she is
+here, and--you are sure, too."
+
+"And were it so," cried Erna, "what does it alter? The sting lies in
+her daring to do it at all. She would not do so, did she not know from
+the beginning how he will take it. Perhaps he will be terrified just at
+first--I dare say he will--and then he will thank her for having had
+the base courage to help him to achieve this vile triumph. In fact,
+they are a worthy couple!"
+
+"It would be quite too terrible," said Agatha, shaking her head.
+"People cannot be as bad as that; it is impossible."
+
+"Oh, of course!" cried Erna scornfully; "quite impossible; as
+impossible as that he will himself be here to-morrow."
+
+"But, Erna, an officer is surely bound to go to any place to which he
+is ordered. In such a case he has no will of his own."
+
+"Then he should have a pistol of his own, and rather put a bullet into
+his head than let a shameless woman make him figure in such a
+spectacle, if indeed she, the wretch, has arranged a spectacle for my
+humiliation. But she is very much mistaken. I shall not let her have
+her triumph. I, even I, shall triumph. Let her boast of her conquest, I
+shall outshine it and her by far. Oh! how I look forward to to-morrow's
+joy! What are a thousand like him to the best of men, the only one?"
+
+"Erna! Erna!!" cried Agatha aghast, lifting both her folded hands in
+agonised entreaty, "I conjure you, do not go too far. Do not make
+yourself for ever unhappy. Do not make Kurt unhappy...."
+
+"Do not mention his name!" Erna exclaimed. "I wish to hear no more."
+
+"I must mention his name, for I must speak of him, and you must hear
+me, lest you do something of which you will for ever and ever repent."
+
+"Why repent? I love Bertram!"
+
+"You do not."
+
+"Can you read in my heart?"
+
+"Yes, dear, better than you can yourself, being now blinded by passion.
+And however angrily you may look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours,
+that I myself am in love with, and though you send me away for good and
+all, and though I cry myself to death for love of you--I should not be
+loving you, and I should not be your poor, unhappy 'Granny' if ..."
+
+Poor child! She could get no further. Like Erna half an hour ago, she
+was now sitting, her hands pressed to her face, weeping convulsively,
+and now Erna was kneeling by her side, and tried to draw those hands
+away from her countenance, and begged her to calm herself, and to be
+fond of her again, and to be once more her own good 'Granny.'
+
+Then--neither could have said how the change of scene had been brought
+about--Erna was lying in her bed, and Agatha, in her nightgown, was
+sitting on the edge of the bedstead, and all they had discussed during
+these last days in many a fragmentary talk was once more, and now
+connectedly, discussed between them. But if clever Agatha had flattered
+herself that she would thus induce the fair penitent to see that her
+little soul was not, after all, as black as she thought in her
+excitement, that hope was not destined to be fulfilled; the very
+contrary happened. With every word she uttered Erna seemed to talk
+herself more and more into a passion, in the existence of which Agatha
+would not, and yet all but had to, believe, when her friend now
+recapitulated all her relations to Bertram, beginning with that first
+meeting in the woods, and continuing her account, to this very evening,
+and when Erna tried to prove from a hundred minute details, which she
+strung together with marvellous logic, that there was on her part no
+whim, no caprice, no aberration of an extravagant fancy, no
+satisfaction of injured pride, no despair, no, nought but true and
+genuine love that knew no bounds, and knew only the one doubt whether
+she herself was worthy of the man she loved. But not unworthy because
+she had once before thought herself in love. That was a necessary error
+for the sake of getting her to understand herself; to convince her that
+love was not an intoxication, but a deep and clear sentiment attracting
+and absorbing all other feeling and thought, even as a mighty stream
+absorbs the springs and brooks around; and now in her love, like banks
+in the waves of a stream, were mirrored her whole existence, her past
+and her present, mirrored and beautified, made far more glorious than
+reality.
+
+Erna's words flowed on, not unlike the object of the image in which she
+saw her life and love; and her voice, although pitched so low, had such
+a curiously intense ring, and her great eyes, which were opened wide,
+shone so strangely in the flickering light of the tall candles upon the
+dressing-table, that poor Agatha was almost beside herself with terror.
+Was Erna still aware of what she was saying? Was she raving? And,
+horrible to think of, could she be going mad?
+
+"Erna! Erna!" she cried aloud, seizing and pressing both her hands.
+"Awake, awake! I have just been counting it up--when you are
+eight-and-thirty, like your mother now, he will be seventy--only he
+will never reach that age."
+
+Erna gave a contemptuous smile.
+
+"I thought so!" she said. "As if time had anything to do with love! As
+if one year during which I can serve him, love him, did not outweigh a
+century! O Agatha, how meanly you think of love! And if he dies
+to-morrow, I'll die with him! There, that is the way I count, and I
+think it is simple and plain enough."
+
+Despair lent Agatha courage enough to revert to the one point on which,
+as she had observed more than once during the last day or two, Erna was
+most sensitive.
+
+"I will grant it all," she said. "I will believe all you assert about
+yourself, for I cannot read your heart. But Herr Bertram's heart is not
+your heart, and what is going on in his heart, Heaven only knows; you
+do not know it, at least he has never betrayed it to you by word or
+look. And I hold that he would have done so long ago if he loved you.
+What reasons should he have for hiding his love?"
+
+"A thousand!" exclaimed Erna. "Or is it not a reason that he should
+have tortured himself for days with the idea that I might be fond of
+the Baron?"
+
+"That idea he has assuredly given up ere this."
+
+"Then, that mamma will be furious."
+
+"For all that, he might tell you what he feels for you."
+
+"And what if he doubts whether I love him?"
+
+"Good Heavens, dearest! how can he doubt that?"
+
+"He can indeed. During the first few days I was not clear about it
+myself. And when I was feeling that I loved him, I often was odd and
+capricious and defiant; and above all, when I discovered that the
+letter was missing from my blotting-book, and I hunted for it
+everywhere, and when suddenly it turned up again, having in the
+meantime passed through I do not know how many hands, and having very
+surely been read by mamma too--I was so indignant, I could see that he
+sometimes did not know what to think of me."
+
+"You did not make him feel your indignation; on the contrary, you gave
+him one token of your favour after the other."
+
+"And in that I did right, for I was determined to let mamma see that I
+was not afraid of her wrath."
+
+"And that rose to-day! and your prayer that he should stay--for your
+sake! Was that right too?"
+
+"Was I to let him go to-morrow?"
+
+"If he wanted to go, was it for you to keep him? Erna, there is but one
+thing wanting now. Why not say to him: 'Will you marry me?'"
+
+"And I should not think it shame to say so, if I were sure that he
+wished me to do so. Yes, yes; he does wish it; I see it clearly now; he
+wishes to avoid even the semblance of suspicion of having beguiled and
+over-persuaded me; he wishes it on account of my father and mother.
+Well, God be thanked, now I know what I have to do to-morrow."
+
+"Nay, the pity of it, Erna, the pity of it, that you can talk in such a
+way; for it is impossible that you should really think so, really do
+it. My proud Erna cannot forget herself so far. I entreat you, by our
+great friendship, Erna, follow my advice in this one thing; if it must
+be, let him at least say the first word--the word that then will be
+decisive of your fate; and then let come what God will!"
+
+She had folded her hands as if in prayer; big tears were coursing down
+her cheeks. The simple expression of her great grief touched Erna. She
+embraced "Granny" and kissed her, and promised at last that she would
+do what Agatha kept asking of her again and again.
+
+"And now get to your bed, you poor child! You are so wearied, and I
+too."
+
+Agatha had already lain quietly in bed for an hour or so, mournfully
+thinking it all over again, and assuming that Erna, who did not stir
+either, had fallen asleep, when suddenly she thought that she heard
+subdued sobs.
+
+"Erna!"
+
+No answer.
+
+"Erna! If it comes out that Kurt is really innocent, what will you do?"
+
+Again no answer.
+
+Had she been mistaken? Had Erna wept in her sleep? Had she really asked
+that question of Erna? Or had she only thought of it?
+
+
+
+
+                                 XVII.
+
+
+It was a day of tremendous excitement for all the in habitants of
+Rinstedt. True, the arrival of the soldiers was not to occur before
+four o'clock in the afternoon, but it was known that the corps to which
+the 99th belonged had been on the march from the north since four
+o'clock in the morning, in order to take possession of certain
+positions whence they were to operate against the fortress. And that
+might turn out an awkward job, for not only was the fortress strongly
+manned, but there was also approaching from the west, in forced
+marches, a large hostile corps, and against them the 99th would have to
+be on their guard, if they did not mean to get wedged in between them
+and the garrison, who were simply awaiting the moment for making a
+sally. Thus the attacking party being themselves attacked, might get
+into desperate straits.
+
+The village-mayor had expounded this situation to the farmers,
+and he ought to know. He had been only three days ago to see his
+brother-in-law, who was employed in the War-Office branch at Erfurt. He
+had himself served in the French war as sergeant, and in that capacity
+he had, during the fighting about Orleans, been in command of a
+company, every officer of which was dead or _hors de combat_. And as
+almost half his auditory consisted of men who had served in the army,
+and who only required to draw upon the ample treasury of their
+experiences and reminiscences, in order to confirm or contradict the
+assertions of their chief, there had been no lack of eager discussion
+in the village inn. But from the very beginning the opposition had not
+been strong, and ultimately it was almost completely silenced. The
+whole village now stood like one man on the side of the attacking
+party, and the 99th was only spoken of as "Our Regiment." Their arrival
+was looked forward to with the utmost impatience, as though they were
+bringing relief and release from some yoke long borne.
+
+My Lady's urgent appeal to give "Our Regiment" a brilliant reception,
+and to let nothing be wanting, had met with the readier a response,
+since she had not only, with customary liberality, taken upon herself
+the cost of any "extraordinaria," to use the expression of the
+village-mayor, but in the case of the poorer inhabitants in whose
+houses accommodation and larder were not of the best, had specially
+promised to pay for anything and everything, and had actually freely
+distributed money beforehand. The mansion-house was moreover setting
+the village a capital example. The long winding road up to the house
+was transformed into a _via triumphalis_ with towering poles, from
+which fluttered the German and Thuringian flags, with garlands of
+fir-branches stretching from pole to pole all the way up the hill, up
+to the richly-decorated portals which opened upon the equally
+decked-out great courtyard. And at night a ball in the mansion-house,
+and fireworks on the village-common in front of the lowest flight of
+the terrace-steps, with blue-lights and what not!--No wonder that the
+young barbarians of the village, down to the tiniest lads and lasses,
+were only kept from breaking out into frantic disorder by being
+employed, for days beforehand, in lending a hand in the preparation of
+all these glories.
+
+And yet, much to Hildegard's dismay, it seemed doubtful whether
+everything would be ready in time. Her own attention was fully absorbed
+indoors by the preparations for banquet and ball; and now, at the last
+moment, the Baron had to go to town on business that brooked no delay,
+and she had to entrust the supreme command of the department of the
+exterior to new hands: fortunately Herr von Busche, the young gentleman
+from the Forests and Woods' Office, was willing to take the Baron's
+place.
+
+But yesterday Hildegard would, under no circumstances, have allowed the
+Baron to go, for then his star was still in the ascendant, whilst now
+it was sinking rapidly. For the Princess he no longer existed, after
+she had given her judgment upon him last night; she had not observed
+his entry into the breakfast room, had not returned his bow, just as
+though the not inconsiderable space filled by his presence had been
+vacant. And the Grand Duke had a certain antipathy to this man; and
+even his father's old friend, the influential Court-marshal, did not
+dare to stand up for him energetically. No one seemed to favour him at
+Court, except Princess Amelia, whose caprices, it was notorious, were
+frequently as changing as the phases of the moon. And then that ugly
+Monaco story! It was, of course, not possible that Lotter could be the
+man--gracious goodness, no! Nor had Alexandra said so! But--one ought
+not to have an awkward likeness to people who figure so unpleasantly in
+the memory of distinguished visitors; and then--and this made the
+matter peculiarly unpleasant for Hildegard--she was aware that the
+Baron, even if he was no gambler, was very fond of high play. Up to
+last night this had been one of his gentlemanly foibles, now it was a
+wicked passion which he who was wooing Erna had no right to indulge in!
+
+It was nearly eleven o'clock when the Baron went to find Otto, to ask
+for a carriage to take him to town, and to tell him at the same time
+the drift of the disagreeable news which he had received from home. A
+younger brother, in the army of course, had contracted debts, and was
+on the point of being cashiered if those debts--in the contracting of
+which there would seem to have been some discreditable element or
+other--were not forthwith paid. His relatives, poor people every one of
+them, were incapable of helping the young man; as a last refuge they
+had applied to him, the elder brother, who, though not likely to be
+himself possessed of the necessary means, might yet probably be able to
+obtain the money on loan from the wealthy friends with whom he was on
+such good terms. Could Otto help him in an embarrassment that was
+weighing more heavily upon him than any one of his own making had ever
+done? It was not a big sum which he required--a mere miserable three
+thousand thalers!
+
+Otto was quite distressed. His stock of cash was exhausted by the
+incessant demands that Hildegard had made upon him during the last few
+days, and to-morrow he would have to redeem that mortgage of five
+thousand thalers which he had mentioned to Bertram, without as yet
+knowing where to lay his hands on the money. The moment, of which
+Bertram had said that it would very surely come, was at hand, had, in
+fact, virtually come already; the terrible moment when he must discover
+his situation to his wife. And yet his wife could parry the first
+thrust for him. He had in the course of years given her, on different
+occasions, considerable sums of money as special donations, and all
+this was invested in excellent securities, though she was for ever
+spending the interest beforehand. He loathed the idea of claiming back
+a portion of the money from her, and he had vowed that he would not do
+so, come what might. But still a man will do for a friend what he would
+not have the courage to do for himself; and so he told the Baron that,
+being for the moment unable to oblige him himself, he would ask
+Hildegard to do so, and he felt sure that she would willingly render
+this small service to her _protégé_. The Baron hesitated for a moment,
+but opined that one could not discuss such things with women; he would
+find help some other way. He then begged Otto to make his excuses to
+the ladies--who were not to be found, and promised to return, if not
+for dinner, at the latest before the beginning of the ball; managed to
+see Lydia, and so drove off.
+
+Otto would have liked nothing better than to have gone with him. The
+ground beneath him seemed to be on fire. To-day the all-important
+debate in Parliament was coming off. If the vote was in his favour, he
+really might, without being too sanguine, expect his factories to rise
+so greatly in value as to enable him, after all, to weather the
+threatening storm. But, with an adverse vote, he knew he was ruined,
+and he kept repeating this to himself, unless he would take the extreme
+step of requesting Bertram's assistance. Bertram certainly would not
+refuse it, but, as assuredly, he could not ask for it, considering the
+awkward relations now subsisting between his wife and his friend.
+
+After considerable hesitation, Hildegard had the day before yesterday
+communicated to him her suspicions that no one but Bertram was standing
+in the way of the alliance upon which she had set her heart. She wisely
+refrained from mentioning the impure source from which she had drawn
+her suspicions--though it was not of a suspicion that she spoke to her
+husband, but of a fact. Poor Otto naturally had to express the utmost
+horror, though at heart he was anything but dissatisfied. He would
+certainly have liked Erna to have a younger husband, but he himself
+loved and admired the friend of his youth sincerely, and if Erna loved
+him in her own way, why she had always had a taste of her own; he had
+never comprehended her; she would herself know best how it stood with
+her heart; and then if Bertram, as friend, would gladly have helped
+him, as son-in-law he would very surely have done so, and in that case,
+he too would get over the shrinking which he felt now. But it was not
+to be. Hildegard would never sanction it, and yet, how strange, just as
+he was returning to the house after seeing the Baron off, here was
+Hildegard coming to explain that she had been absolutely mistaken about
+Bertram, that Bertram was completely innocent, that she had to crave
+his forgiveness for much, and that she would be truly disconsolate if
+Bertram were to go away after all, as she concluded from some hints of
+Konski's. Would Otto please go up to him at once and make sure of his
+staying? She would do so herself, but she really had not a moment to
+spare, for, he could judge for himself, the Princess did not leave her
+alone for a minute.
+
+Otto knew not whether to rejoice or to grieve over the new turn of
+events. He had, suffered intensely from the tension between his wife
+and his friend; and that things were right once more and better than
+ever, was of course very nice and pleasant. But with Hildegard's
+assurance that Bertram was not thinking of marrying Erna, there
+vanished the last ray of hope that help in his need would come from
+that quarter. Moreover, he said to himself that Bertram would never
+dream of going without speaking once more, for the last time, of his
+money difficulties and repeating the previous offer; and Otto was
+afraid of himself, afraid he might be weak enough to close with the
+offer. So he promised Hildegard that he would at once go to Bertram and
+try every means in his power to induce him to stay, but he did not go.
+There really seemed no need for all this hurry. Bertram could not leave
+without asking for a carriage too. And that had not yet been done.
+Perhaps it would not be done at all, and in that case, why needlessly
+bring such terrible excitement on one's self? And again, Herr von
+Busche was sure not to get on with the decoration of the portals unless
+he went to help him. Hildegard had been saying all along that the old
+Gothic structure, being the termination of the _via triumphalis_, must
+also be the chief point of splendour. Hildegard should be really
+pleased.
+
+And five minutes later Otto was waging furious war with Herr Von
+Busche, who wanted the flag of the country to float from the left-hand
+balcony, whilst Hildegard had given express orders that it should float
+from the right-hand one.
+
+Hildegard had meanwhile hurried to rejoin the Princess; she had not
+exaggerated,--Alexandra really would scarce leave her for a moment. She
+was bent upon knowing how, on such an occasion, things were managed in
+a German household. She could not, she said, form any idea of it,
+because in Russia all these things were left to the steward and other
+officials, and the hostess, like her guests, was simply among the
+spectators. It would be such a pleasure to her to be allowed to peep
+behind the scenes for once; if Hildegard was really fond of her, if
+ever so little, she should not deny her the treat. Hildegard did not
+find it too difficult to overcome the first shyness which she felt at
+such an odd request being made. The arrangements about her kitchens,
+pantries, and store-rooms were as splendid and in as grand a style as
+in any princely palace, quite in keeping with the colossal preparations
+for the entertainment; she could modestly accept the many exclamations
+of amazement and admiration which the young Princess indulged in
+lavishly, as a fit and proper tribute. But mere idle admiration did not
+satisfy Alexandra; she insisted upon lending a helping hand, and
+pushing back her rich lace sleeves from her fair white arms, she seized
+a big wooden spoon, and, to the delight of all the servants employed
+about the kitchen, she set to work stirring up a pudding. With all this
+exuberance of good-humour she was so charmingly amiable, so utterly
+free from all affectation, and the wildest nonsense she indulged in
+suited her so quaintly and funnily, that Hildegard was positively
+enchanted, and called upon Lydia in passing, to study in the appearance
+and demeanour of the Princess the mighty difference which existed
+between a really gifted woman and one who merely affected to be clever,
+and who thereby only provoked the scornful laughter of really clever
+people.
+
+These cruel words were the first she had addressed to Lydia since last
+night.
+
+It was impossible for the Baron to fall so suddenly into dire disgrace
+without involving Lydia in his fall; nay, in Hildegard's eyes she was,
+if possible, the guiltier of the two. Had she not been incessantly
+singing the Baron's praises, giving the most glowing testimony to him,
+been scarcely able to paint the great position he enjoyed at Court in
+sufficiently bright colours; and all this, of course, solely to beguile
+her unsuspecting hostess and to deceive her in reference to her own
+intentions as to Bertram. Serve her right, the story-teller, if she was
+completely foiled in her intentions! And now, as though the measure of
+her iniquity had not been already abundantly full, she must actually
+bring these terrible charges against poor innocent Bertram; must needs,
+to confirm and apparently substantiate these charges, commit a theft,
+and make her--a mother--an accomplice, forcing that miserable letter
+upon her, which, as it turned out now, had been nothing more than the
+harmless enough effusion of a somewhat overstrained imagination that
+the child had indulged in--well, well, the time would come when she
+could show the intriguing old maid this long list of offences;
+meanwhile, silent contempt should be her well-deserved, only far too
+lenient, chastisement.
+
+Now, it is true she had broken through her contemptuous silence, but
+poor Lydia knew her friend quite well enough to be aware of the evil
+plight into which she had fallen. And had she been still able to have
+any doubt on the subject, the reproaches with which the Baron had
+overwhelmed her would certainly have enlightened her. Last night, even,
+he had ventilated his bad humour by all sorts of bitter and scornful
+utterances; but to-day, when he had sought Lydia in the garden after
+his conversation with Otto, and before he hurried off to town, his
+wrath knew no bounds. This, then, he sneered, was his boasted firm
+position in the house! A casual adventuress could come and deprive him
+in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, of the good graces of the
+mother--in those of her daughter he had long since ceased to believe
+anyhow--rob him of the father's friendship, and expose him to a
+treatment no commercial traveller would put up with! And he would not
+put up with it, not he; Lydia might be sure--quite sure of that! He
+would prove it to the miserable toady and sycophant who changed her
+friends as readily as her gloves; to the poor henpecked husband, the
+miser who could not even spare a few dirty thousands to a friend in
+need of help; he would prove to them that a Lotter-Vippach was not to
+be insulted with impunity. And, above all, that conceited amorous old
+pedant should suffer for it, for he, of course, had set the whole train
+going against him! If Lydia,--if the others, could not or would not
+see, he kept his eyes open, and was not to be taken in; he knew what
+was what, and ... but they should see. And to-night, to the sorrow and
+annoyance of his so-called friends, who would wish him far enough, he
+would make a point of turning up in good time. Would Fräulein Lydia be
+gracious enough to reserve the first Lancers for her obedient servant?
+
+So, with a mocking bow, he had hurried away, leaving Lydia in sorrow
+and terror. But the terror was greater than the sorrow. She had never
+seen the Baron like this, never dreamed that he could be like this.
+What if he carried out his threats! His eyes had been bloodshot and had
+a glassy kind of stare; and then his laugh had been awful; and he was a
+great strong man, assuredly in physical strength ever so much the
+superior of poor delicate Bertram. What if the Baron were to-night to
+bring about a scene, have recourse to actual violence! What will men
+not do in rage and despair!
+
+Her old love for Bertram, which after all she had felt in her own way,
+and which long ago she had sacrificed to her vanity and worldliness,
+was stirring again. Lydia felt it, and was enraptured. True, she had
+been lying and cheating to reach a certain goal that pure calculation
+had fixed. Still, she was a better woman than she had thought herself.
+She had thought that she was following the dictates of her reason only,
+and lo! she had unconsciously remained faithful to her own heart. She
+knew it now, at the moment when a serious danger was threatening the
+loved one. And, curiously, although during the last few days she had
+positively given up all hope of regaining the loved one, and had in
+envy and anger seen him in the bonds of affection for a fair young
+rival--an affection which, moreover, was warmly reciprocated; yet she
+suddenly began to doubt the justice of her observations; the old dreams
+were coming back and asserted that they were a reality, and that
+everything else was but a chimera. All, all would yet come right.
+Falsehood and hypocrisy had been powerless; truth and love, however,
+would be omnipotent!
+
+Then she began to rehearse in her mind that unfortunate letter which
+she had purloined in order to gain a clear insight into Erna's
+sentiments, now endeavouring to give the gentlest interpretation to
+every word that referred to Bertram; she remembered, too, the passage
+which seemed to refer to a former love affair of Erna's. But she and
+Hildegard, eager only to discover what they most, or rather what they
+only, feared, namely, an attachment to Bertram, had added no weight to
+the brief allusion in question. Some childish "dancing-lesson
+fondness," Hildegard had said, and she had assented to it, partly to
+guard against the possibility of the reproach that she, in her
+responsible position as Erna's educator and second mother, had
+overlooked or actually allowed any serious attachment on her part.
+"Betrayed"--that surely was plain enough, and made many things clear,
+even though in itself it was hard to understand, was, in fact, all but
+absolutely incomprehensible. Such a charming creature as Erna no one is
+likely to betray, no one at least who is in possession of his five
+senses, as young gentlemen generally are. If the thing was anything
+more than a passing fancy--and that one had to assume, considering how
+averse from anything frivolous Erna was--then her easily-wounded pride
+must have brought the rupture about, and it might yet be healed; and if
+it were healed, would turn the child from her caprice for Bertram,
+would set Bertram free again, if indeed he had allowed himself to be
+captivated by Erna's unconcealed admiration for him, set him free for
+herself, his first, his true, his only love!
+
+With fancies like these, Lydia, now banished from the favour and the
+presence of Hildegard, was wandering along the garden-terraces, now
+dissolved in tears and lamenting her bitter lot, now smiling
+complacently and congratulating herself upon a happiness which was all
+the more precious the longer she had been compelled to wait for it. If
+she were now to meet Erna, if she could have an explanation with her,
+become reconciled to her, prove to her in very truth how well she meant
+by her! She was in the very mood for this, and here was Erna coming
+along! The shrinking which she often felt in the presence of the proud
+and self-willed girl was making itself perceptible again, but one swift
+glance showed her that Erna had been weeping quite recently, and that
+she could risk it now.
+
+Erna had been weeping quite recently, and so indeed she had done ever
+since last night, whenever she felt sure that no one was looking upon
+her despair. For the gentle creature was in despair. All through the
+long sleepless night she had seemed to hear Agatha's whispered
+question, "What will you do if it comes out that Kurt is innocent?" She
+had seemed to hear it like the voice of a warning angel, and neither
+head nor heart had been able to reply anything but, again and again:
+"In that case I have betrayed him, and I have made him unhappy." Could
+he be innocent? She had struggled so long against the belief in Kurt's
+guilt, and had only accepted it when he declared that he could not
+explain his relations to the Russian lady; no, not even to her, from
+whom, for the sake of their love, he was to expect entire confidence;
+for confidence was the very soul and at the same time the touchstone of
+love. Alas, she knew yet another and a more terrible touchstone, and
+that was the jealousy which she had cherished in secret towards the
+unknown lady, and which had blazed up brightly when yesterday she
+beheld her, the hated temptress, in the splendour of her youth, beauty,
+and grace. In vain did she struggle against the charm which the lady
+seemed to radiate; in vain did she declare everything about her to be
+unreal, except her diamonds perhaps; with every furtive glance at her
+rival she felt herself more and more fascinated, allured, beguiled,
+and, in equal measure, conquered, and at last crushed.
+
+It was a terrible state which wrapped her poor fluttering heart in
+absolute night, and yet even then there was something like a faint
+glimmering of the star of hope. If Kurt had ever loved her--and he
+had--he had done so once--how could he love another woman, who, however
+charming and seductive, was yet in all things the very opposite of
+herself? Kurt, who had so often assured her that he hated all display
+and all vanity, that he loved her because there was nothing of display,
+nothing, of vanity about her, because she was his own rose, which, in
+its dewy freshness, he would not exchange for a world of brilliant
+exotics!
+
+And his large brown eyes had shone down upon her so gravely and
+lovingly as he spoke, and his lips had trembled with genuine
+emotion--and had all this been naught but lies on the part of him whom
+she in her turn had loved, because he had appeared to her as a lofty
+and lordly image of truthfulness and fidelity?
+
+It could not be.
+
+But then, again, what had she done? What was she to do when the other
+one, that good and noble man, to whom--so Agatha said, and her own
+heart could not but confirm it--she had given such unequivocal proof of
+her affection, when he came into her presence and said: "I have come to
+take you at your word. Not all the Flavios in the world would have kept
+Hilarie from loving her uncle, had she been convinced that he truly
+loved her. And you know it: I love you!" What could she do, but, with
+Hilarie, say: "I am yours for ever"? He would not fall at her feet
+and exclaim: "You make me the happiest man beneath the sun," but she
+knew,--she knew that he would be happy!
+
+Ah me!--why had she not obeyed the voice which called to her that first
+evening when she met him in the wood, and he laid his heart open to
+her: "Open thy heart to him too," the voice had said, "tell him all."
+That would have been the time, the only right time. For the very next
+day she had read in his eyes what now made her so proud--so happy. So
+happy? Gracious heavens!
+
+This was happiness, was it, that she now desired nothing better than
+death, swift death, to escape from the torments that tore her heart to
+pieces?
+
+Did he divine nothing of these torments! Why had he not come to her
+last night? He might surely have spared her a minute--he had given the
+Princess a full hour. It was, perhaps, a relief, a sort of recreation,
+for him, seeing he had so long had to dispense with any intellectual
+conversation. Was she perchance the beautiful widow in the novelette
+who consoled the uncle for the loss of Hilarie? And had Hilarie already
+got to the point of wishing and longing for such consolation for her
+uncle?
+
+Her shamefaced gaze wandered up to Bertram's windows, under which she
+had arrived--not quite unintentionally. What if he were to appear
+above--signalling: "Wait, I am coming down!"
+
+Like a startled fawn she flitted away to one of the terrace-walks,
+behind whose protecting wall she could not be seen from those windows
+of his, and burst into tears, as she became conscious of her cowardice.
+Lydia appeared at the opposite entrance; she could not avoid Lydia now;
+she bent toward the espalier, to dry her eyes unobserved, and lo! there
+was Lydia at her side, at her feet, clasping Erna's knees, pressing her
+face against Erna's robe, sobbing.
+
+It was a theatrical display, such as Lydia employed on all possible
+occasions, suitable or otherwise; Erna knew that well enough. But she
+had not the courage to tear herself away; never a harsh or ironical
+expression came forth from her to-day; nay, she all but envied a human
+being that found such expression for its feelings, whatever they might
+be. She endeavoured to raise the kneeling lady.
+
+"I must remain on my knees until you have pardoned me," murmured Lydia.
+
+"I'll do anything you wish--but rise, rise, I entreat you!"
+
+She had drawn Lydia up and away into a niche in the wall, thus gaining
+at least some shelter from the eyes of the servants, many of whom were
+still busy everywhere up and down the terraces with the preparations
+for the illumination.  There was a stone bench with a stone table in
+front inside the niche. Lydia sank down upon the bench, laid her face,
+covered by her hands, against the edge of the table, and murmured her
+miserable confession of guilt in a voice which was scarcely audible,
+owing to her constant weeping and sobbing. She had, she whined out,
+found out by questioning the servants that the letter had not been
+sent, which Erna had on the morning in question written beneath the
+plantain tree, and which, she assumed, was certainly addressed to
+Agatha; and she had, moreover, learned from Agatha--who evidently
+suspected nothing--that she had received no letter just before her
+departure from home. Then, passing through Erna's rooms, she had seen
+her blotting-book lying about, unlocked, as she had been astonished to
+notice. Then she had been unable to resist the temptation of trying if
+the letter was still there. The letter had been there--a sort of
+dizziness had come over her, and--
+
+"I said to myself," she went on, "that you have no secrets from Agatha,
+that you were likely to have written to her what you felt towards
+Bertram, whether you loved him--I required to know it--my future, my
+happiness, my salvation--all, all depended upon that one question. Have
+pity on a poor wretched woman whom jealousy made a criminal--against
+her own child, too! for I have ever loved you as my own child, ever,
+and would gladly have sacrificed all for you, all, only not this--the
+trial was too much for my strength."
+
+Then Lydia in her self-abasement and grief wept bitterly. Again Erna
+felt it strange that she did not spring up from her place beside the
+weeping old woman, did not leave her alone with her silliness and her
+lies; that she could listen to her exaggerated and sentimental twaddle
+without positive disgust. There was something stirring within her that
+she was frightened at herself--something almost like a wish that, this
+time, Lydia might not be lying.
+
+Lydia noticed through the veil of tears in which she had wrapt herself
+that Erna was accepting her confession much more favourably than she
+had dared to hope. This gave her courage enough to pursue to the utmost
+the advantage thus already gained.
+
+"I cannot and will not try to prove that I have been quite free from
+blame," she cried. "I have been vain and frivolous. I did yield to the
+temptation of becoming Countess of Finkenburg! Many more would have
+yielded who cannot retrace, like one of the family of von Aschhof, the
+long line of their ancestors to the time of the Crusaders, and who do
+not, as we do, have Moors' heads in their escutcheons! But vanity and
+frivolity alone did not make me do it. I was honestly convinced that
+this alliance with a poor lady of high lineage, who would bring him no
+other dower but her many claims and wants, could be nought but a
+hindrance to Bertram; that he might have made, and probably thereafter
+would make, a better and a more suitable choice if I released him from
+his engagement. Indeed, indeed; if I could but have divined how he
+would take it to heart, nothing in the world would have made me act as
+I did. And now I would give everything in the world to atone, as far as
+I still may, for what I did. Must it really be out of the question,
+dearest? Look here. He is about fifty years of age, and how long will
+it be before he is an old man? He is very delicate too. His servant
+tells me that he suffers from palpitation of the heart, and from
+insomnia, and that his Berlin doctor has enjoined upon him no end of
+precautions and care for these travels of his. Why then, he really
+needs some one who will nurse him and who will patiently bear with all
+his sickly caprices--all sick folk are capricious, don't you know? I
+know it but too well; I saw it in the case of my own uncle, the
+Minister of State, whom every one thought a very lamb in the way of
+kind, gentle equanimity, and who was so until one of his asthmatic
+attacks came upon him; and then never a living soul could bear to stay
+near him. Yes, yes, one must have gone through these things to know;
+and may God in His mercy keep you, my own dear, sweet, good child, from
+ever knowing it, from mourning away your sweet young life by the side
+of a broken-down man who has no passion left, save his books and his
+politics. If his politics call him he must needs follow, and poor
+Konski must pack the trunks. Poor fellow, Konski! I spoke to him a
+little while ago; he'd like to stay and see all the fun that is coming
+now with these man[oe]vres here, and what not. Besides, I rather think
+he is in love with Aurora. But he says there is no help for it, and off
+they go to-morrow, his master and he. Perhaps it is right enough, for
+the Baron is furious with him, and I really know not what the Baron
+will do, unless you convince him that he has been mistaken, like the
+rest of us. Oh, that we had! My own sweet child, you would be restoring
+peace and happiness to us all, and I would never weary of kissing your
+dear hands, nay, the very hem of your garment!"
+
+She covered Erna's hands and robe with kisses. Erna let her have her
+way, she paid no heed to what Lydia was saying and doing; there she sat
+gazing fixedly across the gardens and across the village on the
+mountain slope, where a portion of the high road was visible which led
+from the north across the hills to Rinstedt. Lydia, following the
+direction of Erna's gaze, saw what Erna saw--a great cloud of dust,
+with occasional flashes of bright arms, winding down the high road, and
+now there came, softened by the great distance but still distinctly
+audible, the sound of the drum; and below, at the entrance to the
+village, they fired a cannon as a signal that the regiment was coming
+up.
+
+Erna started as though the shot had gone through her heart!
+
+"For goodness sake, child, what ails you?" exclaimed Lydia, terrified
+on noticing the pallor of her cheek and her fixed rigid look.
+
+And again she was terrified when Erna suddenly flung herself into her
+arms as seeking help from a threatening danger, and then with equal
+suddenness tore herself away, hurried up the walk and straightway
+vanished behind a projecting portion of the wall.
+
+"What does it all mean?" Lydia asked herself.
+
+As if in answer, there came across the garden, now more distinctly, the
+sound of the drum.
+
+"Ah!" said Lydia, and a meaning smile flitted over her face. "It would
+not be impossible," she murmured, "and if it is the case, I'll find it
+out!"
+
+She turned to enter the mansion house just as the big flag was being
+hoisted upon the turret as a salute to "Our Regiment," at the moment
+when the soldiers set foot upon the village road.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XVIII.
+
+
+Bertram, too, had heard the warlike sounds. He leaned back in his
+writing chair and listened with bated breath.
+
+"How her heart is sure to beat!" he said to himself.
+
+He rose and went to the open window. From the elevation on which he
+was, he could see a considerable portion of the high road, could
+discern the flash of the bayonets through the clouds of dust which a
+brisk breeze was scattering at times, so that sections of the columns
+on the march became visible.
+
+In the village below they were firing cannon; from the mountains yonder
+the echo came rolling.
+
+"How this will resound within her heart!"
+
+From the adjoining bedroom, where he had already begun to put up his
+master's things in view of their departure, fixed for the day
+following, Konski came hurrying in to ask, if the Herr Doctor was not
+going to dress? It was getting late.
+
+"I am in no hurry," said Bertram.
+
+"Well, sir," said Konski, "My Lady is most anxious you should be
+present at the reception of the officers. Aurora has twice come to the
+door with a message about it."
+
+And he pointed, as he spoke, to the bedroom door and grinned.
+
+"I do not intend to be present at the reception," Bertram said; "but I
+may as well dress now." And he followed Konski into the bedroom.
+
+As Konski was assisting him, he said to him--
+
+"Well, on what terms are you with that girl now? You will have to make
+haste if you wish to settle everything before we go."
+
+"It is already settled, and settled very nicely," Konski made answer,
+"since last night, sir. With the like of us, such things are settled
+smartly, Herr Doctor, and I have a favour to ask of you in connection
+with it. Aurora--it's a strange name that, sir, is it not? and her two
+others are just as bad: Amanda Rolline--thank you, says I. Well, it is
+not her fault, though, poor thing, and I won't mind re-baptizing her
+once we, are in Berlin. But, as I was going to say, Herr Doctor, she
+insists upon our getting married in the beginning of October, because
+at the end of October Christine is going to be married to Peter
+Weissenborn, and she wants to annoy Christina by being married before
+her, so she says; but I fancy it's meant for Peter, who used to be
+uncommonly sweet upon her, and, I rather think, promised to marry her
+at one time. And if the Herr Doctor is not going to Italy at all, or
+leastways not now, we thought ..."
+
+"You know," said Bertram, "how sorry I shall be to part with you; but I
+will not stand in the way of your happiness."
+
+"It would be my greatest happiness, sir," said Konski, "to remain with
+you as long as I live. And there's just one way, so Aurora says ..."
+
+"Well?"
+
+Konski hesitated a little, then took heart of grace, and said, with an
+embarrassed sort of smirk--
+
+"If the Herr Doctor would be so very kind as to marry too!"
+
+"I am afraid," said Bertram, "you will have to devise some other way
+out of the difficulty."
+
+Konski was meditatively removing some specks of dust from the black
+waistcoat which he held in his hand, and said--
+
+"No offence, sir! These women are always a-puzzling out something or
+other in their brains, and Aurora's brains are by no means bad brains.
+She thinks it would be uncommon nice, if I would remain the Herr
+Doctor's valet, and she was to be maid to your lady, sir; and then,
+whether you went to Italy or elsewhere, we four would always be nice
+and snug together."
+
+"I have no idea what you are talking about," said Bertram. "Give me my
+waistcoat."
+
+"No offence, sir," Konski repeated, as he handed his master the
+waistcoat and took up the dress-coat; "but she leaves me no peace, she
+does not, and she says that it's all up with the Baron; and from what
+she heard My Lady say to master this morning about the Herr Doctor,
+says she, the Herr Doctor need but ask and they'd give him a half dozen
+daughters, only they have not got more than one; and that one, dear
+Miss Erna--why, I knows, and no one knows better than me--how fond she
+is of the Herr Doctor."
+
+As Bertram had again turned away, the poor fellow, much to his regret,
+could not see what impression his remarks had made upon his master; and
+now they heard a heavy, hurried step coming through the study. There
+was a knock, then Otto put in his head and asked if he might trouble
+Bertram for a minute. Bertram begged him to come in, and beckoned his
+man to leave the room.
+
+"I have been repeatedly wishing to come up and see you," said Otto;
+"Hildegard is so afraid that you mean to go--and--dear me, you have
+really been packing."
+
+"For to-morrow," Bertram made answer. "In no case can I remain longer.
+For to-day I am, as you see, already, like yourself, in evening dress.
+Only--you must please excuse me if I do not put in an appearance before
+dinner; I have not finished my letters yet, and, to say the truth, I
+should like to cut the reception business."
+
+"So should I," said Otto, "if I could. They will be here in less than
+ten minutes now. I have not a minute to spare, not a minute."
+
+But for all that he did not stir from the chair into which he had
+dropped. His mind was clearly far away. Presently he muttered--
+
+"What if Parliament has decided against the railway!"
+
+"We must be prepared for it," replied his friend.
+
+"It is half-past four now, the sitting is sure to be over by this
+time."
+
+"You will know the result to-morrow, and early enough, too!"
+
+"I think that Lotter, who has had to go to town, will have waited to
+hear the result of the vote; I asked him to. He said he would be back
+in time for dinner. But I no longer believe in his influence."
+
+"All the better."
+
+Both were speaking in gloomy tones, as though a heavy pressure was
+weighing equally on either. Bertram was staring down in front of him
+with arms crossed behind his back, and Otto's eyes were wandering about
+the room--he was mechanically fingering the arms of his chair, then
+suddenly gave a convulsive clutch at them.
+
+"I must go," he said.
+
+He jumped up and was making for the door.
+
+"Otto!"
+
+"Are you coming too?"
+
+"No; I have a small favour to ask which you are not to refuse me."
+
+Bertram had meanwhile gone up to his friend, holding out his hand to
+him. Otto mechanically put his own into it.
+
+"I wanted to ask you to make use of me in case you have not yet
+arranged about redeeming, to-morrow, that mortgage, and in the present
+hurry and worry, what more likely? I have not even had to write to
+Berlin about it. My Italian trip is given up. You know I had made
+arrangements for a very lengthened absence. My letter of credit is
+addressed to your own banker, as I had anyhow been intending to draw a
+large sum; I can get the money at once, and there will be just enough."
+
+"Time enough to-morrow," murmured Otto; "however, I am much obliged to
+you for your kind intention. Perhaps I'll drive you to town to-morrow,
+if you insist upon going; we can then see about it."
+
+His cheeks were burning; his hand, which Bertram was still holding,
+trembled like that of a man in great physical pain. Bertram noticed it
+all.
+
+"I am very sorry," he said, "that I must thus torment you, but you left
+me no choice as to the time. I am sure I shall not be able to speak to
+you again to-day, and perhaps not to-morrow. Therefore, look here: I
+have made all the requisite preparations, with due despatch, to make as
+much of my fortune available as you will need for the settlement of
+your affairs. You remember our conversation when we were driving back
+from town last Saturday. I put no other conditions now than I did
+then; that you arrange the settlement with the help of your lawyer,
+that you leave him as free as possible in his dispositions regarding
+the factories, and lastly, that your wife is taken into your
+confidence--these are not so much conditions, as necessities. And of
+the last, and doubtless the most painful one, I am willing to relieve
+you."
+
+Otto flushed to the roots of his hair.
+
+"It is impossible!" he ejaculated. "I cannot take it."
+
+"I am not making you a present of the money, man!"
+
+"The money--the money--but Hildegard! To-day all this display--the
+Princess--all those officers--a huge party--covers for a hundred
+or so; and then to-morrow the most awful wretchedness--it is quite
+impossible. And even if you had the courage--if you were to speak to
+her, I mean--you are on such good terms again, she had intended to come
+herself and see you, and I had thought--but that, that she would never
+forgive you--never!"
+
+"I am prepared for that," replied Bertram. "To be quite frank, I care
+infinitely more for your welfare than for your wife's favour. Otto,
+these is no time for long debating. A plain yes from you, and the thing
+is settled--now or never--do you hear me?"
+
+From the great courtyard there came the sound of merry military music;
+many voices, too, were heard. Otto was still standing by the door
+irresolute.
+
+He suddenly seized Bertram's other hand and exclaimed--
+"Then marry Erna at least! Hildegard will get reconciled to it, once
+she knows all. Erna is fond of you--let me talk to her!"
+
+"One word from you, and--I shall not alter my resolve, it is fixed for
+good; but you and I will never meet again."
+
+Bertram had torn himself away and was striding along the chamber. Now
+he came back to Otto who was standing there in utter helplessness, laid
+his hand on his shoulder, and said to him--
+
+"Otto, remember what we vowed to each other in the dear old student
+days in Bonn: to be and to remain friends in gladness or sadness,
+friends to the death! This surely is sufficient. Let us not speak of
+Erna, or, at least, let us not connect her name with this business;
+such a connection is an insult to me, because it is casting doubt upon
+the purity of my motives. I can tell you something else, in reference
+to which I must, in the meantime, request your discreet silence. I have
+good reasons for assuming that Erna has already disposed of her heart,
+and this may explain certain oddities in her demeanour which have
+struck us both. I believe I shall soon know if I am right. In warning
+you, and your wife against Lotter, I gave you a proof of my careful
+observation and of my faithful friendship. Confide in me further: you
+will not repent of it. And now, old boy, go with a lighter heart than
+you came, and receive your guests, or else the great event will come
+off without you, and for that Hildegard would never forgive you, and
+she would be right."
+
+He was almost pushing poor helpless Otto out of the door, when Konski
+came hurrying up with an impatient message from My Lady.
+
+"Would Otto come at once? The military were just marching up the
+courtyard."
+
+Otto hurried away. Bertram was still standing near the door, his eye
+rigidly fixed upon it.
+
+He was murmuring to himself: "That was the first step. I should not
+have thought, after all I have already endured, that it would prove so
+hard. But it had to be done!"
+
+He walked slowly up and down, and paused again.
+
+"Had it to be done? And thus? Would it not have been better if I had
+not absolutely denied it? Anyhow, I have not resigned in every case;
+only, in case it is as I fear. Supposing it is not? What if the young
+man who has gone through the schooling of a Princess Volinzov, is not
+one whom our Erna can and should love? What if the Princess is mistaken
+in this part of the story, or if she has been deceived by the man who
+may have, had good reasons of his own? What if the whole thing has been
+a little gentle dallying which Erna has all but forgotten, and I were,
+with my diplomatic wiles, to fan again into life and light the almost
+extinguished flame, were to repel her from me and push her into his
+arms, which will be willing enough to open?"
+
+He stretched out his hands, as though he wished to ward off something.
+They were all assailing him again now in the broad light of the day,
+those dread phantoms with which he had wrestled in the awful darkness
+of the night. Then he had conquered them. Was he to be vanquished now?
+Was his strength exhausted?
+
+No, no; the worst had yet to come. Though he had persuaded himself that
+it would be only fair and proper not to be a witness of their first
+meeting, yet he would have to see them together, perhaps learn at the
+first glance that they had already made it up, and that the great
+sacrifice, which the beautiful Princess was making for her darling, had
+been wholly unnecessary. All the better! In that case the torture of
+uncertainty would be over all the sooner, and he would at least be
+spared the humiliation of pushing Quixotic generosity to its utmost
+limits, and of acting the part of an obtrusive mediator, who clears
+away all obstacles and ultimately joins the lovers' hands with a "Bless
+you, my children!"
+
+He sat down at the writing-table to complete his election address. But
+he could not write, could not think. Pen in hand he sat, hearkening to
+all the confused sounds which came up and across him from courtyard,
+garden, and mansion house. The music, after some little pause, is now
+playing again in long-drawn triumphant strains--representing the salute
+of the regiment to the house that now guarded its colours; the fair
+mistress appears on the threshold, surrounded by the other ladies, and
+the tall and gallant-looking Colonel, hastening up, followed by his
+officers, bows deferentially and kisses her hand. And lo! from the
+circle around the mistress of the house, there steps forth another
+lady, at whose sight the gallant soldier starts. But she smiles, and
+signals with those mobile orbs of hers--
+
+"Be calm, my friend, be calm! I shall explain all as soon as we are
+alone for a minute, or, if not all--that being contrary to my habit--as
+much as you need know. It is a matter concerning these people."
+
+And she points aside to another pair, bowing to each other and
+presumably renewing--a casual acquaintance, shall we say?
+
+"I hardly know, my gracious Fräulein, whether I still have the
+honour..."
+
+What a farce it all was!
+
+And what a ghastly tragedy too--its silent scene his heart--forsaken,
+lonely as he was.
+
+So he sat on, brooding gloomily, musing dismally, he knew not how long.
+Silence now reigned around without. Had they forgotten him? Oh, that
+they had! and that he could steal away from the house--from the
+farce--from life!
+
+But no, they would not be so pitiful. Hearken!--yes, this is Konski's
+swift step.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but My Lady bade me urge you to come. They are
+just going to dinner, and are only waiting for the Herr Doctor!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+It was a princely banquet that Hildegard had prepared for her guests in
+the dining-hall of the whilom princely abode. The closed curtains had
+excluded the daylight from the beginning, and the light of innumerable
+candles fell upon the table from the three great chandeliers and from a
+number of candelabras fixed to the wall. The table shone and sparkled
+with crystal and silver, was decked with a profusion of the choicest
+flowers, and surrounded by a most brilliant company. There were five
+and twenty officers in their uniforms--and the general _coup d'[oe]il_
+was truly enchanting. Everything went off well. Hildegard herself could
+scarcely distinguish from her own serving-men the extra waiters ordered
+from town, and put into liveries; in the adjoining hall the band of the
+99th was playing, for Colonel von Waldor had insisted upon My Lady thus
+honouring his regiment, although she had a band from town in readiness.
+The toasts, in reference to which she had been somewhat uneasy, had
+been a wonderful success. Otto had not blundered or stopped short in
+the first toast--His Majesty the Emperor, of course; then Bertram, whom
+she had, at dinner, by means of a pencilled note, asked to do so, had
+in the name of the host, and as the oldest friend of the family
+present, welcomed the guests and proposed the health of the 99th.
+Thereupon Colonel von Waldor returned thanks in a really capital
+speech, abounding in merry quips and happy inspirations. He called the
+brilliant reception given to the regiment, a posthumous celebration of
+their doings in the last war, and a lordly payment "on account" for
+what they were destined to do in the campaigns of the future. He then
+proceeded to describe the reception in detail, and added that to him,
+personally, it had been the most charming of all the charming surprises
+of the day, to find in the gentleman who had so cordially welcomed them
+all to this most hospitable house, an old and dear friend from whom he
+had been separated for years; and at last, passing adroitly from the
+host's representative to the host himself, he proposed the health of
+"their far too generous entertainer, and of the kind, gracious, and
+beauteous lady of the manor, by whose side, he had the rare happiness
+of being seated."
+
+And the other officers--four and-twenty in number--had started from
+their seats like one man, and had three times shouted their _Hoch_ in
+singularly sharp and definite intervals, overpowering the _Hoch_ of the
+other guests as the roar of cannon drowns the sound of musket firing,
+and the band had joined in the celebration; and they had all crowded
+around Hildegard, with their champagne-goblets held on high; and as she
+received all these homages, she looked radiantly, superbly beautiful,
+and so the Colonel had told her, adding that she was by far the fairest
+of all the fair ladies there; and as they settled in their places
+again, he had kissed her hand in eager gallantry.
+
+Hildegard thanked the enchanted Colonel with a gracious smile for his
+flattery, and thanked him warmly, too, for his excellent toast, in
+which she had missed but one thing, to wit, some clever allusion,
+some dainty reference to her illustrious guest, the Princess, who, from
+her place of honour next to Otto, on the opposite side of the
+banqueting-table, had, followed the speaker with the greatest
+attention, and had evidently expected something of the kind.
+
+The Colonel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I had thought of it, too, My Lady," he said; "but, upon honour, it
+could not be done."
+
+"Why not?
+
+"I have already told My Lady that the Princess and I met last year in
+Teplitz. Since My Lady--and I must express my sincere gratitude for the
+condescension--did me last night repeatedly the honour of mentioning my
+name to her, without, it would appear, recalling any reminiscence on
+her part, I surely could not indulge in reminiscences. My wounded
+vanity peremptorily forbade any such thing. And, moreover, it was
+wounded ere then. It is no joke for a Colonel who has been somewhat
+spoiled, to see a young officer, and particularly one belonging to his
+own regiment, preferred to himself, and such, was then undoubtedly the
+case. The young gentleman suffering, like myself, from a severe wound
+received during the '70 campaign, had accompanied me to Teplitz, and
+was my constant companion, so that he can bear witness to everything.
+The reminiscence of that wound inflicted upon my vanity is at this
+moment the more vivid, because the young gentleman is here."
+
+The Colonel pointed, as he spoke, to a slender young officer, dark of
+eye and hair, who was sitting between Agatha and Augusta, and who was
+conversing eagerly with the former, while Augusta, a coquettish beauty,
+looked supremely bored.
+
+Upon Hildegard the young man's appearance had already made so pleasing
+an impression after he had been introduced to her, that she had
+actually remembered his name and rank--Premier-Lieutenant and Adjutant
+Ringberg. But she thought she was acting prudently in saying that she
+saw nothing remarkable in the young gentleman. Much to her amazement,
+the Colonel seemed almost offended at this; Ringberg, he said, was
+really in every way a remarkable man, the most studious, and at the
+same time the smartest officer in his regiment, a man of excellent
+character; and a jolly companion, for whom he himself had a sort of
+paternal fondness; indeed, Ringberg was the son of a dear friend of his
+own, left early an orphan, and he, the Colonel, had acted for him _in
+loco parentis_, and wished him every happiness under the sun, including
+the conquest of the beautiful Russian and her millions.
+
+"But there seems little prospect of that," Hildegard said, smilingly
+interrupting the Colonel in his eager talk; "as far as I have been able
+to observe, your _protégé_ does not exist for our beautiful friend."
+
+"That may be one of her masks," replied the Colonel. "I think the lady
+has a great many."
+
+"You must not talk like this to me; I adore Alexandra."
+
+"But, My Lady, so do I too, otherwise I should never dream of abusing
+her."
+
+"That, too, I must forbid."
+
+"Then I will swear that she does not even know what a mask is, and I am
+ready to face a world in arms in proof of the assertion," laughed the
+Colonel, and Hildegard laughed too, and kissed her hand to the Princess
+across the table, a compliment which the fair Russian returned eagerly.
+
+Hildegard felt so happy by the side of her brilliant cavalier, that she
+could scarcely make up her mind to give the signal for rising from the
+table. But at last it had to be done, after she had exchanged a few
+hurried words with Herr von Busche, who had quietly come up behind her
+chair. When, a few minutes later, she rose from her seat, the curtains
+were suddenly and simultaneously withdrawn from the windows and doors,
+the glass doors flew wide open, and before the amazed eyes of the
+company lay the garden in fairy-like illumined splendour. Rows of
+coloured balloons were drawn like garlands along and adown the
+terraces; and every prominent point--and there were many of them--had
+been utilised for some effective purpose of decoration: a pyramid of
+stars, a wreath of light, or a radiant crown. And the guests, now
+hurrying away from the tables, had scarcely all gathered upon
+the verandah before they found themselves enveloped in the dazzling
+brilliancy of coloured lights; the magnificent façade of the
+mansion-house, wrapt in a glorious purple glow, stood out with
+wonderful effect against the darkening sky, and a deep green flame sent
+a soft and tender light along the terraces and mingled on the great
+grass plot in front of the verandah with the red light, the combination
+yielding a dim, mysterious kind of magic dawn. And before the glow had
+faded away, and before the admiring and wondering exclamations of the
+delighted and surprised guests had ceased, there was the thunder of
+cannon, a signal, and lo! from the wide common below, a rocket winged
+its shining flight upwards, followed by another and yet another, in
+such swift succession that the fiery missiles bursting anon high, high
+up in the air, seemed to fill the dark sky with a galaxy of glowing
+stars, whilst below squibs and crackers were exploding and wheels of
+fire were whirling round in all directions.
+
+But now the younger members of the company could be restrained no
+longer. In vain did anxious mammas preach patience and caution and call
+for shawls and cloaks, the young ladies would not wait, and fortunately
+the night was so calm and warm that they could really dispense with
+wrappings; the officers had, anyhow, to remain bare-headed unless they
+cared to put on the spiked helmets with which they had appeared at the
+banquet. So they all danced merrily down the wide steps; and were soon
+scattered over the terraces; and from all sides there came the laughing
+shouts of those who were looking for each other, who perhaps met
+unexpectedly at some turn in the labyrinth, or who were pretending to
+escape, a merry game in which the young ladies, whether staying in the
+house or belonging to the neighbourhood, being familiar with the
+locality, gladly assumed the leadership, adroitly using their knowledge
+to their own advantage.
+
+Meanwhile the greater part of the guests had gradually withdrawn to the
+chambers on either side of the great banqueting-hall, the ladies to the
+music-rooms and tea-rooms on the left, the gentlemen mostly to the
+billiard-room, which opened into the smoking- and card-rooms. Some
+still went in and out at the great French windows, all of which opened
+on the verandah, but on the verandah itself there were now
+comparatively few people, so that Bertram had but now and again to
+exhort the Colonel to lower his sonorous voice a little. The friends
+were pacing up and down arm in arm; the Colonel's uniform was all but
+entirely unbuttoned, he was puffing vigorously at his cigar, and his
+handsome, gallant features were aglow with the after-effect of the
+champagne, and with the excitement which increased with every word
+which he was rapidly uttering.
+
+"Believe me," he cried, "my good fellow, if anything could still
+increase my feeling of absolute worship for this unique woman, it would
+be the pluck with which she went into action for young Ringberg. But
+unfortunately with all those fair and adorable creatures, intention and
+execution never correspond. A masterly outflanking of the foe, an
+assault _comme il faut_, and then at once this ludicrous mistake! I
+could have died with laughter! Not the slightest idea on her part that
+you are such a very special and intimate friend of mine! And so she
+goes and tells you all the minutest details of our story, as to an
+absolute stranger, supposed to be quite incapable of translating it
+back into German from the French, because he can have no idea as to the
+identity of the real persons involved! And why this stupendous want of
+caution? To frighten you away! From what? From falling in love with the
+little damsel, or to induce you, in case you had already done so, to be
+kind enough to retire immediately! As though the like of us were to be
+rightened away from our purpose by a reconnoitring like this, however
+forced! 'You may thank your stars,' I said to her 'that Doctor Bertram
+has better things to occupy himself with than the childishness which
+you impute to him!' To be sure she swears that she became convinced of
+it last night, for you remained perfectly calm and self-possessed, and
+had the contrary been the case, it would certainly not have escaped
+her, as she was scrutinising your every mien with the upmost care; but
+then her own mien, as she was telling me all this, proved how pleased
+and relieved she felt that all had gone off so happily!"
+
+"And what," asked; Bertram, "have you decided in Ringberg's affair?
+Will you not at least take Erna, and, of course, her parents, into the
+secret?"
+
+"The deuce I will!" cried Waldor. "I surely should not hesitate to
+rescue Ringberg at any cost from some position of great danger, but
+this is, not a question of my making a sacrifice, but of Alexandra
+making one that she cannot make, unless she wishes to give up half her
+fortune, which goes to the deuce as soon as our engagement gets
+known. But I want the whole fortune and not the half! When I was but
+a lieutenant I swore a great oath to myself that I would die a
+Field-Marshal, and would live like a Prince until I got to be one! Now
+you surely cannot expect that I should break my oath, and, to myself
+too?"
+
+Bertram did not think it advisable to point out to his friend, the
+contradictions he was guilty of in one breath. He only said--
+
+"I should think the sacrifice might be avoided, if you made the people
+who are interested pledge themselves to secrecy. None of them would
+hesitate to accept that objection."
+
+"In such things," replied the Colonel, "one should not trust any one's
+promise of secrecy. Why, every thing would already be betrayed, if
+Alexandra had honoured any one but yourself with her indiscretions!"
+
+"But if the Princess absolutely insists upon making the sacrifice?"
+
+"Then I shall as absolutely forbid her doing anything of the kind! The
+services which Kurt has rendered us are considerable, I admit; but
+then, in the first case, they were rendered to me. How can I ask her to
+act such a generous part? Nay, what does she mean by wishing to do it?
+One would not, one could not, do more for one's lover! And, to the best
+of my knowledge, she is in love with me, and not with Ringberg!"
+
+His cigar had gone out and he flung it away, turning to light a new one
+at one of the lights placed along the verandah. Thus he did not see the
+smile which Bertram--though his heart was little attuned to mirth--had
+not been able to repress at the words which his not over-modest friend
+had been uttering.
+
+"In that case the Princess will have to say, like the priest Domingo,
+in Schiller's 'Don Carlos:' 'We have been here in vain,'" he resumed,
+as the Colonel took his arm again.
+
+"To be sure," was the calm reply; "and I have strongly urged her to
+leave to-morrow. Surrounded as we are here by my officers, one or two
+of whom are already likely enough to know more than I care for, we are
+not for a single moment safe from startling disclosures. I think I have
+as strong nerves as most people, but to be seated upon a powder-barrel
+when there is a conflagration raging all round, is uncomfortable for
+the most courageous."
+
+"What is uncomfortable, Colonel?" asked Alexandra's voice behind them.
+
+The Colonel turned on his heels; and quickly buttoning his uniform,
+exclaimed--
+
+"Ah, most gracious Princess!"
+
+"Let us call each other by our names before this good friend," said
+Alexandra. "Give me your arm, dear Doctor Bertram; and you, my friend,
+please to come to the other side. So now we can talk confidentially."
+
+"May I go on with my cigar?"
+
+"I should like to smoke one myself, if I dared! But now to the point.
+What have you decided?"
+
+"That is the very question," Bertram said, "which I was just submitting
+to Waldor."
+
+"I have decided, that the young people are to see how they can best
+settle things for themselves!"
+
+"That is an abominable decision!"
+
+"It is necessary."
+
+"Not for me!  I shall speak to the young lady."
+
+"You will not do so if you value my advice ever so little. Moreover, if
+you felt so sure of this, why did you not do so yesterday?"
+
+"Because I require your co-operation."
+
+"Which I refuse!"
+
+They were talking excitedly, almost vehemently now. Then, there was a
+pause, a very uncomfortable one for Bertram, although he said to
+himself that discord between the two ought to be welcome to him. He had
+closely watched Erna and Ringberg. At dinner, where they had been
+seated almost directly opposite to each other, they had not exchanged a
+single word; and just now, whilst Erna had followed the other young
+ladies into the garden, Ringberg had remained on the verandah and had
+subsequently gone into the billiard-room. As Erna was so very proud, a
+meeting of the two seemed difficult, almost impossible, without kind
+and skilful mediation, and there would be little time or opportunity
+for it now. To-morrow the regiment was again to leave its quarters.
+They would again be separated for long--for ever, if he chose to avail
+himself of the influence which he doubtless had over Erna; and if he
+could only bring into play something of the robust egotism, with which
+the handsome soldier by his side was smoothing his own way to rank and
+unlimited riches.
+
+"Then I only know one way to achieve our object," the Princess said at
+last, speaking somewhat huskily.
+
+"I knew you would find something," said Waldor; "but what is it?"
+
+"It is this ..."
+
+Alexandra paused abruptly, for as they reached the end of the verandah,
+and were turning round, the very man of whom they were all thinking was
+approaching them.
+
+"Anything for me, my dear Ringberg?" exclaimed the Colonel.
+
+"Yes, Colonel; an orderly from the General in command ..."
+
+"May the ..." muttered the Colonel through his teeth.
+
+He went up to the young officer, who made his report in a low voice,
+whilst the Princess and Bertram remained standing at some little
+distance. They saw the Colonel angrily fling away his cigar, and draw
+himself up.
+
+"Thank you, my dear Ringberg; you need not come with me. It is bad
+enough if one of us has to lose all the fun. No remonstrance, sir! I
+shall want an orderly to go with me, and, perhaps, you will, in
+passing, kindly bid them saddle Almansor."
+
+"Yes, Colonel," said the young officer, saluting.
+
+Ringberg had gone. Waldor turned round.
+
+"It seems," he said, "that the soldiers have taken a different position
+from what His Excellency had expected, and now he is getting all the
+officers in command of regiments together, to get things done as
+noisily as possible. The old owl! Upon my word, I would let him have a
+bit of my mind, if he did this in actual war, and summoned me at such a
+time two or three miles off from a position where we may be 'alarmed'
+at any moment. However, there is no help for it. I shall not spare the
+horse, but I am afraid I shall not be back before one o'clock. My
+officers must be in their quarters by twelve o'clock precisely, and the
+rest of the party are likely to vanish too. I presume that we shall be
+attacked between two and three o'clock. If, then, I do not see you
+again, dearest Alexandra, the arrangement is this: you drive to town
+to-morrow and remain there until I can look in for a moment, as I hope
+to be able to do the day after, or else until I send word. Farewell,
+dearest! And you, my good friend, will probably not have gone to bed
+before I return. I will come to your room, and learn what the best and
+cleverest of women will have planned in the interest of our
+_protégés_."
+
+The Colonel kissed her hand again, and hurried away. Alexandra looked
+gloomily after him, standing with her hands crossed over her bosom,
+until he had vanished through the door of the billiard-room; where
+several of the senior officers were advancing to meet him. Then, with a
+passionate gesture, she turned to Bertram.
+
+"He is mistaken! Alexandra Volinzov is not to be ordered about like a
+pack of recruits. I shall not leave to-morrow! I shall not leave at
+all, until I have achieved my object; and you, friend, you must help me
+to achieve it."
+
+She flung the end of her shawl impatiently across her shoulder, and
+took Bertram's arm, drawing him away from the verandah down into the
+garden, whence the young people, in pairs and in groups, were now
+hurrying merrily back to the mansion-house, attracted by the sound of
+the band striking up a polka in the banqueting-hall, which had been
+cleared in the interval.
+
+"And what is my help to consist in?" asked Bertram.
+
+"You must speak to Erna. You must explain all to her. I am powerless
+without Waldor's co-operation, and you have heard how he refuses it?
+Nay, more; I have learned from Hildegard, that he has definitely
+denied standing in any special relation to me, and as he could not
+disown me altogether, has accounted for it all by talking of a casual
+watering-place acquaintance; nay he has actually gone the length, of
+reviving the old suspicion of there being something between Kurt and
+myself; in a word, he has done his utmost to shake my credibility
+with the parents, and with Erna; and to make my interference, if I
+dared interfere, appear a ridiculous and hideous farce. You are the
+intimate friend of the parents; you are Erna's natural protector and
+guardian--you are more to her than her own father. The foolish dread of
+the mother, that you loved the dear child in a different way, I have
+absolutely put an end to; you will be met on all sides with the utmost
+confidence, and if any doubt still existed, if any objections were
+still raised, why, you are so clever, so wise, so eloquent, that you
+will with ease remove every objection, that you will with a sure hand
+bring all things to a good end, be the saviour of those two poor dear
+souls, and rescue them from the infernal torments of jealousy, doubt,
+and despair. I shall not be found wanting; I shall confirm everything
+that you say; I shall take the full responsibility of it all, of
+course. I am firmly resolved upon this; it is simply my duty, and I
+shall do it, and Waldor may put up with it or not, as he pleases."
+
+Alexandra had been saying all this with hurried breath and heaving
+bosom. Bertram's own excitement was intense, too, but he managed to
+reply in calmer accents--
+
+"You ask much, My Lady. You call me Erna's guardian,  her second
+father. I accept these titles; now, will you please and try to fancy
+yourself in the position of a guardian, a father, under these
+circumstances. In the story of Claudine you have told me your own,
+striving, I do not doubt for a moment, to be strictly truthful, seeing
+no danger in this, when speaking to a stranger, and being, moreover,
+impelled to do so, both by your quick temperament and by your
+passionate sympathy. But now comes the question: Has your truthfulness
+really brought out the truth? Not the truth of yesterday and to-day,
+but of to-morrow. The truth, the truthful picture of the future, when
+you will be constantly and closely brought into contact with the former
+object of your ardent love, when you will be ever seeing him by the
+side of a woman who is not much younger than yourself, who is not as
+beautiful as you, not as clever as you; who, however graceful, lacks
+that nameless charm which is radiated by a beautiful and clever woman
+of the great world, and which is so apt to beguile the hearts of men;
+can you then--I am now speaking of yourself only, My Lady, only of what
+is in your power--can you, for your part, for your own heart, undertake
+the guarantee for the future? I conjure you, by all you hold sacred,
+can you conscientiously give the guardian, the father, this assurance?"
+
+"By all I hold sacred," replied. Alexandra, "yes! And I will rather die
+than break my oath!"
+
+She had stooped suddenly, and was about to draw Bertram's hand to her
+lips, but he prevented her with gentle force.
+
+"We must not soften each other's hearts," said he, his own voice
+quivering with emotion, "must not dim the clearness of our vision by
+tears of emotion. I accept your vow. And now I crave but one boon from
+Fate, to wit, that I be permitted one look, one deep, searching look
+into the young man's heart,--and into Erna's heart!"
+
+He had been murmuring the last words in a scarcely audible tone; his
+lips were trembling; Alexandra also was too much moved to be able to
+speak. Thus they had silently reascended the verandah-steps and moved
+on--unintentionally--to the open door which led to the card-room.
+Alexandra paused, uttering a slight exclamation.
+
+"What is it, My Lady?"
+
+She made no answer, but drew her arm swiftly out of his, and hurried
+away from him into the card-room. Bertram did not follow her; amazed
+and hurt that she could so suddenly leave him, attracted it would seem
+by the large oval table, around which there stood a fairly large group
+of gentlemen, either staking money themselves or watching the progress
+of the game which was evidently some game of chance, with Lotter acting
+as banker. Bertram anyhow saw that hated person sitting at the head of
+the table and dealing the cards, and next moment he heard that loud
+voice of his, which he disliked so much, exclaiming: "_Faites votre
+jeu, messieurs!_" Alexandra had advanced to the table as though she
+meant to join in the game, and Bertram turned away in grave
+displeasure. How could he have full confidence in a being, who was
+accustomed to obey every movement of a restless heart, every temptation
+of a light-winged fancy? No, no! If he was to resign, Erna's happiness
+must be anchored in firmer ground!
+
+He leaned against the door of the hall in which the couples were taking
+their places for the Lancers. Erna and her partner were standing but a
+few yards off. She was conversing with him in her usual, measured way;
+he could watch every movement of those beloved lips, when she spoke or
+when, with a fleeting smile, she answered a jesting word of her
+partner's. Her face was partly turned in his direction; he thought
+every moment that she would turn round completely and look at him. I
+"felt that some one was looking at me,"  she had said on that memorable
+morning, when he found her writing beneath the plantain-tree. Now she
+did not feel it. What had broken the magic spell of his glance? Was it
+because his love was no longer unselfish? Because a fierce wild longing
+seized him to press the slender white-robed form in his arms, to cover
+the sweet lips with wild kisses? No, no--it was not that! It was this!
+her heart no longer knew anything of him. It was this: new and younger
+gods had moved inside the temple, and the old one's might now depart
+ingloriously and hide their disgrace in the darkness of night!
+
+The music struck up, Erna held out her hand to her partner and floated
+across to the other side of the hall; and Bertram hurried away, down
+the verandah steps, away into the garden.
+
+Then he wandered about aimlessly, muttering wild words, wringing his
+hands despairingly. The deserted garden, with the coloured lamps
+swinging in the night wind, some dead, some dying, seemed a fit image
+of his wasted and desolate life; whilst the strains of mirthful music
+wafted across to him in mighty volumes from the brightly illumined
+mansion-house, and the sounds of singing and rejoicing that came up to
+him from the village below, seemed to mock the solitary self-tormentor.
+He felt that this could not go on, if he did not wish to go mad; he
+asked himself, pressing his hands to his throbbing temples, whether he
+was not mad already? Whether he was not the ill-omened victim, pursued
+by the relentless furies of jealousy, pursued until he breaks down--and
+to be spared only by voluntary resignation? Yet you surely can but
+resign what you own, what--if need be--you could defend; the possession
+of which you could dispute anyhow with your adversary to the last gasp.
+Despair does not resign, it only lets go what can no longer be held.
+What had he done to hold Erna? What was he doing at this very moment,
+except again making room for a rival, for whom, as it was, the stars in
+their courses were fighting, one who had youth and the privilege of an
+earlier attachment on his side? No, he deserved to be conquered, he who
+neither had the strength to conquer himself, nor the courage to join
+issue with the rival. Let the decision come then!
+
+
+
+
+                                  XX.
+
+
+Bertram stood on the lowest step of the terrace when this decision
+struggled forth from his tempest-tossed soul, that could no longer bear
+the torment. A small steep stair led upward from this place, at the
+very extremity of the garden, without any landing-places; he hurried
+up, taking two and three steps at a time. He had reached the top; next
+he turned to the right, across the lawn, in the direction of the
+verandah, when suddenly the music was silent within the hall, and
+instantly the dancers came forth from the many doors to cool and
+refresh themselves in the balmy night air. He did not care to meet the
+merry, motley multitude. Here and there isolated couples were
+descending the stairs. He withdrew into the darkness of the shrubberies
+surrounding the winter garden. It was lighted up; and, as far as he
+could judge by a glance through the windows, was deserted; he would
+pass through it, and so regain, unseen and undisturbed, the rooms where
+the others were.
+
+He entered. Between palm-trees and many broad-leaved plants there was a
+narrow passage, bisected in the centre by a shorter and broader one.
+Where the two passages met, towered a huge palm, set in a tub of mighty
+dimensions, and all but touching the glass-dome above. Behind, within
+the enclosure of the wall, was a small recess, furnished with dainty
+iron garden-chairs and with a table.
+
+This, he knew, was a favourite spot of Erna's, where, on rainy days,
+she was wont to spend hours. He could not resist the temptation of
+visiting the spot which on her account was sacred to him. He sank into
+one of the chairs, put his folded hands to his head, and let it rest
+upon the little table. As he sat thus in the attitude of one praying,
+his thoughts became a prayer: and he prayed that Fate would now
+determine his lot, now and here, be it bliss or be it--death. He was
+willing to submit to either, in all humility, knowing himself subject
+to the heavenly powers that would deal with him by their own
+inscrutable will.
+
+He lifted his head and rose slowly, hesitatingly, from his stooping,
+position. Was his prayer not heard? Could love not work a miracle, like
+faith, which was less strong? Surely, she would come, for whom he was
+longing with all the force of his heart!
+
+And lo!--as he turned his gaze to the door, the velvet curtain which
+draped it was drawn aside, and she appeared on the threshold, a
+slender, white-robed figure, bending forward, gazing into the silent
+green wilderness before her, listening! And now she was descending the
+stairs with lightsome step, moving along the passage that led to the
+tall palm-trees, and again she paused, leaning one hand against the
+edge of the tub, pressing the other against her bosom.
+
+"Erna!"
+
+He had, for fear of frightening her, uttered her name in a very low
+voice; yet she started where she stood, but did not turn to him who was
+so near, but stooped, listening, towards the other side; and at the
+same moment he heard, the little door open, by which he had himself
+entered the winter garden; and now some one was hurrying along the
+passage, towards Erna, who made a movement as though she would escape,
+but could not.
+
+"Miss Erna!"
+
+She made no answer, and Lieutenant Ringberg seemed to have exhausted
+his strength and his presence of mind with these two words, which he
+had uttered in a very diffident tone of voice. For a few seconds they
+both stood motionless. Then Erna said--
+
+"Fräulein von Aschhof has told me that you wished to speak to me. I
+only came to request you not to honour Fräulein von Aschhof any longer
+with your confidence. I--I am indignant that you could do so at all."
+
+"By Heaven! there is some misunderstanding here. I should never have
+dared to apply to Fräulein von Aschhof. She began, and spoke so
+confidently that no doubt ever arose in me. I could not but believe
+that you--that yourself, Miss Erna...."
+
+"This is too much!"
+
+The breathless listener heard the rustling of her robe, and then some
+hurried words of entreaty which again chained her to the spot.
+Meanwhile they had somewhat changed their position; the dense foliage
+of some shrubs now intervened between himself and them, and he could
+now scarcely see anything of them, but he could hear every word even
+better than before.
+
+"You must not let me suffer for a misunderstanding of which--I swear
+it--I am so innocent, that I cannot even guess how it has come about.
+But be this as it may, I bless it as a heavenly favour, for surely
+Heaven would not have me condemned unheard. I pray and entreat you:
+listen!"
+
+"What have you to say?"
+
+"What I wrote in my last letter. If you will not believe in my
+assurances--and indeed I can understand that, as things are,
+appearances are against me--give me time--only a little time, until
+these unfortunate circumstances have become clearer, and those
+appearances will dissolve themselves into nothing. Only this much I
+can, I must say, I am not in love with the Princess, and I never have
+been, I have never felt anything for her but sympathy, respect,--and
+friendship, if you will,--feelings which that rarely-gifted woman will
+awaken in all who come to know her intimately. She is here for no other
+purpose but to plead for me, to clear up this wretched mystery which
+condemns me to silence, at the sacrifice of considerable personal
+advantages to herself. But she has met with resistance which she cannot
+overcome, and which compels her, and compels me also, to remain in this
+miserably odd position. Therefore, once more, give me time--give me a
+respite. A criminal gets that, and I am free from guilt, unless it be a
+crime that I look upon those duties which gratitude and the friendship
+of years impose upon me as sacred, even now, when it is so unspeakably
+hard for me, and when it puts me to the risk of forfeiting the
+happiness of my life!"
+
+"Is this all you have to say to me?"
+
+"All; for what else. I might say would find no credence, if your faith
+in my veracity does not go even this length."
+
+"Good-bye."
+
+"Erna! is it possible? Is every voice silent in your heart? Does
+nothing stir, nothing plead for one whom once you--I dare not say the
+word any longer, for I must fear to offend you again if I remind you of
+what once was? Great heavens! and I had thought, that if my pen were
+powerless, and my pleading on paper appeared clumsy and lifeless, I
+should but require to be once more face to face with you, looking into
+your loved eyes whilst you looked into mine, and that then you would
+believe me even before I uttered a word. And now, now, my glance is
+powerless, my words are mere sound. I no longer know what to say; I am
+standing here like a beggar who has been telling his story of bitter
+woe, and in whose face people close the door at which he has knocked
+with trembling hand. Have I become so poor? Well, I am most unwilling
+to appeal to a friend for help, but you leave me no choice. There is,
+living in your own circle, a gentleman who is in the secret, to whom
+the Princess has told it, half involuntarily; drawn on by the vivacity
+of her temperament, which she has never learned to control, half
+voluntarily, hoping that she was not betraying anything which all, or
+at least all concerned, would not know to-day. Well, this hope of hers
+has not been fulfilled. The gentleman in question knows it; and not
+deeming himself, under the circumstances, justified in speaking, he
+will, if I judge him correctly, be silent, although the Princess has
+already given him full liberty, nay, has entreated him to tell you all.
+I must confess, I was much taken aback when, a little time ago, she
+came and told me this; apart from other considerations, it was painful
+to me to know that the key to the fatal enigma was in the hands of a
+third person. But now, when, to my sorrow, I realise my impotence, let
+him plead for me, if he will. He will do it, if I, too, entreat him. I
+have barely exchanged three words with him, but looks like his, so
+imbued with the true nobility of the soul, cannot lie. Ask him--you
+will believe him!"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"You will not believe him?"
+
+"I will die rather than hear from him, speak to him of ... It is a
+shame, a shame! This is going too far. What happened before was ... but
+this, this ..."
+
+"How now? By the heavens above us, what is the meaning of this?"
+
+"The meaning is this: my last word to you is, Begone!"
+
+"I go. But one thing more, and let it be my last word. It is very
+bitter to have to say it. There is one greater misfortune yet than to
+see one's love misjudged, scorned, rejected, and that is, to have to
+say to one's self that she whom one had loved more,--a thousand times
+more than one's self,--is surpassed by other women, whom one had never
+dared to put on the same level as her, had barely dared to compare with
+her, in kindness and in generosity."
+
+There was a quick step passing away over the tiled passage, then the
+sound of the little garden-door being opened and closed, and then a cry
+of anguish, half suppressed, and all the more terrible on that account,
+the cry of one who had met with a deadly hurt.
+
+Bertram hurried round the intervening shrubs to where Erna stood with
+her arms raised on high, with wild staring eyes.
+
+And then she gave another cry, and the next moment she lay in his arms,
+clutching him, clinging to him, as a drowning man would clutch, would
+cling to, a rock.
+
+"Uncle Bertram! dear, dear Uncle Bertram!"
+
+"My sweet child!"
+
+"Save me! save me!!"
+
+A great gush of tears relieved her. She was now sobbing aloud, bending
+over his shoulder. Thus had come to pass that for which, but a brief
+time before, he had longed as the greatest bliss; a bliss he would fain
+taste for a moment, and for which he would willingly die, after having
+tasted it. He held her close to his heart, held the slender maiden's
+frame, the tender, heaving bosom; her sweet breath was floating around
+his heated cheek, and he knew she was his, was in his keeping; he had
+the power to hold her now, and it would cost him but one word. And yet
+it was all a dream-gift, which one may retain for a second or two by
+keeping one's eyes closed, but which fades away, to return no more, as
+soon as the eyes re-open.
+
+"Yes, I will save you, save you from yourself; you have lost yourself,
+and I will restore you."
+
+She lifted her head and looked at him, confused, questioning.
+
+"Not to-day, my sweet child, to-morrow; but you must be a good and
+obedient girl."
+
+"I will do all that you wish, that you command, dear one, beloved one!
+For there is none as good, as noble as you, not one, and I love no one
+as I love you!"
+
+Again she clasped him, more violently even than before, and pressed her
+hot, quivering lips, to his.
+
+But he did not return her kiss, and a gentle, melancholy smile played
+about his mouth as he said, putting her gently from him, and stroking
+her dark hair--
+
+"And never did father love his dearest child better than I love you."
+
+And again she gazed up to him with a strange expression of fear and
+shame.
+
+"Now go, my child; to-morrow we will talk together. I shall not leave
+to-morrow. I shall not go until you need me no longer. Good-bye till
+then. And then your dear eyes are to weep no more."
+
+She clung to him still, but hesitatingly, shyly now; he disengaged
+himself gently, and repeated--
+
+"Go, my child, go."
+
+She went, slowly, reluctantly, holding her head very low. On the
+topmost step, in the doorway leading to the tea-room, she paused and
+turned, as though expecting that he would summon her back.
+
+But he beckoned with eye and hand: "Go!"
+
+She vanished behind the velvet curtain. He was alone!
+
+
+
+
+                                  XXI.
+
+
+The mirth and fun of the feast were at their height now. The
+commander-in-chief had ordered that at twelve o'clock all officers
+should be in their respective quarters, including those who had been
+told off to the houses of the ranger, the mayor, and the other chief
+denizens of the village. It was past eleven o'clock already. No time
+was to be lost, if the guests wished to drain the cup of delight which
+the hospitable mansion-house proffered in such abundance.
+
+"Vivat Champagne!" exclaimed one of the young officers, taking a glass
+of the foaming wine from the salver which a footman offered him.
+
+"And pretty girls!" returned his friend von Köppingen, emptying his
+goblet at one draught, replacing it on the salver, and turning upon his
+heel to hurry to the fair Augusta, with whom he was engaged to dance
+the _Rheinländer_, the music of which the orchestra was just playing.
+
+"And where have you been, Ringberg?" asked another comrade, Herr von
+Rollintz; "been gambling a little?"
+
+"You know I never play," replied Kurt, who was leaning against the
+door.
+
+"Nor dance? Well, well, you are always so sensible; I feel half dead
+already, upon my honour! And yet I have to dance this _Rheinländer_
+with the belle of the ball. I am looking for her everywhere; have you
+seen her, perchance? Ah, there she is!"
+
+Von Rollintz flew right across the room to meet Erna, who was just
+entering from the tea-room. A minute later the pair whirled past Kurt;
+von Rollintz, with radiant and glowing face, chattering even during the
+dance, Erna still and pale, the long dark eyelashes lowered.
+
+Kurt gazed gloomily after them; then he turned away and began pacing
+the verandah. After a little while he saw, at the end opposite to him,
+a gentleman ascending the steps, in whom, as soon as the bright light
+fell upon him, he recognised Bertram. The young man advanced rapidly
+two or three steps, then paused hesitatingly.
+
+"Why, after all!" he murmured, "everything now would be in vain."
+
+Bertram, who had gone up to one of the windows of the ball-room, was
+now slowly coming along the verandah. It was painful to Kurt to meet
+the man to whom, but a minute ago, he had been willing to apply for
+help. So, happening to be just in front of the card-room, he slipped
+in.
+
+"He avoids me," said Bertram to himself. "In that case the mountain
+will indeed have to go to Mahomet!"
+
+As he was about to look for Kurt in the card-room, he saw, on his way
+past the open doors of the ball room, Lydia in conversation with one of
+the older officers, a conversation carried on by Lydia with her
+customary abundance of gesture and the frequent use of her fan. He drew
+nearer, and, as he had hoped, her ever-roving glance had soon lighted
+upon him. A slight movement of his eyes was sufficient for the highly
+experienced lady, who left the Major with a jesting word, and tripped
+up to Bertram.
+
+"You have something to tell me, dear friend?"
+
+"Can you spare me one minute?"
+
+"One minute? For you?"
+
+She gave a sentimental glance at Bertram and started.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed, "you are ill. You wish the doctor
+sent for; but there is one here, nay, there are two,--pray let me...."
+
+"Pray remain here," said Bertram, seizing her by the hand as she was
+hastening away. "It is true that I feel rather worn out--a consequence
+of the unrest and noise to which I am not accustomed--but otherwise
+perfectly well. Let us sit down there!"
+
+He pointed, to a couch near, and sat down; Lydia followed him with
+trembling knees, shaking all over, feeling her heart rising to her
+throat. The whole unusual approach of Bertram who was generally so
+reserved, his pallor, his solemn manner--all this could have but one
+reason, one meaning--and what was she to reply? Act surprise and
+terror, of course! But not too long, just a few moments of half
+fainting, with her head leaning back against the wall and her eyes
+turned rapturously towards the chandelier.
+
+"My dear friend--for I must appeal to your friendship--to your
+love...."
+
+"Good Heavens!" murmured Lydia.
+
+"To the love which you doubtless cherish for Erna, and which has, I
+assume, misled you to this last extremely equivocal step of yours."
+
+"Good Heavens!" murmured Lydia again, but this time with accents of the
+greatest terror, as of some one who suddenly feels the ground beneath
+him giving way.
+
+"I will not reproach you," continued Bertram, "which indeed I have no
+right to do. I was wrong myself in not taking you into my confidence in
+reference to Erna, in wrapping myself in secrecy and silence, and thus
+all but compelling you to act alone and independently in order to help
+our dear child to what, let us trust, will prove her lasting happiness.
+But the remedy which you applied came too soon and was too strong; it
+has not had the desired effect, at least not in the meantime; indeed,
+at present things look desperately bad. Do not ask me how I have
+learned this, I may tell you later on, when perhaps you will tell me,
+too, how you discovered the secret which both guarded so carefully. All
+this does not matter just now; but one thing is of the greatest
+importance, and this I heartily beg you will grant me. We must
+henceforth act in common, take no one into our confidence of whom we
+cannot be sure that he aims at the same thing as we do--namely, at
+Erna's happiness. And I think you will do best if you leave me to judge
+when this is the case. Are you agreed?"
+
+Poor Lydia was sadly embarrassed. For her terrible disappointment it
+was some compensation that Bertram himself had evidently no matrimonial
+intentions with reference to Erna, and that he was offering Lydia his
+alliance and friendship. How gladly would she have agreed! How gladly
+said yes to everything, averring that she would blindly obey his
+behests. But alas, in addition to her first indiscretion which he had
+so kindly pardoned, she had meanwhile committed another which he would
+scarcely pardon.
+
+"It is too late, I see," said Bertram, who had not failed to notice the
+terribly anxious expression of her mobile countenance. "You have
+already told Hildegard."
+
+"No, no--not Hildegard--worse! far worse!" murmured Lydia, wringing her
+hands and casting down her eyes. "In my anxiety, my--ye Heavens! I
+cannot excuse myself on any other ground--in my tender anxiety, for you
+... the Baron ... you ..."
+
+"Pray speak distinctly," said Bertram, repressing his anger. "I must
+know all. The Baron ..."
+
+"He was so angry with you ever since that miserable letter--no, I
+cannot tell you that; I am too much ashamed of myself--but Erna has
+already pardoned me, and so will you. We had all lost our heads. He
+asserted that you alone were to blame for his failure with Erna. And
+that Otto had not given him the money--a great big sum--three thousand
+thalers--was your doing too, he said. This morning already, before he
+drove away, he vowed in my presence that he would inflict a terrible
+vengeance upon you; and at dinner, when he sat next to me, he talked
+dreadfully, and drank ever so much champagne--and I knew--I thought I
+knew--I saw that Erna and Ringberg--Erna had denied him altogether; and
+the girls--Augusta, you know, and Louise--told me that Ringberg used
+constantly to meet her at their house ...! Erna was so excited when the
+regiment came, and ..."
+
+"Go on!" cried Bertram.
+
+"And now the Baron wanted to make you suffer for it. And I really could
+not tolerate it, seeing that perhaps I had contributed to the Baron's
+wrath against you."
+
+"And so you told the Baron all?"
+
+Lydia was sitting with rigid, tearful eyes, and started in terror as
+Bertram quickly rose.
+
+"What would you do?"
+
+"Try if I can repair the mischief a little."
+
+"Let me go, I entreat you! and I will tell the Baron ..."
+
+"And I wish you to tell him nothing. I wish you to remain where you
+are, and to appear as unconcerned as possible to all, specially to
+Erna, if she should come to you, which, however, I doubt; and mind that
+you do not betray one word of what we have been discussing here. Will
+you promise that?"
+
+"I promise everything you wish."
+
+"I shall not be ungrateful."
+
+Lydia gazed after him with tears in her eyes as he hurried away. "I
+shall not be ungrateful," he had said; and saying that, he had pressed
+her hand--for the first time since they had met--and supposing,
+supposing that it came to pass after all!
+
+Major von Keberstein approached her again, and said laughingly--
+"You seem to have had quite a long confidential conversation with the
+gentleman who carried you off so abruptly from my side. And then a poor
+old bachelor like me is not to get jealous!"
+
+"I will do my best now to make up for it."
+
+"It will take you all your time, we shall have to tramp back to our
+quarters in ten minutes."
+
+"Can you not throw in half an hour?"
+
+"Not for worlds!" exclaimed the major, replacing his watch which he had
+been consulting. "My orders are very strict."
+
+"Then I must claim the ten minutes at least," she rejoined, gathering
+her robe together and making way for the stout old gentleman by her
+side on the couch.
+
+In the adjoining card-room, too, the guests were bent upon making the
+most of the last few minutes by doubling and trebling their high
+stakes. All the players now were civilians, chiefly neighbouring
+proprietors, who could afford to lose a few hundreds. Some of the
+officers had at first joined in the game, but only at first, and with
+very small stakes, as if to show that, so far as they were concerned,
+the whole thing was a little harmless social amusement--nothing more.
+When heavier sums began to be staked, they had at once ceased playing,
+and had gradually melted away. The _Oberförster_, or ranger, who was
+only looking on, thought that this had been done in obedience to a
+signal from the Colonel himself, who had passed through the card-room
+on his way out.
+
+"All the better," the Baron had sneered; "then we shall remain snugly
+among ourselves. _Faites votre jeu, Messieurs!_"
+
+And indeed the Baron, so the gentlemen present thought, had good reason
+to find his position a snug one. He was winning almost without
+interruption. The heap of bank-notes and gold coins by his side was
+ever increasing; among the bank-notes were already a good few slips, on
+which the players had written their names and the amount of their
+stakes; his gains were said to be several thousands. He asserted that
+it was nothing like that sum, and repeatedly offered to let some one
+else take the bank; but no one cared to accept his offer; and thus the
+losers had no right to grumble, although for some time now they had
+been, as one of them said, hurrying in pursuit of their own money. They
+had need to hurry if they would overtake the money which was ever
+fleeting. The Baron's proposal that the game should cease punctually at
+half-past eleven, the time fixed for the conclusion of the ball, had
+been agreed to, and it was now almost a quarter past. The Baron saw
+already, from the large stakes which the players were venturing, that,
+as the cards were more than ever in his favour, his gains would be
+doubled; his jubilant mirth proved the excitement he was labouring
+under; he had some funny word for every card he dealt, every deal he
+scored, and all the while his eyes were glowing, and his busy hands
+were twitching nervously. Suddenly there was a change. One of the
+players had staked a sum equivalent to the total of his losses during
+the evening--and had won! This daring play, and the success which had
+crowned it, stimulated the others; and now everything went against the
+banker. In a few minutes his heap had dwindled down to less than half,
+and it became evident that if, during the remaining quarter of an hour,
+the bank were pursued by the same bad luck, it must needs end with a
+considerable balance the wrong way. The jests of the Baron became more
+and more bitter; presently he took to whistling savagely through his
+closed teeth, interspersing this with muttered curses; his eyes, now
+roving restlessly around the room, seemed repeatedly to be fixing
+themselves upon same one within the room. Suddenly he stopped in the
+middle of a deal, and exclaimed, with a semi-audible curse--
+"You are bringing me bad luck, sir! You are in my way, sir!"
+
+These words, which he had uttered in the most violent way, were
+accompanied by a fierce look at Kurt, who, to avoid meeting Bertram,
+had entered the room a few minutes ago, and had since been standing
+with folded arms among the spectators, who, attracted and enchained by
+the sight of the maddening game, had, in ever-increasing numbers,
+grouped themselves around the board of green cloth. The scene had not
+had any attraction for him; his mind was far away; he had stared
+mechanically before him without seeing anything; nor had he heard the
+Baron's words; he only felt it disagreeable that several gentlemen near
+him were looking hard at him. One of them thought it incumbent upon
+himself to whisper to Kurt that the Baron had meant his remarks for
+him. Kurt, under the impression that Lotter had been asking him to join
+in the game, and not wishing to say it aloud, replied in a courteous
+whisper to the gentleman who had called his attention to the fact that
+the Baron had meant his remarks for him--
+
+"I am sorry, but I never play."
+
+He accompanied this by an apologetic shrug of the shoulders towards the
+Baron, and turned upon his heel. As soon as he was free of the crowd
+surging around him, he made for the door leading to the verandah,
+hoping that there he would be left to himself and to his own sad
+thoughts.
+
+The Baron burst into a hoarse, mocking laughter when he saw Kurt turn;
+he went on dealing, with trembling hands, then jumped suddenly to his
+feet, exclaiming--
+
+"Excuse me, but I must ask the gentleman, what he means by shrugging
+his shoulders."
+
+He flung the remaining cards upon the table, and was rushing towards
+the door through the crowd of amazed and excited spectators, whom he
+pushed rudely aside if they did not make way quickly enough. Before he
+reached the door, however, Bertram faced him, barring the way.
+
+"What do you want?" the Baron hissed through his teeth.
+
+"I want to call your attention to the fact that you are the guest of
+this house, and that you are on the point of basely violating its
+proffered hospitality."
+
+Bertram had spoken firmly, but in so low a voice that the Baron alone
+could hear him. His look, too, was perfectly calm; even those next to
+him, who saw but his face, whilst the Baron was turning his broad back
+upon them, could not but think that it was simply some indifferent
+communication.
+
+The Baron was speechless with wrath. Bertram gave him no time to break
+out. He continued in the same low, incisive tone--
+
+"I see that you quite understand me. I need scarcely add that I am at
+any time at your service, should you consider yourself in need of a
+comment upon the lesson which I have given you."
+
+"You shall hear from me, and forthwith!"
+
+"The sooner the better!"
+
+He bowed slightly; then, raising his voice as he turned to the others,
+he said--
+
+"A thousand pardons, gentlemen; but I was commissioned by our amiable
+host to remind you that his military-guests have, alas! to retire
+already; and that they will be wishing to bid you farewell."
+
+As if in confirmation of Bertram's words, the music just then broke off
+in the adjoining ball-room, the door flew open, and quite a host of
+officers came rushing in. There could no longer be any question of
+resuming the game, even if the players had been willing, which they,
+however, certainly seemed not to be. Some of the older ladies had come
+in, looking for their husbands; some others, young ones, followed; the
+room was overflowing with guests; the players had difficulty in
+getting back to the table to pocket their stakes. Not a few of them
+had yet to square accounts with the Baron; they crowded round him, but
+he was shoving the remnant of his gains--gold coins, bank-notes,
+I.O.U.s--higgledy-piggledy into his pockets, and when questioned, as he
+constantly was, replied with surly mien and in briefest words, and
+repelled rather than answered their questions--muttering that they
+might apply to-morrow; and that, in this confusion to-night, the devil
+himself could neither hear nor impart information.
+
+Bertram had eagerly watched, this scene, keeping close to the door
+which led to the verandah. He made sure that the Baron's time was
+meanwhile absolutely taken up, and that he would, not be able to think
+of following Kurt and inventing some new reason for a quarrel, since
+the first attempt had failed. Under any circumstances, the Baron would
+have to settle with him first; and then he saw how, breaking away from
+the players who were still surrounding him, the Baron hurried up to
+meet Herr von Busche, who, looking very heated and flushed, was just
+coming from the ball-room. The two gentlemen Bertram knew to be, as
+shooting companions, on good, though not on specially friendly terms;
+anyhow, there could be no doubt as to the subject of their present
+discussion in yonder far-away corner, where the Baron was
+gesticulating, while Herr von Busche, the young gentleman from the
+Woods and Forests' Office, listened intently, now and again shaking his
+head, and at last nodding it, more, it seemed, in courtesy than in
+assent. Then Bertram remembered that it was time for him also to look
+out for a second.
+
+Looking for Ringberg, he saw him on the verandah, which now was filled
+by the guests, among a small group of officers, already with helmets
+and overcoats on, who were bidding him good-bye. These departing heroes
+had their quarters in the village; they were in a mighty hurry; a
+couple of servants were in readiness with lanterns to light up the
+shorter way to the village, down the terraces; fair Hildegard had,
+indeed, been mindful of everything needed. As the other officers were
+hastening down the steps, Bertram stepped up to Kurt.
+
+"Can you spare me a minute, Lieutenant Ringberg?"
+
+Kurt was evidently very much surprised, but he at once bowed his
+assent.
+
+"To be sure, a minute will not suffice, if, as I hope, you will grant
+my request."
+
+The young man's bronzed cheeks assumed a yet deeper hue, as he said--
+
+"Pray, speak; and be assured beforehand that it will be a pleasure and
+an honour to me to be of use to you in any way."
+
+"Then have the kindness to give me your arm and to accompany me into
+the garden, that I may tell you uninterruptedly what is the matter.
+Well, it is briefly this: Baron Lotter--I do not know whether you have
+had the doubtful pleasure of making his acquaintance--a friend of our
+host's, by the way, with whom he and I have been staying here for the
+past week,--thinks himself insulted by me, and, according to the usual
+code and my own conviction, he has good cause for it. It is an old feud
+resulting from a certain mutual rivalry as to the respective
+consideration and influence which he and I claim, or think we may
+claim, in this house, an old feud about to be ultimately settled. The
+actual occasion of the quarrel is merely accidental, and, as such,
+absolutely irrelevant. I mention this particularly to enable me to add
+the request that in the subsequent negotiations, supposing that you are
+willing--well, very well, then, and I am really obliged to you--that in
+these negotiations you may lay absolutely no stress upon that occasion,
+nay, that you may avoid touching upon it at all. You will please accept
+the conditions for the hostile meeting exactly as they may be proposed
+by the other side; I have my own reasons for wishing to be particularly
+obliging in that respect. Only the fixing of time and place troubles
+me. Here of course the duel cannot take place. I should therefore
+propose some spot near town. This would suit me all the better, as I
+have, anyhow, announced my intention of leaving this place to-morrow,
+and could, therefore, remain in town for a short while without
+attention being called to it; and as the Baron also was to leave
+to-morrow too, and as he also must pass through town, the delay will be
+very brief for him. The only question now is: Whether and when do you
+think you can be free yourself?"
+
+"In no case," replied Kurt, "before to-morrow afternoon, but then for
+certain, because, if circumstances were less favourable, I could then
+get leave of absence from the Colonel--without, of course, mentioning
+the special reason why I needed it. Circumstances are, however,
+favourable, and, if our suppositions are at all correct, and if the big
+sham-fight is once over, the regiment will, sometime to-morrow
+afternoon, be somewhere between this and town, and may even have to
+bivouack there. Under any circumstances, I shall be able to attend
+punctually at the time required.
+
+"This," said Bertram, "will do excellently. So we are now free from
+this trouble; and this, I think, is all that we need settle in the
+meantime. Now it may be as well if I put you in communication with Herr
+von Busche. I have no doubt that he is to be the Baron's second. If
+required, a question from you, as to whether he chanced to have a
+commission, a message, for me, would at once settle things."
+
+They had meanwhile come again near the verandah, and just then Herr von
+Busche was coming out of the card-room, looking round apparently in
+search of some one. Bertram and Kurt hurried their advancing steps, and
+he again turned swiftly round, to speak to Bertram, the moment he had
+recognised him, saying--
+
+"I am so glad, Herr Doctor, to have met you at last, since I was about
+to do myself the honour of bringing you a message of some importance. I
+have already been looking, and looking in vain for you, in all the
+rooms."
+
+"A thousand pardons," replied Bertram; "but I, myself, have not in the
+meantime been idle in this affair. May I now have the pleasure of
+introducing to you the Premier-Lieutenant Ringberg, who ..."
+
+"I have already had the honour," said Herr von Busche with a bow.
+
+"All the better. Then I will no longer disturb you, gentlemen. You will
+find me in my rooms. Good-bye till then."
+
+He shook hands with Kurt, bowed to Herr von Busche, and left them both,
+as they retreated into the semi-obscurity of the shrubbery, until,
+passing along the verandah and the side building, he reached a postern,
+from which a stair led, straight from the garden, to his rooms.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXII.
+
+
+Even on this stirring evening Konski had not been oblivious of his
+duty. He knew from experience that his master was wont to retire from
+festivities before their actual close, and thus Bertram, on entering
+his rooms, found his candles duly lighted, and all preparations made
+for the night. He praised his faithful servant for his careful
+attention, but told him he was not in a hurry to go to bed, as he was
+expecting a visit from Lieutenant Ringberg, and that Konski might hurry
+back to his sweetheart, as no doubt he would like.
+
+This he said in his wonted playful tone, to Konski's intense delight,
+for the servant gathered from this that his fear, lest his master
+should again be the worse for all the noise and excitement of the big
+entertainment, had been uncalled-for. He even ventured upon a remark on
+the subject.
+
+"I am astonished myself," Bertram said in reply. "I think you must be
+right; we both had put ourselves down too soon as old fogies."
+
+Bertram smiled as he spoke, and Konski thought that his hint had fallen
+upon fruitful soil, and that his own favourite wish would, after all,
+be fulfilled. Perhaps his Aurora might know some details. To be sure,
+My Lady had given strict orders that within ten minutes after
+the departure of the last carriage no soul was to stir about the
+mansion-house, lest any of the officers billeted there should be
+disturbed in their brief slumbers. But Aurora would surely find out
+some place where they could quietly converse.
+
+So the faithful servant left Bertram, and instantly the master's serene
+mien changed, and assumed a look of great anxiety. He listened: perhaps
+his expected visitor was even now crossing the servant's path. No; the
+noise died away in the corridor and on the stair. Konski had vanished
+somewhere in the court-yard, and all now was silent. Bertram began to
+pace softly up and down his room, then paused again, listening. What if
+Kurt were to learn that the duel was to be fought for his sake? In that
+case, the chances were everything to nothing that he would insist upon
+precedence, and would himself challenge the Baron. Bertram, anyhow, had
+some scruples as to whether he should not have told the young man the
+true state of affairs, because he had now exposed Kurt to the
+possibility of one or other of the witnesses of the scene in the
+card-room misinterpreting Kurt's action, and asserting that he had
+simply been unwilling to understand Lotter's insulting remarks; and
+this would, of course, according to the military code of honour, have
+been identical with a reproach of downright cowardice.
+
+But, then, it might be hoped that in the wild confusion and frantic
+excitement of the moment, no one had been at leisure to observe the
+little incident minutely enough to be able to give a clear account of
+it either to himself or to any one else. On such occasions a dispute or
+wrangle was by no means of rare occurrence, and none of the spectators
+had looked as though they were in the habit of attaching much
+importance to such scenes; and it certainly would be foreign to the
+good, easy-going Thuringians to have done so. Fortunately, not one of
+Kurt's fellow-officers had been present at the time; and even Herr von
+Busche, the young gentleman from the Woods and Forests, had only come
+in at the last moment. The question was simply whether the Baron would
+subsequently try to pick a quarrel with Kurt, seeing his first attempt
+had clearly failed through no fault of Kurt's; and now, of course, the
+Baron would have a capital chance of doing so. The pity of it, thought
+Bertram; why had he blindly followed that inner voice which bade him
+choose Kurt for his second? Why? It had been Bertram's only chance of
+getting one deep, searching look into the young man's heart? But was
+not the fulfilment of his ardent prayer purchased all too dear, if it
+led the way to the very thing which he was desirous of preventing at
+the sacrifice of his own life?
+
+And yet, he said to himself, he need not quite despair. Lotter, to be
+sure, now knew who was his real rival. And the desire to wreak his
+vengeance upon that rival, to annihilate him, if possible, was very
+sure to become overpowering in the heart of a hot-blooded, terribly
+angered, absolutely unscrupulous man, one never at a loss, and one
+passionately in love with Erna. But was this really the case? No, and
+again, no! That man never had loved Erna. His whole suit had, from
+beginning to end, been nothing but a vulgar speculation upon Erna's
+presumably colossal fortune, by means of which he hoped to free himself
+from disagreeable temporary embarrassments, and to continue his
+good-for-nothing life of self-indulgent ease. Even before Kurt had
+appeared upon the scene, those dreams of a brilliant future had become
+greatly obscured; he had, it was clear, been virtually dropped; and he
+was surely quick enough to have found out speedily to whom he was
+indebted for this fate. His savage utterances to Lydia were sufficient
+proof that he knew quite well who, from the very beginning, had stood
+between Erna and him, who afterwards had delayed the decision,
+prevented any further approach, roused the distrust of the parents,
+turned the daughter's thoughts away, and ultimately had done the very
+worst for him. If there was any one who had deserved the Baron's wrath
+and hatred, on whom his vengeance was certain to fall, surely it was
+himself. Why pick a quarrel with any one else as well? The Baron was no
+coward, far from it; yet, being a perfect shot, he would have it all
+his own way with an opponent like Bertram, who had hardly ever hit the
+target when they practised together. Why then should the Baron not play
+a trump card when lie had one in his hands?
+
+Thus cudgelling his brain, carefully weighing every reason for and
+against it, Bertram kept viewing his position, and all the while the
+weary moments seemed to creep slowly, slowly by, and each succeeding
+one weighed more and more heavily upon his soul. And yet, would he not
+perchance learn all too soon, that his bold attempt to take the place
+of Erna's lover, and thus to guard their new-born happiness, which was
+already so much endangered, against a new and most serious peril, had
+failed, and that he himself had missed this most excellent opportunity
+of dying? He was doomed to go on living this life of his, which had
+lost its savour and had no longer any meaning for him! Half an hour had
+already gone by; they might have finished their consultation long ere
+this, for there was little enough to consult about--unless it was the
+other duel!
+
+In the court-yard, whence the noise of the departing carriages and
+divers shouts had been ascending, silence began to prevail. Bertram
+could master his impatience no longer; he stepped across the corridor
+and went to one of the windows looking out upon the court-yard which
+the expected lieutenant would have to cross. Presently he heard a
+swift, elastic step upon the stairs; he hastened to meet his hurrying
+visitor, and cried, holding out his hand to him--
+
+"Is everything settled?"
+
+"Everything."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" Bertram had all but said; he just managed to change it
+into a polite, "Thank, you so much!"
+
+He kept Kurt's hand in his own as he led him into his room. He made him
+sit upon the sofa, and seated himself by his side. Kurt thought that
+one could not welcome a dear friend, the bringer of the most pleasant
+news, with greater warmth and delight. This feeling was still more
+strengthened when his singular host presently sprang up again, and
+fetched from his stock of provisions for the journey a bottle of wine,
+which he proceeded to uncork; next he brought some glasses, and even a
+small box of cigars. Although no smoker himself, he said, he always had
+some cigars by him for his friends.
+
+He filled the glasses, and held out his own to Kurt.
+
+"May everything turn out as we wish!"
+
+"With all my heart!" replied the young officer.
+
+Kurt said these words with a deep, almost melancholy gravity; which
+contrasted strangely with the gladsome excitement of the older man;
+Kurt's lips barely touched the wine, whilst Bertram drained his glass
+hurriedly, greedily, and instantly refilled it.
+
+"I have fasted almost all day," he said, as if by way of excuse. "A
+festive entertainment always puts me out and takes away my appetite.
+But now, please, tell me--do they agree to everything?"
+
+Kurt reported with military brevity and precision. The only difficulty
+had been to fix the time, as the Baron had at first asserted that he
+could not delay his departure beyond noon on the following day at the
+latest; ultimately, however, he had agreed to the meeting coming off at
+six o'clock in the afternoon. The place was to be a certain spot in the
+great forest, almost exactly midway between Rinstedt and the town, by
+the banks of a little lake. It would be easy to move thence to a still
+more remote portion of the wood, in case the man[oe]vres should have
+brought any one to the neighbourhood, which, in its normal state, is
+absolutely deserted.
+
+"I remember the place exactly from former walks," Bertram said.
+
+"Capital," replied the young man, "for that removes another
+difficulty--namely, how you were to find your way to it from the town.
+The spot suits me singularly well, because we shall probably bivouac
+not a mile from it. I forgot to mention that I have already secured the
+services of our very skilful staff-surgeon, and that Herr von Busche
+will provide a carriage. Lastly, for the sake of keeping the whole
+affair secret, it seemed desirable that the Herr Baron should not go
+straight from here to the meeting. So, under pretext of wishing to make
+to-morrow an excursion to the scene of the man[oe]vres in company with
+Herr von Busche, of returning here at night, and leaving definitely on
+the day following, he has sent word asking his host and hostess to
+excuse him until to-morrow evening, and even now he is driving with
+Herr von Busche to the ranger's house, where he is to pass the night."
+
+"Excellent! excellent!" exclaimed Bertram. "Everything is arranged most
+thoughtfully and carefully. I thank you very much. Herr von Busche
+appears to have been perfectly willing to facilitate all arrangements?"
+
+"He was charming," replied Kurt; "nay, more, he told me quite openly
+that he was doing the Herr Baron this service most reluctantly, very
+much against his own will indeed, and only in deference to the
+traditional courtesy in such matters, and that he would give a good
+deal, if it lay in his power to settle the whole affair amicably. I
+confess I fully sympathise with him in the last point. It was a most
+painful thought for us both that a man like you should risk his life
+against a Baron Lotter, who, it seems, does not enjoy any one's special
+sympathy; and all the chances are against you, too."
+
+"Why all the chances?"
+
+"Herr von Busche said that your opponent was one of the best
+pistol-shots that he knew, unerring of aim, and steady of eye and hand.
+Herr von Busche, of course, has never seen you practise, but he fears,
+and so do I, that ..."
+
+"That I am a miserable shot?" exclaimed Bertram smilingly. "Out with
+it! Yes, yes, you gentlemen have little confidence in us bookworms for
+this sort of thing. But fortunately you are mistaken. I am more or less
+out of practice, I admit; but I can shoot a little, and at such a short
+distance too!"
+
+"I am delighted to hear you say so," replied Kurt. "And yet I would
+like to ask you if there is no possibility of bringing about an
+amicable settlement. It is not by any means too late yet. Herr von
+Busche quite agrees with me in this. Only, as we are both absolutely
+ignorant of the real cause ..."
+
+"But I have already told you that an old feud is about to be settled,"
+Bertram interrupted him somewhat impatiently. "The momentary cause--by
+the way, a small lesson in good manners which I gave the Baron--is of
+no consequence at all."
+
+"So Herr von Busche, too, had been told by his client, and we agreed to
+accept this as sufficient, considering that a man like you would not
+act in such an affair except with due deliberation, and that we younger
+men must respect your motives, even if we regret that they are not
+communicated to us."
+
+"I thank you both all the more for the sacrifice which you are making
+for me," exclaimed Bertram, holding out his hand to Kurt.
+
+"Then I will say good-bye; you will be in need of rest."
+
+Kurt had risen; Bertram retained him.
+
+"Stay a little longer," he said, "if you are not too tired. I am not
+fatigued at all. To-morrow's meeting is not weighing upon my mind in
+the slightest; nay, more, I am as sure of my good fortune as ever Cæsar
+was of his; and I hope, confidently, that we two shall meet many a time
+again in the land of the living. Yet one should not claim from the
+future what the present offers, and therefore let me, at this present
+moment, touch upon a matter which concerns you very specially, and
+which I have, Heaven knows, much more at heart than this wretched
+business over which we have already wasted far too much precious time."
+
+A deep blush burned upon the young officer's cheeks; his dark eyes now
+evaded the bright light of those great blue orbs, whose extraordinary
+brilliancy and beauty he had already repeatedly admired in the course
+of their previous conversation.
+
+"You know what I wish to speak about?" Bertram asked next; and again
+the young man was struck by the complete harmony of the ring of that
+voice and of the radiance of those eyes.
+
+"I think I do," he replied, almost in a whisper.
+
+"Then you will know, too, the sort of relation in which I stand to
+Erna?"
+
+Kurt still dared not look up. He nodded his assent.
+
+"But you cannot know," continued Bertram, "how very intimate this
+relation is--so much so, that I cannot find quite an appropriate name
+for it. I should say that of a father towards a most beloved child, if
+there did not mingle with my feelings for her a touch which--perhaps
+you will understand me--I would call chivalrous tenderness. This touch
+may perhaps occur in other cases too, I mean between a real father and
+daughter--I am sorry to say I never had a daughter of my own--and I
+only mention this element, because it helps me to understand why Erna,
+who otherwise confides in me unconditionally, has kept her love a
+secret from me. Perhaps it was solely an outcome of the long interval
+of time during which we had not met; in such cases a kind of
+estrangement is apt to occur, which, to be sure, once overcome, is wont
+to be followed by a greater cordiality. But above all, the poor darling
+deemed herself rejected, betrayed. Her happiness she would gladly have
+let her paternal friend share; unhappiness always seals the lips of the
+proud; and yet I know that more than once the secret was trembling upon
+those sweet lips of hers, and that had she overcome her shy shrinking,
+she would have spared herself--and spared you, my friend--much
+suffering; and the palms in the winter garden would, an hour ago, have
+waved their magnificent heads above two happy, blissful souls, and not
+above two young fools who, from sheer love, were tearing each other's
+hearts to pieces!"
+
+Kurt gave a quick quiver, and all but jumped from the sofa; but
+Bertram's eyes shone forth in glorious radiance, and a smile of
+infinite tenderness played about his mouth. A strange thrill passed
+through the young man's heart, as though he were in the presence of
+something unapproachably lofty, something which imperatively demanded
+humble submission and confiding obedience. So he lowered his eyes,
+which had flashed indignantly for a moment, and said, scarcely above
+his breath--
+
+"I thank Heaven that He led you to that spot."
+
+"And I," replied Bertram, taking both the young man's hands and
+pressing them heartily, "I thank you for that word which sets me free
+from all restraint, and takes away the last remnant of shrinking
+shyness. Who, indeed, would not shrink, feel awe-struck, when it comes
+to touching those tender threads that spin themselves from heart to
+heart, until, God willing, they become united in a woof so strong that
+death itself cannot rend, it? What God joins, let no man put asunder;
+what God puts asunder, let no man try to join! What has come between
+you two is sheer misunderstanding, provoked by extraordinary
+circumstances, which would have puzzled even older and more experienced
+people, and in which you young, passionate, inconsiderate folk knew
+not what to do. And being so thoughtless and helpless, you have
+assuredly committed mistakes, mistakes on either side, and the demon of
+pride--'by that sin fell the angels'--will have gloated over it all.
+Not to enable me to register and chronicle your mutual faults, but only
+in order that, being taught by the past, we may look the future more
+clearly in the face, just tell me how it all came about? When did you
+make Erna's acquaintance? Was it not in her aunt's house in Erfurt?"
+
+"Yes," replied Kurt; "and to know her and love her was one and the same
+thing; nay, I may say, without the slightest exaggeration, that she was
+one 'whom to look at was to love.' One evening, I saw her at a party. I
+had been visiting at the house for some time, and I think I was rather
+fond of Augusta von Palm, who is staying here now, and with dear Agatha
+I was on terms of heartiest friendship; but Agatha; wishing to give me
+a surprise, had not told me of Erna's visit. So I saw her quite
+unexpectedly among the other young ladies. It would be quite bootless
+for me to try and describe what went on in my heart. So, I thought
+afterwards, the men must have felt of whom the Bible tells us that they
+were held worthy of beholding some divine apparition. My breath failed
+me; all the others present seemed to vanish from my sight; I saw only
+her, or, properly speaking, not her, only her eyes. It seemed like a
+double stream of unearthly, transcendent light; and again it was a
+stream which bore me resistlessly onward and upward into realms of
+bliss, whereof but an hour before I had known nought, divined nought,
+and which yet were, I felt clearly, my true home, to which I was soon
+returning after much aimless wandering in far off regions."
+
+The young man's voice quivered. He drained the glass which, before, his
+lips had scarcely touched. Bertram filled it afresh. Kurt never saw how
+his hand shook as he poured out the wine, nor observed how curiously
+veiled the voice was in which Bertram, breaking the pause, said--
+
+"Strange, or perhaps less strange than highly gratifying, that at least
+for once I find, this kindling effect of Love's divine flash confirmed
+in reality, of which the poets of all times and in all climes have sung
+in praise. I am almost ashamed to confess that although I do not think
+I am a hopelessly prosaic individual, I have always thought this but a
+fond and fair dream."
+
+"And it is a dream," Kurt made answer, "inasmuch as things real are
+most curiously shifted and changed in it, and as one can give scarcely
+a clearer account than a somnambulist, of what occurs and of what one
+does one's self. I do not remember how I got home that night; I have no
+idea whether it was several days after, or really on the day following,
+that, during a picnic in the country, I was strolling apart from the
+rest by her side through a leafy grove. The light of the dying sun was
+trembling among the trees, and a few subdued notes of birds' song were
+heard. Silence was all around; and in silence we passed on, side by
+side. Sometimes she stooped to gather a flower for the tiny bunch which
+she held in her hand, and once, as she stooped again, and I wished to
+anticipate her, our hands touched; and, startled, we both looked up,
+looked into each other's eyes, and the flowers dropped from her hands,
+and--well, it was just a dream, a brief and blissful dream. Who can
+tell the story of a dream?"
+
+The young man had risen and gone to the window. Bertram kept his seat,
+leaning his head on his hands. When Kurt turned back to the table, he
+thought that the noble countenance which now looked up with a very
+sweet smile was paler than before.
+
+"Pardon me," he said, "but I think I see that you are in need of rest;
+let me pause here. You know what happened next."
+
+"Yes, but not quite how it happened," said Bertram in reply. "Please
+sit down by my side again, unless you are tired yourself. As for me, I
+am a regular old night-owl. How it happened, yes--how did Erna come to
+hear of your connection with the Princess? Some malevolent traitor must
+have been at work there."
+
+"Would that it had been the case!" answered Kurt. "A traitor Erna's
+clear eyes would have speedily recognised as such. But the one who told
+her of it was a dear friend of my own, a fellow-officer, who in the
+course of a visit to our former garrison--our own regiment had
+meanwhile been transferred to Magdeburg--made Erna's acquaintance,
+without having the slightest conception of our relations. And as the
+conversation chanced to turn upon me, he babbled, under a promise of
+discretion, of the secret; and probably adorned and amplified matters,
+so as to let the enormous stroke of good luck which was supposed to be
+in store for me appear in its greatest splendour. As he was known to be
+on very intimate terms with me, as I had myself given him an
+introduction to the von Palms, and specially commended him to Erna, she
+had to believe that his romantic story was sheer truth; nay, the awful
+thought came to her that I had myself authorised my friend to make
+these communications, or, if this had been quite too infamous, she
+assumed at least that he had been commissioned by me to prepare her,
+and had solely blundered over his commission, so that I was personally
+responsible, if not for the manner, certainly for the matter. We
+corresponded, and with the connivance of Agatha, under cover of a
+correspondence of hers with an old school-friend in my present
+garrison; but Erna's next letter contained nothing but the question
+whether it was true that I had some relations or other with the
+Princess? The question thus put, I could not but answer in the
+affirmative, begging her at the same time, in connection with the
+subject, not to believe in what any one, except myself, might say. My
+request came somewhat late, but still did not fail to have its effect
+upon Erna's heart, which had assuredly opened with the greatest
+reluctance to the terrible suspicion, and which was now jubilant at
+being freed from it. She teased my friend about his fertile fancy which
+invented stories devoid of a particle of foundation, as she had since
+learned from a trustworthy source. Thus challenged, and piqued at being
+declared undeserving of credit, my friend stated that he had the
+knowledge, if not at first, at least at second hand, for his authority
+was my own Colonel, whose testimony Erna would surely not reject. Again
+he begged her to be discreet, but hinted pretty plainly that other
+fellow-officers were aware of it too, and had likewise learned it from
+the Colonel. And now for Erna the doubts which she thought she had
+vanquished turned to despair. She knew through me the very intimate
+terms on which Herr von Waldor and I stood, and indeed many a time I
+had called him to her my best and kindest friend, my protector and
+second father. Erna wrote another question. Did Herr von Waldor know my
+relations to the Princess? And again I had to answer in the
+affirmative, without being able to mention the suspicion which now--and
+now for the first time--rose within me, that Herr von Waldor might have
+purposely misrepresented those relations in his own interest--you know
+why. What need to continue to describe the wretched position in which I
+now was placed; how the net was tightened more closely and more fatally
+round me, so that I at last had given up all hope of ever being freed
+from it; all the more because Erna--as you heard yourself--repelled
+with such passionate indignation your mediation, which I was about to
+claim. I must confess, I cannot even guess why."
+
+The dark eyes of the young man were raised inquiringly to Bertram, who
+did not at once reply to the questioning look. He had turned aside a
+little, and was busied refilling the glasses; he did not seem to notice
+that he was filling the second to overflowing, and that the wine was
+saturating the table-cloth.
+
+"Dear me," he said, presently, "I beg your pardon; I was--thinking.
+Why, did you ask? Well, we settled already that, according to all
+experience, girls are not fond of confiding to their fathers the
+secrets of their hearts. They dread paternal jealousies, a paternal
+prejudice against the one who ventures to claim the little hand, which,
+as a matter of course, is far too precious even for the best of the
+best. But fear not! Erna shall find in me a friend, protector, and
+counsellor, who hopes to give the proof that one may love like a father
+without being blinded by a father's prejudices, and, above all, one who
+means more honestly by her than, I am sorry to say, Herr von Waldor
+does by you."
+
+A dark shadow flitted over the young man's open countenance.
+
+"I thank you," he said very gently, "I thank you from the bottom of my
+heart for so much goodness, and to deserve it will be the fairest task
+of my life. But pray do not condemn Herr von Waldor. It is impossible
+to measure him by the common standard. Contempt of death and greed of
+life, princely generosity and petty egotism, tenderest love and
+bitterest hatred--all these things lie side by side in his soul, and
+cross and re-cross each other in such a way that even to me (and I
+think I know him better than any one else) it is a perfect enigma. But
+if at times I cannot solve it all, if in this present case I cannot but
+see that he is willing--I must not say to sacrifice, but to stake--me
+and my happiness in the hope of gaining his own great stakes, then I
+need only remember what he has been to the orphaned boy, after he had
+carried my father, fatally wounded, upon his own shoulders out of the
+bloody struggle around the fortifications of Düppel; how he, of all men
+the most impatient, has watched over me with a mother's loving patience
+when I have been ill; how he resumed his studies in order to be able to
+supervise and guide mine; how he paid my expenses when I was a cadet;
+how he equipped and helped the ensign, the young officer; how he
+pressed upon the poor young man of _bourgeois_ birth abundant help to
+enable him to hold his own in an expensive and aristocratic regiment;
+and how he thundered in his wrath when I refused to accept it any
+longer, as I had learned that he had himself to borrow the needful
+money at usurer's interest. Surely you will admit that one so deeply
+indebted to Herr von Waldor as I am, has lost the right, nay, more, the
+ability to struggle and resist, even if the hand which has done so much
+in the way of kindness weighs heavily, terribly so, upon him."
+
+"I think I can follow you in your feelings," replied Bertram, "although
+Waldor is by no means thereby excused in my eyes; on the contrary, I
+adhere firmly to the Scriptural saying, that the right hand should not
+know what the left does; and I hold that he who claims gratitude has
+already his reward. Moreover, was the sacrifice really requisite, which
+Waldor expected from you, when he put you into this ominous position?
+From a moral point of view it is a matter of indifference; but I should
+like, if possible, to be enlightened on this point, which I have not
+hitherto understood."
+
+"How things stand exactly," Kurt replied, "I can hardly say myself. I
+assume that the marriage-contract of the Princess contains certain
+conditions which deprive her of the greater part of her present
+fortune, if she contracts a new matrimonial alliance; or rather, would
+seem to deprive her, for a judicial interpretation of this dubious
+point is to be the result of the law-suit which is now reaching its
+final stage. Further, it may be assumed that the view of the Princess
+herself is the only correct one by all the laws of sound logic; but she
+fears--whether rightly or wrongly I know not--that the decision will be
+adverse to her if the authorities learn that her choice has fallen upon
+an alien."
+
+"But you are an alien, too," objected Bertram.
+
+Kurt shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"An obscure lieutenant, not of noble birth, and Princess Volinzov! No
+one need imagine that they would have taken this _au sérieux_, any more
+than a dozen other _liaisons_...."
+
+He paused abruptly, blushing to the very roots of his hair.
+
+"For shame!" he cried, "that was basely said. Let others sit in
+judgment upon the poor victim of a most abominable bad education and of
+most wretched circumstances. I dare not, I dare not feel for her aught,
+but admiration and gratitude, and renewed gratitude, for I know and
+have experienced in my own person that, through all the badness and
+baseness that have been crowding around her from her childhood, she has
+preserved the capacity for a great and heroic love, a love of which we
+men are scarcely ever, and of which among women only the best and
+noblest are, capable."
+
+Only at the last words Kurt had again ventured to look up, and he
+swiftly lowered his eyes again. Bertram's great eyes shone in wondrous
+radiance, and a curious smile, half melancholy, half ironical, was
+hovering about his lips, as he slowly answered--
+
+"To be sure! you are quite right. Only the noblest women! We men are
+egotistical scoundrels; that is our lordly privilege; and he who
+resigns it, deserves to be crucified with malefactors on either side."
+
+He had risen and was now pacing up and down the room; then he stepped
+to the open window. Kurt had kept his seat, thinking that Bertram would
+turn to him again. But he did not. The young man grew embarrassed.
+Reverence forbade him to disturb the dreamer. Never before had Kurt met
+one whose presence had thus thrilled him as with a breath of highest,
+purest vitality. And to this consciousness, which seemed to lift him
+out of and above himself, was joined the painful feeling which
+humiliated him in his own sight: that he had but just now been petty
+enough to say a bitter word about the woman of whom he yet knew, that
+she had come here to bring the greatest of all sacrifices that a loving
+heart can bring. And he, Bertram, knew this too; for Alexandra had said
+to Kurt: I have confessed all to Bertram! What a painful discord his
+own evil words must have been in the pure and high-souled Bertram's
+ear! And now Bertram, who had in all good faith shown him so much
+sympathy, had found him ungrateful, had turned from him, now and for
+ever.
+
+He would, he must go!
+
+But invisible fetters seemed to chain him to the spot; and as he sat
+there, angry with himself, in gloomy thought, it was no longer only the
+heavy, weary limbs that refused to obey him. His thoughts, too, flitted
+and wandered beyond his control. Something like a dense veil sunk upon
+his eyelids, and he saw surrounding objects but momentarily,
+indistinctly; the lighted candles upon the table seemed to be far-off
+bivouac fires, then they turned to dim and distant stars, then were
+lost in night and darkness.
+
+Bertram had carried the candles to the writing-table, and shadows now
+rested upon the weary sleeper. Then he returned to the sofa and spread
+a coverlet over him.
+
+"Poor lad! I saw how you were struggling against your sleepiness. The
+examination was a long one. But I could not spare you, and you have
+done well!"
+
+He stood gazing upon him.
+
+"And, like this, his head will rest by the side of hers--on one
+pillow!"
+
+He drew his hand over his eyes, stepped noiselessly back to the
+writing-table, and presently his pen was gliding lightly and gently
+over the paper.
+
+"My dear child,--I may henceforth with good right call you so, since
+Fate gives me one opportunity after another, to prove myself a good,
+and, I hope, also a thoughtful, father to you. But an hour ago I had to
+calm and comfort my beloved child, and yet dared not give her true
+comfort, dared not express my full and firm conviction that a good,
+upright heart always makes choice of the right thing at once. For good
+and upright as my dear child's heart is, yet it is a very defiant heart
+too, and would rather be miserable in its own way, than happy and
+blessed in other people's way; and it would have steeled itself against
+my persuasion and against my testimony, and would again and again have
+reverted to this: You do not know him! But now I say to you: I do know
+him; and you must accept my testimony as that of a man of great
+experience and knowledge of the human heart, of a man whose eyes--sharp
+as human eyes go--love for you and care for your welfare have filled
+with divine perspicuity. I know him now, after one hour spent here in
+my room in confidential conversation, as though I had known him from
+childhood, stalwart young man as he is; and even as I sit writing this,
+he is sleeping, under my watchful care, the sweet sleep of exhausted
+youthful vigour, notwithstanding his painful anxieties and the bitter
+sorrow of his heart. I have been watching him in his sleep. Sleep is a
+terrible betrayer of narrow minds and feeble hearts. Here there is
+nothing to betray, and sleep can but put its soft yet sure seal upon
+the beauteous image of a great and noble soul. And even as this soul,
+helpless and resistless as it were, is in my keeping, receive it, loved
+one, from my hands, as a great and glorious gift of the gods on high,
+who have deemed me worthy to be their envoy and the executor of their
+sacred decision.
+
+"I promised you not to leave as long as you had need of me. You need me
+no longer, and I shall leave in the morning without bidding you
+farewell. From your mother, too, I shall take leave in writing; she
+knows my weakness for vanishing noiselessly from society. It is a long
+journey that lies before me, and we shall not soon meet again.
+Separation is death for a time, and time, again, is nought but a tiny
+speck, and its complement is eternity. A noble human being should plan
+his thoughts and action not in reference to the former, but the latter.
+Let, therefore, what I now say to you, for the brief space wherein we
+shall not behold one another, be said for evermore: Fare thee well,
+_Lebe wohl!_ that is, live according to the bidding of your heart, as
+you hear it when you listen to it in secret silence and reverence!
+Howsoever this our life may be shaped, it is no longer our concern, but
+that of the powers on high, over whom we have no influence, and
+therefore it matters nothing to us. Once more then: _Lebe wohl!_
+
+"My kindliest greetings to sweet Agatha! She is your true friend. I
+always felt that she would counsel nothing that I would not counsel
+myself.
+
+"And another is your friend, too, though you do not think her to be
+one. You know I am speaking of the Princess. She also will leave your
+house to-morrow, not without making an attempt to prove to you that she
+is your friend. Be good to her for my sake; in that case I feel
+convinced that you will part from her with kind and grateful feelings,
+and that she herself will have inspired them. Whatever she may say to
+you, I guarantee its truth. Hers is one of those natures that may go
+astray, but that can never be untrue.
+
+"Should you have a message to send me, send if through your father,
+whom I shall see in W---- tomorrow. Should I have anything else to say
+to you, I will send my message through Kurt, whom also I shall meet
+again to-morrow.
+
+"And now remember your promise to be my good and obedient child; and
+again, and for the last time: _Lebe wohl!_"
+
+He had put the letter into an envelope, and now turned in his chair,
+looking towards the sofa. His young guest was still lying in the same
+position, only his head had fallen back a little. Perhaps deeper
+shadows were now falling on the forehead and on the closed, eyes,
+whilst chin and lips stood out in brighter light and bolder relief;
+anyhow, the features that appeared so soft awhile ago seemed sharper,
+and the expression of almost feminine gentleness was turned to one of
+manly resolution, nay, of angry indignation.
+
+"Thus Simon Peter may have contracted his brows, thus his lips may have
+quivered that night! And yet he could sleep, although he knew what was
+to happen. Even as this one, knowing, yet sleepeth!"
+
+Again he stood by the open window, leaning against it.
+
+A dead silence; only at times the night wind came rushing past, and
+there was rustling and roaring among trees and shrubs. In the village,
+veiled in mist, a dim red light gleamed faintly here and there. At
+times confused sounds, as of far-off horses' tramp and the measured
+step of soldiers on the march, with clashing of arms. Then deep, dead
+silence again, and then, piercing the deep silence, the half-smothered
+crow of a cock. Over the edge of yonder mountains the moon--almost at
+the full--hung, bloody-red, in the vapour which came steaming up from
+the woods.
