Part 54 (1/2)
”Yes.”
”Is he a relative of yours?”
”Yes, my cousin.”
”He is here still, isn't he?”
”Why, of course.”
”He is--her--what is his t.i.tle?”
”Steward.”
”Is he at home?”
”No, he has gone to the city for a doctor.”
”Oh, I am very sorry. We should have been glad to make his acquaintance. We have heard so many pleasant things about him. A man in whom our cousin was so much interested--”
”Then she speaks of him?”
”Oh--to her intimate friends--certainly!” said Wildenau equivocally gazing intently at Josepha, whose face beamed with joy at the thought that the countess spoke kindly of Freyer.
”Why is he never seen in the city? He must live like a hermit up here.”
”Yes, Heaven knows that.”
”He ought to visit my cousin sometimes in the city, everybody would be glad to know the Ammergau Christus.”
”But if she doesn't wish it--!” said Josepha thoughtlessly.
”Why, that would be another matter certainly, but she has never told me so. Why shouldn't she wish it?” murmured Wildenau with well-feigned surprise.
”Because she is ashamed of him!”
”Ah!” Wildenau almost caught his breath at the significance of the word. ”But, tell me, why does Herr Freyer--isn't that his name--submit to it?”
Josepha shrugged her shoulders. ”Yes, what can he do about it?”
A pause ensued. Josepha stopped, as if fearing to say too much. The two gentlemen had become very thoughtful.
At last Wildenau resumed the conversation. ”I don't understand how a man who surely might find a pleasant position anywhere, can be so dependent on a fine lady's whims. You won't take it amiss, I see that your kinsman's position troubles you--were I in his place I would give up the largest salary rather than--”
”Salary?” interrupted Josepha, with flas.h.i.+ng eyes. ”Do you suppose that my cousin would do anything for the sake of a salary? Oh, you don't know him. If the countess described him to you in that way, the shame is hers!”
Wildenau listened intently. ”But, my dear woman, that isn't what I meant, you would not let me finis.h.!.+ I was just going to add that such a motive would not affect your kinsman, that it could be nothing but sincere devotion, which bound him to our cousin--a loyalty which apparently wins little grat.i.tude.”
”Yes, I always tell him so--but he won't admit it--even though his heart should break.”
Two dark interlaced veins in Josepha's sunken, transparent temples throbbed feverishly.