will not do for her to come to see us here in
the hotel. Either Hotel du Nord or Aunt Therese; the two would not go
together at all." The mother had finally agreed to this, had, in fact,
sealed the agreement with a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

With Cousin Dagobert, of course, it was an entirely different matter.
Not only did he have the social grace of the Guards, but also, what is
more, the peculiarly good humor now almost a tradition with the
officers of the Alexander regiment, and this enabled him from the
outset to draw out both the mother and the daughter and keep them in
good spirits to the end of their stay. "Dagobert," said Effi at the
moment of parting, "remember that you are to come to my nuptial-eve
celebration; that you are to bring a cortege goes without saying. But
don't you bring any porter or mousetrap seller. For after the
theatrical performances there will be a ball, and you must take into
consideration that my first grand ball will probably be also my last.
Fewer than six companions--superb dancers, that goes without
saying--will not be approved. And you can return by the early morning
train." Her cousin promised everything she asked and so they bade each
other farewell.

Toward noon the two women arrived at their Havelland station in the
middle of the marsh and after a drive of half an hour were at
Hohen-Cremmen. Von Briest was very happy to have his wife and daughter
at home again, and asked questions upon questions, but in most cases
did not wait for the answers. Instead of that he launched out into a
long account of what he had experienced in the meantime. "A while ago
you were telling me about the National Gallery and the 'Isle of the
Blessed.' Well, while you were away, there was something going on
here, too. It was our overseer Pink and the gardener's wife. Of
course, I had to dismiss Pink, but it went against the grain to do it.
It is very unfortunate that such affairs almost always occur in the
harvest season. And Pink was otherwise an uncommonly efficient man,
though here, I regret to say, in the wrong place. But enough of that;
Wilke is showing signs of restlessness too."

At dinner von Briest listened better. The friendly intercourse with
Cousin Dagobert, of whom he heard a good deal, met with his approval,
less so the conduct toward Aunt Therese. But one could see plainly
that, at the same time that he was declaring his disapproval, he was
rejoicing; for a little mischievous trick