“Absolutely not! Mr. Reinhardt’s own son wants to become an officer, despite the fact that the Reinhardts despise the thought, yet they do encourage him to be the best at what he will do, as it has been their motto to be as good as one can be, always!” the priest added as empathetically as he could.
“Thank you, Father Hugo. You might just be the right teacher for that fortunate boy.” He left an elated Father Hugo, who continued bowing to him until he had closed the door behind him.
The children were waiting in another one of the beautiful chambers of the Bishop, who went right after what he wanted to know. “Why do you like Hannes, Alex?”
“Alex, completely unafraid of the big man, answered plainly. “Because he knows so much about history.”
“Anything else?”
“I would have someone to play with, and Hannes has never seen or had toy soldiers!”
“Will you call him bad names, like you do your sister?”
“No, sir! He’s much bigger than I and could easily whip me.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“No. I like him very much, and I always wanted a brother. And I do not call my sister bad names any longer. My father has seen to that.”
“Oh, he has, has he? How has he done so?”
“He punished me as soon as he found out, and I promised I would never do it again. I gave my word.”
“Did your father tell you that he wanted to adopt Hannes?”
“No, sir. But this would be wonderful!” he answered truthfully.
“But you still plan to go to a military school, do you?”
“Yes, Papa will enroll me at Prinz Eugene. Maybe Hannes could also go?”
“Or maybe you might change your mind,” the Bishop hoped sincerely, dismissing him with a handshake and asking for Verena, who had been sitting quietly in a chair in the vestibule. to come in now.
“So you are that little brave girl Verena who had to have all those many operations?” he asked so kindly, holding her little hand in his.
“Yes, Father! And now I have even lost two of my teeth!” she exclaimed, opening her mouth to show the evidence. Even though the Reinhardts had their way of demoting him, now even to a plain ‘Father’, he thought Verena to be a delightful child and laughed under his breath.
“Verena, do you remember Lillian, the girl from St. Anthony’s?” He said it kindly to help her, since she seemed a bit lost recollecting her thoughts.
“Oh yes, Father! She got her hair pulled and had to kneel on wood.” This had made quite an impression on her and she was very empathetic in her answer.
He ignored it, having heard about Lillian’s addiction to horses and went on with his question. “Do you like Lillian?”
“Yes, Father!”
“Enough to share some of your toys with her?”
“Oh yes! I have a trunk full of them she can have. There are only four that are really my favorites,” she admitted.
He came to the conclusion that with the Reinhardts, the Brehmer children would not only be safe, but also receive the loving care and friendship they so badly needed, as did so many in the orphanage, only they were not as lucky. As far as Hannes was concerned, if he were to stay anywhere else, he might just end up in a reform school. He might still, regardless of whom he spent the next few years with. Alex may have found a boy who is every bit as difficult as he himself was.
Taking a sheet of paper, he wrote a short note in which he stated that his questioning of all parties concerned had met with his utmost approval and that the three Brehmer children would be awarded to the Karl Reinhardt family, and would henceforth be the responsibility of Karl and Stephany Reinhardt. The necessary paperwork within the Catholic hierarchy had thus begun, and had only to be signed by Mother Superior. It was signed by the present residing Bishop in Vienna, his Excellency Theo Rastner. His Excellency now helped himself to a fat cigar, a few glasses of wine, and retired to his chambers, being fully convinced he had done a full day’s work in the name of the Lord and the Catholic church.
The three Brehmer children were scrubbed clean in a large wooden tub, dressed in a fresh set of clothing, and handed over to the eagerly awaiting Karl, his children, and Stephany, who had on this day, for the first time in a long while, ventured farther than the Romberg house. Mother Superior had made it a point to meet Stephany, explaining to her the three children’s background, their many good as well as not so good qualities acquired through the constant changing of foster homes, and finally stressing once more the point of their and their mother’s wish to have them stay together.
“It will take a lot of patience and love for these young ones to find the right path to a better life.”