+
+"Did you look so mournfully up to it that night? And had all the
+heavenly stars to expire for Him too, that He might remember the heaven
+within His heart?
+
+"Alas! He knew that He was dying for the world. I humbly claim but to
+die for her,--she is my world.
+
+"One cannot choose one's own Gethsemane. One must take it as it comes,
+whether to the sound of the last trump on the Day of Judgment, ringing
+through the hearts of all the generations of men, or in deep and
+world-forgotten loneliness and secrecy, whither human eye shall never
+penetrate, any more than it penetrates into the nethermost depths of
+the sea.
+
+"And this is my silent Gethsemane!"
+
+The moon had sunk behind the hills, and the cool morning breeze came
+floating along. Bertram was about to close the window when he heard
+from afar a short, sharp sound, soon succeeded by other similar sounds,
+succeeding each other so swiftly that the echo could clearly continue
+the scattered noises and reverberate them as thunder. And now shrill,
+long-drawn trumpet-blasts were heard, mingling with the beat of the
+drum.
+
+Bertram quickly turned to the sleeper, who was not, for his sake, to
+neglect his military duties. But already Kurt had staggered up from his
+sofa-corner, his eyes wide open, though still veiled by slumber, and
+his arms stretched out, clutching the air, as though in search of some
+weapon.
+
+"I--I--not you! I will fight him! Give me the pistol!"
+
+Bertram touched his shoulder.
+
+"They are sounding the assembly in the village!"
+
+"Oh! I thought ..."
+
+He brushed his hand across his eyes.
+
+"I have been asleep! Pardon me. How good you are! You have been
+watching for me. Is it long since ...?" and he pointed to the window.
+
+"Not half a minute."
+
+"Then I am in good time!"
+
+He had already fastened his sword, and seized his helmet.
+
+"Excuse my hurry. You know ..."
+
+"No excuses! A matter of course. _Au revoir_."
+
+He held out his hand to the young man, in whose fine features, now full
+of life again, he noticed a strange quiver. Kurt evidently wanted to
+say something, and could not hit upon the right word. So he only
+pressed Bertram's hand vigorously.
+
+"Well, _au revoir!_"
+
+He hurried away. Bertram stood gazing at the door through which the
+slender young figure had vanished.
+
+"Heaven be thanked! It is at least no disgrace to yield to him. He is
+thoroughly sound and sweet,--mind and body alike!"
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXIII.
+
+
+In the mansion-house which had until now been hushed in slumber, many
+voices were heard shouting, and the tramp of horses came echoing from
+the court-yard. A smart, heavy step was heard below in the passage.
+
+"Which door?"
+
+"The second, Colonel. Allow me, Colonel."
+
+But Bertram had already opened the door, and Colonel von Waldor came
+rushing in.
+
+"Good evening, friend, or rather good morning. A good thing that I met
+your servant at once--otherwise I might have been hunting for you ever
+so long--I have only one minute to spare--where is Ringberg? Your
+servant said he was here."
+
+"He left five minutes ago, when they were sounding the assembly."
+
+"That came unexpectedly, eh?" cried the Colonel. "An hour before
+the time--I did it on my own responsibility. His Excellency will
+be furious--wait for the attack, forsooth!--in such an exposed
+situation--not if I know it!--we shall have to retreat ultimately as it
+is--so I'll give them some trouble first. But that does not concern
+you. Here is something that does, a little, and which will greatly
+please you. Read this!"
+
+Waldor drew a folded paper from between a couple of buttons in his
+uniform and handed it to Bertram. The telegram was in French, and in
+the following! words:--
+
+"I sincerely congratulate Madame la Princesse. Lawsuit definitely
+gained.
+
+            Your obedient servant,              Odintzov."
+
+"Odintzov," Waldor explained, "is our Petersburg lawyer and
+business-man, a most trustworthy fellow. What do you say now?"
+
+"That I do congratulate you heartily. How did you get hold of this?"
+
+"See what it is to be in luck! I knew that the lawsuit would soon be
+decided, though Alexandra refused to believe it. So I gave orders that
+any telegram arriving, by day or by night, was to be straightway sent
+here by mounted express. Returning just now from the outposts, close to
+Rinstedt, I overtook on the high-road a fellow trotting along in front
+of me. 'Telegram from Rinstedt?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Princess Volinzov?' 'Yes,
+sir.' 'Give it to me.' The beggar had got rid of the telegram before he
+knew what was up. I read it by the light of my cigar; hence this stain.
+May I trouble you for an envelope? Or perhaps you would be so kind as
+to hand it to the Princess with my respectful compliments? It would
+give her double pleasure. I can assure you that you are still as
+fortunate as ever with the sex! Alexandra quite raves about you. Good!
+Now, you may both put your wise heads together and settle how and when
+the battle, which is won, is to be utilised for the benefit of our
+young _protégés_. I give you two _plein pouvoir_. I should say, let
+them dangle a little longer. I could come over with Kurt, never saying
+a word of this to him. We would have a nice little supper. 'Ladies and
+gentlemen, I have the exquisite pleasure of presenting my future wife
+to you--the Princess Alexandra Paulovna.' Capital! The amazed look in
+the eyes of our beautiful hostess is worth doing it for. And then the
+young ones immediately afterwards--only, of course, you must first
+pitch into the little girl properly; she seems to have a bit of a will
+of her own. All right, you'll see to it all between you, no doubt.
+Good-bye, _mon cher_! You are looking deucedly fagged. That's the
+result of being so much indoors. I have been on my legs since four
+o'clock yesterday morning, and feel as fresh as paint. Is this Kurt's
+glass? Oh, bother all ceremony! It is not the first that he and I have
+been using the same glass."
+
+He filled the glass and drained it at one draught.
+
+"Capital wine that! Well, good-bye, and _au revoir!_"
+
+The Colonel had rushed off again.
+
+"And thus," said Bertram with a smile, "one conquers the world. Perhaps
+it looks harder than it really is."
+
+He again sat down at the writing-table and took up a fresh sheet of
+paper.
+
+"Gracious Princess,--Waldor has just left me, after handing me, for
+transmission to you, the enclosed telegram, on the contents of which I
+beg to offer my hearty congratulations. I am sorry I must do so in
+writing, for a few hours hence I shall leave this--secretly--not to
+return. Business that will brook no delay makes this imperative, and I
+have not told Waldor of it. He hopes to find me here this evening, that
+I may be a witness to the amazement which the announcement of your
+engagement will cause in this friendly circle, as all obstacles to it
+are now removed. I am sincerely sorry that I cannot afford him that
+pleasure--for to him it would really be a pleasure.
+
+"I regret it the more, because I must prepare a worse disappointment
+for him. For I consider it, in the interest of our _protégés_, to be
+desirable--necessary, if you wish--that you, My Lady, should also leave
+to-morrow; without waiting for Waldor's evening visit. The
+communication which you were resolved to make to our fair young friend
+Erna, before Waldor had given you _plein pouvoir_ (which he now begs to
+do through me), will only have the right calming effect if you strike
+the proper note on Erna's heart, and then let it ring out full and
+clear. In life, as on the stage, a good ending has to be provided for.
+This is missed if one lingers on the stage, when once the decisive word
+has been spoken.
+
+"And what about the communication itself?
+
+"I should deem it presumptuous on my part, were I to venture to advise
+Claudine's clever friend on this point. She knows that one is compelled
+to say the whole truth only in a court of law. In life it is
+sufficient, nay, it is often requisite in the interest of humanity, to
+say nothing but the truth, to be sure, but, of the truth, only what is
+needful and useful--to use the words which Lessing puts into the mouth
+of his wise Jew Nathan.
+
+"And, now, let me add to my requests, a word of deep and sincere
+gratitude that you deemed me worthy to make the acquaintance of
+Claudine and of yourself. Your friend is perhaps more interesting and
+intellectual--at least you said so--but your heart is a thousand times
+more noble.
+
+"I have always paid due respect to intellectual capacity; but before a
+noble heart I gladly and reverently bend my knee."
+
+Silence had for a long time been reigning again in the mansion-house.
+The combat, too, though it had commenced in the immediate vicinity, was
+now being continued a long way off, and one only heard something like
+the rumbling of a distant thunder-storm. The candles on Bertram's
+writing-table had all but burned down to the sockets; he turned his
+wearied eyes towards the window, through which the dull grey morning
+light was coming. Konski came into the room.
+
+"What time is it?"
+
+"Just five, sir."
+
+"So late? Well, I am ready. Did you get hold of a carriage?"
+
+"It is waiting at the bridge below."
+
+"Did you get if from the mayor?"
+
+"Yes, Herr Doctor. At first he was making no end of excuses; for they
+all want to drive to the man[oe]vres, every man of them; and Herr von
+Busche has ordered a trap, too, for the afternoon. He'll have to be
+content with a common cart and a sack. Never mind that, though!"
+
+"Why should you look so miserable about that?"
+
+"It isn't about that at all, Herr Doctor."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"It is because I do not like to let the Herr Doctor drive away like
+this. Can you not take me with you?"
+
+"Impossible! You see yourself that you have a couple of hours' work
+before you yet. These sealed packets are to go into the small
+portmanteau which you keep by you. These letters you will deliver, when
+the ladies have risen. This money is for the servants. Do not forget
+any one, and do not be stingy, Konski! And remember me kindly to your
+Aurora. And now my cloak, please, and so good-bye, Konski."
+
+"Am I not at least to see the Herr Doctor to the carriage?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Herr Doctor, do not be angry; I really mean so well by you, and Aurora
+does too. We have been speaking of nothing else. And she swears that
+the Herr Doctor, if he wished it, could have Miss Erna for the asking."
+
+"Then tell your Aurora that the Herr Doctor does not wish it, and that
+the Herr Doctor has better things to do than to spoon and fool about,
+like you and her."
+
+He had held out his hand to the faithful servant, and now he was gone.
+A minute later, Konski, standing mournfully by the window, saw the
+dark figure striding swiftly past the lawn, and vanish behind the
+terrace-wall. He closed the window with a sigh.
+
+Bertram lessened his pace, as soon as he knew himself unobserved.
+Slowly he descended the steps to the second terrace. Here was the
+leafy grove which, on the left, led to the platform beneath the
+plantain-tree. He glanced timidly that way. His foot had already
+touched the next step, he wanted to get down,--to get away,--but
+something like a magic spell drew him to the spot.
+
+There, in this chair, she had sat; he was facing her; and the golden
+sunbeams had flitted through the dense foliage, and the birds had been
+holding a gleeful festival in the branches, and from the gardens below
+fairest fragrance of flowers had been wafted up, and his heart had been
+full of light and joy, and of all the blissfulness of spring. And now!
+and now!
+
+"Thou sacred dawn of early morn, forgive me! You quiet trees and
+bushes, tell it not! I have borne what man can bear; more, I cannot."
+
+And pressing his hand to his face, he wept.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXIV.
+
+
+In the little-garden, under wide-spreading chestnut-trees, the lawyer
+and Bertram were sitting, about four o'clock in the afternoon, at a
+table covered with books, documents, and papers. From, the small garden
+one could look across a narrow court-yard, at the windows of the
+office, where they had just begun to make a fair copy of the will,
+which had been settled after long deliberation.
+
+"And now, most grave and most conscientious of men, seeing that you go
+into this election campaign as into actual war, let us drink that
+victory may be on your side--that is, on ours, on the side of liberty,
+and right--and that the victor be granted, over and above his allotted
+time, as special allowance for special services rendered, a respectable
+series of not inglorious years, at least as many as this '68
+Rüdesheimer wine numbers!"
+
+The lawyer took a venerable-looking bottle, from a side table, filled a
+couple of green goblets, and touched Bertram's with his own.
+
+"I thank you for the kindly wish, and drink to its fulfilment, although
+as you know, I have well-founded reasons for assuming that it will not
+occur."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried the lawyer. "I am not a giant either, but I
+confidently expect to outlive all the giants among my contemporaries.
+What does Wallenstein say?--'Es ist der Geist der sich den Körper
+bauet' (It is the mind that builds, this frame of ours). And I would
+add, that also keeps the building together, even if it were shaky in
+every joint; and that is assuredly far from being the case with you."
+
+Bertram smiled absently. His looks were wandering away to the garden
+gate.
+
+"I wonder where Otto can be?" he said. "I urgently asked him to be here
+at four o'clock at the latest."
+
+"I am in no hurry at all," replied the lawyer. "After having had to
+keep you waiting the whole forenoon, my entire evening is at your
+disposal instead; or, if you insist upon leaving at five, we can have
+another second witness in, and you can communicate to our friend in
+writing those points which have special reference to him."
+
+"I am most anxious to do so by word of mouth."
+
+Upon the wretched pavement of the narrow street which lay behind the
+garden wall, a carriage came hurriedly thundering along.
+
+"_Lupus in fabula!_" exclaimed the lawyer. "Any one coming from
+Rinstedt would have to pass this way."
+
+As he spoke, Otto's broad-shouldered figure appeared in the little
+yard.
+
+The two men had meanwhile risen from their seats below the
+chestnut-trees, and had gone to meet the newcomer.
+
+"What tricks are these of yours?" Otto was saying, "to cut away from
+the village in the middle of the night in a trap? What will people
+think? Why, that I am driving my guests from my house! But, of course,
+you intellectual people never can do things like the rest of us
+mortals; always something out of the way! Eh, old fellow?"
+
+He brought his hand with a laugh down upon Bertram's shoulders; but the
+laugh was forced, and, indeed, in all his look and manner there was
+painful unrest.
+
+"I am sorry that I must leave you gentlemen alone for a little," said
+the lawyer, with a meaning look at Bertram; "but you can call me at any
+time from the office. By the way, there is an empty glass here, Bermer.
+You must be thirsty after your drive along the hot road, and you have
+not in your own cellars at Rinstedt a better Rüdesheimer than this."
+
+He turned his back upon the friends now, and forthwith the last trace
+of forced mirth vanished from Otto's face. He had flung himself into a
+garden chair, and there he sat, his elbows leaning on his knees, his
+hands put to his full round cheeks, staring fixedly in front of him.
+
+"This has been a day which I shall remember!" he said.
+
+"You have spoken to your wife?"
+
+Otto nodded.
+
+"In detail?"
+
+"Well, yes; that is to say ..."
+
+"That you might have spoken in greater detail. It does not matter,
+however, as long as you have informed her of your situation in the
+main. That has surely been done?"
+
+"Been done!" exclaimed Otto. "Great Heavens! it was fearful! At first
+she seemed to think that I had gone mad; at least she looked so ... so
+frightened at me, don't you know, and wanted to ring the bell. But I
+told her that I was, unfortunately, still quite in my right mind, and
+perfectly sober, although yesterday I did perhaps, in my despair,
+drink a little too much. And then, I do not know how it came about,
+but one word led to another; and when she told me that the whole thing
+was my own fault, and the outcome of my bad economy and my costly
+foibles,--she could not mean anything more by this, than that I like to
+drink a good glass of wine and to smoke a decent cigar;--why, then,
+something passed within me that I cannot describe. I felt as though my
+very heart were turning, and as though I had never loved her in all my
+life. And then there was no longer any need to hunt for appropriate
+words; they came fast enough, and harder, too, than I liked at last. It
+was horrible!"
+
+Otto gave a deep sigh and drained his glass.
+
+"This is really good wine," he said, taking up the bottle and looking
+at the mouldy label. "I wonder where he got hold of it. But what does
+it matter to me? All grapes are sour for me henceforth."
+
+"I hope not," said Bertram. "Anyhow, I thank you for having taken to
+heart and faithfully carried out what I wrote to you last night. This
+was indeed the first needful step, if the execution of my plan, the
+details of which I will immediately communicate to you, was to be
+possible. But one question first: you have not let Erna hear anything
+of the subject of the conversation between you and your wife? And, as I
+know your wife, she will surely keep as long as possible from Erna,
+what she considers less a misfortune than a disgrace?"
+
+"You can rely on that," replied Otto; "she would rather bite her tongue
+off. But how long will it be before Erna has to learn all?"
+
+"I hope that will never be the case!" replied Bertram. "Now, to come to
+the point. I have asked you to come here to-day to be a witness to my
+last will and testament. I might have told you its contents yesterday,
+but I did not do so, because--to speak quite frankly--I was afraid you
+would not keep the secret entirely, and thus the impression upon your
+wife, on learning the whole truth, might have been considerably
+lessened. If, after all, things come round again and change for the
+better, then--for she is not bad, your wife, only spoiled and not given
+to looking beneath the surface--then something like gratitude will stir
+within her. And should this really not be the case, then I am, as it
+were, master of the situation and you will both yield; you willingly,
+she, because she must. Well then: in this will of mine, of which they
+are now making a fair copy in the office, I have made Erna my residuary
+legatee, except some smaller legacies, among which there is a suitable
+annuity for Lydia. From her future inheritance, there will at once be
+taken and made immediately available the sum which you require to set
+your affairs thoroughly right again, with our legal friend's help. He
+guarantee's that with this sum the greater part of your fortune
+may yet be saved, if you agree to his arrangements, above all about
+the factories. This sum will be advanced as a mortgage on your
+estates--our friend will explain to you how it can be done--at a
+moderate percentage, and the total revenue accruing from it is to be
+Erna's from the day of her marriage. Concerning that marriage, Erna has
+of course absolute freedom of choice, although I for my part hope that
+she will fall in with the wishes which I have expressed to her on this
+subject. And now shake hands, old man, and pardon me if I have had to
+add another unpleasant hour to the one which I already caused you
+to-day. _Tu l'as voulu!_ From me you would not accept anything; with
+your own child you will, I trust, stand upon less ceremony."
+
+"It is your money for all that," murmured Otto.
+
+"As long as I live; who knows how long that will be! And there is our
+legal friend coming, bringing the document in question with him, which
+you are now to hear read, and which afterwards you are to adorn with
+your signature, as one of the two witnesses."
+
+"The other," said the lawyer, now approaching the group with his chief
+clerk, "will be Mr. Kasper here. Sit down, Kasper, and read away."
+
+During the reading of the somewhat lengthy document Otto's countenance
+kept changing colour; his eyes were very wet, and he repressed his
+tears with difficulty. When the lawyer handed him a pen for signature,
+his big powerful hand trembled to such an extent, that he could
+scarcely produce a few strokes in lieu of writing his name.
+
+The document in question was now legally completed, and the lawyer had
+left the friends, to put it himself into a safe place of keeping. He
+came back at once. Would the gentlemen kindly excuse him? His
+Excellency the Herr Oberhofmarshal von Dirnitz had just appeared in the
+office, and desired to see him on business of importance.
+
+"It probably will not be so very important, after all," said the
+lawyer, "I hope to settle, it in a very few minutes, and then we can
+talk at our ease."
+
+Again the friends were alone. Otto seemed to have paid no heed to the
+lawyer's coming or going. He sat still at the table, supporting his
+head upon it, and staring gloomily before him. Bertram bent over him,
+and said, laying his hand upon his friend's shoulder--
+
+"Otto, old man, you must not view the matter in too tragic a light."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to look upon it as a joke having signed my own
+death-warrant," murmured Otto, without stirring from his position.
+
+"You have done nothing of the kind," replied Bertram. "I should rather
+say, that now a new life was beginning for you; a life of purpose,
+sobriety, energy, independence, however strange the last word may sound
+to you. Until this day you were not living an independent life; nothing
+but a sham existence, in slavish subjection to the caprices of your
+wife, to whom you sacrificed your fortune, and, worse than that, your
+own better judgment. Now, having come to see this, you are enabled, by
+means of some assistance, to re-conquer your fortune, or at least the
+greater part of it; and this surely is no alms, but a mere loan, for
+which you are responsible in every respect; and, perhaps, in addition,
+you may conquer what you never possessed before--I mean, the love, or,
+at the very least, the respect of your wife, which she only denied to
+the husband who had no will of his own, but which she will not refuse
+to grant to the husband who is strong, determined, and who respects
+himself."
+
+"Yes, yes," Said Otto; "it all sounds very well, and I surely mean to
+try to atone for my miserable shortcomings; but this I know already
+to-day, it will not do. I mean, I shall not have the energy you speak
+of, nay, I shall look upon myself as a downright scamp, and I shall not
+dare look my wife or any one else in the face, far less confront them
+energetically, as long as I see no chance of paying off my whole
+stupendous debt to you. Not to the uttermost farthing, that may perhaps
+be made possible--but in my heart. I do not know how to express it
+aright, but you will understand my meaning--by giving you in exchange
+something that no one else could give you."
+
+He lifted his eyes to Bertram in anxious inquiry. Bertram shook his
+head.
+
+"I thought we were not to mention it again," he said.
+
+"Nor should I, to be sure, have done so," replied Otto; "however fond
+one may be of a man, and however indebted to him, one's only child is
+of course one's only child; and just now, above all, to have to give
+her up, to live in the big house alone with--but I cannot give up the
+thought that now, after all, nothing is to come of it, after they,
+Lydia and my wife, have tried to prove to me in writing--in black and
+white, don't you know--that you loved each other, and that at least
+Erna ..."
+
+"I hardly know what you are talking about," Bertram impatiently
+interrupted his friend; "and what do you mean by 'in black and white'?"
+
+"A stupid story," Otto made answer, embarrassed, "in which those women
+have got me involved, and which; yesterday, I did not wish to refer to,
+as I was desirous of sparing Hildegard. But now let the whole thing
+come out; it may as well. Listen, then!"
+
+So he told him of the letter which Erna had written to Agatha, and
+which Lydia had purloined for a few hours. Hildegard had read the
+letter to him, and his excellent memory enabled him to reproduce it
+now, if not literally, at least in its general bearings. He also had
+remembered well the passage referring to some _liaison_ which Erna
+would seem to have had, and to which the ladies had not attributed any
+special significance.
+
+"Now," he concluded his report, "you see why my wife, who was so bent
+upon having Lotter for a son-in-law, was so annoyed with you during the
+last few days; nor do I know what would have come of it all, if the
+Princess had not yesterday brought, her round to reason: how she
+managed it is a riddle to me, but it is a fact, there, is an end of
+Lotter, for good and all. This morning Hildegard went the length of
+saying that it had been I who had favoured Lotter, and--for I may as
+well tell you all now--you suddenly appeared to her not only as an
+acceptable husband for Erna, but rather she saw in your union the only
+possibility--if my carelessness had really wrought our ruin--to save
+Erna at least, and to preserve for her such a position in society as
+she was born for. Well, old man, it's off my mind at last, and for all
+that, and, all that, it would be the grandest day in my whole life if
+you were able to say to me: 'Well, better late than never!'"
+
+"It is too late!" Bertram replied.
+
+He had ejaculated those words, in intensest excitement, bounding from
+his chair as he did so, and now he was, with uneven step, pacing up and
+down beneath the chestnut-trees. But presently he returned to Otto,
+who, frightened, had not stirred from his seat, and said in his usual
+calm tone--
+
+"It would be too late, even if everything were--as it is not. I did not
+mean to speak about it, because I am not commissioned to do so, and
+because, therefore, those interested might have had good reason to be
+annoyed, if I told you before they themselves thought the time had come
+for doing so. I meant to rest satisfied with paving the way, so that
+there should be no obstacle to the fulfilment of their wishes. But now,
+since you seem unable to rid yourself of the curious idea of an
+alliance between Erna and myself; since, oddly enough, your wife finds
+pleasure therein; and since now, perhaps the fact of my making Erna my
+heiress, might seem to both of you an indirect confirmation of your
+opinion, I had better tell you this. I know that Erna has already given
+away her heart, that for more than a year she has loved Lieutenant
+Ringberg, and has been loved by him. It is my most earnest wish that
+the union of the lovers may meet with no obstacle, and I firmly believe
+that this marriage will lead to Erna's supreme happiness. And now let
+me confess one thing more, so that I may have nothing whatever on my
+conscience with regard to you. It was not for nothing that I have thus
+hastened to put order into my own, and, I trust, into your affairs, and
+to secure Erna's future. In the very next hour I have to go forth on an
+errand from which, in all human probability, I shall not return with my
+limbs whole, and where, very possibly, I may lose my life."
+
+Then he briefly told his friend of his quarrel with the Baron last
+night and of its consequences. The true reason he did not refer to any
+more than he had to Kurt.
+
+Otto was quite beside himself when he heard of it.
+
+"It must not be, it shall not be!" he cried again and again. "It is
+sheer madness. How can you go and fight a duel with pistols when you
+scarcely know how to fire one? And with Lotter, of all men, who hits an
+ace at twenty paces. This is no duel, it is downright murder. I will
+not allow it!"
+
+"Please do not speak so loud, anyhow," said Bertram; "they can hear you
+in the office."
+
+"All the better!" cried Otto; "every one may hear that you cannot fight
+the fellow. Why, Ringberg is far more sensible than you, for he
+pretended last night not to notice the fellow's impertinence, and left
+the card table without replying a word."
+
+"Who told you that?" cried Bertram, terrified.
+
+"The forest-ranger," replied Otto, "He came over to breakfast this
+morning. Yesterday's events were discussed; I did not pay much
+attention to the talk, for the scene which I expected to have with
+Hildegard was weighing upon my mind; but I remember now. The ladies
+were discussing, whether Ringberg had done right in ignoring Lotter's
+impertinence. Lydia thought yes, but the Princess declared that it
+could not be thus, because ... I cannot remember why not; it had no
+interest for me. If I had been able to divine that Ringberg and
+Erna--that you ..."
+
+"Was Erna present?"
+
+"Erna? No. That is to say, I do not know--I was very absent--she went
+out riding afterwards with the Princess, who sent me word that I had
+better drive to town alone. Confound the fellow! Picking quarrels with
+everybody! And we are to blame; good Heaven, it is my fault that you
+... I thought the worst had already come, but this is far worse than
+anything. But I cannot allow it, and I will not. Never! When did you
+say it was to come off? And where?"
+
+"I shall tell you nothing more, and I am sorry I told you anything at
+all."
+
+Bertram rose swiftly, Otto sprang up too, exclaiming as he did so--
+
+"I shall go with you."
+
+"You are about to leave, gentlemen?" a thin voice behind them was
+asking.
+
+In their excitement neither had noticed that the lawyer and the Herr
+Oberhofmarshal had entered the garden, and had already approached
+within a few yards of them.
+
+"Will you very kindly introduce me to the Herr Doctor?" said the
+Marshal, after he had courteously tendered his hand to Otto.
+
+The introduction was made.
+
+"It is not quite right," said the Marshal, "that only now I have the
+honour ... I hear you have been for more than a week at Rinstedt, and
+yet you have not had a minute to spare for us! Not for our theatre, our
+school of art, our museum! Not to mention my humble self, although I
+have for years been accustomed to no stranger of distinction passing my
+threshold. You must make up for this yet, you really must."
+
+Bertram answered the old gentleman in a few courteous words, looking at
+the same time entreatingly at the lawyer.
+
+"Your Excellency will excuse me," said the lawyer, "if, considering how
+pressed the Herr Doctor is for time, I venture ..."
+
+"Quite right, quite right," said the old gentleman. "Indeed, I already
+noticed myself that the gentlemen were leaving. Let us come to the
+point--a very, very disagreeable point, in reference to which, acting
+on the advice of our common legal friend, with whom I originally
+intended only to discuss the judicial bearings of the case, I should
+now like to be allowed to claim also your assistance, my dear Mr.
+Bermer."
+
+"In that case," said Bertram, who in his impatience almost felt the
+ground burn beneath his feet, and who also thought this a splendid
+opportunity for getting rid of Otto Bermer, "you will perhaps allow me
+to take my departure."
+
+"Pray remain, Herr Doctor, I entreat you!" exclaimed the Marshal
+eagerly. "Quite apart from the painful interest which the matter will
+have on psychological grounds for such a profound student of human
+nature, I feel a moral necessity to have an affair, which it is
+desirable to withdraw from the cognisance of the judge, adjudicated
+upon by a forum of men of enlightened intelligence and honourable
+character--adjudicated upon and,--alas, alas!--condemned. The case is
+this ..."
+
+"If your Excellency will allow me?" said the lawyer, in response to
+another still more entreating glance of Bertram's.
+
+"Please, please," replied, the Marshal, conveying the pinch of snuff,
+which he had just, taken from his box, somewhat abruptly to his nose.
+
+"The case is this," the lawyer went on, without heeding the old
+gentleman's annoyance: "your friend Baron Lotter, my dear Burner, has
+been guilty of an action which amounts to fraud and forgery. He had
+been commissioned to, buy a couple of race-horses for the Court
+during the summer, somewhere in Bavaria, and had drawn the money for
+them--three thousand thalers--from the Grand Duke's privy purse, upon
+an order signed by His Excellency; but he appears not to have paid the
+money, but to have given a bill of exchange instead, with the forged
+signature of His Excellency, as representing the Marshal's office."
+
+"Is not this monstrous?" cried the old gentleman, "as if the Upper
+Court Marshal's office ever paid, with bills of exchange!"
+
+"The daring of the deed is indeed tremendous," continued the lawyer,
+"considering the fact which His Excellency has stated just now, and
+which was also known to the Herr Baron. And indeed he had taken the
+precaution to inform the clerk of the privy purse--into whose hands the
+bill of exchange would necessarily come first--when presented for
+payment, that the affair was all right; that he would hand him the
+money a week before it was due; the little service would not remain
+without its reward, as soon as the Baron had got his foot in the
+stirrup, in other words, as soon as he was Chamberlain. The poor fellow
+was weak enough ..."
+
+"It is incredible!" murmured the Oberhofmarshal; "quite incredible!"
+
+"To be sure, your Excellency," said the lawyer; "nevertheless, he was
+weak enough to consent to what was evidently a fraud, until to-day, two
+days before the bill was due, and when the money promised by the Baron
+had not appeared, his terror compelled him to make a clean breast of it
+to His Excellency. Meanwhile the bill had, yesterday, been sent to a
+local banker for collection. This banker, who, of course, had never
+seen anything of the kind occur in business, thought it advisable to
+make private and confidential inquiries of His Excellency as to the
+state of affairs, just before the clerk made his confession, and now
+His Excellency has the proof in his own hands."
+
+The little old gentleman, who accompanied the lawyer's report with many
+a nod and with eager play of features, was opening his mouth, but the
+lawyer continued swiftly--
+
+"His Excellency at once went to His Highness ..."
+
+"I beg your pardon!" cried the Marshal. "I struggled for an hour as to
+whether I could not spare His Highness this grief. Moreover the young
+man's father was my dear old friend, who would turn in his grave if he
+could hear that a Lotter, his own son--it is terrible! And be assured,
+gentlemen, if I were a rich man--every one knows I am not--I ..."
+
+"Your Excellency would in that case not have gone to Serenissimus," the
+lawyer went on; "but it was not to be avoided. His Highness, with his
+customary generosity, resolved at once ..."
+
+"That is," the Marshal interrupted him, "in consequence of my report
+and recommendation."
+
+"Of course, in consequence of His Excellency's report and
+recommendation, resolved at once that the bill was to be paid as if
+everything were in perfect order, under the condition that the Herr
+Baron should never show his face at Court again, and depart
+straightway. This latter point, the Grand Duke declared with very
+natural anger ..."
+
+"I really must beg ..." objected the Marshal.
+
+"Declared with considerable emphasis to be the _conditio sine quâ non_,
+if he were to show a merciful forbearance, in lieu of allowing the law
+to take its course. And now we come to the point when ..."
+
+"When," the Marshal said, turning to Otto, "I must claim your kind
+services. You have the ... I can only say the great misfortune to be a
+friend ... I mean an acquaintance of the Herr Baron, who is at present
+a guest in your house. My appearance there, however greatly I should
+esteem such an honour, would perhaps cause some sensation, the very
+thing His Highness wishes to avoid at any cost. Serenissimus himself
+suggested and our common friend here ventures to propose directly,
+that ..."
+
+"That you, my dear Bermer," resumed the lawyer, "might give the young
+gentleman the requisite strong hint, to which a letter which His
+Excellency has just drawn up in my office ..."
+
+"And which I beg herewith to produce," said the Marshal.
+
+"Would give additional emphasis," concluded the lawyer.
+
+"I would beg your Excellency to intrust the letter to me," said
+Bertram. "I chance to know where the Herr Baron, who left my friend's
+house last night, is to be found at this present moment. To be sure I
+must leave at once, lest I miss him. You are coming with me, Otto?"
+
+"Of course," cried Otto; "my carriage is at the door."
+
+"And your horses are swifter than the hired ones, which I had ordered
+to be here at five. It is a quarter to five now. We have not a moment
+to lose."
+
+"But tell him it as gently as possible, I entreat you," the Marshal
+called out after the two friends, who were already crossing the little
+courtyard.
+
+Bertram waved his hand in assent.
+
+A minute later the carriage was rattling along the narrow lane behind
+the lawyer's garden towards the broad street leading to the town gates.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XXV.
+
+
+Bertram, on entering the carriage, at once told Otto of the place in
+the wood where, by the shore of the little lake, the meeting was to
+take place, and Otto replied that they could easily reach it in half an
+hour, going first along the high-road, then turning off to the right
+and driving along some country lanes, and at last, for a brief stretch,
+through the forest.
+
+But they had scarcely left the gates when unexpected obstacles
+intervened. The high-road, which had been perfectly free and clear a
+little while ago, when Otto was driving to town, now swarmed with
+troops belonging to the corps which had made a victorious advance; they
+were now utilising this convenient road for taking up their position
+for the sham-fight which was to be resumed tomorrow. This was the gist
+of the information conveyed to the friends, with due military
+politeness, by an officer who had hurriedly ridden up to their
+carriage, whilst Otto was vainly storming at some artillerymen in
+charge of a gun which they had managed to upset in a ditch, and of
+which the horses were blocking the road. The officer pointed out that
+the gentlemen would do better to deviate from the high-road than to try
+and force their way, and he said that, farther on it was occupied in
+even greater strength, and was likely to be absolutely impassable for
+the next half hour.
+
+The advice seemed very sensible, and it was possible to follow it at
+once, for there was a country lane branching off to the right in that
+very spot.
+
+"It is a deuced deal farther," said Otto. "We shall have to drive by
+way of Neuenhof and Viehburg; however, there is no help for it now, and
+after all we shall be in good time."
+
+"We have already lost a quarter of an hour," said Bertram.
+
+"We'll easily make up for that," replied Otto; "you see the road is in
+good condition and quite clear. Make haste, John--as quick as the
+horses can go!"
+
+Otto was very far from really feeling the energy which he was
+displaying. On the contrary, he was cherishing the hope that the
+round-about way would ultimately prove too long; and that, even if they
+were to arrive in time, this insane duel should not come off. Thus the
+one care which had still been weighing somewhat upon his elastic
+temperament was gone. As for the rest, why all had come about as nicely
+as possible. Could he have anticipated anything of the kind when, an
+hour ago, he was driving to town in his despair, with the remembrance
+of that awful scene with his wife upon him like a nightmare? What would
+she say now? How would she take it? Not well, of course. She would call
+it a terrible humiliation--disgraceful. Nonsense! It was the simplest
+and most loyal arrangement in the world. Why should not Bertram make
+Erna his heiress, for he had neither kith nor kin, and had always been
+so fond of her? Hildegard had never liked Erna to call Bertram uncle.
+In future, perhaps, she would not object to it. And what about the big
+loan? Well, the bigness was its chief merit. A few thousand thalers
+here, a few thousand thalers there, how ignoble, how mean! But a
+hundred thousand thalers, that was decent; there was nothing derogatory
+about that. Hildegard would herself see that; and moreover, if Erna was
+to inherit the money anyhow, it remained, as it were, in the family.
+Then he wondered how his wife would get on with the young lieutenant,
+whom yesterday they had both seen for the first time. Only yesterday!
+But a man must see his son-in-law once for the first time. And he
+seemed to be such a charming fellow! What a pity that he was not of
+noble birth, for that had, after all, been Lotter's chief merit in
+Hildegard's eyes. Poor beggar! he really was sorry for him. That is
+what a man may come to when he is seriously embarrassed! Awful! And all
+for a mere trifle--those dirty three thousand thalers! If he had given
+him the money yesterday, or if Lotter had won them at play, the whole
+business might have been hushed up, and the beggar would not have run
+a-muck at everybody. The fellow was not a bad sort, hang it, quite a
+jolly fellow to get on with! Now, what fiend had possessed Bertram on
+this occasion; Bertram, who, on principle, made a point of avoiding all
+social conflicts, or, if the worst came to the worst, always knew how
+to make a courteous and clever diversion; Bertram who, even as a
+student, had never fought a duel, and had never concealed his aversion
+on the subject? And where on earth was, in this case, the necessity for
+fighting the man? Bertram must have known that Lotter's farce at
+Rinstedt was played out, that Hildegard had given him up for good and
+all. The foe who is running away should have golden bridges built him,
+not be impeded in his retreat. Well, well, it was to be hoped that
+Lotter at least had meanwhile come to his senses and gone away. To be
+sure, this was the most likely thing to have happened. Lotter, cunning
+fellow, had set all this duel business a-going, by way of putting them
+on the wrong scent, knowing that his pursuers would presently be on the
+alert, and now, whilst he was being looked for in the wood, he had most
+probably decamped altogether.
+
+If Otto, good easy-going fellow, on arriving at this comforting
+conclusion, did not actually rub his hands in sheer glee, he refrained
+solely out of regard for his companion, who was sitting by his side in
+silent gloom, as though he were most terribly grieved at the prospect
+of the duel not taking place after all.
+
+And so it was. Bertram felt like a man wearied to death, drawing his
+blankets around him and preparing for the greatly-desired rest, and
+abruptly startled by the alarm of fire. He had, indeed, been longing
+for death, but, of course, could not accept it from a dishonoured hand,
+neither for his own sake nor for that of the others who had agreed to
+act in what they thought an honourable cause, but which now was
+irrevocably stained with dishonour. Thus he would have to live on, on,
+nor might he let any one see what a torment this life was and would be
+to him; no one, and least of all Erna. She was even never to guess that
+he had been willing to sacrifice himself. But how was she to be kept
+from this conjecture, when gradually it would appear that there had
+been a connection between the Baron's insult to Kurt and his own
+intervention, which occurred in the same place and the very next
+minute? The remark of the Herr Oberförster at the breakfast table
+proved that the right scent had been discovered. Had he not thought of
+it at all? Or had he done so, and then quieted his scruples by assuming
+that his death would spread an impenetrable veil over the real
+circumstances of the case? And if that veil were really ever lifted in
+Erna's sight, and if she had to say to herself that he had died for
+her, it would be but as one note of melancholy, dissolving anon in the
+pure and full harmony of her own firm happiness. Was this certain? Or
+had he been playing a comedy after all, and assumed the easiest and
+most grateful part himself? Had he but draped himself as a dying hero,
+in order to hurt his rival, who might thereafter see how best to get on
+with an uncomfortable part? And now the piece was not to end, and he
+would have to remain upon the stage in the attitude of a hero, and Erna
+would have ample time to make comparisons; and they must needs all tell
+against Kurt! And would proud Erna forgive her lover this? And was this
+to be the result of his own unselfish devotion for Erna's sake?
+
+Thus tormenting himself, he groaned aloud under the weight of the
+reproach which he was heaping upon his conscience.
+
+"Yes," remarked Otto prosaically, "that comes from driving so fast.
+However, we shall again be delayed, and no mistake!"
+
+After a short quick drive they reached the first village, and came upon
+the rearguard of corps number two retreating towards the shelter of the
+woods. In the narrow village lane a very compact mass of men and horses
+had accumulated, and a forward movement was quite impossible, because
+those marching on in front had not yet cleared the line. The men had
+stacked their rifles; by the roadside, on the road itself, weary men
+were crouching; others were crowding round the different house-doors,
+whence compassionate hands were holding out water in every possible and
+impossible sort of vessel. In front of the little inn had gathered an
+absolutely impenetrable knot of human beings. The driver was compelled
+to branch off again, this time into a very narrow little lane, thence
+he had to work his way with the greatest difficulty into the open, then
+drive across stubble-fields, and so back to the road, frequently
+alongside of columns of soldiers on the march, who made way with the
+greatest reluctance; and thus they made but slow progress.
+
+Slow, far too slow for Bertram, whose feverish impatience was
+increasing every minute, although he knew not what to reply to Otto
+when he argued that it really did not matter much, even if they arrived
+a quarter of an hour or so too late. And what did too late mean in a
+case like this? They would arrive in ample time for the awkward
+explanation to the Baron.
+
+"Well, and I might as well admit," said Otto, "that personally I hope
+we shall not find him at all."
+
+"I think we shall, though," replied Bertram; "for in spite of his
+having morally gone so much astray, he is no coward. A man with weaker
+nerves would not have so long borne the danger of being discovered.
+And he must assume that he will be left alone until the day after
+to-morrow."
+
+"In any case," said Otto, shrugging those broad shoulders of his, "we
+cannot advance any faster."
+
+They had meanwhile passed the second village, and the troops on the
+march were behind them, and as the road was now both smooth and clear,
+the horses were really doing their best. They had by this time reached
+the border of the forest, and again they were obliged to proceed at a
+walking pace, for the road, which was old and ill-kept, had been made
+much worse by the foot-deep furrows which the pressure of the cannons
+had produced upon the soft soil. There were many traces of a hot combat
+having been waged here; cartridge-cases abounded, being scattered all
+over the place; there were plenty of broken branches, moreover, and now
+they actually came upon a kind of barricade; and it was impossible to
+drive round it, since on either side great trees skirted the road.
+
+"Confound those soldiers!" said Otto; "they carry on as though they
+were in the enemy's country. We shall have to get out and walk whilst
+John clears away this obstacle, so as to enable him to pass;
+fortunately, it does not seem to be very firmly built. The lake is
+within a hundred yards of this."
+
+The wood did indeed form a kind of glade, and in this spot a fairly
+broad one; and the road now lay between the sedge-grown banks of the
+little lake on the left and the edge of the forest on the right. This
+was close to the very place chosen for the hostile meeting. At first
+the sedge prevented a clear view, but, hurrying along, the friends soon
+discovered the centre, and thence they could see the rest of the
+ground, up to the spot where the wood came closing in again. All was
+deserted and silent.
+
+Otto said--
+
+"When they came, they probably found too much company hereabouts. Rely
+upon it, they have passed along the cutting, and are now in glade
+number two. Come along, I know every inch of the ground. Look,--a
+carriage has stopped here, and has then gone on through the cutting.
+And here is no end of traces of horses' hoofs. I have no idea where,
+they can all come from!"
+
+The tracks of carriage-wheels and traces of horses' hoofs continued all
+along the cutting; but the friends had only advanced a few yards in the
+same direction when it occurred to Otto that his coachman, on finding
+nobody on the appointed spot, would probably drive straight ahead,
+possibly all the way to Rinstedt. The man was quite fool enough to do
+so, he said; so perhaps he had better turn back and instruct him,
+whilst Bertram went on. It was impossible, he added, for Bertram to
+miss the place now.
+
+So Otto turned and Bertram hurried on. Already a certain gathering
+brightness indicated the whereabouts of the glade which Otto had spoken
+of, and to which the slope was now leading, but leading so gradually
+that Bertram could not yet get a glimpse of it, although he surely must
+be very near it, for he heard human voices and the neighing of a horse.
+And now he saw at least a portion of the glade, and there were several
+horses on the spot--as he perceived to his amazement--and grooms were
+holding the horses. Looking again, and more carefully, he noticed that
+several of the horses had side-saddles. An abrupt thought flashed
+across him. He recoiled involuntarily somewhat to the left, and then,
+standing behind some broad-stemmed fir-trees at the very edge of
+the glade, he saw before him a scene which for a moment held him
+spell-bound with terror.
+
+Four or five men, Colonel von Waldor and Herr von Busche among them,
+were lifting a wounded man or a dead man upon a low country cart filled
+with straw, and then the doctor and his assistant received their charge
+and laid him carefully down, raising his head as they did so. The
+evening light shone brightly on the pallid face--Kurt's face; but,
+Heaven be thanked, Kurt wounded, but not dead! His eyes were open, and
+a smile flitted across his pallid features as Erna bent over him where
+he lay. Her fair countenance, darkened by the riding-hat which she
+wore, was as pale as his own, but she, too, was smiling, and she bent
+lower and lower still, and closed those lips of his that would speak
+and that were not to speak, with a kiss; and then she leapt down from
+the cart and bounded straightway, with Herr von Busche's help, into the
+saddle, her horse having meanwhile been brought to her. The Colonel,
+too, had mounted by this time, and the cart now set off, the wounded
+man being supported by the doctor's assistant; the doctor had also
+mounted his horse and joined the procession, which, following the
+cutting in the opposite direction, soon vanished within the glade.
+There remained but Herr von Busche and Alexandra, whom Bertram only saw
+after the cart had disappeared; there were two grooms, too, and they
+were now bringing up the horses; one of them a spare one, probably the
+one which poor Kurt had been riding.
+
+The whole scene only occupied a few minutes, during which Bertram just
+had time to overcome the first paralysing feelings of horror. What
+subsequently retained and restrained him in the sheltering darkness of
+the trees, was a flood of curiously mingled feelings, out of which
+there emerged with potent forces the warning: They have found each
+other for life and death; step not again between them; touch not again
+with clumsy hands the dainty and complicated wheels of a fate which
+laughs your calculations to scorn!
+
+He would have liked best to creep away unseen by any one, but here was
+Otto ascending the cutting, and loudly calling Bertram's name.
+Alexandra, who was just about to let Herr von Busche help her into the
+saddle, started; Herr von Busche sang out in reply to Otto; Bertram
+stepped forth from under the trees, and the Princess hurried up to him,
+gathering her riding-habit with one hand, and holding out the other to
+him.
+
+"My dear friend! you here? Thank Heaven! I was just debating whether I
+had not better wait for you, rather than leave a servant with a
+message."
+
+"Is Kurt badly wounded?"
+
+"How do you know? but never mind! No; not badly. That is to say, it
+will be a tedious affair, but the surgeon guarantees a complete cure,
+and states that his life is in no danger. He found the ball at once; we
+were already on the spot--and, great Heaven, what a splendid, heroic
+creature Erna is!"
+
+Otto had meanwhile come up. There was much cross-questioning, of
+course; and the friends speedily gathered at least the main facts of
+the occurrence. Herr von Busche was naturally best qualified to give
+all the information required. He had heard from the Oberförster, upon
+that gentleman's return from Rinstedt, of the scene in which Kurt,
+evidently without knowing it, had acted a singular part--one quite
+incompatible with the traditional honour of an officer--of a man who is
+grossly insulted in the presence of many others, and who withdraws
+without replying. The Oberförster had been quite excited on the subject
+which he had been discussing with the ladies at the breakfast-table; he
+had added that other gentlemen, who had also been present last night,
+had expressed their amazement at the young' officer's conduct.
+
+"I am myself an officer in the _Landwehr_." continued Herr von Busche,
+"and my duty was clear. I was bound to communicate as quickly as
+possible to Ringberg the insulting suspicion to which he had made
+himself liable. To apply to the Baron for information was out of the
+question. He had left the ranger's house some hours before, to pay, he
+said, some farewell-calls in the neighbourhood; besides, I think, he
+wanted to procure the horse on which he afterwards came to the meeting.
+We had agreed to meet here. Herr Ringberg was also to be here, of
+course, but then it would have been too late; there would have been two
+duels in lieu of one; and Ringberg's was bound to have precedence. Then
+there was no second provided for Ringberg, unless the Herr Doctor had
+acted as such, and that was not exactly feasible. Well, in a word, I
+got on horseback, and searched the length and breadth of the ground
+employed for the man[oe]vres, until at last, when I had given up all
+hope, I found Ringberg at the moment when the regiment were stacking
+their rifles. This was at five. The original hostile meeting was fixed
+for half-past. Ringberg was on the point of leaving, having previously,
+under some pretext or other, obtained two hours' leave of absence from
+the Colonel. I told Ringberg what I had heard. He requested me to
+accompany him to Colonel von Waldor to whom he would have to report the
+case. You know the Colonel. 'I am your second,' he cried; 'we'll teach
+the Baron a lesson in good manners.' A minute or two afterwards we were
+in the saddle, accompanied by the staff-surgeon and an assistant, and
+galloped here. The carriage was waiting by the side of the lake, and at
+the same moment the Baron appeared. I must do him the justice to say
+that he not only did not deny having made the insulting remarks, but
+declared his perfect readiness to give instant satisfaction for them.
+The issue unhappily was what, knowing the Baron's wonderful skill, I
+expected it to be; or rather, it would probably have been even more
+unfortunate, if, at the moment of firing, the ladies had not appeared.
+I am sure that the Baron, who stood facing the cutting, must have seen
+them coming, before the rest of us heard the sound of the horses' hoofs
+upon the soft turf, and that the unexpected sight robbed him of his
+usual unfailing aim. I find it natural enough that, under the
+circumstances, he preferred to vanish immediately, and I expect that he
+will be waiting for me at the Oberförster's now. To say the truth, I am
+not particularly anxious to meet him again."
+
+Whilst the young man was relating this in his wonted vivacious style,
+and whilst Otto briefly explained how Bertram and he had been detained
+upon the road, they reached the end of the cutting, and had come to the
+place where Otto's carriage was waiting.
+
+"How right we were to divide," said Herr von Busche. "The escort of the
+wounded man would have been really too numerous. As it is, it will
+cause a certain amount of sensation, although fortunately it will not
+have to leave the wood till it is close to Rinstedt."
+
+"It might be as well to divide once more," said Alexandra. "I feel, to
+say the truth, somewhat shaken, and would like to await in town news
+about the sufferer; for his state inspires me with no alarm now, and I
+am expected to appear at Court to-night. I know you will very kindly
+let me use your carriage, and mount Lieutenant Ringberg's horse
+instead. You will be glad to get home as speedily as possible, although
+we sent word to your wife so as to prepare her."
+
+"But," remonstrated Otto, "most gracious Princess, you cannot go
+alone...."
+
+"I hope the Herr Doctor will be so good as to accompany me."
+
+Alexandra turned, as she spoke, to Bertram who was standing silent,
+evidently in deep thought, and who had scarcely joined in the previous
+conversation. Now he looked up, and their eyes met.
+
+"I was just going to request that honour," he said.
+
+Otto looked amazed, but ventured upon no remonstrance. A shrug of the
+shoulder behind Alexandra's back, seemed to imply that he considered
+Bertram the lamentable victim of a lady's caprice. He instructed the
+coachman to regain as quickly as possible the high-road, which was now
+likely to be clear of troops, for this would enable the Princess to be
+driven with greater ease and quickness. He pointed out to her that
+there were plenty of wrappers in the carriage, and begged her to make
+use of them in the cool of the evening. The Princess thanked him for
+his attentions, and added that she would not fail to inquire personally
+at Rinstedt on the following day.
+
+"And you too, of course, Charles," said Otto.
+
+Bertram nodded--
+
+"Then I will not detain you any longer."'
+
+They shook hands; the gentlemen mounted their horses and galloped away,
+followed by the grooms, and the carriage set off more slowly in the
+opposite direction.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXVI.
+
+
+For a little while Alexandra and Bertram sat silently side by side;
+then Alexandra said--
+
+"We are at one in the conviction that it will be in the interest of our
+_protégés_ if we vanish from the scene?"
+
+"Absolutely," replied Bertram. "I suffer acutely already, and recognise
+the outrage that man is guilty of who would play Providence for
+others."
+
+"In that case I should have been guilty too," said Alexandra, "but I am
+by no means dissatisfied with myself; on the contrary, I believe it is
+good that things have happened thus; it was necessary. And when you
+know all, you will admit that I am right. You must know it, for the
+sake of the future, which will still claim much from us. Listen in
+patience.
+
+"I have rigidly adhered to your advice. I announced my departure for
+noon to-day; my maid was despatched with the luggage a little before
+ten; our host insisted upon escorting me in person to the town. Then I
+went to see Erna. We had a memorable conversation which I cannot
+reproduce to you in all its details, but the result was that Erna no
+longer doubted the sincerity of my desire for her happiness; but her
+pride revolted against receiving this happiness at my hands, or, if
+that be saying too much, she had the painful impression that her
+happiness could only be brought about at the cost of my own, in other
+words, that I was still in love with Kurt, and that my marriage to Herr
+von Waldor, which I announced to her as impending, was an act of
+resignation, if not of despair. Of course she did not give utterance to
+all this, nor did she even hint at it; these things one simply feels.
+And there was another thing that came between her and the prospect
+of calm happiness by Kurt's side. Dear friend, do not deny it any
+longer--not to me, even if to all the world besides--you are in love
+with Erna! Thank you for this pressure of the hand. It does not reveal
+a secret to me, and yet I thank you for it with all my heart. You owed
+me this satisfaction, as I have told you Claudine's story; and even as
+Claudine's story is buried in your bosom, so the story of a noble human
+heart shall be buried in mine."
+
+Alexandra withdrew her hand with a cordial pressure from Bertram's.
+They were both too much moved to be able to speak for some time. At
+last Bertram said--
+
+"And does Erna believe me to be in love with her, after all I have done
+to shake her conviction?"
+
+"I should not assert that her faith has not been shaken," Alexandra
+replied, "but she was still under the sway of that intuitive feeling
+which guides us women wellnigh always aright, and which in her case
+betrayed itself in a hundred turns, every one of which had for its
+object your future welfare and happiness. And then, my friend, you did
+at last the very opposite of what you should have done to calm Erna,
+and to brighten her future. You may thank Heaven that Erna does not
+divine the real motive which influenced you; that between the two duels
+she sees a sort of mechanical connection of time and place, if I may
+say so, and not the real one. But for all that, if you had fallen in
+this duel, Erna would never have consented to an alliance with Kurt,
+and she would never in her heart have forgiven him for not being the
+first on the ground. Whether it was within the limits of possibility to
+have forestalled you, the woman's heart does not stop to inquire. The
+loved one must be not only the best and noblest and bravest of men, but
+the cleverest too; how he sets about it is his own concern! Dozens of
+duels have been fought in my immediate neighbourhood, and, I am sorry
+to say, I have been the direct cause more than once, so I had no
+difficulty in understanding the whole business. That old chatterbox,
+the ranger, was relating the circumstances to us at breakfast; I then
+sent for your servant, and, examining him, found out that you had held
+a long conversation with Kurt, which had been preceded by negotiations
+between Kurt and Herr von Busche; and last of all came that
+crackbrained person Fräulein von Aschhof, and confessed her horribly
+indiscreet statement to the Baron, and your remark, my friend, that you
+would try to settle the matter. I saw it all as clearly as though it
+had been acted before me. Then I knew, too, what I should have to do.
+Again I sought Erna, and told her that your life and Kurt's honour were
+both at stake; of course I took care to represent matters in such a way
+that the idea could not well occur to her of your having wished to
+sacrifice yourself directly for Kurt. She spurned with contumely the
+idea that Kurt had only pretended not to hear the Baron's insulting
+remarks; no need for me to tell her, she said, that Kurt must be
+instantly informed of it. I am convinced that she felt that her fate
+was about to be decided, that now once more she became fully and
+thoroughly conscious of her love for Kurt. The great, strong, energetic
+nature of the glorious girl shone forth in mighty radiance. I could
+have knelt at her feet and worshipped her! I may say that I forgot
+completely my own self, forgot that he for whom this passion was
+flaming heaven-high had been the object of my own mad love. I even
+concealed what I knew--that I had distinctly recognised the Baron,
+when I saw him at the card-table last night, as the man who also,
+at a card-table, had cheated my mother out of a hundred thousand
+francs--that the Baron was not a fit man for an officer and a gentleman
+to fight. I dreaded lest that objection should destroy what I saw
+coming. How we hurried all over the ground in search of Kurt; how we
+came upon his regiment when he had just ridden off; how a surgeon's
+assistant who had been sent back to fetch some forgotten bandages or
+instruments helped us to find his track; how we followed up that track
+at the utmost speed of which our horses were capable; how we reached
+the goal just in time to see Kurt fall, whilst his miserable opponent
+flung the pistol to the ground and fled when he beheld me--all this you
+know, or may easily picture for yourself. But I picture to myself how
+Erna will now be leading her love to her parental abode, to keep and to
+hold him there for her very own;--for what is more, what becomes more a
+woman's very own than the man whom she loves, if she has to tend him
+and wrestle with death for his possession;--and I picture to myself how
+now only she recognises with a shudder what a lordly treasure she had
+all but forfeited through exaggerated pride and obstinacy; and I think
+of, all the wealth of love and bliss which is in store for them both!
+And then I look at us both, at us who have opened for them the gates of
+their paradise driving away into darkness like two exiles; and I ask
+you, friend, have we really need to be ashamed of the part which we
+have played? Or, rather, are we not fully and fairly entitled to
+rejoice in our success and to be proud of it? Yes, friend, we must be
+glad, we must be proud. Where else shall we, who are sick unto death,
+gain the strength to get well again? For we must not, dare not die; but
+we must live and be happy, to prove to those two that they may be happy
+on our account. I, my friend, mean to live on; I will and shall
+recover. I shall appear at Court to-night, and be beautiful and witty
+if I can, or at least serene and in good-humour. And not to-day alone,
+but to-morrow too, and every day, and most so by Waldor's side, for he
+very surely does not marry the Princess Alexandra for the sake of
+getting a moody, melancholy wife. Some secret corner somewhere will
+surely be found where now and again one may weep in peace, and let the
+grievous wound bleed. And you, dear friend? What shall you do? How will
+you set about recovering? I should not have an hour's quiet if I had to
+think you could not. Give me your word that you will recover, give me
+your hand on it."
+
+Bertram's answer did not come at once. He raised his eyes and saw the
+beacon-fees blazing on the mountain tops and far away in the plains. He
+heard the calls of the patrols, the neighing of many horses, the talk
+and laughter of the men round the bivouac-fires, the dull thud of
+marching columns. It was but a mimic warfare, but it spoke to him of a
+true and earnest fight in which he was called upon to take his place in
+the ranks as a good and true soldier, to do his duty as long as
+strength was granted him--it might be for years, or for a few days
+only. And he held out his hand to Alexandra, and said--
+
+"Whether I shall recover, I know not. But I swear to you that I will
+try!"
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXVII.
+
+
+"Then you insist upon joining in to-morrow's debate?" the doctor was
+saying.
+
+"I flatter myself that it is necessary!" replied Bertram.
+
+"As a political partisan I admit it; as your medical adviser I repeat,
+it is impossible."
+
+"Come, my good friend, you said just now, it is undesirable; now, from
+that to impossible is rather a bold step. We had better stick to the
+first statement."
+
+The doctor, who had taken up his hat and stick a few minutes before,
+laid both down again, pushed Bertram into the chair before his
+writing-table, sat down again facing him, and said--
+
+"Judging from your momentary condition it is merely desirable that you
+should have at present absolute repose for at least a few days. But I
+very much fear that to-morrow's inevitable excitement will make you
+worse, and then the downright necessity for rest will arise, and that
+not only for a few days. Let me speak quite frankly, Bertram. I know
+that I shall not frighten you, although I should rather like to do so.
+You are causing me real anxiety. I greatly regret that I kept you last
+autumn from your projected Italian trip, and that I pushed and urged
+you into the fatigues of an election campaign and into the harassing
+anxieties of parliamentary life. I assumed that this energetic activity
+would contribute to your complete restoration to health, and I find
+that I made a grievous mistake. And yet I am not aware where exactly
+the mistake was made. You mastered your parliamentary duties with such
+perfect ease, you entered the arena so well prepared and armed from top
+to toe, you used your weapons with all the skill of a past master, and
+you were borne along by such an ample measure of success--and that of
+course has its great value. Well, according to all human understanding
+and experience, the splendid and relatively easy discharge of duties
+for which you are so eminently fitted, should contribute to your
+well-being, and yet the very opposite is occurring. In spite of all my
+cogitations I can find but one theory to account for it. In spite of
+the admirable equanimity which you always preserve, in spite of the
+undimmed serenity of your disposition and appearance, by which you
+charm your friends, whilst you frequently disarm your foes, there must
+be a hidden something in your soul that gnaws away at your vitals, a
+deep, dark under-current of grief and pain. Am I right? You know that I
+am not asking the question from idle curiosity."
+
+"I know it," replied Bertram; "and therefore I answer: you are right
+and yet not right, or right only if you hold me responsible for the
+effect of a cause I was guiltless of."
+
+"You answer in enigmas, my friend."
+
+"Let me try a metaphor. Say, somebody is compelled to live in a house,
+in which the architect made some grave mistake at the laying of the
+foundations, or at some important period or other of its erection. The
+tenant is a quiet, steady man, who keeps the house in good order; then
+comes a storm, and the ill-constructed building is terribly shaken and
+strained. The steady-going tenant repairs the damage as best he can,
+and things go on fairly enough for a time, a long time, until there
+comes another and a worse storm, which makes the whole house topple
+together over his head."
+
+The doctor's dark eyes had been dwelling searchingly and sympathisingly
+upon the speaker. Now he said--
+
+"I think I understand your metaphor. Of course, it only meets a portion
+of the case. I happen to know the house in question extremely well.
+True there was one weak point in it from the beginning, in spite of its
+general excellent construction, but ..."
+
+"But me no buts," interrupted Bertram eagerly. "Given the one weak
+point, and all the rest naturally follows. I surely need not point out
+to such a faithful disciple of Spinoza's, that thought and expansion
+are but attributes of one and the same substance, that there is no
+physiological case that does not, rightly viewed, turn to a
+psychological one; that so excitable a heart as mine must needs be
+impressed by things more than other hearts whose bands do not snap,
+happen what may, and notwithstanding all the storms of Fate. Or are you
+not sure that, if you had had to examine the hearts of Werther or of
+Eduard in the 'Elective Affinities,' you would have found things
+undreamed of by æesthetic philosophers? I belong to the same race. I
+neither glory in this, nor do I blush for it; I simply state a fact, a
+fact which embodies my fate, before whose power I bow, or rather whose
+power bows me down in spite of my resistance. For, however much I may
+by disposition belong to the last century, yet I am also a citizen of
+our own time; nor can I be deaf to its bidding. I know full well that
+modern man can no longer live and die exclusively for his private joys
+and sorrows; I know full well that I have a fatherland whose fame,
+honour, and greatness I am bound to hold sacred, and to which I am
+indebted as long as a breath stirs within me. I know it, and I believe
+that I have proved it according to my strength, both formerly and again
+now, when ..."
+
+He covered forehead and eyes with his hands, and so sat for a while in
+deep emotion, which his medical friend respected by keeping perfectly
+silent. Then, looking up again, Bertram went on in a hushed voice--
+
+"My friend, that last storm was very, very strong. It shook the feeble
+building to its very foundation. What is now causing your anxiety is
+indeed but a consequence of that awful tempest. The terribly entrancing
+details no one as yet knows except one woman, whom an almost identical
+fate made my confidante, and who will keep my secret absolutely. So
+would you, I know. You have been before this my counsellor and my
+father-confessor. And so you will be another time, perhaps, if you
+desire it and deem it necessary.--To-day only this one remark more, for
+your own satisfaction; for I read in your grave countenance the same
+momentous question which my confidante put to me: Whether I am willing
+to recover? I answered to the best of my knowledge and belief: Yes! I
+consider it my duty to be willing. It is a duty simply towards my
+electors, who have not honoured me with their votes that I may lie me
+down and die of an unhappy and unrequited attachment. If the latter
+does happen--I mean my dying--you will bear witness that it was done
+against my will, solely in consequence of that mistake in the original
+construction which the architect was guilty of. But, in order that it
+may not happen, or may at least not happen so soon, you, my friend,
+must allow me to do the very thing which you have forbidden. The dream
+I dreamed was infinitely beautiful, and, to speak quite frankly, real
+life seems barren and dreary in comparison with it. The contrast is too
+great, and I can only efface it somewhat by mixing with the insipid
+food a strong spice of excitement, such as our parliamentary kitchen is
+just now supplying in the best quality, and of which our head-cook is
+sure to give us an extra dose to-morrow. And, therefore, I must be in
+my place at the table tomorrow and make my dinner-speech. _Quod erat
+demonstrandum_."
+
+He held out his hand with a smile. His friend smiled too. It was a very
+melancholy smile, and vanished again forthwith.
+
+"What a pity," he said, "that the cleverest patients are the most
+intractable. But I have vowed I will never have a clever one again,
+after you."
+
+"In truth," replied Bertram, "I am giving you far too much trouble. In
+your great kindness and friendship you come to me almost in the middle
+of the night, when you ought to be resting from your day's heavy toil;
+you come of your own accord, simply impelled by a faithful care for my
+well-being; and, finally, you have to return with ingratitude and
+disobedience for your reward. Well, well--let us hope for better
+things, and let me have the pleasure of seeing you again to-morrow."
+
+Konski came in with a candle to show the doctor the way down, for the
+lights in the house had long since been extinguished. The gentlemen
+were once more shaking hands, and the physician slipped his on to
+Bertram's wrist Then he shook his head.
+
+"Konski," he said, turning to the servant, "if your master has a fancy
+one of these days to drink a glass of champagne, you may give him one,
+as an exception; but only one."
+
+"Now remember that, Konski!" said Bertram.
+
+"It is not likely that it will happen," grumbled Konski.
+
+"Konski will leave me to-morrow," explained Bertram.
+
+"Will, is it? No, I won't, but ..."
+
+"All right!" said his master, "we must not bother the doctor with our
+private affairs. Good-bye, my friend! With your leave I will dine with
+you to-morrow."
+
+The physician left; Bertram immediately again sat down at the
+writing-table, and resumed the work which this late visit had
+interrupted. It was a disputed election case, and he would have to
+report upon it to the House. There had been some irregularities, and it
+was in the interest of his own party that the election should be
+declared null and void; he had been examining the somewhat complicated
+data with all the greater conscientiousness and care. But now he lost
+the thread, and was turning over the voluminous page of the evidence,
+when, lo! a daintily-folded sheet of paper--a letter--fell out.
+
+"Good heavens! how came this here?"
+
+He seized upon it with eagerness, as a wandering beggar might seize
+upon a gold coin which he saw glittering among the dust on the road.
+The hot blood surged to the temples from the sick and sore heart; the
+hand that held the slight paper trembled violently.
+
+"Now he would not be grumbling at my slow pulse!"
+
+Yesterday morning he had received this letter, but had not succeeded in
+composing himself sufficiently to read more than a few lines. He
+thought that, perhaps, on his return from the _Reichstag_ he might have
+been in a more settled frame of mind. Then he had not been able to find
+again the letter which had been laid aside, although he had searched
+for hours, first alone, then with Konski.
+
+And now--after all those documents were pushed aside--he was again, as
+yesterday, staring hard at the page, and again, as yesterday, the
+different lines ran into each other; but he shook his head angrily,
+drew his hand over his eyes, and then read:--
+
+
+                                               "Capri, _April_ 24.
+
+"Dearest Uncle Bertram,--If to-day for the first time, in our travels I
+write to you, take this as a gentle punishment for not having come to
+our wedding. Take it--no, I must not tell you a falsehood, not even in
+jest. We--I mean Kurt and myself--regretted your absence greatly, but
+were angry only with those wretched politics which would not release
+you just at a time, when, as Kurt explained to me, such important
+matters were at stake. Take, then, I pray you, my prolonged silence as
+a proof of the confusion under which I labour, amidst the thousand new
+impressions of travel, and through the hurry with which we have
+travelled. Kurt has just four weeks' leave, so we had indeed to make,
+haste; and, therefore, we steamed direct from Genoa to Naples, calling
+at Leghorn only, and yesterday evening we arrived there only to leave
+this morning, and to sail to Capri, favoured by a lively _tramontane_.
+
+"I am writing this my first letter upon the balcony of a house in
+Capri.
+
+"Dearest Uncle Bertram, do you know such a house which 'stands amidst
+orange groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a
+fair, white hostelry embowered in roses'?
+
+"The words are your own, and do you know when you spoke them to me? On
+that first night when I met you in the forest on the Hirschstein hill.
+You have probably forgotten it, but I remember it well, and all through
+the journey your words were ever before me; and of all the glories of
+Italy, I wanted first to see the house which had, since then, remained
+in your fond remembrance, where you 'ever since longed to be back
+again,' and the very name of which was always to you 'a sound of
+comfort, of promise: _Qui si sana!_'
+
+"And now we are here--we who need no comfort, we to whom all promise of
+earthly bliss has been fulfilled, and so drink in the blue air of
+heaven, and inhale the sweet fragrance of roses and oranges.
+
+"And you, dearest Uncle Bertram, you dwell--your heart full of longing
+for fair Quisisana--yonder in the dull grey North, buried beneath
+parliamentary papers, wearied and worn--and, uncle, that thought is the
+one grey cloud, the only one in the wide blue vault of heaven, like the
+one floating yonder above the rugged rocky front of Monte Solaro, of
+which our young landlord, Federigo, foretells that it will bring us a
+_burrasca_. I gave him a good scolding, and told him I wanted sunshine,
+plenty of sunshine, and nothing but sunshine, but I thought of you
+only, and not of us. And surely for you too, who are so noble and good,
+the sun does shine, and you walk in its light, in the sunny light of
+great fame! Yes, Uncle Bertram, however modest you are, you must yet be
+glad and proud to learn how your greatness is recognised and admired. I
+am not speaking of your friends, for that is a matter of course, but
+of your political opponents. In Genoa, at the table d'hôte, we made
+the acquaintance of some Count from Pomerania--I have forgotten his
+name--with whom Kurt talked politics a good deal. In the evening the
+Count brought us a Berlin paper, which contained your last great
+speech. 'Look here,' he said, 'there is a man from whom all can learn,
+one of whom each party should be proud.' He had no idea why Kurt looked
+so pleased and proud, nor why I burst into tears when I read your
+splendid speech.
+
+"Only fancy, Uncle Bertram! Signor Federigo has just brought me, at my
+request, an old visitors' book--the one for the year 1859, the year in
+which I knew you had been here. Many leaves had been torn out, but the
+one upon which you had written your name was preserved, and the date
+turns out to be that of the very day on which I, was born! Is not this
+passing strange? Signor Federigo has, of course, had to present the
+precious leaf to me, which he did with a most graceful bow--the paper
+in one hand and the other laid upon his heart--and we have resolved to
+celebrate here the day of your arrival in Capri and of my arrival in
+the world. Why, indeed, should we travel on so swiftly? There can be no
+fairer scene than this anywhere. Sunshine, the fragrance of roses, the
+bright blue sky; the everlasting sea, my Kurt, and the recollection of
+you, whose dear image every rock, every palm tree, everything I see
+brings as if by magic before my inner eye! No, no; we surely will stay
+here until my birthday.
+
+"Signor Federigo is calling from the verandah that 'Madama' has only
+five minutes more for writing if the letter is to leave to-day. Of
+course it is to leave to-day; but I have the terrible conviction of
+having written nothing so far. It cannot now be helped. So next time I
+will tell you everything that I could not do to-day: about my parents,
+who are writing letters full of happiness--papa, in particular, who
+seems delighted that he has given up his factories--which surprised me
+greatly; about Agatha's engagement to Herr von Busche, which did not
+surprise me, for I saw it coming during the merrymakings previous to my
+wedding; about ...
+
+"Signor Federigo, you are intolerable!
+
+"Dear Kurt, I cannot let you have the remaining space of two lines, for
+I absolutely require it myself to send my beloved Uncle Bertram a most
+hearty greeting and kiss from Quisisana."
+
+Bertram laid the paper very gently down upon the table; he was stooping
+to imprint a kiss upon it, but before his lips touched the letter, he
+drew himself up abruptly.
+
+"No; she knows not what she does, but you know it, and she is your
+neighbour's wife! Shame upon you! Pluck it out, the eye that offends
+you, and the base, criminal heart as well!"
+
+He seized the parliamentary papers, then paused.
+
+"Until her birthday! Well, she will assuredly expect a few kind words,
+and has a right to expect them; nay, more, she would interpret my
+silence wrongly. I wonder whether there is yet time? When is her
+birthday? She has not mentioned the date; I think somewhere in the
+beginning of May. Now, on what day did I arrive there?"
+
+He had not long to seek in the old diaries, which he kept methodically,
+and preserved with care. There was the entry: "May 1.--Arrived in
+Capri, and put up at a house which I found it hard to climb up to; the
+name had an irresistible attraction for me: Quisisana--_Sit omen in
+nomine!_"
+
+The first of May! Why, to-morrow is the first. It is too late for a
+letter, of course, but a telegram will do, if despatched at once.
+
+"Konski!"
+
+The faithful servant entered.
+
+"My good Konski, I am very sorry, but you must be off to the
+telegraph-office at once. To-morrow is the birthday of Miss Erna--well,
+well, you know! Of course she must hear from me."
+
+He had written a few lines in German, then it occurred, to him that it
+might be, safer to write them in Italian. So he re-wrote them.
+
+Kanski, who had meanwhile got himself ready, entered the room.
+
+"You will scarcely be back before midnight. And, Konski, we must begin
+the morrow cheerfully. So put the key of the cellar into your pocket,
+and bring a bottle of champagne with you when you return. No
+remonstrance, otherwise I shall put into your character tomorrow,
+'Dismissed for disobedience'!"
+
+
+
+
+                                XXVIII.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+It was nearly three o'clock when the doctor came hurrying in. Konski
+would not leave the master, and had despatched the porter. Konski
+took the doctor's hat and stick, and pointed in silence--he could not
+speak--to the big couch at the bottom of the room. The doctor took the
+lamp from the writing-table, and held it to the pale face. Konski
+followed and relieved him of the lamp, whilst the doctor made his
+investigation.
+
+"He must have been dead an hour and more," he said, looking up. "Why
+did you not send sooner? Put the lamp back upon the writing-table, and
+tell me all you know."
+
+He had sat down in Bertram's chair. "Take a chair," he went on, "and
+tell me all."
+
+Then Konski told.
+
+He had come back at a quarter-past twelve from the telegraph-office,
+and had found his master writing away busily, when he brought in the
+bottle of champagne which he had been ordered to fetch from the cellar.
+His master had scolded him for bringing only one glass, and made him
+fetch another, for they must both drink and clink glasses to the health
+of the young lady.
+
+"Then," the servant went on, "I sat opposite to him, for the first time
+in my life, in that corner, at the small round table, he in the one
+chair and I in the other. And he chatted with me, not like a master
+with his servant, no; exactly--well, I cannot describe it, sir; but you
+know how good and kind he always was. I never heard an unkind word from
+him all these ten years I have been with him, and if ever he was a bit
+angry, he always made up for it afterwards. And, to-morrow I was to
+leave for Rinstedt to get married, and he had given us our furniture
+and all, and fitted up a new shop for us into the bargain. Then we
+talked a good deal of Rinstedt, and of the man[oe]vres last year, and
+of Miss Erna that was, and of Italy, where, as you know, sir, I was
+with the master two years ago. Well, I mean, it was not I who was
+talking so much, but master, and I could have gone on listening,
+listening for ever, when he was telling of Capri, where we did not get
+that time, and where Mrs. Ringberg is staying now--Miss Erna as was.
+And then his eyes shone and sparkled splendidly, but he hardly drank
+any wine, just enough to pledge the young lady's health with, and the
+rest is in his glass still. But he made me fill up mine again and
+again, for I could stand it, said he, and he could not, he said, and he
+would presently finish his work; and there are the papers on the table
+in front of you, sir, that he had been looking at. And then, of a
+sudden like, he says, 'Konski, I am getting tired; I shall lie down for
+half an hour. You just finish the bottle meanwhile, and call me at
+half-past one sharp.' It was just striking one o'clock then.
+
+"So he lay down, and I put the rug over him, sir, and, oh--I'll never
+forgive myself for it; but all day long I had been running backward and
+forward about these things of mine, and then at last the long walk at
+night to the telegraph-office, and perhaps the champagne had gone to my
+head a bit, since I am sure, that I had not sat for five minutes before
+I was asleep. And when I woke it was not half-past one, but half-past
+two, so that I was regular frightened like. But as the master was
+a-sleeping calm and steady, I thought, even as I was standing quite
+close to him, that it was a pity to wake him, even though he was lying
+on his left side again, which formerly he could not bear at all, and
+which you, sir, had forbidden so particularly. I mind of our first
+evening in Rinstedt, sir, but then he did wake up again ... and now he
+is dead."
+
+Konski was crying bitterly. The doctor held out his hand to him.
+
+"It is no fault of yours. Neither you nor I could have kept him alive.
+Now, leave me here alone; you may wait in the next room."
+
+After Konski had left, the doctor went to the little round table on
+which the empty bottle and two glasses were standing, one empty, one
+half-full. Above the sofa, to the right and left, were gas-brackets,
+with one lighted jet on either side. He held the half-full glass to
+the light and shook it. Bright beads were rising from the clear,
+liquid.
+
+He put the glass down again, and murmured--
+
+"He never spoke an untruth! It was in any case solely a question of
+time. He drank his death-draught six months ago. The only wonder is
+that he bore it so long."
+
+Erna's letter was lying upon the table. The doctor read it almost
+mechanically.
+
+"Pretty much as I thought!" he muttered. "Such a clever and, as it
+would seem, large-hearted girl, and yet--but they are all alike!"
+
+A scrap of paper, with something in Bertram's hand writing caught his
+eye. It was the German telegram.
+
+"All hail--happiness and blessing--to-day and for ever--for my darling
+child in Quisisana."
+
+The doctor rose, and was now pacing up and down the chamber with folded
+arms. From the adjoining room, the door of which was left ajar, he
+heard suppressed sobs. The faithful servant's unconcealed grief had
+well-nigh unchained the bitter sorrow in his own heart. He brushed the
+tears from his eyes, stepped to the couch, and drew the covering back.
+
+He stood there long, lost in marvelling contemplation.
+
+The beautiful lofty brow, overshadowed by the soft and abundant hair,
+the dark colour of which was not broken by one silvery thread; the
+daintily curved lips, that seemed about to open for some witty saying,
+lips the pallor of which was put to shame by the whiteness of the
+teeth, which were just visible; the broad-arched chest--what wonder
+that the man of fifty had felt in life like a youth--like the youth for
+whom Death had taken him.
+
+From those pure and pallid features Death had wiped away even the
+faintest remembrance of the woe which had broken the noble heart.
+
+Now it was still--still for evermore!
+
+He laid his hand upon that silent heart.
+
+"_Qui si sana!_" he said, very gently.
+
+
+
+                               FOOTNOTE.
+
+[Footnote 1:
+
+           "Und immer ist der Mann ein junger Mann,
+            Der einem jungen Weibe wohlgefällt."]
+
+
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
+
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+<title>Problematic Characters: A Novel</title>
+<meta name="Author" content="Hermann Sudermann">
+<meta name="Publisher" content="Leypoldt &amp; Holt">
+<meta name="Date" content="1870">
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Quisisana
+       or Rest at Last
+
+Author: Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+Translator: H. E. Goldschmidt
+
+Release Date: December 27, 2010 [EBook #34764]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUISISANA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:
+1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031341906</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1 style="letter-spacing:3px">Q U I S I S A N A</h1>
+<br>
+
+<h4>OR</h4>
+<br>
+
+<h2><i>REST AT LAST</i></h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>From the German of F. Spielhagen</h3>
+<br>
+
+<h4>BY</h4>
+
+<h3>H. E. GOLDSCHMIDT</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h4><i>ONLY TRANSLATION SANCTIONED BY THE AUTHOR AND BY<br>
+THE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY ASSOCIATION</i></h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3><span class="sc">NEW YORK</span>:<br>
+JAMES B. MILLAR &amp; CO., PUBLISHERS.<br>
+<span class="sc">1885</span>.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>TROW'S<br>
+PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY,<br>
+NEW YORK.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>QUISISANA.</h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>I.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">&quot;Why have you roused me, Konski?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You were lying on your left side again, sir,&quot; the servant, who held
+his master clasped by the shoulder, replied, as he completed the task
+of restoring him to a sitting posture on the sofa; &quot;and you have been
+drinking champagne at dinner, more than a bottle, John says, and that
+surely is ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski broke off abruptly, and turned again to the travelling boxes,
+one of which was already unlocked; he commenced to arrange its contents
+in the chest of drawers, and went on, apparently talking to himself
+rather than to his master--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am merely doing what the doctor has insisted upon. Only last night,
+in Berlin, as I was showing him to the door, he said: 'Konski, when
+your master is lying on his left side and begins then to moan, rouse
+him, rouse him at once, be it day or night. I take the responsibility.
+And, Konski, no champagne; not for the next six weeks, anyhow, and best
+not at all. And when you have once got into Italy, then plenty of water
+to be mixed with the wine, Konski, and ...'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now oblige me by holding your tongue.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had remained sitting on the sofa, his hand pressed to his brow;
+he now rose rapidly and strode impatiently about the room, casting
+every now and then an angry glance at his valet. Then he stepped to one
+of the windows. The sun must be setting now. The high wooded hills
+yonder still shone forth in sunny splendour, but the terrace gardens
+sloping towards the valley, and the valley itself, with the village
+within, lay already in deepest shadow. The picturesque view, the
+graceful charm of which he was wont to appreciate so heartily, had no
+charm to-day for his dulled brain. Konski was quite right; the
+champagne which he had to-day taken for the first time since his
+illness, in direct defiance of the doctors injunctions, had not agreed
+with him. Well, he had taken champagne because his throat had got
+unbearably dry from much talking, and he had talked so much because the
+frequent pauses in the dinner conversation were making him nervous. The
+whole thing had been a positive bore; the genial host, the fair hostess
+had surely fallen off, changed sadly for the worse during the last
+three years. Or ... could he possibly have changed himself? Did he
+really begin to grow old? If you get seriously ill at fifty, you are
+apt to go downhill with startling rapidity!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This had been the second emphatic <i>memento mori</i>--after an interval of
+twenty years! The first--the first had been her work. Aye, and she had
+kissed him a thousand times, and had vowed deathless fidelity yonder on
+the mountain-slope, where the giant oak still lifted its mighty crown
+of foliage above the bronze-coloured leafy roof of the beeches. Why the
+deuce did they always give him these rooms? He'd better ask Hildegard
+this very evening for other rooms--at once, before that blockhead
+Konski had unpacked everything.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave these things alone,&quot; he exclaimed, turning round from the
+window; &quot;I do not intend to remain in these rooms. I do not intend to
+stay here at all, I think. We shall probably be off to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski, who was already deep in the recesses of box number two,
+believed he had not heard aright. He lifted his head out of the box and
+looked in amazement at his master.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-morrow, sir? I thought we were to stay a week at the least.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do what I bid you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski replaced, the shirts which he was holding in the portmanteau and
+rose hastily from his knees. His master was evidently in a very bad
+temper; &quot;but that kind of thing never lasts long with him,&quot; Konski was
+saying to himself, &quot;and then the champagne ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Aloud he said--
+&quot;You can be sure, sir, that there won't be much trouble about the
+officers who are going to be quartered here. I know all about it from
+Mamsell Christine. Only a colonel, a major, a couple of captains, and
+some six lieutenants or so, and perhaps a surgeon-major. None of our
+princes, and certainly none of theirs. A mere handful for a large place
+like this; they'll be lost, like currants in a bun. And you can remain
+in these rooms, where we always have been, and you'll see none of them,
+for I don't suppose they'll have this blessed man&#339; vre in the garden
+below.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know at, all what you want with your everlasting
+man&#339; vres,&quot; Bertram exclaimed angrily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had gone back, to the open window, through which there came a strong
+current of air. Konski went and closed the door of the adjoining room,
+then stepped up to within a certain respectful distance of his master,
+and said modestly, lowering his voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, sir, but what does it matter, after all, if Miss
+really comes ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you mean?&quot; Bertram said without turning round. &quot;What has that
+to do with my going or staying? Why should the little one not come?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski rubbed up his stiff black hair with a certain sly smile, and
+said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not Miss Erna; the other lady--who is never allowed to come when you
+are here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lydia? Fräulein von Aschhof? Are you mad?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram turned round with the rapidity of lightning, and now uttered
+these words in a rough tone, whilst his eyes, generally so gentle,
+shone out in great anger. Konski was frightened; but his curiosity was
+greater than his terror. He would gladly have at last learned the real
+truth about the young lady who was not allowed to come when his master
+came on a visit to Rinstedt, and whom he had therefore never yet seen,
+although in the course of years he had accompanied his master half a
+dozen times. But he was once more doomed to disappointment; his master
+had suddenly become perfectly calm again, or at least preserved the
+appearance of perfect calmness, and now asked in his usual voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From whom have you got your information? Of course from Mamsell
+Christine?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From Mamsell Christine, of course,&quot; Konski made answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And she got it from My Lady?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From her Ladyship direct.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And when is the lady expected to arrive?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This very evening, along with Miss Erna; and there will also come a
+Baron Lutter or Lotter--I could not quite make the name out; they
+pronounce things so queerly here in Thuringia.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram now remembered that Hildegard, his hostess, had at table
+mentioned more than once the name of the Baron von Lotter-Vippach. Of
+Lydia, too, although he made it a point never to be drawn into
+conversation about her, she had again and again commenced to speak;
+clearly, as he perceived now, with the intention of preparing him to
+some extent for the intended surprise. But My Lady had reckoned without
+her host. This was a downright want of consideration; nay, worse, it
+was a breach of good faith. There was no reason why he should put up
+with it, and he did not mean to put up with it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where's the master? and where is My Lady?&quot; he asked aloud.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The master has ridden over to the coal mines; her Ladyship has gone
+into the village. They left word that they would be back before you
+were awake again; and you had not lain down on your left ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That'll do. Into the village, did you say? Give me my hat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Please take your overcoat too, sir,&quot; said Konski; &quot;there's a nasty
+mist rising from the valley, sir; and the doctor, he did say that if
+you caught cold now, sir ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had put his hat on, and waived the proffered garment back. In
+the doorway he turned, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not trouble about the boxes. We leave again in an hour. And one
+thing more. If you say one word to Mamsell Christine, or to anybody in
+the house, now or later--you understand me--and I hear of it--we
+part--for all that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had left. Konski was now standing by the open window scratching his
+head, and the very next minute he saw him striding swiftly down the
+garden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Upon my word!&quot; he murmured; &quot;who'd think that six weeks ago he lay at
+the point of death?--And off this evening again--an hour hence! Not if
+I knows it. First, I must settle my little business with Christine, and
+that is not to be done all at once. Christine says that at that time
+the Fräulein would have nothing to say to him. I can't make it out.
+Twenty years ago he must have been a very handsome fellow; why, he is
+so almost still. Nor was he a poor man even then, though, of course, he
+has inherited lots since. I am devilish keen about seeing the old maid.
+One thing is sure and certain, she will arrive this very evening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he cast one dubious look at the boxes. Perhaps it was taking
+needless pains to unpack them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, but--he'll surely think better of it--he is not the one to run
+away from any woman, even if she should number forty years or
+thereabout; and--and ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And so the faithful Konski, after having given a most incredulous shake
+of the head, set to work, and continued to unpack his master's
+travelling boxes.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>II.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Meanwhile Bertram, had already crossed the bridge which spanned the
+brook at the bottom of the garden terrace, and was hurrying along to
+the village along the line of meadows. His hostess, Hildegard, had said
+at dinner that she meant to-day, like every Thursday afternoon, to
+visit her newly-founded Kindergarten; so he thought there would be no
+difficulty in finding her. He had been a frequent visitor at Rinstedt,
+and knew every lane in the village; and the Kindergarten, they said,
+was on the main road, not far from the parsonage. Well, and what did he
+mean to say to Hildegard when he met her? First, of course, make sure
+of the facts. But there was little need for that. Konski was a smart
+fellow, who was not likely to have made a mistake; and then he was on
+such excellent terms with the omniscient Mamsell Christine! He would
+ask her what had induced her to break through the agreement to which
+she had now adhered for the last twenty years. And yet--what a needless
+question! Why, women are never consistent! And in such things they
+always like to assist each other and work into each other's hands, even
+if they are by no means specially fond of each other. And now it seemed
+as if there were special fondness between these two. His beautiful
+hostess had, quite contrary to her wont, sung Lydia's praises in every
+possible variety of way! And then, take the fact that she had sent her
+own daughter to Lydia's <i>pension</i>, and had left the girl there in the
+small <i>Residenz</i> for three years. Poor Erna! Fancy her for three years
+under the care of that crazy woman! Poor Erna--the beautiful creature
+with the great, deep, blue eyes! That should never have happened. It
+was a positive insult to him. He had urged every argument against it;
+had found out a supremely suitable place in Berlin for her; had offered
+to undertake careful personal supervision; had urged them to confide
+the child to his care, to give the child an opportunity of seeing
+something of life under its larger, nobler aspect. And they had said
+yes to everything; had thanked him so very much for his exertions, his
+kindness; and at the last moment they had contentedly plumped back into
+the beloved mire and stagnant waters of the pettiness of life in the
+small <i>Residenz</i>. To be sure, My Lady herself had been brought up in
+that social quagmire, and still cherished with plaintive delight
+recollections of bygone splendour, and mourned in secret over her own
+hard fate which had not permitted her, like Lydia, to sun herself all
+the days of her life in the immediate rays of princely favour, but had
+doomed her to marry a man who was not nobly born--a man rich enough,
+forsooth, but bearing the unaristocratic name of Bermer, and having
+friends of similarly unaristocratic names, to whom, for all that, one
+had to be civil. Yes, a real Baron--a Baron von Lotter-Vippach--would,
+of course, be infinitely preferable! And fancy her, fancy My Lady
+forcing the Baron's company upon him after he had expressly urged that,
+being only half convalescent, he needed perfect repose; and would, if
+they were to have company in the house, rather in the meanwhile deny
+himself the delight of seeing his old friends, and would come to them
+in spring instead on his return from Italy!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yes, something like this he would say to his beautiful hostess, in
+perfect calmness and good temper, of course, only tinged with a touch
+of finest irony.... And this new building by his side--why, it must
+surely be the Kindergarten!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So it was. But the girl who was in charge of the children who were
+playing on the garden-plot in front of the building, said to him, in
+answer to his question, that My Lady had left half an hour ago; had
+gone to the parsonage, she thought. A couple of boys who were running
+about told him My Lady had gone to the village-mayor along with the
+parson.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The mayor's farm was situated at the opposite end of the village.
+Bertram started off in that direction, but before he had got half way
+he bethought himself that the parson would probably walk back with
+Hildegard, and that in that case he would of course have no opportunity
+of speaking plainly to her. So he turned back, determined to wait for
+her near the parsonage, which she was bound to pass on her way home.
+And yet, how could he wait? He could not tell whether he would have
+time left to carry out his intended flight; nay, every moment brought
+Lydia nearer, every moment he must expect to see the carriage whirl her
+past him where he stood. What? was he to stand here like this, and be
+compelled to bow to her? Never! To the left a narrow lane led direct to
+the forest, which, higher up, almost bordered on the mansion-house.
+This road back was somewhat longer than the one he had come by, and was
+steeper too; but anyhow it was much shorter than the carriage-drive,
+for that branched off from the high road in the main valley at the
+entrance to the side valley, thus intersecting the whole length of the
+village, and ultimately wound its long serpentine road up the high hill
+crowned by his friend's stately mansion. This way he would gain an
+advance of a good half-hour anyhow. It was to be hoped that his friend
+and host, Otto Bermer, had meanwhile returned from the coal mines; they
+lay in the opposite direction. He'd make a clean breast of it to Otto,
+and make Otto take his farewell compliments to My Lady. Poor Otto! &quot;The
+grey mare was the better horse,&quot; no doubt; and poor Otto would not
+relish the task; but what was to be done? And did not he, Bertram,
+anyhow enjoy the doubtful reputation of being selfishness incarnate!
+Well, then, this done, they would swiftly get some conveyance or other
+ready for him. If required, Konski could stay behind with boxes and
+such-like impedimenta; and in two or three hours' driving, first
+through the forest, to avoid the danger of meeting her, then along the
+high road, he would reach Fichtenau. He was fond of Fichtenau. There he
+would rest in that evergreen dale for a few days, and recover from the
+fatigue of the journey and from this day's manifold annoyances. Anyhow,
+he would have escaped from Lydia, have broken away from the snare which
+those women had set for him! He owed this satisfaction to himself, and
+perhaps the reflection would smooth the rough forest path he had now
+entered upon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For it was rough, was that path; much more so than he remembered it
+being formerly. Much rougher and much steeper too; in fact, most,
+most--abominably steep. Never mind; by following the tiny brooklet
+which was murmuring in the glen by his side, and which fell into the
+big brook in the valley below, he must speedily reach the little bridge
+leading to the opposite side; and then a smooth, or at least a fairly
+smooth, path would lead him on to the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What on earth could she have to do, she and the parson, at the mayor's?
+Something, probably, about getting appropriate quarters for those who
+were coming to the man&#339; vres; to be sure, My Lady, never idle, must
+needs take an interest in everything! Or perchance it was some
+charitable purpose, something for the sick, for the poor; in the
+pursuit of such noble aims My Lady never spared herself now, that is
+never since Royalty had set the example, and made it fashionable! And
+anyhow, it was hardly polite, in one so uniformly polite as My Lady, to
+leave the house and walk right away to the far end of the village with
+one guest already in the house, and with other guests expected every
+minute. Possibly--possibly My Lady was not unwilling to avoid the one
+guest; and the others, to be sure, must needs drive past the mayor's
+house. What more natural than, in such a case, to enter the carriage
+that brought the new guests; whilst driving with them through the
+village, what more simple than to give a confidential hint or two, just
+the merest suggestion, as to the treatment of the bird which she had
+captured--oh, so cleverly! No, no, My Lady--not captured yet ... not
+yet!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But where was the little bridge? It ought to have appeared long ere
+this. What! Climb down the steep glen, get your feet wet in the brook
+below, and climb up again the opposite side? Perish the thought! Why,
+everything seemed to go against him to-day!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last. And a broad new bridge too. And pair fully rustic, with
+elaborate rustic ornaments of curiously entwined and intertwisted tree
+branches. And, worst of all, such a confounded bit higher up the stream
+than where the old bridge had been.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the path on the opposite side, too; new, new like the bridge, new
+and fashionable, a regular promenade path; belonging, no doubt, to the
+elaborate system of paths which his noble and beautiful hostess had for
+years woven, like a complicated network, through the woods around. Of
+course, like Charlotte in the &quot;Elective Affinities,&quot; the fair
+châtelaine must needs have that passion for beautifying everything;
+like Charlotte, but not, oh dear! no, with any tender <i>penchant</i> for
+her husband's well-born friends. Well, well! He himself had never
+doubted the unapproachable virtue of My Lady: what if she now, tried
+her gentle hand ever so little at this, surely it was only the outcome
+of the excessive goodness of her chaste, and cool, and philanthropic
+heart.... Heart! ... And oh the wretched pain, the horrid, horrid
+sensation in my own heart. Who the mischief could be philanthropical if
+he felt like this? Perhaps this insane running and climbing has brought
+on a relapse. The story might then close where it began, and fair Lydia
+would come just in the nick of time to see that when people talk of a
+broken heart, they are not necessarily talking nonsense.... What
+rubbish, though! If my heart breaks, it will be because it has got some
+organic fault, and because I took champagne when I should not have done
+so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had dropped upon a bench by, the wayside, and there he crouched,
+almost bent double, pressing his handkerchief to his mouth, to prevent
+his moans from being heard in the silence of the darkening woods.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attack passed away. Gradually the agonising pains grew less. With
+the physical anguish much of the fierce passion into which he had
+worked himself passed away too. In its stead he felt a terrible
+heaviness, a dull languor in all his limbs, and there was a sort of
+stupor about his brain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Supposing it had given way, he mused. Fancy, sitting alone here in the
+wood, a dead man, for goodness knows how long, and then terrifying a
+poor wretch who chanced to pass this way first! This was not a pleasing
+thought. But this anyhow would have been the worst. Death in itself he
+did not dread. Why should he? Death was but the end of life. And life?
+His life? If he could say that his living harmed no one, except perhaps
+poor Konski whom he sometimes tormented by his wayward moods--yet, on
+the other hand, it gladdened no one, least of all himself. The few poor
+students or struggling artists would have their allowances paid out to
+them for the time fixed, whether he lived on or not, and a few public
+institutions were welcome to divide the residue between them. All that
+would be settled in the shortest and most business-like manner. Never a
+tear would be shed by any human being, unless perchance by old Konski.
+But no; it was impossible to think of the good, easy-going fellow in
+tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was sitting at the foot of a spreading beech tree. A crow, perched
+on the top, uttered a shriek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram looked up with a grim smile. &quot;Patience!&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But it was not on his account that the crow had uttered that cry, but
+probably because somebody was approaching. He saw a lady coming down
+the side-path which led from the forest direct to his bench. Again,
+this convulsive pain at the heart! But he forced himself to look again;
+and no, it was not Lydia. Lydia was taller, and her blonde hair was of
+ashen hue; this lady's hair was dark, very dark. And the style of
+walking, too, was different, very different: an easy, even, step,
+making it appear as if she were floating down the somewhat steep path,
+although he could see the movement of the feet beneath the light summer
+dress. And now she had come quite close to him. She gave a little
+start, for, gazing up to the shrieking crow, she had not noticed him,
+and he had sprung up somewhat abruptly from the bench. But in a moment
+she was collected again, and the flush faded as quickly from her cheek
+as it had spread.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is, it possible?--Erna!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Bertram!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was something wondrously melodious in the voice, but not the
+slightest trace of the glad emotion which he himself had experienced
+which he himself had experienced on seeing his darling. His heart
+contracted; he would fain have said: &quot;You were wont to give me a
+different reception;&quot; but he blushed to face the young beauty as a
+beggar, and letting, go her hands, he only said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You did not expect to find me here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How could I?&quot; was her reply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure!&quot; thought Bertram. &quot;How could she? What a silly question of
+mine!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He knew not what next to say, and, in some embarrassment, he stood
+silent. The crow above had been silent during the last half-minute or
+so, and now commenced to croak, abominably. Both had involuntarily
+gazed up; now they were, walking silently side by side along the path.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>III.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">The evening was closing in around them. Through the thick undergrowth
+of wood which bordered the path on both sides but little light could
+penetrate; overhead the leafy crowns of the beeches interlaced and
+formed an almost continuous roof. At a certain abrupt declivity a few
+rough steps had been placed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you take my arm. Uncle Bertram?&quot; said Erna. It was the first word
+spoken between them since, several minutes ago, minutes which had
+weighed like lead upon Bertram, they had left the bench under the beech
+tree.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was just going to put the same question to you,&quot; he replied.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks,&quot; said Erna. &quot;I know every step here; but you--and then, you
+have been ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This might, of course, have been meant in all friendliness; but there
+was a coldness about the tone, something like giving alms, Bertram
+thought.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have been,&quot; he made answer; &quot;but quite well again--quite well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand you are going to Italy for the winter--for the sake of
+your health.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am going to Italy because I hope I shall be rather less bored in
+Rome than in Berlin--that is all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And suppose you are bored in Rome too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mean, bores are bored everywhere?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, I do not mean that; indeed, it would have been most disagreeable
+on my part had I meant anything of the kind. I only wanted to know
+where people go to from Rome, if they desire still to travel on. To
+Naples, I should say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure. To Naples, to Capri! In Capri there stands amidst orange
+groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a fair
+white hostelry, embowered in roses, Quisisana. Years ago I was there,
+and I have longed ever since to be back again. <i>Qui si sana!</i> What a
+sound of comfort, of promise! <i>Qui si sana!</i> Here one gets well! Even
+those who ate fairly well, physically, have something to recover from.
+Why, life itself--what is it but a long disease, and death its only
+cure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Another pause. He had intended that there should be no new break in
+their conversation and yet the very words he had just uttered, still
+under the impulse of the invalid's peevish humour, were little likely
+to induce the beautiful and taciturn girl by his side to talk. He
+wanted to make heir talk. It never occurred to him that her silence was
+due to a lack of ideas, or even to shyness. Quite the reverse. She
+interested him more and more every moment, and he was strongly
+impressed that he was dealing with a girl of marked individuality,
+reposing securely in her own strength. Of her whom he had known and
+loved as a child, and whose image he had cherished in fondest, truest
+memory, never a trace!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know, Uncle Bertram, that you are going to see Fräulein von
+Aschhof--Aunt Lydia--to-night?&quot; she resumed abruptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram started. That name--from her, fair, chaste lips--had a doubly
+hateful sound.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know,&quot; he answered; &quot;not from your parents, but I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They will have shrunk from telling you,&quot; Erna continued. &quot;Mamma was
+most reluctant to sanction Aunt Lydia's coming; but Aunt Lydia begged
+so very hard to be allowed to see you once more, and she thought that
+now, when you have been so very, very ill, and when you are going away
+for such a long time, you might be in gentler mood. And yet she was
+afraid to encounter you. She grew so nervous as we were driving along,
+that I believe she was uncommonly near getting out and leaving us to
+continue the journey without her. At last I could scarcely bear to
+witness her uneasiness any longer, and I felt considerable relief when
+I got out myself in order to walk across the hill--from Fischbach,
+don't you know--and as I was coming along, I was debating whether, if I
+reached home before them, I might not beg you to be a little friendly
+towards auntie. You ... but I am not sure whether to go on ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg you will do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I only wanted to add: you owe it to her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should think so; for her only fault has been that she has loved you
+and still loves you, and you ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear child, I beg you will go on without any shyness. I am anxious,
+very anxious, you should do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you ... left her, after you had been engaged for a whole year!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And then I wrote her a letter of renunciation, did I not? And the poor
+forsaken one, in her despair, engaged herself within four-and-twenty
+hours to Count Finkenburg, who had long been vainly suing for her hand?
+And the old gentleman was so enchanted that scarce a week after he died
+from rapture and paralysis combined, without even having time to
+remember his fair bride in his will! Was it not so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us change the topic, Uncle Bertram,&quot; Erna replied. &quot;I hear from
+your words and from your tone that you are excited, and I now feel
+doubly how awkward I was in turning our talk, for auntie's sake, to a
+subject I ought to know nothing of, and which I certainly should never
+have mentioned.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot let you off like that, alas! my child,&quot; Bertram said in
+reply. &quot;I must still ask you from whom your information is derived.
+From Fräulein von Aschhof, of course?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot find it unnatural,&quot; Erna said, &quot;if Aunt Lydia, in the
+excitement she has laboured under ever since your visit here was
+announced, and since she determined to see you again, has unburdened
+her overflowing heart to me, and has told me all which--or the greater
+part of which--I knew or guessed. And she has urgently entreated me not
+to repeat a word of this to you, and I am sure she is convinced that I
+would do nothing of the kind. But I gave her no promise, for I have
+always been very fond of you, Uncle Bertram, very, very fond; and I was
+so sorry that you ... that I now could no longer be fond of you. I have
+always in my heart taken your side, when they were saying that you were
+cold and selfish, and cared for nobody but yourself. I have always
+thought: he has never found any one worthy of him! And now I know all,
+I should like to say: perhaps Aunt Lydia was not worthy of him either;
+she has many qualities which I do not like at all--but she would surely
+have turned out differently if you had not betr ... had not forsaken
+her. How can a girl remain good, if she is forsaken by the man she
+loves! How can she, if her heart is easily touched, become aught but a
+coquette, and assume manners that people will laugh and jeer at; or, if
+she be proud, and ashamed of her misfortune, she must needs grow cold
+and heartless, and full of contempt for all men, nay, for all mankind!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The calm, low voice had remained the same to the very last word, but in
+striking contrast to that calm and that self-control there was the
+passionate gleam of the great dark eyes, which now looked up to Bertram
+with wondrous firmness, such as the ancients may have imagined the gaze
+of the gods--&quot;whose eyelids quiver not, like those of mortals.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The narrow path had widened to a glade; there they stood for a few
+moments gazing in each other's eyes; and Bertram felt the fascination
+of that wondrous firmness, felt, too, that no consideration could
+condemn him to stand before those eyes as a contemptible wretch, and
+that, at any cost, he must tear to pieces the dark curtain which
+unscrupulous lies had woven and spread between her and him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He took her arm, as though to make sure that she would not escape from
+him, and, striding swiftly along, and almost dragging her with him, he
+said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now hear me, too, and despise me, if you still can do so after you
+have heard me! Forsaken, did you say, forsaken and betrayed? Yea,
+verily! But she it was who practised the treachery--most infamous, most
+horrible treachery, with never the shadow of an excuse for it, if
+indeed anything ever can excuse treachery. I loved her--I will not say
+more than ever man did love--I know not how other men love--I only,
+know, that I loved her with the best and purest strength, of my heart.
+I was no longer a youth when, at your parents' wedding, I made the
+acquaintance of your mother's friend. I was almost thirty years
+of age, and was living, as you know, in Leipzig as a mere private
+scholar--<i>Privat-Gelehrter</i> they call it. I had planned my scheme of
+study on a very great scale, and, being very much, in earnest about
+science and art, as indeed about all things I take up, I was wont to
+devote years to tasks which other men, with less time or more genius,
+accomplish in as many months. Moreover, I had what I required for the
+expenses of living, perhaps even a little more--I, am not given to
+paying attention to that kind of thing. Now everything became changed
+at once. I loved her, I fancied myself loved in return. We had met here
+again, and, more than once, and had become engaged, though at first,
+and at my own special request, in all secrecy. I comprehended that a
+man engaged to so high-born and gifted, a girl as Lydia von Aschhof,
+must needs be something better than a mere obscure private scholar, and
+I readily 'pulled myself together,' determined to reach my goal. Some
+time, of course, was required before my great work could be completed.
+Some time; too much for her patience. Perhaps she doubted its ultimate
+success. Perhaps she cared naught for the success, notwithstanding the
+enthusiasm which she pretended to feel for my efforts, notwithstanding
+her being so very kind as to assure me a thousand times that my genius,
+my talent, had made her my captive, and would hold her my captive, yea,
+though a crown were laid at her feet. As it turned out, no princely
+crown was needed; only a plain coronet--and one surmounting a grey,
+decrepit head into the bargain. Oh! she wrote me a most touching, most
+generous letter of renunciation. 'I am but hindering you in your lofty
+striving; an artist, a scholar must be free, unshackled; your fame is
+more to me than my love,' and so on, and so on. Two or three pages
+more, high-sounding phrases in daintiest handwriting, concluding, of
+course, with the announcement of her new engagement, by which, as by a
+<i>fait accompli</i>, she must needs assist her wavering heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The letter was written from here, from Rinstedt. I hurried to the
+railway; at the last station I got hold of a vehicle. When we got to
+Fischbach, the poor overdriven steeds could not get on any further. By
+the shortest, steepest path I climbed to the top of the Hirschstein,
+the hill you have just come by; here, on the top, I fell down like one
+dead. I gathered myself together again, and staggered on, on, until I
+reached your father's house. She must have had some foreboding that I
+would not submit to this in all patience; she had left your father's
+house an hour before, driving to Fichtenau, taking the road by which it
+was impossible for me to come. Afterwards I came to be grateful to her
+for her circumspection and her precaution, for I think I must have been
+simply raving mad; and it was well for both of us that my power was
+broken, that I could not pursue the fair fugitive, but had to remain
+here, a burden on your parents, sick unto death, given up by the
+doctors, until some six or eight weeks' after, I surprised them all by
+recovering, enabled to live on as best one can with a sorely wounded
+heart--and a heart injured, not in the physical sense alone. What good,
+do you think, did it do me whilst I was struggling with death here, and
+afterwards dragged myself on crutches through the terrace-gardens, that
+my work had appeared, had taken the world by storm, and made me, once
+for all, what they call a famous man? What good that, just at that time
+a childless old miser of an uncle took it into his head to die, and
+that, in default of other heirs, his whole huge fortune fell to me? I
+had had enough of the lying and cheating of humanity. Fame, love--I
+cared no longer for these things. I became what I am, what my
+acquaintances know me to be, what they have called me to you--a cold
+egotist. What if for all that I do not cross my hands idly in my lap
+but work on, and now and again utter a word of freedom which others,
+less independent, might lack the courage to utter; or if I start and
+encourage works of general utility; or if here and there I help some
+lame dog over a stile; these things I surely do not for the love of the
+Lord, nay, solely, so as not to lose that modicum of self-respect which
+belongs to the indispensable stock-in-trade of a discreet egotist. And
+talking of self-respect, dear, I begin to perceive with pain that I am
+lessening the aforesaid modicum considerably in telling you all this.
+For, in affairs of the hearts a gentleman should always spare the lady
+the utterance of the first word and leave her the last, and if she
+asserts that he is Don Giovanni and she Donna Elvira, why, he has but
+to bow and thank her for assigning so brilliant a part to him. And now,
+my dear child, now try to be fond of your garrulous old uncle once
+more, will you not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The girl made no reply. A feeling of shame had gradually stolen over
+Bertram as he spoke, and he had tried in vain to weaken it by
+concluding with a semi-humorous turn. Now this feeling grew intensified
+by Erna's silence. How had, it been possible for him to forget himself
+so far as to reveal to a young girl, one almost a child still, one
+without comprehension for such sad, ugly, painful experiences, the
+deepest secret of his heart--a secret which he had trained himself to
+pass by, as it were, with his own face turned away? And he had told of
+this, to a girl who stood to the object of his vehement denunciation in
+the peculiarly tender and delicate relation of pupil! How mean, how
+ignoble of him! He had acted like a raw, immature lad! He wished
+himself a thousand miles away; he cursed his want of determination,
+inasmuch as he might have left the place abruptly an hour ago, and thus
+have escaped all this horrible confusion. Now he must needs depart at
+once, this very evening, if possible without seeing, without speaking
+to, a soul; most certainly without entering upon any explanation
+whatever. He had just tasted the delight of such explanations, and it
+would be long before he lost the bitter after-taste of them!...</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were quite cleat of the wood now, and were approaching--walking
+across some meadow land--a tiny gate in the thick old wall, which led
+to the courtyard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Suddenly Erna said, &quot;And you have told nobody all this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; he answered; and it cost him a curious struggle to get the one
+brief word--out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They passed through the tiny gate; it was almost dark in the yard now.
+Before the entrance to the house stood a large open travelling
+carriage; servants were removing the belongings of the travellers who
+had already alighted. Through the main gate, on the opposite side, a
+cart, laden with the heavier articles of luggage, was entering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Bertram,&quot; whispered Erna.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Just as they were about to cross the threshold of the tiny gate she had
+seized his hand with gentle pressure. He had involuntarily stopped.
+Again she was gazing up at him, but not now, as before in the wood,
+with a stern expression. Was it a reflection of the radiance of the
+young moon, just then rising above the gloom which was enfolding the
+buildings around--or could it be tears that glistened in the great
+eyes?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You want to leave us, Uncle Bertram?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who told you so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It matters not. You want to leave us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay! Pray, stay--for my sake!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She dropped the hand which she had clasped until now, and hurried
+across the yard to the mansion-house, while he ascended the stairs to
+the side wing where his own rooms were situated, his whole soul full of
+the image of this wondrous girl, whose words, whose looks, had so
+potent a spell over him, that he no longer seemed to have a will of his
+own as against hers.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>IV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">His master's long absence had at length commenced to disquiet faithful
+Konski considerably. True, he knew from his ten years' experience that
+he need not pay much attention to any orders that master gave him when
+in a state of great excitement; and, of course, the later it grew, the
+more improbable it became that the departure, although announced, would
+really take place; but then, supposing some accident had happened to
+him? The doctor in Berlin had most strongly urged him to take every
+possible precaution lest, during the first few weeks anyhow, his master
+should over-exert himself in any way--and master had hurried down those
+terrace steps like one possessed! And all on account of this infernal
+old maid who was never allowed to visit at this house when they, master
+and he, were here! Oh, why had he not held his silly tongue, and not
+brought the great news at once to his master!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He would have liked hurrying after him into the village, but dared not
+leave his post. And now their host came in and inquired for master, and
+seemed greatly concerned when Konski, to soothe his own anxiety as it
+were, hinted that his master had not been over pleased when told that
+additional guests were expected; and Konski added, as a sort of
+conjecture of his own, that he had probably gone out for a walk, so as
+to avoid having to be present at their reception. And meanwhile My Lady
+had returned and had sent for him, and Konski had to repeat to her
+Ladyship--for whom he entertained the most confounded respect--what he
+had already told her Ladyship's husband; and her Ladyship had looked so
+hard at him with those piercing brown eyes of hers, that he was jolly
+glad when he was back at his post of observation at the lobby-window,
+whence he could survey the whole extensive court-yard. And there--an
+open carriage was just entering it; only two people in it--a lady and a
+gentleman--thank Heaven, one lady only! In the gathering twilight
+Konski could not distinguish, the lady's features or figure, but, if
+there was only one lady, why, who could it be but dear Miss Erna? And
+from her, master was not likely to run away; and all was well now, if
+only he himself were safely back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The door below was opened. Konski heard his master's step upon the
+stairs and hurried to meet him, joyfully telling him all that he had
+observed; and did master know already that Miss Erna was the only lady
+who had arrived?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His master had thrown himself into an arm-chair in the sitting-room,
+where careful Konski had already lighted a liberal supply of candles,
+and was staring hard in front of him, passing at intervals his hands
+over brow and eyes. Suddenly he sat bold upright and said:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did you say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Poor Konski had said nothing at all during the last few minutes, but
+inquired now whether his master would not dress for supper; he thought
+it was getting quite late enough.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram rose and passed into the adjoining bedroom where Konski had
+laid out such a costume as he deemed appropriate for the occasion. He
+lent him the necessary aid, and marvelled greatly that his master, who
+was wont to talk to him during the process of dressing more than at any
+other time, did not say a single word to-night. Another curious thing
+was this: quite contrary to his custom, the master looked hard at
+himself in the mirror again and again, and, strangest sight of all, he
+pulled and twisted his moustache about! However, seeing that master,
+though looking very grave, did not appear either annoyed or angry,
+Konski was quite satisfied. To-night then, anyhow, their departure need
+not be provided for.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a knock at the door. Their host entered as hurriedly as was
+consistent with his being so very stout.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank Heaven that you are here!&quot; he exclaimed, shaking both his
+friend's hands again and again, as though he had been 'long looked-for,
+come at last!' &quot;Thank Heaven; we have been quite frightened about you.
+Hildegard was very angry that I had left you alone. I said to her,
+'Why, he is not a child, requiring to be watched at every step;' that
+is to say, I did not actually say so in so many words. I ... thought
+so. My wife is terribly nervous to-day. I had told her at once ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here he noticed the servant's presence, and in some embarrassment broke
+off abruptly. Bertram having now completed his toilet, the two
+gentlemen left the room together. As they were walking through the long
+passage which led to the main building, his host put one arm round his
+friend's slender waist and said confidentially, lowering his voice by
+way of precaution--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had told Hildegard at once that you would be annoyed; at least I did
+not say so in so many words, but I--hinted it, for, you know, my wife
+cannot beat contradiction; and I soon found out that the two women,
+between them, had determined that the meeting should take place. Now
+Erna tells me--she is a darling, is she not? a little peculiar, a
+little odd, but always good to me; how nice that you met on the
+hills--well, Erna tells me that you were not particularly angry that
+Lydia had accompanied her; that is to say, Erna does not know anything
+of the old stories, or has only heard some vague rumours that you
+cannot bear each other, or that you cannot bear Lydia. Never mind, it's
+all the same now; only tell me that you are not particularly angry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was at first, but I am so no longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That's all I ask for. And after all, old chap, well, misunderstandings
+and all that sort of thing! But the blame is sure to be yours, or
+almost entirely yours. Why, it's always the man who is to blame, eh? I
+should know that much, having been married these twenty years!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He laughed. Bertram, to change the conversation, asked where the others
+were.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The ladies are on the verandah; the Baron was still in his room when I
+came away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the by,&quot; Bertram asked, &quot;who is this Baron? You were talking about
+him once or twice at table, but I confess I hardly listened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lotter?&quot; his friend said. &quot;Look here; you'll like him immensely.
+Stunning fellow, Lotter. Has read every mortal thing; plays the piano;
+paints--portraits, landscapes, anything you like. Has come home to do
+some painting; studies at our academy, don't you know?--and is a
+constant guest at Court, of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does he belong to these parts?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh; dear no! hails from Würtemberg. A very, very old family;
+Lotter-Vippach. His father was a General, I believe; his uncle a
+Minister of State; that sort of thing, don't you know? He has been in
+the army himself; was in the '70 campaign. But he is a bit of a rover.
+Has been up and about a good deal; in Algiers, South America; that,
+sort of thing. I pressed him to come and stay here during the
+man&#339; vres, to help me to do the honours, as I never was in the army
+myself. He is awfully anxious to make your acquaintance; has read all
+your works and--and--but where on earth are our ladies? I'll go and
+look. You stop where you are; do not come out bareheaded.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The last words had already been spoken in the garden saloon, the great
+French windows of which, leading to the verandah, stood wide open. His
+host had hurried off to look for the ladies, and Bertram, left alone,
+strode up and down in the large, half-darkened room. Had he not,
+perhaps, yielded all too readily to Erna's command? If obedience was to
+be easy to him, nay, if it was to be at all possible for him, she ought
+to have stayed by his side. And now her very image was gone from his
+inner eye, and its place had been taken by her whom he had once so
+passionately loved, as if twenty years had not gone by since he last
+saw her, as if she had only passed a minute ago with her beautiful
+friend and hostess into the garden, thence to return immediately under
+some pretext or other, to rush to his embrace, to shower hot,
+passionate kisses upon him--here, in this very saloon, as she had so
+often, so often done--here, where the faint fragrance of violets still
+seemed to float, that she was so fond of, and which in those days he
+was ever associating with her presence!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was standing in the semi-darkness, his back turned to the verandah;
+a gentle rustling sound was coming up the steps. He turned. Framed in
+by one of the doors against the brighter background of the evening sky,
+appeared the shadowy outline of a lady, lingering a moment or two on
+the threshold, then hastening with raised arms towards him, as he stood
+motionless, spellbound.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before he could prevent it, she had sunk on her knees before him, had
+seized his hands which he was involuntarily stretching forth to lift
+her up, and now she was pressing them to her bosom, to her lips. A
+dense cloud of violet perfume came floating up to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mercy, Charles, mercy!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I entreat you, My Lady, ... for Heaven's sake ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had been barely able to stammer out these words; he felt the most
+acute physical anguish at his heart; cold beads of perspiration stood
+upon his forehead; ice-cold were the hands which Lydia had held till
+then, and which now she dropped, terrified, rising as she did so from
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My Lady!&quot; she murmured, &quot;My Lady ... Ah, I knew it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The convulsive pain at his heart had ceased now; it beat on, but
+slowly, heavily; even so his anger and pain were giving way to
+compassion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let bygones be bygones,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If it were possible!&quot; whispered Lydia.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It must be possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She knew from his gentle but firm tone that, for the moment, she dare
+go no farther; and though she had to confess to herself that she had
+been deceived in her fond hope of reconquering his affections by one
+grand assault at starting, something was secured anyhow, and something
+desirable and even necessary--a fairly satisfactory footing when they
+met in society.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The dear voice!&quot; she whispered; &quot;the old, dear, gentle voice! But ...
+those hard, cruel words! Yet I have no right to complain, and I will
+not lament; it must, indeed, be possible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Much to his relief Bertram was spared the necessity of replying, for
+his host and hostess were just then coming in from the garden,
+accompanied by Erna and Baron Lotter. At the same moment a servant
+opened the folding-door which led to the dining-room; the two gentlemen
+were introduced to each other; the Baron offered his arm to the lady of
+the house, Lydia was clinging to the master, and thus Erna fell to
+Bertram's share. They were lingering a little behind the rest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How good you are!&quot; whispered Erna.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Am I?&quot; he made answer. &quot;I feel most contemptible.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>V.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">In very truth the feeling that he had done wrong in thus opening his
+heart to Erna had come back in renewed strength to Bertram, since he
+had to admit to himself that he had emphatically broken his own dictum
+that bygones were to be bygones. The past was no longer a secret
+between those concerned; and what would henceforth happen--each word,
+each look which they exchanged, all, all would have a sense, a meaning
+for somebody else--for the beautiful girl who was so grave beyond her
+years, the girl with the great, still, godlike eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus Bertram was profoundly in earnest when he declined to accept
+Erna's praise; but, anyhow, he hoped that the worst was over now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How greatly he was mistaken in this, came most painfully home to him
+with the first stolen glimpse which he ventured to take of Lydia's face
+in the pitiless radiance of the bright candles which shone upon the
+round table in the dining-room, where he sat opposite her. Was that
+really ... Lydia? Or had some mischievous imp, by cruel witchcraft, put
+a caricature of herself in her place, and changed the picture of the
+bright and gifted girl, overflowing with jest and fun, with humour and
+wit; the girl with the somewhat irregular but most piquant features,
+with the big, light-blue, mischievous eyes, fresh and rosy of colour,
+with wild, fluttering, blonde locks, into the picture of an aging
+coquette, for ever pouting her thin lips, even when she laughed, so as
+to hide her false teeth; now lowering, now lifting her eyelids, like an
+actress, in vain endeavouring to give some light to her eyes--a light
+as treacherous as the all too bright pinkiness of the lean cheek, the
+all too dark carmine of the ears, adorned though they were with
+sparkling diamonds? An ugly old woman, who now let the gold embroidered
+white silk shawl glide from the scraggy shoulders, only to draw it up
+again immediately and attempt a more picturesque drapery--which was not
+a success, so that the game had to be renewed forthwith!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he had once loved this painted, dressed-up, revoltingly coquettish
+person; had loved her with the best, purest strength of his heart, as,
+but a little while ago, he had assured Erna with passionate eagerness.
+It was horrible! Would Erna believe that yonder withered shrub had ever
+blossomed in vernal brightness and beauty? How could she believe it,
+when she looked at the friend of Lydia's youth, her own mother, whose
+majestic beauty was barely touched by Time in his flight? Her great
+brown eyes had lost none of their velvety softness, her raven hair
+still shone in undimmed splendour. And if the difference in appearance,
+in manner, was now so great between the two ladies, must it not always
+have existed? And must not the taste of a man, whose feelings could at
+any time have led him so far astray, have been at all times most
+lamentable?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And if the pitiless brightness had brought so terrible a discovery to
+him, how would he himself appear before Erna's searching gaze? Had not
+some horrible change taken place with him too? Why, these twenty years
+had altered Erna's father, who at college had been rightly surnamed
+'The Beauty,' into an excessively stout gentleman, with a somewhat
+bloated countenance, and a mighty skull, which was getting painfully
+bald in the region of the temples! And he himself had never been
+distinguished for personal attraction; true, his hair was as dark as
+ever; and, before supper, in the glass, he had thought that he saw a
+pale and grave, but not a worn, face. But then the complaisant mirror
+of vanity might make one fancy one saw all sorts of things. No doubt
+Lydia had just such a mirror in her room!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram felt more and more sad at heart. He no longer dared lift his
+eyes, but kept them fixed upon the plates, which the servants changed
+without his having tasted any of the dishes to which he helped himself
+mechanically. So he sat on, scarcely hearing a word of the
+conversation, which was principally carried on by Lydia and the Baron.
+Apparently they were talking about some Court affairs, and very amusing
+and piquant they would appear to be. Anyhow, there was much laughter,
+chiefly on the part of Lydia and the Baron, and My Lady held up her
+hand once or twice, and reminded the two of the respect due to the
+Grand Ducal family. Then the conversation touched upon the approaching
+man&#339; vres, and the Baron proclaimed his minute knowledge of every
+detail, and endeavoured to explain to the ladies, with the help of
+spoons and forks and what not, the original positions both of the
+attacking party and the attacked, and duly weighed the various events
+which might or must occur, according whether the commanding officers
+did or did not take certain steps. Under any circumstances, the
+decisive portion of the sham-fight must come off in the immediate
+neighbourhood of Rinstedt itself, if not in Rinstedt itself;
+unfortunately, the ground being singularly unsuitable for cavalry, the
+ultimate issue would lie between artillery and infantry. He himself,
+said the Baron, having formerly been a cavalry officer, was very sorry
+for that; but, anyhow, the ladies, could look forward to a glorious
+sight. What, a pity, he added, that in spite of his having so many
+friends in the army, he did not chance to have any personal
+acquaintances among the officers of this particular regiment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I know a number of them,&quot; said the host. &quot;The 99th were
+stationed at Erfurt until a twelvemonth ago. I used to meet the
+officers over and over again out shooting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then,&quot; said the Baron, turning to Lydia, &quot;you must know some of them
+too. They are sure to have attended some of our Court balls.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; the lady replied; &quot;and they were also in the habit of
+coming over in shoals to the play; but who is to distinguish one red
+collar from another? Not I! I love plain, quiet, civilian colours. Ask
+Erna; she is sure to know. She spent six weeks last summer with her
+Aunt Adelheid in Erfurt, and there the officers, are constantly coming
+and going. Is it not so, Erna?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are forgetting,&quot; said Erna, &quot;that aunt was in mourning at the
+time. Of course there were no parties then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But still,&quot; the Baron observed, &quot;people go to a house without being
+actually bidden to parties, inspire of the family being in mourning, if
+there are six marriageable daughters in it, as is the case in your
+aunt's house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Possibly; then my power of discriminating between different red
+collars is not more strongly developed than Aunt Lydia's; anyhow, I do
+not remember any one of the gentlemen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was uttered in such a stern tone, as of one who would decline to
+pursue the subject, that Bertram looked up involuntarily. Her dainty
+features were perfectly composed, but the blue eyes, which she was
+bending upon him, not upon her interlocutor the Baron, seemed to have a
+deeper radiance than that of suppressed annoyance. This was the first
+time that their looks had met across the table, and a curious thrill
+passed through his frame. He felt the hot blood surging to his temples;
+and to mask his growing embarrassment, he asked who was in command of
+the regiment in question.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Colonel von Waldor,&quot; the Baron replied promptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I knew an officer of that name,&quot; said Bertram, &quot;long ago, in Berlin;
+at that time he had been told off to the Military Academy of that town.
+For some years I kept up a correspondence with him, but somehow I lost
+sight of him afterwards. But I rather think that was not his regiment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Baron. &quot;You are quite right; he used to be in the
+210th. He got the colonelcy of the 99th about a year ago. He made quite
+a name for himself in the '70 campaign.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even at the time I recall, my friend was considered a very smart
+officer,&quot; said Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No doubt, no doubt,&quot; replied the Baron; &quot;it must be the same man. As
+far as I know, there are not two Waldors in the army, at least not
+among regimental commanders, for I think I know all their names by
+heart. Your Colonel is a queer fish, anyhow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is a 'queer fish'?&quot; asked Lydia, touching the Baron's arm with
+her fan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He laughed, and said: &quot;Well, that question is more easily asked than
+answered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, pray, do not answer it at all,&quot; said Hildegard, the hostess,
+glancing at her daughter Erna.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why not, my Lady?&quot; the Baron exclaimed. &quot;It is harmless enough to let
+the facts speak, and it is a fact that Waldor who--I do not know him
+personally, but Dr. Bertram will assuredly confirm my statement--was
+known throughout the army not only on account of his gallantry, but
+also on account of his manly beauty, and who had consequently broken
+countless hearts, is still a bachelor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You say 'consequently,'&quot; exclaimed Lydia, &quot;and consequently you think
+very meanly of our sex.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, you seem to assume that manly beauty suffices to touch--or, as
+you are pleased to call it, to break--female hearts. Alas, my dear
+Baron, how little do you know our sex!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg a thousand pardons--but I really said nothing of the kind. Venus
+and Mars--the alliance of valour and beauty, you know--your poets know
+something of this. Why, there is a poet here among us--let him speak up
+for me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With these last words the Baron had turned to Bertram; his tone and the
+accompanying gesture had something insultingly patronising about them;
+in fact, in Bertram's eye the whole demeanour of the young man,
+almost a giant in stature, was saturated with an arrogant sort of
+self-complacency, which seemed to take unanimous applause for granted.
+Nevertheless he replied with calm politeness:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I neither consider myself a poet, nor am I, to the best of my
+knowledge, considered one by anybody who has read the few miserable
+trifles in verse which I published years ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I protest against this most emphatically,&quot; exclaimed Lydia. &quot;I have
+read those 'miserable trifles in verse,' as you call them--what a
+horrible expression. I know them by heart, and I consider the author to
+be a poet--a poet by grace divine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am extremely obliged to you,&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;However, surely what
+a man is born for is wont to announce itself, sooner or later, in a
+man's own heart. With me that voice is absolutely silent; and,
+therefore, I might surely claim the right of refusing to give the
+evidence required of me. But not being specially qualified, and being
+absolutely impartial, I would fain warn my friends not to repose
+overmuch confidence in poets on that particular point. Anxious for the
+applause of the many, as their trade seems to demand, they accommodate
+themselves but too readily to the taste of the many, who, as we all
+know, like very children, seize eagerly upon anything bright,
+glistening, motley-coloured. Therefore, why should they not picture the
+heroine as beautiful beyond compare, the hero as valorous beyond
+comparison, and heap any number of additional titles to fame upon their
+blessed heads! Whether one quality does not perchance exclude another,
+whether the measure dealt out does not, anyhow, exceed all that is
+reasonably possible--dear, dear, there are few who'll ask that
+question; and if any one does, why, then, he is a pedant, and for
+pedants the heroes of romance have no existence, any more than real
+heroes have for their valets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! you scoffer--you wretch!&quot; exclaimed Lydia. &quot;Why, you will prove
+next that beauty, that valour, that every virtue in the world, belongs
+to the region of romance. What a terrible thing scepticism is! But our
+friend was ever thus. Did I not say a short while ago: Hildegard, I
+cannot believe that he has changed; he cannot change! And behold, he
+is exactly what he always was!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, that's coming it pretty strong, seeing it's twenty years since
+...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The corpulent host had laughingly given utterance to these words, then,
+feeling his wife's dark eyes bent upon him in stern disapproval, he
+broke off abruptly with Ahem! poured some wine into his own glass,
+which was but half emptied, and then wanted to know why the gentlemen
+present were not doing justice to the wine that night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram, wishing to relieve his friends in their evident embarrassment,
+came to the rescue, saying, with smiling, easy politeness: &quot;Fräulein
+von Aschhof only proves by her kind assertion of my immutability, that
+she is indeed looking upon the world and mankind with a poetical eye.
