Bertha garlan

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Title:BerthaGarlan
Author:ArthurSchnitzler
PostingDate:November12,2011[EBook#9955]ReleaseDate:February,2006
FirstPosted:November4,2003
Language:English
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BERTHAGARLAN
BYARTHURSCHNITZLER


I
Shewaswalkingslowlydownthehill;notbythebroadhighroadwhichwound
itswaytowardsthetown,butbythenarrowfootpathbetweenthetrellisesofthe
vines.Herlittleboywaswithher,hangingontoherhandandwalkingallthe
timeapaceinfrontofher,becausetherewasnotroomonthefootpathforthem
towalksidebyside.
Theafternoonwaswelladvanced,butthesunstillpoureddownuponherwith
sufficientpowertocausehertopullherdarkstrawhatalittlefurtherdownover
herforeheadandtokeephereyeslowered.Theslopes,atthefootofwhichthe

littletownlaynestling,glimmeredasthoughseenthroughagoldenmist;the
roofsofthehousesbelowglistened,andtheriver,emergingyonderamongstthe
meadowsoutsidethetown,stretched,shimmering,intothedistance.Nota
quiverstirredtheair,anditseemedasifthecooloftheeveningwasyetfar
remote.
Berthastoopedforamomentandglancedabouther.Saveforherboy,shewas
allaloneonthehillside,andaroundherbroodedacuriousstillness.Atthe
cemetery,too,onthehilltop,shehadnotmetanybodythatday,noteventheold
womanwhousuallywateredtheflowersandkeptthegravestidy,andwith
whomBerthausedoftentohaveachat.Berthafeltthatsomehowaconsiderable
timehadelapsedsinceshehadstartedonherwalk,andthatitwaslongsinceshe
hadspokentoanyone.
Thechurchclockstruck—six.So,then,scarcelyanhourhadpassedsinceshe
hadleftthehouse,andanevenshortertimesinceshehadstoppedinthestreetto
chatwiththebeautifulFrauRupius.Yeteventhefewminuteswhichhadslipped
awaysinceshehadstoodbyherhusband'sgravenowseemedtobelongpast.
"Mamma!"


Suddenlysheheardherboycall.Hehadslippedhishandoutofhersandhadrun
onahead.
"Icanwalkquickerthanyou,mamma!"
"Wait,though!Wait,Fritz!"exclaimedBertha."You'renotgoingtoleaveyour
motheralone,areyou?"
Shefollowedhimandagaintookhimbythehand.
"Arewegoinghomealready?"askedFritz.
"Yes;wewillsitbytheopenwindowuntilitgrowsquitedark."
Beforelongtheyhadreachedthefootofthehillandtheybegantowalktowards
thetownintheshadeofthechestnuttreeswhichborderedthehigh-road,now
whitewithdust.Hereagaintheymetbutfewpeople.Alongtheroadacoupleof

wagonscametowardsthem,thedrivers,whipinhand,trudgingalongbesidethe
horses.Thentwocyclistsrodebyfromthetowntowardsthecountry,leaving
cloudsofdustbehindthem.Berthastoppedmechanicallyandgazedafterthem
untiltheyhadalmostdisappearedfromview.
InthemeantimeFritzhadclamberedupontothebenchbesidetheroad.
"Look,mamma!SeewhatIcando!"
Hemadereadytojump,buthismothertookholdofhimbythearmsandlifted
himcarefullytotheground.Thenshesatdownonthebench.
"Areyoutired?"askedFritz.
"Yes,"sheanswered,surprisedtofindthatshewasindeedfeelingfatigued.
Itwasonlythenthatsherealizedthatthesultryairhadweariedhertothepoint
ofsleepiness.Shecouldnot,moreover,rememberhavingexperiencedsuch
warmweatherinthemiddleofMay.
Fromthebenchonwhichshewassittingshecouldtracebackthecourseofthe
pathdownwhichshehadcome.Inthesunlightitranbetweenthevine-trellises,
upandup,untilitreachedthebrightlygleamingwallofthecemetery.Shewasin


thehabitoftakingawalkalongthatpathtwoorthreetimesaweek.Shehad
longsinceceasedtoregardsuchvisitstothecemeteryasanythingotherthana
merewalk.Whenshewanderedaboutthewell-keptgravelpathsamongstthe
crossesandthetombstones,orstoodofferingupasilentprayerbesideher
husband'sgrave,or,maybe,layinguponitafewwildflowerswhichshehad
pluckedonherwayup,herheartwasscarcelyanylongerstirredbytheslightest
throbofpain.Threeyearshad,indeed,passedsinceherhusbandhaddied,which
wasjustaslongastheirmarriedlifehadlasted.
Hereyesclosedandhermindwentbacktothetimewhenshehadfirstcometo
thetown,onlyafewdaysaftertheirmarriage—whichhadtakenplaceinVienna.
Theyhadonlyindulgedinamodesthoneymoontrip,suchasamaninhumble
circumstances,whohadmarriedawomanwithoutanydowry,couldtreat

himselfto.TheyhadtakentheboatfromVienna,uptheriver,toalittlevillage
inWachau,notfarfromtheirfuturehome,andhadspentafewdaysthere.
Berthacouldstillrememberclearlythelittleinnatwhichtheyhadstayed,the
riversidegardeninwhichtheyusedtositaftersunset,andthosequiet,rather
tedious,eveningswhichweresocompletelydifferentfromthosehergirlish
imaginationhadpreviouslypicturedtoherastheeveningswhichanewlymarriedcouplewouldspend.Ofcourse,shehadhadtobecontent.
Shewastwenty-sixyearsoldandquitealoneintheworldwhenVictorMathias
Garlanhadproposedtoher.Herparentshadrecentlydied.Alongtimebefore,
oneofherbrothershadgonetoAmericatoseekhisfortuneasamerchant.Her
youngerbrotherwasonthestage;hehadmarriedanactress,andwasplaying
comedypartsinthird-rateGermantheatres.Shewasalmostoutoftouchwith
herrelationsandtheonlyonewhomshevisitedoccasionallywasacousinwho
hadmarriedalawyer.Buteventhatfriendshiphadgrowncoolasyearshad
passed,becausethecousinhadbecomewrappedupinherhusbandandchildren
exclusively,andhadalmostceasedtotakeanyinterestinthedoingsofher
unmarriedfriend.
HerrGarlanwasadistantrelationofBertha'smother.WhenBerthawasquitea
younggirlhehadoftenvisitedthehouseandmadelovetoherinarather
awkwardway.Inthosedaysshehadnoreasonstoencouragehim,becauseit
wasinanotherguisethatherfancypicturedlifeandhappinesstoher.Shewas
youngandpretty;herparents,thoughnotactuallywealthypeople,were
comfortablyoff,andherhopewasrathertowanderabouttheworldasagreat
pianiste,perhaps,asthewifeofanartist,thantoleadamodestexistenceinthe


