Short Stories From Austria- Ferdinand Von Saar

by Ferdinand Ludwig Adam

  I had followed these arguments with growing astonishment and for the time being did not know what to say. On the one hand, the thing was not exactly outside of all and every possibility; but the execution seemed completely illusory to me in view of the difficulties involved. I was just thinking how to suggest this in the gentlest way when Burda foresaw me.

  “I do not misunderstand,” he continued, “which almost insurmountable obstacles stand in the way. For, quite apart from the fact that the main point mentioned can never quite be made clear, it is also certain that on the part of those families in whose ranks the Counts Burda have recently appeared, everything will be applied to those if also to keep legitimate intruders away. And they will have the easier game, as the family tree in question has unfortunately not kept pure. On the other hand, the very circumstance that I would even enter into kinship relations with some very noble families, for example the Y... and the Z...., As a result of marriages of marriage concluded centuries ago, is just this circumstance, I say,

  It was amazing how Burda adjusted everything and everything. And indeed, if he did not indulge in a complete delusion of his feelings for the Princess, his hopes, as adventurous as they were, would not appear without a certain stopping point. But I was very careful not to encourage him and merely said: “But that throws new light on the matter, and however the success may be, my best wishes, my sincere participation, you can be sure.”

  “That's me,” he replied, squeezing my hand warmly, “as well as your unfailing silence.”

  He had got up to take care of the papers; I, however, since it has become late, recommended me and went to my room. Lying in bed, I involuntarily pondered over all these messages and traced the threads that snaked together into such a strange airy tissue. When I finally fell asleep, I had confused dreams, in which the figures of Burda and the Princess merged in the strangest way with those of my romantic poem, which, incidentally, I have not since resumed.

  IV.

  Christmas and New Year had arrived. I had spent this festive time almost exclusively in the circle of my closest relatives, so I had met little with Burda, who now more than ever followed his own path. Only the beginning of Carnival brought us closer again. One day Burda invited me to visit with him the court ball, which was soon to take place, and in which every officer could take part. “You may think,” he said, “that's what sets me. In any case, the princess also appears, and thus the first, for the time being, only possible opportunity for personal rapprochement is offered. It will be known that I am introduced - the rest will then be found. For the rest, it is interesting to see such a party.

  It was a freezing, cold January evening when Burda and I - we had taken a fiacre - drove up to the Hofburg and climbed the brightly lit staircase. The entrance hall was still pretty empty; only serving court batches, some senior military personnel - including the adjutant of Prince L..., a still very young, somewhat dandy-looking major - and several civil servants, who were knights, were divided into small groups. By and by, however, it moved ever more numerous in through the high, wide-opened double doors. It shone and glittered with gold and silver-embroidered uniforms, medals and stars; the dignitaries of the empire appeared, among them Hungarian and Polish magnates in rich, picturesque national costumes. Finally the ladies: a dazzling wave of lace, Velvet and silk, flowers and feathers, diamonds and pearls. Bared neck and arms shimmered; proud, expressive women's heads appeared, bright and dark eyes shone, rosy lips smiled greetings. All of this moved and pressed more or less quickly toward the great hall, which was waiting expectantly for the people who were to arrive.

  The princesses L... had not yet appeared, and already the countenance of Burda, with whom I held close to the entrance, began to darken - when they came in the company of an elderly lady of striking highness in form and gaze. Today all three dressed in fragrant white, strewn with small silver-trimmed white, lily-of-the-valley in her hair - a delightful image of youthful grace and freshness. This time I could clearly see that Burda was noticed immediately. The lips of the two elders twitched peculiarly, while the youngest-I thought I was not mistaken-turned away his head in a disapproving manner, and strode with a certain haste to the hall.