+But let us remember this--the poets themselves allow only the fair sex
+to participate in the pleasing prerogative of the calmly careless ever
+youthful gods; and the poets may venture on this deception, because the
+listener is willing to be deceived. 'Breathes there a man with soul so
+dead,' who ever ventured to count up the years of an Antigone, an
+Iphigenia, a Helena? They are what they were--else they are not. But,
+even the poet's flattering arts cannot keep the man from aging; and if
+the poet would grant perennial youth to a man, he must needs let him
+die in his youth--like Achilles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I protest against this theory,&quot; Lydia exclaimed eagerly. &quot;I assert
+that heroes age as little as heroines.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even that,&quot; Bertram replied with a smile, &quot;would not help me, seeing
+that I am no hero, assuming even that you were right. But I may be
+permitted to indulge in some humble doubt. At best the hero of the
+Odyssey appears distinctly as a man of mature age,--to put it
+mildly,--and Pallas Athene must practise upon him her divine art of
+beautifying before she ventures to introduce him among the Phæaci.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Baron was meanwhile playing with his spoons and forks again; he was
+evidently annoyed at having been so long kept out of the conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram went on as though he did not notice it at all; he very surely
+was not speaking for that fellow's sake. He only cared to clear himself
+in Erna's eyes from any suspicion that he, like the aged coquette
+opposite him, was laying claim to a juvenility which had gone by for
+ever; and seeing those eyes steadily bent upon him, he took heart of
+grace, and went on in the same tone of easy, good-humoured banter--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Göethe, a modern, and in this case a tragic, poet too, in his
+Nausicaan fragments, wisely forebore to bring in that art of
+beautifying, which is only lawful for the epic poet in his antique
+naïvety, and in order to bridge over the mighty difference and distance
+of years, and to change the evidently improbable into something at
+least credible, he takes refuge in illusion, causing it to arise from
+the child's very heart, like a fog enveloping those pure eyes, that
+clear mind--</p>
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="t4" style="text-indent:-4px">
+'That man must ever be a youthful man,<br>
+Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes.'<a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="continue">Thus the aged nurse, taking the unspoken words, as it were, from
+Nausicaa's chaste lips. A touching saying, touching, like children's
+belief in the omnipotence of their parents! And about that
+youthfulness, which exists nowhere except in the glorious dreams of a
+young, inexperienced, generous soul, well, Göthe has told us something
+with exquisite humour, not, as true humour indeed never is, without a
+touch of melancholy, in the novelette of the man of fifty. Poor old
+Major! I have always been heartily sorry for him. Remember how he begs
+the services of the valet (skilled in the use of cosmetics) from his
+friend the great actor; how that adroit official uses his balm, and his
+stays, and his wadding for the aged gentleman, and yet cannot save the
+diseased front tooth, and certainly cannot keep fair Hilarie from
+falling vehemently in love with young Flavio, solely because she sees
+him in raptures with the clever widow, solely because in Flavio's
+raptures she beholds for the first time a representation of genuine,
+ardent, youthful passion. All this is as true as it is charming, as
+charming as it is melancholy, at least for the reader who is in a
+position to test the hero's experiences and sentiments by his own
+sentiments and experiences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course; 'there's no fool like an old fool,' and I suppose that
+really is the final outcome of the whole business,&quot; said the Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How dare you talk of things you know nothing about, you prosaic
+individual?&quot; exclaimed Lydia, bringing her fan down upon the giant's
+arm. &quot;There is no talk of old people here. A man of fifty is not old,
+he is in the prime of life, and is often ten times younger than your
+used-up so-called young gentlemen. But I must really say something for
+Göthe against our 'learned friend.' Yes, yes, my friend, I know the
+novelette well; I read it aloud to the Court barely a week ago. Who
+bids you take a comedy in that tragic way?--for the novelette in
+question is a comedy--a 'Comedy of Errors.' Hilarie fancies she is in
+love with the uncle, and really loves Flavio; Flavio fancies himself in
+love with the young widow, whilst really he loves Hilarie; and how the
+Major--well, I think the final scene at the inn proves emphatically
+that he had only turned his feelings to--to--to--the wrong address, if
+I may venture upon the expression; and that he and the clever widow
+subsequently became a happy pair is perfectly clear to me. Or, do you
+think not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A warning glance flashed from Hildegard's dark eyes. Lydia positively
+blushed through her layers of paint. She had shown her hand too
+plainly!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram struggled successfully against a strong inclination to smile;
+nay, curiously enough, something like pity for her indiscretion stirred
+within him. He went on--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure, you are right, right, above all, in calling the novelette
+a comedy. How little Göthe cared to have a tragic conflict is evident
+from the fact that he chose circumstances as favourable as possible for
+a happy conclusion, and that he from the very beginning secured a line
+of retreat for every one concerned. The Major is the uncle of Hilarie,
+the only daughter of his widowed mother, and he has doubtless acted the
+part of father to her--has, up till now, loved her as his own child.
+His rival, in whose favour he resigns his claims, is his own only son,
+to whom he is also very much attached, and with whom he is on excellent
+terms, whom he in fact treats like a comrade. Again, behind Hilarie, as
+she vanishes from him, stands as it were the young widow; and in her
+arms the Major will speedily forget the small humiliation. And lastly,
+and this seems to me to be the chief point, Göethe has wisely avoided
+to introduce the one element whereby he would have been enabled, nay
+compelled, to turn the comedy into tragedy; he has ... but I beg pardon
+of our fair hostess for being so garrulous. To be sure, it is high time
+we rose from table!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Truly enough, the turn which the conversation had taken had, for Erna's
+sake, been unwelcome to her mother. So she seized the opportunity and
+rose from table. Erna, who had sat without turning her gaze from
+Bertram, took a deep breath, like some one who is being recalled from
+deep dreams to the consciousness of present realities, and followed the
+example of the others. She and Bertram were the last couple that left
+the dining-room on their return to the garden-saloon, which had
+meanwhile been lighted up, and Bertram thought she was walking very
+slowly--on purpose.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What was the one element, Uncle Bertram?&quot; she asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What one element?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He knew what she meant; but he had broken off at table, because he
+himself dreaded the utterance of the word. So he delayed his reply, and
+just then his host appeared, bringing cigars: the gentlemen might smoke
+on the verandah, whilst Lydia would give them some music.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You remember, Charles, do you not,&quot; he went on, &quot;the <i>sonata
+pathétique</i>--that used to be your favourite piece? And Lydia has
+practised it often since, I think.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lydia was ready. Bertram, however, begged to be excused from remaining.
+He felt, he said, after all, tired with the day's journey, and it was
+but the charm of their company which had made him forget that he was
+still a convalescent. He barely gave Hildegard time to draw him aside,
+and to say to him in a whisper--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You really are most amiable. How good of you to take it so kindly. I
+had not at dinner to-day courage enough to make my confession. Indeed I
+have to confess, to say much to you--to-morrow ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-morrow be it, fair friend,&quot; said Bertram, kissing the lady's hand,
+bowing to the rest, and making hastily for the door. He had not reached
+it before Erna was by his side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You used to say good-night to me less formally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did not venture to press a kiss on the proffered brow, but only took
+her hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The great grave eyes gazed at him as though they would fain read what
+was passing in his inmost soul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good-night, dear child,&quot; he said hurriedly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good-night,&quot; she replied slowly, letting his hot, trembling hand glide
+out of her own cool little one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is lucky,&quot; said Bertram to himself, after he had dismissed Konski,
+and as he stood alone by the open window in his bedroom, &quot;it is very
+lucky, indeed, that it is not very easy to read what is passing in
+somebody else's soul. She would have found queer reading!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He leaned out of the window and gazed into the darkness. Not a breath
+of air. From the garden below the fragrance of mignonette was wafted
+up; the brook murmured aloud; a thin white veil was spread over the
+valley, with here and there a dim speck of light. The sky was
+cloudless, of deep blue, almost black colour; the moon looked like a
+mass of gold, and one solitary star near it shone forth in red
+splendour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram recalled just such a night, long years ago, when a friend, the
+assistant-astronomer, had given Erna's father and himself the
+opportunity of witnessing, from the Bonn Observatory, the transit of
+that same star--Aldebaran--through the moon! Afterwards he had
+accompanied Otto back to Poppelsdorf, and Otto had in his turn walked
+back with him to the Pförtchen in Bonn; and so backward and forward,
+all through the mild summer's night, until the light of morning had
+come, and the birds were beginning to twitter in the leafy crowns of
+the chestnut trees. And they had been raving of friendship and love--of
+the love they both, most fraternally, cherished for one and the same
+black-eyed beauty, the daughter of one of their professors, and they
+had both been sublimely happy, all their misery notwithstanding, for
+the black-eyed one was known to love another--&quot;Great Heaven, how long,
+how long ago? A generation, and more. And now ...?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now,&quot; he went on, &quot;you are about to fall in love with the daughter
+of the same man whom then you rivalled in absurdly exaggerated,
+donkey-like phantasies--with a girl of eighteen, whose father you could
+be. And this time you would not get off with raving incoherently for a
+night of two, and with scribbling a few mediocre sonnets! Be
+reasonable, old man. Let it go--let it go! You know full well you can
+have no abiding place here, any more than the horseman in the
+Piccolomini. Behind you, too, as you ride along, crouches the lean
+companion and clasps you in his bony arms, and every now and again taps
+at your heart, to test if it is still stupid enough to throb for a
+beauteous maiden who is seated by the window among wallflowers and
+rosemary.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And behind the curtain stands her lover, and bends across her, that
+he, too, may look upon the mad horseman, who is stretching out his neck
+to see his darling. And the clumsy fellow with the bull's neck wrinkles
+his silly brow, twirls his mustachio, strokes his beard, mutters <i>Mort
+de ma vie!</i> and shakes his coarse fist. But she pouts, and giggles and
+bursts out laughing, and falls on the neck of the jealous one ...</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no; it cannot be! You only want to hear from her lips that it
+cannot be. And then--away, away--ride out of the gate--to swift,
+honourable death. And God's blessing on thee, thou gentle, lovely, and
+beloved child!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He closed the window gently, and so to bed; to bed, but not to sleep.
+He could not find that repose he stood so much in need of. The brook
+murmured so loudly, or was it the hot bloody surging to his temples?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And was he about to sink into slumber, he would start up again
+immediately; he seemed again, to be holding her by the hand, and she
+bent her forehead to be kissed by him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No--no! Lead me not into temptation! Do not ask me what the one thing
+is! I would not say it, even, if--what God forbid!--it were so. I will
+not let you beguile me into a tragedy, any more than from one comedy
+into another.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>VI.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">This thought, which had at length quieted Bertram's, wildly tumultuous
+spirits, was also his first, when late next morning he awoke from deep
+and dreamless slumbers--neither tragedy nor comedy! Calm and clear
+observation, as best becomes a solitary individual who has done with
+life; who neither hopes nor fears anything from Fate for himself;
+maintaining a benevolent interest in the fate of others, where
+benevolence is merited and interest is justified; cherishing throughout
+the conviction that, after all, every one makes or mars his own life;
+that interference and advice are rarely of much use, and generally
+distinctly hurtful; and that, even under the most favourable
+circumstances, the task of mediator is ever, of all tasks, the most
+thankless.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the clear light of these contemplations and of the delicious morning
+which was resting in sunny radiance above the lovely landscape, last
+night's scenes appeared to Bertram like the confused darkness of a
+feverish dream; nay, he derived some comfort from the thought that he
+probably had been ill, and was therefore only partly responsible for
+his extraordinary demeanour. Still, he was gravely responsible for one
+thing--he ought sooner to have become conscious of his condition. He
+might well thank his stars that in his excited state he had not behaved
+even more strangely; above all, that to-day, for the first time since
+his last long and severe illness, he felt as fresh and strong as in his
+best days. Assuredly with the morning all things seemed to have become
+better--much better than he could have expected--than he deserved!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The master's disposition was singularly serene, and he gave it a most
+friendly expression in the course of his toilet, showing himself ready
+for a friendly gossip with Konski; but Konski, strange, to say, was out
+of temper, and refused to be gossiped with.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last Bertram said: &quot;What ails you? If you are displeased, at what I
+said yesterday about our speedy departure, you may calm yourself. We
+still remain here for the whole time we had originally arranged. I see
+you have unpacked already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We may leave to-day, for aught I care!&quot; grumbled Konski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What's up now? Out with it, Konski! You know I cannot bear sour looks.
+Anything in connection with Mamsell Christine?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course it is!&quot; replied Konski; &quot;and I wonder who's to keep from
+sour looks under these circumstances! I had written to her that this
+was to be my last trip with you, and when we returned from Italy in
+March we might go and be spliced. I did not want to tell you at all,
+but don't you see, sir, one gets older every year, and it has to be
+some time or other, and ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now you wish to marry at once, and I am to give you your
+discharge?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Marry at once, indeed!&quot; sniffed Konski; &quot;she won't marry at all
+now--leastways, not me--and that, after we have been engaged these
+five years! But there is no trusting them women, and especially the old
+ones! She is five and forty years of age, she is,--a year older than I
+am myself; and now she's going to marry a young greenhorn of five and
+twenty!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was some time before Konski, generally so calm and patient, could
+explain in detail to his master how badly he had been treated.
+According to his account, Mamsell Christine had written the tenderest
+letters to him until a few weeks ago, and had declared herself
+agreeable to all his suggestions and proposals; and now it appeared
+from the statements of the other servants whom he had cross-questioned,
+and whose evidence the faithless one could not but corroborate, that
+she had been &quot;carrying on&quot; for a long while with one Peter Weissenborn,
+who had formerly been head-gardener at Rinstedt, and who had been
+settled in the neighbouring town for the last six months, and who was
+now, it was said, likely to be appointed one of the Court gardeners,
+thanks to the protection of the Herr Baron. The Herr Baron, Konski went
+on, had also induced My Lady to give Mamsell Christine leave to quit
+her service at any time without formal notice; and, indeed, the
+servants all said, that the way to get My Lady's consent to anything,
+was to get the Herr Baron on your side; that made success quite
+certain. And My Lady was said to be quite in favour of this marriage
+between Christine and the future Court gardener. In that case she would
+always have two of her former servants at hand when she came to town,
+and that was likely to be an event of frequent occurrence now; if,
+indeed, she did not go to live there altogether, as some of the
+servants asserted--Aurora, for instance--My Lady's maid, who was her
+second favourite, next to Christine.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram endeavoured to comfort the poor fellow. He pointed out to him
+that he should be glad to be rid of a person who had evidently never
+meant honestly by him, and who would in all probability have been as
+faithless in marriage as she had now proved before. This conviction led
+him to reject any wish there might exist to get the matter rectified
+again, as was done sometimes, and in much higher social circles too;
+otherwise he would have been willing to use his influence with My Lady,
+which presumably would have been at least as telling as that of the
+Herr Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski shook his head. &quot;I am extremely obliged to you, sir,&quot; said he.
+&quot;I am quite content if you will still keep me on, after I have proved
+myself to be such a thorough ass. And, as far as talking to her
+Ladyship goes, that would be in vain--the Herr Baron is cock of the
+walk there. I could tell you a good deal more about that, but I know
+you do not like that sort of thing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram was startled. The man's last remark could have but one meaning,
+and the image of the girl among the wallflowers and with the jealous
+lover, emerged in singular distinctness from last night's feverish
+phantasies. He would fain have for once broken through his rule of
+never going out of his way to listen to the gossip of kitchen and
+servants' hall, but, as Konski did not volunteer any further remarks,
+he was ashamed to put any direct questions. Just at that moment, too,
+there came a knock, and a servant brought a message from her Ladyship.
+She had learned that the Herr Doctor had risen, and might she request
+the Herr Doctor's' company on the verandah to tea?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram lost no time in following the invitation. Hildegard, who had
+been sitting in a shaded corner of the verandah at the deserted
+breakfast-table, came forward to meet him. As she moved towards him
+with well-balanced step, he could not but recall last night's talk
+about the never-changing beauty of a poet's heroine. He gazed upon the
+lofty figure in its youthful slimness, the clear, deep colouring of the
+incomparably beautiful countenance, the blue-black splendour of the
+ample hair, smooth at the temples, and crowning the glorious head with
+a dense braid.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a smile on her dainty lips, and if deepened a little as she
+saw her guest's speaking eyes bent upon her in undisguised admiration.
+She was making tender inquiries about the state of his health, leading
+him the while to the table and making him sit beside her, with the
+kettle bubbling in front of them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Otto,&quot; she said, &quot;is, as usual, somewhere about the estate. The Baron
+is painting a portion of the village from the bottom terrace, and Lydia
+is, I believe, keeping him company with a book. Erna, you will probably
+find later on in her favourite place, under the big plantain tree. I
+have sent them all away, because I so long to have a comfortable
+confidential chat with you. Yesterday we did not manage to have one.
+And first of all, dear friend, accept my hearty thanks for having so
+kindly pardoned a breach of confidence of which I--not from choice--had
+been guilty. Nay, do not refuse the expression of my gratitude. I saw
+how hard you found it to appear unconscious and serene; I thank you all
+the more. But I knew that with your wonted cleverness you would at once
+find the only correct point of view--that of pity. Whatever has been
+done and sinned between the two of you,--she is the one to be pitied. A
+poor girl, growing old, even if she is in favour at Court; and although
+the Grand Ducal family could not be kinder, yet all this cannot satisfy
+the cravings of her eager mind--but I perceive that this is a painful
+topic for you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not painful for me,&quot; replied Bertram; &quot;or at least only so far
+as the description of a dissatisfied, unquiet soul must ever be painful
+for us, if it is hopelessly out of our power to bring satisfaction and
+peace to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand you,&quot; said Hildegard; &quot;and you will understand me when I
+beg of you not quite to rob the poor soul in question of its utterly
+foolish hopes to which it clings, alas! with incredible tenacity. You
+can do this so easily: you need but be amiable and, courteous to her,
+as you are to everybody--no more, but, to be sure, no less--do you
+consent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will try, since you wish it--on one condition!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And this condition?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have come to the following determination--indeed, it is a matter of
+course for me. In the drama of human life I will not henceforth ever
+again leave, my well-won place in the stalls, and under no
+circumstances will I take a part on the stage itself--no tragic
+part--and still less a comic one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From the latter,&quot; replied his fair hostess with a smile, &quot;you are
+safe under any circumstances, through your own cleverness; from the
+former----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Through my age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I meant to say, also through your cleverness; or, if you prefer it,
+through the cool, unimpassioned frame of mind which you have grown
+into, and which I often envy you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram looked up in amazement, and then quickly busied himself with
+his tea-cup. Hildegard, to envy him his coolness! Hildegard, who had
+ever appeared to him the very embodiment of conscious equanimity!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may be surprised to hear this from me,&quot; she continued; &quot;but must
+we not all, sooner or later, learn the lesson of resignation? And my
+time surely has come. Indeed, it has been so all my life. What have not
+I had to resign in the course of my life! Or do you think that the
+husband's wealth can blind the wife, if she be proud, to the
+consciousness that she is not loved as she longs, and as, may be, she
+deserves to be loved?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram knew these phrases from of old; but he said to himself that
+to-day particularly he must make the best of everything, so he
+exclaimed--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it possible, my friend, that you still cherish this hypochondriacal
+fear which you have given utterance to before, but from which I deemed
+you cured long ago? How can you complain of a deficiency in love, when
+your husband positively adores you? You can utter no wish, simply
+because what you could wish for is already fulfilled. Or you need but
+have a wish, and it is forthwith fulfilled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are pleading for the friend of your youth,&quot; she made answer,
+raising her dark eyebrows. &quot;Do not forget this: I am bringing no charge
+against him. I am resigned. Were I to die to-day, what would his loss
+come to? What would he miss?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The brightness of his life,&quot; Bertram replied gallantly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As if he cared for the brightness of his life!&quot; said his wife. &quot;Is it
+so? Does he share one of my fancies, my harmless <i>penchants</i>? Does he
+not vainly strive to appear interested in the things of beauty with
+which I love to surround, myself and to decorate our dwelling? Did he
+not consent wit evident repugnance to have the mansion-house restored
+in a style befitting a whilom princely residence--to let me seek out
+and renew the old, tangled paths through the Park? Does he support me
+in my humane undertakings? Have I not had to beg the few thousand
+thalers from him that I required for my Kindergarten and for my
+poorhouse? Why, he lives solely for his porcelain factory, his sugar
+refinery, his coal-mines, his new railway project! I say again: I have
+accepted all this as inevitable, and as a matter of course, as long as
+I alone was concerned, as long as I alone suffered. But, indeed, to
+bring Erna into this life of trivialities, to leave the dear child in a
+sphere where she sees nothing, hears nothing, that could give the
+slightest nourishment to head or heart, where anything and everything
+revolves round Mammon, is sacrificed to Mammon--that is beyond me,
+beyond my strength!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, if I understand you aright, you wish, to get Erna married?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Through the soft, velvety radiance of the deep-brown eyes flashed
+something like a deeper light. The question was evidently not
+expected--at least not yet--but the next moment already her eyes had
+resumed their customary expression, and she forced those beautiful lips
+to smile, as she said, in a tone of gentle reproach--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us express it rather less egotistically. I should like Erna to
+find a husband worthy of her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A most natural wish too! One which every mother cherishes for a
+grown-up daughter. And as an old friend of the family I heartily join
+in the wish, and do not for a moment doubt that we shall readily agree
+as to what we shall expect her husband to be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am not so sure on that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us try anyhow. Firstly, he should be noble!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is not your conviction.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then let it be a concession. If people wish to come to an
+understanding they must be prepared to make concessions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This concession I accept gladly. Go on, please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He should not be a scholar by profession; but have a good--a man of
+the world's--education, and a taste for the fine arts. In fact, we want
+a cavalier, of course, in the best sense of the word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Agreed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He need not be wealthy. In fact, it would be preferable that he had no
+fortune, he would in that case be all the more indebted to Erna.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most true!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He should not be a landed proprietor, or at least not a man who feels
+it a duty and an absolute necessity to live in the country and devote
+himself to agriculture. Best of all, he should have no definite
+calling, or, anyhow, only one which did not impose difficult and
+troublesome duties; say a position which should have it as a natural
+consequence that the man in question moved in the best society, and
+even came occasionally into pleasant contact with Court circles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Best of friends, how strangely skilled you are in reading a mother's
+heart!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me, then, look to the very bottom of it, where possibly the name
+of the individual in question is already written. If I read the
+characters correctly, they form the name ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now I am truly keen to know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Baron Kuno von Lotter-Vippach.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lydia has told you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. Neither Fräulein von Aschhof nor any one else has spoken to me, I
+give you my word of honour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But it is most strange ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why so strange? Am I not a very old friend, to whom you have many a
+time talked on most important topics, and whom you have many a time
+honoured with your most intimate confidence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then it is all the better, all the more deserving of my gratitude;
+and I thank you heartily, sincerely ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had seized both his hands; her beautiful countenance, now lighted
+up with a flush of gladness, had never been more beautiful; yet to
+Bertram it appeared like some hideous mask.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot accept your thanks,&quot; he said, withdrawing his hands with
+slight and very hurried pressure. &quot;I could but do so honestly, if I
+shared those wishes of yours which I have guessed. That is not quite
+the case. The impression which Baron Lotter made upon me yesterday was
+not specially favourable; to be quite open, the impression was
+unfavourable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That,&quot; Hildegard replied eagerly, &quot;leaves me very calm. You men
+seldom like each other at a first encounter, and at a second you find
+one another charming. In the Baron's case no second encounter has even
+been necessary; he overflows with your praises; he calls you the
+cleverest and most amiable of men; he is charmed to have made your
+acquaintance; and I am convinced that you, too, my friend, will soon
+modify your judgment--I should almost like to say your prejudice--once
+you come to know the Baron better. He is somewhat spoiled, like all
+very handsome men; somewhat conceited, if you like; but at bottom very
+modest, easily led, good as gold. He will please you, believe me, and
+more than please you! You will come to esteem and love him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is the more important question, to me the most important, already
+settled? Does Erna think as favourably of the Baron? Does she love him?
+For that he loves her, I must, I suppose, assume.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is beyond all doubt,&quot; Hildegard made answer; &quot;as for Erna, I hope
+so, I believe so; anyhow she does not express herself unfavourably
+about him, and that, with Erna, means a good deal, for she is not at
+all easily pleased, and is not accustomed to conceal her dislike, if
+dislike there be. It is of course difficult to form a correct opinion
+of Erna's sentiments; doubly difficult for me, because she has
+been so long from home, and we are not always in accord in our
+views and tendencies. Again, in Lydia she has never placed full
+confidence--which, by the by, I can scarcely wonder at. I only know one
+being whom she thoroughly trusts--and you dear friend, are the one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you surprised to hear this? Surely not? Has not the child always
+been so fond of Uncle Bertram, that we, her parents, might have grown
+jealous? Has she not ever been your favourite? If she is so no longer,
+for goodness sake do not let the poor girl see it. She would be
+inconsolable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, you are laughing at me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, I am not. Ask Lydia. That Lydia often speaks of you, you will
+find natural enough, and that now and again a word of bitterness slips
+in, you will find pardonable. Erna does not pardon it. In her eyes you
+are once and for good raised above all reproach. You are, as it were,
+her ideal. It is a downright case of infatuation, and it goes so far
+that she once assured us, with all a child's gravity--she was still
+almost a child--that if ever she married, Uncle Bertram must be her
+husband and she got quite angry when Lydia and I laughed at her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The beautiful lady smiled, and Bertram succeeded in forcing a smile
+too.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How very funny,&quot; he said; &quot;but then very young girls are proverbially
+prone to conceive infatuation for some one or other of their masters,
+and I think, in Lydia's eyes, I have always been one of her
+instructors, in literature and what not. Poor girls! they give their
+affections to old Mentor, but they mean young Telemachus. Well, and
+there is apparently a young Telemachus on the stage already, if you
+have seen aright.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just to decide that point,&quot; replied Hildegard, &quot;Mentor must not yet
+resign his functions. On the contrary, I must entreat him most urgently
+to help the mother with his clear vision and his advice, and to use his
+old influence with the daughter. I may rely upon this, my trusty
+friend, may I not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She held out her hand to him with these words. He raised it
+deferentially to his lips and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may rest convinced that Erna's well-being is dearer to me than
+anything else in the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard had wished and had expected another, a more definite, answer.
+It was still doubtful whether she had really acquired an ally in him.
+However, the main point was gained; she had taken the initiative, had
+represented the affair from her own point of view, had appealed to
+Bertram's friendship, had asked for his assistance, had given him a
+proof of her confidence, which he would doubtless accept as
+unconditional. This sort of thing is always flattering to a man, always
+makes him feel indebted. Of course, a woman must flatter a man if she
+would make him feel indebted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Just then it was anyhow impossible to obtain a more definite assurance
+from Bertram, for the Baron and Lydia were ascending the main steps of
+the terrace; the Baron, in his temporary capacity as artist, clad in a
+costume of brown velvet, and a straw hat with a stupendously broad
+brim, and Lydia in such a grotesquely fantastic morning costume as to
+suggest the idea that she had been acting as model for some wonderful
+sketch of the artist. And indeed she did figure upon the canvas, but
+only as a bit of the foreground, which represented a portion of the
+terrace, across which you looked down into the valley and at the
+village, with the wooded hills rising behind. The Baron was evidently
+much pleased with his work, although he declared again and again not to
+have half finished it; it was not fair, he added, to apply to a hasty
+sketch the same standard of judgment as to a regular studio picture, in
+which everything would of course turn out quite different. This,
+Bertram could not but think, would be most desirable, but hardly very
+probable. This so-called sketch was evidently a picture which had
+already been touched and retouched, some portions had been painted over
+two, even three times, and divers desultory dilettante endeavours had
+failed to bring anything like harmony into the composition.
+Nevertheless he politely agreed with the ladies' words of praise, which
+flowed freely from Hildegard's lips, while Lydia, as was her wont,
+launched out in extravagant eulogy: wonderful, was it not, what
+progress the Herr Baron made day by day? At last there was once more a
+painter with a mission for historical landscapes on a grand scale! The
+resemblance of his genius to that of a Rottmann, a Preller--became more
+and more apparent. Nor did she alone think so. Only the other day, at
+Court, when they were talking of the pupils at the Academy of Arts, and
+some one mentioned the Baron's name, Princess Amelia said, and said
+with marked emphasis, &quot;No pupil he, ladies, nay, a master, and a great
+master! The Baron is a distinct acquisition for our School of Arts; he
+represents a triumph!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, it is true; the august lady is very graciously disposed towards
+me,&quot; asserted the Baron, stroking his natty beard. &quot;I wonder what she
+will say to my new sketches.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Fortunately for Bertram, who was planning his escape under some pretext
+or other from this painful scene, his host now came up to greet his
+friend, and to ask if he felt strong enough and was inclined to go for
+a little drive with him; only to the porcelain factory, they would be
+back in an hour. Bertram declared his readiness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Baron would surely like to go with you,&quot; said Hildegard,
+exchanging glances with her husband; &quot;but I fear there is barely
+comfortable room even for two in your little trap.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Baron hastened to assure her that he could not go, anyhow, as he
+had promised Miss Erna to try the accompaniment to some new songs with
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard asked Bertram if he would not, before starting, say good
+morning to Erna, who would be hurt if he left without having done so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They called for Erna in vain. It seemed to Bertram that Hildegard only
+wished to find time enough to beckon him aside, and to whisper to him
+that he need not conceal from her husband what they had been discussing
+in reference to Erna. On the contrary, she was anxious to learn Otto's
+opinion of the whole matter; he would probably speak with less reserve
+to his friend than, alas! to her, and that Bertram would take her side
+she felt sure now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But Erna is not coming, I see,&quot; she exclaimed aloud; &quot;I will not keep
+you gentlemen any longer. <i>Au revoir</i>--an hour hence.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>VII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">The little trap was so light, and the road was in such good condition,
+that the friends were able to drive at a very fair pace, in spite of
+the not inconsiderable gradient. Soon they passed into the wood.
+The easy, comfortable motion, the perfect beauty of the morning, the
+fact that the friends were for the first time in undisturbed
+companionship--all seemed to favour a confidential exchange of
+thoughts. Yet both men were silent, and barely exchanged a word or two
+on indifferent topics. At last Otto said, after he had taken a stolen
+side-glance or two of his friend--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you think, Charles--shall we walk a bit? The road now will be
+virtually level for some distance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram nodded assent. The carriage stopped. Otto bade the man drive
+slowly on in front of them, in the direction of the factory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You never can be sure,&quot; he began, as they were striding along the
+well-kept footpath by the side of the road, &quot;that these beggars do not
+hear more than they should; and I particularly want to ask you
+something. Tell me--but quite honestly, mind--how do you like the
+Baron?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us come to the point at once,&quot; replied Bertram; &quot;I have had a talk
+with your wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! indeed!&quot; exclaimed Otto, hiding his embarrassment as best he could
+by bursting out laughing, and abruptly leaving off again. &quot;That is to
+say, I rather thought you would. I should like to have done the same--I
+mean had a talk with you--yesterday, in fact; but my wife told me not
+to ... and, don't you know, the ladies always claim precedence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well; then let me commence at the point where my conversation
+with your wife came to an end--with the question which she either could
+not or would not answer when I pressed her, and which seems to me of
+paramount importance--Does Erna love the Baron? Have you, between you,
+or have you yourself, any proof of--any support of this? Have you made
+any observation from which you could conclude such a thing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look here, old man,&quot; said Otto, &quot;you are asking a lot at once. I can't
+follow you. Proof--support--observation! Good Heaven! Who can look into
+a girl's head and heart? She has said nothing to me, and rather than
+ask her--ask her--it's such a queer question to ask, and possibly one
+might only do harm by it, and learn nothing in the long run, or at
+least not the truth. Of course she is fond enough of me, and has
+confidence in me. Heaven knows how fond I am of her! but father and
+daughter, you know--or rather you do not know, for you never had a
+daughter--that's a curious business!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had taken off his hat and was scratching his head in his perplexity.
+Bertram understood that he was not likely to get anything out of him
+that way. After a pause Bertram said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, let us assume--although, to say the truth, I find it very hard
+to do so--let us assume that Erna does love this man. Would you then be
+able to say Yea and Amen with a good conscience? In other words, are
+you convinced that the man would make Erna happy? That he has, anyhow,
+the qualities which according to human reasoning and experience, render
+her happiness at least possible? That he is a man of honour, of fit and
+upright disposition;--in a word, that he is a gentleman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A gentleman!&quot; exclaimed Otto in amazement &quot;Why, good Heaven!--a man
+belonging to such a family--bearing such a name--a constant guest at
+Court--invited to every ball, every evening party there; besides
+joining their private circle, once or twice every week--why, he must be
+a gentleman!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The deuce he must!&quot; exclaimed Bertram angrily. &quot;If you have no better
+guarantee than Court balls and such like humbug!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what more would you have?&quot; said Otto. &quot;What more would any one
+have? If that is no guarantee I wonder what you would call one. I have
+it as a matter of certainty from Lydia, that his nomination as
+Chamberlain is made out, is lying ready for signature in the Grand
+Duke's cabinet; and Lydia ought to know, for, between you and me, she,
+with the help of our Court Marshal, an old friend of Lotter's father,
+has been urging the matter strongly at Court. Lotter is very grateful
+to her, and says quite frankly, that but for her he might have had to
+wait much longer; and I think that is, a trait in his favour--although
+I am convinced--but you must please not give any indication that you
+know--although I am convinced that Lydia has not tried her hardest for
+Lotter's own sake, but to conciliate my wife, who is bent upon seeing
+her future son-in-law hold some Court appointment. And the reason why
+Lydia had to keep in my wife's good graces is not far to seek; and, old
+fellow, she has had her way at last, and is allowed to sojourn once
+more under the same roof with you. You see: <i>manus manum lavat.</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So I see, indeed,&quot; laughed Bertram. &quot;And now Hildegard must again keep
+me in good-humour, that I, in my turn, may keep you in good-humour. It
+were strange indeed, if, under these circumstances, we were not, all of
+us, in the very best humour!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This hardly seems to be your case as yet,&quot; said Otto, &quot;your laughter
+notwithstanding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor, I hope, yours either,&quot; exclaimed Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why do you hope so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram made no answer. His Heart was full of sorrow and wrath. He saw
+that the whole affair was arranged--among the two women anyhow--and the
+easy-going henpecked husband by his side would be sure to say yes to
+everything, had probably done so already, and this was but the second
+scene this morning in a nicely-arranged comedy, with all the parts
+carefully distributed beforehand. Evidently the drive had but one
+object--to give Otto an opportunity of saying his part. And he,
+himself?--Why, barely an hour ago he had solemnly protested to the fair
+stage-manager that never more would he act again! And she had listened
+to his solemn protest without laughing in his face! Well, well; there
+might yet be a chance of interpreting some passage in a way that the
+clever lady had not thought of!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto broke the silence, after they had been walking side by side for
+some little time, by saying somewhat humbly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are angry with me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What right could I have to be so?&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;I am no relation
+of yours. I am nothing but a friend; and, as such, I have no right
+whatever. It is only my duty to give an honest answer if you consult me
+on a matter of importance. And there is properly no consultation in
+this case. You are not in need of any advice; you, her parents, are
+resolved. Nothing is wanting, but the merest trifle--Erna's consent.
+And, as that is sure to be given in good time, the whole thing is
+clearly settled, and we may as well talk of something else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no!&quot; exclaimed Otto, &quot;nothing is settled; and the matter is by no
+means clear--clear--not in my mind, anyhow; and Hildegard has not the
+faintest conception how things really stand. She thinks it is only my
+want of resolution that ... And because she knows how much I value your
+judgment--if I could only tell you everything ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you cannot, and you would be, sorry for it afterwards. Therefore,
+you had better not try.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I must at length tell some one, and there is no one else in the
+world whom I could say it to. Listen: I ... I ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A kind of spasm passed over the full, round, good-humoured face; the
+blue eyes, which he kept rigidly fixed upon his friend, seemed to
+struggle against rising tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I am ruined!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had just managed to pronounce these words hoarsely; then he broke,
+down and sunk upon a log of wood which was lying by the roadside.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had, at first to struggle against the terrible notion that his
+friend had suddenly gone mad. But his look, though one of utter
+despair, was not that of a madman.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is this you say, Otto? Impossible, impossible!&quot; he said, sitting
+down upon the log by the side of his friend, who seemed bereft of all
+strength. &quot;Go on, anyhow, that I may judge what it comes to. I am quite
+convinced--beforehand that it comes to nothing at all. But speak, for
+goodness sake, speak!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto nodded assent, and murmured--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, yes, I will speak. Come to nothing, forsooth! I have seen it
+coming--for a long time past--for the last four years at least--ever
+since I started, in addition to all the other things, that confounded
+sugar refinery. We made it a Company; but I hold all the shares myself
+now--I could not bear to ruin the poor beggars who, trusting in me,
+had taken up the rest. This has cost me untold money; and the whole
+thing was a failure, and the building is ready to be pulled down
+again--would already have been pulled down if that, again, did not
+require money. Besides, a thousand acres of my best soil planted with
+beetroot--food for the pigs now. And yonder is that porcelain factory,
+year by year a balance on the wrong side; and then the mines--yes, yes,
+formerly, but not now ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There had been one long series of enterprises, each of which had turned
+out more unsatisfactory, and, in the long run, more ruinous than the
+other; and with increasing swiftness they had swallowed up ever bigger
+sums, and had now at length given at least a most severe shock to a
+very considerable fortune. This much Bertram gathered clearly from the
+statements of his friend, although he only understood a small part of
+the technical and mercantile details.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But how on earth,&quot; he exclaimed, &quot;could a quiet, sensible man like
+yourself ever dream of venturing on this 'inclined plane'? How could
+you graft one reckless, foolhardy speculation upon another; neglect,
+ruin those splendid estates, the legacy of your fathers; stake your
+peace of mind, your happiness? And if it had been a question of
+yourself only! But your child--your wife ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused abruptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poor chap!&quot; he murmured. &quot;I think I understand after all--poor, good
+chap!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was pressing Otto's hand warmly. Their eyes met. His unhappy friend
+was smiling, and a most melancholy smile it was.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure, to be sure,&quot; he said; &quot;I did not want it cried from the
+house-tops; I knew you would find the reason. I myself--dear, dear--I
+would not have cared to increase my gains. I should have been more than
+satisfied with the estates and the mines, or with the estates alone, if
+the mines ceased to yield a profit. You know how as a young man I used
+to be quite ashamed of having so much money, never a farthing of which
+I had earned, when I saw how my betters had to toil and moil. And I
+knew too that I was not good enough for her--that it was great
+condescension on her part to marry me at all--that I must needs ever
+be in her debt. From the very commencement I let her have her own
+way--she should never be able to say that I, the <i>bourgeois</i>
+proprietor's son, was ignorant of what befitted and became a beautiful
+young lady of high degree. I even--don't laugh at me, man--even tried
+to procure a patent of nobility, she wished it so very much; and I have
+made many a sacrifice with that object. This whole, ill-starred
+porcelain factory, for instance--I had been told that at Court they
+would like me to establish one, and indeed they buy here what they
+require, though, to be sure, only for kitchen and servants' hall--and
+there was many another thing besides. And then she wanted the terraces
+and the park and the mansion-house restored--in the true style, I think
+they call it--and she takes delight in all this, trumpery rubbish of
+dim old mirrors, and shaky old chairs, and worm-eaten old cabinets, and
+coffee-coloured, pictures, and abominable old pots and pans; and I,
+great God! would willingly buy the whole world for her--lay it at her
+feet--if only she would love me a little in return. But--you see,
+Charles, it has all been in vain--quite in vain!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The big man had buried his face in his hands, and was sobbing like a
+child. Bertram's soul was filled with pity. The wretched weakness of
+his friend in reference to his beautiful and beloved, but cold,
+unloving wife, and its mournful consequences--he now understood it all
+too well not to be ready to pardon--to a certain extent. But that,
+husband and wife must settle, must bear, among them--only Erna should
+not be dragged to ruin, should not also be sacrificed to her mother's
+unbounded selfishness. And perhaps this was the one bright spot in the
+dark picture which his friend had drawn of his position.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have not endeavoured to give the Baron a clear view of your
+situation?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For goodness sake--no; certainly not,&quot; exclaimed Otto, rising in
+terror from his stooping position. &quot;Anything but that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet you will have to do so as soon as he formally asks Erna's hand
+from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How can I tell him the truth? He would withdraw immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Otto, are you not ashamed of yourself? And you would really give Erna
+to such a cur?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What am I to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What you are simply obliged to do as a man of honour, not to say as a
+father!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And he'll talk about it--here, in the town, at Court--and everything,
+everything depends upon my credit remaining unquestioned, at least a
+little longer. If the projected railway is made to pass through here in
+lieu of through the valley below, it would be done mainly on account of
+my establishments, my factories, and what not. And in that case I am
+saved--nay, I must needs grow wealthier than ever I have been. But the
+ultimate granting of the concession--our local Parliament
+notwithstanding--rests with the Government; and Lotter, with his divers
+relations, his well-known influence ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused, then resumed in a somewhat less confident tone--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If, therefore, I do not reveal everything to him at present--and, by
+the by, there is no need for it yet--I am not acting dishonestly, but
+in everybody's interest. You will grant me this much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure,&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;I only fear you will not be able to
+continue this profitable silence for any length of time. For any
+day it may happen that the young people come to an understanding,
+and--to-morrow, perhaps, or this very day--they may come and ask for
+your blessing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would kill me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would, anyhow, be extremely awkward! Therefore, I beg to make the
+following proposal to you. I am already authorised by your wife to
+sound Erna; I now ask you to give me the same commission; and you will
+tell your wife that you have spoken to me about it. Thus you will both
+have placed the matter into my hands as it were. Now I shall find Erna
+either distinctly favourable to your plan, or else distinctly
+unfavourable, or undecided. In the latter case, I will try to confirm
+her in that state of mind; and would prove to your wife that to advance
+with inconsiderate rashness must needs be risking, and, probably,
+spoiling everything. But even if Erna, really loves the Baron, or, on
+the other hand, if she is satisfied in her own mind that he is not the
+man who corresponds to her ideal--all girls create such an ideal for
+themselves--well, I think I have influence enough with her--or, in case
+of need, I possess diplomatic talent enough, to get the ultimate
+decision put off one way or the other. For how long--we shall judge by
+and by, once you and I are so far agreed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear boy, I put myself entirely in your hands. I'll not take a step
+without you. Gracious me--what a lucky thing that you have come! I do
+not know what would have become of me, and of the whole business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He shook and pressed both his friend's hands in the excess of his
+gratitude, looked upon his situation already in a much more hopeful
+light, turned the conversation again to the new railway and to the
+stupendous chances which would come to him in case the decision was
+favourable, and that it would be so, he suddenly assumed to be
+probable, nay, certain. He never noticed that Bertram had made the
+little carriage turn which was waiting for them at the end of the wood,
+and that now they were driving back the way they had come. The
+suggested inspection of the factory had only been a pretext for having
+an undisturbed hour with Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His friend was now sitting in silence by his side. Otto kept on talking
+to him, lowering his voice on account of the driver's presence. Bertram
+hardly heard what he said. He hardly saw, either--or if he saw, it was
+like in a dream--the golden lights flash down through the top of the
+giant firs, and play around the brown stems and along the mossy ground;
+he saw but as in a dream the lovely vistas which opened here and there,
+giving glimpses of loveliest landscape beauty in the valley far below.
+His busy mind was working and modelling away at the part in the family
+drama which had, after all, been forced upon him, and which he had not
+dared to decline--for Erna's sake.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>VIII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">For Erna's sake! How often he repeated that phrase to himself in the
+course of the day! He wanted nothing for himself. What, indeed, could
+he have wanted for himself? Nothing more than a man who should see a
+child lost, in danger, among a crowd of carriages, and who should bound
+to the spot and carry the child away to some place of safety; nothing
+more than a wanderer, who sees a fellow-traveller start upon a road of
+which he knows of old the insecure state, and who warns the heedless
+man to take some other road instead. One does so because it is one's
+duty as a human being; one does so because one's heart urges one to do
+it, because one cannot help doing it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yes, a man acts and speaks in such situations as he would hardly act or
+speak for his own sake. He is more courageous or more anxious than he
+would be, if his own weal or woe were at stake. One grows beyond one's
+self, or else sinks beneath one's own everyday moral level.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the latter is meanwhile my case,&quot; said Bertram to himself, as he
+played his part with due zeal, and, as he thought, with great success.
+It was a natural consequence, of that part that he lectured Hildegard
+(after the event), because she had not yesterday taken him at once into
+her confidence; that he exchanged with his friend Otto looks of the
+completest accord and understanding; that he used with Lydia--to her
+evident delight--a tone of mingled melancholy and fun, which appeared
+half to express and half to hide a deeper emotion; and that with the
+Baron he completely dropped his calm manner of the day preceding. How
+else could he form an opinion of the man? And how could he be a
+faithful counsellor to Erna without having formed an opinion?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So he examined the Baron's portfolio with patient attention, whilst
+that nobleman turned over the leaves and gave explanations. The
+collection would have been a priceless treasure if the quality had
+corresponded with the quantity. There were sketches from almost every
+country in Europe; the northern coast of Africa, too--Algiers,
+Tunis--was largely represented. And then the painter's talent
+embraced all styles and kinds of painting:--landscape, architecture,
+still-life, portraiture--nothing had escaped the unwearied brush,
+nothing had appeared too difficult. On the contrary, there were the
+most unlikely effects of light and shade, the oddest scenes, the most
+<i>risqué</i> situations, involving the wildest inroads on the laws of
+perspective and the most reckless foreshortening--and the daring
+sketcher seemed positively to have revelled in these. And yet Bertram
+had to confess to himself that a not inconsiderable talent, which, with
+patient and careful schooling, might have borne beautiful fruit, had
+been recklessly wasted--and, indeed, generally recklessness did seem to
+him to be the Baron's leading characteristic. Anyhow, the painter's
+fluent comments on his own sketches quite corresponded to the reckless
+style of painting. Everywhere his ideas, good ones and bad ones, and
+some really original ones, were clothed in the same hurried, flurried,
+sometimes absurd form, showing a ready, but never a profound insight
+into human relations, into manners and customs of nations; much, but
+most desultory reading; extensive, and yet scattered knowledge. The man
+spoke as he painted, and painted as he played music. Reckless,
+superficial, inconstant, like his work and his talk, will and must his
+love be too, thought Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Could love like that lastingly suffice for Erna? It seemed impossible.
+But is there such a word as impossible in connection with the magic
+world of the human heart? Are not the natures of truly noble women at
+times visited by irresistible and undying passion for wavering,
+unstable, yes, even for morally worthless men? Does it not well-nigh
+seem to have all the stability of a law of nature, that totally opposed
+characters, all inward resistance notwithstanding, feel drawn to and
+fascinated by each other?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Was this fatal fascination visible in Erna?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram kept his attention unconsciously fixed on that one decisive
+point, but without being able to come to any definite result. True, he
+had to confess to himself that even a still keener observer would have
+vainly tried his hand at the task. Erna joined to-day even less
+directly than on the previous day in the general conversation; nay
+more, he thought he noticed what had not been the case yesterday, or
+what had at least escaped him then, that her gaze, usually so firm,
+seemed at times fixed on vacancy, then again appeared directed inward,
+anyhow was not dwelling on her surroundings--a symptom which by no
+means pleased the observer, because from it one might surely conclude
+that there existed a deeper sentiment, one which absorbed her inner
+life. And this sentiment was not likely to be one of aversion to the
+Baron, to whom she talked more, in her own calm way, than to anybody
+else; with whom she played music two or three times during the day; and
+with whom she played chess after supper in her own grave, attentive
+manner. Hildegard came and explained all these details to Bertram ...</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Believe me,&quot; she said, &quot;I know Erna. Mind, my words of this morning.
+She may be long in confessing her preference for any man, but if she
+were to dislike any one, he would find it out pretty soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear that I am experiencing something of the sort,&quot; Bertram replied.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you not noticed that she has not said three words to me all the
+evening?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Insatiable man! Are you not satisfied with Lydia who is ransacking her
+repertory for your sake? Would you have all womankind at your feet? I
+shall warn Lotter against you as against his worst rival.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not destroy our budding friendship. But, joking apart, can there be
+a rival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What are you thinking of? And if there were, I should be sure to know
+it through Lydia, who, like all elderly girls, is apt to err on the
+side of seeing too much rather than too little. Moreover, we two, Lydia
+and I, have never lost sight of the child, and in Erfurth, where, it is
+true, she went alone once or twice during the last few years, she was
+always in the company of my sister and her six girls, and I never heard
+a word, nor the slightest hint. One of the girls, Agatha, the third,
+Erna's bosom friend, is coming here, by the way, in a day or two; and a
+good, modest, sensible girl she is, though not as pretty as the rest.
+But you surely remember Agatha? Well, I'll question her a little when
+she comes, but I know beforehand that she will not have anything to
+tell. Oh, you'd better concentrate your jealousy upon Lotter!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard surely felt very certain of her ground, else she would not
+have jested--a rare occurrence with her. Bertram took up a similar
+tone, and during the game of whist to which he and Otto soon afterwards
+sat down with the two older ladies, he was remarkably merry and
+talkative.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But two hours later Konski found him all the more gloomy and taciturn,
+and so silent that he did not even reply to the &quot;good-night, sir,&quot; of
+that faithful servitor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It's the old one,&quot; soliloquised Konski, as he meditatively brushed his
+master's boots in his own little room, &quot;who is bothering him. 'Dear Mr.
+Konski,' here, 'My good Mr. Konski,' there--I know what she is after.
+And then, to give me a whole dollar! And she has not any to spare, I
+can see that much, in spite of her grand airs and her trimmings. And
+she to rule the roast for master and me! Not if we knows it! And now
+we'll both marry; and marry smart young ones too! And may the devil fly
+away with all old women!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>IX.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">For this morning, after breakfast, a general expedition had been
+planned--a drive to a certain eminence, from which the Baron was
+desirous of expounding to them all the arrangements for the forthcoming
+man&#339; vres. Bertram had at the last moment made an excuse: much to his
+regret, he sent Konski to say, that he had forgotten to write some
+really important letters, and must needs stay at home to do so now.
+Would the others, please, on no account give up their drive for his
+sake.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At first they would not go without you, sir,&quot; Konski reported; &quot;but I
+got them to do it, and they are getting the horses ready now; the
+ladies are to drive, the gentlemen will go on horseback. So you may
+stay quietly in bed and try to get another hour's sleep. I am afraid,
+sir, you have had another awful night!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And indeed it had been a worse night for Bertram than the preceding
+one, and this time the morning had not improved him. That he had to
+admit to himself when, after having first vainly endeavoured to follow
+the faithful servant's advice, he had at length risen in very low
+spirits and dressed, trying whether a stroll along the terrace
+garden-walk would cool his fevered brow and refresh his weary heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had no right to be wearied. He was bound, when they came back, to
+meet them merrily and serenely; that belonged to his part. How could
+they give their confidence to one who appeared to have none in himself,
+in his own strength, his own courage?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he would need all his courage to look, if it could be done, deeper
+than hitherto into Erna's eyes, into Erna's heart: and he would need
+all his strength if that look were to confirm what, yesterday, he had
+deemed impossible, but what, during the awful night, had come to appear
+to him as thoroughly possible, nay, as probable. If it were so, then
+the whole elaborate plan which he had yesterday confided to his friend,
+had therewith fallen to the ground. Otto's embarrassments were scarcely
+as great as he had represented them; and even if he had not, according
+to his wont, exaggerated things, what would be the use of delaying the
+decision? On the contrary, the more swiftly it came, the better for
+all. If the Baron was a man of honour; he would not withdraw on
+learning that the maiden of his choice was not wealthy; if he had
+influence at Court, if this influence really amounted to something
+considerable, he would now try all the more to use it for his future
+father-in-law. They might then make their own arrangements, as best
+they could; and they would make arrangements; sacrifice some things on
+both sides, give up some hopes. What would one not sacrifice, what
+would one not give up, if one loved from one's very heart? But to have
+to look on at such hearty love, love delighting in sacrifice--never! To
+run away would be cowardly, no doubt. But then valour, like honesty, is
+appropriate only when it is needed, and when it will be of some use. He
+would have to think beforehand of some suitable pretext which should
+render a sudden departure possible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus lost in mournful thought, Bertram was pacing backward and forward
+along the terrace-walk, now past sunny espaliers, along which ruddy
+grapes were already commencing to shine through the dense clusters of
+vine-leaves, anon between rows of beeches, which were entwined overhead
+and formed dusky arbour-like groves.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having reached the end of one of these groves, he paused as one
+terrified. In front of him, on the platform where the terrace widened,
+Erna was seated beneath the great plantain tree which overshadowed the
+whole place with its broad branches. An open volume lay upon the
+round table before her; she was writing busily, bending over a
+blotting-book. The graceful form, the finely-chiselled features, stood
+out in clearest profile against the green terrace above her. In this
+subdued light the dainty cheek seemed even paler than usual; and as she
+now paused, pen in hand, lifting a long eyelash and glancing
+meditatively up at the leafy roof above, the great eyes shone like
+those of an inspired Muse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One draught before I pass onward--on the shadeless remainder of my
+dreary road,&quot; Bertram muttered to himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He might have stepped back without being noticed, but he did not do so;
+his motionless eyes clung to the beautiful picture before him, as one
+perishing of thirst might gaze upon a brimming cup, when, lo! she
+turned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Bertram!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had said it quite calmly, and now, slowly, she laid down her pen
+and closed her blotting-book, rising at the same time and holding out
+her hand to him as he came up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I felt that somebody, was looking at me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you wished, to remain unseen, or at least undisturbed. But could I
+have guessed that I should find you here? Why are you not away with the
+others?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A smile flitted over her face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had important letters to write, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, you have written, anyhow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And have you not? For shame. If you make any excuses you should
+yourself take them in earnest; then you will come to fancy afterwards
+that the excuses were really valid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I'll remember this in future. But what makes you tell me to my face
+that my important letters were but an excuse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought that you did not care to go; and I think I know the reason
+why.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed! I am curious to hear it from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you. I wanted to say so last night already, for then I
+noticed quite well how gladly you would have made an excuse, only you
+could not at the moment think of a suitable one; but I could not have
+said what I wished to say in a few words, and so I determined to try
+and have an undisturbed talk with you. Shall we not sit down?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They sat dawn, Erna with her blotting-book before her, Bertram on the
+seat opposite. Her large eyes were lifted up to him. But a minute
+before he had greatly longed to be able to see deep, deep into these
+eyes, right to the innermost recess of her soul; and now, when it could
+be, when it was to be, he shrank from it, he wished the time deferred.
+He would in any case learn the secret all too soon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Bertram, I wanted to tell you that ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The dark eyelids had closed after all; well, she anyhow did not see the
+breathless excitement with which he hung upon her lips. In his mind he
+heard already the words--&quot;that--I engaged myself last night to be
+married to the Baron.&quot; The pause she made--of a second or two--seemed
+to him an eternity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear child,&quot; he said in a voice well-nigh inaudible ...</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That ... you shall not for my sake lay upon yourself a burden which
+you can no longer bear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The large eyes were gazing firmly at him again, while he bent his own
+in deadly confusion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He murmured--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I do not understand you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are too good to wish to understand me; but the excess of your
+goodness weighs me down and frightens me. I know that you are fond of
+me, that you do it only because you love me. But I love you too, Uncle
+Bertram, love you very much, more than formerly, when I did not really
+know you, did not at all understand you. I am no longer a child, and
+therefore you should not treat me like a spoiled child and do what I
+ask, especially when I see that I ask for something to which I had no
+right. I had no right to ask--I should not have entreated you to be
+kind to Aunt Lydia. And now I beg of you not to be so any longer, or to
+the same extent. I cannot bear it. She has harmed you as terribly, as
+terribly as only an evil heart can harm a good one. And she to be
+allowed to take your hand, look into your eyes, jest with you, as if
+nothing had occurred! If this had happened to me, I would not tolerate
+it--never, never!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her voice quivered, her lips trembled; the pale cheek was flushed now,
+the great eyes were flashing. She said she had not known him, had not
+understood him--and he? What had he known of her? of the strength of
+feeling of that heart of hers which had seemed to him to beat in such
+steady measure? His gaze was fastened on her now in raptured amazement,
+like the gaze of a mortal to whom something divine is being revealed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But next moment the wondrous girl had conquered that passionate
+impulse, her features regained their usual expression, and she went on,
+calmly enough--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you, Uncle Bertram, should not tolerate it either--you, least of
+all. You cannot lie, cannot play the hypocrite. Let others do so; it
+befits you ill, it is unworthy of you. I cannot, will not see anything
+unworthy in you. I will have one human being whom I can believe and
+trust unconditionally. This one you are, you must be; is it not so,
+Uncle Bertram?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She held out her hand to him across the table. He could not refuse it,
+and yet, as he touched those slender fingers, something thrilled
+through him as though he had been guilty of some act of desecration.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You think me too good, too great,&quot; he said. &quot;I can only reply, I will
+try to deserve your confidence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I will give you an opportunity at once. I am not contented with
+myself either. I too--for the sake of others, to please papa and mamma
+who seemed greatly to wish it--have been kinder to somebody than at
+heart I felt justified in being, and I must henceforth change my
+conduct towards him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has proposed to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Proposed? To me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A scornful smile played round her exquisite lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, dear Erna. He was so remarkably assiduous in his
+attentions to you yesterday. You admit yourself that you have been
+kinder to him than now you care to have been, and he strikes me as
+being one of those men who grasp the whole hand the moment you hold out
+your little finger to them. And moreover, I know that your parents
+encourage him much, and he is surely aware of that too. Thus my
+question was not wholly groundless; still, I beg your pardon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And indeed you need it in this case, Uncle Bertram. Or, have I perhaps
+behaved so childishly that even a clever man like you could deem such a
+thing possible?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no; pray, try to forget what I said without thinking, or take it
+for a proof that I was right, that I am neither so good nor so clever
+as you thought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words sounded diffident, almost submissive, but his heart was
+swelling with proud delight, and the songsters perched above in the
+shady recesses of the big plantain tree seemed to have been silent till
+now, and to be then commencing all at once to twitter and sing and make
+sweetest melody; and from the terraces beneath there was wafted up to
+them in fragrant cloudlets the perfume of carnation and mignonette.
+What a beautiful, divinely beautiful morning it was!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Henceforth,&quot; said Erna, &quot;we will be open to each other, and then such
+misunderstandings will not occur again. This one, truly, should make me
+blush. The Baron is the very last man in whom I could take the very
+slightest interest. I find nearly everything he says stupid and silly,
+and if a fairly good idea turns up, as it does every now and then, it
+is impossible to enjoy it, for the question is sure to obtrude itself:
+'What nonsense will he talk next?' I am only now making his
+acquaintance; he, it is true, has been often here before, but in my
+absence; and in town, when he came, as he sometimes did, to see Aunt
+Lydia, I always avoided having to meet him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have met few young men yet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And those few have not made me anxious to meet any more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This sounds very hard; but, to say the truth, you are not the first
+girl whom I have heard talk like this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My only wonder is that all do not talk, or, at least, think like this.
+My own idea is, that men are naturally selfish, frivolous, and vain,
+and only become with advancing years good, and noble, and amiable, and
+this applies only to the few exceptions; for I suppose the bulk remain
+as they were.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you serious?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perfectly. And that is why, the night before last, I could not agree
+with you at all when you asserted that a young girl could not love a
+much older man, or was at least committing an act of folly if she did
+so, which, to her sorrow, she was bound to realise sooner or later, and
+therefore the sooner the better. Nor is it at all this consideration
+which makes Hilarie change, and which throws her into the arms of that
+youth who is behaving so childishly and insanely, that Flavio;--there
+is quite a different reason for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then you know the novelette?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No; I only read it now; and I had to hunt a long time for it, until I
+found it in the <i>Wanderjahre</i>. The book is lying there. And now I also
+understand the 'one element,' which you said the night before last
+that Göthe had excluded, or had not made use of--which is the right
+expression in this case?--because otherwise the comedy would have been
+turned into a tragedy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And this 'one element,' what is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The fact that her uncle is not in love with her at all. Was not that
+it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure. I only wonder at your having found it out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And my only wonder is that Hilarie did not discover it sooner. She
+must have been very blind not to have seen that her uncle returns--or
+rather does not return--her love from sheer kindliness of disposition;
+that at best his <i>penchant</i> is but the faintest reflex of her
+passionate love. Look at this passage: 'You are making me the happiest
+man beneath the sun! Exclaiming this, he fell at her feet.' How feeble,
+how strained! And it contents her, makes her happy. I should have been
+ashamed of the whole business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must make some allowance for the spirit of the time, for the
+manner and expression of the period; in that case, these things do not
+look or sound quite as bad. But now for the other side of the medal:
+You hold that Hilarie did truly love her uncle, and would have remained
+faithful to her love, in spite of any number of Flavios, if her passion
+had been returned?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most certainly!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, be it so. He loves, loves passionately. Enter Flavio, loving,
+loving passionately, too. The father perceives it. He sees that his own
+love would seal the doom of the son whom he loves. Moreover, he is
+sure--if he is not a conceited fool, but a man of heart and head, he
+must be sure--that Hilarie would undoubtedly, return his son's passion,
+if he, the father, the uncle, did not unfortunately stand between them;
+that the girl's love for the young man, and <i>vice versa</i>, is the only
+natural--that means, the only right thing; that therefore Hilarie
+cannot truly love him; that her love rather, if it be not absolutely
+unnatural, is anyhow an error, an aberration, from which she shall and
+must turn. Given these things, am I wrong in asserting that then,
+indeed, the comedy changes to tragedy--a tragedy the secret and silent
+stage of which, I admit, will be solely ... the elderly man's heart? Do
+you not agree with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must, I think; if I have first granted your suppositions and
+assumptions, particularly this: that a girl's love for a man much older
+than herself must needs in every case be an error, an aberration. But
+then, again, I do not see why the elderly man's love for the girl does
+not also tend to self-deception, to a fact which he, being more
+far-sighted, clever, experienced; is bound to realise all the sooner.
+And then, where is your tragedy?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Once more the great eyes flashed, the dainty lips quivered, an angry
+cloud lay on her brow. There was a wild voice in his heart crying:
+&quot;Where?--here, here--for I love, I love thee! and it is impossible that
+into thy maiden heart, there should ever fall one spark of the wild
+conflagration raging here.&quot; But he succeeded this time, too, in
+subduing the tumult in his heart, and he said smilingly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hoped, nay, I knew that you would make this objection, which is
+absolutely correct, and which helps the Master to regain that absolute
+sovereignty and undeviating correctness in matters of the heart in
+which I, wantonly, tried to argue Göthe was deficient. Of course, so
+the matter stands, turn and twist it as you will--Hilarie's love is an
+illusion; or, more correctly, it is a foreshadowing of that true and
+genuine passion which she will feel one day. The Major's love is a
+reminiscence of what his heart once, in the bygone days of his far-away
+youth, was glowing with, and what it never again will glow with now.
+Anything of a warmer feeling that haply still survives, may be
+sufficient for a sensible, reasonable marriage, with the clever widow,
+in whose sentiments towards him again reminiscence acts the part of a
+kindly mediator, and ... but surely ... why, they are back already!
+Shall we go and meet them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the verandah Lotter's loud voice was heard. Lydia, too, was
+calling out; she was calling Erna. Bertram had risen, glad of the
+interruption; he felt his strength very nearly exhausted. He was
+resting his hand on the back of her chair, lest Erna, if they shook
+hands, should feel how his hand trembled. But Erna was gazing straight
+before her with a very gloomy expression of countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should like to finish my letter first,&quot; she said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will disturb you no longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had gone; had gone without offering her his hand. Erna sat for a
+while without looking up; then she re-opened her blotting-book, and
+read the last page she had written:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see him always, absent or present; I see his noble, pale
+countenance, the deep, thoughtful eyes, that mouth which can jest so
+delicately, and which yet (for me) quivers so often in sorrow for a
+wasted life, a lost happiness. For me! The others never see it; how
+should they? To them he is the cold-hearted egotist, the bitter jester,
+who believes in nothing, least of all in love. To be sure--once
+betrayed as he has been--alas! Agatha, that is the very thing which
+draws me irresistibly to him. I can now gaze deep, deep into his noble
+heart, can feel all the pangs that have torn it, and must be tearing it
+again now in the presence of the viper who--oh, I do hate her! ... And
+he manages to be quite friendly in his demeanour to her, because I
+asked him to, before I knew all the circumstances. But he shall do so
+no longer. I cannot bear it, when he turns his good, truthful eyes to
+me, as though he would ask: 'Is it right thus?' No, it is wrong, a
+thousand times wrong! But is it not wrong, too, that I should be
+allowed to read in his heart, and he not in mine? Shall I tell him ...
+all? It is ever on my lips, but then ... no. I should not be ashamed in
+his presence, he is so kind, and he would understand me! Resting on his
+protecting arm he would let me shed the last of those hot, angry tears,
+which will yet persist in sometimes rising to my eyes, and which I
+brush away indignantly; and I would gratefully accept his mercy, but on
+one condition only, that I may go on resting on that arm, that he would
+permit me to love, to serve him, to-day and for ever, as his friend,
+his daughter, his slave! ... Shall I tell him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna gave a bitter smile, and took the sheet of paper in both her hands
+in order to tear it in pieces. Then she laid it down again, and seized
+her pen once more.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She who has written this is a conceited little fool, and deserves
+exemplary punishment for her conceit, and the said punishment is to
+consist in her sending these lines to her granny, in order to receive
+by return of post the requisite scolding, even if granny, and this is
+an urgently repeated request, is coming here the day after to-morrow.
+For between granny and me there shall not be said one word on this
+subject, and even less about the other thing and the other one; and
+now, dearest granny ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, there is Miss Erna!&quot; exclaimed the Baron, issuing with Lydia from
+the terrace walk.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have been looking everywhere for you,&quot; said Lydia. &quot;Heavens! how
+the child has flushed and heated herself over her writing! To Agatha,
+of course!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, if one could read the letter!&quot; exclaimed the Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is nothing about you in it, I can give you that assurance, if it
+will set your mind at ease,&quot; said Erna, closing her blotting-book with
+the unfinished letter in it, and rising.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>X.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">&quot;Have you availed, yourself of the opportunity to talk to Erna?&quot;
+Hildegard asked Bertram as soon as they were alone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had expected this question, and had sought and found time to
+prepare his answer to it. His first impulse has been to taste the full
+delights of triumph, and to assure Hildegard, in strict accordance with
+the actual truth, that the Baron need never expect to gain Erna's
+affection. But then he considered that so brusque a revelation, would,
+without the slightest doubt, cause the proud lady to burst forth into a
+tempest of indignation, would bring Erna into a disagreeable position,
+and possibly involve her in extremely awkward scenes. Her feeble father
+would be no support to her whatever--on the contrary, he wished the
+decision to be put off as long as possible. And, lastly, he saw now
+quite clearly that Hildegard's pressing invitation to make a lengthened
+stay had had the very definite aim to secure in him, as in a very
+influential friend, an ally in the execution of her plans. Now he had
+failed in his diplomatic mission, and though they would not openly
+deprive him of his confidential position, they would very surely not
+consult him again. Future events would then occur behind his back, and
+the sooner he went away the better for them. And was he to go now? He
+felt as though he could as readily bid farewell to life and light.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And so his answer came to be nothing but an adroit evasion. He had, he
+said, done his best, and Erna had met him in the heartiest and most
+confiding manner. But on this very ground he considered himself
+justified in stating that there was at present no trace of any definite
+<i>penchant</i> for the Baron on Erna's part, and that he could only advise
+them all to possess their souls in patience, to bide their time, and to
+hope for the best from the gradual, but all the more sure, influence of
+daily intercourse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The apparent genuineness of conviction with which all this was
+expressed deceived Hildegard completely. Her assumption that Erna took
+a special interest in the Baron was chiefly founded on Lydia's
+assertions, and Lydia, poor soul, was for ever weaving matrimonial
+projects, was much addicted to exaggeration, and to the making of
+molehills into mountains, and would, in this particular case, to get
+into Hildegard's good graces and maintain herself there, amply confirm
+anything she might be desirous of hearing. Now, when Hildegard was for
+the moment looking at things through friend Bertram's clearer and, as
+she thought, perfectly unprejudiced eyes, she was bound to admit the
+justice of his observations; indeed, in Erna's manner to the Baron
+there was very little indication of anything like a warmer sentiment,
+so little in fact, that the varying ways in which she treated him might
+almost seem matters of congratulation. Bertram asked himself why
+Hildegard did not give up a project which looked so very unlike
+fulfilment, since Erna, in all the charm of her young beauty, would
+assuredly have no lack of suitors, while her mother, not having the
+slightest suspicion of her husband's awkward financial situation, must
+needs, as indeed she did in her matrimonial plans in reference to Erna,
+reckon wealth among the attractions. There seemed to be something
+self-contradictory here, anyhow it was passing strange; and yet, as he
+went on meditating, he thought he had found the key to the enigma. Fair
+Hildegard herself was most pleasantly impressed by the Baron's striking
+appearance and confident manner, and was much flattered by the homage
+he paid to her beauty, her cleverness, her kindness, a homage to which,
+he gave even in company a very perceptible, and in their not infrequent
+<i>tête-à-têtes</i> probably even a more emphatic expression. And then the
+circumstance which, by the by, the Baron by no means concealed, that,
+to use his own words, he was as poor as a church mouse, she looked upon
+as a distinct point in his favour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herein,&quot; she said to Bertram, &quot;I see the finger of a just and
+compensating Fate. I know, my friend, that you are too wise and
+enlightened not to pardon an aristocratic fancy of mine, namely, that
+it is best if the aristocracy marry among themselves, and the
+<i>bourgeoisie</i>, for whom I have the greatest respect, also among
+themselves. Well, I, being a very poor lady with a long pedigree--for,
+indeed, the traditions of our family are reckoned by centuries--have
+had to break with these traditions, and was in this way the first to
+contract a <i>bourgeois</i> alliance. I do not complain of my lot; it was my
+lot, and there's an end of it; but I have never ceased to pray to God
+that my only daughter might be granted a different fate. And if a
+family, which is still older than mine, is enabled to resume its
+rightful position in the world, I really do not know what better I
+could wish, assuming always that Erna, as would doubtless be the case,
+gets a husband who loves her, and who--not to reckon his little
+cavalier's foibles, in reference to which a wise woman will be
+judiciously blind, knowing that this kind of thing is sure to stop of
+its own accord--is in every way worthy of her love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And whom,&quot; added Bertram mentally, &quot;I hope to bring as completely
+under my control as my husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was convinced that this thought was the leading one in the
+calculations of the selfish lady, in spite of the great care with which
+she endeavoured to avoid even the faintest appearance of any egotistic
+motive. Even as she was fond of representing her life as one long chain
+of sacrifices made by her on behalf of others, so she would now appear
+prepared to give up her own comfort for Erna's sake. Of course, she
+explained, it would not be possible to leave the poor child alone in
+town, among indifferent strangers; and she and Otto must in consequence
+make up their minds to spend the winter there in future. This, to be
+sure, would necessitate the purchase of a house of their own in town;
+but the question of expense was not to be taken into consideration
+where the happiness of their child was concerned; and, by a lucky
+accident, there happened to be for sale, and at quite a reasonable
+price, a newly-erected villa close to the Park, surrounded by a pretty
+garden, and roomy enough to enable them all, parents and children, to
+live comfortably together. And it would be quite feasible and not
+very expensive either, to build a studio for the Baron, she added.
+Perhaps Bertram would not mind driving to town with Otto, to look
+at the house? When? Why not to-day? Otto, as usual, could not make
+up his mind, although it would be an excellent investment, even
+supposing--supposing--but no, that case was not likely to occur, the
+momentary, somewhat unfavourable, aspect of things notwithstanding.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For in this, too, my friend,&quot; she said, in concluding her
+explanations, &quot;you will agree with me: the more carefully we prepare
+all things needful, and thus show the child, as it were, an image of
+the safe and sure and peaceful happiness awaiting her, the more swiftly
+and fondly her fancy will busy itself with that image, and from the
+fair image to the fairer reality--<i>il n'y a qu'un pas</i>. But first we
+must settle about the villa. There will be no difficulty if you speak
+seriously to Otto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I promise,&quot; replied Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The incident was most opportune, he thought. Here Otto, already
+harassed on all sides, was threatened, with huge additional
+expenditure, before which even his fatal readiness to yield must needs
+pause at length, as before an absolutely insuperable obstacle. The
+consequences were clear. He could not simply meet his wife's request by
+a refusal. There must be a full explanation between husband and wife;
+there would be a fearful storm, but it had to come, it was absolutely
+required to clear the sultry atmosphere, to disentangle the wretchedly
+involved situation. Hildegard's frivolous scheme would burst like a
+soap-bubble, and at one stroke Erna would be freed from an importunate
+suitor, and her father from an unworthy and intolerable position.
+Yesterday already he had been determined to stand by his friend through
+all the anxieties, embarrassments, and perils which were bound to
+ensue. To-day his heart beat anxiously, eager as he was to face those
+perils, for every peril cleared out of her path and victoriously
+conquered, was a trophy laid at her feet, hers, for whom he would have
+willingly shed his heart's blood drop by drop.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Fancy his terror and his indignation when, driving to town with Otto
+later in the day, he found his friend more removed than ever from any
+manly resolve.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The purchase of this villa, dear me--why, if Hildegard cares for it so
+much--would, after all, be a comparative trifle--really. And then, what
+I told you yesterday regarding my situation, why, dear me, you know me
+well enough, old man, to ... to know how I am influenced by passing
+moods. That makes me look at all things accordingly; things are either
+black or white to me. And yesterday, why, I had a black, a very black
+mood. To be sure, my factories are not a success, and, indeed, may now
+and again involve a loss. But, then, look at those fields, and think of
+the crop we'll have; and with such a prospect I can afford to leave
+myself a very fair margin, the more so as the harvest in Russia and in
+Hungary promises to be very bad--so the reports say--and in that case
+we shall make no end of money. And then--look here--just you read his
+paragraph in the paper about the railway question. Eh--and the
+paragraph, I feel sure, is from the pen of the President of our own
+local Parliament, who is, by the by, a great friend of mine, and has
+for years been my lawyer. Well, what do you say now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I say,&quot; replied Bertram gravely, &quot;that things are exactly in the
+position which you described yesterday. Your friend here clearly
+represents only his own, or, if you like, your views and wishes; and
+will, moreover, naturally put some pressure upon Government, by
+representing it as impossible for them to decide differently from your
+wishes and hopes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the Government--which means the Court--is already more than half
+won over. Lotter assures me....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For Heaven's sake! leave him out of the business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, of course, of course; if you are so prejudiced against him that
+you refuse him even the common credibility which you allow otherwise to
+everybody!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no question here of credibility or incredibility,&quot; exclaimed
+Bertram indignantly; &quot;but the thing is this: you are mistaking your
+illusions and hopes for realities and facts; you are voluntarily
+blinding yourself lest you see the abyss into which you are about to
+plunge. And mind this: by your miserable hesitation you are really
+accelerating the coming of the dreaded moment; nay, you render it only
+the more dreadful. There is still time; this very day you can go and
+say to your wife: I have met with losses, terrible losses, and we must
+needs retrench, and therefore.... Why, man, you will let it come to
+this, that you must confess to her: We have nothing further to lose;
+all is gone! Think of this, friend, I entreat you. Your boat is
+overloaded; away with the ballast which all but sinks it now; overboard
+with it all! Were it a question of yourself alone, you would be manly
+enough not to hesitate; and with wife and child on board, whose ruin is
+certain unless you act at once, you ... cannot, will not act!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto would say neither yea nor nay. Bertram was silent in his despair.
+What would come of it all?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And so they arrived in town, having hardly exchanged a word more. They
+looked over the villa, and again hardly a word was exchanged; just an
+indifferent remark here and there, nothing more. Otto was apparently
+annoyed at something, but Bertram saw well enough that this appearance
+of annoyance was but assumed to hide his irresolution.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know, I know,&quot; Otto said at last grumpily, &quot;we are not likely to
+agree as it is. Had we not better call together upon my lawyer and hear
+his opinion about the whole business? He is, moreover, on your side, in
+politics, and will be delighted to make your acquaintance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram seized eagerly upon so sensible a proposal, and to the lawyer's
+they drove accordingly; but when they had got to the door, Otto
+remembered that he had to do some commission for Hildegard: he even
+explained--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;About those officers who are going to be quartered upon us, don't you
+know?--extra provisions and that kind of thing. She can never, she
+thinks, have too much on hand, in case.... Well, well, it's her nature
+to ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And so the broad-shouldered figure of his friend passed down the lonely
+sunlit street; and Bertram added, speaking to himself, this comment,
+&quot;And your nature is ... to do things by halves only, unless you mean,
+in this case, to throw the whole responsibility upon my shoulders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And in this view his friend's lawyer completely confirmed him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look here,&quot; said the latter to Bertram, when, after a hearty, mutual
+welcome, the two had swiftly grown to be confidential with each other,
+&quot;you may take my word for this, he is most anxious we should have a
+perfectly unrestrained talk about his affairs, and has backed out of
+being present simply to avoid having to hear all the disagreeable
+things we could not spare him; moreover, he might oppose to you and to
+me, separately, a certain resistance which he would not have the
+courage to do if he, found us confronting him together. Under these
+circumstances I do not consider it indiscreet, but I think I am acting
+according to the wishes, and I know I am acting in the interest of our
+common friend, if I now add a few words of explanation to what you know
+already; then, indeed, you will be thoroughly acquainted with the state
+of his affairs.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The lawyer then proceeded to describe Otto's position in detail; and to
+his amazement Bertram found his own conception confirmed throughout.
+Why, even his own image of the ballast which required to be heaved
+overboard to set the ship once more afloat, figured in the exposition.
+To be sure, Bertram now learned for the first time how weighty that
+ballast really was. Thus, to give but one example, Otto had never
+mentioned, had not even hinted at the fact that Hildegard's elder
+sister, the widow of the late Secret Counsellor von Palm, and her whole
+family, lived entirely upon Otto's bounty. &quot;And that,&quot; said the lawyer,
+&quot;is an awful item! For the lady in question is, in every respect, a
+true sister of your friend's wife. She thinks that death and the end of
+all things must needs be at hand, if she and hers cannot live on a very
+grand scale indeed. And then her house in Erfurth is a sort of
+gathering-place for all who, by rank or position, may aspire to the
+honour of appearing in such sublime surroundings; half-pay general
+officers and colonels galore--and the little town was ever full of
+them--and, of course, the whole number of officers actually on
+duty in the garrison, and so on, and so on. The girls--and there is
+half-a-dozen of them--are as bad as their mother, always excepting one
+dear, sensible creature--not one of the pretty ones, though--whom, I
+understand, you are about to meet in Rinstedt. Well, if the daughters
+are extravagant, the two sons--both, as you know, in the army, go on as
+though their uncle's cashbox had no bottom to it. Three times, four
+times, already he has paid the debts of those young men, whom, by the
+by, he cannot bear at all, and this, and all this, simply <i>in majorem
+gloriam Hildegardis</i>, his well-beloved wife, a lady of such an old
+family that the scions thereof cannot, of course, be measured by the
+same standard as common mortals.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And do you not perceive any way of escape from this vicious circle our
+friend is wandering in?&quot; Bertram asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only the one you have already pointed to,&quot; the lawyer made answer.
+&quot;But how the deuce can you advise a man who will not be advised, or
+rather, who accepts all the advice you give him and never acts upon it
+for all that ...? And there is one thing yet in which you have, too,
+judged aright. It is by no means too late yet! If he give up those
+factories of his which will never pay, even if--and on that his whole
+hope is now centred--the new line of rails passes straight through his
+estates, and if he meets My Lady with a <i>sic voleo, sic jubeo</i>, and if,
+with one determined cut, he severs the boundlessly costly train from My
+Lady's garment, leaving it, for all that, a very respectable garment,
+he would be enabled to discharge his other liabilities gradually, or at
+once if somebody would, at fair interest, lend him a biggish capital.
+This, of course, times being bad, will not be very easy to manage, more
+particularly if people begin to talk about his being embarrassed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And how large, think you, should that capital be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think that I could settle everything if I had a hundred thousand
+thalers at my disposal, without there being any formal arrangement with
+his creditors, or even a voluntary surrender.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case I beg to put the sum mentioned at your disposal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The lawyer looked up in amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had no idea that you were so wealthy,&quot; he said simply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It does not represent half my fortune. Anyhow, I am not running any
+risk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, to be sure,&quot; replied the lawyer; &quot;I should be able to secure you
+against any loss; the rate of interest, as I observed before, would be
+low. But I may tell you beforehand that your generous offer will be
+refused. I know our friend. He would rather borrow from the most
+unscrupulous cut-throat of a usurer than from you, for whom he has, as
+I know, the profoundest respect. For, though you may be the best of
+friends, you are not his brother, not his cousin, not a kinsman at all.
+If you could say to him, you owe it to our family to do so--such an
+appeal to the family honour, which he holds in the highest esteem, he
+would comprehend much better. But as it is, his very pride, or his
+vanity rather--for vanity is distinctly his ruling passion--will be
+hurt; he will appear to be immensely grateful to you, will say that you
+are his good angel, and--will not accept a farthing from you, as long
+as he sees, or fancies he sees, any other way out. He may possibly come
+to his senses when his last hope, the railway, proves illusory. I
+fear--I am a keen promoter of the project myself, but on different
+grounds--I fear that will occur presently. Meanwhile, try your luck, or
+his rather, by all means. But I repeat, you will not succeed with the
+mere appeal to your friendship.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram, as previously arranged, then called for his friend, and as
+they drove home together he made his attempt The lawyer's prophecy was
+literally fulfilled. Otto overflowed in expressions of the greatest
+gratitude for an offer so thoroughly characteristic of his generous
+friend, and which, for the sake of their long friendship, he would
+unconditionally accept--if there were any occasion for it. But that,
+thank goodness, was not the case.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then came the wretched old story which Bertram knew by heart
+already, and to which, for all that, he now listened; not, as before,
+with disgust, but with an odd feeling of anxiety and doubt. To be sure,
+mere friendship was not sufficient. He would have required another
+title, one giving the right to demand what now he begged for in vain.
+Should he venture upon the word that was trembling on his lips, and
+that yet was ever beating a cowardly retreat to the tremulous heart?
+Cowardly? No! It would have been cowardice, miserable cowardice, if he
+had spoken it; cowardice, trying to take by miserable money-bribes a
+fortress invincible to valour and high courage; cowardice and treason,
+treason to the sanctity of a love which had hitherto been unselfish and
+as pure as the heart of the great waters. If things came to the worst,
+if it was a question of guarding the beloved child against common want,
+she would be noble enough not to refuse the helping hand of a
+protecting friend. But woe to him if that hand were not unsullied; if
+even the shadow of a suspicion of selfishness fell upon it!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And as they thus drove homewards, with the evening darkening around
+them, he fixed his eye on high, where now the heavenly lights were
+appearing in ever-increasing numbers, with ever-growing splendour; and
+he reverently repeated to himself the poet's great saying of the stars
+above, in whose majestic beauty man should rejoice without coveting
+their possession.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XI.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">But no poet's word could henceforth stay the wild conflagration which
+raged in his heart; and every thought by which his mind strove to
+obtain rest and clearness proved a faint-hearted hireling soldier that
+takes the first opportunity of deserting to the ranks of the more
+potent foe. In vain did he recall the arguments by which, in a certain
+memorable conversation, he had tried to refute Erna's assertions--it
+had been a lie, a lie--or, at best, mere theoretical twaddle. His love
+a reminiscence merely? And of what, pray? Perhaps of that mournful
+aberration when his heart, his thirty years notwithstanding, was
+still full of faith and devoid of experience? Or of the coquettish
+phantom-fights and ugly caricatures of passion with which a heart that
+has ceased to believe, in love, endeavours to deceive itself regarding
+its own needs? Thee, he exclaimed, thee I have always loved. My whole
+life has been one unbroken longing for thee; and when now at length I
+have reached the land of promise, am I solely to see it, bless God, and
+die? I am no longer weary of life. Nay, life has never yet appeared so
+fair to me, and never yet have I so felt the desire and the power to
+enjoy it. Die we must; die, however empty life may have been; but oh,
+how better far to die in the full bliss of love! No, no! If I love her,
+my only reminiscence is one of weary deserts traversed until I reached
+her: if she could love me, her love should be no mere mirage of an
+oasis in the future; palms should rustle above her fair head, silvery
+brooks should run at her feet. Love surely has this potent spell: it
+can create a paradise on earth!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And from these fairy dreams of future bliss he was startled by the
+thought that Erna's heart must have already once received some mighty
+impression. For it was surely passing strange that she knew so well how
+to interpret some of the mysterious symbols in the book of passion;
+that she evidently liked to read in that book. But since all his
+cautious questioning led to no result, since she spoke of the few young
+men whom she seemed to know at all either with indifference, or even,
+as in the case of her two cousins, with a perceptible touch of irony,
+he could not but conclude that his suspicion was unfounded, and he
+became more and more familiar with a fond hope, from which he at first
+recoiled as from a temptation to sheer madness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he still had the full use of his senses, and they, had never been
+so acute as now. How was he to explain that her voice, whenever she
+turned to him, and particularly when they were alone, was quite
+different from its usual tone--softer, deeper, more intense? How was he
+to explain that she--surely without being aware of it--kept sometimes,
+at table, if he happened to speak eagerly, her gaze fixed upon him for
+several minutes--that strange, fixed gaze which he had never before met
+from any human eye, and which reminded him again and again of the gaze
+of the gods,--</p>
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="center" style="text-indent:-6px">
+&quot;Whose eyelids quiver not like those of mortals;&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="continue">and then when he ceased to, speak she was like one awakening from a
+dream, drawing a long breath, which caused her maiden bosom to rise and
+sink!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nor were other promising tokens wanting. He had, for good reasons of
+his own, disregarded Erna's request to be henceforth less kind to
+Lydia; nay, he had doubled his attentions and courtesies, not only
+towards the coquettish lady, but towards the Baron too. It seemed so
+easy now to pardon, to show indulgence, to look at all things from the
+best and most amiable point of view; and politeness is a veil behind
+which one may hide so much. At first he had been prepared for
+opposition or serious displeasure on the part of the proud, self-willed
+girl; but nothing of the kind occurred; she either seemed not to notice
+his disobedience, or actually to approve of it; and once or twice, when
+he somewhat overdid his part, a meaning smile played about her mouth.
+Nay, more, she followed, though with evident hesitation, his example;
+she no longer met Lydia's fantastic exaggerations with short and sharp
+replies, or with that frigid non-recognition which is more cutting than
+direct blame: she continued, as on the first evening or two, to sing
+and play with the Baron; she even suffered herself to be put into the
+famous terrace picture, and was patient enough to sit to him for a
+couple of hours, in which the Baron, with his brush, was constantly
+taking one step forward and two backward, as it were; while he vowed
+again and again that this was the most grateful, but also the most
+difficult, task which he had ever undertaken in his life.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And there was yet one thing more which had struck him as peculiarly
+strange and important. Erna was accustomed to repeat her interlocutors'
+names frequently in the course of conversation, and to add them, even
+to quite trivial phrases or questions. From the first days of his
+visit he still recalled with delight her sweet &quot;How are you, Uncle
+Bertram?&quot;--&quot;Yes, Uncle Bertram&quot;--&quot;No, Uncle Bertram.&quot; But sweeter,
+sweeter far it seemed to him that he now no longer heard it--no, not
+once--that her conversation now was plain yea and nay, as enjoined in
+Holy Writ, and quite in accordance with the wild wish of his heart.
+Hilarie, too, had surely ceased to call her lover--Uncle. Poor Major!
+But it served him right, after all, for it was not youth so much that
+he lacked, as the courage and force of genuine passion.</p>
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="t4" style="text-indent:-6px">
+&quot;That man must ever be a youthful man<br>
+Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes!&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="continue">And he does please her well, because she feels with the unerring
+instinct of true love that he can and will give love for love.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And as though he would force Fate to grant him all, because he was
+staking his all upon it, he looked on with a happy smile, whilst the
+fire of his great love burned up with increasing vehemence with every
+day, with every hour, spreading around and engulfing his entire being.
+He was proud that he could no longer feel anything else, think of
+anything else, but always her, and her alone. If she was away, how
+empty, how barren did the whole world seem! With what painful
+impatience did he await the moment when he should behold her again; and
+when he beheld her again, it seemed as though he had never beheld her
+before--as though the Creator had but just uttered the command: &quot;Let
+there be light!&quot; and as though the world lay before him in all the dewy
+freshness and brightness of the morn of creation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then, when the torment of delight became overpowering, he fled from
+her, to dream, often for hours, in the solitude of the forest, in lone,
+rocky caves, or on sunny summits--to listen in the deep silence around
+for the echoing of her sweet voice within his heart, to whisper her
+loved name to the discreet herbs and trees; to hear that name in the
+murmur of the brooks, in the rustling of the breezes, in every note of
+the birds' songs; to see her fair image smiling down upon him from
+among the dainty white cloudlets that flecked the deep-blue sky, or
+gazing at him with musing gravity from the dusky shadows of the
+towering trees, gazing with those great, still, potent, godlike orbs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That those orbs were now smiling more rarely, that they were fuller of
+gravest thought, often gazing with a certain sweet fixity of intensest
+concentration, he had not failed to observe, and he had not interpreted
+it as a symptom unfavourable to himself; how should, how could it be
+otherwise, if there fell into her young soul even the faintest reflex
+of the bright radiancy that was filling his own to its deepest depths?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he had not failed to observe either, and this he knew not how to
+explain, that this musing gravity from which his own love in its
+hopefulness drew sweetest sustenance--like a bee from the chalice of a
+budding blossom--was turning to a gloomy indignation, which not only
+was for ever veiling the beloved eyes, but was not unfrequently
+enfolding the fair face with its fine, energetic features in darkest
+night, luridly illumined by wrathful flashes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This startling change had occurred quite suddenly, coincident,
+strangely enough, with the day, almost with the hour, of Agatha's
+arrival.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">On the occasion of former visits at Rinstedt Bertram had repeatedly
+seen Agatha, and had always been on the best of terms with the ever
+equally pleasant, amiable child. Now, of course she had, like Erna,
+developed during the last few years into a maiden, though one could not
+say that she had gained by the process of metamorphosis. The blonde
+hair now was almost red, freckles abounded unpleasantly on brow and
+cheek, and an awkward tendency to one side had become an undoubted
+lurch; so that, taking all these things together, one might indeed be
+tempted to take the nickname &quot;Granny,&quot; which Erna had bestowed upon her
+cousin and bosom friend, not in its moral meaning alone. But the bright
+blue eyes had faithfully preserved the old, dear expression; nay, even
+more openly than of old, there spoke out of them a heart full of
+kindliest goodwill to all men, desirous of riving in peace and
+friendship with all men, and seeming not so much to loathe as simply
+not to comprehend the evil emotions and passions of the human heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So gentle a creature, made but for sympathy in joy or in sorrow, could
+scarcely have found the requisite courage to destroy even the
+commonplace illusions of a commonplace heart, and would most likely
+have recoiled from the mere attempt to lay violent hands upon a heart
+like Erna's, deviating as it did so greatly from the humdrum, everyday
+pattern. And, again, Bertram had to drop the suspicion which at first
+had come to him in his perplexity; to wit, that Agatha had, whether in
+carelessness or intentionally, blabbed about something confided to her
+by Erna. Such a thing would have been in downright contradiction to the
+character of the girl, who was as clever as she was good; and, lastly,
+that he himself should have betrayed his feelings to the rest--that was
+absolutely impossible. He was only too painfully conscious of having
+from the very first moment put a most careful guard on his conduct, of
+having weighed his every word, controlled his every smile and look: of
+course he had! Why, he recoiled in horror from the very thought that
+Erna might discover his great secret; it was certain that she had not
+discovered it, and how could others have done so?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But why should they, again, not have seen, and seen in envy,
+uncharitableness, and terror, what it was the utmost delight to him to
+see? Though he, in the full consciousness of his love, in the anxious
+doubt as to whether that love was not a folly, a crime even, had put
+the utmost restraint upon himself, yet Erna had assuredly not been
+equally careful in expressing her feelings, whose real significance she
+might guess at, though most assuredly she could not measure it. Why,
+the most harmless and innocent things in the attentions she was
+spoiling him with, the many kindly little offices which she did for him
+without any fuss, <i>en passant</i>, as it were--all these things might have
+been malevolently criticised and viciously explained, suspicion being
+once aroused one way or the other!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And that such must be the case he could scarcely doubt any longer, when
+he submitted the demeanour of the others towards him during the last
+few days to a subsequent examination. Thus, in the light of newly-won
+knowledge, sundry things stood out in a very marked way, which, under
+other circumstances, he would either not have heeded, or anyhow have
+interpreted differently. His beautiful hostess, who used to avail
+herself of every tête-à-tête with him to turn their talk to Erna and
+the Baron, had not resumed her favourite topic of conversation; and, on
+the other hand, Lydia now manifested infinite interest in Erna, and
+never wearied of starting contemplative talks in reference to the
+qualities of her former pupil, wondering how one should represent to
+oneself the future of such a singular being as likely to develop
+itself. The Baron had still, on each Occasion when Bertram and he had
+met, overflowed with civility, but had yet tormented him less often
+with challenges to billiard-matches and to contests in pistol-shooting,
+but had on the other hand undertaken more frequent solitary shooting
+expeditions--neither Bertram nor Otto, their host, cared for shooting,
+as it happened--and had extended them farther too. Otto himself had
+certainly and most clearly avoided him. At first he had thought that
+Otto did it to avoid new and painful discussions in reference to his
+financial position, but Bertram now assumed that it was done lest Otto
+should distinctly show that he was angry with his friend for Erna's
+sake, or, what--with his natural weak readiness to yield--came
+virtually to the same thing, that he had been bidden by the ruling
+spirit to be angry with Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These were curiously mixed feelings which were roused within him by his
+recognition of the new position he so suddenly found himself in. He
+said to himself that the things which caused anxiety and terror to his
+adversaries were for himself objects of joy and triumph, and
+constituted the clearest proof that he had not only dreamed a dream of
+rapturous delight. And to be sure, his love could not for ever remain
+in the far-off regions of starry splendour; it was bound some time to
+approach this earth, to become visible to the dull, mole-like eyes of
+these men. But then again, putting himself in the place of these
+others, and examining himself and his love, as these others were
+undoubtedly doing, he would hear anew, and this time from the lips of
+unjust accusers, the old evil questions which he thought had long ago
+been done with, to wit--Is your longing and your desire really and
+truly free from every vestige of selfishness, from every frivolous
+admixture? Has the satisfaction of your own vanity, inasmuch as you may
+prove that you, a man of fifty, are able to win the love of such a
+youthful, and, in every respect, such a highly-favoured and gifted
+girl, against the wishes of her own parents, before her who had once
+spurned your love, in the presence and to the shame and discomfiture of
+so much more likely a rival--have these considerations nothing, nothing
+whatever to do with your love?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And supposing he were to allow himself to be urged by pressure on the
+part of his foes to make a declaration before the right time; or
+supposing there never had been and never would be such a time at
+all--supposing he and all of them had blundered;--supposing Erna's
+heart knew nought of love, and rejected his love, amazed, terrified,
+insulted--what then? Ye Heavens above! what then? Where was then that
+line of retreat which Göthe had so wisely secured for his hero?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He realised it to be one of those horribly hideous contradictions of
+human life that, while before his inner eye the possibilities of his
+future fate concentrated themselves as in a focus, he was busied before
+the mirror in exchanging the cravat which Konski had put out for him
+for the early dinner, for another (the first dressing-bell having just
+rung), in reference to which Erna had once said that it suited him
+particularly well.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stepped, annoyed, from the mirror to the open window. There came
+floating through the balmy, sunny air a gossamer thread and fixed
+itself on his shoulder. He sighed wearily, he felt unutterably sad.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was always one line of retreat open, and that was--Death. Perhaps
+his life was really hanging on as slight a thread as this bit of
+gossamer. But then, was not his love for that very reason both madness
+and sacrilege? Was that love which at bottom thought, after all, of
+itself only, and thought not first and last of this? Could one,
+according to human judgment, really undertake the guarantee for the
+well-being of those whom one ... made believe one loved? Whether, for
+her, weal would not swiftly change to woe, whence, even though time and
+that youthful vigour which refuses to be crushed were to heal the
+grievous wounds, there could never again blossom forth a full, whole
+happiness? And thus, and for this reason, to have henceforth, like
+humdrum everyday folks, to dread death, when he had already again and
+again looked into his hollow eyes!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was some noise behind him, and he started in terror. It was only
+Konski who had come back bearing a letter. The post which was due in
+the morning had arrived now, and there had been lots of letters for the
+other ladies and gentlemen too, and some of them would seem to be
+mighty important, for My Lady had given orders to put dinner back half
+an hour, so the Herr Doctor could anyhow read his letter in peace.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski had gone away again, and Bertram held the letter still unopened
+in his hand. How odd that his physician and friend should write to him
+just now--that the busiest of men should so swiftly reply to his own
+letter, in which, on the second day of his visit, he had, as requested,
+given news of his state of health, a letter which really called for no
+reply at all. Was his friend now going to tell him that he ... was
+doomed to speedy death? Well, the letter could not have come at a more
+opportune moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With trembling hand he broke the seal and read this--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<span class="sc">Dearest Friend</span>,--Laugh if you like. On reading your letter a second
+time--your letters are not, like most others, consigned to the
+waste-paper basket--I have even more strongly the same impression which
+the first perusal had given me; namely, that, possibly unknown to
+yourself, there is to be read between the lines of your letter a
+question, which can be answered only by omniscient Fate and by 'Yours
+Truly;' and which, seeing Fate is not altogether to be relied upon in
+this respect, Yours Truly has the honour and likewise the great
+pleasure of answering herewith. Reduced to its simplest formula, then,
+the question comes to this: May I marry? Seeing that you do not laugh,
+but, on the contrary, look extremely grave, I will not keep you
+needlessly on the tenter-hooks of expectation, but will reduce my
+reply, too, to the simplest form, viz.:--Yes, best of friends, you may
+marry, in spite of your late serious attack; nay, oddly enough, all the
+more because of it. For although even before your illness I had no
+doubt that your curiously powerful nature would for years continue to
+hold its own against the severe damage done (to deny or reason away the
+existence of which was unfortunately impossible), I now have hardly any
+misgiving in that respect. For your last illness was simply and solely
+a remarkably energetic attempt at self-help on the part of nature, and
+the attempt has all but succeeded. What remains to be done to complete
+the cure is but little, and that this little be done as swiftly and
+thoroughly as possible, you can yourself greatly help. How so? Well, by
+marrying! You, having always been over-conscientious and abnormally
+scrupulous, having ever lived but for ideal aims and for the benefit of
+other folk, should now at length begin to live for yourself, should now
+at length find that quiet happiness which you so richly deserve, and be
+happy in that happiness; though, to be sure, for the last condition
+more good sense is required than what the majority of mankind have been
+ready to employ. You, my good friend, have that amount of sense.
+<i>Ergo</i>--marry for goodness' sake, marry for your own good, marry for
+the good of those whom you love, and, lastly, marry with my full
+consent, without which I know you would not do it at all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But now, seeing that you are too accustomed to suffering of some sort
+to be able to dispense with it altogether, I owe you a fresh supply to
+make up for what I am depriving you of, and I am going to saddle you
+with one of the most awful kinds of suffering a free man can be
+tormented with in these hard and distressing times--you must stand for
+Parliament. There is no help for it; we must have you in the
+<i>Reichstag</i>. Good old S. can bear the burthen no longer; he is going to
+retire. I should have insisted upon it on medical grounds if he had not
+at length come to see himself that there was no help for it. He is done
+for, and doomed to speedy death. And you, who are vigorously advancing
+to complete restoration of health, shall and must take his place--by
+order of the Electoral Committee, who met at a late hour last night and
+ultimately came to a unanimous conclusion on the subject, all, finally,
+voting for you! There is no reason why I should keep back the fact
+that, to begin with, O. and B. were opposed to it, and so were a few
+others, asserting that you could be of greater use to the common cause
+as an outsider. They went on arguing that your absolutely independent
+position within the party had hitherto enabled you, and would continue
+to enable you, to ventilate certain grievances which really require to
+be ventilated, and which it is impossible for ourselves, sitting as
+members of the <i>Reichstag</i>, to bring forward, because, sitting there,
+we must pay a certain regard to ... what not. This great and invaluable
+activity of yours, they wisely contended, would be rendered absolutely
+barren by your entering the serried ranks of a definite political
+phalanx within the House itself. Right they are, I know well enough,
+none better; for I have, as you know, always maintained the same view.
+But, for all that, you must stand. The need is imperative. We have,
+alas! none but you; and therefore our arguments prevailed: and the
+requisition I am now forwarding to you in the name of our common party
+is, as aforesaid, unanimous. Knowing you as well as I do, and knowing
+therefore with what a struggle you make up your mind, ever determined
+to adhere unswervingly to a resolution you have once arrived at, I'll
+give you three days to think it over. Perhaps you'll talk it over with
+our friend G. in W., whose acquaintance you have probably made ere
+this; not to get him to appeal to your conscience--small need for that
+in your case--but because an old veteran like him may be able, from the
+fulness of his experience, to give you some hint or other which may be
+of use to you in your candidature. It is very probable that you may
+have to appear speedily in the arena. The Government would appear to
+feel very confident of success, and will not delay the election. Four
+weeks hence everything may be settled. That would leave you another
+month before the meeting of Parliament to recover from the fatigue of
+the electioneering campaign. The Italian trip will have to be given up,
+it is true. But no one can serve two masters; and as for the mistress,
+if my conjecture be correct, I do not dread her jealousy. If it were
+permitted to harbour any doubt whether you have chosen wisely, or if
+there were any need to apply a special test, there could be no surer
+touchstone than this. The true gold of a genuine woman's love never
+shines more brightly than when a sacrifice has to be made for the sake
+of letting a man's worth stand out clearly. Commend me cordially to the
+fair unknown, and accept my own affectionate greetings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The second dinner-bell had rung, and Bertram still sat staring at the
+letter. Could this be true? It looked like witchcraft. By what
+wonderful ingenuity had his friend rightly interpreted the state of his
+heart, judging from hints which were not intended to be hints at all?
+Well, if it was a miracle, it was a very auspicious one--one that could
+only have had its origin in the great strength of truest friendship.
+Impossible for the tempter to have assumed the guise of the best and
+noblest of men!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He pressed the letter to his lips, and gazed upward to the blue sky.
+And, lo! as he moved, the gossamer thread floated away from his
+shoulder, away into the sunny afar.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With glowing eye he followed its flight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Right, right! Fly and float with it, ye cowardly thoughts of retreat!
+Who fears not death has already half won the battle!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XIII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Below, in the garden saloon, Bertram found only Otto and the Baron, who
+abruptly stopped an eager conversation as Bertram entered. Otto looked
+greatly embarrassed; the Baron gave him one angry look, then turned
+away to the young ladies, who were walking on the verandah.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I seem to have disturbed you,&quot; said Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Don't be annoyed,&quot; replied Otto. &quot;The Baron had, last night already,
+disagreeable news from home, which is confirmed to-day, and will compel
+him to travel back; and just now, in this time of tension, he wishes of
+course--it is extremely awkward ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In one word, he has officially asked you for your daughter's hand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not exactly officially; we really do not know about Erna. You had
+undertaken to put us <i>au courant</i>, to advise and help us, and now you
+are not helping us at all, and--and my wife is rather annoyed with you
+on this ground.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So I have observed; and therefore, to make up for previous omissions,
+I'll give you my advice now: get rid of him as quickly as possible, and
+spare Erna the humiliation of having to refuse the fellow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Humiliation? The fellow? How oddly you talk!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I talk how I feel. He is unworthy of Erna, absolutely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So you say; but why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram made no answer. What good could it do now to have a dispute
+with Otto about the worthiness or unworthiness of the Baron?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see,&quot; said Otto triumphantly, &quot;you have no real reason to give!&quot;
+Then, seeing his friend look extremely grave, he went on--&quot;I know of
+course that you mean well by Erna, by me, by all of us. Perhaps you are
+right, too, at least in this--that Erna may say: No. If she does, well,
+then there is an end of it, and Hildegard and he may see how they can
+best put up with it. If only it had not happened just now. I have my
+head quite full enough as it is--all these officers coming to be
+quartered here to-morrow, then the final debate on the railway
+question, and then I just remember that I have also to redeem
+to-morrow a certain mortgage, not much, only five thousand thalers, but
+it happens most inopportunely, I wanted to talk to you about it before,
+but I did not like to disturb you in your rooms; perhaps after dinner,
+or to-night sometime--there is my wife coming, for God's sake no fuss,
+I entreat you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard entered, Lydia followed soon after, the young ladies and the
+Baron came in from the verandah, and they all went to dinner.
+Conversation somehow flagged; every one was busy with his own thoughts,
+and, if one were to judge by looks, these thoughts did not seem to be
+pleasant ones, except in Hildegard's case. She kept smiling
+mysteriously to herself, and at last, when there had been a pause of
+some little duration, she held up a couple of letters which she had
+laid by the side of her plate, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is really too bad; here, I am sitting with quite a treasury of most
+interesting surprises, and none of you take the trouble to show the
+slightest symptom of curiosity. It would really serve you right if I
+were not to say a word to you; but I will be gracious, as usual, and
+let you participate in my joy. First, then, your mother, Agatha, has
+after all yielded to my entreaties. It is most kind of her. She has a
+big party to-morrow, too; some twenty officers, she says, and can ill
+spare any of the girls. Still, she understands that I have even greater
+need of them in our solitude, if the crowd of uniforms is not to become
+intolerably monotonous--<i>enfin</i>, she'll send Louise and Augusta. They
+will arrive to-day; so we shall really be able to have a dance to
+morrow evening, if we invite the girls from the parsonage and a few
+others. Well, what do you say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna made no reply; she seemed hardly to have listened. Agatha said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are very kind, aunt,&quot; but it did not sound hearty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that all?&quot; exclaimed Hildegard. &quot;Of course I am kind, far too kind
+to you ungrateful <i>blasée</i> girls, who cannot rise to enthusiasm even
+with the prospect of a dance! But you, Baron?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I envy the gentlemen,&quot; replied he, &quot;who will benefit by your kindness;
+I myself, as you are aware, will scarcely be able to participate in
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard raised her eyebrows.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought,&quot; she said, &quot;that the matter was settled. Your relations may
+see how they can best do without you. I wish to hear nothing more upon
+the subject. This is my ultimatum, and I beg you will respect it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Baron bowed, and muttered something about <i>force majeure</i>.
+Hildegard paid no heed to it; she had already taken up the second
+letter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must beforehand apologise for my bad French accent. The letter is
+from the Residenz, and I ought to mention ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From Princess Amelia?&quot; the Baron asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not from our gracious Princess,&quot; replied Hildegard with a courteous
+smile, &quot;but from a princess, for all that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps you would translate it?&quot; suggested Otto timidly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well,&quot; replied his wife. &quot;I was thinking of doing so anyhow, for
+I know you pretend that you do not understand French. Well, then--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<span class="sc">Madam</span>,--Will you pardon a perfect stranger who ventures to request a
+favour which it is usual to grant only to one's friends, or to duly
+accredited persons--the favour of being your guest for a short time?
+You are amazed, madam; but why do you own a mansion whose classic style
+of architecture and whose internal fittings are the marvel of the land?
+Why does every one who can judge, laud you as unsurpassed in the
+horticultural art? I travel through Germany chiefly with the object of
+studying all that is best and most beautiful in these things, in order
+to try and imitate it upon my estates in Livadia. I shall not, as I
+said, trouble you long; only a day or two. To-morrow and the day after,
+if I may, for I can unfortunately not dispose differently of my time.
+And as regards the inconvenience I must needs cause you, I will try to
+reduce it to a minimum. A gardener or forester to pilot me about
+outside, a steward to show me some of the things inside, a little
+corner by your fireside, a little place at your table, a little chamber
+to sleep in; that is all! True, already too much, if I reflect; but one
+should not reflect, if one is the thorough egotist who has the honour
+of remaining, Madam, your obedient servant,--<span class="sc">Princess Alexandra
+Paulovna</span> ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard looked up from her letter, and said with a smile--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot make out the surname.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She passed the letter to Bertram, who was sitting on her right.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said the Baron, on her left, &quot;she would seem to be a Russian,
+anyhow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No doubt of that. Well, my friend?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied Bertram, &quot;I cannot make it out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you allow me?&quot; said the Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram handed the letter back to Hildegard, who passed it on to the
+Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why,&quot; he exclaimed, &quot;it is quite plain, Bo--Bo!&quot; He paused.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bo, Bo, Bo!&quot; laughed Lydia. &quot;Let me try.&quot;
+But Lydia failed too; the note was passed round the table; Otto and
+Agatha tried and failed; Erna passed it on to Bertram without casting
+one glance at it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you not try?&quot; asked Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She uttered this so sharply that Bertram looked up terrified.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How very unkind,&quot; said her mother.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had the same impression at first, but he knew Erna too well;
+there was assuredly something else going on in her mind, something
+which had tried to find expression in the abrupt No. She was very pale,
+and had pressed her teeth against her under lip, whilst her eyes looked
+gloomily and fixedly straight in front of her. One might have expected
+her to burst into a flood of tears the next moment. To turn the
+attention of the rest from her, and also to overcome his own feelings
+of uneasiness, he began once more diligently to spell away at the
+signature, and suddenly exclaimed--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have got it, I think--Volinzov--Alexandra Paulovna Volinzov!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me see, please?&quot; exclaimed Hildegard. &quot;Really, Volinzov; and quite
+plain too. How blind we have been! Dear me, Herr Baron, what is the
+matter with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg a thousand pardons,&quot; said the Baron from behind his
+handkerchief, which he held pressed to his face, rising from the table
+as he spoke, and swiftly withdrawing from the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard looked sadly after his retreating figure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poor fellow!&quot; she said, &quot;I am so sorry. He is in a terrible state of
+excitement. And now, in addition, this home news--if I only knew what
+it is all about, but he is discretion personified.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram, still pondering over Erna's strange demeanour, had almost
+mechanically cast his eye over the whole letter, and only became
+conscious of this on coming to a passage which he did not remember
+having heard in Hildegard's translation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here,&quot; he said, &quot;is one line, my fair friend, which has escaped you,
+and which yet strikes me as important. Listen: 'thorough egotist who
+has the courage to follow her letter at once, and has the honour,' &amp;c.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Impossible!&quot; exclaimed Hildegard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There it stands; see for yourself. You passed from the last line but
+two on to the last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh dear! oh dear!&quot; exclaimed the hostess. &quot;She will be wanting to
+dine of course; and that is not the worst, but all the rooms will be
+occupied by to-morrow afternoon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The officers must do with a little less accommodation,&quot; said Otto. &quot;It
+will be all right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, it will not be all right,&quot; said his wife, &quot;if each of them is to
+have a room of his own; and we cannot put less than two each at the
+disposal of the two Majors and the Colonel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me help you in your embarrassment,&quot; said Bertram. &quot;You know, I
+originally intended leaving early to-morrow, let us adhere to the old
+plan; the more so, because I have just received a letter which
+necessitates my very speedy return to Berlin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is an excuse,&quot; exclaimed his friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No excuse, my dear fellow; you may see the letter yourself. But I may
+as well say what it is about. I have been selected by my political
+friends for a forthcoming vacancy in the <i>Reichstag</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you will surely not stand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, I mean to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And your Italian trip?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Postponed to some future day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But your illness?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks to your excellent nursing, I never felt better in my life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But it's quite out of the question!&quot; cried Otto. &quot;I cannot let you.
+It would be downright ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In thus urging his friend to stay, Otto was simply following the
+dictates of his own good-natured heart, without any reference to his
+own special interests; now it suddenly occurred to him that his wife
+had that very morning called Bertram's presence a positive misfortune,
+and had accused him of standing--the one obstacle--between herself and
+the execution of her favourite plan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So he broke off abruptly, casting a sheepish, embarrassed look at his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard blushed to the very temples. Now she was obliged to urge him
+to stay, if everything she had been settling during the last few days
+in secret with Lydia and the Baron, and at last with her husband too,
+was not to lie like an open book before Bertram, and unless there was
+to be a real rupture, which, of course, it was desirable to avoid as
+long as possible. In order to conceal the true reason of her blush, she
+seized, as though obeying some uncontrollable impulse, both his hands,
+and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am almost speechless with amazement, my friend! Otto is quite right;
+the thing is impossible, it would be downright--abominable--that is
+what you were going to say, is it not, dear Otto? You cannot, must not
+leave us now. In a few days, if it really must be, well and good; but
+not now. I have--quite apart from our own feelings--revelled in the
+thought of the pleasant surprise it will be for Herr von Waldor to meet
+here, upon the threshold of a strange house, an old friend of his own.
+And if old friendship cannot exercise a spell over you, are you not
+allured by the prospect of meeting the mysterious Russian, whose name
+you alone were able to decipher, and who will not care to converse with
+any one except yourself, once she has heard how beautifully you speak
+French? But come--Otto, Lydia, Agatha--help me to entreat our friend to
+stay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the general excitement, every one had risen from table, dinner being
+finished anyhow, and now they were talking on the verandah. The Baron
+had reappeared too, but was keeping at some little distance; he
+evidently had not quite recovered from his attack. Those to whom
+Hildegard had appealed by name hastened to comply with her request, and
+were all urging Bertram to remain. He never heard them at all; he did
+not even see them; he had eyes for Erna only.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna, as though she had no interest whatever in the matter under
+discussion, had stepped down from the verandah to one of the
+flower-plots on the lawn. Suddenly she turned, retraced her steps
+slowly, ascended the verandah again, and approached him. Her cheeks--so
+pale but a short time ago--were flushed now; there was a light in those
+large eyes, and a defiant smile played round her dainty lips. She
+fastened a beautiful red rose, just about to unfold, in his buttonhole.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I prayed you the night you came--I pray you again: Stay! stay--for my
+sake! Come, Agatha!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had seized her cousin by the hand, and drawn her away into the
+garden; Bertram had stepped into the billiard-room, and was knocking
+the balls about; the others looked at each other, amazed, embarrassed,
+frightened, scornful. But, greatly though their various feelings
+desired expression and exchange, and opportune though the occasion
+might appear, there was no chance in the meantime. For the very next
+moment the sound of a post-horn was heard coming from the great
+courtyard, and announced, to Hildegard's terror, that Princess Volinzov
+had interpreted her own letter literally, and had really followed it
+without delay.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XIV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">The sunny brightness of the day was suddenly interrupted by a
+thunderstorm, and the evening closed in dark and stormy. Up from the
+valley and down from the wooded hills thick grey mists came rolling
+along, and violent showers of rain ensued. It was chilly and
+disagreeable; and the &quot;corner by the fireside,&quot; referred to in the
+letter of the Princess, seemed no longer to be a mere phrase, but to
+embody a very natural wish, and one which Hildegard took care to
+fulfil, by having fires kindled in all the drawing-rooms. There was
+quite a party at the mansion this evening. An hour after the arrival of
+the Princess, the sisters of Agatha had come; then the forest-ranger,
+the Herr <i>Oberförster</i>, had turned up, without having brought his
+ladies, on account of the disagreeable weather, but there had come with
+him a young gentleman from the Forests and Woods' Department, Herr von
+Busche, who had been absent for a week, and who, as he laughingly
+assured them, must try very hard to make up for the many pleasant hours
+he had lost. He seemed determined to carry this into practice, for he
+was most indefatigable in suggesting new games and new jests, and kept
+the four young ladies in constant laughter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Qu'y a-t-il de plus beau</i>,&quot; said the Princess, talking, as before,
+now French, now German with equal readiness, &quot;thus to hear, from an
+adjoining room, the happy laughter of girls, while one is sitting
+snugly by the fire talking to a friend. The past and the present mingle
+and separate again, like the red and blue flames among those coals; and
+sometimes there flashes between them a green one, which we may take for
+a light giving a glimpse of the future--and indeed it vanishes again
+very swiftly. How comfortable, how beautiful everything's in your
+house, <i>ma chère</i>. And how can I thank you enough for admitting me to
+the full enjoyment of your charming home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had seized both Hildegard's hands as she spoke, and seized them so
+eagerly that the bracelets on her round white arms jingled.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have to thank you, Princess ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For goodness' sake, do not call me that any longer. Say Alexandra,
+will you not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you say Hildegard?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Cela va sans dire</i>--Hildegard--a beautiful name--beautiful like her
+whose it is! What were we talking about? The future, yes, to be sure.
+Well, there is a glorious future in store for you in your lovely
+daughter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you like Erna?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Like her? <i>Mon Dieu!</i> only a mother's modesty can ask this. She is
+simply divine. Not that I never saw more beautiful girls--you see I am
+quite frank--but there is something in her whole bearing, the way in
+which she walks or stands, every movement, every gesture, her
+expression, her smile, her gravity even, there is a grace and a charm
+about it all which completely bewitch me, woman though I am. How may
+men feel? Poor men! Poor broken hearts, I pity you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She has scarcely had the chance yet of breaking hearts,&quot; replied
+Hildegard with a smile; &quot;she has only just left school.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But even very young ladies, I am told, manage sometimes to do it,&quot;
+said the Princess. &quot;I am afraid I broke one or two myself whilst I was
+at a boarding-school, and it was a strict one, too! But to be serious,
+have you already chosen for your fair child?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our girls in Germany are wont to claim the right of choice for
+themselves,&quot; replied Hildegard, casting a stolen glance at Bertram,
+who, walking up and down the saloon with Otto, happened just at that
+moment to be inconveniently near.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A bad German peculiarity,&quot; said the Princess. &quot;If a girl who does not
+know the world, does not know men--except her father, of whom she is
+afraid, and her brothers, whom she thinks ridiculous--is allowed to
+choose a husband according to the confused illusions of her silly
+little head--you may bet a hundred to one that the result will be
+either a <i>bêtise</i> or a <i>malheur</i>--which, according to the saying of
+the witty Frenchman, are, however, identical terms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is quite my idea, dear--Alexandra,&quot; said Hildegard, bending her
+head with a courteous smile to her new-found friend; &quot;quite my idea!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Clever women understand each other <i>à demi mot</i>,&quot; replied Alexandra.
+&quot;But there are exceptions, and your Erna is such an exception. She
+would never dream of losing her heart to a man simply because he stands
+six feet, and knows how to brush himself up and to cut a figure,
+however confused things may look beneath the smoothly-parted hair,
+however rotten a heart may beat behind the dainty cambric shirt-front.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard did not dare to stir; she had noticed that during the last
+few words of the Princess the Baron had been standing within a couple
+of steps from them, evidently with the intention of joining them. But
+as neither lady seemed to see him, or wish to see him, he examined a
+vase which stood upon a marble table near, and turned on his heel
+again. Hildegard breathed more freely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may be quite assured,&quot; said Alexandra, &quot;I spoke in French on
+purpose when I saw him coming. I had made sure that he speaks it very
+badly, and understands it even worse, which, by the by, is rather
+curious in a cavalier who is anxious to obtain a Court appointment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard felt very uneasy, although it was of course out of the
+question that the Princess should have meant the Baron when she spoke
+of a &quot;man standing six feet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know,&quot; she said with some little hesitation, &quot;that the Baron is
+very intimate at Court?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was at Court last night,&quot; replied Alexandra, &quot;to tea. We Russians
+are in very good odour at your Court, you know; and, moreover, I had
+made the acquaintance of their Highnesses during their last visit to
+St. Petersburg. Princess Amelia is specially gracious to me, and she is
+the one who interests herself in the Baron.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure,&quot; Hildegard assented eagerly. &quot;Pray, tell me more, it has
+much interest for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not much to tell. I mentioned in the course of general
+conversation that I intended to pay you a visit to-day. This led to
+Fräulein von Aschhof and the Baron being mentioned as your guests. For
+that curious lady every one seemed to have a smile, nothing more,
+which, by the by, I can quite understand. About the Baron--well, <i>chère
+amie</i>, since you are interested in the young man, I must be indiscreet
+enough to tell you of a very confidential conversation I had afterwards
+in a window recess about him with that dear old man, Count Dirnitz, the
+Court-Marshal. He told me that the opinions regarding the Baron were at
+least much divided at Court. The Grand Duke himself, he said, in
+particular, could not overcome a certain antipathy to him, and that was
+the reason why his appointment as one of the chamberlains, although
+duly made out, still awaited the Grand Duke's signature. The Count said
+that he himself, although he had been an intimate friend of the Baron's
+father, did not know what to advise. Just then the Grand Duke came up
+to us; he had heard the last words of Count Dirnitz, and said
+laughingly: 'That, my good Count, happens pretty often to you; but may
+I ask what it is about?' And when Dirnitz, who, I suppose, had no
+option, had told him, he said: 'Well, in this case, I must admit I am
+perplexed myself; I should so much like to oblige Princess Amelia, and
+yet ...' Then the Grand Duke suddenly turned to me and said: '<i>A
+propos</i>, Princess Volinzov, as you are going to Rinstedt to-morrow, you
+might have a good look at our man. I will gladly confide the matter to
+your unprejudiced decision. If you think him suitable for us, <i>eh
+bien</i>, I'll risk it.' ... What a truly charming ceiling this is! Quite
+a work of art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Princess Alexandra was leaning back in her arm-chair examining through
+her double eye-glass the painted ceiling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see,&quot; she said, &quot;a fine imitation of that Guercino in the Villa
+Ludovisi. It is superb, truly superb!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard was in a state of painful excitement. The young Princess had,
+anyhow, impressed her greatly; now this unexpected, but of course
+perfectly natural, intimacy at Court, and specially such a mission,
+possibly the one solitary motive of the whole visit, and upon which the
+Baron's fate depended. She felt almost dizzy, and it cost her a
+considerable struggle to be able to say with some calmness--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, my dear Alexandra, but you have forgotten the main
+thing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The main thing! What main thing?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What your unprejudiced opinion of the Baron now is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She looked again at Hildegard. There was an odd smile on her lips now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If my opinion were only unprejudiced. But how can that be when the
+friends of our friends are our own, or ought to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You shall not escape thus,&quot; said Hildegard, whose sinking courage the
+fair visitor's smile had revived a little.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not mean to escape,&quot; replied the Princess; &quot;only I do not quite
+like to confess a silly trick to you which my memory, which is
+generally very fair as far as physiognomies are concerned, is playing
+me in this case. But it is simply impossible to free one's self
+altogether from the influence which a marked personal likeness
+exercises; and when I first saw the Baron, there came to me the most
+disagreeable reminiscence of an episode of the last journey I made with
+my lamented mother to Italy. However, as I ought at once to state,
+there is no harm in the matter, for the Baron, whom I asked, says he
+was not in Monaco that year.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In Monaco?&quot; cried Hildegard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, my good mamma, the Countess Lassounska, you must know, was a
+great votary of the green cloth. Well, she could afford to indulge a
+passion which, among the ladies of the Russian aristocracy, not seldom
+survives or reappears, when they have had to bury all other passions.
+And in all others poor mamma had been so very unfortunate; but in this
+she was singularly lucky. Thus, one night--it was in autumn '72--she
+died next spring, four weeks after my marriage with the Prince, who had
+at that time followed us to Monaco, and to whom I had just, being then
+sixteen years of age, become engaged--good Lord, and he has been dead
+these two years! How time passes! But what was I going to say? Oh yes;
+mamma had won an immense sum one night, so much that at last she was
+barely paying any attention to what she was staking, and when she
+noticed a friend, she turned round to talk to him, without leaving her
+chair, until the gentleman himself called her attention to the
+accumulating gains, and asked if she would not withdraw them. But she
+said there was no hurry, and went on chattering, to the amazement of
+her neighbours and the terror of the bank, for they kept and kept
+losing on the red. At last mamma did turn round again to the table, her
+own curiosity roused by the divers exclamations of the bystanders; but
+just at that moment a gentleman, who had been sitting by her side all
+night, was pocketing the whole huge heap of banknotes and rouleaux of
+gold. Mamma claimed her property, of course; the gentleman assured her
+she was mistaken. Mamma knew that this was not the case, but a scene in
+a gambling-room, don't you know, dear, <i>c'est une horreur</i> for a lady
+with aristocratic nerves like poor mamma, the friend she had been
+conversing with wanted to interfere, so did a number of the bystanders,
+and play had to be suspended. Mamma said that if the gentleman asserted
+that the money was his, she would waive her claim; rose, took her
+friend's arm, and left the room. Here the matter ended, and nothing
+further followed, for the 'gentleman' elected to leave that very night
+for Nice. There, they say, he speedily got rid of his illgotten gains.
+At least, when we arrived there four weeks later, they pointed out a
+gentleman in the play saloon to us who had recently lost fabulous sums.
+On that occasion I saw him for the first time--I was not generally
+allowed to enter the gambling-rooms--and for the last time, for he had
+no sooner caught sight of our party, than he rose from the table and
+vanished from the room, and I think from Nice; anyhow, he never,
+appeared again during the rest of our sojourn. Mamma had given strict
+orders not to take any notice; whatever of the adventurer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And this--adventurer, had a distant likeness to the Baron?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A distant likeness? No, dear, a most distinct one. That's the
+misfortune!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra was leaning back again in the arm-chair and toying with her
+rings. Hildegard was staring gloomily in front of her. The execution of
+her long-cherished, plan, the fulfilment of her eager desire, was now
+threatened by an obstacle which seemed much worse than any previous
+one; and she was already almost reduced to despair by the others that
+she had to struggle against.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A misfortune, indeed!&quot; she said; &quot;a great misfortune for our friend,
+who, will now have to suffer so bitterly for an accident he is
+guiltless of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How suffer, dear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Were you not saying yourself a short while ago that this wretched
+likeness was making it impossible for you to arrive at an unprejudiced
+opinion about the Baron? Well, it matters everything to him, of course,
+that your opinion should not only not be prejudiced but favourable.
+And--to confess the truth--to me, to us, it matters much, very much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra drew herself up, the old odd smile was hovering about her
+lips again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does it really matter so much to you?&quot; she said. &quot;Do I understand you
+correctly?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us assume that you do,&quot; replied Hildegard, trying as she spoke to
+imitate Alexandra's smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I can only answer: <i>Je n'en vois pas la nécessité.</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That this particular man should marry Erna. Where is the necessity? If
+she were in love with him, the matter would have to be discussed at
+least. Now it is not worth while. A girl like your Erna--proud,
+self-willed, large-hearted--will never be in love with this Baron,
+never! It is impossible, it is contrary to nature--I mean contrary to
+the nature of a gifted heart, for there are gifted hearts, just as
+there are gifted heads. One can, nay, one must, have absolute
+confidence in both, even supposing that, from very excess of feelings
+or thoughts, they seem not to have confidence in themselves. One must
+let them have their way, they cannot err long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But they can err for all that,&quot; replied Hildegard bitterly. &quot;Would
+you not call it an error, would you think it to be in accord with the
+nature of that gifted heart you speak of, if the girl in question were
+to take a special interest in--out with it, were to love--a man who,
+according to years, might be her father, a man of fifty?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The question seemed to come upon Princess Alexandra as a great
+surprise. She had almost risen from her chair, and was staring fixedly
+at Hildegard with a burning blush on her cheek. But the very next
+moment mien and colour had resumed their former state, and nestling
+even more snugly in the recesses of the deep arm-chair, she said
+slowly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This question it is impossible to answer with an unconditional Yes or
+No. So much would depend upon the individual. Let us speak of the girl
+first. You are of coarse referring to ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Erna.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of the Princess were all but closed now; something seemed to
+flash from beneath the long eyelids.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; she replied very slowly. &quot;And ... he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard bent her eyes in the direction of the opposite side of the
+drawing-room, where Bertram was conversing with the forest-ranger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah!&quot; was all the Princess said, putting up her double eyeglass and
+surveying Bertram curiously. Then, after a long pause--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you sure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is so easy to make a mistake in these things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no chance of a mistake here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard hesitated before she replied. But her heart was too full. The
+pain--repressed with difficulty--caused her by the merciless
+condemnation of the Baron, her displeasure in reference to Bertram, her
+anger against Erna--all these emotions were clamouring for expression,
+although her pride bade her desist. She bent over the Princess and
+whispered hurriedly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not condemn a mother even if, in her despair, she has
+recourse to desperate remedies, or, at least, allows things to be done
+on which she could never voluntarily determine. I was positively free
+from the faintest suspicion, but Lydia--Fräulein von Aschhof--who had
+reasons of her own for exercising minute control over the gentleman's
+demeanour, felt sure she had found it out. Indeed, she communicated to
+me observations she had made--words she had heard, looks she had
+intercepted--I thought the charge monstrous, incredible, abominable;
+but my confidence was shaken--I saw with new eyes, heard with new
+ears--saw and heard what caused me to shudder. And yet I would
+certainly have shrunk much longer from accepting a conviction which
+every day and every hour was urging upon me anew; but two days ago
+Fräulein von Aschhof brought me a letter which my daughter had written
+to her cousin Agatha, written but not sent--why, I know not. Nor do I
+know how Lydia--Fräulein Von Aschhof--got hold of the letter. I
+believe ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go on, go on!&quot; said Alexandra, as Hildegard, embarrassed, was pausing.
+&quot;That does not matter at all. The chief thing is that you have seen the
+letter. And what did the letter say? That she loved this man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not in these words, but in words which it were impossible to interpret
+differently.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you the letter still?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, I am sorry to say. Lydia has ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Has replaced it where she found it; of course. It's a pity, though. It
+might be possible to imagine another interpretation. However, let us
+assume that it is so. What have you resolved?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To die rather than give my consent--a thousand times rather!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Their eyes met, and they looked; steadily at each other for a few
+moments. Then the Princess nodded, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see you are in earnest. I can quite understand it; nay, more, I will
+help you. You will not have to die. I promise my help. Will you reject
+it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had seized Hildegard's hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall be eternally grateful to you,&quot; said Hildegard; &quot;but ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No 'but!' I am one of these people who always do what they undertake.
+You shall be content with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, I fear it is too late.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We shall see about that. Now, in the first instance, bring me the man,
+and leave me alone with him. One more condition: you are never to ask
+me what means I have employed. Will you promise?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Anything you wish, my kind, good friend!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She would have pressed the little ringed hands, (which she still held
+clasped) to her lips, but the Princess prevented it by a swift
+movement, saying as she did so--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For goodness sake, do not be demonstrative! People are not to see what
+intimate friends we have become!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard had risen to fetch Bertram. Alexandra was again examining,
+with the help of her double eyeglass, the painted ceiling above; but
+her thoughts were not with Apollo and the nymphs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So now we are going to see Mr. Right! To be sure, the other one was
+scarcely worth the trouble. But this one it will not be so easy to
+subdue. Poor Kurt--I could take such sweet revenge here! But no, no! I
+have vowed to myself, by the love wherewith I loved you, wherewith I
+love you still--as a brother--that I would bring you back your loved
+one though I should have to fetch her out of Inferno. I will keep my
+vow. I will be able to look with a clear conscience into your beautiful
+eyes to-morrow.... Ah, Mr. Bertram! Now I call this very nice of you. I
+was already beginning to feel offended. I am not accustomed to be
+neglected by clever people. You must try to atone for it now. Pray, sit
+down!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Bertram had no difficulty in replying merrily to the merry questions of
+the fair stranger. His head was full of merry thoughts, there was
+nothing but rapture in his heart. All the world seemed to him to be
+filled with the fragrance of that rose Erna had given him to-day, that
+rose which he had since worn near his heart, and from which the hostile
+looks of Hildegard and the others fell off harmless, as from a potent
+talisman. Human envy notwithstanding, things awarded him by the grace
+of the gods were coming to him, nay, had come. If he had still required
+any confirmation, what confirmation more delightful could he have had
+than the exuberant mirth to which the beloved child's melancholy
+gravity had suddenly turned? Like fairy music her rippling laugh seemed
+to him, coming from the adjoining room, where, surrounded by her
+cousins, she was as indefatigable in admiring Herr von Busche's feats,
+as that gentleman himself was in performing them. And he was willing to
+bear in patience that she was taken up by her friends all the evening,
+even as he was himself by the rest of the company, and that thus he had
+not found one single moment when he might have approached her, might
+have told her what she knew already, what no longer required to be
+said, what could be said only by a kiss on those pure, sweet lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In such rapturous dreams his soul was rejoicing whilst he was
+conversing gaily with the Russian beauty. And rapture, too, it was to
+compare this foreign beauty, from whom, in spite of her youth, the
+strong and not always pure breath of the great world had long ago
+brushed away the dainty down, with the chaste grace of the beloved
+maid. She needed no sparkling diamonds, no jingling of golden
+bracelets; she could dispense with all these over-refined arts of the
+toilet, this coquetterie which calculated every pose of the plump
+little frame, every movement of the round arms and the white hands,
+every rise and fall of the long lids, every glance, every smile from
+the black eyes! His Erna was the fairer and nobler of the two, a born
+Princess!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In their conversation, which was carried on, as far as Bertram was
+concerned, all the more eagerly the less his heart was touched by it,
+and to which Alexandra, passing as lightly as a bird from one subject
+to another, was constantly adding fresh topics of interest, they were
+interrupted by the loud laughter of the girls. Indeed, two of the
+sisters came rushing into the drawing-room to invite those who were
+there to come and admire a positively incredible trick which Herr von
+Busche had just performed, and which he was prepared to repeat--but by
+universal desire only. They drew the others away with them, uncle and
+aunt, the Herr <i>Oberförster</i> and the Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You would like to go,&quot; said Alexandra. &quot;Do not stay on my account. I
+have already withdrawn you too long from the society of the others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You dismiss me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One should never detain any one who wants to escape!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what has brought such evil suspicion upon me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your eyes, which are constantly, though ever so discreetly, wandering
+to that door, in whose frame, it is true, the group of young ladies
+appears as full of charms as one of Winterhalter's tableaux. Four
+girls, one of whom, for the sake of contrast, I suppose, has had the
+superb inspiration to be ugly, while the other three vie with each
+other in beauty. Which of the girls do you think the most beautiful?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought the question could not be asked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you think so? But since I have asked it, I suppose you will have to
+be polite enough to answer it. You mean the young lady with the lovely
+neck and the glorious Titian-like hair? I could wager that you do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Don't; you would lose your wager.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I declare that you are not an impartial judge, perhaps absolutely
+bribed; bribed by the rose, say, that you wear in your button-hole.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra had dropped the eye-glass which she had raised to look upon
+the group of girls in the doorway, and now, turning swiftly round to
+Bertram, she looked laughingly into his eyes, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That was indiscreet, was it not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not at all,&quot; Bertram replied. &quot;This rose, it is true, is the gift of
+one of the young ladies, and indeed, of the one who seems to me to be
+by far the most beautiful--the daughter of our host, if you wish to
+know. But it was no secret gift. I have had it awarded to me before the
+whole party assembled, as a reward, by the way, for staying a few days
+longer than I had promised. You see in this case, as in so many others,
+the small merit is out of all proportion to the great reward.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I was not altogether wrong,&quot; said Alexandra, &quot;there was a certain
+amount of bribery connected with it, although there was no call for it.