placidroutineofthehomecircle.Butthathopesoonfaded.Onedayherfather,
inatransportofdomesticfervour,forbadeherfurtherattendanceatthe
conservatoireofmusic,whichputanendtoherprospectsofanartisticcareer
andatthesametimetoherfriendshipwiththeyoungviolinistwhohadsince
madesuchanameforhimself.

Thenextfewyearsweresingularlydull.Atfirst,itistrue,shefeltsomeslight
disappointment,orevenpain,buttheseemotionswerecertainlyofshort
duration.Lateronshehadreceivedoffersofmarriagefromayoungdoctoranda
merchant.Sherefusedbothofthem;thedoctorbecausehewastoougly,andthe
merchantbecausehelivedinacountrytown.Herparents,too,werebyno
meansenthusiasticabouteithersuitor.
When,however,Bertha'stwenty-sixthbirthdaypassedandherfatherlosthis
modestcompetencythroughabankruptcy,ithadbeenherlottoputupwith
belatedreproachesonthescoreofallsortsofthingswhichsheherselfhadbegun
toforget—heryouthfulartisticambitions,herloveaffairoflongagowiththe
violinist,whichhadseemedlikelytoleadtonothing,andthelackof
encouragementwhichtheuglydoctorandthemerchantfromthecountry
receivedatherhands.
AtthattimeVictorMathiasGarlanwasnolongerresidentinVienna.Twoyears
before,theinsurancecompany,inwhichhehadbeenemployedsincehehad
reachedtheageoftwenty,had,athisownrequest,transferredhim,inthe
capacityofmanager,totherecently-establishedbranchinthelittletownonthe
Danubewherehismarriedbrothercarriedonbusinessasawinemerchant.Inthe
courseofasomewhatlengthyconversationwhichtookplaceontheoccasionof
hisfarewellvisittoBertha'sparents,andwhichcreatedacertainimpression
uponher,hehadmentionedthattheprincipalreasonsforhisaskingtobe
transferredtothelittletownwerethathefelthimselftobegettingoninyears,
thathehadnolongeranyideaofseekingawife,andthathedesiredtohave
somesortofahomeamongstpeoplewhowerecloselyconnectedwithhim.At
thattimeBertha'sparentshadmadefunofhisnotion,whichseemedtothem
somewhathypochondriacal,forGarlanwasthenscarcelyfortyyearsold.Bertha
herself,however,hadfoundagooddealofcommonsenseinGarlan'sreason,
inasmuchashehadneverappearedtoheras,properlyspeaking,ayoungman.
InthecourseofthefollowingyearsGarlanusedoftentocometoViennaon
business,andneveromittedtovisitBertha'sfamilyonsuchoccasions.After

supperitwasBertha'scustomtoplaythepianoforGarlan'sentertainment,and
heusedtolistentoherwithanalmostreverentattention,andwould,perhaps,go
ontotalkofhislittlenephewandniece—whowerebothverymusical—andto
whomhewouldoftenspeakofFrauleinBerthaasthefinestpianistehehadever
heard.
Itseemedstrange,andBertha'smothercouldnotrefrainfromcommentingnow
andagainuponit,that,sincehisdiffidentwooingintheolddays,HerrGarlan
hadnotonceventuredsomuchastomaketheslightestfurtherallusiontothe
past,oreventoapossiblefuture.AndthusBertha,inadditiontotheother
reproachestowhichshehadtolisten,incurredtheblamefortreatingHerr
Garlanwithtoogreatindifference,ifnot,indeed,withactualcoldness.Bertha,
however,onlyshookherhead,foratthattimeshehadnotsomuchas
contemplatedthepossibilityofmarryingthissomewhatawkwardman,whohad
grownoldbeforehistime.
Afterthesuddendeathofhermother,whichhappenedatatimewhenherfather
hadbeenlyingillformanymonths,Garlanreappeareduponthescenewiththe
announcementthathehadobtainedamonth'sholiday—theonlyoneforwhich
hehadeverapplied.ItwasclearlyevidenttoBerthathathissolepurposein
comingtoViennawastobeofhelptoherinthattimeoftroubleanddistress.
AndwhenBertha'sfatherdiedaweekafterthefuneralofhermother,Garlan
provedhimselftobeatruefriend,andone,moreover,blessedwithanamountof
energyforwhichshehadnevergivenhimcredit.Heprevailedonhissister-inlawtocometoVienna,sothatshecouldhelpBerthatotideoverthefirstfew
weeksofherbereavement,besides,insomeslightdegree,distractingher
thoughts.Hesettledthebusinessaffairscapablyandquickly.Hiskindnessof
heartdidmuchtocheerBerthaduringthosesaddays,andwhen,onthe
expirationofhisleave,heaskedherwhethershewouldbehiswifeshe
acquiescedwithafeelingofthemostprofoundgratitude.Shewas,ofcourse,
awareofthefactthatifshedidnotmarryhimshewouldinafewmonths'time

havetoearnherownliving,probablyasateacher,and,besides,shehadcometo
appreciateGarlanandhadbecomesousedtohiscompanythatshewasable,in
allsincerity,toanswer"Yes,"bothwhenheledhertothealtarandsubsequently
when,astheysetofffortheirhoneymoon,heaskedher,forthefirsttime,ifshe
lovedhim.
Itwastruethatattheveryoutsetoftheirmarriedlifeshediscoveredthatshefelt
noloveforhim.Shejustlethimloveherandputupwiththefact,atfirstwitha


