Das landhaus am Rhein. English

  CHAPTER V.

  THE OLD NOBLEMAN AND HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE.

  "To Wolfsgarten," was the direction upon the guide-board at the edge ofthe well-kept forest where they were now driving, on the grounds andterritory of the nobleman. Every stranger who asks the way, and makesinquiry concerning the large, plain mansion with steep gables beyond,receives the reply that two happy people live there, who have everyblessing except that of children.

  There are those who give satisfaction to the soul. Where two sit andtalk about them, each feels gratified in being able to perceive andexhibit the pure and beautiful, and is grateful to the other for eachnew insight; but, strangely enough, people soon tire of talking aboutthe purely beautiful. On the other hand, there are those who furnish aninexhaustible supply of material for conversation which dwells chieflyupon the unlovely features, whilst the attractive are mingled in andbrought to the surface with great effort; at the close the speakerfeels obliged to add, "But I am no hypocrite when I meet this person ina friendly way, for while there is much to condemn, there is also agreat deal that is good." Clodwig was a character of the former, andhis wife Bella, born Baroness von Pranken, of the latter sort.

  Clodwig was a nobleman in the best sense of the word. He was not one ofyour affable people, on the same terms with every one. He had agentlemanly reserve and repose. The independent proprietor, themanufacturer as well as the priest, the day-laborer, the official, andthe city-merchant, each believed that he was particularly esteemed andbeloved; and all considered him an ornament of the landscape, like somegreat tree upon the mountain-top, whose shade and whose majestic heightwere a joy, and a shelter from every storm.

  The counsel and help of Clodwig von Wolfsgarten could be counted uponconfidently in all exigencies. He had been abroad for a long period,and only since his second marriage, five years since, had he resided athis country-seat. Bella von Wolfsgarten was much more admired thanbeloved. She was beautiful, many said too beautiful for the oldgentleman. She was more talkative than her husband; and when she droveout in a pony-carriage drawn by a span of dappled greys through thecountry and villages, herself holding the reins, while her husband satby her side and the footman upon the back seat, everybody bowed andstared. Many old people, who always find some special reason for anynew fashion, were inclined to see in this fact of Bella's holding thereins a proof that she had the rule. But this was not so, by any means.She was humble and entirely submissive to her husband. It was oftendispleasing to him that she so excessively praised, even in hispresence, his goodness, his even disposition, and his noble views oflife and the world.

  Eric had only a dim recollection of the commotion excited in thecapital by Bella's marriage, for it happened about the time that heresigned his commission. He had frequently seen Bella, but never thecount. The count had been for many years ambassador from the smallprincipality to the papal court, and there Eric's father had becomeacquainted with him.

  Clodwig was known in the scientific world through a small archaeologicaltreatise with very expensive designs; for next to music, which hepursued with ardor, he was devoted to the science of antiquity with allthat earnest fidelity which was a characteristic of his whole being. Itwas said in his praise, that there was no science and no art to whichhe did not give his fostering care. Returning from Rome to his nativeland, childless and a widower, he became an esteemed member of theassembly of the nobility favoring what is called moderate progress; andduring the session, he associated much with the old Herr von Pranken,who was also a member. He soon became interested in Bella von Pranken,a woman of imposing manners, and a brilliant performer upon the piano.Bella was now, if one may be so ungallant as to say so, somewhatpassee; but in her bloom she had been the beauty of that court circle,where a younger generation now flourished, to which she did not belong.

  Bella had travelled over a good part of the world. In the company oftwo Englishwomen she had visited Italy, Greece, and Egypt. She hadhired an experienced courier, who relieved her from all care. On herreturn to the court where her father was grand-equerry, she mingled insociety with that indifferent air which passes itself off as a highernature brought into contact with the common-places of daily life. Sheconversed much with Clodwig von Wolfsgarten, who supposed that theinsignificant trifles of social life were considered by her as unworthyof notice, and she gained the credit with him of possessing a refinednature occupied only with higher interests. She constantly and activelyparticipated in Clodwig's fondness for archaeological pursuits. It wasa matter of course that they should find themselves in each other'ssociety, and if the one or the other was not present, Bella or Clodwigwas asked if the absent one was sick, or had an engagement. Bella hadno porcelain figures and nick-nacks of that kind upon her table, butonly choice copies from the antique; and she wore a large amber chaintaken from the tomb of some noble Roman lady. She possessed a largephotographic album, containing views of her journey, and was happy tolook over them again and again with Clodwig, and to receive instructionfrom him. She also played frequently for him, although no longerexhibiting her musical talent in society.

  The entire circle for once did something novel: they carried from Bellato Clodwig, and from him to Bella, the enthusiastic speeches of the oneabout the other; and even personages of the highest rank took part infurthering their intimacy. This became necessary from the timidity theyboth experienced, when they became conscious of the possibility of adifferent relation between them. Meanwhile success crowned the attempt,and the betrothal was celebrated in the most select circle of thecourt.

  Mischievous tongues now repeated--for it was but fair that there shouldbe some compensation for the previous excessive good-nature--that twointeresting points of discussion had arisen. Bella, they said, had madeit a condition of the betrothal, that he should never speak of hisdeceased wife, and the old Pranken had asked of the physician how longthe count might be expected to live. He must have smiled in a peculiarway when the physician assured him that such old gentlemen, who live soregularly, quietly, and without passion, might count upon an indefinitenumber of years.

  In the meanwhile, the conduct of Bella gave the lie to the maliciousreport that she hoped soon to be a rich young widow. Clodwig had had anattack of vertigo shortly before the wedding; and always after thatBella contrived that he should be, without his knowledge, attended by aservant. She devoted herself with the most affectionate care to the oldgentleman, who now seemed to enjoy a new life, and to gain fresh vigoron returning to his paternal estate. At the baths, where they wentevery summer, Clodwig and Bella were highly esteemed personages. Shewas admired not only for her beauty, but also for her stainlessfidelity, and for her solicitous attention to her aged husband.