+Openly speaking, I can but confirm your decision. Fräulein Erna is by
+far the most beautiful, most graceful, most interesting, not only of
+the few young ladies yonder, but of all those I have recently, perhaps
+whom I have ever seen. And my evidence is assuredly unprejudiced and
+unbribed, nay, more, it is generous, for, between you and me, Fräulein
+Erna is not treating me in a friendly way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That,&quot; Bertram asserted eagerly, &quot;is assuredly a mistake; it may seem
+so, but her cousins are claiming so much of her attention, and, perhaps
+too, having been so little in society as yet, she may be a little shy
+before a lady of the <i>grand monde</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps,&quot; said Alexandra, &quot;although the latter alternative would not
+be very flattering for me, seeing that I fancy, besides being somewhat
+of a grand lady, I have remained a good deal of the <i>bonne enfant</i>. Nor
+have I at all given up the hope of proving to the dear child that I am
+indeed her friend. I believe I have found out that she needs one. Do
+you not think so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram was puzzled. But she had spoken kindly, naturally, just like
+some one rather given to blurt out whatever thought came uppermost.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who does not need friends?&quot; he answered with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very true,&quot; replied the Princess, &quot;and very diplomatic. I quite
+understand your diplomacy. You are the friend of this fair creature; it
+is therefore your bounden duty, if other people clamour for admission
+to the ranks of her friends, to be very critical, particularly so if it
+strikes you as incomprehensible whence those others derive the sudden
+sympathy to which they lay claim. But, <i>que voulez-vous?</i> A young
+woman, whose heart is wholly unoccupied, and who is driven about in the
+world by this aforesaid unoccupied heart, like a balloon that has lost
+its ballast--what other and what better thing can she do, than be
+interested in anything interesting that chance puts in her way? This is
+my occupation. Any occupation seriously pursued makes you an expert,
+sooner or later, in that occupation. I have always pursued mine
+seriously, and have pursued it long enough to claim to be something
+like an expert in it. Now here everything is so simple and clear that
+the meanest understanding can make for itself a fairly correct picture
+in half a dozen hours. Given: a man who would be the very pattern of a
+loving father for his daughter, if he were not a rare specimen of the
+truly obedient husband; a wife who would swear by all she held sacred
+that she thinks of nothing but how to make her daughter happy, and who
+makes her as unhappy as only a narrow-hearted narrow-minded mother
+can make a singularly gifted, large-hearted daughter; an aged
+scandal-loving, intriguing <i>confidante</i>, who likes to make mischief,
+the better to pursue her own mean objects in troubled waters; a young
+suitor, endowed by nature for the very part of <i>jeune premier</i> at a
+second-rate theatre; an older friend of the family whose clear, clever
+eyes see all this, of course, and whose whole sympathy, equally a
+matter of course, is enlisted for the girl whose gradual growth and
+glorious development he has watched. Why, I should think the matter was
+as plain as the 'secret' in the most casual novel. And, should you care
+for a more complicated ... fable,--let the friend of the family
+conceive a serious, passionate attachment to the 'dear child,' and then
+you have abundant material for volume number two.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram started. This could no longer--it was impossible--be the mere
+inspiration of the moment, and only a harmless <i>causerie</i>. There was
+treachery at work here, evidently inspired by Hildegard, with whom the
+Russian lady had, a short time ago, conversed so long and so eagerly.
+And if the Princess, as was quite possible, considering the great
+vivacity of her disposition, had already chosen a side: which side?
+Erna's? or that of her mother? Probably the latter, for she spoke so
+very bitterly of her. One does that kind of thing to draw one's
+opponent out. But in that case the great lady must use greater cunning
+yet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I admire your wonderful imagination,&quot; he said, &quot;and if I were a poet,
+I would envy it. How charming to see poetical elements everywhere, and
+also to be at once clear as to the arranging and dove-tailing which
+torments the poet so much. You should really make a book of it. Even if
+the subject is not quite new--where, indeed, could, quite new ones be
+found nowadays?--a clever author will see something new even in the
+most hackneyed subject. For myself, of course, the second volume would
+be specially interesting, when the old friend of the family comes on
+the stage; for him, of course, the business cannot possibly end well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg,&quot; said the Princess, &quot;that you, will not spoil my text. I have
+by no means said that my hero is old. On the contrary, he is in the
+prime of life; of that age when we women only begin to find you men
+amiable, and rightly so, for you only begin then to become amiable;
+somewhere about fifty, we'll say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram bowed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Accept my sincere thanks,&quot; he said, &quot;in my own name, seeing I am of
+the amiable age, and in the name of my many contemporaries. You are
+taking a load off my heart, for now, equally of course, the issue need
+by no means be so bad. The chances for and against are anyhow equal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There, again, you go too far,&quot; replied the Princess. &quot;The bad issue,
+to be sure, is no longer necessary; it must, however, always remain
+probable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Always?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think so, even under the most favourable circumstances.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What would you call favourable circumstances?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will talk of that later on. Let us first take a specially
+unfavourable case, which, perhaps, is so all the more the less it would
+appear to be so. It seems, for example, that our fair young friend
+would feel less keenly the difference in years, and all the unpleasant
+and awkward things connected with it, and resulting from it. She is--at
+least so I judge her to be, and that is sufficient for our purpose--one
+of those deeply serious natures who are greatly given to confounding
+the wild phantasies of the head with the true enthusiasm of the heart,
+and who will conscientiously, and to its utmost consequences, adhere to
+what once they have seized upon and vowed. But I presume that she is as
+passionate as she is conscientious; and if her passion and her
+conscience once come in conflict, the struggle will be terrific. She
+may come forth victorious from the battle, but what avails a victory
+that ends in resignation? There we should have an issue, which may be
+convenient enough for the oldish husband, but then--his convenience and
+her happiness are surely very different things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If I under stand you correctly,&quot; Bertram made answer, &quot;you plead for
+the same theory which I hold, too, and which, as it happens, I have had
+to defend repeatedly during the last few days in our little circle:
+namely, that a man who is no longer young, cannot become the object of
+a passionate attachment on the part of a young girl; or it is anyhow in
+some way an aberration, and therefore cannot last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is exactly what I mean,&quot; the Princess assented eagerly. &quot;We come,
+then, to a law of nature, which we must accept like other laws,
+although they are by no means flattering, nay, downright humiliating to
+our pride. Perhaps, however, on the other hand, the danger of an error
+and of the consequent conflict is not quite so great in the case in
+point, since the curiously-veiled radiance of the glorious eyes of that
+fair child seems to imply that she has already more than a mere vague
+foreboding of that passion--that she has already loved, perhaps loved
+unhappily, and would, consequently, not have to make these bitter
+experiences, which teach us to be wise, and quiet, and resigned, one
+after the other, in actual wedlock. But who is to give us the guarantee
+that the last supposition is correct? I could tell you a curious story,
+if you care to hear it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You simply owe me the story, my gracious Princess, as a proof of our
+joint theory.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, it is fortunately not a long story, and the rest of the company
+have given us up, anyhow. Listen, then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra's eyes had been examining the large chamber; they were quite
+alone in it now, for all the others were crowding with merry laughter
+round the magician's table. She leaned forward in her chair; Bertram
+courteously, approached his own, and she began with a lowered voice,
+keeping her black eyes under the half closed lids steadily fixed upon
+him:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The scene is Paris; the time some two years ago; the heroine is a
+friend of mine, a lady belonging to the highest society in France,
+whose fate had been similar to my own in one respect only: she too had
+married at sixteen, and been shortly after left a childless widow.
+Claudine--I give you her Christian name alone, for the other is
+unimportant to us--was not only, of course, much more beautiful than I,
+in fact, extraordinarily beautiful and much more gifted; she was also
+for good--and, as I may add without boasting, for evil--a much greater,
+more energetic creature. Not that I have anything very bad to say of
+dear Claudine, or, at least, nothing worse than has been said of many a
+woman who could not, perhaps, claim such weighty 'extenuating
+circumstances.' Her mother had, for reasons of her own, persuaded her
+into this marriage, which had turned out singularly unhappy. Her
+husband, although allowing for the difference of sex, he was scarcely
+older than she herself at the time of the marriage--he was then
+two-and-twenty--had, though so young, already managed to be
+acknowledged as one of the completest <i>roués</i> of all Paris, in spite of
+the keen rivalry of his high-born compeers. He had seen in the innocent
+young girl only an additional mistress whom, after a brief period, one
+could neglect with the greater impunity, since one could feel sure of
+her, and since she, moreover, in spite of, or perhaps, rather because
+of, her pride, did not seem to belong to those troublesome women who
+make 'scenes.' And indeed, after she had realised what, from another
+side, was made clear to her, they had but one 'scene,' but a terrible
+one, a recurrence of which was both impossible and unnecessary. He
+thoroughly understood her then--and she had proved a hundred times the
+stronger of the two. He was allowed to continue his own way of living,
+on the one condition that he did not concern himself in the least about
+hers. And hers? Well, I told you hers was a passionate nature, and she
+was an unhappy wife; that combination can yield nothing but
+unhappiness. Fortunately for her, she was speedily set free from the
+worst impulse, the one which had poisoned and warped her passionate
+nature; for her husband died. She was free once more, and vowed to
+remain free. Not that she did not mean to marry again; in the circles
+where she lived, she could only by a second marriage escape from the
+bondage of those relationships into which one is forced as into a new
+fashion, abominable though you may think either. Her second marriage
+was but to guarantee her a clear position in the world; the other
+guarantees for peace and for freedom she thought she bore within
+herself. And so she made her choice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At this period of the story I became intimate with Claudine, whose
+acquaintance I had previously but hurriedly made when travelling. It
+was in Trouville. You know how swiftly people become intimate in a
+watering-place. She introduced to me the victor in the endless row of
+suitors for her hand. After careful examination I could not altogether
+agree with her choice. In most points, it is true, he answered the
+requirements of the programme. He was no longer young--fifty-one,
+or -two; held a high command in the army, and brought her as dower a
+not inglorious past. He had led a wild and wandering life, and been the
+hero of a thousand adventures, but there was not the slightest stain
+upon his name--at least not in the eyes of society. Moreover, though
+not an intellectual man,--which she would have disliked in the long
+run,--he was one of those who are able to captivate even the most
+fastidious company, by their quick perception, their lively
+temperament, and their varied and abundant experience, upon which they
+can, aided by an excellent memory and natural eloquence, draw at all
+times. All this was, as I said, excellent as far as it went; but one
+thing I thought very hazardous--it seemed by no means impossible to me
+that he should still be capable of a serious, passionate attachment,
+and--this comes, almost to the same thing--still capable of inspiring
+it. Now, either lay assuredly beyond the programme which my friend had
+sketched out for herself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I told Claudine of my fears. She endeavoured to argue me out of them
+thus: 'What you think to be real and direct light,' she would say, 'is
+nothing but the reflection of the sun that set long ago upon glacial
+Alpine summits. It looks beautiful, and people cry, Ah! and Oh! when
+they see it; and for their sake I would not willingly miss it. But one
+cannot be warmed by it, or set on fire by it! My dear child, with all
+that blaze you could not make your kettle boil, far less rekindle the
+bitter and bare embers of a heart like mine!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As far as the gentleman was concerned, Claudine might be right. At
+least the somewhat boastful and exaggerated gallantry with which he
+laid his homage at her feet corresponded, as far as I could judge,
+exactly with her prediction. But how greatly she had been mistaken
+about herself the immediate future was to show.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There were delays before the marriage could be concluded. Both
+Claudine and her friend had to free themselves from certain tender
+bonds. That required tact, management, caution. Moreover, she had
+become entangled in a law-suit with the family of her first husband,
+which, for some reason or other, might end badly for her, if it became
+known that she was contemplating a second marriage. Enough, absolute
+secrecy regarding their relations and intentions was requisite for some
+considerable time, and they had both taken their measures accordingly.
+Claudine had retired from society, and lived in deepest seclusion near
+Paris, on the estate of a widowed sister of her friend's--she, of
+course, being in the secret. Her friend went to see her when he
+could--which was not often the case. The requirements of the service
+were just then peculiarly exacting, and it was not possible for him to
+indulge in frequent absences, which anyhow, in the case of a man whom
+society did not care to miss, and whose doings society carefully
+controlled, would have caused remarks. The situation became even more
+critical when, in spite of all precaution, Claudine's place of sojourn
+had after a little been discovered, and when she saw herself watched by
+her foes at every turn. At last they scarcely dared to write to each
+other, dreading lest by treason on the part of bribed domestics a
+letter should be intercepted or purloined. It became absolutely
+indispensible to employ a thoroughly trustworthy go-between, on whom,
+at the same time, it should be impossible that suspicion could fall,
+and her friend found one--found him in the person of a young officer in
+his regiment, the son of an old companion in arms who had fallen in the
+last campaign--a young officer whom he loved like his own son, and who
+was likewise devoted to his chief in most loyal love. The youth had
+soon an opportunity of indeed proving that love and loyalty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra drew a long breath, as though she were fatigued by the rapid
+low-voiced utterance. In her deep black eyes which now, after a quick
+survey of the still untenanted chamber, she turned upon Bertram again,
+there was an uneasy light, and the soft voice quivered as she went on,
+now speaking even quicker and lower than before, so that Bertram could
+scarcely follow her--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must be more brief if I am ever to finish my story. And why, indeed,
+picture in detail to a man like you what you understand without
+comment, and what, understanding, you pardon! Poor Claudine! She
+thought she needed no forgiveness. She thought she was in the right
+when she abandoned herself without resistance to a passion, which
+indeed would seem to have brooked no resistance. I had never observed
+anything like this with any other woman--least of all, God be thanked,
+with myself. I should simply not have deemed it possible. It was like a
+hurricane--a cyclone; it was simply awful! I trembled for the reason,
+for the very life of the unhappy woman: for she could not conceal from
+herself that her passion was not returned, although she, being anyhow
+little accustomed to control herself, and being now solely engaged by
+her own overpowering feelings, neither would nor could hide her great
+love from the handsome young officer. Fortunately for her, the
+catastrophe was not long in coming. Nay, rather, she brought it about
+herself, resolute and energetic as she always was; and now feeling that
+so, and only so, she might yet save herself from herself, she forced
+from him the avowal that his heart was no longer free, that it was
+entirely filled by his love for a charming young girl whose
+acquaintance he had made in a distant garrison-town where a portion of
+his regiment had until recently been quartered, and to whom he had
+become engaged in secret. The youth was bitterly poor, the girl's
+parents were rich and proud; he wanted to have his captain's commission
+before he ventured to apply for her hand, and--dear, dear--they were
+both of them so young and so romantic, and so fond of each other, and
+in their love they were so sure of the future. Why then be niggardly
+with the moment? And secrecy is like a phantastic mask through the
+hollow apertures of which the light in the eyes of those we love shines
+with doubly seductive brilliancy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Claudine was at first utterly crushed by a blow which, in spite of
+everything, had found her unprepared--for where is the loving heart
+that would willingly let the last faint gleam of hope die out? Then
+there came a fierce burst of jealous resentment, raging like a fever;
+then she endeavoured to wrap herself in her pride and to see in the
+idol of her heart the last and least of men; and ultimately she
+grovelled at his feet and entreated him to look upon her as his slave,
+and the slave of her whom he loved, and to ask from her what he would,
+to bid her do what he chose, and do it she would by all that she held
+sacred!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor was it long before he took her at her word.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One day he came to her presence, haggard of look, in a state of
+desperation, scarcely worse than the one over which she herself had but
+so recently triumphed. The girl had sent him back the half-dozen
+letters which he had written to her in the twelvemonth since they were
+separated, and the tiny collection of ribbons and flowers and other
+tokens with which innocent love tries to prove to itself its own
+fabulous fairylike existence. I know not, nor does it matter, how she
+had heard the story of his connection with Claudine; not of course, the
+true story, but a caricature, such as the clumsy hands of one's own
+good friends and the subtle hands of one's foes are equally able to
+sketch and fill in with revolting effectiveness. Anyhow, the young lady
+had made up her mind, and as she belonged to those energetic characters
+that cling tenaciously to their errors, things really looked desperate
+for Claudine's youthful friend. Every attempt on his part to bring an
+understanding about was abruptly refused; the poor fellow at last was
+in downright despair; he told his sorrows to Claudine, who told him
+that she would bring him back the loved one whom, for her sake, he had
+lost; he looked at her with an incredulous smile. How was she--she
+particularly--to manage that?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But she had never yet let herself be baulked by difficulties if she
+really cared to have her own way, even though, it might have been but a
+whim. And now the noblest impulse that can fill a woman's heart urged
+her to energetic action. Above all, she had to prove to herself, and to
+those to whom she had so greatly boasted, that, though she had become
+unfaithful to her programme, and had not guarded herself against a
+passionate attachment--which she called the only real one of all her
+life--she yet possessed the force to subdue this passion, and to
+re-conquer her own peace of heart. Only personal interference on her
+part could now bring them to the wished-for goal; but that alone would
+not suffice; the friend, too, for whose sake the youth had sacrificed
+himself, must needs come forward. That, of course, would completely put
+an end to the secrecy of their connection, and this just at the moment
+when the lawsuit was at last about to be settled, and when so much
+depended upon having the veil drawn as closely as possible. For herself
+no such consideration existed; but she was by no means sure that her
+friend, who, of course, did not know her real motives, and could never
+be allowed to know them, and who equally, of course, took things much
+more coolly, thought the same; nor did she know at all whether the
+young man would accept the sacrifice. So it became necessary to create
+a situation, which should not leave either of them a choice, whether
+they cared to join or not; and whilst she was cudgelling her brain how
+to bring such a situation about, an unprecedentedly lucky accident had
+already arranged everything according to her wishes, nay, far beyond
+her most daring wishes, in the very best manner possible. To explain
+the full details would take me too long, and is not really called for;
+enough, circumstances over which they could not possibly have control,
+would bring both gentlemen on a given day to the house of the parents
+of the young lady in question. Claudine, still keeping her own counsel,
+managed to get a day's start of them, introduced herself--by what means
+I cannot remember--into the family who, I may add, was absolutely
+unknown to her, and she was, having presumably got hold of some
+excellent letters of recommendation or something of that sort, most
+kindly received by every one, excepting, of course, the young lady
+herself, who, with feelings that can be readily imagined, saw the foe
+suddenly in the secure camp of her parental abode, and avoided her in
+every way. That, Claudine had expected; she looked forward with glee to
+the following day which was to remove all obstacles, solve all enigmas.
+But who can describe her terror when she, who has eyes and ears for
+everything, and who, in a few hours, was completely at home on the new
+and strange ground, discovered among the visitors, besides a suitor
+<i>sans conséquence</i>, a man whom an abundance of exquisite gifts and
+qualities and a whole sequence of special relations, every one of which
+spoke for him, might turn, nay, if everything did not belie assurances,
+had already turned into a terrible rival for her young friend. For ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra paused, glancing at the same time at the other room; then she
+said with a laugh which sounded quite natural--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I really do not think it right to keep you any longer from the
+rest of the company, and to go on with my experiment as to whether is
+greater, your patience or my garrulousness. Moreover, the rest does not
+properly belong to the story, at least not to the story I meant to tell
+you. Come away!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had risen swiftly; Bertram followed her example so hesitatingly
+that she could hardly leave at once. And then, having risen, he
+remained standing, leaning one arm on the mantelpiece, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What a pity! What a great pity! I should have so much liked hearing
+the rest. The more so, as I believe it contains a new illustration to
+the moral of the fable. Or am I mistaken in assuming that the
+unexpected rival is ... no longer a young man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His lips were smiling; still Alexandra thought that his large
+expressive eyes we're resting upon her with a very meaning, very
+searching look; yet she managed to put on an air of surprise, deeming
+it absolutely requisite now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; she exclaimed. &quot;How very curious! But then there is no hiding
+anything from you clever men!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh yes, yes. For example, which of the two suitors succeeded--the
+older and younger, or the newer and older?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Charming! Charming! An exquisite play on the words. What a suitable
+language yours is for that kind of thing, in the hands of a real
+master, I mean. Ah! which succeeds? Why, the former, of course!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should scarcely have considered it such a matter of course. I should
+not be surprised if, for all that, the young lady's feelings for him
+had never again recovered the former degree of warmth. Your beautiful
+and clever friend, I admire her extremely, but--do not be angry with me
+for what I am going to say--but I had, during your description of her,
+always to think of Circe. There was only one man who left the palace of
+the sorceress with absolute impunity, and he only by the aid of a
+certain herb a god had given him. Now, young and ardent officers are
+not said to meet the god very frequently.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I really cannot make the story anything different from what it
+truly was like,&quot; cried the Princess, half pouting, half laughing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not; but what became of the man who was no longer young? How
+bore he the loss of hopes to which he had clung all the more
+tenaciously because he had not many more to lose?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That, as a punishment for your scepticism, you are to say yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How can I? Had he been a poet he might have written a novel, after the
+manner of the 'Elective Affinities,' and thus cleared his soul from the
+purgatory of jealousy and humiliation. But being no poet ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How do you know that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I assume it. I am driven to assume things, am I not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Therefore his ultimate fate is quite problematical to me. There are so
+many and such various possibilities. Perhaps he killed himself, or
+perhaps he married your fair friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My friend--Claudine? Oh, this is exquisite!&quot; The Princess laughed
+aloud, and Bertram laughed too.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not,&quot; he said, &quot;after all so very laughable, or at least so very
+improbable. Upon the basis of mutual imperturbability, I should think
+one could erect and overthrow and rebuild relationships, like houses of
+cards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mow malicious!&quot; cried Alexandra, &quot;and yet how true! Claudine must hear
+of this; I must write this to Claudine!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For goodness sake not, most gracious lady; or, anyhow, do not mention
+me by name! I travel a good deal, the lady probably too; we might meet
+some day by some unlucky chance, even as the luckiest of chances has
+brought me into your presence. How hideously embarrassed I should be!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well, your name shall not be mentioned, then. Here is my hand in
+pledge of this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she held out to him her small hand with its many rings.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But now I really must disturb your tête-à-tête,&quot; said Hildegard,
+entering from the adjoining drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is just finished!&quot; the Princess called out to her; then turning
+again to Bertram, she said, &quot;And thank you very much for a most
+charming <i>causerie</i>!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is for me to say thank you, my Lady. Your story was most
+interesting, and you told it capitally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He touched those slim fingers with his lips as Alexandra left him. She
+hurried up to Hildegard, who had remained standing, gazing with great
+wondering eyes at the group by the fireside, and putting her arm
+through that of her hostess and drawing her away with her, the Russian
+lady whispered--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are absolutely mistaken, or else the man is the greatest actor I
+ever saw.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had bent over the fire; with his left hand he was half
+unconsciously stirring up the dying embers in the grate, his right hand
+was laid on the rose he wore, which he wore above a heart now quivering
+in spasmodic agony, and he painfully whispered to himself--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ashes to ashes!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His hand, nerveless, glided down.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; he murmured, &quot;no, not yet; I will hear it from herself.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XVI.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">The company was breaking up now. The gentlemen from the <i>Oberförsterei</i>
+were anxious to avail themselves of the momentary cessation of the rain
+for their homeward drive; the Princess, pleading fatigue, had retired,
+and Hildegard speedily gave the signal for retreat to the others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We shall have a trying day to-morrow,&quot; she said, &quot;we all need rest
+beforehand. And this remark is specially meant for you young ladies; I
+really must request you not to lark and laugh, as is usual with you,
+till a late hour!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The unexpected visit of Princess Alexandra had considerably diminished
+the available spare rooms, seeing so many were reserved for the
+officers, who were expected on the following day; for her protest
+against having to accept a splendid saloon, a dressing-room, and a
+couple of bedrooms for herself and her maid, had met with no response.
+Hildegard had assured her that there was abundant room, and that she
+blushed as it was at having to offer such humble quarters to so valued
+and cherished a guest. But the two bedrooms had really been originally
+intended for the three sisters von Palm, who had now to be content with
+a tiny chamber in the turret, whilst a bed for Agatha was rigged up in
+Erna's bedroom. Fortunately for the young ladies, the corridor by the
+side of which Erna's rooms were situated, brought one after a very few
+steps to the door of the turret-chamber; and thus, in spite of
+Hildegard's special injunction to the contrary, there was for an hour
+or so plenty of rushing to and fro, and no end of laughing and giggling
+and eager secret whispering and chattering, until at last 'Granny'
+Agatha blew out the light in her sisters' room, and drawing with her
+Erna, who this evening was in the highest spirits imaginable, groped
+her way to the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I could not bear your mirth any longer,&quot; she said, when they had
+arrived in Erna's room; &quot;I thought every moment ... Good Heaven! I knew
+how it would be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had begun to undo her hair before the mirror, and now started on
+hearing a pitiful moan. Erna was sitting in a low chair by her own
+bedside, both hands pressed to her face. The slender frame seemed
+shaken as though by a fit of ague, the gentle bosom rose and fell
+feverishly, and her breath came and went with difficulty, as if she
+were moaning. Her friend was now kneeling by her side, and held her
+clasped with both arms; her head fell on Agatha's shoulder, and at last
+the long-repressed tears welled forth in a violent flood. She was
+weeping as though her very heart must break.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My poor, poor Erna! My own sweet love! Weep, weep away! Better this,
+better far than that awful unnatural mirth of yours all day. You will
+come round now. You will be again my own sensible Erna. Poor, unhappy,
+darling child! All things will come right now. It is impossible for any
+one not to love you, and, believe me, he, too, loves you still.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I would not have his love. I am no longer thinking of him. I hate, I
+loathe him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then why should you weep like this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna started to her feet, flinging off Agatha's protecting arm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you think I weep for him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was pacing up and down the bed-chamber. Her long hair, which she
+had previously undone, fell in dark masses over her neck and bosom; her
+face was aglow, her eyes were flashing wildly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For him? Never say that again! For him, forsooth! I have wept for very
+shame, because that woman dares to come before me, and I must bear it!
+because I cannot step up to her and hurl defiance at her painted face:
+Away from this house--honest people live here! Even audacity should
+have its bounds, and hers is boundless!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Agatha had now risen from her knees, and was sitting in her chair
+casting looks of pain at Erna and waiting in patience, until at least
+the first tempest of wrath should have passed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sure,&quot; she said at last, &quot;that he does not even know that she is
+here, and--you are sure, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And were it so,&quot; cried Erna, &quot;what does it alter? The sting lies in
+her daring to do it at all. She would not do so, did she not know from
+the beginning how he will take it. Perhaps he will be terrified just at
+first--I dare say he will--and then he will thank her for having had
+the base courage to help him to achieve this vile triumph. In fact,
+they are a worthy couple!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be quite too terrible,&quot; said Agatha, shaking her head.
+&quot;People cannot be as bad as that; it is impossible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, of course!&quot; cried Erna scornfully; &quot;quite impossible; as
+impossible as that he will himself be here to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, Erna, an officer is surely bound to go to any place to which he
+is ordered. In such a case he has no will of his own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then he should have a pistol of his own, and rather put a bullet into
+his head than let a shameless woman make him figure in such a
+spectacle, if indeed she, the wretch, has arranged a spectacle for my
+humiliation. But she is very much mistaken. I shall not let her have
+her triumph. I, even I, shall triumph. Let her boast of her conquest, I
+shall outshine it and her by far. Oh! how I look forward to to-morrow's
+joy! What are a thousand like him to the best of men, the only one?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna! Erna!!&quot; cried Agatha aghast, lifting both her folded hands in
+agonised entreaty, &quot;I conjure you, do not go too far. Do not make
+yourself for ever unhappy. Do not make Kurt unhappy....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not mention his name!&quot; Erna exclaimed. &quot;I wish to hear no more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must mention his name, for I must speak of him, and you must hear
+me, lest you do something of which you will for ever and ever repent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why repent? I love Bertram!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you read in my heart?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, dear, better than you can yourself, being now blinded by passion.
+And however angrily you may look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours,
+that I myself am in love with, and though you send me away for good and
+all, and though I cry myself to death for love of you--I should not be
+loving you, and I should not be your poor, unhappy 'Granny' if ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Poor child! She could get no further. Like Erna half an hour ago, she
+was now sitting, her hands pressed to her face, weeping convulsively,
+and now Erna was kneeling by her side, and tried to draw those hands
+away from her countenance, and begged her to calm herself, and to be
+fond of her again, and to be once more her own good 'Granny.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then--neither could have said how the change of scene had been brought
+about--Erna was lying in her bed, and Agatha, in her nightgown, was
+sitting on the edge of the bedstead, and all they had discussed during
+these last days in many a fragmentary talk was once more, and now
+connectedly, discussed between them. But if clever Agatha had flattered
+herself that she would thus induce the fair penitent to see that her
+little soul was not, after all, as black as she thought in her
+excitement, that hope was not destined to be fulfilled; the very
+contrary happened. With every word she uttered Erna seemed to talk
+herself more and more into a passion, in the existence of which Agatha
+would not, and yet all but had to, believe, when her friend now
+recapitulated all her relations to Bertram, beginning with that first
+meeting in the woods, and continuing her account, to this very evening,
+and when Erna tried to prove from a hundred minute details, which she
+strung together with marvellous logic, that there was on her part no
+whim, no caprice, no aberration of an extravagant fancy, no
+satisfaction of injured pride, no despair, no, nought but true and
+genuine love that knew no bounds, and knew only the one doubt whether
+she herself was worthy of the man she loved. But not unworthy because
+she had once before thought herself in love. That was a necessary error
+for the sake of getting her to understand herself; to convince her that
+love was not an intoxication, but a deep and clear sentiment attracting
+and absorbing all other feeling and thought, even as a mighty stream
+absorbs the springs and brooks around; and now in her love, like banks
+in the waves of a stream, were mirrored her whole existence, her past
+and her present, mirrored and beautified, made far more glorious than
+reality.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna's words flowed on, not unlike the object of the image in which she
+saw her life and love; and her voice, although pitched so low, had such
+a curiously intense ring, and her great eyes, which were opened wide,
+shone so strangely in the flickering light of the tall candles upon the
+dressing-table, that poor Agatha was almost beside herself with terror.
+Was Erna still aware of what she was saying? Was she raving? And,
+horrible to think of, could she be going mad?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna! Erna!&quot; she cried aloud, seizing and pressing both her hands.
+&quot;Awake, awake! I have just been counting it up--when you are
+eight-and-thirty, like your mother now, he will be seventy--only he
+will never reach that age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna gave a contemptuous smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought so!&quot; she said. &quot;As if time had anything to do with love! As
+if one year during which I can serve him, love him, did not outweigh a
+century! O Agatha, how meanly you think of love! And if he dies
+to-morrow, I'll die with him! There, that is the way I count, and I
+think it is simple and plain enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Despair lent Agatha courage enough to revert to the one point on which,
+as she had observed more than once during the last day or two, Erna was
+most sensitive.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will grant it all,&quot; she said. &quot;I will believe all you assert about
+yourself, for I cannot read your heart. But Herr Bertram's heart is not
+your heart, and what is going on in his heart, Heaven only knows; you
+do not know it, at least he has never betrayed it to you by word or
+look. And I hold that he would have done so long ago if he loved you.
+What reasons should he have for hiding his love?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A thousand!&quot; exclaimed Erna. &quot;Or is it not a reason that he should
+have tortured himself for days with the idea that I might be fond of
+the Baron?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That idea he has assuredly given up ere this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, that mamma will be furious.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For all that, he might tell you what he feels for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what if he doubts whether I love him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good Heavens, dearest! how can he doubt that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He can indeed. During the first few days I was not clear about it
+myself. And when I was feeling that I loved him, I often was odd and
+capricious and defiant; and above all, when I discovered that the
+letter was missing from my blotting-book, and I hunted for it
+everywhere, and when suddenly it turned up again, having in the
+meantime passed through I do not know how many hands, and having very
+surely been read by mamma too--I was so indignant, I could see that he
+sometimes did not know what to think of me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You did not make him feel your indignation; on the contrary, you gave
+him one token of your favour after the other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And in that I did right, for I was determined to let mamma see that I
+was not afraid of her wrath.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And that rose to-day! and your prayer that he should stay--for your
+sake! Was that right too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was I to let him go to-morrow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he wanted to go, was it for you to keep him? Erna, there is but one
+thing wanting now. Why not say to him: 'Will you marry me?'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I should not think it shame to say so, if I were sure that he
+wished me to do so. Yes, yes; he does wish it; I see it clearly now; he
+wishes to avoid even the semblance of suspicion of having beguiled and
+over-persuaded me; he wishes it on account of my father and mother.
+Well, God be thanked, now I know what I have to do to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, the pity of it, Erna, the pity of it, that you can talk in such a
+way; for it is impossible that you should really think so, really do
+it. My proud Erna cannot forget herself so far. I entreat you, by our
+great friendship, Erna, follow my advice in this one thing; if it must
+be, let him at least say the first word--the word that then will be
+decisive of your fate; and then let come what God will!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had folded her hands as if in prayer; big tears were coursing down
+her cheeks. The simple expression of her great grief touched Erna. She
+embraced &quot;Granny&quot; and kissed her, and promised at last that she would
+do what Agatha kept asking of her again and again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now get to your bed, you poor child! You are so wearied, and I
+too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Agatha had already lain quietly in bed for an hour or so, mournfully
+thinking it all over again, and assuming that Erna, who did not stir
+either, had fallen asleep, when suddenly she thought that she heard
+subdued sobs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna! If it comes out that Kurt is really innocent, what will you do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again no answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had she been mistaken? Had Erna wept in her sleep? Had she really asked
+that question of Erna? Or had she only thought of it?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XVII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">It was a day of tremendous excitement for all the in habitants of
+Rinstedt. True, the arrival of the soldiers was not to occur before
+four o'clock in the afternoon, but it was known that the corps to which
+the 99th belonged had been on the march from the north since four
+o'clock in the morning, in order to take possession of certain
+positions whence they were to operate against the fortress. And that
+might turn out an awkward job, for not only was the fortress strongly
+manned, but there was also approaching from the west, in forced
+marches, a large hostile corps, and against them the 99th would have to
+be on their guard, if they did not mean to get wedged in between them
+and the garrison, who were simply awaiting the moment for making a
+sally. Thus the attacking party being themselves attacked, might get
+into desperate straits.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The village-mayor had expounded this situation to the farmers,
+and he ought to know. He had been only three days ago to see his
+brother-in-law, who was employed in the War-Office branch at Erfurt. He
+had himself served in the French war as sergeant, and in that capacity
+he had, during the fighting about Orleans, been in command of a
+company, every officer of which was dead or <i>hors de combat</i>. And as
+almost half his auditory consisted of men who had served in the army,
+and who only required to draw upon the ample treasury of their
+experiences and reminiscences, in order to confirm or contradict the
+assertions of their chief, there had been no lack of eager discussion
+in the village inn. But from the very beginning the opposition had not
+been strong, and ultimately it was almost completely silenced. The
+whole village now stood like one man on the side of the attacking
+party, and the 99th was only spoken of as &quot;Our Regiment.&quot; Their arrival
+was looked forward to with the utmost impatience, as though they were
+bringing relief and release from some yoke long borne.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">My Lady's urgent appeal to give &quot;Our Regiment&quot; a brilliant reception,
+and to let nothing be wanting, had met with the readier a response,
+since she had not only, with customary liberality, taken upon herself
+the cost of any &quot;extraordinaria,&quot; to use the expression of the
+village-mayor, but in the case of the poorer inhabitants in whose
+houses accommodation and larder were not of the best, had specially
+promised to pay for anything and everything, and had actually freely
+distributed money beforehand. The mansion-house was moreover setting
+the village a capital example. The long winding road up to the house
+was transformed into a <i>via triumphalis</i> with towering poles, from
+which fluttered the German and Thuringian flags, with garlands of
+fir-branches stretching from pole to pole all the way up the hill, up
+to the richly-decorated portals which opened upon the equally
+decked-out great courtyard. And at night a ball in the mansion-house,
+and fireworks on the village-common in front of the lowest flight of
+the terrace-steps, with blue-lights and what not!--No wonder that the
+young barbarians of the village, down to the tiniest lads and lasses,
+were only kept from breaking out into frantic disorder by being
+employed, for days beforehand, in lending a hand in the preparation of
+all these glories.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And yet, much to Hildegard's dismay, it seemed doubtful whether
+everything would be ready in time. Her own attention was fully absorbed
+indoors by the preparations for banquet and ball; and now, at the last
+moment, the Baron had to go to town on business that brooked no delay,
+and she had to entrust the supreme command of the department of the
+exterior to new hands: fortunately Herr von Busche, the young gentleman
+from the Forests and Woods' Office, was willing to take the Baron's
+place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But yesterday Hildegard would, under no circumstances, have allowed the
+Baron to go, for then his star was still in the ascendant, whilst now
+it was sinking rapidly. For the Princess he no longer existed, after
+she had given her judgment upon him last night; she had not observed
+his entry into the breakfast room, had not returned his bow, just as
+though the not inconsiderable space filled by his presence had been
+vacant. And the Grand Duke had a certain antipathy to this man; and
+even his father's old friend, the influential Court-marshal, did not
+dare to stand up for him energetically. No one seemed to favour him at
+Court, except Princess Amelia, whose caprices, it was notorious, were
+frequently as changing as the phases of the moon. And then that ugly
+Monaco story! It was, of course, not possible that Lotter could be the
+man--gracious goodness, no! Nor had Alexandra said so! But--one ought
+not to have an awkward likeness to people who figure so unpleasantly in
+the memory of distinguished visitors; and then--and this made the
+matter peculiarly unpleasant for Hildegard--she was aware that the
+Baron, even if he was no gambler, was very fond of high play. Up to
+last night this had been one of his gentlemanly foibles, now it was a
+wicked passion which he who was wooing Erna had no right to indulge in!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was nearly eleven o'clock when the Baron went to find Otto, to ask
+for a carriage to take him to town, and to tell him at the same time
+the drift of the disagreeable news which he had received from home. A
+younger brother, in the army of course, had contracted debts, and was
+on the point of being cashiered if those debts--in the contracting of
+which there would seem to have been some discreditable element or
+other--were not forthwith paid. His relatives, poor people every one of
+them, were incapable of helping the young man; as a last refuge they
+had applied to him, the elder brother, who, though not likely to be
+himself possessed of the necessary means, might yet probably be able to
+obtain the money on loan from the wealthy friends with whom he was on
+such good terms. Could Otto help him in an embarrassment that was
+weighing more heavily upon him than any one of his own making had ever
+done? It was not a big sum which he required--a mere miserable three
+thousand thalers!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto was quite distressed. His stock of cash was exhausted by the
+incessant demands that Hildegard had made upon him during the last few
+days, and to-morrow he would have to redeem that mortgage of five
+thousand thalers which he had mentioned to Bertram, without as yet
+knowing where to lay his hands on the money. The moment, of which
+Bertram had said that it would very surely come, was at hand, had, in
+fact, virtually come already; the terrible moment when he must discover
+his situation to his wife. And yet his wife could parry the first
+thrust for him. He had in the course of years given her, on different
+occasions, considerable sums of money as special donations, and all
+this was invested in excellent securities, though she was for ever
+spending the interest beforehand. He loathed the idea of claiming back
+a portion of the money from her, and he had vowed that he would not do
+so, come what might. But still a man will do for a friend what he would
+not have the courage to do for himself; and so he told the Baron that,
+being for the moment unable to oblige him himself, he would ask
+Hildegard to do so, and he felt sure that she would willingly render
+this small service to her <i>protégé</i>. The Baron hesitated for a moment,
+but opined that one could not discuss such things with women; he would
+find help some other way. He then begged Otto to make his excuses to
+the ladies--who were not to be found, and promised to return, if not
+for dinner, at the latest before the beginning of the ball; managed to
+see Lydia, and so drove off.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto would have liked nothing better than to have gone with him. The
+ground beneath him seemed to be on fire. To-day the all-important
+debate in Parliament was coming off. If the vote was in his favour, he
+really might, without being too sanguine, expect his factories to rise
+so greatly in value as to enable him, after all, to weather the
+threatening storm. But, with an adverse vote, he knew he was ruined,
+and he kept repeating this to himself, unless he would take the extreme
+step of requesting Bertram's assistance. Bertram certainly would not
+refuse it, but, as assuredly, he could not ask for it, considering the
+awkward relations now subsisting between his wife and his friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After considerable hesitation, Hildegard had the day before yesterday
+communicated to him her suspicions that no one but Bertram was standing
+in the way of the alliance upon which she had set her heart. She wisely
+refrained from mentioning the impure source from which she had drawn
+her suspicions--though it was not of a suspicion that she spoke to her
+husband, but of a fact. Poor Otto naturally had to express the utmost
+horror, though at heart he was anything but dissatisfied. He would
+certainly have liked Erna to have a younger husband, but he himself
+loved and admired the friend of his youth sincerely, and if Erna loved
+him in her own way, why she had always had a taste of her own; he had
+never comprehended her; she would herself know best how it stood with
+her heart; and then if Bertram, as friend, would gladly have helped
+him, as son-in-law he would very surely have done so, and in that case,
+he too would get over the shrinking which he felt now. But it was not
+to be. Hildegard would never sanction it, and yet, how strange, just as
+he was returning to the house after seeing the Baron off, here was
+Hildegard coming to explain that she had been absolutely mistaken about
+Bertram, that Bertram was completely innocent, that she had to crave
+his forgiveness for much, and that she would be truly disconsolate if
+Bertram were to go away after all, as she concluded from some hints of
+Konski's. Would Otto please go up to him at once and make sure of his
+staying? She would do so herself, but she really had not a moment to
+spare, for, he could judge for himself, the Princess did not leave her
+alone for a minute.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto knew not whether to rejoice or to grieve over the new turn of
+events. He had, suffered intensely from the tension between his wife
+and his friend; and that things were right once more and better than
+ever, was of course very nice and pleasant. But with Hildegard's
+assurance that Bertram was not thinking of marrying Erna, there
+vanished the last ray of hope that help in his need would come from
+that quarter. Moreover, he said to himself that Bertram would never
+dream of going without speaking once more, for the last time, of his
+money difficulties and repeating the previous offer; and Otto was
+afraid of himself, afraid he might be weak enough to close with the
+offer. So he promised Hildegard that he would at once go to Bertram and
+try every means in his power to induce him to stay, but he did not go.
+There really seemed no need for all this hurry. Bertram could not leave
+without asking for a carriage too. And that had not yet been done.
+Perhaps it would not be done at all, and in that case, why needlessly
+bring such terrible excitement on one's self? And again, Herr von
+Busche was sure not to get on with the decoration of the portals unless
+he went to help him. Hildegard had been saying all along that the old
+Gothic structure, being the termination of the <i>via triumphalis</i>, must
+also be the chief point of splendour. Hildegard should be really
+pleased.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And five minutes later Otto was waging furious war with Herr Von
+Busche, who wanted the flag of the country to float from the left-hand
+balcony, whilst Hildegard had given express orders that it should float
+from the right-hand one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard had meanwhile hurried to rejoin the Princess; she had not
+exaggerated,--Alexandra really would scarce leave her for a moment. She
+was bent upon knowing how, on such an occasion, things were managed in
+a German household. She could not, she said, form any idea of it,
+because in Russia all these things were left to the steward and other
+officials, and the hostess, like her guests, was simply among the
+spectators. It would be such a pleasure to her to be allowed to peep
+behind the scenes for once; if Hildegard was really fond of her, if
+ever so little, she should not deny her the treat. Hildegard did not
+find it too difficult to overcome the first shyness which she felt at
+such an odd request being made. The arrangements about her kitchens,
+pantries, and store-rooms were as splendid and in as grand a style as
+in any princely palace, quite in keeping with the colossal preparations
+for the entertainment; she could modestly accept the many exclamations
+of amazement and admiration which the young Princess indulged in
+lavishly, as a fit and proper tribute. But mere idle admiration did not
+satisfy Alexandra; she insisted upon lending a helping hand, and
+pushing back her rich lace sleeves from her fair white arms, she seized
+a big wooden spoon, and, to the delight of all the servants employed
+about the kitchen, she set to work stirring up a pudding. With all this
+exuberance of good-humour she was so charmingly amiable, so utterly
+free from all affectation, and the wildest nonsense she indulged in
+suited her so quaintly and funnily, that Hildegard was positively
+enchanted, and called upon Lydia in passing, to study in the appearance
+and demeanour of the Princess the mighty difference which existed
+between a really gifted woman and one who merely affected to be clever,
+and who thereby only provoked the scornful laughter of really clever
+people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These cruel words were the first she had addressed to Lydia since last
+night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was impossible for the Baron to fall so suddenly into dire disgrace
+without involving Lydia in his fall; nay, in Hildegard's eyes she was,
+if possible, the guiltier of the two. Had she not been incessantly
+singing the Baron's praises, giving the most glowing testimony to him,
+been scarcely able to paint the great position he enjoyed at Court in
+sufficiently bright colours; and all this, of course, solely to beguile
+her unsuspecting hostess and to deceive her in reference to her own
+intentions as to Bertram. Serve her right, the story-teller, if she was
+completely foiled in her intentions! And now, as though the measure of
+her iniquity had not been already abundantly full, she must actually
+bring these terrible charges against poor innocent Bertram; must needs,
+to confirm and apparently substantiate these charges, commit a theft,
+and make her--a mother--an accomplice, forcing that miserable letter
+upon her, which, as it turned out now, had been nothing more than the
+harmless enough effusion of a somewhat overstrained imagination that
+the child had indulged in--well, well, the time would come when she
+could show the intriguing old maid this long list of offences;
+meanwhile, silent contempt should be her well-deserved, only far too
+lenient, chastisement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now, it is true she had broken through her contemptuous silence, but
+poor Lydia knew her friend quite well enough to be aware of the evil
+plight into which she had fallen. And had she been still able to have
+any doubt on the subject, the reproaches with which the Baron had
+overwhelmed her would certainly have enlightened her. Last night, even,
+he had ventilated his bad humour by all sorts of bitter and scornful
+utterances; but to-day, when he had sought Lydia in the garden after
+his conversation with Otto, and before he hurried off to town, his
+wrath knew no bounds. This, then, he sneered, was his boasted firm
+position in the house! A casual adventuress could come and deprive him
+in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, of the good graces of the
+mother--in those of her daughter he had long since ceased to believe
+anyhow--rob him of the father's friendship, and expose him to a
+treatment no commercial traveller would put up with! And he would not
+put up with it, not he; Lydia might be sure--quite sure of that! He
+would prove it to the miserable toady and sycophant who changed her
+friends as readily as her gloves; to the poor henpecked husband, the
+miser who could not even spare a few dirty thousands to a friend in
+need of help; he would prove to them that a Lotter-Vippach was not to
+be insulted with impunity. And, above all, that conceited amorous old
+pedant should suffer for it, for he, of course, had set the whole train
+going against him! If Lydia,--if the others, could not or would not
+see, he kept his eyes open, and was not to be taken in; he knew what
+was what, and ... but they should see. And to-night, to the sorrow and
+annoyance of his so-called friends, who would wish him far enough, he
+would make a point of turning up in good time. Would Fräulein Lydia be
+gracious enough to reserve the first Lancers for her obedient servant?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So, with a mocking bow, he had hurried away, leaving Lydia in sorrow
+and terror. But the terror was greater than the sorrow. She had never
+seen the Baron like this, never dreamed that he could be like this.
+What if he carried out his threats! His eyes had been bloodshot and had
+a glassy kind of stare; and then his laugh had been awful; and he was a
+great strong man, assuredly in physical strength ever so much the
+superior of poor delicate Bertram. What if the Baron were to-night to
+bring about a scene, have recourse to actual violence! What will men
+not do in rage and despair!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her old love for Bertram, which after all she had felt in her own way,
+and which long ago she had sacrificed to her vanity and worldliness,
+was stirring again. Lydia felt it, and was enraptured. True, she had
+been lying and cheating to reach a certain goal that pure calculation
+had fixed. Still, she was a better woman than she had thought herself.
+She had thought that she was following the dictates of her reason only,
+and lo! she had unconsciously remained faithful to her own heart. She
+knew it now, at the moment when a serious danger was threatening the
+loved one. And, curiously, although during the last few days she had
+positively given up all hope of regaining the loved one, and had in
+envy and anger seen him in the bonds of affection for a fair young
+rival--an affection which, moreover, was warmly reciprocated; yet she
+suddenly began to doubt the justice of her observations; the old dreams
+were coming back and asserted that they were a reality, and that
+everything else was but a chimera. All, all would yet come right.
+Falsehood and hypocrisy had been powerless; truth and love, however,
+would be omnipotent!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then she began to rehearse in her mind that unfortunate letter which
+she had purloined in order to gain a clear insight into Erna's
+sentiments, now endeavouring to give the gentlest interpretation to
+every word that referred to Bertram; she remembered, too, the passage
+which seemed to refer to a former love affair of Erna's. But she and
+Hildegard, eager only to discover what they most, or rather what they
+only, feared, namely, an attachment to Bertram, had added no weight to
+the brief allusion in question. Some childish &quot;dancing-lesson
+fondness,&quot; Hildegard had said, and she had assented to it, partly to
+guard against the possibility of the reproach that she, in her
+responsible position as Erna's educator and second mother, had
+overlooked or actually allowed any serious attachment on her part.
+&quot;Betrayed&quot;--that surely was plain enough, and made many things clear,
+even though in itself it was hard to understand, was, in fact, all but
+absolutely incomprehensible. Such a charming creature as Erna no one is
+likely to betray, no one at least who is in possession of his five
+senses, as young gentlemen generally are. If the thing was anything
+more than a passing fancy--and that one had to assume, considering how
+averse from anything frivolous Erna was--then her easily-wounded pride
+must have brought the rupture about, and it might yet be healed; and if
+it were healed, would turn the child from her caprice for Bertram,
+would set Bertram free again, if indeed he had allowed himself to be
+captivated by Erna's unconcealed admiration for him, set him free for
+herself, his first, his true, his only love!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With fancies like these, Lydia, now banished from the favour and the
+presence of Hildegard, was wandering along the garden-terraces, now
+dissolved in tears and lamenting her bitter lot, now smiling
+complacently and congratulating herself upon a happiness which was all
+the more precious the longer she had been compelled to wait for it. If
+she were now to meet Erna, if she could have an explanation with her,
+become reconciled to her, prove to her in very truth how well she meant
+by her! She was in the very mood for this, and here was Erna coming
+along! The shrinking which she often felt in the presence of the proud
+and self-willed girl was making itself perceptible again, but one swift
+glance showed her that Erna had been weeping quite recently, and that
+she could risk it now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna had been weeping quite recently, and so indeed she had done ever
+since last night, whenever she felt sure that no one was looking upon
+her despair. For the gentle creature was in despair. All through the
+long sleepless night she had seemed to hear Agatha's whispered
+question, &quot;What will you do if it comes out that Kurt is innocent?&quot; She
+had seemed to hear it like the voice of a warning angel, and neither
+head nor heart had been able to reply anything but, again and again:
+&quot;In that case I have betrayed him, and I have made him unhappy.&quot; Could
+he be innocent? She had struggled so long against the belief in Kurt's
+guilt, and had only accepted it when he declared that he could not
+explain his relations to the Russian lady; no, not even to her, from
+whom, for the sake of their love, he was to expect entire confidence;
+for confidence was the very soul and at the same time the touchstone of
+love. Alas, she knew yet another and a more terrible touchstone, and
+that was the jealousy which she had cherished in secret towards the
+unknown lady, and which had blazed up brightly when yesterday she
+beheld her, the hated temptress, in the splendour of her youth, beauty,
+and grace. In vain did she struggle against the charm which the lady
+seemed to radiate; in vain did she declare everything about her to be
+unreal, except her diamonds perhaps; with every furtive glance at her
+rival she felt herself more and more fascinated, allured, beguiled,
+and, in equal measure, conquered, and at last crushed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a terrible state which wrapped her poor fluttering heart in
+absolute night, and yet even then there was something like a faint
+glimmering of the star of hope. If Kurt had ever loved her--and he
+had--he had done so once--how could he love another woman, who, however
+charming and seductive, was yet in all things the very opposite of
+herself? Kurt, who had so often assured her that he hated all display
+and all vanity, that he loved her because there was nothing of display,
+nothing, of vanity about her, because she was his own rose, which, in
+its dewy freshness, he would not exchange for a world of brilliant
+exotics!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And his large brown eyes had shone down upon her so gravely and
+lovingly as he spoke, and his lips had trembled with genuine
+emotion--and had all this been naught but lies on the part of him whom
+she in her turn had loved, because he had appeared to her as a lofty
+and lordly image of truthfulness and fidelity?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It could not be.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But then, again, what had she done? What was she to do when the other
+one, that good and noble man, to whom--so Agatha said, and her own
+heart could not but confirm it--she had given such unequivocal proof of
+her affection, when he came into her presence and said: &quot;I have come to
+take you at your word. Not all the Flavios in the world would have kept
+Hilarie from loving her uncle, had she been convinced that he truly
+loved her. And you know it: I love you!&quot; What could she do, but, with
+Hilarie, say: &quot;I am yours for ever&quot;? He would not fall at her feet
+and exclaim: &quot;You make me the happiest man beneath the sun,&quot; but she
+knew,--she knew that he would be happy!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ah me!--why had she not obeyed the voice which called to her that first
+evening when she met him in the wood, and he laid his heart open to
+her: &quot;Open thy heart to him too,&quot; the voice had said, &quot;tell him all.&quot;
+That would have been the time, the only right time. For the very next
+day she had read in his eyes what now made her so proud--so happy. So
+happy? Gracious heavens!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was happiness, was it, that she now desired nothing better than
+death, swift death, to escape from the torments that tore her heart to
+pieces?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Did he divine nothing of these torments! Why had he not come to her
+last night? He might surely have spared her a minute--he had given the
+Princess a full hour. It was, perhaps, a relief, a sort of recreation,
+for him, seeing he had so long had to dispense with any intellectual
+conversation. Was she perchance the beautiful widow in the novelette
+who consoled the uncle for the loss of Hilarie? And had Hilarie already
+got to the point of wishing and longing for such consolation for her
+uncle?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her shamefaced gaze wandered up to Bertram's windows, under which she
+had arrived--not quite unintentionally. What if he were to appear
+above--signalling: &quot;Wait, I am coming down!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Like a startled fawn she flitted away to one of the terrace-walks,
+behind whose protecting wall she could not be seen from those windows
+of his, and burst into tears, as she became conscious of her cowardice.
+Lydia appeared at the opposite entrance; she could not avoid Lydia now;
+she bent toward the espalier, to dry her eyes unobserved, and lo! there
+was Lydia at her side, at her feet, clasping Erna's knees, pressing her
+face against Erna's robe, sobbing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a theatrical display, such as Lydia employed on all possible
+occasions, suitable or otherwise; Erna knew that well enough. But she
+had not the courage to tear herself away; never a harsh or ironical
+expression came forth from her to-day; nay, she all but envied a human
+being that found such expression for its feelings, whatever they might
+be. She endeavoured to raise the kneeling lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must remain on my knees until you have pardoned me,&quot; murmured Lydia.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I'll do anything you wish--but rise, rise, I entreat you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had drawn Lydia up and away into a niche in the wall, thus gaining
+at least some shelter from the eyes of the servants, many of whom were
+still busy everywhere up and down the terraces with the preparations
+for the illumination. There was a stone bench with a stone table in
+front inside the niche. Lydia sank down upon the bench, laid her face,
+covered by her hands, against the edge of the table, and murmured her
+miserable confession of guilt in a voice which was scarcely audible,
+owing to her constant weeping and sobbing. She had, she whined out,
+found out by questioning the servants that the letter had not been
+sent, which Erna had on the morning in question written beneath the
+plantain tree, and which, she assumed, was certainly addressed to
+Agatha; and she had, moreover, learned from Agatha--who evidently
+suspected nothing--that she had received no letter just before her
+departure from home. Then, passing through Erna's rooms, she had seen
+her blotting-book lying about, unlocked, as she had been astonished to
+notice. Then she had been unable to resist the temptation of trying if
+the letter was still there. The letter had been there--a sort of
+dizziness had come over her, and--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I said to myself,&quot; she went on, &quot;that you have no secrets from Agatha,
+that you were likely to have written to her what you felt towards
+Bertram, whether you loved him--I required to know it--my future, my
+happiness, my salvation--all, all depended upon that one question. Have
+pity on a poor wretched woman whom jealousy made a criminal--against
+her own child, too! for I have ever loved you as my own child, ever,
+and would gladly have sacrificed all for you, all, only not this--the
+trial was too much for my strength.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Lydia in her self-abasement and grief wept bitterly. Again Erna
+felt it strange that she did not spring up from her place beside the
+weeping old woman, did not leave her alone with her silliness and her
+lies; that she could listen to her exaggerated and sentimental twaddle
+without positive disgust. There was something stirring within her that
+she was frightened at herself--something almost like a wish that, this
+time, Lydia might not be lying.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lydia noticed through the veil of tears in which she had wrapt herself
+that Erna was accepting her confession much more favourably than she
+had dared to hope. This gave her courage enough to pursue to the utmost
+the advantage thus already gained.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot and will not try to prove that I have been quite free from
+blame,&quot; she cried. &quot;I have been vain and frivolous. I did yield to the
+temptation of becoming Countess of Finkenburg! Many more would have
+yielded who cannot retrace, like one of the family of von Aschhof, the
+long line of their ancestors to the time of the Crusaders, and who do
+not, as we do, have Moors' heads in their escutcheons! But vanity and
+frivolity alone did not make me do it. I was honestly convinced that
+this alliance with a poor lady of high lineage, who would bring him no
+other dower but her many claims and wants, could be nought but a
+hindrance to Bertram; that he might have made, and probably thereafter
+would make, a better and a more suitable choice if I released him from
+his engagement. Indeed, indeed; if I could but have divined how he
+would take it to heart, nothing in the world would have made me act as
+I did. And now I would give everything in the world to atone, as far as
+I still may, for what I did. Must it really be out of the question,
+dearest? Look here. He is about fifty years of age, and how long will
+it be before he is an old man? He is very delicate too. His servant
+tells me that he suffers from palpitation of the heart, and from
+insomnia, and that his Berlin doctor has enjoined upon him no end of
+precautions and care for these travels of his. Why then, he really
+needs some one who will nurse him and who will patiently bear with all
+his sickly caprices--all sick folk are capricious, don't you know? I
+know it but too well; I saw it in the case of my own uncle, the
+Minister of State, whom every one thought a very lamb in the way of
+kind, gentle equanimity, and who was so until one of his asthmatic
+attacks came upon him; and then never a living soul could bear to stay
+near him. Yes, yes, one must have gone through these things to know;
+and may God in His mercy keep you, my own dear, sweet, good child, from
+ever knowing it, from mourning away your sweet young life by the side
+of a broken-down man who has no passion left, save his books and his
+politics. If his politics call him he must needs follow, and poor
+Konski must pack the trunks. Poor fellow, Konski! I spoke to him a
+little while ago; he'd like to stay and see all the fun that is coming
+now with these man&#339; vres here, and what not. Besides, I rather think
+he is in love with Aurora. But he says there is no help for it, and off
+they go to-morrow, his master and he. Perhaps it is right enough, for
+the Baron is furious with him, and I really know not what the Baron
+will do, unless you convince him that he has been mistaken, like the
+rest of us. Oh, that we had! My own sweet child, you would be restoring
+peace and happiness to us all, and I would never weary of kissing your
+dear hands, nay, the very hem of your garment!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She covered Erna's hands and robe with kisses. Erna let her have her
+way, she paid no heed to what Lydia was saying and doing; there she sat
+gazing fixedly across the gardens and across the village on the
+mountain slope, where a portion of the high road was visible which led
+from the north across the hills to Rinstedt. Lydia, following the
+direction of Erna's gaze, saw what Erna saw--a great cloud of dust,
+with occasional flashes of bright arms, winding down the high road, and
+now there came, softened by the great distance but still distinctly
+audible, the sound of the drum; and below, at the entrance to the
+village, they fired a cannon as a signal that the regiment was coming
+up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna started as though the shot had gone through her heart!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For goodness sake, child, what ails you?&quot; exclaimed Lydia, terrified
+on noticing the pallor of her cheek and her fixed rigid look.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And again she was terrified when Erna suddenly flung herself into her
+arms as seeking help from a threatening danger, and then with equal
+suddenness tore herself away, hurried up the walk and straightway
+vanished behind a projecting portion of the wall.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What does it all mean?&quot; Lydia asked herself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As if in answer, there came across the garden, now more distinctly, the
+sound of the drum.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah!&quot; said Lydia, and a meaning smile flitted over her face. &quot;It would
+not be impossible,&quot; she murmured, &quot;and if it is the case, I'll find it
+out!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She turned to enter the mansion house just as the big flag was being
+hoisted upon the turret as a salute to &quot;Our Regiment,&quot; at the moment
+when the soldiers set foot upon the village road.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XVIII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Bertram, too, had heard the warlike sounds. He leaned back in his
+writing chair and listened with bated breath.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How her heart is sure to beat!&quot; he said to himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He rose and went to the open window. From the elevation on which he
+was, he could see a considerable portion of the high road, could
+discern the flash of the bayonets through the clouds of dust which a
+brisk breeze was scattering at times, so that sections of the columns
+on the march became visible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the village below they were firing cannon; from the mountains yonder
+the echo came rolling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How this will resound within her heart!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the adjoining bedroom, where he had already begun to put up his
+master's things in view of their departure, fixed for the day
+following, Konski came hurrying in to ask, if the Herr Doctor was not
+going to dress? It was getting late.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am in no hurry,&quot; said Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, sir,&quot; said Konski, &quot;My Lady is most anxious you should be
+present at the reception of the officers. Aurora has twice come to the
+door with a message about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he pointed, as he spoke, to the bedroom door and grinned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not intend to be present at the reception,&quot; Bertram said; &quot;but I
+may as well dress now.&quot; And he followed Konski into the bedroom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As Konski was assisting him, he said to him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, on what terms are you with that girl now? You will have to make
+haste if you wish to settle everything before we go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is already settled, and settled very nicely,&quot; Konski made answer,
+&quot;since last night, sir. With the like of us, such things are settled
+smartly, Herr Doctor, and I have a favour to ask of you in connection
+with it. Aurora--it's a strange name that, sir, is it not? and her two
+others are just as bad: Amanda Rolline--thank you, says I. Well, it is
+not her fault, though, poor thing, and I won't mind re-baptizing her
+once we, are in Berlin. But, as I was going to say, Herr Doctor, she
+insists upon our getting married in the beginning of October, because
+at the end of October Christine is going to be married to Peter
+Weissenborn, and she wants to annoy Christina by being married before
+her, so she says; but I fancy it's meant for Peter, who used to be
+uncommonly sweet upon her, and, I rather think, promised to marry her
+at one time. And if the Herr Doctor is not going to Italy at all, or
+leastways not now, we thought ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know,&quot; said Bertram, &quot;how sorry I shall be to part with you; but I
+will not stand in the way of your happiness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be my greatest happiness, sir,&quot; said Konski, &quot;to remain with
+you as long as I live. And there's just one way, so Aurora says ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski hesitated a little, then took heart of grace, and said, with an
+embarrassed sort of smirk--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If the Herr Doctor would be so very kind as to marry too!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am afraid,&quot; said Bertram, &quot;you will have to devise some other way
+out of the difficulty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski was meditatively removing some specks of dust from the black
+waistcoat which he held in his hand, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No offence, sir! These women are always a-puzzling out something or
+other in their brains, and Aurora's brains are by no means bad brains.
+She thinks it would be uncommon nice, if I would remain the Herr
+Doctor's valet, and she was to be maid to your lady, sir; and then,
+whether you went to Italy or elsewhere, we four would always be nice
+and snug together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have no idea what you are talking about,&quot; said Bertram. &quot;Give me my
+waistcoat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No offence, sir,&quot; Konski repeated, as he handed his master the
+waistcoat and took up the dress-coat; &quot;but she leaves me no peace, she
+does not, and she says that it's all up with the Baron; and from what
+she heard My Lady say to master this morning about the Herr Doctor,
+says she, the Herr Doctor need but ask and they'd give him a half dozen
+daughters, only they have not got more than one; and that one, dear
+Miss Erna--why, I knows, and no one knows better than me--how fond she
+is of the Herr Doctor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As Bertram had again turned away, the poor fellow, much to his regret,
+could not see what impression his remarks had made upon his master; and
+now they heard a heavy, hurried step coming through the study. There
+was a knock, then Otto put in his head and asked if he might trouble
+Bertram for a minute. Bertram begged him to come in, and beckoned his
+man to leave the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been repeatedly wishing to come up and see you,&quot; said Otto;
+&quot;Hildegard is so afraid that you mean to go--and--dear me, you have
+really been packing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For to-morrow,&quot; Bertram made answer. &quot;In no case can I remain longer.
+For to-day I am, as you see, already, like yourself, in evening dress.
+Only--you must please excuse me if I do not put in an appearance before
+dinner; I have not finished my letters yet, and, to say the truth, I
+should like to cut the reception business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So should I,&quot; said Otto, &quot;if I could. They will be here in less than
+ten minutes now. I have not a minute to spare, not a minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But for all that he did not stir from the chair into which he had
+dropped. His mind was clearly far away. Presently he muttered--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What if Parliament has decided against the railway!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must be prepared for it,&quot; replied his friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is half-past four now, the sitting is sure to be over by this
+time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will know the result to-morrow, and early enough, too!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think that Lotter, who has had to go to town, will have waited to
+hear the result of the vote; I asked him to. He said he would be back
+in time for dinner. But I no longer believe in his influence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Both were speaking in gloomy tones, as though a heavy pressure was
+weighing equally on either. Bertram was staring down in front of him
+with arms crossed behind his back, and Otto's eyes were wandering about
+the room--he was mechanically fingering the arms of his chair, then
+suddenly gave a convulsive clutch at them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must go,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He jumped up and was making for the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Otto!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you coming too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No; I have a small favour to ask which you are not to refuse me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had meanwhile gone up to his friend, holding out his hand to
+him. Otto mechanically put his own into it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wanted to ask you to make use of me in case you have not yet
+arranged about redeeming, to-morrow, that mortgage, and in the present
+hurry and worry, what more likely? I have not even had to write to
+Berlin about it. My Italian trip is given up. You know I had made
+arrangements for a very lengthened absence. My letter of credit is
+addressed to your own banker, as I had anyhow been intending to draw a
+large sum; I can get the money at once, and there will be just enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Time enough to-morrow,&quot; murmured Otto; &quot;however, I am much obliged to
+you for your kind intention. Perhaps I'll drive you to town to-morrow,
+if you insist upon going; we can then see about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His cheeks were burning; his hand, which Bertram was still holding,
+trembled like that of a man in great physical pain. Bertram noticed it
+all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am very sorry,&quot; he said, &quot;that I must thus torment you, but you left
+me no choice as to the time. I am sure I shall not be able to speak to
+you again to-day, and perhaps not to-morrow. Therefore, look here: I
+have made all the requisite preparations, with due despatch, to make as
+much of my fortune available as you will need for the settlement of
+your affairs. You remember our conversation when we were driving back
+from town last Saturday. I put no other conditions now than I did
+then; that you arrange the settlement with the help of your lawyer,
+that you leave him as free as possible in his dispositions regarding
+the factories, and lastly, that your wife is taken into your
+confidence--these are not so much conditions, as necessities. And of
+the last, and doubtless the most painful one, I am willing to relieve
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto flushed to the roots of his hair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is impossible!&quot; he ejaculated. &quot;I cannot take it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am not making you a present of the money, man!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The money--the money--but Hildegard! To-day all this display--the
+Princess--all those officers--a huge party--covers for a hundred
+or so; and then to-morrow the most awful wretchedness--it is quite
+impossible. And even if you had the courage--if you were to speak to
+her, I mean--you are on such good terms again, she had intended to come
+herself and see you, and I had thought--but that, that she would never
+forgive you--never!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am prepared for that,&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;To be quite frank, I care
+infinitely more for your welfare than for your wife's favour. Otto,
+these is no time for long debating. A plain yes from you, and the thing
+is settled--now or never--do you hear me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the great courtyard there came the sound of merry military music;
+many voices, too, were heard. Otto was still standing by the door
+irresolute.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He suddenly seized Bertram's other hand and exclaimed--
+&quot;Then marry Erna at least! Hildegard will get reconciled to it, once
+she knows all. Erna is fond of you--let me talk to her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One word from you, and--I shall not alter my resolve, it is fixed for
+good; but you and I will never meet again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had torn himself away and was striding along the chamber. Now
+he came back to Otto who was standing there in utter helplessness, laid
+his hand on his shoulder, and said to him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Otto, remember what we vowed to each other in the dear old student
+days in Bonn: to be and to remain friends in gladness or sadness,
+friends to the death! This surely is sufficient. Let us not speak of
+Erna, or, at least, let us not connect her name with this business;
+such a connection is an insult to me, because it is casting doubt upon
+the purity of my motives. I can tell you something else, in reference
+to which I must, in the meantime, request your discreet silence. I have
+good reasons for assuming that Erna has already disposed of her heart,
+and this may explain certain oddities in her demeanour which have
+struck us both. I believe I shall soon know if I am right. In warning
+you, and your wife against Lotter, I gave you a proof of my careful
+observation and of my faithful friendship. Confide in me further: you
+will not repent of it. And now, old boy, go with a lighter heart than
+you came, and receive your guests, or else the great event will come
+off without you, and for that Hildegard would never forgive you, and
+she would be right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was almost pushing poor helpless Otto out of the door, when Konski
+came hurrying up with an impatient message from My Lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would Otto come at once? The military were just marching up the
+courtyard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto hurried away. Bertram was still standing near the door, his eye
+rigidly fixed upon it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was murmuring to himself: &quot;That was the first step. I should not
+have thought, after all I have already endured, that it would prove so
+hard. But it had to be done!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He walked slowly up and down, and paused again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had it to be done? And thus? Would it not have been better if I had
+not absolutely denied it? Anyhow, I have not resigned in every case;
+only, in case it is as I fear. Supposing it is not? What if the young
+man who has gone through the schooling of a Princess Volinzov, is not
+one whom our Erna can and should love? What if the Princess is mistaken
+in this part of the story, or if she has been deceived by the man who
+may have, had good reasons of his own? What if the whole thing has been
+a little gentle dallying which Erna has all but forgotten, and I were,
+with my diplomatic wiles, to fan again into life and light the almost
+extinguished flame, were to repel her from me and push her into his
+arms, which will be willing enough to open?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stretched out his hands, as though he wished to ward off something.
+They were all assailing him again now in the broad light of the day,
+those dread phantoms with which he had wrestled in the awful darkness
+of the night. Then he had conquered them. Was he to be vanquished now?
+Was his strength exhausted?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No, no; the worst had yet to come. Though he had persuaded himself that
+it would be only fair and proper not to be a witness of their first
+meeting, yet he would have to see them together, perhaps learn at the
+first glance that they had already made it up, and that the great
+sacrifice, which the beautiful Princess was making for her darling, had
+been wholly unnecessary. All the better! In that case the torture of
+uncertainty would be over all the sooner, and he would at least be
+spared the humiliation of pushing Quixotic generosity to its utmost
+limits, and of acting the part of an obtrusive mediator, who clears
+away all obstacles and ultimately joins the lovers' hands with a &quot;Bless
+you, my children!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He sat down at the writing-table to complete his election address. But
+he could not write, could not think. Pen in hand he sat, hearkening to
+all the confused sounds which came up and across him from courtyard,
+garden, and mansion house. The music, after some little pause, is now
+playing again in long-drawn triumphant strains--representing the salute
+of the regiment to the house that now guarded its colours; the fair
+mistress appears on the threshold, surrounded by the other ladies, and
+the tall and gallant-looking Colonel, hastening up, followed by his
+officers, bows deferentially and kisses her hand. And lo! from the
+circle around the mistress of the house, there steps forth another
+lady, at whose sight the gallant soldier starts. But she smiles, and
+signals with those mobile orbs of hers--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be calm, my friend, be calm! I shall explain all as soon as we are
+alone for a minute, or, if not all--that being contrary to my habit--as
+much as you need know. It is a matter concerning these people.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she points aside to another pair, bowing to each other and
+presumably renewing--a casual acquaintance, shall we say?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hardly know, my gracious Fräulein, whether I still have the
+honour...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What a farce it all was!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And what a ghastly tragedy too--its silent scene his heart--forsaken,
+lonely as he was.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So he sat on, brooding gloomily, musing dismally, he knew not how long.
+Silence now reigned around without. Had they forgotten him? Oh, that
+they had! and that he could steal away from the house--from the
+farce--from life!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But no, they would not be so pitiful. Hearken!--yes, this is Konski's
+swift step.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, sir, but My Lady bade me urge you to come. They are
+just going to dinner, and are only waiting for the Herr Doctor!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">It was a princely banquet that Hildegard had prepared for her guests in
+the dining-hall of the whilom princely abode. The closed curtains had
+excluded the daylight from the beginning, and the light of innumerable
+candles fell upon the table from the three great chandeliers and from a
+number of candelabras fixed to the wall. The table shone and sparkled
+with crystal and silver, was decked with a profusion of the choicest
+flowers, and surrounded by a most brilliant company. There were five
+and twenty officers in their uniforms--and the general <i>coup d'&#339; il</i>
+was truly enchanting. Everything went off well. Hildegard herself could
+scarcely distinguish from her own serving-men the extra waiters ordered
+from town, and put into liveries; in the adjoining hall the band of the
+99th was playing, for Colonel von Waldor had insisted upon My Lady thus
+honouring his regiment, although she had a band from town in readiness.
+The toasts, in reference to which she had been somewhat uneasy, had
+been a wonderful success. Otto had not blundered or stopped short in
+the first toast--His Majesty the Emperor, of course; then Bertram, whom
+she had, at dinner, by means of a pencilled note, asked to do so, had
+in the name of the host, and as the oldest friend of the family
+present, welcomed the guests and proposed the health of the 99th.
+Thereupon Colonel von Waldor returned thanks in a really capital
+speech, abounding in merry quips and happy inspirations. He called the
+brilliant reception given to the regiment, a posthumous celebration of
+their doings in the last war, and a lordly payment &quot;on account&quot; for
+what they were destined to do in the campaigns of the future. He then
+proceeded to describe the reception in detail, and added that to him,
+personally, it had been the most charming of all the charming surprises
+of the day, to find in the gentleman who had so cordially welcomed them
+all to this most hospitable house, an old and dear friend from whom he
+had been separated for years; and at last, passing adroitly from the
+host's representative to the host himself, he proposed the health of
+&quot;their far too generous entertainer, and of the kind, gracious, and
+beauteous lady of the manor, by whose side, he had the rare happiness
+of being seated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the other officers--four and-twenty in number--had started from
+their seats like one man, and had three times shouted their <i>Hoch</i> in
+singularly sharp and definite intervals, overpowering the <i>Hoch</i> of the
+other guests as the roar of cannon drowns the sound of musket firing,
+and the band had joined in the celebration; and they had all crowded
+around Hildegard, with their champagne-goblets held on high; and as she
+received all these homages, she looked radiantly, superbly beautiful,
+and so the Colonel had told her, adding that she was by far the fairest
+of all the fair ladies there; and as they settled in their places
+again, he had kissed her hand in eager gallantry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard thanked the enchanted Colonel with a gracious smile for his
+flattery, and thanked him warmly, too, for his excellent toast, in
+which she had missed but one thing, to wit, some clever allusion,
+some dainty reference to her illustrious guest, the Princess, who, from
+her place of honour next to Otto, on the opposite side of the
+banqueting-table, had, followed the speaker with the greatest
+attention, and had evidently expected something of the kind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Colonel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had thought of it, too, My Lady,&quot; he said; &quot;but, upon honour, it
+could not be done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why not?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have already told My Lady that the Princess and I met last year in
+Teplitz. Since My Lady--and I must express my sincere gratitude for the
+condescension--did me last night repeatedly the honour of mentioning my
+name to her, without, it would appear, recalling any reminiscence on
+her part, I surely could not indulge in reminiscences. My wounded
+vanity peremptorily forbade any such thing. And, moreover, it was
+wounded ere then. It is no joke for a Colonel who has been somewhat
+spoiled, to see a young officer, and particularly one belonging to his
+own regiment, preferred to himself, and such, was then undoubtedly the
+case. The young gentleman suffering, like myself, from a severe wound
+received during the '70 campaign, had accompanied me to Teplitz, and
+was my constant companion, so that he can bear witness to everything.
+The reminiscence of that wound inflicted upon my vanity is at this
+moment the more vivid, because the young gentleman is here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Colonel pointed, as he spoke, to a slender young officer, dark of
+eye and hair, who was sitting between Agatha and Augusta, and who was
+conversing eagerly with the former, while Augusta, a coquettish beauty,
+looked supremely bored.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Upon Hildegard the young man's appearance had already made so pleasing
+an impression after he had been introduced to her, that she had
+actually remembered his name and rank--Premier-Lieutenant and Adjutant
+Ringberg. But she thought she was acting prudently in saying that she
+saw nothing remarkable in the young gentleman. Much to her amazement,
+the Colonel seemed almost offended at this; Ringberg, he said, was
+really in every way a remarkable man, the most studious, and at the
+same time the smartest officer in his regiment, a man of excellent
+character; and a jolly companion, for whom he himself had a sort of
+paternal fondness; indeed, Ringberg was the son of a dear friend of his
+own, left early an orphan, and he, the Colonel, had acted for him <i>in
+loco parentis</i>, and wished him every happiness under the sun, including
+the conquest of the beautiful Russian and her millions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But there seems little prospect of that,&quot; Hildegard said, smilingly
+interrupting the Colonel in his eager talk; &quot;as far as I have been able
+to observe, your <i>protégé</i> does not exist for our beautiful friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That may be one of her masks,&quot; replied the Colonel. &quot;I think the lady
+has a great many.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must not talk like this to me; I adore Alexandra.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, My Lady, so do I too, otherwise I should never dream of abusing
+her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That, too, I must forbid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will swear that she does not even know what a mask is, and I am
+ready to face a world in arms in proof of the assertion,&quot; laughed the
+Colonel, and Hildegard laughed too, and kissed her hand to the Princess
+across the table, a compliment which the fair Russian returned eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hildegard felt so happy by the side of her brilliant cavalier, that she
+could scarcely make up her mind to give the signal for rising from the
+table. But at last it had to be done, after she had exchanged a few
+hurried words with Herr von Busche, who had quietly come up behind her
+chair. When, a few minutes later, she rose from her seat, the curtains
+were suddenly and simultaneously withdrawn from the windows and doors,
+the glass doors flew wide open, and before the amazed eyes of the
+company lay the garden in fairy-like illumined splendour. Rows of
+coloured balloons were drawn like garlands along and adown the
+terraces; and every prominent point--and there were many of them--had
+been utilised for some effective purpose of decoration: a pyramid of
+stars, a wreath of light, or a radiant crown. And the guests, now
+hurrying away from the tables, had scarcely all gathered upon
+the verandah before they found themselves enveloped in the dazzling
+brilliancy of coloured lights; the magnificent façade of the
+mansion-house, wrapt in a glorious purple glow, stood out with
+wonderful effect against the darkening sky, and a deep green flame sent
+a soft and tender light along the terraces and mingled on the great
+grass plot in front of the verandah with the red light, the combination
+yielding a dim, mysterious kind of magic dawn. And before the glow had
+faded away, and before the admiring and wondering exclamations of the
+delighted and surprised guests had ceased, there was the thunder of
+cannon, a signal, and lo! from the wide common below, a rocket winged
+its shining flight upwards, followed by another and yet another, in
+such swift succession that the fiery missiles bursting anon high, high
+up in the air, seemed to fill the dark sky with a galaxy of glowing
+stars, whilst below squibs and crackers were exploding and wheels of
+fire were whirling round in all directions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But now the younger members of the company could be restrained no
+longer. In vain did anxious mammas preach patience and caution and call
+for shawls and cloaks, the young ladies would not wait, and fortunately
+the night was so calm and warm that they could really dispense with
+wrappings; the officers had, anyhow, to remain bare-headed unless they
+cared to put on the spiked helmets with which they had appeared at the
+banquet. So they all danced merrily down the wide steps; and were soon
+scattered over the terraces; and from all sides there came the laughing
+shouts of those who were looking for each other, who perhaps met
+unexpectedly at some turn in the labyrinth, or who were pretending to
+escape, a merry game in which the young ladies, whether staying in the
+house or belonging to the neighbourhood, being familiar with the
+locality, gladly assumed the leadership, adroitly using their knowledge
+to their own advantage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the greater part of the guests had gradually withdrawn to the
+chambers on either side of the great banqueting-hall, the ladies to the
+music-rooms and tea-rooms on the left, the gentlemen mostly to the
+billiard-room, which opened into the smoking- and card-rooms. Some
+still went in and out at the great French windows, all of which opened
+on the verandah, but on the verandah itself there were now
+comparatively few people, so that Bertram had but now and again to
+exhort the Colonel to lower his sonorous voice a little. The friends
+were pacing up and down arm in arm; the Colonel's uniform was all but
+entirely unbuttoned, he was puffing vigorously at his cigar, and his
+handsome, gallant features were aglow with the after-effect of the
+champagne, and with the excitement which increased with every word
+which he was rapidly uttering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Believe me,&quot; he cried, &quot;my good fellow, if anything could still
+increase my feeling of absolute worship for this unique woman, it would
+be the pluck with which she went into action for young Ringberg. But
+unfortunately with all those fair and adorable creatures, intention and
+execution never correspond. A masterly outflanking of the foe, an
+assault <i>comme il faut</i>, and then at once this ludicrous mistake! I
+could have died with laughter! Not the slightest idea on her part that
+you are such a very special and intimate friend of mine! And so she
+goes and tells you all the minutest details of our story, as to an
+absolute stranger, supposed to be quite incapable of translating it
+back into German from the French, because he can have no idea as to the
+identity of the real persons involved! And why this stupendous want of
+caution? To frighten you away! From what? From falling in love with the
+little damsel, or to induce you, in case you had already done so, to be
+kind enough to retire immediately! As though the like of us were to be
+rightened away from our purpose by a reconnoitring like this, however
+forced! 'You may thank your stars,' I said to her 'that Doctor Bertram
+has better things to occupy himself with than the childishness which
+you impute to him!' To be sure she swears that she became convinced of
+it last night, for you remained perfectly calm and self-possessed, and
+had the contrary been the case, it would certainly not have escaped
+her, as she was scrutinising your every mien with the upmost care; but
+then her own mien, as she was telling me all this, proved how pleased
+and relieved she felt that all had gone off so happily!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what,&quot; asked; Bertram, &quot;have you decided in Ringberg's affair?
+Will you not at least take Erna, and, of course, her parents, into the
+secret?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The deuce I will!&quot; cried Waldor. &quot;I surely should not hesitate to
+rescue Ringberg at any cost from some position of great danger, but
+this is, not a question of my making a sacrifice, but of Alexandra
+making one that she cannot make, unless she wishes to give up half her
+fortune, which goes to the deuce as soon as our engagement gets
+known. But I want the whole fortune and not the half! When I was but
+a lieutenant I swore a great oath to myself that I would die a
+Field-Marshal, and would live like a Prince until I got to be one! Now
+you surely cannot expect that I should break my oath, and, to myself
+too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram did not think it advisable to point out to his friend, the
+contradictions he was guilty of in one breath. He only said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should think the sacrifice might be avoided, if you made the people
+who are interested pledge themselves to secrecy. None of them would
+hesitate to accept that objection.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In such things,&quot; replied the Colonel, &quot;one should not trust any one's
+promise of secrecy. Why, every thing would already be betrayed, if
+Alexandra had honoured any one but yourself with her indiscretions!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if the Princess absolutely insists upon making the sacrifice?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I shall as absolutely forbid her doing anything of the kind! The
+services which Kurt has rendered us are considerable, I admit; but
+then, in the first case, they were rendered to me. How can I ask her to
+act such a generous part? Nay, what does she mean by wishing to do it?
+One would not, one could not, do more for one's lover! And, to the best
+of my knowledge, she is in love with me, and not with Ringberg!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His cigar had gone out and he flung it away, turning to light a new one
+at one of the lights placed along the verandah. Thus he did not see the
+smile which Bertram--though his heart was little attuned to mirth--had
+not been able to repress at the words which his not over-modest friend
+had been uttering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case the Princess will have to say, like the priest Domingo,
+in Schiller's 'Don Carlos:' 'We have been here in vain,'&quot; he resumed,
+as the Colonel took his arm again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure,&quot; was the calm reply; &quot;and I have strongly urged her to
+leave to-morrow. Surrounded as we are here by my officers, one or two
+of whom are already likely enough to know more than I care for, we are
+not for a single moment safe from startling disclosures. I think I have
+as strong nerves as most people, but to be seated upon a powder-barrel
+when there is a conflagration raging all round, is uncomfortable for
+the most courageous.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is uncomfortable, Colonel?&quot; asked Alexandra's voice behind them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Colonel turned on his heels; and quickly buttoning his uniform,
+exclaimed--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, most gracious Princess!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us call each other by our names before this good friend,&quot; said
+Alexandra. &quot;Give me your arm, dear Doctor Bertram; and you, my friend,
+please to come to the other side. So now we can talk confidentially.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I go on with my cigar?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should like to smoke one myself, if I dared! But now to the point.
+What have you decided?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is the very question,&quot; Bertram said, &quot;which I was just submitting
+to Waldor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have decided, that the young people are to see how they can best
+settle things for themselves!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is an abominable decision!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not for me! I shall speak to the young lady.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not do so if you value my advice ever so little. Moreover, if
+you felt so sure of this, why did you not do so yesterday?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because I require your co-operation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which I refuse!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were talking excitedly, almost vehemently now. Then, there was a
+pause, a very uncomfortable one for Bertram, although he said to
+himself that discord between the two ought to be welcome to him. He had
+closely watched Erna and Ringberg. At dinner, where they had been
+seated almost directly opposite to each other, they had not exchanged a
+single word; and just now, whilst Erna had followed the other young
+ladies into the garden, Ringberg had remained on the verandah and had
+subsequently gone into the billiard-room. As Erna was so very proud, a
+meeting of the two seemed difficult, almost impossible, without kind
+and skilful mediation, and there would be little time or opportunity
+for it now. To-morrow the regiment was again to leave its quarters.
+They would again be separated for long--for ever, if he chose to avail
+himself of the influence which he doubtless had over Erna; and if he
+could only bring into play something of the robust egotism, with which
+the handsome soldier by his side was smoothing his own way to rank and
+unlimited riches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I only know one way to achieve our object,&quot; the Princess said at
+last, speaking somewhat huskily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I knew you would find something,&quot; said Waldor; &quot;but what is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is this ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra paused abruptly, for as they reached the end of the verandah,
+and were turning round, the very man of whom they were all thinking was
+approaching them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Anything for me, my dear Ringberg?&quot; exclaimed the Colonel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Colonel; an orderly from the General in command ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May the ...&quot; muttered the Colonel through his teeth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went up to the young officer, who made his report in a low voice,
+whilst the Princess and Bertram remained standing at some little
+distance. They saw the Colonel angrily fling away his cigar, and draw
+himself up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, my dear Ringberg; you need not come with me. It is bad
+enough if one of us has to lose all the fun. No remonstrance, sir! I
+shall want an orderly to go with me, and, perhaps, you will, in
+passing, kindly bid them saddle Almansor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Colonel,&quot; said the young officer, saluting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ringberg had gone. Waldor turned round.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It seems,&quot; he said, &quot;that the soldiers have taken a different position
+from what His Excellency had expected, and now he is getting all the
+officers in command of regiments together, to get things done as
+noisily as possible. The old owl! Upon my word, I would let him have a
+bit of my mind, if he did this in actual war, and summoned me at such a
+time two or three miles off from a position where we may be 'alarmed'
+at any moment. However, there is no help for it. I shall not spare the
+horse, but I am afraid I shall not be back before one o'clock. My
+officers must be in their quarters by twelve o'clock precisely, and the
+rest of the party are likely to vanish too. I presume that we shall be
+attacked between two and three o'clock. If, then, I do not see you
+again, dearest Alexandra, the arrangement is this: you drive to town
+to-morrow and remain there until I can look in for a moment, as I hope
+to be able to do the day after, or else until I send word. Farewell,
+dearest! And you, my good friend, will probably not have gone to bed
+before I return. I will come to your room, and learn what the best and
+cleverest of women will have planned in the interest of our
+<i>protégés</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Colonel kissed her hand again, and hurried away. Alexandra looked
+gloomily after him, standing with her hands crossed over her bosom,
+until he had vanished through the door of the billiard-room; where
+several of the senior officers were advancing to meet him. Then, with a
+passionate gesture, she turned to Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is mistaken! Alexandra Volinzov is not to be ordered about like a
+pack of recruits. I shall not leave to-morrow! I shall not leave at
+all, until I have achieved my object; and you, friend, you must help me
+to achieve it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She flung the end of her shawl impatiently across her shoulder, and
+took Bertram's arm, drawing him away from the verandah down into the
+garden, whence the young people, in pairs and in groups, were now
+hurrying merrily back to the mansion-house, attracted by the sound of
+the band striking up a polka in the banqueting-hall, which had been
+cleared in the interval.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what is my help to consist in?&quot; asked Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must speak to Erna. You must explain all to her. I am powerless
+without Waldor's co-operation, and you have heard how he refuses it?
+Nay, more; I have learned from Hildegard, that he has definitely
+denied standing in any special relation to me, and as he could not
+disown me altogether, has accounted for it all by talking of a casual
+watering-place acquaintance; nay he has actually gone the length, of
+reviving the old suspicion of there being something between Kurt and
+myself; in a word, he has done his utmost to shake my credibility
+with the parents, and with Erna; and to make my interference, if I
+dared interfere, appear a ridiculous and hideous farce. You are the
+intimate friend of the parents; you are Erna's natural protector and
+guardian--you are more to her than her own father. The foolish dread of
+the mother, that you loved the dear child in a different way, I have
+absolutely put an end to; you will be met on all sides with the utmost
+confidence, and if any doubt still existed, if any objections were
+still raised, why, you are so clever, so wise, so eloquent, that you
+will with ease remove every objection, that you will with a sure hand
+bring all things to a good end, be the saviour of those two poor dear
+souls, and rescue them from the infernal torments of jealousy, doubt,
+and despair. I shall not be found wanting; I shall confirm everything
+that you say; I shall take the full responsibility of it all, of
+course. I am firmly resolved upon this; it is simply my duty, and I
+shall do it, and Waldor may put up with it or not, as he pleases.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra had been saying all this with hurried breath and heaving
+bosom. Bertram's own excitement was intense, too, but he managed to
+reply in calmer accents--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You ask much, My Lady. You call me Erna's guardian, her second
+father. I accept these titles; now, will you please and try to fancy
+yourself in the position of a guardian, a father, under these
+circumstances. In the story of Claudine you have told me your own,
+striving, I do not doubt for a moment, to be strictly truthful, seeing
+no danger in this, when speaking to a stranger, and being, moreover,
+impelled to do so, both by your quick temperament and by your
+passionate sympathy. But now comes the question: Has your truthfulness
+really brought out the truth? Not the truth of yesterday and to-day,
+but of to-morrow. The truth, the truthful picture of the future, when
+you will be constantly and closely brought into contact with the former
+object of your ardent love, when you will be ever seeing him by the
+side of a woman who is not much younger than yourself, who is not as
+beautiful as you, not as clever as you; who, however graceful, lacks
+that nameless charm which is radiated by a beautiful and clever woman
+of the great world, and which is so apt to beguile the hearts of men;
+can you then--I am now speaking of yourself only, My Lady, only of what
+is in your power--can you, for your part, for your own heart, undertake
+the guarantee for the future? I conjure you, by all you hold sacred,
+can you conscientiously give the guardian, the father, this assurance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By all I hold sacred,&quot; replied. Alexandra, &quot;yes! And I will rather die
+than break my oath!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had stooped suddenly, and was about to draw Bertram's hand to her
+lips, but he prevented her with gentle force.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must not soften each other's hearts,&quot; said he, his own voice
+quivering with emotion, &quot;must not dim the clearness of our vision by
+tears of emotion. I accept your vow. And now I crave but one boon from
+Fate, to wit, that I be permitted one look, one deep, searching look
+into the young man's heart,--and into Erna's heart!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had been murmuring the last words in a scarcely audible tone; his
+lips were trembling; Alexandra also was too much moved to be able to
+speak. Thus they had silently reascended the verandah-steps and moved
+on--unintentionally--to the open door which led to the card-room.
+Alexandra paused, uttering a slight exclamation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it, My Lady?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made no answer, but drew her arm swiftly out of his, and hurried
+away from him into the card-room. Bertram did not follow her; amazed
+and hurt that she could so suddenly leave him, attracted it would seem
+by the large oval table, around which there stood a fairly large group
+of gentlemen, either staking money themselves or watching the progress
+of the game which was evidently some game of chance, with Lotter acting
+as banker. Bertram anyhow saw that hated person sitting at the head of
+the table and dealing the cards, and next moment he heard that loud
+voice of his, which he disliked so much, exclaiming: &quot;<i>Faites votre
+jeu, messieurs!</i>&quot; Alexandra had advanced to the table as though she
+meant to join in the game, and Bertram turned away in grave
+displeasure. How could he have full confidence in a being, who was
+accustomed to obey every movement of a restless heart, every temptation
+of a light-winged fancy? No, no! If he was to resign, Erna's happiness
+must be anchored in firmer ground!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He leaned against the door of the hall in which the couples were taking
+their places for the Lancers. Erna and her partner were standing but a
+few yards off. She was conversing with him in her usual, measured way;
+he could watch every movement of those beloved lips, when she spoke or
+when, with a fleeting smile, she answered a jesting word of her
+partner's. Her face was partly turned in his direction; he thought
+every moment that she would turn round completely and look at him. I
+&quot;felt that some one was looking at me,&quot; she had said on that memorable
+morning, when he found her writing beneath the plantain-tree. Now she
+did not feel it. What had broken the magic spell of his glance? Was it
+because his love was no longer unselfish? Because a fierce wild longing
+seized him to press the slender white-robed form in his arms, to cover
+the sweet lips with wild kisses? No, no--it was not that! It was this!
+her heart no longer knew anything of him. It was this: new and younger
+gods had moved inside the temple, and the old one's might now depart
+ingloriously and hide their disgrace in the darkness of night!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The music struck up, Erna held out her hand to her partner and floated
+across to the other side of the hall; and Bertram hurried away, down
+the verandah steps, away into the garden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he wandered about aimlessly, muttering wild words, wringing his
+hands despairingly. The deserted garden, with the coloured lamps
+swinging in the night wind, some dead, some dying, seemed a fit image
+of his wasted and desolate life; whilst the strains of mirthful music
+wafted across to him in mighty volumes from the brightly illumined
+mansion-house, and the sounds of singing and rejoicing that came up to
+him from the village below, seemed to mock the solitary self-tormentor.
+He felt that this could not go on, if he did not wish to go mad; he
+asked himself, pressing his hands to his throbbing temples, whether he
+was not mad already? Whether he was not the ill-omened victim, pursued
+by the relentless furies of jealousy, pursued until he breaks down--and
+to be spared only by voluntary resignation? Yet you surely can but
+resign what you own, what--if need be--you could defend; the possession
+of which you could dispute anyhow with your adversary to the last gasp.
+Despair does not resign, it only lets go what can no longer be held.
+What had he done to hold Erna? What was he doing at this very moment,
+except again making room for a rival, for whom, as it was, the stars in
+their courses were fighting, one who had youth and the privilege of an
+earlier attachment on his side? No, he deserved to be conquered, he who
+neither had the strength to conquer himself, nor the courage to join
+issue with the rival. Let the decision come then!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XX.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Bertram stood on the lowest step of the terrace when this decision
+struggled forth from his tempest-tossed soul, that could no longer bear
+the torment. A small steep stair led upward from this place, at the
+very extremity of the garden, without any landing-places; he hurried
+up, taking two and three steps at a time. He had reached the top; next
+he turned to the right, across the lawn, in the direction of the
+verandah, when suddenly the music was silent within the hall, and
+instantly the dancers came forth from the many doors to cool and
+refresh themselves in the balmy night air. He did not care to meet the
+merry, motley multitude. Here and there isolated couples were
+descending the stairs. He withdrew into the darkness of the shrubberies
+surrounding the winter garden. It was lighted up; and, as far as he
+could judge by a glance through the windows, was deserted; he would
+pass through it, and so regain, unseen and undisturbed, the rooms where
+the others were.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He entered. Between palm-trees and many broad-leaved plants there was a
+narrow passage, bisected in the centre by a shorter and broader one.
+Where the two passages met, towered a huge palm, set in a tub of mighty
+dimensions, and all but touching the glass-dome above. Behind, within
+the enclosure of the wall, was a small recess, furnished with dainty
+iron garden-chairs and with a table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This, he knew, was a favourite spot of Erna's, where, on rainy days,
+she was wont to spend hours. He could not resist the temptation of
+visiting the spot which on her account was sacred to him. He sank into
+one of the chairs, put his folded hands to his head, and let it rest
+upon the little table. As he sat thus in the attitude of one praying,
+his thoughts became a prayer: and he prayed that Fate would now
+determine his lot, now and here, be it bliss or be it--death. He was
+willing to submit to either, in all humility, knowing himself subject
+to the heavenly powers that would deal with him by their own
+inscrutable will.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He lifted his head and rose slowly, hesitatingly, from his stooping,
+position. Was his prayer not heard? Could love not work a miracle, like
+faith, which was less strong? Surely, she would come, for whom he was
+longing with all the force of his heart!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And lo!--as he turned his gaze to the door, the velvet curtain which
+draped it was drawn aside, and she appeared on the threshold, a
+slender, white-robed figure, bending forward, gazing into the silent
+green wilderness before her, listening! And now she was descending the
+stairs with lightsome step, moving along the passage that led to the
+tall palm-trees, and again she paused, leaning one hand against the
+edge of the tub, pressing the other against her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had, for fear of frightening her, uttered her name in a very low
+voice; yet she started where she stood, but did not turn to him who was
+so near, but stooped, listening, towards the other side; and at the
+same moment he heard, the little door open, by which he had himself
+entered the winter garden; and now some one was hurrying along the
+passage, towards Erna, who made a movement as though she would escape,
+but could not.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Miss Erna!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made no answer, and Lieutenant Ringberg seemed to have exhausted
+his strength and his presence of mind with these two words, which he
+had uttered in a very diffident tone of voice. For a few seconds they
+both stood motionless. Then Erna said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fräulein von Aschhof has told me that you wished to speak to me. I
+only came to request you not to honour Fräulein von Aschhof any longer
+with your confidence. I--I am indignant that you could do so at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Heaven! there is some misunderstanding here. I should never have
+dared to apply to Fräulein von Aschhof. She began, and spoke so
+confidently that no doubt ever arose in me. I could not but believe
+that you--that yourself, Miss Erna....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is too much!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The breathless listener heard the rustling of her robe, and then some
+hurried words of entreaty which again chained her to the spot.
+Meanwhile they had somewhat changed their position; the dense foliage
+of some shrubs now intervened between himself and them, and he could
+now scarcely see anything of them, but he could hear every word even
+better than before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must not let me suffer for a misunderstanding of which--I swear
+it--I am so innocent, that I cannot even guess how it has come about.
+But be this as it may, I bless it as a heavenly favour, for surely
+Heaven would not have me condemned unheard. I pray and entreat you:
+listen!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have you to say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What I wrote in my last letter. If you will not believe in my
+assurances--and indeed I can understand that, as things are,
+appearances are against me--give me time--only a little time, until
+these unfortunate circumstances have become clearer, and those
+appearances will dissolve themselves into nothing. Only this much I
+can, I must say, I am not in love with the Princess, and I never have
+been, I have never felt anything for her but sympathy, respect,--and
+friendship, if you will,--feelings which that rarely-gifted woman will
+awaken in all who come to know her intimately. She is here for no other
+purpose but to plead for me, to clear up this wretched mystery which
+condemns me to silence, at the sacrifice of considerable personal
+advantages to herself. But she has met with resistance which she cannot
+overcome, and which compels her, and compels me also, to remain in this
+miserably odd position. Therefore, once more, give me time--give me a
+respite. A criminal gets that, and I am free from guilt, unless it be a
+crime that I look upon those duties which gratitude and the friendship
+of years impose upon me as sacred, even now, when it is so unspeakably
+hard for me, and when it puts me to the risk of forfeiting the
+happiness of my life!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is this all you have to say to me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All; for what else. I might say would find no credence, if your faith
+in my veracity does not go even this length.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good-bye.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna! is it possible? Is every voice silent in your heart? Does
+nothing stir, nothing plead for one whom once you--I dare not say the
+word any longer, for I must fear to offend you again if I remind you of
+what once was? Great heavens! and I had thought, that if my pen were
+powerless, and my pleading on paper appeared clumsy and lifeless, I
+should but require to be once more face to face with you, looking into
+your loved eyes whilst you looked into mine, and that then you would
+believe me even before I uttered a word. And now, now, my glance is
+powerless, my words are mere sound. I no longer know what to say; I am
+standing here like a beggar who has been telling his story of bitter
+woe, and in whose face people close the door at which he has knocked
+with trembling hand. Have I become so poor? Well, I am most unwilling
+to appeal to a friend for help, but you leave me no choice. There is,
+living in your own circle, a gentleman who is in the secret, to whom
+the Princess has told it, half involuntarily; drawn on by the vivacity
+of her temperament, which she has never learned to control, half
+voluntarily, hoping that she was not betraying anything which all, or
+at least all concerned, would not know to-day. Well, this hope of hers
+has not been fulfilled. The gentleman in question knows it; and not
+deeming himself, under the circumstances, justified in speaking, he
+will, if I judge him correctly, be silent, although the Princess has
+already given him full liberty, nay, has entreated him to tell you all.
+I must confess, I was much taken aback when, a little time ago, she
+came and told me this; apart from other considerations, it was painful
+to me to know that the key to the fatal enigma was in the hands of a
+third person. But now, when, to my sorrow, I realise my impotence, let
+him plead for me, if he will. He will do it, if I, too, entreat him. I
+have barely exchanged three words with him, but looks like his, so
+imbued with the true nobility of the soul, cannot lie. Ask him--you
+will believe him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not believe him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will die rather than hear from him, speak to him of ... It is a
+shame, a shame! This is going too far. What happened before was ... but
+this, this ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How now? By the heavens above us, what is the meaning of this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The meaning is this: my last word to you is, Begone!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I go. But one thing more, and let it be my last word. It is very
+bitter to have to say it. There is one greater misfortune yet than to
+see one's love misjudged, scorned, rejected, and that is, to have to
+say to one's self that she whom one had loved more,--a thousand times
+more than one's self,--is surpassed by other women, whom one had never
+dared to put on the same level as her, had barely dared to compare with
+her, in kindness and in generosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a quick step passing away over the tiled passage, then the
+sound of the little garden-door being opened and closed, and then a cry
+of anguish, half suppressed, and all the more terrible on that account,
+the cry of one who had met with a deadly hurt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram hurried round the intervening shrubs to where Erna stood with
+her arms raised on high, with wild staring eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then she gave another cry, and the next moment she lay in his arms,
+clutching him, clinging to him, as a drowning man would clutch, would
+cling to, a rock.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Uncle Bertram! dear, dear Uncle Bertram!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My sweet child!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Save me! save me!!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A great gush of tears relieved her. She was now sobbing aloud, bending
+over his shoulder. Thus had come to pass that for which, but a brief
+time before, he had longed as the greatest bliss; a bliss he would fain
+taste for a moment, and for which he would willingly die, after having
+tasted it. He held her close to his heart, held the slender maiden's
+frame, the tender, heaving bosom; her sweet breath was floating around
+his heated cheek, and he knew she was his, was in his keeping; he had
+the power to hold her now, and it would cost him but one word. And yet
+it was all a dream-gift, which one may retain for a second or two by
+keeping one's eyes closed, but which fades away, to return no more, as
+soon as the eyes re-open.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, I will save you, save you from yourself; you have lost yourself,
+and I will restore you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She lifted her head and looked at him, confused, questioning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not to-day, my sweet child, to-morrow; but you must be a good and
+obedient girl.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will do all that you wish, that you command, dear one, beloved one!
+For there is none as good, as noble as you, not one, and I love no one
+as I love you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again she clasped him, more violently even than before, and pressed her
+hot, quivering lips, to his.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he did not return her kiss, and a gentle, melancholy smile played
+about his mouth as he said, putting her gently from him, and stroking
+her dark hair--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And never did father love his dearest child better than I love you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And again she gazed up to him with a strange expression of fear and
+shame.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now go, my child; to-morrow we will talk together. I shall not leave
+to-morrow. I shall not go until you need me no longer. Good-bye till
+then. And then your dear eyes are to weep no more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She clung to him still, but hesitatingly, shyly now; he disengaged
+himself gently, and repeated--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go, my child, go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She went, slowly, reluctantly, holding her head very low. On the
+topmost step, in the doorway leading to the tea-room, she paused and
+turned, as though expecting that he would summon her back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he beckoned with eye and hand: &quot;Go!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She vanished behind the velvet curtain. He was alone!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXI.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">The mirth and fun of the feast were at their height now. The
+commander-in-chief had ordered that at twelve o'clock all officers
+should be in their respective quarters, including those who had been
+told off to the houses of the ranger, the mayor, and the other chief
+denizens of the village. It was past eleven o'clock already. No time
+was to be lost, if the guests wished to drain the cup of delight which
+the hospitable mansion-house proffered in such abundance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Vivat Champagne!&quot; exclaimed one of the young officers, taking a glass
+of the foaming wine from the salver which a footman offered him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pretty girls!&quot; returned his friend von Köppingen, emptying his
+goblet at one draught, replacing it on the salver, and turning upon his
+heel to hurry to the fair Augusta, with whom he was engaged to dance
+the <i>Rheinländer</i>, the music of which the orchestra was just playing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And where have you been, Ringberg?&quot; asked another comrade, Herr von
+Rollintz; &quot;been gambling a little?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know I never play,&quot; replied Kurt, who was leaning against the
+door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor dance? Well, well, you are always so sensible; I feel half dead
+already, upon my honour! And yet I have to dance this <i>Rheinländer</i>
+with the belle of the ball. I am looking for her everywhere; have you
+seen her, perchance? Ah, there she is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Von Rollintz flew right across the room to meet Erna, who was just
+entering from the tea-room. A minute later the pair whirled past Kurt;
+von Rollintz, with radiant and glowing face, chattering even during the
+dance, Erna still and pale, the long dark eyelashes lowered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt gazed gloomily after them; then he turned away and began pacing
+the verandah. After a little while he saw, at the end opposite to him,
+a gentleman ascending the steps, in whom, as soon as the bright light
+fell upon him, he recognised Bertram. The young man advanced rapidly
+two or three steps, then paused hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, after all!&quot; he murmured, &quot;everything now would be in vain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram, who had gone up to one of the windows of the ball-room, was
+now slowly coming along the verandah. It was painful to Kurt to meet
+the man to whom, but a minute ago, he had been willing to apply for
+help. So, happening to be just in front of the card-room, he slipped
+in.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He avoids me,&quot; said Bertram to himself. &quot;In that case the mountain
+will indeed have to go to Mahomet!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he was about to look for Kurt in the card-room, he saw, on his way
+past the open doors of the ball room, Lydia in conversation with one of
+the older officers, a conversation carried on by Lydia with her
+customary abundance of gesture and the frequent use of her fan. He drew
+nearer, and, as he had hoped, her ever-roving glance had soon lighted
+upon him. A slight movement of his eyes was sufficient for the highly
+experienced lady, who left the Major with a jesting word, and tripped
+up to Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have something to tell me, dear friend?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you spare me one minute?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One minute? For you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She gave a sentimental glance at Bertram and started.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Merciful Heaven!&quot; she exclaimed, &quot;you are ill. You wish the doctor
+sent for; but there is one here, nay, there are two,--pray let me....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray remain here,&quot; said Bertram, seizing her by the hand as she was
+hastening away. &quot;It is true that I feel rather worn out--a consequence
+of the unrest and noise to which I am not accustomed--but otherwise
+perfectly well. Let us sit down there!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He pointed, to a couch near, and sat down; Lydia followed him with
+trembling knees, shaking all over, feeling her heart rising to her
+throat. The whole unusual approach of Bertram who was generally so
+reserved, his pallor, his solemn manner--all this could have but one
+reason, one meaning--and what was she to reply? Act surprise and
+terror, of course! But not too long, just a few moments of half
+fainting, with her head leaning back against the wall and her eyes
+turned rapturously towards the chandelier.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear friend--for I must appeal to your friendship--to your
+love....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good Heavens!&quot; murmured Lydia.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To the love which you doubtless cherish for Erna, and which has, I
+assume, misled you to this last extremely equivocal step of yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good Heavens!&quot; murmured Lydia again, but this time with accents of the
+greatest terror, as of some one who suddenly feels the ground beneath
+him giving way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not reproach you,&quot; continued Bertram, &quot;which indeed I have no
+right to do. I was wrong myself in not taking you into my confidence in
+reference to Erna, in wrapping myself in secrecy and silence, and thus
+all but compelling you to act alone and independently in order to help
+our dear child to what, let us trust, will prove her lasting happiness.
+But the remedy which you applied came too soon and was too strong; it
+has not had the desired effect, at least not in the meantime; indeed,
+at present things look desperately bad. Do not ask me how I have
+learned this, I may tell you later on, when perhaps you will tell me,
+too, how you discovered the secret which both guarded so carefully. All
+this does not matter just now; but one thing is of the greatest
+importance, and this I heartily beg you will grant me. We must
+henceforth act in common, take no one into our confidence of whom we
+cannot be sure that he aims at the same thing as we do--namely, at
+Erna's happiness. And I think you will do best if you leave me to judge
+when this is the case. Are you agreed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Poor Lydia was sadly embarrassed. For her terrible disappointment it
+was some compensation that Bertram himself had evidently no matrimonial
+intentions with reference to Erna, and that he was offering Lydia his
+alliance and friendship. How gladly would she have agreed! How gladly
+said yes to everything, averring that she would blindly obey his
+behests. But alas, in addition to her first indiscretion which he had
+so kindly pardoned, she had meanwhile committed another which he would
+scarcely pardon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is too late, I see,&quot; said Bertram, who had not failed to notice the
+terribly anxious expression of her mobile countenance. &quot;You have
+already told Hildegard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no--not Hildegard--worse! far worse!&quot; murmured Lydia, wringing her
+hands and casting down her eyes. &quot;In my anxiety, my--ye Heavens! I
+cannot excuse myself on any other ground--in my tender anxiety, for you
+... the Baron ... you ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray speak distinctly,&quot; said Bertram, repressing his anger. &quot;I must
+know all. The Baron ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was so angry with you ever since that miserable letter--no, I
+cannot tell you that; I am too much ashamed of myself--but Erna has
+already pardoned me, and so will you. We had all lost our heads. He
+asserted that you alone were to blame for his failure with Erna. And
+that Otto had not given him the money--a great big sum--three thousand
+thalers--was your doing too, he said. This morning already, before he
+drove away, he vowed in my presence that he would inflict a terrible
+vengeance upon you; and at dinner, when he sat next to me, he talked
+dreadfully, and drank ever so much champagne--and I knew--I thought I
+knew--I saw that Erna and Ringberg--Erna had denied him altogether; and
+the girls--Augusta, you know, and Louise--told me that Ringberg used
+constantly to meet her at their house ...! Erna was so excited when the
+regiment came, and ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go on!&quot; cried Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now the Baron wanted to make you suffer for it. And I really could
+not tolerate it, seeing that perhaps I had contributed to the Baron's
+wrath against you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so you told the Baron all?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lydia was sitting with rigid, tearful eyes, and started in terror as
+Bertram quickly rose.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What would you do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Try if I can repair the mischief a little.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me go, I entreat you! and I will tell the Baron ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I wish you to tell him nothing. I wish you to remain where you
+are, and to appear as unconcerned as possible to all, specially to
+Erna, if she should come to you, which, however, I doubt; and mind that
+you do not betray one word of what we have been discussing here. Will
+you promise that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I promise everything you wish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall not be ungrateful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lydia gazed after him with tears in her eyes as he hurried away. &quot;I
+shall not be ungrateful,&quot; he had said; and saying that, he had pressed
+her hand--for the first time since they had met--and supposing,
+supposing that it came to pass after all!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Major von Keberstein approached her again, and said laughingly--
+&quot;You seem to have had quite a long confidential conversation with the
+gentleman who carried you off so abruptly from my side. And then a poor
+old bachelor like me is not to get jealous!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will do my best now to make up for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will take you all your time, we shall have to tramp back to our
+quarters in ten minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you not throw in half an hour?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not for worlds!&quot; exclaimed the major, replacing his watch which he had
+been consulting. &quot;My orders are very strict.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I must claim the ten minutes at least,&quot; she rejoined, gathering
+her robe together and making way for the stout old gentleman by her
+side on the couch.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the adjoining card-room, too, the guests were bent upon making the
+most of the last few minutes by doubling and trebling their high
+stakes. All the players now were civilians, chiefly neighbouring
+proprietors, who could afford to lose a few hundreds. Some of the
+officers had at first joined in the game, but only at first, and with
+very small stakes, as if to show that, so far as they were concerned,
+the whole thing was a little harmless social amusement--nothing more.
+When heavier sums began to be staked, they had at once ceased playing,
+and had gradually melted away. The <i>Oberförster</i>, or ranger, who was
+only looking on, thought that this had been done in obedience to a
+signal from the Colonel himself, who had passed through the card-room
+on his way out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the better,&quot; the Baron had sneered; &quot;then we shall remain snugly
+among ourselves. <i>Faites votre jeu, Messieurs!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And indeed the Baron, so the gentlemen present thought, had good reason
+to find his position a snug one. He was winning almost without
+interruption. The heap of bank-notes and gold coins by his side was
+ever increasing; among the bank-notes were already a good few slips, on
+which the players had written their names and the amount of their
+stakes; his gains were said to be several thousands. He asserted that
+it was nothing like that sum, and repeatedly offered to let some one
+else take the bank; but no one cared to accept his offer; and thus the
+losers had no right to grumble, although for some time now they had
+been, as one of them said, hurrying in pursuit of their own money. They
+had need to hurry if they would overtake the money which was ever
+fleeting. The Baron's proposal that the game should cease punctually at
+half-past eleven, the time fixed for the conclusion of the ball, had
+been agreed to, and it was now almost a quarter past. The Baron saw
+already, from the large stakes which the players were venturing, that,
+as the cards were more than ever in his favour, his gains would be
+doubled; his jubilant mirth proved the excitement he was labouring
+under; he had some funny word for every card he dealt, every deal he
+scored, and all the while his eyes were glowing, and his busy hands
+were twitching nervously. Suddenly there was a change. One of the
+players had staked a sum equivalent to the total of his losses during
+the evening--and had won! This daring play, and the success which had
+crowned it, stimulated the others; and now everything went against the
+banker. In a few minutes his heap had dwindled down to less than half,
+and it became evident that if, during the remaining quarter of an hour,
+the bank were pursued by the same bad luck, it must needs end with a
+considerable balance the wrong way. The jests of the Baron became more
+and more bitter; presently he took to whistling savagely through his
+closed teeth, interspersing this with muttered curses; his eyes, now
+roving restlessly around the room, seemed repeatedly to be fixing
+themselves upon same one within the room. Suddenly he stopped in the
+middle of a deal, and exclaimed, with a semi-audible curse--
+&quot;You are bringing me bad luck, sir! You are in my way, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These words, which he had uttered in the most violent way, were
+accompanied by a fierce look at Kurt, who, to avoid meeting Bertram,
+had entered the room a few minutes ago, and had since been standing
+with folded arms among the spectators, who, attracted and enchained by
+the sight of the maddening game, had, in ever-increasing numbers,
+grouped themselves around the board of green cloth. The scene had not
+had any attraction for him; his mind was far away; he had stared
+mechanically before him without seeing anything; nor had he heard the
+Baron's words; he only felt it disagreeable that several gentlemen near
+him were looking hard at him. One of them thought it incumbent upon
+himself to whisper to Kurt that the Baron had meant his remarks for
+him. Kurt, under the impression that Lotter had been asking him to join
+in the game, and not wishing to say it aloud, replied in a courteous
+whisper to the gentleman who had called his attention to the fact that
+the Baron had meant his remarks for him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry, but I never play.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He accompanied this by an apologetic shrug of the shoulders towards the
+Baron, and turned upon his heel. As soon as he was free of the crowd
+surging around him, he made for the door leading to the verandah,
+hoping that there he would be left to himself and to his own sad
+thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Baron burst into a hoarse, mocking laughter when he saw Kurt turn;
+he went on dealing, with trembling hands, then jumped suddenly to his
+feet, exclaiming--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excuse me, but I must ask the gentleman, what he means by shrugging
+his shoulders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He flung the remaining cards upon the table, and was rushing towards
+the door through the crowd of amazed and excited spectators, whom he
+pushed rudely aside if they did not make way quickly enough. Before he
+reached the door, however, Bertram faced him, barring the way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you want?&quot; the Baron hissed through his teeth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want to call your attention to the fact that you are the guest of
+this house, and that you are on the point of basely violating its
+proffered hospitality.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had spoken firmly, but in so low a voice that the Baron alone
+could hear him. His look, too, was perfectly calm; even those next to
+him, who saw but his face, whilst the Baron was turning his broad back
+upon them, could not but think that it was simply some indifferent
+communication.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Baron was speechless with wrath. Bertram gave him no time to break
+out. He continued in the same low, incisive tone--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see that you quite understand me. I need scarcely add that I am at
+any time at your service, should you consider yourself in need of a
+comment upon the lesson which I have given you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You shall hear from me, and forthwith!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The sooner the better!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He bowed slightly; then, raising his voice as he turned to the others,
+he said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A thousand pardons, gentlemen; but I was commissioned by our amiable
+host to remind you that his military-guests have, alas! to retire
+already; and that they will be wishing to bid you farewell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As if in confirmation of Bertram's words, the music just then broke off
+in the adjoining ball-room, the door flew open, and quite a host of
+officers came rushing in. There could no longer be any question of
+resuming the game, even if the players had been willing, which they,
+however, certainly seemed not to be. Some of the older ladies had come
+in, looking for their husbands; some others, young ones, followed; the
+room was overflowing with guests; the players had difficulty in
+getting back to the table to pocket their stakes. Not a few of them
+had yet to square accounts with the Baron; they crowded round him, but
+he was shoving the remnant of his gains--gold coins, bank-notes,
+I.O.U.s--higgledy-piggledy into his pockets, and when questioned, as he
+constantly was, replied with surly mien and in briefest words, and
+repelled rather than answered their questions--muttering that they
+might apply to-morrow; and that, in this confusion to-night, the devil
+himself could neither hear nor impart information.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had eagerly watched, this scene, keeping close to the door
+which led to the verandah. He made sure that the Baron's time was
+meanwhile absolutely taken up, and that he would, not be able to think
+of following Kurt and inventing some new reason for a quarrel, since
+the first attempt had failed. Under any circumstances, the Baron would
+have to settle with him first; and then he saw how, breaking away from
+the players who were still surrounding him, the Baron hurried up to
+meet Herr von Busche, who, looking very heated and flushed, was just
+coming from the ball-room. The two gentlemen Bertram knew to be, as
+shooting companions, on good, though not on specially friendly terms;
+anyhow, there could be no doubt as to the subject of their present
+discussion in yonder far-away corner, where the Baron was
+gesticulating, while Herr von Busche, the young gentleman from the
+Woods and Forests' Office, listened intently, now and again shaking his
+head, and at last nodding it, more, it seemed, in courtesy than in
+assent. Then Bertram remembered that it was time for him also to look
+out for a second.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Looking for Ringberg, he saw him on the verandah, which now was filled
+by the guests, among a small group of officers, already with helmets
+and overcoats on, who were bidding him good-bye. These departing heroes
+had their quarters in the village; they were in a mighty hurry; a
+couple of servants were in readiness with lanterns to light up the
+shorter way to the village, down the terraces; fair Hildegard had,
+indeed, been mindful of everything needed. As the other officers were
+hastening down the steps, Bertram stepped up to Kurt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you spare me a minute, Lieutenant Ringberg?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt was evidently very much surprised, but he at once bowed his
+assent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure, a minute will not suffice, if, as I hope, you will grant
+my request.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man's bronzed cheeks assumed a yet deeper hue, as he said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray, speak; and be assured beforehand that it will be a pleasure and
+an honour to me to be of use to you in any way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then have the kindness to give me your arm and to accompany me into
+the garden, that I may tell you uninterruptedly what is the matter.
+Well, it is briefly this: Baron Lotter--I do not know whether you have
+had the doubtful pleasure of making his acquaintance--a friend of our
+host's, by the way, with whom he and I have been staying here for the
+past week,--thinks himself insulted by me, and, according to the usual
+code and my own conviction, he has good cause for it. It is an old feud
+resulting from a certain mutual rivalry as to the respective
+consideration and influence which he and I claim, or think we may
+claim, in this house, an old feud about to be ultimately settled. The
+actual occasion of the quarrel is merely accidental, and, as such,
+absolutely irrelevant. I mention this particularly to enable me to add
+the request that in the subsequent negotiations, supposing that you are
+willing--well, very well, then, and I am really obliged to you--that in
+these negotiations you may lay absolutely no stress upon that occasion,
+nay, that you may avoid touching upon it at all. You will please accept
+the conditions for the hostile meeting exactly as they may be proposed
+by the other side; I have my own reasons for wishing to be particularly
+obliging in that respect. Only the fixing of time and place troubles
+me. Here of course the duel cannot take place. I should therefore
+propose some spot near town. This would suit me all the better, as I
+have, anyhow, announced my intention of leaving this place to-morrow,
+and could, therefore, remain in town for a short while without
+attention being called to it; and as the Baron also was to leave
+to-morrow too, and as he also must pass through town, the delay will be
+very brief for him. The only question now is: Whether and when do you
+think you can be free yourself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In no case,&quot; replied Kurt, &quot;before to-morrow afternoon, but then for
+certain, because, if circumstances were less favourable, I could then
+get leave of absence from the Colonel--without, of course, mentioning
+the special reason why I needed it. Circumstances are, however,
+favourable, and, if our suppositions are at all correct, and if the big
+sham-fight is once over, the regiment will, sometime to-morrow
+afternoon, be somewhere between this and town, and may even have to
+bivouack there. Under any circumstances, I shall be able to attend
+punctually at the time required.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This,&quot; said Bertram, &quot;will do excellently. So we are now free from
+this trouble; and this, I think, is all that we need settle in the
+meantime. Now it may be as well if I put you in communication with Herr
+von Busche. I have no doubt that he is to be the Baron's second. If
+required, a question from you, as to whether he chanced to have a
+commission, a message, for me, would at once settle things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They had meanwhile come again near the verandah, and just then Herr von
+Busche was coming out of the card-room, looking round apparently in
+search of some one. Bertram and Kurt hurried their advancing steps, and
+he again turned swiftly round, to speak to Bertram, the moment he had
+recognised him, saying--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am so glad, Herr Doctor, to have met you at last, since I was about
+to do myself the honour of bringing you a message of some importance. I
+have already been looking, and looking in vain for you, in all the
+rooms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A thousand pardons,&quot; replied Bertram; &quot;but I, myself, have not in the
+meantime been idle in this affair. May I now have the pleasure of
+introducing to you the Premier-Lieutenant Ringberg, who ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have already had the honour,&quot; said Herr von Busche with a bow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the better. Then I will no longer disturb you, gentlemen. You will
+find me in my rooms. Good-bye till then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He shook hands with Kurt, bowed to Herr von Busche, and left them both,
+as they retreated into the semi-obscurity of the shrubbery, until,
+passing along the verandah and the side building, he reached a postern,
+from which a stair led, straight from the garden, to his rooms.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Even on this stirring evening Konski had not been oblivious of his
+duty. He knew from experience that his master was wont to retire from
+festivities before their actual close, and thus Bertram, on entering
+his rooms, found his candles duly lighted, and all preparations made
+for the night. He praised his faithful servant for his careful
+attention, but told him he was not in a hurry to go to bed, as he was
+expecting a visit from Lieutenant Ringberg, and that Konski might hurry
+back to his sweetheart, as no doubt he would like.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This he said in his wonted playful tone, to Konski's intense delight,
+for the servant gathered from this that his fear, lest his master
+should again be the worse for all the noise and excitement of the big
+entertainment, had been uncalled-for. He even ventured upon a remark on
+the subject.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am astonished myself,&quot; Bertram said in reply. &quot;I think you must be
+right; we both had put ourselves down too soon as old fogies.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram smiled as he spoke, and Konski thought that his hint had fallen
+upon fruitful soil, and that his own favourite wish would, after all,
+be fulfilled. Perhaps his Aurora might know some details. To be sure,
+My Lady had given strict orders that within ten minutes after
+the departure of the last carriage no soul was to stir about the
+mansion-house, lest any of the officers billeted there should be
+disturbed in their brief slumbers. But Aurora would surely find out
+some place where they could quietly converse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So the faithful servant left Bertram, and instantly the master's serene
+mien changed, and assumed a look of great anxiety. He listened: perhaps
+his expected visitor was even now crossing the servant's path. No; the
+noise died away in the corridor and on the stair. Konski had vanished
+somewhere in the court-yard, and all now was silent. Bertram began to
+pace softly up and down his room, then paused again, listening. What if
+Kurt were to learn that the duel was to be fought for his sake? In that
+case, the chances were everything to nothing that he would insist upon
+precedence, and would himself challenge the Baron. Bertram, anyhow, had
+some scruples as to whether he should not have told the young man the
+true state of affairs, because he had now exposed Kurt to the
+possibility of one or other of the witnesses of the scene in the
+card-room misinterpreting Kurt's action, and asserting that he had
+simply been unwilling to understand Lotter's insulting remarks; and
+this would, of course, according to the military code of honour, have
+been identical with a reproach of downright cowardice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But, then, it might be hoped that in the wild confusion and frantic
+excitement of the moment, no one had been at leisure to observe the
+little incident minutely enough to be able to give a clear account of
+it either to himself or to any one else. On such occasions a dispute or
+wrangle was by no means of rare occurrence, and none of the spectators
+had looked as though they were in the habit of attaching much
+importance to such scenes; and it certainly would be foreign to the
+good, easy-going Thuringians to have done so. Fortunately, not one of
+Kurt's fellow-officers had been present at the time; and even Herr von
+Busche, the young gentleman from the Woods and Forests, had only come
+in at the last moment. The question was simply whether the Baron would
+subsequently try to pick a quarrel with Kurt, seeing his first attempt
+had clearly failed through no fault of Kurt's; and now, of course, the
+Baron would have a capital chance of doing so. The pity of it, thought
+Bertram; why had he blindly followed that inner voice which bade him
+choose Kurt for his second? Why? It had been Bertram's only chance of
+getting one deep, searching look into the young man's heart? But was
+not the fulfilment of his ardent prayer purchased all too dear, if it
+led the way to the very thing which he was desirous of preventing at
+the sacrifice of his own life?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And yet, he said to himself, he need not quite despair. Lotter, to be
+sure, now knew who was his real rival. And the desire to wreak his
+vengeance upon that rival, to annihilate him, if possible, was very
+sure to become overpowering in the heart of a hot-blooded, terribly
+angered, absolutely unscrupulous man, one never at a loss, and one
+passionately in love with Erna. But was this really the case? No, and
+again, no! That man never had loved Erna. His whole suit had, from
+beginning to end, been nothing but a vulgar speculation upon Erna's
+presumably colossal fortune, by means of which he hoped to free himself
+from disagreeable temporary embarrassments, and to continue his
+good-for-nothing life of self-indulgent ease. Even before Kurt had
+appeared upon the scene, those dreams of a brilliant future had become
+greatly obscured; he had, it was clear, been virtually dropped; and he
+was surely quick enough to have found out speedily to whom he was
+indebted for this fate. His savage utterances to Lydia were sufficient
+proof that he knew quite well who, from the very beginning, had stood
+between Erna and him, who afterwards had delayed the decision,
+prevented any further approach, roused the distrust of the parents,
+turned the daughter's thoughts away, and ultimately had done the very
+worst for him. If there was any one who had deserved the Baron's wrath
+and hatred, on whom his vengeance was certain to fall, surely it was
+himself. Why pick a quarrel with any one else as well? The Baron was no
+coward, far from it; yet, being a perfect shot, he would have it all
+his own way with an opponent like Bertram, who had hardly ever hit the
+target when they practised together. Why then should the Baron not play
+a trump card when lie had one in his hands?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus cudgelling his brain, carefully weighing every reason for and
+against it, Bertram kept viewing his position, and all the while the
+weary moments seemed to creep slowly, slowly by, and each succeeding
+one weighed more and more heavily upon his soul. And yet, would he not
+perchance learn all too soon, that his bold attempt to take the place
+of Erna's lover, and thus to guard their new-born happiness, which was
+already so much endangered, against a new and most serious peril, had
+failed, and that he himself had missed this most excellent opportunity
+of dying? He was doomed to go on living this life of his, which had
+lost its savour and had no longer any meaning for him! Half an hour had
+already gone by; they might have finished their consultation long ere
+this, for there was little enough to consult about--unless it was the
+other duel!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the court-yard, whence the noise of the departing carriages and
+divers shouts had been ascending, silence began to prevail. Bertram
+could master his impatience no longer; he stepped across the corridor
+and went to one of the windows looking out upon the court-yard which
+the expected lieutenant would have to cross. Presently he heard a
+swift, elastic step upon the stairs; he hastened to meet his hurrying
+visitor, and cried, holding out his hand to him--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is everything settled?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Everything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank Heaven!&quot; Bertram had all but said; he just managed to change it
+into a polite, &quot;Thank, you so much!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He kept Kurt's hand in his own as he led him into his room. He made him
+sit upon the sofa, and seated himself by his side. Kurt thought that
+one could not welcome a dear friend, the bringer of the most pleasant
+news, with greater warmth and delight. This feeling was still more
+strengthened when his singular host presently sprang up again, and
+fetched from his stock of provisions for the journey a bottle of wine,
+which he proceeded to uncork; next he brought some glasses, and even a
+small box of cigars. Although no smoker himself, he said, he always had
+some cigars by him for his friends.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He filled the glasses, and held out his own to Kurt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May everything turn out as we wish!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With all my heart!&quot; replied the young officer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt said these words with a deep, almost melancholy gravity; which
+contrasted strangely with the gladsome excitement of the older man;
+Kurt's lips barely touched the wine, whilst Bertram drained his glass
+hurriedly, greedily, and instantly refilled it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have fasted almost all day,&quot; he said, as if by way of excuse. &quot;A
+festive entertainment always puts me out and takes away my appetite.
+But now, please, tell me--do they agree to everything?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt reported with military brevity and precision. The only difficulty
+had been to fix the time, as the Baron had at first asserted that he
+could not delay his departure beyond noon on the following day at the
+latest; ultimately, however, he had agreed to the meeting coming off at
+six o'clock in the afternoon. The place was to be a certain spot in the
+great forest, almost exactly midway between Rinstedt and the town, by
+the banks of a little lake. It would be easy to move thence to a still
+more remote portion of the wood, in case the man&#339; vres should have
+brought any one to the neighbourhood, which, in its normal state, is
+absolutely deserted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I remember the place exactly from former walks,&quot; Bertram said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Capital,&quot; replied the young man, &quot;for that removes another
+difficulty--namely, how you were to find your way to it from the town.
