book_id
stringlengths 2
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| title
stringclasses 1
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stringclasses 1
value | conversations
listlengths 1
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|---|---|---|---|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Forget all this,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The swallows stretched out their heads from their nest under the eaves, and seemed to twitter"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good-by, good-by,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Farewell, farewell!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, Bernhard, she whispered,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My darling, what a question to ask! he replied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You know that you are my sweetest, loveliest May rosebud."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is she there still? he thought, and he seemed to hear again her low, penetrating tones,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Forget all this,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The old cabinet-maker in me takes great delight in such things,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have been expecting you, my dear fellow, the doctor exclaimed, springing up and holding out both hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As you did not write, I knew you would come. Well, and----? He looked expectantly at the young man for an instant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hm! he went on,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's not much to be told. It was very short work, and what will come next I do not know,--which is what troubles me, replied Walter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At present I am on my way to Bonn to study law."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There would have been entire estrangement from my parents if I had insisted upon my wishes,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And I think you are quite right in yielding, said his friend."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You owe it to your parents to make an attempt at least to adopt the career in life that they have chosen for you. There must be difficulties to be encountered everywhere. We cannot escape them, whatever freedom of choice may be granted us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I could only get up some small amount of interest in the law,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You know nothing about it yet, the doctor replied, seriously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Reflect, investigate, contemplate the _corpus juris_ in every possible light, and depend upon it you will attain that ideal standpoint which is what you desire, and which will give you all the interest you lack in the study of equity. The struggle will strengthen your mental muscles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At present, however, any old skull or bone interests me more than the most complicated legal process,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, go on,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Apparently you come to-day not to discuss this matter, but to bewail it, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For many people this is a positive necessity when they find themselves face to face with irritating circumstances. So go on, my dear fellow, I entreat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I did not know you better I should take my leave of you this instant, convinced that you were the most unsympathetic man in the world, he said;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And I am sure that, in spite of your groans and plaints, you will apply yourself to your new task like a man of courage, cried the doctor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There is genuine content and satisfaction to be found in the conscientious performance of duty, however irksome that duty may be. You have excellent powers of mind, and I know you will use them well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will try, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You are right. 'Things without all remedy should be without regard.' So there's an end of my groaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When do you leave town?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To-morrow, or the day after, was the reply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There is not much time left before the long vacation, and my father wishes me to spend that in travelling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You will like that, at all events."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, that will be pleasant enough."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I believe you. At your age it would have been the realization of my most cherished hopes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have you never travelled?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I spent a couple of years in Paris."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, yes, studying your profession; but you would have liked entire freedom, and to wander where the paths were not quite so well worn, if I am not mistaken in you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He first bewails his own fate, and now is bewailing mine, he exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My dear Eichhof, you are in a deucedly morbid, sentimental mood to-day, and farewells are scarcely propitious to the cure of such maladies. If you are really going away to-morrow, come and say good-by to my father and mother, and afterwards I will walk home with you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, Herr von Eichhof, said the old man, as Walter entered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glad to see you once more before you go to the university. Well, what cheer? Is all right between you and your father? Has the Baron consented?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, well, said the father, running his fingers through his thick hair, only faintly streaked with gray, as was his wont when anything went"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "with him, as he expressed it,--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And you never could have married me, Nikolas, said Frau Nordstedt, who had entered the room meanwhile,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So, you see, my carpentering brought me happiness, said old Nordstedt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless, now that my days are all holidays, I look back with indulgence upon my youthful dreams. And since my wife and I took our Italian journey together, she has nothing but respect and admiration for art."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if I ever had anything else for what you delighted in,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Take care, the old man rejoined, holding up a warning finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no, Therese, I must admit that you are and always were the most sensible of women."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We women always are sensible, she said;"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is strange, and no less true than strange, Herr von Eichhof, said the latter,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You are right, Herr Nordstedt,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To a faithful discharge of duty, then, and a successful career at the university,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How often I shall think of our pleasant evenings here!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And now good-by, the doctor said, grasping the young man's hand;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know how I shall miss you, so I will cut short all leave-taking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, Herr Doctor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that you, Marianne? he said, with a hasty glance at the woman."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you want? Is anything going wrong?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, Herr Doctor, very, very wrong, I am afraid, she sighed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is out again, and indeed it would be better he should not come home, for he earned a trifle to-day, and he is spending it in drink, I suppose. If he should come home in one of his raging moods the lady will die----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is she worse?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, good heavens! I don't know, but she talks so strange-like that I begged Christine, who lives just over me, to sit by her for a moment, and I ran all the way here to beg you to come to her if you can. She talked about you, and then prayed, and called herself wicked and ungrateful; it's hard to hear her talk so, when I know how good and gentle and unhappy she is, and how thankful she is for everything that is done for her. I thought to myself that the Herr Doctor would know just what to do, when you are so good as to pay my rent to the landlord to let me nurse the poor lady, and I came directly to you; and when they told me you were not at home I waited here until you should come, for---- But here we are already; indeed, doctor, you can run faster than I can."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Only wait one instant, Herr Doctor, till I light a candle,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How is she, Christine?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She is sleeping,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I cannot help it, Robert; don't be angry with me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Robert is not here, he said;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, it is you! she said, with a sigh of relief, sinking back upon her pillows."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have had such a terrible dream! How kind of you to come to me when it is so late! she added, softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How can I ever thank you!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hush, hush, child! you must not talk so much, and there is no occasion for any gratitude. It is a doctor's duty to look after his patients."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shall not give you much more trouble, she said;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "she added, entreatingly;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I cannot let you talk much; you must say only a very few words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing now can either harm or help me. You know as well as I do that I shall soon be at rest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know that the end is near, and I am so glad of it, she said, softly;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hedwig,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have you quite forgiven me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Utterly and entirely,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, how happy you make me! My suffering has atoned for my sin against you. Ah, how I thank you,--I thank you!