Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

  “Nevertheless, one encounters Stephany Reinhardt if only in portraits wherever one looks,” Philip interceded. “And from those, one is reminded of her great beauty as well as her other legendary virtues,” he mused.

  “It’s true, Philip! There has so far been only one perfect Mrs. Reinhardt. And she was the one! You would understand if you had known her as we have. She was always the lady, poised and so courageous and kind to all, as well as totally honest to herself and everyone around her. Not to mention the ideal marriage she and Otto had. It’s going to be a long time before anyone of us will ever surpass that.”

  “Well, Aunt Lillian, maybe we can try. Why do you think that I want to marry Victoria? You and I are aware of how long and carefully I have searched for the ideal Mrs. Reinhardt. And now, I believe with all my heart that I have found the wife who is virtuous and will remind us in many ways of my great grandmother. You’ll see!”

  “If you honestly believe that, Philip, then please permit me to give you a few words of advice. Try very hard to be worthy of her, or you’ll regret it all the rest of your life.”

  “You may count on it,” he replied sincerely and embraced her.

  They both sat down in front of the jewelry boxes and she started once again to concentrate on the diamonds. “As I told you before, these diamonds were given to me for the children we would have some day. Stephany Reinhardt felt we should adopt some, but Kurt and I loved our lifestyle the way it had been for some time and couldn’t bring ourselves to change. So here we are now, and there’s no one else I would rather give some of my wealth to than you. Besides, the way things are at the moment, your mother is not in the mood for anything! But I’m not complaining. Her loss is my gain!” she laughed aloud. “You have always been aware that everything that’s mine will be yours one of these days.”

  Philip sighed and intervened. “We all know that Mother has always been so very unpredictable. She’s proven it time and time again to all of us. Anyhow, you were saying, Aunt Lillian?”

  “I just wanted you to know that for the fiftieth birthday of his wife Stephany, which by the way was one of the largest social events in 1840, Otto, your great grandfather, presented her with a ring and matching necklace. He was never in the habit of just buying one thing, but insisted that it had to be a matching set of whatever he ordered, which occasionally he would bring out one by one as different occasions arose. I am going to show you now the necklace first. It’s a one-of-a-kind and had been especially made for his wife,” she explained, untying the ribbon.

  Philip’s eyes grew wide when he stared down at the opened box, and he could just stammer over and over again, “How very beautiful! How very, very beautiful!” as he held the garland of round and pear-shaped diamonds in his hands.

  “And I can already picture Victoria wearing it!” she looked triumphantly at Philip.

  “Aunt Lillian, are you certain you want me to have it?” he half-stuttered in amazement.

  She slowly opened the box containing the matching bracelet and the one that held an oddly light-blue, shimmering, pear-shaped ring. “All this treasure,” she sighed. “You do understand that this must stay in our family. But in all honesty, these exquisite creations were made for the type of lady that was embodied by your great grandmother and has now come back to us in the person of Victoria. Neither I nor your mother have ever cared that much for gems, and to tell the truth, on those grand occasions when we wear them and get all dressed up, neither she nor I have ever felt that we do them justice,” she mused. “Somewhere, I have the certificates for each item, specifying the value of each. But I do know for certain that the ring alone is 52 carats, because I remember the time when Otto was frantically searching out every jewelry store for an ‘even fifty’ birthday stone!”

  “I had no idea there are rings with 52 carats weight!” Philip just shook his head, still stunned by all the splendor and his aunt's generosity.

  “Didn’t you ever notice the one your mother has? It’s even larger than this one!”

  “I suppose I’ve never paid too much attention to these things,” he admitted. “Does she ever wear it?”

  “Not at the moment, I guess. But then, we do not always attend the same gatherings. But I know she never ever takes off the small one. Your father gave it to her just at the time he got his doctor’s hat. He didn’t have too much money at that time but he nevertheless proposed to her. It was the same day Kurt gave me this one. And I’ve never taken it off either!” she smiled proudly.

