登陆注册
5196200000139

第139章

"Oh, permit us to sun ourselves in your rays, ma toute belle," said the Countess Moltke. "One could well fancy themselves in a fairy palace, so enchanting is everything here.""And the baroness's appearance confirms this impression," remarked the gallant Frenchman. "Fancy could not well paint a more lovely fairy in one's happiest dreams.""Yes, truly I wander around as if in an enchanted scene. I feel as if I must seize myself by the head and be well shaken, to convince myself that I am really awake and not dreaming a chapter from Aladdin. I made the effort, but felt the wreath of roses in my hair, and--""And that convinced you of your wakefulness," said the baroness, a little haughtily. Turning to the ambassador, she added: "Do you observe, monsieur le marquis, what a delicate attention this lady shows me in wearing a wreath of flowers which I manufactured?""Comment! The baroness is truly a fairy! She causes flowers to grow at her pleasure, and vies with Nature. It seems impossible. I can scarcely believe it.""And yet it is true," said Frau von Morien. "The baroness, indeed, fabricated these roses three years since, when she had the kindness to work for me. You will acknowledge that I have kept them well?""It was no kindness of mine, but a necessity," said the baroness, "and I must confess that I would not have undertaken so troublesome a piece of work from pure goodness or pleasure. You will remember that I was very poor before my marriage, and as Frau von Morien was one of my customers, it is very natural that she possesses my flowers. She gave me many orders, and paid me a very small price, for she is very practical and prudent, and understands bargaining and cheapening, and when one is poor they are obliged to yield to the shameless parsimony of the rich. I thank you, my dear benefactress, for the honor you have shown me in wearing my flowers, for it has been a pleasant occasion to explain ourselves and recognize each other. Have the kindness to recall other remembrances of the past.""I do not remember possessing any other souvenirs," replied the countess, confused.

Have you forgotten that I gave French lessons to your niece, the present Frau von Hohenthal? She came to me three times weekly, because the lessons were a few groschen cheaper at the house."At this instant the usher announced in a loud voice, "Professor Philip Moritz."A gentleman of slight proportions, in an elegant fashionable dress, appeared and remained standing in the doorway, his large black eyes wandering searchingly through the drawing-room. Herr von Ebenstreit approached, extending him his hand, uttering a few unintelligible words, which his guest appeared not to notice, but, slightly inclining, asked if he would present him to the lady of the house.

"Have the kindness to follow me," said Ebenstreit, leading Moritz through the circle of jesting, slandering ladies and gentlemen, to the centre of the room, where Marie was still standing with the French ambassador and the two ladies.

"My dear," said her husband, "I have brought you an old acquaintance, Professor Moritz."As Ebenstreit would retreat, Moritz commanded him to remain, placing his white-gloved hand upon his arm, and holding him fast. "I would ask you one question before I speak with the baroness."Moritz spoke so loud, and in such a strange, harsh, and repulsive manner, that every one turned astonished, asking himself what it meant. Conversation was hushed, and the curious pressed toward the peculiar group in the centre to the baroness, who regarded her husband perfectly composed, and the pale man, with the flashing eyes, the glance of which pierced her like daggers.

A breathless silence reigned, broken only by Ebenstreit's trembling voice. "What is it, professor? How can I serve you?""Tell me who you are?" replied Moritz, with a gruff laugh.

"I am the Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen!"

"And the scar which you bear upon your face, is it not the mark of a whip, with which I lashed a certain Herr Ebenstreit three years since, who prevented my eloping with my betrothed? I challenged him to fight a duel, but the coward refused me satisfaction, and then Istruck him in the face, causing the blood to flow. Answer me--are you this gentleman?"Not a sound interrupted the fearfully long pause which followed.

Every one turned astonished to Ebenstreit, who, pale as death, was powerless to utter a word, but stood staring at his opponent.

"Why do you not answer me?" cried Moritz, stamping his foot. "Are you the coward? Was this red scar caused by the whip-lash?"Another long pause ensued, and a distinctly audible voice was heard, saying, "Yes, it is he!""Who replied to me?" asked Moritz, turning his angry glance away from Ebenstreit.

"I," said Marie. "I reply for my husband!""You? Are you the wife of this man?" thundered Moritz.

"I am," Marie answered.

"Is this invitation directed to me from you?" he continued, drawing a paper from his pocket. "Did you permit yourself to invite me to your house?""Yes, I did," she calmly answered.

"And by what right, madame? This is the question I wish answered, and I came here for that purpose.""I invited you because I desired to see you.""Shameless one!" cried Moritz, furious.

"Sir," cried the ambassador, placing himself before Moritz, defying his anger, "you forget that you are speaking to a lady. As her husband is silent, I declare myself her knight, and I will not suffer her to be injured by word or look.

"How can you hinder me?" cried Moritz, with scorn. "What will you do if I dash this paper at her feet, and forbid her to ever write my name again?" Making a ball of it, he suited the action to the word, casting a defiant look at the marquis.

"I shall order the footmen to thrust you out of the house. Here, servants, remove this man; he is an escaped lunatic, undoubtedly."Two footmen pressed forward through the circle which crowded around Moritz.

"Whoever touches me, death to him!" thundered Moritz, laying his hand upon a small sword at his side.

