Erlach Court

, by J. B. LIPP

TEN

AP

pected

Baron

The A

- St

n Expe

A Ruin

A Rainy

A Love

- Fo

eddy's

Crab

- Dis

-- Id

A Dep

Scat

-- Z

-- Wi

Sophie

-- P

érèse de

n Austri

rench Inf

Prince Zi

A Musi

New Acq

Five-O'c

Change at E

- A Pari

orm and its

Sleeple

Glowin

Thérèse

Stella's

Rohritz

A Sprain

-- Los

- The Fa

-- Found

CH C

PTE

TED G

fragrance of acacia- and linden-blossoms. Beneath a hanging lamp, around a table whereon are finger-bowls and the remains of a luxurious dessert, are grouped six persons,--the master of the house, Captain von Leskjewitsch, his wife, and his s

gossip, and notorious as a thorough idler. He often boasts that in thirty years he has never once dined at home; he might add, nor at his own expense. He is never positively invited anywhere, but since he has never been turned out of door

e most youthful style,--occasionally, although with a half-ironical smile, allude

stache is brown, his hair is already very gray, which women find extremely interesting, especially since there is said to be some connection between this premature change of colour and an unfortunate love-affair. The finest thing about his face is his deep-set blue eyes; but since he uses an

bands around her romantically frizzed curls. Her languishing, light-blue eyes were once compared to forget-me-nots sprinkled with sugar, and her complexion is suggestive of Swedish kid dusted with violet powder. She was young twenty years since, and has forgott

eight years previously, both having outlived the bloom of their early illusions, although she was only six-and-twenty and the captain thirty, had "patched together their

t of unfortunate love for somebody else, although they quarrelled with each other continually, they got along toge

er allowed to be served in the drawing-room, except on state occasions. Its appearance was unpardonably

rom the 'Fliegende Bl?tter,' Freddy had succeeded in producing a particularly charming noise by running a wet forefinger around the rims of various wineglasses, Fr?ulein Stasy had suggested a poetic comparison between dry storms and the tearless ang

emergency in this direction, had ceased even to quarrel. The ticking of the watches was almost aud

Frau von Leskjewitsch leisurely opened two letters: the first came from a Trieste tradesman and announced the arrival of a late invoice of the best disinfectants

t eight, and the general, who dyed his hair, all present were more or less gray-headed,--"children, our circle is about to receive

forgot to go on teasing Stasy, and suppressed three entire ch

"I should like to know wh

rsonal acquaintance with the Baroness Meineck--as the captain's sister was called--or her daughter. After the coffee had been cleared away, and whilst the master and mistress of the house were arguing outs

fort is

an that in honour of these fresh guests we shall be

e not too much given to elegance; but"--the general's face leng

med, throwing the dice on the green cloth and moving hi

"Leskjewitsch is patient with his sister, and is excessively fond of his niece

pense of others, it was to be witty, or rather malicious, at

forefinger--"neither mother nor daughter is far behind the captain. The mother is an old blue-stocking, and has been travelling all over

erhaps?" Rohri

ly, and that there were pills in their scutcheon, and that the wor

nd Virginia,' her favourite book,--the death of the heroine, she said, touched her especially because she could so easily fancy h

lking of th

acquainted with the lad

them, but last summer we were at the same country resort,--I was with a sick

hings that are said of the

be, short lectures, gratis, upon the American Shakers and their system. But, with all her zeal, she has hitherto succeeded in making but few proselytes. Even her elder daughter, who was for some years a fanatical adherent of her mother's doctrines, lately married an artillery-officer. Stella, the younger sister, whose acquaintance you are to mak

aughter,--hm--I mean

marriage, and is stu

said Bar

etween ourselves, I would not trust any girl under sixty--he-he-he!--in the matter of marriage. This St

rugged his

, of course, warrant a groom, and the Meineck arrogance could not accept the attendance of any one of the young men of the place,--and I know from the best authority that several kindly offered themselves as her escort,--she rode alone, and in a habit--good heavens!--patched up by herself out of an old blue cloth sofa-covering,--just fancy! One day the Bar

er!" chuckled the

r her a career like Alboni's. Heaven knows what will be the end of it. The Meineck temperament is sure sooner or later to show itself in the child

d the room, and, turning to Rohritz, said, "I'm glad, old fellow

ed to make my visit to you most agre

our pleasure may be increased, and you are still young

hough quite excusable, dislike for what are cal

eck clever--mais vraiment cle

nd what a pretty girl says is apt to s

drawled; she never could make up

ewitching!" the captain dec

ing misdeed on the part of the maid to whom had been intrusted the ar

said, sweetly, leaning back with a languishing air among the cushions of her arm-cha

exaggerates," Frau vo

d not even say beautiful: I simply

ally charming because she looks like his old flame, Eugenie Meineck. For my part, this resemblance is the only th

part," growls the captain, whose brown

an unusually tall, broad-shouldered man, with very handsome, clear-cut features, and a face tanned an

icate," he repea

confined her dark-blue linen blouse at the waist. Baron Rohritz, an experienced connoisseur of the female sex, had stuck his eye-glass in his eye, and was gazing at her without a shadow of impertinent obtrusiveness, but with very evident interest. Without being handsome, or taking the slightest pains to appear so, she nevertheless produced a most agreeable impression. According to the Baron's computation, she was about thirty-four years old, and yet her tall

ntments. Good heavens! I freely confess to myself, and to the world at large, that the worthy man with whom I was wretchedly

d not seem to be quite free from a certain retrospective jeal

er one ought to thank God and get rid of the traces of it as quickly as possible. That you never did, Jack: you were always like the belles of society, who cannot make up their minds to burn up their old ball-

e is forever sacred in my eye

battered illusions that I really cannot see where you find the strength to hold fast to

mine," the captain r

upon your collection of

y for veneration," t

infinitum as homage to a vanished en

sy entreated, clasping her han

ed, good-humouredly. "We never quarrel. Our complaint is a chr

ns," remarked

von Leskjewitsch, bethinking herself. "What was the starting-point

w us a photograph of

ain. Upon a closer examination several of the photographs were found to be missing. Little Freddy confessed with a repentant face that he had cut them up to make winders

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N RO

or thing," he reflected, "there must be something attractive about her, or Les and his wife would not be so devoted to her. And, after all, what did that venomous old maid's accusations amount to?--that she has an antipathy for artillery-officers,"--Rohritz as a f

r distinguished talent had declaimed various 'selections.' He had been quite unable to detect her talent, and had spoken o

y could not stay here much longer," he thought, with a shudder. "And in any case I cannot but regret these last pleasant days. That old dandy and the fad

t out his candle

e had brought home from America ten years previously, and which had since been his inseparable companion. It was such a finished, elegant ennui; it never yawned and looked about for amusement, never i

sification, which was gradually paral

r in his life, except upon a pitch-dark night in winter at some lonely outpost when he had been delayed on the march; and although the h

timentally inclined than his former comrade Leskjewitsch? But sentiment had fared ill with him. After having overcome, not without a hard struggle, the pain of a very bitter disappointment, his demands upon existence were of the most moderate description, and this partly to spare hi

k Leskjewitsch, and when hardly five-and-twenty he had left the service and travelled round the wor

ayed whist, and dryly criticised the figures and the toilettes of the dancers. He had the reputation of being a woman-hater, and accordingly all the young married women thou

ere pittance. Since he never contradicted this report, it was thought to be confirmed. The mothers of marriageable daughters discovered that he had a disagreeable disposition, and that it would be very difficult to live with him. One week after this sad report had been in circulation, h

e: I assure you that it is someti

pt to a letter from a comrade, was exceedingly agitated by it. He ran to his wife with the open letter in his hand, exclaiming, "Ah ?à, Katrine, read that. Rohritz has lost

lsome couple were perfec

Katrine. "Invite him at once; that is, if y

allowing a stranger to make love to you," he muttered. "Your disagreeabl

brows: "I have an aver

tunity: "You certainly cannot expect to be the

s, and consequently she had no time at present to in

d write a beautiful letter to Rohritz; and do it quickly, t

in replied, with a laugh. "Upon my word, a poor dragoo

n you beforehand that I have a weakness for Rohritz.

a decided love for flirtation with a determination to cast all the blame for it upon their husbands, posing in the eyes

k himself to his library and--rare effort for a dragoo

mpathetic, such a contrast to the formal assurances of sympathy which he met with elsewhere, that he

arrival of the general and Stasy had somewhat annoyed him, and the news of the approach of another detachment of guests consisting, moreover, of a mother and daughter pos

TER

ARRI

inecks by the 10.30 morning train at H----, the neares

der, is leaning back in a garden-chair, diligently crochetting a red-and-white afghan for her little son's bed. The general, in a very youthful felt hat adorned with a feather, is chuckling in a corner over a novel of Zola's. Anastasia is fluttering gracefully hither and thither, fancying the whi

tz, who faces her as he leans against the balustrade of the terrace. "I am trying my best

temperament existence at Erlach Court would

" Katrine makes answer,

ou have rented the f

tly taste for dilettanti. But he has entire control over the forests and the vineyards; they wo

He cannot help thinking that Katrine Leskjewitsch, exemplary as she may be as a mother, has her faults as a wif

tz remarks, after a while, "especially since he passed

mination." The corners of Katrine's mouth twitched. "What do you think was the end of the united efforts of husband and wife? Two weeks after barely and laboriously passing his examination the worthy man was a maniac. In fact, no fewer than seven

with a seemingly wof

ith Les," Rohritz thinks to himself; but all he says i

n front, a Suabian regiment installed in the rooms, and no sooner have you got things into a civilized condition than you have to break up to the sound of boot and saddle. In one year I changed my abode three times. I could have borne it all

point, at least

e midst of our solitude like a bomb at Sevastopol. Of course we were charmed to see him, and he was so delighted with Erlach Court that he was quit

a vocation," Baron R

le his resignation, if that pleases you. So he obtained leave of absence for a year. Hm!--I am afraid h

ed yo

der," Katrine went on, "a

at adv

, unusually kindly, pleasant men, but to be forced to accept them all, and their wives into the bargain without liberty to show any preference,--it was simply odious. I am a fanatic for solitude; the usual human b

hritz bowed. "I co

--shut off from civilization by a wall of snow,--Christmas in the country,--the children from three villages to provide with gifts,--the castle quite empty, except for our three selves and F

ly to dispense with caution in her intercourse with the other sex. An odd illusion for a woman still e

"I shall not throw away such an

exclaims, clapping her hands childishly

e rejoins, looking at her watch. "Be

avenue---- Ah, please come,

does n

tz!" in an i

o for you, Fr

rises to go for the desired optical aid, Stasy lisps, "Not

avenue. Let me have it for a moment,"--taking from his hand the glass

hind his half-drawn curtains watches the arrival. The carriage stops, the captain springs out to aid two ladies to alight. At first Rohritz hears nothing but a hubbub of glad voices, sees

ind him of the 'hysterical tree-frog' of frightful memory, but of some one else, for the life of him he cannot remember whom. He looks and looks, sees two serious dark eyes in a gentle childlike face beneath the broad brim of a Kate-Greenaway hat, a half-wayward, half-shy smile, charming dimples appearing by turn

m of the 'hysterical tree-frog,' but as certainly she recal

e it can take actual shape in his brain the im

he calls out. "By the way, what means this wretched idea of which Sta

es; "but--hm!--I fancy the matter can be settled by let

ra

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EL

istol, or the storybook, among which three articles he has allowed his expect

he school-room table. "We had to pay for at least five pounds of extra weight of luggage in the

erited from both his parents, far in advance of his age, and already thinks Voss's translation of the Odysse

him now, it will be very useful to him in future. Never mind, my darling," she adds, turning to her little cousin, who, with a sigh and not without much physical effort, is putting the colossal Sanders on his bookshel

itering?" a deep voice calls at t

a letter to a Berlin publisher," she says by way of

s comfortable garden-chairs on the terrace before the castle, beneat

the horizon. The sun has set, twilight has mingled lights and shadows, the colours of the flowers are dull and faded. Around the castle reigns a sweet, peaceful silence, that most precious of all the luxuries of a reside

nds at the disposal of the arch Stasy as a reel for her crewel, the Baroness's voice partly recalls a sentinel and partly a tragic actress; she always talks in fine rounded periods, as if she suspected a stenographer concealed near

e, he can hear almost every word spoken by Stella. If he is especially susceptible in any regard, it is in that of a beautiful mode of speech. What St

es," he hears her say at last in reply to an ent

ks, in dismay, and with all

know another to-morrow." She kisses him on the forehe

ast night for delight in the coming of our guests, and he is

dignity to go to bed with the chickens, an

: he was not very strong in the spring, and he still enjoys all the privileges of a convalescent,--hey, my boy?" By way of reply the little fellow nestles close to his father with some indistinc

when I could climb up on my father's knees and fall asleep on his should

ttle quieter," the wool-winding Stasy calls ou

all again, and to spend a few days in the c

ctly from the country?" th

green moss, and misanthropic widows are seldom in one's way. But ten years ago a railway was built directly through Zalow, and villas shot up out of the ground in every direction like mushrooms. And such villas, and such proprietors! All nouveaux riches and pushing tradesfolk from Prague. A stocking-weaver built two villas close beside us,--one for his own family, and the other to rent; he christened the pair Giroflé-Girofla, and declares that the name alone is worth ten thousand guilders. He also maintains that the architecture of his villas is the purest classic: each has a Greek

y, then?" the captain asks

la. "In a little while we shall exchange calls: I

uch talk, Baron?" Stasy

o reply: perhaps such

er cares what I do or where I go." Stella's soft voice trembles; she shakes her head, passes her hand over her eyes, and runs on: "Even the walks are spoiled; one is never sure of not encountering a picnic-party. They are always singing by turns 'Dear to my heart, thou forest fair,' and 'Gaudeamus,' and when they leave it the 'forest fair' i

rritation. "You surely are not reduced to the necess

I detest the railway, but if it had not bought of us, two years ago, a piece of land on which to build a shop, I hardly know what we should be living upon now. Ah, if p

es. "Did you ever hear anything like that, B

rs impatiently, and Stella

the interim, that is, while we were looking for a new cordon bleu, mamma discovered that a cook was a very costly article and that we could get along without one. Our last maid-of-all work was a dwarf not quite four feet tall, who had to mount on a stool to set the table. Mamma engaged her because she thought that her ugliness

reached its climax; she twitches impatiently at

could see it all?" Stella

captain asks, kindly, perceiving that the girl with diffic

but to live---- There is no use in thinking of it!" She bends slightly above her little cousin, whose head is resting quietly upon his f

's interesting discourse upon the latest achievements of medical science, and then, rising, she leaves

ith this heavy boy? Non

t, after the fashion of sleepy children, but finally says good-n

, as she passes the general, who is sitting with

deed, you had better waken him. I will have the whist-table set out.--And you, s

ready to follow them, murmuring that she must unpack the music hersel

talk from a well-born girl? Such a conversation!

imply murmurs

as been deplorable!" sighs Stasy, and then, lower

There are four or five in the army,--sons of a field-marshal,

of the ---- Huss

d himself at Solferino and got t

" replies

th some hesitation, "I did not know him personally, but I have heard a great deal of him. He must have

hed as a husband," Stasy exclai

arriage was certainly an insane, overwrought affair, and Franz gave his wife

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XPER

re in his favour,--that is, of all his fellows who knew life and the world, and who were ready to give their regard and their sympathy to men as they are,

was twenty-six and Lina Leskjewitsch thirty-two years old. Nevertheless the world--the world that was familiar

fectation or pretension. She was altogether too indifferent to what people said of her ever to pose for the applause of the crowd. Her egotism, fed as it was by the homage of those around her, led her to yield to the prompting of every caprice, and since she

th the pale cast of thought,' but full of wit and spirit. She swam like a fish, venturing alone far out upon river or lake, and rode with the boldness of a trained equestrian, without even a groom as escort. She had always disdained to dance; at the only ball she had e

uisites of society bored her inexpressibly; it was absolutely odious to her. She often boa

ort was suddenly circulated that she was smitten with Franz Meineck, a simple, fair-haired

