Felix Lanzberg's Expiation

almost sallow, little face with large blue eyes, which love to look up and away from the earth like those of a devout cherub, a short, small nose, a little mouth which, with the corners slightly curv

rnestness, melancholy tenderness, and united into an harmonious whole--Elsa--the sister

ife amid sunbeams and butterflies, but rather one of those delicate, white blossoms which

's four-year-old daughter, who with bare legs, her little form encased in a red embroidered g

d at the naughty letters and they will be quiet," says she with a smile

s to look hard

es in great triumph at having spelle

o, Li

to bed, then." Whereupon, Litzi, with much pretext of business, puts the alphabet away in the drawer, while Elsa, leaning back comfortably in her arm-chair, her feet crossed, her arms clasped around her knees, gives herself up to that lazy thinking which with happy people is called reveri

earn to read?" asks

ise girl," repli

the dear G

hat He wishes," says Elsa, with d

ne, with great, surprised eyes.

is shoulder, raises his upper lip and shows his teeth pleasantly as

sh to do foolish things,"

He wan

oung man, blond, with unusually attractive dark eyes, seizes her under the shoulders, and raising her to him he

s condi

which leads one to muc

laughingly a

nderstand me, Litzi?" he asks

ays somewhat vexedly, "You

, tenderly pinching her cheeks, "and now you may go to Mlle. Angelique, and ask her to put a cl

door, then looks after her until, calling "Angeliq

he now turns to his wife, wh

ce one has seen you

missed me

such foolish

you with my presence sooner," says he, gayly. "And now

ly allowance. H

little bundle

ou

ery time. You always give me more than i

always in debt," says he, while he locks

political economy, did not understand an iota of business. He had purposely left her in this darkness, and she did not fight against it. He paid her the i

for an answer. "A lady's writing-desk without invitations and charitable circulars. The inspector ha

hing," grumbles Elsa. "That is

fends hi

is all arranged. Hm! Elsa! Do you think that I would have be

r husband can compare himself to his overseer, Cibulka. He has

in my carpet, you car

ill buy you a new one, as the banker sai

arison," says she, kissing his hair l

o be sentenced t

pain, was far in advance of her years, her body far behind. She had the slender, undeveloped form of a child too quickly grown, and carried her head always bent forward, like a young tree over which a cold storm has passed, and was always sad and depressed. At times, to be sure, she smiled suddenly like a true child, but only for

, but with the shy despondency of a sick owl dreading the light. When he had at length accustomed her to his society he was still miles from his aim. She did not think of what most young girls do. She was wholly absorbed in consoling her bowed father, in pitying her unfortunate brother, at that time dwelling i

r. When they proved to her that nothing could so help the bowed man as the consolation of seeing at least one of his children happy, the weddi

of Steinbach only just suffice for the support of a very economical couple. Therefore I, and you with me are dependent upon my career. But

s glance met hers, her eyes were filled with tears. Her exaggerated aversion to the world disquieted him, without seeming to him other than a symptom of diseased nerves; he thought that his loving patience must vanquish it, and when t

nto an engagement with you. I should be a lamentable wife for you. I will not hinder you in your career, and I cannot live in the world even for your sake. Therefore I give yo

ender reproaches, represent to her subtly and incontrovertibly th

to you?" he final

painted in the sweet face of the little John, as he kne

nt person from me--you do not know

brutal egoism. He kissed her hands, he would to

o consider it--all that

in a step during

nd hoarse voice he t

considerations, which is capable of the most painful sacrifices, the most complete renunciation, althoug

nna and his career now seemed to him; how unattractive, how far away

longing love are always quite inco

narled branches. Elsa looked through the clear summer air in the direction in which Castle Steinbach shone white above the wooded valley.

cried she, trembling wit

ght you in vain. Your father

eep--did yo

elf! Oh, Elsa, are you not in the least glad to s

eart, and embarrassed smile, like a s

miserable little thing," m

d dearly for--it seems to me

insignificant creature? Then suddenly, with her lovely look of embarrassment, she threw both arms around him. "Oh you----" sh

ustomary occupation and society, and wish to pass the rest

d it s

uch there was to occupy him but how much he could accomplish with the income from Steinbach, which he had been accustomed to estimate at two or three per cent., and

frivolous love of pleasure and gayety which is considered normal in young women never developed in her; s

erything, was interested in everything, noticed everything, spoke of the most forgotten historic

he had neglected. She went on long journeys with him, but at home associated as little as possib

ad when she th

blessing her a thousandfold, had died in