certainsurpriseatherowndisillusionmentandafterwardswithindifference.It
wasnotuntilshefoundthatshewasabouttobecomeamotherthatshecould
bringherselftoreciprocatehisaffection.Sheverysoongrewaccustomedtothe
quietlifeofthelittletown,allthemoreeasilybecauseeveninViennashehad
ledasomewhatsecludedexistence.Withherhusband'sfamilyshefeltquite
happyandcomfortable;herbrother-in-lawappearedtobeamostgenialand
amiableperson,ifnotaltogetherinnocentofanoccasionaldisplayofcoarseness;
hiswifewasgood-natured,andinclinedattimestobemelancholy.Garlan's
nephew,whowasthirteenyearsoldatthetimeofBertha'sarrivalatthelittle
town,wasapert,good-lookingboy;andhisniece,averysedatechildofnine,
withlarge,astonishedeyes,conceivedastrongattachmentforBerthafromthe
veryfirstmomentthattheymet.
WhenBertha'schildwasborn,hewashailedbythechildrenasawelcome
plaything,and,forthenexttwoyears,Berthafeltcompletelyhappy.Sheeven
believedattimesthatitwasimpossiblethatherfatecouldhavetakenamore
favourableshape.Thenoiseandbustleofthegreatcitycamebacktoher
memoryassomethingunpleasant,almosthazardous;andononeoccasionwhen
shehadaccompaniedherhusbandtoVienna,inordertomakeafewpurchases
anditsochanced,toherannoyance,thatthestreetswerewetandmuddywith
therain,shevowedneveragaintoundertakethattediousandwholly
unnecessaryjourneyofthreehours'duration.Herhusbanddiedsuddenlyone

springmorningthreeyearsaftertheirmarriage.Bertha'sconsternationwas
extreme.Shefeltthatshehadnevertakenintoconsiderationthemerepossibility
ofsuchanevent.Shewasleftinverystraitenedcircumstances.Soon,however,
hersister-in-law,withthoughtfulkindness,devisedameansbywhichthewidow
couldsupportherselfwithoutappearingtoacceptanythinginthenatureof
charity.SheaskedBerthatotakeoverthemusicaleducationofherchildren,and
alsoprocuredforheranengagementasmusicteachertootherfamiliesinthe
town.Itwastacitlyunderstoodamongsttheladieswhoengagedherthatthey
shouldalwaysmakeitappearasifBerthahadundertakentheselessonsonlyfor
thesakeofalittledistraction,andthattheypaidherforthemonlybecausethey
couldnotpossiblyallowhertodevotesomuchtimeandtroubleinthatway
withoutsomereturn.Whatsheearnedfromthissourcewasquitesufficientto
supplementherincometoanamountadequatetomeetthedemandsofhermode
ofliving,andso,whentimehaddeadenedthefirstkeenpangsandthe
subsequentsorrowoccasionedbyherhusband'sdeath,shewasagainquite
contentedandcheerful.Herlifeuptothenhadnotbeenspentinsuchawayasto
causehernowtofeelthelackofanything.Suchthoughtsasshegavetothe


futurewereoccupiedbyscarcelyanyotherthemethanhersoninthesuccessive
stagesofhisgrowth,anditwasonlyonrareoccasionsthatthelikelihoodof
marryingasecondtimecrossedhermind,andthentheideawasalwaysamere
fleetingfancy,forasyetshehadmetnoonewhomshewasableseriouslyto
regardinthelightofapossiblesecondhusband.Thestirringsofyouthful
desires,whichshesometimesfeltwithinherinherwakingmorninghours,
alwaysvanishedasthedaypursueditsevencourse.Itwasonlysincetheadvent
ofthespringthatshehadfeltacertaindisturbanceofherprevioussensationof
well-being;nolongerwerehernightspassedinthetranquilanddreamlesssleep
ofheretofore,andattimesshewasoppressedbyasensationoftedium,suchas
shehadneverexperiencedbefore.Strangestofall,however,wasthesudden

accessoflassitudewhichwouldoftencomeoverhereveninthedaytime,under
theinfluenceofwhichshefanciedthatshecouldtracethecourseofherbloodas
itcircledthroughherbody.Sherememberedthatshehadexperiencedasimilar
sensationinthedayswhenshewasemergingfromchildhood.Atfirstthis
feeling,inspiteofitsfamiliarity,wasyetsostrangetoherthatitseemedas
thoughoneofherfriendsmusthavetoldheraboutit.Itwasonlywhenit
recurredwithever-increasingfrequencythatsherealizedthatsheherselfhad
experienceditbefore.
Sheshuddered,withafeelingasthoughshewerewakingfromsleep.She
openedhereyes.
Itseemedtoherthattheairwasalla-whirl;theshadowshadcrepthalfway
acrosstheroad;awayuponthehilltopthecemeterywallnolongergleamedin
thesunlight.Bertharapidlyshookherheadtoandfroafewtimesasthoughto
wakenherselfthoroughly.Itseemedtoherasifawholedayandawholenight
hadelapsedsinceshehadsatdownonthebench.Howwasit,then,thatinher
consciousnesstimepassedinsodisjointedafashion?Shelookedaroundher.
WherecouldFritzhavegoneto?Oh,therehewasbehindher,playingwith
DoctorFriedrich'schildren.Thenursemaidwasonherkneesbesidethem,
helpingthemtobuildacastlewiththesand.
Theavenuewasnowlessdesertedthanithadbeenearlierintheevening.Bertha
knewalmostallthepeoplewhopassed;shesawthemeveryday.As,however,
mostofthemwerenotpeopletowhomshewasinthehabitoftalking,they
flittedbylikeshadows.Yondercamethesaddler,PeterNowak,andhiswife;
DoctorRellingerdrovebyinhislittlecountrytrapandbowedtoherashe
passed;hewasfollowedbythetwodaughtersofHerrWendelein,thelandowner;


presentlyLieutenantBaierandhisfiancéecycledslowlydowntheroadontheir
waytothecountry.Then,again,thereseemedtobeashortlullinthemovement
beforeherandBerthaheardnothingbutthelaughterofthechildrenasthey

