Part 19 (2/2)
”Her father would not have allowed it, his command----”
”Edith never lets herself be denied anything. She is accustomed to obey the voice of her heart, and is all-powerful with her father. Had she wished to write me she would have done so, in spite of any opposing influence; but she cannot pardon me for robbing her of your love--I understand that.”
Gerald was silent; he would not own how heavily this unforgiving resentment on the part of his mother and Edith weighed upon him. It cast a dark shadow on the happiness of the newly-wedded pair.
Meantime the conversation between the officers had grown louder and more animated, and Lieutenant Salten now said:
”Gerald has been the wisest of us all. He is taking away an enviable souvenir of the campaign, and will make a sensation in the garrison with his beautiful trophy of the war. When people learn the romance a.s.sociated with it----”
”You were somewhat involved in the romance too,” interrupted another of the group laughing. ”Your stolen portfolio, at any rate, played an important part in the affair.”
”Yes, that confounded boy who made himself so officious and was sent off on suspicions of being a spy, robbed me of it and instantly carried it to his master. Of course they could do nothing with the notes and letters, but the portfolio itself served as a means of luring Gerald into the trap. Had the plot succeeded we should have had one brave comrade the less, and--ah, there comes the young couple! See how lovely Frau von Steinach looks in the full glare of the sunlight! I stick to it, Gerald is bringing home the best prize of the whole campaign.”
The other officers seemed to be of the same opinion, for when Gerald now approached with his wife, they vied with each other in attentions to the latter, and the young pair instantly became the centre of the circle, from which they could not escape for some time.
Meanwhile George came out of the cabin with Jovica, whom he had succeeded in finding, and took her to a part of the deck at some little distance from his companions, who made no attempt to interrupt them, for it was well known that George was very sensitive about his _protegee_, and really would not hesitate to fight half the company if he were irritated. But just now he looked as dignified as though he was Father Leonhard himself, and his tone was equally grave as he began:
”Look at your home once more, Jovica, you are seeing it for the last time! True, this Krivoscia is a G.o.d-forsaken country, and we thank all the saints that we are safe out of it again, but it is your native land, and that must be respected.”
Jovica glanced toward the mountains because her companion was pointing to them, but she understood very little of his speech, and the parting from her home did not appear to trouble her much, for she looked extremely happy, though she knew the s.h.i.+p was bearing her to a distant country.
”Now we are going to Tyrol,” George continued. ”To the beautiful land of the Tyrol, a very different place from your mountain wildernesses.
There are forests, rivers, vineyards and castles, and there's not another place in the whole world equal to the Moosbach Farm. Some day it will belong to me. Do you understand, Jovica? I'm no poor vagabond like Bartel, who, when he takes off his uniform, must enter somebody's service. I'm the only son and heir of farmer Moosbach, and in our country that means something.”
Jovica listened attentively, but her knowledge of German was not yet sufficiently comprehensive for her to understand these boasted advantages. George saw that she did not perceive his meaning and tried to enlarge her ideas by seizing both her hands and drawing her toward him, when Father Leonhard suddenly emerged from the cabin and stood directly behind the pair.
”What are you doing on this deck among the men, Jovica?” he asked, with unwonted sternness. ”Your place is over yonder with Frau von Steinach.”
”Why, I was with her, your reverence, and none of the others would dare come near her!” replied George, instantly taking up his _protegee's_ cause. ”I wouldn't advise them to try it. If any one does, he'll go heels over head into the water the very next minute.”
Father Leonhard's face showed that he was not particularly edified by this protection, but he merely turned to Jovica and repeated:
”Go to Frau von Steinach!” When she had retired he approached his paris.h.i.+oner, who wore a very belligerent expression.
”What does this mean, George? I have forbidden you, once for all, to take such familiarities with the young girl, but you don't seem to heed my command. I am very much displeased with yon.”
”Well, your reverence, I'm not pleased either!” said George, defiantly.
”I found Jovica and adopted her as a child, but no one respects my paternal rights. If I even look at the girl your reverence appears and gives me a lecture, and then the lieutenant comes and unceremoniously takes her away as his wife's maid. I'm not consulted at all. I have nothing whatever to say about the matter--I won't bear it any longer.”
”I have already explained to you several times that you are far too young to fill such a position. Things can't go on in this way.”
”You are perfectly right, there, your reverence!” a.s.sented the young Tyrolese, so emphatically that the priest looked at him in surprise. ”I have longed seen that, and was just going to speak to you about it. The place of a father doesn't suit me, I find no pleasure in it, so I'll begin the business from the other end. In short, I will marry Jovica.”
Father Leonhard did not look much astonished by this declaration which he had long dreaded, but a frown darkened his brow and his voice sounded very grave:
”You will do nothing of the sort! The girl is scarcely beyond childhood, and--not at all--why, you can't even understand each other yet.”
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