I
HOW THEY WERE FOUND
"What a long sigh! Are you tired, Amy?"
"Yes, and disappointed as well. I never would have undertaken this journey if I had not thought it would be full of novelty, romance, and charming adventures."
"Well, we have had several adventures."
"Bah! losing one's hat in the Rhine, getting left at a dirty little inn, and having our pockets picked, are not what I call adventures. I wish there were brigands1 in Germany—it needs something of that sort to enliven its stupidity."
"How can you call Germany stupid when you have a scene like this before you?" said Helen, with a sigh of pleasure, as she looked from the balcony which overhangs the Rhine at the hotel of the "Three Kings" at Coblentz. Ehrenbreitstein towered opposite, the broad river glittered below, and a midsummer moon lent its enchantment2 to the landscape.
As she spoke3, her companion half rose from the low chair where she lounged, and showed the pretty, piquant4 face of a young girl. She seemed in a half melancholy5, half petulant6 mood; and traces of recent illness were visible in the languor7 of her movements and the pallor of her cheeks.
"Yes, it is lovely; but I want adventures and romance of some sort to make it quite perfect. I don't care what, if something would only happen."
"My dear, you are out of spirits and weary now, to-morrow you'll be yourself again. Do not be ungrateful to uncle or unjust to yourself. Something pleasant will happen, I've no doubt. In fact, something has happened that you may make a little romance out of, perhaps, for lack of a more thrilling adventure."
"What do you mean?" and Amy's listless face brightened.
"Speak low; there are balconies all about us, and we may be overheard," said Helen, drawing nearer after an upward glance.
"What is the beginning of a romance?" whispered Amy, eagerly.
"A pair of gloves. Just now, as I stood here, and you lay with your eyes shut, these dropped from the balcony overhead. Now amuse yourself by weaving a romance out of them and their owner."
Amy seized them, and stepping inside the window, examined them by the candle.
"A gentleman's gloves, scented8 with violets! Here's a little hole fretted9 by a ring on the third finger. Bless me! here are the initials, 'S.P.,' stamped on the inside, with a coat of arms below. What a fop to get up his gloves in this style! They are exquisite10, though. Such a delicate color, so little soiled, and so prettily11 ornamented12! Handsome hands wore these. I'd like to see the man."
"I will send them back by the kellner, and in that way we may discover their owner," she said.
But Amy arrested her on the way to the door.
"I've a better plan; these waiters are so stupid you'll get nothing out of them. Here's the hotel book sent up for our names; let us look among the day's arrivals and see who 'S.P.' is. He came to-day, I'm sure, for the man said the rooms above were just taken, so we could not have them."
Opening the big book, Amy was soon intently poring over the long list of names, written in many hands and many languages.
"I've got it! Here he is—oh, Nell, he's a baron14! Isn't that charming? 'Sigismund von Palsdorf, Dresden.' We must see him, for I know he's handsome, if he wears such distracting gloves."
"You'd better take them up yourself, then."
"You know I can't do that; but I shall ask the man a few questions, just to get an idea what sort of person the baron is. Then I shall change my mind and go down to dinner; shall look well about me, and if the baron is agreeable I shall make uncle return the gloves. He will thank us, and I can say I've known a real baron. That will be so nice when we go home. Now, don't be duennaish and say I'm silly, but let me do as I like, and come and dress."
Helen submitted, and when the gong pealed15 through the house, Major Erskine marched into the great salle à manger, with a comely16 niece on each arm. The long tables were crowded, and they had to run the gauntlet of many eyes as they made their way to the head of the upper table. Before she touched her soup, Amy glanced down the line of faces opposite, and finding none that answered the slight description elicited17 from the waiter, she leaned a little forward to examine those on her own side of the table. Some way down sat several gentlemen, and as she bent18 to observe them, one did the same, and she received an admiring glance from a pair of fine black eyes. Somewhat abashed19, she busied herself with her soup: but the fancy had taken possession of her, and presently she whispered to Helen,—
"Do you see any signs of the baron?"
"On my left; look at the hands."
Amy looked and saw a white, shapely hand with an antique ring on the third finger. Its owner's face was averted20, but as he conversed21 with animation22, the hand was in full play, now emphasizing an opinion, now lifting a glass, or more frequently pulling at a blond beard which adorned23 the face of the unknown. Amy shook her head decidedly.
"I hate light men, and don't think that is the baron, for the gloves are a size too small for those hands. Lean back and look some four or five seats lower down on the right. See what sort of person the dark man with the fine eyes is."
Helen obeyed, but almost instantly bent to her plate again, smiling in spite of herself.
"Now, I'm disappointed. Well, keep on the watch, and tell me if you make any discoveries, for I will find the baron."
Being hungry, Amy devoted25 herself to her dinner, till dessert was on the table. She was languidly eating grapes, while Helen talked with the major, when the word "baron" caught her ear. The speakers sat at a table behind her, so that she could not see them without turning quite round, which was impossible; but she listened eagerly to the following scrap26 of chat:—
"Is the baron going on to-morrow?" asked a gay voice in French.
"Yes, he is bound for Baden-Baden. The season is at its height, and he must make his game while the ball is rolling, or it is all up with the open-handed Sigismund," answered a rough voice.
"Won't his father pardon the last escapade?" asked a third, with a laugh.
"No, and he is right. The duel27 was a bad affair, for the man almost died, and the baron barely managed to get out of the scrape through court influence. When is the wedding to be?"
"Never, Palsdorf says. There is everything but love in the bargain, and he swears he'll not agree to it. I like that."