played.
Then,again,shesawthatsomeonewasslowlyapproachingfromthetown,and
sherecognizedwhoitwaswhilehewasstillalongwayoff.ItwasHerr
Klingemann,towhomoflateshehadbeeninthehabitoftalkingmore
frequentlythanhadpreviouslybeenhercustom.Sometwelveyearsagoormore
hehadmovedfromViennatothelittletown.Gossiphaditthathehadatone
timebeenadoctor,andhadbeenobligedtogiveuphispracticeonaccountof
someprofessionalerror,orevenofsomemoreseriouslapse.Some,however,
assertedthathehadneverqualifiedasadoctoratall,but,failingtopasshis
examinations,hadfinallygivenupthestudyofmedicine.HerrKlingemann,for
hisownpart,gavehimselfouttobeaphilosopher,whohadgrownwearyoflife
inthegreatcityafterhavingenjoyedittosatiety,andforthatreasonhadmoved
tothelittletown,wherehecouldlivecomfortablyonwhatremainedofhis
fortune.
Hewasnowbutlittlemorethanfive-and-forty.Therewerestilltimeswhenhe
wasofagenialenoughaspect,but,forthemostpart,hehadanextremely
dilapidatedanddisagreeableappearance.
Whileyetsomedistanceawayhesmiledattheyoungwidow,butdidnothasten
hissteps.Finallyhestoppedbeforeherandgaveheranironicalnod,whichwas
hishabitualmannerofgreetingpeople.
"Goodevening,myprettylady!"hesaid.
Berthareturnedhissalutation.ItwasoneofthosedaysonwhichHerr
Klingemannappearedtomakesomeclaimtoeleganceandyouthfulness.Hewas
attiredinadarkgreyfrockcoat,sotightlyfittingthathemightalmosthavebeen
wearingstays.Onhisheadwasanarrowbrimmedbrownstrawhatwithablack
band.Abouthisthroat,moreover,therewasaverytinyredcravat,setrather
askew.
Foratimeheremainedsilent,tugginghisslightlygrizzledfairmoustache
upwardsanddownwards.
"Ipresumeyouhavecomefromupthere,mydearlady?"hesaid.

Withoutturninghisheadorevenhiseyes,hepointedhisfingeroverhis
shoulder,inasomewhatcontemptuousmanner,inthedirectionofthecemetery
behindhim.
ThroughoutthetownHerrKlingemannwasknownasamantowhomnothing
wassacred,andashestoodbeforeher,Berthacouldnothelpthinkingofthe
variousbitsofgossipthatshehadheardabouthim.Itwaswellknownthathis
relationswithhiscook,whomhealwaysreferredtoashishousekeeper,wereof
asomewhatmoreintimatenaturethanthatmerelyofmasterandservant,andhis
namewasalsomentionedinconnexionwiththewifeofatobacconist,who,as
hehadhimselftoldBerthawithproudregret,deceivedhimwithacaptainofthe
regimentstationedinthetown.Moreover,therewereseveraleligiblegirlsinthe
neighbourhoodwhocherishedacertaintenderinterestinhim.
WheneverthesethingswerehintedatHerrKlingemannalwaysmadesome
sneeringremarkonthesubjectofmarriageingeneral,whichshockedthe
susceptibilitiesofmany,but,onthewhole,actuallyincreasedtheamountof
respectinwhichhewasheld.
"Ihavebeenoutforashortwalk,"saidBertha.
"Alone?"
"Oh,no;withmyboy."
"Yes—yes—ofcourse,thereheis!Goodevening,mylittlemortal!"—hegazed
awayoverFritz'sheadashesaidthis—"mayIsitdownforamomentbeside
you,FrauBertha?"
Hepronouncedhernamewithanironicinflectionand,withoutwaitingforherto
reply,hesatdownonthebench.
"Iheardyouplayingthepianothismorning,"hecontinued."Doyouknowwhat
kindofanimpressionitmadeuponme?This:thatwithyoumusicmusttakethe
placeofeverything."
Herepeatedtheword"everything"and,atthesametime,lookedatBerthaina

mannerwhichcausedhertoblush.
"WhatapityIsoseldomhavetheopportunityofhearingyouplay!"hewenton.


"IfIdon'thappentobepassingyouropenwindowwhenyouareatthepiano—"
Berthanoticedthathekeptonedgingnearertoher,andthathisarmwas
touchinghers.Involuntarilyshemovedaway.Suddenlyshefeltherselfseized
frombehind,herheadpulledbackoverthebenchandahandclaspedoverher
eyes.
ForamomentshethoughtthatitwasKlingemann'shand,whichshefeltupon
herlids.
"Why,youmustbemad,sir,"shecried.
"Howfunnyitistohearyoucallme'Sir,'AuntBertha!"repliedthelaughing
voiceofaboyatherback.
"Well,doletmeatleastopenmyeyes,Richard,"saidBertha,tryingtoremove
theboy'shandsfromherface."Haveyoucomefromhome!"sheadded,turning
roundtowardshim.
"Yes,Aunt,andhere'sthenewspaperwhichIhavebroughtyou."
Berthatookthepaperwhichhehandedtoherandbegantoreadit.
Klingemann,meanwhile,rosetohisfeetandturnedtoRichard.
"Haveyoudoneyourexercisesalready?"heasked.
"Wehavenoexercisesatallnow,HerrKlingemann,becauseourfinal
examinationistotakeplaceinJuly."
"Soyouwillactuallybeastudentbythistimenextyear?"
"Thistimenextyear!It'llbeintheautumn!"
AshesaidthisRicharddrummedhisfingersalongthenewspaper.
"Whatdoyouwant,then,youill-manneredfellow?"askedBertha.
"Isay,Aunt,willyoucomeandvisitmewhenIaminVienna?"
"Yes,Ishouldliketocatchmyself!Ishallbegladtoberidofyou!"