Stephany listened distractedly, as she took stock of the greatly neglected orphanage. She would make some changes with the allocated money, since the larger amounts went to St. Anna’s orphanage and not to St. Anthony’s. The gestures of farewell to the ones left behind by the Brehmer children were actually conducted only by Franz-Xavier. Hannes and Lillian left without even a look or thanks to anyone, including the assembled nuns. Karl took the liberty to ask for the hair-pulling nun, who had indirectly been responsible for the rather rushed adoption.
“Sister Walpurga is no longer with us.” Mother Superior noticed the obvious and audible sigh of relief by Karl and smiled.
“We shall see you quite frequently!” And with a wave, Karl and Stephany packed the children into the coach and drove away.
Lillian was in her glory because Karl allowed her to help him drive the coach and she held the reins proudly, while Stephany dealt out some candy to all the children’s delight. A new dawn for the Reinhardts, as well as their newly acquired offspring, had commenced. No one seemed to be worried, least of all Stephany, who was giving Otto credit for her future without him. “There is truly a time for love, Karl,” she reminded as she watched him, his face glowing with joy.
“What else is there in life, Mother?” he agreed happily.
Mother Superior had gone into the chapel to give thanks to God for the strength he had given her a long time ago, to put her son, Karl, in the crib at St. Anna’s church. The former Mother Superior was now walking into the chapel on the arm of a young novice and took a seat next to her. They did not have to exchange any words. Both were only giving thanks. And all seemed like yesterday, but it was so long ago!
1865
15
Time was striding on and a new generation was making its debut, trying very hard to lay down a foundation worthy of their predecessors, or as some fiercely predicted, to make life better and more tolerable than it had been. On one memorable New Year’s Day in 1857, Emperor Franz-Joseph declared to his idle subjects that after years of debates, the walls of Vienna were to be torn down and room made for a wide promenade, which would encircle the inner city like a horseshoe. He also annexed the lovely countryside and opened up a grand view far beyond anyone’s expectations. Thus, the famous Ringstraβe was born. It promised not only to give great pleasure to the present citizens, but also to those for many generations to come. Chestnut trees were planted by the hundreds and beautiful mansions of different styles were springing up to further adorn the ‘Ring.’ Many buildings such as the City Hall, Palace of Justice, museums, and theaters were in the planning, just to name a few. The Emperor’s aides were busy searching for the very best architects in the world. They had to be expertly qualified to bring about the most fantastic undertaking for the new City of Vienna. It had to become a metropolitan center just as Paris and Berlin already were. And if at all possible, even surpass them.
As always, the average Viennese with his limited imagination, lazy ways, and even less foresight for something of greatness, was skeptical and viewed the new and grand undertaking as a disaster their beloved city could ill afford. But as time marched on, they flocked to the ongoing project to view the work, only to discover that they liked what they saw and were anxiously looking forward to the completion and set date of dedication
on May 1, 1865.
Karl Reinhardt, who on many occasions would not agree to the combination of different period styles, was however very much involved, working alongside the most widely known designers of Europe who, like himself, attended the school of Beaux Arts in Paris. His late grandfather Albert, a famous architect in his own time, was, as always, proven right.
∼
Once filled with the cheer and laughter of five children’s happiness, the House of Reinhardt had slowly, but almost at regular intervals, become emptier as Verena and Lillian prepared to make their exits via marriage on June 6, leaving Stephany and Karl alone to reside in their over-sized palace, frequently called their own museum, or mausoleum to the morbidly curious. They kept the castle in Lindenfels for weekend use, but it was mostly occupied by their trustworthy servants unless a lavish party was to take place. Verena and Lillian’s forthcoming weddings were such an occasion and Reinhardts’ friends were looking forward to it.
