Das landhaus am Rhein. English
Page 208
CHAPTER XI.
A FULL HOUSE AND FULL DAYS.
On the following day came the Major, and Fraeulein Milch, and Lina withher betrothed.
It was settled, that, if the snow remained, they were all to have asleigh-ride to Mattenheim; for they wished to say good-by to PrinceValerian, who was soon to return home.
It was a day of domestic happiness and cheer.
Manna said repeatedly, that she had often wondered why they should haveimposed this separation upon themselves; but she now understood that itwas better so.
Fortune smiled upon them. They went to Mattenheim in several largesleighs; and, on their arrival, Knopf took his young friend, Roland,aside, and gave him a private letter from Lilian.
No one else knew why Roland was so extravagantly gay; but Knopf smiledquietly to himself.
Manna and the Professorin were cordially received by Frau Weidmann andher daughters-in-law. It refreshed the heart to see how full and richat every stage of existence was the home-life at Mattenheim.
While Lina expressed her especial satisfaction in the fact, that hereat Mattenheim one had five good meals a day, and insisted upon it thatlove sharpened the appetite, the ladies from Villa Eden thoroughlyenjoyed a glimpse into Frau Weidmann's housekeeping arrangements.
The Professorin had known her in her early years, and remembered what afine appearance had been made by this tall lady, who now always wore ahuge pair of spectacles. She, Manna, and Aunt Claudine, were moved toreflection and self-examination, as they beheld the woman's activelife. All her household were busily employed, and yet it was perfectlyquiet and orderly; and Frau Weidmann discharged her round of dutieswithout tormenting herself by needless anxiety. She was proud to showthe ladies her whole house, and particularly her great preserve-jars,containing provision not only for the various branches of her ownfamily, but for the poor who have no forethought. She franklycomplained that she had not time enough for self-culture, but saidsmilingly, that it was like the question of driving the birds away fromher garden: she must either forego their singing, or good berries andlettuce, as it was impossible to have both.
Manna learned from Frau Weidmann many particulars of Pranken's life; ofhis bearing during his short stay at Mattenheim, as well as the factsgenerally known at the capital.
It had been painful to Manna to be obliged to deal so harshly withPranken; for he had shown himself kind and good, both to her father andherself: but she was now relieved from this trouble also.
The ladies of Villa Eden were not a little surprised, however, to hearat Mattenheim of the great commotion in the New World; for papers anddespatches had come with Lilian's letter from America, and Weidmanncould not withhold from them his conviction that the new year wouldbring the great crisis of the century, perhaps of all modern history.Were it possible to break up the Union, and to elevate slavery, whichhad been tolerated hitherto as a species of smuggling, into a prominentarticle of state-policy, the cause of freedom and humanity, for whichthey were all laboring, would be so fearfully injured and impeded, thatthe petty efforts of individuals would seem of no account.
Relief from this dark apprehension was experienced by all the company,as Weidmann read aloud a passage from his nephew's letter.
Doctor Fritz wrote,--
"Surpassing all others in the greatness and majesty of his bearing,bright as the brightest example of classic times, we have the nobleSeward: and Germans ought especially to honor him, for he has publiclydeclared, that, wherever the Germans go, it is their task to clear theway for liberty, and that the true Germanic spirit is the spirit offreedom and toleration. This man, who had been named as a Presidentialcandidate along with Lincoln, and even before, when he saw thatLincoln's chances were better than his own, resolved that there shouldbe no split in the Republican vote, and became a most zealous agitatorin Lincoln's behalf."
Weidmann paused, adding the remark that Prince Valerian, who was nowleaving for his native land, would there find a similar state oftransition.
The last remark was lost upon Manna, who said to Eric in anundertone,--
"Oh, our father! Do you not think that he will take part in thisstruggle?"
"I do; and that, too, we must bear."
The Prince departed. At the last moment, Lina and Eric had to sing, "Wemeet again." He deeply regretted that he could not take Knopf with him;but the latter had promised Lilian that he would come to America, anddo something there. He did not specify what it was to be.
After the Prince had left, they drew closer together. Roland, Manna,and Eric were sitting in Roland's room when the latter said,--
"Manna, if it comes to war in our native land, I shall go there. I havedecided, and no one can deter me."
The words were upon Manna's lips, "And what if our father is fightingon the other side?" but she checked herself, and only said,--
"If you go to the New World, I shall go with you."
"And then Eric will go too. I have talked with Herr Weidmann about it.He has consented; and the thing which he sanctions is, beyond question,right and safe. But I have promised him that I will not go until hesays, 'Now is the time.'"
Manna was comforted. She saw that her brother's life was in safekeeping.
On their way home, Aunt Claudine expressed the general feeling, whenshe said,--
"It seems to me as if these days had been all music and feasting."
"Yes," cried Lina; "one could eat there enough for the whole year."
And they drove on their way laughing.