"I know intellectual and pa.s.sionate Italian women also," interposed Blanden.

"Pa.s.sionate? Yes, I believe it, that means using the stiletto. Signora Bollini may be dangerous too. But how do you like our opera? I must say 'our' because I hope to remain here."

Blanden could not avoid expressing his pleasure thereat, but it was done moderately enough, despite the winning proofs of her sweetness which the young lady had given him.

"I consider the company intolerable," continued Lori, unabashed and triumphantly, "the ba.s.s voice possesses an original power of ba.s.s, like the drunken Schmerbauch, with the bald pate, in Auerbach's cellar; the tenor lives on chronic bad terms with his high notes, he always jumps into the air as it were at them, like a dog at a bone; the _soubrette_ is so terribly pretty, that her little voice even seems to chirp! and the management--did you see the Wolfs-schlucht lately in the 'Freischtz?' Is there a sweeter bit of country in which fire-works can be let off?"

"You exercise sharp criticism, my Frulein," said Herr von Wegen.

Blanden observed strict silence, the fortress was now fired upon with red-hot b.a.l.l.s.

"My brother-in-law is very sorry that you do not visit him, Herr von Blanden, and my sister also; she takes a lively interest in you, as we all do. Besides we owe you some social return, for we were all your guests. You will come to see us soon, will you not?"

Blanden promised pleasantly; Lori rose triumphantly to go to the banker, although the sunny prospect of another future disclosed itself already to her mind. To-day she appeared, to herself, so intellectually superior, could it be difficult for her to enchain an interesting man?

What had Eva been? The ocean is her grave: only good must be said of her, but she had not much mind.

The two friends remained alone, they had much to impart to one another.

Wegen came from the Province, he brought the intelligence with him that some farm at Kulmitten had been burned down. Blanden must return home, arrangements must be made to alleviate the want of the farm people.

This would have been supremely disagreeable for him had Signora Giulia not informed him in a few lines that she was suddenly summoned to Riga to take a stranger's part, and should only return here in some few weeks' time then to remain during the entire season.

"It is perhaps well," said Blanden to Wegen, whom he had initiated into the secret of his newly awakened pa.s.sion, "that I have leisure, far aloof from the bustle which pervades the town and theatrical life, to examine in perfect quiet whether the new charm to which I have succ.u.mbed could be prejudicial to me? I am taking up an old adventure, it is the world which I cannot cast off. At any rate, it is not innocence which I can for a second time drag to a fearful doom."

"And are you in earnest about it?" asked Wegen.

"If I shall not bury myself in my solitude, if I would live again, it must be, or become earnest with me. First I will examine my own feelings, and then the love and character of the beautiful woman who once again with her snares enters into my life."

"I advise you to examine all carefully," said Wegen.

"That will I, but without social prejudice; my happiness does not depend upon the world; but how are you getting on? Ccilie has returned from her Italian journey; I have just seen her."

Wegen looked at his cup of chocolate with a certain amount of embarra.s.sment.

"You have surely been refused?" said Blanden.

"Oh, no, not so, but--" said Wegen, disconsolately.

"Well, at least you have had time to consider it well."

"You know that previously to the Italian journey, Ccilie was with a friend, a lady who owns property in our neighbourhood. I visited her frequently, my mother and sister also made her acquaintance. She was considered to be a marvel of cleverness, with whom every lady in the district felt uncomfortable; they could not be cordial to her, she had no feelings. That was the commencement, my mother and sister joined in the verdict. I stood alone with my good opinion of the girl."

"Which you defended stoutly, though?"

"Oh yes, I did not allow myself to be intimidated; but it became much worse. Reports arrived of Ccilie's connection with Dr. Kuhl, who it is to be hoped is better than his reputation--you know from personal experience how lively imagination is in the Province, and how busy it is with everything unusual. That which it must forego it paints in glowing colours. Ccilie appeared in a light, as though she were sitting amidst infernal sulphurous vapour. In several places, on her account, people broke off their acquaintance with her friend, my mother and sister would not know her either; if at first they had only counselled me against her, now they condemned my affection; I appeared like the prodigal son, a part for which I possess but little talent."

