Part 10 (2/2)

CHRISTMAS AT DoNNINGHAUSEN.

Christmas-eve had arrived. As was the custom, the festival for old and young at Donninghausen took place in the late afternoon, before the princ.i.p.al meal of the day, and even with Johanna's help Aunt Thekla had much ado to be ready with the arrangement of the presents at the appointed time. The gifts for the members of the family were laid out on long tables to the right and left of the brilliantly-decorated fir-tree in the centre of the ball-room, while smaller Christmas-trees sparkled and shone upon tables ranged against the wall, where were the presents for the servants and the castle pensioners. When the bells of the village rang in the Holy Christmas-tide, Aunt Thekla's silver bell was also rung, the doors into the corridors were opened, and as the flood of light streamed out upon the expectant group outside, there arose, sung by old and young, the strains of the Freiherr's favorite hymn,--

”He comes, He comes, the Holy One, Filled with His might divine.”

Involuntarily, Johanna, standing beside Aunt Thekla beneath the Christmas-tree, folded her hands: memories of vanished years crowded upon her heart; but, as she turned aside to wipe away her starting tears, her look encountered her cousin Otto's eyes fixed upon her. He had arrived in the course of the afternoon. She had not seen him before, and he now nodded to her by way of greeting. She courtesied, and was aware of the same mingled sensation of timidity and confidence that had possessed her at their first interview.

Beside Otto stood Magelone, more elfin-like than ever, in a long, closely-fitting pale-green silk, with her sweet smile and strangely-gleaming eyes.

”Is it Otto's presence that makes her thus brilliantly beautiful? It is strange that grandpapa has never destined these two for each other,”

thought Johanna.

The hymn was ended, the Freiherr was wheeled into the room, the rest crowded in after him, and soon the delight of the children made itself heard, and the poor stammered their grateful acknowledgments, while Hildegard and Hedwig cast inquisitive, unfriendly glances away from their own rich gifts towards a morocco case which the Freiherr handed to Johanna.

”Open it, child!” he said. She obeyed. A rococo _parure_ of rubies and diamonds lay gleaming upon the yellowish-white satin inside the case.

”Your grandmother's bridal jewels, your mother's inheritance,” said the Freiherr.

The sisters exchanged looks of indignation. Johanna kissed her grandfather's hand.

”I thank you; the double memory makes it very precious,” she said, and closed the case. As she did so, Otto approached her.

”At last, Fraulein Johanna,” he said, and held out his hand. ”How glad I am to see you again!”

”Fraulein!” cried the Freiherr. ”Boy, what do you mean? You should call the daughter of your father's sister 'Johanna.'”

”Most gladly if I may. Will you allow it, dear Johanna?” said Otto, bestowing upon her a cousinly kiss. Blus.h.i.+ng, she released herself from him, as he looked into her eyes with a glance of momentary triumph. ”To our friends.h.i.+p,” he said, gravely, and then the children came rus.h.i.+ng up and separated them.

A telegram was handed to the Freiherr; he read it with a lowering brow.

”How unfortunate!” he cried. ”Waldemar tells me that important business will not allow of his being with us before New Year's day. This Christmas it vexes me particularly.”

”I am delighted,” Magelone whispered to Johanna. ”It is a respite, at least for me. The betrothal of the future head of the family cannot possibly be announced unless all its august members are present.”

Johanna looked at her and shook her head. ”That betrothal will never take place,” she said; ”Otto will not allow it.”

”Otto! What do you mean?” asked Magelone. ”You have hardly seen us together.”

”Long enough to see how he adores you.”

”Mere gallantry, child; nothing more,” said Magelone. ”Remember, pray, he has debts, I have nothing, and we are sensible people.”

And she fluttered away to her presents, where the next instant Otto joined her. ”May I take you in to dinner?” he asked.

”That is at present Johann Leopold's privilege, or task. As which do you think he regards it?”

”Can you ask?” said Otto. ”He is pursuing you with the glare of a veritable Oth.e.l.lo!”

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