Withered Leaves. Vol. III.(of III)

nd cannot loosen themselves; only now and again one little atom flutters down, or has the icy north wind, which here and there sweeps up a looser snow field, wafted it down from the

ice palace and surrounded herself unapproachably, as

be enjoyed a

sleighs fly forward in long rows, the skaters rush in the direction of the north wind which brings them the icy cold greeting from the Baltic

ght of love. With what gladsomeness he pushes the sleigh before him; within it sits, buried beneath furs,

tears of joy which he shed he should not be surprised! Olga had never been more affable towards him than to-day, and when he dared to speak of the sleighing privileges, she smiled. No, it is no smile which refuses--he understands it well! The first kiss in prospect,-

much more favourable impression in Masuren than C?cilie; she was not so superior, so clever: she talked with zest of everything that can interest a country young lady and a country "Junker"--and above all,

en, and he was very happy that he should be envied. Such a thing had never befallen him before, it was quite a novel sensation for him. Milbe declared that every ombre player might wish for such a spadille, and Oberamtmann Werner held a conversation with her about his different varieties of wool causing him to entertain deep respect for h

, meanwhile, had also returned to the town, Wegen appeared frequently in Frau von Dornau's modest dwelling, and was a

ture merely displayed the one, but very important, difference that Olga was seated upon the sofa instead of C?cilie. The recollection of the figure in the cotillon, changez les dames, could not be got rid of in those apartments in which he had first avancé to

ore slowly. Dr. Kuhl rushed past him pushing C?cilie, as did Fra

e first-class! On Dr. Sperner's moustache, her cavalier, hung melancholy icicles, behind her came the slender girls of the first-class, mostly driven b

eways over lumpy hillocks of snow, which had been heaped up on the river, and then stop

e we?" said Olga's voice, su

lost my way," cried Wegen, havi

raised herself up in the sleigh to s

her; the north wind kissed her fur sleeves, and even if the fur cap surrounded her face enviously, so that but li

blew icily into his face. And yet his state of mind was that of Romeo, when he looked up in the Capulet's gar

d senses a sleigh conductor could hardly wander from the proper course. For a moment she actually looked searchingly at Wegen, wh

re alone, hear then, dear Olga, hear wha

les of snow and whirled them about so that Romeo and Ju

e you,

t she was not prepared for a declaration of love with the thermometer so low. Wegen waited for the result, w

, "after C?cilie--but you know it? Why waste so many words? My breath freezes

f her muff and extended

ar friend? And h

are und

was base

d not have failed me, but to be able to

tion mingled with a shiver, called forth by the low tem

rself that it is a favourable moment. I do not mean the weather, but that we are alone, quite alone. I will make you happy--we have little time, I do not mean for your happiness

onsider i

my circumstances, they are affluent, my people approve of my choice. Your mamma had already given her consent when I proposed to C?cilie, and, of cou

her muff. Wegen pressed a glowing kiss upon her lips, the

r over the mirror-like surface of life, as we do over the ice? I p

of her fur hood, into whi

and folded him to herself, and heart would have beaten glowingly against

the smooth course, and now they went impetuously towards the in

Olga. A mother always understands such things, even although the where and how may remain a riddle to her, and while the waiter brought the negus ordered by Wegen and all fe

d rapidly, like quicksilver, amongst those present. A betrothed! Fr?ulein Baute's entire school becomes excited. A lover--for the first-class in a girl's school, that is the lof

another, glided past the chair in or

on the piano--and that is always the beginning. But he appears to have made a mistake then; this Olga is the right major chord. Upon the whole, I consider such feeling about rather tactless. Herr von Wegen is no

knew how, by ringing laughter, to do honour to the schoolmistress

he stroked his moustache complacentl

pon Dr. Kuhl's heart, then every unhappy creditor, or much rather fe

and how a young lady

priety requires it, noth

bow was scarcely returned by Lori, while Doctor Sperner looked defiantl

lie addressed her, and was so chary of her words, that her friends looked anxiously at her as if she had been suddenly taken ill, because only shortly before she had gathered together the sluices of her eloquence, to pour out an overwhelming flood of language. Even Minna, who was still unmarried, and in spite of that fact had forfeited none of her good nature--fat Min

old acquaintances. Not more cheering was the familiar and impudent greeting of gifted Salomon, who, seated with a few friends over a large bo

tes I now ha

ear am onc

s whose hu

whose colo

to defend herself from th

d him. It filled him with extreme dissatisfaction, it was as if his beloved were running the gauntlet, and with such irritatin

?cilie, "I have som

o circulation amongst us. Let us sit down here at this table behind the stove, there we shall at least not see these bald heads, which

Olga has engaged hers

the table wi

with dice, and cannot count, and with the most innocent face he gets up one affair after another. First he pr

ll blame h

wrinkles upon us makes everything worse! Whether to-day I love two girls at once, or to-day the one, and to-morrow the other, is really no very great difference!

kindly they greet Olga

hlessness to our alliance, now it is bro

ng? She lo

not pos

honest, and

erhaps lov

o? bountiful natures

rld, must at least appear like a Don Quixote, even to himself; at least, they all look upon his h

upon the table with her fingers, and looked inquir

which pass no sleepless nights in consequence. For me she was refreshing, because for the mentally intoxicated, and those who are tired of roving, who wander through heaven and earth, there is n

said timidly, "I did not know

you complete one another in a harmo

fy one whole life, I hear the reply and repeat it with pride. I alone will have you, for I feel the power within me quite alone to make you happy; for every effort,

stirred by the beautiful enthu

wn feelings, but in full consciousness I took martyrdom upon me, I bore the contempt of the world, not from the conviction that your audacious opinion was right, but wit

on Kuhl's brow, he stru

s one's heart--and many scalding tears have I shed, and even now they come agai

nds Kuhl sprang up from the table, as thou

ings cannot be touched; they only keep watch in the air, they are only written on countenances, in gestures--and not men accustomed to ba

e, and yet that duel has given me much to think about. He offered up his life for his beloved one's good name. I cannot, I must not, look on and see them insult you. Blanden has often al

and with clasped hands l

ter self, faith towards truth. Yes, at this moment I appear like a traitor in my own eyes, whose hand shall be cut off, but I am weak, I will be weak out of love for you. They shall not think lightly of you, they shall not, although I despise th

lie sank into his arms, the stove conce

th the slipper. But now they shall have it in black and white, lithographed, engraved!--what do I care? And in all newspapers it shall be stated, so that you shall be purified, my child, with printer's ink! Go, hasten, whisper it to your sister, cry it through the room, they shall respect you

after all, caught in the purple silk, and the cursed song of the bridesmaids' wreath buzzes in my ears! By

r to bring them the glad tidings. Frau von Dorna

" added she, "we became engaged out in the snow and

behind the blazing stove. It is a tale of extremes! It is to be hoped

table; he wore the air of a culprit, who is led to execution. W

e Baron, "suum cuique! One m

lied Kuhl, "we have nothing

dear Fr?ulein?" The Kanzleir?thin came in her red shawl with her fat daughter Minna; both were affected, as was natural, under the circumstances. Minna had already wished happines

with what a fine thread these marionettes can be guided!

have mercy on them! Courage is needed to marry Dr. Kuhl. Witho

ced in the most cheerful mood, which, however, soon ce

Kuhl, "but it is done more comfortably there with th