f a seal a little round picture pasted on, a lyre with a
staff sticking in it. But the staff might also be an arrow. She handed
the note to her husband, who likewise admired it.

"Now read it."

Effi broke open the wafer and read: "Most highly esteemed Lady, most
gracious Baroness: Permit me to join to my most respectful forenoon
greeting a most humble request. By the noon train a dear friend of
mine for many years past, a daughter of our good city of Kessin, Miss
Marietta Trippelli, will arrive here to sojourn in our midst
till tomorrow morning. On the 17th she expects to be in St.
Petersburg, where she will give concerts till the middle of January.
Prince Kotschukoff is again opening his hospitable house to her. In
her immutable kindness to me, Miss Trippelli has promised to spend
this evening at my house and sing some songs, leaving the choice
entirely to me, for she knows no such thing as difficulty. Could
Madame the Baroness consent to attend this soiree musicale, at seven
o'clock? Your husband, upon whose appearance I count with certainty,
will support my most humble request. The only other guests are Pastor
Lindequist, who will accompany, and the widow Trippel, of course.
Your most obedient servant. A. Gieshuebler."

"Well," said Innstetten, "yes or no?"

"Yes, of course. That will pull me through. Besides, I cannot decline
my dear Gieshuebler's very first invitation."

"Agreed. So, Frederick, tell Mirambo, for I take it for granted he
brought the letter, that we shall have the honor."

Frederick went out. When he was gone Effi asked: "Who is Mirambo?"

"The genuine Mirambo is a robber chief in Africa,--Lake Tanganyika, if
your geography extends that far--but ours is merely Gieshuebler's
charcoal dispenser and factotum, and will this evening, in all
probability, serve as a waiter in dress coat and cotton gloves."

It was quite apparent that the little incident had had a favorable
effect on Effi and had restored to her a good share of her
light-heartedness. But Innstetten wished to do what he could to hasten
the convalescence. "I am glad you said yes, so quickly and without
hesitation, and now I should like to make a further proposal to you to
restore you entirely to your normal condition. I see plainly, you are
still annoyed by something from last night foreign to my Effi and it
must be got rid of absolutely. There is nothing better for that than
fresh air. The weather is splendid, cool and mild at the s