and it
astonished him that an event of the kind, bound to occur in the natural
order of things, should throw the sedate Reimers into such a state of
excitement.

The new senior-lieutenant, too, was surprised at himself, having
hitherto imagined that he regarded such externals with considerable
equanimity. The delight with which he now fastened the stars upon his
epaulettes was little less than that with which, seven years earlier,
he had attached the epaulettes themselves to his uniform, feeling
himself the happiest man in the whole world.

When Senior-lieutenant Reimers reported himself to the colonel,
Falkenhein made him an unexpected proposition.

"My dear Reimers," said he, "you know that Kauerhof is now the eldest
senior-lieutenant in the regiment. Before he gets his captaincy he will
have to return to ordinary duty for a time, and I must therefore look
about for another adjutant. So I thought of you, my dear Reimers. You
have been so entirely satisfactory as acting adjutant that I cannot
wish for a better man. But what do you think of it yourself?"

Reddening with pride and pleasure, Reimers replied: "If you are kind
enough to think me worthy of such a mark of distinction, sir, I can
only promise to do my best."

The colonel nodded, and continued: "I can well believe in your good
intentions. But now, how about the Staff College?"

"Under these circumstances," replied Reimers quickly, "I will of course
gladly give up the Staff College."

"That's just what you shall not do!" returned Falkenhein. "You shall go
to the Staff College. It is my wish, in your own interests and in that
of your career, my dear Reimers. Perhaps the matter could be arranged
by your postponing your examination for a little while. You will
probably in any case have to wait patiently for quite six years to come
before you get the command of a battery. Be my adjutant for the first
two years of that period, and then go in for your examination. By that
time I shall probably be no longer in the regiment. Well, what do you
say?"

Reimers agreed with pleasure. There seemed nothing but good fortune for
him that day. Apparently all his wishes were to be fulfilled. Would it
not perhaps be best to propose at once for the hand of Mariechen? Was
not this just the right moment, after receiving such a conspicuous
proof of Falkenhein's esteem and goodwill? But finally a piece of pure
punctilio prevented him from carrying out his intentions. It was n