Part 61 (1/2)
In Countess Irma's apartment, which was just below that of the crown prince and Walpurga, a scene of quite a different nature was going on.
Bruno was there, and thus addressed Irma:
”I'm in trouble, and I can't help saying that it's your fault. Mother Sylph has inflicted herself upon me, and is very much in my way.
”Whom do you mean?”
”My mother-in-law has come and has told me with a smile, that as long as my sister--she, too, might just as well be here.”
Irma covered her face with both her hands.
”And do you, too, believe it?”
”What matters it what I believe? It's the town-talk, and that's enough.”
”It isn't enough; I shall teach them to talk differently.”
”Very well. Go into every house, to every man and every woman, and tell them to think differently. But there's one thing you can do. Shall I tell you what it is?”
Irma nodded a silent a.s.sent.
”I know that the intendant sued for your hand last summer. He would feel it an honor to be able to call you his wife. Make up your mind to accept him.”
A servant entered and announced the intendant.
”What a strange coincidence! Make up your mind at once.”
The intendant entered. Bruno greeted him most cordially, and Irma's welcome was a friendly one.
Bruno soon took his leave. The intendant handed Irma a ma.n.u.script play and requested her to read it and give him her opinion of it. She accepted it with thanks, and laid it on a table.
”Ah, when spring returns, I shall not care to hear the theater mentioned. Our theater is a winter plant.”
”This piece is intended for next winter.”
”I can't tell you how I long for summer. When everything is barren and desolate at present, one can hardly realize that there ever were suns.h.i.+ne and green trees and sparkling seas. Do you remember the balmy day last summer, when we met on the lake?”
”I do, indeed; very well.”
A long pause ensued. Irma waited for the intendant to speak, but he remained silent. Not a sound was heard but that made by the parrot hopping about in its cage and pecking at the golden wires.
”I long,” said Irma, ”to visit my friend Emma next summer. I would like to revel in solitude. This winter has been too noisy and exciting.”
”Yes, and besides that, the queen's illness.”
The parrot tugged at the golden wires, and Irma slightly loosened the red velvet ribbon on her morning dress.
”Do you intend to visit the lake again?” said Irma, trembling.
”No, dear Countess; I shall visit the various theaters of Germany, in order to engage a second ba.s.so and, above all, a young person for the lover's parts. You would hardly believe how scarce youthful lovers have become in the German world.”