In his quiet little house, furnished in the style of the age of Maria
Theresa, he forgot what he had suffered. He lived an idyl.
He accompanied the two pious ladies to church, and out of
considerateness and kindness to them even prayed occasionally. His
chief prayer was: Lord, forgive those who have trespassed against me
and lead me not into temptation. On sunny afternoons the carriage
appeared and took the three for a ride through the parks. In the
evening the bill of fare for the following day was determined on,
and the national and traditional dishes were given the preference.
Then he read to the devoutly attentive Misses Aglaia and Constantine
classical poems: a canto of Klopstock’s “Messiah,” Schiller’s “Walk,”
or something by Rückert. And he still imitated the voice and intonation
of Edgar Lorm. Also he related harmless anecdotes connected with his
life; and he adorned and purified them so that they would have been
worthy of a schoolgirl’s library.
Not till the two ladies had retired did he light his short pipe or
pour himself out a glass of cognac; he practised reminiscence or
introspection, or became absorbed in his little museum of treasures,
which he had gathered during many years.
Shortly before his proposed meeting with Franz Lothar von Westernach,
he received an alarming letter from Christian’s mother.
Frau Wahnschaffe informed him that Christian had ordered all his
possessions to be sold--Christian’s Rest, Waldleiningen, the hunting
lodge, the stables and kennels, the motor cars, the collections,
including the wonderful collection of rings. This incomprehensible
plan was actually being carried out, and no one had an inkling of the
motive. She herself was in the utmost despair, and begged Crammon for
some explanation and, if possible, to come to the castle. She besought
him in God’s name for some hint in regard to Christian’s actions and
state of mind. No news of her son had reached her for weeks; he seemed
lost, and they were groping in the dark. The family did not, of course,
desire his possessions to pass into the hands of strangers, and would
bid in everything, although it was both difficult and hateful to oppose
the impudent offers and the tricky manœuvres which the auction ordered
by Christian would entail. Above all, however, there was her personal
anxiety about Christian. She expected Crammon to stand by her in her
hour of need, and justify the high opinion she had formed both of his
friendship for her son and of his attachment to her family.
Crammon re-read the lines that mentioned the sale of Christian’s Rest
and of the collections. He shook his head long and sadly, pressed his
chin into his hands, and two large tears rolled down his cheeks.