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Updated: May 19, 2025
In any case there would have been an end to that, as the order to start for the practice-camp had already been issued. Reimers learnt from his comrades that Frau von Gropphusen appeared no more at the tennis club. It was said that she was not well and was going away to some watering-place or other. There was much chuckling over the news. "There has been a split," opined the gossips.
Gropphusen himself would be leaving the garrison for the gun-practice, and she would at least remain there during that time; but she did not go out, and nobody had yet seen her face to face. Reimers was possessed with a restless impatience to meet the woman he loved; he had wasted too much time already to brook delay. Then again he was thrown into dull inaction by an agonising doubt.
He recollected how, amidst the jubilation of his home-coming, he had been disquieted by a presentiment of evil, a visionary dream that now confronted him in such cruel reality. It was during his first visit to Frau von Gropphusen that the shadow had fallen upon him. He saw the room again before him in the dim light from its darkened window, and it seemed to him filled with gloom and hopelessness.
Kläre put her arm round the trembling woman, led her to a seat, and soothed her like a child. Sitting motionless, Frau von Gropphusen listened to the gentle, comforting sound of the words, without taking in their meaning, Suddenly she sprang up and said in a voice of enforced calm: "Forgive me, dear kind Frau Kläre, for having caused such a disturbance.
The maid met her at the garden gate, and was profuse in her apologies. Frau von Gropphusen replied lightly: "All right, all right." Lady Godiva was fidgeting about impatiently. She whinnied joyfully as her mistress's hand stroked her delicate nostrils. The groom helped Frau von Gropphusen to mount, and inquired if he should tighten the curb a little. His mistress nodded.
Here a strong rough paling had been erected as a barrier, in case any stubborn horse should prove unmanageable. This was no impediment to an unerring fencer like Lady Godiva. She went over it easily at full stretch. After her landing Hannah Gropphusen gave the mare a touch of the whip. The animal laid her ears back and increased the pace.
Falkenhein went quickly to his side: "Do give us the pleasure of your company, dear Frau von Gropphusen. I will have your bicycle taken in at once." He went to the gate and conducted Frau von Gropphusen to the arbour. Güntz had already placed a chair at the table for her and poured out a glass of Maibowle.
Reimers quickened his pace. Once only Hannah Gropphusen broke the silence: "You have hurt your hand?" she asked. "Yes no I don't know." It was almost dark when they reached her garden gate. "Show me your hand," she said gently. Reimers held it out to her in silence. His wrist was a good deal swollen. Hannah bent down suddenly and breathed a hasty kiss on the injured member.
But the good brown mare moved correctly of herself. Her rider patted her neck in praise, and drew himself up erect. The joy which had at first stupefied him made him now feel glad and proud. Happiness smiled upon him once more, before the consummation of his evil fortune he would see Hannah Gropphusen again. It was noon when he arrived in the garrison town.
How could he think of approaching Hannah Gropphusen he, a marked man, a condemned man? He set it before himself a thousand times, and dinned it into his own ears: he desired nothing, he wanted nothing but to be allowed to live in her soothing presence. He directed his goings from day to day so as to pass by the Gropphusen villa as often as possible.
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