Short Stories From Austria- Ferdinand Von Saar

by Ferdinand Ludwig Adam

  They went to the salon. On a table lay newspapers and letters that had arrived by post. There was also a letter to Klothilde, at the sight of which she exclaimed: “From Aunt Lotti!”

  She sat down and began to read the rather voluminous letter as the Baron leafed through the newspapers.

  Now she called, “What a pity! Lotti writes to me that she will not be able to reach us before half-August; These are important matters which they hold back until then in Vienna. And right now it would be of great use to us!”

  “Yes,” replied the baron. “She is a practical woman who does not do many things.”

  So the time passed, and the tower clock was about to strike the twelfth hour, when from the corridor kicks and spurs were heard.

  “One comes,” said the Baron, rising to meet the newcomer to whom the valet had opened the door.

  Klothilde, too, stood up and shyly turned her eyes to the tall, manly, slender figure, which the tight fitting white tunic showed very favorably.

  “Allow me, Excellency,” began the count, bowing slightly and glancing at the beautiful woman with a quick glance, “allow me to introduce myself. It has now come to pass that we have had to break into your truce, and it needs no assurance that I myself am not to blame for this unwelcome disturbance.”

  The Freiherr returned a few binding words and asked the count to sit down.

  “Oh, I know,” said the latter, settling in an armchair, and Klothilde, who had sat down on the sofa, fully and fully envisaged, “I know and realize very well that such attacks are most annoying. But what do you want to do? You just have to accept it either or not. By the way, “he went on, throwing back his head haughtily,” they must not suffer too much. My dragoons are honest Moravians, that is, quiet and reserved people who are completely satisfied with their home-made dumplings. As for my person, I ask you not to take the slightest consideration of me. I have very few needs and I do the bare necessities, if only to a degree, always with me. I'll dine down with the officers at the inn. So you see, “he concluded, proudly disapproving,” that apart from the most pleasant apartment that you have given me,

  There was a pause, which the baron interrupted with the question of where the regiment came from.

  “From Italy, where we were pretty useless because the cavalry could not find any use in the marshy paddy fields. Well, Daddy Radetzky coped with the Italians anyway. We should then march with other troops under Haynau to Hungary. On the way, however, the regiment received orders to move here. Something is preparing for Prussia; the old hegemony tickle seems to be stirring again there.”

  “The King of Prussia has rejected the German imperial crown,” said the Freiherr in the tone of quiet rebuke.

  “Because it was offered to him by the Frankfurt parliament,” the count replied with suppressed vehemence. “It would have been nonsense to accept her from such a side. The weakness of Austria is a far better chance, and since Kossuth and Görgei are still on top, one believes they can count on it. But the Russian alliance will be the Give things a completely different turn. Your Excellency already knows - -?”

  “I've read about this alliance in the newspapers,” said the Freiherr calmly.

  “The Czar is mighty,” continued the Count with sparkling eyes, “and it can not hurt the world if, after all the great freedom-dizziness, she is once more able to feel the knout.”

  The Freiherr replied nothing and sought to direct the conversation to other, more obvious things, and now Klothilde also found an opportunity to interweave a few words. But the count soon rose.

  “I must no longer disturb the gentlemen,” he said, bowing in dismissal with condescending formality. “Also, I am expected below. One more thing I want to say. If, contrary to assumptions, my people allow themselves bad habits, I ask you to contact me immediately. Of course, I can only apologize for disturbances connected with the handling of the service, and the lady of the castle, “he turned to Klothilde,” will hopefully not be too hard on me if, through unavoidable trumpet signals - or through the neighing and pounding of horses from sweet morning dreams is startled.”

  When he had gone away, there was a long silence. Finally the baron said: “Did not I predict it? It is really fortunate that we do not need to worry about him. - How do you like him? “He continued after a while, not looking at her without concern.

  She shrugged her shoulders slightly.

