The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 11. Francke Kuno
any more than we. Let's chat a little until we find them; or do you want to look at pictures? There are a few excellent Passinis here."
"I prefer to chat."
"There is no better place to chat than at an exhibition, in the first days. One comes really to chat, to see one's acquaintances after the long summer when everybody is away, to scan the newest fashions which the banker's wife and daughters have brought back from Paris – we ladies of the officers don't play any rôle – one has an awful lot to do, and the pictures won't run away. You are going to spend the winter with us, my brother says?"
"A few weeks at least."
"Then you'll remain longer. You can't believe how interesting Berlin is in winter! And for you, too, who have the entrée into so many circles! Your uncle entertains in grand style, my brother says, from whom I have all my wisdom; artists go and come – as a matter of course, when the daughter herself is an artist, and pretty besides! Is she really so pretty? I'm so curious! At our house it's more quiet, and a little monotonous – always the same people – officers – but there are some fine men among them who will appeal to you, and among the ladies a few lovely, beautiful women and girls. This is familiar talk. And then Miss von Strummin is coming – Mieting! She promised me to do so at Golmberg, with a thousand pledges, and has already written half a dozen letters on the subject – she writes every day – sometimes two letters a day; the last one was entirely about you."
"That makes me curious."
"I believe it; but I shall take care not to tell you what was in it; you men are already vain enough. Papa, too, is very fond of you; did you know that?"
"No, I did not know it; but I don't know of anything that would make me prouder."
"He said – only yesterday evening, when Ottomar told us about meeting you, and that he had met you in Orléans – it was too bad that you didn't remain in the army; you would have had an easy time of it. You could still reënter any moment."
"Very kind! I thought of it myself during the campaign, and, if the campaign had lasted longer, who knows! But in time of peace! A second lieutenant at thirty years – that wouldn't do!"
"Of course, of course! But how would it be with the marine? That could certainly be arranged, and you could remain in your profession."
"I should be glad to remain in that, of course," answered Reinhold, "and I am just revolving in my mind a proposal which President von Sunden has made me recently, and which would advance me at once to the rank of commander."
"To the rank of commander!" exclaimed Else with wondering eyes.
"To the rank of Pilot Commander."
"Oh!"
There was disappointment in the exclamation, which did not escape Reinhold, and he continued with a smile: "That is, the command of a few dozen rough, seasoned, seaworthy men, and of a dozen capable, seaworthy, fast sailing craft, among them, I hope, also one or two life-boats – a modest position but yet one not without honor, and certainly full of dangers; all in all, a position of sufficient importance to justify any one who does not make any great claims on life, but is willing to exercise his capabilities in the service of the world, in devoting to it and risking for it, his powers and abilities and whatever else he has to give. And I – I should incidentally remain in my profession."
They stood at a window, a little apart from the throng of people which was surging just now up and down the long corridor with particular vivacity. Else, leaning gently against the window-sill, was looking with fixed eyes toward the street. Reinhold almost doubted whether she had heard what he said, when, suddenly lifting her head, she answered with the cheerful face of a few minutes before, "You are right – that is your real calling. Accepting the proposal which the dear old man has made to you, you have friends in all circles. Is it a question of some particular position, if I may ask?"
"Yes, I should have my post at Wissow."
"At Wissow?"
She clapped her hands and laughed. "At our Wissow? No, but that is too delightful! Then we should be half neighbors from Warnow and also from Strummin, when I make my promised visit to Mieting! Then we shall come, and you shall go sailing with us – but far, far out! Will you do it?"
"As far as you wish!"
"Done! And now we must continue our journey of discovery. Good gracious! Princess Heinrich August, with the princesses! The unfortunate Passinis! She has certainly seen me – she sees everything at a glance; I can't get away now. – But – "
"I am going!" said Reinhold.
"Yes, do; it is better! Here – give me your hand! Good-by!" She extended her hand which Reinhold held for a second; her eyes were turned again to the princess. He went down the corridor. When he turned again for a moment at the end of the corridor, he saw Else just making a deep curtsy to the princess. The noble lady had stopped and was speaking to Else.
"How will she get out of it," thought Reinhold. "She cannot say she has been in the bay window speaking with a pilot commander in spe."
Ferdinande had talked with her friends so long in the clock room that she thought she noticed that Reinhold, who had repeatedly looked around for her, now having dismissed her from his mind for the moment, was fully occupied in examining the pictures. Then, bowing to the ladies, she moved on with the crowd, which pressed toward the side room, stopping a few moments at the entrance to make sure that Reinhold was not following her; then, with quick steps and wearing the expression of a lady looking for her lost companion, giving only a quick nod to passing acquaintances, she went on through this room, the sky-light room, and the fourth room, from there turning into the long series of small rooms which extended along the larger, and into which but few visitors came, even in the first days of the exhibition.
Today it was comparatively empty, although here and there scattered visitors strolled past, scanning the pictures with hasty, feverish curiosity, not stopping long anywhere, but occasionally casting a glance of admiration at an officer who appeared to be absorbed in a few medieval landscapes. Now his interest seemed satisfied; he walked quickly up the passageway, until a picture at the far end again attracted his attention; it was the same one at which Ferdinande had been looking. The light fell so unfavorably upon the picture that it could be seen to advantage only from one place, and the officer had to approach very close to the lady – brushing her gown in doing so. "Pardon!" he said aloud, and then in a low tone, which reached her ear alone, "Don't turn round till I tell you to do so! Speak toward the corner; no one can notice it. First, thank you!"
"For what?"
"For coming."
"I only came to tell you that I can't bear it any longer."
"Do I have nothing to bear?"
"No – in comparison with me."
"I love you, as you do me."
"Prove it!"
"How?"
"By actions, not questions!"
"But if my hands are bound."
"Break the bonds!"
"I cannot."
"Farewell!"
She turned toward the entrance through which she had come; he forgot all rules of propriety and stepped in front of her. They stood face to face, looking into each other's eyes.
"Ferdinande!"
"I wish to proceed!"
"You must hear me! For Heaven's sake, Ferdinande, such an opportunity will not come again – perhaps for weeks."
She laughed scoffingly. "We have time enough!"
Again she tried to pass him; again he stopped her.
"Ferdinande!"
"Once more: Let me pass! You need an opportunity? Such a good one to get rid of me may never come again."
He stepped aside with a bow; she might have gone unhindered, but did not do so; hot tears filled her large eyes; she did not dare to go into the throng, but turned again toward the picture, while he took the same discreet pose as before.
"Be