, the nimbus of originality that surrounded her, the fact that towards all other men her indifference was well-nigh discourtesy, while to him she was amiabi

ked her how she could possibly find any entertainment in that superficial hussar. She replied, with a shrug, that she found it much more amusing to hear a superficial hussar

eginning, of an enthusiastic, passionate nature, the inclin

ble to her than to any one else. Her demeanour towards him was always friendly; she would rally him good-humouredly, and anon

ere he was in his element, and greatly her superior in spite of her Amazonian skill. It was after one of these expeditions, when she reached home with eyes sparkling and cheeks slightly flushed,

left Lemberg and retired to a small estate near Prague, where after her independent

een banks of forget-me-nots and jonquils on its way to the larger stream. In this particular March, however, jonquils and forget-me-nots were still sleeping soundly beneath the snow, and the brook was silent

d, confused by the sight of the scientific apparatus that surrounded him on all sides, he sat leaning forward, his sabre between his knees, in an arm-chair from which he had been obliged to remove a Greek lexicon and two volumes of the 'Revue,' and stammering all sorts of childish nonsense while he gazed at her with adoring eyes. She wore a perfectly plain gown of dark-green cloth fitting her like a riding-habit, and her hair, which curled naturally

. She stood her ground bravely, frankly confessing to him that it cost her an effort to repulse him, but that she must do it to insure the peace of mind of both. Apart from her dislike of resigning the fre

d the hem of her garment, and promised at last to be content for the present if she would allow him to speak again at

ndly, "Dear lad, if after six months you are still so insane as to co

w it, and the colour mounted to her cheeks; he had never seen them flush so

and withdrew, bowing g

ve her heart and threatened to subdue her reason. In vain! The hand which his lips had pressed burned, and suddenly there glided through her veins, dreamily, lullingly, a something inexpressibly sweet, something she had never experienced before,--a delicious yet paralyzing sense of weariness. She started, and sat upright; then, gathering together the papers on her

s; but sweet, long-forgotten melodies haunted her heart and brain: she could not thi

her bed. She listened. What sound was that? A merry uproar like the triumphal note o

alling of the drops from the melting

hed, "the spr

r brothers informed her that Meineck had had himself transferred from the show-regiment--one but little adapted to service in the field--to which he

to you at last that I am worth something in the world. Grant me one favour: send me a line or two, or only a curl of your hair, or some little trinket that you

F. Mei

er life long had jeered at such sentimentality, cut off one of her curls, enc

r La

campaign to prove to me that you were worth something. I send you herewith the trifle for which you ask

e Leskje

roline Leskjewitsch dragged through the endless summer days, scraping lint,--she felt unfit

hat the report of Meineck's death was a mistake; he was in Venice, severely wounded. She could not tell how it was, but on the same evening, almost without luggage, without

tures, he lay back among the pillows. Too weak to

k it off, and, going to his bedside, she said, "I did not come merely to see you

be scarce audible, "To make me well

and then, stooping over him,

red hopeless. The two physicians whom she questioned as to his condition declared his recovery impossible. Resolutely setting aside all oppositi

s former strength and vigour. Early in October the pair took their wedding-trip to Bohemia. In matters of sentiment Franz was a poet to his finge

t where the leaves were rapidly falling. She who had hitherto carried herself so erect now walked with be

twilight in the spacious room where he had wooed her, and where now all the literary and scientific apparatus had given place to huge bouquets of autumn flowers filling the vases in every corner. The bouquets slowly changed colour, the cornflowers paled and the poppies grew black, in the d

n after-years, "I am really that fabulous individual, hitherto sought for in vain, the man who

roposed it she clasped her arm tenderly about his neck and said, "Inactivity would ill become you, and I w

ven to nestle in his heart and to conjure up for him a Paradise on earth? Her caresses gained in value from the fact that

d of amiable possibilities of obstinacy, o

soft rings about her brow. Every one noticed how very beautiful she had grown; and he too, they said, had gained much since his marriage. His moral and intellectual stand-point was loftier. She refused to h

an the youngest wife would have done. She exhausted her ingenuity in rendering his life delightful. She was not fond of going much into society; therefore she made his home attractive to his comrades. Th

shed little by little, as the snow slo

ooed her; "I know myself: my paralyzing weakne

after all, lasted lo

, but she no longer took any pleasure in it. The fitful, unnatural glow kindled so late in her heart slowly died away; her illusions faded, her passion cooled. Nothing was left of the young s

bly, but when the truce was proclaimed she was quite indifferent as to the length of his absence; it might have been prolonged ad infinitum, for all she

t the downward

ave clung to it; he might have felt that he had something to live for, som

nd his wife did nothing now to induce him to stay there; on the contr

he restrained him

nature asserted themselves, and

st daughter. He never took much pleasure in the elder of the two: sh

ella was inde

, and if she happened to be awake and laughing at his approach he would take her in his arms just as she was in her little white night-gown and cap and carry her down-stairs to display her. She wou

urn home from parade. Often in winter when his cloak was covered with snow she wo

'Tis warm enough here, mouse, is it not?" And as she clung to him he would close the cloak abou

to nestle against her father's broad chest, protected in the

ow him the words she had spelled out with them, taking especial delight in long learned expressions of which she did not unders

ashamed of his wretched home and his matrimonial failure, as well as of the miserable part

ely, attracted considerable attention. One critic compared the author's brilliant style to tha

hand in every department of literature, devised plots for tragedies and romances, and wrote essays upon every imaginable social problem, without achieving any really finished or useful result. She herself was quite dissatisfied with her efforts, but she never ascribed their imperfection to any want of capacity, but always to the fact that the free fli

ithout crimination and recrimination between the pair. In spite of his faults and aberrations from the right path, he was exquisitely fastidiou

rs ajar, the drawers half open and their contents tossed in like hay; the servants dirty and ill tra

e chair or ottoman that stood in his way, while his wife sat motionless at her writing-table, now and then uttering som

ide in tasteful attire at a well-ordered table. Her inborn elegance upon such occasions could not but excite admiration, and for a few hours,

entire fault of her shortcomings, and would, so far as she would permit him, show her the most d

e that her literary career by no means developed so brilliantly as she had hoped from the success of her Don John of Austria. She sought

eck came home intoxicated. Chance willed that both h

en they are particularly embarrassed. His affected self-possession vanished very soon, however. His wife merely bestowed upon him a cold greeting, and then entered into an absorbing conversation w

he scene of the evening before. What business was it of hers? Was he the only man in the world who had ever been so overcome? Was that chit to school him? For the first

wallow a morsel, and the big tears fell upon her plate. He saw

ed upon his squandered life, suddenly a little arm stole around his neck and two tender childish lips were pressed to his temple. He started: it was Stella! He t

ave done with them? The legal divorce, with which she threatened him if he did not accede to a voluntary separation, would undoubtedly have assigned them to her. He was to be allowed to spen

so painful, however, that he did not stay all the allowed time: he felt d

ughters beautiful presents, and wrote them long, affectio

ct historical material for all sorts of projected essays. She was now at her mill in Zalow, partly because her finances were at a low ebb, and partly because she i

f in a bleak little apartment to pass her final examinations. Poor Stella, who had meanwhile shot up into a tall miss of eighteen, went to Prague by railway three times a week in summer and winter, alw

rn climate on account of an affection of the lungs which had not yielded to a course of treatment at Gleichenberg, and he had now been in Venice for a month. If his

ut for a suitable escort for her, but Stella declared that she needed none. Had she not been to Prague continually alone by the railway? and where was the difference in going to Venice, except that it was farthe

d a 'Histoire de Venise' into her travelling-bag. The girl bought her ticket, attended to her lug

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and telling him how she had longed for him during the many, many years, and how she had lain awake many a night te

d a merry, kindly look, sometimes in his dazzling hussar-uniform, but oftener in his blue undress-coat with breast-pockets. She could not possibly call him up in her memory without an accompaniment of the rat

young officer who had muffled her in

assailed by a strange timidity: when the conductor took her ticket

e. A cold, paralyzing pang shot through her: his look met her own. While he had lived in her memory as a brilliant young officer, she had always been for him the undeveloped child of twelve, with tightly-stretched red stockings, and a short shapeless gown,--something that could be taken on his lap and caressed. But this daughter advancing towards him was a young lady, who could pass judgment upon, him, a judgment that could

ap

kissed her hand. "How are they all at home?" he as

or you. Franziska, unfortunately, could not come with me

spoke! Had they robbed him of his li

your maid?

h, we have not had a

ne?" the colonel exclaime

dea how independent

it over to the porter of the Hotel Britannia, and then offered her his arm to conduct her to the gondola which was waiting for them. Arrive

on the Lido. The room was pleasantly warm, and in the centre a table was invitingly spread, the teakettle singing merrily, flanked by

while in her delicate and softly-rounded cheek appeared t

thinking that you might perhaps have had nothi

but biscuit, because I disliked going to

and as he spoke he helped her take off her long brown paletot. "If I am not mista

ow, because it reminds me of old times." And this was all she could bring herself to say of the myriad cha

oving to me that, even in the clumsiest and ugliest garment ever devised by hu

ation of which she had been so proud. Kindly, but still with some hesitation, he put his ha

ction suddenly surg

d, throwing her arm around his neck, she nestled close to

above his child's golden curls, and repentantly acknowle

sting reddish reflections to break and glimmer upon the surface of the lagunes, the c

he sat opposite to her for a while in silence, his head thoughtfully leaning on his hand. At last he began: "Stella,

d Stella,

ters; perhaps I do not send her enough for you. She ought to have let

we are not quite so badly off, after all. If it be a question of buying books or curios, we c

d discontentedly

he began afresh. "I am, to be sure, living now upon my capita

wide eyes; then, as she comprehended at last, the pen fe

you as worse than it really is," he said, leaning tenderly over her, and, putting his hand benea

ith his child beside him his soul and heart gained health and strength. Since those first fair years of his marrie

ng, swollen hand, and called in a hoarse, anxious voice, without impatience or harshness, but not without authority, 'Father, come home!' And the drunkard, who had paid no heed to the jeers of the passers-by, nor to the admonition of the policeman, hung his head, and without a word followed the weak, helpless little creature like a lamb. The colonel had st

it. Now it arose in his memory, but transfigured, and as, clasping his daughter's hand, he went

erg. Partially restored, he had immediately, in direct opposition to all advice, re-entered the service. The autumn man?uvres had brought on an inflammation of the lungs. How very ill he was never entered his mind, in spite of his speech to Stella. He t

end, where the other inmates of the hotel were crowded together, being the subject of much merry scorn and stigmatized as 'the menagerie.' Compassion for the daughter of the dying man deepened the sympathy called forth by the young girl's grace and charm. Old gentlemen rallied her upon her conquests, and the young men paid her devoted attention. She had a special friend in the handsome black-eyed prince Zino Capito, who had an unusual share of time to bestow upon her since the latest mist

f mind--had dissolved itself more than two years before. The recollection of it disgusted him, but, like all men who have no future, he gladly allowed his thoughts to stray into the distant past. The wife from whom he had parted, elderly, learned, with her slovenliness and irritability,

e Grand Canal in a gondola with Stella

59, when your mother came to nurse

her could make up her mind to come to Venice with Franzi for a few weeks? She need not be in the same house with us, if that would bore her, but---- Tell h

rived a package of rather insignificant notices of a work of his wife's, just p

deciphering the almost illegible document. "Read it aloud to me," he insis

ing blush, stammered, "A letter must have been

looked out of the window a

dertone, after a while. "I should

ndition. The doctor visited him daily, sometimes oftener, and would drink a glass of sherry with him while recounting his brilliant exploits in the way of restoration to health of patients whose condition was even wor

?" he asked. "Be frank. I am a

umstances, a co

y daughter, but let matters tak

rring from his writing-table. Suddenly he grew res

I cannot show you any partiality. It is terrible to think of dying here, but, if it must be, do not leave me in Venice, in a strange country. Bury me near you in Zalow,--your mother knows the spot; she will bear with me in the churchyard." He took a

ble, very pale, but perfectly upright and w

, pa

ay was her

which was attached a crystal lock

y sake, darling. And if ever heaven sends you some great joy, say to yoursel

lla observed that he enclosed money in it. After apparently reflecting for a while, he drew from a case in his pocket a photograph of Stella which had been taken in Venice, gazed at it lovingly for a moment, seemed to hesitate, and finally enclosed it also in t

cture? To my youngest sister, your aunt Eugenie. Do you

a; but--I thoug

, softly, "She is not dead: I cannot tell you about her, do not ask me. But do not be

small table alone with Stella, after the table-d'h?te in the spacious, lonely dining-h

lla," he would say. "My poor little butterfly,

was beside his bed in an instant in her long dressing-gown, her little bare feet thrust into slippers, supporting him in her arms if he coughed. Outside the moon shone full above the church of Santa Maria della Salute. Up from the garden

ar i tuoi ca

n

rima volta in

soave in

ep sitting beside his bed, he

did all that he could to prevent her from coming to him at night, ev

nge, yearned for his home with the fervent desire of a dying man. Before his mental vision hovered the picture of the old mill, with its old-fashioned garden, the small sparse forest with feathery underbrush at the foot of the knotty oaks, and the gray waters of the stream that wound through the autumn mist between bald stony banks. He felt an insane desire to see it all once more

He complained that he could no longer endure the food at the hotel. His physician, who, like all physicians at health-re

from her, the dying man begged Stella t

ed. The Baroness wrote that now, as ever, she was prepared to do her duty

nguid. From his lounge he looked on while Stella managed it all, and now and then with a sm

half of April; the bells were all ringing solemnly, and

nto their gondola. The little vessel was filled with flowers, farewell tokens to Stella,

er restrain his impatience. From Gr?tz he insisted upon making one journey of it, during which they had to change conveyances frequently. Every one was kind, showing all manner of attention, to the sick man and his pretty,

lla had not been able to procure for him, as hitherto, an entire car

e coupé came the warm, balmy air of the spring. Sometimes there mingled with the acrid, searching odour of the undeveloped foliage the full, sweet fragrance of some blossoming fruit-tree. A scarcely perceptible breeze swept gently and caressingly over the meadows, and lightly rippled the surfa

e had lost her bracelet,--the one with the four-leaved

re we?"

is only three stations off," she sai

atiently. But it was impossible: a deadly anguish assailed

cannot tell what ails me.

tried to move the cushions so that his head

y your head in my lap," S

e drunken father being led home by his little girl; then all grew indistinct. He dreamed; he thought he was staggering painfully through a bog, when some one took him by the hand and led him across a narrow bridge beneath which gleamed dark, slowly-flowing water. He looked d

e?" he asked,

st, p

her hand

the heavens showed as if through thin mourning crape; the broad shining

sed by anything unexpectedly delightful, or when one is suddenly relieved of a heavy burden. Then all was quiet,--quiet,--still as death! She bent over him and listened. In vain! She felt his hand gro

eart beat as though it would break; no longer able to control her dist

the lamp; the fragrance of the blossoming cherry-trees filled the air

f sobbing: she stroked and caressed the cold cheeks, the thin gray hair, of the dead. She knew that

ike rain past the windows; there was a shrill wh

them. When the conductor opened the door, Stella sat

ars gleamed in the

d the mill. Some awkwardness on the part of the bearers released one arm of the dead man, and the hand fell and trailed on the earth. With a q

ch had been prepared for the sick man in the corner room he had so loved, and in

burning at the

n something, and then looked for and found the locket which the colonel had given her for her mother, and which she had ever since worn a

they lay him in the grave; and once he said he sh

those of one startled by an inward vision of a long-forgotten past. The hawthorn shed a delicious fra

gray-haired woman's hands

a moment," she softly entre

hetic tenderness; in that week Stella learned to comprehend what an irresistible charm this woman had been able to exerc

the widow never uttered in the presence of her children one unkind word with

TER

NY EV

sobedience, and in consequence of his sneezing thrice during the afternoon, has been sent to bed early and sentenced to a dose

h a book must inspire her. Every few minutes she utters an indignant 'no!' in an undertone, or holds out the book to Katrine, one hand over her blushing face, with "That is really too bad!" Katrine, however, sho

hess, the only game which she does not despis

s on the Canal. She is still sitting at the piano, but she has stopped singing. Her slender hands touch the keys of the instrument, playing softly now

is talk with Stella! he is quite t

sed," Stasy rejoins, sharply, loo

l he can go away," the captain observes

ot see how she ogles him?" Stasy replies, wit

the phosphorescence of the tropic

, then, it is not indiscreet, I think I will listen." And, clap

outside, and the click made by setting down the pieces on the chess-board, there is

eptember evenings, you can form no idea of the gleaming splendour of the tropical seas, Fr?ulein Meinec

has told her, suddenly assumes a whimsically wise air, and

erstand----" he rema

our understanding,--only for rep

nty-

d imperfect training, that she often plunges into a discussion

ughtfully; then, pursuing her i

in some

ng me through

ow, that I might judge how large a percentage of romance I must deduct from your description. All things considered, I can no longer accord an