  When we entered him, we were faced with a dense one Crowd that did not allow an overview, while the sound of confused voices struck our ears like distant sea-spray. Suddenly there was a deep silence, and the masses parted. A door had opened on whose threshold the master of ceremonies appeared, announcing the approach of the court. Immediately thereafter, the youthful monarch, who had not yet brought home his high bride, showed an archduchess's arm. Behind them the male and female family members - then the entire court, headed by Prince L.... The Emperor escorted his lady to the balustrade, where she sat in the circle of the others. Immediately after, the Kapellmeister's tactical staff rose and the ball began.

  Immediately a movement took place in the hall. The older gentlemen left him or retired to distant corners, while the dancers, as far as possible, stayed close to the ladies, who came to sit along the walls.

  I myself had withdrawn from Burda and had entered into an open door with several others; From there I could see the whole hall, where the dance had already begun. Soon, among the rolling couples, I noticed the princess, who was gaily whispering with a young and handsome Dragoner officer of small but graceful shape. I peered into Burda and found him standing on a pillar which he had been able to maintain here, hard by a mirror. As I looked at him, who was looking at him with a look of rigid expectation, his appearance seemed far less distinguished and attractive than usual; he was apparently overshadowed by the whole environment. It also struck me for the first time that his features were actually insignificant and that he was a very small,

  As I was doing my reflections, I felt touched me lightly on the shoulder. I turned - and faced the adjutant of the prince.

  “May I ask you,” said the major very gently in a low voice, “to give me a moment, Lieutenant? I would have a few words to talk to you. “He graciously took me under his arm and led me to a smaller adjoining room, where a solitary buffet stood. There he invited me to sit down and began by approaching me confidentially: “Above all, I would like to ask you what the tall, slender officer is called, who is standing in the hall at a mirror pillar. You will probably know who I mean, since, if I am not mistaken, you have appeared here in his company.”

  Understandably, I had been very much in the beginning; Now, however, I tried to take hold and called the name of Burda with the utmost impartiality.

  “And may I allow myself to ask further whether you are better acquainted with this gentleman - that is, whether you are on intimate terms with him?”

  I replied that Burda was my friend.

  “I love that,” said the Major, placing his hand lightly on mine. “Because you can also do your friend a true friendship service. Do you want that?”

  These words sounded very ingratiating; but I knew nothing good. “Certainly I am ready - and if you want to explain to me - -”

  He leaned back and coughed slightly. “Well,” he began, “the whole thing is not of much importance - but at least a delicate matter. Her friend likes to be pleased with my boss's youngest daughter. Now, however, this is free for everyone, especially an excellent officer, as your friend is undoubtedly. Only with the rallies he should be a little more cautious in the light of his circumstances, given the circumstances. That he constantly looks for the princely lodge in the theater, he still wants to go. But for some time now the princess has been barely able to step on the window without seeing the lieutenant walking up and down in front of the palace; she can not take a walk without being followed by him, as by her shadow - yes, even when she goes out, your friend knows how to set it up so he is always close to getting in and out. Recently it has even happened that when the car stopped for a while in front of a jewelery shop, a rose was thrown through the open window of the coupé. In the beginning, “the Major continued with an ironic smile,” the matter was not t
aken in too badly. You know, young ladies are - how can I say? - in all circumstances not completely free of a certain coquetry. Soon, however, they mocked each other - and now that anonymous verses have arrived for the second time by mail, in which thelicentia poetica was driven to extremes - now one begins to find these continued homilies unbearable, and has seen fit to trust the most serene dad. He has again entrusted me to settle the matter in the most inconspicuous, most gentle manner, and I think I should do my best to cordially ask you to inform your friend of the iniquity of his behavior.”

  I had what I foresaw and was in the greatest embarrassment. “You will not mistake, Major,” I said after a pause, “how embarrassing you are to me. It always falls a wrong light on the one who mixes in foreign affairs, and often is just the most well-meaning advice to insult. But I have to fear that from my friend, who is extremely sensitive in every way. But I do recognize that at any rate a hint must be given to him, so I will try anyway, though I - and I ask you to pay attention - can not stand for the success.”

