Fickle Fortune

casion for the display of all the grandeur of which Ettersberg was capable, and displayed it accordingly was in fullest measure. In the spacious, brilliantly ligh

o understand how the Countess, carried away by her gratitude, had held out the hand of reconciliation to a man whose courage and presence of mind had saved her life, how in such a moment her class-prejudices had given way, and she had consented to an alliance which, so it was said, she had at first vehemently opposed. Equally intelligible was it that after such an episode the Councillor should have yielded up his long-cherished grudge against the Ettersberg family; especially as the Dorna

he young engaged couple were, of course, met on all sides by fl

uld not possibly recede now, and any interference on her brother's part would come too late. Nevertheless, the Baron wrote a stern letter, reproaching his sister with her weak and foolish compliance, and would not understand how anyone could be so carried away by the emotion of the moment as to offer up their 'principles.' He did not know how the mother's love had secretly been at work, undermining her stern resolve, and pavin

her heart she shared his way of thinking. She saw, however, that having gone so far, the position she had taken up must be maintained before the world. So she set herself to the task befo

had never made itself so triumphantly manifest as on this occasion. At her side stood her future daughter-in-law, radiant in all the bloom and grace of early youth; yet the elder lady's beauty shone

ort of thing--that, one must admit. It is all proportionate and on a grand scale, and the lady has a wonderful talent of making herself the life

she could observe at ease all that was going on. 'From a most unreasonable dislike you have gone

olemn promise that I would make myself agreeable tonight, and now that I am doing everything in

iled rather

t. People are accustomed to see you shrouded in a sort of thundercloud, and this sudden sunshine puzzles them. But I have one question to ask

Hedwig cannot endure this cousin, and

Evidently the Councillor could not understa

utual dislike. Young Ettersberg's manners

y different aspect here. He sees clearly how the estates are being mismanaged; and the other day, when he was over at Brunneck, he gave me

s if Herr von Ettersberg held you to the conversation purposely, that he

is future wife out of the carriage, my young gentleman looked as if the skies had fallen upon him; he darted a glance at the pair which by no means pleased me. However, he recovered himself in a minute, and was very polite, expressing r

e?' asked Edmund, who just then drew near

ow t

n. You, I am sorry to say, have no practic

I was over at Brunneck, and you were engrossed in one of your endless debates about forest-culture

conversation made you yawn, did it? Why, you and Hedwig had not a sensible word to say to each other. I heard noth

over the genius you admire so much. Oswald is capable of discussing timber all the evening. But where is he, I wonder? I have m

om there,' replied the old serv

such occasions as this. He leaves the entire burden on me. Come, Hedwig, dancing w

arm, and led her away to the ballroom, which lay at the oth

lly by Edmund, who warmly insisted on his cousin remaining at the castle, and besieged him perpetually with entreaties and reproaches. The Countess even, and Baron Heideck, after due reflection, had decided that it might be a serious matter to provoke an open rupture wi

hands; so he had yielded to the pressure put upon him, and consente

he mask of calm, imperturbable indifference was dropped. This mask the habit of years and the young man's self-control had enabled him to assume, but how foreign to his real nature was the indifference he feigned might be seen from his heaving breast and clenched teeth as he now stood alone, battling with himself. It had been impossible to him to remain amid the brilliant throng. He felt he must seek solitude, that he might draw breath freely, that he might not stifle beneath the cro

dmund's voice broke

Count standing in the doorway. Edmund went up to hi

turn your back on the company and devote yourself to a quiet inspection

ld his wonted calm, but there was a lurk

usiness exclusively. Are yo

to read you a lecture. You have omitted to ask Hedwig for a dance; yet you might have foreseen that she would be besieged by petitions on all sides. Lucki

t least not in the measure expected. Osw

the truth, it had been my inte

ily. 'It would be shameful if you were to refuse

e duty was always an onerous one. You kn

ugged his

undertake, whether you like it or not.