+The spot suits me singularly well, because we shall probably bivouac
+not a mile from it. I forgot to mention that I have already secured the
+services of our very skilful staff-surgeon, and that Herr von Busche
+will provide a carriage. Lastly, for the sake of keeping the whole
+affair secret, it seemed desirable that the Herr Baron should not go
+straight from here to the meeting. So, under pretext of wishing to make
+to-morrow an excursion to the scene of the man&#339; vres in company with
+Herr von Busche, of returning here at night, and leaving definitely on
+the day following, he has sent word asking his host and hostess to
+excuse him until to-morrow evening, and even now he is driving with
+Herr von Busche to the ranger's house, where he is to pass the night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excellent! excellent!&quot; exclaimed Bertram. &quot;Everything is arranged most
+thoughtfully and carefully. I thank you very much. Herr von Busche
+appears to have been perfectly willing to facilitate all arrangements?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was charming,&quot; replied Kurt; &quot;nay, more, he told me quite openly
+that he was doing the Herr Baron this service most reluctantly, very
+much against his own will indeed, and only in deference to the
+traditional courtesy in such matters, and that he would give a good
+deal, if it lay in his power to settle the whole affair amicably. I
+confess I fully sympathise with him in the last point. It was a most
+painful thought for us both that a man like you should risk his life
+against a Baron Lotter, who, it seems, does not enjoy any one's special
+sympathy; and all the chances are against you, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why all the chances?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr von Busche said that your opponent was one of the best
+pistol-shots that he knew, unerring of aim, and steady of eye and hand.
+Herr von Busche, of course, has never seen you practise, but he fears,
+and so do I, that ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That I am a miserable shot?&quot; exclaimed Bertram smilingly. &quot;Out with
+it! Yes, yes, you gentlemen have little confidence in us bookworms for
+this sort of thing. But fortunately you are mistaken. I am more or less
+out of practice, I admit; but I can shoot a little, and at such a short
+distance too!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am delighted to hear you say so,&quot; replied Kurt. &quot;And yet I would
+like to ask you if there is no possibility of bringing about an
+amicable settlement. It is not by any means too late yet. Herr von
+Busche quite agrees with me in this. Only, as we are both absolutely
+ignorant of the real cause ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I have already told you that an old feud is about to be settled,&quot;
+Bertram interrupted him somewhat impatiently. &quot;The momentary cause--by
+the way, a small lesson in good manners which I gave the Baron--is of
+no consequence at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So Herr von Busche, too, had been told by his client, and we agreed to
+accept this as sufficient, considering that a man like you would not
+act in such an affair except with due deliberation, and that we younger
+men must respect your motives, even if we regret that they are not
+communicated to us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you both all the more for the sacrifice which you are making
+for me,&quot; exclaimed Bertram, holding out his hand to Kurt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will say good-bye; you will be in need of rest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt had risen; Bertram retained him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay a little longer,&quot; he said, &quot;if you are not too tired. I am not
+fatigued at all. To-morrow's meeting is not weighing upon my mind in
+the slightest; nay, more, I am as sure of my good fortune as ever Cæsar
+was of his; and I hope, confidently, that we two shall meet many a time
+again in the land of the living. Yet one should not claim from the
+future what the present offers, and therefore let me, at this present
+moment, touch upon a matter which concerns you very specially, and
+which I have, Heaven knows, much more at heart than this wretched
+business over which we have already wasted far too much precious time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A deep blush burned upon the young officer's cheeks; his dark eyes now
+evaded the bright light of those great blue orbs, whose extraordinary
+brilliancy and beauty he had already repeatedly admired in the course
+of their previous conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know what I wish to speak about?&quot; Bertram asked next; and again
+the young man was struck by the complete harmony of the ring of that
+voice and of the radiance of those eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think I do,&quot; he replied, almost in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then you will know, too, the sort of relation in which I stand to
+Erna?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt still dared not look up. He nodded his assent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you cannot know,&quot; continued Bertram, &quot;how very intimate this
+relation is--so much so, that I cannot find quite an appropriate name
+for it. I should say that of a father towards a most beloved child, if
+there did not mingle with my feelings for her a touch which--perhaps
+you will understand me--I would call chivalrous tenderness. This touch
+may perhaps occur in other cases too, I mean between a real father and
+daughter--I am sorry to say I never had a daughter of my own--and I
+only mention this element, because it helps me to understand why Erna,
+who otherwise confides in me unconditionally, has kept her love a
+secret from me. Perhaps it was solely an outcome of the long interval
+of time during which we had not met; in such cases a kind of
+estrangement is apt to occur, which, to be sure, once overcome, is wont
+to be followed by a greater cordiality. But above all, the poor darling
+deemed herself rejected, betrayed. Her happiness she would gladly have
+let her paternal friend share; unhappiness always seals the lips of the
+proud; and yet I know that more than once the secret was trembling upon
+those sweet lips of hers, and that had she overcome her shy shrinking,
+she would have spared herself--and spared you, my friend--much
+suffering; and the palms in the winter garden would, an hour ago, have
+waved their magnificent heads above two happy, blissful souls, and not
+above two young fools who, from sheer love, were tearing each other's
+hearts to pieces!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt gave a quick quiver, and all but jumped from the sofa; but
+Bertram's eyes shone forth in glorious radiance, and a smile of
+infinite tenderness played about his mouth. A strange thrill passed
+through the young man's heart, as though he were in the presence of
+something unapproachably lofty, something which imperatively demanded
+humble submission and confiding obedience. So he lowered his eyes,
+which had flashed indignantly for a moment, and said, scarcely above
+his breath--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank Heaven that He led you to that spot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I,&quot; replied Bertram, taking both the young man's hands and
+pressing them heartily, &quot;I thank you for that word which sets me free
+from all restraint, and takes away the last remnant of shrinking
+shyness. Who, indeed, would not shrink, feel awe-struck, when it comes
+to touching those tender threads that spin themselves from heart to
+heart, until, God willing, they become united in a woof so strong that
+death itself cannot rend, it? What God joins, let no man put asunder;
+what God puts asunder, let no man try to join! What has come between
+you two is sheer misunderstanding, provoked by extraordinary
+circumstances, which would have puzzled even older and more experienced
+people, and in which you young, passionate, inconsiderate folk knew
+not what to do. And being so thoughtless and helpless, you have
+assuredly committed mistakes, mistakes on either side, and the demon of
+pride--'by that sin fell the angels'--will have gloated over it all.
+Not to enable me to register and chronicle your mutual faults, but only
+in order that, being taught by the past, we may look the future more
+clearly in the face, just tell me how it all came about? When did you
+make Erna's acquaintance? Was it not in her aunt's house in Erfurt?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; replied Kurt; &quot;and to know her and love her was one and the same
+thing; nay, I may say, without the slightest exaggeration, that she was
+one 'whom to look at was to love.' One evening, I saw her at a party. I
+had been visiting at the house for some time, and I think I was rather
+fond of Augusta von Palm, who is staying here now, and with dear Agatha
+I was on terms of heartiest friendship; but Agatha; wishing to give me
+a surprise, had not told me of Erna's visit. So I saw her quite
+unexpectedly among the other young ladies. It would be quite bootless
+for me to try and describe what went on in my heart. So, I thought
+afterwards, the men must have felt of whom the Bible tells us that they
+were held worthy of beholding some divine apparition. My breath failed
+me; all the others present seemed to vanish from my sight; I saw only
+her, or, properly speaking, not her, only her eyes. It seemed like a
+double stream of unearthly, transcendent light; and again it was a
+stream which bore me resistlessly onward and upward into realms of
+bliss, whereof but an hour before I had known nought, divined nought,
+and which yet were, I felt clearly, my true home, to which I was soon
+returning after much aimless wandering in far off regions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man's voice quivered. He drained the glass which, before, his
+lips had scarcely touched. Bertram filled it afresh. Kurt never saw how
+his hand shook as he poured out the wine, nor observed how curiously
+veiled the voice was in which Bertram, breaking the pause, said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Strange, or perhaps less strange than highly gratifying, that at least
+for once I find, this kindling effect of Love's divine flash confirmed
+in reality, of which the poets of all times and in all climes have sung
+in praise. I am almost ashamed to confess that although I do not think
+I am a hopelessly prosaic individual, I have always thought this but a
+fond and fair dream.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And it is a dream,&quot; Kurt made answer, &quot;inasmuch as things real are
+most curiously shifted and changed in it, and as one can give scarcely
+a clearer account than a somnambulist, of what occurs and of what one
+does one's self. I do not remember how I got home that night; I have no
+idea whether it was several days after, or really on the day following,
+that, during a picnic in the country, I was strolling apart from the
+rest by her side through a leafy grove. The light of the dying sun was
+trembling among the trees, and a few subdued notes of birds' song were
+heard. Silence was all around; and in silence we passed on, side by
+side. Sometimes she stooped to gather a flower for the tiny bunch which
+she held in her hand, and once, as she stooped again, and I wished to
+anticipate her, our hands touched; and, startled, we both looked up,
+looked into each other's eyes, and the flowers dropped from her hands,
+and--well, it was just a dream, a brief and blissful dream. Who can
+tell the story of a dream?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man had risen and gone to the window. Bertram kept his seat,
+leaning his head on his hands. When Kurt turned back to the table, he
+thought that the noble countenance which now looked up with a very
+sweet smile was paler than before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pardon me,&quot; he said, &quot;but I think I see that you are in need of rest;
+let me pause here. You know what happened next.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, but not quite how it happened,&quot; said Bertram in reply. &quot;Please
+sit down by my side again, unless you are tired yourself. As for me, I
+am a regular old night-owl. How it happened, yes--how did Erna come to
+hear of your connection with the Princess? Some malevolent traitor must
+have been at work there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would that it had been the case!&quot; answered Kurt. &quot;A traitor Erna's
+clear eyes would have speedily recognised as such. But the one who told
+her of it was a dear friend of my own, a fellow-officer, who in the
+course of a visit to our former garrison--our own regiment had
+meanwhile been transferred to Magdeburg--made Erna's acquaintance,
+without having the slightest conception of our relations. And as the
+conversation chanced to turn upon me, he babbled, under a promise of
+discretion, of the secret; and probably adorned and amplified matters,
+so as to let the enormous stroke of good luck which was supposed to be
+in store for me appear in its greatest splendour. As he was known to be
+on very intimate terms with me, as I had myself given him an
+introduction to the von Palms, and specially commended him to Erna, she
+had to believe that his romantic story was sheer truth; nay, the awful
+thought came to her that I had myself authorised my friend to make
+these communications, or, if this had been quite too infamous, she
+assumed at least that he had been commissioned by me to prepare her,
+and had solely blundered over his commission, so that I was personally
+responsible, if not for the manner, certainly for the matter. We
+corresponded, and with the connivance of Agatha, under cover of a
+correspondence of hers with an old school-friend in my present
+garrison; but Erna's next letter contained nothing but the question
+whether it was true that I had some relations or other with the
+Princess? The question thus put, I could not but answer in the
+affirmative, begging her at the same time, in connection with the
+subject, not to believe in what any one, except myself, might say. My
+request came somewhat late, but still did not fail to have its effect
+upon Erna's heart, which had assuredly opened with the greatest
+reluctance to the terrible suspicion, and which was now jubilant at
+being freed from it. She teased my friend about his fertile fancy which
+invented stories devoid of a particle of foundation, as she had since
+learned from a trustworthy source. Thus challenged, and piqued at being
+declared undeserving of credit, my friend stated that he had the
+knowledge, if not at first, at least at second hand, for his authority
+was my own Colonel, whose testimony Erna would surely not reject. Again
+he begged her to be discreet, but hinted pretty plainly that other
+fellow-officers were aware of it too, and had likewise learned it from
+the Colonel. And now for Erna the doubts which she thought she had
+vanquished turned to despair. She knew through me the very intimate
+terms on which Herr von Waldor and I stood, and indeed many a time I
+had called him to her my best and kindest friend, my protector and
+second father. Erna wrote another question. Did Herr von Waldor know my
+relations to the Princess? And again I had to answer in the
+affirmative, without being able to mention the suspicion which now--and
+now for the first time--rose within me, that Herr von Waldor might have
+purposely misrepresented those relations in his own interest--you know
+why. What need to continue to describe the wretched position in which I
+now was placed; how the net was tightened more closely and more fatally
+round me, so that I at last had given up all hope of ever being freed
+from it; all the more because Erna--as you heard yourself--repelled
+with such passionate indignation your mediation, which I was about to
+claim. I must confess, I cannot even guess why.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The dark eyes of the young man were raised inquiringly to Bertram, who
+did not at once reply to the questioning look. He had turned aside a
+little, and was busied refilling the glasses; he did not seem to notice
+that he was filling the second to overflowing, and that the wine was
+saturating the table-cloth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dear me,&quot; he said, presently, &quot;I beg your pardon; I was--thinking.
+Why, did you ask? Well, we settled already that, according to all
+experience, girls are not fond of confiding to their fathers the
+secrets of their hearts. They dread paternal jealousies, a paternal
+prejudice against the one who ventures to claim the little hand, which,
+as a matter of course, is far too precious even for the best of the
+best. But fear not! Erna shall find in me a friend, protector, and
+counsellor, who hopes to give the proof that one may love like a father
+without being blinded by a father's prejudices, and, above all, one who
+means more honestly by her than, I am sorry to say, Herr von Waldor
+does by you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A dark shadow flitted over the young man's open countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you,&quot; he said very gently, &quot;I thank you from the bottom of my
+heart for so much goodness, and to deserve it will be the fairest task
+of my life. But pray do not condemn Herr von Waldor. It is impossible
+to measure him by the common standard. Contempt of death and greed of
+life, princely generosity and petty egotism, tenderest love and
+bitterest hatred--all these things lie side by side in his soul, and
+cross and re-cross each other in such a way that even to me (and I
+think I know him better than any one else) it is a perfect enigma. But
+if at times I cannot solve it all, if in this present case I cannot but
+see that he is willing--I must not say to sacrifice, but to stake--me
+and my happiness in the hope of gaining his own great stakes, then I
+need only remember what he has been to the orphaned boy, after he had
+carried my father, fatally wounded, upon his own shoulders out of the
+bloody struggle around the fortifications of Düppel; how he, of all men
+the most impatient, has watched over me with a mother's loving patience
+when I have been ill; how he resumed his studies in order to be able to
+supervise and guide mine; how he paid my expenses when I was a cadet;
+how he equipped and helped the ensign, the young officer; how he
+pressed upon the poor young man of <i>bourgeois</i> birth abundant help to
+enable him to hold his own in an expensive and aristocratic regiment;
+and how he thundered in his wrath when I refused to accept it any
+longer, as I had learned that he had himself to borrow the needful
+money at usurer's interest. Surely you will admit that one so deeply
+indebted to Herr von Waldor as I am, has lost the right, nay, more, the
+ability to struggle and resist, even if the hand which has done so much
+in the way of kindness weighs heavily, terribly so, upon him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think I can follow you in your feelings,&quot; replied Bertram, &quot;although
+Waldor is by no means thereby excused in my eyes; on the contrary, I
+adhere firmly to the Scriptural saying, that the right hand should not
+know what the left does; and I hold that he who claims gratitude has
+already his reward. Moreover, was the sacrifice really requisite, which
+Waldor expected from you, when he put you into this ominous position?
+From a moral point of view it is a matter of indifference; but I should
+like, if possible, to be enlightened on this point, which I have not
+hitherto understood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How things stand exactly,&quot; Kurt replied, &quot;I can hardly say myself. I
+assume that the marriage-contract of the Princess contains certain
+conditions which deprive her of the greater part of her present
+fortune, if she contracts a new matrimonial alliance; or rather, would
+seem to deprive her, for a judicial interpretation of this dubious
+point is to be the result of the law-suit which is now reaching its
+final stage. Further, it may be assumed that the view of the Princess
+herself is the only correct one by all the laws of sound logic; but she
+fears--whether rightly or wrongly I know not--that the decision will be
+adverse to her if the authorities learn that her choice has fallen upon
+an alien.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you are an alien, too,&quot; objected Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kurt shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An obscure lieutenant, not of noble birth, and Princess Volinzov! No
+one need imagine that they would have taken this <i>au sérieux</i>, any more
+than a dozen other <i>liaisons</i>....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused abruptly, blushing to the very roots of his hair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For shame!&quot; he cried, &quot;that was basely said. Let others sit in
+judgment upon the poor victim of a most abominable bad education and of
+most wretched circumstances. I dare not, I dare not feel for her aught,
+but admiration and gratitude, and renewed gratitude, for I know and
+have experienced in my own person that, through all the badness and
+baseness that have been crowding around her from her childhood, she has
+preserved the capacity for a great and heroic love, a love of which we
+men are scarcely ever, and of which among women only the best and
+noblest are, capable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Only at the last words Kurt had again ventured to look up, and he
+swiftly lowered his eyes again. Bertram's great eyes shone in wondrous
+radiance, and a curious smile, half melancholy, half ironical, was
+hovering about his lips, as he slowly answered--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure! you are quite right. Only the noblest women! We men are
+egotistical scoundrels; that is our lordly privilege; and he who
+resigns it, deserves to be crucified with malefactors on either side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had risen and was now pacing up and down the room; then he stepped
+to the open window. Kurt had kept his seat, thinking that Bertram would
+turn to him again. But he did not. The young man grew embarrassed.
+Reverence forbade him to disturb the dreamer. Never before had Kurt met
+one whose presence had thus thrilled him as with a breath of highest,
+purest vitality. And to this consciousness, which seemed to lift him
+out of and above himself, was joined the painful feeling which
+humiliated him in his own sight: that he had but just now been petty
+enough to say a bitter word about the woman of whom he yet knew, that
+she had come here to bring the greatest of all sacrifices that a loving
+heart can bring. And he, Bertram, knew this too; for Alexandra had said
+to Kurt: I have confessed all to Bertram! What a painful discord his
+own evil words must have been in the pure and high-souled Bertram's
+ear! And now Bertram, who had in all good faith shown him so much
+sympathy, had found him ungrateful, had turned from him, now and for
+ever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He would, he must go!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But invisible fetters seemed to chain him to the spot; and as he sat
+there, angry with himself, in gloomy thought, it was no longer only the
+heavy, weary limbs that refused to obey him. His thoughts, too, flitted
+and wandered beyond his control. Something like a dense veil sunk upon
+his eyelids, and he saw surrounding objects but momentarily,
+indistinctly; the lighted candles upon the table seemed to be far-off
+bivouac fires, then they turned to dim and distant stars, then were
+lost in night and darkness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram had carried the candles to the writing-table, and shadows now
+rested upon the weary sleeper. Then he returned to the sofa and spread
+a coverlet over him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poor lad! I saw how you were struggling against your sleepiness. The
+examination was a long one. But I could not spare you, and you have
+done well!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stood gazing upon him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And, like this, his head will rest by the side of hers--on one
+pillow!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He drew his hand over his eyes, stepped noiselessly back to the
+writing-table, and presently his pen was gliding lightly and gently
+over the paper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear child,--I may henceforth with good right call you so, since
+Fate gives me one opportunity after another, to prove myself a good,
+and, I hope, also a thoughtful, father to you. But an hour ago I had to
+calm and comfort my beloved child, and yet dared not give her true
+comfort, dared not express my full and firm conviction that a good,
+upright heart always makes choice of the right thing at once. For good
+and upright as my dear child's heart is, yet it is a very defiant heart
+too, and would rather be miserable in its own way, than happy and
+blessed in other people's way; and it would have steeled itself against
+my persuasion and against my testimony, and would again and again have
+reverted to this: You do not know him! But now I say to you: I do know
+him; and you must accept my testimony as that of a man of great
+experience and knowledge of the human heart, of a man whose eyes--sharp
+as human eyes go--love for you and care for your welfare have filled
+with divine perspicuity. I know him now, after one hour spent here in
+my room in confidential conversation, as though I had known him from
+childhood, stalwart young man as he is; and even as I sit writing this,
+he is sleeping, under my watchful care, the sweet sleep of exhausted
+youthful vigour, notwithstanding his painful anxieties and the bitter
+sorrow of his heart. I have been watching him in his sleep. Sleep is a
+terrible betrayer of narrow minds and feeble hearts. Here there is
+nothing to betray, and sleep can but put its soft yet sure seal upon
+the beauteous image of a great and noble soul. And even as this soul,
+helpless and resistless as it were, is in my keeping, receive it, loved
+one, from my hands, as a great and glorious gift of the gods on high,
+who have deemed me worthy to be their envoy and the executor of their
+sacred decision.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I promised you not to leave as long as you had need of me. You need me
+no longer, and I shall leave in the morning without bidding you
+farewell. From your mother, too, I shall take leave in writing; she
+knows my weakness for vanishing noiselessly from society. It is a long
+journey that lies before me, and we shall not soon meet again.
+Separation is death for a time, and time, again, is nought but a tiny
+speck, and its complement is eternity. A noble human being should plan
+his thoughts and action not in reference to the former, but the latter.
+Let, therefore, what I now say to you, for the brief space wherein we
+shall not behold one another, be said for evermore: Fare thee well,
+<i>Lebe wohl!</i> that is, live according to the bidding of your heart, as
+you hear it when you listen to it in secret silence and reverence!
+Howsoever this our life may be shaped, it is no longer our concern, but
+that of the powers on high, over whom we have no influence, and
+therefore it matters nothing to us. Once more then: <i>Lebe wohl!</i></p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My kindliest greetings to sweet Agatha! She is your true friend. I
+always felt that she would counsel nothing that I would not counsel
+myself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And another is your friend, too, though you do not think her to be
+one. You know I am speaking of the Princess. She also will leave your
+house to-morrow, not without making an attempt to prove to you that she
+is your friend. Be good to her for my sake; in that case I feel
+convinced that you will part from her with kind and grateful feelings,
+and that she herself will have inspired them. Whatever she may say to
+you, I guarantee its truth. Hers is one of those natures that may go
+astray, but that can never be untrue.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Should you have a message to send me, send if through your father,
+whom I shall see in W---- tomorrow. Should I have anything else to say
+to you, I will send my message through Kurt, whom also I shall meet
+again to-morrow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now remember your promise to be my good and obedient child; and
+again, and for the last time: <i>Lebe wohl!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had put the letter into an envelope, and now turned in his chair,
+looking towards the sofa. His young guest was still lying in the same
+position, only his head had fallen back a little. Perhaps deeper
+shadows were now falling on the forehead and on the closed, eyes,
+whilst chin and lips stood out in brighter light and bolder relief;
+anyhow, the features that appeared so soft awhile ago seemed sharper,
+and the expression of almost feminine gentleness was turned to one of
+manly resolution, nay, of angry indignation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thus Simon Peter may have contracted his brows, thus his lips may have
+quivered that night! And yet he could sleep, although he knew what was
+to happen. Even as this one, knowing, yet sleepeth!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again he stood by the open window, leaning against it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A dead silence; only at times the night wind came rushing past, and
+there was rustling and roaring among trees and shrubs. In the village,
+veiled in mist, a dim red light gleamed faintly here and there. At
+times confused sounds, as of far-off horses' tramp and the measured
+step of soldiers on the march, with clashing of arms. Then deep, dead
+silence again, and then, piercing the deep silence, the half-smothered
+crow of a cock. Over the edge of yonder mountains the moon--almost at
+the full--hung, bloody-red, in the vapour which came steaming up from
+the woods.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you look so mournfully up to it that night? And had all the
+heavenly stars to expire for Him too, that He might remember the heaven
+within His heart?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! He knew that He was dying for the world. I humbly claim but to
+die for her,--she is my world.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One cannot choose one's own Gethsemane. One must take it as it comes,
+whether to the sound of the last trump on the Day of Judgment, ringing
+through the hearts of all the generations of men, or in deep and
+world-forgotten loneliness and secrecy, whither human eye shall never
+penetrate, any more than it penetrates into the nethermost depths of
+the sea.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And this is my silent Gethsemane!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The moon had sunk behind the hills, and the cool morning breeze came
+floating along. Bertram was about to close the window when he heard
+from afar a short, sharp sound, soon succeeded by other similar sounds,
+succeeding each other so swiftly that the echo could clearly continue
+the scattered noises and reverberate them as thunder. And now shrill,
+long-drawn trumpet-blasts were heard, mingling with the beat of the
+drum.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram quickly turned to the sleeper, who was not, for his sake, to
+neglect his military duties. But already Kurt had staggered up from his
+sofa-corner, his eyes wide open, though still veiled by slumber, and
+his arms stretched out, clutching the air, as though in search of some
+weapon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I--not you! I will fight him! Give me the pistol!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram touched his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are sounding the assembly in the village!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! I thought ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He brushed his hand across his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been asleep! Pardon me. How good you are! You have been
+watching for me. Is it long since ...?&quot; and he pointed to the window.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not half a minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I am in good time!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had already fastened his sword, and seized his helmet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excuse my hurry. You know ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No excuses! A matter of course. <i>Au revoir</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He held out his hand to the young man, in whose fine features, now full
+of life again, he noticed a strange quiver. Kurt evidently wanted to
+say something, and could not hit upon the right word. So he only
+pressed Bertram's hand vigorously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, <i>au revoir!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He hurried away. Bertram stood gazing at the door through which the
+slender young figure had vanished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven be thanked! It is at least no disgrace to yield to him. He is
+thoroughly sound and sweet,--mind and body alike!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXIII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">In the mansion-house which had until now been hushed in slumber, many
+voices were heard shouting, and the tramp of horses came echoing from
+the court-yard. A smart, heavy step was heard below in the passage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which door?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The second, Colonel. Allow me, Colonel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Bertram had already opened the door, and Colonel von Waldor came
+rushing in.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good evening, friend, or rather good morning. A good thing that I met
+your servant at once--otherwise I might have been hunting for you ever
+so long--I have only one minute to spare--where is Ringberg? Your
+servant said he was here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He left five minutes ago, when they were sounding the assembly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That came unexpectedly, eh?&quot; cried the Colonel. &quot;An hour before
+the time--I did it on my own responsibility. His Excellency will
+be furious--wait for the attack, forsooth!--in such an exposed
+situation--not if I know it!--we shall have to retreat ultimately as it
+is--so I'll give them some trouble first. But that does not concern
+you. Here is something that does, a little, and which will greatly
+please you. Read this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Waldor drew a folded paper from between a couple of buttons in his
+uniform and handed it to Bertram. The telegram was in French, and in
+the following! words:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I sincerely congratulate Madame la Princesse. Lawsuit definitely
+gained.</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:10%">Your obedient servant, <span style="letter-spacing:20px">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span class="sc">Odintzov</span>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Odintzov,&quot; Waldor explained, &quot;is our Petersburg lawyer and
+business-man, a most trustworthy fellow. What do you say now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That I do congratulate you heartily. How did you get hold of this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See what it is to be in luck! I knew that the lawsuit would soon be
+decided, though Alexandra refused to believe it. So I gave orders that
+any telegram arriving, by day or by night, was to be straightway sent
+here by mounted express. Returning just now from the outposts, close to
+Rinstedt, I overtook on the high-road a fellow trotting along in front
+of me. 'Telegram from Rinstedt?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Princess Volinzov?' 'Yes,
+sir.' 'Give it to me.' The beggar had got rid of the telegram before he
+knew what was up. I read it by the light of my cigar; hence this stain.
+May I trouble you for an envelope? Or perhaps you would be so kind as
+to hand it to the Princess with my respectful compliments? It would
+give her double pleasure. I can assure you that you are still as
+fortunate as ever with the sex! Alexandra quite raves about you. Good!
+Now, you may both put your wise heads together and settle how and when
+the battle, which is won, is to be utilised for the benefit of our
+young <i>protégés</i>. I give you two <i>plein pouvoir</i>. I should say, let
+them dangle a little longer. I could come over with Kurt, never saying
+a word of this to him. We would have a nice little supper. 'Ladies and
+gentlemen, I have the exquisite pleasure of presenting my future wife
+to you--the Princess Alexandra Paulovna.' Capital! The amazed look in
+the eyes of our beautiful hostess is worth doing it for. And then the
+young ones immediately afterwards--only, of course, you must first
+pitch into the little girl properly; she seems to have a bit of a will
+of her own. All right, you'll see to it all between you, no doubt.
+Good-bye, <i>mon cher</i>! You are looking deucedly fagged. That's the
+result of being so much indoors. I have been on my legs since four
+o'clock yesterday morning, and feel as fresh as paint. Is this Kurt's
+glass? Oh, bother all ceremony! It is not the first that he and I have
+been using the same glass.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He filled the glass and drained it at one draught.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Capital wine that! Well, good-bye, and <i>au revoir!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Colonel had rushed off again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And thus,&quot; said Bertram with a smile, &quot;one conquers the world. Perhaps
+it looks harder than it really is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He again sat down at the writing-table and took up a fresh sheet of
+paper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious Princess,--Waldor has just left me, after handing me, for
+transmission to you, the enclosed telegram, on the contents of which I
+beg to offer my hearty congratulations. I am sorry I must do so in
+writing, for a few hours hence I shall leave this--secretly--not to
+return. Business that will brook no delay makes this imperative, and I
+have not told Waldor of it. He hopes to find me here this evening, that
+I may be a witness to the amazement which the announcement of your
+engagement will cause in this friendly circle, as all obstacles to it
+are now removed. I am sincerely sorry that I cannot afford him that
+pleasure--for to him it would really be a pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I regret it the more, because I must prepare a worse disappointment
+for him. For I consider it, in the interest of our <i>protégés</i>, to be
+desirable--necessary, if you wish--that you, My Lady, should also leave
+to-morrow; without waiting for Waldor's evening visit. The
+communication which you were resolved to make to our fair young friend
+Erna, before Waldor had given you <i>plein pouvoir</i> (which he now begs to
+do through me), will only have the right calming effect if you strike
+the proper note on Erna's heart, and then let it ring out full and
+clear. In life, as on the stage, a good ending has to be provided for.
+This is missed if one lingers on the stage, when once the decisive word
+has been spoken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what about the communication itself?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should deem it presumptuous on my part, were I to venture to advise
+Claudine's clever friend on this point. She knows that one is compelled
+to say the whole truth only in a court of law. In life it is
+sufficient, nay, it is often requisite in the interest of humanity, to
+say nothing but the truth, to be sure, but, of the truth, only what is
+needful and useful--to use the words which Lessing puts into the mouth
+of his wise Jew Nathan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And, now, let me add to my requests, a word of deep and sincere
+gratitude that you deemed me worthy to make the acquaintance of
+Claudine and of yourself. Your friend is perhaps more interesting and
+intellectual--at least you said so--but your heart is a thousand times
+more noble.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have always paid due respect to intellectual capacity; but before a
+noble heart I gladly and reverently bend my knee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Silence had for a long time been reigning again in the mansion-house.
+The combat, too, though it had commenced in the immediate vicinity, was
+now being continued a long way off, and one only heard something like
+the rumbling of a distant thunder-storm. The candles on Bertram's
+writing-table had all but burned down to the sockets; he turned his
+wearied eyes towards the window, through which the dull grey morning
+light was coming. Konski came into the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What time is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just five, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So late? Well, I am ready. Did you get hold of a carriage?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is waiting at the bridge below.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you get if from the mayor?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Herr Doctor. At first he was making no end of excuses; for they
+all want to drive to the man&#339; vres, every man of them; and Herr von
+Busche has ordered a trap, too, for the afternoon. He'll have to be
+content with a common cart and a sack. Never mind that, though!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should you look so miserable about that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It isn't about that at all, Herr Doctor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is because I do not like to let the Herr Doctor drive away like
+this. Can you not take me with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Impossible! You see yourself that you have a couple of hours' work
+before you yet. These sealed packets are to go into the small
+portmanteau which you keep by you. These letters you will deliver, when
+the ladies have risen. This money is for the servants. Do not forget
+any one, and do not be stingy, Konski! And remember me kindly to your
+Aurora. And now my cloak, please, and so good-bye, Konski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Am I not at least to see the Herr Doctor to the carriage?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herr Doctor, do not be angry; I really mean so well by you, and Aurora
+does too. We have been speaking of nothing else. And she swears that
+the Herr Doctor, if he wished it, could have Miss Erna for the asking.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then tell your Aurora that the Herr Doctor does not wish it, and that
+the Herr Doctor has better things to do than to spoon and fool about,
+like you and her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had held out his hand to the faithful servant, and now he was gone.
+A minute later, Konski, standing mournfully by the window, saw the
+dark figure striding swiftly past the lawn, and vanish behind the
+terrace-wall. He closed the window with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram lessened his pace, as soon as he knew himself unobserved.
+Slowly he descended the steps to the second terrace. Here was the
+leafy grove which, on the left, led to the platform beneath the
+plantain-tree. He glanced timidly that way. His foot had already
+touched the next step, he wanted to get down,--to get away,--but
+something like a magic spell drew him to the spot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There, in this chair, she had sat; he was facing her; and the golden
+sunbeams had flitted through the dense foliage, and the birds had been
+holding a gleeful festival in the branches, and from the gardens below
+fairest fragrance of flowers had been wafted up, and his heart had been
+full of light and joy, and of all the blissfulness of spring. And now!
+and now!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou sacred dawn of early morn, forgive me! You quiet trees and
+bushes, tell it not! I have borne what man can bear; more, I cannot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And pressing his hand to his face, he wept.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXIV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">In the little-garden, under wide-spreading chestnut-trees, the lawyer
+and Bertram were sitting, about four o'clock in the afternoon, at a
+table covered with books, documents, and papers. From, the small garden
+one could look across a narrow court-yard, at the windows of the
+office, where they had just begun to make a fair copy of the will,
+which had been settled after long deliberation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now, most grave and most conscientious of men, seeing that you go
+into this election campaign as into actual war, let us drink that
+victory may be on your side--that is, on ours, on the side of liberty,
+and right--and that the victor be granted, over and above his allotted
+time, as special allowance for special services rendered, a respectable
+series of not inglorious years, at least as many as this '68
+Rüdesheimer wine numbers!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The lawyer took a venerable-looking bottle, from a side table, filled a
+couple of green goblets, and touched Bertram's with his own.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you for the kindly wish, and drink to its fulfilment, although
+as you know, I have well-founded reasons for assuming that it will not
+occur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nonsense!&quot; cried the lawyer. &quot;I am not a giant either, but I
+confidently expect to outlive all the giants among my contemporaries.
+What does Wallenstein say?--'Es ist der Geist der sich den Körper
+bauet' (It is the mind that builds, this frame of ours). And I would
+add, that also keeps the building together, even if it were shaky in
+every joint; and that is assuredly far from being the case with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram smiled absently. His looks were wandering away to the garden
+gate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wonder where Otto can be?&quot; he said. &quot;I urgently asked him to be here
+at four o'clock at the latest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am in no hurry at all,&quot; replied the lawyer. &quot;After having had to
+keep you waiting the whole forenoon, my entire evening is at your
+disposal instead; or, if you insist upon leaving at five, we can have
+another second witness in, and you can communicate to our friend in
+writing those points which have special reference to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am most anxious to do so by word of mouth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Upon the wretched pavement of the narrow street which lay behind the
+garden wall, a carriage came hurriedly thundering along.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Lupus in fabula!</i>&quot; exclaimed the lawyer. &quot;Any one coming from
+Rinstedt would have to pass this way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he spoke, Otto's broad-shouldered figure appeared in the little
+yard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The two men had meanwhile risen from their seats below the
+chestnut-trees, and had gone to meet the newcomer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What tricks are these of yours?&quot; Otto was saying, &quot;to cut away from
+the village in the middle of the night in a trap? What will people
+think? Why, that I am driving my guests from my house! But, of course,
+you intellectual people never can do things like the rest of us
+mortals; always something out of the way! Eh, old fellow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He brought his hand with a laugh down upon Bertram's shoulders; but the
+laugh was forced, and, indeed, in all his look and manner there was
+painful unrest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry that I must leave you gentlemen alone for a little,&quot; said
+the lawyer, with a meaning look at Bertram; &quot;but you can call me at any
+time from the office. By the way, there is an empty glass here, Bermer.
+You must be thirsty after your drive along the hot road, and you have
+not in your own cellars at Rinstedt a better Rüdesheimer than this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He turned his back upon the friends now, and forthwith the last trace
+of forced mirth vanished from Otto's face. He had flung himself into a
+garden chair, and there he sat, his elbows leaning on his knees, his
+hands put to his full round cheeks, staring fixedly in front of him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This has been a day which I shall remember!&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have spoken to your wife?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto nodded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In detail?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, yes; that is to say ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That you might have spoken in greater detail. It does not matter,
+however, as long as you have informed her of your situation in the
+main. That has surely been done?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Been done!&quot; exclaimed Otto. &quot;Great Heavens! it was fearful! At first
+she seemed to think that I had gone mad; at least she looked so ... so
+frightened at me, don't you know, and wanted to ring the bell. But I
+told her that I was, unfortunately, still quite in my right mind, and
+perfectly sober, although yesterday I did perhaps, in my despair,
+drink a little too much. And then, I do not know how it came about,
+but one word led to another; and when she told me that the whole thing
+was my own fault, and the outcome of my bad economy and my costly
+foibles,--she could not mean anything more by this, than that I like to
+drink a good glass of wine and to smoke a decent cigar;--why, then,
+something passed within me that I cannot describe. I felt as though my
+very heart were turning, and as though I had never loved her in all my
+life. And then there was no longer any need to hunt for appropriate
+words; they came fast enough, and harder, too, than I liked at last. It
+was horrible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto gave a deep sigh and drained his glass.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is really good wine,&quot; he said, taking up the bottle and looking
+at the mouldy label. &quot;I wonder where he got hold of it. But what does
+it matter to me? All grapes are sour for me henceforth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope not,&quot; said Bertram. &quot;Anyhow, I thank you for having taken to
+heart and faithfully carried out what I wrote to you last night. This
+was indeed the first needful step, if the execution of my plan, the
+details of which I will immediately communicate to you, was to be
+possible. But one question first: you have not let Erna hear anything
+of the subject of the conversation between you and your wife? And, as I
+know your wife, she will surely keep as long as possible from Erna,
+what she considers less a misfortune than a disgrace?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You can rely on that,&quot; replied Otto; &quot;she would rather bite her tongue
+off. But how long will it be before Erna has to learn all?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope that will never be the case!&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;Now, to come to
+the point. I have asked you to come here to-day to be a witness to my
+last will and testament. I might have told you its contents yesterday,
+but I did not do so, because--to speak quite frankly--I was afraid you
+would not keep the secret entirely, and thus the impression upon your
+wife, on learning the whole truth, might have been considerably
+lessened. If, after all, things come round again and change for the
+better, then--for she is not bad, your wife, only spoiled and not given
+to looking beneath the surface--then something like gratitude will stir
+within her. And should this really not be the case, then I am, as it
+were, master of the situation and you will both yield; you willingly,
+she, because she must. Well then: in this will of mine, of which they
+are now making a fair copy in the office, I have made Erna my residuary
+legatee, except some smaller legacies, among which there is a suitable
+annuity for Lydia. From her future inheritance, there will at once be
+taken and made immediately available the sum which you require to set
+your affairs thoroughly right again, with our legal friend's help. He
+guarantee's that with this sum the greater part of your fortune
+may yet be saved, if you agree to his arrangements, above all about
+the factories. This sum will be advanced as a mortgage on your
+estates--our friend will explain to you how it can be done--at a
+moderate percentage, and the total revenue accruing from it is to be
+Erna's from the day of her marriage. Concerning that marriage, Erna has
+of course absolute freedom of choice, although I for my part hope that
+she will fall in with the wishes which I have expressed to her on this
+subject. And now shake hands, old man, and pardon me if I have had to
+add another unpleasant hour to the one which I already caused you
+to-day. <i>Tu l'as voulu!</i> From me you would not accept anything; with
+your own child you will, I trust, stand upon less ceremony.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is your money for all that,&quot; murmured Otto.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As long as I live; who knows how long that will be! And there is our
+legal friend coming, bringing the document in question with him, which
+you are now to hear read, and which afterwards you are to adorn with
+your signature, as one of the two witnesses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The other,&quot; said the lawyer, now approaching the group with his chief
+clerk, &quot;will be Mr. Kasper here. Sit down, Kasper, and read away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During the reading of the somewhat lengthy document Otto's countenance
+kept changing colour; his eyes were very wet, and he repressed his
+tears with difficulty. When the lawyer handed him a pen for signature,
+his big powerful hand trembled to such an extent, that he could
+scarcely produce a few strokes in lieu of writing his name.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The document in question was now legally completed, and the lawyer had
+left the friends, to put it himself into a safe place of keeping. He
+came back at once. Would the gentlemen kindly excuse him? His
+Excellency the Herr Oberhofmarshal von Dirnitz had just appeared in the
+office, and desired to see him on business of importance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It probably will not be so very important, after all,&quot; said the
+lawyer, &quot;I hope to settle, it in a very few minutes, and then we can
+talk at our ease.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again the friends were alone. Otto seemed to have paid no heed to the
+lawyer's coming or going. He sat still at the table, supporting his
+head upon it, and staring gloomily before him. Bertram bent over him,
+and said, laying his hand upon his friend's shoulder--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Otto, old man, you must not view the matter in too tragic a light.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps I ought to look upon it as a joke having signed my own
+death-warrant,&quot; murmured Otto, without stirring from his position.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have done nothing of the kind,&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;I should rather
+say, that now a new life was beginning for you; a life of purpose,
+sobriety, energy, independence, however strange the last word may sound
+to you. Until this day you were not living an independent life; nothing
+but a sham existence, in slavish subjection to the caprices of your
+wife, to whom you sacrificed your fortune, and, worse than that, your
+own better judgment. Now, having come to see this, you are enabled, by
+means of some assistance, to re-conquer your fortune, or at least the
+greater part of it; and this surely is no alms, but a mere loan, for
+which you are responsible in every respect; and, perhaps, in addition,
+you may conquer what you never possessed before--I mean, the love, or,
+at the very least, the respect of your wife, which she only denied to
+the husband who had no will of his own, but which she will not refuse
+to grant to the husband who is strong, determined, and who respects
+himself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, yes,&quot; Said Otto; &quot;it all sounds very well, and I surely mean to
+try to atone for my miserable shortcomings; but this I know already
+to-day, it will not do. I mean, I shall not have the energy you speak
+of, nay, I shall look upon myself as a downright scamp, and I shall not
+dare look my wife or any one else in the face, far less confront them
+energetically, as long as I see no chance of paying off my whole
+stupendous debt to you. Not to the uttermost farthing, that may perhaps
+be made possible--but in my heart. I do not know how to express it
+aright, but you will understand my meaning--by giving you in exchange
+something that no one else could give you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He lifted his eyes to Bertram in anxious inquiry. Bertram shook his
+head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought we were not to mention it again,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor should I, to be sure, have done so,&quot; replied Otto; &quot;however fond
+one may be of a man, and however indebted to him, one's only child is
+of course one's only child; and just now, above all, to have to give
+her up, to live in the big house alone with--but I cannot give up the
+thought that now, after all, nothing is to come of it, after they,
+Lydia and my wife, have tried to prove to me in writing--in black and
+white, don't you know--that you loved each other, and that at least
+Erna ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hardly know what you are talking about,&quot; Bertram impatiently
+interrupted his friend; &quot;and what do you mean by 'in black and white'?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A stupid story,&quot; Otto made answer, embarrassed, &quot;in which those women
+have got me involved, and which; yesterday, I did not wish to refer to,
+as I was desirous of sparing Hildegard. But now let the whole thing
+come out; it may as well. Listen, then!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So he told him of the letter which Erna had written to Agatha, and
+which Lydia had purloined for a few hours. Hildegard had read the
+letter to him, and his excellent memory enabled him to reproduce it
+now, if not literally, at least in its general bearings. He also had
+remembered well the passage referring to some <i>liaison</i> which Erna
+would seem to have had, and to which the ladies had not attributed any
+special significance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now,&quot; he concluded his report, &quot;you see why my wife, who was so bent
+upon having Lotter for a son-in-law, was so annoyed with you during the
+last few days; nor do I know what would have come of it all, if the
+Princess had not yesterday brought, her round to reason: how she
+managed it is a riddle to me, but it is a fact, there, is an end of
+Lotter, for good and all. This morning Hildegard went the length of
+saying that it had been I who had favoured Lotter, and--for I may as
+well tell you all now--you suddenly appeared to her not only as an
+acceptable husband for Erna, but rather she saw in your union the only
+possibility--if my carelessness had really wrought our ruin--to save
+Erna at least, and to preserve for her such a position in society as
+she was born for. Well, old man, it's off my mind at last, and for all
+that, and, all that, it would be the grandest day in my whole life if
+you were able to say to me: 'Well, better late than never!'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is too late!&quot; Bertram replied.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had ejaculated those words, in intensest excitement, bounding from
+his chair as he did so, and now he was, with uneven step, pacing up and
+down beneath the chestnut-trees. But presently he returned to Otto,
+who, frightened, had not stirred from his seat, and said in his usual
+calm tone--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be too late, even if everything were--as it is not. I did not
+mean to speak about it, because I am not commissioned to do so, and
+because, therefore, those interested might have had good reason to be
+annoyed, if I told you before they themselves thought the time had come
+for doing so. I meant to rest satisfied with paving the way, so that
+there should be no obstacle to the fulfilment of their wishes. But now,
+since you seem unable to rid yourself of the curious idea of an
+alliance between Erna and myself; since, oddly enough, your wife finds
+pleasure therein; and since now, perhaps the fact of my making Erna my
+heiress, might seem to both of you an indirect confirmation of your
+opinion, I had better tell you this. I know that Erna has already given
+away her heart, that for more than a year she has loved Lieutenant
+Ringberg, and has been loved by him. It is my most earnest wish that
+the union of the lovers may meet with no obstacle, and I firmly believe
+that this marriage will lead to Erna's supreme happiness. And now let
+me confess one thing more, so that I may have nothing whatever on my
+conscience with regard to you. It was not for nothing that I have thus
+hastened to put order into my own, and, I trust, into your affairs, and
+to secure Erna's future. In the very next hour I have to go forth on an
+errand from which, in all human probability, I shall not return with my
+limbs whole, and where, very possibly, I may lose my life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he briefly told his friend of his quarrel with the Baron last
+night and of its consequences. The true reason he did not refer to any
+more than he had to Kurt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto was quite beside himself when he heard of it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It must not be, it shall not be!&quot; he cried again and again. &quot;It is
+sheer madness. How can you go and fight a duel with pistols when you
+scarcely know how to fire one? And with Lotter, of all men, who hits an
+ace at twenty paces. This is no duel, it is downright murder. I will
+not allow it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Please do not speak so loud, anyhow,&quot; said Bertram; &quot;they can hear you
+in the office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the better!&quot; cried Otto; &quot;every one may hear that you cannot fight
+the fellow. Why, Ringberg is far more sensible than you, for he
+pretended last night not to notice the fellow's impertinence, and left
+the card table without replying a word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who told you that?&quot; cried Bertram, terrified.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The forest-ranger,&quot; replied Otto, &quot;He came over to breakfast this
+morning. Yesterday's events were discussed; I did not pay much
+attention to the talk, for the scene which I expected to have with
+Hildegard was weighing upon my mind; but I remember now. The ladies
+were discussing, whether Ringberg had done right in ignoring Lotter's
+impertinence. Lydia thought yes, but the Princess declared that it
+could not be thus, because ... I cannot remember why not; it had no
+interest for me. If I had been able to divine that Ringberg and
+Erna--that you ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was Erna present?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Erna? No. That is to say, I do not know--I was very absent--she went
+out riding afterwards with the Princess, who sent me word that I had
+better drive to town alone. Confound the fellow! Picking quarrels with
+everybody! And we are to blame; good Heaven, it is my fault that you
+... I thought the worst had already come, but this is far worse than
+anything. But I cannot allow it, and I will not. Never! When did you
+say it was to come off? And where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall tell you nothing more, and I am sorry I told you anything at
+all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram rose swiftly, Otto sprang up too, exclaiming as he did so--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall go with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are about to leave, gentlemen?&quot; a thin voice behind them was
+asking.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In their excitement neither had noticed that the lawyer and the Herr
+Oberhofmarshal had entered the garden, and had already approached
+within a few yards of them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you very kindly introduce me to the Herr Doctor?&quot; said the
+Marshal, after he had courteously tendered his hand to Otto.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The introduction was made.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not quite right,&quot; said the Marshal, &quot;that only now I have the
+honour ... I hear you have been for more than a week at Rinstedt, and
+yet you have not had a minute to spare for us! Not for our theatre, our
+school of art, our museum! Not to mention my humble self, although I
+have for years been accustomed to no stranger of distinction passing my
+threshold. You must make up for this yet, you really must.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram answered the old gentleman in a few courteous words, looking at
+the same time entreatingly at the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your Excellency will excuse me,&quot; said the lawyer, &quot;if, considering how
+pressed the Herr Doctor is for time, I venture ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite right, quite right,&quot; said the old gentleman. &quot;Indeed, I already
+noticed myself that the gentlemen were leaving. Let us come to the
+point--a very, very disagreeable point, in reference to which, acting
+on the advice of our common legal friend, with whom I originally
+intended only to discuss the judicial bearings of the case, I should
+now like to be allowed to claim also your assistance, my dear Mr.
+Bermer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case,&quot; said Bertram, who in his impatience almost felt the
+ground burn beneath his feet, and who also thought this a splendid
+opportunity for getting rid of Otto Bermer, &quot;you will perhaps allow me
+to take my departure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray remain, Herr Doctor, I entreat you!&quot; exclaimed the Marshal
+eagerly. &quot;Quite apart from the painful interest which the matter will
+have on psychological grounds for such a profound student of human
+nature, I feel a moral necessity to have an affair, which it is
+desirable to withdraw from the cognisance of the judge, adjudicated
+upon by a forum of men of enlightened intelligence and honourable
+character--adjudicated upon and,--alas, alas!--condemned. The case is
+this ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If your Excellency will allow me?&quot; said the lawyer, in response to
+another still more entreating glance of Bertram's.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Please, please,&quot; replied, the Marshal, conveying the pinch of snuff,
+which he had just, taken from his box, somewhat abruptly to his nose.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The case is this,&quot; the lawyer went on, without heeding the old
+gentleman's annoyance: &quot;your friend Baron Lotter, my dear Burner, has
+been guilty of an action which amounts to fraud and forgery. He had
+been commissioned to, buy a couple of race-horses for the Court
+during the summer, somewhere in Bavaria, and had drawn the money for
+them--three thousand thalers--from the Grand Duke's privy purse, upon
+an order signed by His Excellency; but he appears not to have paid the
+money, but to have given a bill of exchange instead, with the forged
+signature of His Excellency, as representing the Marshal's office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is not this monstrous?&quot; cried the old gentleman, &quot;as if the Upper
+Court Marshal's office ever paid, with bills of exchange!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The daring of the deed is indeed tremendous,&quot; continued the lawyer,
+&quot;considering the fact which His Excellency has stated just now, and
+which was also known to the Herr Baron. And indeed he had taken the
+precaution to inform the clerk of the privy purse--into whose hands the
+bill of exchange would necessarily come first--when presented for
+payment, that the affair was all right; that he would hand him the
+money a week before it was due; the little service would not remain
+without its reward, as soon as the Baron had got his foot in the
+stirrup, in other words, as soon as he was Chamberlain. The poor fellow
+was weak enough ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is incredible!&quot; murmured the Oberhofmarshal; &quot;quite incredible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure, your Excellency,&quot; said the lawyer; &quot;nevertheless, he was
+weak enough to consent to what was evidently a fraud, until to-day, two
+days before the bill was due, and when the money promised by the Baron
+had not appeared, his terror compelled him to make a clean breast of it
+to His Excellency. Meanwhile the bill had, yesterday, been sent to a
+local banker for collection. This banker, who, of course, had never
+seen anything of the kind occur in business, thought it advisable to
+make private and confidential inquiries of His Excellency as to the
+state of affairs, just before the clerk made his confession, and now
+His Excellency has the proof in his own hands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The little old gentleman, who accompanied the lawyer's report with many
+a nod and with eager play of features, was opening his mouth, but the
+lawyer continued swiftly--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His Excellency at once went to His Highness ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon!&quot; cried the Marshal. &quot;I struggled for an hour as to
+whether I could not spare His Highness this grief. Moreover the young
+man's father was my dear old friend, who would turn in his grave if he
+could hear that a Lotter, his own son--it is terrible! And be assured,
+gentlemen, if I were a rich man--every one knows I am not--I ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your Excellency would in that case not have gone to Serenissimus,&quot; the
+lawyer went on; &quot;but it was not to be avoided. His Highness, with his
+customary generosity, resolved at once ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is,&quot; the Marshal interrupted him, &quot;in consequence of my report
+and recommendation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course, in consequence of His Excellency's report and
+recommendation, resolved at once that the bill was to be paid as if
+everything were in perfect order, under the condition that the Herr
+Baron should never show his face at Court again, and depart
+straightway. This latter point, the Grand Duke declared with very
+natural anger ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I really must beg ...&quot; objected the Marshal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Declared with considerable emphasis to be the <i>conditio sine quâ non</i>,
+if he were to show a merciful forbearance, in lieu of allowing the law
+to take its course. And now we come to the point when ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When,&quot; the Marshal said, turning to Otto, &quot;I must claim your kind
+services. You have the ... I can only say the great misfortune to be a
+friend ... I mean an acquaintance of the Herr Baron, who is at present
+a guest in your house. My appearance there, however greatly I should
+esteem such an honour, would perhaps cause some sensation, the very
+thing His Highness wishes to avoid at any cost. Serenissimus himself
+suggested and our common friend here ventures to propose directly,
+that ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That you, my dear Bermer,&quot; resumed the lawyer, &quot;might give the young
+gentleman the requisite strong hint, to which a letter which His
+Excellency has just drawn up in my office ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And which I beg herewith to produce,&quot; said the Marshal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would give additional emphasis,&quot; concluded the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I would beg your Excellency to intrust the letter to me,&quot; said
+Bertram. &quot;I chance to know where the Herr Baron, who left my friend's
+house last night, is to be found at this present moment. To be sure I
+must leave at once, lest I miss him. You are coming with me, Otto?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; cried Otto; &quot;my carriage is at the door.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And your horses are swifter than the hired ones, which I had ordered
+to be here at five. It is a quarter to five now. We have not a moment
+to lose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But tell him it as gently as possible, I entreat you,&quot; the Marshal
+called out after the two friends, who were already crossing the little
+courtyard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram waved his hand in assent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A minute later the carriage was rattling along the narrow lane behind
+the lawyer's garden towards the broad street leading to the town gates.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXV.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">Bertram, on entering the carriage, at once told Otto of the place in
+the wood where, by the shore of the little lake, the meeting was to
+take place, and Otto replied that they could easily reach it in half an
+hour, going first along the high-road, then turning off to the right
+and driving along some country lanes, and at last, for a brief stretch,
+through the forest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But they had scarcely left the gates when unexpected obstacles
+intervened. The high-road, which had been perfectly free and clear a
+little while ago, when Otto was driving to town, now swarmed with
+troops belonging to the corps which had made a victorious advance; they
+were now utilising this convenient road for taking up their position
+for the sham-fight which was to be resumed tomorrow. This was the gist
+of the information conveyed to the friends, with due military
+politeness, by an officer who had hurriedly ridden up to their
+carriage, whilst Otto was vainly storming at some artillerymen in
+charge of a gun which they had managed to upset in a ditch, and of
+which the horses were blocking the road. The officer pointed out that
+the gentlemen would do better to deviate from the high-road than to try
+and force their way, and he said that, farther on it was occupied in
+even greater strength, and was likely to be absolutely impassable for
+the next half hour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The advice seemed very sensible, and it was possible to follow it at
+once, for there was a country lane branching off to the right in that
+very spot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is a deuced deal farther,&quot; said Otto. &quot;We shall have to drive by
+way of Neuenhof and Viehburg; however, there is no help for it now, and
+after all we shall be in good time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have already lost a quarter of an hour,&quot; said Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We'll easily make up for that,&quot; replied Otto; &quot;you see the road is in
+good condition and quite clear. Make haste, John--as quick as the
+horses can go!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto was very far from really feeling the energy which he was
+displaying. On the contrary, he was cherishing the hope that the
+round-about way would ultimately prove too long; and that, even if they
+were to arrive in time, this insane duel should not come off. Thus the
+one care which had still been weighing somewhat upon his elastic
+temperament was gone. As for the rest, why all had come about as nicely
+as possible. Could he have anticipated anything of the kind when, an
+hour ago, he was driving to town in his despair, with the remembrance
+of that awful scene with his wife upon him like a nightmare? What would
+she say now? How would she take it? Not well, of course. She would call
+it a terrible humiliation--disgraceful. Nonsense! It was the simplest
+and most loyal arrangement in the world. Why should not Bertram make
+Erna his heiress, for he had neither kith nor kin, and had always been
+so fond of her? Hildegard had never liked Erna to call Bertram uncle.
+In future, perhaps, she would not object to it. And what about the big
+loan? Well, the bigness was its chief merit. A few thousand thalers
+here, a few thousand thalers there, how ignoble, how mean! But a
+hundred thousand thalers, that was decent; there was nothing derogatory
+about that. Hildegard would herself see that; and moreover, if Erna was
+to inherit the money anyhow, it remained, as it were, in the family.
+Then he wondered how his wife would get on with the young lieutenant,
+whom yesterday they had both seen for the first time. Only yesterday!
+But a man must see his son-in-law once for the first time. And he
+seemed to be such a charming fellow! What a pity that he was not of
+noble birth, for that had, after all, been Lotter's chief merit in
+Hildegard's eyes. Poor beggar! he really was sorry for him. That is
+what a man may come to when he is seriously embarrassed! Awful! And all
+for a mere trifle--those dirty three thousand thalers! If he had given
+him the money yesterday, or if Lotter had won them at play, the whole
+business might have been hushed up, and the beggar would not have run
+a-muck at everybody. The fellow was not a bad sort, hang it, quite a
+jolly fellow to get on with! Now, what fiend had possessed Bertram on
+this occasion; Bertram, who, on principle, made a point of avoiding all
+social conflicts, or, if the worst came to the worst, always knew how
+to make a courteous and clever diversion; Bertram who, even as a
+student, had never fought a duel, and had never concealed his aversion
+on the subject? And where on earth was, in this case, the necessity for
+fighting the man? Bertram must have known that Lotter's farce at
+Rinstedt was played out, that Hildegard had given him up for good and
+all. The foe who is running away should have golden bridges built him,
+not be impeded in his retreat. Well, well, it was to be hoped that
+Lotter at least had meanwhile come to his senses and gone away. To be
+sure, this was the most likely thing to have happened. Lotter, cunning
+fellow, had set all this duel business a-going, by way of putting them
+on the wrong scent, knowing that his pursuers would presently be on the
+alert, and now, whilst he was being looked for in the wood, he had most
+probably decamped altogether.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">If Otto, good easy-going fellow, on arriving at this comforting
+conclusion, did not actually rub his hands in sheer glee, he refrained
+solely out of regard for his companion, who was sitting by his side in
+silent gloom, as though he were most terribly grieved at the prospect
+of the duel not taking place after all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And so it was. Bertram felt like a man wearied to death, drawing his
+blankets around him and preparing for the greatly-desired rest, and
+abruptly startled by the alarm of fire. He had, indeed, been longing
+for death, but, of course, could not accept it from a dishonoured hand,
+neither for his own sake nor for that of the others who had agreed to
+act in what they thought an honourable cause, but which now was
+irrevocably stained with dishonour. Thus he would have to live on, on,
+nor might he let any one see what a torment this life was and would be
+to him; no one, and least of all Erna. She was even never to guess that
+he had been willing to sacrifice himself. But how was she to be kept
+from this conjecture, when gradually it would appear that there had
+been a connection between the Baron's insult to Kurt and his own
+intervention, which occurred in the same place and the very next
+minute? The remark of the Herr Oberförster at the breakfast table
+proved that the right scent had been discovered. Had he not thought of
+it at all? Or had he done so, and then quieted his scruples by assuming
+that his death would spread an impenetrable veil over the real
+circumstances of the case? And if that veil were really ever lifted in
+Erna's sight, and if she had to say to herself that he had died for
+her, it would be but as one note of melancholy, dissolving anon in the
+pure and full harmony of her own firm happiness. Was this certain? Or
+had he been playing a comedy after all, and assumed the easiest and
+most grateful part himself? Had he but draped himself as a dying hero,
+in order to hurt his rival, who might thereafter see how best to get on
+with an uncomfortable part? And now the piece was not to end, and he
+would have to remain upon the stage in the attitude of a hero, and Erna
+would have ample time to make comparisons; and they must needs all tell
+against Kurt! And would proud Erna forgive her lover this? And was this
+to be the result of his own unselfish devotion for Erna's sake?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus tormenting himself, he groaned aloud under the weight of the
+reproach which he was heaping upon his conscience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; remarked Otto prosaically, &quot;that comes from driving so fast.
+However, we shall again be delayed, and no mistake!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a short quick drive they reached the first village, and came upon
+the rearguard of corps number two retreating towards the shelter of the
+woods. In the narrow village lane a very compact mass of men and horses
+had accumulated, and a forward movement was quite impossible, because
+those marching on in front had not yet cleared the line. The men had
+stacked their rifles; by the roadside, on the road itself, weary men
+were crouching; others were crowding round the different house-doors,
+whence compassionate hands were holding out water in every possible and
+impossible sort of vessel. In front of the little inn had gathered an
+absolutely impenetrable knot of human beings. The driver was compelled
+to branch off again, this time into a very narrow little lane, thence
+he had to work his way with the greatest difficulty into the open, then
+drive across stubble-fields, and so back to the road, frequently
+alongside of columns of soldiers on the march, who made way with the
+greatest reluctance; and thus they made but slow progress.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Slow, far too slow for Bertram, whose feverish impatience was
+increasing every minute, although he knew not what to reply to Otto
+when he argued that it really did not matter much, even if they arrived
+a quarter of an hour or so too late. And what did too late mean in a
+case like this? They would arrive in ample time for the awkward
+explanation to the Baron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, and I might as well admit,&quot; said Otto, &quot;that personally I hope
+we shall not find him at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think we shall, though,&quot; replied Bertram; &quot;for in spite of his
+having morally gone so much astray, he is no coward. A man with weaker
+nerves would not have so long borne the danger of being discovered.
+And he must assume that he will be left alone until the day after
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In any case,&quot; said Otto, shrugging those broad shoulders of his, &quot;we
+cannot advance any faster.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They had meanwhile passed the second village, and the troops on the
+march were behind them, and as the road was now both smooth and clear,
+the horses were really doing their best. They had by this time reached
+the border of the forest, and again they were obliged to proceed at a
+walking pace, for the road, which was old and ill-kept, had been made
+much worse by the foot-deep furrows which the pressure of the cannons
+had produced upon the soft soil. There were many traces of a hot combat
+having been waged here; cartridge-cases abounded, being scattered all
+over the place; there were plenty of broken branches, moreover, and now
+they actually came upon a kind of barricade; and it was impossible to
+drive round it, since on either side great trees skirted the road.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Confound those soldiers!&quot; said Otto; &quot;they carry on as though they
+were in the enemy's country. We shall have to get out and walk whilst
+John clears away this obstacle, so as to enable him to pass;
+fortunately, it does not seem to be very firmly built. The lake is
+within a hundred yards of this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The wood did indeed form a kind of glade, and in this spot a fairly
+broad one; and the road now lay between the sedge-grown banks of the
+little lake on the left and the edge of the forest on the right. This
+was close to the very place chosen for the hostile meeting. At first
+the sedge prevented a clear view, but, hurrying along, the friends soon
+discovered the centre, and thence they could see the rest of the
+ground, up to the spot where the wood came closing in again. All was
+deserted and silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When they came, they probably found too much company hereabouts. Rely
+upon it, they have passed along the cutting, and are now in glade
+number two. Come along, I know every inch of the ground. Look,--a
+carriage has stopped here, and has then gone on through the cutting.
+And here is no end of traces of horses' hoofs. I have no idea where,
+they can all come from!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The tracks of carriage-wheels and traces of horses' hoofs continued all
+along the cutting; but the friends had only advanced a few yards in the
+same direction when it occurred to Otto that his coachman, on finding
+nobody on the appointed spot, would probably drive straight ahead,
+possibly all the way to Rinstedt. The man was quite fool enough to do
+so, he said; so perhaps he had better turn back and instruct him,
+whilst Bertram went on. It was impossible, he added, for Bertram to
+miss the place now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So Otto turned and Bertram hurried on. Already a certain gathering
+brightness indicated the whereabouts of the glade which Otto had spoken
+of, and to which the slope was now leading, but leading so gradually
+that Bertram could not yet get a glimpse of it, although he surely must
+be very near it, for he heard human voices and the neighing of a horse.
+And now he saw at least a portion of the glade, and there were several
+horses on the spot--as he perceived to his amazement--and grooms were
+holding the horses. Looking again, and more carefully, he noticed that
+several of the horses had side-saddles. An abrupt thought flashed
+across him. He recoiled involuntarily somewhat to the left, and then,
+standing behind some broad-stemmed fir-trees at the very edge of
+the glade, he saw before him a scene which for a moment held him
+spell-bound with terror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Four or five men, Colonel von Waldor and Herr von Busche among them,
+were lifting a wounded man or a dead man upon a low country cart filled
+with straw, and then the doctor and his assistant received their charge
+and laid him carefully down, raising his head as they did so. The
+evening light shone brightly on the pallid face--Kurt's face; but,
+Heaven be thanked, Kurt wounded, but not dead! His eyes were open, and
+a smile flitted across his pallid features as Erna bent over him where
+he lay. Her fair countenance, darkened by the riding-hat which she
+wore, was as pale as his own, but she, too, was smiling, and she bent
+lower and lower still, and closed those lips of his that would speak
+and that were not to speak, with a kiss; and then she leapt down from
+the cart and bounded straightway, with Herr von Busche's help, into the
+saddle, her horse having meanwhile been brought to her. The Colonel,
+too, had mounted by this time, and the cart now set off, the wounded
+man being supported by the doctor's assistant; the doctor had also
+mounted his horse and joined the procession, which, following the
+cutting in the opposite direction, soon vanished within the glade.
+There remained but Herr von Busche and Alexandra, whom Bertram only saw
+after the cart had disappeared; there were two grooms, too, and they
+were now bringing up the horses; one of them a spare one, probably the
+one which poor Kurt had been riding.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The whole scene only occupied a few minutes, during which Bertram just
+had time to overcome the first paralysing feelings of horror. What
+subsequently retained and restrained him in the sheltering darkness of
+the trees, was a flood of curiously mingled feelings, out of which
+there emerged with potent forces the warning: They have found each
+other for life and death; step not again between them; touch not again
+with clumsy hands the dainty and complicated wheels of a fate which
+laughs your calculations to scorn!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He would have liked best to creep away unseen by any one, but here was
+Otto ascending the cutting, and loudly calling Bertram's name.
+Alexandra, who was just about to let Herr von Busche help her into the
+saddle, started; Herr von Busche sang out in reply to Otto; Bertram
+stepped forth from under the trees, and the Princess hurried up to him,
+gathering her riding-habit with one hand, and holding out the other to
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear friend! you here? Thank Heaven! I was just debating whether I
+had not better wait for you, rather than leave a servant with a
+message.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is Kurt badly wounded?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How do you know? but never mind! No; not badly. That is to say, it
+will be a tedious affair, but the surgeon guarantees a complete cure,
+and states that his life is in no danger. He found the ball at once; we
+were already on the spot--and, great Heaven, what a splendid, heroic
+creature Erna is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto had meanwhile come up. There was much cross-questioning, of
+course; and the friends speedily gathered at least the main facts of
+the occurrence. Herr von Busche was naturally best qualified to give
+all the information required. He had heard from the Oberförster, upon
+that gentleman's return from Rinstedt, of the scene in which Kurt,
+evidently without knowing it, had acted a singular part--one quite
+incompatible with the traditional honour of an officer--of a man who is
+grossly insulted in the presence of many others, and who withdraws
+without replying. The Oberförster had been quite excited on the subject
+which he had been discussing with the ladies at the breakfast-table; he
+had added that other gentlemen, who had also been present last night,
+had expressed their amazement at the young' officer's conduct.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am myself an officer in the <i>Landwehr</i>.&quot; continued Herr von Busche,
+&quot;and my duty was clear. I was bound to communicate as quickly as
+possible to Ringberg the insulting suspicion to which he had made
+himself liable. To apply to the Baron for information was out of the
+question. He had left the ranger's house some hours before, to pay, he
+said, some farewell-calls in the neighbourhood; besides, I think, he
+wanted to procure the horse on which he afterwards came to the meeting.
+We had agreed to meet here. Herr Ringberg was also to be here, of
+course, but then it would have been too late; there would have been two
+duels in lieu of one; and Ringberg's was bound to have precedence. Then
+there was no second provided for Ringberg, unless the Herr Doctor had
+acted as such, and that was not exactly feasible. Well, in a word, I
+got on horseback, and searched the length and breadth of the ground
+employed for the man&#339; vres, until at last, when I had given up all
+hope, I found Ringberg at the moment when the regiment were stacking
+their rifles. This was at five. The original hostile meeting was fixed
+for half-past. Ringberg was on the point of leaving, having previously,
+under some pretext or other, obtained two hours' leave of absence from
+the Colonel. I told Ringberg what I had heard. He requested me to
+accompany him to Colonel von Waldor to whom he would have to report the
+case. You know the Colonel. 'I am your second,' he cried; 'we'll teach
+the Baron a lesson in good manners.' A minute or two afterwards we were
+in the saddle, accompanied by the staff-surgeon and an assistant, and
+galloped here. The carriage was waiting by the side of the lake, and at
+the same moment the Baron appeared. I must do him the justice to say
+that he not only did not deny having made the insulting remarks, but
+declared his perfect readiness to give instant satisfaction for them.
+The issue unhappily was what, knowing the Baron's wonderful skill, I
+expected it to be; or rather, it would probably have been even more
+unfortunate, if, at the moment of firing, the ladies had not appeared.
+I am sure that the Baron, who stood facing the cutting, must have seen
+them coming, before the rest of us heard the sound of the horses' hoofs
+upon the soft turf, and that the unexpected sight robbed him of his
+usual unfailing aim. I find it natural enough that, under the
+circumstances, he preferred to vanish immediately, and I expect that he
+will be waiting for me at the Oberförster's now. To say the truth, I am
+not particularly anxious to meet him again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Whilst the young man was relating this in his wonted vivacious style,
+and whilst Otto briefly explained how Bertram and he had been detained
+upon the road, they reached the end of the cutting, and had come to the
+place where Otto's carriage was waiting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How right we were to divide,&quot; said Herr von Busche. &quot;The escort of the
+wounded man would have been really too numerous. As it is, it will
+cause a certain amount of sensation, although fortunately it will not
+have to leave the wood till it is close to Rinstedt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It might be as well to divide once more,&quot; said Alexandra. &quot;I feel, to
+say the truth, somewhat shaken, and would like to await in town news
+about the sufferer; for his state inspires me with no alarm now, and I
+am expected to appear at Court to-night. I know you will very kindly
+let me use your carriage, and mount Lieutenant Ringberg's horse
+instead. You will be glad to get home as speedily as possible, although
+we sent word to your wife so as to prepare her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But,&quot; remonstrated Otto, &quot;most gracious Princess, you cannot go
+alone....&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope the Herr Doctor will be so good as to accompany me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra turned, as she spoke, to Bertram who was standing silent,
+evidently in deep thought, and who had scarcely joined in the previous
+conversation. Now he looked up, and their eyes met.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was just going to request that honour,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Otto looked amazed, but ventured upon no remonstrance. A shrug of the
+shoulder behind Alexandra's back, seemed to imply that he considered
+Bertram the lamentable victim of a lady's caprice. He instructed the
+coachman to regain as quickly as possible the high-road, which was now
+likely to be clear of troops, for this would enable the Princess to be
+driven with greater ease and quickness. He pointed out to her that
+there were plenty of wrappers in the carriage, and begged her to make
+use of them in the cool of the evening. The Princess thanked him for
+his attentions, and added that she would not fail to inquire personally
+at Rinstedt on the following day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you too, of course, Charles,&quot; said Otto.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram nodded--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will not detain you any longer.&quot;'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They shook hands; the gentlemen mounted their horses and galloped away,
+followed by the grooms, and the carriage set off more slowly in the
+opposite direction.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXVI.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">For a little while Alexandra and Bertram sat silently side by side;
+then Alexandra said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are at one in the conviction that it will be in the interest of our
+<i>protégés</i> if we vanish from the scene?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Absolutely,&quot; replied Bertram. &quot;I suffer acutely already, and recognise
+the outrage that man is guilty of who would play Providence for
+others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case I should have been guilty too,&quot; said Alexandra, &quot;but I am
+by no means dissatisfied with myself; on the contrary, I believe it is
+good that things have happened thus; it was necessary. And when you
+know all, you will admit that I am right. You must know it, for the
+sake of the future, which will still claim much from us. Listen in
+patience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have rigidly adhered to your advice. I announced my departure for
+noon to-day; my maid was despatched with the luggage a little before
+ten; our host insisted upon escorting me in person to the town. Then I
+went to see Erna. We had a memorable conversation which I cannot
+reproduce to you in all its details, but the result was that Erna no
+longer doubted the sincerity of my desire for her happiness; but her
+pride revolted against receiving this happiness at my hands, or, if
+that be saying too much, she had the painful impression that her
+happiness could only be brought about at the cost of my own, in other
+words, that I was still in love with Kurt, and that my marriage to Herr
+von Waldor, which I announced to her as impending, was an act of
+resignation, if not of despair. Of course she did not give utterance to
+all this, nor did she even hint at it; these things one simply feels.
+And there was another thing that came between her and the prospect
+of calm happiness by Kurt's side. Dear friend, do not deny it any
+longer--not to me, even if to all the world besides--you are in love
+with Erna! Thank you for this pressure of the hand. It does not reveal
+a secret to me, and yet I thank you for it with all my heart. You owed
+me this satisfaction, as I have told you Claudine's story; and even as
+Claudine's story is buried in your bosom, so the story of a noble human
+heart shall be buried in mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alexandra withdrew her hand with a cordial pressure from Bertram's.
+They were both too much moved to be able to speak for some time. At
+last Bertram said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And does Erna believe me to be in love with her, after all I have done
+to shake her conviction?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should not assert that her faith has not been shaken,&quot; Alexandra
+replied, &quot;but she was still under the sway of that intuitive feeling
+which guides us women wellnigh always aright, and which in her case
+betrayed itself in a hundred turns, every one of which had for its
+object your future welfare and happiness. And then, my friend, you did
+at last the very opposite of what you should have done to calm Erna,
+and to brighten her future. You may thank Heaven that Erna does not
+divine the real motive which influenced you; that between the two duels
+she sees a sort of mechanical connection of time and place, if I may
+say so, and not the real one. But for all that, if you had fallen in
+this duel, Erna would never have consented to an alliance with Kurt,
+and she would never in her heart have forgiven him for not being the
+first on the ground. Whether it was within the limits of possibility to
+have forestalled you, the woman's heart does not stop to inquire. The
+loved one must be not only the best and noblest and bravest of men, but
+the cleverest too; how he sets about it is his own concern! Dozens of
+duels have been fought in my immediate neighbourhood, and, I am sorry
+to say, I have been the direct cause more than once, so I had no
+difficulty in understanding the whole business. That old chatterbox,
+the ranger, was relating the circumstances to us at breakfast; I then
+sent for your servant, and, examining him, found out that you had held
+a long conversation with Kurt, which had been preceded by negotiations
+between Kurt and Herr von Busche; and last of all came that
+crackbrained person Fräulein von Aschhof, and confessed her horribly
+indiscreet statement to the Baron, and your remark, my friend, that you
+would try to settle the matter. I saw it all as clearly as though it
+had been acted before me. Then I knew, too, what I should have to do.
+Again I sought Erna, and told her that your life and Kurt's honour were
+both at stake; of course I took care to represent matters in such a way
+that the idea could not well occur to her of your having wished to
+sacrifice yourself directly for Kurt. She spurned with contumely the
+idea that Kurt had only pretended not to hear the Baron's insulting
+remarks; no need for me to tell her, she said, that Kurt must be
+instantly informed of it. I am convinced that she felt that her fate
+was about to be decided, that now once more she became fully and
+thoroughly conscious of her love for Kurt. The great, strong, energetic
+nature of the glorious girl shone forth in mighty radiance. I could
+have knelt at her feet and worshipped her! I may say that I forgot
+completely my own self, forgot that he for whom this passion was
+flaming heaven-high had been the object of my own mad love. I even
+concealed what I knew--that I had distinctly recognised the Baron,
+when I saw him at the card-table last night, as the man who also,
+at a card-table, had cheated my mother out of a hundred thousand
+francs--that the Baron was not a fit man for an officer and a gentleman
+to fight. I dreaded lest that objection should destroy what I saw
+coming. How we hurried all over the ground in search of Kurt; how we
+came upon his regiment when he had just ridden off; how a surgeon's
+assistant who had been sent back to fetch some forgotten bandages or
+instruments helped us to find his track; how we followed up that track
+at the utmost speed of which our horses were capable; how we reached
+the goal just in time to see Kurt fall, whilst his miserable opponent
+flung the pistol to the ground and fled when he beheld me--all this you
+know, or may easily picture for yourself. But I picture to myself how
+Erna will now be leading her love to her parental abode, to keep and to
+hold him there for her very own;--for what is more, what becomes more a
+woman's very own than the man whom she loves, if she has to tend him
+and wrestle with death for his possession;--and I picture to myself how
+now only she recognises with a shudder what a lordly treasure she had
+all but forfeited through exaggerated pride and obstinacy; and I think
+of, all the wealth of love and bliss which is in store for them both!
+And then I look at us both, at us who have opened for them the gates of
+their paradise driving away into darkness like two exiles; and I ask
+you, friend, have we really need to be ashamed of the part which we
+have played? Or, rather, are we not fully and fairly entitled to
+rejoice in our success and to be proud of it? Yes, friend, we must be
+glad, we must be proud. Where else shall we, who are sick unto death,
+gain the strength to get well again? For we must not, dare not die; but
+we must live and be happy, to prove to those two that they may be happy
+on our account. I, my friend, mean to live on; I will and shall
+recover. I shall appear at Court to-night, and be beautiful and witty
+if I can, or at least serene and in good-humour. And not to-day alone,
+but to-morrow too, and every day, and most so by Waldor's side, for he
+very surely does not marry the Princess Alexandra for the sake of
+getting a moody, melancholy wife. Some secret corner somewhere will
+surely be found where now and again one may weep in peace, and let the
+grievous wound bleed. And you, dear friend? What shall you do? How will
+you set about recovering? I should not have an hour's quiet if I had to
+think you could not. Give me your word that you will recover, give me
+your hand on it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram's answer did not come at once. He raised his eyes and saw the
+beacon-fees blazing on the mountain tops and far away in the plains. He
+heard the calls of the patrols, the neighing of many horses, the talk
+and laughter of the men round the bivouac-fires, the dull thud of
+marching columns. It was but a mimic warfare, but it spoke to him of a
+true and earnest fight in which he was called upon to take his place in
+the ranks as a good and true soldier, to do his duty as long as
+strength was granted him--it might be for years, or for a few days
+only. And he held out his hand to Alexandra, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whether I shall recover, I know not. But I swear to you that I will
+try!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:5px">* * * * *</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXVII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">&quot;Then you insist upon joining in to-morrow's debate?&quot; the doctor was
+saying.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I flatter myself that it is necessary!&quot; replied Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As a political partisan I admit it; as your medical adviser I repeat,
+it is impossible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, my good friend, you said just now, it is undesirable; now, from
+that to impossible is rather a bold step. We had better stick to the
+first statement.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The doctor, who had taken up his hat and stick a few minutes before,
+laid both down again, pushed Bertram into the chair before his
+writing-table, sat down again facing him, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Judging from your momentary condition it is merely desirable that you
+should have at present absolute repose for at least a few days. But I
+very much fear that to-morrow's inevitable excitement will make you
+worse, and then the downright necessity for rest will arise, and that
+not only for a few days. Let me speak quite frankly, Bertram. I know
+that I shall not frighten you, although I should rather like to do so.
+You are causing me real anxiety. I greatly regret that I kept you last
+autumn from your projected Italian trip, and that I pushed and urged
+you into the fatigues of an election campaign and into the harassing
+anxieties of parliamentary life. I assumed that this energetic activity
+would contribute to your complete restoration to health, and I find
+that I made a grievous mistake. And yet I am not aware where exactly
+the mistake was made. You mastered your parliamentary duties with such
+perfect ease, you entered the arena so well prepared and armed from top
+to toe, you used your weapons with all the skill of a past master, and
+you were borne along by such an ample measure of success--and that of
+course has its great value. Well, according to all human understanding
+and experience, the splendid and relatively easy discharge of duties
+for which you are so eminently fitted, should contribute to your
+well-being, and yet the very opposite is occurring. In spite of all my
+cogitations I can find but one theory to account for it. In spite of
+the admirable equanimity which you always preserve, in spite of the
+undimmed serenity of your disposition and appearance, by which you
+charm your friends, whilst you frequently disarm your foes, there must
+be a hidden something in your soul that gnaws away at your vitals, a
+deep, dark under-current of grief and pain. Am I right? You know that I
+am not asking the question from idle curiosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it,&quot; replied Bertram; &quot;and therefore I answer: you are right
+and yet not right, or right only if you hold me responsible for the
+effect of a cause I was guiltless of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You answer in enigmas, my friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me try a metaphor. Say, somebody is compelled to live in a house,
+in which the architect made some grave mistake at the laying of the
+foundations, or at some important period or other of its erection. The
+tenant is a quiet, steady man, who keeps the house in good order; then
+comes a storm, and the ill-constructed building is terribly shaken and
+strained. The steady-going tenant repairs the damage as best he can,
+and things go on fairly enough for a time, a long time, until there
+comes another and a worse storm, which makes the whole house topple
+together over his head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The doctor's dark eyes had been dwelling searchingly and sympathisingly
+upon the speaker. Now he said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think I understand your metaphor. Of course, it only meets a portion
+of the case. I happen to know the house in question extremely well.
+True there was one weak point in it from the beginning, in spite of its
+general excellent construction, but ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But me no buts,&quot; interrupted Bertram eagerly. &quot;Given the one weak
+point, and all the rest naturally follows. I surely need not point out
+to such a faithful disciple of Spinoza's, that thought and expansion
+are but attributes of one and the same substance, that there is no
+physiological case that does not, rightly viewed, turn to a
+psychological one; that so excitable a heart as mine must needs be
+impressed by things more than other hearts whose bands do not snap,
+happen what may, and notwithstanding all the storms of Fate. Or are you
+not sure that, if you had had to examine the hearts of Werther or of
+Eduard in the 'Elective Affinities,' you would have found things
+undreamed of by æesthetic philosophers? I belong to the same race. I
+neither glory in this, nor do I blush for it; I simply state a fact, a
+fact which embodies my fate, before whose power I bow, or rather whose
+power bows me down in spite of my resistance. For, however much I may
+by disposition belong to the last century, yet I am also a citizen of
+our own time; nor can I be deaf to its bidding. I know full well that
+modern man can no longer live and die exclusively for his private joys
+and sorrows; I know full well that I have a fatherland whose fame,
+honour, and greatness I am bound to hold sacred, and to which I am
+indebted as long as a breath stirs within me. I know it, and I believe
+that I have proved it according to my strength, both formerly and again
+now, when ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He covered forehead and eyes with his hands, and so sat for a while in
+deep emotion, which his medical friend respected by keeping perfectly
+silent. Then, looking up again, Bertram went on in a hushed voice--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My friend, that last storm was very, very strong. It shook the feeble
+building to its very foundation. What is now causing your anxiety is
+indeed but a consequence of that awful tempest. The terribly entrancing
+details no one as yet knows except one woman, whom an almost identical
+fate made my confidante, and who will keep my secret absolutely. So
+would you, I know. You have been before this my counsellor and my
+father-confessor. And so you will be another time, perhaps, if you
+desire it and deem it necessary.--To-day only this one remark more, for
+your own satisfaction; for I read in your grave countenance the same
+momentous question which my confidante put to me: Whether I am willing
+to recover? I answered to the best of my knowledge and belief: Yes! I
+consider it my duty to be willing. It is a duty simply towards my
+electors, who have not honoured me with their votes that I may lie me
+down and die of an unhappy and unrequited attachment. If the latter
+does happen--I mean my dying--you will bear witness that it was done
+against my will, solely in consequence of that mistake in the original
+construction which the architect was guilty of. But, in order that it
+may not happen, or may at least not happen so soon, you, my friend,
+must allow me to do the very thing which you have forbidden. The dream
+I dreamed was infinitely beautiful, and, to speak quite frankly, real
+life seems barren and dreary in comparison with it. The contrast is too
+great, and I can only efface it somewhat by mixing with the insipid
+food a strong spice of excitement, such as our parliamentary kitchen is
+just now supplying in the best quality, and of which our head-cook is
+sure to give us an extra dose to-morrow. And, therefore, I must be in
+my place at the table tomorrow and make my dinner-speech. <i>Quod erat
+demonstrandum</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He held out his hand with a smile. His friend smiled too. It was a very
+melancholy smile, and vanished again forthwith.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What a pity,&quot; he said, &quot;that the cleverest patients are the most
+intractable. But I have vowed I will never have a clever one again,
+after you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In truth,&quot; replied Bertram, &quot;I am giving you far too much trouble. In
+your great kindness and friendship you come to me almost in the middle
+of the night, when you ought to be resting from your day's heavy toil;
+you come of your own accord, simply impelled by a faithful care for my
+well-being; and, finally, you have to return with ingratitude and
+disobedience for your reward. Well, well--let us hope for better
+things, and let me have the pleasure of seeing you again to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski came in with a candle to show the doctor the way down, for the
+lights in the house had long since been extinguished. The gentlemen
+were once more shaking hands, and the physician slipped his on to
+Bertram's wrist Then he shook his head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Konski,&quot; he said, turning to the servant, &quot;if your master has a fancy
+one of these days to drink a glass of champagne, you may give him one,
+as an exception; but only one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now remember that, Konski!&quot; said Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not likely that it will happen,&quot; grumbled Konski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Konski will leave me to-morrow,&quot; explained Bertram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will, is it? No, I won't, but ...&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All right!&quot; said his master, &quot;we must not bother the doctor with our
+private affairs. Good-bye, my friend! With your leave I will dine with
+you to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The physician left; Bertram immediately again sat down at the
+writing-table, and resumed the work which this late visit had
+interrupted. It was a disputed election case, and he would have to
+report upon it to the House. There had been some irregularities, and it
+was in the interest of his own party that the election should be
+declared null and void; he had been examining the somewhat complicated
+data with all the greater conscientiousness and care. But now he lost
+the thread, and was turning over the voluminous page of the evidence,
+when, lo! a daintily-folded sheet of paper--a letter--fell out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good heavens! how came this here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He seized upon it with eagerness, as a wandering beggar might seize
+upon a gold coin which he saw glittering among the dust on the road.
+The hot blood surged to the temples from the sick and sore heart; the
+hand that held the slight paper trembled violently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now he would not be grumbling at my slow pulse!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yesterday morning he had received this letter, but had not succeeded in
+composing himself sufficiently to read more than a few lines. He
+thought that, perhaps, on his return from the <i>Reichstag</i> he might have
+been in a more settled frame of mind. Then he had not been able to find
+again the letter which had been laid aside, although he had searched
+for hours, first alone, then with Konski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And now--after all those documents were pushed aside--he was again, as
+yesterday, staring hard at the page, and again, as yesterday, the
+different lines ran into each other; but he shook his head angrily,
+drew his hand over his eyes, and then read:--</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="right">&quot;<span class="sc">Capri</span>, <i>April</i> 24.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<span class="sc">Dearest Uncle Bertram</span>,--If to-day for the first time, in our travels I
+write to you, take this as a gentle punishment for not having come to
+our wedding. Take it--no, I must not tell you a falsehood, not even in
+jest. We--I mean Kurt and myself--regretted your absence greatly, but
+were angry only with those wretched politics which would not release
+you just at a time, when, as Kurt explained to me, such important
+matters were at stake. Take, then, I pray you, my prolonged silence as
+a proof of the confusion under which I labour, amidst the thousand new
+impressions of travel, and through the hurry with which we have
+travelled. Kurt has just four weeks' leave, so we had indeed to make,
+haste; and, therefore, we steamed direct from Genoa to Naples, calling
+at Leghorn only, and yesterday evening we arrived there only to leave
+this morning, and to sail to Capri, favoured by a lively <i>tramontane</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am writing this my first letter upon the balcony of a house in
+Capri.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dearest Uncle Bertram, do you know such a house which 'stands amidst
+orange groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a
+fair, white hostelry embowered in roses'?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The words are your own, and do you know when you spoke them to me? On
+that first night when I met you in the forest on the Hirschstein hill.
+You have probably forgotten it, but I remember it well, and all through
+the journey your words were ever before me; and of all the glories of
+Italy, I wanted first to see the house which had, since then, remained
+in your fond remembrance, where you 'ever since longed to be back
+again,' and the very name of which was always to you 'a sound of
+comfort, of promise: <i>Qui si sana!</i>'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now we are here--we who need no comfort, we to whom all promise of
+earthly bliss has been fulfilled, and so drink in the blue air of
+heaven, and inhale the sweet fragrance of roses and oranges.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you, dearest Uncle Bertram, you dwell--your heart full of longing
+for fair Quisisana--yonder in the dull grey North, buried beneath
+parliamentary papers, wearied and worn--and, uncle, that thought is the
+one grey cloud, the only one in the wide blue vault of heaven, like the
+one floating yonder above the rugged rocky front of Monte Solaro, of
+which our young landlord, Federigo, foretells that it will bring us a
+<i>burrasca</i>. I gave him a good scolding, and told him I wanted sunshine,
+plenty of sunshine, and nothing but sunshine, but I thought of you
+only, and not of us. And surely for you too, who are so noble and good,
+the sun does shine, and you walk in its light, in the sunny light of
+great fame! Yes, Uncle Bertram, however modest you are, you must yet be
+glad and proud to learn how your greatness is recognised and admired. I
+am not speaking of your friends, for that is a matter of course, but
+of your political opponents. In Genoa, at the table d'hôte, we made
+the acquaintance of some Count from Pomerania--I have forgotten his
+name--with whom Kurt talked politics a good deal. In the evening the
+Count brought us a Berlin paper, which contained your last great
+speech. 'Look here,' he said, 'there is a man from whom all can learn,
+one of whom each party should be proud.' He had no idea why Kurt looked
+so pleased and proud, nor why I burst into tears when I read your
+splendid speech.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only fancy, Uncle Bertram! Signor Federigo has just brought me, at my
+request, an old visitors' book--the one for the year 1859, the year in
+which I knew you had been here. Many leaves had been torn out, but the
+one upon which you had written your name was preserved, and the date
+turns out to be that of the very day on which I, was born! Is not this
+passing strange? Signor Federigo has, of course, had to present the
+precious leaf to me, which he did with a most graceful bow--the paper
+in one hand and the other laid upon his heart--and we have resolved to
+celebrate here the day of your arrival in Capri and of my arrival in
+the world. Why, indeed, should we travel on so swiftly? There can be no
+fairer scene than this anywhere. Sunshine, the fragrance of roses, the
+bright blue sky; the everlasting sea, my Kurt, and the recollection of
+you, whose dear image every rock, every palm tree, everything I see
+brings as if by magic before my inner eye! No, no; we surely will stay
+here until my birthday.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signor Federigo is calling from the verandah that 'Madama' has only
+five minutes more for writing if the letter is to leave to-day. Of
+course it is to leave to-day; but I have the terrible conviction of
+having written nothing so far. It cannot now be helped. So next time I
+will tell you everything that I could not do to-day: about my parents,
+who are writing letters full of happiness--papa, in particular, who
+seems delighted that he has given up his factories--which surprised me
+greatly; about Agatha's engagement to Herr von Busche, which did not
+surprise me, for I saw it coming during the merrymakings previous to my
+wedding; about ...</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signor Federigo, you are intolerable!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dear Kurt, I cannot let you have the remaining space of two lines, for
+I absolutely require it myself to send my beloved Uncle Bertram a most
+hearty greeting and kiss from Quisisana.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bertram laid the paper very gently down upon the table; he was stooping
+to imprint a kiss upon it, but before his lips touched the letter, he
+drew himself up abruptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No; she knows not what she does, but you know it, and she is your
+neighbour's wife! Shame upon you! Pluck it out, the eye that offends
+you, and the base, criminal heart as well!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He seized the parliamentary papers, then paused.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Until her birthday! Well, she will assuredly expect a few kind words,
+and has a right to expect them; nay, more, she would interpret my
+silence wrongly. I wonder whether there is yet time? When is her
+birthday? She has not mentioned the date; I think somewhere in the
+beginning of May. Now, on what day did I arrive there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had not long to seek in the old diaries, which he kept methodically,
+and preserved with care. There was the entry: &quot;May 1.--Arrived in
+Capri, and put up at a house which I found it hard to climb up to; the
+name had an irresistible attraction for me: Quisisana--<i>Sit omen in
+nomine!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The first of May! Why, to-morrow is the first. It is too late for a
+letter, of course, but a telegram will do, if despatched at once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Konski!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The faithful servant entered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My good Konski, I am very sorry, but you must be off to the
+telegraph-office at once. To-morrow is the birthday of Miss Erna--well,
+well, you know! Of course she must hear from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had written a few lines in German, then it occurred, to him that it
+might be, safer to write them in Italian. So he re-wrote them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Kanski, who had meanwhile got himself ready, entered the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will scarcely be back before midnight. And, Konski, we must begin
+the morrow cheerfully. So put the key of the cellar into your pocket,
+and bring a bottle of champagne with you when you return. No
+remonstrance, otherwise I shall put into your character tomorrow,
+'Dismissed for disobedience'!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>XXVIII.</h2>
+<br>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:5px">* * * * *</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="continue">It was nearly three o'clock when the doctor came hurrying in. Konski
+would not leave the master, and had despatched the porter. Konski
+took the doctor's hat and stick, and pointed in silence--he could not
+speak--to the big couch at the bottom of the room. The doctor took the
+lamp from the writing-table, and held it to the pale face. Konski
+followed and relieved him of the lamp, whilst the doctor made his
+investigation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He must have been dead an hour and more,&quot; he said, looking up. &quot;Why
+did you not send sooner? Put the lamp back upon the writing-table, and
+tell me all you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had sat down in Bertram's chair. &quot;Take a chair,&quot; he went on, &quot;and
+tell me all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Konski told.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had come back at a quarter-past twelve from the telegraph-office,
+and had found his master writing away busily, when he brought in the
+bottle of champagne which he had been ordered to fetch from the cellar.
+His master had scolded him for bringing only one glass, and made him
+fetch another, for they must both drink and clink glasses to the health
+of the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then,&quot; the servant went on, &quot;I sat opposite to him, for the first time
+in my life, in that corner, at the small round table, he in the one
+chair and I in the other. And he chatted with me, not like a master
+with his servant, no; exactly--well, I cannot describe it, sir; but you
+know how good and kind he always was. I never heard an unkind word from
+him all these ten years I have been with him, and if ever he was a bit
+angry, he always made up for it afterwards. And, to-morrow I was to
+leave for Rinstedt to get married, and he had given us our furniture
+and all, and fitted up a new shop for us into the bargain. Then we
+talked a good deal of Rinstedt, and of the man&#339; vres last year, and
+of Miss Erna that was, and of Italy, where, as you know, sir, I was
+with the master two years ago. Well, I mean, it was not I who was
+talking so much, but master, and I could have gone on listening,
+listening for ever, when he was telling of Capri, where we did not get
+that time, and where Mrs. Ringberg is staying now--Miss Erna as was.
+And then his eyes shone and sparkled splendidly, but he hardly drank
+any wine, just enough to pledge the young lady's health with, and the
+rest is in his glass still. But he made me fill up mine again and
+again, for I could stand it, said he, and he could not, he said, and he
+would presently finish his work; and there are the papers on the table
+in front of you, sir, that he had been looking at. And then, of a
+sudden like, he says, 'Konski, I am getting tired; I shall lie down for
+half an hour. You just finish the bottle meanwhile, and call me at
+half-past one sharp.' It was just striking one o'clock then.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So he lay down, and I put the rug over him, sir, and, oh--I'll never
+forgive myself for it; but all day long I had been running backward and
+forward about these things of mine, and then at last the long walk at
+night to the telegraph-office, and perhaps the champagne had gone to my
+head a bit, since I am sure, that I had not sat for five minutes before
+I was asleep. And when I woke it was not half-past one, but half-past
+two, so that I was regular frightened like. But as the master was
+a-sleeping calm and steady, I thought, even as I was standing quite
+close to him, that it was a pity to wake him, even though he was lying
+on his left side again, which formerly he could not bear at all, and
+which you, sir, had forbidden so particularly. I mind of our first
+evening in Rinstedt, sir, but then he did wake up again ... and now he
+is dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Konski was crying bitterly. The doctor held out his hand to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is no fault of yours. Neither you nor I could have kept him alive.
+Now, leave me here alone; you may wait in the next room.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After Konski had left, the doctor went to the little round table on
+which the empty bottle and two glasses were standing, one empty, one
+half-full. Above the sofa, to the right and left, were gas-brackets,
+with one lighted jet on either side. He held the half-full glass to
+the light and shook it. Bright beads were rising from the clear,
+liquid.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He put the glass down again, and murmured--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He never spoke an untruth! It was in any case solely a question of
+time. He drank his death-draught six months ago. The only wonder is
+that he bore it so long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Erna's letter was lying upon the table. The doctor read it almost
+mechanically.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pretty much as I thought!&quot; he muttered. &quot;Such a clever and, as it
+would seem, large-hearted girl, and yet--but they are all alike!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A scrap of paper, with something in Bertram's hand writing caught his
+eye. It was the German telegram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All hail--happiness and blessing--to-day and for ever--for my darling
+child in Quisisana.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The doctor rose, and was now pacing up and down the chamber with folded
+arms. From the adjoining room, the door of which was left ajar, he
+heard suppressed sobs. The faithful servant's unconcealed grief had
+well-nigh unchained the bitter sorrow in his own heart. He brushed the
+tears from his eyes, stepped to the couch, and drew the covering back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stood there long, lost in marvelling contemplation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The beautiful lofty brow, overshadowed by the soft and abundant hair,
+the dark colour of which was not broken by one silvery thread; the
+daintily curved lips, that seemed about to open for some witty saying,
+lips the pallor of which was put to shame by the whiteness of the
+teeth, which were just visible; the broad-arched chest--what wonder
+that the man of fifty had felt in life like a youth--like the youth for
+whom Death had taken him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From those pure and pallid features Death had wiped away even the
+faintest remembrance of the woe which had broken the noble heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now it was still--still for evermore!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He laid his hand upon that silent heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Qui si sana!</i>&quot; he said, very gently.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>FOOTNOTE.</h3>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>:
+<div class="poem">
+<p class="t4" style="text-indent:-6px">&quot;Und immer ist der Mann ein junger Mann,<br>
+Der einem jungen Weibe wohlgefällt.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
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diff --git a/34764.txt b/34764.txt
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+++ b/34764.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Quisisana
+       or Rest at Last
+
+Author: Friedrich Spielhagen
+
+Translator: H. E. Goldschmidt
+
+Release Date: December 27, 2010 [EBook #34764]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUISISANA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031341906
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+                           Q U I S I S A N A
+
+
+                                   OR
+
+
+                              REST AT LAST
+
+
+
+
+                    From the German of F. Spielhagen
+
+
+                                   BY
+
+                           H. E. GOLDSCHMIDT
+
+
+
+
+            ONLY TRANSLATION SANCTIONED BY THE AUTHOR AND BY
+                 THE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY ASSOCIATION
+
+
+
+
+                               NEW YORK:
+                   JAMES B. MILLAR & CO., PUBLISHERS.
+                                 1885.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 TROW'S
+                   PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY,
+                               NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               QUISISANA.
+
+
+                                   I.
+
+
+"Why have you roused me, Konski?"
+
+"You were lying on your left side again, sir," the servant, who held
+his master clasped by the shoulder, replied, as he completed the task
+of restoring him to a sitting posture on the sofa; "and you have been
+drinking champagne at dinner, more than a bottle, John says, and that
+surely is ..."
+
+Konski broke off abruptly, and turned again to the travelling boxes,
+one of which was already unlocked; he commenced to arrange its contents
+in the chest of drawers, and went on, apparently talking to himself
+rather than to his master--
+
+"I am merely doing what the doctor has insisted upon. Only last night,
+in Berlin, as I was showing him to the door, he said: 'Konski, when
+your master is lying on his left side and begins then to moan, rouse
+him, rouse him at once, be it day or night. I take the responsibility.
+And, Konski, no champagne; not for the next six weeks, anyhow, and best
+not at all. And when you have once got into Italy, then plenty of water
+to be mixed with the wine, Konski, and ...'"
+
+"And now oblige me by holding your tongue."
+
+Bertram had remained sitting on the sofa, his hand pressed to his brow;
+he now rose rapidly and strode impatiently about the room, casting
+every now and then an angry glance at his valet. Then he stepped to one
+of the windows. The sun must be setting now. The high wooded hills
+yonder still shone forth in sunny splendour, but the terrace gardens
+sloping towards the valley, and the valley itself, with the village
+within, lay already in deepest shadow. The picturesque view, the
+graceful charm of which he was wont to appreciate so heartily, had no
+charm to-day for his dulled brain. Konski was quite right; the
+champagne which he had to-day taken for the first time since his
+illness, in direct defiance of the doctors injunctions, had not agreed
+with him. Well, he had taken champagne because his throat had got
+unbearably dry from much talking, and he had talked so much because the
+frequent pauses in the dinner conversation were making him nervous. The
+whole thing had been a positive bore; the genial host, the fair hostess
+had surely fallen off, changed sadly for the worse during the last
+three years. Or ... could he possibly have changed himself? Did he
+really begin to grow old? If you get seriously ill at fifty, you are
+apt to go downhill with startling rapidity!
+
+This had been the second emphatic _memento mori_--after an interval of
+twenty years! The first--the first had been her work. Aye, and she had
+kissed him a thousand times, and had vowed deathless fidelity yonder on
+the mountain-slope, where the giant oak still lifted its mighty crown
+of foliage above the bronze-coloured leafy roof of the beeches. Why the
+deuce did they always give him these rooms? He'd better ask Hildegard
+this very evening for other rooms--at once, before that blockhead
+Konski had unpacked everything.
+
+"Leave these things alone," he exclaimed, turning round from the
+window; "I do not intend to remain in these rooms. I do not intend to
+stay here at all, I think. We shall probably be off to-morrow."
+
+Konski, who was already deep in the recesses of box number two,
+believed he had not heard aright. He lifted his head out of the box and
+looked in amazement at his master.
+
+"To-morrow, sir? I thought we were to stay a week at the least."
+
+"Do what I bid you."
+
+Konski replaced, the shirts which he was holding in the portmanteau and
+rose hastily from his knees. His master was evidently in a very bad
+temper; "but that kind of thing never lasts long with him," Konski was
+saying to himself, "and then the champagne ..."
+
+Aloud he said--
+"You can be sure, sir, that there won't be much trouble about the
+officers who are going to be quartered here. I know all about it from
+Mamsell Christine. Only a colonel, a major, a couple of captains, and
+some six lieutenants or so, and perhaps a surgeon-major. None of our
+princes, and certainly none of theirs. A mere handful for a large place
+like this; they'll be lost, like currants in a bun. And you can remain
+in these rooms, where we always have been, and you'll see none of them,
+for I don't suppose they'll have this blessed man[oe]vre in the garden
+below."
+
+"I do not know at, all what you want with your everlasting
+man[oe]vres," Bertram exclaimed angrily.
+
+He had gone back, to the open window, through which there came a strong
+current of air. Konski went and closed the door of the adjoining room,
+then stepped up to within a certain respectful distance of his master,
+and said modestly, lowering his voice--
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but what does it matter, after all, if Miss
+really comes ..."
+
+"What do you mean?" Bertram said without turning round. "What has that
+to do with my going or staying? Why should the little one not come?"
+
+Konski rubbed up his stiff black hair with a certain sly smile, and
+said--
+
+"Not Miss Erna; the other lady--who is never allowed to come when you
+are here."
+
+"Lydia? Fraeulein von Aschhof? Are you mad?"
+
+Bertram turned round with the rapidity of lightning, and now uttered
+these words in a rough tone, whilst his eyes, generally so gentle,
+shone out in great anger. Konski was frightened; but his curiosity was
+greater than his terror. He would gladly have at last learned the real
+truth about the young lady who was not allowed to come when his master
+came on a visit to Rinstedt, and whom he had therefore never yet seen,
+although in the course of years he had accompanied his master half a
+dozen times. But he was once more doomed to disappointment; his master
+had suddenly become perfectly calm again, or at least preserved the
+appearance of perfect calmness, and now asked in his usual voice--
+
+"From whom have you got your information? Of course from Mamsell
+Christine?"
+
+"From Mamsell Christine, of course," Konski made answer.
+
+"And she got it from My Lady?"
+
+"From her Ladyship direct."
+
+"And when is the lady expected to arrive?"
+
+"This very evening, along with Miss Erna; and there will also come a
+Baron Lutter or Lotter--I could not quite make the name out; they
+pronounce things so queerly here in Thuringia."
+
+"Well, well!"
+
+Bertram now remembered that Hildegard, his hostess, had at table
+mentioned more than once the name of the Baron von Lotter-Vippach. Of
+Lydia, too, although he made it a point never to be drawn into
+conversation about her, she had again and again commenced to speak;
+clearly, as he perceived now, with the intention of preparing him to
+some extent for the intended surprise. But My Lady had reckoned without
+her host. This was a downright want of consideration; nay, worse, it
+was a breach of good faith. There was no reason why he should put up
+with it, and he did not mean to put up with it.
+
+"Where's the master? and where is My Lady?" he asked aloud.
+
+"The master has ridden over to the coal mines; her Ladyship has gone
+into the village. They left word that they would be back before you
+were awake again; and you had not lain down on your left ..."
+
+"That'll do. Into the village, did you say? Give me my hat."
+
+"Please take your overcoat too, sir," said Konski; "there's a nasty
+mist rising from the valley, sir; and the doctor, he did say that if
+you caught cold now, sir ..."
+
+Bertram had put his hat on, and waived the proffered garment back. In
+the doorway he turned, and said--
+
+"Do not trouble about the boxes. We leave again in an hour. And one
+thing more. If you say one word to Mamsell Christine, or to anybody in
+the house, now or later--you understand me--and I hear of it--we
+part--for all that."
+
+He had left. Konski was now standing by the open window scratching his
+head, and the very next minute he saw him striding swiftly down the
+garden.
+
+"Upon my word!" he murmured; "who'd think that six weeks ago he lay at
+the point of death?--And off this evening again--an hour hence! Not if
+I knows it. First, I must settle my little business with Christine, and
+that is not to be done all at once. Christine says that at that time
+the Fraeulein would have nothing to say to him. I can't make it out.
+Twenty years ago he must have been a very handsome fellow; why, he is
+so almost still. Nor was he a poor man even then, though, of course, he
+has inherited lots since. I am devilish keen about seeing the old maid.
+One thing is sure and certain, she will arrive this very evening."
+
+Then he cast one dubious look at the boxes. Perhaps it was taking
+needless pains to unpack them.
+
+"But, but--he'll surely think better of it--he is not the one to run
+away from any woman, even if she should number forty years or
+thereabout; and--and ..."
+
+And so the faithful Konski, after having given a most incredulous shake
+of the head, set to work, and continued to unpack his master's
+travelling boxes.
+
+
+
+
+                                  II.
+
+
+Meanwhile Bertram, had already crossed the bridge which spanned the
+brook at the bottom of the garden terrace, and was hurrying along to
+the village along the line of meadows. His hostess, Hildegard, had said
+at dinner that she meant to-day, like every Thursday afternoon, to
+visit her newly-founded Kindergarten; so he thought there would be no
+difficulty in finding her. He had been a frequent visitor at Rinstedt,
+and knew every lane in the village; and the Kindergarten, they said,
+was on the main road, not far from the parsonage. Well, and what did he
+mean to say to Hildegard when he met her? First, of course, make sure
+of the facts. But there was little need for that. Konski was a smart
+fellow, who was not likely to have made a mistake; and then he was on
+such excellent terms with the omniscient Mamsell Christine! He would
+ask her what had induced her to break through the agreement to which
+she had now adhered for the last twenty years. And yet--what a needless
+question! Why, women are never consistent! And in such things they
+always like to assist each other and work into each other's hands, even
+if they are by no means specially fond of each other. And now it seemed
+as if there were special fondness between these two. His beautiful
+hostess had, quite contrary to her wont, sung Lydia's praises in every
+possible variety of way! And then, take the fact that she had sent her
+own daughter to Lydia's _pension_, and had left the girl there in the
+small _Residenz_ for three years. Poor Erna! Fancy her for three years
+under the care of that crazy woman! Poor Erna--the beautiful creature
+with the great, deep, blue eyes! That should never have happened. It
+was a positive insult to him. He had urged every argument against it;
+had found out a supremely suitable place in Berlin for her; had offered
+to undertake careful personal supervision; had urged them to confide
+the child to his care, to give the child an opportunity of seeing
+something of life under its larger, nobler aspect. And they had said
+yes to everything; had thanked him so very much for his exertions, his
+kindness; and at the last moment they had contentedly plumped back into
+the beloved mire and stagnant waters of the pettiness of life in the
+small _Residenz_. To be sure, My Lady herself had been brought up in
+that social quagmire, and still cherished with plaintive delight
+recollections of bygone splendour, and mourned in secret over her own
+hard fate which had not permitted her, like Lydia, to sun herself all
+the days of her life in the immediate rays of princely favour, but had
+doomed her to marry a man who was not nobly born--a man rich enough,
+forsooth, but bearing the unaristocratic name of Bermer, and having
+friends of similarly unaristocratic names, to whom, for all that, one
+had to be civil. Yes, a real Baron--a Baron von Lotter-Vippach--would,
+of course, be infinitely preferable! And fancy her, fancy My Lady
+forcing the Baron's company upon him after he had expressly urged that,
+being only half convalescent, he needed perfect repose; and would, if
+they were to have company in the house, rather in the meanwhile deny
+himself the delight of seeing his old friends, and would come to them
+in spring instead on his return from Italy!
+
+Yes, something like this he would say to his beautiful hostess, in
+perfect calmness and good temper, of course, only tinged with a touch
+of finest irony.... And this new building by his side--why, it must
+surely be the Kindergarten!
+
+So it was. But the girl who was in charge of the children who were
+playing on the garden-plot in front of the building, said to him, in
+answer to his question, that My Lady had left half an hour ago; had
+gone to the parsonage, she thought. A couple of boys who were running
+about told him My Lady had gone to the village-mayor along with the
+parson.
+
+The mayor's farm was situated at the opposite end of the village.
+Bertram started off in that direction, but before he had got half way
+he bethought himself that the parson would probably walk back with
+Hildegard, and that in that case he would of course have no opportunity
+of speaking plainly to her. So he turned back, determined to wait for
+her near the parsonage, which she was bound to pass on her way home.
+And yet, how could he wait? He could not tell whether he would have
+time left to carry out his intended flight; nay, every moment brought
+Lydia nearer, every moment he must expect to see the carriage whirl her
+past him where he stood. What? was he to stand here like this, and be
+compelled to bow to her? Never! To the left a narrow lane led direct to
+the forest, which, higher up, almost bordered on the mansion-house.
+This road back was somewhat longer than the one he had come by, and was
+steeper too; but anyhow it was much shorter than the carriage-drive,
+for that branched off from the high road in the main valley at the
+entrance to the side valley, thus intersecting the whole length of the
+village, and ultimately wound its long serpentine road up the high hill
+crowned by his friend's stately mansion. This way he would gain an
+advance of a good half-hour anyhow. It was to be hoped that his friend
+and host, Otto Bermer, had meanwhile returned from the coal mines; they
+lay in the opposite direction. He'd make a clean breast of it to Otto,
+and make Otto take his farewell compliments to My Lady. Poor Otto! "The
+grey mare was the better horse," no doubt; and poor Otto would not
+relish the task; but what was to be done? And did not he, Bertram,
+anyhow enjoy the doubtful reputation of being selfishness incarnate!
+Well, then, this done, they would swiftly get some conveyance or other
+ready for him. If required, Konski could stay behind with boxes and
+such-like impedimenta; and in two or three hours' driving, first
+through the forest, to avoid the danger of meeting her, then along the
+high road, he would reach Fichtenau. He was fond of Fichtenau. There he
+would rest in that evergreen dale for a few days, and recover from the
+fatigue of the journey and from this day's manifold annoyances. Anyhow,
+he would have escaped from Lydia, have broken away from the snare which
+those women had set for him! He owed this satisfaction to himself, and
+perhaps the reflection would smooth the rough forest path he had now
+entered upon.
+
+For it was rough, was that path; much more so than he remembered it
+being formerly. Much rougher and much steeper too; in fact, most,
+most--abominably steep. Never mind; by following the tiny brooklet
+which was murmuring in the glen by his side, and which fell into the
+big brook in the valley below, he must speedily reach the little bridge
+leading to the opposite side; and then a smooth, or at least a fairly
+smooth, path would lead him on to the mansion.
+
+What on earth could she have to do, she and the parson, at the mayor's?
+Something, probably, about getting appropriate quarters for those who
+were coming to the man[oe]vres; to be sure, My Lady, never idle, must
+needs take an interest in everything! Or perchance it was some
+charitable purpose, something for the sick, for the poor; in the
+pursuit of such noble aims My Lady never spared herself now, that is
+never since Royalty had set the example, and made it fashionable! And
+anyhow, it was hardly polite, in one so uniformly polite as My Lady, to
+leave the house and walk right away to the far end of the village with
+one guest already in the house, and with other guests expected every
+minute. Possibly--possibly My Lady was not unwilling to avoid the one
+guest; and the others, to be sure, must needs drive past the mayor's
+house. What more natural than, in such a case, to enter the carriage
+that brought the new guests; whilst driving with them through the
+village, what more simple than to give a confidential hint or two, just
+the merest suggestion, as to the treatment of the bird which she had
+captured--oh, so cleverly! No, no, My Lady--not captured yet ... not
+yet!
+
+But where was the little bridge? It ought to have appeared long ere
+this. What! Climb down the steep glen, get your feet wet in the brook
+below, and climb up again the opposite side? Perish the thought! Why,
+everything seemed to go against him to-day!
+
+At last. And a broad new bridge too. And pair fully rustic, with
+elaborate rustic ornaments of curiously entwined and intertwisted tree
+branches. And, worst of all, such a confounded bit higher up the stream
+than where the old bridge had been.
+
+And the path on the opposite side, too; new, new like the bridge, new
+and fashionable, a regular promenade path; belonging, no doubt, to the
+elaborate system of paths which his noble and beautiful hostess had for
+years woven, like a complicated network, through the woods around. Of
+course, like Charlotte in the "Elective Affinities," the fair
+chatelaine must needs have that passion for beautifying everything;
+like Charlotte, but not, oh dear! no, with any tender _penchant_ for
+her husband's well-born friends. Well, well! He himself had never
+doubted the unapproachable virtue of My Lady: what if she now, tried
+her gentle hand ever so little at this, surely it was only the outcome
+of the excessive goodness of her chaste, and cool, and philanthropic
+heart.... Heart! ... And oh the wretched pain, the horrid, horrid
+sensation in my own heart. Who the mischief could be philanthropical if
+he felt like this? Perhaps this insane running and climbing has brought
+on a relapse. The story might then close where it began, and fair Lydia
+would come just in the nick of time to see that when people talk of a
+broken heart, they are not necessarily talking nonsense.... What
+rubbish, though! If my heart breaks, it will be because it has got some
+organic fault, and because I took champagne when I should not have done
+so.
+
+He had dropped upon a bench by, the wayside, and there he crouched,
+almost bent double, pressing his handkerchief to his mouth, to prevent
+his moans from being heard in the silence of the darkening woods.
+
+The attack passed away. Gradually the agonising pains grew less. With
+the physical anguish much of the fierce passion into which he had
+worked himself passed away too. In its stead he felt a terrible
+heaviness, a dull languor in all his limbs, and there was a sort of
+stupor about his brain.
+
+Supposing it had given way, he mused. Fancy, sitting alone here in the
+wood, a dead man, for goodness knows how long, and then terrifying a
+poor wretch who chanced to pass this way first! This was not a pleasing
+thought. But this anyhow would have been the worst. Death in itself he
+did not dread. Why should he? Death was but the end of life. And life?
+His life? If he could say that his living harmed no one, except perhaps
+poor Konski whom he sometimes tormented by his wayward moods--yet, on
+the other hand, it gladdened no one, least of all himself. The few poor
+students or struggling artists would have their allowances paid out to
+them for the time fixed, whether he lived on or not, and a few public
+institutions were welcome to divide the residue between them. All that
+would be settled in the shortest and most business-like manner. Never a
+tear would be shed by any human being, unless perchance by old Konski.
+But no; it was impossible to think of the good, easy-going fellow in
+tears.
+
+He was sitting at the foot of a spreading beech tree. A crow, perched
+on the top, uttered a shriek.
+
+Bertram looked up with a grim smile. "Patience!" he said.
+
+But it was not on his account that the crow had uttered that cry, but
+probably because somebody was approaching. He saw a lady coming down
+the side-path which led from the forest direct to his bench. Again,
+this convulsive pain at the heart! But he forced himself to look again;
+and no, it was not Lydia. Lydia was taller, and her blonde hair was of
+ashen hue; this lady's hair was dark, very dark. And the style of
+walking, too, was different, very different: an easy, even, step,
+making it appear as if she were floating down the somewhat steep path,
+although he could see the movement of the feet beneath the light summer
+dress. And now she had come quite close to him. She gave a little
+start, for, gazing up to the shrieking crow, she had not noticed him,
+and he had sprung up somewhat abruptly from the bench. But in a moment
+she was collected again, and the flush faded as quickly from her cheek
+as it had spread.
+
+"Is, it possible?--Erna!"
+
+"Uncle Bertram!"
+
+There was something wondrously melodious in the voice, but not the
+slightest trace of the glad emotion which he himself had experienced
+which he himself had experienced on seeing his darling. His heart
+contracted; he would fain have said: "You were wont to give me a
+different reception;" but he blushed to face the young beauty as a
+beggar, and letting, go her hands, he only said--
+
+"You did not expect to find me here?"
+
+"How could I?" was her reply.
+
+"To be sure!" thought Bertram. "How could she? What a silly question of
+mine!"
+
+He knew not what next to say, and, in some embarrassment, he stood
+silent. The crow above had been silent during the last half-minute or
+so, and now commenced to croak, abominably. Both had involuntarily
+gazed up; now they were, walking silently side by side along the path.
+
+
+
+
+                                  III.
+
+
+The evening was closing in around them. Through the thick undergrowth
+of wood which bordered the path on both sides but little light could
+penetrate; overhead the leafy crowns of the beeches interlaced and
+formed an almost continuous roof. At a certain abrupt declivity a few
+rough steps had been placed.
+
+"Will you take my arm. Uncle Bertram?" said Erna. It was the first word
+spoken between them since, several minutes ago, minutes which had
+weighed like lead upon Bertram, they had left the bench under the beech
+tree.
+
+"I was just going to put the same question to you," he replied.
+
+"Thanks," said Erna. "I know every step here; but you--and then, you
+have been ill."
+
+This might, of course, have been meant in all friendliness; but there
+was a coldness about the tone, something like giving alms, Bertram
+thought.
+
+"Have been," he made answer; "but quite well again--quite well."
+
+"I understand you are going to Italy for the winter--for the sake of
+your health."
+
+"I am going to Italy because I hope I shall be rather less bored in
+Rome than in Berlin--that is all."
+
+"And suppose you are bored in Rome too?"
+
+"You mean, bores are bored everywhere?"
+
+"No, I do not mean that; indeed, it would have been most disagreeable
+on my part had I meant anything of the kind. I only wanted to know
+where people go to from Rome, if they desire still to travel on. To
+Naples, I should say?"
+
+"To be sure. To Naples, to Capri! In Capri there stands amidst orange
+groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a fair
+white hostelry, embowered in roses, Quisisana. Years ago I was there,
+and I have longed ever since to be back again. _Qui si sana!_ What a
+sound of comfort, of promise! _Qui si sana!_ Here one gets well! Even
+those who ate fairly well, physically, have something to recover from.
+Why, life itself--what is it but a long disease, and death its only
+cure?"
+
+Another pause. He had intended that there should be no new break in
+their conversation and yet the very words he had just uttered, still
+under the impulse of the invalid's peevish humour, were little likely
+to induce the beautiful and taciturn girl by his side to talk. He
+wanted to make heir talk. It never occurred to him that her silence was
+due to a lack of ideas, or even to shyness. Quite the reverse. She
+interested him more and more every moment, and he was strongly
+impressed that he was dealing with a girl of marked individuality,
+reposing securely in her own strength. Of her whom he had known and
+loved as a child, and whose image he had cherished in fondest, truest
+memory, never a trace!
+
+"You know, Uncle Bertram, that you are going to see Fraeulein von
+Aschhof--Aunt Lydia--to-night?" she resumed abruptly.
+
+Bertram started. That name--from her, fair, chaste lips--had a doubly
+hateful sound.
+
+"I know," he answered; "not from your parents, but I know."
+
+"They will have shrunk from telling you," Erna continued. "Mamma was
+most reluctant to sanction Aunt Lydia's coming; but Aunt Lydia begged
+so very hard to be allowed to see you once more, and she thought that
+now, when you have been so very, very ill, and when you are going away
+for such a long time, you might be in gentler mood. And yet she was
+afraid to encounter you. She grew so nervous as we were driving along,
+that I believe she was uncommonly near getting out and leaving us to
+continue the journey without her. At last I could scarcely bear to
+witness her uneasiness any longer, and I felt considerable relief when
+I got out myself in order to walk across the hill--from Fischbach,
+don't you know--and as I was coming along, I was debating whether, if I
+reached home before them, I might not beg you to be a little friendly
+towards auntie. You ... but I am not sure whether to go on ..."
+
+"I beg you will do so."
+
+"I only wanted to add: you owe it to her."
+
+"Do I?"
+
+"I should think so; for her only fault has been that she has loved you
+and still loves you, and you ..."
+
+"My dear child, I beg you will go on without any shyness. I am anxious,
+very anxious, you should do so."
+
+"And you ... left her, after you had been engaged for a whole year!"
+
+"And then I wrote her a letter of renunciation, did I not? And the poor
+forsaken one, in her despair, engaged herself within four-and-twenty
+hours to Count Finkenburg, who had long been vainly suing for her hand?
+And the old gentleman was so enchanted that scarce a week after he died
+from rapture and paralysis combined, without even having time to
+remember his fair bride in his will! Was it not so?"
+
+"Let us change the topic, Uncle Bertram," Erna replied. "I hear from
+your words and from your tone that you are excited, and I now feel
+doubly how awkward I was in turning our talk, for auntie's sake, to a
+subject I ought to know nothing of, and which I certainly should never
+have mentioned."
+
+"I cannot let you off like that, alas! my child," Bertram said in
+reply. "I must still ask you from whom your information is derived.
+From Fraeulein von Aschhof, of course?"
+
+"I cannot find it unnatural," Erna said, "if Aunt Lydia, in the
+excitement she has laboured under ever since your visit here was
+announced, and since she determined to see you again, has unburdened
+her overflowing heart to me, and has told me all which--or the greater
+part of which--I knew or guessed. And she has urgently entreated me not
+to repeat a word of this to you, and I am sure she is convinced that I
+would do nothing of the kind. But I gave her no promise, for I have
+always been very fond of you, Uncle Bertram, very, very fond; and I was
+so sorry that you ... that I now could no longer be fond of you. I have
+always in my heart taken your side, when they were saying that you were
+cold and selfish, and cared for nobody but yourself. I have always
+thought: he has never found any one worthy of him! And now I know all,
+I should like to say: perhaps Aunt Lydia was not worthy of him either;
+she has many qualities which I do not like at all--but she would surely
+have turned out differently if you had not betr ... had not forsaken
+her. How can a girl remain good, if she is forsaken by the man she
+loves! How can she, if her heart is easily touched, become aught but a
+coquette, and assume manners that people will laugh and jeer at; or, if
+she be proud, and ashamed of her misfortune, she must needs grow cold
+and heartless, and full of contempt for all men, nay, for all mankind!"
+
+The calm, low voice had remained the same to the very last word, but in
+striking contrast to that calm and that self-control there was the
+passionate gleam of the great dark eyes, which now looked up to Bertram
+with wondrous firmness, such as the ancients may have imagined the gaze
+of the gods--"whose eyelids quiver not, like those of mortals."
+
+The narrow path had widened to a glade; there they stood for a few
+moments gazing in each other's eyes; and Bertram felt the fascination
+of that wondrous firmness, felt, too, that no consideration could
+condemn him to stand before those eyes as a contemptible wretch, and
+that, at any cost, he must tear to pieces the dark curtain which
+unscrupulous lies had woven and spread between her and him.
+
+He took her arm, as though to make sure that she would not escape from
+him, and, striding swiftly along, and almost dragging her with him, he
+said--
+
+"And now hear me, too, and despise me, if you still can do so after you
+have heard me! Forsaken, did you say, forsaken and betrayed? Yea,
+verily! But she it was who practised the treachery--most infamous, most
+horrible treachery, with never the shadow of an excuse for it, if
+indeed anything ever can excuse treachery. I loved her--I will not say
+more than ever man did love--I know not how other men love--I only,
+know, that I loved her with the best and purest strength, of my heart.
+I was no longer a youth when, at your parents' wedding, I made the
+acquaintance of your mother's friend. I was almost thirty years
+of age, and was living, as you know, in Leipzig as a mere private
+scholar--_Privat-Gelehrter_ they call it. I had planned my scheme of
+study on a very great scale, and, being very much, in earnest about
+science and art, as indeed about all things I take up, I was wont to
+devote years to tasks which other men, with less time or more genius,
+accomplish in as many months. Moreover, I had what I required for the
+expenses of living, perhaps even a little more--I, am not given to
+paying attention to that kind of thing. Now everything became changed
+at once. I loved her, I fancied myself loved in return. We had met here
+again, and, more than once, and had become engaged, though at first,
+and at my own special request, in all secrecy. I comprehended that a
+man engaged to so high-born and gifted, a girl as Lydia von Aschhof,
+must needs be something better than a mere obscure private scholar, and
+I readily 'pulled myself together,' determined to reach my goal. Some
+time, of course, was required before my great work could be completed.
+Some time; too much for her patience. Perhaps she doubted its ultimate
+success. Perhaps she cared naught for the success, notwithstanding the
+enthusiasm which she pretended to feel for my efforts, notwithstanding
+her being so very kind as to assure me a thousand times that my genius,
+my talent, had made her my captive, and would hold her my captive, yea,
+though a crown were laid at her feet. As it turned out, no princely
+crown was needed; only a plain coronet--and one surmounting a grey,
+decrepit head into the bargain. Oh! she wrote me a most touching, most
+generous letter of renunciation. 'I am but hindering you in your lofty
+striving; an artist, a scholar must be free, unshackled; your fame is
+more to me than my love,' and so on, and so on. Two or three pages
+more, high-sounding phrases in daintiest handwriting, concluding, of
+course, with the announcement of her new engagement, by which, as by a
+_fait accompli_, she must needs assist her wavering heart.
+
+"The letter was written from here, from Rinstedt. I hurried to the
+railway; at the last station I got hold of a vehicle. When we got to
+Fischbach, the poor overdriven steeds could not get on any further. By
+the shortest, steepest path I climbed to the top of the Hirschstein,
+the hill you have just come by; here, on the top, I fell down like one
+dead. I gathered myself together again, and staggered on, on, until I
+reached your father's house. She must have had some foreboding that I
+would not submit to this in all patience; she had left your father's
+house an hour before, driving to Fichtenau, taking the road by which it
+was impossible for me to come. Afterwards I came to be grateful to her
+for her circumspection and her precaution, for I think I must have been
+simply raving mad; and it was well for both of us that my power was
+broken, that I could not pursue the fair fugitive, but had to remain
+here, a burden on your parents, sick unto death, given up by the
+doctors, until some six or eight weeks' after, I surprised them all by
+recovering, enabled to live on as best one can with a sorely wounded
+heart--and a heart injured, not in the physical sense alone. What good,
+do you think, did it do me whilst I was struggling with death here, and
+afterwards dragged myself on crutches through the terrace-gardens, that
+my work had appeared, had taken the world by storm, and made me, once
+for all, what they call a famous man? What good that, just at that time
+a childless old miser of an uncle took it into his head to die, and
+that, in default of other heirs, his whole huge fortune fell to me? I
+had had enough of the lying and cheating of humanity. Fame, love--I
+cared no longer for these things. I became what I am, what my
+acquaintances know me to be, what they have called me to you--a cold
+egotist. What if for all that I do not cross my hands idly in my lap
+but work on, and now and again utter a word of freedom which others,
+less independent, might lack the courage to utter; or if I start and
+encourage works of general utility; or if here and there I help some
+lame dog over a stile; these things I surely do not for the love of the
+Lord, nay, solely, so as not to lose that modicum of self-respect which
+belongs to the indispensable stock-in-trade of a discreet egotist. And
+talking of self-respect, dear, I begin to perceive with pain that I am
+lessening the aforesaid modicum considerably in telling you all this.
+For, in affairs of the hearts a gentleman should always spare the lady
+the utterance of the first word and leave her the last, and if she
+asserts that he is Don Giovanni and she Donna Elvira, why, he has but
+to bow and thank her for assigning so brilliant a part to him. And now,
+my dear child, now try to be fond of your garrulous old uncle once
+more, will you not?"
+
+The girl made no reply. A feeling of shame had gradually stolen over
+Bertram as he spoke, and he had tried in vain to weaken it by
+concluding with a semi-humorous turn. Now this feeling grew intensified
+by Erna's silence. How had, it been possible for him to forget himself
+so far as to reveal to a young girl, one almost a child still, one
+without comprehension for such sad, ugly, painful experiences, the
+deepest secret of his heart--a secret which he had trained himself to
+pass by, as it were, with his own face turned away? And he had told of
+this, to a girl who stood to the object of his vehement denunciation in
+the peculiarly tender and delicate relation of pupil! How mean, how
+ignoble of him! He had acted like a raw, immature lad! He wished
+himself a thousand miles away; he cursed his want of determination,
+inasmuch as he might have left the place abruptly an hour ago, and thus
+have escaped all this horrible confusion. Now he must needs depart at
+once, this very evening, if possible without seeing, without speaking
+to, a soul; most certainly without entering upon any explanation
+whatever. He had just tasted the delight of such explanations, and it
+would be long before he lost the bitter after-taste of them!...
+
+They were quite cleat of the wood now, and were approaching--walking
+across some meadow land--a tiny gate in the thick old wall, which led
+to the courtyard.
+
+Suddenly Erna said, "And you have told nobody all this?"
+
+"No," he answered; and it cost him a curious struggle to get the one
+brief word--out.
+
+They passed through the tiny gate; it was almost dark in the yard now.
+Before the entrance to the house stood a large open travelling
+carriage; servants were removing the belongings of the travellers who
+had already alighted. Through the main gate, on the opposite side, a
+cart, laden with the heavier articles of luggage, was entering.
+
+"Uncle Bertram," whispered Erna.
+
+Just as they were about to cross the threshold of the tiny gate she had
+seized his hand with gentle pressure. He had involuntarily stopped.
+Again she was gazing up at him, but not now, as before in the wood,
+with a stern expression. Was it a reflection of the radiance of the
+young moon, just then rising above the gloom which was enfolding the
+buildings around--or could it be tears that glistened in the great
+eyes?
+
+"You want to leave us, Uncle Bertram?"
+
+"Who told you so?"
+
+"It matters not. You want to leave us?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Stay! Pray, stay--for my sake!"
+
+She dropped the hand which she had clasped until now, and hurried
+across the yard to the mansion-house, while he ascended the stairs to
+the side wing where his own rooms were situated, his whole soul full of
+the image of this wondrous girl, whose words, whose looks, had so
+potent a spell over him, that he no longer seemed to have a will of his
+own as against hers.
+
+
+
+
+                                  IV.