  “Certainly, you can not,” said the Major, getting up. “But I put the matter to your heart once more; because I would sincerely regret it if I were forced to take other paths.”

  He had taken a somewhat stern look at these words and shook my hand in farewell.

  For the sake of the most unpleasant thoughts and feelings, I went up and down for a while on the smooth foot-panel of the quiet room, in which the dance music, slightly subdued, came over. Then Burda's glowing dream had faded and made way for a most uncomfortable reality! What should I do now? How to open the blind man's eyes to save him from the curse of ridicule - and perhaps worse? I went to the buffet and drank a glass of lemonade without paying attention to the sweets piled up in front of me in all shapes and colors. Then I made my way back to the Saale, where a française came to an end. As I noticed, the princess had also danced this with the young Dragoon officer, whose tender, almost girlish face looked very heated. As the lines now broke and the pairs bent arm in arm to the left and right, a crowd of spectators left the hall, including Burda, who was pale with chalk and barely recognized me as I walked toward him.

  “Ah, it's you!” He finally said. “Where did you go?”

  “I was in an adjoining room, looking for some refreshments.”

  “And otherwise - how are you talking?” He asked distractedly.

  “Pretty much. And you?”

  “Oh well, very good! But I'm leaving now.”

  “Even now?”

  “Yes; I have a headache - I was not well all day - -”

  “Well, I'll go with you right away. I have nothing to look for here either.”

  I could tell that my company was very unpleasant to him. But I did not return this time. He had obviously been disappointed in his expectations, was deeply out of humor - and so I decided to stay by his side and forge the iron while it was still glowing.

  When he reached the street he threw up the collar of his coat and hurried so fast over the Josefsplatz that I had trouble following him.

  “Why are you running like that?” I called to him.

  “You've heard that I have a headache,” he replied angrily, without looking at me. “I want to be home soon.”

  “You're in a bad mood,” I said. “You have encountered something unpleasant.”

  “Me? How so? Why?”

  “I know,” I replied firmly. “It was not for nothing that you turned to me on the ball for your sake.”

  He stopped petrified. “To you? Because of me? What do you mean by that? “He asked in a trembling voice.

  And now, as we proceeded, I told him the conversation with the Major. In order to spare him as much as possible for the time being, I glided only briefly on the most sensitive point, namely the disapproval of the princess, and put the emphasis on the prince and on the commission he had given to his adjutant.

  But the success was quite different than I assumed. With every word I spoke, it seemed freer and easier breathe; his face lit up - and suddenly he exclaimed with triumphant laughter: “So that 's it? The!”

  I looked at him in surprise.

  “So that's why,” he went on, “did she purposely not pay any attention to me today? That's why she danced with this young guy, Prince A..., all the time ?! O, dear friend, I could hug you for your message! “And with that, he strode happily into the chest.

  “But dear friend, remember” I said seriously.

  “No! No! Not a word, I know enough. It may be that lately I behaved a little carelessly; Maybe the princess herself has unwisely betrayed herself somehow - and now that you realize how it is, you want to chase me into the fencing horn. Oh, I know that!”

  I was extremely dissatisfied with myself and cursed that I had been so considerate. I should have said everything outright; for now, to a certain extent, I myself had led him to this erroneous conception. I tried to rectify this mistake by saying: “You are in error and therefore should be told flatly that the princess complained to her father about your actions.”

  He laughed out loud. “That's the right height! Forgive me, dear friend, you are indeed a most naive person. Do not you understand that one must seek especially now that me it discourage over? No, no, my dear! Do not bother! As I said: I know enough. The rest will be my thing. But now I feel the need to stay alone. You will excuse me. Adieu! Sleep well! “And he left me standing at the corner of the Singerstrasse, where we had just arrived, and was moving toward the Stephansplatz with a swiftly raised head.