Rohritz to put the laughing inquiry, "Do y

cience in the lurch for his sake, for, heaven knows, he was just like all the rest, except that in addition--he played the piano. Just fancy! an artillery-officer playing the piano!--Wagner, of

on board the Europa I still had a little touch of the disease y

he has entered. "I must know this precisely. Were you in love with a married woman? Un homm

tasy calls,

by this speech of hers. He looks penetratingly into the young girl's eyes, and becomes aware that he is g

re frivolous t

s awkward little motions with her hands upon the keys, and

adds, "It needed very little logic to guess that, for if you had been in love with a young girl there would have been no n

rl would not have him?" t

then at her uncle, and murmur

er in which Katrine joins heartily and Stasy

come, acknowledge it," Leskjewitsch

oved his serious, kindly

est minds to contemplate all possi

ile, of what has been going on about her; she now suddenly remembers

me stupidity again, Stella," she obs

ting itself in spite of her; "she has no luck with her children. Her clever daugh

TER

VE-A

e buff-coloured castle has become orange-coloured, and looks quite worn with weeping. The lawns reek with moisture, and the Malmaison roses are pale and draggled. Drowned butterflies flo

spot in the gray skies shows where the sun is hiding; slowly it draws aside the veil from its beaming fa

sparkling stream, flowing freely over its pebbly bed in constant angry attack upon diverse fragments of rock which look in magnificent disdain upon its impotent assaults. A bath in th

rly to the water's edge, and here stands a roughly-constructed

f black serge trimmed with white braid, on the lo

ays, twisting her golden hair into a thick knot and fastening it up a

sy. "At lunch, or in the eve

drawing-room," Stella rep

s a little reprehensible,"

ch a breach of decorum, I could not make up my

holding by the pole between the rocks, to tread the waves. Th

Aunt Katrine?" Stella

r a kindly pat on the shoulder, lif

, but I hardly think that Rohritz took them ill. 'Tis hard to ta

ender foot among the yellow irises and wh

f even you thought it so!" says Stella, as the tears

consoles her: "the matter

ake no kind of difference to you, and he assuredly will not report elsewhere your very stra

sadly upon the wooden step, lost in reflection. "Indeed you need not take your stupidity so much to heart: it would hav

aunt, who, clinging to the pole, is now enjoying the cu

t," Katrine says, with a dry smile, "and therefore the remembrance

was it not? Do tell me!" Stella

t, and just clever enough to entertain a man without frightening him. I saw her once, and but once, at the theatre; she was very beautiful, and I took an extraordinary dislike to her. I am always ready to applaud Judic in opéra

chable in her conduct," Stasy, who has for years maintained a kind of friendship

strict ideas of propriety and fitn

sts you, Stella, I can show you her photograph; at one time you could buy it everywhere. She wa

s as if you said it par d

st care how it sound

t Baroness F?hren

o tell. He had a lov

stantly from Stella's lips, as one

s determination to marry her. The old Baron, a man of unstained honour, and imbued with a strong feeling of responsibility in maintaining the dignity of the Rohritz family, was rather shocked by this hasty resolve, and, viewing the affair from a far less romantic and far more sensible point of view than that taken by his

n?" asks

while. Edgar, who was then most romantically inclined, would not resign the F?hren, corresponded with her,--how I should have liked to read those letters!--finally fought a duel with

able!" excl

en of the present day are not ashamed to declare that their choice in marriage is influenced by a box at the theatre, brilliant equipages, and

lla hastily exclaims.

Boris Oblonsky. Now she is a wido

ella, "'with brilliant and far-gazing eyes.' So that was she!" And with a slight anxi

PTE

UN

to follow the lofty flight of his teacher's intellect. Stella, with whom mental excitement is always combined with musical thirst, is all alone in the drawing-room, playing from the 'Kreisleriana.' Her fingers glide languidly over the keys. "A love-affair! What is the real meaning of a love-affair?" The question presents itself repeatedly to her mind, and her veins thrill with a mixture of curiosity, desire, and dread. Lacking all intimacy with girls of her own age or older than herself, who might have enlightened her on such points, she

partly in its present shorn condition from her own experience,--Baden-Baden, which when the F?hren

m Edgar when they were alo

open. Not for the world would she have turned the leaf to read on, for, in common with every pure, young girl,

ine had told her that he grew gray with suffering. A great wave of sympathy and pit

arble chimney-piece, below which a fire glowed and sparkled, lifting both hands to her head, an attitude that brought into strong relief the magnificent outline of her shoulders and bust. While thus busied wit

ino Capito. All Venice was then talking of th

ks herself. "Ah, it must be delicious,--delicious as music and the fragrance of flowers in spring; and I should so like to be happy for once in my life, even were it for only a single hour. But----" Her eyes fill with tears: what has she to do with happiness? it is not for her; of that sh

ow awakened to fresh beauty, the bees hum loudly, plunging into the honeysuckles, and gently as if with reverenc

his married brother. As with all men of his stamp, a letter is for him

f mysterious uselessness, he covers four pages of English writing-paper with his formal, regular handwriting, and then looks for his seal wherewith to seal his epistle. Rummaging

to of the kind. He swings it to and fro upon his finger, letting the sunshine play upon it, and then first perceives a cipher graven on the crystal, a Roman S, surmounting a star. Involunta

?tz newspapers, doing his best to restore t

unsealed, goes to the window, looks down, into the garden, sees Stasy busy with her chrysanthemums, hears, proceeding from a garden-tent at

r glide the harsh, forced mod

prevails, all the blinds and shades being closed to shut out the hot July sun, he

the 'Kreisleriana,' rather confused by his entrance, and trying

king for you, B

she asks,

ed to ask yo

rom the keys and turns round

pé. Coming across it by chance to-day, I perceive th

y pale, and trembling in every limb, she has s

his bracelet!" she exclaims, and in her inexpress

he apparition which presents itself for an instant at

her growing contempt for his capacity permits her to make upon it, poor Freddy feels so thoroughly ashamed of his inability that he lifts up his voice and weeps aloud. When his mother hastens to him t

self further with my boy's education, if this is the only result you achi

especially as never in my life have I found any one so obt

boy is a blockhead. Let m

ld have culminated must remain a subject of conjecture; for at this

as to character in others! Yes, yes

our still waters?" Katri

ignificant glance towards the boy, who with his arms still a

we will take a walk," Katrine says to her little son. "Wh

then, thinking him entirely harmless. And now, now I find him in the yellow drawing-room, tête-à-tête with Stella, both her hands in hi

a, I really do not understand why you did not in

n offer of marriage? Improbable, to be sure, for Rohritz is too cautious for that,--even although he allows himse

Baroness hurries into the castle

out here? Have you nothi

o their apartments. There the Baroness closes the door

self so shamelessly in a strange house that strangers info

e you---- Mother, mother, how can you say such dreadful things to me?" And the girl bursts out

sy says. Your condu

ther, mo

same Baroness who sent her child to a singing-teacher three times a week without an escort. "It is

PTE

'S BIR

m. The Baroness, not having taken any pains with her education, never of herself notices these little indiscretions. But if a stranger alludes to them her maternal ambition is profoundly outrage

but she knows that their significance must be terrible. Cowed and unhappy, she glides about after every such explosion as if

th Rohritz. She avoids him so evidently, is so stiff and monosyllabic with him, that he at last ques

beneath a very bad rider. I hate to look on at such cruelty to animals, and I should be heartily glad to find a good husband for her before her mother entirely ruins he

--ah, take it." And some of us would gladly obey, but their hands are bound, and others, remember how they once, on just such enchanting summer days, stretched out their hands in eager longing for the roses, and at their touch the roses vanished, leaving only the thorns in their grasp, and they turn away with a mistrustful sigh. Oth

t Erlach Court. Each day Rohritz has found Stella more charming, each day he has

and toys from his parents and relatives, and he has, of course, been more than usually petted and caressed by his

least of all has Katrine any liking for these complicated undertakings. But Fr

lopes on the other side of the Save. From the open windows of the dining-room can be seen across the low wall of the park the brown peasant-women, with pious, expressionless faces, and huge square white headkerchiefs knotted at the back of the neck, marc

ed in fresh and festal array. The sun shines bright and golden, but the barometer is fallin

r barometer is intolerable!" She has no idea of sacrificing h

meter is a great bore,

asant or even inconvenient truth is

r is superb. Annihilating by a glance Rohritz and his warning, she orders the servant who

rriages, a light-built drag and a solid landau, are announced. To the drag are harnessed a couple of fiery young nags, while in default of the ca

Katrine's voice is heard giving orders; Stella is busy helping the c

entreaties of all the rest that she will stay at home, Anastasia leans again

s, and his steeds start off gaily. The rest of the company settle themselves as best they can in the landau, the Baroness and Fr?ulein von Gurlichingen on the back seat, Rohritz with Katrine opposite them. A few anxious moments ensue, in which every one asks the

in,--a déje?ner à la fourchette is to be spread in the open air. Dinner, which has be

fact of which she frequently reminds

e," Rohritz rejoins, sententiously. "The sun's r

reboding evil," Katrin

ly to utter in her deepest tones an astounding observation upon the imperfections of creation and the superfluity of human existence, whereupon Rohritz agrees with her, seconding her views with great ability in a Schopenhauer duet in which she maintains the principal part. She asserts

the roadside. In the white cups of the wild vines that drape with tender grace the willows and elders on the banks of the little stream, prismatic drops of de

wever, take no note wh

ly and at last come to a stand-still. Anastasia becomes greener and gree

lein von Gurlichingen's distress, Rohritz proposes to alight and purs

PTE

BBI

ich to take lunch, but, since the delight of a picnic culminates, as is well known, in preparing hot, unappetizing viands at a smoky fire in the open air and in partaking of excellent cold dishes in the most uncomfortable position possible,

, now widened to a considerable breadth, wh

icks for the fire, Freddy, who has instantly divined crabs in the brook, having first obtained his father

ing too," says the captain to Stella, noting the lo

e replies, nodding gravely; "

ld fellow," indicating over his shoul

laughs

m; but"--she colours a little--

r to drag the carriage up here, and by the time they arrive you can have caught thirty-six Laybrook crabs. As soon as I hear the c

and, while with the right she feels for her prey, is wading in the sun-warmed water beside Freddy, moving with all the attractive awkwardness of a pretty young girl whose feet are cau

om seeing clearly, so she has tossed it on the bank, and her hair, instead of being neatly knotted up, hangs in a mass of tangled gold at the back of her neck, nearly upon her shoulders, the sunbeams bringing out all sorts of glittering reflections in its coils.

ew arrival, Rohritz, smiling

she is stepping, and suddenly an expression of pain appears in

s almost paternal, as he dips his handkerchief in the brook. But with a deep blush Stella hides her foot beneath the hem of her dress, now, alas! soiled and muddy. "Be reasonable," he insists, adopting a sterner tone: "there should be no trifling with such things. Remember my gray hair: I might be your father." And he kneels down, t

urned that he sees only a vague profile, just enough to show him how

ath her dress after he has finished bandaging it. Then, looking at him w

customed to her strange questions

ou are at least five years too young!" she exclai

horses seemed so tired that I thought three people a sufficient burde

ordering it come the notes of 'God save our Emperor!' and immediate

ed me to whistle that as soon as the carriage could be heard; but no

TER

AST

ella's mishap is, "I cannot lose sight of you f

ce first at Stella and then at Rohritz. When she hears that it is Rohritz that bandaged Stella's foot she vibrates between fainting and

this brilliant wi

who observe nothing of Rohritz's annoyance or Anastasia's jest; they are entirely absor

t-knife is provided with a corkscrew; the married pair recover their serenity; the crabs, in spite of many obstacles, are half cooked at the fire, and--for Freddy's

ir appearance, the company is singing in unison 'Prince Eugene, that noble soldier,' to

quently listens in silence to that inspiring song, glances critically

atrine interrupts him irritably: "A

e mighty branches of the old oak, tearing away a handful of leaves to toss them as in scorn i

are scarcely trustworthy," the captain remar

e landau, as his backbone is sorely in need of some support, and Freddy also,

where the captain takes his place beside her, while Rohritz gets into the seat behind them. They set off. Once more the sun breaks f

coachman makes the whip whistle uninterruptedly about their long ears. Katrine, who is sitting with her back to the horses, s

s the m

ver--oh,

inst a stone, the ladies scream, Freddy, who had fallen asleep between the Baroness and Anastasia, wakens and asks in a piteous voice what i

ain does

ety, until the captain actually drags him down from the box and with a volley of abuse flings him into a ditch. Katrine is attacked by a cramp in the jaw from excitement. The Baroness ponders upon the etymological derivation of a word in the patois of the country which she has fished out of the captain's torrent of invective, and repeats it to herself in an undertone. The general folds his hand

ims: "that drunken scoundrel has beaten them half to death. How we are to get home God knows: these

s the m

ss those

rrels in their gay trappings are harnessed to th

g to rain, and

xious mamma. The captain mounts on the box of

s the ferry. We will await you with f

s steeds the rein, and t

t tête-à-tête with Ro

ine says, rather crossly

ut people

use of an ho

ctual they are," Stas

are outrageous!"

Anastasia repeat

TER

YL

n Stella?" Rohritz asks his youn

water-proof and pulling the hood over her fair head, "I am quite warm. It was a good

called my barometer, can be of

een a pity to give up the picnic at the bidding of your w

us?" Rohritz a

uld you

t your foot, have spoiled a very pretty gown, and are in danger, if it goe

r dripping face laughing up at him through the rain and the gathering dark

ay, happy temperament, and she looks wonder

fted woodland odours both sweet and acrid. Intense peace--an unspeakably beneficent repose--reigns around; in grave harmonious accord blend the rus

soft voice has a strange power to touch the heart, and in its g

ith a glance of mistrust at the wretched hacks--

de, beside this pretty fair-haired child; he cannot help rejoicing in this tête-à-tête. Since the day when Stella thanke

cent nature without her knowledge,--to learn

"But it is beautiful,--

h ado to prevent their drooping their gray noses to the ground to crop th

. "I can imagine only one pleasure equal to it,--waltzing with

ver dance?"

t the Academy. Have yo

ck, moreover, to the Britannia, for I knew that my poor sick father would sit up to be regaled with an account of my conquests. He was firmly convinced that I should make conquests. Poor papa! You must not laugh at his delusion! The next day the other girls in the hotel pitied me for not having had any partner for the cotillon; they displayed their bouquets to me,

ced, then!" Rohritz

ershadowing foliage in absolute, untouched freshness. Such dewy-fresh fruit is wonderfully inviting; he feels almost like stret

ing is the aspect of the skies. Leaving the ravine, the road now leads along the bank of the Save. The p

ittle bold," Rohritz now

'bold,' for her, means pert, aggres

ou asserted something that seems to me incredible

esit

wollen to overflowing by the recent torrents of rain. Then all is dark as night; a loud peal of thunder

stumbles and falls, the traces b

xclaims, as he jumps down to inv

ccurred close to an isolated cottage with an adjacent garden. Rohritz knocks at its doors and windows in vain; no one appears. In the deep recess of one of the doors is a step affording a tolerable seat. He spreads a pla

m; "but what shall we do? We cannot sit here all night long in

ide of the ferry is only a quarter of a mile off, and we could e

and, and, since Uncle Jack has my other

indeed un

lp to the inn of which yo

ave you here alone," says

eclares, with the hardih

ing you here alone on Sunday, when all the men about are into

" says Stella. "Go as quickly as you

turns to go, then returns once more, and, taking hi

, which she can dimly discern. One is lying, all four legs stretched out, in the mud, in the position in which artists are wont to portray horses killed on a battle-field; the other is nibbling with apparent relish at some greenery that has grown across t

, that is not his voice: there are several voices, suspiciously rough, peasants rolling past in a small basket-wagon, trolling some monotonous Slav melody. By a red flash of lightning

minutes pass, and now she hears steps. Is he coming? No; the steps approach

ossession of her. Ah! she hears the q

creams, as loud as she

ter Rohritz is beside her. "For God's sake, w

. Heaven knows whether, if you had not appeared, I might not have plunged i

s I could put you on the least broken-down of them and lead him slowly to the inn. But, unfortunately, I am convinced that the beast could not carry you: he would fall with you in

d to fish his plaid and rugs out of the mud and to lead the horses slowly to the inn. As he walks away with S

ut yielding to the pain which every minute increases, but her movements

eously, ashamed of a helplessness of which a nor

he says, with decision, "I pray you put your right arm aroun

Baro

sent I am in command." His tone is v

ing; then slowly, gradually, a pleasant sense of being shielded and cared for overcomes her: her thoughts stray far, far into the past,--back to the time when her

