A VICTORY WON.
Runeck had gone into the house and there met Miss Friedberg, who was
just coming downstairs. Here, too, his salutation was not exactly
received with cordiality, and the young lady drew three steps back and
cast a pleading look around, which, in response, brought a somewhat
derisive smile to the lips of the young engineer, as, with the greatest
possible politeness, he inquired whether Herr Dernburg was in his
office.
The lady was saved an answer, for, at that instant the door opened and
Dernburg himself appeared with his daughter, who immediately came
forward to meet Runeck and greeted him with the most unaffected
cordiality.
"Is that you at last, Egbert? We thought you would miss the reception,
we are expecting the carriage every minute."
"I was detained by an accident," answered Egbert, "and moreover had to
drive very slowly, since I had a wounded man with me, else I should
have been here long ago."
He stepped up to Dernburg and reported the case to him; while Miss
Friedberg, who had looked on with real horror at Maia's friendliness
with the engineer, now whispered to her pupil:
"But, Maia, what unbecoming familiarity--you are no longer a child now!
How often have I implored you to remember your years and your position.
Must I really have to appeal to your father's authority?"
Maia paid no heed to this lecture, not the first one which had been
delivered to her on this subject, but waited impatiently until Runeck
had gotten through with his report. Dernburg had himself accurately
informed as to the nature of the hurt, and seemed satisfied when he
heard that it was not dangerous, and that the surgeon had already been
called in; finally he let Egbert off, who now turned to the young girl.
"You hear, Miss Maia, it was not my fault that I am late, so you must
not be angry with me for it."
"I am very angry with you, though, for insisting upon calling me
'Miss,' as long as we have lived in the same house!" cried Maia,
seeming to be highly wrought up. "I'll not stand it, Egbert, do you
hear, I will not, indeed."
She stamped her little foot and pouted charmingly, while her governess
darted a shocked glance at the master of the house. It was high time
for him to interpose his authority, since hers had failed so
ignominiously. But Dernburg appeared not at all to share her
sentiments, for he said with perfect composure:
"Well, if Maia insists upon it, you must let her have her way, Egbert!
You are one of our family, you know."
Miss Friedberg did not trust her own ears--the permission of such a
liberty appeared so monstrous to her, that she gathered up her forces
for resistance.
"Herr Dernburg, I think----"
"What, Miss Friedberg?"
His question was only a short one, spoken quite composedly, but the
governess instantly lost her desire to continue her opposition.
"I think that we had better station a servant on the terrace to let us
know the moment the young gentleman's carriage comes in sight."
"You are right, pray give orders to that effect," said Dernburg: "but I
think we had better go in now, for Eric may be belated likewise."
He moved towards the parlor, Maia with him, but she archly looked back
over her shoulder.
"You have heard your orders, Master Engineer Runeck, and you are to
obey on the spot, I tell you!"
There was such a pretty playfulness in her tone and gesture, that even
the grave Egbert was thawed by it, and answered with pleasant raillery.
Maia was as full of glee as a child over this victory, that put so
effectually to flight the shy reserve of this friend of her youth, and
Dernburg smiled at it. There was an expression of tenderness rarely
seen upon his stern features, as he looked upon the bright and lovely
creature at his side. It was plain to see that Maia was his favorite,
and that she was closer to his heart than her brother.
The patience of the expectant group was not put to too severe a test,
for they had hardly waited a quarter of an hour, before the
announcement was made that the carriage was in sight, and the grand
folding-doors of the entrance hall were flung wide open. There stood
Dernburg with his sister, a dignified old lady rather stiff in her
bearing, Maia at their side, all joy and expectation, while Egbert and
the governess stayed back in the house.
Now the carriage approached, a half-covered landau drawn by a
magnificent pair of bays, and halted in front of the terrace. The
servant opened the carriage-door. Eric was the first to jump out and
help his betrothed to alight, while behind them the tall form of the
Baron became visible.
Dernburg had taken one step forward and stood erect on the threshold of
his house. His demeanor betrayed all the pride of the commoner about to
receive the youthful representative of a long line of noble ancestry,
all the self-satisfaction of a man who has climbed aloft through the
exertion of his individual force. It was he, who did an honor to the
Baroness Wildenrod, when he received her into the bosom of his family.
Cecilia bowed lightly, with the grace peculiar to her, when Eric
presented her to his father. She had thrown back her veil and now
lifted her eyes to that stern countenance, which, however, had no
terrors for her. She knew too well the witchery of her own presence,
and here too it failed not of its effect. Youth and beauty make easy
conquest of even cold and critical age. To be sure Dernburg's glance
for a few seconds, scrutinized her features keenly and questioningly,
but then he stooped down and kissed her brow.
"Welcome to my house, my dear," said he, earnestly, but kindly.
Eric secretly drew a breath of relief. With those words his father's
opposition was given up. Cecilia had been received and recognized by
him as a daughter: here, too, she had conquered by her mere appearance!