"HerecomesHerrRupius!"saidRichard.
Berthaloweredthepaperandlookedinthedirectionindicatedbyhernephew's
glance.Alongtheavenueleadingfromthetownamaidservantcame,pushingan
invalid'schair,inwhichamanwassitting.Hisheadwasuncoveredandhissoft
felthatwaslyinguponhisknees,fromwhichaplaidrugreacheddowntohis
feet.Hisforeheadwaslofty;hishairsmoothandfairandslightlygrizzledatthe
temples;hisfeetwerepeculiarlylarge.AshepassedthebenchonwhichBertha
wasseatedheonlyinclinedhisheadslightly,withoutsmiling.Berthaknewthat,
hadshebeenalone,hewouldcertainlyhavestopped;moreover,helookedonly
atherashepassedby,andhisgreetingseemedtoapplytoheralone.Itseemed
toBerthathatshehadneverbeforeseensuchagravelookinhiseyesasonthis
occasion,andshewasexceedinglysorry,forshefeltaprofoundcompassionfor
theparalysedman.
WhenHerrRupiushadpassedby,Klingemannsaid:
"Poordevil!Andwifieisawayasusualononeofhervisitsto
Vienna,eh?"
"No,"answeredBertha,almostangrily."Iwasspeakingtoheronlyanhourago."
Klingemannwassilent,forhefeltthatfurtherremarksonthesubjectofthe
mysteriousvisitsofFrauRupiustoViennamightnothavebeeninkeepingwith
hisownreputationasafreethinker.
"Won'thereallyeverbeabletowalkagain?"askedRichard.
"No,"saidBertha.
SheknewthisforafactbecauseHerrRupiushadtoldhersohimselfonone
occasionwhenshehadcalledonhimandhiswifewasinVienna.
AtthatmomentHerrRupiusseemedtohertobeaparticularlypitifulfigure,for,
ashewasbeingwheeledpastherinhisinvalid'schair,shehad,inreadingthe
paper,lighteduponthenameofonewhomsheregardedasahappyman.
Mechanicallyshereadtheparagraphagain.
"OurcelebratedcompatriotEmilLindbachreturnedtoViennaafewdaysago

afterhisprofessionaltourthroughFranceandSpain,inthecourseofwhichhe
metwithmanyatriumphantreception.InMadridthisdistinguishedartisthad
thehonourofplayingbeforetheQueenofSpain.Onthe24thofthismonthHerr
Lindbachwilltakepartinthecharityconcertwhichhasbeenorganizedforthe
reliefoftheinhabitantsofVorarlberg,whohavesufferedsuchseverelossesasa
resultoftherecentfloods.Akeeninterestintheconcertisbeingshownbythe
publicinspiteofthefactthattheseasonissofaradvanced."
EmilLindbach!ItrequiredacertaineffortonBertha'sparttorealizethatthis
wasthesamemanwhomshehadloved—howmany?—twelveyearsago.
Twelveyears!Shecouldfeelthehotbloodmountupintoherbrow.Itseemedto
herasthoughsheoughttobeashamedofhavinggraduallygrownolder.
Thesunhadset.BerthatookFritzbythehand,badetheothersgoodevening,
andwalkedslowlyhomewards.
Shelivedonthefirstfloorofahouseinanewstreet.Fromherwindowsshehad
aviewofthehill,andoppositewereonlyvacantsites.
BerthahandedFritzovertothecareofthemaid,satdownbythewindow,took
upthepaperandbegantoreadagain.Shehadkeptthecustomofglancing
throughtheartnewsfirstofall.Thishabithadbeenformedinthedaysofher
earlychildhood,whensheandherbrother,whowasnowanactor,usedtogoto
thetopgalleryoftheBurg-Theatertogether.Herinterestinartnaturallygrew
whensheattendedtheconservatoireofmusic;inthosedaysshehadbeen
acquaintedwiththenamesofeventheminoractors,singersandpianists.Later
on,whenherfrequentvisitstothetheatres,thestudiesattheconservatoireand
herownartisticaspirationscametoanend,therestilllingeredwithinherakind
ofsympathy,whichwasnotfreefromthetouchofhomesickness,towardsthat
joyousworldofart.ButduringthelatterportionofherlifeinViennaallthese
thingshadretainedscarcelyanyoftheirformersignificanceforher;justaslittle,
indeed,astheyhadpossessedsinceshehadcometoresideinthelittletown,

whereoccasionalamateurconcertswerethebestthatwasofferedinthewayof
artisticenjoyment.Oneeveningduringthefirstyearofhermarriedlife,shehad
takenpartinoneoftheseconcertsatthe"RedApple"Hotel.Shehadplayedtwo
marchesbySchubertasaduetwithanotheryoungladyinthetown.Onthat
occasionheragitationhadbeensogreatthatshehadvowedtoherselfnever
againtoappearinpublic,andwasmorethangladthatshehadgivenupher
hopesofanartisticcareer.


Forsuchacareeraverydifferenttemperamentfromherswasnecessary—for
example,onelikeEmilLindbach's.Yes,hewasborntoit!Shehadrecognized
thatbyhisdemeanourtheverymomentwhenshehadfirstseenhimsteponto
thedaïsataschoolconcert.Hehadsmoothedbackhishairinanunaffected
manner,gazedatthepeoplebelowwithsardonicsuperiority,andhad
acknowledgedthefirstapplausewhichhehadeverreceivedinthecalm,
indifferentmannerofonelongaccustomedtosuchthings.
Itwasstrange,butwhenevershethoughtofEmilLindbachshestillsawhimin
hermind'seyeasyouthful,evenboyish,justashehadbeeninthedayswhen
theyhadknownandlovedeachother.Yetnotsolongbefore,whenshehad
spenttheeveningwithherbrother-in-lawandhiswifeinarestaurant,shehad
seenaphotographofhiminanillustratedpaper,andheappearedtohave
changedgreatly.Henolongerworehishairlong;hisblackmoustachewas
curleddownwards;hiscollarwasconspicuouslytall,andhiscravattwistedin
accordancewiththefashionoftheday.Hersister-in-lawhadgivenheropinion
thathelookedlikeaPolishcount.
Berthatookupthenewspaperagainandwasabouttoreadon,butbythattimeit
wastoodark.Sherosetoherfeetandcalledthemaid.Thelampwasbroughtin
andthetablelaidforsupper.BerthaatehermealwithFritz,thewindow
remainingopen.Thateveningshefeltanevengreatertendernessforherchild
thanusual;sherecalledoncemoretomemorythetimeswhenherhusbandwas

