Das landhaus am Rhein. English by Berthold Auerbach
CHAPTER VII.
THE FIRST ROSE IN OPEN GROUND.
Eric acquired an entirely new regard by the arrival of Clodwig andBella. For the first time Sonnenkamp called him "dear friend."
Herr Sonnenkamp offered his arm to Bella, which she accepted, turningslowly toward him, that Clodwig might see how great a sacrifice she wasmaking; her hand rested lightly on Sonnenkamp's arm. As she was thuswalking on, holding the arm of the master of the house, she stoppedfull of wonder, for there was a rose blooming in full beauty upon arose-bush raised in the open air.
Herr Sonnenkamp hastened to pluck it, and presented it to her in somepretty words. Bella said that she was very much obliged to him, andseemed not to notice that he again proffered his arm. They went at onceto the hot-houses. Joseph, who was always present at the right time, asif specially summoned, received from his master orders to informFraeulein Perini and Frau Ceres of the visit. Joseph understood.
The doctor had been summoned to Frau Ceres, but when she learned whatguests had arrived, she immediately declared that she was well; but shewas cunning enough to say to the doctor, that merely seeing him hadmade her well. Doctor Richard understood.
In the meantime, Clodwig had said to Eric, "You don't remain here; yougo with us. I can't leave you."
He jerked the words out briefly and rapidly, as one utters in acompressed, uniform tone something which has lain in his mind for along time.
Just then, Roland came down the mountain, with his camp-stool anddrawing-board, and Bella called out to him, while far off, in a veryfriendly "welcome."
"How handsome he is!" said she to those standing about her. "He whocould fix permanently this image of the marvellous boy as he iscoming along, would have a picture out of the Grecian age, by changingcamp-stool and portfolio into spear and shield."
Bella perceived the look of happiness in Eric's eyes, and said tohim:--"Yes, Herr Doctor, I once gave to an artist at the capital thedesign for a picture as I saw Roland; he had sprung across the road,and had cast an alms into the hat of a street-beggar sitting upon aheap of stones; and as he sprang back, so well formed and graceful,every muscle stretched, and his countenance so beaming with the delightof beneficence, it was a wonderful sight that can never be forgotten."
Clodwig looked down to the ground; Bella was evidently not aware thatit was not she, but he, who had thus seen Roland and given the order tothe artist.
Roland was very much surprised at the visit, and the manner in which hewas greeted, Bella saying to her husband,--"Clodwig, kiss him for me!"Clodwig embraced the youth, who now turned to Eric with a puzzled look.
"If the Herr Captain remains with us, you must visit us often, dearRoland," said Bella.
Sonnenkamp was at a loss to know what that meant, but the danger oflosing Eric seemed immediately to affect the youth, so that he lookedup in a help-imploring way. And it was now clear to Eric, what wasintended in regard to him, and he now for the first time understoodwhat was interrupted by Sonnenkamp's coming up to the carriage.
They took only a hasty look at the greenhouses, for Bella said thatwhen it was green and blooming outside, the imprisonment of the plantshad something oppressive to her.
Fraeulein Perini soon appeared, sent by Frau Ceres, to make known herintention not to be sick to-day.
Bella and Fraeulein Perini had separated themselves from the men; theyhad much to say to each other, and Eric was naturally the firstsubject. Bella could not forbear expressing her surprise to FraeuleinPerini, that she had so completely seen through the singular man,although Fraeulein Perini had not really yet said anything. But thisremark forced her to reply, though nothing of her real opinion wasgiven; for Fraeulein Perini said that she constantly felt freshadmiration at the German learned world, meaning to include Bella, whowas to be almost looked upon as a learned woman.
Bella took no notice of this equivocal compliment; she assumed amatronly tone, while confessing that she had no near relation to theyoung men of the day, and was not sure that she understood them.Neither one of the ladies seemed to come out fully with her opinion,and each appeared to regard the other as cherishing a secretinclination for Eric.
"Do you know," said Frau Bella, looking very attentively at the rosewhich Sonnenkamp had given her, "do you know that this man with thedouble title has an insultingly low opinion of the female sex?"
"No, I did not know that, but it may be a part of that radical heresy,as Baron von Pranken calls it, which he parades with such manifestconceit."
"But what opinion have you formed about Herr Dournay?"
"I have not formed any opinion about him."
"Why not?"
"I am not impartial; he does not belong to our church."
"But supposing that he did belong to our church, how would you thenregard him?"
"It is not to be supposed. This complacent self-assumption is notpossible with a person who has subjected himself to the divine law; hisdeportment is that of a prince travelling incog., or more properly, asHerr Baron von Pranken says, 'the man coaches round the world in alecturer's invisible chair.'"