Rohritz says,

the darkness from the windows of a low, clumsy bui

s, without looking a

inly to be perceived in spite of the open window. In a broad cabinet with glazed doors are to be seen among various monstrosities of glass and porcelain two battered sugar ships with paper pennons, and a brida

tic neatness provided with a red-flowered cover, and set with greenish gl

ring tied around its middle, makes her appearance, to receive the

n, then?" Stella

hour. And I must prepare you for another unfortunate circumstance: we shall be forced to go by a very long and roundabout road; the Gr?blach

ripping water-proof and wrapped about her shoulders a thick red sha

s-green waiter on which are placed a d

viands," Rohritz says, in French, to Stella. "I should be glad if you wou

leasant!" she exclaims, gaily, taking her seat at the table. "I am terribly

her, looking at her pretty, cheerful face

rld,--to spoil and pet her to his heart's content? "Grasp your chance,--grasp it!" the heart in his bosom cries out: "her lot is hard, she is grateful for a little sympathy, will s

iturn, she chatters away gaily upon every conceivable topic, devouri

annia which papa used to have ready for me when I came home from parties in Venice, as terribly hungry as one

only glimpse of Venetian society?" Rohritz remarks, w

at Lady Stair's evenings in especial I enjoyed myself almost as much as I was bored at the Giovanelli ball. I cann

ys, rather ill-humouredly, "but how one can find any enjoyment there I am absolutely u

aking her head with her usual grave simplic

that Italians are usua

although in fact"--she pauses reflectively, then says, with conviction--"the

an Austrian," Ro

in Rome," S

all about him,"

I, and the Prince. His place at table was next to mine, and in fine weather he used to take us to s

," Rohritz

e him!" Stella says

r," Rohritz coldly assures her. "I know him intima

dsome as he?" Stel

; she does not resemble him at all." And with

k him so ver

her excellent supper, the woman says something to Rohritz in the peasant patois, which Stella does not

o young did you say I was, Baroness Stella, to be your father? four or five, was it not? Eh b

the clock against the wall. "Is it really half-past ten?" she exclaims. "N

f, and rather uncomfortable. "I do not understand

cries, in utter dismay.

she must be informed that it was impossible to cross the

the longest way round. You certainly acted for the best, but it would have been better, much better, if Uncle Jack had

and his decision of character, he could have succeeded in proc

aps we might cross in a skiff,

nts it shall not be my fault if your mother's anxiety is

m. Shortly afterwards the h

e Herr Papa g

ee if we cannot cross

y not think of----" Without finishing her sentence she puts do

The rain has ceased, the clouds are rent and flying, and from among them the moon shines with a bluish lustre, strewing silver gleams upon the quiet road with its net-work of pools and ruts, upon the wildly-rushing Save with its foaming billows, upon the

water boiling, and not a man will risk the rowing him: he be'

even conscious of the pain in her wounded foot, she rushes out, and across the muddy road to the bank, where the fis

?" she calls aloud to Rohr

hat you said to me there is nothing for me to do save to shield y

o me to consider my reputation. I was

ohritz takes the oars. "Pu

d, striking her poor wounded foot against a seat, utterly breaks down with the pain. "I was a coward; yes, y

her soft, trembling hands try to clasp his arm. About the skiff the

ps and lifts her up. "But, Stella, m

e of wheels, and then the capta

says Rohritz, dra

he unfortunates. The general, who, whatever disagreeable qualities he may possess, is a 'gentleman coachman' of

and he shakes his head, claps his hands, and laughs by turns, as with mut

cle, Rohritz takes his place beside her, and

s sound asleep. Rohritz wraps his plaid

nly hope her foot is not going to giv

d then she talked nonsense, alternately scolding you and the child, marching up and down the common room at the Wolfsegg inn like a bear in a cage, until I could bear it no

was ver

bear. Of course I would not confess it to Stasy, but it is a fact that if

our niece," Rohritz assured him. "The hostess at

nse

recisely where I stood," Rohritz murmured. "And, between

his friend's words but an allusion to his altere

TER

PART

ill sitting around the remains of a very much over-cooked dinner. Stasy, in a pink peignoir, hails Rohritz upon his

the condition of the horses and th

safety has only been temporarily disturbed by Stasy's insinuations, she forgets to scold Stella, in her joy at seeing her safe and sound. That she may not give way to an outburst of anger

as arrived for Rohritz, finally discovering it u

sks, kindly, seeing him cha

lectic stroke, c

est

murmurs. "I must leave to-morrow by the seven-o'clock trai

stantly to have ever

that after the fatigues of the day they will rise before six in the morning for his sake. Stella

imself to spend the rest of the night in refreshing slumber. But sleep is denied him: a strange unrest possesses him. Happiness k

ght on the dark ground beneath. Suddenly he perceived a small dark object lying at his feet, and when he stooped to see what it was he found it was a little bird that had fallen out of the nest and now looked up at him sadly and helplessly from

e. The servant was knocking at his door to ar

mistress of the house already there to do the honours of what he calls, with courteous exaggeration, 'the last meal of the condem

ptain accompany him to the carriage, while Stasy contents herself with kissing her hand to him from the terrace.

e begins, "that whenever you are fairly

ost certainly, madame," Rohritz replies, his glance roving restless

ts in the moist gravel of the sweep; the blossoms have fallen from the linden and are lying by thousands shrivell

the matches. Rohr

all strikes his ear. He turns hastily: it is Stella,--Stella in a white morning gown, her hair loosely

son? 'Tis very good of you, highly praiseworthy," the captain say

ghter comes fr

t voice calls out. "When our little girl gets up at

rains her tears; she says not a word, but stand

itz says, hastily approaching her. "I should have r

ient," she manages to stammer. "Except Uncle Jack, no one has been so

little hand in his and

d you!" h

s to him. He is going to accompany him to the stat

ohritz waves his hat for a last farewell, and the c

e terrace, fairly convulsed with laughter. "Delig

. "I will go into a convent," she says; "there at

aptain roll on towards the s

er," thinks the captain. "Is he r

ness like a vision. He would fain stretch out his arms to her, but he is perpetually tormented by the

e roulette-table at Baden-Baden the hectic ruin of a woman who has been magnificently beautiful, a woma

s little by little sacrificing her entire fortune to gratify the artist's love of gaming. His informant added that she was a woman of birth and position, and

Stella's unpleasant connections, and about

Stella is lacking in a

for the train which has just been signalled, these hateful thoughts refuse to be

which Fr?ulein von Gurlichingen so often alludes? Was sh

enchanting creature; Stella reminds me of her. No one has a good word for her

ecame o

ried an elderly man who did not know how to manage her. Good

, and

a coarse fellow, who beat her, and ran through her property. He was quite

Rohritz i

t is it,-

ent the tra

ourt, and many thanks for your hospitality,

ellow; but--hm!--have you no message for m

oon fall into good hands!" Rohritz says,

rain whiz

Good heavens! if I loved Stella and my circumstances did not allow of my marryi

back discontentedly in th

He lights a cigar and puffs forth thick clouds of smoke. "She might not have married me from pique, but from loneliness, from grati

and, and then found that his cigar had gone out. With

at my years," he muttered. He set his teeth, and his face to

among the trees and in

ke the sobbing of hi

PTE

TTE

lling thicker and thicker from the weary trees; long, white gossamers float i

ng rows on the telegraph-wires in eager twittering discussion of their approaching flight, and then, the next morning,

ot yet chilled; bright flowers still bloom at the feet of the fast-thinning tre

skjewitsches are still at Erlach Court, where Freddy is in perpetual conflict with his new tutor, a spare, lank philosopher lately imported for him from Bohemia, and Katrine quaffs full draughts of her beloved solitude, without experiencing the great degree of rapture she had anticipated from it; there is a cloud upon her brow, and her annoyance is principally due to the fact that the captain begins to show unmistakable signs of a lapse from his former manly energy of character; he scarcely ho

he 'Maitre de Forges'?" K

ir mill-cottage at Zalow for many weeks, and

secure to Zalow entire immunity from the cholera. She has come off victorious in many a battle with the culpably negligent village authority, and, to the immense edification of the inmates of the various villas, already somewhat accustomed to the vagaries

for herself as well as for Stella that the cold season of the year should be passed in Paris, for herself that she might have access to much information nee

to her head it is sure to be carried out: therefore, having made up her mind to go to Paris, she will

lay hands upon the small fortune belonging t

TER

LO

rrival of a little daughter, has taken a seat with some trifling piece of work in her mother's study to tell her abou

now, I beg; do

y shirt which she has begun to crochet for her little ni

all the letters he ever received from his wife. Tied up with ribbon, and methodically arranged according to their dates, they are packed away here just as they were sent

h their faint odour of lavender and decay, for here were letters full of ardour and passion, letters in

y spring; but it is always winter for me in your absence; with y

cs of a dead love in their little coffin.

ionate reverence for the dead who held them sacred, but she has ne

together, and is just wondering what she shall do next to

othing to d

mam

me a couple of quires of paper; my supply is exha

tion of articles than the biggest shop in Paris. He often boasts that he has everything for sale, from poison for rats, and dynamite bombs, to paper

croquet-hoop in the centre of a very small lawn, and in the Giroflé Villa some one is practising Schumann's 'études symphoniques' with frantic ardour. Stella smiles; the last sound that fell upon her ears before she went to Erlach Court with her mother was the 'études symphoniques,' the first that greeted her u

r on her return, their only servant, a barefooted girl from the village, with a

ughter,--"a letter from Gr?tz. I do not know the hand. W

"From Gr?tz. Who can be writing to me from Gr?tz?" and she covertly kisses the four-leaved clover on her

g instinct of total inexperience of the world, read, not once, but hundreds of times, in his eyes, and consequently she has spent many a long autumn evening in wondering whether he is looking for a position--

trine--some message, hitherto in vain. But now at last he has written himself; for fro

tter," her moth

it hastily,

volume of Buckle in her lap, a pile of books beside her, a number of the 'Revue des deux Mondes' in her left hand, and her teacup in her right, she partakes alternate

sy," Stel

t does s

dred napkins or so, upon approbation, that she may oblige some

marks the Baroness. "And

," says Stella, reading on

looks up again, Stella has left the room. Without wasting a

oon shines marking the floor with the outlines of the window-panes. Her fac

sequence for the Baroness, that second sheet of Stas

f you. He spoke very kindly of you, only regretting that in consequence of your odd education, or of a certain exaggeration of temperament, you lacked re

fling depreciation of certain bank-stock. He did not contradict the report, allowing himself to be thought impoverished that he might escape the persecutions of the mothers and da

TER

NT

iling flowers,--past, past! Cold and grave like a hired executioner, mute and secret like a midnight assassin, t

in-side at the foot of which is the churchyard,--the churchyard in which the colonel lies buried. The flames of the thick wax candles on

ook bound in red velvet, and a large yellow rose in her new winter hat. She nods k

ray. It is very cold; their breath comes as vapour from their lips; the outlines of their blue wrinkled faces show vaguely behind clouds of yellowish-gray smoke; the odour of damp stone and

is beneath a weeping-willow at the extreme end of the churchyard, whence one can look directly down upon the broad shining stream. Tended like a garden-bed by Stella, cherished as the very apple of her eye, it yet looks dreary enough to-day: the leaves are hanging black and withered from the stalks of the chrysanthemums which Stella planted with her own hands

verywhere I go; you are beside me, a loving guardian angel seeking for happiness for me. Do no

with two handbags, a travelling-case, a shawl-strap, and a bandbox steps into their compartment and hopes she does not disturb them. Much vexed, Stella scans the lady, who wears a water-proof adorned with as many tassels as bedeck the trappings of an Andalusian mule, and with a red pompon in her hat, fastened in its place with a bird's claw four inches long. Stella instantly recognizes her

iability of young Russian princes; at present she is on her way to Paris, whence she is to make a tour with an impresario through South America and Australia, by the way of Uruguay

she had better eat something, and produces from her travelling-case, embroidered with red and white roses, and from bet

es the tempting delicacy, say

ous arrogance of the Meinecks, who will have nothing to say to a poor

la d

is Nuremberg, whereupon the artiste takes a comb and a tangled braid

ayish light of the late autumn morning and

auchnitz, get into another train, and are whirled away, on--on--through yellow and brown harvest-fields, through small bristling forests of pines and barren meadows, past villages, churchyards, and little towns that look positively dead. Late in the afternoon the Rhine comes in sight: gray, shroude

like echoes of ancient legends. Everything is drowsy; gray shadows cover t

lo

nd dress, and at all events s

TER

E OBL

Emperor Wilhelm, Bismarck, and Von Moltke, among which distinguished personages chance has slipped in the portrait of Mademoiselle Zampa. Suddenly, under a pile of books that seem to have been pushed out of the way, she discovers a green pamphlet which she instantly recognizes as a child

om Stella, sits the pianist, writing a letter: from time to time she looks up to bestow upon Stella a hostile glance. On the other side of the same table two ladies are engaged in partaking of the best supper that the restaurant of the railway-hotel can afford,--a supper with foie gras, mayonnaise of lobster, and a bo

y?" Stella says to herself, with

Stella's side of the table, but

be found a pair of more sloping shoulders than those which that fur-trimmed circular fails to conceal. Both ladies devote their entire attention for a

asks t

in the world with those same sloping shoulders, but

sans peur et sans repr

r," Stasy declares. "He is still one of the most interesting men I ha

with perfect fluency but a rather ha

the Oblon

trange?" a

pause she goes on: "I seem to have read there in Baden-Baden a romance which enthralled my entire being! It was on a lovely summer day, and the roses were in bloom all about me, while delicious music in the distance fell dreamily and softly on my ear, and the fragrance of roses and the charm of melody mingled with the poem I was reading. Suddenly, and before I had read to the end, the romance slipped

too proud to parade his grief; in society he bears himself coldly, indifferently

eyes flas

rt in her breast cr

s clasp each other's

f self? No,--a thousand times no! I determined to free Edgar from the martyrdom he was enduring from his family because

's heart cries out

he adds, "You know, I suppose, that he grew gray immediately after

ve caused them suffering. Well, you know how innocent were all the little flirtations with which I tried in vain to fill the dreary vacuum of my existence, from the artists whom I patroniz

er forefinger; "then you would turn his head again, only to l

beginning in a minor key changes to major only to close softly and sweetly in min

ied alive for the sec

g for a re

read you this, Stella. I do not understand how this brochure did not attract more notice. To be sure, when one lives so entire

on. "And you too, Stella! What a delightful surprise! I must intr

sisters, the Princess rises and offers her hand to both Stella and her mother. The Baroness smiles absently; Stella does not smile, and bare

ou are already acquainted with her." And while the Princess talks with much condescension to the pianist of her adoration

ly through her set teeth, and b

rson, from her delicate--almost too delicate--pale face to her shabby travelling-dress, the identi

dream of rivalling Sonja. Wherever she

ussels!" the porter

graciously as they all crowd out upon the railway-platform. The Meinecks enter a coupé where an American whose trousers are too short, and his wife whose

la thinks, negligently. What does it matter to her

ow light of the coupé lamp, the American goes to sleep, hat and all, upon her companion's shoulder, and Stella sits bolt upright in the cool draught

utiful; but how hollow,--how false! Everything about her--soul, heart, and all--is painted, like her f

she asks herself, angrily. "He too is false

TER

RI

d damp, the usual darkness of the time of day disagreeably enhanced by the white gloom of an autumn fog,--a

prices, and it is under English patronage. English lords and ladies now and then occupy the first story, and consequently the garret-rooms are continually inhabited by impoverished but highly distinguished scions of English "county families." In the reading-room, between 'Burke's Peerage' and Lodge's 'Vicissitudes of Families' is plac

xpenses ought to be paid out of a

adies express it, of English people; that is, of a mixture of camphor, patchouli, and old nut-shells. The bedrooms in these cheap lodgings c

nclusion that private quarters at three hundred francs a month would be more

l kinds of discomforts to be endured, the worst of which consists perhaps in the fact that none of the proprietors

e last moment the Baroness discovers that the concierge is a very suspicious-looking individual, and remembers that

