CHAPTER XXVI
“I wish I was air, that I could beat my wings, could chase
the clouds, and try to fly over the mountain summits: that
would be life.”—F. RÜCKERT.
The first evening after Otto’s return to Copenhagen he spent with Sophie, and the conversation turned upon his little journey. “The pretty Eva has vanished!” said he.
“You had rejoiced in the prospect of this meeting, had you not?” asked Sophie.
“No, not in the least!” answered Otto.
“And you wish to make me believe that? She is really pretty, and has something so unspeakably refined, that a young gentleman might well be attracted by her. With my brother it is not all quite right in this respect; but, candidly speaking, I am in great fear on your account, Mr. Thostrup. Still waters—you know the proverb? I might have spared you the trouble. The letter which I received a few evenings ago informed me of her departure. Mamma has taken her with her. It seemed to her a sin to leave that sweet, innocent girl in a public-house. The host and hostess were born upon our estate, and look very much up to my mother; and as Eva will certainly gain by the change, the whole affair was soon settled. It is well that she is come under mamma’s oversight.”
“The girl is almost indifferent to me!” said Otto.
“Almost!” repeated Sophie. “But this almost, how many degrees of warmth does it contain? ‘O Vérité! Où sont les autels et tes prêtres?’” added she, and smiling raised her finger.
“Time will show how much you are in error!” answered Otto with much calmness.
The lady of the house now entered, she had made various calls; everywhere the Ghost’s Letters were the subject of conversation, and now the conversation took the same direction.