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Friedrich,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She is dead, and Walter is gone, he muttered to himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is my lot to be a lonely man."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The deuce knows how it is all to end! the Freiherr growled to himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every year living is dearer and the income smaller; everything to be bought goes up in price, everything to be sold comes down. It is enough to drive me mad!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I suppose the bad harvest years are at the bottom of the mischief, the Freiherr thought, and consoled himself with the reflection that the good years must come, and that then the 'unavoidable expenses' would be met, and the 'inconceivable deficits' be made up. He had of late positively loathed the books of the estate, and had in consequence rather neglected them. Now he remembered that the time was at hand for the first instalment to be paid of a loan he had had of Count Eichhof, and that he could not possibly pay it. He looked up from his gloomy contemplation of the soil which had once been forest-land, and which was to be forest-land again in the future, and drove over to Eichhof to discuss matters with the Count. But he did not find him at home."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Herr Count is hunting to-day,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He writes seldom, said the Countess,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, your daughter-in-law is so charming that her husband's distaste for general society is easily understood,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She is a good child,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Freiherr, however, was only listening to catch the first sound of the hoofs of the horses that were bringing home the hunting-party, and just as the Countess was preparing to tell him of the charming letter she had just received from her cousin the ambassador, with whom she had begun a correspondence"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I think your husband has returned, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Allow me to go and meet him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't think it is my husband, was the reply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His voice usually makes itself unmistakably heard upon his return from hunting. But pray inform yourself about it, my dear Baron."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is the matter? Why are the lamps not lighted? the Countess asked, standing at the head of the stairs. The Freiherr, who stood at their foot with a candle in his hand, looked up at her with a face so pale and horror-stricken that a cold shudder ran through her as she repeated her question,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is the matter? For God's sake tell me what has happened!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be calm, said the Baron, who stood beside her in an instant, while his voice trembled as perceptibly as did the candle in his hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Be calm, I entreat you, dearest madame; your husband has met with an accident."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, God! she shrieked;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And she would have rushed down the staircase, but the Freiherr detained her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is not yet here,--he is coming. One of his huntsmen brought us the news."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He is coming? she cried;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is seriously injured, very seriously, said the Freiherr."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fear we must be prepared for everything,--even for the worst!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dead! she shrieked,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Can this be? Is it really true? murmurs the Countess, seated in an arm-chair beside the couch, and gazing fixedly with dry eyes at the smiling face; while the old servant, kneeling at the dead man's feet, slowly shakes his white head. He cannot believe it, it is so unlike his master to die; it must all be an evil dream. But below-stairs all are fully convinced of its reality. The huntsman in the kitchen is telling circumstantially, for the twelfth time, the whole terrible story,--how the Count jumped across the ditch and the gun went off. Nor does he forget to mention the black rabbit that crossed their path when the chase had just begun, or his own frightful dream of the previous night, which had caused him to say to his wife when he left her,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Look out for some accident to-day! And the cook listens with the same shudder that he felt the first time the story was told, only it passes off rather more quickly, and he is able to find consolation not only in the tankard to which he has frequent recourse, but also in the thought that he stands very well"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will not have it! still rang in the son's ears. Oh, if his father were only here now, that he might appeal to him once more! An idle wish. That"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will not have it!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adela! Walter exclaimed, in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You here? I never expected to find you here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And why not? she asked, a gleam of defiance in her eyes, which nevertheless showed traces of recent tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did I not love your father dearly? she continued, with a perceptible tremor in her voice,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are right, he said, gently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Your heart is true and kind, after all."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thank you for these tears, Adela, he said, Beating himself on the step beside her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You loved him, and can understand what we have all lost."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I know there is no one left like him, so good and kind! the girl sobbed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And he loved me, too, and was always tender to me. I can never forget it, for no one else cares for me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adela!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, she went on,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adela, dear Adela, I pray you be calm, he entreated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can you say that no one cares for you,--you who have a father, and so many others who love you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't speak of them, she interrupted him, angrily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You do not understand. Papa lets me do as I please because he cannot help it, and, besides, he thinks of nothing but his business affairs and of Hugo. He cares about that for me, and the girl snapped her fingers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My governess is going back to her home, and is immensely delighted to be rid of me. Frau von Rosen is angry with me, and will not let Alma come to see me, because I persuaded her the other day to disguise herself with me in two new liveries that had just come home, and to drive into town, where nobody recognized us, and where all that we did was to eat a couple of queen-cakes at the confectioner's. And all because of that perfectly innocent frolic I am thought unfeminine and odious, and I must lose my best friend. And now you come, and give me to understand that you think me heartless; and your dear, good, splendid father is dead, and will never speak kindly to me again. I am alone,--all alone!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And it hurts me more than all, Adela went on in an agitated way,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, Adela, I will not deny that I was surprised, Walter frankly confessed;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did you think so of me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because, Adela, you have lately seemed 'so' to me. We were always good friends until a few months ago, and then you suddenly changed your manner to me. When we rode together you talked only of new dresses, of the officers from the neighbouring garrison, of your plans and prospects for the winter, which you hoped to pass in Berlin, and of heaven knows what nonsense besides. If I tried to talk of something else, you yawned, and I felt that we no longer were in sympathy with each other. And when I called upon you in Kissingen in the summer, as I was passing through the town, instead of my old playmate I found a fashionable little lady flirting with a couple of affected fops and quite ready to make game of her old 'comrade.'"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That is not true!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, yes, it is, said Walter, who had quite talked himself into a heat;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes; but I did not mean anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless you were ready enough to laugh with the others at your 'comrade's' discomfiture; and that laugh broke the bond between us. From that moment you were no more to me than a strange young lady; and that I forget this and tell you all that I am saying now, is due to the sight of those wreaths and of your tears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And when the wreaths are withered and the tears are dried, must we be strangers again?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Would you have it otherwise?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Farewell, Fräulein Adela,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Walter! she said, and at the sound of her voice he stopped involuntarily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter, do not go; stay for one moment and listen to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought you wished me to go,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do not tease me, Walter, she said, imploringly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You see, it is not so easy to confess that one has been in the wrong. I know I was wrong, and that I am really very vain and often behaved very foolishly to you. You were quite right to be displeased, and I am glad to know that you were so, but for all that you need not be so very angry with me. You see, I know what a foolish girl I am; and indeed I don't care in the least what people in general think of me, but it cuts me to the heart when I see that you take my nonsense seriously and believe me heartless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never thought you 'heartless,' Adela, he cried, interrupting her;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that's just the same thing! she exclaimed;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, Adela, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will be a true and faithful friend to you. I cannot tell you how glad I am to find my dear little playfellow once more. I know now that she may sometimes hide herself, but she will not vanish utterly. Be sure I shall remember this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are alone too, Walter, she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You are very unlike your brothers, and your mother cannot be much to you. She sees you more in the future than in the present."