"

"That may be," interrupted Hertha. "But are you ever going to tell the
story?"

"Yes, compose yourself and I'll begin. We were speaking of Baron von
Innstetten. Before he had reached the age of twenty he was living over
in Rathenow, but spent much of his time on the seignioral estates of
this region, and liked best of all to visit in Schwantikow, at my
grandfather Belling's. Of course, it was not on account of my
grandfather that he was so often there, and when mama tells about it
one can easily see on whose account it really was. I think it was
mutual, too."

"And what came of it?"

"The thing that was bound to come and always does come. He was still
much too young and when my papa appeared on the scene, who had already
attained the title of baronial councillor and the proprietorship of
Hohen-Cremmen, there was no need of further time for consideration.
She accepted him and became Mrs. von Briest."

"What did Innstetten do?" said Bertha, "what became of him? He didn't
commit suicide, otherwise you could not be expecting him today."

"No, he didn't commit suicide, but it was something of that nature."

"Did he make an unsuccessful attempt?"

"No, not that. But he didn't care to remain here in the neighborhood
any longer, and he must have lost all taste for the soldier's career,
generally speaking. Besides, it was an era of peace, you know. In
short, he asked for his discharge and took up the study of the law, as
papa would say, with a 'true beer zeal.' But when the war of seventy
broke out he returned to the army, with the Perleberg troops, instead
of his old regiment, and he now wears the cross. Naturally, for he is
a smart fellow. Right after the war he returned to his documents, and
it is said that Bismarck thinks very highly of him, and so does the
Emperor. Thus it came about that he was made district councillor in
the district of Kessin."

"What is Kessin? I don't know of any Kessin here."

"No, it is not situated here in our region; it is a long distance away
from here, in Pomerania, in Farther Pomerania, in fact, which
signifies nothing, however, for it is a watering place (every place
about there is a summer resort), and the vacation journey that Baron
Innstetten is now enjoying is in reality a tour of his cousins, or
something of the sort. He wishes to visit his old friends and
relatives here."

"Has he relatives here?"

"Yes and no, depending on how you look at it. There are no
Innstettens