. The Baroness is just about to close with the concierge, who does the honours of the place,--there is merely a question of five francs t

mes; and when the Baroness glances doubtfully at a dressing-table which scarcely presents a masculine appearance, and which boasts a sky-blue pincushion stuck full of diffe

a here interposes, having just pulled a golden hair at least

to marble; tossing her head, she grasps Stella by the hand and hurries out with he

oo reasonable;' she is convinced that some one must have died of cholera in a

answers their requirements in a little hotel called 'At the

tain kind of ladies, and never more than one Deputy; two always quarrel." Whereupon the Irishwoman and the Austrian lady come to terms immediately, and the Meinecks move into the second story of 'The Three Negroes' t

authority has no time to attend to matters so important. Dismissed with but slight encouragement, the Baroness tries her fortune at the office of one of the smaller operas; but since she presents herself here with her daughter without introduction of any kind, the official seate

sque Astrachan collar and a very long surtout, enters the place by an opposite door. He scans Stella's face and figure keenly, and, approachin

other than the famous impresario Morin

Stella, he asks who has been th

her teachers embraces Carelli at Naples, Lamper

s, "Too many cooks spoil the broth," and asks,

le length how her historical schemes and researches have hitherto rende

her mother's historical studies, interrupts the elder lady with some rud

ella meek

first magnitude should I consent to my daughter's going upon

ss the skies, larger apparently than any of the stars; you fix your eyes upon it, but hardly have you begun to admire so exquisite a natural phenomenon when it has vanished. Anot

rsh French with a strong Jewish accent, he turns again to Stella and asks,

and to entreat for infinite patronage before gaining admission to the famous Morinski and inducing him

y accedes to

rather than in the foyer," says Morinski. "I could decide far bett

ghted corridors to the stage, which, illuminated at this hour by only a coupl

loosely about her shoulders, singing in an undertone a duet with a tenor in a tall silk hat who is kneeling at her feet; at the piano, just below, sits the leader of the orchestra, a little Italian, with long, straight, white ha

ver immediately," Morins

sion ensues, during which the prima donna alternately scolds the leader, whom she accuses of p

uch attention, she scans Stella from head to foot, says, with an ironical depression of the corners of her mouth, "Ah

peats also ironically, stuffing an immens

rinski replies, with

'clock, Morinski; I am hungry. If it must be, let us b

nima!" Stella says, in

ta," the leader replies. "You

es

ds of the prelude. In the midst of the aria he takes his hands from the keys, an

ski calls, with

dly. "Haven't you, Morinski? It is a perfectly im

eassuringly. "Your voice is superb, full, soft,--on

ses, with the croak of a raven, "but she is abs

ood teacher,"

of her in the words, "C'est une femme du monde. You will never make a singer of her!" Then, with the energy that characterize

l with tears. Morinski

t;" and with an ardent glance at her delicate face he assures her, "

ce of forty years; you never will succ

will do all I can for you. I shall take great ple

st, drawing it forth and handing it to the Baroness. "If you want your daughter taught to sing, take her to della Seggiola, Rue Lamartine, No ----, the singing-teacher of the Faubourg

ella Meineck's trial of her voi

e and prudence left not to allow

rgetic Italian, she takes her d

PTE

E DE R

flowers; the trees and the grass and the bare sod are powdered with snow. When one says 'as white' or 'as pure' as snow, one must never think of Paris sno

ns, the Baroness has generously determined to write newspaper articles, although she has a supreme contempt for all jour

y an old carpenter, who once mended a trunk for her and won her heart by his sensible way of talking politics. She paid him five francs for his companionship, and maintains that he was far less tiresome at Valentino's than a fine gentleman. She has devised a

wo hours at home. She is at liberty to spend the rest of her time in any mode of self-culture that pleases her. She can go, if she is so inclined, to the Rue Richelieu with her mother, or vis

e feels lonely and unhappy,--grows daily more nervous and restless, and, without being able to define exactly the cause of her sadness, more melancholy. Her energetic moth

at iron is not e

Paris from the top of an omnibus. She has graciously offered to take Stella with her, but Stella thanks h

be to drive in a barouche-and-pair in the Bois," her mother remarks

ose voice has been treated at different times as a soprano, a mezzo-soprano, and a deep contralto. She has been obliged to stop practising in consequence, to-day, and has

if my voice should not turn out well," she co

delusion!--she absolutely allowed herself to imagine that----

other in a letter shortly before. "You do not know her, but I begged Edgar awhile

ks; "but not even his old friend's requ

portraits of famous singers, Tamberlik, Rubini, Mario, all with the signature of those cel

er best to become absorbed in the destini

ld read a serious book in all this noise? And 'Th

and fro, now repeating in a murmur and anon declaiming with grotes

e,--an English bagman, who is suffering from an inflammation of the eyes, wherefore we must not grudge

closing her Gibbon. "Ah, heavens, how dreary

ella opens it. A tall, smooth-shaven lackey

d de Rohritz, née

he Frau Baroness is receiving?" the ma

to put away a piece of mending which is by no means ornamental. Scarcely has she done so when a light foot-fall comes tripping up the stairs. There is another ring, and again Stella opens the doo

e Meineck, n

whether this tall girl in a plain

vice to you. I have promised myself the pleasure of doing so every day since; my very critical brother's letter inspired me with eager

uld greatly regret missing you, madame. If you could be

irly steal a quarter of an hour of time already appropriated to come to see you. We must postpone our talk. I trust I shall see a great deal of you; I am

arm-chair by the fireplace, has put up her vei

es, but how refined, how exquisite, is this fragrance compared with the ov

glance,--a glance which can be half impertinent sometimes, but which rests upon Stella with evident liking,--her beami

e time since you came t

ma is studying that she may finish her book,

-in-law told me," Madame de R

ing-lessons fou

z laughs. "If I were a Frenchwoman I should be horrified at the idea, but I am half

fellow-student. We take lessons together tw

brains of the best-born and best-bred girls; cela ne tire pas à consequence! I never oppose Natalie, but I mean to have her married before she knows what she i

ricaine' was the rage, for the face is adorned with a manchineel-tree in miniature

s out her watch, and com

st-ce pas?" She turns once again in the door-way, and, taking both Stella's hands, says, "You will come to dine with us once this week with your mother quite en famille the first time, that we may le

s Stella's forehead, and then

art beats f

t her: he has not

TER

STRIA

ich the Baroness on her return home greeted Stella's joyous announcement of Madame d

f the Baroness may be, she is certainly thoroughly saturate

ing but one, the Baroness makes a wry face, and remarks that really Madame de Rohritz might have waited until her call had been returned,--that such a degree of eagerness on the part

o my dress," she says; to which S

ation at the time of her eldest daughter's marriage. The number of Stella's evening dresses is limited to two very charming gowns which th

ying loose about her ears, with a black lace cap; while Stella is always charming. She would be lovely in the brown robe of a monk; in her pale-blue cachemire, with a bunch of yellow roses o

orgetting how quickly her air-built castles fall to rui

comfort without ostentation. In the vestibule--a gem of a vestibule, with two ancient Japanese monsters on either side of the door of entra

e Arazzi on the wall, something has had a beneficial effect upon her mood,--that to-night, as is sometimes the case, her ambition is roused to prov

d shorter but half a head more dignified than the footman, they find only the master of the house.

edingly to welcome t

so," the Baroness

aroness rather extraordinary at first? She is a charming, distinguished old lady." Aloud he says, "My wife m

punctual," the Baro

meanwhile, ladies: here, these are the most comfortable places,--not too near the blaze. I have had an Austrian fire made for you, and have actually nearly succeeded in warming the entire salon. We Austrians require a higher degree of heat than these crazy Frenchmen; they always maintain they

s on another log, so eager is he to bear his testimony

ot felt so comfortable as at present," says the Baroness. If Baron Rohritz knew that since her arrival in Paris her time has been spent either on the top of an omnibus or

ent belongs to my wife. You cannot imagine how she runs herself out of

the Baroness

civilities, glancing uneasily at the clock on the chimney-piece. "It is now just half an hour since

hrouded in a mass of black crêpe de Chine and black lace, dying with fatigue and sparkling w

e, Baroness Meineck. Can you forgive my ill-breeding in keeping you waiting on this the

though the younger lady speaks German in her honour,

to be in time in Paris. Well, and how do you do?" turning to Stella and lightly passing her hand over

have been difficult, however, for him to make any othe

ter than yellow. Shall we change?" And, unfastening the roses from Stella's shoulder, Thérèse Rohritz takes a bunch of dark Ru

's commissions, to oblige all the world,--this is the mania of Edgar's sister-in-law. He once de

er of the house interrupts the flow of his w

r Z

nately--very unfortunately, underscored--engaged; but he hopes to be here soon after ten," Rohritz explains

Baronne e

TER

INFER

ppily together in Paris suffer quite as much from a chronic difference of opinion as those in Aus

nt of a difference with his chief and an absolute lack of ambition,--and from long residence in

o the disadvantage of the latter country. Nothing suits him in Paris; he abuses everything, from th

there is anything to be praised in France I always do it justice. But look at the game: French game is deplorabl

" Thérèse remonstrates, half laughing, half

, only from a lofty, strictly patriotic poi

t although I cannot defend the Parisians in all respects, in one thing they are far beyond the Vi

e no digestion. They certainly are a weak, degenerate race. Did you ever watch a regiment of French soldiers

a soldier she indulges in a hymn of praise of the Austrian army, thus enchanting the Baron, wh

s again, after a while, calling attention to the speed with which dinner is b

ey will have to serve tea later in the evening. I simply suppose that they take it as

eir faces, 'I serve, 'tis true, but I adhere to the immortal principles of '89.' Every fellow is convinced that his period of servitude is only an inter

n, my dear: if you find Paris so inferior in everything, from

tion,--quite a different

is country at a distance. When, five years ago, after we had been here some time, he gave up his career and wanted to go back to Vienna, I made no objections whatever, an

n his finger-glass with a

of European capitals: worthless thing that she is, we

arette, ladies, and are you fond of children? Then, Thérèse, let us take co

TER

ZINO

tiful old weapons in a couple of stands against the wall, and with heavy antique carved oaken chests. The broad low arm-ch

s to trip after him with a face of great solemnity, carrying the silver sugar-bowl tightly hugged up in her arms. After she has happily completed her round she puts the sugar-bowl down before her mother, with a sigh of relief as over a difficult duty fulfilled, and smooths down her

aph hanging beneath the portrait in oil of a beautiful, fair woman. Although Stella had noticed the photograph

ng a critical glance upon the picture, "although if it ever looke

t before he went to Mexico. When he returned to Europe, three years later, our mother was dead, and he was

rrupts her conversation with the Baroness to declare. "We often dispute about it with my b

at arrogant fellow in the Vatica

recalls Baron Edgar, although considerably ol

se runs on with

made for him,--Marguerite de Lusignan, who has just married the Duke Cesarini, and the charming Marie de Gallière,--in short, the loveliest, wealthiest girls,--tout ce qu'il y a de mieux. Oddly enough, the mothers liked

"he spread abroad a report that h

Thérèse laughs. "D

a is

ld suppose Edgar to be the most self-conceited coxcomb under the sun,--a man who spent his life in defending himself from the attacks of matrimonially-inclined ladies. B

erficially," Stella

last summer with him at Leskjewitsch's,"

ght curl of her lip, "His heroic opposition seems overcome at last; for, as I learned lately

cries. "That interests me im

from a Fr?ulein von Gu

stasia Gurlichinge

ichingen?" Stella

who pays her expenses. It has been her specialty hitherto to sacrifice herself for consumptive ladies: she has haunted Meran, Cairo, Corfu. There was no taint of legacy-hunting in her conduct,--heaven forbid such a su

while ago, but I was not at home," said Thérèse, turn

ess Oblonsky,"

e former von F?hren?" husband a

tain

e!--with th

st chokes wi

kles; little hovering lights and shadows dance over the old golden-brown leather tapestries. Suddenly the door opens, and unannounced, with the sans gêne of close relationship, a young man enters the room, tall, slender, with a certain attractive audacity expressed in the lines about his mouth and in his eyes which puts beyon

e has greeted his sister, and Stell

" Thérèse exclaims, in surprise, a

himself, a look in which admiration reaches the boundary

k from Lyons simply on the strength of the enthusiastic description of your latest trouvaille that you sent me in your note of invitation? No, my little sister, I am too well aware of your liability to

when?" as

n Stella came to Venice to take care of him.--They were sad days for you," he says, turning to Stel

in spite of all," Stella replies, her eyes

ce rests upon him, and, becoming aware of the delicate nature of the situation, he finishes his sentence as best he can and tries to change the subject. But the Baroness has lost her equanimity:

have a fiacre called for us?"

a, she pleads fatigue, the necessity of rising early, and so forth. When Ca

o them, as she is scarcely ever at home,--whereupon she vanishes on the ar

m; and when the Prince enlightens him as to the extent of his lack of

ness. It is quite possible that she drove her husband distracted with her learning: nevertheless in ordinary intercou

ks Thérèse. "To me St

ea out of the Japanese cup his sister has just handed him. "How goo

imentary," Thérèse rejoins. "Wha

e Meinecks," Zino replies, with

t," Thérèse sa

why

hat you could to turn Stella's brain. I th

says C

hat I can to marry her

s again, but in

you to meet the Gurlichingen

h whom is sh

ll at him, with mirth in he

ome affected lately?" Z

she probably covets respe

change of system on Stasy's part, then," say

the lucrative calling of a tu

ification of--caps which have fallen among--among nett

already

do in presence of their sisters. "If you suppose I tore myself away from Lyons to drink tea w

to and fro before her face, mak

"Good-evening." "I wonder where I could meet her," he says, m

; "Edgar described the young Meineck t

dee

reature, she seems to

llo himself would grow melanch

r a while he says, "I wonder whether, after

your conjecture?" Thérè

ly indifferent an expression

laughs

ugh at?" her husband

ther, and when he was asked by her what reason he had to suppose that her daughter liked hi

Edgar must take some interest in her, or he would not

he express request of our common fr

; but

mparison with him. He

then says, "That is true; she is a

TER

IC-LE

rchestra, Stella refers to him in order to procure more reaso

ancs a month for a share in the singing-class,--that is, in the musical dissertations which Signor dell

d to regard the leader's recommendation as a humbug, it may be well to state that twenty-five francs is really a lowe

understands nothing about money. He evidently labours under the delusion that he gives the lessons for nothing, since he does not take th

with Concone's solfeggi, and that it is indispensable for the scholar that she should procure the work upon the art of singing with which the new teacher, as well as his predecessor, has enriched musical literature. Stella already possesses five exhaustive works upon the 'Bel Canto,' 'L'Art lyrique,' 'L'Art du Chant,' and so forth; each cost t

a preface by a celebrity, it displays upon its first page the profile of a human being cut in half,--an imposing proof of t

turi, or musical examples borrowed from other works, which swim like little islands in an ocean of text. As Signora della S

believe in della Seg

played by an ambitious young musician who has once been with Strakosch on a tour; in the class, Fr?ulein