  He suddenly understood the workings of love, as he was involved in it so deeply. “Poor Mother. I hope she will find it in her heart to forgive me and will make it possible to be with me at my wedding. As I’ve already told Father, I have hurt her far too much and unreasonably so. It will never happen again! Never!” he emphasized.

  27

  The table was set for eight, befitting a small, intimate dinner. The exception was only the selection of Bordeaux Calvet wine, knowing how much diplomats enjoy the finest of everything. Lillian and Kurt refrained purposely from serving the Reinhardts’ very own brand for fear of monopolizing the evening with the art and details of wine making. A well-prepared Lotte was coming too, at the persuasion of Victoria, who had no idea of her mother’s knowledge of what lay in store for her unassuming daughter. They would arrive in Kronthaler’s coach, Irma assured Philip, as they were eagerly looking forward to meeting the famous Esslers.

  Philip was nervous and pensive again, which was usually the case when he found himself in a difficult predicament. And, as always, he paced the floor, still not having the vaguest idea how to approach Victoria about the engagement, wedding, honeymoon, and everything else he had planned so meticulously, and well before her consent. Now he felt completely lost.

  “I am really not sure about anything except that I cannot go on living without her,” he confessed openly to his father, who had arrived earlier to talk about Verena’s insistence on staying in Salzburg.

  “Love is the only important thing, Philip,” Hannes proclaimed.

  “Suppose . . . just suppose she says no. Oh, God!” he lamented despairingly, when Kurt entered, overhearing his plight.

  “Then find a way to change her mind. I had to beg Lillian for months and finally went on my knees,” he advised humorously.

  Philip wouldn’t have minded going on his knees if that would help in any way, but was outraged at the amount of time it took just to get a yes from Lillian! “Months?” he said aloud, feeling very perturbed. “I already waited a whole year just to see her again! How much longer?”

  “I see a coach turning in our direction,” his father interrupted, having never seen his son so agitated.

  “It’s them! I know the Consul’s horses. He has a pair of Orlov Trotters.”

  “How interesting. If everything else fails at least we have a nice topic of conversation.” Kurt laughed mischievously.

  “You can talk about the stress and mentality of earthworms as long as Victoria doesn’t turn my proposal down.” Philip chuckled, embraced his father, and ran out of the room with both men still laughing and shaking their heads.

  “Do we have to converse in French?” Consul Kronthaler asked in haste, ready to descend their coach.

  “Only to their horses,” Victoria jested in a whisper after noticing Philip striding their way.

  Both women were in their usual black attire with only a slight difference in the amount of buttons. But Irma Kronthaler made up for everyone. Her burgundy dress of taffeta was trimmed in beige velvet with hat, shoes, and bag matching perfectly. She gave one the constant feeling that it is of great importance the way one is perceived and judged. The Consul’s wardrobe always complemented hers. They were a well-polished and gracious couple that never met a stranger. Their family’s background was similar to Lotte’s, but this was only one of many reasons they all got along so well.

  Aside from Philip’s expensive black suit, the Esslers’ and Hannes’ clothing left much to be desired. Their mo
mentary excuse was the small selection of mourning attire, but those who knew them well were always aware at their lack of interest.

  The introduction was brief, informal, and heartfelt. Several of those present had met each other previously and had no problem recalling the circumstances. In no time, they all felt at ease and were chatting away while choosing from a great selection of refreshments. Hannes was especially taken by Victoria’s and Lotte’s beauty and charming mannerisms, having a difficult time remembering or encountered more alluring ladies than these two. Glancing at her mother, he assumed she must be in her middle forties but was nevertheless almost a replica of Victoria. Their beauty, grace, and charm were unsurpassed in their circle of friends.

  Both men also took a more careful look at the Kronthalers. She was a vivacious blonde in her late thirties with a well-endowed figure, and he was a considerable older husband, very tall with almost white hair, and who hung on her every gesture in the most loving way. Her deep blue eyes were glistening while recalling their first weeks in Vienna, and both stressed the fervent hope to stay on much longer.

