human
Consuelo,
gpt
How could I ever dream that the beautiful Countess Lenzdorff, whom I have admired at the theatre and at concerts, would ever come to drink a cup of tea with me! Ah, what a pleasure it is!
human
I am so glad, Erika replied, stroking the thin hand held out to her.
gpt
I will come often, since you really like to have me.
human
One never ought to despair, while life lasts, said the sick woman.
gpt
Just now I received a letter from an old school-mate, Sophy Lange. When she was a poor girl she fell in love with a gentleman. Of course their union was not to be thought of. Now, after many years, she writes me that she has reached the goal of her desires: she is married,--she is his wife,--and she is almost crazy with delight.
human
Sophy Lange! Erika cried, with peculiar interest.
gpt
That was the name of our governess. She must be forty years old.
human
About that, the woman replied, smiling to herself.
gpt
A truly loving heart keeps young even at forty years of age.
human
And what is her husband's name?
gpt
Baron Strachinsky, replied Fräulein Horst.
human
He is of ancient Polish lineage, not very wealthy, but dear Sophy does not mind that, for a rich old gentleman whom she took care of during his ten-years' illness has left her all his property.
gpt
And she is happy?
human
Oh, how happy! I am so glad!--so glad! A little romance is so refreshing in these prosaic days. They met each other again on the Rigi, at sunrise,--just think, Countess! and Sophy is not at all pretty,--only dear and kind. Now they are in Naples; but she tells me that in the course of the spring she and her husband may come to Venice. She has had a hard life, but at last--at last--it is good to hear of so happy an end to her troubles.