Part 65 (1/2)
”Ah, how happy I was!” repeated Hannah, with a sigh. ”But the serpent lurked in my Paradise. I came to know the pangs of jealousy, and I hated Marie Falkenhein--hated her from the bottom of my soul. Ah, beloved! it hurts, hurts deeply, to see the glance of the man one loves pa.s.sing one over for another woman. Do you remember the night of Klare's birthday, when you sat in the Falkenheins' garden? I did not exist for you. I could have knelt before you, begging and imploring, 'Can you not even see me here?' But you had eyes only for Mariechen, and when I went away into the night, you and she were standing together by the railing like a betrothed pair. Happiness shone in your eyes.
Yes! in yours too, dearest.”
Reimers kissed the hand of his adored lady. ”Forgive me!” he sobbed.
”Forgive me! darling, my poor darling! My eyes were drawn to follow you; but I turned them by force to Mariechen. I know now that I loved you alone even then. In dreams, and when half awake, when I let myself go, it was you only for whom I longed. Dearest, forgive me!”
Hannah shook her head gently, and looked fondly into his pet.i.tioning eyes.
”Be content,” she whispered; ”it was wrong of me, and I conquered it.
In the night, after I had seen you both like that, I fought it out with myself. I recognised that it was hateful egoism that made me grudge you your happiness, and that my love for you should be quite otherwise--more unselfish. From thenceforth Marie Falkenhein became dear to me; it was as though I were you,--I felt an involuntary yearning towards her, warmer, apparently, than your own. I would have liked to endow her with all that you found clever and charming in my speech or actions; I would have given her all that remained to me of beauty; above all, I longed to pour into her veins the fire of my own great love, that you might be entirely happy and blest. I would have decked your bride with my own hands, and have brought her to you; I would have kept watch, that nothing profane should disturb your bliss.”
Tenderly her arms encircled her lover's neck, and her words flowed faster.
”Suddenly all this was changed, and I was not less so. I could not be sad when I saw Mariechen's tear-stained eyes. I guessed that something terrible had occurred; but I was groping in the dark till I got the truth out of that good Andreae. Then I wept for grief that your happiness was blighted; and I wept for joy that you were now wholly mine. For you are mine?”
Reimers clasped her to him pa.s.sionately; she nestled quivering in his arms. Their lips met, and she whispered: ”If chance had not led you to me to-day--then I should have gone to you. I love you so.”
Late in the afternoon Frau von Gropphusen rang for the maid; but the girl had been allowed to go out, and had not yet returned. The groom from the stable came hastening to answer the second ring. He stood still in the doorway, astonished. His mistress had let down her hair and was standing in the suns.h.i.+ne as though wrapped in a golden mantle.
”Is Betty not here yet?” she asked.
”No, madam.”
”Well, it does not matter. Saddle Lady G.o.diva for me.”
”Very good, madam. But excuse me, madam; you will remember that Lady G.o.diva has not been ridden for three days; she will be very fresh.”
Frau von Gropphusen smiled: ”Do not be afraid. I shall be able to manage her.”
”Shall I go with you, madam?”
”No, I am going alone.”
Languidly she put up her hair before the mirror. Her pale cheeks were faintly coloured, and her lips shone moist and red. She slipped on her riding habit and settled her hat firmly. When the hoofs of the mare clattered on the pavement outside she was quite ready.
The maid met her at the garden gate, and was profuse in her apologies.
Frau von Gropphusen replied lightly: ”All right, all right.”
Lady G.o.diva was fidgeting about impatiently. She whinnied joyfully as her mistress's hand stroked her delicate nostrils.
The groom helped Frau von Gropphusen to mount, and inquired if he should tighten the curb a little.
His mistress nodded.
The mare resented not being given her head at once; but finally trotted off with a coquettish gait that showed her fine breeding and her graceful proportions. And the beautiful woman on her back was like a bride going forth to meet her beloved.
Hannah Gropphusen chose the road that led to the big exercise-ground of the regiment. Lady G.o.diva neighed with pleasure as she cantered along the well-known path; the gentle ascent which she had to traverse in no way exhausted her long-restrained impatience.