He is a broad-shouldered, jolly Italian, with a

ranked for a time among the distinguished singers of the wor

a Seggiola meanwhile gazing at her with a solemn air, sometimes grimacing to show the position of the lips, or tapping alternately her throat and her chest, exclaiming, "Ne serrez pas!" or "Soutenez! soutene

es to be paid here, but that every one--with the exception of a protégé of Signora della Seggiola's, a barytone from Florence,

hey came there. It can hardly be asserted that even here among the disciples of della Seggiola, the only true prophet of his art, any great progress in singing is ma

e the organ, della Seggiola never allows one of his faithful disciples to sing one natural, hea

lains to the maestro that this is so, he remarks that it is a very good sign, her great fault being that she

ccurs to her to-day as she sits at the piano preparing for the class

e is the use of thinking of it?" she answers herself, with a shrug. The clock on the chimney-piece, the one with the manchineel-tree, strikes a quarter of ten. "It is high time to go," the girl says aloud. Slipping on the still

stic point of view. The lesson has already begun when Stella enters. Fr?ulein Fuhrwesen, in her tassel-bedecked water-proof, is seated at the piano, upon the lid of which the 'Bible' lies open. Della Seggiola, resting his right hand upon its pages, and gesticul

nced Meyare): he is clerk in a banking

o Paris with his two sisters, who regularly come to the class with him. They are sallow and elderly, wear very large Rembrandt hats, which,

across whose threadbare brown sacque she gaily ogles the barytone from Floren

; she speaks with horror of the theatre, and th

to be of a different opinion. She is just confessing in very problematical French to the barytone from Fl

nski has not

the barytone, and to the crazy Miss Frazer, Ste

e waltz from 'Traviata' transposed a fifth lower than the original key, breathing very loud, and singing very low. In the m

ola, not without a certain imp

sighs the Englishwoman; "it always

iola, taking a pinch of snuff. "Pray consul

ith enthusiasm. "My nervous system is too highly strung. If my voice were only stronge

oor opens, Natalie Lipinski enters, and behind her

la Seggiola," says Natalie, in her fluent but hard-sounding Russi

ir, rest with benevolence upon the Prince, who offers della Seggiola his hand with the aplomb for which he is justly celebrated throughout Europe, hurriedly thanks

s him to the class, blundering,

whom he takes his place, after bowing to her with the most attractive mixture of courtesy and deference. Without being deterred by Miss Fra

ter meeting you at my sister's, but, unf

es

ind the ladies at home. Might

sk mamma;

ou amused yours

e de Rohritz took me with her once to the

little do you devote your entire time to

tance of an old governess, who chaperons me,--and sometimes I go

nversation, which is carried on in an undertone, Fr?ul

g. Her song is the grand cavatina from

ion to go upon the stage she combines a fortune of some millions of roubles, and, what is in still more comical contrast with her proposed career, a strict unbending sense of propriety, far transcending the pruder

s his cousin, is singing, Zino listens with exemplary attention to the Be

wing the musical directions, p.p., cresc., ritard., and so forth; even at the point where the inspiration of the love-stricken

uhrwesen lifts her hands from the keys, and Natalie looks inquirin

nfant; you sing in excellent time, but you must try to infuse animation into your style. Fancy the situation,--half crazy with love and longing,

iola, stretching out his arms like angels' wings, thr

ion, all who still find delight in the old It

ndigestible in music,--Prince Zino, for whom Mozart is the only god of music and Rossini i

inues to be qui

rom Florence, sings something ver

tto sul

to nel c

ola had hoped for a tenor,--and, secondly, that he cannot read by note. Della Seggiola, however, praises the charming timbre of his voice, and asks if he may not send him a teacher to correct his defective reading; whereupon Fr?u

-the famous duet between Don Giovanni and Zerlina,

e of a German youth who bears about in his face the record of his bravery; his hair, artistically dishevelled about his forehead and ears, falls over his coat-collar at the back of his neck. Except for a

bly thready. Although Natalie sings, as ever, in faultless time, the notes that should be in unison are far from sounding so, whereupon della Seggiola

h and looks at the wall; Don Giovanni scratches his ear. The duo sounds worse and worse. Much irritated at this melancholy result, which she ascribes entirely to Signor Trevisiani's awkwardness, Natalie at last says crossly to the y

with amiable readiness, takin

sits down beside the piano, his hands clasped upon his stomach, his eyes fixed upon the tips of his boots stretched out before him, prepared to endure the blessed duo for the fourth time.

ion to Zerlina, della Seggiola in

ng the ser

e Fuhrwesen strikes the first notes o

the notes at their auditors; Prince Zino smiles them at his hearers, and the

is head slightly thrown back, he is the veritable personification of the g

ars, rushes up to him with both hands

r Trevisiani gazes at him as if he longed t

learn to sing

rywh

m wh

m no

humbug in genuine artistic enthusiasm. "For, betwe

to profit much from the art of the maestro, the latt

ss here the beauty of song, you shall always be

leave of della Seggiola with his brilliant smile and cordial pressure of the hand,

la, rubbing his hands delightedly. "And he can sing like

uhrwesen mutters. "He is an Italian, to be su

TER

ACQUAI

have travelled together by railway after they have left the train. The soprano with her slovenly duenna in a long French c

walks beside the two girls; he softly

marks, after a while. "Della Segg

hrugging his shoulders. "It gave him a

ffers already from her heart," Stella says, with her

" Natalie declares: "it would not have b

antest things in this world a

ry pleasant to hear us practising away at the

egins to cross-examine him upon his impressi

nk of him as a t

ully," Zino replie

not strict enough,--does not suit to their c

e contrary, I thought he exacted far

alie asks, ra

s his name?--Trappenti--to be seductive. Rather too difficu

ie fr

giola's remarks to-d

you were capable of performing,--that is, so far as I know." And, with a quick turn of the conversation which would be quite inexcusable in any one else, he looks her in the face, an

," Natalie

hen. Were you

t this question, and, blushing to the very roots of her hair, mu

lithographic portraits hanging in the corridor in your home at Jekaterinovskoe,--Orlow, or Pot

the beautiful Austrian. But, if he can no longer enjoy the pleasure of talking with Stella, he resolves to please himself by still keeping her in sight

er corner, and shakes her head. "I wonder how many times he has been in love before?" sh

leisurely along on opposite si

grace, and now and then a dreamy, gliding rhythm about them; 'tis music for the eyes. And then such colour,--the fair face w

. The worship of the beautiful is, as he is fond of declaring, his own special, private religion; the paroxysms of enthusiasm which this worship wa

f, "as all such attacks do; it can lead to

from or going to breakfast, men with dirty grayish-white blouses, servant-girls in white caps, Englishwomen with long teeth, and Parisians of all kinds, recklessly pressing on towards some aim known to themselves only; in the middle of the street there is a hurly-burly of every kind of vehicle, from little hand-carts, laden with fish, flowers, oranges, or vegetables, and pushed by women with bent back

liers or the overthrow of a government, a restless, excitable, shallow, sparkling crowd, which might be called the oxygen of Paris in contrast with its hydrogen. And beside the huge city omnibus there toil, slowly, heavily-laden carts to which are harnessed long trains of huge white Norman steeds, with blue sheepskins upon their backs and bells around thei

no pauses to watch her. Amid the noise of the street he cannot understand what she says, but through the roar of the mid-day crowd, the loud pulsation of the great city st

er the entire cart-full of flowers. I wonder i

another. At last the view is once more uninterrupted; but where is Stella? There she stands, pale, agitated, her eyes cast down, beside a tall, thin, consumptive-looking woman in shabby black, leading

ut before he can decide where and when he has seen that woman before,

TER

O'CLO

e progress of years when the first wrinkle appears, and instantly a careful search is made for the lost article. Then she needs a friend who shall smoo

ious food, exquisite lodgings and service in apartments fairy-like in their appointments, numerous presents, and altogethe

ar from being as good as it was upon her husband's death, three years ago, or she

ow and possessed of a colossal fortune, she hoped to obliterate all memories of former irregularities by a marriage with

and jackets which well became his handsome gypsy face, flung his money about everywhere, and played the piano. Sophie Oblonsky was always sensitive to music. The picturesque Hungarian inspired her with an interest such as none but a disappointed woman of forty can experience. In dread of compromising herself, she con

won a prize of ten thousand marks in the Saxon lottery. That same evening Caspar Bethenyi risked his last thousand francs on number twent

le upon the episode, and the Princess Oblonsky was h

assion accorded to the poor fencing-master, who had signed his name simply Caspar Bethenyi in the strangers' book, and w

n society. Considerable surprise was expressed that when thus exiled from the 'world' of wester

t she was naturally slow, and with the luxurious tendencies of her temperament were mingled sentimentality and a certain l

k. In the far distance Edgar von Rohritz hovered before her as the

with the same artistic skill that a photographer expends upon his pictures, so th

iscences, everything that she disliked. She talked so mu

with perfect propriety

lamps shed a mild, agreeable light. A lackey has just brought in the tea. Upon a pretty Japanese stand, besid

rincess's r

o a voluntary retirement from a hollow world which disgusts her, there is as little need of saying as that Stasy, without

of a few wealthy Americans, just

allowness she has many a story to tell. And her special favourite among these is the pianist Fuhrwesen. Why, good heavens, the only occupation which really interests the Princess at

ace and the glow from the fire, the Princess is leaning back in a low chair near the hearth, complainin

e foie gras sandwiches are very tempting, but to partake of one would be a tacit admissi

he is ashamed of his wife. Ah, he really cannot dream how considerate I am for artists' wives. It is a theory of mine that it is our duty, as ladie

n hour passes. Stasy

r they would certainly be here. I must find out

cup of tea,"

ng for guests who do not arrive. Sophie finds

ous injustice by taking two glasses of cordial,

that no one came. People bore me so. I revel in my solitude. And to think

b, Anastasia at this point of the convers

ly," the Oblonsky continues,

ointed her

owed. No wonder. She must have known how long

ss your passion for solitude," Stasy chirps. "

s odious to me,"

is heard to rin

disturb us now!" And, glancing at the mirror over the chimn

rwesen; for, even more copper-coloured than usual, in consequence of the biting north wind outside, with her hair blowing ab

the imaginative Princess asseverates; then, pausing suddenly, she glances uneasily at Stasy. But Stasy has long since learned to let such rhapsodies pass her by without so much as the quiver of an ey

ulein Fuhrwesen says, submissive

houlder,--"pour out a glass of cordial for her.--You can have nothing more, my dear; I c

wn is to you! Did you hear Prince Olary's description of you?--'The Venus of Milo, dressed by W

he Princess says, with a laugh. "But now tell us something new: yo

? à propos--yes, I remember; but it will shock your Highness terribly. I reall

ell us!" the Pr

e pianist remarks, discreetly. "Are you not in some way related, or

e of weeks in the same house with her last summer, bu

d eyebrows. "Is not she the young person who you

asia

rt," Fr?ulein Fuhrwesen remarks, contemptuously: "it al

Anastasia observes, "That would seem to be rather an aimless

t for two months. The company is rather mixed, especially so far as the men are concerned. Who do you suppose made his appearance to

ay so!" Stas

the others, takes a seat beside little Meineck, and talks with h

and the Obl

have thought that so insignificant a person could

ountess Thierstein's. His reputation, so far as women are concerned, is di

y had no idea of it. He used to be a good deal at our house wh

s dire," exc

reserve than I possess--even to a slight flirtation with an interesting man--I

smile, "does not appear to be so strict in her ideas. I distinctly heard her d

rror. "That is indeed---- And do you kn

death, but the Louvre is always a nice place to get warm. So I mounted the staircase, and lingered for a while beside the register in the Salle La Caze, exchanging a word or two with an Englishman who is copying a Ribera. Suddenly the man turned, as every man turns to look after a pretty girl. I turned also, and whom should I see bu

her," the Princess says,

how are you?' She replied curtly, looking past me to the right and left, and finally, observing that she could not stay, for she had promised to meet some one,--oh, a lady, of course!--walked quickly away. My time was up. I looked af

raved!" exclaim

picture-galleries lead," the Fuhrwesen continues. "The

the Oblonsky la

; I should not be at all surprised if I were to see

ss, taking her visitor's hand. "Oh, how cold you are! Is it possible

that. Your Highness will readily understand

nough to tell Justine to brin

st a head and shoulders than the majestic Princess, and consequently the garments trail behind her like coronation-robes, the Oblonsky assures her that the

't be absurd, my dear. You see that giving--making others happy--is a passion with me. Stasy has one

TER

AT ERLA

gar von Rohritz says to himself, looking out of his win

owered gifts have all, as well as Freddy, become accustomed to their new possessions, but the giant Christmas-tree, robbed, it is true, of its sugarplums, still stands with its candle-s

erything was bright and gay; but there is a change of atmosphere at Erl

l: the captain is gay, talkative,--almost gayer and more talk

ed outbreaks, she now passes them by in silence. She never quarrels with him, she is decidedly displeased with

uming the hard duties of the service, but has accustomed himself entirely to the lazy life of a landed proprietor." And when Rohritz remains silent, she exclaims, angrily, "I know what you are thinking: that I gave him no choice save to resign his career or his domestic life,--which is no choice a

ks. "Did you really

at of Jack; and I had a right to expect i

the keenest and most gifted off

ou have no idea of the energy with which he devote

ved as captain for

ding-school before the terrible heat of the day, scarcely ever lay down for half an hour. He continually had something to arrange, to decide, to command; he occupied himself with the individual concerns

ng-room where this conversation is going on is invaded by the sharp clear tinkl

be helped out of the sleigh by the captain. Whilst Katrine, with a very gloomy face, takes her seat in an arm-chair to awai

snow. In town he had quite forgotten how pure and white snow originally is. He gazes at it as at some curiosity whic

from the white covering, and the trunks of the trees

mestic drama about to b

annoyances of which she has spoken to him, petty, provoking annoyances, wh

at the right time! If it could only say to us, 'Here I am, clasp me close!' But the truest, finest happiness is never self-asserti

tz has abundant opportunity to observe her. That, like all sirens who disturb domestic serenity, she should be inferior in every respect to the wife who

-night, and human beings are consequently easier to be induced than in civilized countries to bid one another good-day in sp

been first a cavalry-officer, then a circus manager in America, and finally a newspaper-man in Vienna. After these various experiences with her promising husband, they had shortly before taken up their abode in a villa

widow with Freddy and the captain is playing billiards in the library, "but I frankly confess that I find the pleasure which

silly; ugly she is not. She has a dazzling complexion, a magnificent bust, and a regular profile, although with lips that are too thick, a double chin, and lig

ge of sporting-matters would do honour to a professional trainer. She allows Les

disgusts Katrine; nevertheless he understands

ER XX

IS LE

s Rohritz a letter with the Paris post-mark. Edgar recognizes his sister-in-law's

, compatriots so recommended are an unmitigated bore, from the pianists whose three hundred--no, that's too few--five hundred tickets we must dispose of, and who then, when you ask them to a soirée, are too grand to play the smallest mazourka of Chopin, to the Baronesses Wolnitzka, who request you to introduce them to Parisian society because they never have an opportunity to see any one at home. The pianists are bad enough, but the Wolnitzkas--oh! In one respect they are precisely alike: they are always offended. If

strian is concerned is the personification of self-sacrificing devotion

stairs, creaked beneath my feet; I was afraid it would break down as I mounted to the Meinecks' appartement. One final, depressing, menacing memory of the Wolnitzkas assailed me. Justin rings, the door opens, and all

mplicity with the greatest distinction, a combination never found except in Austrian

; and yet there was a pathos in her look, in her smile, that went to my heart. Bu

strictly informal, to become acquainted with one another. The mother was as little eccentric as is possible for a blue-stocking to be, and in the course of four hours had only two attacks of absence of mind, which does her honour. What a handsome face! Edmund, who is a connoisseur

, she is still a thorough grande dame; and that is saying much

he time not absorbed by her literary labours she devotes to the study of Paris; and what mode of pursuing this study with the due amount

ack velvet cloak frayed at all the seams, the fur trimming eaten away by moths, pearl-gray gloves (her hands are ridiculously small), such as were worn twenty years ago upon state occasions, a black straw bonnet, and no muff. She sat bet

ssible. But still more impossible is a young girl who wishes

Meinecks grow daily more intimate. H

no faith in her career. Pshaw! Stella Meineck on the stage!

And I have a scheme! Ah, leave it to me. What I do I do well. Before the season is over Stella will be married. To establish a young girl w

the name sounds fine enough to impress some wealthy citizen who writes on his card the name

Now 'tis out! There is a certain Monsieur Cabouat de Hauterive whom I have in my eye for Stella. He is very rich, has frequented the society of gentlemen from childhood, and has been received during the last few years by everybody; he loves music, has one of the finest private picture-galleries in Paris, and is in the prime of life,--barely forty

of very good family, an income of six thousand pounds sterling, and of good trustworthy character; and a Dutchman whose ears were

I prevent him from making love to her? It would be dreadful. Not that it would ever occur to him to be wanting in respect for her, but he might turn her head, and that would ruin all my plans. She might then conceive the

, but then I give you twenty pages at once. Have you had the patience to r

you, very comfortable, and, I give you my word, the chimney does not smoke. If you cannot be induced to come to us, let Edmund take rooms for you wherever you please. Only come! I shall el

fectiona

érè

anied this succinct document.

