must tell you first of all how happy I am over you, over
my sweet little Effi. The very ground beneath my feet here is on fire,
and yet our good city is growing more and more quiet and lonesome. The
last summer guest left yesterday. Toward the end he went swimming at
nine degrees above zero (Centigrade), and the attendants were always
rejoiced when he came out alive. For they feared a stroke of apoplexy,
which would give the baths a bad reputation, as though the water were
worse here than elsewhere. I rejoice when I think that in four weeks I
shall row with you from the Piazzetta out to the Lido or to Murano,
where they make glass beads and beautiful jewelry. And the most
beautiful shall be yours. Many greetings to your parents and the
tenderest kiss for yourself from your Geert."

Effi folded the letter and put it back into the envelope.

"That is a very pretty letter," said Mrs. von Briest, "and that it
observes due moderation throughout is a further merit."

"Yes, due moderation it surely does observe."

"My dear Effi, let me ask a question. Do you wish that the letter did
not observe due moderation? Do you wish that it were more
affectionate, perhaps gushingly affectionate?"

"No, no, mama. Honestly and truly no, I do not wish that. So it is
better as it is."

"So it is better as it is. There you go again. You are so queer. And
by the by, a moment ago you were weeping. Is something troubling you?
It is not yet too late. Don't you love Geert?"

"Why shouldn't I love him? I love Hulda, and I love Bertha, and I love
Hertha. And I love old Mr. Niemeyer, too. And that I love you and papa
I don't even need to mention. I love all who mean well by me and are
kind to me and humor me. No doubt Geert will humor me, too. To be
sure, in his own way. You see he is already thinking of giving me
jewelry in Venice. He hasn't the faintest suspicion that I care
nothing for jewelry. I care more for climbing and swinging and am
always happiest when I expect every moment that something will give
way or break and cause me to tumble. It will not cost me my head the
first time, you know."

"And perhaps you also love your Cousin von Briest?"

"Yes, very much. He always cheers me."

"And would you have liked to marry Cousin von Briest?"

"Marry? For heaven's sake no. Why, he is still half a boy. Geert is a
man, a handsome man, a man with whom I can shine and he will make
something of himself in the world. What are you thinking o