Das landhaus am Rhein. English

by Berthold Auerbach

  CHAPTER IX.

  THE WREATH.

  Repeated distractions broke in at short intervals on the course ofstudy; but Frau Ceres was made happy by an opportunity to wear all herornaments, and Fraeulein Perini was happy in opening the trunk whicharrived from Paris; there could not be more than two such dresses inthe world, of which the Empress had one, and Frau Ceres the other.

  The old and highly respected family of the Wine-count had until nowheld back with unmistakable reserve from any intimate acquaintance withthe family at Villa Eden, but now, after the dinner-party atWolfsgarten, Sonnenkamp received an invitation to the wedding festivalof their daughter and the son of the Court Marshal.

  Eric had great difficulty in restraining his pupil from talkingconstantly about this great fete, for Roland had heard of the fireworkswhich were to be sent up from the Rhine and the wooded hills around,and every morning he said, "I do hope the weather will continuepleasant; it will be such a pity if it doesn't." He was often away withPranken for several hours at a time, and returned very much excited,evidently keeping some secret from Eric, who did not ask any questions.

  On the day of the fete, the General with whom the family had becomeacquainted in the capital arrived.

  It was mid-day when they started, in three carriages, for the house ofthe Wine-count. Frau Ceres occupied one carriage with the General. Sheseemed to swim in a stream of drapery, so full and spreading were thefolds of her dress. In the second and open carriage rode Sonnenkampwith Fraeulein Perini and Pranken, in full uniform and wearing twoorders. He accompanied them in order to make his appearance as a memberof Sonnenkamp's family. Sonnenkamp said nothing, but his face showedhow grateful he was to the young man, who had not only brought him theGeneral as a guest, but was taking upon himself his introduction to theassemblage. In the third carriage sat Roland with Eric, who did verywrong, Roland thought, not to wear his uniform also.

  A long line of carriages waited before the door of the Wine-count'svilla, which stood broad and stately, on the high road, withwell-arranged, shady grounds on each side. The General gave Frau Cereshis arm, and they were shown, by servants in rich livery, to thegarden, through paths bordered with carefully-tended, fragrant flowers.At the foot of the garden steps the Wine-count met them, and begged theGeneral to resign Frau Ceres to his care. Various groups were walkingabout the garden, or sitting on the pleasant grass-plots.

  The Wine-count's wife, a tall, stout woman, had not heard in vain thatshe looked like the Empress Maria Theresa. She was dressed to-day quitein her imperial style, and wore a splendid diadem of brilliants.

  Sonnenkamp was presented to the bridal pair. The bridegroom looked veryweary, but the bride, with her wreath of roses, very animated; muchregret was expressed that Manna was not with the family at the fete.

  The Court Marshal expressed his pleasure at meeting Herr Sonnenkampagain, and at making the acquaintance of his wife and of his handsomeson, of whom he had heard so much. A glow was thrown over the wholeevening, when he said rather loudly, with evident intention, thatSonnenkamp had been most honorably mentioned at the Prince's table, onthe preceding day. Frau Ceres, still wearing her white cape over herrichly ornamented dress, was seated next the Court marshal.

  The Wine-chevalier, wearing several orders, was moving about among thecompany. He was a man of good manners, having been in constantintercourse with all the aristocracy of Europe. In the time ofNapoleon, when he was a jovial travelling agent for his father's firm,he had been employed by the wary Metternich on several missions, whichhe had carried through with much skill. There was scarcely a FrenchGeneral whom he had not known, and he had even conversed twice withNapoleon himself.

  The Wine-count had three sons and three daughters; the oldest daughterwas already married to an officer of noble family. Of the three sons,one had disappeared in America, after having squandered large sums ofmoney for his father; the second was a member of a theatre orchestra ina capital of middle Germany, and it was said he had written to hisfather that, for his part, he would not be ennobled. The third andoldest son was the Wine-chevalier, who had striven very eagerly for thehonor of nobility, and was very happy in his success.

  The Wine-count was most cordial in his manner; there was a remarkableelasticity in the movements of the slender, white-haired old man. Hewent from guest to guest, with an appropriate friendly word for each,and on all sides received double congratulations, for on this very daythe Prince had ennobled him. He expressed his thanks very modestly, forhe could assure himself that he might have attained this honor twoyears before, but at that time there was a certain patriotic vertigoabroad which had seized even a wine-grower. He answered all thecongratulations by saying that the Prince's great kindness made himextremely happy.