"I pity you, your happy mood had disappeared at that time; I noticed it, but you never told me the cause."

"I was so uncertain myself, that I spoke to no one about it. Ccilie's friend meanwhile travelled to Italy, a journey which her doctor had recommended to her. Ccilie accompanied her. Now after eighteen months she has returned."

"And now you have had time enough for reflection."

"Yes, if reflection only made one wiser! Sometimes one becomes more stupid from it; I know as little to-day, as I did a year and a half ago, what I shall do or leave undone."

"Do you love Ccilie?"

"I almost believe it would be hard for me to live without her. As to her culinary knowledge, certainly I have some hesitation."

"If you love, do not trouble yourself either about her cooking powers or the gossip of your neighbours; that is my well-meant advice. Only one thing weigh well, she is a very clever girl, clever in all excepting her own affairs, otherwise she would not have been so reckless of her reputation. But a clever woman is always dangerous. If you are not afraid of one, take your hat and propose to her--you have my blessing."

Blanden went to prepare for his homeward journey. Wegen remained behind, his head resting upon his hand, overcome with conflicting thoughts and resolutions.

CHAPTER X.

THE SISTERS.

The two Frulein Dornau, with their mother, occupied the first floor of a small house in the suburbs; it was a very modest dwelling, cramped, with low windows. The paper in the reception-room, whose silver had gradually faded completely, while some of the showy purple strips which gave a gorgeous appearance to the tiny s.p.a.ce between ceiling and floor, had become loose above or below, and played about freely in any chance current of air.

The sofa had enveloped itself shamefacedly in the sister's artistic crochet work, seat back and side cushions were covered with every variety of imaginary figures and arabesques. The venerable piece of furniture beneath would have disclosed a most deteriorated colour to the light of the sun, and the marvellous pliability of its stuffing inspired all who were obliged to seat themselves upon the place of honour with sudden terror.

The pride of the room was a writing desk of mahogany. It is well known that that wood possesses the same quality as good wine and good poetry, that its merits increase the older it becomes. The _secretaire_ did indeed gleam in darkest brilliancy, it was only to be regretted that the effect of this show piece was sadly dimmed by several cracks in the wood, by one foot which had thoughtlessly loosened its connection with the organism of the whole, and from its crooked posture had given a sloping inclination to the desk, and by several ornamentations being broken off, which instead of forming the crown of the work, lay in melancholy ruins upon its summit.

The Dornau family was not blind to the shady side of its domestic arrangements; for many years these had been the subject of daily conversation; the necessity to send for the cabinet-maker and paperer was often discussed over the morning coffee, but always forgotten again under the pressure of circ.u.mstances. Sometimes the condition of their financial affairs did not permit of any extraordinary outlay.

The reception-room was merely divided by a curtain from the young ladies' _boudoir_, which left nothing to be wished for as regards cosiness, and only contained one little arm chair and two book shelves.

The owners were therefore generally to be found in the front or reception-room, which served also as dining and work-room.

Thus they sat again to-day at a work-table, and looked into the street.

Frau Dornau was busy in the kitchen.

"You have told me but little of Italy so far," said Olga. "You are very sparing with your communications."

"Everything can be found in guide-books," replied Ccilie.

"But where were you after you left Nice? Our correspondence at that time came to a standstill for several months."

"Everywhere, in Florence, Rome and Naples."

"Did you see the Pope, and eat maccaroni?"

"The Pope, yes, at the feast of _Corpus Christi_, when he bears upon his back a gigantic sun which shines upon his mounted _guardia n.o.bile_."

"And the maccaroni?"

"A horrible thing! Wearisome as is everything interminable! It is difficult to eat it gracefully."

After a pause, Olga said--