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, Adela! said Walter, almost startled,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I keep my eyes open, she said, and then grew suddenly very grave."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I only mean that your father is a terrible loss to you, and that Eichhof will be much changed. Thea will come, and I am glad of it, although she is something of a prig, like all the Rosens. I love her dearly for all that, and she will be a good sister to you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come, said Adela, laying her hand upon his arm,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shall we not go in again together?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How solemn! said Adela, pausing before the chapel. Suddenly she turned to Walter again:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From this moment we are friends for life, are we not?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, Adela; at least I promise to be your friend for life,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Take this ring in remembrance of today, she said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was my mother's, and I have always worn it, first on my chain and then on my finger. Take it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But, Adela, Walter said, delighted, and yet hesitating to accept so strange a gift,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who is there to miss it? No one cares enough for me to notice whether I wear it or not,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thank you, Adela; the ring will be most precious indeed to me, he said, in a low, earnest voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I do not need it to make me remember this evening."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Some living creatures shall be happy with me, at all events,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is hardly more than a boy, but he'll come all right, the old superintendent would declare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Others lose their money at cards or on the race-course, we waste some on these 'useless improvements;' but there's enough left after all, and it will all come right with time. The Count has not lost his head, but the sudden possession of such an estate and such an income has confused it a little, that's all. He is so young."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I believe you are the only one who has any real compassion for me, said Lothar one day to Alma Rosen, with whom he had been left alone in his sister-in-law's boudoir."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You pity me, do you not?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so does Thea, Alma replied, a little embarrassed, as she always was with Lothar;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, yes, that would be the best thing that could happen to me, he said, smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And Thea is glad? That's very good of her. You both have excellent hearts, you and Thea, but your father and mother, you know, look upon me as a terrible black sheep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pray don't turn your eyes so resolutely away, he began;"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here you sit lonely and forlorn as an enchanted princess in her tower gazing drearily from her window in hopes of a glimpse of some princely deliverer! she cried, laughing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good heavens, how stupid and quiet Eichhof is, when one compares it with what it was awhile ago!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How can you talk so, Adela? You know they are all in deep mourning; any entertainments are quite out of the question,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, I don't mean that, exclaimed Adela;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thea is walking in the park with her mother-in-law, Lothar is getting ready to leave Eichhof, and Walter is having a talk with Bernhard. They have been closeted together for more than an hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So Lothar is packing up? Then the bomb-shell has burst, and Bernhard has turned him out. You need not deny it, my dear, I know all about his debts; Hugo told papa of them to console him. And what is to be done now?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is Walter discussing with Bernhard?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am sure I cannot tell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something is going very wrong with Walter, Adela observed;"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good-morning to some and good-by to others, in most admired confusion,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "and her"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! all joy has fled from this household,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon my word, whispered Adela to her friend, who looked quite cast down by Lothar's sudden departure,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He does not look as if he wanted to take a walk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter; ask him, or I will go immediately."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew that I should find you here, he said, turning to the old Countess,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed, did you really think it pretty? asked the Countess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens, it is so plain and simple!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I think it charming; and if you find it too quiet, why, you always have Eichhof, you know. I am so glad to think of you so near here, for my wife is, as you know, too much of an invalid to drive out very often, and my dear little daughter will often need counsel and aid in her new sphere of life. She has learned something already, however, for her manner of receiving her guests at her last small dinner reminded me a little of old times at Eichhof. I was proud of you, my little Thea, and I was sincerely grateful to you for your influence over her, my dear Countess."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am very glad to see you to-day, sir, he said, as, after greeting his father-in-law, he seated himself beside him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have arranged Lothar's affairs after the manner you advised; they are all right: but now it is Walter's turn."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter? Surely the boy has no debts?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No; but I almost wish he had, for then I should know what to do, inconvenient as it might be for me just at present."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens! exclaimed the old Countess,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You must be told of it, mother, and perhaps there is no better time than the present for the telling. Walter has gone back to his insane idea of last year,--in fact, he seems never to have really relinquished it,--and he has been attending medical lectures in addition to those upon jurisprudence. He insists that he shall never be worth anything unless he pursues the study of medicine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Impossible! exclaimed his mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I never will give my consent to so crazy a scheme. Besides, my cousin the ambassador has promised him a position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You know, mother, that we have already discussed this matter, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But not before many years, and in the mean time he would be called 'Assessor' and 'Circuit Judge,' moaned the Countess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You cannot seriously entertain the idea of your brother's being a circuit judge? He had better enter the army immediately. Oh, if he only had never studied anything!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The army would have been best, but it cannot be thought of now, and that is not the question at present; he insists upon studying medicine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did you tell him it was entirely out of the question?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I told him my opinion on the subject, to which, however, he opposed his own. He declares that he has done his best conscientiously to comply with our father's wishes, and that it is upon his account alone that he has silently endured and struggled. He has, he says, been very unhappy, and is firmly convinced that he shall miss his vocation and live a useless life if he does conform to these wishes. In short, he said a great deal to me that sounds plausible enough, but that nevertheless does not alter the fact that this idea of his of studying medicine is insanely absurd. I told him that if he persisted in it I would not help him with a single penny, to which he replied that he had no intention of applying to me for assistance; he meant that his income of five hundred thalers should suffice for all his needs, and nothing would induce him to accept anything further from me. Of course after this we can have no more to do with each other. He declares that nothing I can say will have the least influence upon his determination, which is the result of mature deliberation, and that he does not want any aid from me. The case is clear, and a breach is unavoidable if Walter will not listen to reason. He values your opinion highly, sir, and I thought perhaps you would expostulate with him. I can do no more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, yes, you must talk to him,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what in the world can I say to him? Herr von Rosen asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Certainly, from what I know of Walter, I judge it very unlikely that he should arrive at any over-hasty conclusions, and I am not at all competent to overthrow in an hour a resolve that has been the result on his part of a year of struggle and endurance. Besides, if I did as you desire, it would be in opposition to my own conviction. Walter is subjected to the necessity of carving out his own fortunes, of winning his own means of subsistence. A hard task under all circumstances, why should we make it harder for him by forcing him to do what he positively dislikes? The beginnings of every career are arduous enough, and, since Walter does not possess sufficient means to surround himself with outward luxuries, it is surely natural that he should covet inward content. This he can find only in a calling in which he takes a genuine interest, to which he can cheerfully devote all his powers of mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But how can he do that as a doctor?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Your son probably wonders how he can do it as circuit judge. It is all a matter of taste and temperament."