+
+
+His master's long absence had at length commenced to disquiet faithful
+Konski considerably. True, he knew from his ten years' experience that
+he need not pay much attention to any orders that master gave him when
+in a state of great excitement; and, of course, the later it grew, the
+more improbable it became that the departure, although announced, would
+really take place; but then, supposing some accident had happened to
+him? The doctor in Berlin had most strongly urged him to take every
+possible precaution lest, during the first few weeks anyhow, his master
+should over-exert himself in any way--and master had hurried down those
+terrace steps like one possessed! And all on account of this infernal
+old maid who was never allowed to visit at this house when they, master
+and he, were here! Oh, why had he not held his silly tongue, and not
+brought the great news at once to his master!
+
+He would have liked hurrying after him into the village, but dared not
+leave his post. And now their host came in and inquired for master, and
+seemed greatly concerned when Konski, to soothe his own anxiety as it
+were, hinted that his master had not been over pleased when told that
+additional guests were expected; and Konski added, as a sort of
+conjecture of his own, that he had probably gone out for a walk, so as
+to avoid having to be present at their reception. And meanwhile My Lady
+had returned and had sent for him, and Konski had to repeat to her
+Ladyship--for whom he entertained the most confounded respect--what he
+had already told her Ladyship's husband; and her Ladyship had looked so
+hard at him with those piercing brown eyes of hers, that he was jolly
+glad when he was back at his post of observation at the lobby-window,
+whence he could survey the whole extensive court-yard. And there--an
+open carriage was just entering it; only two people in it--a lady and a
+gentleman--thank Heaven, one lady only! In the gathering twilight
+Konski could not distinguish, the lady's features or figure, but, if
+there was only one lady, why, who could it be but dear Miss Erna? And
+from her, master was not likely to run away; and all was well now, if
+only he himself were safely back.
+
+The door below was opened. Konski heard his master's step upon the
+stairs and hurried to meet him, joyfully telling him all that he had
+observed; and did master know already that Miss Erna was the only lady
+who had arrived?
+
+His master had thrown himself into an arm-chair in the sitting-room,
+where careful Konski had already lighted a liberal supply of candles,
+and was staring hard in front of him, passing at intervals his hands
+over brow and eyes. Suddenly he sat bold upright and said:
+
+"What did you say?"
+
+Poor Konski had said nothing at all during the last few minutes, but
+inquired now whether his master would not dress for supper; he thought
+it was getting quite late enough.
+
+Bertram rose and passed into the adjoining bedroom where Konski had
+laid out such a costume as he deemed appropriate for the occasion. He
+lent him the necessary aid, and marvelled greatly that his master, who
+was wont to talk to him during the process of dressing more than at any
+other time, did not say a single word to-night. Another curious thing
+was this: quite contrary to his custom, the master looked hard at
+himself in the mirror again and again, and, strangest sight of all, he
+pulled and twisted his moustache about! However, seeing that master,
+though looking very grave, did not appear either annoyed or angry,
+Konski was quite satisfied. To-night then, anyhow, their departure need
+not be provided for.
+
+There was a knock at the door. Their host entered as hurriedly as was
+consistent with his being so very stout.
+
+"Thank Heaven that you are here!" he exclaimed, shaking both his
+friend's hands again and again, as though he had been 'long looked-for,
+come at last!' "Thank Heaven; we have been quite frightened about you.
+Hildegard was very angry that I had left you alone. I said to her,
+'Why, he is not a child, requiring to be watched at every step;' that
+is to say, I did not actually say so in so many words. I ... thought
+so. My wife is terribly nervous to-day. I had told her at once ..."
+
+Here he noticed the servant's presence, and in some embarrassment broke
+off abruptly. Bertram having now completed his toilet, the two
+gentlemen left the room together. As they were walking through the long
+passage which led to the main building, his host put one arm round his
+friend's slender waist and said confidentially, lowering his voice by
+way of precaution--
+
+"I had told Hildegard at once that you would be annoyed; at least I did
+not say so in so many words, but I--hinted it, for, you know, my wife
+cannot beat contradiction; and I soon found out that the two women,
+between them, had determined that the meeting should take place. Now
+Erna tells me--she is a darling, is she not? a little peculiar, a
+little odd, but always good to me; how nice that you met on the
+hills--well, Erna tells me that you were not particularly angry that
+Lydia had accompanied her; that is to say, Erna does not know anything
+of the old stories, or has only heard some vague rumours that you
+cannot bear each other, or that you cannot bear Lydia. Never mind, it's
+all the same now; only tell me that you are not particularly angry."
+
+"I was at first, but I am so no longer."
+
+"That's all I ask for. And after all, old chap, well, misunderstandings
+and all that sort of thing! But the blame is sure to be yours, or
+almost entirely yours. Why, it's always the man who is to blame, eh? I
+should know that much, having been married these twenty years!"
+
+He laughed. Bertram, to change the conversation, asked where the others
+were.
+
+"The ladies are on the verandah; the Baron was still in his room when I
+came away."
+
+"By the by," Bertram asked, "who is this Baron? You were talking about
+him once or twice at table, but I confess I hardly listened."
+
+"Lotter?" his friend said. "Look here; you'll like him immensely.
+Stunning fellow, Lotter. Has read every mortal thing; plays the piano;
+paints--portraits, landscapes, anything you like. Has come home to do
+some painting; studies at our academy, don't you know?--and is a
+constant guest at Court, of course."
+
+"Does he belong to these parts?"
+
+"Oh; dear no! hails from Wuertemberg. A very, very old family;
+Lotter-Vippach. His father was a General, I believe; his uncle a
+Minister of State; that sort of thing, don't you know? He has been in
+the army himself; was in the '70 campaign. But he is a bit of a rover.
+Has been up and about a good deal; in Algiers, South America; that,
+sort of thing. I pressed him to come and stay here during the
+man[oe]vres, to help me to do the honours, as I never was in the army
+myself. He is awfully anxious to make your acquaintance; has read all
+your works and--and--but where on earth are our ladies? I'll go and
+look. You stop where you are; do not come out bareheaded."
+
+The last words had already been spoken in the garden saloon, the great
+French windows of which, leading to the verandah, stood wide open. His
+host had hurried off to look for the ladies, and Bertram, left alone,
+strode up and down in the large, half-darkened room. Had he not,
+perhaps, yielded all too readily to Erna's command? If obedience was to
+be easy to him, nay, if it was to be at all possible for him, she ought
+to have stayed by his side. And now her very image was gone from his
+inner eye, and its place had been taken by her whom he had once so
+passionately loved, as if twenty years had not gone by since he last
+saw her, as if she had only passed a minute ago with her beautiful
+friend and hostess into the garden, thence to return immediately under
+some pretext or other, to rush to his embrace, to shower hot,
+passionate kisses upon him--here, in this very saloon, as she had so
+often, so often done--here, where the faint fragrance of violets still
+seemed to float, that she was so fond of, and which in those days he
+was ever associating with her presence!
+
+He was standing in the semi-darkness, his back turned to the verandah;
+a gentle rustling sound was coming up the steps. He turned. Framed in
+by one of the doors against the brighter background of the evening sky,
+appeared the shadowy outline of a lady, lingering a moment or two on
+the threshold, then hastening with raised arms towards him, as he stood
+motionless, spellbound.
+
+Before he could prevent it, she had sunk on her knees before him, had
+seized his hands which he was involuntarily stretching forth to lift
+her up, and now she was pressing them to her bosom, to her lips. A
+dense cloud of violet perfume came floating up to him.
+
+"Mercy, Charles, mercy!"
+
+"I entreat you, My Lady, ... for Heaven's sake ..."
+
+He had been barely able to stammer out these words; he felt the most
+acute physical anguish at his heart; cold beads of perspiration stood
+upon his forehead; ice-cold were the hands which Lydia had held till
+then, and which now she dropped, terrified, rising as she did so from
+the ground.
+
+"My Lady!" she murmured, "My Lady ... Ah, I knew it!"
+
+The convulsive pain at his heart had ceased now; it beat on, but
+slowly, heavily; even so his anger and pain were giving way to
+compassion.
+
+"Let bygones be bygones," he said.
+
+"If it were possible!" whispered Lydia.
+
+"It must be possible."
+
+She knew from his gentle but firm tone that, for the moment, she dare
+go no farther; and though she had to confess to herself that she had
+been deceived in her fond hope of reconquering his affections by one
+grand assault at starting, something was secured anyhow, and something
+desirable and even necessary--a fairly satisfactory footing when they
+met in society.
+
+"The dear voice!" she whispered; "the old, dear, gentle voice! But ...
+those hard, cruel words! Yet I have no right to complain, and I will
+not lament; it must, indeed, be possible!"
+
+Much to his relief Bertram was spared the necessity of replying, for
+his host and hostess were just then coming in from the garden,
+accompanied by Erna and Baron Lotter. At the same moment a servant
+opened the folding-door which led to the dining-room; the two gentlemen
+were introduced to each other; the Baron offered his arm to the lady of
+the house, Lydia was clinging to the master, and thus Erna fell to
+Bertram's share. They were lingering a little behind the rest.
+
+"How good you are!" whispered Erna.
+
+"Am I?" he made answer. "I feel most contemptible."
+
+
+
+
+                                   V.
+
+
+In very truth the feeling that he had done wrong in thus opening his
+heart to Erna had come back in renewed strength to Bertram, since he
+had to admit to himself that he had emphatically broken his own dictum
+that bygones were to be bygones. The past was no longer a secret
+between those concerned; and what would henceforth happen--each word,
+each look which they exchanged, all, all would have a sense, a meaning
+for somebody else--for the beautiful girl who was so grave beyond her
+years, the girl with the great, still, godlike eyes.
+
+Thus Bertram was profoundly in earnest when he declined to accept
+Erna's praise; but, anyhow, he hoped that the worst was over now.
+
+How greatly he was mistaken in this, came most painfully home to him
+with the first stolen glimpse which he ventured to take of Lydia's face
+in the pitiless radiance of the bright candles which shone upon the
+round table in the dining-room, where he sat opposite her. Was that
+really ... Lydia? Or had some mischievous imp, by cruel witchcraft, put
+a caricature of herself in her place, and changed the picture of the
+bright and gifted girl, overflowing with jest and fun, with humour and
+wit; the girl with the somewhat irregular but most piquant features,
+with the big, light-blue, mischievous eyes, fresh and rosy of colour,
+with wild, fluttering, blonde locks, into the picture of an aging
+coquette, for ever pouting her thin lips, even when she laughed, so as
+to hide her false teeth; now lowering, now lifting her eyelids, like an
+actress, in vain endeavouring to give some light to her eyes--a light
+as treacherous as the all too bright pinkiness of the lean cheek, the
+all too dark carmine of the ears, adorned though they were with
+sparkling diamonds? An ugly old woman, who now let the gold embroidered
+white silk shawl glide from the scraggy shoulders, only to draw it up
+again immediately and attempt a more picturesque drapery--which was not
+a success, so that the game had to be renewed forthwith!
+
+And he had once loved this painted, dressed-up, revoltingly coquettish
+person; had loved her with the best, purest strength of his heart, as,
+but a little while ago, he had assured Erna with passionate eagerness.
+It was horrible! Would Erna believe that yonder withered shrub had ever
+blossomed in vernal brightness and beauty? How could she believe it,
+when she looked at the friend of Lydia's youth, her own mother, whose
+majestic beauty was barely touched by Time in his flight? Her great
+brown eyes had lost none of their velvety softness, her raven hair
+still shone in undimmed splendour. And if the difference in appearance,
+in manner, was now so great between the two ladies, must it not always
+have existed? And must not the taste of a man, whose feelings could at
+any time have led him so far astray, have been at all times most
+lamentable?
+
+And if the pitiless brightness had brought so terrible a discovery to
+him, how would he himself appear before Erna's searching gaze? Had not
+some horrible change taken place with him too? Why, these twenty years
+had altered Erna's father, who at college had been rightly surnamed
+'The Beauty,' into an excessively stout gentleman, with a somewhat
+bloated countenance, and a mighty skull, which was getting painfully
+bald in the region of the temples! And he himself had never been
+distinguished for personal attraction; true, his hair was as dark as
+ever; and, before supper, in the glass, he had thought that he saw a
+pale and grave, but not a worn, face. But then the complaisant mirror
+of vanity might make one fancy one saw all sorts of things. No doubt
+Lydia had just such a mirror in her room!
+
+Bertram felt more and more sad at heart. He no longer dared lift his
+eyes, but kept them fixed upon the plates, which the servants changed
+without his having tasted any of the dishes to which he helped himself
+mechanically. So he sat on, scarcely hearing a word of the
+conversation, which was principally carried on by Lydia and the Baron.
+Apparently they were talking about some Court affairs, and very amusing
+and piquant they would appear to be. Anyhow, there was much laughter,
+chiefly on the part of Lydia and the Baron, and My Lady held up her
+hand once or twice, and reminded the two of the respect due to the
+Grand Ducal family. Then the conversation touched upon the approaching
+man[oe]vres, and the Baron proclaimed his minute knowledge of every
+detail, and endeavoured to explain to the ladies, with the help of
+spoons and forks and what not, the original positions both of the
+attacking party and the attacked, and duly weighed the various events
+which might or must occur, according whether the commanding officers
+did or did not take certain steps. Under any circumstances, the
+decisive portion of the sham-fight must come off in the immediate
+neighbourhood of Rinstedt itself, if not in Rinstedt itself;
+unfortunately, the ground being singularly unsuitable for cavalry, the
+ultimate issue would lie between artillery and infantry. He himself,
+said the Baron, having formerly been a cavalry officer, was very sorry
+for that; but, anyhow, the ladies, could look forward to a glorious
+sight. What, a pity, he added, that in spite of his having so many
+friends in the army, he did not chance to have any personal
+acquaintances among the officers of this particular regiment.
+
+"Well, I know a number of them," said the host. "The 99th were
+stationed at Erfurt until a twelvemonth ago. I used to meet the
+officers over and over again out shooting."
+
+"Then," said the Baron, turning to Lydia, "you must know some of them
+too. They are sure to have attended some of our Court balls."
+
+"Of course," the lady replied; "and they were also in the habit of
+coming over in shoals to the play; but who is to distinguish one red
+collar from another? Not I! I love plain, quiet, civilian colours. Ask
+Erna; she is sure to know. She spent six weeks last summer with her
+Aunt Adelheid in Erfurt, and there the officers, are constantly coming
+and going. Is it not so, Erna?"
+
+"You are forgetting," said Erna, "that aunt was in mourning at the
+time. Of course there were no parties then."
+
+"But still," the Baron observed, "people go to a house without being
+actually bidden to parties, inspire of the family being in mourning, if
+there are six marriageable daughters in it, as is the case in your
+aunt's house."
+
+"Possibly; then my power of discriminating between different red
+collars is not more strongly developed than Aunt Lydia's; anyhow, I do
+not remember any one of the gentlemen."
+
+This was uttered in such a stern tone, as of one who would decline to
+pursue the subject, that Bertram looked up involuntarily. Her dainty
+features were perfectly composed, but the blue eyes, which she was
+bending upon him, not upon her interlocutor the Baron, seemed to have a
+deeper radiance than that of suppressed annoyance. This was the first
+time that their looks had met across the table, and a curious thrill
+passed through his frame. He felt the hot blood surging to his temples;
+and to mask his growing embarrassment, he asked who was in command of
+the regiment in question.
+
+"Colonel von Waldor," the Baron replied promptly.
+
+"I knew an officer of that name," said Bertram, "long ago, in Berlin;
+at that time he had been told off to the Military Academy of that town.
+For some years I kept up a correspondence with him, but somehow I lost
+sight of him afterwards. But I rather think that was not his regiment?"
+
+"No," replied the Baron. "You are quite right; he used to be in the
+210th. He got the colonelcy of the 99th about a year ago. He made quite
+a name for himself in the '70 campaign."
+
+"Even at the time I recall, my friend was considered a very smart
+officer," said Bertram.
+
+"No doubt, no doubt," replied the Baron; "it must be the same man. As
+far as I know, there are not two Waldors in the army, at least not
+among regimental commanders, for I think I know all their names by
+heart. Your Colonel is a queer fish, anyhow."
+
+"What is a 'queer fish'?" asked Lydia, touching the Baron's arm with
+her fan.
+
+He laughed, and said: "Well, that question is more easily asked than
+answered."
+
+"Then, pray, do not answer it at all," said Hildegard, the hostess,
+glancing at her daughter Erna.
+
+"Why not, my Lady?" the Baron exclaimed. "It is harmless enough to let
+the facts speak, and it is a fact that Waldor who--I do not know him
+personally, but Dr. Bertram will assuredly confirm my statement--was
+known throughout the army not only on account of his gallantry, but
+also on account of his manly beauty, and who had consequently broken
+countless hearts, is still a bachelor."
+
+"You say 'consequently,'" exclaimed Lydia, "and consequently you think
+very meanly of our sex."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Well, you seem to assume that manly beauty suffices to touch--or, as
+you are pleased to call it, to break--female hearts. Alas, my dear
+Baron, how little do you know our sex!"
+
+"I beg a thousand pardons--but I really said nothing of the kind. Venus
+and Mars--the alliance of valour and beauty, you know--your poets know
+something of this. Why, there is a poet here among us--let him speak up
+for me!"
+
+With these last words the Baron had turned to Bertram; his tone and the
+accompanying gesture had something insultingly patronising about them;
+in fact, in Bertram's eye the whole demeanour of the young man,
+almost a giant in stature, was saturated with an arrogant sort of
+self-complacency, which seemed to take unanimous applause for granted.
+Nevertheless he replied with calm politeness:
+
+"I neither consider myself a poet, nor am I, to the best of my
+knowledge, considered one by anybody who has read the few miserable
+trifles in verse which I published years ago."
+
+"I protest against this most emphatically," exclaimed Lydia. "I have
+read those 'miserable trifles in verse,' as you call them--what a
+horrible expression. I know them by heart, and I consider the author to
+be a poet--a poet by grace divine."
+
+"I am extremely obliged to you," replied Bertram. "However, surely what
+a man is born for is wont to announce itself, sooner or later, in a
+man's own heart. With me that voice is absolutely silent; and,
+therefore, I might surely claim the right of refusing to give the
+evidence required of me. But not being specially qualified, and being
+absolutely impartial, I would fain warn my friends not to repose
+overmuch confidence in poets on that particular point. Anxious for the
+applause of the many, as their trade seems to demand, they accommodate
+themselves but too readily to the taste of the many, who, as we all
+know, like very children, seize eagerly upon anything bright,
+glistening, motley-coloured. Therefore, why should they not picture the
+heroine as beautiful beyond compare, the hero as valorous beyond
+comparison, and heap any number of additional titles to fame upon their
+blessed heads! Whether one quality does not perchance exclude another,
+whether the measure dealt out does not, anyhow, exceed all that is
+reasonably possible--dear, dear, there are few who'll ask that
+question; and if any one does, why, then, he is a pedant, and for
+pedants the heroes of romance have no existence, any more than real
+heroes have for their valets."
+
+"Oh! you scoffer--you wretch!" exclaimed Lydia. "Why, you will prove
+next that beauty, that valour, that every virtue in the world, belongs
+to the region of romance. What a terrible thing scepticism is! But our
+friend was ever thus. Did I not say a short while ago: Hildegard, I
+cannot believe that he has changed; he cannot change! And behold, he
+is exactly what he always was!"
+
+"Well, that's coming it pretty strong, seeing it's twenty years since
+..."
+
+The corpulent host had laughingly given utterance to these words, then,
+feeling his wife's dark eyes bent upon him in stern disapproval, he
+broke off abruptly with Ahem! poured some wine into his own glass,
+which was but half emptied, and then wanted to know why the gentlemen
+present were not doing justice to the wine that night.
+
+Bertram, wishing to relieve his friends in their evident embarrassment,
+came to the rescue, saying, with smiling, easy politeness: "Fraeulein
+von Aschhof only proves by her kind assertion of my immutability, that
+she is indeed looking upon the world and mankind with a poetical eye.
+But let us remember this--the poets themselves allow only the fair sex
+to participate in the pleasing prerogative of the calmly careless ever
+youthful gods; and the poets may venture on this deception, because the
+listener is willing to be deceived. 'Breathes there a man with soul so
+dead,' who ever ventured to count up the years of an Antigone, an
+Iphigenia, a Helena? They are what they were--else they are not. But,
+even the poet's flattering arts cannot keep the man from aging; and if
+the poet would grant perennial youth to a man, he must needs let him
+die in his youth--like Achilles."
+
+"I protest against this theory," Lydia exclaimed eagerly. "I assert
+that heroes age as little as heroines."
+
+"Even that," Bertram replied with a smile, "would not help me, seeing
+that I am no hero, assuming even that you were right. But I may be
+permitted to indulge in some humble doubt. At best the hero of the
+Odyssey appears distinctly as a man of mature age,--to put it
+mildly,--and Pallas Athene must practise upon him her divine art of
+beautifying before she ventures to introduce him among the Phaeaci."
+
+The Baron was meanwhile playing with his spoons and forks again; he was
+evidently annoyed at having been so long kept out of the conversation.
+
+Bertram went on as though he did not notice it at all; he very surely
+was not speaking for that fellow's sake. He only cared to clear himself
+in Erna's eyes from any suspicion that he, like the aged coquette
+opposite him, was laying claim to a juvenility which had gone by for
+ever; and seeing those eyes steadily bent upon him, he took heart of
+grace, and went on in the same tone of easy, good-humoured banter--
+
+"Goeethe, a modern, and in this case a tragic, poet too, in his
+Nausicaan fragments, wisely forebore to bring in that art of
+beautifying, which is only lawful for the epic poet in his antique
+naivety, and in order to bridge over the mighty difference and distance
+of years, and to change the evidently improbable into something at
+least credible, he takes refuge in illusion, causing it to arise from
+the child's very heart, like a fog enveloping those pure eyes, that
+clear mind--
+
+
+           'That man must ever be a youthful man,
+            Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes.'[1]
+
+
+Thus the aged nurse, taking the unspoken words, as it were, from
+Nausicaa's chaste lips. A touching saying, touching, like children's
+belief in the omnipotence of their parents! And about that
+youthfulness, which exists nowhere except in the glorious dreams of a
+young, inexperienced, generous soul, well, Goethe has told us something
+with exquisite humour, not, as true humour indeed never is, without a
+touch of melancholy, in the novelette of the man of fifty. Poor old
+Major! I have always been heartily sorry for him. Remember how he begs
+the services of the valet (skilled in the use of cosmetics) from his
+friend the great actor; how that adroit official uses his balm, and his
+stays, and his wadding for the aged gentleman, and yet cannot save the
+diseased front tooth, and certainly cannot keep fair Hilarie from
+falling vehemently in love with young Flavio, solely because she sees
+him in raptures with the clever widow, solely because in Flavio's
+raptures she beholds for the first time a representation of genuine,
+ardent, youthful passion. All this is as true as it is charming, as
+charming as it is melancholy, at least for the reader who is in a
+position to test the hero's experiences and sentiments by his own
+sentiments and experiences."
+
+"Of course; 'there's no fool like an old fool,' and I suppose that
+really is the final outcome of the whole business," said the Baron.
+
+"How dare you talk of things you know nothing about, you prosaic
+individual?" exclaimed Lydia, bringing her fan down upon the giant's
+arm. "There is no talk of old people here. A man of fifty is not old,
+he is in the prime of life, and is often ten times younger than your
+used-up so-called young gentlemen. But I must really say something for
+Goethe against our 'learned friend.' Yes, yes, my friend, I know the
+novelette well; I read it aloud to the Court barely a week ago. Who
+bids you take a comedy in that tragic way?--for the novelette in
+question is a comedy--a 'Comedy of Errors.' Hilarie fancies she is in
+love with the uncle, and really loves Flavio; Flavio fancies himself in
+love with the young widow, whilst really he loves Hilarie; and how the
+Major--well, I think the final scene at the inn proves emphatically
+that he had only turned his feelings to--to--to--the wrong address, if
+I may venture upon the expression; and that he and the clever widow
+subsequently became a happy pair is perfectly clear to me. Or, do you
+think not?"
+
+A warning glance flashed from Hildegard's dark eyes. Lydia positively
+blushed through her layers of paint. She had shown her hand too
+plainly!
+
+Bertram struggled successfully against a strong inclination to smile;
+nay, curiously enough, something like pity for her indiscretion stirred
+within him. He went on--
+
+"To be sure, you are right, right, above all, in calling the novelette
+a comedy. How little Goethe cared to have a tragic conflict is evident
+from the fact that he chose circumstances as favourable as possible for
+a happy conclusion, and that he from the very beginning secured a line
+of retreat for every one concerned. The Major is the uncle of Hilarie,
+the only daughter of his widowed mother, and he has doubtless acted the
+part of father to her--has, up till now, loved her as his own child.
+His rival, in whose favour he resigns his claims, is his own only son,
+to whom he is also very much attached, and with whom he is on excellent
+terms, whom he in fact treats like a comrade. Again, behind Hilarie, as
+she vanishes from him, stands as it were the young widow; and in her
+arms the Major will speedily forget the small humiliation. And lastly,
+and this seems to me to be the chief point, Goeethe has wisely avoided
+to introduce the one element whereby he would have been enabled, nay
+compelled, to turn the comedy into tragedy; he has ... but I beg pardon
+of our fair hostess for being so garrulous. To be sure, it is high time
+we rose from table!"
+
+Truly enough, the turn which the conversation had taken had, for Erna's
+sake, been unwelcome to her mother. So she seized the opportunity and
+rose from table. Erna, who had sat without turning her gaze from
+Bertram, took a deep breath, like some one who is being recalled from
+deep dreams to the consciousness of present realities, and followed the
+example of the others. She and Bertram were the last couple that left
+the dining-room on their return to the garden-saloon, which had
+meanwhile been lighted up, and Bertram thought she was walking very
+slowly--on purpose.
+
+"What was the one element, Uncle Bertram?" she asked.
+
+"What one element?"
+
+He knew what she meant; but he had broken off at table, because he
+himself dreaded the utterance of the word. So he delayed his reply, and
+just then his host appeared, bringing cigars: the gentlemen might smoke
+on the verandah, whilst Lydia would give them some music.
+
+"You remember, Charles, do you not," he went on, "the _sonata
+pathetique_--that used to be your favourite piece? And Lydia has
+practised it often since, I think."
+
+Lydia was ready. Bertram, however, begged to be excused from remaining.
+He felt, he said, after all, tired with the day's journey, and it was
+but the charm of their company which had made him forget that he was
+still a convalescent. He barely gave Hildegard time to draw him aside,
+and to say to him in a whisper--
+
+"You really are most amiable. How good of you to take it so kindly. I
+had not at dinner to-day courage enough to make my confession. Indeed I
+have to confess, to say much to you--to-morrow ..."
+
+"To-morrow be it, fair friend," said Bertram, kissing the lady's hand,
+bowing to the rest, and making hastily for the door. He had not reached
+it before Erna was by his side.
+
+"You used to say good-night to me less formally."
+
+He did not venture to press a kiss on the proffered brow, but only took
+her hand.
+
+The great grave eyes gazed at him as though they would fain read what
+was passing in his inmost soul.
+
+"Good-night, dear child," he said hurriedly.
+
+"Good-night," she replied slowly, letting his hot, trembling hand glide
+out of her own cool little one.
+
+"It is lucky," said Bertram to himself, after he had dismissed Konski,
+and as he stood alone by the open window in his bedroom, "it is very
+lucky, indeed, that it is not very easy to read what is passing in
+somebody else's soul. She would have found queer reading!"
+
+He leaned out of the window and gazed into the darkness. Not a breath
+of air. From the garden below the fragrance of mignonette was wafted
+up; the brook murmured aloud; a thin white veil was spread over the
+valley, with here and there a dim speck of light. The sky was
+cloudless, of deep blue, almost black colour; the moon looked like a
+mass of gold, and one solitary star near it shone forth in red
+splendour.
+
+Bertram recalled just such a night, long years ago, when a friend, the
+assistant-astronomer, had given Erna's father and himself the
+opportunity of witnessing, from the Bonn Observatory, the transit of
+that same star--Aldebaran--through the moon! Afterwards he had
+accompanied Otto back to Poppelsdorf, and Otto had in his turn walked
+back with him to the Pfoertchen in Bonn; and so backward and forward,
+all through the mild summer's night, until the light of morning had
+come, and the birds were beginning to twitter in the leafy crowns of
+the chestnut trees. And they had been raving of friendship and love--of
+the love they both, most fraternally, cherished for one and the same
+black-eyed beauty, the daughter of one of their professors, and they
+had both been sublimely happy, all their misery notwithstanding, for
+the black-eyed one was known to love another--"Great Heaven, how long,
+how long ago? A generation, and more. And now ...?"
+
+"Now," he went on, "you are about to fall in love with the daughter
+of the same man whom then you rivalled in absurdly exaggerated,
+donkey-like phantasies--with a girl of eighteen, whose father you could
+be. And this time you would not get off with raving incoherently for a
+night of two, and with scribbling a few mediocre sonnets! Be
+reasonable, old man. Let it go--let it go! You know full well you can
+have no abiding place here, any more than the horseman in the
+Piccolomini. Behind you, too, as you ride along, crouches the lean
+companion and clasps you in his bony arms, and every now and again taps
+at your heart, to test if it is still stupid enough to throb for a
+beauteous maiden who is seated by the window among wallflowers and
+rosemary.
+
+"And behind the curtain stands her lover, and bends across her, that
+he, too, may look upon the mad horseman, who is stretching out his neck
+to see his darling. And the clumsy fellow with the bull's neck wrinkles
+his silly brow, twirls his mustachio, strokes his beard, mutters _Mort
+de ma vie!_ and shakes his coarse fist. But she pouts, and giggles and
+bursts out laughing, and falls on the neck of the jealous one ...
+
+"No, no; it cannot be! You only want to hear from her lips that it
+cannot be. And then--away, away--ride out of the gate--to swift,
+honourable death. And God's blessing on thee, thou gentle, lovely, and
+beloved child!"
+
+He closed the window gently, and so to bed; to bed, but not to sleep.
+He could not find that repose he stood so much in need of. The brook
+murmured so loudly, or was it the hot bloody surging to his temples?
+
+And was he about to sink into slumber, he would start up again
+immediately; he seemed again, to be holding her by the hand, and she
+bent her forehead to be kissed by him.
+
+"No--no! Lead me not into temptation! Do not ask me what the one thing
+is! I would not say it, even, if--what God forbid!--it were so. I will
+not let you beguile me into a tragedy, any more than from one comedy
+into another."
+
+
+
+
+                                  VI.
+
+
+This thought, which had at length quieted Bertram's, wildly tumultuous
+spirits, was also his first, when late next morning he awoke from deep
+and dreamless slumbers--neither tragedy nor comedy! Calm and clear
+observation, as best becomes a solitary individual who has done with
+life; who neither hopes nor fears anything from Fate for himself;
+maintaining a benevolent interest in the fate of others, where
+benevolence is merited and interest is justified; cherishing throughout
+the conviction that, after all, every one makes or mars his own life;
+that interference and advice are rarely of much use, and generally
+distinctly hurtful; and that, even under the most favourable
+circumstances, the task of mediator is ever, of all tasks, the most
+thankless.
+
+In the clear light of these contemplations and of the delicious morning
+which was resting in sunny radiance above the lovely landscape, last
+night's scenes appeared to Bertram like the confused darkness of a
+feverish dream; nay, he derived some comfort from the thought that he
+probably had been ill, and was therefore only partly responsible for
+his extraordinary demeanour. Still, he was gravely responsible for one
+thing--he ought sooner to have become conscious of his condition. He
+might well thank his stars that in his excited state he had not behaved
+even more strangely; above all, that to-day, for the first time since
+his last long and severe illness, he felt as fresh and strong as in his
+best days. Assuredly with the morning all things seemed to have become
+better--much better than he could have expected--than he deserved!
+
+The master's disposition was singularly serene, and he gave it a most
+friendly expression in the course of his toilet, showing himself ready
+for a friendly gossip with Konski; but Konski, strange, to say, was out
+of temper, and refused to be gossiped with.
+
+At last Bertram said: "What ails you? If you are displeased, at what I
+said yesterday about our speedy departure, you may calm yourself. We
+still remain here for the whole time we had originally arranged. I see
+you have unpacked already."
+
+"We may leave to-day, for aught I care!" grumbled Konski.
+
+"What's up now? Out with it, Konski! You know I cannot bear sour looks.
+Anything in connection with Mamsell Christine?"
+
+"Of course it is!" replied Konski; "and I wonder who's to keep from
+sour looks under these circumstances! I had written to her that this
+was to be my last trip with you, and when we returned from Italy in
+March we might go and be spliced. I did not want to tell you at all,
+but don't you see, sir, one gets older every year, and it has to be
+some time or other, and ..."
+
+"And now you wish to marry at once, and I am to give you your
+discharge?"
+
+"Marry at once, indeed!" sniffed Konski; "she won't marry at all
+now--leastways, not me--and that, after we have been engaged these
+five years! But there is no trusting them women, and especially the old
+ones! She is five and forty years of age, she is,--a year older than I
+am myself; and now she's going to marry a young greenhorn of five and
+twenty!"
+
+It was some time before Konski, generally so calm and patient, could
+explain in detail to his master how badly he had been treated.
+According to his account, Mamsell Christine had written the tenderest
+letters to him until a few weeks ago, and had declared herself
+agreeable to all his suggestions and proposals; and now it appeared
+from the statements of the other servants whom he had cross-questioned,
+and whose evidence the faithless one could not but corroborate, that
+she had been "carrying on" for a long while with one Peter Weissenborn,
+who had formerly been head-gardener at Rinstedt, and who had been
+settled in the neighbouring town for the last six months, and who was
+now, it was said, likely to be appointed one of the Court gardeners,
+thanks to the protection of the Herr Baron. The Herr Baron, Konski went
+on, had also induced My Lady to give Mamsell Christine leave to quit
+her service at any time without formal notice; and, indeed, the
+servants all said, that the way to get My Lady's consent to anything,
+was to get the Herr Baron on your side; that made success quite
+certain. And My Lady was said to be quite in favour of this marriage
+between Christine and the future Court gardener. In that case she would
+always have two of her former servants at hand when she came to town,
+and that was likely to be an event of frequent occurrence now; if,
+indeed, she did not go to live there altogether, as some of the
+servants asserted--Aurora, for instance--My Lady's maid, who was her
+second favourite, next to Christine.
+
+Bertram endeavoured to comfort the poor fellow. He pointed out to him
+that he should be glad to be rid of a person who had evidently never
+meant honestly by him, and who would in all probability have been as
+faithless in marriage as she had now proved before. This conviction led
+him to reject any wish there might exist to get the matter rectified
+again, as was done sometimes, and in much higher social circles too;
+otherwise he would have been willing to use his influence with My Lady,
+which presumably would have been at least as telling as that of the
+Herr Baron.
+
+Konski shook his head. "I am extremely obliged to you, sir," said he.
+"I am quite content if you will still keep me on, after I have proved
+myself to be such a thorough ass. And, as far as talking to her
+Ladyship goes, that would be in vain--the Herr Baron is cock of the
+walk there. I could tell you a good deal more about that, but I know
+you do not like that sort of thing!"
+
+Bertram was startled. The man's last remark could have but one meaning,
+and the image of the girl among the wallflowers and with the jealous
+lover, emerged in singular distinctness from last night's feverish
+phantasies. He would fain have for once broken through his rule of
+never going out of his way to listen to the gossip of kitchen and
+servants' hall, but, as Konski did not volunteer any further remarks,
+he was ashamed to put any direct questions. Just at that moment, too,
+there came a knock, and a servant brought a message from her Ladyship.
+She had learned that the Herr Doctor had risen, and might she request
+the Herr Doctor's' company on the verandah to tea?
+
+Bertram lost no time in following the invitation. Hildegard, who had
+been sitting in a shaded corner of the verandah at the deserted
+breakfast-table, came forward to meet him. As she moved towards him
+with well-balanced step, he could not but recall last night's talk
+about the never-changing beauty of a poet's heroine. He gazed upon the
+lofty figure in its youthful slimness, the clear, deep colouring of the
+incomparably beautiful countenance, the blue-black splendour of the
+ample hair, smooth at the temples, and crowning the glorious head with
+a dense braid.
+
+There was a smile on her dainty lips, and if deepened a little as she
+saw her guest's speaking eyes bent upon her in undisguised admiration.
+She was making tender inquiries about the state of his health, leading
+him the while to the table and making him sit beside her, with the
+kettle bubbling in front of them.
+
+"Otto," she said, "is, as usual, somewhere about the estate. The Baron
+is painting a portion of the village from the bottom terrace, and Lydia
+is, I believe, keeping him company with a book. Erna, you will probably
+find later on in her favourite place, under the big plantain tree. I
+have sent them all away, because I so long to have a comfortable
+confidential chat with you. Yesterday we did not manage to have one.
+And first of all, dear friend, accept my hearty thanks for having so
+kindly pardoned a breach of confidence of which I--not from choice--had
+been guilty. Nay, do not refuse the expression of my gratitude. I saw
+how hard you found it to appear unconscious and serene; I thank you all
+the more. But I knew that with your wonted cleverness you would at once
+find the only correct point of view--that of pity. Whatever has been
+done and sinned between the two of you,--she is the one to be pitied. A
+poor girl, growing old, even if she is in favour at Court; and although
+the Grand Ducal family could not be kinder, yet all this cannot satisfy
+the cravings of her eager mind--but I perceive that this is a painful
+topic for you!"
+
+"It is not painful for me," replied Bertram; "or at least only so far
+as the description of a dissatisfied, unquiet soul must ever be painful
+for us, if it is hopelessly out of our power to bring satisfaction and
+peace to it."
+
+"I understand you," said Hildegard; "and you will understand me when I
+beg of you not quite to rob the poor soul in question of its utterly
+foolish hopes to which it clings, alas! with incredible tenacity. You
+can do this so easily: you need but be amiable and, courteous to her,
+as you are to everybody--no more, but, to be sure, no less--do you
+consent?"
+
+"I will try, since you wish it--on one condition!"
+
+"And this condition?"
+
+"I have come to the following determination--indeed, it is a matter of
+course for me. In the drama of human life I will not henceforth ever
+again leave, my well-won place in the stalls, and under no
+circumstances will I take a part on the stage itself--no tragic
+part--and still less a comic one!"
+
+"From the latter," replied his fair hostess with a smile, "you are
+safe under any circumstances, through your own cleverness; from the
+former----"
+
+"Through my age."
+
+"I meant to say, also through your cleverness; or, if you prefer it,
+through the cool, unimpassioned frame of mind which you have grown
+into, and which I often envy you!"
+
+Bertram looked up in amazement, and then quickly busied himself with
+his tea-cup. Hildegard, to envy him his coolness! Hildegard, who had
+ever appeared to him the very embodiment of conscious equanimity!
+
+"You may be surprised to hear this from me," she continued; "but must
+we not all, sooner or later, learn the lesson of resignation? And my
+time surely has come. Indeed, it has been so all my life. What have not
+I had to resign in the course of my life! Or do you think that the
+husband's wealth can blind the wife, if she be proud, to the
+consciousness that she is not loved as she longs, and as, may be, she
+deserves to be loved?"
+
+Bertram knew these phrases from of old; but he said to himself that
+to-day particularly he must make the best of everything, so he
+exclaimed--
+
+"Is it possible, my friend, that you still cherish this hypochondriacal
+fear which you have given utterance to before, but from which I deemed
+you cured long ago? How can you complain of a deficiency in love, when
+your husband positively adores you? You can utter no wish, simply
+because what you could wish for is already fulfilled. Or you need but
+have a wish, and it is forthwith fulfilled."
+
+"You are pleading for the friend of your youth," she made answer,
+raising her dark eyebrows. "Do not forget this: I am bringing no charge
+against him. I am resigned. Were I to die to-day, what would his loss
+come to? What would he miss?"
+
+"The brightness of his life," Bertram replied gallantly.
+
+"As if he cared for the brightness of his life!" said his wife. "Is it
+so? Does he share one of my fancies, my harmless _penchants_? Does he
+not vainly strive to appear interested in the things of beauty with
+which I love to surround, myself and to decorate our dwelling? Did he
+not consent wit evident repugnance to have the mansion-house restored
+in a style befitting a whilom princely residence--to let me seek out
+and renew the old, tangled paths through the Park? Does he support me
+in my humane undertakings? Have I not had to beg the few thousand
+thalers from him that I required for my Kindergarten and for my
+poorhouse? Why, he lives solely for his porcelain factory, his sugar
+refinery, his coal-mines, his new railway project! I say again: I have
+accepted all this as inevitable, and as a matter of course, as long as
+I alone was concerned, as long as I alone suffered. But, indeed, to
+bring Erna into this life of trivialities, to leave the dear child in a
+sphere where she sees nothing, hears nothing, that could give the
+slightest nourishment to head or heart, where anything and everything
+revolves round Mammon, is sacrificed to Mammon--that is beyond me,
+beyond my strength!"
+
+"Then, if I understand you aright, you wish, to get Erna married?"
+
+Through the soft, velvety radiance of the deep-brown eyes flashed
+something like a deeper light. The question was evidently not
+expected--at least not yet--but the next moment already her eyes had
+resumed their customary expression, and she forced those beautiful lips
+to smile, as she said, in a tone of gentle reproach--
+
+"Let us express it rather less egotistically. I should like Erna to
+find a husband worthy of her."
+
+"A most natural wish too! One which every mother cherishes for a
+grown-up daughter. And as an old friend of the family I heartily join
+in the wish, and do not for a moment doubt that we shall readily agree
+as to what we shall expect her husband to be."
+
+"I am not so sure on that point."
+
+"Let us try anyhow. Firstly, he should be noble!"
+
+"That is not your conviction."
+
+"Then let it be a concession. If people wish to come to an
+understanding they must be prepared to make concessions."
+
+"This concession I accept gladly. Go on, please."
+
+"He should not be a scholar by profession; but have a good--a man of
+the world's--education, and a taste for the fine arts. In fact, we want
+a cavalier, of course, in the best sense of the word."
+
+"Agreed."
+
+"He need not be wealthy. In fact, it would be preferable that he had no
+fortune, he would in that case be all the more indebted to Erna."
+
+"Most true!"
+
+"He should not be a landed proprietor, or at least not a man who feels
+it a duty and an absolute necessity to live in the country and devote
+himself to agriculture. Best of all, he should have no definite
+calling, or, anyhow, only one which did not impose difficult and
+troublesome duties; say a position which should have it as a natural
+consequence that the man in question moved in the best society, and
+even came occasionally into pleasant contact with Court circles."
+
+"Best of friends, how strangely skilled you are in reading a mother's
+heart!"
+
+"Let me, then, look to the very bottom of it, where possibly the name
+of the individual in question is already written. If I read the
+characters correctly, they form the name ..."
+
+"Now I am truly keen to know."
+
+"Baron Kuno von Lotter-Vippach."
+
+"Lydia has told you!"
+
+"No. Neither Fraeulein von Aschhof nor any one else has spoken to me, I
+give you my word of honour."
+
+"But it is most strange ..."
+
+"Why so strange? Am I not a very old friend, to whom you have many a
+time talked on most important topics, and whom you have many a time
+honoured with your most intimate confidence?"
+
+"Then it is all the better, all the more deserving of my gratitude;
+and I thank you heartily, sincerely ..."
+
+She had seized both his hands; her beautiful countenance, now lighted
+up with a flush of gladness, had never been more beautiful; yet to
+Bertram it appeared like some hideous mask.
+
+"I cannot accept your thanks," he said, withdrawing his hands with
+slight and very hurried pressure. "I could but do so honestly, if I
+shared those wishes of yours which I have guessed. That is not quite
+the case. The impression which Baron Lotter made upon me yesterday was
+not specially favourable; to be quite open, the impression was
+unfavourable."
+
+"That," Hildegard replied eagerly, "leaves me very calm. You men
+seldom like each other at a first encounter, and at a second you find
+one another charming. In the Baron's case no second encounter has even
+been necessary; he overflows with your praises; he calls you the
+cleverest and most amiable of men; he is charmed to have made your
+acquaintance; and I am convinced that you, too, my friend, will soon
+modify your judgment--I should almost like to say your prejudice--once
+you come to know the Baron better. He is somewhat spoiled, like all
+very handsome men; somewhat conceited, if you like; but at bottom very
+modest, easily led, good as gold. He will please you, believe me, and
+more than please you! You will come to esteem and love him!"
+
+"Is the more important question, to me the most important, already
+settled? Does Erna think as favourably of the Baron? Does she love him?
+For that he loves her, I must, I suppose, assume."
+
+"That is beyond all doubt," Hildegard made answer; "as for Erna, I hope
+so, I believe so; anyhow she does not express herself unfavourably
+about him, and that, with Erna, means a good deal, for she is not at
+all easily pleased, and is not accustomed to conceal her dislike, if
+dislike there be. It is of course difficult to form a correct opinion
+of Erna's sentiments; doubly difficult for me, because she has
+been so long from home, and we are not always in accord in our
+views and tendencies. Again, in Lydia she has never placed full
+confidence--which, by the by, I can scarcely wonder at. I only know one
+being whom she thoroughly trusts--and you dear friend, are the one!"
+
+"I?"
+
+"Are you surprised to hear this? Surely not? Has not the child always
+been so fond of Uncle Bertram, that we, her parents, might have grown
+jealous? Has she not ever been your favourite? If she is so no longer,
+for goodness sake do not let the poor girl see it. She would be
+inconsolable."
+
+"Now, you are laughing at me."
+
+"Indeed, I am not. Ask Lydia. That Lydia often speaks of you, you will
+find natural enough, and that now and again a word of bitterness slips
+in, you will find pardonable. Erna does not pardon it. In her eyes you
+are once and for good raised above all reproach. You are, as it were,
+her ideal. It is a downright case of infatuation, and it goes so far
+that she once assured us, with all a child's gravity--she was still
+almost a child--that if ever she married, Uncle Bertram must be her
+husband and she got quite angry when Lydia and I laughed at her."
+
+The beautiful lady smiled, and Bertram succeeded in forcing a smile
+too.
+
+"How very funny," he said; "but then very young girls are proverbially
+prone to conceive infatuation for some one or other of their masters,
+and I think, in Lydia's eyes, I have always been one of her
+instructors, in literature and what not. Poor girls! they give their
+affections to old Mentor, but they mean young Telemachus. Well, and
+there is apparently a young Telemachus on the stage already, if you
+have seen aright."
+
+"Just to decide that point," replied Hildegard, "Mentor must not yet
+resign his functions. On the contrary, I must entreat him most urgently
+to help the mother with his clear vision and his advice, and to use his
+old influence with the daughter. I may rely upon this, my trusty
+friend, may I not?"
+
+She held out her hand to him with these words. He raised it
+deferentially to his lips and said--
+
+"You may rest convinced that Erna's well-being is dearer to me than
+anything else in the world."
+
+Hildegard had wished and had expected another, a more definite, answer.
+It was still doubtful whether she had really acquired an ally in him.
+However, the main point was gained; she had taken the initiative, had
+represented the affair from her own point of view, had appealed to
+Bertram's friendship, had asked for his assistance, had given him a
+proof of her confidence, which he would doubtless accept as
+unconditional. This sort of thing is always flattering to a man, always
+makes him feel indebted. Of course, a woman must flatter a man if she
+would make him feel indebted.
+
+Just then it was anyhow impossible to obtain a more definite assurance
+from Bertram, for the Baron and Lydia were ascending the main steps of
+the terrace; the Baron, in his temporary capacity as artist, clad in a
+costume of brown velvet, and a straw hat with a stupendously broad
+brim, and Lydia in such a grotesquely fantastic morning costume as to
+suggest the idea that she had been acting as model for some wonderful
+sketch of the artist. And indeed she did figure upon the canvas, but
+only as a bit of the foreground, which represented a portion of the
+terrace, across which you looked down into the valley and at the
+village, with the wooded hills rising behind. The Baron was evidently
+much pleased with his work, although he declared again and again not to
+have half finished it; it was not fair, he added, to apply to a hasty
+sketch the same standard of judgment as to a regular studio picture, in
+which everything would of course turn out quite different. This,
+Bertram could not but think, would be most desirable, but hardly very
+probable. This so-called sketch was evidently a picture which had
+already been touched and retouched, some portions had been painted over
+two, even three times, and divers desultory dilettante endeavours had
+failed to bring anything like harmony into the composition.
+Nevertheless he politely agreed with the ladies' words of praise, which
+flowed freely from Hildegard's lips, while Lydia, as was her wont,
+launched out in extravagant eulogy: wonderful, was it not, what
+progress the Herr Baron made day by day? At last there was once more a
+painter with a mission for historical landscapes on a grand scale! The
+resemblance of his genius to that of a Rottmann, a Preller--became more
+and more apparent. Nor did she alone think so. Only the other day, at
+Court, when they were talking of the pupils at the Academy of Arts, and
+some one mentioned the Baron's name, Princess Amelia said, and said
+with marked emphasis, "No pupil he, ladies, nay, a master, and a great
+master! The Baron is a distinct acquisition for our School of Arts; he
+represents a triumph!"
+
+"Yes, it is true; the august lady is very graciously disposed towards
+me," asserted the Baron, stroking his natty beard. "I wonder what she
+will say to my new sketches."
+
+Fortunately for Bertram, who was planning his escape under some pretext
+or other from this painful scene, his host now came up to greet his
+friend, and to ask if he felt strong enough and was inclined to go for
+a little drive with him; only to the porcelain factory, they would be
+back in an hour. Bertram declared his readiness.
+
+"The Baron would surely like to go with you," said Hildegard,
+exchanging glances with her husband; "but I fear there is barely
+comfortable room even for two in your little trap."
+
+The Baron hastened to assure her that he could not go, anyhow, as he
+had promised Miss Erna to try the accompaniment to some new songs with
+her.
+
+Hildegard asked Bertram if he would not, before starting, say good
+morning to Erna, who would be hurt if he left without having done so.
+
+They called for Erna in vain. It seemed to Bertram that Hildegard only
+wished to find time enough to beckon him aside, and to whisper to him
+that he need not conceal from her husband what they had been discussing
+in reference to Erna. On the contrary, she was anxious to learn Otto's
+opinion of the whole matter; he would probably speak with less reserve
+to his friend than, alas! to her, and that Bertram would take her side
+she felt sure now.
+
+"But Erna is not coming, I see," she exclaimed aloud; "I will not keep
+you gentlemen any longer. _Au revoir_--an hour hence."
+
+
+
+
+                                  VII.
+
+
+The little trap was so light, and the road was in such good condition,
+that the friends were able to drive at a very fair pace, in spite of
+the not inconsiderable gradient. Soon they passed into the wood.
+The easy, comfortable motion, the perfect beauty of the morning, the
+fact that the friends were for the first time in undisturbed
+companionship--all seemed to favour a confidential exchange of
+thoughts. Yet both men were silent, and barely exchanged a word or two
+on indifferent topics. At last Otto said, after he had taken a stolen
+side-glance or two of his friend--
+
+"What do you think, Charles--shall we walk a bit? The road now will be
+virtually level for some distance."
+
+Bertram nodded assent. The carriage stopped. Otto bade the man drive
+slowly on in front of them, in the direction of the factory.
+
+"You never can be sure," he began, as they were striding along the
+well-kept footpath by the side of the road, "that these beggars do not
+hear more than they should; and I particularly want to ask you
+something. Tell me--but quite honestly, mind--how do you like the
+Baron?"
+
+"Let us come to the point at once," replied Bertram; "I have had a talk
+with your wife."
+
+"Oh! indeed!" exclaimed Otto, hiding his embarrassment as best he could
+by bursting out laughing, and abruptly leaving off again. "That is to
+say, I rather thought you would. I should like to have done the same--I
+mean had a talk with you--yesterday, in fact; but my wife told me not
+to ... and, don't you know, the ladies always claim precedence."
+
+"Very well; then let me commence at the point where my conversation
+with your wife came to an end--with the question which she either could
+not or would not answer when I pressed her, and which seems to me of
+paramount importance--Does Erna love the Baron? Have you, between you,
+or have you yourself, any proof of--any support of this? Have you made
+any observation from which you could conclude such a thing?"
+
+"Look here, old man," said Otto, "you are asking a lot at once. I can't
+follow you. Proof--support--observation! Good Heaven! Who can look into
+a girl's head and heart? She has said nothing to me, and rather than
+ask her--ask her--it's such a queer question to ask, and possibly one
+might only do harm by it, and learn nothing in the long run, or at
+least not the truth. Of course she is fond enough of me, and has
+confidence in me. Heaven knows how fond I am of her! but father and
+daughter, you know--or rather you do not know, for you never had a
+daughter--that's a curious business!"
+
+He had taken off his hat and was scratching his head in his perplexity.
+Bertram understood that he was not likely to get anything out of him
+that way. After a pause Bertram said--
+
+"Well, let us assume--although, to say the truth, I find it very hard
+to do so--let us assume that Erna does love this man. Would you then be
+able to say Yea and Amen with a good conscience? In other words, are
+you convinced that the man would make Erna happy? That he has, anyhow,
+the qualities which according to human reasoning and experience, render
+her happiness at least possible? That he is a man of honour, of fit and
+upright disposition;--in a word, that he is a gentleman?"
+
+"A gentleman!" exclaimed Otto in amazement "Why, good Heaven!--a man
+belonging to such a family--bearing such a name--a constant guest at
+Court--invited to every ball, every evening party there; besides
+joining their private circle, once or twice every week--why, he must be
+a gentleman!"
+
+"The deuce he must!" exclaimed Bertram angrily. "If you have no better
+guarantee than Court balls and such like humbug!"
+
+"But what more would you have?" said Otto. "What more would any one
+have? If that is no guarantee I wonder what you would call one. I have
+it as a matter of certainty from Lydia, that his nomination as
+Chamberlain is made out, is lying ready for signature in the Grand
+Duke's cabinet; and Lydia ought to know, for, between you and me, she,
+with the help of our Court Marshal, an old friend of Lotter's father,
+has been urging the matter strongly at Court. Lotter is very grateful
+to her, and says quite frankly, that but for her he might have had to
+wait much longer; and I think that is, a trait in his favour--although
+I am convinced--but you must please not give any indication that you
+know--although I am convinced that Lydia has not tried her hardest for
+Lotter's own sake, but to conciliate my wife, who is bent upon seeing
+her future son-in-law hold some Court appointment. And the reason why
+Lydia had to keep in my wife's good graces is not far to seek; and, old
+fellow, she has had her way at last, and is allowed to sojourn once
+more under the same roof with you. You see: _manus manum lavat._"
+
+"So I see, indeed," laughed Bertram. "And now Hildegard must again keep
+me in good-humour, that I, in my turn, may keep you in good-humour. It
+were strange indeed, if, under these circumstances, we were not, all of
+us, in the very best humour!"
+
+"This hardly seems to be your case as yet," said Otto, "your laughter
+notwithstanding."
+
+"Nor, I hope, yours either," exclaimed Bertram.
+
+"Why do you hope so?"
+
+Bertram made no answer. His Heart was full of sorrow and wrath. He saw
+that the whole affair was arranged--among the two women anyhow--and the
+easy-going henpecked husband by his side would be sure to say yes to
+everything, had probably done so already, and this was but the second
+scene this morning in a nicely-arranged comedy, with all the parts
+carefully distributed beforehand. Evidently the drive had but one
+object--to give Otto an opportunity of saying his part. And he,
+himself?--Why, barely an hour ago he had solemnly protested to the fair
+stage-manager that never more would he act again! And she had listened
+to his solemn protest without laughing in his face! Well, well; there
+might yet be a chance of interpreting some passage in a way that the
+clever lady had not thought of!
+
+Otto broke the silence, after they had been walking side by side for
+some little time, by saying somewhat humbly--
+
+"You are angry with me!"
+
+"What right could I have to be so?" replied Bertram. "I am no relation
+of yours. I am nothing but a friend; and, as such, I have no right
+whatever. It is only my duty to give an honest answer if you consult me
+on a matter of importance. And there is properly no consultation in
+this case. You are not in need of any advice; you, her parents, are
+resolved. Nothing is wanting, but the merest trifle--Erna's consent.
+And, as that is sure to be given in good time, the whole thing is
+clearly settled, and we may as well talk of something else."
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Otto, "nothing is settled; and the matter is by no
+means clear--clear--not in my mind, anyhow; and Hildegard has not the
+faintest conception how things really stand. She thinks it is only my
+want of resolution that ... And because she knows how much I value your
+judgment--if I could only tell you everything ..."
+
+"But you cannot, and you would be, sorry for it afterwards. Therefore,
+you had better not try."
+
+"But I must at length tell some one, and there is no one else in the
+world whom I could say it to. Listen: I ... I ..."
+
+A kind of spasm passed over the full, round, good-humoured face; the
+blue eyes, which he kept rigidly fixed upon his friend, seemed to
+struggle against rising tears.
+
+"I--I am ruined!"
+
+He had just managed to pronounce these words hoarsely; then he broke,
+down and sunk upon a log of wood which was lying by the roadside.
+
+Bertram had, at first to struggle against the terrible notion that his
+friend had suddenly gone mad. But his look, though one of utter
+despair, was not that of a madman.
+
+"What is this you say, Otto? Impossible, impossible!" he said, sitting
+down upon the log by the side of his friend, who seemed bereft of all
+strength. "Go on, anyhow, that I may judge what it comes to. I am quite
+convinced--beforehand that it comes to nothing at all. But speak, for
+goodness sake, speak!"
+
+Otto nodded assent, and murmured--
+
+"Yes, yes, I will speak. Come to nothing, forsooth! I have seen it
+coming--for a long time past--for the last four years at least--ever
+since I started, in addition to all the other things, that confounded
+sugar refinery. We made it a Company; but I hold all the shares myself
+now--I could not bear to ruin the poor beggars who, trusting in me,
+had taken up the rest. This has cost me untold money; and the whole
+thing was a failure, and the building is ready to be pulled down
+again--would already have been pulled down if that, again, did not
+require money. Besides, a thousand acres of my best soil planted with
+beetroot--food for the pigs now. And yonder is that porcelain factory,
+year by year a balance on the wrong side; and then the mines--yes, yes,
+formerly, but not now ..."
+
+There had been one long series of enterprises, each of which had turned
+out more unsatisfactory, and, in the long run, more ruinous than the
+other; and with increasing swiftness they had swallowed up ever bigger
+sums, and had now at length given at least a most severe shock to a
+very considerable fortune. This much Bertram gathered clearly from the
+statements of his friend, although he only understood a small part of
+the technical and mercantile details.
+
+"But how on earth," he exclaimed, "could a quiet, sensible man like
+yourself ever dream of venturing on this 'inclined plane'? How could
+you graft one reckless, foolhardy speculation upon another; neglect,
+ruin those splendid estates, the legacy of your fathers; stake your
+peace of mind, your happiness? And if it had been a question of
+yourself only! But your child--your wife ..."
+
+He paused abruptly.
+
+"Poor chap!" he murmured. "I think I understand after all--poor, good
+chap!"
+
+He was pressing Otto's hand warmly. Their eyes met. His unhappy friend
+was smiling, and a most melancholy smile it was.
+
+"To be sure, to be sure," he said; "I did not want it cried from the
+house-tops; I knew you would find the reason. I myself--dear, dear--I
+would not have cared to increase my gains. I should have been more than
+satisfied with the estates and the mines, or with the estates alone, if
+the mines ceased to yield a profit. You know how as a young man I used
+to be quite ashamed of having so much money, never a farthing of which
+I had earned, when I saw how my betters had to toil and moil. And I
+knew too that I was not good enough for her--that it was great
+condescension on her part to marry me at all--that I must needs ever
+be in her debt. From the very commencement I let her have her own
+way--she should never be able to say that I, the _bourgeois_
+proprietor's son, was ignorant of what befitted and became a beautiful
+young lady of high degree. I even--don't laugh at me, man--even tried
+to procure a patent of nobility, she wished it so very much; and I have
+made many a sacrifice with that object. This whole, ill-starred
+porcelain factory, for instance--I had been told that at Court they
+would like me to establish one, and indeed they buy here what they
+require, though, to be sure, only for kitchen and servants' hall--and
+there was many another thing besides. And then she wanted the terraces
+and the park and the mansion-house restored--in the true style, I think
+they call it--and she takes delight in all this, trumpery rubbish of
+dim old mirrors, and shaky old chairs, and worm-eaten old cabinets, and
+coffee-coloured, pictures, and abominable old pots and pans; and I,
+great God! would willingly buy the whole world for her--lay it at her
+feet--if only she would love me a little in return. But--you see,
+Charles, it has all been in vain--quite in vain!"
+
+The big man had buried his face in his hands, and was sobbing like a
+child. Bertram's soul was filled with pity. The wretched weakness of
+his friend in reference to his beautiful and beloved, but cold,
+unloving wife, and its mournful consequences--he now understood it all
+too well not to be ready to pardon--to a certain extent. But that,
+husband and wife must settle, must bear, among them--only Erna should
+not be dragged to ruin, should not also be sacrificed to her mother's
+unbounded selfishness. And perhaps this was the one bright spot in the
+dark picture which his friend had drawn of his position.
+
+"You have not endeavoured to give the Baron a clear view of your
+situation?" he asked.
+
+"For goodness sake--no; certainly not," exclaimed Otto, rising in
+terror from his stooping position. "Anything but that!"
+
+"And yet you will have to do so as soon as he formally asks Erna's hand
+from you."
+
+"How can I tell him the truth? He would withdraw immediately."
+
+"Otto, are you not ashamed of yourself? And you would really give Erna
+to such a cur?"
+
+"What am I to do?"
+
+"What you are simply obliged to do as a man of honour, not to say as a
+father!"
+
+"And he'll talk about it--here, in the town, at Court--and everything,
+everything depends upon my credit remaining unquestioned, at least a
+little longer. If the projected railway is made to pass through here in
+lieu of through the valley below, it would be done mainly on account of
+my establishments, my factories, and what not. And in that case I am
+saved--nay, I must needs grow wealthier than ever I have been. But the
+ultimate granting of the concession--our local Parliament
+notwithstanding--rests with the Government; and Lotter, with his divers
+relations, his well-known influence ..."
+
+He paused, then resumed in a somewhat less confident tone--
+
+"If, therefore, I do not reveal everything to him at present--and, by
+the by, there is no need for it yet--I am not acting dishonestly, but
+in everybody's interest. You will grant me this much."
+
+"To be sure," replied Bertram. "I only fear you will not be able to
+continue this profitable silence for any length of time. For any
+day it may happen that the young people come to an understanding,
+and--to-morrow, perhaps, or this very day--they may come and ask for
+your blessing."
+
+"It would kill me!"
+
+"It would, anyhow, be extremely awkward! Therefore, I beg to make the
+following proposal to you. I am already authorised by your wife to
+sound Erna; I now ask you to give me the same commission; and you will
+tell your wife that you have spoken to me about it. Thus you will both
+have placed the matter into my hands as it were. Now I shall find Erna
+either distinctly favourable to your plan, or else distinctly
+unfavourable, or undecided. In the latter case, I will try to confirm
+her in that state of mind; and would prove to your wife that to advance
+with inconsiderate rashness must needs be risking, and, probably,
+spoiling everything. But even if Erna, really loves the Baron, or, on
+the other hand, if she is satisfied in her own mind that he is not the
+man who corresponds to her ideal--all girls create such an ideal for
+themselves--well, I think I have influence enough with her--or, in case
+of need, I possess diplomatic talent enough, to get the ultimate
+decision put off one way or the other. For how long--we shall judge by
+and by, once you and I are so far agreed."
+
+"My dear boy, I put myself entirely in your hands. I'll not take a step
+without you. Gracious me--what a lucky thing that you have come! I do
+not know what would have become of me, and of the whole business."
+
+He shook and pressed both his friend's hands in the excess of his
+gratitude, looked upon his situation already in a much more hopeful
+light, turned the conversation again to the new railway and to the
+stupendous chances which would come to him in case the decision was
+favourable, and that it would be so, he suddenly assumed to be
+probable, nay, certain. He never noticed that Bertram had made the
+little carriage turn which was waiting for them at the end of the wood,
+and that now they were driving back the way they had come. The
+suggested inspection of the factory had only been a pretext for having
+an undisturbed hour with Bertram.
+
+His friend was now sitting in silence by his side. Otto kept on talking
+to him, lowering his voice on account of the driver's presence. Bertram
+hardly heard what he said. He hardly saw, either--or if he saw, it was
+like in a dream--the golden lights flash down through the top of the
+giant firs, and play around the brown stems and along the mossy ground;
+he saw but as in a dream the lovely vistas which opened here and there,
+giving glimpses of loveliest landscape beauty in the valley far below.
+His busy mind was working and modelling away at the part in the family
+drama which had, after all, been forced upon him, and which he had not
+dared to decline--for Erna's sake.
+
+
+
+
+                                 VIII.
+
+
+For Erna's sake! How often he repeated that phrase to himself in the
+course of the day! He wanted nothing for himself. What, indeed, could
+he have wanted for himself? Nothing more than a man who should see a
+child lost, in danger, among a crowd of carriages, and who should bound
+to the spot and carry the child away to some place of safety; nothing
+more than a wanderer, who sees a fellow-traveller start upon a road of
+which he knows of old the insecure state, and who warns the heedless
+man to take some other road instead. One does so because it is one's
+duty as a human being; one does so because one's heart urges one to do
+it, because one cannot help doing it.
+
+Yes, a man acts and speaks in such situations as he would hardly act or
+speak for his own sake. He is more courageous or more anxious than he
+would be, if his own weal or woe were at stake. One grows beyond one's
+self, or else sinks beneath one's own everyday moral level.
+
+"And the latter is meanwhile my case," said Bertram to himself, as he
+played his part with due zeal, and, as he thought, with great success.
+It was a natural consequence, of that part that he lectured Hildegard
+(after the event), because she had not yesterday taken him at once into
+her confidence; that he exchanged with his friend Otto looks of the
+completest accord and understanding; that he used with Lydia--to her
+evident delight--a tone of mingled melancholy and fun, which appeared
+half to express and half to hide a deeper emotion; and that with the
+Baron he completely dropped his calm manner of the day preceding. How
+else could he form an opinion of the man? And how could he be a
+faithful counsellor to Erna without having formed an opinion?
+
+So he examined the Baron's portfolio with patient attention, whilst
+that nobleman turned over the leaves and gave explanations. The
+collection would have been a priceless treasure if the quality had
+corresponded with the quantity. There were sketches from almost every
+country in Europe; the northern coast of Africa, too--Algiers,
+Tunis--was largely represented. And then the painter's talent
+embraced all styles and kinds of painting:--landscape, architecture,
+still-life, portraiture--nothing had escaped the unwearied brush,
+nothing had appeared too difficult. On the contrary, there were the
+most unlikely effects of light and shade, the oddest scenes, the most
+_risque_ situations, involving the wildest inroads on the laws of
+perspective and the most reckless foreshortening--and the daring
+sketcher seemed positively to have revelled in these. And yet Bertram
+had to confess to himself that a not inconsiderable talent, which, with
+patient and careful schooling, might have borne beautiful fruit, had
+been recklessly wasted--and, indeed, generally recklessness did seem to
+him to be the Baron's leading characteristic. Anyhow, the painter's
+fluent comments on his own sketches quite corresponded to the reckless
+style of painting. Everywhere his ideas, good ones and bad ones, and
+some really original ones, were clothed in the same hurried, flurried,
+sometimes absurd form, showing a ready, but never a profound insight
+into human relations, into manners and customs of nations; much, but
+most desultory reading; extensive, and yet scattered knowledge. The man
+spoke as he painted, and painted as he played music. Reckless,
+superficial, inconstant, like his work and his talk, will and must his
+love be too, thought Bertram.
+
+Could love like that lastingly suffice for Erna? It seemed impossible.
+But is there such a word as impossible in connection with the magic
+world of the human heart? Are not the natures of truly noble women at
+times visited by irresistible and undying passion for wavering,
+unstable, yes, even for morally worthless men? Does it not well-nigh
+seem to have all the stability of a law of nature, that totally opposed
+characters, all inward resistance notwithstanding, feel drawn to and
+fascinated by each other?
+
+Was this fatal fascination visible in Erna?
+
+Bertram kept his attention unconsciously fixed on that one decisive
+point, but without being able to come to any definite result. True, he
+had to confess to himself that even a still keener observer would have
+vainly tried his hand at the task. Erna joined to-day even less
+directly than on the previous day in the general conversation; nay
+more, he thought he noticed what had not been the case yesterday, or
+what had at least escaped him then, that her gaze, usually so firm,
+seemed at times fixed on vacancy, then again appeared directed inward,
+anyhow was not dwelling on her surroundings--a symptom which by no
+means pleased the observer, because from it one might surely conclude
+that there existed a deeper sentiment, one which absorbed her inner
+life. And this sentiment was not likely to be one of aversion to the
+Baron, to whom she talked more, in her own calm way, than to anybody
+else; with whom she played music two or three times during the day; and
+with whom she played chess after supper in her own grave, attentive
+manner. Hildegard came and explained all these details to Bertram ...
+
+"Believe me," she said, "I know Erna. Mind, my words of this morning.
+She may be long in confessing her preference for any man, but if she
+were to dislike any one, he would find it out pretty soon."
+
+"I fear that I am experiencing something of the sort," Bertram replied.
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Have you not noticed that she has not said three words to me all the
+evening?"
+
+"Insatiable man! Are you not satisfied with Lydia who is ransacking her
+repertory for your sake? Would you have all womankind at your feet? I
+shall warn Lotter against you as against his worst rival."
+
+"Do not destroy our budding friendship. But, joking apart, can there be
+a rival?"
+
+"What are you thinking of? And if there were, I should be sure to know
+it through Lydia, who, like all elderly girls, is apt to err on the
+side of seeing too much rather than too little. Moreover, we two, Lydia
+and I, have never lost sight of the child, and in Erfurth, where, it is
+true, she went alone once or twice during the last few years, she was
+always in the company of my sister and her six girls, and I never heard
+a word, nor the slightest hint. One of the girls, Agatha, the third,
+Erna's bosom friend, is coming here, by the way, in a day or two; and a
+good, modest, sensible girl she is, though not as pretty as the rest.
+But you surely remember Agatha? Well, I'll question her a little when
+she comes, but I know beforehand that she will not have anything to
+tell. Oh, you'd better concentrate your jealousy upon Lotter!"
+
+Hildegard surely felt very certain of her ground, else she would not
+have jested--a rare occurrence with her. Bertram took up a similar
+tone, and during the game of whist to which he and Otto soon afterwards
+sat down with the two older ladies, he was remarkably merry and
+talkative.
+
+But two hours later Konski found him all the more gloomy and taciturn,
+and so silent that he did not even reply to the "good-night, sir," of
+that faithful servitor.
+
+"It's the old one," soliloquised Konski, as he meditatively brushed his
+master's boots in his own little room, "who is bothering him. 'Dear Mr.
+Konski,' here, 'My good Mr. Konski,' there--I know what she is after.
+And then, to give me a whole dollar! And she has not any to spare, I
+can see that much, in spite of her grand airs and her trimmings. And
+she to rule the roast for master and me! Not if we knows it! And now
+we'll both marry; and marry smart young ones too! And may the devil fly
+away with all old women!"
+
+
+
+
+                                  IX.
+
+
+For this morning, after breakfast, a general expedition had been
+planned--a drive to a certain eminence, from which the Baron was
+desirous of expounding to them all the arrangements for the forthcoming
+man[oe]vres. Bertram had at the last moment made an excuse: much to his
+regret, he sent Konski to say, that he had forgotten to write some
+really important letters, and must needs stay at home to do so now.
+Would the others, please, on no account give up their drive for his
+sake.
+
+"At first they would not go without you, sir," Konski reported; "but I
+got them to do it, and they are getting the horses ready now; the
+ladies are to drive, the gentlemen will go on horseback. So you may
+stay quietly in bed and try to get another hour's sleep. I am afraid,
+sir, you have had another awful night!"
+
+And indeed it had been a worse night for Bertram than the preceding
+one, and this time the morning had not improved him. That he had to
+admit to himself when, after having first vainly endeavoured to follow
+the faithful servant's advice, he had at length risen in very low
+spirits and dressed, trying whether a stroll along the terrace
+garden-walk would cool his fevered brow and refresh his weary heart.
+
+He had no right to be wearied. He was bound, when they came back, to
+meet them merrily and serenely; that belonged to his part. How could
+they give their confidence to one who appeared to have none in himself,
+in his own strength, his own courage?
+
+And he would need all his courage to look, if it could be done, deeper
+than hitherto into Erna's eyes, into Erna's heart: and he would need
+all his strength if that look were to confirm what, yesterday, he had
+deemed impossible, but what, during the awful night, had come to appear
+to him as thoroughly possible, nay, as probable. If it were so, then
+the whole elaborate plan which he had yesterday confided to his friend,
+had therewith fallen to the ground. Otto's embarrassments were scarcely
+as great as he had represented them; and even if he had not, according
+to his wont, exaggerated things, what would be the use of delaying the
+decision? On the contrary, the more swiftly it came, the better for
+all. If the Baron was a man of honour; he would not withdraw on
+learning that the maiden of his choice was not wealthy; if he had
+influence at Court, if this influence really amounted to something
+considerable, he would now try all the more to use it for his future
+father-in-law. They might then make their own arrangements, as best
+they could; and they would make arrangements; sacrifice some things on
+both sides, give up some hopes. What would one not sacrifice, what
+would one not give up, if one loved from one's very heart? But to have
+to look on at such hearty love, love delighting in sacrifice--never! To
+run away would be cowardly, no doubt. But then valour, like honesty, is
+appropriate only when it is needed, and when it will be of some use. He
+would have to think beforehand of some suitable pretext which should
+render a sudden departure possible.
+
+Thus lost in mournful thought, Bertram was pacing backward and forward
+along the terrace-walk, now past sunny espaliers, along which ruddy
+grapes were already commencing to shine through the dense clusters of
+vine-leaves, anon between rows of beeches, which were entwined overhead
+and formed dusky arbour-like groves.
+
+Having reached the end of one of these groves, he paused as one
+terrified. In front of him, on the platform where the terrace widened,
+Erna was seated beneath the great plantain tree which overshadowed the
+whole place with its broad branches. An open volume lay upon the
+round table before her; she was writing busily, bending over a
+blotting-book. The graceful form, the finely-chiselled features, stood
+out in clearest profile against the green terrace above her. In this
+subdued light the dainty cheek seemed even paler than usual; and as she
+now paused, pen in hand, lifting a long eyelash and glancing
+meditatively up at the leafy roof above, the great eyes shone like
+those of an inspired Muse.
+
+"One draught before I pass onward--on the shadeless remainder of my
+dreary road," Bertram muttered to himself.
+
+He might have stepped back without being noticed, but he did not do so;
+his motionless eyes clung to the beautiful picture before him, as one
+perishing of thirst might gaze upon a brimming cup, when, lo! she
+turned.
+
+"Uncle Bertram!"
+
+She had said it quite calmly, and now, slowly, she laid down her pen
+and closed her blotting-book, rising at the same time and holding out
+her hand to him as he came up.
+
+"I felt that somebody, was looking at me."
+
+"And you wished, to remain unseen, or at least undisturbed. But could I
+have guessed that I should find you here? Why are you not away with the
+others?"
+
+A smile flitted over her face.
+
+"I had important letters to write, too."
+
+"Well, you have written, anyhow."
+
+"And have you not? For shame. If you make any excuses you should
+yourself take them in earnest; then you will come to fancy afterwards
+that the excuses were really valid."
+
+"I'll remember this in future. But what makes you tell me to my face
+that my important letters were but an excuse?"
+
+"I thought that you did not care to go; and I think I know the reason
+why."
+
+"Indeed! I am curious to hear it from you."
+
+"I will tell you. I wanted to say so last night already, for then I
+noticed quite well how gladly you would have made an excuse, only you
+could not at the moment think of a suitable one; but I could not have
+said what I wished to say in a few words, and so I determined to try
+and have an undisturbed talk with you. Shall we not sit down?"
+
+They sat dawn, Erna with her blotting-book before her, Bertram on the
+seat opposite. Her large eyes were lifted up to him. But a minute
+before he had greatly longed to be able to see deep, deep into these
+eyes, right to the innermost recess of her soul; and now, when it could
+be, when it was to be, he shrank from it, he wished the time deferred.
+He would in any case learn the secret all too soon.
+
+"Uncle Bertram, I wanted to tell you that ..."
+
+The dark eyelids had closed after all; well, she anyhow did not see the
+breathless excitement with which he hung upon her lips. In his mind he
+heard already the words--"that--I engaged myself last night to be
+married to the Baron." The pause she made--of a second or two--seemed
+to him an eternity.
+
+"My dear child," he said in a voice well-nigh inaudible ...
+
+"That ... you shall not for my sake lay upon yourself a burden which
+you can no longer bear."
+
+The large eyes were gazing firmly at him again, while he bent his own
+in deadly confusion.
+
+He murmured--
+
+"I--I do not understand you."
+
+"You are too good to wish to understand me; but the excess of your
+goodness weighs me down and frightens me. I know that you are fond of
+me, that you do it only because you love me. But I love you too, Uncle
+Bertram, love you very much, more than formerly, when I did not really
+know you, did not at all understand you. I am no longer a child, and
+therefore you should not treat me like a spoiled child and do what I
+ask, especially when I see that I ask for something to which I had no
+right. I had no right to ask--I should not have entreated you to be
+kind to Aunt Lydia. And now I beg of you not to be so any longer, or to
+the same extent. I cannot bear it. She has harmed you as terribly, as
+terribly as only an evil heart can harm a good one. And she to be
+allowed to take your hand, look into your eyes, jest with you, as if
+nothing had occurred! If this had happened to me, I would not tolerate
+it--never, never!"
+
+Her voice quivered, her lips trembled; the pale cheek was flushed now,
+the great eyes were flashing. She said she had not known him, had not
+understood him--and he? What had he known of her? of the strength of
+feeling of that heart of hers which had seemed to him to beat in such
+steady measure? His gaze was fastened on her now in raptured amazement,
+like the gaze of a mortal to whom something divine is being revealed.
+
+But next moment the wondrous girl had conquered that passionate
+impulse, her features regained their usual expression, and she went on,
+calmly enough--
+
+"And you, Uncle Bertram, should not tolerate it either--you, least of
+all. You cannot lie, cannot play the hypocrite. Let others do so; it
+befits you ill, it is unworthy of you. I cannot, will not see anything
+unworthy in you. I will have one human being whom I can believe and
+trust unconditionally. This one you are, you must be; is it not so,
+Uncle Bertram?"
+
+She held out her hand to him across the table. He could not refuse it,
+and yet, as he touched those slender fingers, something thrilled
+through him as though he had been guilty of some act of desecration.
+
+"You think me too good, too great," he said. "I can only reply, I will
+try to deserve your confidence."
+
+"And I will give you an opportunity at once. I am not contented with
+myself either. I too--for the sake of others, to please papa and mamma
+who seemed greatly to wish it--have been kinder to somebody than at
+heart I felt justified in being, and I must henceforth change my
+conduct towards him."
+
+"He has proposed to you?"
+
+"Proposed? To me?"
+
+A scornful smile played round her exquisite lips.
+
+"I beg your pardon, dear Erna. He was so remarkably assiduous in his
+attentions to you yesterday. You admit yourself that you have been
+kinder to him than now you care to have been, and he strikes me as
+being one of those men who grasp the whole hand the moment you hold out
+your little finger to them. And moreover, I know that your parents
+encourage him much, and he is surely aware of that too. Thus my
+question was not wholly groundless; still, I beg your pardon."
+
+"And indeed you need it in this case, Uncle Bertram. Or, have I perhaps
+behaved so childishly that even a clever man like you could deem such a
+thing possible?"
+
+"No, no; pray, try to forget what I said without thinking, or take it
+for a proof that I was right, that I am neither so good nor so clever
+as you thought."
+
+The words sounded diffident, almost submissive, but his heart was
+swelling with proud delight, and the songsters perched above in the
+shady recesses of the big plantain tree seemed to have been silent till
+now, and to be then commencing all at once to twitter and sing and make
+sweetest melody; and from the terraces beneath there was wafted up to
+them in fragrant cloudlets the perfume of carnation and mignonette.
+What a beautiful, divinely beautiful morning it was!
+
+"Henceforth," said Erna, "we will be open to each other, and then such
+misunderstandings will not occur again. This one, truly, should make me
+blush. The Baron is the very last man in whom I could take the very
+slightest interest. I find nearly everything he says stupid and silly,
+and if a fairly good idea turns up, as it does every now and then, it
+is impossible to enjoy it, for the question is sure to obtrude itself:
+'What nonsense will he talk next?' I am only now making his
+acquaintance; he, it is true, has been often here before, but in my
+absence; and in town, when he came, as he sometimes did, to see Aunt
+Lydia, I always avoided having to meet him."
+
+"You have met few young men yet?"
+
+"And those few have not made me anxious to meet any more."
+
+"This sounds very hard; but, to say the truth, you are not the first
+girl whom I have heard talk like this."
+
+"My only wonder is that all do not talk, or, at least, think like this.
+My own idea is, that men are naturally selfish, frivolous, and vain,
+and only become with advancing years good, and noble, and amiable, and
+this applies only to the few exceptions; for I suppose the bulk remain
+as they were."
+
+"Are you serious?"
+
+"Perfectly. And that is why, the night before last, I could not agree
+with you at all when you asserted that a young girl could not love a
+much older man, or was at least committing an act of folly if she did
+so, which, to her sorrow, she was bound to realise sooner or later, and
+therefore the sooner the better. Nor is it at all this consideration
+which makes Hilarie change, and which throws her into the arms of that
+youth who is behaving so childishly and insanely, that Flavio;--there
+is quite a different reason for it."
+
+"Then you know the novelette?"
+
+"No; I only read it now; and I had to hunt a long time for it, until I
+found it in the _Wanderjahre_. The book is lying there. And now I also
+understand the 'one element,' which you said the night before last
+that Goethe had excluded, or had not made use of--which is the right
+expression in this case?--because otherwise the comedy would have been
+turned into a tragedy."
+
+"And this 'one element,' what is it?"
+
+"The fact that her uncle is not in love with her at all. Was not that
+it?"
+
+"To be sure. I only wonder at your having found it out."
+
+"And my only wonder is that Hilarie did not discover it sooner. She
+must have been very blind not to have seen that her uncle returns--or
+rather does not return--her love from sheer kindliness of disposition;
+that at best his _penchant_ is but the faintest reflex of her
+passionate love. Look at this passage: 'You are making me the happiest
+man beneath the sun! Exclaiming this, he fell at her feet.' How feeble,
+how strained! And it contents her, makes her happy. I should have been
+ashamed of the whole business."
+
+"You must make some allowance for the spirit of the time, for the
+manner and expression of the period; in that case, these things do not
+look or sound quite as bad. But now for the other side of the medal:
+You hold that Hilarie did truly love her uncle, and would have remained
+faithful to her love, in spite of any number of Flavios, if her passion
+had been returned?"
+
+"Most certainly!"
+
+"Well, be it so. He loves, loves passionately. Enter Flavio, loving,
+loving passionately, too. The father perceives it. He sees that his own
+love would seal the doom of the son whom he loves. Moreover, he is
+sure--if he is not a conceited fool, but a man of heart and head, he
+must be sure--that Hilarie would undoubtedly, return his son's passion,
+if he, the father, the uncle, did not unfortunately stand between them;
+that the girl's love for the young man, and _vice versa_, is the only
+natural--that means, the only right thing; that therefore Hilarie
+cannot truly love him; that her love rather, if it be not absolutely
+unnatural, is anyhow an error, an aberration, from which she shall and
+must turn. Given these things, am I wrong in asserting that then,
+indeed, the comedy changes to tragedy--a tragedy the secret and silent
+stage of which, I admit, will be solely ... the elderly man's heart? Do
+you not agree with me?"
+
+"I must, I think; if I have first granted your suppositions and
+assumptions, particularly this: that a girl's love for a man much older
+than herself must needs in every case be an error, an aberration. But
+then, again, I do not see why the elderly man's love for the girl does
+not also tend to self-deception, to a fact which he, being more
+far-sighted, clever, experienced; is bound to realise all the sooner.
+And then, where is your tragedy?"
+
+Once more the great eyes flashed, the dainty lips quivered, an angry
+cloud lay on her brow. There was a wild voice in his heart crying:
+"Where?--here, here--for I love, I love thee! and it is impossible that
+into thy maiden heart, there should ever fall one spark of the wild
+conflagration raging here." But he succeeded this time, too, in
+subduing the tumult in his heart, and he said smilingly--
+
+"I hoped, nay, I knew that you would make this objection, which is
+absolutely correct, and which helps the Master to regain that absolute
+sovereignty and undeviating correctness in matters of the heart in
+which I, wantonly, tried to argue Goethe was deficient. Of course, so
+the matter stands, turn and twist it as you will--Hilarie's love is an
+illusion; or, more correctly, it is a foreshadowing of that true and
+genuine passion which she will feel one day. The Major's love is a
+reminiscence of what his heart once, in the bygone days of his far-away
+youth, was glowing with, and what it never again will glow with now.
+Anything of a warmer feeling that haply still survives, may be
+sufficient for a sensible, reasonable marriage, with the clever widow,
+in whose sentiments towards him again reminiscence acts the part of a
+kindly mediator, and ... but surely ... why, they are back already!
+Shall we go and meet them?"
+
+From the verandah Lotter's loud voice was heard. Lydia, too, was
+calling out; she was calling Erna. Bertram had risen, glad of the
+interruption; he felt his strength very nearly exhausted. He was
+resting his hand on the back of her chair, lest Erna, if they shook
+hands, should feel how his hand trembled. But Erna was gazing straight
+before her with a very gloomy expression of countenance.
+
+"I should like to finish my letter first," she said.
+
+"Then I will disturb you no longer."
+
+He had gone; had gone without offering her his hand. Erna sat for a
+while without looking up; then she re-opened her blotting-book, and
+read the last page she had written:--
+
+"I see him always, absent or present; I see his noble, pale
+countenance, the deep, thoughtful eyes, that mouth which can jest so
+delicately, and which yet (for me) quivers so often in sorrow for a
+wasted life, a lost happiness. For me! The others never see it; how
+should they? To them he is the cold-hearted egotist, the bitter jester,
+who believes in nothing, least of all in love. To be sure--once
+betrayed as he has been--alas! Agatha, that is the very thing which
+draws me irresistibly to him. I can now gaze deep, deep into his noble
+heart, can feel all the pangs that have torn it, and must be tearing it
+again now in the presence of the viper who--oh, I do hate her! ... And
+he manages to be quite friendly in his demeanour to her, because I
+asked him to, before I knew all the circumstances. But he shall do so
+no longer. I cannot bear it, when he turns his good, truthful eyes to
+me, as though he would ask: 'Is it right thus?' No, it is wrong, a
+thousand times wrong! But is it not wrong, too, that I should be
+allowed to read in his heart, and he not in mine? Shall I tell him ...
+all? It is ever on my lips, but then ... no. I should not be ashamed in
+his presence, he is so kind, and he would understand me! Resting on his
+protecting arm he would let me shed the last of those hot, angry tears,
+which will yet persist in sometimes rising to my eyes, and which I
+brush away indignantly; and I would gratefully accept his mercy, but on
+one condition only, that I may go on resting on that arm, that he would
+permit me to love, to serve him, to-day and for ever, as his friend,
+his daughter, his slave! ... Shall I tell him?"
+
+Erna gave a bitter smile, and took the sheet of paper in both her hands
+in order to tear it in pieces. Then she laid it down again, and seized
+her pen once more.
+
+"She who has written this is a conceited little fool, and deserves
+exemplary punishment for her conceit, and the said punishment is to
+consist in her sending these lines to her granny, in order to receive
+by return of post the requisite scolding, even if granny, and this is
+an urgently repeated request, is coming here the day after to-morrow.
+For between granny and me there shall not be said one word on this
+subject, and even less about the other thing and the other one; and
+now, dearest granny ..."
+
+"Ah, there is Miss Erna!" exclaimed the Baron, issuing with Lydia from
+the terrace walk.
+
+"We have been looking everywhere for you," said Lydia. "Heavens! how
+the child has flushed and heated herself over her writing! To Agatha,
+of course!"
+
+"Ah, if one could read the letter!" exclaimed the Baron.
+
+"There is nothing about you in it, I can give you that assurance, if it
+will set your mind at ease," said Erna, closing her blotting-book with
+the unfinished letter in it, and rising.
+
+
+
+
+                                   X.
+
+
+"Have you availed, yourself of the opportunity to talk to Erna?"
+Hildegard asked Bertram as soon as they were alone.
+
+Bertram had expected this question, and had sought and found time to
+prepare his answer to it. His first impulse has been to taste the full
+delights of triumph, and to assure Hildegard, in strict accordance with
+the actual truth, that the Baron need never expect to gain Erna's
+affection. But then he considered that so brusque a revelation, would,
+without the slightest doubt, cause the proud lady to burst forth into a
+tempest of indignation, would bring Erna into a disagreeable position,
+and possibly involve her in extremely awkward scenes. Her feeble father
+would be no support to her whatever--on the contrary, he wished the
+decision to be put off as long as possible. And, lastly, he saw now
+quite clearly that Hildegard's pressing invitation to make a lengthened
+stay had had the very definite aim to secure in him, as in a very
+influential friend, an ally in the execution of her plans. Now he had
+failed in his diplomatic mission, and though they would not openly
+deprive him of his confidential position, they would very surely not
+consult him again. Future events would then occur behind his back, and
+the sooner he went away the better for them. And was he to go now? He
+felt as though he could as readily bid farewell to life and light.
+
+And so his answer came to be nothing but an adroit evasion. He had, he
+said, done his best, and Erna had met him in the heartiest and most
+confiding manner. But on this very ground he considered himself
+justified in stating that there was at present no trace of any definite
+_penchant_ for the Baron on Erna's part, and that he could only advise
+them all to possess their souls in patience, to bide their time, and to
+hope for the best from the gradual, but all the more sure, influence of
+daily intercourse.
+
+The apparent genuineness of conviction with which all this was
+expressed deceived Hildegard completely. Her assumption that Erna took
+a special interest in the Baron was chiefly founded on Lydia's
+assertions, and Lydia, poor soul, was for ever weaving matrimonial
+projects, was much addicted to exaggeration, and to the making of
+molehills into mountains, and would, in this particular case, to get
+into Hildegard's good graces and maintain herself there, amply confirm
+anything she might be desirous of hearing. Now, when Hildegard was for
+the moment looking at things through friend Bertram's clearer and, as
+she thought, perfectly unprejudiced eyes, she was bound to admit the
+justice of his observations; indeed, in Erna's manner to the Baron
+there was very little indication of anything like a warmer sentiment,
+so little in fact, that the varying ways in which she treated him might
+almost seem matters of congratulation. Bertram asked himself why
+Hildegard did not give up a project which looked so very unlike
+fulfilment, since Erna, in all the charm of her young beauty, would
+assuredly have no lack of suitors, while her mother, not having the
+slightest suspicion of her husband's awkward financial situation, must
+needs, as indeed she did in her matrimonial plans in reference to Erna,
+reckon wealth among the attractions. There seemed to be something
+self-contradictory here, anyhow it was passing strange; and yet, as he
+went on meditating, he thought he had found the key to the enigma. Fair
+Hildegard herself was most pleasantly impressed by the Baron's striking
+appearance and confident manner, and was much flattered by the homage
+he paid to her beauty, her cleverness, her kindness, a homage to which,
+he gave even in company a very perceptible, and in their not infrequent
+_tete-a-tetes_ probably even a more emphatic expression. And then the
+circumstance which, by the by, the Baron by no means concealed, that,
+to use his own words, he was as poor as a church mouse, she looked upon
+as a distinct point in his favour.
+
+"Herein," she said to Bertram, "I see the finger of a just and
+compensating Fate. I know, my friend, that you are too wise and
+enlightened not to pardon an aristocratic fancy of mine, namely, that
+it is best if the aristocracy marry among themselves, and the
+_bourgeoisie_, for whom I have the greatest respect, also among
+themselves. Well, I, being a very poor lady with a long pedigree--for,
+indeed, the traditions of our family are reckoned by centuries--have
+had to break with these traditions, and was in this way the first to
+contract a _bourgeois_ alliance. I do not complain of my lot; it was my
+lot, and there's an end of it; but I have never ceased to pray to God
+that my only daughter might be granted a different fate. And if a
+family, which is still older than mine, is enabled to resume its
+rightful position in the world, I really do not know what better I
+could wish, assuming always that Erna, as would doubtless be the case,
+gets a husband who loves her, and who--not to reckon his little
+cavalier's foibles, in reference to which a wise woman will be
+judiciously blind, knowing that this kind of thing is sure to stop of
+its own accord--is in every way worthy of her love."
+
+"And whom," added Bertram mentally, "I hope to bring as completely
+under my control as my husband."
+
+He was convinced that this thought was the leading one in the
+calculations of the selfish lady, in spite of the great care with which
+she endeavoured to avoid even the faintest appearance of any egotistic
+motive. Even as she was fond of representing her life as one long chain
+of sacrifices made by her on behalf of others, so she would now appear
+prepared to give up her own comfort for Erna's sake. Of course, she
+explained, it would not be possible to leave the poor child alone in
+town, among indifferent strangers; and she and Otto must in consequence
+make up their minds to spend the winter there in future. This, to be
+sure, would necessitate the purchase of a house of their own in town;
+but the question of expense was not to be taken into consideration
+where the happiness of their child was concerned; and, by a lucky
+accident, there happened to be for sale, and at quite a reasonable
+price, a newly-erected villa close to the Park, surrounded by a pretty
+garden, and roomy enough to enable them all, parents and children, to
+live comfortably together. And it would be quite feasible and not
+very expensive either, to build a studio for the Baron, she added.
+Perhaps Bertram would not mind driving to town with Otto, to look
+at the house? When? Why not to-day? Otto, as usual, could not make
+up his mind, although it would be an excellent investment, even
+supposing--supposing--but no, that case was not likely to occur, the
+momentary, somewhat unfavourable, aspect of things notwithstanding.
+
+"For in this, too, my friend," she said, in concluding her
+explanations, "you will agree with me: the more carefully we prepare
+all things needful, and thus show the child, as it were, an image of
+the safe and sure and peaceful happiness awaiting her, the more swiftly
+and fondly her fancy will busy itself with that image, and from the
+fair image to the fairer reality--_il n'y a qu'un pas_. But first we
+must settle about the villa. There will be no difficulty if you speak
+seriously to Otto."
+
+"I promise," replied Bertram.
+
+The incident was most opportune, he thought. Here Otto, already
+harassed on all sides, was threatened, with huge additional
+expenditure, before which even his fatal readiness to yield must needs
+pause at length, as before an absolutely insuperable obstacle. The
+consequences were clear. He could not simply meet his wife's request by
+a refusal. There must be a full explanation between husband and wife;
+there would be a fearful storm, but it had to come, it was absolutely
+required to clear the sultry atmosphere, to disentangle the wretchedly
+involved situation. Hildegard's frivolous scheme would burst like a
+soap-bubble, and at one stroke Erna would be freed from an importunate
+suitor, and her father from an unworthy and intolerable position.
+Yesterday already he had been determined to stand by his friend through
+all the anxieties, embarrassments, and perils which were bound to
+ensue. To-day his heart beat anxiously, eager as he was to face those
+perils, for every peril cleared out of her path and victoriously
+conquered, was a trophy laid at her feet, hers, for whom he would have
+willingly shed his heart's blood drop by drop.
+
+Fancy his terror and his indignation when, driving to town with Otto
+later in the day, he found his friend more removed than ever from any
+manly resolve.
+
+"The purchase of this villa, dear me--why, if Hildegard cares for it so
+much--would, after all, be a comparative trifle--really. And then, what
+I told you yesterday regarding my situation, why, dear me, you know me
+well enough, old man, to ... to know how I am influenced by passing
+moods. That makes me look at all things accordingly; things are either
+black or white to me. And yesterday, why, I had a black, a very black
+mood. To be sure, my factories are not a success, and, indeed, may now
+and again involve a loss. But, then, look at those fields, and think of
+the crop we'll have; and with such a prospect I can afford to leave
+myself a very fair margin, the more so as the harvest in Russia and in
+Hungary promises to be very bad--so the reports say--and in that case
+we shall make no end of money. And then--look here--just you read his
+paragraph in the paper about the railway question. Eh--and the
+paragraph, I feel sure, is from the pen of the President of our own
+local Parliament, who is, by the by, a great friend of mine, and has
+for years been my lawyer. Well, what do you say now?"
+
+"I say," replied Bertram gravely, "that things are exactly in the
+position which you described yesterday. Your friend here clearly
+represents only his own, or, if you like, your views and wishes; and
+will, moreover, naturally put some pressure upon Government, by
+representing it as impossible for them to decide differently from your
+wishes and hopes."
+
+"But the Government--which means the Court--is already more than half
+won over. Lotter assures me...."
+
+"For Heaven's sake! leave him out of the business."
+
+"Oh, of course, of course; if you are so prejudiced against him that
+you refuse him even the common credibility which you allow otherwise to
+everybody!"
+
+"There is no question here of credibility or incredibility," exclaimed
+Bertram indignantly; "but the thing is this: you are mistaking your
+illusions and hopes for realities and facts; you are voluntarily
+blinding yourself lest you see the abyss into which you are about to
+plunge. And mind this: by your miserable hesitation you are really
+accelerating the coming of the dreaded moment; nay, you render it only
+the more dreadful. There is still time; this very day you can go and
+say to your wife: I have met with losses, terrible losses, and we must
+needs retrench, and therefore.... Why, man, you will let it come to
+this, that you must confess to her: We have nothing further to lose;
+all is gone! Think of this, friend, I entreat you. Your boat is
+overloaded; away with the ballast which all but sinks it now; overboard
+with it all! Were it a question of yourself alone, you would be manly
+enough not to hesitate; and with wife and child on board, whose ruin is
+certain unless you act at once, you ... cannot, will not act!"
+
+Otto would say neither yea nor nay. Bertram was silent in his despair.
+What would come of it all?
+
+And so they arrived in town, having hardly exchanged a word more. They
+looked over the villa, and again hardly a word was exchanged; just an
+indifferent remark here and there, nothing more. Otto was apparently
+annoyed at something, but Bertram saw well enough that this appearance
+of annoyance was but assumed to hide his irresolution.
+
+"I know, I know," Otto said at last grumpily, "we are not likely to
+agree as it is. Had we not better call together upon my lawyer and hear
+his opinion about the whole business? He is, moreover, on your side, in
+politics, and will be delighted to make your acquaintance."
+
+Bertram seized eagerly upon so sensible a proposal, and to the lawyer's
+they drove accordingly; but when they had got to the door, Otto
+remembered that he had to do some commission for Hildegard: he even
+explained--
+
+"About those officers who are going to be quartered upon us, don't you
+know?--extra provisions and that kind of thing. She can never, she
+thinks, have too much on hand, in case.... Well, well, it's her nature
+to ..."
+
+And so the broad-shouldered figure of his friend passed down the lonely
+sunlit street; and Bertram added, speaking to himself, this comment,
+"And your nature is ... to do things by halves only, unless you mean,
+in this case, to throw the whole responsibility upon my shoulders."
+
+And in this view his friend's lawyer completely confirmed him.
+
+"Look here," said the latter to Bertram, when, after a hearty, mutual
+welcome, the two had swiftly grown to be confidential with each other,
+"you may take my word for this, he is most anxious we should have a
+perfectly unrestrained talk about his affairs, and has backed out of
+being present simply to avoid having to hear all the disagreeable
+things we could not spare him; moreover, he might oppose to you and to
+me, separately, a certain resistance which he would not have the
+courage to do if he, found us confronting him together. Under these
+circumstances I do not consider it indiscreet, but I think I am acting
+according to the wishes, and I know I am acting in the interest of our
+common friend, if I now add a few words of explanation to what you know
+already; then, indeed, you will be thoroughly acquainted with the state
+of his affairs."
+
+The lawyer then proceeded to describe Otto's position in detail; and to
+his amazement Bertram found his own conception confirmed throughout.
+Why, even his own image of the ballast which required to be heaved
+overboard to set the ship once more afloat, figured in the exposition.
+To be sure, Bertram now learned for the first time how weighty that
+ballast really was. Thus, to give but one example, Otto had never
+mentioned, had not even hinted at the fact that Hildegard's elder
+sister, the widow of the late Secret Counsellor von Palm, and her whole
+family, lived entirely upon Otto's bounty. "And that," said the lawyer,
+"is an awful item! For the lady in question is, in every respect, a
+true sister of your friend's wife. She thinks that death and the end of
+all things must needs be at hand, if she and hers cannot live on a very
+grand scale indeed. And then her house in Erfurth is a sort of
+gathering-place for all who, by rank or position, may aspire to the
+honour of appearing in such sublime surroundings; half-pay general
+officers and colonels galore--and the little town was ever full of
+them--and, of course, the whole number of officers actually on
+duty in the garrison, and so on, and so on. The girls--and there is
+half-a-dozen of them--are as bad as their mother, always excepting one
+dear, sensible creature--not one of the pretty ones, though--whom, I
+understand, you are about to meet in Rinstedt. Well, if the daughters
+are extravagant, the two sons--both, as you know, in the army, go on as
+though their uncle's cashbox had no bottom to it. Three times, four
+times, already he has paid the debts of those young men, whom, by the
+by, he cannot bear at all, and this, and all this, simply _in majorem
+gloriam Hildegardis_, his well-beloved wife, a lady of such an old
+family that the scions thereof cannot, of course, be measured by the
+same standard as common mortals."
+
+"And do you not perceive any way of escape from this vicious circle our
+friend is wandering in?" Bertram asked.
+
+"Only the one you have already pointed to," the lawyer made answer.
+"But how the deuce can you advise a man who will not be advised, or
+rather, who accepts all the advice you give him and never acts upon it
+for all that ...? And there is one thing yet in which you have, too,
+judged aright. It is by no means too late yet! If he give up those
+factories of his which will never pay, even if--and on that his whole
+hope is now centred--the new line of rails passes straight through his
+estates, and if he meets My Lady with a _sic voleo, sic jubeo_, and if,
+with one determined cut, he severs the boundlessly costly train from My
+Lady's garment, leaving it, for all that, a very respectable garment,
+he would be enabled to discharge his other liabilities gradually, or at
+once if somebody would, at fair interest, lend him a biggish capital.
+This, of course, times being bad, will not be very easy to manage, more
+particularly if people begin to talk about his being embarrassed."
+
+"And how large, think you, should that capital be?"
+
+"I think that I could settle everything if I had a hundred thousand
+thalers at my disposal, without there being any formal arrangement with
+his creditors, or even a voluntary surrender."
+
+"In that case I beg to put the sum mentioned at your disposal."
+
+The lawyer looked up in amazement.
+
+"I had no idea that you were so wealthy," he said simply.
+
+"It does not represent half my fortune. Anyhow, I am not running any
+risk."
+
+"No, to be sure," replied the lawyer; "I should be able to secure you
+against any loss; the rate of interest, as I observed before, would be
+low. But I may tell you beforehand that your generous offer will be
+refused. I know our friend. He would rather borrow from the most
+unscrupulous cut-throat of a usurer than from you, for whom he has, as
+I know, the profoundest respect. For, though you may be the best of
+friends, you are not his brother, not his cousin, not a kinsman at all.
+If you could say to him, you owe it to our family to do so--such an
+appeal to the family honour, which he holds in the highest esteem, he
+would comprehend much better. But as it is, his very pride, or his
+vanity rather--for vanity is distinctly his ruling passion--will be
+hurt; he will appear to be immensely grateful to you, will say that you
+are his good angel, and--will not accept a farthing from you, as long
+as he sees, or fancies he sees, any other way out. He may possibly come
+to his senses when his last hope, the railway, proves illusory. I
+fear--I am a keen promoter of the project myself, but on different
+grounds--I fear that will occur presently. Meanwhile, try your luck, or
+his rather, by all means. But I repeat, you will not succeed with the
+mere appeal to your friendship."
+
+Bertram, as previously arranged, then called for his friend, and as
+they drove home together he made his attempt The lawyer's prophecy was
+literally fulfilled. Otto overflowed in expressions of the greatest
+gratitude for an offer so thoroughly characteristic of his generous
+friend, and which, for the sake of their long friendship, he would
+unconditionally accept--if there were any occasion for it. But that,
+thank goodness, was not the case.
+
+And then came the wretched old story which Bertram knew by heart
+already, and to which, for all that, he now listened; not, as before,
+with disgust, but with an odd feeling of anxiety and doubt. To be sure,
+mere friendship was not sufficient. He would have required another
+title, one giving the right to demand what now he begged for in vain.
+Should he venture upon the word that was trembling on his lips, and
+that yet was ever beating a cowardly retreat to the tremulous heart?
+Cowardly? No! It would have been cowardice, miserable cowardice, if he
+had spoken it; cowardice, trying to take by miserable money-bribes a
+fortress invincible to valour and high courage; cowardice and treason,
+treason to the sanctity of a love which had hitherto been unselfish and
+as pure as the heart of the great waters. If things came to the worst,
+if it was a question of guarding the beloved child against common want,
+she would be noble enough not to refuse the helping hand of a
+protecting friend. But woe to him if that hand were not unsullied; if
+even the shadow of a suspicion of selfishness fell upon it!
+
+And as they thus drove homewards, with the evening darkening around
+them, he fixed his eye on high, where now the heavenly lights were
+appearing in ever-increasing numbers, with ever-growing splendour; and
+he reverently repeated to himself the poet's great saying of the stars
+above, in whose majestic beauty man should rejoice without coveting
+their possession.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XI.
+
+
+But no poet's word could henceforth stay the wild conflagration which
+raged in his heart; and every thought by which his mind strove to
+obtain rest and clearness proved a faint-hearted hireling soldier that
+takes the first opportunity of deserting to the ranks of the more
+potent foe. In vain did he recall the arguments by which, in a certain
+memorable conversation, he had tried to refute Erna's assertions--it
+had been a lie, a lie--or, at best, mere theoretical twaddle. His love
+a reminiscence merely? And of what, pray? Perhaps of that mournful
+aberration when his heart, his thirty years notwithstanding, was
+still full of faith and devoid of experience? Or of the coquettish
+phantom-fights and ugly caricatures of passion with which a heart that
+has ceased to believe, in love, endeavours to deceive itself regarding
+its own needs? Thee, he exclaimed, thee I have always loved. My whole
+life has been one unbroken longing for thee; and when now at length I
+have reached the land of promise, am I solely to see it, bless God, and
+die? I am no longer weary of life. Nay, life has never yet appeared so
+fair to me, and never yet have I so felt the desire and the power to
+enjoy it. Die we must; die, however empty life may have been; but oh,
+how better far to die in the full bliss of love! No, no! If I love her,
+my only reminiscence is one of weary deserts traversed until I reached
+her: if she could love me, her love should be no mere mirage of an
+oasis in the future; palms should rustle above her fair head, silvery
+brooks should run at her feet. Love surely has this potent spell: it
+can create a paradise on earth!
+
+And from these fairy dreams of future bliss he was startled by the
+thought that Erna's heart must have already once received some mighty
+impression. For it was surely passing strange that she knew so well how
+to interpret some of the mysterious symbols in the book of passion;
+that she evidently liked to read in that book. But since all his
+cautious questioning led to no result, since she spoke of the few young
+men whom she seemed to know at all either with indifference, or even,
+as in the case of her two cousins, with a perceptible touch of irony,
+he could not but conclude that his suspicion was unfounded, and he
+became more and more familiar with a fond hope, from which he at first
+recoiled as from a temptation to sheer madness.
+
+But he still had the full use of his senses, and they, had never been
+so acute as now. How was he to explain that her voice, whenever she
+turned to him, and particularly when they were alone, was quite
+different from its usual tone--softer, deeper, more intense? How was he
+to explain that she--surely without being aware of it--kept sometimes,
+at table, if he happened to speak eagerly, her gaze fixed upon him for
+several minutes--that strange, fixed gaze which he had never before met
+from any human eye, and which reminded him again and again of the gaze
+of the gods,--
+
+
+           "Whose eyelids quiver not like those of mortals;"
+
+
+and then when he ceased to, speak she was like one awakening from a
+dream, drawing a long breath, which caused her maiden bosom to rise and
+sink!
+
+Nor were other promising tokens wanting. He had, for good reasons of
+his own, disregarded Erna's request to be henceforth less kind to
+Lydia; nay, he had doubled his attentions and courtesies, not only
+towards the coquettish lady, but towards the Baron too. It seemed so
+easy now to pardon, to show indulgence, to look at all things from the
+best and most amiable point of view; and politeness is a veil behind
+which one may hide so much. At first he had been prepared for
+opposition or serious displeasure on the part of the proud, self-willed
+girl; but nothing of the kind occurred; she either seemed not to notice
+his disobedience, or actually to approve of it; and once or twice, when
+he somewhat overdid his part, a meaning smile played about her mouth.
+Nay, more, she followed, though with evident hesitation, his example;
+she no longer met Lydia's fantastic exaggerations with short and sharp
+replies, or with that frigid non-recognition which is more cutting than
+direct blame: she continued, as on the first evening or two, to sing
+and play with the Baron; she even suffered herself to be put into the
+famous terrace picture, and was patient enough to sit to him for a
+couple of hours, in which the Baron, with his brush, was constantly
+taking one step forward and two backward, as it were; while he vowed
+again and again that this was the most grateful, but also the most
+difficult, task which he had ever undertaken in his life.
+
+And there was yet one thing more which had struck him as peculiarly
+strange and important. Erna was accustomed to repeat her interlocutors'
+names frequently in the course of conversation, and to add them, even
+to quite trivial phrases or questions. From the first days of his
+visit he still recalled with delight her sweet "How are you, Uncle
+Bertram?"--"Yes, Uncle Bertram"--"No, Uncle Bertram." But sweeter,
+sweeter far it seemed to him that he now no longer heard it--no, not
+once--that her conversation now was plain yea and nay, as enjoined in
+Holy Writ, and quite in accordance with the wild wish of his heart.
+Hilarie, too, had surely ceased to call her lover--Uncle. Poor Major!
+But it served him right, after all, for it was not youth so much that
+he lacked, as the courage and force of genuine passion.
+
+
+           "That man must ever be a youthful man
+            Who is well-pleasing to a maiden's eyes!"
+
+
+And he does please her well, because she feels with the unerring
+instinct of true love that he can and will give love for love.
+
+And as though he would force Fate to grant him all, because he was
+staking his all upon it, he looked on with a happy smile, whilst the
+fire of his great love burned up with increasing vehemence with every
+day, with every hour, spreading around and engulfing his entire being.
+He was proud that he could no longer feel anything else, think of
+anything else, but always her, and her alone. If she was away, how
+empty, how barren did the whole world seem! With what painful
+impatience did he await the moment when he should behold her again; and
+when he beheld her again, it seemed as though he had never beheld her
+before--as though the Creator had but just uttered the command: "Let
+there be light!" and as though the world lay before him in all the dewy
+freshness and brightness of the morn of creation.
+
+Then, when the torment of delight became overpowering, he fled from
+her, to dream, often for hours, in the solitude of the forest, in lone,
+rocky caves, or on sunny summits--to listen in the deep silence around
+for the echoing of her sweet voice within his heart, to whisper her
+loved name to the discreet herbs and trees; to hear that name in the
+murmur of the brooks, in the rustling of the breezes, in every note of
+the birds' songs; to see her fair image smiling down upon him from
+among the dainty white cloudlets that flecked the deep-blue sky, or
+gazing at him with musing gravity from the dusky shadows of the
+towering trees, gazing with those great, still, potent, godlike orbs.
+
+That those orbs were now smiling more rarely, that they were fuller of
+gravest thought, often gazing with a certain sweet fixity of intensest
+concentration, he had not failed to observe, and he had not interpreted
+it as a symptom unfavourable to himself; how should, how could it be
+otherwise, if there fell into her young soul even the faintest reflex
+of the bright radiancy that was filling his own to its deepest depths?
+
+But he had not failed to observe either, and this he knew not how to
+explain, that this musing gravity from which his own love in its
+hopefulness drew sweetest sustenance--like a bee from the chalice of a
+budding blossom--was turning to a gloomy indignation, which not only
+was for ever veiling the beloved eyes, but was not unfrequently
+enfolding the fair face with its fine, energetic features in darkest
+night, luridly illumined by wrathful flashes.
+
+This startling change had occurred quite suddenly, coincident,
+strangely enough, with the day, almost with the hour, of Agatha's
+arrival.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XII.
+
+
+On the occasion of former visits at Rinstedt Bertram had repeatedly
+seen Agatha, and had always been on the best of terms with the ever
+equally pleasant, amiable child. Now, of course she had, like Erna,
+developed during the last few years into a maiden, though one could not
+say that she had gained by the process of metamorphosis. The blonde
+hair now was almost red, freckles abounded unpleasantly on brow and
+cheek, and an awkward tendency to one side had become an undoubted
+lurch; so that, taking all these things together, one might indeed be
+tempted to take the nickname "Granny," which Erna had bestowed upon her
+cousin and bosom friend, not in its moral meaning alone. But the bright
+blue eyes had faithfully preserved the old, dear expression; nay, even
+more openly than of old, there spoke out of them a heart full of
+kindliest goodwill to all men, desirous of riving in peace and
+friendship with all men, and seeming not so much to loathe as simply
+not to comprehend the evil emotions and passions of the human heart.
+
+So gentle a creature, made but for sympathy in joy or in sorrow, could
+scarcely have found the requisite courage to destroy even the
+commonplace illusions of a commonplace heart, and would most likely
+have recoiled from the mere attempt to lay violent hands upon a heart
+like Erna's, deviating as it did so greatly from the humdrum, everyday
+pattern. And, again, Bertram had to drop the suspicion which at first
+had come to him in his perplexity; to wit, that Agatha had, whether in
+carelessness or intentionally, blabbed about something confided to her
+by Erna. Such a thing would have been in downright contradiction to the
+character of the girl, who was as clever as she was good; and, lastly,
+that he himself should have betrayed his feelings to the rest--that was
+absolutely impossible. He was only too painfully conscious of having
+from the very first moment put a most careful guard on his conduct, of
+having weighed his every word, controlled his every smile and look: of
+course he had! Why, he recoiled in horror from the very thought that
+Erna might discover his great secret; it was certain that she had not
+discovered it, and how could others have done so?
+
+But why should they, again, not have seen, and seen in envy,
+uncharitableness, and terror, what it was the utmost delight to him to
+see? Though he, in the full consciousness of his love, in the anxious
+doubt as to whether that love was not a folly, a crime even, had put
+the utmost restraint upon himself, yet Erna had assuredly not been
+equally careful in expressing her feelings, whose real significance she
+might guess at, though most assuredly she could not measure it. Why,
+the most harmless and innocent things in the attentions she was
+spoiling him with, the many kindly little offices which she did for him
+without any fuss, _en passant_, as it were--all these things might have
+been malevolently criticised and viciously explained, suspicion being
+once aroused one way or the other!
+
+And that such must be the case he could scarcely doubt any longer, when
+he submitted the demeanour of the others towards him during the last
+few days to a subsequent examination. Thus, in the light of newly-won
+knowledge, sundry things stood out in a very marked way, which, under
+other circumstances, he would either not have heeded, or anyhow have
+interpreted differently. His beautiful hostess, who used to avail
+herself of every tete-a-tete with him to turn their talk to Erna and
+the Baron, had not resumed her favourite topic of conversation; and, on
+the other hand, Lydia now manifested infinite interest in Erna, and
+never wearied of starting contemplative talks in reference to the
+qualities of her former pupil, wondering how one should represent to
+oneself the future of such a singular being as likely to develop
+itself. The Baron had still, on each Occasion when Bertram and he had
+met, overflowed with civility, but had yet tormented him less often
+with challenges to billiard-matches and to contests in pistol-shooting,
+but had on the other hand undertaken more frequent solitary shooting
+expeditions--neither Bertram nor Otto, their host, cared for shooting,
+as it happened--and had extended them farther too. Otto himself had
+certainly and most clearly avoided him. At first he had thought that
+Otto did it to avoid new and painful discussions in reference to his
+financial position, but Bertram now assumed that it was done lest Otto
+should distinctly show that he was angry with his friend for Erna's
+sake, or, what--with his natural weak readiness to yield--came
+virtually to the same thing, that he had been bidden by the ruling
+spirit to be angry with Bertram.
+
+These were curiously mixed feelings which were roused within him by his
+recognition of the new position he so suddenly found himself in. He
+said to himself that the things which caused anxiety and terror to his
+adversaries were for himself objects of joy and triumph, and
+constituted the clearest proof that he had not only dreamed a dream of
+rapturous delight. And to be sure, his love could not for ever remain
+in the far-off regions of starry splendour; it was bound some time to
+approach this earth, to become visible to the dull, mole-like eyes of
+these men. But then again, putting himself in the place of these
+others, and examining himself and his love, as these others were
+undoubtedly doing, he would hear anew, and this time from the lips of
+unjust accusers, the old evil questions which he thought had long ago
+been done with, to wit--Is your longing and your desire really and
+truly free from every vestige of selfishness, from every frivolous
+admixture? Has the satisfaction of your own vanity, inasmuch as you may
+prove that you, a man of fifty, are able to win the love of such a
+youthful, and, in every respect, such a highly-favoured and gifted
+girl, against the wishes of her own parents, before her who had once
+spurned your love, in the presence and to the shame and discomfiture of
+so much more likely a rival--have these considerations nothing, nothing
+whatever to do with your love?
+
+And supposing he were to allow himself to be urged by pressure on the
+part of his foes to make a declaration before the right time; or
+supposing there never had been and never would be such a time at
+all--supposing he and all of them had blundered;--supposing Erna's
+heart knew nought of love, and rejected his love, amazed, terrified,
+insulted--what then? Ye Heavens above! what then? Where was then that
+line of retreat which Goethe had so wisely secured for his hero?
+
+He realised it to be one of those horribly hideous contradictions of
+human life that, while before his inner eye the possibilities of his
+future fate concentrated themselves as in a focus, he was busied before
+the mirror in exchanging the cravat which Konski had put out for him
+for the early dinner, for another (the first dressing-bell having just
+rung), in reference to which Erna had once said that it suited him
+particularly well.
+
+He stepped, annoyed, from the mirror to the open window. There came
+floating through the balmy, sunny air a gossamer thread and fixed
+itself on his shoulder. He sighed wearily, he felt unutterably sad.
+
+There was always one line of retreat open, and that was--Death. Perhaps
+his life was really hanging on as slight a thread as this bit of
+gossamer. But then, was not his love for that very reason both madness
+and sacrilege? Was that love which at bottom thought, after all, of
+itself only, and thought not first and last of this? Could one,
+according to human judgment, really undertake the guarantee for the
+well-being of those whom one ... made believe one loved? Whether, for
+her, weal would not swiftly change to woe, whence, even though time and
+that youthful vigour which refuses to be crushed were to heal the
+grievous wounds, there could never again blossom forth a full, whole
+happiness? And thus, and for this reason, to have henceforth, like
+humdrum everyday folks, to dread death, when he had already again and
+again looked into his hollow eyes!
+
+There was some noise behind him, and he started in terror. It was only
+Konski who had come back bearing a letter. The post which was due in
+the morning had arrived now, and there had been lots of letters for the
+other ladies and gentlemen too, and some of them would seem to be
+mighty important, for My Lady had given orders to put dinner back half
+an hour, so the Herr Doctor could anyhow read his letter in peace.
+
+Konski had gone away again, and Bertram held the letter still unopened
+in his hand. How odd that his physician and friend should write to him
+just now--that the busiest of men should so swiftly reply to his own
+letter, in which, on the second day of his visit, he had, as requested,
+given news of his state of health, a letter which really called for no
+reply at all. Was his friend now going to tell him that he ... was
+doomed to speedy death? Well, the letter could not have come at a more
+opportune moment.
+
+With trembling hand he broke the seal and read this--
+
+"Dearest Friend,--Laugh if you like. On reading your letter a second
+time--your letters are not, like most others, consigned to the
+waste-paper basket--I have even more strongly the same impression which
+the first perusal had given me; namely, that, possibly unknown to
+yourself, there is to be read between the lines of your letter a
+question, which can be answered only by omniscient Fate and by 'Yours
+Truly;' and which, seeing Fate is not altogether to be relied upon in
+this respect, Yours Truly has the honour and likewise the great
+pleasure of answering herewith. Reduced to its simplest formula, then,
+the question comes to this: May I marry? Seeing that you do not laugh,
+but, on the contrary, look extremely grave, I will not keep you
+needlessly on the tenter-hooks of expectation, but will reduce my
+reply, too, to the simplest form, viz.:--Yes, best of friends, you may
+marry, in spite of your late serious attack; nay, oddly enough, all the
+more because of it. For although even before your illness I had no
+doubt that your curiously powerful nature would for years continue to
+hold its own against the severe damage done (to deny or reason away the
+existence of which was unfortunately impossible), I now have hardly any
+misgiving in that respect. For your last illness was simply and solely
+a remarkably energetic attempt at self-help on the part of nature, and
+the attempt has all but succeeded. What remains to be done to complete
+the cure is but little, and that this little be done as swiftly and
+thoroughly as possible, you can yourself greatly help. How so? Well, by
+marrying! You, having always been over-conscientious and abnormally
+scrupulous, having ever lived but for ideal aims and for the benefit of
+other folk, should now at length begin to live for yourself, should now
+at length find that quiet happiness which you so richly deserve, and be
+happy in that happiness; though, to be sure, for the last condition
+more good sense is required than what the majority of mankind have been
+ready to employ. You, my good friend, have that amount of sense.
+_Ergo_--marry for goodness' sake, marry for your own good, marry for
+the good of those whom you love, and, lastly, marry with my full
+consent, without which I know you would not do it at all.
+
+"But now, seeing that you are too accustomed to suffering of some sort
+to be able to dispense with it altogether, I owe you a fresh supply to
+make up for what I am depriving you of, and I am going to saddle you
+with one of the most awful kinds of suffering a free man can be
+tormented with in these hard and distressing times--you must stand for
+Parliament. There is no help for it; we must have you in the
+_Reichstag_. Good old S. can bear the burthen no longer; he is going to
+retire. I should have insisted upon it on medical grounds if he had not
+at length come to see himself that there was no help for it. He is done
+for, and doomed to speedy death. And you, who are vigorously advancing
+to complete restoration of health, shall and must take his place--by
+order of the Electoral Committee, who met at a late hour last night and
+ultimately came to a unanimous conclusion on the subject, all, finally,
+voting for you! There is no reason why I should keep back the fact
+that, to begin with, O. and B. were opposed to it, and so were a few
+others, asserting that you could be of greater use to the common cause
+as an outsider. They went on arguing that your absolutely independent
+position within the party had hitherto enabled you, and would continue
+to enable you, to ventilate certain grievances which really require to
+be ventilated, and which it is impossible for ourselves, sitting as
+members of the _Reichstag_, to bring forward, because, sitting there,
+we must pay a certain regard to ... what not. This great and invaluable
+activity of yours, they wisely contended, would be rendered absolutely
+barren by your entering the serried ranks of a definite political
+phalanx within the House itself. Right they are, I know well enough,
+none better; for I have, as you know, always maintained the same view.
+But, for all that, you must stand. The need is imperative. We have,
+alas! none but you; and therefore our arguments prevailed: and the
+requisition I am now forwarding to you in the name of our common party
+is, as aforesaid, unanimous. Knowing you as well as I do, and knowing
+therefore with what a struggle you make up your mind, ever determined
+to adhere unswervingly to a resolution you have once arrived at, I'll
+give you three days to think it over. Perhaps you'll talk it over with
+our friend G. in W., whose acquaintance you have probably made ere
+this; not to get him to appeal to your conscience--small need for that
+in your case--but because an old veteran like him may be able, from the
+fulness of his experience, to give you some hint or other which may be
+of use to you in your candidature. It is very probable that you may
+have to appear speedily in the arena. The Government would appear to
+feel very confident of success, and will not delay the election. Four
+weeks hence everything may be settled. That would leave you another
+month before the meeting of Parliament to recover from the fatigue of
+the electioneering campaign. The Italian trip will have to be given up,
+it is true. But no one can serve two masters; and as for the mistress,
+if my conjecture be correct, I do not dread her jealousy. If it were
+permitted to harbour any doubt whether you have chosen wisely, or if
+there were any need to apply a special test, there could be no surer
+touchstone than this. The true gold of a genuine woman's love never
+shines more brightly than when a sacrifice has to be made for the sake
+of letting a man's worth stand out clearly. Commend me cordially to the
+fair unknown, and accept my own affectionate greetings."
+
+The second dinner-bell had rung, and Bertram still sat staring at the
+letter. Could this be true? It looked like witchcraft. By what
+wonderful ingenuity had his friend rightly interpreted the state of his
+heart, judging from hints which were not intended to be hints at all?
+Well, if it was a miracle, it was a very auspicious one--one that could
+only have had its origin in the great strength of truest friendship.
+Impossible for the tempter to have assumed the guise of the best and
+noblest of men!
+
+He pressed the letter to his lips, and gazed upward to the blue sky.
+And, lo! as he moved, the gossamer thread floated away from his
+shoulder, away into the sunny afar.
+
+With glowing eye he followed its flight.
+
+"Right, right! Fly and float with it, ye cowardly thoughts of retreat!
+Who fears not death has already half won the battle!"
+
+
+
+
+                                 XIII.
+
+
+Below, in the garden saloon, Bertram found only Otto and the Baron, who
+abruptly stopped an eager conversation as Bertram entered. Otto looked
+greatly embarrassed; the Baron gave him one angry look, then turned
+away to the young ladies, who were walking on the verandah.
+
+"I seem to have disturbed you," said Bertram.
+
+"Don't be annoyed," replied Otto. "The Baron had, last night already,
+disagreeable news from home, which is confirmed to-day, and will compel
+him to travel back; and just now, in this time of tension, he wishes of
+course--it is extremely awkward ..."
+
+"In one word, he has officially asked you for your daughter's hand?"
+
+"Not exactly officially; we really do not know about Erna. You had
+undertaken to put us _au courant_, to advise and help us, and now you
+are not helping us at all, and--and my wife is rather annoyed with you
+on this ground."
+
+"So I have observed; and therefore, to make up for previous omissions,
+I'll give you my advice now: get rid of him as quickly as possible, and
+spare Erna the humiliation of having to refuse the fellow."
+
+"Humiliation? The fellow? How oddly you talk!"
+
+"I talk how I feel. He is unworthy of Erna, absolutely."
+
+"So you say; but why?"
+
+Bertram made no answer. What good could it do now to have a dispute
+with Otto about the worthiness or unworthiness of the Baron?
+
+"You see," said Otto triumphantly, "you have no real reason to give!"
+Then, seeing his friend look extremely grave, he went on--"I know of
+course that you mean well by Erna, by me, by all of us. Perhaps you are
+right, too, at least in this--that Erna may say: No. If she does, well,
+then there is an end of it, and Hildegard and he may see how they can
+best put up with it. If only it had not happened just now. I have my
+head quite full enough as it is--all these officers coming to be
+quartered here to-morrow, then the final debate on the railway
+question, and then I just remember that I have also to redeem
+to-morrow a certain mortgage, not much, only five thousand thalers, but
+it happens most inopportunely, I wanted to talk to you about it before,
+but I did not like to disturb you in your rooms; perhaps after dinner,
+or to-night sometime--there is my wife coming, for God's sake no fuss,
+I entreat you!"
+
+Hildegard entered, Lydia followed soon after, the young ladies and the
+Baron came in from the verandah, and they all went to dinner.
+Conversation somehow flagged; every one was busy with his own thoughts,
+and, if one were to judge by looks, these thoughts did not seem to be
+pleasant ones, except in Hildegard's case. She kept smiling
+mysteriously to herself, and at last, when there had been a pause of
+some little duration, she held up a couple of letters which she had
+laid by the side of her plate, and said--
+
+"It is really too bad; here, I am sitting with quite a treasury of most
+interesting surprises, and none of you take the trouble to show the
+slightest symptom of curiosity. It would really serve you right if I
+were not to say a word to you; but I will be gracious, as usual, and
+let you participate in my joy. First, then, your mother, Agatha, has
+after all yielded to my entreaties. It is most kind of her. She has a
+big party to-morrow, too; some twenty officers, she says, and can ill
+spare any of the girls. Still, she understands that I have even greater
+need of them in our solitude, if the crowd of uniforms is not to become
+intolerably monotonous--_enfin_, she'll send Louise and Augusta. They
+will arrive to-day; so we shall really be able to have a dance to
+morrow evening, if we invite the girls from the parsonage and a few
+others. Well, what do you say?"
+
+Erna made no reply; she seemed hardly to have listened. Agatha said--
+
+"You are very kind, aunt," but it did not sound hearty.
+
+"Is that all?" exclaimed Hildegard. "Of course I am kind, far too kind
+to you ungrateful _blasee_ girls, who cannot rise to enthusiasm even
+with the prospect of a dance! But you, Baron?"
+
+"I envy the gentlemen," replied he, "who will benefit by your kindness;
+I myself, as you are aware, will scarcely be able to participate in
+it."
+
+Hildegard raised her eyebrows.
+
+"I thought," she said, "that the matter was settled. Your relations may
+see how they can best do without you. I wish to hear nothing more upon
+the subject. This is my ultimatum, and I beg you will respect it."
+
+The Baron bowed, and muttered something about _force majeure_.
+Hildegard paid no heed to it; she had already taken up the second
+letter.
+
+"I must beforehand apologise for my bad French accent. The letter is
+from the Residenz, and I ought to mention ..."
+
+"From Princess Amelia?" the Baron asked eagerly.
+
+"Not from our gracious Princess," replied Hildegard with a courteous
+smile, "but from a princess, for all that."
+
+"Perhaps you would translate it?" suggested Otto timidly.
+
+"Very well," replied his wife. "I was thinking of doing so anyhow, for
+I know you pretend that you do not understand French.  Well, then--
+
+"Madam,--Will you pardon a perfect stranger who ventures to request a
+favour which it is usual to grant only to one's friends, or to duly
+accredited persons--the favour of being your guest for a short time?
+You are amazed, madam; but why do you own a mansion whose classic style
+of architecture and whose internal fittings are the marvel of the land?
+Why does every one who can judge, laud you as unsurpassed in the
+horticultural art? I travel through Germany chiefly with the object of
+studying all that is best and most beautiful in these things, in order
+to try and imitate it upon my estates in Livadia. I shall not, as I
+said, trouble you long; only a day or two. To-morrow and the day after,
+if I may, for I can unfortunately not dispose differently of my time.
+And as regards the inconvenience I must needs cause you, I will try to
+reduce it to a minimum. A gardener or forester to pilot me about
+outside, a steward to show me some of the things inside, a little
+corner by your fireside, a little place at your table, a little chamber
+to sleep in; that is all! True, already too much, if I reflect; but one
+should not reflect, if one is the thorough egotist who has the honour
+of remaining, Madam, your obedient servant,--Princess Alexandra
+Paulovna  ..."
+
+Hildegard looked up from her letter, and said with a smile--
+
+"I cannot make out the surname."
+
+She passed the letter to Bertram, who was sitting on her right.
+
+"Well," said the Baron, on her left, "she would seem to be a Russian,
+anyhow."
+
+"No doubt of that. Well, my friend?"
+
+"No," replied Bertram, "I cannot make it out."
+
+"Will you allow me?" said the Baron.
+
+Bertram handed the letter back to Hildegard, who passed it on to the
+Baron.
+
+"Why," he exclaimed, "it is quite plain, Bo--Bo!" He paused.
+
+"Bo, Bo, Bo!" laughed Lydia. "Let me try."
+But Lydia failed too; the note was passed round the table; Otto and
+Agatha tried and failed; Erna passed it on to Bertram without casting
+one glance at it.
+
+"Will you not try?" asked Bertram.
+
+"No."
+
+She uttered this so sharply that Bertram looked up terrified.
+
+"How very unkind," said her mother.
