Fickle Fortune

came but tardily. The country, which at this season of the year is usually decked in vernal bloom, looked bare and desolate

aining their original position, and no attempt at a compromise was, or seemed likely to be, made. The Countess furnished all instructions in her son's name, that yo

therefore the delegation of authori

ssive as they appeared to be; and the parents, while pursuing their own determined course, upholding

rprise of which he was one of the promoters had called him to the capital. His counsel and aid were needed and sought in hig

the two ladies. This second visit was promptly succeeded by a third and a fourth; and from this time forward, by some remarkable accident, it invariably happened that when the ladies drove out, took a walk, or paid a visit in the neighbourhood, the young Cou

his mother. To his cousin he had, indeed, imparted with triumphant glee the fact of that first invasion of the enemy's camp; but as Oswald made some rather sharp observation

d partly clothing, the low chain of hills which acted as advanced sentinels to the mountain-range beyond. The two gentlemen bent their steps in the direction of the rising ground. They had e

g the last few years. Why, they have cut down half your timber for you. I cannot understand how you were

, it does look rather queer. The steward declares, I believe, t

stands high in favour with your mother, she accepts it all an

uld be a great deal better, though, if you would do it yourself. You

subject. She would consider it an unjustifiable piece of

last observation, the truth o

eward is dealing unfairly by us

best in his own eyes. If matters are allowed to go on in this way, I tell you they will absolutely ruin your property. Look at Brunneck; see the order that reigns there. Councillor Rüstow draws as much from that one estate as you from the whole Ettersberg domain, though the resourc

ome!' said Edmund, in a tone of sincere admiration. 'If it is all as you say, I certa

incapable; put men of more power and intelligence in their plac

to me to see all new faces about me, and it would take months before they settled down into harness, and go

er for. You can at least c

d lau

runneck. Now, if you were going to stay by me, Oswald, it would be different. I should have some one to back and support me then; but you are determined to go away in the autumn, and here shall

avy burden laid upon you,' said Oswald sarcastically. 'But once more, Edmund, it is high

visibly had enough of the subject. 'As soon as I can fin

rtance than the welf

be off now. Are you go

d one. Oswald did not notice this; he

re not you co

forester has my Diana in training, and

s coming over from town at twelve o'clock to-day, to hold a conference with you and y

Don't look so black at me. I give you my word that I will have a thorough good talk with the ste

a side-path, and soon di

fter him with a

he cares. But, after all'--and an expression of profound bitterness flitted like a spasm across the young man's face--'after all, what is it to me? I am but a stra

on all sides grew too strong to be subdued, and instead of returning home, as he had intended, he continued on his way uphill, to inspect the state of the woods on the higher ground. What he there saw was not of a consoling natu

of course that the administration of affairs should be conducted by subordinates, and that the family should be troubled on such subjects as little as possible. Moreover, the establishment was kept up on a costly footing; the sums for its maintenance had to be found, and, of course, the estates must be made to provide them--it signified little how. The Countess's brother, Edmund's guardian, lived in the capital. He filled a high office under the State, and was much taken up by the duties and claims of his position. He interfered but rarely; never except in special cases when his sister desired his counsel and assistance. Her husband's testamentary arrangements had ve

d with Edmund--the young Count must long ere this have turned his face homewards. Oswald determined that he also would go back, but for his return he chose another and a somewhat longe

ther hidden trouble which knit his brow with that menacing frown, and lent to his face that harsh, implacable expression--an expression that seemed to say he was ready to do battle with the whole w

ys the old wretched suspicion which I cannot put from me. I have nothing--absolutely nothing to conf

the road, which now took a sharp turn and suddenly emerged from the forest. Oswald stepped out on to an open hill-sum

ated. She had taken off her hat, so a full view of her face could be obtained--and he who had once lo

very important topics. It was rather the old war of repartee which they had waged with so much satisfaction to themselves on the occasion of their first meeting, the same exchange of banter, of merry jests accompanied by gleeful laughter; but to-day their manner told of much famili

pair. Then he turned and would have stepped back among the trees un

simultaneously, and the latt

wal

sible. He therefore reluctantly left his po

tone which vacillated between annoyance a

ds,' was the

aid you were goi

to the forester's lodge, which

ss off this meeting as an accidental one. Moreover, those fervent kisses must

resent at our first meeting; I therefore

ng lady with all a stra

was most involuntary on my part. I could have no idea that my

the tone of this address, which, though polite, was icy in its reserve, struck her disagreeably, and she looked up. Her glance met Oswald's, and there must have been that in the expression of his face which wounded her

sberg, I beg of

halted. Hedwig went up to the you

ner. You will give him the necessary explanation--immediatel

ears. The Count himself seemed somewhat taken aback by the determined, almost a

right. We must take him into our confidence now. My severe Mentor is capable else of preaching us both a long sermon, setting forth our iniquity. We will therefore go t

e gay humour, which Hedwig was usually so prompt to echo, seemed to jar upon her now almost painfully. She stood q

rather hurt at this silence. 'Have

d Oswald, turning to the young girl. 'For such

we are not lucky as regards our rendezvous. This is the first time we have met alone, unsheltered by Aunt Lina's protecting wing--and behold, we are overtaken by this Cato! The philosopher's face is so eloquent of horror at witnessing an act of homage

ld, taking his cousin's proffer

ill be quite enough for us to meet the opposition which our beloved parents will in all probability offer

hould avoid giving your mother any extra cause for offence, and offend her you certainly will, if you are not present at to-day's conference. Your lawyer must be waiting at Ettersberg

ay?' asked Hedwig, who had remained wonde

out lawsuits and appointments. It is fortunate that Oswald has reminded me of them. I must perforce be present to-day, and concoct plans with my mother and the lawyer

hey hear this?'