  “We are of a mind with Lotte and Victoria. We adore your lovely city!”

  “Then may I be so frank and ask why you are leaving us the next few days?” Hannes directed the question at Lotte with a smile and friendly voice.

  She felt relieved to have been confronted with the obvious question and was possibly getting her only chance to put all her cards on the table, especially since their financial status amounted to almost nothing. She had told Philip the truth right after he revealed his marriage plans, but he only smiled and dismissed her concerns. “The less she has, the more I can give her.”

  Sitting across from his father, she felt somehow accountable for what was about to come. Kurt and Lillian, realizing that a certain privacy was in order, offered both Kronthalers a little tour through the house with a promise of an after dinner walk to their stables. Lotte now gave a short account of their life with Manfred, with Victoria and Philip moving their chairs closer and listening carefully and somberly until the last fateful day when Victoria was struck.

  “Does it still hurt?” Hannes inquired, full of sympathy.

  “Only in my heart,” she replied, with a forlorn look at her mother.

  “That’s exactly how I feel,” he answered firmly, and revealed for the first time his and his sister Lillian’s severe abuse at the hand of a drunken father and a timid mother who, like countless others, had no choice but to watch and endure it

  “How I empathize with both of you,” Lotte sighed, visibly shaken. “Though my husband was never drunk, his beating my son caused the same misery. I have, therefore, no remorse for leaving him at the first opportunity, which just recently presented itself.”

  Just when Hannes was ready to continue to tell her about his and Lillian’s adoption by the Reinhardts, dinner was announced. It didn’t take the Consul anytime to swirl his wine glass, taking the first sip and remarking, “It’s either Calvet or Bouchard but it’s positively the finest Bordeaux.” All applauded at his conclusion though no one had asked for his opinion beforehand.

  “If anyone needs a wine taster in about ten years, please remember us,” Irma ventured.

  Lotte and Victoria were grateful for the Kronthalers’ light and clever conversation, while Philip was still fretting over how to go about everything, growing more doubtful as time passed. The possibility of rejection was constantly on his mind. Lotte was observing him closely, and had to forge a little opportunity for both to be alone.

  “While we are talking about horses Mr. Reinhardt, the last few tumultuous weeks kept me from asking you . . . how is Valery’s offspring? Even my daughter must have forgotten all about it.” She gave, in turn, a guilty nod.

  “Absolutely unforgivable,” Lillian jested, adding that she gave Cpt. Kreibich strict orders to alert her.

  “Where is he lately, anyway?” Kurt asked casually.

  “Well, first we were gone, and then he took some unexpected leave,” Lotte explained. “Doubtless, some horses are in need of him.”

  “Boy or girl?” Victoria demanded pleasantly, smiling from Kurt to Lillian.

  “A beautiful girl. And Philip calls her ‘Vicky’ even after my firm objection!”

  Victoria, now vividly recalling the conversation at the ball said to Philip very mischievously, “I would love to see her, especially since you made me a promise Mr. Reinhardt. Right?”

  “And I remember having assured you that I always keep my promises, Miss von Wintersberg. Didn’t I?” he responded quickly, sensing an excellent opportunity to take a walk and propose along the way. He looked now from one to the next while Victoria continued to finish her last piece of cake, completely oblivious to the upcoming event.

  “Why don’t we all go?” she suggested, looking mostly at the Kronthalers, knowing that one of their main reasons for coming was to see their stables.

  “Not right now Victoria,” Irma replied evasively. “I would love to take a better look at those exquisite antiques, especially the ones from Marie-Antoinette’s time. I have never had the pleasure of seeing such a priceless collection!” Lillian was pleased at her comment.

  “I too discovered something of the greatest interest,” the Consul elaborated, joining the game.

  “Such as?” Kurt ventured.

  “Your collection of miniature ships. It is one of a kind!”