stillalive,andallmannerofreminiscencespassedrapidlythroughhermind.
WhileshewasputtingFritztobed,herglancelingeredforquitealongtimeon
herhusband'sportrait,whichhungoverthebedinanovalframeofdarkbrown
wood.Itwasafull-lengthportrait;hewaswearingamorningcoatandawhite
cravat,andwasholdinghistallhatinhishand.Itwasallinmemoryoftheir
weddingday.
Berthaknewforacertainty,atthatmoment,thatHerrKlingemannwouldhave
smiledsarcasticallyhadheseenthatportrait.
Laterintheeveningshesatdownatthepiano,aswasanotinfrequentcustomof
hersbeforegoingtobed,notsomuchbecauseofherenthusiasmformusic,but
becauseshedidnotwanttoretiretoresttooearly.Onsuchoccasionssheplayed,
forthemostpart,thefewpieceswhichshestillknewbyheart—mazurkasby
Chopin,somepassagesfromoneofBeethoven'ssonatas,ortheKreisleriana.
Sometimessheimprovisedaswell,butneverpursuedthethemebeyonda


successionofchords,which,indeed,werealwaysthesame.
Onthateveningshebeganatoncebystrikingthosechords,somewhatmore
softlythanusual;thensheessayedvariousmodulationsand,asshemadethelast
triadresoundforalongtimebymeansofthepedal—herhandswerenowlying
inherlap—shefeltagentlejoyinthemelodieswhichwerehovering,asitwere,
abouther.ThenKlingemann'sobservationrecurredtoher.
"Withyoumusicmusttaketheplaceofeverything!"
Indeedhehadnotbeenfarfromthetruth.Musiccertainlyhadtotaketheplace
ofmuch.
Buteverything—?Oh,no!
Whatwasthat?Footstepsovertheway….
Well,therewasnothingremarkableinthat.Buttheywereslow,regular
footsteps,asthoughsomebodywaspassingupanddown.Shestoodupandwent
tothewindow.Itwasquitedark,andatfirstshecouldnotrecognizetheman

whowaswalkingoutside.ButsheknewthatitwasKlingemann.Howabsurd!
Washegoingtohauntthevicinitylikealove-sickswain?
"Goodevening,FrauBertha,"hesaidfromacrosstheroad,andshecouldseein
thedarknessthatheraisedhishat.
"Goodevening,"sheanswered,almostconfusedly.
"Youwereplayingmostbeautifully."
Heronlyanswerwastomurmur"really?"andthatperhapsdidnotreachhisears.
Heremainedstandingforamoment,thensaid:
"Goodnight,sleepsoundly,FrauBertha."
Hepronouncedtheword"sleep"withanemphasiswhichwasalmostinsolent.
"Nowheisgoinghometohiscook!"thoughtBerthatoherself.
Thensuddenlyshecalledtomindsomethingwhichshehadknownforquitea


longtime,buttowhichshehadnotgivenathoughtsinceithadcometoher
knowledge.Itwasrumouredthatinhisroomtherehungapicturewhichwas
alwayscoveredwithalittlecurtainbecauseitssubjectwasofasomewhat
questionablenature.
Whowasithadtoldheraboutthatpicture?Oh,yes,FrauRupiushadtoldher
whentheyweretakingawalkalongthebankoftheDanubeonedaylast
autumn,andsheinherturnhadheardofitfromsomeoneelse—Berthacould
notrememberfromwhom.
Whatanodiousman!Berthafeltthatsomehowshewasguiltyofaslight
depravityinthinkingofhimandallthesethings.Shecontinuedtostandbythe
window.Itseemedtoherasthoughithadbeenanunpleasantday.Shewentover
theactualeventsinhermind,andwasastonishedtofindthat,afterall,theday
hadjustbeenlikemanyhundredsbeforeitandmany,manymorethatwereyet
tocome.

II
Theystoodupfromthetable.IthadbeenoneofthoselittleSundaydinner
partieswhichthewinemerchantGarlanwasinthehabitofoccasionallygiving
hisacquaintances.Thehostcameuptohissister-in-lawandcaughtherroundthe
waist,whichwasoneofhiscustomsonanafternoon.
Sheknewbeforehandwhathewanted.WheneverhehadcompanyBerthahadto
playthepianoafterdinner,andoftenduetswithRichard.Themusicservedasa
pleasantintroductiontoagameofcards,or,indeed,chimedinpleasantlywith
thegame.
Shesatdownatthepiano.Inthemeantimethedoorofthesmoking-roomwas
opened;Garlan,DoctorFriedrichandHerrMartintooktheirseatsatasmall
baize-coveredtableandbegantoplay.Thewivesofthethreegentlemen
remainedinthedrawing-room,andFrauMartinlitacigarette,satdownonthe
sofaandcrossedherlegs—onSundaysshealwaysworedressshoesandblack
silkstockings.DoctorFriedrich'swifelookedatFrauMartin'sfeetasthough
fixedtothespotbyenchantment.Richardhadfollowedthegentlemen—he
alreadytookaninterestinagameoftaroc.Ellystoodwithherelbowsleaningon
thepianowaitingforBerthatobegintoplay.Thehostesswentinandoutofthe
room;shewasperpetuallygivingordersinthekitchen,andrattlingthebunchof
keyswhichshecarriedinherhand.OnceasshecameintotheroomDoctor
Friedrich'swifethrewheraglancewhichseemedtosay:"JustlookhowFrau
Martinissittingthere!"
Berthanoticedallthosethingsthatdaymoreclearly,asitwere,thanusual,
somewhatafterthemannerinwhichthingsareseenbyapersonsufferingfrom
fever.Shehadnotasyetstruckanote.Thenherbrother-in-lawturnedtowards
herandthrewheraglance,whichwasintendedtoremindherofherduty.She
begantoplayamarchbySchubert,withaveryheavytouch.


"Softer,"saidherbrother-in-law,turningroundagain.