+
+Bertram had the same impression at first, but he knew Erna too well;
+there was assuredly something else going on in her mind, something
+which had tried to find expression in the abrupt No. She was very pale,
+and had pressed her teeth against her under lip, whilst her eyes looked
+gloomily and fixedly straight in front of her. One might have expected
+her to burst into a flood of tears the next moment. To turn the
+attention of the rest from her, and also to overcome his own feelings
+of uneasiness, he began once more diligently to spell away at the
+signature, and suddenly exclaimed--
+
+"I have got it, I think--Volinzov--Alexandra Paulovna Volinzov!"
+
+"Let me see, please?" exclaimed Hildegard. "Really, Volinzov; and quite
+plain too. How blind we have been! Dear me, Herr Baron, what is the
+matter with you?"
+
+"I beg a thousand pardons," said the Baron from behind his
+handkerchief, which he held pressed to his face, rising from the table
+as he spoke, and swiftly withdrawing from the room.
+
+Hildegard looked sadly after his retreating figure.
+
+"Poor fellow!" she said, "I am so sorry. He is in a terrible state of
+excitement. And now, in addition, this home news--if I only knew what
+it is all about, but he is discretion personified."
+
+Bertram, still pondering over Erna's strange demeanour, had almost
+mechanically cast his eye over the whole letter, and only became
+conscious of this on coming to a passage which he did not remember
+having heard in Hildegard's translation.
+
+"Here," he said, "is one line, my fair friend, which has escaped you,
+and which yet strikes me as important. Listen: 'thorough egotist who
+has the courage to follow her letter at once, and has the honour,' &c."
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Hildegard.
+
+"There it stands; see for yourself. You passed from the last line but
+two on to the last."
+
+"Oh dear! oh dear!" exclaimed the hostess. "She will be wanting to
+dine of course; and that is not the worst, but all the rooms will be
+occupied by to-morrow afternoon."
+
+"The officers must do with a little less accommodation," said Otto. "It
+will be all right."
+
+"No, it will not be all right," said his wife, "if each of them is to
+have a room of his own;  and we cannot put less than two each at the
+disposal of the two Majors and the Colonel."
+
+"Let me help you in your embarrassment," said Bertram. "You know, I
+originally intended leaving early to-morrow, let us adhere to the old
+plan; the more so, because I have just received a letter which
+necessitates my very speedy return to Berlin."
+
+"That is an excuse," exclaimed his friend.
+
+"No excuse, my dear fellow; you may see the letter yourself. But I may
+as well say what it is about. I have been selected by my political
+friends for a forthcoming vacancy in the _Reichstag_."
+
+"But you will surely not stand?"
+
+"Indeed, I mean to do so."
+
+"And your Italian trip?"
+
+"Postponed to some future day."
+
+"But your illness?"
+
+"Thanks to your excellent nursing, I never felt better in my life."
+
+"But it's quite out of the question!" cried Otto. "I cannot let you.
+It would be downright ..."
+
+In thus urging his friend to stay, Otto was simply following the
+dictates of his own good-natured heart, without any reference to his
+own special interests; now it suddenly occurred to him that his wife
+had that very morning called Bertram's presence a positive misfortune,
+and had accused him of standing--the one obstacle--between herself and
+the execution of her favourite plan.
+
+So he broke off abruptly, casting a sheepish, embarrassed look at his
+wife.
+
+Hildegard blushed to the very temples. Now she was obliged to urge him
+to stay, if everything she had been settling during the last few days
+in secret with Lydia and the Baron, and at last with her husband too,
+was not to lie like an open book before Bertram, and unless there was
+to be a real rupture, which, of course, it was desirable to avoid as
+long as possible. In order to conceal the true reason of her blush, she
+seized, as though obeying some uncontrollable impulse, both his hands,
+and said--
+
+"I am almost speechless with amazement, my friend! Otto is quite right;
+the thing is impossible, it would be downright--abominable--that is
+what you were going to say, is it not, dear Otto? You cannot, must not
+leave us now. In a few days, if it really must be, well and good; but
+not now. I have--quite apart from our own feelings--revelled in the
+thought of the pleasant surprise it will be for Herr von Waldor to meet
+here, upon the threshold of a strange house, an old friend of his own.
+And if old friendship cannot exercise a spell over you, are you not
+allured by the prospect of meeting the mysterious Russian, whose name
+you alone were able to decipher, and who will not care to converse with
+any one except yourself, once she has heard how beautifully you speak
+French? But come--Otto, Lydia, Agatha--help me to entreat our friend to
+stay."
+
+In the general excitement, every one had risen from table, dinner being
+finished anyhow, and now they were talking on the verandah. The Baron
+had reappeared too, but was keeping at some little distance; he
+evidently had not quite recovered from his attack. Those to whom
+Hildegard had appealed by name hastened to comply with her request, and
+were all urging Bertram to remain. He never heard them at all; he did
+not even see them;  he had eyes for Erna only.
+
+Erna, as though she had no interest whatever in the matter under
+discussion, had stepped down from the verandah to one of the
+flower-plots on the lawn. Suddenly she turned, retraced her steps
+slowly, ascended the verandah again, and approached him. Her cheeks--so
+pale but a short time ago--were flushed now; there was a light in those
+large eyes, and a defiant smile played round her dainty lips. She
+fastened a beautiful red rose, just about to unfold, in his buttonhole.
+
+"I prayed you the night you came--I pray you again: Stay! stay--for my
+sake! Come, Agatha!"
+
+She had seized her cousin by the hand, and drawn her away into the
+garden; Bertram had stepped into the billiard-room, and was knocking
+the balls about; the others looked at each other, amazed, embarrassed,
+frightened, scornful. But, greatly though their various feelings
+desired expression and exchange, and opportune though the occasion
+might appear, there was no chance in the meantime. For the very next
+moment the sound of a post-horn was heard coming from the great
+courtyard, and announced, to Hildegard's terror, that Princess Volinzov
+had interpreted her own letter literally, and had really followed it
+without delay.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XIV.
+
+
+The sunny brightness of the day was suddenly interrupted by a
+thunderstorm, and the evening closed in dark and stormy. Up from the
+valley and down from the wooded hills thick grey mists came rolling
+along, and violent showers of rain ensued. It was chilly and
+disagreeable; and the "corner by the fireside," referred to in the
+letter of the Princess, seemed no longer to be a mere phrase, but to
+embody a very natural wish, and one which Hildegard took care to
+fulfil, by having fires kindled in all the drawing-rooms. There was
+quite a party at the mansion this evening. An hour after the arrival of
+the Princess, the sisters of Agatha had come; then the forest-ranger,
+the Herr _Oberfoerster_,  had turned up, without having brought his
+ladies, on account of the disagreeable weather, but there had come with
+him a young gentleman from the Forests and Woods' Department, Herr von
+Busche, who had been absent for a week, and who, as he laughingly
+assured them, must try very hard to make up for the many pleasant hours
+he had lost. He seemed determined to carry this into practice, for he
+was most indefatigable in suggesting new games and new jests, and kept
+the four young ladies in constant laughter.
+
+"_Qu'y a-t-il de plus beau_,"  said the Princess, talking, as before,
+now French, now German with equal readiness, "thus to hear, from an
+adjoining room, the happy laughter of girls, while one is sitting
+snugly by the fire talking to a friend. The past and the present mingle
+and separate again, like the red and blue flames among those coals; and
+sometimes there flashes between them a green one, which we may take for
+a light giving a glimpse of the future--and indeed it vanishes again
+very swiftly. How comfortable, how beautiful everything's in your
+house, _ma chere_.  And how can I thank you enough for admitting me to
+the full enjoyment of your charming home?"
+
+She had seized both Hildegard's hands as she spoke, and seized them so
+eagerly that the bracelets on her round white arms jingled.
+
+"I have to thank you, Princess ..."
+
+"For goodness' sake, do not call me that any longer. Say Alexandra,
+will you not?"
+
+"Will you say Hildegard?"
+
+"_Cela va sans dire_--Hildegard--a beautiful name--beautiful like her
+whose it is! What were we talking about? The future, yes, to be sure.
+Well, there is a glorious future in store for you in your lovely
+daughter."
+
+"Do you like Erna?"
+
+"Like her?  _Mon Dieu!_  only a mother's modesty can ask this. She is
+simply divine. Not that I never saw more beautiful girls--you see I am
+quite frank--but there is something in her whole bearing, the way in
+which she walks or stands, every movement, every gesture, her
+expression, her smile, her gravity even, there is a grace and a charm
+about it all which completely bewitch me, woman though I am. How may
+men feel?  Poor men!  Poor broken hearts, I pity you!"
+
+"She has scarcely had the chance yet of breaking hearts," replied
+Hildegard with a smile; "she has only just left school."
+
+"But even very young ladies, I am told, manage sometimes to do it,"
+said the Princess. "I am afraid I broke one or two myself whilst I was
+at a boarding-school, and it was a strict one, too! But to be serious,
+have you already chosen for your fair child?"
+
+"Our girls in Germany are wont to claim the right of choice for
+themselves," replied Hildegard, casting a stolen glance at Bertram,
+who, walking up and down the saloon with Otto, happened just at that
+moment to be inconveniently near.
+
+"A bad German peculiarity," said the Princess. "If a girl who does not
+know the world, does not know men--except her father, of whom she is
+afraid, and her brothers, whom she thinks ridiculous--is allowed to
+choose a husband according to the confused illusions of her silly
+little head--you may bet a hundred to one that the result will be
+either a  _betise_  or a  _malheur_--which, according to the saying of
+the witty Frenchman, are, however, identical terms."
+
+"That is quite my idea, dear--Alexandra," said Hildegard, bending her
+head with a courteous smile to her new-found friend; "quite my idea!"
+
+"Clever women understand each other _a demi mot_," replied Alexandra.
+"But there are exceptions, and your Erna is such an exception. She
+would never dream of losing her heart to a man simply because he stands
+six feet, and knows how to brush himself up and to cut a figure,
+however confused things may look beneath the smoothly-parted hair,
+however rotten a heart may beat behind the dainty cambric shirt-front."
+
+Hildegard did not dare to stir; she had noticed that during the last
+few words of the Princess the Baron had been standing within a couple
+of steps from them, evidently with the intention of joining them. But
+as neither lady seemed to see him, or wish to see him, he examined a
+vase which stood upon a marble table near, and turned on his heel
+again. Hildegard breathed more freely.
+
+"You may be quite assured," said Alexandra, "I spoke in French on
+purpose when I saw him coming. I had made sure that he speaks it very
+badly, and understands it even worse, which, by the by, is rather
+curious in a cavalier who is anxious to obtain a Court appointment."
+
+Hildegard felt very uneasy, although it was of course out of the
+question that the Princess should have meant the Baron when she spoke
+of a "man standing six feet."
+
+"You know," she said with some little hesitation, "that the Baron is
+very intimate at Court?"
+
+"I was at Court last night," replied Alexandra, "to tea. We Russians
+are in very good odour at your Court, you know; and, moreover, I had
+made the acquaintance of their Highnesses during their last visit to
+St. Petersburg. Princess Amelia is specially gracious to me, and she is
+the one who interests herself in the Baron."
+
+"To be sure," Hildegard assented eagerly. "Pray, tell me more, it has
+much interest for me."
+
+"I have not much to tell. I mentioned in the course of general
+conversation that I intended to pay you a visit to-day. This led to
+Fraeulein von Aschhof and the Baron being mentioned as your guests. For
+that curious lady every one seemed to have a smile, nothing more,
+which, by the by, I can quite understand. About the Baron--well, _chere
+amie_, since you are interested in the young man, I must be indiscreet
+enough to tell you of a very confidential conversation I had afterwards
+in a window recess about him with that dear old man, Count Dirnitz, the
+Court-Marshal. He told me that the opinions regarding the Baron were at
+least much divided at Court. The Grand Duke himself, he said, in
+particular, could not overcome a certain antipathy to him, and that was
+the reason why his appointment as one of the chamberlains, although
+duly made out, still awaited the Grand Duke's signature. The Count said
+that he himself, although he had been an intimate friend of the Baron's
+father, did not know what to advise. Just then the Grand Duke came up
+to us; he had heard the last words of Count Dirnitz, and said
+laughingly: 'That, my good Count, happens pretty often to you; but may
+I ask what it is about?' And when Dirnitz, who, I suppose, had no
+option, had told him, he said: 'Well, in this case, I must admit I am
+perplexed myself; I should so much like to oblige Princess Amelia, and
+yet ...' Then the Grand Duke suddenly turned to me and said: '_A
+propos_, Princess Volinzov, as you are going to Rinstedt to-morrow, you
+might have a good look at our man. I will gladly confide the matter to
+your unprejudiced decision. If you think him suitable for us, _eh
+bien_, I'll risk it.' ... What a truly charming ceiling this is! Quite
+a work of art."
+
+Princess Alexandra was leaning back in her arm-chair examining through
+her double eye-glass the painted ceiling.
+
+"I see," she said, "a fine imitation of that Guercino in the Villa
+Ludovisi. It is superb, truly superb!"
+
+Hildegard was in a state of painful excitement. The young Princess had,
+anyhow, impressed her greatly; now this unexpected, but of course
+perfectly natural, intimacy at Court, and specially such a mission,
+possibly the one solitary motive of the whole visit, and upon which the
+Baron's fate depended. She felt almost dizzy, and it cost her a
+considerable struggle to be able to say with some calmness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Alexandra, but you have forgotten the main
+thing."
+
+"The main thing! What main thing?
+
+"What your unprejudiced opinion of the Baron now is."
+
+"To be sure!"
+
+She looked again at Hildegard. There was an odd smile on her lips now.
+
+"If my opinion were only unprejudiced. But how can that be when the
+friends of our friends are our own, or ought to be?"
+
+"You shall not escape thus," said Hildegard, whose sinking courage the
+fair visitor's smile had revived a little.
+
+"I do not mean to escape," replied the Princess; "only I do not quite
+like to confess a silly trick to you which my memory, which is
+generally very fair as far as physiognomies are concerned, is playing
+me in this case. But it is simply impossible to free one's self
+altogether from the influence which a marked personal likeness
+exercises; and when I first saw the Baron, there came to me the most
+disagreeable reminiscence of an episode of the last journey I made with
+my lamented mother to Italy. However, as I ought at once to state,
+there is no harm in the matter, for the Baron, whom I asked, says he
+was not in Monaco that year."
+
+"In Monaco?" cried Hildegard.
+
+"Alas, my good mamma, the Countess Lassounska, you must know, was a
+great votary of the green cloth. Well, she could afford to indulge a
+passion which, among the ladies of the Russian aristocracy, not seldom
+survives or reappears, when they have had to bury all other passions.
+And in all others poor mamma had been so very unfortunate; but in this
+she was singularly lucky. Thus, one night--it was in autumn '72--she
+died next spring, four weeks after my marriage with the Prince, who had
+at that time followed us to Monaco, and to whom I had just, being then
+sixteen years of age, become engaged--good Lord, and he has been dead
+these two years! How time passes! But what was I going to say? Oh yes;
+mamma had won an immense sum one night, so much that at last she was
+barely paying any attention to what she was staking, and when she
+noticed a friend, she turned round to talk to him, without leaving her
+chair, until the gentleman himself called her attention to the
+accumulating gains, and asked if she would not withdraw them. But she
+said there was no hurry, and went on chattering, to the amazement of
+her neighbours and the terror of the bank, for they kept and kept
+losing on the red. At last mamma did turn round again to the table, her
+own curiosity roused by the divers exclamations of the bystanders; but
+just at that moment a gentleman, who had been sitting by her side all
+night, was pocketing the whole huge heap of banknotes and rouleaux of
+gold. Mamma claimed her property, of course; the gentleman assured her
+she was mistaken. Mamma knew that this was not the case, but a scene in
+a gambling-room, don't you know, dear, _c'est une horreur_ for a lady
+with aristocratic nerves like poor mamma, the friend she had been
+conversing with wanted to interfere, so did a number of the bystanders,
+and play had to be suspended. Mamma said that if the gentleman asserted
+that the money was his, she would waive her claim; rose, took her
+friend's arm, and left the room. Here the matter ended, and nothing
+further followed, for the 'gentleman' elected to leave that very night
+for Nice. There, they say, he speedily got rid of his illgotten gains.
+At least, when we arrived there four weeks later, they pointed out a
+gentleman in the play saloon to us who had recently lost fabulous sums.
+On that occasion I saw him for the first time--I was not generally
+allowed to enter the gambling-rooms--and for the last time, for he had
+no sooner caught sight of our party, than he rose from the table and
+vanished from the room, and I think from Nice; anyhow, he never,
+appeared again during the rest of our sojourn. Mamma had given strict
+orders not to take any notice; whatever of the adventurer."
+
+"And this--adventurer, had a distant likeness to the Baron?"
+
+"A distant likeness? No, dear, a most distinct one. That's the
+misfortune!"
+
+Alexandra was leaning back again in the arm-chair and toying with her
+rings. Hildegard was staring gloomily in front of her. The execution of
+her long-cherished, plan, the fulfilment of her eager desire, was now
+threatened by an obstacle which seemed much worse than any previous
+one; and she was already almost reduced to despair by the others that
+she had to struggle against.
+
+"A misfortune, indeed!" she said; "a great misfortune for our friend,
+who, will now have to suffer so bitterly for an accident he is
+guiltless of."
+
+"How suffer, dear?"
+
+"Were you not saying yourself a short while ago that this wretched
+likeness was making it impossible for you to arrive at an unprejudiced
+opinion about the Baron? Well, it matters everything to him, of course,
+that your opinion should not only not be prejudiced but favourable.
+And--to confess the truth--to me, to us, it matters much, very much."
+
+Alexandra drew herself up, the old odd smile was hovering about her
+lips again.
+
+"Does it really matter so much to you?" she said. "Do I understand you
+correctly?"
+
+"Let us assume that you do," replied Hildegard, trying as she spoke to
+imitate Alexandra's smile.
+
+"Then I can only answer: _Je n'en vois pas la necessite._"
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"That this particular man should marry Erna. Where is the necessity? If
+she were in love with him, the matter would have to be discussed at
+least. Now it is not worth while. A girl like your Erna--proud,
+self-willed, large-hearted--will never be in love with this Baron,
+never! It is impossible, it is contrary to nature--I mean contrary to
+the nature of a gifted heart, for there are gifted hearts, just as
+there are gifted heads. One can, nay, one must, have absolute
+confidence in both, even supposing that, from very excess of feelings
+or thoughts, they seem not to have confidence in themselves. One must
+let them have their way, they cannot err long."
+
+"But they can err for all that," replied Hildegard bitterly. "Would
+you not call it an error, would you think it to be in accord with the
+nature of that gifted heart you speak of, if the girl in question were
+to take a special interest in--out with it, were to love--a man who,
+according to years, might be her father, a man of fifty?"
+
+The question seemed to come upon Princess Alexandra as a great
+surprise. She had almost risen from her chair, and was staring fixedly
+at Hildegard with a burning blush on her cheek. But the very next
+moment mien and colour had resumed their former state, and nestling
+even more snugly in the recesses of the deep arm-chair, she said
+slowly--
+
+"This question it is impossible to answer with an unconditional Yes or
+No. So much would depend upon the individual. Let us speak of the girl
+first. You are of coarse referring to ..."
+
+"To Erna."
+
+The eyes of the Princess were all but closed now; something seemed to
+flash from beneath the long eyelids.
+
+"Of course," she replied very slowly. "And ... he?"
+
+Hildegard bent her eyes in the direction of the opposite side of the
+drawing-room, where Bertram was conversing with the forest-ranger.
+
+"Ah!" was all the Princess said, putting up her double eyeglass and
+surveying Bertram curiously. Then, after a long pause--
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Quite."
+
+"It is so easy to make a mistake in these things."
+
+"There is no chance of a mistake here."
+
+"How so?"
+
+Hildegard hesitated before she replied. But her heart was too full. The
+pain--repressed with difficulty--caused her by the merciless
+condemnation of the Baron, her displeasure in reference to Bertram, her
+anger against Erna--all these emotions were clamouring for expression,
+although her pride bade her desist. She bent over the Princess and
+whispered hurriedly--
+
+"You will not condemn a mother even if, in her despair, she has
+recourse to desperate remedies, or, at least, allows things to be done
+on which she could never voluntarily determine. I was positively free
+from the faintest suspicion, but Lydia--Fraeulein von Aschhof--who had
+reasons of her own for exercising minute control over the gentleman's
+demeanour, felt sure she had found it out. Indeed, she communicated to
+me observations she had made--words she had heard, looks she had
+intercepted--I thought the charge monstrous, incredible, abominable;
+but my confidence was shaken--I saw with new eyes, heard with new
+ears--saw and heard what caused me to shudder. And yet I would
+certainly have shrunk much longer from accepting a conviction which
+every day and every hour was urging upon me anew; but two days ago
+Fraeulein von Aschhof brought me a letter which my daughter had written
+to her cousin Agatha, written but not sent--why, I know not. Nor do I
+know how Lydia--Fraeulein Von Aschhof--got hold of the letter. I
+believe ..."
+
+"Go on, go on!" said Alexandra, as Hildegard, embarrassed, was pausing.
+"That does not matter at all. The chief thing is that you have seen the
+letter. And what did the letter say? That she loved this man?"
+
+"Not in these words, but in words which it were impossible to interpret
+differently."
+
+"Have you the letter still?"
+
+"No, I am sorry to say. Lydia has ..."
+
+"Has replaced it where she found it; of course. It's a pity, though. It
+might be possible to imagine another interpretation. However, let us
+assume that it is so. What have you resolved?"
+
+"To die rather than give my consent--a thousand times rather!"
+
+Their eyes met, and they looked; steadily at each other for a few
+moments. Then the Princess nodded, and said--
+
+"I see you are in earnest. I can quite understand it; nay, more, I will
+help you. You will not have to die. I promise my help. Will you reject
+it?"
+
+She had seized Hildegard's hand.
+
+"I shall be eternally grateful to you," said Hildegard; "but ..."
+
+"No 'but!' I am one of these people who always do what they undertake.
+You shall be content with me."
+
+"I fear, I fear it is too late."
+
+"We shall see about that. Now, in the first instance, bring me the man,
+and leave me alone with him. One more condition: you are never to ask
+me what means I have employed. Will you promise?"
+
+"Anything you wish, my kind, good friend!"
+
+She would have pressed the little ringed hands, (which she still held
+clasped) to her lips, but the Princess prevented it by a swift
+movement, saying as she did so--
+
+"For goodness sake, do not be demonstrative! People are not to see what
+intimate friends we have become!"
+
+Hildegard had risen to fetch Bertram. Alexandra was again examining,
+with the help of her double eyeglass, the painted ceiling above; but
+her thoughts were not with Apollo and the nymphs.
+
+"So now we are going to see Mr. Right! To be sure, the other one was
+scarcely worth the trouble. But this one it will not be so easy to
+subdue. Poor Kurt--I could take such sweet revenge here! But no, no! I
+have vowed to myself, by the love wherewith I loved you, wherewith I
+love you still--as a brother--that I would bring you back your loved
+one though I should have to fetch her out of Inferno. I will keep my
+vow. I will be able to look with a clear conscience into your beautiful
+eyes to-morrow.... Ah, Mr. Bertram! Now I call this very nice of you. I
+was already beginning to feel offended. I am not accustomed to be
+neglected by clever people. You must try to atone for it now. Pray, sit
+down!"
+
+
+
+
+                                  XV.
+
+
+Bertram had no difficulty in replying merrily to the merry questions of
+the fair stranger. His head was full of merry thoughts, there was
+nothing but rapture in his heart. All the world seemed to him to be
+filled with the fragrance of that rose Erna had given him to-day, that
+rose which he had since worn near his heart, and from which the hostile
+looks of Hildegard and the others fell off harmless, as from a potent
+talisman. Human envy notwithstanding, things awarded him by the grace
+of the gods were coming to him, nay, had come. If he had still required
+any confirmation, what confirmation more delightful could he have had
+than the exuberant mirth to which the beloved child's melancholy
+gravity had suddenly turned? Like fairy music her rippling laugh seemed
+to him, coming from the adjoining room, where, surrounded by her
+cousins, she was as indefatigable in admiring Herr von Busche's feats,
+as that gentleman himself was in performing them. And he was willing to
+bear in patience that she was taken up by her friends all the evening,
+even as he was himself by the rest of the company, and that thus he had
+not found one single moment when he might have approached her, might
+have told her what she knew already, what no longer required to be
+said, what could be said only by a kiss on those pure, sweet lips.
+
+In such rapturous dreams his soul was rejoicing whilst he was
+conversing gaily with the Russian beauty. And rapture, too, it was to
+compare this foreign beauty, from whom, in spite of her youth, the
+strong and not always pure breath of the great world had long ago
+brushed away the dainty down, with the chaste grace of the beloved
+maid. She needed no sparkling diamonds, no jingling of golden
+bracelets; she could dispense with all these over-refined arts of the
+toilet, this coquetterie which calculated every pose of the plump
+little frame, every movement of the round arms and the white hands,
+every rise and fall of the long lids, every glance, every smile from
+the black eyes! His Erna was the fairer and nobler of the two, a born
+Princess!
+
+In their conversation, which was carried on, as far as Bertram was
+concerned, all the more eagerly the less his heart was touched by it,
+and to which Alexandra, passing as lightly as a bird from one subject
+to another, was constantly adding fresh topics of interest, they were
+interrupted by the loud laughter of the girls. Indeed, two of the
+sisters came rushing into the drawing-room to invite those who were
+there to come and admire a positively incredible trick which Herr von
+Busche had just performed, and which he was prepared to repeat--but by
+universal desire only. They drew the others away with them, uncle and
+aunt, the Herr _Oberfoerster_ and the Baron.
+
+"You would like to go," said Alexandra. "Do not stay on my account. I
+have already withdrawn you too long from the society of the others."
+
+"You dismiss me?"
+
+"One should never detain any one who wants to escape!"
+
+"But what has brought such evil suspicion upon me?"
+
+"Your eyes, which are constantly, though ever so discreetly, wandering
+to that door, in whose frame, it is true, the group of young ladies
+appears as full of charms as one of Winterhalter's tableaux. Four
+girls, one of whom, for the sake of contrast, I suppose, has had the
+superb inspiration to be ugly, while the other three vie with each
+other in beauty. Which of the girls do you think the most beautiful?"
+
+"I thought the question could not be asked."
+
+"Do you think so? But since I have asked it, I suppose you will have to
+be polite enough to answer it. You mean the young lady with the lovely
+neck and the glorious Titian-like hair? I could wager that you do."
+
+"Don't; you would lose your wager."
+
+"Then I declare that you are not an impartial judge, perhaps absolutely
+bribed; bribed by the rose, say, that you wear in your button-hole."
+
+Alexandra had dropped the eye-glass which she had raised to look upon
+the group of girls in the doorway, and now, turning swiftly round to
+Bertram, she looked laughingly into his eyes, and said--
+
+"That was indiscreet, was it not?"
+
+"Not at all," Bertram replied. "This rose, it is true, is the gift of
+one of the young ladies, and indeed, of the one who seems to me to be
+by far the most beautiful--the daughter of our host, if you wish to
+know. But it was no secret gift. I have had it awarded to me before the
+whole party assembled, as a reward, by the way, for staying a few days
+longer than I had promised. You see in this case, as in so many others,
+the small merit is out of all proportion to the great reward."
+
+"Then I was not altogether wrong," said Alexandra, "there was a certain
+amount of bribery connected with it, although there was no call for it.
+Openly speaking, I can but confirm your decision. Fraeulein Erna is by
+far the most beautiful, most graceful, most interesting, not only of
+the few young ladies yonder, but of all those I have recently, perhaps
+whom I have ever seen. And my evidence is assuredly unprejudiced and
+unbribed, nay, more, it is generous, for, between you and me, Fraeulein
+Erna is not treating me in a friendly way."
+
+"That," Bertram asserted eagerly, "is assuredly a mistake; it may seem
+so, but her cousins are claiming so much of her attention, and, perhaps
+too, having been so little in society as yet, she may be a little shy
+before a lady of the _grand monde_."
+
+"Perhaps," said Alexandra, "although the latter alternative would not
+be very flattering for me, seeing that I fancy, besides being somewhat
+of a grand lady, I have remained a good deal of the _bonne enfant_. Nor
+have I at all given up the hope of proving to the dear child that I am
+indeed her friend. I believe I have found out that she needs one. Do
+you not think so?"
+
+Bertram was puzzled. But she had spoken kindly, naturally, just like
+some one rather given to blurt out whatever thought came uppermost.
+
+"Who does not need friends?" he answered with a smile.
+
+"Very true," replied the Princess, "and very diplomatic. I quite
+understand your diplomacy. You are the friend of this fair creature; it
+is therefore your bounden duty, if other people clamour for admission
+to the ranks of her friends, to be very critical, particularly so if it
+strikes you as incomprehensible whence those others derive the sudden
+sympathy to which they lay claim. But, _que voulez-vous?_ A young
+woman, whose heart is wholly unoccupied, and who is driven about in the
+world by this aforesaid unoccupied heart, like a balloon that has lost
+its ballast--what other and what better thing can she do, than be
+interested in anything interesting that chance puts in her way? This is
+my occupation. Any occupation seriously pursued makes you an expert,
+sooner or later, in that occupation. I have always pursued mine
+seriously, and have pursued it long enough to claim to be something
+like an expert in it. Now here everything is so simple and clear that
+the meanest understanding can make for itself a fairly correct picture
+in half a dozen hours. Given: a man who would be the very pattern of a
+loving father for his daughter, if he were not a rare specimen of the
+truly obedient husband; a wife who would swear by all she held sacred
+that she thinks of nothing but how to make her daughter happy, and who
+makes her as unhappy as only a narrow-hearted narrow-minded mother
+can make a singularly gifted, large-hearted daughter; an aged
+scandal-loving, intriguing _confidante_, who likes to make mischief,
+the better to pursue her own mean objects in troubled waters; a young
+suitor, endowed by nature for the very part of _jeune premier_ at a
+second-rate theatre; an older friend of the family whose clear, clever
+eyes see all this, of course, and whose whole sympathy, equally a
+matter of course, is enlisted for the girl whose gradual growth and
+glorious development he has watched. Why, I should think the matter was
+as plain as the 'secret' in the most casual novel. And, should you care
+for a more complicated ... fable,--let the friend of the family
+conceive a serious, passionate attachment to the 'dear child,' and then
+you have abundant material for volume number two."
+
+Bertram started. This could no longer--it was impossible--be the mere
+inspiration of the moment, and only a harmless _causerie_. There was
+treachery at work here, evidently inspired by Hildegard, with whom the
+Russian lady had, a short time ago, conversed so long and so eagerly.
+And if the Princess, as was quite possible, considering the great
+vivacity of her disposition, had already chosen a side: which side?
+Erna's? or that of her mother? Probably the latter, for she spoke so
+very bitterly of her. One does that kind of thing to draw one's
+opponent out. But in that case the great lady must use greater cunning
+yet.
+
+"I admire your wonderful imagination," he said, "and if I were a poet,
+I would envy it. How charming to see poetical elements everywhere, and
+also to be at once clear as to the arranging and dove-tailing which
+torments the poet so much. You should really make a book of it. Even if
+the subject is not quite new--where, indeed, could, quite new ones be
+found nowadays?--a clever author will see something new even in the
+most hackneyed subject. For myself, of course, the second volume would
+be specially interesting, when the old friend of the family comes on
+the stage; for him, of course, the business cannot possibly end well."
+
+"I beg," said the Princess, "that you, will not spoil my text. I have
+by no means said that my hero is old. On the contrary, he is in the
+prime of life; of that age when we women only begin to find you men
+amiable, and rightly so, for you only begin then to become amiable;
+somewhere about fifty, we'll say."
+
+Bertram bowed.
+
+"Accept my sincere thanks," he said, "in my own name, seeing I am of
+the amiable age, and in the name of my many contemporaries. You are
+taking a load off my heart, for now, equally of course, the issue need
+by no means be so bad. The chances for and against are anyhow equal."
+
+"There, again, you go too far," replied the Princess. "The bad issue,
+to be sure, is no longer necessary; it must, however, always remain
+probable."
+
+"Always?"
+
+"I think so, even under the most favourable circumstances."
+
+"What would you call favourable circumstances?"
+
+"We will talk of that later on. Let us first take a specially
+unfavourable case, which, perhaps, is so all the more the less it would
+appear to be so. It seems, for example, that our fair young friend
+would feel less keenly the difference in years, and all the unpleasant
+and awkward things connected with it, and resulting from it. She is--at
+least so I judge her to be, and that is sufficient for our purpose--one
+of those deeply serious natures who are greatly given to confounding
+the wild phantasies of the head with the true enthusiasm of the heart,
+and who will conscientiously, and to its utmost consequences, adhere to
+what once they have seized upon and vowed. But I presume that she is as
+passionate as she is conscientious; and if her passion and her
+conscience once come in conflict, the struggle will be terrific. She
+may come forth victorious from the battle, but what avails a victory
+that ends in resignation? There we should have an issue, which may be
+convenient enough for the oldish husband, but then--his convenience and
+her happiness are surely very different things."
+
+"If I under stand you correctly," Bertram made answer, "you plead for
+the same theory which I hold, too, and which, as it happens, I have had
+to defend repeatedly during the last few days in our little circle:
+namely, that a man who is no longer young, cannot become the object of
+a passionate attachment on the part of a young girl; or it is anyhow in
+some way an aberration, and therefore cannot last."
+
+"That is exactly what I mean," the Princess assented eagerly. "We come,
+then, to a law of nature, which we must accept like other laws,
+although they are by no means flattering, nay, downright humiliating to
+our pride. Perhaps, however, on the other hand, the danger of an error
+and of the consequent conflict is not quite so great in the case in
+point, since the curiously-veiled radiance of the glorious eyes of that
+fair child seems to imply that she has already more than a mere vague
+foreboding of that passion--that she has already loved, perhaps loved
+unhappily, and would, consequently, not have to make these bitter
+experiences, which teach us to be wise, and quiet, and resigned, one
+after the other, in actual wedlock. But who is to give us the guarantee
+that the last supposition is correct? I could tell you a curious story,
+if you care to hear it."
+
+"You simply owe me the story, my gracious Princess, as a proof of our
+joint theory."
+
+"Well, it is fortunately not a long story, and the rest of the company
+have given us up, anyhow. Listen, then."
+
+Alexandra's eyes had been examining the large chamber; they were quite
+alone in it now, for all the others were crowding with merry laughter
+round the magician's table. She leaned forward in her chair; Bertram
+courteously, approached his own, and she began with a lowered voice,
+keeping her black eyes under the half closed lids steadily fixed upon
+him:--
+
+"The scene is Paris; the time some two years ago; the heroine is a
+friend of mine, a lady belonging to the highest society in France,
+whose fate had been similar to my own in one respect only: she too had
+married at sixteen, and been shortly after left a childless widow.
+Claudine--I give you her Christian name alone, for the other is
+unimportant to us--was not only, of course, much more beautiful than I,
+in fact, extraordinarily beautiful and much more gifted; she was also
+for good--and, as I may add without boasting, for evil--a much greater,
+more energetic creature. Not that I have anything very bad to say of
+dear Claudine, or, at least, nothing worse than has been said of many a
+woman who could not, perhaps, claim such weighty 'extenuating
+circumstances.' Her mother had, for reasons of her own, persuaded her
+into this marriage, which had turned out singularly unhappy. Her
+husband, although allowing for the difference of sex, he was scarcely
+older than she herself at the time of the marriage--he was then
+two-and-twenty--had, though so young, already managed to be
+acknowledged as one of the completest _roues_ of all Paris, in spite of
+the keen rivalry of his high-born compeers. He had seen in the innocent
+young girl only an additional mistress whom, after a brief period, one
+could neglect with the greater impunity, since one could feel sure of
+her, and since she, moreover, in spite of, or perhaps, rather because
+of, her pride, did not seem to belong to those troublesome women who
+make 'scenes.' And indeed, after she had realised what, from another
+side, was made clear to her, they had but one 'scene,' but a terrible
+one, a recurrence of which was both impossible and unnecessary. He
+thoroughly understood her then--and she had proved a hundred times the
+stronger of the two. He was allowed to continue his own way of living,
+on the one condition that he did not concern himself in the least about
+hers. And hers? Well, I told you hers was a passionate nature, and she
+was an unhappy wife; that combination can yield nothing but
+unhappiness. Fortunately for her, she was speedily set free from the
+worst impulse, the one which had poisoned and warped her passionate
+nature; for her husband died. She was free once more, and vowed to
+remain free. Not that she did not mean to marry again; in the circles
+where she lived, she could only by a second marriage escape from the
+bondage of those relationships into which one is forced as into a new
+fashion, abominable though you may think either. Her second marriage
+was but to guarantee her a clear position in the world; the other
+guarantees for peace and for freedom she thought she bore within
+herself. And so she made her choice.
+
+"At this period of the story I became intimate with Claudine, whose
+acquaintance I had previously but hurriedly made when travelling. It
+was in Trouville. You know how swiftly people become intimate in a
+watering-place. She introduced to me the victor in the endless row of
+suitors for her hand. After careful examination I could not altogether
+agree with her choice. In most points, it is true, he answered the
+requirements of the programme. He was no longer young--fifty-one,
+or -two; held a high command in the army, and brought her as dower a
+not inglorious past. He had led a wild and wandering life, and been the
+hero of a thousand adventures, but there was not the slightest stain
+upon his name--at least not in the eyes of society. Moreover, though
+not an intellectual man,--which she would have disliked in the long
+run,--he was one of those who are able to captivate even the most
+fastidious company, by their quick perception, their lively
+temperament, and their varied and abundant experience, upon which they
+can, aided by an excellent memory and natural eloquence, draw at all
+times. All this was, as I said, excellent as far as it went; but one
+thing I thought very hazardous--it seemed by no means impossible to me
+that he should still be capable of a serious, passionate attachment,
+and--this comes, almost to the same thing--still capable of inspiring
+it. Now, either lay assuredly beyond the programme which my friend had
+sketched out for herself.
+
+"I told Claudine of my fears. She endeavoured to argue me out of them
+thus: 'What you think to be real and direct light,' she would say, 'is
+nothing but the reflection of the sun that set long ago upon glacial
+Alpine summits. It looks beautiful, and people cry, Ah! and Oh! when
+they see it; and for their sake I would not willingly miss it. But one
+cannot be warmed by it, or set on fire by it! My dear child, with all
+that blaze you could not make your kettle boil, far less rekindle the
+bitter and bare embers of a heart like mine!'
+
+"As far as the gentleman was concerned, Claudine might be right. At
+least the somewhat boastful and exaggerated gallantry with which he
+laid his homage at her feet corresponded, as far as I could judge,
+exactly with her prediction. But how greatly she had been mistaken
+about herself the immediate future was to show.
+
+"There were delays before the marriage could be concluded. Both
+Claudine and her friend had to free themselves from certain tender
+bonds. That required tact, management, caution. Moreover, she had
+become entangled in a law-suit with the family of her first husband,
+which, for some reason or other, might end badly for her, if it became
+known that she was contemplating a second marriage. Enough, absolute
+secrecy regarding their relations and intentions was requisite for some
+considerable time, and they had both taken their measures accordingly.
+Claudine had retired from society, and lived in deepest seclusion near
+Paris, on the estate of a widowed sister of her friend's--she, of
+course, being in the secret. Her friend went to see her when he
+could--which was not often the case. The requirements of the service
+were just then peculiarly exacting, and it was not possible for him to
+indulge in frequent absences, which anyhow, in the case of a man whom
+society did not care to miss, and whose doings society carefully
+controlled, would have caused remarks. The situation became even more
+critical when, in spite of all precaution, Claudine's place of sojourn
+had after a little been discovered, and when she saw herself watched by
+her foes at every turn. At last they scarcely dared to write to each
+other, dreading lest by treason on the part of bribed domestics a
+letter should be intercepted or purloined. It became absolutely
+indispensible to employ a thoroughly trustworthy go-between, on whom,
+at the same time, it should be impossible that suspicion could fall,
+and her friend found one--found him in the person of a young officer in
+his regiment, the son of an old companion in arms who had fallen in the
+last campaign--a young officer whom he loved like his own son, and who
+was likewise devoted to his chief in most loyal love. The youth had
+soon an opportunity of indeed proving that love and loyalty."
+
+Alexandra drew a long breath, as though she were fatigued by the rapid
+low-voiced utterance. In her deep black eyes which now, after a quick
+survey of the still untenanted chamber, she turned upon Bertram again,
+there was an uneasy light, and the soft voice quivered as she went on,
+now speaking even quicker and lower than before, so that Bertram could
+scarcely follow her--
+
+"I must be more brief if I am ever to finish my story. And why, indeed,
+picture in detail to a man like you what you understand without
+comment, and what, understanding, you pardon! Poor Claudine! She
+thought she needed no forgiveness. She thought she was in the right
+when she abandoned herself without resistance to a passion, which
+indeed would seem to have brooked no resistance. I had never observed
+anything like this with any other woman--least of all, God be thanked,
+with myself. I should simply not have deemed it possible. It was like a
+hurricane--a cyclone; it was simply awful! I trembled for the reason,
+for the very life of the unhappy woman: for she could not conceal from
+herself that her passion was not returned, although she, being anyhow
+little accustomed to control herself, and being now solely engaged by
+her own overpowering feelings, neither would nor could hide her great
+love from the handsome young officer. Fortunately for her, the
+catastrophe was not long in coming. Nay, rather, she brought it about
+herself, resolute and energetic as she always was; and now feeling that
+so, and only so, she might yet save herself from herself, she forced
+from him the avowal that his heart was no longer free, that it was
+entirely filled by his love for a charming young girl whose
+acquaintance he had made in a distant garrison-town where a portion of
+his regiment had until recently been quartered, and to whom he had
+become engaged in secret. The youth was bitterly poor, the girl's
+parents were rich and proud; he wanted to have his captain's commission
+before he ventured to apply for her hand, and--dear, dear--they were
+both of them so young and so romantic, and so fond of each other, and
+in their love they were so sure of the future. Why then be niggardly
+with the moment? And secrecy is like a phantastic mask through the
+hollow apertures of which the light in the eyes of those we love shines
+with doubly seductive brilliancy.
+
+"Claudine was at first utterly crushed by a blow which, in spite of
+everything, had found her unprepared--for where is the loving heart
+that would willingly let the last faint gleam of hope die out? Then
+there came a fierce burst of jealous resentment, raging like a fever;
+then she endeavoured to wrap herself in her pride and to see in the
+idol of her heart the last and least of men; and ultimately she
+grovelled at his feet and entreated him to look upon her as his slave,
+and the slave of her whom he loved, and to ask from her what he would,
+to bid her do what he chose, and do it she would by all that she held
+sacred!
+
+"Nor was it long before he took her at her word.
+
+"One day he came to her presence, haggard of look, in a state of
+desperation, scarcely worse than the one over which she herself had but
+so recently triumphed. The girl had sent him back the half-dozen
+letters which he had written to her in the twelvemonth since they were
+separated, and the tiny collection of ribbons and flowers and other
+tokens with which innocent love tries to prove to itself its own
+fabulous fairylike existence. I know not, nor does it matter, how she
+had heard the story of his connection with Claudine; not of course, the
+true story, but a caricature, such as the clumsy hands of one's own
+good friends and the subtle hands of one's foes are equally able to
+sketch and fill in with revolting effectiveness. Anyhow, the young lady
+had made up her mind, and as she belonged to those energetic characters
+that cling tenaciously to their errors, things really looked desperate
+for Claudine's youthful friend. Every attempt on his part to bring an
+understanding about was abruptly refused; the poor fellow at last was
+in downright despair; he told his sorrows to Claudine, who told him
+that she would bring him back the loved one whom, for her sake, he had
+lost; he looked at her with an incredulous smile. How was she--she
+particularly--to manage that?
+
+"But she had never yet let herself be baulked by difficulties if she
+really cared to have her own way, even though, it might have been but a
+whim. And now the noblest impulse that can fill a woman's heart urged
+her to energetic action. Above all, she had to prove to herself, and to
+those to whom she had so greatly boasted, that, though she had become
+unfaithful to her programme, and had not guarded herself against a
+passionate attachment--which she called the only real one of all her
+life--she yet possessed the force to subdue this passion, and to
+re-conquer her own peace of heart. Only personal interference on her
+part could now bring them to the wished-for goal; but that alone would
+not suffice; the friend, too, for whose sake the youth had sacrificed
+himself, must needs come forward. That, of course, would completely put
+an end to the secrecy of their connection, and this just at the moment
+when the lawsuit was at last about to be settled, and when so much
+depended upon having the veil drawn as closely as possible. For herself
+no such consideration existed; but she was by no means sure that her
+friend, who, of course, did not know her real motives, and could never
+be allowed to know them, and who equally, of course, took things much
+more coolly, thought the same; nor did she know at all whether the
+young man would accept the sacrifice. So it became necessary to create
+a situation, which should not leave either of them a choice, whether
+they cared to join or not; and whilst she was cudgelling her brain how
+to bring such a situation about, an unprecedentedly lucky accident had
+already arranged everything according to her wishes, nay, far beyond
+her most daring wishes, in the very best manner possible. To explain
+the full details would take me too long, and is not really called for;
+enough, circumstances over which they could not possibly have control,
+would bring both gentlemen on a given day to the house of the parents
+of the young lady in question. Claudine, still keeping her own counsel,
+managed to get a day's start of them, introduced herself--by what means
+I cannot remember--into the family who, I may add, was absolutely
+unknown to her, and she was, having presumably got hold of some
+excellent letters of recommendation or something of that sort, most
+kindly received by every one, excepting, of course, the young lady
+herself, who, with feelings that can be readily imagined, saw the foe
+suddenly in the secure camp of her parental abode, and avoided her in
+every way. That, Claudine had expected; she looked forward with glee to
+the following day which was to remove all obstacles, solve all enigmas.
+But who can describe her terror when she, who has eyes and ears for
+everything, and who, in a few hours, was completely at home on the new
+and strange ground, discovered among the visitors, besides a suitor
+_sans consequence_, a man whom an abundance of exquisite gifts and
+qualities and a whole sequence of special relations, every one of which
+spoke for him, might turn, nay, if everything did not belie assurances,
+had already turned into a terrible rival for her young friend. For ..."
+
+Alexandra paused, glancing at the same time at the other room; then she
+said with a laugh which sounded quite natural--
+
+"But I really do not think it right to keep you any longer from the
+rest of the company, and to go on with my experiment as to whether is
+greater, your patience or my garrulousness. Moreover, the rest does not
+properly belong to the story, at least not to the story I meant to tell
+you. Come away!"
+
+She had risen swiftly; Bertram followed her example so hesitatingly
+that she could hardly leave at once. And then, having risen, he
+remained standing, leaning one arm on the mantelpiece, and said--
+
+"What a pity! What a great pity! I should have so much liked hearing
+the rest. The more so, as I believe it contains a new illustration to
+the moral of the fable. Or am I mistaken in assuming that the
+unexpected rival is ... no longer a young man?"
+
+His lips were smiling; still Alexandra thought that his large
+expressive eyes we're resting upon her with a very meaning, very
+searching look; yet she managed to put on an air of surprise, deeming
+it absolutely requisite now.
+
+"Indeed!" she exclaimed. "How very curious! But then there is no hiding
+anything from you clever men!"
+
+"Oh yes, yes. For example, which of the two suitors succeeded--the
+older and younger, or the newer and older?"
+
+"Charming! Charming! An exquisite play on the words. What a suitable
+language yours is for that kind of thing, in the hands of a real
+master, I mean. Ah! which succeeds? Why, the former, of course!"
+
+"I should scarcely have considered it such a matter of course. I should
+not be surprised if, for all that, the young lady's feelings for him
+had never again recovered the former degree of warmth. Your beautiful
+and clever friend, I admire her extremely, but--do not be angry with me
+for what I am going to say--but I had, during your description of her,
+always to think of Circe. There was only one man who left the palace of
+the sorceress with absolute impunity, and he only by the aid of a
+certain herb a god had given him. Now, young and ardent officers are
+not said to meet the god very frequently."
+
+"But I really cannot make the story anything different from what it
+truly was like," cried the Princess, half pouting, half laughing.
+
+"Certainly not; but what became of the man who was no longer young? How
+bore he the loss of hopes to which he had clung all the more
+tenaciously because he had not many more to lose?"
+
+"That, as a punishment for your scepticism, you are to say yourself."
+
+"How can I? Had he been a poet he might have written a novel, after the
+manner of the 'Elective Affinities,' and thus cleared his soul from the
+purgatory of jealousy and humiliation. But being no poet ..."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"I assume it. I am driven to assume things, am I not?"
+
+"Well then?"
+
+"Therefore his ultimate fate is quite problematical to me. There are so
+many and such various possibilities. Perhaps he killed himself, or
+perhaps he married your fair friend."
+
+"My friend--Claudine? Oh, this is exquisite!" The Princess laughed
+aloud, and Bertram laughed too.
+
+"It is not," he said, "after all so very laughable, or at least so very
+improbable. Upon the basis of mutual imperturbability, I should think
+one could erect and overthrow and rebuild relationships, like houses of
+cards."
+
+"Mow malicious!" cried Alexandra, "and yet how true! Claudine must hear
+of this; I must write this to Claudine!"
+
+"For goodness sake not, most gracious lady; or, anyhow, do not mention
+me by name! I travel a good deal, the lady probably too; we might meet
+some day by some unlucky chance, even as the luckiest of chances has
+brought me into your presence. How hideously embarrassed I should be!"
+
+"Very well, your name shall not be mentioned, then. Here is my hand in
+pledge of this."
+
+And she held out to him her small hand with its many rings.
+
+"But now I really must disturb your tete-a-tete," said Hildegard,
+entering from the adjoining drawing-room.
+
+"It is just finished!" the Princess called out to her; then turning
+again to Bertram, she said, "And thank you very much for a most
+charming _causerie_!"
+
+"It is for me to say thank you, my Lady. Your story was most
+interesting, and you told it capitally."
+
+He touched those slim fingers with his lips as Alexandra left him. She
+hurried up to Hildegard, who had remained standing, gazing with great
+wondering eyes at the group by the fireside, and putting her arm
+through that of her hostess and drawing her away with her, the Russian
+lady whispered--
+
+"You are absolutely mistaken, or else the man is the greatest actor I
+ever saw."
+
+Bertram had bent over the fire; with his left hand he was half
+unconsciously stirring up the dying embers in the grate, his right hand
+was laid on the rose he wore, which he wore above a heart now quivering
+in spasmodic agony, and he painfully whispered to himself--
+
+"Ashes to ashes!"
+
+His hand, nerveless, glided down.
+
+"No," he murmured, "no, not yet; I will hear it from herself."
+
+
+
+
+                                  XVI.
+
+
+The company was breaking up now. The gentlemen from the _Oberfoersterei_
+were anxious to avail themselves of the momentary cessation of the rain
+for their homeward drive; the Princess, pleading fatigue, had retired,
+and Hildegard speedily gave the signal for retreat to the others.
+
+"We shall have a trying day to-morrow," she said, "we all need rest
+beforehand. And this remark is specially meant for you young ladies; I
+really must request you not to lark and laugh, as is usual with you,
+till a late hour!"
+
+The unexpected visit of Princess Alexandra had considerably diminished
+the available spare rooms, seeing so many were reserved for the
+officers, who were expected on the following day; for her protest
+against having to accept a splendid saloon, a dressing-room, and a
+couple of bedrooms for herself and her maid, had met with no response.
+Hildegard had assured her that there was abundant room, and that she
+blushed as it was at having to offer such humble quarters to so valued
+and cherished a guest. But the two bedrooms had really been originally
+intended for the three sisters von Palm, who had now to be content with
+a tiny chamber in the turret, whilst a bed for Agatha was rigged up in
+Erna's bedroom. Fortunately for the young ladies, the corridor by the
+side of which Erna's rooms were situated, brought one after a very few
+steps to the door of the turret-chamber; and thus, in spite of
+Hildegard's special injunction to the contrary, there was for an hour
+or so plenty of rushing to and fro, and no end of laughing and giggling
+and eager secret whispering and chattering, until at last 'Granny'
+Agatha blew out the light in her sisters' room, and drawing with her
+Erna, who this evening was in the highest spirits imaginable, groped
+her way to the door.
+
+"I could not bear your mirth any longer," she said, when they had
+arrived in Erna's room; "I thought every moment ... Good Heaven! I knew
+how it would be."
+
+She had begun to undo her hair before the mirror, and now started on
+hearing a pitiful moan. Erna was sitting in a low chair by her own
+bedside, both hands pressed to her face. The slender frame seemed
+shaken as though by a fit of ague, the gentle bosom rose and fell
+feverishly, and her breath came and went with difficulty, as if she
+were moaning. Her friend was now kneeling by her side, and held her
+clasped with both arms; her head fell on Agatha's shoulder, and at last
+the long-repressed tears welled forth in a violent flood. She was
+weeping as though her very heart must break.
+
+"My poor, poor Erna! My own sweet love! Weep, weep away! Better this,
+better far than that awful unnatural mirth of yours all day. You will
+come round now. You will be again my own sensible Erna. Poor, unhappy,
+darling child! All things will come right now. It is impossible for any
+one not to love you, and, believe me, he, too, loves you still."
+
+"I would not have his love. I am no longer thinking of him. I hate, I
+loathe him!"
+
+"Then why should you weep like this?"
+
+Erna started to her feet, flinging off Agatha's protecting arm.
+
+"Do you think I weep for him?"
+
+She was pacing up and down the bed-chamber. Her long hair, which she
+had previously undone, fell in dark masses over her neck and bosom; her
+face was aglow, her eyes were flashing wildly.
+
+"For him? Never say that again! For him, forsooth! I have wept for very
+shame, because that woman dares to come before me, and I must bear it!
+because I cannot step up to her and hurl defiance at her painted face:
+Away from this house--honest people live here! Even audacity should
+have its bounds, and hers is boundless!"
+
+Agatha had now risen from her knees, and was sitting in her chair
+casting looks of pain at Erna and waiting in patience, until at least
+the first tempest of wrath should have passed.
+
+"I am sure," she said at last, "that he does not even know that she is
+here, and--you are sure, too."
+
+"And were it so," cried Erna, "what does it alter? The sting lies in
+her daring to do it at all. She would not do so, did she not know from
+the beginning how he will take it. Perhaps he will be terrified just at
+first--I dare say he will--and then he will thank her for having had
+the base courage to help him to achieve this vile triumph. In fact,
+they are a worthy couple!"
+
+"It would be quite too terrible," said Agatha, shaking her head.
+"People cannot be as bad as that; it is impossible."
+
+"Oh, of course!" cried Erna scornfully; "quite impossible; as
+impossible as that he will himself be here to-morrow."
+
+"But, Erna, an officer is surely bound to go to any place to which he
+is ordered. In such a case he has no will of his own."
+
+"Then he should have a pistol of his own, and rather put a bullet into
+his head than let a shameless woman make him figure in such a
+spectacle, if indeed she, the wretch, has arranged a spectacle for my
+humiliation. But she is very much mistaken. I shall not let her have
+her triumph. I, even I, shall triumph. Let her boast of her conquest, I
+shall outshine it and her by far. Oh! how I look forward to to-morrow's
+joy! What are a thousand like him to the best of men, the only one?"
+
+"Erna! Erna!!" cried Agatha aghast, lifting both her folded hands in
+agonised entreaty, "I conjure you, do not go too far. Do not make
+yourself for ever unhappy. Do not make Kurt unhappy...."
+
+"Do not mention his name!" Erna exclaimed. "I wish to hear no more."
+
+"I must mention his name, for I must speak of him, and you must hear
+me, lest you do something of which you will for ever and ever repent."
+
+"Why repent? I love Bertram!"
+
+"You do not."
+
+"Can you read in my heart?"
+
+"Yes, dear, better than you can yourself, being now blinded by passion.
+And however angrily you may look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours,
+that I myself am in love with, and though you send me away for good and
+all, and though I cry myself to death for love of you--I should not be
+loving you, and I should not be your poor, unhappy 'Granny' if ..."
+
+Poor child! She could get no further. Like Erna half an hour ago, she
+was now sitting, her hands pressed to her face, weeping convulsively,
+and now Erna was kneeling by her side, and tried to draw those hands
+away from her countenance, and begged her to calm herself, and to be
+fond of her again, and to be once more her own good 'Granny.'
+
+Then--neither could have said how the change of scene had been brought
+about--Erna was lying in her bed, and Agatha, in her nightgown, was
+sitting on the edge of the bedstead, and all they had discussed during
+these last days in many a fragmentary talk was once more, and now
+connectedly, discussed between them. But if clever Agatha had flattered
+herself that she would thus induce the fair penitent to see that her
+little soul was not, after all, as black as she thought in her
+excitement, that hope was not destined to be fulfilled; the very
+contrary happened. With every word she uttered Erna seemed to talk
+herself more and more into a passion, in the existence of which Agatha
+would not, and yet all but had to, believe, when her friend now
+recapitulated all her relations to Bertram, beginning with that first
+meeting in the woods, and continuing her account, to this very evening,
+and when Erna tried to prove from a hundred minute details, which she
+strung together with marvellous logic, that there was on her part no
+whim, no caprice, no aberration of an extravagant fancy, no
+satisfaction of injured pride, no despair, no, nought but true and
+genuine love that knew no bounds, and knew only the one doubt whether
+she herself was worthy of the man she loved. But not unworthy because
+she had once before thought herself in love. That was a necessary error
+for the sake of getting her to understand herself; to convince her that
+love was not an intoxication, but a deep and clear sentiment attracting
+and absorbing all other feeling and thought, even as a mighty stream
+absorbs the springs and brooks around; and now in her love, like banks
+in the waves of a stream, were mirrored her whole existence, her past
+and her present, mirrored and beautified, made far more glorious than
+reality.
+
+Erna's words flowed on, not unlike the object of the image in which she
+saw her life and love; and her voice, although pitched so low, had such
+a curiously intense ring, and her great eyes, which were opened wide,
+shone so strangely in the flickering light of the tall candles upon the
+dressing-table, that poor Agatha was almost beside herself with terror.
+Was Erna still aware of what she was saying? Was she raving? And,
+horrible to think of, could she be going mad?
+
+"Erna! Erna!" she cried aloud, seizing and pressing both her hands.
+"Awake, awake! I have just been counting it up--when you are
+eight-and-thirty, like your mother now, he will be seventy--only he
+will never reach that age."
+
+Erna gave a contemptuous smile.
+
+"I thought so!" she said. "As if time had anything to do with love! As
+if one year during which I can serve him, love him, did not outweigh a
+century! O Agatha, how meanly you think of love! And if he dies
+to-morrow, I'll die with him! There, that is the way I count, and I
+think it is simple and plain enough."
+
+Despair lent Agatha courage enough to revert to the one point on which,
+as she had observed more than once during the last day or two, Erna was
+most sensitive.
+
+"I will grant it all," she said. "I will believe all you assert about
+yourself, for I cannot read your heart. But Herr Bertram's heart is not
+your heart, and what is going on in his heart, Heaven only knows; you
+do not know it, at least he has never betrayed it to you by word or
+look. And I hold that he would have done so long ago if he loved you.
+What reasons should he have for hiding his love?"
+
+"A thousand!" exclaimed Erna. "Or is it not a reason that he should
+have tortured himself for days with the idea that I might be fond of
+the Baron?"
+
+"That idea he has assuredly given up ere this."
+
+"Then, that mamma will be furious."
+
+"For all that, he might tell you what he feels for you."
+
+"And what if he doubts whether I love him?"
+
+"Good Heavens, dearest! how can he doubt that?"
+
+"He can indeed. During the first few days I was not clear about it
+myself. And when I was feeling that I loved him, I often was odd and
+capricious and defiant; and above all, when I discovered that the
+letter was missing from my blotting-book, and I hunted for it
+everywhere, and when suddenly it turned up again, having in the
+meantime passed through I do not know how many hands, and having very
+surely been read by mamma too--I was so indignant, I could see that he
+sometimes did not know what to think of me."
+
+"You did not make him feel your indignation; on the contrary, you gave
+him one token of your favour after the other."
+
+"And in that I did right, for I was determined to let mamma see that I
+was not afraid of her wrath."
+
+"And that rose to-day! and your prayer that he should stay--for your
+sake! Was that right too?"
+
+"Was I to let him go to-morrow?"
+
+"If he wanted to go, was it for you to keep him? Erna, there is but one
+thing wanting now. Why not say to him: 'Will you marry me?'"
+
+"And I should not think it shame to say so, if I were sure that he
+wished me to do so. Yes, yes; he does wish it; I see it clearly now; he
+wishes to avoid even the semblance of suspicion of having beguiled and
+over-persuaded me; he wishes it on account of my father and mother.
+Well, God be thanked, now I know what I have to do to-morrow."
+
+"Nay, the pity of it, Erna, the pity of it, that you can talk in such a
+way; for it is impossible that you should really think so, really do
+it. My proud Erna cannot forget herself so far. I entreat you, by our
+great friendship, Erna, follow my advice in this one thing; if it must
+be, let him at least say the first word--the word that then will be
+decisive of your fate; and then let come what God will!"
+
+She had folded her hands as if in prayer; big tears were coursing down
+her cheeks. The simple expression of her great grief touched Erna. She
+embraced "Granny" and kissed her, and promised at last that she would
+do what Agatha kept asking of her again and again.
+
+"And now get to your bed, you poor child! You are so wearied, and I
+too."
+
+Agatha had already lain quietly in bed for an hour or so, mournfully
+thinking it all over again, and assuming that Erna, who did not stir
+either, had fallen asleep, when suddenly she thought that she heard
+subdued sobs.
+
+"Erna!"
+
+No answer.
+
+"Erna! If it comes out that Kurt is really innocent, what will you do?"
+
+Again no answer.
+
+Had she been mistaken? Had Erna wept in her sleep? Had she really asked
+that question of Erna? Or had she only thought of it?
+
+
+
+
+                                 XVII.
+
+
+It was a day of tremendous excitement for all the in habitants of
+Rinstedt. True, the arrival of the soldiers was not to occur before
+four o'clock in the afternoon, but it was known that the corps to which
+the 99th belonged had been on the march from the north since four
+o'clock in the morning, in order to take possession of certain
+positions whence they were to operate against the fortress. And that
+might turn out an awkward job, for not only was the fortress strongly
+manned, but there was also approaching from the west, in forced
+marches, a large hostile corps, and against them the 99th would have to
+be on their guard, if they did not mean to get wedged in between them
+and the garrison, who were simply awaiting the moment for making a
+sally. Thus the attacking party being themselves attacked, might get
+into desperate straits.
+
+The village-mayor had expounded this situation to the farmers,
+and he ought to know. He had been only three days ago to see his
+brother-in-law, who was employed in the War-Office branch at Erfurt. He
+had himself served in the French war as sergeant, and in that capacity
+he had, during the fighting about Orleans, been in command of a
+company, every officer of which was dead or _hors de combat_. And as
+almost half his auditory consisted of men who had served in the army,
+and who only required to draw upon the ample treasury of their
+experiences and reminiscences, in order to confirm or contradict the
+assertions of their chief, there had been no lack of eager discussion
+in the village inn. But from the very beginning the opposition had not
+been strong, and ultimately it was almost completely silenced. The
+whole village now stood like one man on the side of the attacking
+party, and the 99th was only spoken of as "Our Regiment." Their arrival
+was looked forward to with the utmost impatience, as though they were
+bringing relief and release from some yoke long borne.
+
+My Lady's urgent appeal to give "Our Regiment" a brilliant reception,
+and to let nothing be wanting, had met with the readier a response,
+since she had not only, with customary liberality, taken upon herself
+the cost of any "extraordinaria," to use the expression of the
+village-mayor, but in the case of the poorer inhabitants in whose
+houses accommodation and larder were not of the best, had specially
+promised to pay for anything and everything, and had actually freely
+distributed money beforehand. The mansion-house was moreover setting
+the village a capital example. The long winding road up to the house
+was transformed into a _via triumphalis_ with towering poles, from
+which fluttered the German and Thuringian flags, with garlands of
+fir-branches stretching from pole to pole all the way up the hill, up
+to the richly-decorated portals which opened upon the equally
+decked-out great courtyard. And at night a ball in the mansion-house,
+and fireworks on the village-common in front of the lowest flight of
+the terrace-steps, with blue-lights and what not!--No wonder that the
+young barbarians of the village, down to the tiniest lads and lasses,
+were only kept from breaking out into frantic disorder by being
+employed, for days beforehand, in lending a hand in the preparation of
+all these glories.
+
+And yet, much to Hildegard's dismay, it seemed doubtful whether
+everything would be ready in time. Her own attention was fully absorbed
+indoors by the preparations for banquet and ball; and now, at the last
+moment, the Baron had to go to town on business that brooked no delay,
+and she had to entrust the supreme command of the department of the
+exterior to new hands: fortunately Herr von Busche, the young gentleman
+from the Forests and Woods' Office, was willing to take the Baron's
+place.
+
+But yesterday Hildegard would, under no circumstances, have allowed the
+Baron to go, for then his star was still in the ascendant, whilst now
+it was sinking rapidly. For the Princess he no longer existed, after
+she had given her judgment upon him last night; she had not observed
+his entry into the breakfast room, had not returned his bow, just as
+though the not inconsiderable space filled by his presence had been
+vacant. And the Grand Duke had a certain antipathy to this man; and
+even his father's old friend, the influential Court-marshal, did not
+dare to stand up for him energetically. No one seemed to favour him at
+Court, except Princess Amelia, whose caprices, it was notorious, were
+frequently as changing as the phases of the moon. And then that ugly
+Monaco story! It was, of course, not possible that Lotter could be the
+man--gracious goodness, no! Nor had Alexandra said so! But--one ought
+not to have an awkward likeness to people who figure so unpleasantly in
+the memory of distinguished visitors; and then--and this made the
+matter peculiarly unpleasant for Hildegard--she was aware that the
+Baron, even if he was no gambler, was very fond of high play. Up to
+last night this had been one of his gentlemanly foibles, now it was a
+wicked passion which he who was wooing Erna had no right to indulge in!
+
+It was nearly eleven o'clock when the Baron went to find Otto, to ask
+for a carriage to take him to town, and to tell him at the same time
+the drift of the disagreeable news which he had received from home. A
+younger brother, in the army of course, had contracted debts, and was
+on the point of being cashiered if those debts--in the contracting of
+which there would seem to have been some discreditable element or
+other--were not forthwith paid. His relatives, poor people every one of
+them, were incapable of helping the young man; as a last refuge they
+had applied to him, the elder brother, who, though not likely to be
+himself possessed of the necessary means, might yet probably be able to
+obtain the money on loan from the wealthy friends with whom he was on
+such good terms. Could Otto help him in an embarrassment that was
+weighing more heavily upon him than any one of his own making had ever
+done? It was not a big sum which he required--a mere miserable three
+thousand thalers!
+
+Otto was quite distressed. His stock of cash was exhausted by the
+incessant demands that Hildegard had made upon him during the last few
+days, and to-morrow he would have to redeem that mortgage of five
+thousand thalers which he had mentioned to Bertram, without as yet
+knowing where to lay his hands on the money. The moment, of which
+Bertram had said that it would very surely come, was at hand, had, in
+fact, virtually come already; the terrible moment when he must discover
+his situation to his wife. And yet his wife could parry the first
+thrust for him. He had in the course of years given her, on different
+occasions, considerable sums of money as special donations, and all
+this was invested in excellent securities, though she was for ever
+spending the interest beforehand. He loathed the idea of claiming back
+a portion of the money from her, and he had vowed that he would not do
+so, come what might. But still a man will do for a friend what he would
+not have the courage to do for himself; and so he told the Baron that,
+being for the moment unable to oblige him himself, he would ask
+Hildegard to do so, and he felt sure that she would willingly render
+this small service to her _protege_. The Baron hesitated for a moment,
+but opined that one could not discuss such things with women; he would
+find help some other way. He then begged Otto to make his excuses to
+the ladies--who were not to be found, and promised to return, if not
+for dinner, at the latest before the beginning of the ball; managed to
+see Lydia, and so drove off.
+
+Otto would have liked nothing better than to have gone with him. The
+ground beneath him seemed to be on fire. To-day the all-important
+debate in Parliament was coming off. If the vote was in his favour, he
+really might, without being too sanguine, expect his factories to rise
+so greatly in value as to enable him, after all, to weather the
+threatening storm. But, with an adverse vote, he knew he was ruined,
+and he kept repeating this to himself, unless he would take the extreme
+step of requesting Bertram's assistance. Bertram certainly would not
+refuse it, but, as assuredly, he could not ask for it, considering the
+awkward relations now subsisting between his wife and his friend.
+
+After considerable hesitation, Hildegard had the day before yesterday
+communicated to him her suspicions that no one but Bertram was standing
+in the way of the alliance upon which she had set her heart. She wisely
+refrained from mentioning the impure source from which she had drawn
+her suspicions--though it was not of a suspicion that she spoke to her
+husband, but of a fact. Poor Otto naturally had to express the utmost
+horror, though at heart he was anything but dissatisfied. He would
+certainly have liked Erna to have a younger husband, but he himself
+loved and admired the friend of his youth sincerely, and if Erna loved
+him in her own way, why she had always had a taste of her own; he had
+never comprehended her; she would herself know best how it stood with
+her heart; and then if Bertram, as friend, would gladly have helped
+him, as son-in-law he would very surely have done so, and in that case,
+he too would get over the shrinking which he felt now. But it was not
+to be. Hildegard would never sanction it, and yet, how strange, just as
+he was returning to the house after seeing the Baron off, here was
+Hildegard coming to explain that she had been absolutely mistaken about
+Bertram, that Bertram was completely innocent, that she had to crave
+his forgiveness for much, and that she would be truly disconsolate if
+Bertram were to go away after all, as she concluded from some hints of
+Konski's. Would Otto please go up to him at once and make sure of his
+staying? She would do so herself, but she really had not a moment to
+spare, for, he could judge for himself, the Princess did not leave her
+alone for a minute.
+
+Otto knew not whether to rejoice or to grieve over the new turn of
+events. He had, suffered intensely from the tension between his wife
+and his friend; and that things were right once more and better than
+ever, was of course very nice and pleasant. But with Hildegard's
+assurance that Bertram was not thinking of marrying Erna, there
+vanished the last ray of hope that help in his need would come from
+that quarter. Moreover, he said to himself that Bertram would never
+dream of going without speaking once more, for the last time, of his
+money difficulties and repeating the previous offer; and Otto was
+afraid of himself, afraid he might be weak enough to close with the
+offer. So he promised Hildegard that he would at once go to Bertram and
+try every means in his power to induce him to stay, but he did not go.
+There really seemed no need for all this hurry. Bertram could not leave
+without asking for a carriage too. And that had not yet been done.
+Perhaps it would not be done at all, and in that case, why needlessly
+bring such terrible excitement on one's self? And again, Herr von
+Busche was sure not to get on with the decoration of the portals unless
+he went to help him. Hildegard had been saying all along that the old
+Gothic structure, being the termination of the _via triumphalis_, must
+also be the chief point of splendour. Hildegard should be really
+pleased.
+
+And five minutes later Otto was waging furious war with Herr Von
+Busche, who wanted the flag of the country to float from the left-hand
+balcony, whilst Hildegard had given express orders that it should float
+from the right-hand one.
+
+Hildegard had meanwhile hurried to rejoin the Princess; she had not
+exaggerated,--Alexandra really would scarce leave her for a moment. She
+was bent upon knowing how, on such an occasion, things were managed in
+a German household. She could not, she said, form any idea of it,
+because in Russia all these things were left to the steward and other
+officials, and the hostess, like her guests, was simply among the
+spectators. It would be such a pleasure to her to be allowed to peep
+behind the scenes for once; if Hildegard was really fond of her, if
+ever so little, she should not deny her the treat. Hildegard did not
+find it too difficult to overcome the first shyness which she felt at
+such an odd request being made. The arrangements about her kitchens,
+pantries, and store-rooms were as splendid and in as grand a style as
+in any princely palace, quite in keeping with the colossal preparations
+for the entertainment; she could modestly accept the many exclamations
+of amazement and admiration which the young Princess indulged in
+lavishly, as a fit and proper tribute. But mere idle admiration did not
+satisfy Alexandra; she insisted upon lending a helping hand, and
+pushing back her rich lace sleeves from her fair white arms, she seized
+a big wooden spoon, and, to the delight of all the servants employed
+about the kitchen, she set to work stirring up a pudding. With all this
+exuberance of good-humour she was so charmingly amiable, so utterly
+free from all affectation, and the wildest nonsense she indulged in
+suited her so quaintly and funnily, that Hildegard was positively
+enchanted, and called upon Lydia in passing, to study in the appearance
+and demeanour of the Princess the mighty difference which existed
+between a really gifted woman and one who merely affected to be clever,
+and who thereby only provoked the scornful laughter of really clever
+people.
+
+These cruel words were the first she had addressed to Lydia since last
+night.
+
+It was impossible for the Baron to fall so suddenly into dire disgrace
+without involving Lydia in his fall; nay, in Hildegard's eyes she was,
+if possible, the guiltier of the two. Had she not been incessantly
+singing the Baron's praises, giving the most glowing testimony to him,
+been scarcely able to paint the great position he enjoyed at Court in
+sufficiently bright colours; and all this, of course, solely to beguile
+her unsuspecting hostess and to deceive her in reference to her own
+intentions as to Bertram. Serve her right, the story-teller, if she was
+completely foiled in her intentions! And now, as though the measure of
+her iniquity had not been already abundantly full, she must actually
+bring these terrible charges against poor innocent Bertram; must needs,
+to confirm and apparently substantiate these charges, commit a theft,
+and make her--a mother--an accomplice, forcing that miserable letter
+upon her, which, as it turned out now, had been nothing more than the
+harmless enough effusion of a somewhat overstrained imagination that
+the child had indulged in--well, well, the time would come when she
+could show the intriguing old maid this long list of offences;
+meanwhile, silent contempt should be her well-deserved, only far too
+lenient, chastisement.
+
+Now, it is true she had broken through her contemptuous silence, but
+poor Lydia knew her friend quite well enough to be aware of the evil
+plight into which she had fallen. And had she been still able to have
+any doubt on the subject, the reproaches with which the Baron had
+overwhelmed her would certainly have enlightened her. Last night, even,
+he had ventilated his bad humour by all sorts of bitter and scornful
+utterances; but to-day, when he had sought Lydia in the garden after
+his conversation with Otto, and before he hurried off to town, his
+wrath knew no bounds. This, then, he sneered, was his boasted firm
+position in the house! A casual adventuress could come and deprive him
+in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, of the good graces of the
+mother--in those of her daughter he had long since ceased to believe
+anyhow--rob him of the father's friendship, and expose him to a
+treatment no commercial traveller would put up with! And he would not
+put up with it, not he; Lydia might be sure--quite sure of that! He
+would prove it to the miserable toady and sycophant who changed her
+friends as readily as her gloves; to the poor henpecked husband, the
+miser who could not even spare a few dirty thousands to a friend in
+need of help; he would prove to them that a Lotter-Vippach was not to
+be insulted with impunity. And, above all, that conceited amorous old
+pedant should suffer for it, for he, of course, had set the whole train
+going against him! If Lydia,--if the others, could not or would not
+see, he kept his eyes open, and was not to be taken in; he knew what
+was what, and ... but they should see. And to-night, to the sorrow and
+annoyance of his so-called friends, who would wish him far enough, he
+would make a point of turning up in good time. Would Fraeulein Lydia be
+gracious enough to reserve the first Lancers for her obedient servant?
+
+So, with a mocking bow, he had hurried away, leaving Lydia in sorrow
+and terror. But the terror was greater than the sorrow. She had never
+seen the Baron like this, never dreamed that he could be like this.
+What if he carried out his threats! His eyes had been bloodshot and had
+a glassy kind of stare; and then his laugh had been awful; and he was a
+great strong man, assuredly in physical strength ever so much the
+superior of poor delicate Bertram. What if the Baron were to-night to
+bring about a scene, have recourse to actual violence! What will men
+not do in rage and despair!
+
+Her old love for Bertram, which after all she had felt in her own way,
+and which long ago she had sacrificed to her vanity and worldliness,
+was stirring again. Lydia felt it, and was enraptured. True, she had
+been lying and cheating to reach a certain goal that pure calculation
+had fixed. Still, she was a better woman than she had thought herself.
+She had thought that she was following the dictates of her reason only,
+and lo! she had unconsciously remained faithful to her own heart. She
+knew it now, at the moment when a serious danger was threatening the
+loved one. And, curiously, although during the last few days she had
+positively given up all hope of regaining the loved one, and had in
+envy and anger seen him in the bonds of affection for a fair young
+rival--an affection which, moreover, was warmly reciprocated; yet she
+suddenly began to doubt the justice of her observations; the old dreams
+were coming back and asserted that they were a reality, and that
+everything else was but a chimera. All, all would yet come right.
+Falsehood and hypocrisy had been powerless; truth and love, however,
+would be omnipotent!
+
+Then she began to rehearse in her mind that unfortunate letter which
+she had purloined in order to gain a clear insight into Erna's
+sentiments, now endeavouring to give the gentlest interpretation to
+every word that referred to Bertram; she remembered, too, the passage
+which seemed to refer to a former love affair of Erna's. But she and
+Hildegard, eager only to discover what they most, or rather what they
+only, feared, namely, an attachment to Bertram, had added no weight to
+the brief allusion in question. Some childish "dancing-lesson
+fondness," Hildegard had said, and she had assented to it, partly to
+guard against the possibility of the reproach that she, in her
+responsible position as Erna's educator and second mother, had
+overlooked or actually allowed any serious attachment on her part.
+"Betrayed"--that surely was plain enough, and made many things clear,
+even though in itself it was hard to understand, was, in fact, all but
+absolutely incomprehensible. Such a charming creature as Erna no one is
+likely to betray, no one at least who is in possession of his five
+senses, as young gentlemen generally are. If the thing was anything
+more than a passing fancy--and that one had to assume, considering how
+averse from anything frivolous Erna was--then her easily-wounded pride
+must have brought the rupture about, and it might yet be healed; and if
+it were healed, would turn the child from her caprice for Bertram,
+would set Bertram free again, if indeed he had allowed himself to be
+captivated by Erna's unconcealed admiration for him, set him free for
+herself, his first, his true, his only love!
+
+With fancies like these, Lydia, now banished from the favour and the
+presence of Hildegard, was wandering along the garden-terraces, now
+dissolved in tears and lamenting her bitter lot, now smiling
+complacently and congratulating herself upon a happiness which was all
+the more precious the longer she had been compelled to wait for it. If
+she were now to meet Erna, if she could have an explanation with her,
+become reconciled to her, prove to her in very truth how well she meant
+by her! She was in the very mood for this, and here was Erna coming
+along! The shrinking which she often felt in the presence of the proud
+and self-willed girl was making itself perceptible again, but one swift
+glance showed her that Erna had been weeping quite recently, and that
+she could risk it now.
+
+Erna had been weeping quite recently, and so indeed she had done ever
+since last night, whenever she felt sure that no one was looking upon
+her despair. For the gentle creature was in despair. All through the
+long sleepless night she had seemed to hear Agatha's whispered
+question, "What will you do if it comes out that Kurt is innocent?" She
+had seemed to hear it like the voice of a warning angel, and neither
+head nor heart had been able to reply anything but, again and again:
+"In that case I have betrayed him, and I have made him unhappy." Could
+he be innocent? She had struggled so long against the belief in Kurt's
+guilt, and had only accepted it when he declared that he could not
+explain his relations to the Russian lady; no, not even to her, from
+whom, for the sake of their love, he was to expect entire confidence;
+for confidence was the very soul and at the same time the touchstone of
+love. Alas, she knew yet another and a more terrible touchstone, and
+that was the jealousy which she had cherished in secret towards the
+unknown lady, and which had blazed up brightly when yesterday she
+beheld her, the hated temptress, in the splendour of her youth, beauty,
+and grace. In vain did she struggle against the charm which the lady
+seemed to radiate; in vain did she declare everything about her to be
+unreal, except her diamonds perhaps; with every furtive glance at her
+rival she felt herself more and more fascinated, allured, beguiled,
+and, in equal measure, conquered, and at last crushed.
+
+It was a terrible state which wrapped her poor fluttering heart in
+absolute night, and yet even then there was something like a faint
+glimmering of the star of hope. If Kurt had ever loved her--and he
+had--he had done so once--how could he love another woman, who, however
+charming and seductive, was yet in all things the very opposite of
+herself? Kurt, who had so often assured her that he hated all display
+and all vanity, that he loved her because there was nothing of display,
+nothing, of vanity about her, because she was his own rose, which, in
+its dewy freshness, he would not exchange for a world of brilliant
+exotics!
+
+And his large brown eyes had shone down upon her so gravely and
+lovingly as he spoke, and his lips had trembled with genuine
+emotion--and had all this been naught but lies on the part of him whom
+she in her turn had loved, because he had appeared to her as a lofty
+and lordly image of truthfulness and fidelity?
+
+It could not be.
+
+But then, again, what had she done? What was she to do when the other
+one, that good and noble man, to whom--so Agatha said, and her own
+heart could not but confirm it--she had given such unequivocal proof of
+her affection, when he came into her presence and said: "I have come to
+take you at your word. Not all the Flavios in the world would have kept
+Hilarie from loving her uncle, had she been convinced that he truly
+loved her. And you know it: I love you!" What could she do, but, with
+Hilarie, say: "I am yours for ever"? He would not fall at her feet
+and exclaim: "You make me the happiest man beneath the sun," but she
+knew,--she knew that he would be happy!
+
+Ah me!--why had she not obeyed the voice which called to her that first
+evening when she met him in the wood, and he laid his heart open to
+her: "Open thy heart to him too," the voice had said, "tell him all."
+That would have been the time, the only right time. For the very next
+day she had read in his eyes what now made her so proud--so happy. So
+happy? Gracious heavens!
+
+This was happiness, was it, that she now desired nothing better than
+death, swift death, to escape from the torments that tore her heart to
+pieces?
+
+Did he divine nothing of these torments! Why had he not come to her
+last night? He might surely have spared her a minute--he had given the
+Princess a full hour. It was, perhaps, a relief, a sort of recreation,
+for him, seeing he had so long had to dispense with any intellectual
+conversation. Was she perchance the beautiful widow in the novelette
+who consoled the uncle for the loss of Hilarie? And had Hilarie already
+got to the point of wishing and longing for such consolation for her
+uncle?
+
+Her shamefaced gaze wandered up to Bertram's windows, under which she
+had arrived--not quite unintentionally. What if he were to appear
+above--signalling: "Wait, I am coming down!"
+
+Like a startled fawn she flitted away to one of the terrace-walks,
+behind whose protecting wall she could not be seen from those windows
+of his, and burst into tears, as she became conscious of her cowardice.
+Lydia appeared at the opposite entrance; she could not avoid Lydia now;
+she bent toward the espalier, to dry her eyes unobserved, and lo! there
+was Lydia at her side, at her feet, clasping Erna's knees, pressing her
+face against Erna's robe, sobbing.
+
+It was a theatrical display, such as Lydia employed on all possible
+occasions, suitable or otherwise; Erna knew that well enough. But she
+had not the courage to tear herself away; never a harsh or ironical
+expression came forth from her to-day; nay, she all but envied a human
+being that found such expression for its feelings, whatever they might
+be. She endeavoured to raise the kneeling lady.
+
+"I must remain on my knees until you have pardoned me," murmured Lydia.
+
+"I'll do anything you wish--but rise, rise, I entreat you!"
+
+She had drawn Lydia up and away into a niche in the wall, thus gaining
+at least some shelter from the eyes of the servants, many of whom were
+still busy everywhere up and down the terraces with the preparations
+for the illumination.  There was a stone bench with a stone table in
+front inside the niche. Lydia sank down upon the bench, laid her face,
+covered by her hands, against the edge of the table, and murmured her
+miserable confession of guilt in a voice which was scarcely audible,
+owing to her constant weeping and sobbing. She had, she whined out,
+found out by questioning the servants that the letter had not been
+sent, which Erna had on the morning in question written beneath the
+plantain tree, and which, she assumed, was certainly addressed to
+Agatha; and she had, moreover, learned from Agatha--who evidently
+suspected nothing--that she had received no letter just before her
+departure from home. Then, passing through Erna's rooms, she had seen
+her blotting-book lying about, unlocked, as she had been astonished to
+notice. Then she had been unable to resist the temptation of trying if
+the letter was still there. The letter had been there--a sort of
+dizziness had come over her, and--
+
+"I said to myself," she went on, "that you have no secrets from Agatha,
+that you were likely to have written to her what you felt towards
+Bertram, whether you loved him--I required to know it--my future, my
+happiness, my salvation--all, all depended upon that one question. Have
+pity on a poor wretched woman whom jealousy made a criminal--against
+her own child, too! for I have ever loved you as my own child, ever,
+and would gladly have sacrificed all for you, all, only not this--the
+trial was too much for my strength."
+
+Then Lydia in her self-abasement and grief wept bitterly. Again Erna
+felt it strange that she did not spring up from her place beside the
+weeping old woman, did not leave her alone with her silliness and her
+lies; that she could listen to her exaggerated and sentimental twaddle
+without positive disgust. There was something stirring within her that
+she was frightened at herself--something almost like a wish that, this
+time, Lydia might not be lying.
+
+Lydia noticed through the veil of tears in which she had wrapt herself
+that Erna was accepting her confession much more favourably than she
+had dared to hope. This gave her courage enough to pursue to the utmost
+the advantage thus already gained.
+
+"I cannot and will not try to prove that I have been quite free from
+blame," she cried. "I have been vain and frivolous. I did yield to the
+temptation of becoming Countess of Finkenburg! Many more would have
+yielded who cannot retrace, like one of the family of von Aschhof, the
+long line of their ancestors to the time of the Crusaders, and who do
+not, as we do, have Moors' heads in their escutcheons! But vanity and
+frivolity alone did not make me do it. I was honestly convinced that
+this alliance with a poor lady of high lineage, who would bring him no
+other dower but her many claims and wants, could be nought but a
+hindrance to Bertram; that he might have made, and probably thereafter
+would make, a better and a more suitable choice if I released him from
+his engagement. Indeed, indeed; if I could but have divined how he
+would take it to heart, nothing in the world would have made me act as
+I did. And now I would give everything in the world to atone, as far as
+I still may, for what I did. Must it really be out of the question,
+dearest? Look here. He is about fifty years of age, and how long will
+it be before he is an old man? He is very delicate too. His servant
+tells me that he suffers from palpitation of the heart, and from
+insomnia, and that his Berlin doctor has enjoined upon him no end of
+precautions and care for these travels of his. Why then, he really
+needs some one who will nurse him and who will patiently bear with all
+his sickly caprices--all sick folk are capricious, don't you know? I
+know it but too well; I saw it in the case of my own uncle, the
+Minister of State, whom every one thought a very lamb in the way of
+kind, gentle equanimity, and who was so until one of his asthmatic
+attacks came upon him; and then never a living soul could bear to stay
+near him. Yes, yes, one must have gone through these things to know;
+and may God in His mercy keep you, my own dear, sweet, good child, from
+ever knowing it, from mourning away your sweet young life by the side
+of a broken-down man who has no passion left, save his books and his
+politics. If his politics call him he must needs follow, and poor
+Konski must pack the trunks. Poor fellow, Konski! I spoke to him a
+little while ago; he'd like to stay and see all the fun that is coming
+now with these man[oe]vres here, and what not. Besides, I rather think
+he is in love with Aurora. But he says there is no help for it, and off
+they go to-morrow, his master and he. Perhaps it is right enough, for
+the Baron is furious with him, and I really know not what the Baron
+will do, unless you convince him that he has been mistaken, like the
+rest of us. Oh, that we had! My own sweet child, you would be restoring
+peace and happiness to us all, and I would never weary of kissing your
+dear hands, nay, the very hem of your garment!"
+
+She covered Erna's hands and robe with kisses. Erna let her have her
+way, she paid no heed to what Lydia was saying and doing; there she sat
+gazing fixedly across the gardens and across the village on the
+mountain slope, where a portion of the high road was visible which led
+from the north across the hills to Rinstedt. Lydia, following the
+direction of Erna's gaze, saw what Erna saw--a great cloud of dust,
+with occasional flashes of bright arms, winding down the high road, and
+now there came, softened by the great distance but still distinctly
+audible, the sound of the drum; and below, at the entrance to the
+village, they fired a cannon as a signal that the regiment was coming
+up.
+
+Erna started as though the shot had gone through her heart!
+
+"For goodness sake, child, what ails you?" exclaimed Lydia, terrified
+on noticing the pallor of her cheek and her fixed rigid look.
+
+And again she was terrified when Erna suddenly flung herself into her
+arms as seeking help from a threatening danger, and then with equal
+suddenness tore herself away, hurried up the walk and straightway
+vanished behind a projecting portion of the wall.
+
+"What does it all mean?" Lydia asked herself.
+
+As if in answer, there came across the garden, now more distinctly, the
+sound of the drum.
+
+"Ah!" said Lydia, and a meaning smile flitted over her face. "It would
+not be impossible," she murmured, "and if it is the case, I'll find it
+out!"
+
+She turned to enter the mansion house just as the big flag was being
+hoisted upon the turret as a salute to "Our Regiment," at the moment
+when the soldiers set foot upon the village road.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XVIII.
+
+
+Bertram, too, had heard the warlike sounds. He leaned back in his
+writing chair and listened with bated breath.
+
+"How her heart is sure to beat!" he said to himself.
+
+He rose and went to the open window. From the elevation on which he
+was, he could see a considerable portion of the high road, could
+discern the flash of the bayonets through the clouds of dust which a
+brisk breeze was scattering at times, so that sections of the columns
+on the march became visible.
+
+In the village below they were firing cannon; from the mountains yonder
+the echo came rolling.
+
+"How this will resound within her heart!"
+
+From the adjoining bedroom, where he had already begun to put up his
+master's things in view of their departure, fixed for the day
+following, Konski came hurrying in to ask, if the Herr Doctor was not
+going to dress? It was getting late.
+
+"I am in no hurry," said Bertram.
+
+"Well, sir," said Konski, "My Lady is most anxious you should be
+present at the reception of the officers. Aurora has twice come to the
+door with a message about it."
+
+And he pointed, as he spoke, to the bedroom door and grinned.
+
+"I do not intend to be present at the reception," Bertram said; "but I
+may as well dress now." And he followed Konski into the bedroom.
+
+As Konski was assisting him, he said to him--
+
+"Well, on what terms are you with that girl now? You will have to make
+haste if you wish to settle everything before we go."
+
+"It is already settled, and settled very nicely," Konski made answer,
+"since last night, sir. With the like of us, such things are settled
+smartly, Herr Doctor, and I have a favour to ask of you in connection
+with it. Aurora--it's a strange name that, sir, is it not? and her two
+others are just as bad: Amanda Rolline--thank you, says I. Well, it is
+not her fault, though, poor thing, and I won't mind re-baptizing her
+once we, are in Berlin. But, as I was going to say, Herr Doctor, she
+insists upon our getting married in the beginning of October, because
+at the end of October Christine is going to be married to Peter
+Weissenborn, and she wants to annoy Christina by being married before
+her, so she says; but I fancy it's meant for Peter, who used to be
+uncommonly sweet upon her, and, I rather think, promised to marry her
+at one time. And if the Herr Doctor is not going to Italy at all, or
+leastways not now, we thought ..."
+
+"You know," said Bertram, "how sorry I shall be to part with you; but I
+will not stand in the way of your happiness."
+
+"It would be my greatest happiness, sir," said Konski, "to remain with
+you as long as I live. And there's just one way, so Aurora says ..."
+
+"Well?"
+
+Konski hesitated a little, then took heart of grace, and said, with an
+embarrassed sort of smirk--
+
+"If the Herr Doctor would be so very kind as to marry too!"
+
+"I am afraid," said Bertram, "you will have to devise some other way
+out of the difficulty."
+
+Konski was meditatively removing some specks of dust from the black
+waistcoat which he held in his hand, and said--
+
+"No offence, sir! These women are always a-puzzling out something or
+other in their brains, and Aurora's brains are by no means bad brains.
+She thinks it would be uncommon nice, if I would remain the Herr
+Doctor's valet, and she was to be maid to your lady, sir; and then,
+whether you went to Italy or elsewhere, we four would always be nice
+and snug together."
+
+"I have no idea what you are talking about," said Bertram. "Give me my
+waistcoat."
+
+"No offence, sir," Konski repeated, as he handed his master the
+waistcoat and took up the dress-coat; "but she leaves me no peace, she
+does not, and she says that it's all up with the Baron; and from what
+she heard My Lady say to master this morning about the Herr Doctor,
+says she, the Herr Doctor need but ask and they'd give him a half dozen
+daughters, only they have not got more than one; and that one, dear
+Miss Erna--why, I knows, and no one knows better than me--how fond she
+is of the Herr Doctor."
+
+As Bertram had again turned away, the poor fellow, much to his regret,
+could not see what impression his remarks had made upon his master; and
+now they heard a heavy, hurried step coming through the study. There
+was a knock, then Otto put in his head and asked if he might trouble
+Bertram for a minute. Bertram begged him to come in, and beckoned his
+man to leave the room.
+
+"I have been repeatedly wishing to come up and see you," said Otto;
+"Hildegard is so afraid that you mean to go--and--dear me, you have
+really been packing."
+
+"For to-morrow," Bertram made answer. "In no case can I remain longer.
+For to-day I am, as you see, already, like yourself, in evening dress.
+Only--you must please excuse me if I do not put in an appearance before
+dinner; I have not finished my letters yet, and, to say the truth, I
+should like to cut the reception business."
+
+"So should I," said Otto, "if I could. They will be here in less than
+ten minutes now. I have not a minute to spare, not a minute."
+
+But for all that he did not stir from the chair into which he had
+dropped. His mind was clearly far away. Presently he muttered--
+
+"What if Parliament has decided against the railway!"
+
+"We must be prepared for it," replied his friend.
+
+"It is half-past four now, the sitting is sure to be over by this
+time."
+
+"You will know the result to-morrow, and early enough, too!"
+
+"I think that Lotter, who has had to go to town, will have waited to
+hear the result of the vote; I asked him to. He said he would be back
+in time for dinner. But I no longer believe in his influence."
+
+"All the better."
+
+Both were speaking in gloomy tones, as though a heavy pressure was
+weighing equally on either. Bertram was staring down in front of him
+with arms crossed behind his back, and Otto's eyes were wandering about
+the room--he was mechanically fingering the arms of his chair, then
+suddenly gave a convulsive clutch at them.
+
+"I must go," he said.
+
+He jumped up and was making for the door.
+
+"Otto!"
+
+"Are you coming too?"
+
+"No; I have a small favour to ask which you are not to refuse me."
+
+Bertram had meanwhile gone up to his friend, holding out his hand to
+him. Otto mechanically put his own into it.
+
+"I wanted to ask you to make use of me in case you have not yet
+arranged about redeeming, to-morrow, that mortgage, and in the present
+hurry and worry, what more likely? I have not even had to write to
+Berlin about it. My Italian trip is given up. You know I had made
+arrangements for a very lengthened absence. My letter of credit is
+addressed to your own banker, as I had anyhow been intending to draw a
+large sum; I can get the money at once, and there will be just enough."
+
+"Time enough to-morrow," murmured Otto; "however, I am much obliged to
+you for your kind intention. Perhaps I'll drive you to town to-morrow,
+if you insist upon going; we can then see about it."
+
+His cheeks were burning; his hand, which Bertram was still holding,
+trembled like that of a man in great physical pain. Bertram noticed it
+all.
+
+"I am very sorry," he said, "that I must thus torment you, but you left
+me no choice as to the time. I am sure I shall not be able to speak to
+you again to-day, and perhaps not to-morrow. Therefore, look here: I
+have made all the requisite preparations, with due despatch, to make as
+much of my fortune available as you will need for the settlement of
+your affairs. You remember our conversation when we were driving back
+from town last Saturday. I put no other conditions now than I did
+then; that you arrange the settlement with the help of your lawyer,
+that you leave him as free as possible in his dispositions regarding
+the factories, and lastly, that your wife is taken into your
+confidence--these are not so much conditions, as necessities. And of
+the last, and doubtless the most painful one, I am willing to relieve
+you."
+
+Otto flushed to the roots of his hair.
+
+"It is impossible!" he ejaculated. "I cannot take it."
+
+"I am not making you a present of the money, man!"
+
+"The money--the money--but Hildegard! To-day all this display--the
+Princess--all those officers--a huge party--covers for a hundred
+or so; and then to-morrow the most awful wretchedness--it is quite
+impossible. And even if you had the courage--if you were to speak to
+her, I mean--you are on such good terms again, she had intended to come
+herself and see you, and I had thought--but that, that she would never
+forgive you--never!"
+
+"I am prepared for that," replied Bertram. "To be quite frank, I care
+infinitely more for your welfare than for your wife's favour. Otto,
+these is no time for long debating. A plain yes from you, and the thing
+is settled--now or never--do you hear me?"
+
+From the great courtyard there came the sound of merry military music;
+many voices, too, were heard. Otto was still standing by the door
+irresolute.
+
+He suddenly seized Bertram's other hand and exclaimed--
+"Then marry Erna at least! Hildegard will get reconciled to it, once
+she knows all. Erna is fond of you--let me talk to her!"
+
+"One word from you, and--I shall not alter my resolve, it is fixed for
+good; but you and I will never meet again."
+
+Bertram had torn himself away and was striding along the chamber. Now
+he came back to Otto who was standing there in utter helplessness, laid
+his hand on his shoulder, and said to him--
+
+"Otto, remember what we vowed to each other in the dear old student
+days in Bonn: to be and to remain friends in gladness or sadness,
+friends to the death! This surely is sufficient. Let us not speak of
+Erna, or, at least, let us not connect her name with this business;
+such a connection is an insult to me, because it is casting doubt upon
+the purity of my motives. I can tell you something else, in reference
+to which I must, in the meantime, request your discreet silence. I have
+good reasons for assuming that Erna has already disposed of her heart,
+and this may explain certain oddities in her demeanour which have
+struck us both. I believe I shall soon know if I am right. In warning
+you, and your wife against Lotter, I gave you a proof of my careful
+observation and of my faithful friendship. Confide in me further: you
+will not repent of it. And now, old boy, go with a lighter heart than
+you came, and receive your guests, or else the great event will come
+off without you, and for that Hildegard would never forgive you, and
+she would be right."
+
+He was almost pushing poor helpless Otto out of the door, when Konski
+came hurrying up with an impatient message from My Lady.
+
+"Would Otto come at once? The military were just marching up the
+courtyard."
+
+Otto hurried away. Bertram was still standing near the door, his eye
+rigidly fixed upon it.
+
+He was murmuring to himself: "That was the first step. I should not
+have thought, after all I have already endured, that it would prove so
+hard. But it had to be done!"
+
+He walked slowly up and down, and paused again.
+
+"Had it to be done? And thus? Would it not have been better if I had
+not absolutely denied it? Anyhow, I have not resigned in every case;
+only, in case it is as I fear. Supposing it is not? What if the young
+man who has gone through the schooling of a Princess Volinzov, is not
+one whom our Erna can and should love? What if the Princess is mistaken
+in this part of the story, or if she has been deceived by the man who
+may have, had good reasons of his own? What if the whole thing has been
+a little gentle dallying which Erna has all but forgotten, and I were,
+with my diplomatic wiles, to fan again into life and light the almost
+extinguished flame, were to repel her from me and push her into his
+arms, which will be willing enough to open?"
+
+He stretched out his hands, as though he wished to ward off something.
+They were all assailing him again now in the broad light of the day,
+those dread phantoms with which he had wrestled in the awful darkness
+of the night. Then he had conquered them. Was he to be vanquished now?
+Was his strength exhausted?
+
+No, no; the worst had yet to come. Though he had persuaded himself that
+it would be only fair and proper not to be a witness of their first
+meeting, yet he would have to see them together, perhaps learn at the
+first glance that they had already made it up, and that the great
+sacrifice, which the beautiful Princess was making for her darling, had
+been wholly unnecessary. All the better! In that case the torture of
+uncertainty would be over all the sooner, and he would at least be
+spared the humiliation of pushing Quixotic generosity to its utmost
+limits, and of acting the part of an obtrusive mediator, who clears
+away all obstacles and ultimately joins the lovers' hands with a "Bless
+you, my children!"
+
+He sat down at the writing-table to complete his election address. But
+he could not write, could not think. Pen in hand he sat, hearkening to
+all the confused sounds which came up and across him from courtyard,
+garden, and mansion house. The music, after some little pause, is now
+playing again in long-drawn triumphant strains--representing the salute
+of the regiment to the house that now guarded its colours; the fair
+mistress appears on the threshold, surrounded by the other ladies, and
+the tall and gallant-looking Colonel, hastening up, followed by his
+officers, bows deferentially and kisses her hand. And lo! from the
+circle around the mistress of the house, there steps forth another
+lady, at whose sight the gallant soldier starts. But she smiles, and
+signals with those mobile orbs of hers--
+
+"Be calm, my friend, be calm! I shall explain all as soon as we are
+alone for a minute, or, if not all--that being contrary to my habit--as
+much as you need know. It is a matter concerning these people."
+
+And she points aside to another pair, bowing to each other and
+presumably renewing--a casual acquaintance, shall we say?
+
+"I hardly know, my gracious Fraeulein, whether I still have the
+honour..."
+
+What a farce it all was!
+
+And what a ghastly tragedy too--its silent scene his heart--forsaken,
+lonely as he was.
+
+So he sat on, brooding gloomily, musing dismally, he knew not how long.
+Silence now reigned around without. Had they forgotten him? Oh, that
+they had! and that he could steal away from the house--from the
+farce--from life!
+
+But no, they would not be so pitiful. Hearken!--yes, this is Konski's
+swift step.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but My Lady bade me urge you to come. They are
+just going to dinner, and are only waiting for the Herr Doctor!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+It was a princely banquet that Hildegard had prepared for her guests in
+the dining-hall of the whilom princely abode. The closed curtains had
+excluded the daylight from the beginning, and the light of innumerable
+candles fell upon the table from the three great chandeliers and from a
+number of candelabras fixed to the wall. The table shone and sparkled
+with crystal and silver, was decked with a profusion of the choicest
+flowers, and surrounded by a most brilliant company. There were five
+and twenty officers in their uniforms--and the general _coup d'[oe]il_
+was truly enchanting. Everything went off well. Hildegard herself could
+scarcely distinguish from her own serving-men the extra waiters ordered
+from town, and put into liveries; in the adjoining hall the band of the
+99th was playing, for Colonel von Waldor had insisted upon My Lady thus
+honouring his regiment, although she had a band from town in readiness.
+The toasts, in reference to which she had been somewhat uneasy, had
+been a wonderful success. Otto had not blundered or stopped short in
+the first toast--His Majesty the Emperor, of course; then Bertram, whom
+she had, at dinner, by means of a pencilled note, asked to do so, had
+in the name of the host, and as the oldest friend of the family
+present, welcomed the guests and proposed the health of the 99th.
+Thereupon Colonel von Waldor returned thanks in a really capital
+speech, abounding in merry quips and happy inspirations. He called the
+brilliant reception given to the regiment, a posthumous celebration of
+their doings in the last war, and a lordly payment "on account" for
+what they were destined to do in the campaigns of the future. He then
+proceeded to describe the reception in detail, and added that to him,
+personally, it had been the most charming of all the charming surprises
+of the day, to find in the gentleman who had so cordially welcomed them
+all to this most hospitable house, an old and dear friend from whom he
+had been separated for years; and at last, passing adroitly from the
+host's representative to the host himself, he proposed the health of
+"their far too generous entertainer, and of the kind, gracious, and
+beauteous lady of the manor, by whose side, he had the rare happiness
+of being seated."
+
+And the other officers--four and-twenty in number--had started from
+their seats like one man, and had three times shouted their _Hoch_ in
+singularly sharp and definite intervals, overpowering the _Hoch_ of the
+other guests as the roar of cannon drowns the sound of musket firing,
+and the band had joined in the celebration; and they had all crowded
+around Hildegard, with their champagne-goblets held on high; and as she
+received all these homages, she looked radiantly, superbly beautiful,
+and so the Colonel had told her, adding that she was by far the fairest
+of all the fair ladies there; and as they settled in their places
+again, he had kissed her hand in eager gallantry.
+
+Hildegard thanked the enchanted Colonel with a gracious smile for his
+flattery, and thanked him warmly, too, for his excellent toast, in
+which she had missed but one thing, to wit, some clever allusion,
+some dainty reference to her illustrious guest, the Princess, who, from
+her place of honour next to Otto, on the opposite side of the
+banqueting-table, had, followed the speaker with the greatest
+attention, and had evidently expected something of the kind.
+
+The Colonel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I had thought of it, too, My Lady," he said; "but, upon honour, it
+could not be done."
+
+"Why not?
+
+"I have already told My Lady that the Princess and I met last year in
+Teplitz. Since My Lady--and I must express my sincere gratitude for the
+condescension--did me last night repeatedly the honour of mentioning my
+name to her, without, it would appear, recalling any reminiscence on
+her part, I surely could not indulge in reminiscences. My wounded
+vanity peremptorily forbade any such thing. And, moreover, it was
+wounded ere then. It is no joke for a Colonel who has been somewhat
+spoiled, to see a young officer, and particularly one belonging to his
+own regiment, preferred to himself, and such, was then undoubtedly the
+case. The young gentleman suffering, like myself, from a severe wound
+received during the '70 campaign, had accompanied me to Teplitz, and
+was my constant companion, so that he can bear witness to everything.
+The reminiscence of that wound inflicted upon my vanity is at this
+moment the more vivid, because the young gentleman is here."
+
+The Colonel pointed, as he spoke, to a slender young officer, dark of
+eye and hair, who was sitting between Agatha and Augusta, and who was
+conversing eagerly with the former, while Augusta, a coquettish beauty,
+looked supremely bored.
+
+Upon Hildegard the young man's appearance had already made so pleasing
+an impression after he had been introduced to her, that she had
+actually remembered his name and rank--Premier-Lieutenant and Adjutant
+Ringberg. But she thought she was acting prudently in saying that she
+saw nothing remarkable in the young gentleman. Much to her amazement,
+the Colonel seemed almost offended at this; Ringberg, he said, was
+really in every way a remarkable man, the most studious, and at the
+same time the smartest officer in his regiment, a man of excellent
+character; and a jolly companion, for whom he himself had a sort of
+paternal fondness; indeed, Ringberg was the son of a dear friend of his
+own, left early an orphan, and he, the Colonel, had acted for him _in
+loco parentis_, and wished him every happiness under the sun, including
+the conquest of the beautiful Russian and her millions.
+
+"But there seems little prospect of that," Hildegard said, smilingly
+interrupting the Colonel in his eager talk; "as far as I have been able
+to observe, your _protege_ does not exist for our beautiful friend."
+
+"That may be one of her masks," replied the Colonel. "I think the lady
+has a great many."
+
+"You must not talk like this to me; I adore Alexandra."
+
+"But, My Lady, so do I too, otherwise I should never dream of abusing
+her."
+
+"That, too, I must forbid."
+
+"Then I will swear that she does not even know what a mask is, and I am
+ready to face a world in arms in proof of the assertion," laughed the
+Colonel, and Hildegard laughed too, and kissed her hand to the Princess
+across the table, a compliment which the fair Russian returned eagerly.
+
+Hildegard felt so happy by the side of her brilliant cavalier, that she
+could scarcely make up her mind to give the signal for rising from the
+table. But at last it had to be done, after she had exchanged a few
+hurried words with Herr von Busche, who had quietly come up behind her
+chair. When, a few minutes later, she rose from her seat, the curtains
+were suddenly and simultaneously withdrawn from the windows and doors,
+the glass doors flew wide open, and before the amazed eyes of the
+company lay the garden in fairy-like illumined splendour. Rows of
+coloured balloons were drawn like garlands along and adown the
+terraces; and every prominent point--and there were many of them--had
+been utilised for some effective purpose of decoration: a pyramid of
+stars, a wreath of light, or a radiant crown. And the guests, now
+hurrying away from the tables, had scarcely all gathered upon
+the verandah before they found themselves enveloped in the dazzling
+brilliancy of coloured lights; the magnificent facade of the
+mansion-house, wrapt in a glorious purple glow, stood out with
+wonderful effect against the darkening sky, and a deep green flame sent
+a soft and tender light along the terraces and mingled on the great
+grass plot in front of the verandah with the red light, the combination
+yielding a dim, mysterious kind of magic dawn. And before the glow had
+faded away, and before the admiring and wondering exclamations of the
+delighted and surprised guests had ceased, there was the thunder of
+cannon, a signal, and lo! from the wide common below, a rocket winged
+its shining flight upwards, followed by another and yet another, in
+such swift succession that the fiery missiles bursting anon high, high
+up in the air, seemed to fill the dark sky with a galaxy of glowing
+stars, whilst below squibs and crackers were exploding and wheels of
+fire were whirling round in all directions.
+
+But now the younger members of the company could be restrained no
+longer. In vain did anxious mammas preach patience and caution and call
+for shawls and cloaks, the young ladies would not wait, and fortunately
+the night was so calm and warm that they could really dispense with
+wrappings; the officers had, anyhow, to remain bare-headed unless they
+cared to put on the spiked helmets with which they had appeared at the
+banquet. So they all danced merrily down the wide steps; and were soon
+scattered over the terraces; and from all sides there came the laughing
+shouts of those who were looking for each other, who perhaps met
+unexpectedly at some turn in the labyrinth, or who were pretending to
+escape, a merry game in which the young ladies, whether staying in the
+house or belonging to the neighbourhood, being familiar with the
+locality, gladly assumed the leadership, adroitly using their knowledge
+to their own advantage.
+
+Meanwhile the greater part of the guests had gradually withdrawn to the
+chambers on either side of the great banqueting-hall, the ladies to the
+music-rooms and tea-rooms on the left, the gentlemen mostly to the
+billiard-room, which opened into the smoking- and card-rooms. Some
+still went in and out at the great French windows, all of which opened
+on the verandah, but on the verandah itself there were now
+comparatively few people, so that Bertram had but now and again to
+exhort the Colonel to lower his sonorous voice a little. The friends
+were pacing up and down arm in arm; the Colonel's uniform was all but
+entirely unbuttoned, he was puffing vigorously at his cigar, and his
+handsome, gallant features were aglow with the after-effect of the
+champagne, and with the excitement which increased with every word
+which he was rapidly uttering.
+
+"Believe me," he cried, "my good fellow, if anything could still
+increase my feeling of absolute worship for this unique woman, it would
+be the pluck with which she went into action for young Ringberg. But
+unfortunately with all those fair and adorable creatures, intention and
+execution never correspond. A masterly outflanking of the foe, an
+assault _comme il faut_, and then at once this ludicrous mistake! I
+could have died with laughter! Not the slightest idea on her part that
+you are such a very special and intimate friend of mine! And so she
+goes and tells you all the minutest details of our story, as to an
+absolute stranger, supposed to be quite incapable of translating it
+back into German from the French, because he can have no idea as to the
+identity of the real persons involved! And why this stupendous want of
+caution? To frighten you away! From what? From falling in love with the
+little damsel, or to induce you, in case you had already done so, to be
+kind enough to retire immediately! As though the like of us were to be
+rightened away from our purpose by a reconnoitring like this, however
+forced! 'You may thank your stars,' I said to her 'that Doctor Bertram
+has better things to occupy himself with than the childishness which
+you impute to him!' To be sure she swears that she became convinced of
+it last night, for you remained perfectly calm and self-possessed, and
+had the contrary been the case, it would certainly not have escaped
+her, as she was scrutinising your every mien with the upmost care; but
+then her own mien, as she was telling me all this, proved how pleased
+and relieved she felt that all had gone off so happily!"
+
+"And what," asked; Bertram, "have you decided in Ringberg's affair?
+Will you not at least take Erna, and, of course, her parents, into the
+secret?"
+
+"The deuce I will!" cried Waldor. "I surely should not hesitate to
+rescue Ringberg at any cost from some position of great danger, but
+this is, not a question of my making a sacrifice, but of Alexandra
+making one that she cannot make, unless she wishes to give up half her
+fortune, which goes to the deuce as soon as our engagement gets
+known. But I want the whole fortune and not the half! When I was but
+a lieutenant I swore a great oath to myself that I would die a
+Field-Marshal, and would live like a Prince until I got to be one! Now
+you surely cannot expect that I should break my oath, and, to myself
+too?"
+
+Bertram did not think it advisable to point out to his friend, the
+contradictions he was guilty of in one breath. He only said--
+
+"I should think the sacrifice might be avoided, if you made the people
+who are interested pledge themselves to secrecy. None of them would
+hesitate to accept that objection."
+
+"In such things," replied the Colonel, "one should not trust any one's
+promise of secrecy. Why, every thing would already be betrayed, if
+Alexandra had honoured any one but yourself with her indiscretions!"
+
+"But if the Princess absolutely insists upon making the sacrifice?"
+
+"Then I shall as absolutely forbid her doing anything of the kind! The
+services which Kurt has rendered us are considerable, I admit; but
+then, in the first case, they were rendered to me. How can I ask her to
+act such a generous part? Nay, what does she mean by wishing to do it?
+One would not, one could not, do more for one's lover! And, to the best
+of my knowledge, she is in love with me, and not with Ringberg!"
+
+His cigar had gone out and he flung it away, turning to light a new one
+at one of the lights placed along the verandah. Thus he did not see the
+smile which Bertram--though his heart was little attuned to mirth--had
+not been able to repress at the words which his not over-modest friend
+had been uttering.
+
+"In that case the Princess will have to say, like the priest Domingo,
+in Schiller's 'Don Carlos:' 'We have been here in vain,'" he resumed,
+as the Colonel took his arm again.
+
+"To be sure," was the calm reply; "and I have strongly urged her to
+leave to-morrow. Surrounded as we are here by my officers, one or two
+of whom are already likely enough to know more than I care for, we are
+not for a single moment safe from startling disclosures. I think I have
+as strong nerves as most people, but to be seated upon a powder-barrel
+when there is a conflagration raging all round, is uncomfortable for
+the most courageous."
+
+"What is uncomfortable, Colonel?" asked Alexandra's voice behind them.
+
+The Colonel turned on his heels; and quickly buttoning his uniform,
+exclaimed--
+
+"Ah, most gracious Princess!"
+
+"Let us call each other by our names before this good friend," said
+Alexandra. "Give me your arm, dear Doctor Bertram; and you, my friend,
+please to come to the other side. So now we can talk confidentially."
+
+"May I go on with my cigar?"
+
+"I should like to smoke one myself, if I dared! But now to the point.
+What have you decided?"
+
+"That is the very question," Bertram said, "which I was just submitting
+to Waldor."
+
+"I have decided, that the young people are to see how they can best
+settle things for themselves!"
+
+"That is an abominable decision!"
+
+"It is necessary."
+
+"Not for me!  I shall speak to the young lady."
+
+"You will not do so if you value my advice ever so little. Moreover, if
+you felt so sure of this, why did you not do so yesterday?"
+
+"Because I require your co-operation."
+
+"Which I refuse!"
+
+They were talking excitedly, almost vehemently now. Then, there was a
+pause, a very uncomfortable one for Bertram, although he said to
+himself that discord between the two ought to be welcome to him. He had
+closely watched Erna and Ringberg. At dinner, where they had been
+seated almost directly opposite to each other, they had not exchanged a
+single word; and just now, whilst Erna had followed the other young
+ladies into the garden, Ringberg had remained on the verandah and had
+subsequently gone into the billiard-room. As Erna was so very proud, a
+meeting of the two seemed difficult, almost impossible, without kind
+and skilful mediation, and there would be little time or opportunity
+for it now. To-morrow the regiment was again to leave its quarters.
+They would again be separated for long--for ever, if he chose to avail
+himself of the influence which he doubtless had over Erna; and if he
+could only bring into play something of the robust egotism, with which
+the handsome soldier by his side was smoothing his own way to rank and
+unlimited riches.
+
+"Then I only know one way to achieve our object," the Princess said at
+last, speaking somewhat huskily.
+
+"I knew you would find something," said Waldor; "but what is it?"
+
+"It is this ..."
+
+Alexandra paused abruptly, for as they reached the end of the verandah,
+and were turning round, the very man of whom they were all thinking was
+approaching them.
+
+"Anything for me, my dear Ringberg?" exclaimed the Colonel.
+
+"Yes, Colonel; an orderly from the General in command ..."
+
+"May the ..." muttered the Colonel through his teeth.
+
+He went up to the young officer, who made his report in a low voice,
+whilst the Princess and Bertram remained standing at some little
+distance. They saw the Colonel angrily fling away his cigar, and draw
+himself up.
+
+"Thank you, my dear Ringberg; you need not come with me. It is bad
+enough if one of us has to lose all the fun. No remonstrance, sir! I
+shall want an orderly to go with me, and, perhaps, you will, in
+passing, kindly bid them saddle Almansor."
+
+"Yes, Colonel," said the young officer, saluting.
+
+Ringberg had gone. Waldor turned round.
+
+"It seems," he said, "that the soldiers have taken a different position
+from what His Excellency had expected, and now he is getting all the
+officers in command of regiments together, to get things done as
+noisily as possible. The old owl! Upon my word, I would let him have a
+bit of my mind, if he did this in actual war, and summoned me at such a
+time two or three miles off from a position where we may be 'alarmed'
+at any moment. However, there is no help for it. I shall not spare the
+horse, but I am afraid I shall not be back before one o'clock. My
+officers must be in their quarters by twelve o'clock precisely, and the
+rest of the party are likely to vanish too. I presume that we shall be
+attacked between two and three o'clock. If, then, I do not see you
+again, dearest Alexandra, the arrangement is this: you drive to town
+to-morrow and remain there until I can look in for a moment, as I hope
+to be able to do the day after, or else until I send word. Farewell,
+dearest! And you, my good friend, will probably not have gone to bed
+before I return. I will come to your room, and learn what the best and
+cleverest of women will have planned in the interest of our
+_proteges_."
+
+The Colonel kissed her hand again, and hurried away. Alexandra looked
+gloomily after him, standing with her hands crossed over her bosom,
+until he had vanished through the door of the billiard-room; where
+several of the senior officers were advancing to meet him. Then, with a
+passionate gesture, she turned to Bertram.
+
+"He is mistaken! Alexandra Volinzov is not to be ordered about like a
+pack of recruits. I shall not leave to-morrow! I shall not leave at
+all, until I have achieved my object; and you, friend, you must help me
+to achieve it."
+
+She flung the end of her shawl impatiently across her shoulder, and
+took Bertram's arm, drawing him away from the verandah down into the
+garden, whence the young people, in pairs and in groups, were now
+hurrying merrily back to the mansion-house, attracted by the sound of
+the band striking up a polka in the banqueting-hall, which had been
+cleared in the interval.
+
+"And what is my help to consist in?" asked Bertram.
+
+"You must speak to Erna. You must explain all to her. I am powerless
+without Waldor's co-operation, and you have heard how he refuses it?
+Nay, more; I have learned from Hildegard, that he has definitely
+denied standing in any special relation to me, and as he could not
+disown me altogether, has accounted for it all by talking of a casual
+watering-place acquaintance; nay he has actually gone the length, of
+reviving the old suspicion of there being something between Kurt and
+myself; in a word, he has done his utmost to shake my credibility
+with the parents, and with Erna; and to make my interference, if I
+dared interfere, appear a ridiculous and hideous farce. You are the
+intimate friend of the parents; you are Erna's natural protector and
+guardian--you are more to her than her own father. The foolish dread of
+the mother, that you loved the dear child in a different way, I have
+absolutely put an end to; you will be met on all sides with the utmost
+confidence, and if any doubt still existed, if any objections were
+still raised, why, you are so clever, so wise, so eloquent, that you
+will with ease remove every objection, that you will with a sure hand
+bring all things to a good end, be the saviour of those two poor dear
+souls, and rescue them from the infernal torments of jealousy, doubt,
+and despair. I shall not be found wanting; I shall confirm everything
+that you say; I shall take the full responsibility of it all, of
+course. I am firmly resolved upon this; it is simply my duty, and I
+shall do it, and Waldor may put up with it or not, as he pleases."
+
+Alexandra had been saying all this with hurried breath and heaving
+bosom. Bertram's own excitement was intense, too, but he managed to
+reply in calmer accents--
+
+"You ask much, My Lady. You call me Erna's guardian,  her second
+father. I accept these titles; now, will you please and try to fancy
+yourself in the position of a guardian, a father, under these
+circumstances. In the story of Claudine you have told me your own,
+striving, I do not doubt for a moment, to be strictly truthful, seeing
+no danger in this, when speaking to a stranger, and being, moreover,
+impelled to do so, both by your quick temperament and by your
+passionate sympathy. But now comes the question: Has your truthfulness
+really brought out the truth? Not the truth of yesterday and to-day,
+but of to-morrow. The truth, the truthful picture of the future, when
+you will be constantly and closely brought into contact with the former
+object of your ardent love, when you will be ever seeing him by the
+side of a woman who is not much younger than yourself, who is not as
+beautiful as you, not as clever as you; who, however graceful, lacks
+that nameless charm which is radiated by a beautiful and clever woman
+of the great world, and which is so apt to beguile the hearts of men;
+can you then--I am now speaking of yourself only, My Lady, only of what
+is in your power--can you, for your part, for your own heart, undertake
+the guarantee for the future? I conjure you, by all you hold sacred,
+can you conscientiously give the guardian, the father, this assurance?"
+
+"By all I hold sacred," replied. Alexandra, "yes! And I will rather die
+than break my oath!"
+
+She had stooped suddenly, and was about to draw Bertram's hand to her
+lips, but he prevented her with gentle force.
+
+"We must not soften each other's hearts," said he, his own voice
+quivering with emotion, "must not dim the clearness of our vision by
+tears of emotion. I accept your vow. And now I crave but one boon from
+Fate, to wit, that I be permitted one look, one deep, searching look
+into the young man's heart,--and into Erna's heart!"
+
+He had been murmuring the last words in a scarcely audible tone; his
+lips were trembling; Alexandra also was too much moved to be able to
+speak. Thus they had silently reascended the verandah-steps and moved
+on--unintentionally--to the open door which led to the card-room.
+Alexandra paused, uttering a slight exclamation.
+
+"What is it, My Lady?"
+
+She made no answer, but drew her arm swiftly out of his, and hurried
+away from him into the card-room. Bertram did not follow her; amazed
+and hurt that she could so suddenly leave him, attracted it would seem
+by the large oval table, around which there stood a fairly large group
+of gentlemen, either staking money themselves or watching the progress
+of the game which was evidently some game of chance, with Lotter acting
+as banker. Bertram anyhow saw that hated person sitting at the head of
+the table and dealing the cards, and next moment he heard that loud
+voice of his, which he disliked so much, exclaiming: "_Faites votre
+jeu, messieurs!_" Alexandra had advanced to the table as though she
+meant to join in the game, and Bertram turned away in grave
+displeasure. How could he have full confidence in a being, who was
+accustomed to obey every movement of a restless heart, every temptation
+of a light-winged fancy? No, no! If he was to resign, Erna's happiness
+must be anchored in firmer ground!
+
+He leaned against the door of the hall in which the couples were taking
+their places for the Lancers. Erna and her partner were standing but a
+few yards off. She was conversing with him in her usual, measured way;
+he could watch every movement of those beloved lips, when she spoke or
+when, with a fleeting smile, she answered a jesting word of her
+partner's. Her face was partly turned in his direction; he thought
+every moment that she would turn round completely and look at him. I
+"felt that some one was looking at me,"  she had said on that memorable
+morning, when he found her writing beneath the plantain-tree. Now she
+did not feel it. What had broken the magic spell of his glance? Was it
+because his love was no longer unselfish? Because a fierce wild longing
+seized him to press the slender white-robed form in his arms, to cover
+the sweet lips with wild kisses? No, no--it was not that! It was this!
+her heart no longer knew anything of him. It was this: new and younger
+gods had moved inside the temple, and the old one's might now depart
+ingloriously and hide their disgrace in the darkness of night!
+
+The music struck up, Erna held out her hand to her partner and floated
+across to the other side of the hall; and Bertram hurried away, down
+the verandah steps, away into the garden.
+
+Then he wandered about aimlessly, muttering wild words, wringing his
+hands despairingly. The deserted garden, with the coloured lamps
+swinging in the night wind, some dead, some dying, seemed a fit image
+of his wasted and desolate life; whilst the strains of mirthful music
+wafted across to him in mighty volumes from the brightly illumined
+mansion-house, and the sounds of singing and rejoicing that came up to
+him from the village below, seemed to mock the solitary self-tormentor.
+He felt that this could not go on, if he did not wish to go mad; he
+asked himself, pressing his hands to his throbbing temples, whether he
+was not mad already? Whether he was not the ill-omened victim, pursued
+by the relentless furies of jealousy, pursued until he breaks down--and
+to be spared only by voluntary resignation? Yet you surely can but
+resign what you own, what--if need be--you could defend; the possession
+of which you could dispute anyhow with your adversary to the last gasp.
+Despair does not resign, it only lets go what can no longer be held.
+What had he done to hold Erna? What was he doing at this very moment,
+except again making room for a rival, for whom, as it was, the stars in
+their courses were fighting, one who had youth and the privilege of an
+earlier attachment on his side? No, he deserved to be conquered, he who
+neither had the strength to conquer himself, nor the courage to join
+issue with the rival. Let the decision come then!
+
+
+
+
+                                  XX.
+
+
+Bertram stood on the lowest step of the terrace when this decision
+struggled forth from his tempest-tossed soul, that could no longer bear
+the torment. A small steep stair led upward from this place, at the
+very extremity of the garden, without any landing-places; he hurried
+up, taking two and three steps at a time. He had reached the top; next
+he turned to the right, across the lawn, in the direction of the
+verandah, when suddenly the music was silent within the hall, and
+instantly the dancers came forth from the many doors to cool and
+refresh themselves in the balmy night air. He did not care to meet the
+merry, motley multitude. Here and there isolated couples were
+descending the stairs. He withdrew into the darkness of the shrubberies
+surrounding the winter garden. It was lighted up; and, as far as he
+could judge by a glance through the windows, was deserted; he would
+pass through it, and so regain, unseen and undisturbed, the rooms where
+the others were.
+
+He entered. Between palm-trees and many broad-leaved plants there was a
+narrow passage, bisected in the centre by a shorter and broader one.
+Where the two passages met, towered a huge palm, set in a tub of mighty
+dimensions, and all but touching the glass-dome above. Behind, within
+the enclosure of the wall, was a small recess, furnished with dainty
+iron garden-chairs and with a table.
+
+This, he knew, was a favourite spot of Erna's, where, on rainy days,
+she was wont to spend hours. He could not resist the temptation of
+visiting the spot which on her account was sacred to him. He sank into
+one of the chairs, put his folded hands to his head, and let it rest
+upon the little table. As he sat thus in the attitude of one praying,
+his thoughts became a prayer: and he prayed that Fate would now
+determine his lot, now and here, be it bliss or be it--death. He was
+willing to submit to either, in all humility, knowing himself subject
+to the heavenly powers that would deal with him by their own
+inscrutable will.
+
+He lifted his head and rose slowly, hesitatingly, from his stooping,
+position. Was his prayer not heard? Could love not work a miracle, like
+faith, which was less strong? Surely, she would come, for whom he was
+longing with all the force of his heart!
+
+And lo!--as he turned his gaze to the door, the velvet curtain which
+draped it was drawn aside, and she appeared on the threshold, a
+slender, white-robed figure, bending forward, gazing into the silent
+green wilderness before her, listening! And now she was descending the
+stairs with lightsome step, moving along the passage that led to the
+tall palm-trees, and again she paused, leaning one hand against the
+edge of the tub, pressing the other against her bosom.
+
+"Erna!"
+
+He had, for fear of frightening her, uttered her name in a very low
+voice; yet she started where she stood, but did not turn to him who was
+so near, but stooped, listening, towards the other side; and at the
+same moment he heard, the little door open, by which he had himself
+entered the winter garden; and now some one was hurrying along the
+passage, towards Erna, who made a movement as though she would escape,
+but could not.
+
+"Miss Erna!"
+
+She made no answer, and Lieutenant Ringberg seemed to have exhausted
+his strength and his presence of mind with these two words, which he
+had uttered in a very diffident tone of voice. For a few seconds they
+both stood motionless. Then Erna said--
+
+"Fraeulein von Aschhof has told me that you wished to speak to me. I
+only came to request you not to honour Fraeulein von Aschhof any longer
+with your confidence. I--I am indignant that you could do so at all."
+
+"By Heaven! there is some misunderstanding here. I should never have
+dared to apply to Fraeulein von Aschhof. She began, and spoke so
+confidently that no doubt ever arose in me. I could not but believe
+that you--that yourself, Miss Erna...."
+
+"This is too much!"
+
+The breathless listener heard the rustling of her robe, and then some
+hurried words of entreaty which again chained her to the spot.
+Meanwhile they had somewhat changed their position; the dense foliage
+of some shrubs now intervened between himself and them, and he could
+now scarcely see anything of them, but he could hear every word even
+better than before.
+
+"You must not let me suffer for a misunderstanding of which--I swear
+it--I am so innocent, that I cannot even guess how it has come about.
+But be this as it may, I bless it as a heavenly favour, for surely
+Heaven would not have me condemned unheard. I pray and entreat you:
+listen!"
+
+"What have you to say?"
+
+"What I wrote in my last letter. If you will not believe in my
+assurances--and indeed I can understand that, as things are,
+appearances are against me--give me time--only a little time, until
+these unfortunate circumstances have become clearer, and those
+appearances will dissolve themselves into nothing. Only this much I
+can, I must say, I am not in love with the Princess, and I never have
+been, I have never felt anything for her but sympathy, respect,--and
+friendship, if you will,--feelings which that rarely-gifted woman will
+awaken in all who come to know her intimately. She is here for no other
+purpose but to plead for me, to clear up this wretched mystery which
+condemns me to silence, at the sacrifice of considerable personal
+advantages to herself. But she has met with resistance which she cannot
+overcome, and which compels her, and compels me also, to remain in this
+miserably odd position. Therefore, once more, give me time--give me a
+respite. A criminal gets that, and I am free from guilt, unless it be a
+crime that I look upon those duties which gratitude and the friendship
+of years impose upon me as sacred, even now, when it is so unspeakably
+hard for me, and when it puts me to the risk of forfeiting the
+happiness of my life!"
+
+"Is this all you have to say to me?"
+
+"All; for what else. I might say would find no credence, if your faith
+in my veracity does not go even this length."
+
+"Good-bye."
+
+"Erna! is it possible? Is every voice silent in your heart? Does
+nothing stir, nothing plead for one whom once you--I dare not say the
+word any longer, for I must fear to offend you again if I remind you of
+what once was? Great heavens! and I had thought, that if my pen were
+powerless, and my pleading on paper appeared clumsy and lifeless, I
+should but require to be once more face to face with you, looking into
+your loved eyes whilst you looked into mine, and that then you would
+believe me even before I uttered a word. And now, now, my glance is
+powerless, my words are mere sound. I no longer know what to say; I am
+standing here like a beggar who has been telling his story of bitter
+woe, and in whose face people close the door at which he has knocked
+with trembling hand. Have I become so poor? Well, I am most unwilling
+to appeal to a friend for help, but you leave me no choice. There is,
+living in your own circle, a gentleman who is in the secret, to whom
+the Princess has told it, half involuntarily; drawn on by the vivacity
+of her temperament, which she has never learned to control, half
+voluntarily, hoping that she was not betraying anything which all, or
+at least all concerned, would not know to-day. Well, this hope of hers
+has not been fulfilled. The gentleman in question knows it; and not
+deeming himself, under the circumstances, justified in speaking, he
+will, if I judge him correctly, be silent, although the Princess has
+already given him full liberty, nay, has entreated him to tell you all.
+I must confess, I was much taken aback when, a little time ago, she
+came and told me this; apart from other considerations, it was painful
+to me to know that the key to the fatal enigma was in the hands of a
+third person. But now, when, to my sorrow, I realise my impotence, let
+him plead for me, if he will. He will do it, if I, too, entreat him. I
+have barely exchanged three words with him, but looks like his, so
+imbued with the true nobility of the soul, cannot lie. Ask him--you
+will believe him!"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"You will not believe him?"
+
+"I will die rather than hear from him, speak to him of ... It is a
+shame, a shame! This is going too far. What happened before was ... but
+this, this ..."
+
+"How now? By the heavens above us, what is the meaning of this?"