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, don't speak of a circuit judge! If he is to be nothing but that he may as well be a doctor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One is certainly as honourable a calling as the other,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I forgot to bring down the book you lent me, Alma! she exclaimed, standing on the lowest of the flight of steps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, Walter, you cannot get it; I left it in Alma's room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I left it there on purpose, she said to Walter;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What have you to say to me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First, I want to know whether you are still my good friend."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Put it away quickly, she said, with a shy glance around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one must know that you have it, for people are so stupid; too stupid! They could not understand. But what I really wanted to ask was why you are so terribly serious and quiet. Has anything gone particularly wrong?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I cannot explain it to you now, Adela. It is a long story, and everything seems to me to be going particularly wrong just now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I am fairly dying with curiosity; tell me about it, quickly!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not now; I will come to Rollin to-morrow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ride through the park, then, and I will be waiting for you on the round white bench near the pond. Some one is always sure to interrupt us at the house, and you never will be able to finish your story. By the white bench, then, at eleven o'clock in the morning; I cannot possibly wait until the afternoon."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What will Walter tell me? she thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jump, Fidèle! she called out to the dog, who had paused for a moment and looked dubiously at his mistress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are a good creature, she went on, stroking his handsome head, and again her thoughts flew to Walter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Poor dear fellow, his eyes have so sad a look in them now; and indeed it is too uncomfortable in Eichhof. Thea really looks quite ill; she must be fairly bored to death. Come, Fidèle, you shall jump once more, and then I'll give you some sugar."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, she said, when Walter, having tied his horse to a tree, stood beside her,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have only just arrived. I nearly forgot our appointment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should have been so sorry not to find you, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leave? You are going away? Where? You have only just come!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You perhaps remember a ride we took together, about a year ago, when I told you how hard I had found it to resign the idea of studying medicine,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good heavens, Walter, she interrupted him,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I am, he then said, softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am firmly, unalterably resolved----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter! she exclaimed loudly, thrusting Fidèle from her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You cannot! you dare not! Think of your father!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have thought of him and tried to do as he wished. But do you not think that my father loved me and earnestly desired my happiness?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; and for that very reason you ought to do nothing that he would have disapproved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And suppose I am perfectly convinced that I never could be contented, but, on the contrary, should be positively miserable, in the career he chose for me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You still ought to pursue that career."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And live but half a life, tormented by the consciousness that I was entirely unfitted for my position? No, Adela, my father never could have wished me to do this. When I told him of my wishes I had not yet made an attempt to conform to his. This was my duty, and I have done it. Now what I only suspected has come to be a certainty. I have no interest whatever in the study of the law. I cannot make it the business of my life. Do you not believe that the knowledge of this would alter my father's views?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Your father never would have allowed you to be a doctor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then he would have sacrificed his better self to a prejudice. The very essence of his being was a kindly enjoyment of life, and it would have caused him the greatest sorrow to have been the occasion of unhappiness to one of his sons. I believe that if he had lived he would have seen this and would have yielded to my wishes. Happiness and unhappiness are dealt out to us by heaven, but human will is not without influence in their distribution. As far as I can I choose to be happy, and in so being to fulfil what I know to have been my father's chief hope for me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But your mother,--think of your mother; she never will consent to what you desire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, my mother never will consent until some brilliant result justifies my choice. But she is just as averse to a commonplace legal career, which is what I should now be obliged to pursue, since I cannot be under obligations to my brother. I must be independent. My mother has no decided views for me at present. I hope to win her over in time. Bernhard is angry with me; Lothar only laughs at me. I am very much alone in my family, Adela. But I never shall forget that I am an Eichhof, and I shall try, so far as I can, to do honour to my name. I hope that my mother may one day be proud of me; at all events she shall never be ashamed of me."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now you know all. Are you still my friend, Adela?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dear, dear Walter, I know I ought to be angry with you, but I cannot, I cannot."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then you think I am right, Adela?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good heavens! I do not know, Walter, she sobbed;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you are sorry?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dear, dearest Adela!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so the very words which I feared would separate us have united us forever, my darling, said Walter, after a long and ecstatic pause."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, how proudly I shall now pursue my path, since I know that I shall not be struggling and working only for myself, but for you! And you will believe in me, and will be patient until the goal is reached, and I have a home for you where you shall be shielded from every blast that blows?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter, she said, hastily,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never fear, dear love, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be sure that my strength and courage will be all-sufficient to provide for our future. I know now that you love me, and will one day consent to be my wife, although I still persist in being a doctor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I never said that, Walter, she cried;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was all a mistake, then,--the saddest mistake of my life, he said, slowly and monotonously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do not understand how it could be, Adela, but I understand that you now send me from you. He stood still for a moment, as though awaiting a reply. Adela was silent, and pressed her handkerchief to her lips to restrain her sobs. Walter still looked inquiringly at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Farewell!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Walter! she cried."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, heavens! I--I think--I love you, Walter. You must not go!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adela, do not torture me so! he entreated."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After what has passed between us, I do not, I cannot know what you mean. You say you love me, and----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, yes, Walter; but you must not be a doctor. If you are poor, no matter; we will wait until you are a Landrath, and I will learn all about housekeeping and whatever you wish me to, for--even if I do not know exactly whether I love you--yet----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You do not know whether you love me, Adela? he said, with a bitter laugh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You do not know exactly? Well, I know, and I will tell you. No, you do not love me, or you never, after what I have told you, could demand such a sacrifice of me! You do not love me, Adela; it was all a dream, and --he drew out the ribbon upon which he wore her ring--"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There, take it back, he said, his voice trembling with agitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I cannot any longer be your friend. There is only one relation possible between us. I must have all or nothing. Take it, take it back!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will not have it,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Take it, or I will throw it into the lake. I will not keep it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do as you please."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Walter, she sobbed,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I love you! Oh, now I know I love you!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, Thea, how are you? I'm off on horseback!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They cannot help me, she thought,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Books for Bernhard, he said, as Thea opened the bundle and began to arrange the volumes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing for you, my dear; nothing but treatises on agricultural matters, and descriptions of just such factories as he is now building."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And why should they be nothing to me, papa? she asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it impossible for me to share Bernhard's interests?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Impossible? he repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, no; women can do a great deal if they choose. And, as he stood by his daughter, he suddenly put his hand beneath her chin, lifted her face to his, and looked into her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is it you want, Thea? Ah, tears in your eyes! Then the matter is serious. What is it?