"Tarocwithamusicalaccompanimentisaspecialityofthishouse,"said
DoctorFriedrich.
"Songswithoutwords,sotospeak,"addedHerrMartin.
Theotherslaughed.GarlanturnedroundtowardsBerthaagain,forshehad
suddenlyleftoffplaying.
"Ihaveaslightheadache,"shesaid,asifitwerenecessarytomakesomeexcuse;
immediately,however,shefeltasthoughitwerebeneathherdignitytosaythat,
andsheadded:"Idon'tfeelanyinclinationtoplay."
Everybodylookedather,feelingthatsomethingratheroutofthecommonwas
happening.
"Won'tyoucomeandsitbyus,Bertha?"saidFrauGarlan.
Ellyhadavagueideathatsheoughttoshowheraffectionforheraunt,andhung
onherarm;andthetwoofthemstoodsidebyside,leaningagainstthepiano.
"Areyougoingwithustothe'RedApple'thisevening?"FrauMartinaskedof
herhostess.
"No,Idon'tthinkso."
"Ah,"brokeinHerrGarlan,"ifwemustforgoourconcertthisafternoonwewill
haveoneintheeveninginstead—yourlead,Doctor."
"Themilitaryconcert?"askedDoctorFriedrich'swife.
FrauGarlanrosetoherfeet.
"Doyoureallymeantogotothe'RedApple'thisevening?"sheaskedher
husband.
"Certainly."
"Verywell,"sheanswered,somewhatflustered,andatoncewentofftothe
kitchenagaintomakefresharrangements.


"Richard,"saidGarlantohisson;"youmightmakehasteandrunoverandtell
themanagertohaveatablereservedforusinthegarden."
Richardhurriedoff,collidinginthedoorwaywithhismother,whowasjust

comingintotheroom.Shesankdownonthesofaasthoughexhausted.
"Youcan'tbelieve,"shesaidtoDoctorFriedrich'swife;"howdifficultitisto
makeBrigittaunderstandthesimplestthing."
FrauMartinhadgoneandsatdownbesideherhusband,atthesametime
throwingaglancetowardsBertha,whowasstillstandingsilentlywithElly
besidethepiano.FrauMartinstrokedherhusband'shair,laidherhandonhis
kneeandseemedtofeelthatshewasunderthenecessityofshowingthe
companyhowhappyshewas.
"I'lltellyouwhat.Aunt,"saidEllysuddenlytoBertha;"let'sgointothegarden
forawhile.Thefreshairwilldriveyourheadacheaway."
Theywentdownthestepsintothecourtyard,inthecentreofwhichasmalllawn
hadbeenlaidout.Attheback,itwasshutoffbyawall,againstwhichstooda
fewshrubsandacoupleofyoungtrees,whichstillhadtobeproppedupby
stakes.Awayoverthewallonlytheblueskywastobeseen;inboisterous
weathertherushoftheriverwhichflowedclosebycouldbeheard.Twowicker
gardenchairsstoodwiththeirbacksagainstthewall,andinfrontofthemwasa
smalltable.BerthaandEllysatdown,Ellystillkeepingherarmlinkedinher
aunt's.
"Tellyouwhat,Elly?"
"See,Iamquiteabiggirlnow;dotellmeabouthim."
Berthawassomewhatalarmed,foritstruckheratoncethatherniece'squestion
didnotrefertoherdeadhusband,buttosomeoneelse.Andsuddenlyshesaw
beforehermind'seyethepictureofEmilLindbach,justasshehadseenitinthe
illustratedpaper;butimmediatelyboththevisionandherslightalarmvanished,
andshefeltakindofemotionattheshyquestionoftheyounggirlwhobelieved
thatshestillgrievedforherdeadhusband,andthatitwouldcomforthertohave
anopportunityfortalkingabouthim.
"MayIcomedownandjoinyou,orareyoutellingeachothersecrets?"

Richard'svoicecameatthatmomentfromawindowoverlookingthecourtyard.
ForthefirsttimeBerthawasstruckbytheresemblanceheboretoEmil
Lindbach.Sherealized,however,thatitmightperhapsonlybetheyouthfulness
ofhismannerandhisratherlonghairthatputherinmindofEmil.Richardwas
nownearlyasoldasEmilhadbeeninthedaysofherstudiesatthe
conservatoire.
"I'vereservedatable,"hesaidashecameintothecourtyard."Areyoucoming
withus,AuntBertha?"
Hesatdownonthebackofherchair,strokedhercheeks,andsaidinhisfresh,
yetratheraffected,way:
"Youwillcome,won'tyou,prettyAunt,formysake?"
MechanicallyBerthaclosedhereyes.Afeelingofcomfortstoleoverher,asif
somechildishhand,asifthelittlefingersofherownFritz,werecaressingher
cheeks.Soon,however,shefeltthatsomeothermemoryaswellroseupinher
mind.Shecouldnothelpthinkingofawalkinthetownparkwhichshehad
takenoneeveningwithEmilafterherlessonattheconservatoire.Onthat
occasionhehadsatdowntorestbesideheronaseat,andhadtouchedher
cheekswithtenderfingers.Wasitonlyoncethatthathadhappened?No—much
oftener!Indeed,theyhadsatonthatseattenortwentytimes,andhehadstroked
hercheeks.Howstrangeitwasthatallthesethingsshouldcomebacktoher
thoughtsnow!
ShewouldcertainlyneverhavethoughtofthosewalksagainhadnotRichardby
chance—buthowlongwasshegoingtoputupwithhisstrokinghercheek?
"Richard!"sheexclaimed,openinghereyes.
Shesawthathewassmilinginsuchawaythatshethoughtthathemusthave
divinedwhatwaspassingthroughhermind.Ofcourse,itwasquiteimpossible,
because,asamatteroffact,scarcelyanybodyinthetownwasawarethatshe
wasacquaintedwithEmilLindbach,thegreatviolinist.Ifitcametothat,was
shereallyacquaintedwithhimstill?Itwasindeedaverydifferentpersonfrom
Emilashemustnowbethatshehadinmind—ahandsomeyouthwhomshehad

lovedinthedaysofherearlygirlhood.
Thusherthoughtsstrayedfurtherandfurtherbackintothepast,anditseemed


