United States or Gibraltar ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Wilhelm clearly saw that Pechlar did not love Loulou he was probably incapable of loving, and only wanted her dowry. Without a thought of jealousy, and out of compassion for an inexperienced and guileless creature who was dear to him, he thought it his duty to warn her before she sullied herself by becoming bound to such a man.
He spoke kindly to Wilhelm and held out his hand, while the commandant contented himself with a nod, and a sign to be seated. "I suppose you know that you have been ordered to come here about the affair with Lieutenant von Pechlar?" he said. "Certainly, sir." "Will you relate what occurred?" Wilhelm answered as he was desired.
This conversation had taken Wilhelm's mind off his misfortune, and he had almost forgotten his adventure with Pechlar. He was reminded of it, however, on reaching home about three o'clock, by finding Paul, who always came to see him at that hour. "What's the news?" cried he, coming cheerfully to meet him. "I went to-day to see Fraulein Ellrich, to set things right between us." "Bravo."
"It is hard work," sighed Frau Ellrich; "I have dozens of letters to write every day, and can hardly keep up with the correspondence." Herr von Pechlar said he regretted that he was obliged to take to the sword; he would much rather have helped the ladies with the pen. Wilhelm felt that the moral atmosphere was intolerable. He had nothing to say, and yet it was painful to him to be silent.
One's friends were suffering so much one heard such dreadful things. Herr von Pechlar had escaped without a hair being injured, and he already had an Iron Cross of the first class! She hoped that Wilhelm would soon get one too. Up till now Wilhelm had not been able to answer this question decidedly.
"On that point we are better off than the poor reserve forces," remarked Herr von Pechlar, not addressing himself to the speaker, but to Frau and Fraulein Ellrich. "We regular officers pull together like old friends in danger and in death, while the others come among us unknown. I imagine that must be very uncomfortable." Wilhelm felt that he had no answer to make, and a silence ensued.
Perhaps I may be so fortunate another time." At these unexpected words Loulou opened her eyes wide. Herr von Pechlar, however, who since Wilhelm's arrival had been tugging angrily at his red mustache, could contain himself no longer, and said in a harsh voice, which trembled with passion: "That is the coolest thing I have ever heard. May I ask first of all why you cut me on entering the room?"
Herr von Pechlar had waited the whole afternoon; but as Herr Eynhardt had sent him no message, he could no longer put off demanding satisfaction. The questions as to who was the offender, and what weapons should be used, might now be decided by the seconds. Wilhelm looked calmly into the officer's eyes, and explained that he had nothing further to do with Herr von Pechlar.
The professor of physics, who had frequently been invited to go abroad to direct the teaching in other European and foreign schools, asked Wilhelm to go with him to Turkey, Japan, and Chili as professor. He had the highest opinion of Wilhelm, and deeply regretted that his misadventure with Herr von Pechlar made an appointment in Germany impossible.
Now, however, Wilhelm could not avoid the subject in his mind, and to make his last visit to the Ellrichs, and his behavior with regard to Herr von Pechlar intelligible, he told Dr.
Word Of The Day