  Sonnenkamp kept smiling to himself, looking forward to the time when hewould thus be courted also, and he prepared to receive the homage withmodest thankfulness.

  Frau Ceres sat in much discomfort next the Court Marshal, who left herto her own thoughts when he found that no conversation could be keptup. At last a pleasure came to her when the Cabinet minister's ladyarrived, and expressed great pleasure at meeting her, as the CourtMarshal gave his seat to her.

  Still greater was Frau Ceres' happiness when Frau Bella also came up;even in this circle, where there were many of her equals, she seemed totake a leading position. She was very gracious to Frau Ceres, andbegged her to take her arm to go into the garden-saloon, where the richoutfit of the bride was exhibited; there was a universal expression ofadmiration, and some glances of envy from those who returned from itsexamination.

  Frau Ceres managed her long train very awkwardly, while Bella held hersup gracefully, and moved as if she were sailing through light clouds.

  Sonnenkamp was greeted by the Russian Prince in a most friendly manner,and delighted at his shaking hands with him; but his pleasure was soonstrewn with ashes, as the Prince said,--

  "I forgot that you were to tell me some particulars of the treatment ofthe slaves; I'm afraid I shall not find any of them left, when I makeup my mind to visit America."

  He soon turned away, as the General was introduced to him. Sonnenkampbegan to feel somewhat strange and neglected in the circle, but hiscountenance brightened as he saw Bella and Frau Ceres walking togetherso confidentially.

  "You have hardly spoken to the Countess," he said to Eric.

  "Ah, I'm thinking of something quite different," answered Eric. "Ishould like to hear our new Baron tell his servants: John, Peter,Michael, from this day you must address me as Gracious Herr, or HerrBaron. He must appear ridiculous to himself."

  "Perhaps Doctor is a finer title," replied Sonnenkamp sharply; "or isthat born with a person?"

  Eric's remark irritated him, and he would have been glad to send himout of the company. But he suddenly became more amiable, as Bellaapproached and said to him,

  "Do you know, Herr Sonnenkamp, what we are all really here for, andwhat this whole fete means? It is a christening feast, and our graciousPrince has played off a good joke. The Wine-dealer has striven fornobility so long, at last offering up his daughter as a sacrificiallamb, that the Prince could not help granting it to him at last. Andisn't it good that he has given him the name Herr von Endlich? (AtLast.)"

  Then in a very amusing way she went on to describe how fine it would beif so old a candidate for baptism suddenly cried, I don't want thatname, I want another.

  Turning to Eric, she sketched the whole assemblage for him with apt,though somewhat malicious strokes. She ridiculed with most sarcasm aknot of young girls, who evidently could not forget the heavy weight ofhair upon their heads, for the hair-dressers from the Baths and theFortress had been hurrying, since early morning, from house to house,to deck out the girls' heads in proper company style. Bella mimickedthe girls as they said to each other, "Please tell me if my chignon isstill on."

  With much merriment she pointed out a tall, lank Englishman, coming insight with his stout
wife and three slim daughters, who wore long curlsand extraordinarily brilliant dresses. He lived in winter at thecapital, in the summer at a country-seat, passing the time in angling,while his daughters were constantly drawing. He was considered veryrich, and his wealth had a singular source; many years before, abrother of his wife had been sent to Botany Bay, and, being anexperienced trader, had there succeeded in establishing a large exportbusiness, and laid the foundation of the family wealth.

  Bella was full of charming humor, and Eric felt as if he had done herinjustice. He had listened to the sharp judgment, the mentaldissection, of Bella from the physician, when he ought to havecontested it decidedly. He looked at her as if asking pardon forsomething, and she, well satisfied, showed a fresh cheerfulness, whichwas not wanting in magic power. She treated Eric with marked attentionbefore the whole company.

  Count Clodwig joined the group, and remarked that he was alwayssurprised anew to see how many odd characters settled here on the banksof the Rhine. The Major stood apart and looked at Herr Sonnenkamp, asif he would say: I beg you, don't do this too; stay with us. It wouldbe pleasanter to me than to give her the prettiest bon-bons which Ishall carry home, to be able to say to Fraeulein Milch, What they sayabout Herr Sonnenkamp isn't true! For again had Fraeulein Milchpenetrated the well-guarded mystery.

