The remaining shutter closed noisily, and a pane of glass fell with a clatter into the room.
Carla jumped up with a scream of terror.
“Do you want us to travel in this weather?”
“If I can, so can you,” said Frau von Wallbach; “and now have the goodness to get ready; we shall start in an hour at latest.”
Fortunately for Carla, who did not know how to avert the threatened blow, the maid came back at this moment to say that the Baroness was very sorry that she could not oblige Frau von Wallbach; she was herself obliged to go out with Fräulein von Werben. But she had sent to inquire in the village; perhaps one of the peasants might provide horses, but it was not very likely.
“This is pleasant,” said Frau von Wallbach, “I cannot go away on foot. Where are the ladies going?”
The maid smiled. She could not say for certain, but Fräulein von Werben’s maid thought they might be going to Wissow.
“Very well,” said Frau von Wallbach; “just see that that window is put right. I will go myself to the Baroness, she will excuse my déshabillé. Come with me, Carla!”
Carla would much rather not have gone, but Louisa was so intolerably determined today, that she must do all she could to coax her back into good humour. Besides, if, as now appeared probable, Louisa did not go away, she had at least the pleasant prospect of seeing the two other ladies out of the house, perhaps for the whole day. She could soon talk over Louisa into not putting any insurmountable obstacle in the way of the daring, delightful scheme which she had hastily concocted with the Count yesterday. And as to the important question of her own stay, there could hardly remain a doubt.
“But, my sweet pet,” said she to her sister-in-law, as they passed along the corridor to the Baroness’s room, “you would not do such a thing by me as to make any allusion to Count Golm in my presence? So long as they keep silence towards us, we really need not be the first to speak.”
“I thought nothing had been decided between you,” said Frau von Wallbach.
“All the more then,” said Carla.
Valerie was alone when the two ladies came in, and already dressed for her drive. She, too, looked pale and tired, so much so that the good-natured Louisa exclaimed:
“You should go to bed again, my dear Baroness, instead of braving this storm, which really seems to be frightful. I will go with Elsa, that sort of thing does not hurt me; or, what would be the wisest thing, we will all stay here and keep you company, even if my company is not too amusing.”
“Certainly,” interposed Carla, “we will willingly remain with you, and pass this dull day sociably together.”
Valerie, without seeming to see Carla, took Louisa’s hand.
“Thank you for your kindness, dear Frau von Wallbach, but forgive me if notwithstanding I seem to slight the duties of hospitality. It can only be for a few hours, as I expect another visitor today, Signor Giraldi, with whom I have to speak of some most important business. He will be surprised and disappointed, therefore, at not finding me, and so I wanted to ask you to tell him that I have gone to Wissow with my niece, whose betrothed—of course you have heard of it all from Fräulein von Wallbach—is exposed to great danger in this fearful storm. We have waited until now for news, but in vain, as was natural under the circumstances; and have no hope of receiving any now, while we fear the worst, at least I do; for my dear niece is still trying to inspire me with courage, though hers must be inwardly failing her. Your kind heart can feel for me—for us, I am sure.”
“Of course, of course!” said Frau von Wallbach, in whose good-natured eyes tears were standing; “go, my dear Baroness, and think no more of us; and as for your commission—when do you expect Signor Giraldi?”
“He ought to have been here the first thing this morning, but no doubt the violence of the storm has detained him; he may arrive at any moment.”
“It is all the same to me,” said Frau von Wallbach; “I will do the honours to him. The chief thing is that you should set off; and here comes dear Elsa.”
She met Elsa, who now came in ready for her drive, with a warmth to which Elsa gratefully responded. It was a comfort to feel that all good hearts would be on the same side in this conflict which was threatening all around, and in which so many of the worst passions were let loose, so many sordid motives were mingling. And she could not help admiring the honesty with which this woman, whose insignificance had become a byword, declared herself on the side which she considered right in the decisive moment, even in Carla’s presence, following the impulse of her own heart with no thought for anything further. What Carla might think of it, as she stood apart, trying to retain her usual company smile of civility, but not venturing, in spite of her boasted self-possession and presence of mind, to join in this painful scene by so much as a word, Elsa did not desire to know; she was glad when she was in the carriage with her aunt, and they had started.
It was unfortunately impossible today to choose the shorter road to Wissow. The fields and meadows along the shore, through which Elsa had passed the evening before, were too wet, the coachman said, in consequence of the torrents of rain which had been falling since last night. They saw traces of this as soon as they had left the comparatively higher ground on which the castle