  “The right aristocrat,” continued the Baron, speaking more to himself. “What views! But he's right, “he concluded with a bitter smile. “The world belongs to these gentlemen now.”

  IV.

  The statement made by the Count's Captain about his people came true. They abstained, as they saw, without any special prohibition of superfluous noise, and went about their tasks in mostly wordless, somewhat melancholy uniformity. When they were done, they stretched out on their bed of straw or sat smoking on the long benches attached to the stable wall; Sometimes in the evening they went down in pairs or in groups, but usually return home well before the retreat sounds. They cared very little even for the fair sex in the castle, and the maids were doing themselves more uselessly more often than usual at the fountains that bubbled its water between the kitchen and the stable. Every now and then one or the other approached from the horsemen with a Czech joke, which, however, the good Viennese children (even the natives spoke only German) did not understand, or helped them with crude gallantry to pick up buckets and pitchers; but further it did not come, since one could reach no thoughts and feelings exchanges. Only the sergeant, a slender man, very proud of his shaggy, artificially elongated mustache, seemed to be more enterprising in this regard. But although he occasionally snooped and frolicked in the kitchen, he was more conscious of his dignity, except for the cute kitty, which now also scuttled through the yard more often than was necessary. but the good Viennese children (even the natives spoke only German) did not understand, or helped them with crude gallantry to pick up buckets and pitchers; but further it did not come, since one could reach no thoughts and feelings exchanges. Only the sergeant, a slender man, very proud of his shaggy, artificially elongated mustache, seemed to be more enterprising in this regard. But although he occasionally snooped and frolicked in the kitchen, he was more conscious of his dignity, except for the cute kitty, which now also scuttled through the yard more often than was necessary. but the good Viennese children (even the natives spoke only German) did not understand, or helped them with crude gallantry to pick up buckets and pitchers; but further it did not come, since one could reach no thoughts and feelings exchanges. Only the sergeant, a slender man, very proud of his shaggy, artificially elongated mustache, seemed to be more enterprising in this regard. But although he occasionally snooped and frolicked in the kitchen, he was more conscious of his dignity, except for the cute kitty, which now also scuttled through the yard more often than was necessary. because you could reach no thoughts and feelings exchanges. Only the sergeant, a slender man, very proud of his shaggy, artificially elongated mustache, seemed to be more enterprising in this regard. But although he occasionally snooped and frolicked in the kitchen, he was more conscious of his dignity, except for the cute kitty, which now also scuttled through the yard more often than was necessary. because you could reach no thoughts and feelings exchanges. Only the sergeant, a slender man, very proud of his shaggy, artificially elongated mustache, seemed to be more enterprising in this regard. But although he occasionally snooped and frolicked in the kitchen, he was more conscious of his dignity, except for the cute kitty, which now also scuttled through the yard more often than was necessary.This Franziska, however, (she was actually called Fanny) found this Werner by no means to her liking (by chance the sergeant in fact had this name); she, too, aspired to higher things, and a handsome lieutenant would have been right for her. Although now one was missing - and the Lord Count unapproachable seemed, yet she had only a condescending nod or only a few snippy words in readiness for the elderly galan.

  Thus it happened that
in a very short time almost the former quiet life reigned in the castle, and the horsemen, whose appearance had produced so much excitement, were hardly noticed any more. Only when they pulled the horses saddled out of the stables, sat down and rode school under the command of the sergeant, who stood in the middle of the courtyard with a long whip, there was at least a spectacle that one did not hate to watch, and which one sometimes the Captain, too, from the window of his apartment, smoking a short chibuk, watched.

  One day the Freiherr and his wife had moved into a gallery-like room, in the middle of which stood a billiard, to watch the trotting and galloping from there, as the windows opened to the courtyard. There were some particularly unruly horses this time, and the sergeant had the opportunity to have his whip played forcefully, and not infrequently the horsemen wavering in the saddle.