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He will not miss me, thought Thea;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But this thought did not sadden her to-day. Her eyes sparkled, and there was a certain resolute expression on her face that seemed to declare,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All this shall be different."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, my child, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For heaven's sake, tell me, Thea, where you learned all this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Learned what? she asked, in her turn."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have but the merest superficial knowledge of these things."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But a short time ago you had no idea of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Will you not try me and see whether I have not some more 'ideas' perhaps, and take me with you oftener?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens, Thea! I was only afraid of boring you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And you thought I had better be bored at home alone than in your society?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have you been bored at home?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Very nearly; but just at the right time something pleasanter occurred to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that was?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And that was,--guess what."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good-evening, Bernhard; good-evening, Thea,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am making my first formal neighbourly visit to you,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lieutenant Werner is my stay and consolation in my present Gotham, said Lothar, as the carriage proceeded slowly, escorted by the two riders;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, it was hard enough at one time to be away from Berlin, but I am very well content now to be in R----."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what of your studies, Herr von Werner?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, madame, there is much to be desired in that direction,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lives like a hermit, Thea; but I hope to spoil his books for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You will hardly do that,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nonsense, my dear fellow! 'All printed stuff is dull and gray, the tree of life is ever green and gay,'"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am so glad to see you here; I hope you will come often,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am only afraid of coming too often, Thea; so let us have it settled in the beginning that if I come to Eichhof as often as I have the time and desire to come, you will turn me out if I come at the wrong time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I agree, she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You shall at all events have a room always ready for you, and plenty of almond-cakes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, you have not forgotten what I like best. Bernhard, your wife is an angel!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew that long ago,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must set Werner afloat, Lothar said, in the course of conversation;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are the Wronskys at home? Thea interrupted him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thought they were travelling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They have been back for two weeks, Lothar replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I saw her at a dinner at the Schönburgs'. She is really a very charming and interesting creature. I was not half so much pleased with her at first as I am now. They tell all kinds of stories about her, but----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are the stories about her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nonsense, Lothar! Bernhard interposed, as his brother was about to give his version of an _on dit_."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why repeat silly stories, which no one will vouch for, and of which every one has a different version? The lady is now Marzell Wronsky's wife; he is our neighbour, and for his sake we ought not to repeat such reports."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lady's conduct certainly is at present perfectly correct, and she is very interesting in conversation. I lately took her in to dinner somewhere, and I was amazed to find how much she had seen of the world. She is perfectly familiar with Europe, and has been to Palestine and spent a winter in Cairo besides."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did you not envy her?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just a little, he replied;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You were there too, Bernhard, and just at that time,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, there must have been many people there at that time of whose existence I was entirely unaware, Bernhard said, hastily; but something in his tone of voice and in the expression of his face struck Thea, and, little prone as she was to suspicion, the thought occurred to her,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He knew her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, society at Trouville is so mixed, said Werner,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I said nothing,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Heavens, Thea, you have an entire agricultural library here! Lothar exclaimed at this moment. He was never quiet long, and while the others had been conversing he had been walking about the room on a tour of discovery in search of new books or pieces of furniture. He was now standing before a pretty open set of book-shelves, from which he took several books and brought them to the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since when have you been perusing works upon drainage, irrigation, and plans for factories?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't be so rude as to disarrange my books, Lothar,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thea, he said,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, of course, I wanted to be able to talk about all these things with you, and to know something at least of what is absorbing your thoughts,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why is it so disagreeable to him to hear that woman talked of?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am glad they are gone, Thea, he cried, more quickly and merrily than was his wont to speak,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens, it was not much to do; it really interested me very much, and papa explained everything to me that I did not understand. But, she added, without explaining the strange sequence of ideas, otherwise than by pushing forward the book of photographs,--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What put that into your head? asked Bernhard, thrusting the book aside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I told you before----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You spoke of _many_ people, Bernhard, but you did not say that you did not know _her_."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, you women! he exclaimed, drawing his wife towards him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, since you are developing such a talent for diplomacy, you may learn that I certainly did have a distant acquaintance with her, but that she belonged to a circle that makes it very desirable that I should ignore all former acquaintance with her whatsoever. Yes, I owe it to Marzell Wronsky to preserve entire silence with regard to that time, and all I can tell you is that she did not so conduct herself as to lead me to regard her as a fit associate for you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, what did she do?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was very imprudent, my child. But pray let us drop this subject; we neither of us care anything about her, and I have told you what I have because I know you are no gossip and would rather help me to keep the secret of my former acquaintance with her than prevent me from doing so. You now know that my only reason for silence as to my ever having seen her before is a reluctance, for her husband's sake, to being questioned with regard to her former life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, Bernhard, but----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But? What is it that you want to know?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bernhard, she whispered, still covering her face,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look in my eyes, Thea, while I tell you that I never cared for this woman, and never had any association with her whatever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank God!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It will increase again,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I fritter away my powers of mind in too many directions, he said to Thea one day,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But it certainly is a fine thing to arrange and to create as you are doing, Thea replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel proud as we drive through the meadows, where your will has transformed what was unprofitable land into green grassy fields."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I am pleased with that too, but in fact I have had very little to do with it; others have done it for me, and would have done it as well without me."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know that some of our neighbours are thinking of you, too, said Lothar;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I confess that the possibility occurred to me, he replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hohenstein said something about it the other day; but I'm afraid that the ultramontane candidate has the only chance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's a question, said Lothar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Herr M----, it seems, has some blots on his scutcheon, which his opponent will use to the best advantage; and since Wronsky, in view of his Polish ancestry, I suppose, is to be their second candidate, there will hardly be a due amount of enthusiasm among the ultramontanists, since he is, to my certain knowledge, a very lukewarm Romanist. And, besides, you, with all your dependants here, have more votes at your disposal than any one of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I never would force my people to vote against their own convictions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nonsense! If they are not convinced that their master is the fittest man to represent them, let them find another master."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now you are talking just like Hohenstein, said Bernhard, laughing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did you not discuss a bowl of punch together last night while he explained to you his views upon the coming election?