fted her from the
sleigh, but had avoided speaking to her in private about the strange
drive, arose early the following morning and sought to overcome his
ill-humor, from the effects of which he still suffered.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, as Effi came to breakfast.

"Yes."

"How fortunate! I can't say the same of myself. I dreamed you met with
an accident in the sleigh, in the quicksand, and Crampas tried to
rescue you--I must call it that--, but he sank out of sight with you."

"You say all this so queerly, Geert. Your words contain a covert
reproach, and I can guess why."

"Very remarkable."

"You do not approve of Crampas's coming and offering us his
assistance."

"Us?"

"Yes, us. Sidonie and me. You seem to have forgotten entirely that the
Major came at your request. At first he sat opposite me, and I may
say, incidentally, that it was indeed an uncomfortable seat on that
miserable narrow strip, but when the Grasenabbs came up and took
Sidonie, and our sleigh suddenly drove on, I suppose you expected that
I should ask him to get out? That would have made a laughing stock of
me, and you know how sensitive you are on that point. Remember, we
have ridden horseback many times together, with your consent, and now
you don't think I should ride in the same vehicle with him. It is
wrong, we used to say at home, to mistrust a nobleman."

"A nobleman," said Innstetten with emphasis.

"Isn't he one? You yourself called him a cavalier, a perfect cavalier,
in fact."

"Yes," continued Innstetten, his tone growing more friendly, though it
still betrayed a slight shade of sarcasm. "A cavalier he is, and a
perfect cavalier, that is beyond dispute. But nobleman? My dear Effi,
a nobleman has a different look. Have you ever noticed anything noble
about him? Not I."

Effi stared at the ground and kept silent.

"It seems we are of the same opinion. But, as you said, I myself am to
blame. I don't care to speak of a _faux pas_; it is not the right word
in this connection. I assume the blame, and it shall not occur again,
if I can prevent it. But you will be on your guard, too, if you heed
my advice. He is coarse and has designs of his own on young women. I
knew him of old."

"I shall remember what you say. But just one thing--I believe you
misunderstand him."

"I do _not_ misunderstand him."

"Or me," she said, with all the force at her command, and attempted to
meet his gaze.

"Nor you either, my dear Effi. Y