Library of the Worlds Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Volume 3 | Page 4

evident effort to mollify the
latter, Mademoiselle Kramer asked:--
"Does the idea of your new and beautiful clothes really afford you no
pleasure?"
"To be frank with you, no! I don't wear them for my own sake, but for
that of others, who dress me to please themselves. It's all the same to
me, however! I've given myself up to them, and suppose I must
submit."
"May I come in?" asked a pleasant voice. Countess Irma entered the
room. Extending both her hands to Walpurga, she said:--
"God greet you, my countrywoman! I am also from the Highlands,
seven hours distance from your village. I know it well, and once sailed
over the lake with your father. Does he still live?"
"Alas! no: he was drowned, and the lake hasn't given up its dead."
"He was a fine-looking old man, and you are the very image of him."
"I am glad to find some one else here who knew my father. The court
tailor--I mean the court doctor--knew him too. Yes, search the land
through, you couldn't have found a better man than my father, and no
one can help but admit it."
"Yes: I've often heard as much."
"May I ask your Ladyship's name?"

"Countess Wildenort."
"Wildenort? I've heard the name before. Yes, I remember my mother's
mentioning it. Your father was known as a very kind and benevolent
man. Has he been dead a long while?"
"No, he is still living."
"Is he here too?"
"No."
"And as what are you here, Countess?"
"As maid of honor."
"And what is that?"
"Being attached to the Queen's person; or what, in your part of the
country, would be called a companion."
"Indeed! And is your father willing to let them use you that way?"
Irma, who was somewhat annoyed by her questions, said:--
"I wished to ask you something--Can you write?"
"I once could, but I've quite forgotten how."
"Then I've just hit it! that's the very reason for my coming here. Now,
whenever you wish to write home, you can dictate your letter to me,
and I will write whatever you tell me to."
"I could have done that too," suggested Mademoiselle Kramer, timidly;
"and your Ladyship would not have needed to trouble yourself."
"No, the Countess will write for me. Shall it be now?"
"Certainly."

But Walpurga had to go to the child. While she was in the next room,
Countess Irma and Mademoiselle Kramer engaged each other in
conversation.
When Walpurga returned, she found Irma, pen in hand, and at once
began to dictate.
Translation of S.A. Stern.
THE FIRST FALSE STEP
From 'On the Heights'
The ball was to be given in the palace and the adjoining winter garden.
The intendant now informed Irma of his plan, and was delighted to find
that she approved of it. At the end of the garden he intended to erect a
large fountain, ornamented with antique groups. In the foreground he
meant to have trees and shrubbery and various kinds of rocks, so that
none could approach too closely; and the background was to be a
Grecian landscape, painted in the grand style.
Irma promised to keep his secret. Suddenly she exclaimed, "We are all
of us no better than lackeys and kitchen-maids. We are kept busy
stewing, roasting, and cooking for weeks, in order to prepare a dish that
may please their Majesties."
The intendant made no reply.
"Do you remember," continued Irma, "how, when we were at the lake,
we spoke of the fact that man possessed the advantage of being able to
change his dress, and thus to alter his appearance? While yet a child,
masquerading was my greatest delight. The soul wings its flight in
callow infancy. A bal costumé is indeed one of the noblest fruits of
culture. The love of coquetry which is innate with all of us displays
itself there undisguised."
The intendant took his leave. While walking away, his mind was filled
with his old thoughts about Irma.

"No," said he to himself, "such a woman would be a constant strain,
and would require one to be brilliant and intellectual all day long. She
would exhaust one," said he, almost aloud.
No one knew what character Irma intended to appear in, although many
supposed that it would be as "Victory," since it was well known that
she had stood for the model of the statue that surmounted the arsenal.
They were busy conjecturing how she could assume that character
without violating the social proprieties.
Irma spent much of her time in the atelier, and worked assiduously. She
was unable to escape a feeling of unrest, far greater than that she had
experienced years ago when looking forward to her first ball. She could
not reconcile herself to the idea of preparing for the