  “So is my husband. He still plays with them like a child,” Lillian laughed fondly.

  “Maybe one of my forefathers wanted to be a sailor or pirate and was forced to join the cavalry,” Kurt teased, waiting for Hannes’ excuse to stay behind.

  “If you don’t object Miss von Wintersberg, I would like to continue with some of my stories of times past. Your mother and I have a lot more to cover before she leaves us.” Lotte only smiled in agreement, while Hannes added, “I am sure it’s all right with you too, Philip.”

  Their sly looks and excuses amused him, with Victoria completely in agreement. Their deceptions were in no way suspicious.

  “Then we’ll just take a leisurely stroll by ourselves,” Philip stated with a wink. “Join us whenever you feel like it. I am sure Miss von Wintersberg doesn’t object.”

  “Oh, no!” she responded quickly, reminding herself that she had only two months left to enjoy Philip’s company.

  ∼

  Both started out in complete silence, but this time they swung their hands back and forth with Philip finally relaxing and glancing at Victoria until she said, “I am so relieved everything went well. Mother appeared very nervous about this visit. Poor dear has so many sorrowful weeks behind her. And to top it all, his Holy Excellency Ambassador von Ritter had a long, unpleasant chat with her two days ago.” She sighed in distress.

  Philip knew that much already, but observing her sorrowful comment, he decided to let her get it off her chest. He also felt strongly that she was in need of a sympathetic ear and a confidante. He was glad to qualify for both. Also, by being all alone in a beautiful setting of blooming trees, wildflowers, and garden ponds along the way, it would sooner or later lead towards the right opening.

  “By year's end,” she continued, “we will be former diplomats, Father having served more than twenty-five years with unquestionable loyalty. In the next few days, we have to dissolve our small household to accommodate a new Vice Consul. Thank God, our servant Martha and I can stay until July with the Kronthalers. We are so fortunate to have them as friends.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly, and hope in all sincerity to repay them some day. They have been extremely kind.”

  “Well, an invitation to your home or the Esslers’ once in a while would be greatly appreciated. That I know for a fact. While some of us Germans truly love your country, we are forced to admit we were never spoiled by Austria’s legendary hospitality. It is the very first time that an all Austrian family like the Esslers has invited any one of us for a private dinner,” she complained, wondering at the moment why she
talked so much on the lamentable subject.

  “Father and I were just discussing the very same topic recently,” he responded calmly, never giving any indication for the reason. “It’s mostly the old elite or cliques, whatever one likes to call them, and it happens on both sides of our countries. Please try to remember your own father’s reaction when I brought you to the table,” Philip reminded her. “To my great surprise even the Ambassador had a kind question for this young man.” He laughed lightly.

  She could have easily referred to his intoxication but said instead, “Because it was not his daughter you brought back. God only knows how he may have reacted!”

  “Possibly extremely gratefully. One is always told that it is almost a burden to take a second look at her.” Both laughed heartily and Philip continued where they left off. “Our generation is completely disinterested in all those past wars, no matter against whom or why they were fought, or if Prussia refused to join a unified Germany. Unless—” he added as an afterthought. “There are specific reminders in families, like yours and mine for example. My uncle Alex couldn’t wait to be in a battle, regardless of the consequences. Of course, he paid dearly for it, though he is not even aware of that fact,” he conceded.

  “My father felt the same way and expected his son to follow in his footsteps. Well, Mother explained all that just moments ago.” She paused just long enough and inquired about the laid back Esslers, who didn’t fit in this pattern of military life at all.

  “Kurt Essler comes from one of the oldest and noblest families in Austria. However, he, like his father and many of his ancestors, had the best connections to the court and held so many important positions, which always enabled them to stay away from the battlefield. Somehow they always appeared to inspect what was left from a battle-fatigued troop. Many of their contemporaries frowned on this practice, though we Reinhardts are extremely fond of them. The Esslers, however, don’t care about anyone’s opinion or criticism and do their own thing as they see fit.”