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're right as far as the punch goes, Bernhard, but as for the views, they are my own, and I think you owe it to the good cause to accept the nomination, since every one says that you have by far the best chance to defeat the ultramontanist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, we shall see how matters look to-morrow at the Diet,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You will be there, at all events?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bernhard, she now said, suddenly,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Possibly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But, Bernhard, you know----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No need to trouble ourselves about it, my child, he replied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the first place, my nomination is entirely uncertain, not to speak of my election----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But you would accept it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good heavens! I really do not know. 'Tis a matter for grave reflection."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bernhard?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Certainly not member yet, said Bernhard:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nonsense! your election is a certainty, said Hohenstein;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But, papa, cried Adela, who had ridden over to Eichhof to meet her father,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why doesn't the rascal keep his wife in better order, then?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He keeps the mare and everything else in his charge in perfect order."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nevertheless, if he votes against me he shall go. All our neighbours think as I do in this matter, and you, Eichhof, are, I suppose, no exception."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bernhard, you would not really act thus?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hohenstein has far more experience in such affairs than I, he replied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Such a course is hardly what I should like, but it may be the only one to pursue. It is not simply a personal question; the principles that I advocate are at stake, and they must be maintained; each vote that I lose adds one to the opposition. We must look to the end in view."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And shut your eyes to the means; there speaks the Jesuit, Thea!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You do not understand, Fräulein Adela, said Bernhard, who was still under the influence of the excited speakers to whom he had been listening in R----."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was disposed to be of your opinion, and even now I am not in favour of harsh measures to secure votes, but I see clearly that some pressure must, be brought to bear. The vote of one of us, trained as we have been to reflect and decide, to draw logical conclusions, is of no more weight than is that of an ignorant groom, whose ideas are centred in his stables. These people scarcely know what questions are at stake in the choice of a member for the Reichstag, and cannot possibly judge who would best represent the interests of the country. They have been strongly influenced all their lives long, and to suppose that they can suddenly form an independent judgment in so important a matter as an election of this kind is perfect nonsense. Therefore it is for their own good that they should be influenced now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, with food, fagots, and dismissals, exclaimed Adela."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Very well, Count Bernhard; if I lose Jusak through your fault all friendship between us is at an end."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then all I can do to regain your good will, Fräulein Adela, is to raise my voice in the Reichstag, if I ever get there, in favour of the emancipation of woman."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That would go far to appease me, to be sure, she said; and then, taking Thea's arm, she added,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come, Thea; when men begin to talk politics they are simply detestable, and I see very well that they are to be the topic here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not at all; we would far rather enjoy your charming society,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, yes; and in order to do so plunge into discussions as to where the next election meeting shall be held, and what you mean to say at it, and what some one else will say then, and how many votes you have, and how many your opponent has. It's all excessively interesting, no doubt. I heard it all last year at the official elections for the lower chamber, and I know that papa and you and all the rest will think of nothing else for weeks to come, and that I shall be bored to death. Thank heaven, officers cannot vote; my hope is in them for the present."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Alma is to be dressed just as I am, Adela chattered on meanwhile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tell me, Thea, have you noticed that Lothar seems very attentive to Alma?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lothar? she repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How did such an idea enter your head? I have seen nothing of it."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter is not coming to Eichhof this year, is he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No; Walter is very economical, and, since he will accept nothing from Bernhard, he must find going to Berlin quite expensive."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is going to Berlin, then?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; he is to continue his studies there. Did you not know that? Oh, I remember you would not listen to his letter the other day when I wanted to read it to you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wish I could stop saying everything that comes into my head, without stopping to think. But come, let us see if the gentlemen are still as tiresome as ever."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps he is now choosing the career for which he is best fitted, and it is silly and petty of me not to rejoice in it."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The world is very tiresome, Fidèle,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There is nothing to be done with papa, the girl continued, still addressing her remarks to Fidèle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Scarcely is the election over when he buries himself in accounts, shuts himself up all day in his room, and if ever I stay with him there he is silent and _distrait_. I wish he had been a candidate and had been elected instead of Bernhard Eichhof; then we should have gone for the winter to Berlin, where I could have consoled myself for Jusak's loss. Poor wretch! he must go, I suppose; and it's all nonsense, for Bernhard did not need his vote; the Catholics had no chance after Herr von Wronsky withdrew his name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wonder if it is true that Frau von Wronsky persuaded her husband to retire? It may have been so, for they say she believes in nothing and has the upper hand of him; but Thea says that's all mere gossip, and that Herr von Wronsky went to see them himself to tell them that he did not wish to oppose Bernhard, and that he would rather retire voluntarily than have any interruption of kindly feeling between them. Who can tell? The Wronskys are going to Berlin this winter, at any rate. Oh, everybody is going to Berlin; if we could only go too!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank heaven, some one is good enough to pay us a visit in this storm!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Heavens, Hugo! where do you come from?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Apparently from Berlin, he replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Where is my father? He is at home?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; but how is it that----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be good enough to spare me all questions for the present, Hugo rejoined, impatiently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have important matters to discuss with my father, and I must return to Berlin to-morrow. Is my father in his room?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What can be the matter? More debts, I suppose, she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you want here?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Curious, as women always are,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You love me, Fidèle, do you not? she said, wiping away her tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, you dumb brutes are far better than human beings! The girl threw a shawl over her head, and, followed by the dog, ran out to the stables."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here, at least, I know that I am welcome,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fräulein! Fräulein Adela!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good heavens, Anton, how you look! the girl cried, startled by the old servant's pale face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is the matter? What has happened?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, Fräulein Adela, do not be frightened, but the Herr Baron has had a fainting-fit or something. I don't know----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dear, dear papa!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good God! how did this happen?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I do not know, he whispered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Herr Lieutenant arrived suddenly, and they were talking very loud together, and as I was carrying the Herr Lieutenant's portmanteau past the door the Herr Baron said, 'I cannot!' and the Herr Lieutenant cried, 'It must be done!' And then, when I had passed by, I suddenly heard a heavy fall, and the Herr Lieutenant called me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My poor, poor father! Adela whispered, bending over him again. She thought she understood it all now, and glanced furtively at her brother, who, having despatched a mounted messenger for the doctor, now entered the room and approached his father. The Freiherr cast upon him a glance of such utter agony, and his agitation so evidently increased at sight of his son, that Adela said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go out of his sight, Hugo; it is best that he should not see you."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And he can pay nothing more; he is bankrupt, Hugo muttered, clenching his fist convulsively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There will be no more Hohensteins at Rollin."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For heaven's sake, Hugo, tell me what you are going to do!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go! he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is the only means of salvation!