He recognized this with joyful pride.
Frau von Ringstedt followed her brother's example and welcomed the
young Baroness with simple cordiality. Wildenrod, meanwhile, exchanged
greetings with the master of the house, while Maia was wholly taken up
with admiration of her beautiful sister that was to be. She forgot
entirely the courtesy, that she had practiced so dutifully, and,
instead, impetuously threw her arms around her neck, with the
exclamation:
"Oh, Cecilia, I never imagined that you were so beautiful!"
Cecilia smiled, accustomed as she was to compliments and flattery of
all sorts, nevertheless, this artless, childish confession delighted
her, and with a gush of real tenderness she kissed "that sweet little
Maia," of whom she had heard Eric talk so much.
"You have showered so many kind attentions upon my sister, dear young
lady," suddenly said a deep but sonorous voice, "that I indulge the
hope that I too may obtain a friendly greeting."
Maia turned around and looked into a pair of deep, dark eyes, that
rested upon her countenance, with an expression that affected her
strangely, almost painfully, and yet she felt that there was admiration
written there. Yet she shrank from that gaze with a slight shudder,
something like a bodeful feeling of dread taking hold upon her, and her
voice had not its usual joyous, saucy sound, when she replied, half
interrogatively:
"Herr von Wildenrod?"
"Yes, it is Oscar von Wildenrod, who begs to be allowed to shake hands
with the young lady of the house."
There was some reproof implied in these words. It was very true that
Maia had not yet offered her hand to this man, who was soon to be a
connection of the family, but now she extended it with hesitation, and
a timidity that was something entirely new to her. Wildenrod stooped
down and pressed his lips to it. This was but a common piece of
courtesy, and yet the young girl trembled at the contact, while her
eyes were spell-bound at the same time, by that gaze which seemed to
exercise a mysterious charm upon her.
Dernburg now offered his arm to the young Baroness, to escort her in,
the Baron stepped up to Frau von Ringstedt, while Maia, with a quick
movement, took her brother's arm. Eric was in the happiest of moods,
and pressed gratefully and tenderly the hand of the sister, who had
received his betrothed with so much affection.
"Does Cecilia please you, then?" he asked. "Have I told you too much
about her?"
"Oh, no, she is far, far prettier than her picture. She is just my idea
of the princess in a fairy tale."
"And what do you think of my future brother-in-law? A chivalrous
looking fellow, is he not, although he is far from being young?"
"I do not know," said Maia, slowly and reflectively. "He has such
singular eyes--so deep and dark--almost evil-looking."
"Little simpleton, I verily believe you are afraid of him," laughed
Eric. "That does not look like our high-spirited little Maia, and Oscar
will not be much edified by this first impression of his character. But
you must get better acquainted with him first; he is excellent company,
and a really brilliant conversationalist."
Maia did not answer forthwith. Afraid? Why, yes, what she had felt was
very like fear, but she was already very much ashamed of this childish
feeling, and darted an extremely ungracious look at the Baron, who was
walking just in front of her with her aunt. All her audacity came back
to her, and tossing her head she called out, laughingly:
"Oh, I shall have to learn what the sensation of fear is, like the hero
in the fairy tale."
* * * * *
The weather, that had looked threatening in the forenoon, had now
became much worse. The mountains were veiled in thick fog, from time to
time showers of rain fell, and the wind howled in the trees of the
park.
It was so much the more comfortable in the large parlor of the
Manor-house, a vast room with lofty ceiling, richly draped and
upholstered in dark crimson, with carved oak furniture, and a huge
fireplace faced with black marble. The colors might have been regarded
as rather dark, but through the wide glass doors that opened upon the
terrace, broad light streamed in. Only a few, but choice, pictures
adorned the walls, and some family portraits. In the fireplace burned a
bright fire and the whole room gave the impression of solid wealth and
perfect comfort.
They had just risen from table and the younger members of the family
seated themselves by the fireside and engaged in lively chat: Frau von
Ringstedt sat upon a sofa in the corner with Miss Friedberg, and the
master of the house was absorbed in serious conversation with Oscar von
Wildenrod. They were talking of the Odensburg works, in which the Baron
showed not only an uncommon interest, but his questions and remarks
also demonstrated, that he was by no means so little versed in such
matters as Dernburg had imagined, and he had just said:
"I had no idea, that you were so familiar with all these things, Herr
von Wildenrod. Such work as ours generally has no charm outside of the
profession. But you seem to be well acquainted with all its bearings."
"I have read a great deal about it," lightly answered Wildenrod. "One
who, like myself, has no regular profession undertakes little private
studies, and I have always had a fancy for mining and the manufactory
of iron. My knowledge, to be sure, represents only the superficial
observations of an amateur. Perhaps you will allow me to perfect them
here, in some degree?"
"It will give me pleasure to act as your guide myself, in this
pursuit," said Dernburg warmly. "In your ride, you only touched upon a
small section of the works, but from the terrace, here, one has quite a
comprehensive view of the whole."
