Felix Lanzberg's Expiation

es not possess the same stamp of distinction as Franzensbad, which latter, together with all the guests, seems about to slowly perish of its excessive distinctio

n its reality. Fortunately there is some compensation in the country round about, and when the guests look from the windows of the miserable hotel rooms, beyond the plainness of the dusty streets to the green beautiful woods, the most pretentious are satisfied. The

the birds, and the sunbeams fall between gay, dancing, quivering shadows, and

he Mühle strasse, and have a

sted; now he has gone to be weighed. The student, his son, is amusing himself by following a young lady who travels with many diamonds but without a chaperon, and who is entered in the register as a "singer." Lind

twelve o'clock, mamma? If the Baron chances to come, you know where I am--in the Kursaal. At twel

ntains matters of which Linda need know nothing. Scarcely has her daughter vanished when

en us. That I ventured, under the circumstances which you, madam, certainly know, to offer

"under the circumstances"? Linda's unprotectedness in the great lonely wood

e to make my confession to her myself; do it for me, my dear madam, and kindly write me whether Miss Linda, after she ha

est respect, y

nzb

!" cries she, then, looking at the letter once more: "Horribly blunt, awkward

n so pleased at the prospect of Linda's advantageous match. But the strange girl was capable

ar-reaching consideration for any individuals attacked by scandal which has become so fashionable among the phil

ect does not reach to the comprehension of the eternal divine morality; she understands merely the narrow prejudiced morality of good society, which divides sins as

emarked shyly. Mrs. Harfink bit her lips impatiently. She was not capable of a decided deception, she must twist and turn it before her conscience until it took

nger begs

herself at her wri

ssible, at once--in any case b

greeting, yo

Harf

iously told her daughter of a liaison which had formerly been the unhappiness of the Baron. The liaison was, on the whole, the principal thing, everything else only a detail. Only chance, which did

tain things in themselves wholly innocent from children, because their intellec

s. She thought of the envious glances with which all her friends had followed Lanzberg's attentions to Linda. Linda had somewhat forced the acquaintance with him. The good friends were horrified at her boldness--at h

anzberg not coming, then? In a

opped before the "

oor, and Felix Lanzberg entered the room,

nds, and merely said, "My dear La

the words would not come, and he lowered his eyes

took his hat from hi

tay to dinn

me, madam," said h

ied she, with her loud, indelica

ive man?" said he, almost bitterly, and wi

. "I do not understand how you could d

and only cried hastil

lance such as your whole subsequent life is, has not only expiated his fault but he has obliterated it." Madame Harfink very often spoke of her husband's views, and liked to allow him to participate before

ertheless I cannot expect this philosophical consideration from

mbled so with excitement that, thanks to her cameos, she rattled like a rickety weather-vane in a storm. "Linda pardons you everything," cried

at carelessly pushed back from her forehead. When she perceived Felix she started sl

nk, and, gracefully waving her hand, this cou

ting on the corner of the table. That the charm of her person so confused him flattered her, it seemed to her interesting and romantic to

nd dread. "Linda, will you really consecrate your young,

ic, and pleased her better and b

ok so sad, I will run away, do you hear, and will never know anything more of you." Her voice

l to the floor. She laughed at it very charmingly. He released her in order to look at her better. He was happy--he had forgotten. He drew a ring from his finger. "It was my mother's engagement ring," he

"Ah!" cried Linda, with a displeasur

tly. "What do you say to this progress of Marienbad civilization? Ah, Baron--excuse me--I really had not----" He gla

"May one accept gardenias from a relative?" she asks him, coax

ression into a polite smile. "May I congratulate

h emotion. "Congratulate me,

more to be congratulated," says

off in the middle, then a great, terrible howl, whereupon the improvised Rar

ly," says sh

ices guests, he cries, "I will

ably loving accent. "Adieu!" and kissing Linda's hand, whereupo