BEHIND THE MASK.
As the door closed, and Marie found herself alone with her old friend and nurse, a peculiar change was visible in her sad face;something of its former sunny radiance brightened its usually sorrowful expression, and she turned to greet Trude with the smile of earlier, happier days, though it was tinged with sadness and grief. Impulsively she threw her arms around her faithful nurse, kissing her, and, with quivering lip, whispering: "A greeting and a blessing for you, dear mother! Take me to your kind, disinterested heart, and let me there find repose from all this torture and love the poor lost one, who--"She drew suddenly back, her face assuming its usually cold, look as she heard her husband enter.
"She is gone, dear Marie. I hope that you are gratified with my decision, and perceive therein a proof of my excessive love and esteem for you," said Ebenstreit, drawing a long breath.
"I did not desire this polite evidence of it," she coldly responded.
"We have solemnized our entrance into this house in a fitting manner, and the important matter remaining for us is to make known our arrival to the society of Berlin. The horses purchased in Alexandria, and the new carriage from London, have already arrived--have they not?"
"My book-keeper so informed me a fortnight since, when we were in Paris, and complained of the enormous sum which he had to disburse.""You must forbid him such a liberty once for all," said she, and the strange blending of joy and scorn was visible in her face. "It is inadmissible for a subordinate to presume to complain to his master, or advise him. He has only to listen and obey. This all your inferiors must understand, and know that they will be dismissed who murmur or advise!""I will instruct them accordingly," he sighed, "though I must confess my head-man well understands financial operations, and during the many years that he has been with me has won the right to be consulted and advised with.""Then prove your gratitude as it becomes a true cavalier and a nobleman," dictated Marie. "Settle his salary as an annuity upon him, and replace him.""But he receives very great wages, and is still very active, though advanced.""The more the reason to pension him, that he may repose his remaining years and enjoy the fruit of his labors. But do as you like. I have only told you how a noble cavalier would act; if you choose to bargain and haggle, it is your own affair.""Heaven keep me from acting otherwise than as a nobleman!" cried Ebenstreit.
Marie nodded assent, desiring that the carriage might be ordered, with the Arab horses. "We will make our visits at once, as I will, for the first time, open our large house for a soiree to-morrow evening," she added.
"Ah, that is charming!" said Ebenstreit, delighted. "I shall at last have the opportunity of seeing the aristocratic Berlin society, and enter upon the rank of my new title.""Yes," she replied, with an expression of irrepressible scorn, "you will have this enjoyment. Send me the steward, I wish to give him a list of the invited guests. You can add to it at your pleasure.""I have no one to invite," cried her husband.
"No matter! Make the necessary preparations. I will go to my room to make my toilet.""Will you not allow me to accompany you? You are not yet familiar with the house.""Trude will show it to me, and you can at the same time give the orders."Nodding proudly to Ebenstreit, she told Trude to precede her, following the old woman through the suite of brilliant rooms.
"Here is my lady's dressing-room," said Trude, entering one ornamented with mirrors, laces, and gauzes.
The French waiting-maid was busy within, unpacking the large trunks filled with silk and satin dresses which had been purchased by the dozens in Paris.
"Lay out an elegant visiting toilet; I will return directly, after Trude has shown me the house," They entered the adjoining chamber, Marie's sleeping-room and found the German maid arranging the lace and silk coverings for her mistress to repose herself after the long journey. Marie betrayed no inclination for repose, but questioned Trude as to whither the other door led to.
"Into the little corridor, baroness."
"Did I not order that there should be but one entrance to my sleeping-room, and that from the dressing-room?""Your commands have been strictly obeyed," replied Trude. "The only door from the corridor leads to my two rooms, and there is but one entrance to them upon the other side, which can be securely fastened."Into the simple, quiet room, at the baroness's request, Trude opened the door, saying, "Here we can be alone."Marie pointed silently to the second door, and the old woman nodded:
"That is it," said she. "I have done every thing as you directed.
After you left, they sent me the furniture of your little garret-room, which I have arranged exactly as it stood there."As Marie opened the door and found herself in the small room, so like the one where she had made flowers, given lessons, consoled by her only friend, Trude, her pride and reserve vanished. Sinking upon her knees, as if crushed, she gave way to her long-pent-up grief in one cry of anguish, clinging to Trude, and weeping bitterly.
"Here I am, my faithful nurse, returned to you more wretched and miserable than when I left: then, I felt that I could scorn the world, and now I despise myself. Oh, Trude, they have caused my wretchedness, they have made me selfish and unkind. I was contented until now, and rejoiced in my misery, and triumphantly thought of the time when I was wont to bewail my broken heart and lost soul.