+
+"The meaning is this: my last word to you is, Begone!"
+
+"I go. But one thing more, and let it be my last word. It is very
+bitter to have to say it. There is one greater misfortune yet than to
+see one's love misjudged, scorned, rejected, and that is, to have to
+say to one's self that she whom one had loved more,--a thousand times
+more than one's self,--is surpassed by other women, whom one had never
+dared to put on the same level as her, had barely dared to compare with
+her, in kindness and in generosity."
+
+There was a quick step passing away over the tiled passage, then the
+sound of the little garden-door being opened and closed, and then a cry
+of anguish, half suppressed, and all the more terrible on that account,
+the cry of one who had met with a deadly hurt.
+
+Bertram hurried round the intervening shrubs to where Erna stood with
+her arms raised on high, with wild staring eyes.
+
+And then she gave another cry, and the next moment she lay in his arms,
+clutching him, clinging to him, as a drowning man would clutch, would
+cling to, a rock.
+
+"Uncle Bertram! dear, dear Uncle Bertram!"
+
+"My sweet child!"
+
+"Save me! save me!!"
+
+A great gush of tears relieved her. She was now sobbing aloud, bending
+over his shoulder. Thus had come to pass that for which, but a brief
+time before, he had longed as the greatest bliss; a bliss he would fain
+taste for a moment, and for which he would willingly die, after having
+tasted it. He held her close to his heart, held the slender maiden's
+frame, the tender, heaving bosom; her sweet breath was floating around
+his heated cheek, and he knew she was his, was in his keeping; he had
+the power to hold her now, and it would cost him but one word. And yet
+it was all a dream-gift, which one may retain for a second or two by
+keeping one's eyes closed, but which fades away, to return no more, as
+soon as the eyes re-open.
+
+"Yes, I will save you, save you from yourself; you have lost yourself,
+and I will restore you."
+
+She lifted her head and looked at him, confused, questioning.
+
+"Not to-day, my sweet child, to-morrow; but you must be a good and
+obedient girl."
+
+"I will do all that you wish, that you command, dear one, beloved one!
+For there is none as good, as noble as you, not one, and I love no one
+as I love you!"
+
+Again she clasped him, more violently even than before, and pressed her
+hot, quivering lips, to his.
+
+But he did not return her kiss, and a gentle, melancholy smile played
+about his mouth as he said, putting her gently from him, and stroking
+her dark hair--
+
+"And never did father love his dearest child better than I love you."
+
+And again she gazed up to him with a strange expression of fear and
+shame.
+
+"Now go, my child; to-morrow we will talk together. I shall not leave
+to-morrow. I shall not go until you need me no longer. Good-bye till
+then. And then your dear eyes are to weep no more."
+
+She clung to him still, but hesitatingly, shyly now; he disengaged
+himself gently, and repeated--
+
+"Go, my child, go."
+
+She went, slowly, reluctantly, holding her head very low. On the
+topmost step, in the doorway leading to the tea-room, she paused and
+turned, as though expecting that he would summon her back.
+
+But he beckoned with eye and hand: "Go!"
+
+She vanished behind the velvet curtain. He was alone!
+
+
+
+
+                                  XXI.
+
+
+The mirth and fun of the feast were at their height now. The
+commander-in-chief had ordered that at twelve o'clock all officers
+should be in their respective quarters, including those who had been
+told off to the houses of the ranger, the mayor, and the other chief
+denizens of the village. It was past eleven o'clock already. No time
+was to be lost, if the guests wished to drain the cup of delight which
+the hospitable mansion-house proffered in such abundance.
+
+"Vivat Champagne!" exclaimed one of the young officers, taking a glass
+of the foaming wine from the salver which a footman offered him.
+
+"And pretty girls!" returned his friend von Koeppingen, emptying his
+goblet at one draught, replacing it on the salver, and turning upon his
+heel to hurry to the fair Augusta, with whom he was engaged to dance
+the _Rheinlaender_, the music of which the orchestra was just playing.
+
+"And where have you been, Ringberg?" asked another comrade, Herr von
+Rollintz; "been gambling a little?"
+
+"You know I never play," replied Kurt, who was leaning against the
+door.
+
+"Nor dance? Well, well, you are always so sensible; I feel half dead
+already, upon my honour! And yet I have to dance this _Rheinlaender_
+with the belle of the ball. I am looking for her everywhere; have you
+seen her, perchance? Ah, there she is!"
+
+Von Rollintz flew right across the room to meet Erna, who was just
+entering from the tea-room. A minute later the pair whirled past Kurt;
+von Rollintz, with radiant and glowing face, chattering even during the
+dance, Erna still and pale, the long dark eyelashes lowered.
+
+Kurt gazed gloomily after them; then he turned away and began pacing
+the verandah. After a little while he saw, at the end opposite to him,
+a gentleman ascending the steps, in whom, as soon as the bright light
+fell upon him, he recognised Bertram. The young man advanced rapidly
+two or three steps, then paused hesitatingly.
+
+"Why, after all!" he murmured, "everything now would be in vain."
+
+Bertram, who had gone up to one of the windows of the ball-room, was
+now slowly coming along the verandah. It was painful to Kurt to meet
+the man to whom, but a minute ago, he had been willing to apply for
+help. So, happening to be just in front of the card-room, he slipped
+in.
+
+"He avoids me," said Bertram to himself. "In that case the mountain
+will indeed have to go to Mahomet!"
+
+As he was about to look for Kurt in the card-room, he saw, on his way
+past the open doors of the ball room, Lydia in conversation with one of
+the older officers, a conversation carried on by Lydia with her
+customary abundance of gesture and the frequent use of her fan. He drew
+nearer, and, as he had hoped, her ever-roving glance had soon lighted
+upon him. A slight movement of his eyes was sufficient for the highly
+experienced lady, who left the Major with a jesting word, and tripped
+up to Bertram.
+
+"You have something to tell me, dear friend?"
+
+"Can you spare me one minute?"
+
+"One minute? For you?"
+
+She gave a sentimental glance at Bertram and started.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed, "you are ill. You wish the doctor
+sent for; but there is one here, nay, there are two,--pray let me...."
+
+"Pray remain here," said Bertram, seizing her by the hand as she was
+hastening away. "It is true that I feel rather worn out--a consequence
+of the unrest and noise to which I am not accustomed--but otherwise
+perfectly well. Let us sit down there!"
+
+He pointed, to a couch near, and sat down; Lydia followed him with
+trembling knees, shaking all over, feeling her heart rising to her
+throat. The whole unusual approach of Bertram who was generally so
+reserved, his pallor, his solemn manner--all this could have but one
+reason, one meaning--and what was she to reply? Act surprise and
+terror, of course! But not too long, just a few moments of half
+fainting, with her head leaning back against the wall and her eyes
+turned rapturously towards the chandelier.
+
+"My dear friend--for I must appeal to your friendship--to your
+love...."
+
+"Good Heavens!" murmured Lydia.
+
+"To the love which you doubtless cherish for Erna, and which has, I
+assume, misled you to this last extremely equivocal step of yours."
+
+"Good Heavens!" murmured Lydia again, but this time with accents of the
+greatest terror, as of some one who suddenly feels the ground beneath
+him giving way.
+
+"I will not reproach you," continued Bertram, "which indeed I have no
+right to do. I was wrong myself in not taking you into my confidence in
+reference to Erna, in wrapping myself in secrecy and silence, and thus
+all but compelling you to act alone and independently in order to help
+our dear child to what, let us trust, will prove her lasting happiness.
+But the remedy which you applied came too soon and was too strong; it
+has not had the desired effect, at least not in the meantime; indeed,
+at present things look desperately bad. Do not ask me how I have
+learned this, I may tell you later on, when perhaps you will tell me,
+too, how you discovered the secret which both guarded so carefully. All
+this does not matter just now; but one thing is of the greatest
+importance, and this I heartily beg you will grant me. We must
+henceforth act in common, take no one into our confidence of whom we
+cannot be sure that he aims at the same thing as we do--namely, at
+Erna's happiness. And I think you will do best if you leave me to judge
+when this is the case. Are you agreed?"
+
+Poor Lydia was sadly embarrassed. For her terrible disappointment it
+was some compensation that Bertram himself had evidently no matrimonial
+intentions with reference to Erna, and that he was offering Lydia his
+alliance and friendship. How gladly would she have agreed! How gladly
+said yes to everything, averring that she would blindly obey his
+behests. But alas, in addition to her first indiscretion which he had
+so kindly pardoned, she had meanwhile committed another which he would
+scarcely pardon.
+
+"It is too late, I see," said Bertram, who had not failed to notice the
+terribly anxious expression of her mobile countenance. "You have
+already told Hildegard."
+
+"No, no--not Hildegard--worse! far worse!" murmured Lydia, wringing her
+hands and casting down her eyes. "In my anxiety, my--ye Heavens! I
+cannot excuse myself on any other ground--in my tender anxiety, for you
+... the Baron ... you ..."
+
+"Pray speak distinctly," said Bertram, repressing his anger. "I must
+know all. The Baron ..."
+
+"He was so angry with you ever since that miserable letter--no, I
+cannot tell you that; I am too much ashamed of myself--but Erna has
+already pardoned me, and so will you. We had all lost our heads. He
+asserted that you alone were to blame for his failure with Erna. And
+that Otto had not given him the money--a great big sum--three thousand
+thalers--was your doing too, he said. This morning already, before he
+drove away, he vowed in my presence that he would inflict a terrible
+vengeance upon you; and at dinner, when he sat next to me, he talked
+dreadfully, and drank ever so much champagne--and I knew--I thought I
+knew--I saw that Erna and Ringberg--Erna had denied him altogether; and
+the girls--Augusta, you know, and Louise--told me that Ringberg used
+constantly to meet her at their house ...! Erna was so excited when the
+regiment came, and ..."
+
+"Go on!" cried Bertram.
+
+"And now the Baron wanted to make you suffer for it. And I really could
+not tolerate it, seeing that perhaps I had contributed to the Baron's
+wrath against you."
+
+"And so you told the Baron all?"
+
+Lydia was sitting with rigid, tearful eyes, and started in terror as
+Bertram quickly rose.
+
+"What would you do?"
+
+"Try if I can repair the mischief a little."
+
+"Let me go, I entreat you! and I will tell the Baron ..."
+
+"And I wish you to tell him nothing. I wish you to remain where you
+are, and to appear as unconcerned as possible to all, specially to
+Erna, if she should come to you, which, however, I doubt; and mind that
+you do not betray one word of what we have been discussing here. Will
+you promise that?"
+
+"I promise everything you wish."
+
+"I shall not be ungrateful."
+
+Lydia gazed after him with tears in her eyes as he hurried away. "I
+shall not be ungrateful," he had said; and saying that, he had pressed
+her hand--for the first time since they had met--and supposing,
+supposing that it came to pass after all!
+
+Major von Keberstein approached her again, and said laughingly--
+"You seem to have had quite a long confidential conversation with the
+gentleman who carried you off so abruptly from my side. And then a poor
+old bachelor like me is not to get jealous!"
+
+"I will do my best now to make up for it."
+
+"It will take you all your time, we shall have to tramp back to our
+quarters in ten minutes."
+
+"Can you not throw in half an hour?"
+
+"Not for worlds!" exclaimed the major, replacing his watch which he had
+been consulting. "My orders are very strict."
+
+"Then I must claim the ten minutes at least," she rejoined, gathering
+her robe together and making way for the stout old gentleman by her
+side on the couch.
+
+In the adjoining card-room, too, the guests were bent upon making the
+most of the last few minutes by doubling and trebling their high
+stakes. All the players now were civilians, chiefly neighbouring
+proprietors, who could afford to lose a few hundreds. Some of the
+officers had at first joined in the game, but only at first, and with
+very small stakes, as if to show that, so far as they were concerned,
+the whole thing was a little harmless social amusement--nothing more.
+When heavier sums began to be staked, they had at once ceased playing,
+and had gradually melted away. The _Oberfoerster_, or ranger, who was
+only looking on, thought that this had been done in obedience to a
+signal from the Colonel himself, who had passed through the card-room
+on his way out.
+
+"All the better," the Baron had sneered; "then we shall remain snugly
+among ourselves. _Faites votre jeu, Messieurs!_"
+
+And indeed the Baron, so the gentlemen present thought, had good reason
+to find his position a snug one. He was winning almost without
+interruption. The heap of bank-notes and gold coins by his side was
+ever increasing; among the bank-notes were already a good few slips, on
+which the players had written their names and the amount of their
+stakes; his gains were said to be several thousands. He asserted that
+it was nothing like that sum, and repeatedly offered to let some one
+else take the bank; but no one cared to accept his offer; and thus the
+losers had no right to grumble, although for some time now they had
+been, as one of them said, hurrying in pursuit of their own money. They
+had need to hurry if they would overtake the money which was ever
+fleeting. The Baron's proposal that the game should cease punctually at
+half-past eleven, the time fixed for the conclusion of the ball, had
+been agreed to, and it was now almost a quarter past. The Baron saw
+already, from the large stakes which the players were venturing, that,
+as the cards were more than ever in his favour, his gains would be
+doubled; his jubilant mirth proved the excitement he was labouring
+under; he had some funny word for every card he dealt, every deal he
+scored, and all the while his eyes were glowing, and his busy hands
+were twitching nervously. Suddenly there was a change. One of the
+players had staked a sum equivalent to the total of his losses during
+the evening--and had won! This daring play, and the success which had
+crowned it, stimulated the others; and now everything went against the
+banker. In a few minutes his heap had dwindled down to less than half,
+and it became evident that if, during the remaining quarter of an hour,
+the bank were pursued by the same bad luck, it must needs end with a
+considerable balance the wrong way. The jests of the Baron became more
+and more bitter; presently he took to whistling savagely through his
+closed teeth, interspersing this with muttered curses; his eyes, now
+roving restlessly around the room, seemed repeatedly to be fixing
+themselves upon same one within the room. Suddenly he stopped in the
+middle of a deal, and exclaimed, with a semi-audible curse--
+"You are bringing me bad luck, sir! You are in my way, sir!"
+
+These words, which he had uttered in the most violent way, were
+accompanied by a fierce look at Kurt, who, to avoid meeting Bertram,
+had entered the room a few minutes ago, and had since been standing
+with folded arms among the spectators, who, attracted and enchained by
+the sight of the maddening game, had, in ever-increasing numbers,
+grouped themselves around the board of green cloth. The scene had not
+had any attraction for him; his mind was far away; he had stared
+mechanically before him without seeing anything; nor had he heard the
+Baron's words; he only felt it disagreeable that several gentlemen near
+him were looking hard at him. One of them thought it incumbent upon
+himself to whisper to Kurt that the Baron had meant his remarks for
+him. Kurt, under the impression that Lotter had been asking him to join
+in the game, and not wishing to say it aloud, replied in a courteous
+whisper to the gentleman who had called his attention to the fact that
+the Baron had meant his remarks for him--
+
+"I am sorry, but I never play."
+
+He accompanied this by an apologetic shrug of the shoulders towards the
+Baron, and turned upon his heel. As soon as he was free of the crowd
+surging around him, he made for the door leading to the verandah,
+hoping that there he would be left to himself and to his own sad
+thoughts.
+
+The Baron burst into a hoarse, mocking laughter when he saw Kurt turn;
+he went on dealing, with trembling hands, then jumped suddenly to his
+feet, exclaiming--
+
+"Excuse me, but I must ask the gentleman, what he means by shrugging
+his shoulders."
+
+He flung the remaining cards upon the table, and was rushing towards
+the door through the crowd of amazed and excited spectators, whom he
+pushed rudely aside if they did not make way quickly enough. Before he
+reached the door, however, Bertram faced him, barring the way.
+
+"What do you want?" the Baron hissed through his teeth.
+
+"I want to call your attention to the fact that you are the guest of
+this house, and that you are on the point of basely violating its
+proffered hospitality."
+
+Bertram had spoken firmly, but in so low a voice that the Baron alone
+could hear him. His look, too, was perfectly calm; even those next to
+him, who saw but his face, whilst the Baron was turning his broad back
+upon them, could not but think that it was simply some indifferent
+communication.
+
+The Baron was speechless with wrath. Bertram gave him no time to break
+out. He continued in the same low, incisive tone--
+
+"I see that you quite understand me. I need scarcely add that I am at
+any time at your service, should you consider yourself in need of a
+comment upon the lesson which I have given you."
+
+"You shall hear from me, and forthwith!"
+
+"The sooner the better!"
+
+He bowed slightly; then, raising his voice as he turned to the others,
+he said--
+
+"A thousand pardons, gentlemen; but I was commissioned by our amiable
+host to remind you that his military-guests have, alas! to retire
+already; and that they will be wishing to bid you farewell."
+
+As if in confirmation of Bertram's words, the music just then broke off
+in the adjoining ball-room, the door flew open, and quite a host of
+officers came rushing in. There could no longer be any question of
+resuming the game, even if the players had been willing, which they,
+however, certainly seemed not to be. Some of the older ladies had come
+in, looking for their husbands; some others, young ones, followed; the
+room was overflowing with guests; the players had difficulty in
+getting back to the table to pocket their stakes. Not a few of them
+had yet to square accounts with the Baron; they crowded round him, but
+he was shoving the remnant of his gains--gold coins, bank-notes,
+I.O.U.s--higgledy-piggledy into his pockets, and when questioned, as he
+constantly was, replied with surly mien and in briefest words, and
+repelled rather than answered their questions--muttering that they
+might apply to-morrow; and that, in this confusion to-night, the devil
+himself could neither hear nor impart information.
+
+Bertram had eagerly watched, this scene, keeping close to the door
+which led to the verandah. He made sure that the Baron's time was
+meanwhile absolutely taken up, and that he would, not be able to think
+of following Kurt and inventing some new reason for a quarrel, since
+the first attempt had failed. Under any circumstances, the Baron would
+have to settle with him first; and then he saw how, breaking away from
+the players who were still surrounding him, the Baron hurried up to
+meet Herr von Busche, who, looking very heated and flushed, was just
+coming from the ball-room. The two gentlemen Bertram knew to be, as
+shooting companions, on good, though not on specially friendly terms;
+anyhow, there could be no doubt as to the subject of their present
+discussion in yonder far-away corner, where the Baron was
+gesticulating, while Herr von Busche, the young gentleman from the
+Woods and Forests' Office, listened intently, now and again shaking his
+head, and at last nodding it, more, it seemed, in courtesy than in
+assent. Then Bertram remembered that it was time for him also to look
+out for a second.
+
+Looking for Ringberg, he saw him on the verandah, which now was filled
+by the guests, among a small group of officers, already with helmets
+and overcoats on, who were bidding him good-bye. These departing heroes
+had their quarters in the village; they were in a mighty hurry; a
+couple of servants were in readiness with lanterns to light up the
+shorter way to the village, down the terraces; fair Hildegard had,
+indeed, been mindful of everything needed. As the other officers were
+hastening down the steps, Bertram stepped up to Kurt.
+
+"Can you spare me a minute, Lieutenant Ringberg?"
+
+Kurt was evidently very much surprised, but he at once bowed his
+assent.
+
+"To be sure, a minute will not suffice, if, as I hope, you will grant
+my request."
+
+The young man's bronzed cheeks assumed a yet deeper hue, as he said--
+
+"Pray, speak; and be assured beforehand that it will be a pleasure and
+an honour to me to be of use to you in any way."
+
+"Then have the kindness to give me your arm and to accompany me into
+the garden, that I may tell you uninterruptedly what is the matter.
+Well, it is briefly this: Baron Lotter--I do not know whether you have
+had the doubtful pleasure of making his acquaintance--a friend of our
+host's, by the way, with whom he and I have been staying here for the
+past week,--thinks himself insulted by me, and, according to the usual
+code and my own conviction, he has good cause for it. It is an old feud
+resulting from a certain mutual rivalry as to the respective
+consideration and influence which he and I claim, or think we may
+claim, in this house, an old feud about to be ultimately settled. The
+actual occasion of the quarrel is merely accidental, and, as such,
+absolutely irrelevant. I mention this particularly to enable me to add
+the request that in the subsequent negotiations, supposing that you are
+willing--well, very well, then, and I am really obliged to you--that in
+these negotiations you may lay absolutely no stress upon that occasion,
+nay, that you may avoid touching upon it at all. You will please accept
+the conditions for the hostile meeting exactly as they may be proposed
+by the other side; I have my own reasons for wishing to be particularly
+obliging in that respect. Only the fixing of time and place troubles
+me. Here of course the duel cannot take place. I should therefore
+propose some spot near town. This would suit me all the better, as I
+have, anyhow, announced my intention of leaving this place to-morrow,
+and could, therefore, remain in town for a short while without
+attention being called to it; and as the Baron also was to leave
+to-morrow too, and as he also must pass through town, the delay will be
+very brief for him. The only question now is: Whether and when do you
+think you can be free yourself?"
+
+"In no case," replied Kurt, "before to-morrow afternoon, but then for
+certain, because, if circumstances were less favourable, I could then
+get leave of absence from the Colonel--without, of course, mentioning
+the special reason why I needed it. Circumstances are, however,
+favourable, and, if our suppositions are at all correct, and if the big
+sham-fight is once over, the regiment will, sometime to-morrow
+afternoon, be somewhere between this and town, and may even have to
+bivouack there. Under any circumstances, I shall be able to attend
+punctually at the time required.
+
+"This," said Bertram, "will do excellently. So we are now free from
+this trouble; and this, I think, is all that we need settle in the
+meantime. Now it may be as well if I put you in communication with Herr
+von Busche. I have no doubt that he is to be the Baron's second. If
+required, a question from you, as to whether he chanced to have a
+commission, a message, for me, would at once settle things."
+
+They had meanwhile come again near the verandah, and just then Herr von
+Busche was coming out of the card-room, looking round apparently in
+search of some one. Bertram and Kurt hurried their advancing steps, and
+he again turned swiftly round, to speak to Bertram, the moment he had
+recognised him, saying--
+
+"I am so glad, Herr Doctor, to have met you at last, since I was about
+to do myself the honour of bringing you a message of some importance. I
+have already been looking, and looking in vain for you, in all the
+rooms."
+
+"A thousand pardons," replied Bertram; "but I, myself, have not in the
+meantime been idle in this affair. May I now have the pleasure of
+introducing to you the Premier-Lieutenant Ringberg, who ..."
+
+"I have already had the honour," said Herr von Busche with a bow.
+
+"All the better. Then I will no longer disturb you, gentlemen. You will
+find me in my rooms. Good-bye till then."
+
+He shook hands with Kurt, bowed to Herr von Busche, and left them both,
+as they retreated into the semi-obscurity of the shrubbery, until,
+passing along the verandah and the side building, he reached a postern,
+from which a stair led, straight from the garden, to his rooms.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXII.
+
+
+Even on this stirring evening Konski had not been oblivious of his
+duty. He knew from experience that his master was wont to retire from
+festivities before their actual close, and thus Bertram, on entering
+his rooms, found his candles duly lighted, and all preparations made
+for the night. He praised his faithful servant for his careful
+attention, but told him he was not in a hurry to go to bed, as he was
+expecting a visit from Lieutenant Ringberg, and that Konski might hurry
+back to his sweetheart, as no doubt he would like.
+
+This he said in his wonted playful tone, to Konski's intense delight,
+for the servant gathered from this that his fear, lest his master
+should again be the worse for all the noise and excitement of the big
+entertainment, had been uncalled-for. He even ventured upon a remark on
+the subject.
+
+"I am astonished myself," Bertram said in reply. "I think you must be
+right; we both had put ourselves down too soon as old fogies."
+
+Bertram smiled as he spoke, and Konski thought that his hint had fallen
+upon fruitful soil, and that his own favourite wish would, after all,
+be fulfilled. Perhaps his Aurora might know some details. To be sure,
+My Lady had given strict orders that within ten minutes after
+the departure of the last carriage no soul was to stir about the
+mansion-house, lest any of the officers billeted there should be
+disturbed in their brief slumbers. But Aurora would surely find out
+some place where they could quietly converse.
+
+So the faithful servant left Bertram, and instantly the master's serene
+mien changed, and assumed a look of great anxiety. He listened: perhaps
+his expected visitor was even now crossing the servant's path. No; the
+noise died away in the corridor and on the stair. Konski had vanished
+somewhere in the court-yard, and all now was silent. Bertram began to
+pace softly up and down his room, then paused again, listening. What if
+Kurt were to learn that the duel was to be fought for his sake? In that
+case, the chances were everything to nothing that he would insist upon
+precedence, and would himself challenge the Baron. Bertram, anyhow, had
+some scruples as to whether he should not have told the young man the
+true state of affairs, because he had now exposed Kurt to the
+possibility of one or other of the witnesses of the scene in the
+card-room misinterpreting Kurt's action, and asserting that he had
+simply been unwilling to understand Lotter's insulting remarks; and
+this would, of course, according to the military code of honour, have
+been identical with a reproach of downright cowardice.
+
+But, then, it might be hoped that in the wild confusion and frantic
+excitement of the moment, no one had been at leisure to observe the
+little incident minutely enough to be able to give a clear account of
+it either to himself or to any one else. On such occasions a dispute or
+wrangle was by no means of rare occurrence, and none of the spectators
+had looked as though they were in the habit of attaching much
+importance to such scenes; and it certainly would be foreign to the
+good, easy-going Thuringians to have done so. Fortunately, not one of
+Kurt's fellow-officers had been present at the time; and even Herr von
+Busche, the young gentleman from the Woods and Forests, had only come
+in at the last moment. The question was simply whether the Baron would
+subsequently try to pick a quarrel with Kurt, seeing his first attempt
+had clearly failed through no fault of Kurt's; and now, of course, the
+Baron would have a capital chance of doing so. The pity of it, thought
+Bertram; why had he blindly followed that inner voice which bade him
+choose Kurt for his second? Why? It had been Bertram's only chance of
+getting one deep, searching look into the young man's heart? But was
+not the fulfilment of his ardent prayer purchased all too dear, if it
+led the way to the very thing which he was desirous of preventing at
+the sacrifice of his own life?
+
+And yet, he said to himself, he need not quite despair. Lotter, to be
+sure, now knew who was his real rival. And the desire to wreak his
+vengeance upon that rival, to annihilate him, if possible, was very
+sure to become overpowering in the heart of a hot-blooded, terribly
+angered, absolutely unscrupulous man, one never at a loss, and one
+passionately in love with Erna. But was this really the case? No, and
+again, no! That man never had loved Erna. His whole suit had, from
+beginning to end, been nothing but a vulgar speculation upon Erna's
+presumably colossal fortune, by means of which he hoped to free himself
+from disagreeable temporary embarrassments, and to continue his
+good-for-nothing life of self-indulgent ease. Even before Kurt had
+appeared upon the scene, those dreams of a brilliant future had become
+greatly obscured; he had, it was clear, been virtually dropped; and he
+was surely quick enough to have found out speedily to whom he was
+indebted for this fate. His savage utterances to Lydia were sufficient
+proof that he knew quite well who, from the very beginning, had stood
+between Erna and him, who afterwards had delayed the decision,
+prevented any further approach, roused the distrust of the parents,
+turned the daughter's thoughts away, and ultimately had done the very
+worst for him. If there was any one who had deserved the Baron's wrath
+and hatred, on whom his vengeance was certain to fall, surely it was
+himself. Why pick a quarrel with any one else as well? The Baron was no
+coward, far from it; yet, being a perfect shot, he would have it all
+his own way with an opponent like Bertram, who had hardly ever hit the
+target when they practised together. Why then should the Baron not play
+a trump card when lie had one in his hands?
+
+Thus cudgelling his brain, carefully weighing every reason for and
+against it, Bertram kept viewing his position, and all the while the
+weary moments seemed to creep slowly, slowly by, and each succeeding
+one weighed more and more heavily upon his soul. And yet, would he not
+perchance learn all too soon, that his bold attempt to take the place
+of Erna's lover, and thus to guard their new-born happiness, which was
+already so much endangered, against a new and most serious peril, had
+failed, and that he himself had missed this most excellent opportunity
+of dying? He was doomed to go on living this life of his, which had
+lost its savour and had no longer any meaning for him! Half an hour had
+already gone by; they might have finished their consultation long ere
+this, for there was little enough to consult about--unless it was the
+other duel!
+
+In the court-yard, whence the noise of the departing carriages and
+divers shouts had been ascending, silence began to prevail. Bertram
+could master his impatience no longer; he stepped across the corridor
+and went to one of the windows looking out upon the court-yard which
+the expected lieutenant would have to cross. Presently he heard a
+swift, elastic step upon the stairs; he hastened to meet his hurrying
+visitor, and cried, holding out his hand to him--
+
+"Is everything settled?"
+
+"Everything."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" Bertram had all but said; he just managed to change it
+into a polite, "Thank, you so much!"
+
+He kept Kurt's hand in his own as he led him into his room. He made him
+sit upon the sofa, and seated himself by his side. Kurt thought that
+one could not welcome a dear friend, the bringer of the most pleasant
+news, with greater warmth and delight. This feeling was still more
+strengthened when his singular host presently sprang up again, and
+fetched from his stock of provisions for the journey a bottle of wine,
+which he proceeded to uncork; next he brought some glasses, and even a
+small box of cigars. Although no smoker himself, he said, he always had
+some cigars by him for his friends.
+
+He filled the glasses, and held out his own to Kurt.
+
+"May everything turn out as we wish!"
+
+"With all my heart!" replied the young officer.
+
+Kurt said these words with a deep, almost melancholy gravity; which
+contrasted strangely with the gladsome excitement of the older man;
+Kurt's lips barely touched the wine, whilst Bertram drained his glass
+hurriedly, greedily, and instantly refilled it.
+
+"I have fasted almost all day," he said, as if by way of excuse. "A
+festive entertainment always puts me out and takes away my appetite.
+But now, please, tell me--do they agree to everything?"
+
+Kurt reported with military brevity and precision. The only difficulty
+had been to fix the time, as the Baron had at first asserted that he
+could not delay his departure beyond noon on the following day at the
+latest; ultimately, however, he had agreed to the meeting coming off at
+six o'clock in the afternoon. The place was to be a certain spot in the
+great forest, almost exactly midway between Rinstedt and the town, by
+the banks of a little lake. It would be easy to move thence to a still
+more remote portion of the wood, in case the man[oe]vres should have
+brought any one to the neighbourhood, which, in its normal state, is
+absolutely deserted.
+
+"I remember the place exactly from former walks," Bertram said.
+
+"Capital," replied the young man, "for that removes another
+difficulty--namely, how you were to find your way to it from the town.
+The spot suits me singularly well, because we shall probably bivouac
+not a mile from it. I forgot to mention that I have already secured the
+services of our very skilful staff-surgeon, and that Herr von Busche
+will provide a carriage. Lastly, for the sake of keeping the whole
+affair secret, it seemed desirable that the Herr Baron should not go
+straight from here to the meeting. So, under pretext of wishing to make
+to-morrow an excursion to the scene of the man[oe]vres in company with
+Herr von Busche, of returning here at night, and leaving definitely on
+the day following, he has sent word asking his host and hostess to
+excuse him until to-morrow evening, and even now he is driving with
+Herr von Busche to the ranger's house, where he is to pass the night."
+
+"Excellent! excellent!" exclaimed Bertram. "Everything is arranged most
+thoughtfully and carefully. I thank you very much. Herr von Busche
+appears to have been perfectly willing to facilitate all arrangements?"
+
+"He was charming," replied Kurt; "nay, more, he told me quite openly
+that he was doing the Herr Baron this service most reluctantly, very
+much against his own will indeed, and only in deference to the
+traditional courtesy in such matters, and that he would give a good
+deal, if it lay in his power to settle the whole affair amicably. I
+confess I fully sympathise with him in the last point. It was a most
+painful thought for us both that a man like you should risk his life
+against a Baron Lotter, who, it seems, does not enjoy any one's special
+sympathy; and all the chances are against you, too."
+
+"Why all the chances?"
+
+"Herr von Busche said that your opponent was one of the best
+pistol-shots that he knew, unerring of aim, and steady of eye and hand.
+Herr von Busche, of course, has never seen you practise, but he fears,
+and so do I, that ..."
+
+"That I am a miserable shot?" exclaimed Bertram smilingly. "Out with
+it! Yes, yes, you gentlemen have little confidence in us bookworms for
+this sort of thing. But fortunately you are mistaken. I am more or less
+out of practice, I admit; but I can shoot a little, and at such a short
+distance too!"
+
+"I am delighted to hear you say so," replied Kurt. "And yet I would
+like to ask you if there is no possibility of bringing about an
+amicable settlement. It is not by any means too late yet. Herr von
+Busche quite agrees with me in this. Only, as we are both absolutely
+ignorant of the real cause ..."
+
+"But I have already told you that an old feud is about to be settled,"
+Bertram interrupted him somewhat impatiently. "The momentary cause--by
+the way, a small lesson in good manners which I gave the Baron--is of
+no consequence at all."
+
+"So Herr von Busche, too, had been told by his client, and we agreed to
+accept this as sufficient, considering that a man like you would not
+act in such an affair except with due deliberation, and that we younger
+men must respect your motives, even if we regret that they are not
+communicated to us."
+
+"I thank you both all the more for the sacrifice which you are making
+for me," exclaimed Bertram, holding out his hand to Kurt.
+
+"Then I will say good-bye; you will be in need of rest."
+
+Kurt had risen; Bertram retained him.
+
+"Stay a little longer," he said, "if you are not too tired. I am not
+fatigued at all. To-morrow's meeting is not weighing upon my mind in
+the slightest; nay, more, I am as sure of my good fortune as ever Caesar
+was of his; and I hope, confidently, that we two shall meet many a time
+again in the land of the living. Yet one should not claim from the
+future what the present offers, and therefore let me, at this present
+moment, touch upon a matter which concerns you very specially, and
+which I have, Heaven knows, much more at heart than this wretched
+business over which we have already wasted far too much precious time."
+
+A deep blush burned upon the young officer's cheeks; his dark eyes now
+evaded the bright light of those great blue orbs, whose extraordinary
+brilliancy and beauty he had already repeatedly admired in the course
+of their previous conversation.
+
+"You know what I wish to speak about?" Bertram asked next; and again
+the young man was struck by the complete harmony of the ring of that
+voice and of the radiance of those eyes.
+
+"I think I do," he replied, almost in a whisper.
+
+"Then you will know, too, the sort of relation in which I stand to
+Erna?"
+
+Kurt still dared not look up. He nodded his assent.
+
+"But you cannot know," continued Bertram, "how very intimate this
+relation is--so much so, that I cannot find quite an appropriate name
+for it. I should say that of a father towards a most beloved child, if
+there did not mingle with my feelings for her a touch which--perhaps
+you will understand me--I would call chivalrous tenderness. This touch
+may perhaps occur in other cases too, I mean between a real father and
+daughter--I am sorry to say I never had a daughter of my own--and I
+only mention this element, because it helps me to understand why Erna,
+who otherwise confides in me unconditionally, has kept her love a
+secret from me. Perhaps it was solely an outcome of the long interval
+of time during which we had not met; in such cases a kind of
+estrangement is apt to occur, which, to be sure, once overcome, is wont
+to be followed by a greater cordiality. But above all, the poor darling
+deemed herself rejected, betrayed. Her happiness she would gladly have
+let her paternal friend share; unhappiness always seals the lips of the
+proud; and yet I know that more than once the secret was trembling upon
+those sweet lips of hers, and that had she overcome her shy shrinking,
+she would have spared herself--and spared you, my friend--much
+suffering; and the palms in the winter garden would, an hour ago, have
+waved their magnificent heads above two happy, blissful souls, and not
+above two young fools who, from sheer love, were tearing each other's
+hearts to pieces!"
+
+Kurt gave a quick quiver, and all but jumped from the sofa; but
+Bertram's eyes shone forth in glorious radiance, and a smile of
+infinite tenderness played about his mouth. A strange thrill passed
+through the young man's heart, as though he were in the presence of
+something unapproachably lofty, something which imperatively demanded
+humble submission and confiding obedience. So he lowered his eyes,
+which had flashed indignantly for a moment, and said, scarcely above
+his breath--
+
+"I thank Heaven that He led you to that spot."
+
+"And I," replied Bertram, taking both the young man's hands and
+pressing them heartily, "I thank you for that word which sets me free
+from all restraint, and takes away the last remnant of shrinking
+shyness. Who, indeed, would not shrink, feel awe-struck, when it comes
+to touching those tender threads that spin themselves from heart to
+heart, until, God willing, they become united in a woof so strong that
+death itself cannot rend, it? What God joins, let no man put asunder;
+what God puts asunder, let no man try to join! What has come between
+you two is sheer misunderstanding, provoked by extraordinary
+circumstances, which would have puzzled even older and more experienced
+people, and in which you young, passionate, inconsiderate folk knew
+not what to do. And being so thoughtless and helpless, you have
+assuredly committed mistakes, mistakes on either side, and the demon of
+pride--'by that sin fell the angels'--will have gloated over it all.
+Not to enable me to register and chronicle your mutual faults, but only
+in order that, being taught by the past, we may look the future more
+clearly in the face, just tell me how it all came about? When did you
+make Erna's acquaintance? Was it not in her aunt's house in Erfurt?"
+
+"Yes," replied Kurt; "and to know her and love her was one and the same
+thing; nay, I may say, without the slightest exaggeration, that she was
+one 'whom to look at was to love.' One evening, I saw her at a party. I
+had been visiting at the house for some time, and I think I was rather
+fond of Augusta von Palm, who is staying here now, and with dear Agatha
+I was on terms of heartiest friendship; but Agatha; wishing to give me
+a surprise, had not told me of Erna's visit. So I saw her quite
+unexpectedly among the other young ladies. It would be quite bootless
+for me to try and describe what went on in my heart. So, I thought
+afterwards, the men must have felt of whom the Bible tells us that they
+were held worthy of beholding some divine apparition. My breath failed
+me; all the others present seemed to vanish from my sight; I saw only
+her, or, properly speaking, not her, only her eyes. It seemed like a
+double stream of unearthly, transcendent light; and again it was a
+stream which bore me resistlessly onward and upward into realms of
+bliss, whereof but an hour before I had known nought, divined nought,
+and which yet were, I felt clearly, my true home, to which I was soon
+returning after much aimless wandering in far off regions."
+
+The young man's voice quivered. He drained the glass which, before, his
+lips had scarcely touched. Bertram filled it afresh. Kurt never saw how
+his hand shook as he poured out the wine, nor observed how curiously
+veiled the voice was in which Bertram, breaking the pause, said--
+
+"Strange, or perhaps less strange than highly gratifying, that at least
+for once I find, this kindling effect of Love's divine flash confirmed
+in reality, of which the poets of all times and in all climes have sung
+in praise. I am almost ashamed to confess that although I do not think
+I am a hopelessly prosaic individual, I have always thought this but a
+fond and fair dream."
+
+"And it is a dream," Kurt made answer, "inasmuch as things real are
+most curiously shifted and changed in it, and as one can give scarcely
+a clearer account than a somnambulist, of what occurs and of what one
+does one's self. I do not remember how I got home that night; I have no
+idea whether it was several days after, or really on the day following,
+that, during a picnic in the country, I was strolling apart from the
+rest by her side through a leafy grove. The light of the dying sun was
+trembling among the trees, and a few subdued notes of birds' song were
+heard. Silence was all around; and in silence we passed on, side by
+side. Sometimes she stooped to gather a flower for the tiny bunch which
+she held in her hand, and once, as she stooped again, and I wished to
+anticipate her, our hands touched; and, startled, we both looked up,
+looked into each other's eyes, and the flowers dropped from her hands,
+and--well, it was just a dream, a brief and blissful dream. Who can
+tell the story of a dream?"
+
+The young man had risen and gone to the window. Bertram kept his seat,
+leaning his head on his hands. When Kurt turned back to the table, he
+thought that the noble countenance which now looked up with a very
+sweet smile was paler than before.
+
+"Pardon me," he said, "but I think I see that you are in need of rest;
+let me pause here. You know what happened next."
+
+"Yes, but not quite how it happened," said Bertram in reply. "Please
+sit down by my side again, unless you are tired yourself. As for me, I
+am a regular old night-owl. How it happened, yes--how did Erna come to
+hear of your connection with the Princess? Some malevolent traitor must
+have been at work there."
+
+"Would that it had been the case!" answered Kurt. "A traitor Erna's
+clear eyes would have speedily recognised as such. But the one who told
+her of it was a dear friend of my own, a fellow-officer, who in the
+course of a visit to our former garrison--our own regiment had
+meanwhile been transferred to Magdeburg--made Erna's acquaintance,
+without having the slightest conception of our relations. And as the
+conversation chanced to turn upon me, he babbled, under a promise of
+discretion, of the secret; and probably adorned and amplified matters,
+so as to let the enormous stroke of good luck which was supposed to be
+in store for me appear in its greatest splendour. As he was known to be
+on very intimate terms with me, as I had myself given him an
+introduction to the von Palms, and specially commended him to Erna, she
+had to believe that his romantic story was sheer truth; nay, the awful
+thought came to her that I had myself authorised my friend to make
+these communications, or, if this had been quite too infamous, she
+assumed at least that he had been commissioned by me to prepare her,
+and had solely blundered over his commission, so that I was personally
+responsible, if not for the manner, certainly for the matter. We
+corresponded, and with the connivance of Agatha, under cover of a
+correspondence of hers with an old school-friend in my present
+garrison; but Erna's next letter contained nothing but the question
+whether it was true that I had some relations or other with the
+Princess? The question thus put, I could not but answer in the
+affirmative, begging her at the same time, in connection with the
+subject, not to believe in what any one, except myself, might say. My
+request came somewhat late, but still did not fail to have its effect
+upon Erna's heart, which had assuredly opened with the greatest
+reluctance to the terrible suspicion, and which was now jubilant at
+being freed from it. She teased my friend about his fertile fancy which
+invented stories devoid of a particle of foundation, as she had since
+learned from a trustworthy source. Thus challenged, and piqued at being
+declared undeserving of credit, my friend stated that he had the
+knowledge, if not at first, at least at second hand, for his authority
+was my own Colonel, whose testimony Erna would surely not reject. Again
+he begged her to be discreet, but hinted pretty plainly that other
+fellow-officers were aware of it too, and had likewise learned it from
+the Colonel. And now for Erna the doubts which she thought she had
+vanquished turned to despair. She knew through me the very intimate
+terms on which Herr von Waldor and I stood, and indeed many a time I
+had called him to her my best and kindest friend, my protector and
+second father. Erna wrote another question. Did Herr von Waldor know my
+relations to the Princess? And again I had to answer in the
+affirmative, without being able to mention the suspicion which now--and
+now for the first time--rose within me, that Herr von Waldor might have
+purposely misrepresented those relations in his own interest--you know
+why. What need to continue to describe the wretched position in which I
+now was placed; how the net was tightened more closely and more fatally
+round me, so that I at last had given up all hope of ever being freed
+from it; all the more because Erna--as you heard yourself--repelled
+with such passionate indignation your mediation, which I was about to
+claim. I must confess, I cannot even guess why."
+
+The dark eyes of the young man were raised inquiringly to Bertram, who
+did not at once reply to the questioning look. He had turned aside a
+little, and was busied refilling the glasses; he did not seem to notice
+that he was filling the second to overflowing, and that the wine was
+saturating the table-cloth.
+
+"Dear me," he said, presently, "I beg your pardon; I was--thinking.
+Why, did you ask? Well, we settled already that, according to all
+experience, girls are not fond of confiding to their fathers the
+secrets of their hearts. They dread paternal jealousies, a paternal
+prejudice against the one who ventures to claim the little hand, which,
+as a matter of course, is far too precious even for the best of the
+best. But fear not! Erna shall find in me a friend, protector, and
+counsellor, who hopes to give the proof that one may love like a father
+without being blinded by a father's prejudices, and, above all, one who
+means more honestly by her than, I am sorry to say, Herr von Waldor
+does by you."
+
+A dark shadow flitted over the young man's open countenance.
+
+"I thank you," he said very gently, "I thank you from the bottom of my
+heart for so much goodness, and to deserve it will be the fairest task
+of my life. But pray do not condemn Herr von Waldor. It is impossible
+to measure him by the common standard. Contempt of death and greed of
+life, princely generosity and petty egotism, tenderest love and
+bitterest hatred--all these things lie side by side in his soul, and
+cross and re-cross each other in such a way that even to me (and I
+think I know him better than any one else) it is a perfect enigma. But
+if at times I cannot solve it all, if in this present case I cannot but
+see that he is willing--I must not say to sacrifice, but to stake--me
+and my happiness in the hope of gaining his own great stakes, then I
+need only remember what he has been to the orphaned boy, after he had
+carried my father, fatally wounded, upon his own shoulders out of the
+bloody struggle around the fortifications of Dueppel; how he, of all men
+the most impatient, has watched over me with a mother's loving patience
+when I have been ill; how he resumed his studies in order to be able to
+supervise and guide mine; how he paid my expenses when I was a cadet;
+how he equipped and helped the ensign, the young officer; how he
+pressed upon the poor young man of _bourgeois_ birth abundant help to
+enable him to hold his own in an expensive and aristocratic regiment;
+and how he thundered in his wrath when I refused to accept it any
+longer, as I had learned that he had himself to borrow the needful
+money at usurer's interest. Surely you will admit that one so deeply
+indebted to Herr von Waldor as I am, has lost the right, nay, more, the
+ability to struggle and resist, even if the hand which has done so much
+in the way of kindness weighs heavily, terribly so, upon him."
+
+"I think I can follow you in your feelings," replied Bertram, "although
+Waldor is by no means thereby excused in my eyes; on the contrary, I
+adhere firmly to the Scriptural saying, that the right hand should not
+know what the left does; and I hold that he who claims gratitude has
+already his reward. Moreover, was the sacrifice really requisite, which
+Waldor expected from you, when he put you into this ominous position?
+From a moral point of view it is a matter of indifference; but I should
+like, if possible, to be enlightened on this point, which I have not
+hitherto understood."
+
+"How things stand exactly," Kurt replied, "I can hardly say myself. I
+assume that the marriage-contract of the Princess contains certain
+conditions which deprive her of the greater part of her present
+fortune, if she contracts a new matrimonial alliance; or rather, would
+seem to deprive her, for a judicial interpretation of this dubious
+point is to be the result of the law-suit which is now reaching its
+final stage. Further, it may be assumed that the view of the Princess
+herself is the only correct one by all the laws of sound logic; but she
+fears--whether rightly or wrongly I know not--that the decision will be
+adverse to her if the authorities learn that her choice has fallen upon
+an alien."
+
+"But you are an alien, too," objected Bertram.
+
+Kurt shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"An obscure lieutenant, not of noble birth, and Princess Volinzov! No
+one need imagine that they would have taken this _au serieux_, any more
+than a dozen other _liaisons_...."
+
+He paused abruptly, blushing to the very roots of his hair.
+
+"For shame!" he cried, "that was basely said. Let others sit in
+judgment upon the poor victim of a most abominable bad education and of
+most wretched circumstances. I dare not, I dare not feel for her aught,
+but admiration and gratitude, and renewed gratitude, for I know and
+have experienced in my own person that, through all the badness and
+baseness that have been crowding around her from her childhood, she has
+preserved the capacity for a great and heroic love, a love of which we
+men are scarcely ever, and of which among women only the best and
+noblest are, capable."
+
+Only at the last words Kurt had again ventured to look up, and he
+swiftly lowered his eyes again. Bertram's great eyes shone in wondrous
+radiance, and a curious smile, half melancholy, half ironical, was
+hovering about his lips, as he slowly answered--
+
+"To be sure! you are quite right. Only the noblest women! We men are
+egotistical scoundrels; that is our lordly privilege; and he who
+resigns it, deserves to be crucified with malefactors on either side."
+
+He had risen and was now pacing up and down the room; then he stepped
+to the open window. Kurt had kept his seat, thinking that Bertram would
+turn to him again. But he did not. The young man grew embarrassed.
+Reverence forbade him to disturb the dreamer. Never before had Kurt met
+one whose presence had thus thrilled him as with a breath of highest,
+purest vitality. And to this consciousness, which seemed to lift him
+out of and above himself, was joined the painful feeling which
+humiliated him in his own sight: that he had but just now been petty
+enough to say a bitter word about the woman of whom he yet knew, that
+she had come here to bring the greatest of all sacrifices that a loving
+heart can bring. And he, Bertram, knew this too; for Alexandra had said
+to Kurt: I have confessed all to Bertram! What a painful discord his
+own evil words must have been in the pure and high-souled Bertram's
+ear! And now Bertram, who had in all good faith shown him so much
+sympathy, had found him ungrateful, had turned from him, now and for
+ever.
+
+He would, he must go!
+
+But invisible fetters seemed to chain him to the spot; and as he sat
+there, angry with himself, in gloomy thought, it was no longer only the
+heavy, weary limbs that refused to obey him. His thoughts, too, flitted
+and wandered beyond his control. Something like a dense veil sunk upon
+his eyelids, and he saw surrounding objects but momentarily,
+indistinctly; the lighted candles upon the table seemed to be far-off
+bivouac fires, then they turned to dim and distant stars, then were
+lost in night and darkness.
+
+Bertram had carried the candles to the writing-table, and shadows now
+rested upon the weary sleeper. Then he returned to the sofa and spread
+a coverlet over him.
+
+"Poor lad! I saw how you were struggling against your sleepiness. The
+examination was a long one. But I could not spare you, and you have
+done well!"
+
+He stood gazing upon him.
+
+"And, like this, his head will rest by the side of hers--on one
+pillow!"
+
+He drew his hand over his eyes, stepped noiselessly back to the
+writing-table, and presently his pen was gliding lightly and gently
+over the paper.
+
+"My dear child,--I may henceforth with good right call you so, since
+Fate gives me one opportunity after another, to prove myself a good,
+and, I hope, also a thoughtful, father to you. But an hour ago I had to
+calm and comfort my beloved child, and yet dared not give her true
+comfort, dared not express my full and firm conviction that a good,
+upright heart always makes choice of the right thing at once. For good
+and upright as my dear child's heart is, yet it is a very defiant heart
+too, and would rather be miserable in its own way, than happy and
+blessed in other people's way; and it would have steeled itself against
+my persuasion and against my testimony, and would again and again have
+reverted to this: You do not know him! But now I say to you: I do know
+him; and you must accept my testimony as that of a man of great
+experience and knowledge of the human heart, of a man whose eyes--sharp
+as human eyes go--love for you and care for your welfare have filled
+with divine perspicuity. I know him now, after one hour spent here in
+my room in confidential conversation, as though I had known him from
+childhood, stalwart young man as he is; and even as I sit writing this,
+he is sleeping, under my watchful care, the sweet sleep of exhausted
+youthful vigour, notwithstanding his painful anxieties and the bitter
+sorrow of his heart. I have been watching him in his sleep. Sleep is a
+terrible betrayer of narrow minds and feeble hearts. Here there is
+nothing to betray, and sleep can but put its soft yet sure seal upon
+the beauteous image of a great and noble soul. And even as this soul,
+helpless and resistless as it were, is in my keeping, receive it, loved
+one, from my hands, as a great and glorious gift of the gods on high,
+who have deemed me worthy to be their envoy and the executor of their
+sacred decision.
+
+"I promised you not to leave as long as you had need of me. You need me
+no longer, and I shall leave in the morning without bidding you
+farewell. From your mother, too, I shall take leave in writing; she
+knows my weakness for vanishing noiselessly from society. It is a long
+journey that lies before me, and we shall not soon meet again.
+Separation is death for a time, and time, again, is nought but a tiny
+speck, and its complement is eternity. A noble human being should plan
+his thoughts and action not in reference to the former, but the latter.
+Let, therefore, what I now say to you, for the brief space wherein we
+shall not behold one another, be said for evermore: Fare thee well,
+_Lebe wohl!_ that is, live according to the bidding of your heart, as
+you hear it when you listen to it in secret silence and reverence!
+Howsoever this our life may be shaped, it is no longer our concern, but
+that of the powers on high, over whom we have no influence, and
+therefore it matters nothing to us. Once more then: _Lebe wohl!_
+
+"My kindliest greetings to sweet Agatha! She is your true friend. I
+always felt that she would counsel nothing that I would not counsel
+myself.
+
+"And another is your friend, too, though you do not think her to be
+one. You know I am speaking of the Princess. She also will leave your
+house to-morrow, not without making an attempt to prove to you that she
+is your friend. Be good to her for my sake; in that case I feel
+convinced that you will part from her with kind and grateful feelings,
+and that she herself will have inspired them. Whatever she may say to
+you, I guarantee its truth. Hers is one of those natures that may go
+astray, but that can never be untrue.
+
+"Should you have a message to send me, send if through your father,
+whom I shall see in W---- tomorrow. Should I have anything else to say
+to you, I will send my message through Kurt, whom also I shall meet
+again to-morrow.
+
+"And now remember your promise to be my good and obedient child; and
+again, and for the last time: _Lebe wohl!_"
+
+He had put the letter into an envelope, and now turned in his chair,
+looking towards the sofa. His young guest was still lying in the same
+position, only his head had fallen back a little. Perhaps deeper
+shadows were now falling on the forehead and on the closed, eyes,
+whilst chin and lips stood out in brighter light and bolder relief;
+anyhow, the features that appeared so soft awhile ago seemed sharper,
+and the expression of almost feminine gentleness was turned to one of
+manly resolution, nay, of angry indignation.
+
+"Thus Simon Peter may have contracted his brows, thus his lips may have
+quivered that night! And yet he could sleep, although he knew what was
+to happen. Even as this one, knowing, yet sleepeth!"
+
+Again he stood by the open window, leaning against it.
+
+A dead silence; only at times the night wind came rushing past, and
+there was rustling and roaring among trees and shrubs. In the village,
+veiled in mist, a dim red light gleamed faintly here and there. At
+times confused sounds, as of far-off horses' tramp and the measured
+step of soldiers on the march, with clashing of arms. Then deep, dead
+silence again, and then, piercing the deep silence, the half-smothered
+crow of a cock. Over the edge of yonder mountains the moon--almost at
+the full--hung, bloody-red, in the vapour which came steaming up from
+the woods.
+
+"Did you look so mournfully up to it that night? And had all the
+heavenly stars to expire for Him too, that He might remember the heaven
+within His heart?
+
+"Alas! He knew that He was dying for the world. I humbly claim but to
+die for her,--she is my world.
+
+"One cannot choose one's own Gethsemane. One must take it as it comes,
+whether to the sound of the last trump on the Day of Judgment, ringing
+through the hearts of all the generations of men, or in deep and
+world-forgotten loneliness and secrecy, whither human eye shall never
+penetrate, any more than it penetrates into the nethermost depths of
+the sea.
+
+"And this is my silent Gethsemane!"
+
+The moon had sunk behind the hills, and the cool morning breeze came
+floating along. Bertram was about to close the window when he heard
+from afar a short, sharp sound, soon succeeded by other similar sounds,
+succeeding each other so swiftly that the echo could clearly continue
+the scattered noises and reverberate them as thunder. And now shrill,
+long-drawn trumpet-blasts were heard, mingling with the beat of the
+drum.
+
+Bertram quickly turned to the sleeper, who was not, for his sake, to
+neglect his military duties. But already Kurt had staggered up from his
+sofa-corner, his eyes wide open, though still veiled by slumber, and
+his arms stretched out, clutching the air, as though in search of some
+weapon.
+
+"I--I--not you! I will fight him! Give me the pistol!"
+
+Bertram touched his shoulder.
+
+"They are sounding the assembly in the village!"
+
+"Oh! I thought ..."
+
+He brushed his hand across his eyes.
+
+"I have been asleep! Pardon me. How good you are! You have been
+watching for me. Is it long since ...?" and he pointed to the window.
+
+"Not half a minute."
+
+"Then I am in good time!"
+
+He had already fastened his sword, and seized his helmet.
+
+"Excuse my hurry. You know ..."
+
+"No excuses! A matter of course. _Au revoir_."
+
+He held out his hand to the young man, in whose fine features, now full
+of life again, he noticed a strange quiver. Kurt evidently wanted to
+say something, and could not hit upon the right word. So he only
+pressed Bertram's hand vigorously.
+
+"Well, _au revoir!_"
+
+He hurried away. Bertram stood gazing at the door through which the
+slender young figure had vanished.
+
+"Heaven be thanked! It is at least no disgrace to yield to him. He is
+thoroughly sound and sweet,--mind and body alike!"
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXIII.
+
+
+In the mansion-house which had until now been hushed in slumber, many
+voices were heard shouting, and the tramp of horses came echoing from
+the court-yard. A smart, heavy step was heard below in the passage.
+
+"Which door?"
+
+"The second, Colonel. Allow me, Colonel."
+
+But Bertram had already opened the door, and Colonel von Waldor came
+rushing in.
+
+"Good evening, friend, or rather good morning. A good thing that I met
+your servant at once--otherwise I might have been hunting for you ever
+so long--I have only one minute to spare--where is Ringberg? Your
+servant said he was here."
+
+"He left five minutes ago, when they were sounding the assembly."
+
+"That came unexpectedly, eh?" cried the Colonel. "An hour before
+the time--I did it on my own responsibility. His Excellency will
+be furious--wait for the attack, forsooth!--in such an exposed
+situation--not if I know it!--we shall have to retreat ultimately as it
+is--so I'll give them some trouble first. But that does not concern
+you. Here is something that does, a little, and which will greatly
+please you. Read this!"
+
+Waldor drew a folded paper from between a couple of buttons in his
+uniform and handed it to Bertram. The telegram was in French, and in
+the following! words:--
+
+"I sincerely congratulate Madame la Princesse. Lawsuit definitely
+gained.
+
+            Your obedient servant,              Odintzov."
+
+"Odintzov," Waldor explained, "is our Petersburg lawyer and
+business-man, a most trustworthy fellow. What do you say now?"
+
+"That I do congratulate you heartily. How did you get hold of this?"
+
+"See what it is to be in luck! I knew that the lawsuit would soon be
+decided, though Alexandra refused to believe it. So I gave orders that
+any telegram arriving, by day or by night, was to be straightway sent
+here by mounted express. Returning just now from the outposts, close to
+Rinstedt, I overtook on the high-road a fellow trotting along in front
+of me. 'Telegram from Rinstedt?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Princess Volinzov?' 'Yes,
+sir.' 'Give it to me.' The beggar had got rid of the telegram before he
+knew what was up. I read it by the light of my cigar; hence this stain.
+May I trouble you for an envelope? Or perhaps you would be so kind as
+to hand it to the Princess with my respectful compliments? It would
+give her double pleasure. I can assure you that you are still as
+fortunate as ever with the sex! Alexandra quite raves about you. Good!
+Now, you may both put your wise heads together and settle how and when
+the battle, which is won, is to be utilised for the benefit of our
+young _proteges_. I give you two _plein pouvoir_. I should say, let
+them dangle a little longer. I could come over with Kurt, never saying
+a word of this to him. We would have a nice little supper. 'Ladies and
+gentlemen, I have the exquisite pleasure of presenting my future wife
+to you--the Princess Alexandra Paulovna.' Capital! The amazed look in
+the eyes of our beautiful hostess is worth doing it for. And then the
+young ones immediately afterwards--only, of course, you must first
+pitch into the little girl properly; she seems to have a bit of a will
+of her own. All right, you'll see to it all between you, no doubt.
+Good-bye, _mon cher_! You are looking deucedly fagged. That's the
+result of being so much indoors. I have been on my legs since four
+o'clock yesterday morning, and feel as fresh as paint. Is this Kurt's
+glass? Oh, bother all ceremony! It is not the first that he and I have
+been using the same glass."
+
+He filled the glass and drained it at one draught.
+
+"Capital wine that! Well, good-bye, and _au revoir!_"
+
+The Colonel had rushed off again.
+
+"And thus," said Bertram with a smile, "one conquers the world. Perhaps
+it looks harder than it really is."
+
+He again sat down at the writing-table and took up a fresh sheet of
+paper.
+
+"Gracious Princess,--Waldor has just left me, after handing me, for
+transmission to you, the enclosed telegram, on the contents of which I
+beg to offer my hearty congratulations. I am sorry I must do so in
+writing, for a few hours hence I shall leave this--secretly--not to
+return. Business that will brook no delay makes this imperative, and I
+have not told Waldor of it. He hopes to find me here this evening, that
+I may be a witness to the amazement which the announcement of your
+engagement will cause in this friendly circle, as all obstacles to it
+are now removed. I am sincerely sorry that I cannot afford him that
+pleasure--for to him it would really be a pleasure.
+
+"I regret it the more, because I must prepare a worse disappointment
+for him. For I consider it, in the interest of our _proteges_, to be
+desirable--necessary, if you wish--that you, My Lady, should also leave
+to-morrow; without waiting for Waldor's evening visit. The
+communication which you were resolved to make to our fair young friend
+Erna, before Waldor had given you _plein pouvoir_ (which he now begs to
+do through me), will only have the right calming effect if you strike
+the proper note on Erna's heart, and then let it ring out full and
+clear. In life, as on the stage, a good ending has to be provided for.
+This is missed if one lingers on the stage, when once the decisive word
+has been spoken.
+
+"And what about the communication itself?
+
+"I should deem it presumptuous on my part, were I to venture to advise
+Claudine's clever friend on this point. She knows that one is compelled
+to say the whole truth only in a court of law. In life it is
+sufficient, nay, it is often requisite in the interest of humanity, to
+say nothing but the truth, to be sure, but, of the truth, only what is
+needful and useful--to use the words which Lessing puts into the mouth
+of his wise Jew Nathan.
+
+"And, now, let me add to my requests, a word of deep and sincere
+gratitude that you deemed me worthy to make the acquaintance of
+Claudine and of yourself. Your friend is perhaps more interesting and
+intellectual--at least you said so--but your heart is a thousand times
+more noble.
+
+"I have always paid due respect to intellectual capacity; but before a
+noble heart I gladly and reverently bend my knee."
+
+Silence had for a long time been reigning again in the mansion-house.
+The combat, too, though it had commenced in the immediate vicinity, was
+now being continued a long way off, and one only heard something like
+the rumbling of a distant thunder-storm. The candles on Bertram's
+writing-table had all but burned down to the sockets; he turned his
+wearied eyes towards the window, through which the dull grey morning
+light was coming. Konski came into the room.
+
+"What time is it?"
+
+"Just five, sir."
+
+"So late? Well, I am ready. Did you get hold of a carriage?"
+
+"It is waiting at the bridge below."
+
+"Did you get if from the mayor?"
+
+"Yes, Herr Doctor. At first he was making no end of excuses; for they
+all want to drive to the man[oe]vres, every man of them; and Herr von
+Busche has ordered a trap, too, for the afternoon. He'll have to be
+content with a common cart and a sack. Never mind that, though!"
+
+"Why should you look so miserable about that?"
+
+"It isn't about that at all, Herr Doctor."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"It is because I do not like to let the Herr Doctor drive away like
+this. Can you not take me with you?"
+
+"Impossible! You see yourself that you have a couple of hours' work
+before you yet. These sealed packets are to go into the small
+portmanteau which you keep by you. These letters you will deliver, when
+the ladies have risen. This money is for the servants. Do not forget
+any one, and do not be stingy, Konski! And remember me kindly to your
+Aurora. And now my cloak, please, and so good-bye, Konski."
+
+"Am I not at least to see the Herr Doctor to the carriage?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Herr Doctor, do not be angry; I really mean so well by you, and Aurora
+does too. We have been speaking of nothing else. And she swears that
+the Herr Doctor, if he wished it, could have Miss Erna for the asking."
+
+"Then tell your Aurora that the Herr Doctor does not wish it, and that
+the Herr Doctor has better things to do than to spoon and fool about,
+like you and her."
+
+He had held out his hand to the faithful servant, and now he was gone.
+A minute later, Konski, standing mournfully by the window, saw the
+dark figure striding swiftly past the lawn, and vanish behind the
+terrace-wall. He closed the window with a sigh.
+
+Bertram lessened his pace, as soon as he knew himself unobserved.
+Slowly he descended the steps to the second terrace. Here was the
+leafy grove which, on the left, led to the platform beneath the
+plantain-tree. He glanced timidly that way. His foot had already
+touched the next step, he wanted to get down,--to get away,--but
+something like a magic spell drew him to the spot.
+
+There, in this chair, she had sat; he was facing her; and the golden
+sunbeams had flitted through the dense foliage, and the birds had been
+holding a gleeful festival in the branches, and from the gardens below
+fairest fragrance of flowers had been wafted up, and his heart had been
+full of light and joy, and of all the blissfulness of spring. And now!
+and now!
+
+"Thou sacred dawn of early morn, forgive me! You quiet trees and
+bushes, tell it not! I have borne what man can bear; more, I cannot."
+
+And pressing his hand to his face, he wept.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXIV.
+
+
+In the little-garden, under wide-spreading chestnut-trees, the lawyer
+and Bertram were sitting, about four o'clock in the afternoon, at a
+table covered with books, documents, and papers. From, the small garden
+one could look across a narrow court-yard, at the windows of the
+office, where they had just begun to make a fair copy of the will,
+which had been settled after long deliberation.
+
+"And now, most grave and most conscientious of men, seeing that you go
+into this election campaign as into actual war, let us drink that
+victory may be on your side--that is, on ours, on the side of liberty,
+and right--and that the victor be granted, over and above his allotted
+time, as special allowance for special services rendered, a respectable
+series of not inglorious years, at least as many as this '68
+Ruedesheimer wine numbers!"
+
+The lawyer took a venerable-looking bottle, from a side table, filled a
+couple of green goblets, and touched Bertram's with his own.
+
+"I thank you for the kindly wish, and drink to its fulfilment, although
+as you know, I have well-founded reasons for assuming that it will not
+occur."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried the lawyer. "I am not a giant either, but I
+confidently expect to outlive all the giants among my contemporaries.
+What does Wallenstein say?--'Es ist der Geist der sich den Koerper
+bauet' (It is the mind that builds, this frame of ours). And I would
+add, that also keeps the building together, even if it were shaky in
+every joint; and that is assuredly far from being the case with you."
+
+Bertram smiled absently. His looks were wandering away to the garden
+gate.
+
+"I wonder where Otto can be?" he said. "I urgently asked him to be here
+at four o'clock at the latest."
+
+"I am in no hurry at all," replied the lawyer. "After having had to
+keep you waiting the whole forenoon, my entire evening is at your
+disposal instead; or, if you insist upon leaving at five, we can have
+another second witness in, and you can communicate to our friend in
+writing those points which have special reference to him."
+
+"I am most anxious to do so by word of mouth."
+
+Upon the wretched pavement of the narrow street which lay behind the
+garden wall, a carriage came hurriedly thundering along.
+
+"_Lupus in fabula!_" exclaimed the lawyer. "Any one coming from
+Rinstedt would have to pass this way."
+
+As he spoke, Otto's broad-shouldered figure appeared in the little
+yard.
+
+The two men had meanwhile risen from their seats below the
+chestnut-trees, and had gone to meet the newcomer.
+
+"What tricks are these of yours?" Otto was saying, "to cut away from
+the village in the middle of the night in a trap? What will people
+think? Why, that I am driving my guests from my house! But, of course,
+you intellectual people never can do things like the rest of us
+mortals; always something out of the way! Eh, old fellow?"
+
+He brought his hand with a laugh down upon Bertram's shoulders; but the
+laugh was forced, and, indeed, in all his look and manner there was
+painful unrest.
+
+"I am sorry that I must leave you gentlemen alone for a little," said
+the lawyer, with a meaning look at Bertram; "but you can call me at any
+time from the office. By the way, there is an empty glass here, Bermer.
+You must be thirsty after your drive along the hot road, and you have
+not in your own cellars at Rinstedt a better Ruedesheimer than this."
+
+He turned his back upon the friends now, and forthwith the last trace
+of forced mirth vanished from Otto's face. He had flung himself into a
+garden chair, and there he sat, his elbows leaning on his knees, his
+hands put to his full round cheeks, staring fixedly in front of him.
+
+"This has been a day which I shall remember!" he said.
+
+"You have spoken to your wife?"
+
+Otto nodded.
+
+"In detail?"
+
+"Well, yes; that is to say ..."
+
+"That you might have spoken in greater detail. It does not matter,
+however, as long as you have informed her of your situation in the
+main. That has surely been done?"
+
+"Been done!" exclaimed Otto. "Great Heavens! it was fearful! At first
+she seemed to think that I had gone mad; at least she looked so ... so
+frightened at me, don't you know, and wanted to ring the bell. But I
+told her that I was, unfortunately, still quite in my right mind, and
+perfectly sober, although yesterday I did perhaps, in my despair,
+drink a little too much. And then, I do not know how it came about,
+but one word led to another; and when she told me that the whole thing
+was my own fault, and the outcome of my bad economy and my costly
+foibles,--she could not mean anything more by this, than that I like to
+drink a good glass of wine and to smoke a decent cigar;--why, then,
+something passed within me that I cannot describe. I felt as though my
+very heart were turning, and as though I had never loved her in all my
+life. And then there was no longer any need to hunt for appropriate
+words; they came fast enough, and harder, too, than I liked at last. It
+was horrible!"
+
+Otto gave a deep sigh and drained his glass.
+
+"This is really good wine," he said, taking up the bottle and looking
+at the mouldy label. "I wonder where he got hold of it. But what does
+it matter to me? All grapes are sour for me henceforth."
+
+"I hope not," said Bertram. "Anyhow, I thank you for having taken to
+heart and faithfully carried out what I wrote to you last night. This
+was indeed the first needful step, if the execution of my plan, the
+details of which I will immediately communicate to you, was to be
+possible. But one question first: you have not let Erna hear anything
+of the subject of the conversation between you and your wife? And, as I
+know your wife, she will surely keep as long as possible from Erna,
+what she considers less a misfortune than a disgrace?"
+
+"You can rely on that," replied Otto; "she would rather bite her tongue
+off. But how long will it be before Erna has to learn all?"
+
+"I hope that will never be the case!" replied Bertram. "Now, to come to
+the point. I have asked you to come here to-day to be a witness to my
+last will and testament. I might have told you its contents yesterday,
+but I did not do so, because--to speak quite frankly--I was afraid you
+would not keep the secret entirely, and thus the impression upon your
+wife, on learning the whole truth, might have been considerably
+lessened. If, after all, things come round again and change for the
+better, then--for she is not bad, your wife, only spoiled and not given
+to looking beneath the surface--then something like gratitude will stir
+within her. And should this really not be the case, then I am, as it
+were, master of the situation and you will both yield; you willingly,
+she, because she must. Well then: in this will of mine, of which they
+are now making a fair copy in the office, I have made Erna my residuary
+legatee, except some smaller legacies, among which there is a suitable
+annuity for Lydia. From her future inheritance, there will at once be
+taken and made immediately available the sum which you require to set
+your affairs thoroughly right again, with our legal friend's help. He
+guarantee's that with this sum the greater part of your fortune
+may yet be saved, if you agree to his arrangements, above all about
+the factories. This sum will be advanced as a mortgage on your
+estates--our friend will explain to you how it can be done--at a
+moderate percentage, and the total revenue accruing from it is to be
+Erna's from the day of her marriage. Concerning that marriage, Erna has
+of course absolute freedom of choice, although I for my part hope that
+she will fall in with the wishes which I have expressed to her on this
+subject. And now shake hands, old man, and pardon me if I have had to
+add another unpleasant hour to the one which I already caused you
+to-day. _Tu l'as voulu!_ From me you would not accept anything; with
+your own child you will, I trust, stand upon less ceremony."
+
+"It is your money for all that," murmured Otto.
+
+"As long as I live; who knows how long that will be! And there is our
+legal friend coming, bringing the document in question with him, which
+you are now to hear read, and which afterwards you are to adorn with
+your signature, as one of the two witnesses."
+
+"The other," said the lawyer, now approaching the group with his chief
+clerk, "will be Mr. Kasper here. Sit down, Kasper, and read away."
+
+During the reading of the somewhat lengthy document Otto's countenance
+kept changing colour; his eyes were very wet, and he repressed his
+tears with difficulty. When the lawyer handed him a pen for signature,
+his big powerful hand trembled to such an extent, that he could
+scarcely produce a few strokes in lieu of writing his name.
+
+The document in question was now legally completed, and the lawyer had
+left the friends, to put it himself into a safe place of keeping. He
+came back at once. Would the gentlemen kindly excuse him? His
+Excellency the Herr Oberhofmarshal von Dirnitz had just appeared in the
+office, and desired to see him on business of importance.
+
+"It probably will not be so very important, after all," said the
+lawyer, "I hope to settle, it in a very few minutes, and then we can
+talk at our ease."
+
+Again the friends were alone. Otto seemed to have paid no heed to the
+lawyer's coming or going. He sat still at the table, supporting his
+head upon it, and staring gloomily before him. Bertram bent over him,
+and said, laying his hand upon his friend's shoulder--
+
+"Otto, old man, you must not view the matter in too tragic a light."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to look upon it as a joke having signed my own
+death-warrant," murmured Otto, without stirring from his position.
+
+"You have done nothing of the kind," replied Bertram. "I should rather
+say, that now a new life was beginning for you; a life of purpose,
+sobriety, energy, independence, however strange the last word may sound
+to you. Until this day you were not living an independent life; nothing
+but a sham existence, in slavish subjection to the caprices of your
+wife, to whom you sacrificed your fortune, and, worse than that, your
+own better judgment. Now, having come to see this, you are enabled, by
+means of some assistance, to re-conquer your fortune, or at least the
+greater part of it; and this surely is no alms, but a mere loan, for
+which you are responsible in every respect; and, perhaps, in addition,
+you may conquer what you never possessed before--I mean, the love, or,
+at the very least, the respect of your wife, which she only denied to
+the husband who had no will of his own, but which she will not refuse
+to grant to the husband who is strong, determined, and who respects
+himself."
+
+"Yes, yes," Said Otto; "it all sounds very well, and I surely mean to
+try to atone for my miserable shortcomings; but this I know already
+to-day, it will not do. I mean, I shall not have the energy you speak
+of, nay, I shall look upon myself as a downright scamp, and I shall not
+dare look my wife or any one else in the face, far less confront them
+energetically, as long as I see no chance of paying off my whole
+stupendous debt to you. Not to the uttermost farthing, that may perhaps
+be made possible--but in my heart. I do not know how to express it
+aright, but you will understand my meaning--by giving you in exchange
+something that no one else could give you."
+
+He lifted his eyes to Bertram in anxious inquiry. Bertram shook his
+head.
+
+"I thought we were not to mention it again," he said.
+
+"Nor should I, to be sure, have done so," replied Otto; "however fond
+one may be of a man, and however indebted to him, one's only child is
+of course one's only child; and just now, above all, to have to give
+her up, to live in the big house alone with--but I cannot give up the
+thought that now, after all, nothing is to come of it, after they,
+Lydia and my wife, have tried to prove to me in writing--in black and
+white, don't you know--that you loved each other, and that at least
+Erna ..."
+
+"I hardly know what you are talking about," Bertram impatiently
+interrupted his friend; "and what do you mean by 'in black and white'?"
+
+"A stupid story," Otto made answer, embarrassed, "in which those women
+have got me involved, and which; yesterday, I did not wish to refer to,
+as I was desirous of sparing Hildegard. But now let the whole thing
+come out; it may as well. Listen, then!"
+
+So he told him of the letter which Erna had written to Agatha, and
+which Lydia had purloined for a few hours. Hildegard had read the
+letter to him, and his excellent memory enabled him to reproduce it
+now, if not literally, at least in its general bearings. He also had
+remembered well the passage referring to some _liaison_ which Erna
+would seem to have had, and to which the ladies had not attributed any
+special significance.
+
+"Now," he concluded his report, "you see why my wife, who was so bent
+upon having Lotter for a son-in-law, was so annoyed with you during the
+last few days; nor do I know what would have come of it all, if the
+Princess had not yesterday brought, her round to reason: how she
+managed it is a riddle to me, but it is a fact, there, is an end of
+Lotter, for good and all. This morning Hildegard went the length of
+saying that it had been I who had favoured Lotter, and--for I may as
+well tell you all now--you suddenly appeared to her not only as an
+acceptable husband for Erna, but rather she saw in your union the only
+possibility--if my carelessness had really wrought our ruin--to save
+Erna at least, and to preserve for her such a position in society as
+she was born for. Well, old man, it's off my mind at last, and for all
+that, and, all that, it would be the grandest day in my whole life if
+you were able to say to me: 'Well, better late than never!'"
+
+"It is too late!" Bertram replied.
+
+He had ejaculated those words, in intensest excitement, bounding from
+his chair as he did so, and now he was, with uneven step, pacing up and
+down beneath the chestnut-trees. But presently he returned to Otto,
+who, frightened, had not stirred from his seat, and said in his usual
+calm tone--
+
+"It would be too late, even if everything were--as it is not. I did not
+mean to speak about it, because I am not commissioned to do so, and
+because, therefore, those interested might have had good reason to be
+annoyed, if I told you before they themselves thought the time had come
+for doing so. I meant to rest satisfied with paving the way, so that
+there should be no obstacle to the fulfilment of their wishes. But now,
+since you seem unable to rid yourself of the curious idea of an
+alliance between Erna and myself; since, oddly enough, your wife finds
+pleasure therein; and since now, perhaps the fact of my making Erna my
+heiress, might seem to both of you an indirect confirmation of your
+opinion, I had better tell you this. I know that Erna has already given
+away her heart, that for more than a year she has loved Lieutenant
+Ringberg, and has been loved by him. It is my most earnest wish that
+the union of the lovers may meet with no obstacle, and I firmly believe
+that this marriage will lead to Erna's supreme happiness. And now let
+me confess one thing more, so that I may have nothing whatever on my
+conscience with regard to you. It was not for nothing that I have thus
+hastened to put order into my own, and, I trust, into your affairs, and
+to secure Erna's future. In the very next hour I have to go forth on an
+errand from which, in all human probability, I shall not return with my
+limbs whole, and where, very possibly, I may lose my life."
+
+Then he briefly told his friend of his quarrel with the Baron last
+night and of its consequences. The true reason he did not refer to any
+more than he had to Kurt.
+
+Otto was quite beside himself when he heard of it.
+
+"It must not be, it shall not be!" he cried again and again. "It is
+sheer madness. How can you go and fight a duel with pistols when you
+scarcely know how to fire one? And with Lotter, of all men, who hits an
+ace at twenty paces. This is no duel, it is downright murder. I will
+not allow it!"
+
+"Please do not speak so loud, anyhow," said Bertram; "they can hear you
+in the office."
+
+"All the better!" cried Otto; "every one may hear that you cannot fight
+the fellow. Why, Ringberg is far more sensible than you, for he
+pretended last night not to notice the fellow's impertinence, and left
+the card table without replying a word."
+
+"Who told you that?" cried Bertram, terrified.
+
+"The forest-ranger," replied Otto, "He came over to breakfast this
+morning. Yesterday's events were discussed; I did not pay much
+attention to the talk, for the scene which I expected to have with
+Hildegard was weighing upon my mind; but I remember now. The ladies
+were discussing, whether Ringberg had done right in ignoring Lotter's
+impertinence. Lydia thought yes, but the Princess declared that it
+could not be thus, because ... I cannot remember why not; it had no
+interest for me. If I had been able to divine that Ringberg and
+Erna--that you ..."
+
+"Was Erna present?"
+
+"Erna? No. That is to say, I do not know--I was very absent--she went
+out riding afterwards with the Princess, who sent me word that I had
+better drive to town alone. Confound the fellow! Picking quarrels with
+everybody! And we are to blame; good Heaven, it is my fault that you
+... I thought the worst had already come, but this is far worse than
+anything. But I cannot allow it, and I will not. Never! When did you
+say it was to come off? And where?"
+
+"I shall tell you nothing more, and I am sorry I told you anything at
+all."
+
+Bertram rose swiftly, Otto sprang up too, exclaiming as he did so--
+
+"I shall go with you."
+
+"You are about to leave, gentlemen?" a thin voice behind them was
+asking.
+
+In their excitement neither had noticed that the lawyer and the Herr
+Oberhofmarshal had entered the garden, and had already approached
+within a few yards of them.
+
+"Will you very kindly introduce me to the Herr Doctor?" said the
+Marshal, after he had courteously tendered his hand to Otto.
+
+The introduction was made.
+
+"It is not quite right," said the Marshal, "that only now I have the
+honour ... I hear you have been for more than a week at Rinstedt, and
+yet you have not had a minute to spare for us! Not for our theatre, our
+school of art, our museum! Not to mention my humble self, although I
+have for years been accustomed to no stranger of distinction passing my
+threshold. You must make up for this yet, you really must."
+
+Bertram answered the old gentleman in a few courteous words, looking at
+the same time entreatingly at the lawyer.
+
+"Your Excellency will excuse me," said the lawyer, "if, considering how
+pressed the Herr Doctor is for time, I venture ..."
+
+"Quite right, quite right," said the old gentleman. "Indeed, I already
+noticed myself that the gentlemen were leaving. Let us come to the
+point--a very, very disagreeable point, in reference to which, acting
+on the advice of our common legal friend, with whom I originally
+intended only to discuss the judicial bearings of the case, I should
+now like to be allowed to claim also your assistance, my dear Mr.
+Bermer."
+
+"In that case," said Bertram, who in his impatience almost felt the
+ground burn beneath his feet, and who also thought this a splendid
+opportunity for getting rid of Otto Bermer, "you will perhaps allow me
+to take my departure."
+
+"Pray remain, Herr Doctor, I entreat you!" exclaimed the Marshal
+eagerly. "Quite apart from the painful interest which the matter will
+have on psychological grounds for such a profound student of human
+nature, I feel a moral necessity to have an affair, which it is
+desirable to withdraw from the cognisance of the judge, adjudicated
+upon by a forum of men of enlightened intelligence and honourable
+character--adjudicated upon and,--alas, alas!--condemned. The case is
+this ..."
+
+"If your Excellency will allow me?" said the lawyer, in response to
+another still more entreating glance of Bertram's.
+
+"Please, please," replied, the Marshal, conveying the pinch of snuff,
+which he had just, taken from his box, somewhat abruptly to his nose.
+
+"The case is this," the lawyer went on, without heeding the old
+gentleman's annoyance: "your friend Baron Lotter, my dear Burner, has
+been guilty of an action which amounts to fraud and forgery. He had
+been commissioned to, buy a couple of race-horses for the Court
+during the summer, somewhere in Bavaria, and had drawn the money for
+them--three thousand thalers--from the Grand Duke's privy purse, upon
+an order signed by His Excellency; but he appears not to have paid the
+money, but to have given a bill of exchange instead, with the forged
+signature of His Excellency, as representing the Marshal's office."
+
+"Is not this monstrous?" cried the old gentleman, "as if the Upper
+Court Marshal's office ever paid, with bills of exchange!"
+
+"The daring of the deed is indeed tremendous," continued the lawyer,
+"considering the fact which His Excellency has stated just now, and
+which was also known to the Herr Baron. And indeed he had taken the
+precaution to inform the clerk of the privy purse--into whose hands the
+bill of exchange would necessarily come first--when presented for
+payment, that the affair was all right; that he would hand him the
+money a week before it was due; the little service would not remain
+without its reward, as soon as the Baron had got his foot in the
+stirrup, in other words, as soon as he was Chamberlain. The poor fellow
+was weak enough ..."
+
+"It is incredible!" murmured the Oberhofmarshal; "quite incredible!"
+
+"To be sure, your Excellency," said the lawyer; "nevertheless, he was
+weak enough to consent to what was evidently a fraud, until to-day, two
+days before the bill was due, and when the money promised by the Baron
+had not appeared, his terror compelled him to make a clean breast of it
+to His Excellency. Meanwhile the bill had, yesterday, been sent to a
+local banker for collection. This banker, who, of course, had never
+seen anything of the kind occur in business, thought it advisable to
+make private and confidential inquiries of His Excellency as to the
+state of affairs, just before the clerk made his confession, and now
+His Excellency has the proof in his own hands."
+
+The little old gentleman, who accompanied the lawyer's report with many
+a nod and with eager play of features, was opening his mouth, but the
+lawyer continued swiftly--
+
+"His Excellency at once went to His Highness ..."
+
+"I beg your pardon!" cried the Marshal. "I struggled for an hour as to
+whether I could not spare His Highness this grief. Moreover the young
+man's father was my dear old friend, who would turn in his grave if he
+could hear that a Lotter, his own son--it is terrible! And be assured,
+gentlemen, if I were a rich man--every one knows I am not--I ..."
+
+"Your Excellency would in that case not have gone to Serenissimus," the
+lawyer went on; "but it was not to be avoided. His Highness, with his
+customary generosity, resolved at once ..."
+
+"That is," the Marshal interrupted him, "in consequence of my report
+and recommendation."
+
+"Of course, in consequence of His Excellency's report and
+recommendation, resolved at once that the bill was to be paid as if
+everything were in perfect order, under the condition that the Herr
+Baron should never show his face at Court again, and depart
+straightway. This latter point, the Grand Duke declared with very
+natural anger ..."
+
+"I really must beg ..." objected the Marshal.
+
+"Declared with considerable emphasis to be the _conditio sine qua non_,
+if he were to show a merciful forbearance, in lieu of allowing the law
+to take its course. And now we come to the point when ..."
+
+"When," the Marshal said, turning to Otto, "I must claim your kind
+services. You have the ... I can only say the great misfortune to be a
+friend ... I mean an acquaintance of the Herr Baron, who is at present
+a guest in your house. My appearance there, however greatly I should
+esteem such an honour, would perhaps cause some sensation, the very
+thing His Highness wishes to avoid at any cost. Serenissimus himself
+suggested and our common friend here ventures to propose directly,
+that ..."
+
+"That you, my dear Bermer," resumed the lawyer, "might give the young
+gentleman the requisite strong hint, to which a letter which His
+Excellency has just drawn up in my office ..."
+
+"And which I beg herewith to produce," said the Marshal.
+
+"Would give additional emphasis," concluded the lawyer.
+
+"I would beg your Excellency to intrust the letter to me," said
+Bertram. "I chance to know where the Herr Baron, who left my friend's
+house last night, is to be found at this present moment. To be sure I
+must leave at once, lest I miss him. You are coming with me, Otto?"
+
+"Of course," cried Otto; "my carriage is at the door."
+
+"And your horses are swifter than the hired ones, which I had ordered
+to be here at five. It is a quarter to five now. We have not a moment
+to lose."
+
+"But tell him it as gently as possible, I entreat you," the Marshal
+called out after the two friends, who were already crossing the little
+courtyard.
+
+Bertram waved his hand in assent.
+
+A minute later the carriage was rattling along the narrow lane behind
+the lawyer's garden towards the broad street leading to the town gates.
+
+
+
+
+                                  XXV.
+
+
+Bertram, on entering the carriage, at once told Otto of the place in
+the wood where, by the shore of the little lake, the meeting was to
+take place, and Otto replied that they could easily reach it in half an
+hour, going first along the high-road, then turning off to the right
+and driving along some country lanes, and at last, for a brief stretch,
+through the forest.
+
+But they had scarcely left the gates when unexpected obstacles
+intervened. The high-road, which had been perfectly free and clear a
+little while ago, when Otto was driving to town, now swarmed with
+troops belonging to the corps which had made a victorious advance; they
+were now utilising this convenient road for taking up their position
+for the sham-fight which was to be resumed tomorrow. This was the gist
+of the information conveyed to the friends, with due military
+politeness, by an officer who had hurriedly ridden up to their
+carriage, whilst Otto was vainly storming at some artillerymen in
+charge of a gun which they had managed to upset in a ditch, and of
+which the horses were blocking the road. The officer pointed out that
+the gentlemen would do better to deviate from the high-road than to try
+and force their way, and he said that, farther on it was occupied in
+even greater strength, and was likely to be absolutely impassable for
+the next half hour.
+
+The advice seemed very sensible, and it was possible to follow it at
+once, for there was a country lane branching off to the right in that
+very spot.
+
+"It is a deuced deal farther," said Otto. "We shall have to drive by
+way of Neuenhof and Viehburg; however, there is no help for it now, and
+after all we shall be in good time."
+
+"We have already lost a quarter of an hour," said Bertram.
+
+"We'll easily make up for that," replied Otto; "you see the road is in
+good condition and quite clear. Make haste, John--as quick as the
+horses can go!"
+
+Otto was very far from really feeling the energy which he was
+displaying. On the contrary, he was cherishing the hope that the
+round-about way would ultimately prove too long; and that, even if they
+were to arrive in time, this insane duel should not come off. Thus the
+one care which had still been weighing somewhat upon his elastic
+temperament was gone. As for the rest, why all had come about as nicely
+as possible. Could he have anticipated anything of the kind when, an
+hour ago, he was driving to town in his despair, with the remembrance
+of that awful scene with his wife upon him like a nightmare? What would
+she say now? How would she take it? Not well, of course. She would call
+it a terrible humiliation--disgraceful. Nonsense! It was the simplest
+and most loyal arrangement in the world. Why should not Bertram make
+Erna his heiress, for he had neither kith nor kin, and had always been
+so fond of her? Hildegard had never liked Erna to call Bertram uncle.
+In future, perhaps, she would not object to it. And what about the big
+loan? Well, the bigness was its chief merit. A few thousand thalers
+here, a few thousand thalers there, how ignoble, how mean! But a
+hundred thousand thalers, that was decent; there was nothing derogatory
+about that. Hildegard would herself see that; and moreover, if Erna was
+to inherit the money anyhow, it remained, as it were, in the family.
+Then he wondered how his wife would get on with the young lieutenant,
+whom yesterday they had both seen for the first time. Only yesterday!
+But a man must see his son-in-law once for the first time. And he
+seemed to be such a charming fellow! What a pity that he was not of
+noble birth, for that had, after all, been Lotter's chief merit in
+Hildegard's eyes. Poor beggar! he really was sorry for him. That is
+what a man may come to when he is seriously embarrassed! Awful! And all
+for a mere trifle--those dirty three thousand thalers! If he had given
+him the money yesterday, or if Lotter had won them at play, the whole
+business might have been hushed up, and the beggar would not have run
+a-muck at everybody. The fellow was not a bad sort, hang it, quite a
+jolly fellow to get on with! Now, what fiend had possessed Bertram on
+this occasion; Bertram, who, on principle, made a point of avoiding all
+social conflicts, or, if the worst came to the worst, always knew how
+to make a courteous and clever diversion; Bertram who, even as a
+student, had never fought a duel, and had never concealed his aversion
+on the subject? And where on earth was, in this case, the necessity for
+fighting the man? Bertram must have known that Lotter's farce at
+Rinstedt was played out, that Hildegard had given him up for good and
+all. The foe who is running away should have golden bridges built him,
+not be impeded in his retreat. Well, well, it was to be hoped that
+Lotter at least had meanwhile come to his senses and gone away. To be
+sure, this was the most likely thing to have happened. Lotter, cunning
+fellow, had set all this duel business a-going, by way of putting them
+on the wrong scent, knowing that his pursuers would presently be on the
+alert, and now, whilst he was being looked for in the wood, he had most
+probably decamped altogether.
+
+If Otto, good easy-going fellow, on arriving at this comforting
+conclusion, did not actually rub his hands in sheer glee, he refrained
+solely out of regard for his companion, who was sitting by his side in
+silent gloom, as though he were most terribly grieved at the prospect
+of the duel not taking place after all.
+
+And so it was. Bertram felt like a man wearied to death, drawing his
+blankets around him and preparing for the greatly-desired rest, and
+abruptly startled by the alarm of fire. He had, indeed, been longing
+for death, but, of course, could not accept it from a dishonoured hand,
+neither for his own sake nor for that of the others who had agreed to
+act in what they thought an honourable cause, but which now was
+irrevocably stained with dishonour. Thus he would have to live on, on,
+nor might he let any one see what a torment this life was and would be
+to him; no one, and least of all Erna. She was even never to guess that
+he had been willing to sacrifice himself. But how was she to be kept
+from this conjecture, when gradually it would appear that there had
+been a connection between the Baron's insult to Kurt and his own
+intervention, which occurred in the same place and the very next
+minute? The remark of the Herr Oberfoerster at the breakfast table
+proved that the right scent had been discovered. Had he not thought of
+it at all? Or had he done so, and then quieted his scruples by assuming
+that his death would spread an impenetrable veil over the real
+circumstances of the case? And if that veil were really ever lifted in
+Erna's sight, and if she had to say to herself that he had died for
+her, it would be but as one note of melancholy, dissolving anon in the
+pure and full harmony of her own firm happiness. Was this certain? Or
+had he been playing a comedy after all, and assumed the easiest and
+most grateful part himself? Had he but draped himself as a dying hero,
+in order to hurt his rival, who might thereafter see how best to get on
+with an uncomfortable part? And now the piece was not to end, and he
+would have to remain upon the stage in the attitude of a hero, and Erna
+would have ample time to make comparisons; and they must needs all tell
+against Kurt! And would proud Erna forgive her lover this? And was this
+to be the result of his own unselfish devotion for Erna's sake?
+
+Thus tormenting himself, he groaned aloud under the weight of the
+reproach which he was heaping upon his conscience.
+
+"Yes," remarked Otto prosaically, "that comes from driving so fast.
+However, we shall again be delayed, and no mistake!"
+
+After a short quick drive they reached the first village, and came upon
+the rearguard of corps number two retreating towards the shelter of the
+woods. In the narrow village lane a very compact mass of men and horses
+had accumulated, and a forward movement was quite impossible, because
+those marching on in front had not yet cleared the line. The men had
+stacked their rifles; by the roadside, on the road itself, weary men
+were crouching; others were crowding round the different house-doors,
+whence compassionate hands were holding out water in every possible and
+impossible sort of vessel. In front of the little inn had gathered an
+absolutely impenetrable knot of human beings. The driver was compelled
+to branch off again, this time into a very narrow little lane, thence
+he had to work his way with the greatest difficulty into the open, then
+drive across stubble-fields, and so back to the road, frequently
+alongside of columns of soldiers on the march, who made way with the
+greatest reluctance; and thus they made but slow progress.
+
+Slow, far too slow for Bertram, whose feverish impatience was
+increasing every minute, although he knew not what to reply to Otto
+when he argued that it really did not matter much, even if they arrived
+a quarter of an hour or so too late. And what did too late mean in a
+case like this? They would arrive in ample time for the awkward
+explanation to the Baron.
+
+"Well, and I might as well admit," said Otto, "that personally I hope
+we shall not find him at all."
+
+"I think we shall, though," replied Bertram; "for in spite of his
+having morally gone so much astray, he is no coward. A man with weaker
+nerves would not have so long borne the danger of being discovered.
+And he must assume that he will be left alone until the day after
+to-morrow."
+
+"In any case," said Otto, shrugging those broad shoulders of his, "we
+cannot advance any faster."
+
+They had meanwhile passed the second village, and the troops on the
+march were behind them, and as the road was now both smooth and clear,
+the horses were really doing their best. They had by this time reached
+the border of the forest, and again they were obliged to proceed at a
+walking pace, for the road, which was old and ill-kept, had been made
+much worse by the foot-deep furrows which the pressure of the cannons
+had produced upon the soft soil. There were many traces of a hot combat
+having been waged here; cartridge-cases abounded, being scattered all
+over the place; there were plenty of broken branches, moreover, and now
+they actually came upon a kind of barricade; and it was impossible to
+drive round it, since on either side great trees skirted the road.
+
+"Confound those soldiers!" said Otto; "they carry on as though they
+were in the enemy's country. We shall have to get out and walk whilst
+John clears away this obstacle, so as to enable him to pass;
+fortunately, it does not seem to be very firmly built. The lake is
+within a hundred yards of this."
+
+The wood did indeed form a kind of glade, and in this spot a fairly
+broad one; and the road now lay between the sedge-grown banks of the
+little lake on the left and the edge of the forest on the right. This
+was close to the very place chosen for the hostile meeting. At first
+the sedge prevented a clear view, but, hurrying along, the friends soon
+discovered the centre, and thence they could see the rest of the
+ground, up to the spot where the wood came closing in again. All was
+deserted and silent.
+
+Otto said--
+
+"When they came, they probably found too much company hereabouts. Rely
+upon it, they have passed along the cutting, and are now in glade
+number two. Come along, I know every inch of the ground. Look,--a
+carriage has stopped here, and has then gone on through the cutting.
+And here is no end of traces of horses' hoofs. I have no idea where,
+they can all come from!"
+
+The tracks of carriage-wheels and traces of horses' hoofs continued all
+along the cutting; but the friends had only advanced a few yards in the
+same direction when it occurred to Otto that his coachman, on finding
+nobody on the appointed spot, would probably drive straight ahead,
+possibly all the way to Rinstedt. The man was quite fool enough to do
+so, he said; so perhaps he had better turn back and instruct him,
+whilst Bertram went on. It was impossible, he added, for Bertram to
+miss the place now.
+
+So Otto turned and Bertram hurried on. Already a certain gathering
+brightness indicated the whereabouts of the glade which Otto had spoken
+of, and to which the slope was now leading, but leading so gradually
+that Bertram could not yet get a glimpse of it, although he surely must
+be very near it, for he heard human voices and the neighing of a horse.
+And now he saw at least a portion of the glade, and there were several
+horses on the spot--as he perceived to his amazement--and grooms were
+holding the horses. Looking again, and more carefully, he noticed that
+several of the horses had side-saddles. An abrupt thought flashed
+across him. He recoiled involuntarily somewhat to the left, and then,
+standing behind some broad-stemmed fir-trees at the very edge of
+the glade, he saw before him a scene which for a moment held him
+spell-bound with terror.
+
+Four or five men, Colonel von Waldor and Herr von Busche among them,
+were lifting a wounded man or a dead man upon a low country cart filled
+with straw, and then the doctor and his assistant received their charge
+and laid him carefully down, raising his head as they did so. The
+evening light shone brightly on the pallid face--Kurt's face; but,
+Heaven be thanked, Kurt wounded, but not dead! His eyes were open, and
+a smile flitted across his pallid features as Erna bent over him where
+he lay. Her fair countenance, darkened by the riding-hat which she
+wore, was as pale as his own, but she, too, was smiling, and she bent
+lower and lower still, and closed those lips of his that would speak
+and that were not to speak, with a kiss; and then she leapt down from
+the cart and bounded straightway, with Herr von Busche's help, into the
+saddle, her horse having meanwhile been brought to her. The Colonel,
+too, had mounted by this time, and the cart now set off, the wounded
+man being supported by the doctor's assistant; the doctor had also
+mounted his horse and joined the procession, which, following the
+cutting in the opposite direction, soon vanished within the glade.
+There remained but Herr von Busche and Alexandra, whom Bertram only saw
+after the cart had disappeared; there were two grooms, too, and they
+were now bringing up the horses; one of them a spare one, probably the
+one which poor Kurt had been riding.
+
+The whole scene only occupied a few minutes, during which Bertram just
+had time to overcome the first paralysing feelings of horror. What
+subsequently retained and restrained him in the sheltering darkness of
+the trees, was a flood of curiously mingled feelings, out of which
+there emerged with potent forces the warning: They have found each
+other for life and death; step not again between them; touch not again
+with clumsy hands the dainty and complicated wheels of a fate which
+laughs your calculations to scorn!
+
+He would have liked best to creep away unseen by any one, but here was
+Otto ascending the cutting, and loudly calling Bertram's name.
+Alexandra, who was just about to let Herr von Busche help her into the
+saddle, started; Herr von Busche sang out in reply to Otto; Bertram
+stepped forth from under the trees, and the Princess hurried up to him,
+gathering her riding-habit with one hand, and holding out the other to
+him.
+
+"My dear friend! you here? Thank Heaven! I was just debating whether I
+had not better wait for you, rather than leave a servant with a
+message."
+
+"Is Kurt badly wounded?"
+
+"How do you know? but never mind! No; not badly. That is to say, it
+will be a tedious affair, but the surgeon guarantees a complete cure,
+and states that his life is in no danger. He found the ball at once; we
+were already on the spot--and, great Heaven, what a splendid, heroic
+creature Erna is!"
+
+Otto had meanwhile come up. There was much cross-questioning, of
+course; and the friends speedily gathered at least the main facts of
+the occurrence. Herr von Busche was naturally best qualified to give
+all the information required. He had heard from the Oberfoerster, upon
+that gentleman's return from Rinstedt, of the scene in which Kurt,
+evidently without knowing it, had acted a singular part--one quite
+incompatible with the traditional honour of an officer--of a man who is
+grossly insulted in the presence of many others, and who withdraws
+without replying. The Oberfoerster had been quite excited on the subject
+which he had been discussing with the ladies at the breakfast-table; he
+had added that other gentlemen, who had also been present last night,
+had expressed their amazement at the young' officer's conduct.
+
+"I am myself an officer in the _Landwehr_." continued Herr von Busche,
+"and my duty was clear. I was bound to communicate as quickly as
+possible to Ringberg the insulting suspicion to which he had made
+himself liable. To apply to the Baron for information was out of the
+question. He had left the ranger's house some hours before, to pay, he
+said, some farewell-calls in the neighbourhood; besides, I think, he
+wanted to procure the horse on which he afterwards came to the meeting.
+We had agreed to meet here. Herr Ringberg was also to be here, of
+course, but then it would have been too late; there would have been two
+duels in lieu of one; and Ringberg's was bound to have precedence. Then
+there was no second provided for Ringberg, unless the Herr Doctor had
+acted as such, and that was not exactly feasible. Well, in a word, I
+got on horseback, and searched the length and breadth of the ground
+employed for the man[oe]vres, until at last, when I had given up all
+hope, I found Ringberg at the moment when the regiment were stacking
+their rifles. This was at five. The original hostile meeting was fixed
+for half-past. Ringberg was on the point of leaving, having previously,
+under some pretext or other, obtained two hours' leave of absence from
+the Colonel. I told Ringberg what I had heard. He requested me to
+accompany him to Colonel von Waldor to whom he would have to report the
+case. You know the Colonel. 'I am your second,' he cried; 'we'll teach
+the Baron a lesson in good manners.' A minute or two afterwards we were
+in the saddle, accompanied by the staff-surgeon and an assistant, and
+galloped here. The carriage was waiting by the side of the lake, and at
+the same moment the Baron appeared. I must do him the justice to say
+that he not only did not deny having made the insulting remarks, but
+declared his perfect readiness to give instant satisfaction for them.
+The issue unhappily was what, knowing the Baron's wonderful skill, I
+expected it to be; or rather, it would probably have been even more
+unfortunate, if, at the moment of firing, the ladies had not appeared.
+I am sure that the Baron, who stood facing the cutting, must have seen
+them coming, before the rest of us heard the sound of the horses' hoofs
+upon the soft turf, and that the unexpected sight robbed him of his
+usual unfailing aim. I find it natural enough that, under the
+circumstances, he preferred to vanish immediately, and I expect that he
+will be waiting for me at the Oberfoerster's now. To say the truth, I am
+not particularly anxious to meet him again."
+
+Whilst the young man was relating this in his wonted vivacious style,
+and whilst Otto briefly explained how Bertram and he had been detained
+upon the road, they reached the end of the cutting, and had come to the
+place where Otto's carriage was waiting.
+
+"How right we were to divide," said Herr von Busche. "The escort of the
+wounded man would have been really too numerous. As it is, it will
+cause a certain amount of sensation, although fortunately it will not
+have to leave the wood till it is close to Rinstedt."
+
+"It might be as well to divide once more," said Alexandra. "I feel, to
+say the truth, somewhat shaken, and would like to await in town news
+about the sufferer; for his state inspires me with no alarm now, and I
+am expected to appear at Court to-night. I know you will very kindly
+let me use your carriage, and mount Lieutenant Ringberg's horse
+instead. You will be glad to get home as speedily as possible, although
+we sent word to your wife so as to prepare her."
+
+"But," remonstrated Otto, "most gracious Princess, you cannot go
+alone...."
+
+"I hope the Herr Doctor will be so good as to accompany me."
+
+Alexandra turned, as she spoke, to Bertram who was standing silent,
+evidently in deep thought, and who had scarcely joined in the previous
+conversation. Now he looked up, and their eyes met.
+
+"I was just going to request that honour," he said.
+
+Otto looked amazed, but ventured upon no remonstrance. A shrug of the
+shoulder behind Alexandra's back, seemed to imply that he considered
+Bertram the lamentable victim of a lady's caprice. He instructed the
+coachman to regain as quickly as possible the high-road, which was now
+likely to be clear of troops, for this would enable the Princess to be
+driven with greater ease and quickness. He pointed out to her that
+there were plenty of wrappers in the carriage, and begged her to make
+use of them in the cool of the evening. The Princess thanked him for
+his attentions, and added that she would not fail to inquire personally
+at Rinstedt on the following day.
+
+"And you too, of course, Charles," said Otto.
+
+Bertram nodded--
+
+"Then I will not detain you any longer."'
+
+They shook hands; the gentlemen mounted their horses and galloped away,
+followed by the grooms, and the carriage set off more slowly in the
+opposite direction.
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXVI.
+
+
+For a little while Alexandra and Bertram sat silently side by side;
+then Alexandra said--
+
+"We are at one in the conviction that it will be in the interest of our
+_proteges_ if we vanish from the scene?"
+
+"Absolutely," replied Bertram. "I suffer acutely already, and recognise
+the outrage that man is guilty of who would play Providence for
+others."
+
+"In that case I should have been guilty too," said Alexandra, "but I am
+by no means dissatisfied with myself; on the contrary, I believe it is
+good that things have happened thus; it was necessary. And when you
+know all, you will admit that I am right. You must know it, for the
+sake of the future, which will still claim much from us. Listen in
+patience.
+
+"I have rigidly adhered to your advice. I announced my departure for
+noon to-day; my maid was despatched with the luggage a little before
+ten; our host insisted upon escorting me in person to the town. Then I
+went to see Erna. We had a memorable conversation which I cannot
+reproduce to you in all its details, but the result was that Erna no
+longer doubted the sincerity of my desire for her happiness; but her
+pride revolted against receiving this happiness at my hands, or, if
+that be saying too much, she had the painful impression that her
+happiness could only be brought about at the cost of my own, in other
+words, that I was still in love with Kurt, and that my marriage to Herr
+von Waldor, which I announced to her as impending, was an act of
+resignation, if not of despair. Of course she did not give utterance to
+all this, nor did she even hint at it; these things one simply feels.
+And there was another thing that came between her and the prospect
+of calm happiness by Kurt's side. Dear friend, do not deny it any
+longer--not to me, even if to all the world besides--you are in love
+with Erna! Thank you for this pressure of the hand. It does not reveal
+a secret to me, and yet I thank you for it with all my heart. You owed
+me this satisfaction, as I have told you Claudine's story; and even as
+Claudine's story is buried in your bosom, so the story of a noble human
+heart shall be buried in mine."
+
+Alexandra withdrew her hand with a cordial pressure from Bertram's.
+They were both too much moved to be able to speak for some time. At
+last Bertram said--
+
+"And does Erna believe me to be in love with her, after all I have done
+to shake her conviction?"
+
+"I should not assert that her faith has not been shaken," Alexandra
+replied, "but she was still under the sway of that intuitive feeling
+which guides us women wellnigh always aright, and which in her case
+betrayed itself in a hundred turns, every one of which had for its
+object your future welfare and happiness. And then, my friend, you did
+at last the very opposite of what you should have done to calm Erna,
+and to brighten her future. You may thank Heaven that Erna does not
+divine the real motive which influenced you; that between the two duels
+she sees a sort of mechanical connection of time and place, if I may
+say so, and not the real one. But for all that, if you had fallen in
+this duel, Erna would never have consented to an alliance with Kurt,
+and she would never in her heart have forgiven him for not being the
+first on the ground. Whether it was within the limits of possibility to
+have forestalled you, the woman's heart does not stop to inquire. The
+loved one must be not only the best and noblest and bravest of men, but
+the cleverest too; how he sets about it is his own concern! Dozens of
+duels have been fought in my immediate neighbourhood, and, I am sorry
+to say, I have been the direct cause more than once, so I had no
+difficulty in understanding the whole business. That old chatterbox,
+the ranger, was relating the circumstances to us at breakfast; I then
+sent for your servant, and, examining him, found out that you had held
+a long conversation with Kurt, which had been preceded by negotiations
+between Kurt and Herr von Busche; and last of all came that
+crackbrained person Fraeulein von Aschhof, and confessed her horribly
+indiscreet statement to the Baron, and your remark, my friend, that you
+would try to settle the matter. I saw it all as clearly as though it
+had been acted before me. Then I knew, too, what I should have to do.
+Again I sought Erna, and told her that your life and Kurt's honour were
+both at stake; of course I took care to represent matters in such a way
+that the idea could not well occur to her of your having wished to
+sacrifice yourself directly for Kurt. She spurned with contumely the
+idea that Kurt had only pretended not to hear the Baron's insulting
+remarks; no need for me to tell her, she said, that Kurt must be
+instantly informed of it. I am convinced that she felt that her fate
+was about to be decided, that now once more she became fully and
+thoroughly conscious of her love for Kurt. The great, strong, energetic
+nature of the glorious girl shone forth in mighty radiance. I could
+have knelt at her feet and worshipped her! I may say that I forgot
+completely my own self, forgot that he for whom this passion was
+flaming heaven-high had been the object of my own mad love. I even
+concealed what I knew--that I had distinctly recognised the Baron,
+when I saw him at the card-table last night, as the man who also,
+at a card-table, had cheated my mother out of a hundred thousand
+francs--that the Baron was not a fit man for an officer and a gentleman
+to fight. I dreaded lest that objection should destroy what I saw
+coming. How we hurried all over the ground in search of Kurt; how we
+came upon his regiment when he had just ridden off; how a surgeon's
+assistant who had been sent back to fetch some forgotten bandages or
+instruments helped us to find his track; how we followed up that track
+at the utmost speed of which our horses were capable; how we reached
+the goal just in time to see Kurt fall, whilst his miserable opponent
+flung the pistol to the ground and fled when he beheld me--all this you
+know, or may easily picture for yourself. But I picture to myself how
+Erna will now be leading her love to her parental abode, to keep and to
+hold him there for her very own;--for what is more, what becomes more a
+woman's very own than the man whom she loves, if she has to tend him
+and wrestle with death for his possession;--and I picture to myself how
+now only she recognises with a shudder what a lordly treasure she had
+all but forfeited through exaggerated pride and obstinacy; and I think
+of, all the wealth of love and bliss which is in store for them both!
+And then I look at us both, at us who have opened for them the gates of
+their paradise driving away into darkness like two exiles; and I ask
+you, friend, have we really need to be ashamed of the part which we
+have played? Or, rather, are we not fully and fairly entitled to
+rejoice in our success and to be proud of it? Yes, friend, we must be
+glad, we must be proud. Where else shall we, who are sick unto death,
+gain the strength to get well again? For we must not, dare not die; but
+we must live and be happy, to prove to those two that they may be happy
+on our account. I, my friend, mean to live on; I will and shall
+recover. I shall appear at Court to-night, and be beautiful and witty
+if I can, or at least serene and in good-humour. And not to-day alone,
+but to-morrow too, and every day, and most so by Waldor's side, for he
+very surely does not marry the Princess Alexandra for the sake of
+getting a moody, melancholy wife. Some secret corner somewhere will
+surely be found where now and again one may weep in peace, and let the
+grievous wound bleed. And you, dear friend? What shall you do? How will
+you set about recovering? I should not have an hour's quiet if I had to
+think you could not. Give me your word that you will recover, give me
+your hand on it."
+
+Bertram's answer did not come at once. He raised his eyes and saw the
+beacon-fees blazing on the mountain tops and far away in the plains. He
+heard the calls of the patrols, the neighing of many horses, the talk
+and laughter of the men round the bivouac-fires, the dull thud of
+marching columns. It was but a mimic warfare, but it spoke to him of a
+true and earnest fight in which he was called upon to take his place in
+the ranks as a good and true soldier, to do his duty as long as
+strength was granted him--it might be for years, or for a few days
+only. And he held out his hand to Alexandra, and said--
+
+"Whether I shall recover, I know not. But I swear to you that I will
+try!"
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+
+
+                                 XXVII.
+
+
+"Then you insist upon joining in to-morrow's debate?" the doctor was
+saying.
+
+"I flatter myself that it is necessary!" replied Bertram.
+
+"As a political partisan I admit it; as your medical adviser I repeat,
+it is impossible."
+
+"Come, my good friend, you said just now, it is undesirable; now, from
+that to impossible is rather a bold step. We had better stick to the
+first statement."
+
+The doctor, who had taken up his hat and stick a few minutes before,
+laid both down again, pushed Bertram into the chair before his
+writing-table, sat down again facing him, and said--
+
+"Judging from your momentary condition it is merely desirable that you
+should have at present absolute repose for at least a few days. But I
+very much fear that to-morrow's inevitable excitement will make you
+worse, and then the downright necessity for rest will arise, and that
+not only for a few days. Let me speak quite frankly, Bertram. I know
+that I shall not frighten you, although I should rather like to do so.
+You are causing me real anxiety. I greatly regret that I kept you last
+autumn from your projected Italian trip, and that I pushed and urged
+you into the fatigues of an election campaign and into the harassing
+anxieties of parliamentary life. I assumed that this energetic activity
+would contribute to your complete restoration to health, and I find
+that I made a grievous mistake. And yet I am not aware where exactly
+the mistake was made. You mastered your parliamentary duties with such
+perfect ease, you entered the arena so well prepared and armed from top
+to toe, you used your weapons with all the skill of a past master, and
+you were borne along by such an ample measure of success--and that of
+course has its great value. Well, according to all human understanding
+and experience, the splendid and relatively easy discharge of duties
+for which you are so eminently fitted, should contribute to your
+well-being, and yet the very opposite is occurring. In spite of all my
+cogitations I can find but one theory to account for it. In spite of
+the admirable equanimity which you always preserve, in spite of the
+undimmed serenity of your disposition and appearance, by which you
+charm your friends, whilst you frequently disarm your foes, there must
+be a hidden something in your soul that gnaws away at your vitals, a
+deep, dark under-current of grief and pain. Am I right? You know that I
+am not asking the question from idle curiosity."
+
+"I know it," replied Bertram; "and therefore I answer: you are right
+and yet not right, or right only if you hold me responsible for the
+effect of a cause I was guiltless of."
+
+"You answer in enigmas, my friend."
+
+"Let me try a metaphor. Say, somebody is compelled to live in a house,
+in which the architect made some grave mistake at the laying of the
+foundations, or at some important period or other of its erection. The
+tenant is a quiet, steady man, who keeps the house in good order; then
+comes a storm, and the ill-constructed building is terribly shaken and
+strained. The steady-going tenant repairs the damage as best he can,
+and things go on fairly enough for a time, a long time, until there
+comes another and a worse storm, which makes the whole house topple
+together over his head."
+
+The doctor's dark eyes had been dwelling searchingly and sympathisingly
+upon the speaker. Now he said--
+
+"I think I understand your metaphor. Of course, it only meets a portion
+of the case. I happen to know the house in question extremely well.
+True there was one weak point in it from the beginning, in spite of its
+general excellent construction, but ..."
+
+"But me no buts," interrupted Bertram eagerly. "Given the one weak
+point, and all the rest naturally follows. I surely need not point out
+to such a faithful disciple of Spinoza's, that thought and expansion
+are but attributes of one and the same substance, that there is no
+physiological case that does not, rightly viewed, turn to a
+psychological one; that so excitable a heart as mine must needs be
+impressed by things more than other hearts whose bands do not snap,
+happen what may, and notwithstanding all the storms of Fate. Or are you
+not sure that, if you had had to examine the hearts of Werther or of
+Eduard in the 'Elective Affinities,' you would have found things
+undreamed of by aeesthetic philosophers? I belong to the same race. I
+neither glory in this, nor do I blush for it; I simply state a fact, a
+fact which embodies my fate, before whose power I bow, or rather whose
+power bows me down in spite of my resistance. For, however much I may
+by disposition belong to the last century, yet I am also a citizen of
+our own time; nor can I be deaf to its bidding. I know full well that
+modern man can no longer live and die exclusively for his private joys
+and sorrows; I know full well that I have a fatherland whose fame,
+honour, and greatness I am bound to hold sacred, and to which I am
+indebted as long as a breath stirs within me. I know it, and I believe
+that I have proved it according to my strength, both formerly and again
+now, when ..."
+
+He covered forehead and eyes with his hands, and so sat for a while in
+deep emotion, which his medical friend respected by keeping perfectly
+silent. Then, looking up again, Bertram went on in a hushed voice--
+
+"My friend, that last storm was very, very strong. It shook the feeble
+building to its very foundation. What is now causing your anxiety is
+indeed but a consequence of that awful tempest. The terribly entrancing
+details no one as yet knows except one woman, whom an almost identical
+fate made my confidante, and who will keep my secret absolutely. So
+would you, I know. You have been before this my counsellor and my
+father-confessor. And so you will be another time, perhaps, if you
+desire it and deem it necessary.--To-day only this one remark more, for
+your own satisfaction; for I read in your grave countenance the same
+momentous question which my confidante put to me: Whether I am willing
+to recover? I answered to the best of my knowledge and belief: Yes! I
+consider it my duty to be willing. It is a duty simply towards my
+electors, who have not honoured me with their votes that I may lie me
+down and die of an unhappy and unrequited attachment. If the latter
+does happen--I mean my dying--you will bear witness that it was done
+against my will, solely in consequence of that mistake in the original
+construction which the architect was guilty of. But, in order that it
+may not happen, or may at least not happen so soon, you, my friend,
+must allow me to do the very thing which you have forbidden. The dream
+I dreamed was infinitely beautiful, and, to speak quite frankly, real
+life seems barren and dreary in comparison with it. The contrast is too
+great, and I can only efface it somewhat by mixing with the insipid
+food a strong spice of excitement, such as our parliamentary kitchen is
+just now supplying in the best quality, and of which our head-cook is
+sure to give us an extra dose to-morrow. And, therefore, I must be in
+my place at the table tomorrow and make my dinner-speech. _Quod erat
+demonstrandum_."
+
+He held out his hand with a smile. His friend smiled too. It was a very
+melancholy smile, and vanished again forthwith.
+
+"What a pity," he said, "that the cleverest patients are the most
+intractable. But I have vowed I will never have a clever one again,
+after you."
+
+"In truth," replied Bertram, "I am giving you far too much trouble. In
+your great kindness and friendship you come to me almost in the middle
+of the night, when you ought to be resting from your day's heavy toil;
+you come of your own accord, simply impelled by a faithful care for my
+well-being; and, finally, you have to return with ingratitude and
+disobedience for your reward. Well, well--let us hope for better
+things, and let me have the pleasure of seeing you again to-morrow."
+
+Konski came in with a candle to show the doctor the way down, for the
+lights in the house had long since been extinguished. The gentlemen
+were once more shaking hands, and the physician slipped his on to
+Bertram's wrist Then he shook his head.
+
+"Konski," he said, turning to the servant, "if your master has a fancy
+one of these days to drink a glass of champagne, you may give him one,
+as an exception; but only one."
+
+"Now remember that, Konski!" said Bertram.
+
+"It is not likely that it will happen," grumbled Konski.
+
+"Konski will leave me to-morrow," explained Bertram.
+
+"Will, is it? No, I won't, but ..."
+
+"All right!" said his master, "we must not bother the doctor with our
+private affairs. Good-bye, my friend! With your leave I will dine with
+you to-morrow."
+
+The physician left; Bertram immediately again sat down at the
+writing-table, and resumed the work which this late visit had
+interrupted. It was a disputed election case, and he would have to
+report upon it to the House. There had been some irregularities, and it
+was in the interest of his own party that the election should be
+declared null and void; he had been examining the somewhat complicated
+data with all the greater conscientiousness and care. But now he lost
+the thread, and was turning over the voluminous page of the evidence,
+when, lo! a daintily-folded sheet of paper--a letter--fell out.
+
+"Good heavens! how came this here?"
+
+He seized upon it with eagerness, as a wandering beggar might seize
+upon a gold coin which he saw glittering among the dust on the road.
+The hot blood surged to the temples from the sick and sore heart; the
+hand that held the slight paper trembled violently.
+
+"Now he would not be grumbling at my slow pulse!"
+
+Yesterday morning he had received this letter, but had not succeeded in
+composing himself sufficiently to read more than a few lines. He
+thought that, perhaps, on his return from the _Reichstag_ he might have
+been in a more settled frame of mind. Then he had not been able to find
+again the letter which had been laid aside, although he had searched
+for hours, first alone, then with Konski.
+
+And now--after all those documents were pushed aside--he was again, as
+yesterday, staring hard at the page, and again, as yesterday, the
+different lines ran into each other; but he shook his head angrily,
+drew his hand over his eyes, and then read:--
+
+
+                                               "Capri, _April_ 24.
+
+"Dearest Uncle Bertram,--If to-day for the first time, in our travels I
+write to you, take this as a gentle punishment for not having come to
+our wedding. Take it--no, I must not tell you a falsehood, not even in
+jest. We--I mean Kurt and myself--regretted your absence greatly, but
+were angry only with those wretched politics which would not release
+you just at a time, when, as Kurt explained to me, such important
+matters were at stake. Take, then, I pray you, my prolonged silence as
+a proof of the confusion under which I labour, amidst the thousand new
+impressions of travel, and through the hurry with which we have
+travelled. Kurt has just four weeks' leave, so we had indeed to make,
+haste; and, therefore, we steamed direct from Genoa to Naples, calling
+at Leghorn only, and yesterday evening we arrived there only to leave
+this morning, and to sail to Capri, favoured by a lively _tramontane_.
+
+"I am writing this my first letter upon the balcony of a house in
+Capri.
+
+"Dearest Uncle Bertram, do you know such a house which 'stands amidst
+orange groves, with sublimest view of the blue infinity of the ocean, a
+fair, white hostelry embowered in roses'?
+
+"The words are your own, and do you know when you spoke them to me? On
+that first night when I met you in the forest on the Hirschstein hill.
+You have probably forgotten it, but I remember it well, and all through
+the journey your words were ever before me; and of all the glories of
+Italy, I wanted first to see the house which had, since then, remained
+in your fond remembrance, where you 'ever since longed to be back
+again,' and the very name of which was always to you 'a sound of
+comfort, of promise: _Qui si sana!_'
+
+"And now we are here--we who need no comfort, we to whom all promise of
+earthly bliss has been fulfilled, and so drink in the blue air of
+heaven, and inhale the sweet fragrance of roses and oranges.
+
+"And you, dearest Uncle Bertram, you dwell--your heart full of longing
+for fair Quisisana--yonder in the dull grey North, buried beneath
+parliamentary papers, wearied and worn--and, uncle, that thought is the
+one grey cloud, the only one in the wide blue vault of heaven, like the
+one floating yonder above the rugged rocky front of Monte Solaro, of
+which our young landlord, Federigo, foretells that it will bring us a
+_burrasca_. I gave him a good scolding, and told him I wanted sunshine,
+plenty of sunshine, and nothing but sunshine, but I thought of you
+only, and not of us. And surely for you too, who are so noble and good,
+the sun does shine, and you walk in its light, in the sunny light of
+great fame! Yes, Uncle Bertram, however modest you are, you must yet be
+glad and proud to learn how your greatness is recognised and admired. I
+am not speaking of your friends, for that is a matter of course, but
+of your political opponents. In Genoa, at the table d'hote, we made
+the acquaintance of some Count from Pomerania--I have forgotten his
+name--with whom Kurt talked politics a good deal. In the evening the
+Count brought us a Berlin paper, which contained your last great
+speech. 'Look here,' he said, 'there is a man from whom all can learn,
+one of whom each party should be proud.' He had no idea why Kurt looked
+so pleased and proud, nor why I burst into tears when I read your
+splendid speech.
+
+"Only fancy, Uncle Bertram! Signor Federigo has just brought me, at my
+request, an old visitors' book--the one for the year 1859, the year in
+which I knew you had been here. Many leaves had been torn out, but the
+one upon which you had written your name was preserved, and the date
+turns out to be that of the very day on which I, was born! Is not this
+passing strange? Signor Federigo has, of course, had to present the
+precious leaf to me, which he did with a most graceful bow--the paper
+in one hand and the other laid upon his heart--and we have resolved to
+celebrate here the day of your arrival in Capri and of my arrival in
+the world. Why, indeed, should we travel on so swiftly? There can be no
+fairer scene than this anywhere. Sunshine, the fragrance of roses, the
+bright blue sky; the everlasting sea, my Kurt, and the recollection of
+you, whose dear image every rock, every palm tree, everything I see
+brings as if by magic before my inner eye! No, no; we surely will stay
+here until my birthday.
+
+"Signor Federigo is calling from the verandah that 'Madama' has only
+five minutes more for writing if the letter is to leave to-day. Of
+course it is to leave to-day; but I have the terrible conviction of
+having written nothing so far. It cannot now be helped. So next time I
+will tell you everything that I could not do to-day: about my parents,
+who are writing letters full of happiness--papa, in particular, who
+seems delighted that he has given up his factories--which surprised me
+greatly; about Agatha's engagement to Herr von Busche, which did not
+surprise me, for I saw it coming during the merrymakings previous to my
+wedding; about ...
+
+"Signor Federigo, you are intolerable!
+
+"Dear Kurt, I cannot let you have the remaining space of two lines, for
+I absolutely require it myself to send my beloved Uncle Bertram a most
+hearty greeting and kiss from Quisisana."
+
+Bertram laid the paper very gently down upon the table; he was stooping
+to imprint a kiss upon it, but before his lips touched the letter, he
+drew himself up abruptly.
+
+"No; she knows not what she does, but you know it, and she is your
+neighbour's wife! Shame upon you! Pluck it out, the eye that offends
+you, and the base, criminal heart as well!"
+
+He seized the parliamentary papers, then paused.
+
+"Until her birthday! Well, she will assuredly expect a few kind words,
+and has a right to expect them; nay, more, she would interpret my
+silence wrongly. I wonder whether there is yet time? When is her
+birthday? She has not mentioned the date; I think somewhere in the
+beginning of May. Now, on what day did I arrive there?"
+
+He had not long to seek in the old diaries, which he kept methodically,
+and preserved with care. There was the entry: "May 1.--Arrived in
+Capri, and put up at a house which I found it hard to climb up to; the
+name had an irresistible attraction for me: Quisisana--_Sit omen in
+nomine!_"
+
+The first of May! Why, to-morrow is the first. It is too late for a
+letter, of course, but a telegram will do, if despatched at once.
+
+"Konski!"
+
+The faithful servant entered.
+
+"My good Konski, I am very sorry, but you must be off to the
+telegraph-office at once. To-morrow is the birthday of Miss Erna--well,
+well, you know! Of course she must hear from me."
+
+He had written a few lines in German, then it occurred, to him that it
+might be, safer to write them in Italian. So he re-wrote them.
+
+Kanski, who had meanwhile got himself ready, entered the room.
+
+"You will scarcely be back before midnight. And, Konski, we must begin
+the morrow cheerfully. So put the key of the cellar into your pocket,
+and bring a bottle of champagne with you when you return. No
+remonstrance, otherwise I shall put into your character tomorrow,
+'Dismissed for disobedience'!"
+
+
+
+
+                                XXVIII.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+It was nearly three o'clock when the doctor came hurrying in. Konski
+would not leave the master, and had despatched the porter. Konski
+took the doctor's hat and stick, and pointed in silence--he could not
+speak--to the big couch at the bottom of the room. The doctor took the
+lamp from the writing-table, and held it to the pale face. Konski
+followed and relieved him of the lamp, whilst the doctor made his
+investigation.
+
+"He must have been dead an hour and more," he said, looking up. "Why
+did you not send sooner? Put the lamp back upon the writing-table, and
+tell me all you know."
+
+He had sat down in Bertram's chair. "Take a chair," he went on, "and
+tell me all."
+
+Then Konski told.
+
+He had come back at a quarter-past twelve from the telegraph-office,
+and had found his master writing away busily, when he brought in the
+bottle of champagne which he had been ordered to fetch from the cellar.
+His master had scolded him for bringing only one glass, and made him
+fetch another, for they must both drink and clink glasses to the health
+of the young lady.
+
+"Then," the servant went on, "I sat opposite to him, for the first time
+in my life, in that corner, at the small round table, he in the one
+chair and I in the other. And he chatted with me, not like a master
+with his servant, no; exactly--well, I cannot describe it, sir; but you
+know how good and kind he always was. I never heard an unkind word from
+him all these ten years I have been with him, and if ever he was a bit
+angry, he always made up for it afterwards. And, to-morrow I was to
+leave for Rinstedt to get married, and he had given us our furniture
+and all, and fitted up a new shop for us into the bargain. Then we
+talked a good deal of Rinstedt, and of the man[oe]vres last year, and
+of Miss Erna that was, and of Italy, where, as you know, sir, I was
+with the master two years ago. Well, I mean, it was not I who was
+talking so much, but master, and I could have gone on listening,
+listening for ever, when he was telling of Capri, where we did not get
+that time, and where Mrs. Ringberg is staying now--Miss Erna as was.
+And then his eyes shone and sparkled splendidly, but he hardly drank
+any wine, just enough to pledge the young lady's health with, and the
+rest is in his glass still. But he made me fill up mine again and
+again, for I could stand it, said he, and he could not, he said, and he
+would presently finish his work; and there are the papers on the table
+in front of you, sir, that he had been looking at. And then, of a
+sudden like, he says, 'Konski, I am getting tired; I shall lie down for
+half an hour. You just finish the bottle meanwhile, and call me at
+half-past one sharp.' It was just striking one o'clock then.
+
+"So he lay down, and I put the rug over him, sir, and, oh--I'll never
+forgive myself for it; but all day long I had been running backward and
+forward about these things of mine, and then at last the long walk at
+night to the telegraph-office, and perhaps the champagne had gone to my
+head a bit, since I am sure, that I had not sat for five minutes before
+I was asleep. And when I woke it was not half-past one, but half-past
+two, so that I was regular frightened like. But as the master was
+a-sleeping calm and steady, I thought, even as I was standing quite
+close to him, that it was a pity to wake him, even though he was lying
+on his left side again, which formerly he could not bear at all, and
+which you, sir, had forbidden so particularly. I mind of our first
+evening in Rinstedt, sir, but then he did wake up again ... and now he
+is dead."
+
+Konski was crying bitterly. The doctor held out his hand to him.
+
+"It is no fault of yours. Neither you nor I could have kept him alive.
+Now, leave me here alone; you may wait in the next room."
+
+After Konski had left, the doctor went to the little round table on
+which the empty bottle and two glasses were standing, one empty, one
+half-full. Above the sofa, to the right and left, were gas-brackets,
+with one lighted jet on either side. He held the half-full glass to
+the light and shook it. Bright beads were rising from the clear,
+liquid.
+
+He put the glass down again, and murmured--
+
+"He never spoke an untruth! It was in any case solely a question of
+time. He drank his death-draught six months ago. The only wonder is
+that he bore it so long."
+
+Erna's letter was lying upon the table. The doctor read it almost
+mechanically.
+
+"Pretty much as I thought!" he muttered. "Such a clever and, as it
+would seem, large-hearted girl, and yet--but they are all alike!"
+
+A scrap of paper, with something in Bertram's hand writing caught his
+eye. It was the German telegram.
+
+"All hail--happiness and blessing--to-day and for ever--for my darling
+child in Quisisana."
+
+The doctor rose, and was now pacing up and down the chamber with folded
+arms. From the adjoining room, the door of which was left ajar, he
+heard suppressed sobs. The faithful servant's unconcealed grief had
+well-nigh unchained the bitter sorrow in his own heart. He brushed the
+tears from his eyes, stepped to the couch, and drew the covering back.
+
+He stood there long, lost in marvelling contemplation.
+
+The beautiful lofty brow, overshadowed by the soft and abundant hair,
+the dark colour of which was not broken by one silvery thread; the
+daintily curved lips, that seemed about to open for some witty saying,
+lips the pallor of which was put to shame by the whiteness of the
+teeth, which were just visible; the broad-arched chest--what wonder
+that the man of fifty had felt in life like a youth--like the youth for
+whom Death had taken him.
+
+From those pure and pallid features Death had wiped away even the
+faintest remembrance of the woe which had broken the noble heart.
+
+Now it was still--still for evermore!
+
+He laid his hand upon that silent heart.
+
+"_Qui si sana!_" he said, very gently.
+
+
+
+                               FOOTNOTE.
+
+[Footnote 1:
+
+           "Und immer ist der Mann ein junger Mann,
+            Der einem jungen Weibe wohlgefaellt."]
+
+
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Quisisana, by Friedrich Spielhagen
+
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