Rüstow has

asked you both to give up this stiff form of address, and to behave towards each other as relations should? Bu

en wanting in proper respect t

n my veins to listen to you. I really do not understand you, Oswald. The reserve you affect towards Hedwig is so patent, s

mity. His hand toyed, absently as it were, wit

tly. As you have asked for a waltz in my name, I shall claim it, of course, but you must not force

me to put myself out of temper tonight. It really would be thankless of me on such a day as this, a day which fulfils my every wish. You see, Hedwig and I were right not to take a tragic view of the situation, thou

ore strikingly expressed than ever, formed a strong contrast to his cousin's almost glo

he said slowly. 'All the good thin

ation, for instance, is given to you. He declares you are a heaven-born genius, extols your practical

ken, they produced a visible and painful effect. Oswald's b

his perpetual banter? Cannot you desist fr

the spectacle of his cousin's wr

and I hardly think Hedwig would be disposed to agree to it. I have no intention of ab

im for deserting her side for such an object. She did not like this particular new relation, with his icy hauteur and reserve, which never condescended to a word of flattery or admiration, and therefore gave herself little trouble to conceal from him the fact that the promise of a waltz had been almost wrested from her. Oswald was constrained to utter some words of thanks, but even in so doing he let it be seen that he was in reality little moved by the high distinction conferred on him. No special attention w

er, that lady had refrained from any attempt to control her nephew, and she now allowed him to have his way in silence. Edmund and Hedwig, on the other hand, gave themselves up heart and soul to the pleasure of the hour. They both danced well, and were passionately fond of the exercise. It woul

andom hand. Her luxuriant curly hair, restrained by no net, but held together simply by a flowering spray, waved over her shoulders in all its rich abundance. A happy light shone in the dark-blue eyes, and the beautiful face, slightly flushed by the rapi

his attentions to Hedwig, and perfectly captivating in his general efforts to please. Oswald was right. The Count was indeed the favoured child of Fortune--of Fortune,

und had solicited in his cousin's name. Oswald approached his fair

e ironically. 'It seems that an exception is to be made in my honour alone. Is it re

, that I am not fond

yourself on my account. It was Edmund's wish, I imagine, that we shoul

ed perfectly cool. He evaded any direct reply to he

romise as sufficient. I thought it advisable to a

lomacy, but coolly allowed her to divine the fact. It almost seemed as though the young Count might have to pay some penalty for this, for the young lady's lip curled with a defiance

said Oswald, pointing to

is arm with an air of resignation, and next mo

emselves to the severest outward forms of politeness, and now suddenly they were so near, so near each other! Up to this time Oswald had hardly noticed the girl's loveliness by a glance. He had, almost purposely, abstained from looking at her, and she had resented this as a sort of affront. But

h, the kindling gaze--often had she pondered over it, wondering what it could purport--oftener than she cared to confess to herself; now some notion of its meaning dawned upon her. No clear recognition of the truth as yet, only a dim vague foreshadowing, which gradually, ver

y lighted ballroom, the sparkling music, the gay couples revolving round her--this all gre

l of those eyes, from which she strove to escape, but which held her ever inexorably fast. Suddenly, in the midst of all these surging emotions, indefinite

t had been too long for either of them. Once again their eyes met-

, Fr?ulein,'

ccessfully carried out his plan, and much disposed to venture some bantering remarks in consequence. But for once his mirth-loving humour had to be restrained; for at the conclusion of the dance the coupl

a little while ago she had entered with the heartiest spirit into all the animation and the pleasure, luxuriating in it as in her true element; had moved through the bright and merry throng, brightest, merriest of all; but now it had all grown strange and indifferent to her. The li

cing simply and solely to avoid the duty which 'etiquette' marked out for him, and which he could hope to escape in no other manner. And now, after all, it had been forced upon him! Oswald could not but feel that he had in some measure betrayed himself, and it availed littl

ual and amazing efforts at urbanity. He had surpassed himself this evening, and had been almost knightly in his behaviour towards the Countess; but the duty had become irksome to him after awhile

place who is worth his salt. The bailiff is totally inefficient, and my lady, the Countess, has trusted to him entirely for years. Well, I suppose one could not expect her to exercise much supervision, but I shall take my son-in-law to task, I can tell you. There has been no doing any

l promise anything you like, and will seriously intend to do as he

g assertion, which was made

ot equal to the task befor

, and energy is here imperatively needed. You will have to take

before this? You must have seen on

interfere with other

u been treated in all respects as the

which he stood towards his aunt, or how little she would have brooked

ad observed, and called upon him to take some active steps. I met with no success. You can summon your paternal authority to you

ticularly edified by the view of his son-in-law's character

first place, however, the senseless doings in the forests must be put a stop to.' Hereupon the Councillor began to develop his plans and ideas with regard to the new system to be pursued, and soon grew so absorbed by his subject that he

r von Ettersberg?' he asked

le, and passed his

has been tormenting me all day. If I could have cho

nce,' said Rüstow. 'It was sure to

u are right; I should not have dan

sooner in the open air. Oswald hastily seized the proffered pretext and went. The Councillor looked after him with a shake of the head, a little

he ordering and arrangement of such festivities. The night was far advanced when the carriages containing the last departing guests rolled from the door, and the members of the family separated almost immediately. Edmund w

her marriage, and now filled a prominent position in the great drawing-room. The face which looked forth from that richly-gilt frame was mild and kindly in its expression, but it was the face of an old man, and she who now stood gazing upon it could yet lay claim to beauty. This proud and almost royal woman, r

d on the portrait before her grew more absorbed, more gloomy, and when at length she turned fro

terness was due to the thought that this sole supremacy was over now, that a new, a younger mistress was to be introduced to the home; perhaps it was awakened by other, sadder reminiscences.