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Would you add suicide to all the other misfortunes overwhelming us?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the contrary, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, Hugo, how can you think of such things?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "These are just the things that I must think about, or we should soon cease to have need for thought of any kind. But you know nothing of it. Go to your father, and leave the rest to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My dear Councillor, I am a man of few words, and therefore frankly ask of you the hand of----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There is no need for you to look so horrified, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fräulein Kohnheim is a very pretty girl; her parents had her baptized some time ago; and her father could pay the debts of an entire regiment if he chose."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hugo!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leave me in peace, and be thankful that there is one way out of this for all of us. To-morrow morning this letter goes; to-morrow evening I go, and the next day our troubles will all be over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And papa?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Our father will soon recover; the doctor says so. A first stroke is never so dangerous----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adela!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You see he has already recovered his speech, as the doctor said he would,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are the dearest and most prudent of wives, he said to Thea;"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that is really a sensible idea of yours, Bernhard, said he."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thea, we will give charming entertainments. We must take good care to have no more tears,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There are many young officers hereabouts now, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, if you cannot go, Thea can chaperone her; the greater the gayety, the more frequent the balls, the more reason, it seems to me, that Thea should not shut herself up. She owes it to her position not to do so; and if her going out without me, young as she is, seems unusual, why, we must remember that she is an unusual woman. Much that would be very unbecoming in a Frau Miller or Frau Schmidt would be quite fitting in the Countess Eichhof."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thea is absolutely famous,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How beautiful she is! thought Lothar, as he sat and looked at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bernhard is a fool to leave this woman here while he busies himself, or thinks he busies himself, with politics in Berlin. To be sure, she is an angel, and can do everything that she attempts, even to representing her husband in his absence. But it is not right of him for all that, and I should just like to know what she thinks of it. I wonder whether she misses him much?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What! alone again? she asked, offering him her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Has Herr von Werner repented his promise to help us with the decoration of the ball-room?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, you never can count upon him, said Lothar;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, then, let us go to the greenhouses and pick out what we want from there."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I am so glad you are come! the Countess exclaimed upon seeing him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now we will go immediately to the ball-room to arrange the plants and the table for the cotillon favours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, we are to have a cotillon, then?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; this is to be a dinner followed by a dance, after the old Eichhof fashion. My husband writes me that our section of country is actually falling into undeserved disrepute from a social point of view, and he makes it my bounden duty to do the honours of the castle as well as possible. I pray you, therefore, to do all that you can to help me to entertain the young officers from the frontier posts."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I want it to be all ready by the afternoon, she said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It absolutely delights my soul to see you busy with anything so frivolous as cotillon favours,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do I weary you with all I give you to do?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For heaven's sake, my dear Countess, do not take me, as your brother-in-law does, for a mere bookworm in uniform."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not at all; I take you for a profound philosopher."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Greatly obliged, I'm sure; but really, Eichhof, I cannot see why I should not like to unpack and arrange these pretty little things, or why my books, which you so despise, should hinder me from winning some of them in the cotillon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know how well you dance, and ride too, and that is just why I cannot understand how you can read so much. When did you learn that habit?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I learned it when my income would not allow of my passing much time outside of my four walls."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the time of the universal money-panic, after those years when gold seemed to be lying about by millions in the streets, and when many a man, in stooping to pick up what he fancied he saw, lost his own hard thalers out of his pocket, I suddenly found my modest income reduced by one-half. All the choice I had was either to make it suffice or to leave the service, and as I was a soldier, and nothing but a soldier to the very marrow of my bones, I got through."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Couldn't you give me a receipt for the process?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The receipt is simple enough: 'Determine to do what you must.'"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then it was that you began to read?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I had tried somewhat before to fill up the gaps in a cadet's education, but then it was that I began to read in earnest, for my books had to indemnify me for so much else. Now that I have no longer that reason for study, my taste leads me in the same direction. Did you look through the book I sent you the other day, Countess?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A fine, earnest face,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By Jove, that is a beard! he exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look, Alma: how do you like that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He has fine eyes, she said,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Does Walter say nothing of the Hohensteins? asked Herr von Rosen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adela and her father have been two weeks now in Berlin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walter does not seem to have seen them, replied Thea;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should like to see how papa Hohenstein comports himself towards his new relatives,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He does not comport himself towards them at all, Alma answered him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adela wrote me that her father seems very well, and is very amiable to everybody, except that he will neither hear nor see anything of the Kohnheims, and if his affairs did not compel him to be in Berlin, he would, owing to them, far rather never have gone there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am very curious with regard to Hugo's wife, said Lothar."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I really never dreamed that he would make such a marriage. In the spring the happy couple are to come to Rollin, because papa-in-law Kohnheim absolutely must see his daughter installed there as a noble châtelaine. Aha! our part of the country is growing excessively interesting; we have a Polish countess already, we are going to have a Jewess, and we may hope shortly to have a third,--a Japanese."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Matters are bad enough, Herr von Rosen said, seriously,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before resorting to such means it surely would be better to send a bullet through one's brains,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or to live within one's income,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course; and Hohenstein might have done so, since he was the only son of a man who certainly some years ago possessed considerable wealth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My dear Lothar, I think it can be done in every case. He who has but little must rely solely upon that, and not try to build himself a house of cards."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am so sorry for the poor rich girl,--I mean Hugo Hohenstein's wife, said Alma;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nonsense! he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The 'poor rich girl' is my lady Baroness von Hohenstein, wears Parisian toilettes, and will be quite content if you do not all treat her too badly. Why, Rollin is being turned inside-out to make it worthy to receive her. A regiment of tradesfolk are at work there, and the Rollin wagons are rolling to and from the railroad station every day, transporting the adornments of the cage that is to imprison the golden bird."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adela will be unhappy if much in Rollin is changed,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, Adela will be a lovely sister-in-law for the little Jewess; she is not to be pitied so far as Adela is concerned,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Most certainly not,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am seriously concerned about Lothar, said Herr von Rosen, when the young officers had departed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There are a couple of incorrigible gamblers among the officers of the frontier posts, and it is reported that Lothar lately played with them all night long."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But that would be horrible, papa, exclaimed Thea,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He is too heedless!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet such a dear good fellow withal,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, he is an amiable fellow, but thoroughly untrustworthy,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Count Bernhard Eichhof, the youngest member of the Reichstag, and Frau von Wronsky,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What exquisite toilettes! said Julutta Wronsky, indicating with a scarcely perceptible motion of her fan two ladies who were passing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is an excellent post of observation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, you cannot see the most exquisite toilette here, madame,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You could only see that by standing opposite a mirror,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is a pity you cannot exercise your talents in a milliner's shop, Herr von Dollen; that is the place for mirrors and a certain kind of complimentary speeches."