uted- not a little to embarrass the finances of British India, and the Dutch authorities in Java are also subjected to increasing pressure from home as to embarking upon similar schemes. The pressure, however, is less, and the power of resistance greater than in our own case.
Beyond all tropical countries Java seems to attract the love and admiration of strangers settling upon her shores, who speak of her as "nôtre Java bien-aimé" and are fond of describing her as "the finest island in the world." Swiss mountaineers are at one with lowlanders of Holland upon this subject, and even islanders from Britain can hardly express dissent.
ERICA.[1]
TRANSLATED FOR THE LIVING AGE FROM THE GERMAN OF
FRAU VON INGERSLEBEN.
XIX.
CONVERSATIONS.
Werner and Fritz accompanied the departing visitors to the boat, and while the latter walked on with one of the officers, Werner, apparently by accident, lingered behind with Ottomar. The two friends at first walked side by side in silence, but when they had placed a sufficient distance between themselves and the rest of the part, Ottomar began, —
"Tell me, Werner, how do on fare?"
"As well as one can who as committed a hopeless blunder," replied the latter bitterly.
"You would not listen to me when I warned you. However, I think you are man enough to endure and overcome even the most unpleasant consequences of your course."
"Have no fear, I too can live without sunlight, if it must be," replied Werner covering his eyes with his hand.
"Leave our house, I most earnestly entreat you to do so."
"No, I will remain," cried Werner passionately; "the affair has gone too far to be remedied by my departure."
"And Sidonie, Werner? You have made her acquaintance, she neither can nor will forgive you. It is not only your own unhappiness that you have caused."
Werner laughed, though by no means joyously. "Oh, my dear Ottomar, that fear reveals your own kind heart, but at the same time such great simplicity that I can scarcely believe you really feel it. You certainly know as well as I that these ladies need only one hand to hold the interesting 'Almanach de Gotha,' and like good Christians always keep the other free for the Bible, from which they draw consolation for every situation in life. I suppose the real root of this piety is the struggle to reserve in heaven the superior position which on earth is secured to them by the 'Almanach de Gotha.'
The young man's tone was so sharp, so bitterly scornful, that Ottomar looked at him in alarm. "Pray don't allow yourself to be embittered in this way, Werner," he said earnestly. "I really do not know you in this contemptuous mood. You must certainly end the matter as soon as possible."
Werner had regained his composure, and answered more calmly. "That won't do, Ottomar, and, if you wish to know the whole affair, it won't do on your account. Your splendid old father is a little too fond of hunting and gambling, and has got his business matters into the most horrible confusion. My misfortune shall, I hope, prove an advantage to you, but I must work hard for some time longer."
"I have feared this many months," replied Ottomar thoughtfully. "My mother does everythin in her power, but - I can frankly say, unfortunately — my good father is not so much henpecked as he seems, and as would be desirable for us. He only allows her to have absolute control over things which are troublesome or indifferent to him; in other matters, on the contrary, he jealously guards his authority as master of the house, and does not even permit her to exert the influence which, as his wife and a very clever woman, she is entitled to claim."
"Yes, your mother is one of the most politic ladies I have ever met."
Although the words were uttered without any tinge of irony or bitterness, only the darkness prevented the speaker from perceiving the sudden flush that crimsoned Ottomar's cheeks. "Do not judge my mother hastily, according to your present feelings, Werner," he answered quickly. "Her character is not one to be easiy read, and a superficial observation would lead to very false conclusions. I assure you that the nearer you approach her, the farther you penetrate into the recesses of that reserved nature, the greater will be your love and reverence."
"It was far from my intention to wound
- ↑ Copyright 1877, by Littell & Gay.