  The Baron had soon left again; Klothilde, however, was still at the window, and now saw people preparing for the ride. In the meantime, however, a splendid, isabel-colored horse, lightly bridled, had been pulled out of the shed and steered in front of the Rittmeister's residence. And immediately afterwards he came out of the door, wearing a cap and riding jacket, a whip in his hand.

  At the sight of her, Klothilde came back from the window, startled. Her first impulse was to flee the room; but she felt irresistibly tied up. With slight trembling, she stepped behind one of the heavy half-curtains and looked, so to speak, back down into the yard, while the count was just swinging into the saddle. It cost him some Trouble, because the noble animal was full of nervous restlessness. It came, excitedly snorting constantly to the side and finally tried with the forefeet to rise in the air, of the grooms held down only with the use of all force. At last the rider sat upstairs petting caressingly at the shining neck of the animal, with a long, almost white mane, which still did not want to tolerate him. It reared up, shook its head, and was unable to move forward; rather, now, tormented by thigh pressure and spiked spurs, it began to descend in circles, so that the sergeant, who had meanwhile approached, was already unrolling his whip wanted. The Count waved unwillingly and let the horse do his will. At the moment, however, when he was in danger, To be pressed against the wall, he struck out, swinging backward, such a mighty whip, that it suddenly made a few rapid movements forward - across the yard, into the meadow roundabout, which surrounded a small flat ornamental pond. There, however, he tore it back so mightily, leaning back far enough, whipped his flank in such a way that it involuntarily plunged into the paved road, where, shaking all over, it stopped. Now the Count bowed himself flattering to his neck again and reached out of his pocket a handful of pieces of sugar, which he offered to the horse with outstretched arm. The latter blew its nostrils and, with its lips, softly touched the offered sweetness, which at last it crushed between the foamy bits with increasing satisfaction. Now it received light thigh pressure and flattering acclamation; it was still reluctant-but gradually it set in motion, more and more willing, ever freer, ever lighter, until at last, with fleeting, far-reaching hooves, moving its head gracefully up and down, it flew by in the round.

  With a beating heart and growing excitement Klothilde had watched these events. Be it that she is there had unconsciously come out of the protective hiding place, whether that was not enough at all, the young woman had at least to be seen from below. For when the count passed the castle again, he looked up quickly and, bowing in the saddle, with a peculiar smile, made a most respectful - and yet no less confidential - greeting.

  Without replying, Klothilde stepped back pale and fled to her room.

  V.

  Since then she no longer dared to come to a window. She was afraid of looking at the count - fearing it all the more as she clearly felt how much she desired it in the depths of her soul. After all, she had spent more of her time mentally preoccupying him than she could answer for herself. His tall figure, the dark fire of his eyes, his tanned, proud countenance, of which the short-cut blonde hair and the fine reddish mustache stood peculiarly, hovered before her every single hour, and even sneaked into her dreams at night. How often had she caught herself on the criminal wish, under some pretext, to enter the room of her maid, for they happened to perceive that from there one had in mind the small office-house where the count, without, it seemed, caring for anyone living miles away from the castle. But now, after having greeted her with such strangely insistent, mysterious confidentiality, she suddenly had the conviction that he, too, was mentally engaged in her, and now felt himself surrounded by the mysterious threads of his thoughts.

  Thus she lived in constant anxiety, concealed from her husband, which became all the more agonizing when she was dizzy with the opportunity to regain her former way of life take. For the young woman now wore a strange shyness to go to the park; In addition, there was still unfriendly, changeable weather, and through the tops blowing wet and cool. Klothilde therefore remained dependent on her rooms, and only occasionally in the afternoon, leaning back in a half-covered carriage, took a short drive with her husband.

  But when now the sky was blue again, the days had become bright and sunny, and the glowing glow of July lay over the landscape, Klothilde began to feel an infinite yearning for her darling asylum. She thought she felt that if she once again sat at her easel or with a beech tree under the lisping birch tops, she would relieve all that was confusing and frightening, as a deep, desireless peace would enter her soul. The danger of meeting up with the count in the park seemed excluded during the morning. For he rode, as they learned, every morning with his dragoons, on some of the larger exercises carried out in the open field, far from the market town.

