human
We were afraid, dear Rudolph, Helene cried out to him as soon as he appeared, while she half arose and held out her hand,—
gpt
I found more business awaiting me at L—— than I had anticipated, he replied, seating himself, not upon the chair which had been placed for him, but upon the sofa by the side of his sister, so that when Elizabeth raised her eyes she looked him full in the face, for he sat directly opposite to her.
human
Besides, he continued,
gpt
I have been at home full half an hour, but Reinhard wished to speak with me upon private business which required immediate action, and so I nearly lost the pleasure of taking coffee with you, my dear Helene.
human
That miserable Reinhard! and Fräulein von Walde pouted a little;
gpt
Ah! dear child, sighed the baroness,
human
Well, why do you look at me so, my dear Rudolph?
gpt
I looked to see whether you really seemed fitted to play one of those sad parts in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
human
Always ridicule when I look for sympathy, rejoined the lady, endeavouring to lend a gentle, melancholy tone to her harsh voice.
gpt
I might have known it, but—— She sighed again.
human
We do not all possess your enviable equanimity, which is never affected by the petty annoyances and necessary evils of this life. We poor women have our miserable nerves, which make us doubly sensitive to everything that jars upon our minds. If you had seen me this morning, in what a wretched condition I was——
gpt
Indeed!
human
I have been tried inconceivably. Well, Miss Mertens must answer for it.
gpt
Has she injured you?
human
What an expression! My dear Rudolph, how could a person in her situation injure me? She has vexed me,—made me exceedingly angry!
gpt
I am greatly pleased to see that you do not bend without a struggle to the yoke of bondage.
human
I have lately had to endure more than I can tell with that stupid creature, the baroness continued, without heeding her cousin’s comment.
gpt
My maternal duties are sacred in my eyes, and therefore I have been obliged to superintend my child’s instruction. It is, of course, a matter of great moment to me that her youthful mind should be rightly trained. Unfortunately, I have become more and more convinced that Miss Mertens’ knowledge is very limited and her views and principles not those which I should wish adopted by a young girl of Bella’s rank in life. This morning I heard the silly woman telling the child that nobility of soul was far superior to nobility of birth—as though the one could be separated from the other,—and that she ranked a beggar with a clear conscience above a crowned head whose conscience was not pure; and a quantity more of the same stuff. When I tell you that Bella, the Lord willing, will live at court,—I have all but secured the post of maid of honour at the court of B—— for her,—you will readily conclude that I interrupted such teaching upon the spot. You must admit, my dear Rudolph, that, with such views, Bella would play a poor part at court—nay, even her stay there would be quite impossible.
human
Certainly, there is no doubt of that.
gpt
Thank Heaven! cried the baroness, breathing freely.
human
I was really in a little doubt as to how you would receive Miss Mertens’ dismissal. You know you always valued her far above her deserts. She was so impertinent when I interfered with her lessons that there was nothing for me to do but to send her away.
gpt
I have no right to lay down laws to you with regard to your people,
human
But I always try to please you as far as I can, my good Rudolph. I cannot tell you how rejoiced I am that I shall see no more of that repulsive English face.
gpt
I am sorry that you will not be able entirely to avoid it, since she will still remain under the same roof,—my secretary Reinhard was betrothed to her about half an hour ago.
human
Has the man lost his senses?
gpt
I think not, since he has just given such proof of being in full possession of them,
human
Well, I must say that he plays his part of antiquary well. Such a lovely, blooming, young bride!