  Eric pitied the Major, who looked unusually dull, and he succeeded ingetting at the cause of his low spirits, for the Major said,

  "It's just as if a Christian were to turn Turk! Ah, you may laugh, butFraeulein Milch is right. All that beautiful money, which has beenearned with so much trouble, is now to be thrown away on the nobles,and we commoners may stand aside, and never have any more notice takenof us."

  Eric silently pressed the Major's hand, and the latter asked:--

  "But where's Roland?"

  Indeed, where was Roland? He had vanished soon after their arrival, andwas nowhere to be seen. The evening came on gradually, and wonderfullybeautiful music from wind instruments was heard in the thick shrubbery;for a while, the guests in the garden were silent, and then it seemedas if the music made them only the more talkative. Eric looked forRoland, but no one could tell him anything of him.

  The music ceased, and darkness gathered. On the balcony of the houseappeared a trumpeter, in a costume of the middle ages, and sounded acall; the company repaired to the house, up the steps to the great halland the adjoining rooms. Here a few seats were placed; in theforeground, two great arm-chairs, dressed with flowers, for the brideand bridegroom; behind them, a line of chairs for the oldest and mostdistinguished guests.

  Frau Ceres was conducted to a seat near Bella; Fraeulein Perini hadmanaged very adroitly to get near her and pull gently at her cloak.Frau Ceres understood, and all eyes, which had been resting on thebridal pair, now turned to her. Such ornaments, imitating a wreath ofwheat-ears of which each grain was a great diamond, such a dress,sown thick with pearls and diamonds, were never before seen; along-continued murmur of applause ran through the assembly.

  Frau Ceres stood by her chair, as if rooted to the spot, till Bellabegged her to sit down; she looked smilingly at the splendid jewels: itwas all very well for the American woman to put those on, but shecouldn't put on such a neck and arms as her own.

  Now it appeared that one of the walls of the room was only a curtain,which was presently drawn up. Vine-dressers were discovered, who sangand spoke praises of the family, and finally presented a myrtle crown.

  The curtain fell, amidst the expressions of delight of the wholecompany, and as they were about to rise, a voice behind the curtaincried:--

  "Remain seated!"

  The curtain rose again, and, behind a thin gauze, Apollo was seen amongshepherds and vine-dressers, and Apollo was Roland; the curtain had tobe twice raised again, for all were enraptured with the tableau, andespecially with Roland's god-like appearance. Bella nodded exultantlyto Eric, who was standing apart; but he felt as if benumbed, as heasked himself what effect all this would have on Roland, and how Rolandcould have concealed it from him. It was not long before Roland joinedthe company in his ordinary dress; he was admired and praised on allsides, and nearly taken off his feet.

  Frau Ceres was congratulated almost more than Roland, on her happinessin having a son of such divine beauty; repeated regrets were expressedthat her daughter was not at the fete. Frau Ceres received all thismost amiably, saying constantly: "I thank you most sincerely, you arevery kind." Fraeulein Perini had taught her her lesson.

  New rooms were opened, where tables were spread, and the guestsseated themselves.

  Roland went to Eric.

  "Are you the only one to say nothing to me?" he asked.

  Eric was silent.

  "Ah," Roland continued, "it has cost me much trouble to concealanything from you, and still more to be attentive for these last fewdays, but I wanted to surprise you."

  Eric recovered himself, and decided that it would be best not to laymuch stress on the matter, so that it might be less likely to have anyhurtful effect; he only warned Roland to be careful not to take toomuch wine. The boy was so full of happiness that he preferred to sitnear Eric, to show him that he was moderate, rather than to take a seatwhich was reserved for him at the table of the bride.

  Pranken, who, with the portrait painter's aid, had arranged thetableau, was in a state of singular excitement this evening, forthe idea kept ringing in his head that he might have married theWine-count's beautiful daughter; here was new-varnished nobility, to besure, but everything was made sure of; here would be now an attractivewidow, or, better still, an attractive unhappy wife. He drove thethoughts away, however, saying to himself that he loved Manna.

  As a former comrade of the bridegroom, and as friend of the family,Pranken proposed the toast to the bridal pair; he spoke well, and in ahumorous tone, as was best, and the company were well pleased.

  The discharge of a cannon gave notice that the fireworks werebeginning, and the guests betook themselves to the veranda and thegarden.