"What an ugly apron!" cried the countess, "and how meanly you are dressed altogether! Is that the way you intend to go looking as the housekeeper of a rich and genteel family? Go, Trude, quickly, and put something better on, that you may receive your master and mistress in a suitable dress.""I shall remain as I am, for I am very properly dressed. It may not be suitable for a housekeeper, but it becomes old Trude, and it is my Sunday frock, which I always wore when I was maid-of-all-work to you. You may not remember it, but dear Marie (I should say Baroness von Ebenstreit) will, perhaps, and it may recall her little room in the garret, and then--""And then she will at last think, Trude, how we took care of her, and how thankful she ought to be to her parents that they married her to a rich man. If Marie sees it at last--""You forget with whom you speak, Frau von Werrig," Trude interrupted her, scornfully, "and that it does not become you to speak of Marie to old Trude, but you should remember her title.""Well, then, when Baroness von Ebenstreit enters this costly house, she must understand that her mother was mindful of her best interests, and that she owes all this to her; and you, Trude, must remind her of it, and tell her about my dreadful trial with her father, and that it is my daughter's duty to release me from it, and beg her husband not to deduct the gambling-debt from the pension, but pay it this once. For it would be a dreadful injustice to make me suffer for the general's rage for play, and show but little gratitude for the riches which I brought her. You will tell my daughter all this, Trude, and--""I will not tell her any thing at all, Frau von Werrig,"interrupted. Trude, warmly. "May my good genius keep me from that, and burdening my conscience with such falsehoods.--Hark! A carriage is coming, and a post-horn sounded. They have arrived!"Old Trude hurried out just as they drove up to the door. The steward and two servants in livery rushed down the steps to assist them to alight, and Trude also to greet her favorite, who was now so pale, grave, and chilling in her appearance.
The large eyes of the lady rested with cold indifference upon the old woman, whose eyes were turned to her with the tenderest expression. "I thank you," she said, coldly. "Husband! I beg you to give me your arm." Proudly she passed the statuary, and over the soft carpets without comment, or even a word for old Trude.
The steward and housekeeper followed the silent couple.
"Shall I take you to your room first?" asked Ebenstreit, "or will you do me the pleasure to look at the newly-arranged drawing-rooms?""Certainly," she replied, with indifference. "We will first look at the drawing-rooms, as we shall probably receive much company this winter, and they are of the first importance. You know that Idislike solitude."
"Indeed, I recall that we are very seldom alone!" sighed her husband.
"It would be fearful if we were," replied his wife, with marked indifference.
The steward just now opened the little door of the ante-room, sparkling with chandeliers and mirrors. "Ah! this is really beautiful, and well chosen," cried Ebenstreit, looking about with an air of great pride and satisfaction. "Tell me, Marie, is it not worthy of you?"Glancing coldly around, she replied: "It does not please at all. The furniture is very costly, and reminds one of the parvenu. Every thing recalls the riches of the newly-titled banker."Her husband's brow contracted, but he did not trust himself to contest his dissatisfaction with his cold, proud wife, but sought another vent for it.
"You are very unkind, Marie. Have the goodness to tell me how you, with these severe ideas, can suffer that Trude for a moment should appear before us in this poor-looking dress which, indeed, does not recall any wealth!"Frau von Ebenstreit's eyes glanced quickly over the old who, she said, was the only object which did not bespeak the gaudiness of newly-acquired wealth, but she appeared as the respectable servant of an old and noble family in fitting dress. "Remain as you are, Trude, and do not let yourself be misled by our follies! I--but what is that I see?" she cried as the steward opened the next door at the silent nod of her husband.
"Oh, my beloved children, there you are at last; after three years'
absence I have the happiness to embrace you, my only daughter,"cried Frau von Werrig, as she approached them with outstretched arms and an affectionate smile, essaying to throw her arms around Marie's neck, who waved her back.
"My child, my child," whimpered the mother, "is it possible that my daughter can receive me thus after so long a separation?"Turning to Trude, Marie asked her, with a reproving look and tone, if she had received her letter, or if she had forgotten her express commands that no one but the servants should be in the house to receive them.""I did not forget it, my lady, and I have read the orders to Frau von Werrig, but she--""Knew that this wish had no reference to her, as she is her mother--Tell me, my beloved son, is it not very natural and fitting that Ishould be here to receive you?'
"I find it a matter of course," answered Von Ebenstreit, to whom it appeared a relief to find an ally in the mother against his proud and beautiful wife. "I rejoice to see our dear mother here, and Ibeg Marie will join me."
Marie cast an angry glance toward her husband, which so confused and perplexed him, that he looked down. Then advancing toward the drawing-room, with her usual cold demeanor, without further comment upon the ostentatious furniture, she commanded her husband to follow, who obeyed, giving his arm to his mother-in-law.