同类推荐
  • 法华玄赞义决

    法华玄赞义决

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 中山传信录

    中山传信录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说邪见经

    佛说邪见经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Cy Whittaker's Place

    Cy Whittaker's Place

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 今世说

    今世说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 耕田旺夫

    耕田旺夫

    醉酒醒来,成了十两银子买来的媳妇。怎么办?农家小媳妇?机缘巧合下,苏萱有了第一桶金,开心创业奔小康。别人羡慕嫉妒恨,我自逍遥异世。 _________________________________________我的群号169177765欢迎大家加入讨论,交流,吐糟
  • 爱上多情公子

    爱上多情公子

    没想到他会是这样一种人,在他身边有成百上千的女人供奉他,他那么享受却依旧在说着渴望爱情。整天和不同男人来往,出入每个人的闺房,他是绝世风流之子,但也是众多女人心目中的白马王子。而她,可怜的她连一次吻都没有,到现在为止她还是完整的,她洁身自爱,一直守护着自己的身子,只有昨晚他和她那样,曾经有男生摸过她的手,被她骂了个遍体鳞伤。
  • 甜妻热恋中

    甜妻热恋中

    闪婚三个月,单宇阳就逼她离婚。离就离,谁怕谁啊!娘家把她当成公主娇养了二十年,不是让她窝囊的在男人面前委屈求全的。只是某天,曲染买醉闯祸,不小心招惹了南城里最权大势大的贺家少爷,她只不过无心的撩了他一次,贺家少爷却猛追不舍,让她逃无可逃:女人,记住,我贺臣风不是你想上就上,想甩就甩的人,撩我是要付出代价的。
  • 司马懿吃三国

    司马懿吃三国

    热闹的三国,为何最终属于沉默的司马懿?论奸诈不及曹操,比智谋不敌诸葛亮,拼武功,关羽、赵云、吕布随便一个都能灭掉他;翻开本书,看司马懿如何靠数十年如一日的隐忍,击败三国所有英雄,独吞天下。司马懿潜伏曹操身边几十年,任由曹操差遣,他装弱、装傻、装病、装瘫,甚至装死来麻痹敌人、对手、上司、兄弟、朋友乃至家人……翻开本书,看司马懿无与伦比的沉默、隐忍和计谋。
  • 自然:消灭的自然灾难

    自然:消灭的自然灾难

    洪水灾害是河、湖、海所含的水体上涨,超过常规水位的水流现象。洪水常威胁沿河、滨湖和近海地区的安全,甚至会造成淹没灾害。洪水灾害是我国发生频率高、危害范围广、对国民经济影响最为严重的自然灾害,也是威胁人类生存的十大自然灾害之一。洪水灾害的形成受气候、下垫面等自然因素与人类活动因素的影响。洪水可分为河流洪水、湖泊洪水和风暴潮洪水等。其中河流洪水:依照成因的不同,又可分成是雨洪水、山洪、融雪洪水、冰凌洪水、溃坝洪水等五种类型。
  • 混沌剑神

    混沌剑神

    限1000字以内剑尘,江湖中公认的第一高手,一手快剑法出神入化,无人能破,当他与消失百年的绝世高手独孤求败一战之后,身死而亡。死后,剑尘的灵魂转世来到了一个陌生的世界,并且飞快的成长了起来,最后因仇家太多,被仇家打成重伤,在生死关头灵魂发生异变,从此以后,他便踏上了一条完全不同的剑道修炼之路,最终成为一代剑神。本书实力体系,由低至高——圣者,大圣者,圣师,大圣师,大地圣师,天空圣师,圣王,圣皇,圣帝。。用于介绍本书主要内容,吸引更多读者
  • 七里长谷(长篇小说节选)

    七里长谷(长篇小说节选)

    夜色走向黎明或大地,走向七里长谷。“哎呀,萌芽,你生的小孩,长得可真像七子呀!”说着,转过头来,看着萌芽:“萌芽呀,你真没命,放着有钱人的日子不过,非要背转时运,过这种没男人的光景。你是咋啦?条盘端着,你偏往山圪崂里头钻。你这个过时的冤家呀。” 萌芽笑了,说,“你没有命吗?你为啥不上条盘呀?你为啥不过有钱人的光景呀?”
  • 万千星光不如你璀璨

    万千星光不如你璀璨

    像沈星眠这样的人,说好听点叫直率,说难听点叫“喷子”。但顾景行正是因她帮自己“喷”敌方的举动,对她上了心。只是,她是电竞圈大神,他则身处娱乐圈,这样的他们,该如何产生交集?褪去光鲜外表,或许不再有人为你鼓掌,但我仍守在你身旁。逐梦的道路困难重重,有泪水,汗水,和不被理解的阻力。也有欢笑,喜悦,和达成目标的满足。青春没有定义,梦想让平凡的学生们闪耀。看新世纪少年少女们如何征服二次元,组成震惊游戏业界的工作室,摸爬滚打制作出属于自己的人气手游,最终缔造青春神话!
  • 尸家客栈

    尸家客栈

    身怀僵尸王将臣血脉,脚踏华夏三山五岳。完成渡劫的旱魃尸王、阴山枯骨洞下的器具、茫茫东海之下的秦始皇衣冠冢,西王母的玉片、九华山的血路、长白山的青铜门,潜伏在尘世中的永生者,到底还有多少?
  • 送耿山人归湖南

    送耿山人归湖南

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。