Fall on you in showers."
Evening had fallen when the engineer-in-chief and his wife stood on the platform of the Oberstein station, watching the departing train as it vanished in the tunnel beyond the bridge. "I have sent away the carriage, Erna," said Wolfgang. "I thought we would walk back, the evening is so fine, and we have not been alone once before to-day."
"And what a delightful day it has been!" said Erna, as she put her arm through her husband's. "Only you were so grave, Wolf, in the midst of your triumph, and you are so still."
He smiled, but his voice was grave as he replied, "I could not but remember how dearly the triumph has been bought, as only you and I can know. You have been my sole confidante, my only refuge, inspiring me with courage and ability when all sorts of petty intrigue nearly drove me insane. If you had not been beside me I could not have persevered."
"Yes, nothing could have been more trying for a nature like yours than to be so thwarted and harassed on all sides as you have been; but you have come off conqueror at last."
"And Benno has been such a help in placing everything in my hands as soon as he was Alice's husband. I never can forget it of him."
"But he owes you more than he can repay," Erna interposed. "Think of how you worked for Alice after my uncle's death. They owe it to you that they are still wealthy."
As she spoke, the departed train, having passed through the tunnel, was visible like a black thread winding among the distant mountains, which softly echoed back the whistle of the locomotive through the quiet evening air. Wolfgang paused and drew a deep breath:
"Now she is quelled, the evil Force above there. She has given me trouble enough. Look, Erna, the last clouds are floating off from the throne of your Alpine Fay. She seems to unveil completely only on Midsummer-eve."