"To me you are ever the impersonation of the goddess of wealth and beauty strewing everywhere with lavish generosity your gifts, and turning every thing to gold with your touch.""But whose heart has remained tender and gentle," added Frau von Morien.--"You are indeed a goddess, always enhancing the pleasures of others. To-day I wear the beautiful bracelet which you sent me because I admired it.""And I, ma toute belle," cried the countess, "have adorned myself with this superb gold brocade which you so kindly had sent from Paris for me.""You have forgotten, countess, that you begged of me to give the order for you.""Ah, that is true! Then I am your debtor.""If you are not too proud to receive it as a present?""Oh, most certainly not; on the contrary, I thank you, my dear.--Tell me, my dear Morien, is not this woman an angel?"At this instant the French ambassador, Marquis Treves, appeared among the numerous guests, whom the baroness stepped quickly forward to welcome, withdrawing with him into the window-niche.
"Welcome, marquis," she said, quickly, in a low voice, "Have you brought me the promised papers?"Drawing a sealed packet from his coat-pocket, he handed it to the baroness with a low bow, saying: "I would draw your attention to the fact once more, dear madam, that I have abided by the price named by yourself, in making this sale, although I am still of the opinion that it is below its value.""The sum is sufficient for my wants, and I rated its value according as it is taxed.""There are a hundred thousand dollars in bills of exchange, payable at the French embassy at any moment," said the marquis.
"I thank you, sir, for this proof of friendly attention; and as it may be the last time we meet, I would assure you that I shall always remember your many and thoughtful kindnesses.""You speak, baroness, as if you would forsake the circle of which you are the brightest ornament.""No, the friends will forsake me," she replied, with a peculiar smile. "Ere an hour shall pass not one of all these numerous guests will remain here.--Ah, there comes the decision! See there, marquis!"The usher announced "Banker Splittgerber." The old man entered followed by two men of not very presentable appearance, and whose toilet was but little in keeping with the brilliantly-decorated room and the aristocratic guests.
Never heeding the sneers nor contemptuous smiles, the faithful book-keeper wound his way, through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, accompanied by the two men, up to Ebenstreit, who, with instinctive politeness, had placed himself near Marie.
"Gentlemen," said Splittgerber, in a loud voice, "this is Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen, principal of the banking-house Ludwig."The two gentlemen approached, one of them saying, "They sent us here from your office.""This is not the place for business," replied Ebenstreit. "Follow me!""No, gentlemen, remain here," cried Marie. "Our guests present are such intimate, devoted friends that we have nothing to conceal from them; but on the contrary, I am convinced they will only be too happy of the occasion to prove their friendship, of which they have so often assured us.--These gentlemen demand the payment of a bill of exchange for eighty thousand dollars. Take my portfolio, Ebenstreit; there is a pencil in it. Go around and make a collection; undoubtedly the entire sum will be soon noted down."Ebenstreit approached the Baron von Frankenstein, saying: "Pardon me if I recall to your memory the sum of one thousand louis d'ors, due for four black horses three months since.""My dear sir," cried the baron, "this is a strange manner to collect one's debts. We were invited to a feast, and a pistol is pointed at us, demanding our debts to be cancelled!""How strange! How ridiculous!" heard one here and there among the guests, as they, with one accord, pressed toward the door to make their exit, which they found fastened.
"Remain," cried Marie, with stately dignity. "I wish you honored guests to be witness of this scene in the hour of justification, as you were also present at the one when one of the noblest and best of men cursed me.--Banker Splittgerber, take these bills of exchange for one hundred thousand dollars. Pay these gentlemen, and devote the remainder to the other debts as far as it will go."As the three men withdrew by a side-drier, Marie exclaimed: "I will now explain to you that Baron von Leuthen is ruined--poor as a beggar when he will not work.""Marie," cried Ebenstreit, terrified, rushing toward her, and seizing her by the arm. "Marie--"She threw off his hand from her in anger. "Do not touch me, sir, and do not presume either to address me with any endearments. You have yourself said that our marriage was not a veritable one, but was like the union of associates in business, and now I would inform you it is dissolved: the one is a bankrupt; the other a woman whom you cursed, and who reclaims of you four years of shame and degradation.
You wonder at my speaking thus, but you do not know this man, my friends."As she spoke, a door opened at the farther end of the room, and Trude entered in her simple dress, followed by Philip Moritz.
Unobserved the two glided behind the charming grotto which had been arranged with flowers and wreaths in one of the niches. Every eye was turned upon the pale, stately beauty, erect in the centre of the room.