He opened one of the glass doors and stepped out with his guest. The
mist had not yet disappeared, but the works that stretched along as far
as to the foot of the mountain-chain, and the teaming life astir there
that pressed up to the very Manor itself, lost nothing of its grandeur
on that account, which might have struck a stranger as well-nigh
overpowering. It did seem to have made this impression upon the Baron
too, for his eyes turned slowly from one end of the valley to the
other, while he remarked:
"A mighty creation is this Odensburg! Why, you have caused to spring up
here a regular city, in the solitude of mountains and forests. Those
huge buildings there that tower aloft in the center, are----"
"Those are the cylinders and foundries: yonder, farther on, are the
forges."
"And those grounds to the right, that look almost like a colony of
villas?"
"Those are the residences of our officers; the workmen's homes lie on
the other side. To be sure I have only been able to accommodate the
very smallest number in Odensburg, the most of them living about in the
adjoining villages."
"I know, Eric showed me as we rode along. How many workmen, exactly, do
you employ, Herr Dernburg?"
"Nine thousand here in the works: the mines up in the mountains have
their own force of laborers, and their own officers."
Wildenrod looked at the man, who, with such perfect composure and
evidently through no impulse of vanity, unfolded before him the
description of a power and wealth that would have made any other man
dizzy. Each one of those mines and furnaces, that he mentioned so
casually, represented a fortune: of his other estates, that ranked
among the richest in the province, he spoke not at all. And moreover,
there was not the slightest trace of boasting in his words, he simply
gave information asked for, nothing further. The Baron leaned against
the stone parapet and looked out again, then he said slowly:
"I had already heard a great deal of your Odensburg from Eric and
others, but to form a conception of the magnificence of the scale upon
which the enterprise is planned one must see it with his own eyes. It
must be an intoxicating feeling to know one's self to be the absolute
ruler of such a world, and to be able to put ten thousand men in motion
by a single word."
"It took me thirty years to reach that point," answered Dernburg
coolly. "He who has had to battle for every victory won, and mount
upward step by step, is not the one to be intoxicated by success. There
is many a heavy burden to bear, too, which you, Herr von Wildenrod
would hardly take upon yourself. The management of the property
inherited from your father was a load that you shook off."
There was a certain asperity in these last words, that was understood,
too, but Wildenrod evinced no sensitiveness, he quietly answered:
"You mean to reproach me for the course I took Herr Dernburg----"
"Not so; what right would I have to do such a thing? Every man's life
cannot be shaped after the same model. The one seeks his happiness in
work, the other----"
"In idling, do you think?"
"In the enjoyments of life, I wanted to say."
"Nevertheless I expressed your thought, and alas! I must own that you
are right. But I never was attracted by activity on any but a large
scale, and my inheritance was no vast estate adequate to bring this
impulse into play. I could not bear to bury myself in barren monotony
of every-day country life, in the wearisome round of a management that
any good overseer could conduct as well as myself. I was not made for
that sort of thing."
"Why, then, did you not stay in the diplomatic service?" remarked
Dernburg. "Certainly there was a field commensurate with the widest
ambition."
It was an expression of unspeakable bitterness that curled Wildenrod's
lips at this question, to be sure only for a second, when he quietly
replied:
"Personal considerations were to blame. I had had disagreements with
the chief of the bureau, believed myself slighted and overlooked, hence
rashly broke my supposed chains, in a fit of sensitiveness. I was still
young at that time, and the wide world with its dreams of a golden
future, attracted me irresistibly--how the prospect changes, with the
lapse of time! I have long since felt that my life lacked serious
purpose and will feel this yet more sensibly after Cecilia leaves me.
Deep dissatisfaction results from leading such an existence."
"For which you have to bear the sole responsibility, yourself," said
Dernburg gravely. "You are still in the enjoyment of a full manly
vigor, you have an independent fortune--Only come to a resolve."
"Quite right, a resolve is what is needed, and yet that is precisely
what I have not been able to make up my mind to. To me toil and
industry ever presented themselves under the image of what was small
and wearisome. Here, in sight of your Odensburg, I comprehend for the
first time, what a power lies in it, and what incredible results it can
achieve. That could stir me up too, engage my every power, I admit.
Will you kindly afford 'the idler,' Herr Dernburg, a deeper insight
into your world of work? Perhaps he may yet profit by the lesson."
There was something uncommonly winning in this request and the whole
manner of the Baron, and Dernburg was very agreeably impressed by this
candor. His hitherto rather cool civility gave way now to a warmer
tone, as he answered:
"I shall be delighted if Odensburg gives you such lessons. I indeed
have had to plow my way through all the pettiness and weariness of
routine. If I had not bestirred head and arms, probably the simple
forge bequeathed me by my father, would still be standing here--but
then, everybody need not handle a spade with one's own hands. If
everybody only does something, and fills the place allotted him in life
that is the main thing after all."