Colonel Kurt Essler, Sr., who had greatly admired Karl for his courageous comportment during the tribulation concerning the murder of his sister and subsequent death of his father, tried his best to become one of Reinhardt’s close friends. There was the short acquaintance with Alex Reinhardt and his son, Kurt, who in later years fell in love with Lillian and had consequently asked for her hand in marriage. The friendship of Hannes and Verena also turned in time to love, and so both girls had chosen the day of June 6 as their wedding day.
In addition, it was also the month of Stephany’s seventy-fifth birthday. The Reinhardts’ previous birthdays, unless it involved the children, were always kept to a small family affair, as so many friends of Stephany had passed away, including her closest friends, the Rombergs, whom she still missed terribly after eight years. Afterwards she stayed mostly to herself unless her grandchildren or her devoted son, Karl kept her company. Occasionally, he would force Stephany to take a walk in their large gardens.
When Karl arrived home, she confessed that the past few weeks had been the most exhausting in a long, long time. Karl, however, was only partly aware of her ‘much ado about nothing’ problem, her quoting Shakespeare once again, as she was in the habit of doing quite frequently now. Apparently, a small box that held the last fifteen years of memorabilia, which mostly consisted of her meticulously kept diaries, had been misplaced, possibly stored away in the confusion of the weddings, and would probably be found in the girls’ dowries at a later date, but not now when she so desperately wanted it.
“Mother, why all the frenzy and urgency? Start a new diary and transcribe it until the old ones are found. I really don’t understand your clamoring and persistence about this.” And misunderstanding, Karl added, “You know, no one would even dare to look into them. You know that as well as I do, don’t you?”
“Karl! That’s not what I’m worried about! The problem is that I now have misplaced the most exquisite covers for Verena and Lillian’s diaries that Mother Superior has painted for their wedding gifts, and those are the ones I’m so upset not to find!” She went on, lamenting. “They were her personal wedding gifts to the girls, and it has taken her months and months to finish them, and now I can’t find them. The girls have confided to me that they both have been keeping their own diaries for quite some time!”
“Well, well now,” Karl said consolingly, smiling. He had not expected anything else from his girls, knowing how much they both were in love, but was not taking the whole matter that seriously.
His mother, however, kept on moaning, “They are objects of art!” She paced the floor now, taking her steps slowly, but certainly. “Lillian’s is of the beautiful summertime genre, horses grazing peacefully in a beautiful landscape. And on Verena’s, she’s painted the most beautiful selection of tiny wildflowers with faces of angels peeking through them.”
“And they had been in boxes?”
“No, she had wrapped them in silk paper so I could view them. After I had seen them, I put them away with my own diaries so I was sure to remember where I put them when the time came. And now, they are gone!” she cried, distress taking over even more.
“I’m at a loss to help you right now, Mother. But I’m certain they shall be found in time. Just be patient and wait.”
“That I am not, and cannot do!” she answered, now fretfully pacing faster. “I had counted on enough time to record all the happy events in their lives, from the day of their births to the day of their marriages!”
“As far as happy events are concerned, Lillian’s, if I remember correctly, started with the day we adopted her to be one of our family. She has mentioned that at every given opportunity! And as for your granddaughter Verena….good Lord! You were there when she was born.” “And was it really a happy event?” he wondered to himself, but continued rapidly, trying not to think on it. “And ever since! It should hardly be such an immense job to remember all that would be of importance! Unfortunately, not all of her life has been that happy,” he added to himself.
“Remember all twenty-one years? Just like that? Karl, you must be mad, dear son!” She burst out laughing, suddenly not as tense as before.
“Who, if not you, would be able to remember? As Papa would say, let’s try our best,” he suggested, hugging her and preparing to leave the room.