  So one morning after breakfast she put on her garden hat. “I'm going to the park today,” she said, asking her husband's questioning look. “For the first time in more than fourteen days. You mean, too, that I- “she added hesitantly, thinking she had not quite cleared his forehead.

  “Oh sure, certainly,” he interrupted quickly. “Why should not you? Anyway, I wondered why you endured so long up here, “he added with a slight joke.

  “The weather was not very inviting. Besides, you understand -”

  He had risen and was now close to her. “I understand,” he said softly. “But that would be too much. Just go, my child, “he continued, kissing her gently on the forehead. “Maybe I'll find you down later.”

  She took her parasol and walked down the stairs. In the front house she cast a shy glance at the court. There everything was silent, as if extinct; for the Dragoons had ridden away and had not returned yet. Only a stable guard languished lazily on a bench. Klothilde now crossed a narrow side passage, opened a small gate, and stood directly on the dazzling parterre. It was the time of the carnation, and white butterflies fluttered over these spicy flowers, which exhaled their hot scents in all shades of color. She stooped to pick one of bright, burning red and put it in front of her chest. The deeper she went into the park now, the livelier she felt. With delight she sucked in the warm yet soothing summer air, and her eyes gleamed over the familiar green of the old groves. Now she had already reached the meadow, had reached the Tirolerhaus, whose door she unlocked with a quick hand. And now she entered the lovely, dimly lit rooms into which, with doors and shutters open, the bright day flooded in. Yes, everything was and still was the way it left weeks ago. On the table the books, there the easel with the almost completed landscape; even the flowers in the vase, the last they had picked down in the meadow, were not completely withered yet. Involuntarily, the young woman spread her arms as if in greeting; Then she ran her hands lightly over her chest with both hands, as if she wanted to strip away all the stress and impurity that still lay on her. Hereupon she went as she was always used to creating some order. She lined up the books, removed the flowers from the vase to later replace them with others, and started with a light one Cloth, which she removed from a locksmith, to wipe away the fine layer of dust that had spread over individual objects. At this juncture she heard quite a faint sound of trumpets in the distance, indicat
ing that the riders were returning from their exercises to the marketplace.

  Now she had already adjusted the chairs and repaired the easel with all that was necessary. But she could and did not start working again today. For the time being she wanted to indulge herself wholeheartedly in the blissful sensations which here-oh, she had foreseen it! - had come over them. She wished to enjoy the tangible beginning of a blissful liberation, while dreaming of the pure, untroubled happiness of the coming days! So she went slowly back down and settled on the bench, where she liked to sit. There she was now, sunk deep inside her as time passed by with an imperceptible flapping of her wings...

  At last she looked at the little watch she wore in her belt. It was noon. But she had two full hours before the table bell called her; even her husband would appear even earlier. In the meantime, she was able to take a tour around the pond, which was located in the immediate vicinity above the Tirolerhaus. Klothilde loved the vast expanse of water, interspersed with reeds and rushes, on whose banks alders and tall elms spread deep, melancholy shadows. No sooner had they become visible there than two swans came swiftly, for they were accustomed to having bread delivered to them by the lady of the castle. Today, however, she came empty-handed, and the silvery-white birds followed their steps fruitlessly.

  When Klothilde slowly made her way around the pond, she half unconsciously turned her steps towards a hill, which, artificially created and made of tall spruce trees, crossed the perimeter wall the park reaching its end. A narrow path wound through the woods and led to the summit, which opened the view of the woods and ridges opposite, and on which Klothilde had now arrived. At the same moment, however, she bounced back with a half suppressed cry. For on a comfortable bench, which was up there, sat the count, casually leaning back, smoking a cigar. Now he got up and said with a smile, with a low bow: “You are terrifying, my dear Chatelaine, as if I were a snake you could step on.”