re the 'Lady in white' stepped out of the frame and walked up to his
bed. The Emperor, starting with fright, the story continues, called
for his adjutant, and to the end of his life always spoke with
exasperation of this 'cursed palace.'"

"I must give up trying to calm myself by reading," said Effi. "If I
read further, I shall certainly come to a vaulted cellar that the
devil once rode out of on a wine cask. There are several of these in
Germany, I believe, and in a tourist's handbook all such things have
to be collected; that goes without saying. So I will close my eyes,
rather, and recall my wedding-eve celebration as well as I can,--how
the twins could not get any farther because of their tears, and how,
when everybody looked at everybody else with embarrassment, Cousin von
Briest declared that such tears opened the gate to Paradise. He was
truly charming and always in such exuberant spirits. And look at me
now! Here, of all places! Oh, I am not at all suited to be a grand
Lady. Now mama, she would have fitted this position, she would have
sounded the key-note, as behooves the wife of a district councillor,
and Sidonie Grasenabb would have been all homage toward her and would
not have been greatly disturbed about her belief or unbelief. But I--I
am a child and shall probably remain one, too. I once heard that it is
a good fortune. But I don't know whether that is true. Obviously a
wife ought always to adapt herself to the position in which she is
placed."

At this moment Frederick came to clear off the table.

"How late is it, Frederick?"

"It is going on nine, your Ladyship."

"Well, that is worth listening to. Send Johanna to me."

* * * * *

"Your Ladyship sent for me."

"Yes, Johanna; I want to go to bed. It is still early, to be sure, but
I am so alone. Please go out first and post this letter, and when you
come back it will surely be time. And even if it isn't."

Effi took the lamp and walked over to her bedroom. Just as she had
expected, there lay Rollo on the rush mat. When he saw her coming he
arose to make room for her to pass, and rubbed his ear against her
hand. Then he lay down again.

Meanwhile Johanna had gone over to the office to post the letter. Over
there she had been in no particular hurry; on the contrary, she had
preferred to carry on a conversation with Mrs. Paaschen, the wife of
the janitor of the building. About the young wife, of course.

"What k