Fickle Fortune

. It was a property of considerable extent and value, comprising various farms, and furnished with every improvement which modern science has devised. On all agricultural subjects the C

on his estates, and to the number of which he was with indefatigable energy constantly adding, had in the course of time become handsomely remunerative, and were now a source of wealth to him; whereas over at Ettersberg the ma

lor might more fitly have ventured to sue for the hand of a Fr?ulein von Ettersberg. Twenty years or more ago, the young gentleman-farmer who had come to Dornau to pick up some knowledge of his future vocati

true, but with all due formality. The young couple hoped that, this step being once irrevocably taken, forgiveness would follow, but this hope proved illusive. Neither the young wife's oft-repeated overtures, nor the birth of a grandchild, not even the rapidly ensuing change in Rüstow's circumstances--he

which precluded any intercourse. As a result of these tactics came the will which passed over the granddaughter, and, without even a mention of her or her mother assigned Dornau to the heir of the entailed family estates. This will was contested by Rüstow, who would not admit of his marriage being thus altogether ignored, and was determined to have his daughter acknowledged as her grandfather's legitimate successor and heiress. The suit had some base

tately building, spacious, and bearing all the marks of age. The inner arrangements of the house, though bo

on the death of that gentleman's wife, eight years previously, had come to preside over her cousin's establishment, and to act as a mother to his young d

related to them, lawyers included, were at the deuce!' he cried,

e ever since that wretched suit was instituted. You seem to think of noth

that, protesting against everything we do, lodging one appeal after another. Every letter of that blessed will has been discussed, evidence has been advanced,

h the cares of a restless, busy life. He was, however, a stately, well-built person, whose appearance would have been eminently agreeable, but for certain ev

ked the master of the

go,' replied her cousin, who h

. This sudden thaw has made the roads impassabl

that Hedwig generally does th

,' assented her father, who seemed to consider it merely a

have I entreated you to send Hedwig to a boarding-school for

me. I am sure I have had masters and governesses enough here at Bru

ecially, and that is how to tyrannis

, then she is too superficial to please you, not deep, not "feeling" enough. I am satisfied with her as she is. I like my girl to be a b

rather meaning glance at Fr?ulein Lina

such appurtenances here at Brunneck,

r nerves,' said Rüstow, with much apparent satisfaction. 'But the feelings are there still. How

on mounted to the lady

he merely ridiculed an offer which would, at least, have brought any

again; in the second place, it was his own fault that he met with a refusal. A man should know how matters stand, before he proposes definitely; and thirdly, I should not have given my consent to the match under any circumstances, for I won't have Hedwig marry

r. When she has an inclination towards anyone, she will certainly not stay to consider whether the gentleman belongs to the aristocracy, or wheth

üstow. 'You seem to think that where my daughte

tically. Then she gathered toget

dispute the truth of the assertion. He paced with rapid steps up and down

t now? Ano

hand, but nearly let it fall in his am

tersberg? What can be

favour of an interview

stood the name of Ettersberg, and, inexplicable as the circumstance

pearance, and greeted his neighbour, who yet was a perfect stranger to him, with as mu

ld have endeavoured to do so long ago, but my studies and subsequent travels have kept me so much away from Etters

invitation to be seated. Edmund accordingly took a chair in the most unconcerned manner possible, and as his host showed no desire to open the conversation, he assumed the burden of

imself that the young gentleman's appearance did not tally with this pretended zealous interest in

hat I am indebted for t

ncillor's far-famed churlishness was already roused. A low growl, betokening a storm, might, as it were, be heard

in my quality of neighbour?'

neighbours, namely, opponents in a court of justice,' ret

ttention the riding-wh

lluding to that ti

dless it would appear to be. You are as well ac

ispute about my uncle's will which assigns Dornau to me, but the validity of which you contest. Pleadings? I h

his lawsuit!' cried Rüstow, to whom this pla

ion that it is incumbent on me to uphold my uncle's will at any cost. I do

rth half a dozen such places, and my daughter has really no nee

tands so, some compromise might surely be arrived at,

noring our marriage in that insulting manner, as though it had not been legally and duly celebrated--the fact of his passing over the child of the marriage, and declining to recognise her as his granddaughter--this is what I cannot forgive him, even in his grave, and this is what makes me determined to assert my right. The mar

nd, who had long been expecting some such outbrea

Brunneck, who was looked on as an original in his way, so he chose to view t

lapse to the devil--whether it be adjudged to Brunneck or to Ettersberg, we must wait to see. But that is the court's business, a

ok at the case in that light,' admitted Rüs

elative's expressed wishes. We are most enviably placed, being simply objective in the matter. So, for heaven's sa

er clothing--so, at least, thought Count Edmund, who had sprung up with great alacrity, with more alacrity, indeed, than politeness called for, to greet her on her entrance. Hedwig had, no doubt, already heard from the servants who was with her father, for she betrayed no surprise, returning the Count's bow as formally as though he had been a complete stranger to her. The merry sparkle in

Fate had assigned me as an opponent in the Dornau lawsuit. I therefore seize this, t

he enemy's territory, I suppose?' replied Hedwi

pardoned this invasion of the hostile camp. I may trust for a like clemency from yo

in Rüstow. 'You have met

the other day with the carriage and Anthony, we very nearly stuck in the snow, and

ung neighbour's part. He had hitherto racked his brains in vain to find a reason for it, and the discovery now mad

rg, was it? Why did you c

avalanche had come down upon us and swallowed us up, your first feeling would h

roads,' growled Rüstow, to whom this

escends into the valley,' joined in Edmund. 'I assure you, the journey was both difficult a

ig. 'It was your silent companion who really helped us in our need. He'--the ques

ck this afternoon,' confessed Edmund. 'He will, I know, rep

gry little toss, and looking as ungracious as possible--much as she had looked in the carriage on that previous occasion.

ndry barbed and sardonic remarks to impart a hostile tone to the conversation. But he was foiled at all points. His visitor's captivating manners and appearance won upon him more and more. The young Count was evidently bent on doing away with the prejudice which existed against him. He fascinated his hearers with his bright and sparkling talk, seducing them by its easy flow, and char

n him. Then his anger revived in full force. As he came in, Hedwig was standing out on the balcony, looking after the

ing the whole affair of the lawsuit as a mere bagatelle. He talked of a compromise, begad! of meeting on friendly terms, of the Lord knows what; fairly addling one, taking one's b

had gone up to him and laid her arm caressingly about hi

over to Brunneck? Do you think I did not see him kiss your hand as he took leave of you? But I will put a stop to this, once and for all. I will have nothing to do with any Ett

decidedly. 'My mother was an Ettersb

lling, that it quite

exception,' he st

is an exception too,' de

tioned 'principles' were much insisted on. Fr?ulein Hedwig listened with an expression of countenance which said plainly enough that the said 'principles' were highly indifferent to her, and if her fa