raw up the plan of the campaign. Ettersberg and Brunneck will thrill with horror at the news, no doubt, and do the Montague and Capulet b

that it was evident the parents' opposition was not looked upon by the young people as a real obstacle, likely to invo

iting. Excuse me, Hedwig, if I leave you here. Oswald will replace me, and will accompany you back through the wood. As you are so soon to be related, you must become better acquainted wit

rly to his lips, waved an adieu

t fall into the tone of cousinly familiarity so promptly as he had wished. A cloud rested on the young girl's brow, and

you so secret, that the disclosure he has

,' replied Hedwig. It was strange how lofty and decided

t the greater blame rests with Edmund. He ought never to have exposed his bet

imson flush again mou

aimed at me, for I was a consenting party. My imprudence wa

urself, Fr?ulein, what a stranger, to whom a frank, straightforward explanation could not have been give

nmistakable annoyance. 'It seems that, as I am engaged to be married

to offend you. It is for you to judge in

s words was not without effect upon her, thoug

from its contact with the grass, still damp with mist and rime; such a hat was, indeed, hardly suited to the inclement April day. Spring comes tardily among the mountains, and this year

ure. The woods were still bare and leafless; in the undergrowth alone signs of the first tender green could be seen sprouting timidly forth. Each leaflet

wed but little inclination to pursue it. After a while, however, the silence be

cold, foggy autumn, with winter closing in upon us. We

nd of spring?'

flowers and sunshine seem necessary as the air we breathe. One ca

do not come with every spring; nor are

y not giv

N

pair had so recently indulged here, on the self-same spot! Even the 'plan of campaign' to be undertaken against their parents had been sketched out in a spirit of drollery, amid endless pleasantries, and any lurking anxiety as to the issue had been chased away by jests and laughter. But now, with Oswal

as told me so; but at Ettersberg you f

disappeared, showed itself again in the young man'

y aunt, the

spasmodic working about the corners of the mouth, which was anything

being the only child of the house--beloved as you and

errupted the young girl. 'It is a great grief t

ive with regard to me,' said Oswald coldly.

d a little at

s of the family I am likely to enter. He mentioned this fact to me, lament

d astonishment. 'My cousin could not possibly have been i

ity of a friend and ne

man smiled

than necessity compels. There may be men who, accepting the convenient and pleasant side of such a life, could shut their eyes to its true significance;

e gleam, of which one would not have supposed those cold orbs capable. It flashe

tender homage and admiration, which this certainl

ked in surprise. 'Wha

alluding to family affairs wh

n anger at himself, he fiercely snapped to pieces

ose words. Was it the thought of her entering the family which had roused him thus? Did this new relation intend to take up a hostile attitude towards her from the very first?

was wafted down. It was like the chirping of many bir

Quickly following the first came a second and a third, and presently out of the misty distance a whole flight was seen emerging. On they came, nearer and still nearer, winging their way rapidly through the moist, heavy air. Then, ci

g the soil. Backwards and forwards shot the pretty slender creatures on facile wings, so swiftly that the eye could hardly follow them; and all the while the air was resonant with that low happy piping which has nothing in common with the nighti

eagerly forwards, with a glad radiance in her eyes, she watched the tiny newco

allows, the

nion, 'and fortunate they may consider the

n the girl's innocent joy. She turned and measured th

r anything. It is not one of your failings, and I dare say the poor swallows t

, their free powers of flight, which nothing shackles or restrains. Ah,

igher

er and indignation, making the answer

y estimatio

therto been languishing in chains,'

me tone, only that his irony amounted to scathing sarcasm. 'The accidents of life o

tters must b

ardly prize their liberty, looking upon it as a thing of course. They cannot understand how others will strive and struggle for yea

r. Really, this Oswald von Ettersberg was an audacious personage. In the first place he presumed to reprimand her with regard to her meeting with Edmund; then he declared sharply, and with an emphasis which was almost insulting, that nothing should now induce him to remain on in his cousin's house; then he

to be returning,' s

t your

to escort her, but she waved him

n Ettersberg. I kno

rged me to see you ho

tone which plainly said the young Count's wishes were not as law to h

etreated

he said coolly. 'The clouds are gathering yo

en; and if it comes to the worst, I think nothing of being caught in a spring shower

of constrained politeness, thereby forfeiting the young lady's last remnant of indulgence. She, in return, strove to i

ttempt. He had not even raised any serious objection when she declined his escort. She had fully meant it, but the merest politeness demanded some words of regret at her decision. Yet there had been nothing of this; he was visibly delighted at being relieved of a troublesome office. This spoilt young lady, wh

he had prophesied. He stood motionless, with folded arms, leaning a

, a great work was going on. The life-germs hidden away in a thousand unsuspected buds and leafless branches were secretly, silently stirring; it wanted but the first balmy breath, the first glow of sunshine, to awaken all Nature from her long slumber. Ungenial as the air might be, there was in it just a to

dreary, joyless youth--faded away the rancour and bitterness of spirit which dependence and neglect had engendered in a proud, strong nature. The soft, half-unconscious dreams, which visit others so frequently, had spun their magic web around the cold, impenetrable Oswald. It was, perhaps, his first experience of them, but the spell was therefore the more irresisti