27th D

week in my portfolio. Although it is an old story now, I sen

islike Wagner: that is something. Moreover, he thinks her enchanting, and she does not think him very disagreeable,--which is about all that can be expected

his desk. A distressing, paralyzing sensation overpowers him. For a moment he sits motionless at hi

his namesake in the opera, rush in at the moment when the betrothal is going on and shout out his veto? And what is i

pens, and with the familiarity of

billiards with me, Edgar, b

es himself rea

TER

ND ITS CO

ming monotonously, "Rascal! rascal!" The afternoon sun gleams upon the glass of the bookcases; the whole room is filled with blue-gray smoke, and looks very comfortable. The gentlemen are both excellent billiard-playe

atter, old fellow?" the captain

begins, but without another wo

hair, the boy between his knees, vainly endeavouring to soothe him. Rohritz stands half smiling, half sympathetical

himself? What is the matter?"

is eyes, and the corners of his mouth ter

econd coachman and Fr

inning to trace the connection of ideas in his son'

her husband. "How did he frighten you? He has not da

tupid nonsense, not worth speaking of,"

t it is, however," Katrine

ght a duel--they are killed!" Freddy screams, in despair,

me intelligible explanation of the

he captain rejoins, changing col

--to chastise an impertinent scoundrel in Hradnyk, and has conscientiously kept at home since, awaiting the fellow's challe

e captain: "it is a pity th

l of rubbing at his eyes with inky fingers, his cheeks are now streaked with black,

child, and with a rather mistrustful glance at her husband, "what th

," stammers the captain. "Why should

tz interposes. "The scoundrel undertook to use certain exp

s, with a contemptuous curl of her l

about it some time when we are alone, if you insist upon it. I

ur!" Katri

e the pair to a reconciliatory tête-à-tête, when the doo

asks, hastily, in an altered

Forges' to the grass-widow; she asked me for it yeste

nce when have I attempted to interfere i

ometimes seemed to me a littl

ant of tact. Katrine's aristocratic features take on

g, with a shrug, "on the contrary, I am glad to have ano

, and before a witness, is not the part of

and, with a low bow to hi

d of sleigh-hells rises from without through the wintry silence: the sleigh has driven off. Katrine goes to the window to look after it. With lightning sp

from the window, and leaves

dish of roast pheasants, but six o'clock strikes and

s sake. They wait one hour,--two hours: the captain does not appear. At last Katrine orders dinner t

y has played three games of cards with his tuto

quarter of an hour after another passes without a word exchanged between them. Suddenly Katrin

se, subdued voice, to Rohritz. "And the snow is

o at any other time, at the contrast between Katrine's deeply tragic

whistles! I hope Jack has no

ne does not heed. In increasing agit

quarry," she murmurs to herself. "If he goes

cality, and is the best whip I kn

wind, which drives the snow-flakes against the shutters and tears and rattles at

o forgive a man when w

e to meet him," she stammers

es out into the hall. Katrine hears a man stamping the snow from his boots, hears the captain's fresh, cheery voice as he answers his friend's questions. Her anxiety is converted into a sensation of great bitterness. She cannot rally herse

aptain appears alone,

tain, half-embarrassed smile he adds, "Rohritz told me you were anxious about--about me." As

e fallen into the quarry, because I could not see any apparent reason for your late re

erly, and passes his ha

seem rather incredible to me. But what one wishes to believe one does believe so easily! I was foolish enough to delight in the hop

low chair, and begins to drum

" says Katrine, taking a silver candlestick fro

asps her by the wrist.

ith a contemptuous smile. "The grass-widow must have proved u

expression. Was it possible she could take

rass-widow," he rejoin

not find her at ho

go to Glo

ed! I tho

will have nothing to do with us, we are fain to go for consolation to the devil: he is sure to be at hand. Frau Ruprecht would have received me with open arms; I am by no means"--with a forced laugh--"so insignificant in her eyes; for her I am qu

u to make a little haste with your explanat

itively in a hurry to fall at the Ruprecht's feet; but, just at the last moment, so many different things occurred to me

been a very protracted

zenberg, and played a ga

ntly explained the reason of your delay, wi

et you ought to know that falsehood is n

ould like to know, however, why you take so much trouble in the present instance for me, who have so little interest in

pass than you fancy; our whole existence is at stake. You know how my sister Lina's marriage turned out, a

cised by another, however we may disapprove of them ourselves, but I must defend myself. Your sister neglected her household and her childr

is perfectly attended to, you are an ideal mother, and daintily neat. In a word, you w

ys done my d

prescribed,

married it was agreed between us that each should

is gazing at her k

says, bitterly. "The sad thing abo

you--I must say I never h

the reins to be taken from my hands, do you suppose I should have resigned my authority over you, have lost the right of disposing of my own child, and have abandoned my profession, if--if I had not fallen in love wit

und bow, then turns

TER

PLESS

oor Franz Meineck, console yourself with the c

soul! She does not sleep during the night following upon t

It was her wedding-day. On the seventh of January nine years before, without a spark of love for Jack Leskjewitsch, but with the angry memory of humiliation suffered at another's hands, she had donned her gown of bridal white and her bridal wreath had been placed upon her head. In her inmost soul she had compared her b

Her pride, which had been suffering from the destruction of her illusions ever since the winter she had spent with her aunt in Pesth three years before, turned with a bitterness that bordered on disgust from all the homage paid h

did not like, and who ruled her father, the suit of a wealthy, thoroughly honourable man was not to be lightly rejected. Yet

ever possessed, that he was not to expect any love from her, he received the confession with

with a laugh, without the slightest emotion, they had been betrothed on a gray, rainy November day, when the winds were raging as if they had swo

ried, and took the usual trip to R

ilver light fell upon her past and revealed many things which she had

oor, had brought her husband

ch rude soldiers alone know how to lavish upon their wives. She had complained of the inconveniences of the nomadic life of the army; but who had drained all those inconveniences to the dregs? He! He had taken all trouble upon himself. In their wanderings she and the child had been cared for like the most fr

ng, without any words, without annoying her with restlessness

kept his home in order, had treated him with more or less friendliness, had never

the child in order that she might hold the first place in his heart. Yet, oddly enough, in spite of all her indulgence the boy was fonder of his fiery, irritable, good-hu

army life. Without the slightest consideration for her husband, she had left him and forced him for her sake to adopt an existence that was contrary to all

oor Franz Meineck, console yourself with the c

the words echoed

th the obstinacy with which we are wont to clutch a self-

o foot, and, hiding her face in t

dishness, which has informed her intercourse

oached her husband with never being done with his illusions, and she---- In a secret drawer of her writing-table there is at this very moment, shrivelled and faded, a gardenia which she has never been able to bring herself to destroy. She springs up, lights a candle, hastens to her writing-table, finds the ugly brown relic,--and

her lips, and, with a still more fervent, unspoken prayer in her heart, h

TER

NG EM

e and looking pensively at his father's empty chair. It is late, Freddy has drunk his milk, and Rohritz and th

. "Run up to his room and tell him I sent you to ask whether he took cold last evening, and if he would not like a cup of tea sent to him." In two minutes

s close upon the heels of h

ys, receiving him with a sort of timid

makes reply, in a very hoarse

to have taken cold,"

st night, and got into a drift this side of K----:

he first was beginning to be bitter

o reply, but a fit of

oes at the full moon,"

es Freddy seem so thor

is very wrong in you to speak

rning to his little son sitting beside him rather than to his wife

t any one could doubt this fact evidently amazes him. The captain talks

rs fill her eyes. Suddenly she tosses her work aside, rises, and with head erect, looking neither to the right nor to the left, walks with firm, rapid steps along the corridor to the captain's room. At the door she pauses,--pauses for one short moment,--then

anything?" he

--

ns again to the

trine asks him. "Is there anything parti

room is cheerless, one looks o

se en

cheeks; she stands rooted to the spot, not venturing to approach him. At last, she begins with all the

tain rejoins, w

ust about to withdraw, mortified,

e to know, I had provided the yearly, touching surprise in celebrat

d w

fter having been laughed at eight times for my well-meant attentions, I said to myself

a step nea

esire to la

my writing-table. I had the boy photographed

--Freddy himself, bright, wayward, charming,

exclaims, smiling down upon t

immensely gracious to-day; you usually sp

ntly noticing this last remark, says, "He beg

Tis a p

y the fire and warm yourself than to

nd there is small comfort

ave made the fi

ed, with significant e

u must have tried very awkwardly. If I am not mistaken, there are emb

th great skill and precision piles three logs of wood on top of

e calls, v

, and loo

ning brightly enough f

eam he app

ay command, pulling forward a large, com

beside him, slender, graceful, wonderfully fair to see, with the reflection from t

terance, which will not rise to the lips. She had thought out so many fine phrases earl

avens! is this moment to pass wit

ney crackles loudly, sometimes wit

ing off the unnatural degree of feminine gentleness which has characterized her all the morning, she exclaims angrily

tain almost shouts, clasping her in his arms. "At l

corridor. Both spring up as Freddy's

s growin

re sitting in the drawing-room

were no such

think of that?"

o back to the service, if I were no

in case of war I should go back immediately: not even you could preve

er we must send him to the Theresianeum, and--to speak frankly--even a separation fro

subject yourself again to all the inconveniences

hey look into his own, "try me, and you shall see what a comforta

hand in his and pressing it against his cheek. "What a pity

dmits, "but 'tis never

of tea. He observes, first, that the pair have forgotten to ring for the lamp, and, secondly,

ne. "I had positively forgotten that the

wo human souls after long and aimless wanderings come together and are united, any prolonged association with a couple so re

TER

E, THE

previous day, to the great surprise of his relatives in Paris, was persuaded to transfer himself from the H?tel Boui

ughing, feverish, with every symptom of a violent cold, and disputing vehemently with her husband as to whether, as he

yourself, Edgar; there's no getting a sensible word out of Zino. How could any one catch cold in my smoking-room? I know perfectly well how she ca

n an hermetically-closed cou

ad a dozen umbrellas, and then came home in a state of exhaustion,--such exhaustion that I had positively to carry her up-stairs, because she was unable to stir; and now she blames my

er fingers. "You make more noise than one of Wagner's operas. Twelve umbrellas!" The

inish her sentence E

nia, but I have never seen the disease developed to such a degree as in my wife. She buys everything she comes across, if it is only a bargain,--old ir

not think, Zino, that the chandelier of Venetian glass I bough

, then?" Zino inq

s," Thérès

down, both hands in his trousers

rive,--a brilliant

moustache, and stretching his legs out a little farther. "A

objection you can make to

raightens them again, without taking any further pain

gh gentleman," says

orough snob

nversation: he has hitherto seemed quite absorbed in contemplation of a photograph

," his brother replies. "I

any other preference?' I asked Stella yesterday, after telling her that Monsieur de Hauterive was ready to lay his pers

Stella's reply

e fancy: we have all had our enthusiasms for the man in the moon; cela va sans dire; such trifles never count.

nswered, ver

of your girlish dreams should appear as your suitor is not within the bounds of probability. You must choose between two courses, either to earn your living as a governess or to give lessons; since you do not wish to leave your mother, you must adopt the latter. Fancy it!--running about in galoshes and a water-proof in all kinds of weathers, looked at askance by servants in the halls, tormented by your clients and pupils, no gleam of light anywhere, except in an occasional ticket for the theatre, either given to you or purchased out of your small savings, and finally in your old

no with the half-contemptuous smile which he has taught himself to bestow upon the most tragic occurrences, while Edgar

to your brilliant argument in favour of a sens

, and her breath came quick. Then she looked up at me out of t

right. I will

victory. I confess I had a hard battle;

resolutely to work," sa

you think

Monsieur Cabouat de Hauterive, my opini

I was right, Zino?" Thérès

to indulge in expensive pleasures, and consequently cannot marry f

committing some stupidity. I must marry you all off,--you too, Edgar--ah, pardon, I b

ks Zino. "I am

ie Lip

t your host," the Prince says, almost c

s, before the ri

ome importance--to whom Natalie has given the mitten. Two of them I canno

for Natalie: you are ever grateful to her for that refusal

me of bouillon. She is the only girl for whom ever since I first knew her--that is, ever since I was a boy--I have felt the same degree of friendship. ?a!" he tak

ression. Before he finds time in his s

fore he preferred his suit to her mother: it is the fashion in Austria. Stella would be sure to value such a concession to Austrian custom. Y

ER XX

A'S F

of old Russian acquaintances. French people are seldom met with there. Scarcely three months have passed since the Lipinskis took up their abode in Paris, and they have not yet had time to organize their circle. The agreeable atm

d Emperor, so sadly tried towards the end of his life. She wears her thick white hair stroked back from her temples and adorned by a rather fantastic cap of black lace; her tiny ears, undecorated by ear-rings, are exposed,--which looks rather odd in a woman of her age. As soon as she becomes at

s, with a deprecatory shrug, "Of me!" What she likes best to tell, however, is how the Emperor once, when he honoured her with a morning cal

lement collect

ur Cabouat, the artistic element is represented by a pianist of much pretension and wi

atmosphere: he has no opportunity to produce the jokes and merry quips with which he is wont to enliven his scholars during his lessons. Restless and awkward, he goes from one arm-chair to an

efore he consents to pound away fiercely at the Pleyel

in Parisian society by the nickname of memento mori, "but they seem to me like hounds,--delightful to behold in the open air, but mischievous in a drawing-roo

rees with her, and hence

ooks about for Stella, and perceives her directly in the centre of the room, seated on a yellow divan from which rises a tall camellia-tree with red blossoms, beside Zino. He is about to approac

ected pleasure

he piano, to play a bolero, Edgar is obliged to keep quiet, and cannot help being de

by a Swedish 'reverie' the silence ceases. The hum of conversation rises throughout the room,--conversation co

the narrow-chested little American at the piano. "Dummy instruments ought always to be provided for these drawing-room performances of young ladies: t

bove her fair head, and pities her. For a moment he is compassionately silent; then, espying Anastasia, he says, "I

as difficult as to steer clear of an epidemic disease; she stea

agreeable. It always reminds me of Captain White's Oriental pickles,--'the most exquisite compound of sweet and sour.' At Nice they called her the death's-he

as been her dread of perceiving somewhere her menacing destiny, Mo

ritz and that flowe

and starts violently. He is here in the same room with her, and has not even taken the trouble to bid her good-evening. Good heavens! what of that? How

be possible that my brother-in-law has been

to the victim still fettered to her side, "that Prince Ca

ffair," Edgar

ter-in-law say to Stell

ever to find with the young lady, for this ve

"Thérèse, they say, has t

very fon

cteristics,--"that Thérèse has set herself the task of marrying Stella well. If this be so she ought to advise the girl to conduct herself somewhat more prudently, or the little goose w

neck responsible for Princ

ouvre; and"--Stasy's eyes sparkle with fiendish triumph--"she visits him at his lodgings. A very worthy and truthful friend of mine

ow divan, some one else has taken the place beside Stella just vacated by Zino,--a handsome, broad-shouldered man of about forty, well dressed, correct in his appearance, but not distinguished, although it would be impossible to describe what is lacking.

che beneath the camellia there?" Edgar asks his old

ife for his house. But he is absolutely lacking in the very A, B, C of ?sthetic knowledge. The picture-dealer, Arthur Stevens, selected his Rousseau for him. I should like to know who found a wife for him. Whoever it was

more modest, more innocent, than the slender creature beside that broad-shouldered parvenu! Her elbows pressed close to her sides, her

ers between his set teeth. "I would not for the world ha

o which she has devoted herself and bear her off in his arms, far, far away, to a peaceful green country where in the dreamy evening twilight stands a white castle in the shade of a mighty linden, where the odour of the linden-bloss

ac: he is even too well bred to show the slightest outward sign of his agitation. Calmly, his eye-glass in his e

loches and water-proof that lies before her, the hotel-bill that is not paid, the golden brooch she has been obliged to sell to buy two pair of new gloves,--everything, in short, that is hopeless and comfortless in her life. Oh, she will be sensible, will accept his offer. There,--now he has put the great question, so distinctly, so clearly, that no pretence of misunderstanding that might

ploringly, "Monsieur de Hauterive, but I ca

is sitting alone bene

TER

TZ DR

given him

it s

r! How pleased

ll hotel which the Lipinskis have rented is situated, and walk along under the blue-

leased," Edgar murmurs,

I were looking at her; it was immensely funny,--and yet so sad. Ah, that poor, distressed, pale face! After it was all over, Natascha--she has lately grown very intimate with Stella--ca

ure, that Cabouat

the eyes of every one. The affair cannot fail to be unpleasant, since he has been boasting everywhere that he intended to ma

at at the last moment he changed hi

self with that. ?a, you are coming wi

y. I am goi

all gaiety gets the upper hand? I dreamed last night of a white domino: I am going to look for

to! C

t is

n to the Fanes' ball; it

as busy as that of the day, and Rohritz passes along the Boulevard Malesherbes, towards the Rue Villiers. Around him all is quiet; the few shops are closed; an occasional pedestrian passes, his coat-collar drawn up over his ears, and humming some café-chantant air, or a

s are all mortals to the future, he looks back, and seeks her answer in the past. Slowly, slowly, he passes in review all the lovely summer days which he has spent with her, to that evening when he carried her in his arms through the drenching rain across the slippery, muddy road. Again he sees the windows of the little inn gleam yellow through the gloom; he hears Stella's so

r eyes, her mouth---- With a sudden start he rouses from his dream to find that he has run against a passer-by, who is saying, crossly, "Mais commen