The two women laughed. Bella had found out enough. She very carefullyimpressed upon Fraeulein Perini the necessity of exerting all herinfluence against the reception of a man proud of his unbelief.Fraeulein Perini held her cross with her left hand, and looked somewhatmischievously at Bella. Then the countess does not wish to have himhere. Is she trying to bring him into her own house, and getting up anice intrigue against her husband? She hinted, not without mischievoussatisfaction, that Herr von Pranken, who had occasioned all this, mustalso find the proper remedy. Bella gave out also that Eric was,perhaps, unsuitable in another view; and here, for the third time, itwas expressly said, that Eric was a "dangerous" man.
Fraeulein Perini had spoken of it as applicable, in two respects, to onepresent and to one absent, for the special interest of Bella had notescaped her penetrating eye.
Quickly, and in order to conceal how well she had hit the mark, sheadded, that a man like Otto von Pranken had certainly no one to beafraid of. She spoke with sympathizing eagerness of his journey, thatperhaps it was imprudent, but one must let the passionate youthfulheart take its own course, and it often brought about the right resultbetter than cautious deliberation and consideration. But FraeuleinPerini spoke very plainly, and Bella replied as plainly, incondemnation of Pranken's desire to go counter to the socialordinances, but any such tendency must be indulged, though with greatreluctance on their part.
Again the conversation reverted to Eric; and Bella was now extremelygood-humored. She pitied the man's aged mother, regarded theself-conscious bearing of the youth as in reality timidity; he carrieda haughty outside, that he might cover up thereby the menialdependence. An elevation of the eyelids disclosed that Fraeulein Periniwas slightly hurt, and Frau Bella quickly added, that pious natures arenever really oppressed by dependence, for they, have in themselves ahigher position, yes, they are through piety constituted the equals ofanybody.
Fraeulein Perini smiled; she understood how kindly Bella; treated her,and there was no need of the friendly pressure of the hand to make herperceive it.
A servant came, and announced that Frau Ceres would receive thegracious countess in the balcony-saloon; she was not allowed by herphysician to go out into the open air.
Fraeulein Perini accompanied Bella as far as the outside-stairs, andmade there a very polite courtesy; Bella, however, grasped both herhands with irrepressible cordiality, and said that she should like sucha friend as Fraeulein Perini for daily intercourse; she pressingly urgedher to confer the honor of a visit without any delay.
When the rustling of Bella's garments was no longer heard, FraeuleinPerini clawed with her little hand like a cat, which, silently lurking,has caught something; contemptuously she opened her eyes, always soveiled, and her small mouth almost uttered the words,--
"You are all deluded."
Frau Ceres complained of her constant
Bella seldom came into Sonnenkamp's house, but when she came there, shewas always seized by a passion which is perhaps peculiarly a woman'spassion. She lived at Wolfsgarten in an abundance which left nothing tobe desired, but as soon as she drove through the gate of Villa Eden, anevil spirit came over her; and the demon's name is Envy--envy of thisexuberant superfluity, where there was no dragging along under theburden of old lumber and decaying remnants, but everything newlycreated. And as often as she thought of Frau Ceres, sparkles flashedbefore her eyes, for she saw then the diamond ornaments of Frau Ceres,such as the reigning princess herself did not possess.
She was thoroughly condescending and gracious to Frau Ceres, and shewas happy that she could be condescending. These people can buyeverything for themselves, but not a noble, historically famous name;and if the proposal of Otto succeeds, it is only the covering up oflowness with a fresh varnish, which is always begging, "Do not touchme, if you do, I shall rub off."
Eric was here also naturally a prominent subject of conversation, andFrau Bella pressed the rose to her mouth, in order to hide her laugh,when Frau Ceres said,--
"I should like to have the Herr Captain for myself."
"For yourself?"
"Yes. But I don't think I can learn anything more, I am too old andtoo stupid. He hasn't let me learn anything."
Frau Bella contested very zealously this modesty. Was not Frau Ceresbeautiful and young? She might be taken indeed for Roland's sister. Wasshe not prudent and elegant in her deportment? Frau Ceres smiled andnodded continually, appearing to believe that it was all true. But nowBella felt obliged to take her leave, as she desired to spare thedelicate organization of Frau Sonnenkamp.
Frau Ceres looked up timidly at these words; she did not know whetherthat was praise or blame. Bella took leave, kissing Frau Ceres upon theforehead.
Herr Sonnenkamp had left the count and Eric; he had many things to seeafter in the house, also letters and despatches had come in, whichrequired an immediate answer. He sent moreover for the Major to dinner,and gave orders that if they did not find him at home, they should gofor him to the castle.
Clodwig went with Roland and Eric to their room, and before they wereaware, they became engaged so earnestly in conversation that theywholly forgot Roland. The youth sat there dumb, looking sometimes atone, and sometimes at the other. He did not understand what they weresaying, but he could feel how much they were enjoying. When Clodwig hadretired to his own room, Roland seized Eric's hand and cried:--
"I will also learn, I will also study all, whatever you want; I want tobe like you and Clodwig."
A thrill passed through Eric's soul. The invitation from Clodwig wasexactly the ideal of all that he could desire, but here was an actualduty of life; he could not choose any longer what course, to take.