altogetherimpossibleforhertoreturntothepresentandchatterwiththetwo
children.
Shebadethemgood-byeandwentaway.
Theafternoonsunlaybroodingheavilyuponthestreetsofthelittletown.The
shopswereshut,thepavementsalmostdeserted.Afewofficersweresittingata
littletableinfrontoftherestaurantinthemarketsquare.Berthaglancedupat
thewindowsofthefirststoryofthehouseinwhichHerrandFrauRupiuslived.
Itwasquitealongtimesinceshehadbeentoseethem.Sheclearlyremembered
thelastoccasion—itwasthedayafterChristmas.Itwasthenthatshehadfound
HerrRupiusaloneandthathehadtoldherthathisafflictionwasincurable.She
alsoremembereddistinctlywhyshehadnotcalleduponhimsincethatday:
althoughshedidnotadmitittoherself,shehadakindoffearofenteringthat
housewhichshehadthenleftwithhermindinastateofviolentagitation.
Onthepresentoccasion,however,shefeltthatshemustgoup;itseemedas
thoughinthecourseofthelastfewdaysakindofbondhadbeenestablished
betweenherandtheparalysedman,andasthougheventheglancewithwhich
hehadsilentlygreetedheronthepreviousday,whenshewasoutwalking,had
hadsomesignificance.
Whensheenteredtheroomhereyeshad,firstofall,tobecomeaccustomedto
thedimnessofthelight;theblindsweredrawnandasunbeampouredinonly
throughthechinkatthetop,andfellinfrontofthewhitestove.HerrRupiuswas
sittinginanarmchairatthetableinthecentreoftheroom.Beforehimlaystacks
ofprints,andhewasjustintheactofpickinguponeinordertolookattheone
beneathit.Berthacouldseethattheywereengravings.
"Thankyouforcomingtoseemeonceagain,"hesaid,stretchingouthishandto
her."YouseewhatitisIambusyonjustnow?Well,itisacollectionof

engravingsaftertheoldDutchmasters.Believeme,mydearlady,itisagreat
pleasuretoexamineoldengravings."
"Oh,itis,indeed."
"See,therearesixvolumes,orrathersixportfolios,eachcontainingtwenty
prints.Itwillprobablytakemethewholesummertobecomethoroughly
acquaintedwiththem."


Berthastoodbyhissideandlookedattheengravingimmediatelybeforehim.It
wasamarketscenebyTeniers.
"Thewholesummer,"shesaidabsent-mindedly.
Rupiusturnedtowardsher.
"Yes,indeed,"hesaid,hisjawslightlyset,asthoughitwasamatterof
vindicatinghispointofview;"whatIcallbeingthoroughlyacquaintedwitha
picture.BythatImean:beingable,sotospeak,toreproduceitinmymind,line
forline.ThisonehereisaTeniers—theoriginalisinoneofthegalleriesatThe
Hague.Whydon'tyougotoTheHague,wheresomanysplendidexamplesof
theartofTeniersandsomanyotherstylesofpaintingaretobeseen,mydear
lady?"
Berthasmiled.
"HowcanIthinkofmakingsuchajourneyasthat?"
"Yes,yes,ofcourse,that'sso,"saidHerrRupius;"TheHagueisaverybeautiful
town.Iwastherefourteenyearsago.AtthattimeIwastwenty-eight,Iamnow
forty-two—or,Imightsay,eighty-four"—hepickeduptheprintandlaiditaside
—"herewehaveanOstade—'ThePipeSmoker.'Quiteso,youcanseeeasily
enoughthatheissmokingapipe.'OriginalinVienna.'"
"IthinkIrememberthatpicture."
"Won'tyoucomeandsitoppositetome,FrauBertha,orherebesideme,ifyou
wouldcaretolookatthepictureswithme?NowwecometoaFalkenborg—
wonderful,isn'tit?Intheextremeforeground,though,itseemssovoid,so

cramped.Yes,nothingbutapeasantladdancingwithagirl,andthere'sanold
womanwhoiscrossaboutit,andhereisahouseoutofthedoorofwhich
someoneiscomingwithapailofwater.Yes,thatisall—amerenothingof
course,butthereinthebackgroundyousee,isthewholeworld,bluemountains,
greentowns,thecloudedskyabove,andnearitatourney—ha!ha!—inacertain
senseperhapsitisoutofplace,but,ontheotherhand,inacertainsenseitmay
besaidtobeappropriate.Sinceeverythinghasabackgroundanditistherefore
perfectlyrightthathere,directlybehindthepeasant'shouse,theworldshould
beginwithitstourneys,anditsmountains,itsrivers,itsfortresses,itsvineyards
anditsforests."


Hepointedoutthevariouspartsofthepicturetowhichhewasreferringwitha
littleivorypaper-knife.
"Doyoulikeit?"hecontinued."TheoriginalalsohangsintheGalleryin
Vienna.Youmusthaveseenit."
"Oh,butitisnowsixyearssinceIlivedinVienna,andformanyyearsbefore
thatIhadnotpaidavisittothemuseum."
"Indeed?Ihaveoftenwalkedroundthegalleriesthere,andstoodbeforethis
picture,too.Yes,inthoseearlierdaysIwalked."
Hewasalmostlaughingashelookedather,and;herembarrassmentwassuch
thatshecouldnotmakeanyreply.
"IfearIamboringyouwiththepictures,"HerrRupiuswentonabruptly."Waita
little;mywifewillbehomesoon.Youknow,Isuppose,thatshealwaysgoesfor
atwohourswalkafterdinnernow.Sheisafraidofbecomingtoostout."
"Yourwifelooksasyoungandslenderas…well,Idon'tthinkshehasalteredin
theveryleastsinceIhavecometolivehere."
BerthafeltasthoughRupius'countenancehadgrownquiterigid.Thensuddenly
hesaid,inagentletoneofvoicewhichwasnotbyanymeansinkeepingwith
theexpressionofhisface:

"Aquietlifeinalittletownsuchasthiskeepsmeyoung,ofcourse.Itwasa
cleverideaofmineandhers,foritoccurredsimultaneouslytobothofus,to
movehere.Whocansaywhether,hadwestayedinVienna,itmightnothave
beenalloveralready?"
Berthacouldnotguesswhathemeantbytheexpression"allover";whetherhe
wasreferringtohisownlife,tohiswife'syouthfulness,ortosomethingelse.In
anycase,shewassorrythatshehadcalledthatday;afeelingofshameatbeing
sostrongandwellherselfcameoverher.
"DidItellyou,"continuedRupius,"thatitwasAnnawhogottheseportfoliosfor
me?Itwasachancebargain,fortheworkisusuallyveryexpensive.A
booksellerhadadvertiseditandAnnatelegraphedatoncetoherbrotherto
procureitforus.Youknow,ofcourse,thatwehavemanyrelationsinVienna,