her on his return, roused t

conquest there, mother. He became perfectly chivalrous in his homage to you, and was so e

certainly, but his is a frank and vigorous nature, which one must just take with all its peculiarities. Your future wife

nd s

ssembly there was but one lady who could com

ere flattery. The Countess smiled in her turn. She knew full well that she could yet outrival younger women, that even her much-admired daughter-in-

sfied with yo

the hand to his lips,

led? I know that you made a great sacrifice in giving your consent, an

ed a sigh at this me

ave been my duty, no doubt, to maintain the traditions of our house. And ye

ount's portrait hanging opposite. Edmund caught the

appy?' he asked

y married life gave me ground for complaint. He

k with suppressed emotion. 'It is only since I have been so happy myself that I have understood how dreary and desolate your life must have been, notwithstanding all my father's goodness. He could not love you with the a

withdrew her hand from his, and tu

said, with a hasty ges

ime he had permitted to himself such an allusion, but

ny reproach to my father's memory. It assuredly was no fa

l to me; you have made up to me for everything. I have desired no other happiness since I have had my son's love. So far indeed'--here her

f pleading, half reproachful. 'You will

s shook her

w that it is here, it seems hard--so hard to bear, that I sometimes seriously think of leaving Ettersberg

You must not leave me, mother. You know that I cannot do without you, even though I have

hing but light talk and merry jests; Hedwig knew only the pleasant but superficial side of his character, which he showed to the world generally. All the deeper, intenser feelings of his nature

Countess had always shown her. A bride more ardently, more passionately beloved would have found a redoubtable adversary in the jealous moth

nt of tenderness. 'It is not becoming in an engaged man, and the lord of many broad acres, to declare t

recognition of my majority will not make a straw's

thority. Henceforth you will be the leading person, the head of the house. It now devolves on you to represent the name and family of Ettersberg. May you sustain your rank br

ning than any Edmund attached to them. He thought only of the sacrifice she had made in cons

of doing so she started, and clasped her arms tightly, eagerly

d calmly, following the direction

murmured the Countess

the glass-door leading from the terrace, and now, as he came

were quite empty,' he

retired to rest,' replied the

ung man laconically, not notic

t such a time one feels instinctively a desire to sigh out to the stars alone one's bliss or misery. Do my words displease you again? Oswald, my mother has just solemnly proclaimed me head of the house and representativ

getic was this dumb protest against the young men's close intimacy that Edmund involuntarily receded. Oswald coldly scanned his aunt's face, and

our own roof too far. To command that is hardly possible even to the "head of the house," or to the "rep

iss her hand, as usual, and left the room. Edmu

anner and more unsociable day

?' said the Countess, curtly and bitterl

weighing on Oswald. I can see it plainly, though he will not admit or speak of it. To you he always shows the more unpleasant s

s about to give you my blessing, and wish you all happiness and joy in the future, he rose up like a shadow, and stepped between us lik

nature that he positively hardly recognised her in this mood. Her dislike to Oswald was

ss, accustomed to control herself in the presence of her servants, speedily recovered her usual composure of manner. After giving some few orders, she took Edmund's arm and begged him to take her t

ther's the lights were soon put out. Down the whole castle fa?ade two windows only gleamed brightly: that of the turret-chamber in the

t that the laces and roses adorning her dress were being unmercifully, irreparably crushed. Before her on a table lay her lover's latest offering, a costly pearl-necklace, which she ha

hich her future life would be passed. To be mistress of Ettersberg was assuredly no unenviable lot, even for so rich an heiress, so spoilt a child of Fortune, as Hed

reamily before her into space. The veil still shrouded her soul; the dream still held her enchained. It led her away from the gaiety and glamour of the

and everywhere around, noiselessly, invisibly, mysterious forces had been active, weaving their wondrous tissues. Yes; springtime, though tardy, surely comes to Mo