Alone again, she realized that she would have no choice but to start from memory, and began to prepare her outline, beginning with the year 1844. However, the more she wrote, the less ardent she became in trying to remember that far back. After all, the memories were not all happy ones. There was Louise’s unexpected death, followed by Verena’s innumerable operations, of which the outcome of many was more than questionable at the time. What a lucky girl to have come through it all in a more or less good way! Then the departure of Karl, and Christina and Otto’s deaths. No! she thought. This is not at all a happy beginning for a girl just about to start a marriage, and for that matter, starting her diary! Her happiness really only began after the arrival of the three orphans in 1850. Karl had positively been right to suggest leaving it alone. She only wanted to write about happy things, and why not begin with that summer of the adoption that had changed all of their lives!
She started out again, not forgetting to include that Hannes had been almost thirteen, a lanky lad, and so mistrusting. Lillian and Franz-Xavier, in comparison, were rather short. Lillian, with her straw-colored blond hair and those deep blue and inquisitive eyes, was a rather happy girl. Franz-Xavier, just the opposite, with freckled face and fiery red hair was hardly an Adonis, but then, he didn’t care, already so earnest in his pursuit to become a priest. But he was joyful, in any event. Lillian and Franz-Xavier, being almost of the same age, had both celebrated their eleventh birthdays at the Reinhardt’s home. Stephany also added that neither of the children had ever seen or heard of a birthday celebration.
Alex, on the other hand had, as much as he had the good will to do so, never been able to change his behavior much towards his younger sister. Stephany had, at the time, viewed him as quite the egotist, even where Hannes was concerned. Choosing to play war games with Hannes, at his own convenience, were probably the only things they indeed shared. Alex had left the year after their arrival, and had been furnished the necessary title of nobility, for which Major Essler, along with many of his officers, was only too happy to oblige getting him, still not finished with the investigation of those ghastly murders. Alex had become Alexander von Dorn-Reinhardt, and felt very comfortable in being addressed as Baron von Dorn during his pre-academic officer’s training. Time passed, and he became First Lieutenant von Dorn, and was stationed in Silesia after having served in Galicia. His visits were always short, and with that, he became more distant in time, and also disenchanted with his family’s appraisal of Austria’s absolutism, as well as of its military’s poor performance in general.
The more Alex removed himself from the family, the closer Hannes had become. Karl and Stephany had become very fond of him and more than delighted to have him around. And so was
Verena! Even the Rombergs had more in common with Hannes. He showed an increasing interest in the field of pharmacy and medicine. It had become an open secret that Alex was their least favorite of all the Reinhardt children and was not surprising at all, as he barely ever acknowledged their existence.
Lillian was so happy to have a sister, and therefore doted over Verena, who, in turn, expended all her fondness on her newly acquired sister, playing together endlessly with a wide array of toys and beautiful dolls, of which Lillian became the proud owner of many through the ever-present generosity of Verena, as well as the elder Reinhardts. The horse stables were one of her greatest joys and were visited on a regular basis. Both girls became excellent riders, with good-natured Benedict still working for the Reinhardts and complying with both girls’ wishes, saddling a different horse anytime they wanted to ride, often with Karl and Hannes at their sides. Benedict’s joy was in serving his masters, who had a small log cabin built near the stables for their loyal servant, which he saw as his, and took care of as though it belonged to him. He was assured a life-long right to live in his cabin and have a comfortable and contented retirement.
Franz-Xavier had always been an extremely easy-going child, eager to please, and observant as well as interested in all subjects given to him, though he was most happy when reading his catechism. He had made Father Hugo his role model, striving to be just like him when he grew up. Karl had always been convinced that he could do even better than that.
Father Hugo had often times complained about Hannes’ lack of concern and absent-mindedness as far as his lessons in catechism were concerned, but since Monsieur Dubois had nothing but praise for his pupil, who he said even surpassed Franz-Xavier in Latin, Karl would ignore his shortcomings in religious studies, reminding Father Hugo, “My grandfather used to say that one cannot be perfect in every aspect.” And left it at that.
All of the children had been educated at the Reinhardt mansion until the age of sixteen, at which time, on the advice of their teachers, they had been sent to special schools that were able to advance their talents, Alex being an exception.
Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One Page 25