"There is much nobleness in him, spite of his vagaries28. He will sow his wild oats and make a grand man in time. By the by, if we are going to the fortress29, we must be off. Give Sigismund the word; he is dining at the other table with Power," said the gay voice.
"Take a look at the pretty English girl as you go by; it will do your eyes good, after the fat Frauleins we have seen of late," added the rough one.
Three gentlemen rose, and as they passed Amy stole a glance at them; but seeing several pairs of eyes fixed30 on herself, she turned away blushing, with the not unpleasant consciousness that "the pretty English girl" was herself. Longing31 to see which Sigismund was, she ventured to look after the young men, who paused behind the man with the blond beard, and also touched the dark-eyed gentleman on the shoulder. All five went down the hall and stood talking near the door.
"Uncle, I wish to go," said Amy, whose will was law to the amiable32 major. Up he rose, and Amy added, as she took his arm, "I'm seized with a longing to go to Baden-Baden and see a little gambling33. You are not a wild young man, so you can be trusted there."
"I hope so. Now you are a sensible little woman, and we'll do our best to have a gay time. Wait an instant till I get my hat."
While the major searched for the missing article the girls went on, and coming to the door, Amy tried to open it. The unwieldy foreign lock resisted her efforts, and she was just giving it an impatient little shake, when a voice said behind her,—
"Permit me, mademoiselle;" at the same moment a handsome hand turned the latch34, the flash of a diamond shone before her, and the door opened.
"Merci, monsieur," she murmured, turning as she went out; but Helen was close behind her, and no one else to be seen except the massive major in the rear.
"Did you see the baron?" she whispered eagerly, as they went up-stairs.
"No; where was he?"
"He opened the door for me. I knew him by his hand and ring. He was close to you."
"I did not observe him, being busy gathering36 up my dress. I thought the person was a waiter, and never looked at him," said Helen, with provoking indifference37.
"How unfortunate! Uncle, you are going to see the fortress; we don't care for it; but I want you to take these gloves and inquire for Baron Sigismund Palsdorf. He will be there with a party of gentlemen. You can easily manage it, men are so free and easy. Mind what he is like, and come home in time to tell me all about it."
Away went the major, and the cousins sat on the balcony enjoying the lovely night, admiring the picturesque38 scene, and indulging in the flights of fancy all girls love, for Helen, in spite of her three-and-twenty years, was as romantic as Amy at eighteen. It was past eleven when the major came, and the only greeting he received was the breathless question,—
"Did you find him?"
"I found something much better than any baron, a courier. I've wanted one ever since we started; for two young ladies and their baggage are more than one man can do his duty by, Karl Hoffman had such excellent testimonials from persons I know, that I did not hesitate to engage him, and he comes to-morrow; so henceforth I've nothing to do but devote myself to you."
"How very provoking! Did you bring the gloves back?" asked Amy, still absorbed in the baron.
The major tossed them to her, and indulged in a hearty39 laugh at her girlish regrets; then bade them good-night, and went away to give orders for an early start next morning.
Tired of talking, the girls lay down in the two little white beds always found in German hotels, and Amy was soon continuing in sleep the romance she had begun awake. She dreamed that the baron proved to be the owner of the fine eyes; that he wooed and won her, and they were floating down the river to the chime of wedding-bells.
At this rapturous climax40 she woke to find the air full of music, and to see Helen standing41 tall and white in the moonlight that streamed in at the open window.
"Hush42, hide behind the curtains and listen; it's a serenade," whispered Helen, as Amy stole to her side.
Shrouded43 in the drapery, they leaned and listened till the song ended, then Amy peeped; a dark group stood below; all were bareheaded, and now seemed whispering together. Presently a single voice rose, singing an exquisite little French canzonet, the refrain of which was a passionate44 repetition of the word "Amie." She thought she recognized the voice, and the sound of her own name uttered in such ardent45 tones made her heart beat and her color rise, for it seemed to signify that the serenade was for them. As the last melodious46 murmur35 ceased, there came a stifled47 laugh from below, and something fell into the balcony. Neither dared stir till the sound of departing feet reassured48 them; then creeping forward Amy drew in a lovely bouquet49 of myrtle, roses, and great German forget-me-nots, tied with a white ribbon and addressed in a dashing hand to La belle50 Helène.
"Upon my life, the romance has begun in earnest," laughed Helen, as she examined the flowers. "You are serenaded by some unknown nightingale, and I have flowers tossed up to me in the charming old style. Of course it is the baron, Amy."
"I hope so; but whoever it is, they are regular troubadours, and I'm delighted. I know the gloves will bring us fun of some kind. Do you take one and I'll take the other, and see who will find the baron first. Isn't it odd that they knew our names?"
"Amy, the writing on this card is very like that in the big book. I may be bewitched by this mid-summer moonlight, but it really is very like it. Come and see."
The two charming heads bent over the card, looking all the more charming for the dishevelled curls and braids that hung about them as the girls laughed and whispered together in the softly brilliant light that filled the room.
"You are right; it is the same. The men who stared so at dinner are gay students perhaps, and ready for any prank51. Don't tell uncle, but let us see what will come of it. I begin to enjoy myself heartily52 now—don't you?" said Amy, laying her glove carefully away.
"I enjoyed myself before, but I think 'La belle Helène' gives an added relish53 to life, Amie," laughed Nell, putting her flowers in water; and then both went back to their pillows, to dream delightfully54 till morning.
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1
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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8
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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9
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
ennui
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| n.怠倦，无聊 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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15
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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26
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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27
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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28
vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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29
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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33
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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34
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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35
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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36
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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39
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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40
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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41
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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42
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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43
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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44
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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45
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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46
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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47
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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48
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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49
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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50
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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51
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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52
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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53
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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54
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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