TER

AINED

ar Roh

could be pitied; but no, 'tis a mere tiresome annoyance. Ridiculous! And I am engaged to dance the cotillon at the Fanes' with Stella Meineck. Old fellow as I am, I had really looked forward to this pleasure. Eh bien! all the massage in the world wi

n spite of a moment of indecision induced by the distinguished eloquence of my very clever little sister, she

pit

g after the Lipinskis' soirée, while he is breakfas

f which is as much a part of his breakfast as are the fragrant b

lead-pencil on a visiting-card, "I am quite at yo

handing back the note to his brother. "He

illon," Edgar says, with as muc

ve cons

have no partner for the cotillon. If at the last moment she should find a more desirable partner tha

es

nd of ba

that they wished to give a ball. Nobody dreamed of accepting their invitation; but Mrs. Fane was clever enough to induce a couple of women of undeniable fashion to be her 'lady patronesses,' and when the rumour spread that the Duchess of ---- had accepted there was a perfect rage for invitations. Every one declared, 'Cela sera dr?le!' Every one is going. With the best Parisian society there w

es. Throughout their arrangement, from the antique silken hangings veined with silver that cover the walls, to the low divans and chairs, there runs a suggestion of effeminate, Oriental luxury, in whimsical contrast with the proverbially vigorous personality of the Prince, hardened as it has been by every species of manly sport and exercise. The atmosphe

nnoying, this sprain of mine. But what do you sa

blige you----" Edgar's eyes are wandering here and there

. "A pretty little picture. I bought it at the H?tel Dro

ly. But it was not the Watteau alone that attracted my attention, but----" He

o know what led to that prudential measu

Rohritz ask

, but in view of such ill-bred curiosity

of character," Rohritz

The feminine element must always play a large part in my life; but, you see, of late I can tolerate none but the most refined, the most distinguished of the species. We are s

o's sporting friends, interrupts these inte

en his attention is attracted by a slender, graceful, girlish fi

she is closely veiled. And yet he could swear that it is she. She vanishes in

his brain; then he compresses his lips: he cannot believe evil of her

TER

T A

s spread out on the sofa of the small drawing-room at the 'Three Negroes;' but Stella is lying on her bed in her little bedroom, in the dark, sobbing bitterly. For the second time she has lost the porte-bonheur which her dying father put on her arm three--nearly four years before, and which was to bring her happiness. She noticed only yesterday that the little chain which she had had attached to it for safety was broken, but the clasp seemed so strong that she postponed taking it to be repaired, and to-day as she was coming

Development of Civilization,' for a book-agent with whom she is in communication, and who undertakes to sell unsalable literature. It seems that the abstract will fill several volumes! In the midst of Stella's distress, the Baroness begins to bewail to her daughter her own immense superabundance of ideas

s a knock

sks, half rising,

ce typical of the Parisian servant. Stell

stine. What

selle has been taking a little rest, so as to be fresh for the ball; but it is nine o'clock. M

please,

lights th

face, "Mademoiselle is in distress! Good heavens! what has happen

uspected some love-complication; the French servant would never think

,--and it is sure to mean some misfortune. I know something dreadful will happen to me at the ball. I would rather s

porte-bonheur will be found. Ah, Mademoiselle would not believe how many lost articles I have had brought back to me! Will not Mademoiselle take a look at the bouquets?" And the Parisian maid whips off the cotton wool

stic orchids comes from Zino; the other, of half-opened, so

in the cold winter, to whisper of the delights of spring and summer,--of the time when earth and s

of a corner table; with a dreamy smile, in the midst of her tears, St

resentiment," Justine says, soothingly. "But now Mademoiselle must begin to

tening large solitaires upon the Princess's ball-dress. The air is heavy and oppressive with the odour of veloutine, hot iron, burnt hair, and costly, forced hot-house flowers. Monsieur Auguste, the hair-dresser, has just left the room. Beneath his hands the head of the Princess has become a masterpiece of artistic simplicity. Instead of the conventional feathers, large, gleaming diamond stars crown

by the light of at least fifty other candles, a second maid, and Fr?ulein von Fuhrwesen, now quite domesticated in the Princess's hou

g to the Fanes' ball: she kn

tterfly's wing. This is the true test of the dressing-maid's art. The girl lifts Worth's masterpiece high, high in the air: the feat is successfully accomplished. In all Paris to-night there is no more beautiful woman than the

I told you, was so desperately in love with Edgar Rohritz? 'Beside Sonja the beau

usly, and lightly touching her friend's cheek with her lace

you how eagerly I am looking forward to

s left the room the Princess says, turning to Fr?ulein von Fuhrwesen, "I only hope Anastasia will enjoy herself: it is solely for her sake th

ER XX

ANES'

wers upon which blocks of ice gleam from among nodding ferns, nor mirrors and chandeliers hung with wreaths of roses, nor the legendary grape-vine with colossal grapes. The crown of all, however, is the conservatory, in which, among orange-trees and magnolias in full bloom, gleam

ct his presence in the serious little man in a huge white tie and with a bald head, whom they took at first for the master of ceremonies, avoid him. His entire occupation consists in gliding about with an unhappy face in the darkest corners, now and then timidly requesting some one of the guest

l effect. Thérèse Rohritz shakes her head, and whispers to a friend, "How that good Mrs. Fane must have offended Felix, to induce him to take such a cruel revenge!" But excep

iful of all, the queen of the evening, is the Princess Oblonsky. Anywhere else it would excite surprise to find her among so many women of unblemished reputation; but it is no greater wonder to meet her h

pains on her toilette. All the other feminine guests who make any pretensions to distinction seem to have entered into an agreement to be

y woman as she is, looks down with evident satisfaction upon her faded crêpe de Chine draperies, remarki

difference between his Austrian arrogance and Parisian arrogance that there is between pride and impertinence. He thinks it all right to hold aloof from a parvenu, to avoid his house and his acquaintance; but to go to the house of the parvenu, to be entertained in his apartments, to eat his ices and drink his champagn

brilliant beauty and faultless elegance. By her side, her white feather fan on his knee, sits---- Edgar von Rohritz. Stella's heart stands still; ah, yes, now she knows why she has lost her bracelet. All the tender, child-like dreams that st

ncess," Stella repeats to herself, "particularly for

on upon him alone, while a crowd of Parisian dandies throng about her, waiting for an opportunit

ansgressions, if she takes pains to win his favour with intelligence, prudence, and the necessary degree of reserve. This piece of wisdom St

ice, and that should she hand him her fan he cannot possibly lay it down on a table with a proudly forbidding air and then take his leave with a formal bow,--all this Ste

itz suddenly perceives Stella. With a smiling remark he hands the white feather fan to a gentleman standing beside him, and hastens towards the young girl, paying his respects, of course, first to the elder lady, and then to her. If he has reckoned upon her old-time child-like, confiding s

apito should be disabled ju

s, betraying, for the first time since he has known her, a degree of sensitiveness that is

of a pleasure to which I had looked f

lly?" And she looks down with a shake of the head at her poor white dress, at her entire toil

loves are the only thing about her w

self. A seat beside Stella hitherto occupied by an Englishwoman wi

hough I do not dance, and you will consequently

hands. What a charming, soft, warm little foot it was! She suddenly perceives that he is looking at it; she withdraws it hastily, and with a half-wayward, half-distressed air pulls her skirt farther over her knee. Of course he does not smile, but

says, gravely, "And I hope that during the cotillon you will c

words from a man of Edgar's great reserve of c

tands nothing

" she replies, si

approaches on the arm

to be presented to y

s arm, not because she has any desire to dance, but because it wo

?" asks an Englishman o

rian,--Baroness

famous Greuze in the Louvre,--'La

il, but nevertheless Edgar feels for a moment as

ternoon in the twilight hurrying along the street to vanish in the h

conscious that she never shall take any real pleasure in this hopping and jumping about. Now, when the rest are just beginning fairly to enjoy the ball, she is tired,--quite tired. With her last partner, a good-humoured, gentlemanly young Austrian diplom

othing effect upon her nerves. The air is cool, compared with that of the ball-room; the roughened surface of the mosaic floor

fatiguing?" she asks her compa

b

s that it is much pleasanter to talk comfortably here than to whirl abo

her, and prepares for a sentimental flirtation. To his great surprise

nce of these orange-blossoms reminds me o

e," Stella sighs; "and I wish I were at home. My head

or a glass of lemonade?

h obliged to you

e very anxious for a tête-à-tête wi

time!" Mingling softly and tenderly with the music she hears the dreamy murmur of a miniature fountain. Why is she suddenly reminded of the melancholy rush of the Save, of the little canoe by the edge of the black water? Suddenly she hears voices in her vicinity, and, raising her eyes to a tall, broad mirror opposite, she beholds, framed in by the gold-embroidered hangings of a heavy portière, a s

ly to cry!" Stella thinks

ression not only apparent in her face and in the listless droop of her arms, but also seeming to be shared by eve

distinctly hears the Princess say, "Do you remember that waltz? How often its notes have floated towards us up

her ears, and, thrilling from head to foot, springs up and hurri

gain her composure and to keep back the tears, when suddenly she

Stella thinks, most unjustly provo

g hide-and-seek with me," the young diploma

ché, in all the majestic gravity of his kind, stands a lac

rings. Look here,"--and he shows her a white ostrich-feather fan with yellow tortoise-shell sticks broken in two,"--I found this relic in the pretty little boudoir near the place where I left you. Now, did you ev

an," says Stella, her pale face sudde

," the young man replies, examining

lonsky," s

fan--"Rohritz evidently had no inclination to gratify her. Hm! she must have been in a bad humour,--the worthy Princess!" The attaché laughs softly to himself, then suddenly assumes a grave, composed air, remembering that he is with a young girl, before whom such things as he has alluded

amusing and amiable. She feels so well, too,--so very well. Is it possible that there may be no evil omen for her in the loss of her brac

were only ove

ER XX

D AT

clearing away from this battlefield of pleasure the trophies left behind, of late engagements, shreds of tulle and tarlatan, artificial and natural flowers, here and there a torn glove, etc. Edgar tells himself that

ed by an extremely picturesque staircase, decorated with gorgeous exotics and ending

e distinguished among them, are conducting themselves after a very ill bred fashion. Edg

st is holding her gloves and a Russian prince her fan; he sees Thérèse taking some bonbons for the children. Stella is nowhere visible. He thinks the champagne poor, doing it great injustice, and, irritated, goes to the smoking-room to enjoy a cigar. The first man whom he sees in the

--these Viennese girls--mistress of Prince Cap

been telling these gentlemen?" Rohritz says, approaching the g

re in a conversation about what does not concern you," Cab

l are welcome to hear: the more witnesses I have the better I shall be pleased. I wish to call him to account for a slander, as vile

rank will confirm, what the Princess Oblonsky has long

t this said proof consists?

d lips, draws from his vest-pocket a golden chain to which

e trinket from him, and searches for

bracelet?" ask

says

Prince was not at home. As I was perfectly aware that he had been confined to a lounge for two days with a sprained ank

le de Meineck, visiting a friend, a lady, who, as I happen to know, has lodgings in that house, lost

Monsieur de Hauterive. "Will you kindly tell me the name o

is s

ioning what any unprejudiced person must admit, that----" But before he

ing-room, and goes out into the vestibu

let in his hand. He feels stunned; red and blue sparks dance before his eyes, and his throat seems choked. He would fain groan aloud, or dash his head against the wall, so great is his distress. He cannot believe it; and yet all

trust, if those grave, dark, child-like eyes have been false? And sud

ut a stern voice within asks, "What protection do you mean? Will you--dare you offer her the only thing that can save her from the world,--your hand?" He is tortured. No, he cannot. And yet how desperately he loves her! Why did he not take her in his ar

with Desdemona's handkerchief?" he sudden

over the bracelet, and tries

nquires Thérèse, who

d I know?"

found before we too can go home. Ah, do you want to dance the cotillon with her? Pray find her, and as soon as you have done so we must go home,--instantly! I do not want to stay a

ry for two long weeks to dissuade you from coming? But you had one reply for all my objections: 'Marie de Stèle is going

a Russian diplomatist would bring that woma

d I," rejoins

dy else does not know, you never have an intuition; although you have been away from your own

f it!" Edmund eja

e angry and exhausted, she sinks into a leathern arm-chair. "But now,

hrough the long suite of rooms, for the most part empty

s to himself, bitterly, and his heart beats wild

crept into some hiding-place to die, falls upon his ear. He hurries on. There, in the same little boudoir where he had lately been with th

her hands in her lap, and gazes at him with such terrible despair in her eyes that for an instant he trembles for her reason. He forgets eve

laughed, and then--and then--I saw an English girl whom I knew at the Britannia, in Venice--she was with her mother, and she came up to me and held out her hand with a smile, but her mother pulled her back,--I saw her,--and she turned away. And then came Stasy----" Her eyes encounter Rohritz's. "Ah! you have heard it too!" She moans and puts her hands up to her throbbing temples. Her cheeks

pause

antly, and Rohritz is overwhelmed with remorse for having doubted her for an

elet is found," he whisp

you find it?" she asks, eagerly, her ey

on the first landing of the staircase at Number ---

ze, and when I dropped my bundles on the stairs!" She is not in the least embarras

Corrèze?" a

bout my aunt Corrè

know who

m Venice. She was so sweet to me, and yet so sad and shy, and she had her little daughter with her, a beautiful child, very like her, only with black hair. Papa once begged me to be kind to her if I ever met her, for his sake. What could I do? I could not ask her to come to us, for mamma will not hear her mentioned, and has for

eart was sorely tried,"

ld-like sensation of delightful security with which Rohritz always inspires her. The tears still shine upon her cheeks, but her eyes are dr

o denying that you are very careless with your happiness. Le

g; she is only aware of a sudden overw

uld you consent to marry me?--could

fterwards. "Learn to enjoy?" She puts out her hands towards him; but just as he is about to clasp her to his heart she withdraw

ll be pointed at the worthless woman whose wounded vanity invented the monstrous slander. There is still some esprit de corps among the ange

, then shyly touches his tem

r gray hair,"

hritz starts to his feet, but it is only his b

hiding, Edgar? My wife is

nce one finds the flower of happiness in his pathway, one cannot say

e I was right, and not she; but I rejoice with all my heart, not because

want of penetration, but it was an irritation soon soothed. She is absorbed in prov

second place because his temporary lameness prevented his challenging de Hauterive. "It was tragic enough n

"The ladies in whose honour certain pictures were turned, as you lately observed, with th

Hauterive is said to have followed her. Stasy is left behind in Paris, where she meditates s

he lo

e Baroness is sitting at her writing-table, scribbling away with all her wonted energy at something or ot

us murmur, the slow drip of melting snow. A thaw has set in, and the water is dripping from the roofs. Sometimes the Baroness pauses in her writing and listens. T

ys after the Fanes' ball he received a slight wound. Therefore there is an admixture of grateful pity in Stella's tenderness fo

beautiful betrothed, who still conducts herself rather

-have I any dec

he says, smiling. "My part i

!" Stella murmurs. "How could yo

the question he now puts to himself. What has he to offer her, he with his weary, doubting heart, in exchange for her pure, fresh, untouched wealth of f

other way,

et--that his wife wishes to sell Erlach Court, and thus deprive him of all temptation to retire for a second time

delightful,

have everything in readiness for us at Erlach Court. We can then mak

r-leaved clover that you have round your neck now he said, 'And if ever Heaven sends you some great joy, say to yourself that

ing at the girl almost

eally so grea

almost timidly, she puts her rounded arm

e falling water-drops interferes with her work. A kind of wondering melancholy po

their guide," she murmurs to herself. "'Tis strange how well the words suit the beg

TNO

'jeter son bonnet pardessus le moulin,' as

E

Lippincott Comp