"What do you mean? Nothing short of insanity, Hugo, can drive you to mythology."
"I"m only quoting you, Bertha; when I wish to be convincing I always do so. Herr von Ernau has found his way over here in spite of the doctor, and I played eavesdropper involuntarily just now at the door of "the master"s arbour," and can a.s.sure you that Fraulein Lieschen will not go very far away from Linau. For my part I am delighted, and so will you be, dear child, when you get over the remembrance of old times and your fancied dislike of Fraulein Lieschen. Think what an advantage it is to have such neighbours at Plagnitz! Clara will, I am afraid, spend half her time there."
Bertha had listened in bewildered dismay to her husband"s words. How had this result, against which she had schemed, been brought about? How could she endure to have the Lieschen whom she had always detested carry off the prize which she had failed to win? It was scarcely to be hoped that a daughter of Werner von Ma.s.senburg"s should submit with a good grace to be thus foiled. And yet she was not all worthless. We must leave her, in hopes that Lieschen"s unconscious influence may in time a.s.sert itself here, as it had so often done elsewhere. Frau von w.a.n.gen was a.s.suredly shrewd enough and self-controlled enough, as we have seen, to be outwardly all that could be desired and quite equal to the occasion.
What need to tell of the happiness that reigned in future years at Plagnitz? In Lieschen"s joys and in Lieschen"s children Frau von Osternau lived over again her own peaceful existence at Osternau. Egon had found that for which he had so thirsted; the discontent and folly of his early time seemed to him like some evil dream, the very memory of which was dispelled by the clear light of love and truth shining in his wife"s eyes.
THE END.