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dollen has had a lesson,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I cannot endure that sort of compliment,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Forgive me, she whispered;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I forgot that you, very naturally, cannot believe this of _me_."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nay, madame, he said;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can easily believe that the expression of such coarse and impertinent admiration may well wound your pride."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thank you, she rejoined, with a glance of fervid gratitude raised for an instant to his face;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I had done so before, this winter would have convinced me of my error,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Let us go, she murmured, pausing abruptly and turning from the direction in which they were walking;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is the matter?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens, do you not see? She took her hand from his arm and tried to penetrate alone the crowd which had gathered closely about the dancers. Bernhard looked around him,--a few steps off stood a tall, rather good-looking man, in the dress of a civilian, watching the dancers. Bernhard recognized the dark, sharply-defined features, the lofty brow, and the thin hair brushed away from the temples. He knew now why Julutta Wronsky had turned and fled. For an instant he hesitated; then he followed her. Just as he reached her she covered her eyes with her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am so dizzy, she moaned;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Find my husband for me; we must go,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You are ill. Let me bring you a glass of wine,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I cannot breathe here, now that I know----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Aha! where is your beautiful companion?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gone home,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Remarkable woman; cold and hard as an icicle, but piquante. You are very intimate there, eh?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Scarcely that. But the Wronskys are neighbours of ours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! then you really know something of them, and can tell me about the lady's former marriage. They say it was short and unhappy, but no one seems to know whether she is a widow or a _divorcée_. She never alludes to her past----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do not know why you should suppose her to have made an exception in my case, Herr von Dollen,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! _pardon_, I only thought that perhaps you knew----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know nothing,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, _enchanté_, charmed to see you, _mon cher ami_; an unexpected meeting."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Most unexpected, Herr von Möhâzy,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Are you, too, tired of the ball? They say we are going too soon, the height of gayety has not yet been reached. _À propos_, do you make a long stay in Berlin?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So long as the Reichstag is in session. And you? Bernhard asked, with sudden interest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shall you stay for the Carnival?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Heaven, or whatever other powers there be, forbid! Berlin is too provincial, although it has made some progress of late years. I come from Paris, and am on my way to St. Petersburg."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah? Allow me to wish you a pleasant winter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Herr von Möhâzy called after him;"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will not detain you if you are expected at a rendezvous! He laughed, and Bernhard made a gesture of impatience."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pardon, but I should like to learn something of a lady whom perhaps you know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can hardly have anything to tell of a lady whom _you_ inquire for,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah! pardon, I know you are _un jeune homme vertueux_; but my question refers to a lady of position, a Frau von---- Ah, what is her name at present?"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, here it is, said Herr von Möhâzy,--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frau Julutta Wronsky. And he looked at Bernhard again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you know her? and could you tell me where to find her? It is merely for _un petit amusement sans consequence_."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can look for the name in the directory,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You do not know her, then? But, _parbleu_! you did know her, _sûrement_. Ah, I must take you into confidence; the story is very piquant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I regret, Herr Möhâzy, that I have not a moment to spare at present. Let me advise you to search the directory, and if you do not find the name there you may conclude that the lady is not in Berlin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What will he do? was the question that filled his mind,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What business is it all of mine? I am very sorry for the woman, but it is none the less true that she went wrong, and must now bear the consequences, which may perhaps ruin her, who knows? I cannot prevent it; and, indeed, when I remember everything, I cannot even excuse her. And yet----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not for her,--she does not deserve it,--but for her husband, I must try to see this Möhâzy once more, and in some way render him harmless. First, however, I must speak with her; I must clearly understand the matter, and consult with her as to the best measures for her protection."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The thought occurred to me that it was her voice that had so attracted me, and with it came the determination to go to her, to tell her of my utter misery, and to beg her to grant me her protection. Her voice had called me back to life. I would ask her to decide my future fate. Perhaps she would employ me as her maid, perhaps she would think my voice worth training. I hurried on. There was still, then, a 'perhaps,' still a hope for me----"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Poor, poor creature! he murmured."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I judged her too harshly; and she is so gentle, so humble to me in spite of the pain I have given her."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You must first know the story of my youth, she said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fate has dealt cruelly with her, he thought,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Excessively delighted to see you. Quite an unexpected honour, he called out, as Bernhard hastily entered the room and closed the door behind him;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have a very special reason for my visit, Herr von Möhâzy, Bernhard replied curtly, without accepting an offered seat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You asked yesterday for a lady who is held in high esteem in society here. I know that you had certain relations with this lady, which, by a monstrous deceit, as you know, you----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sir!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am ready to answer for my words,--which relations you established by a monstrous deceit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must pray you to use less violent language!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must pray you to hear me out! Bernhard said, in a raised voice, and with flashing eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what you said yesterday, I cannot but suppose that you intend to compromise this lady, and to destroy the peace of a happy home."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not an idea of anything of the kind,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am come to you now to give you an opportunity of leaving Berlin this very day, if you would not be so insulted by me as to make a hostile meeting between us inevitable."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Delicious! he cried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But, my dear Herr von Eichhof, all this could have been arranged very much more comfortably. I think your Berlin so insupportably tedious that I should certainly have left it to-day or to-morrow, and because I find it all so tiresome, I thought it might possibly have amused me to see that lady again; although, I assure you, she is far too indifferent to me to make it worth while to run the risk of a bullet or a sabre-cut for a sight of her. I am rejoiced to learn that she has found so devoted a friend in you. I--ha! ha!--I--'tis so excellent a joke that it more than atones to me for not seeing her again. A thousand thanks, Herr von Eichhof!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are as coarse as you are cowardly,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No need of such ugly words, sir,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will you leave Berlin to-day?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should have no more difficulty in finding you to-morrow than to-day!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, you have nothing further to fear! he cried, as Bernhard opened the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I dislike to disturb the amusements of others. My remembrances to Frau Julutta Wronsky!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Monstrous! he muttered;"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Haberdasher, perfumer, tailor & Co. may wait, he decided."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why in thunder did they let their bills run on so?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come in, a very unexpected visitor appeared,--Hugo von Hohenstein. He had come to pass a few days in Rollin to superintend the alterations there, and would not go back to Berlin, he said, without"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why not follow my example? he cried, tapping Lothar on the shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Marry a daughter of Israel with heaps of money. 'Tis the only salvation for a poor lieutenant, and a very delightful salvation besides, upon my honour! The young Baroness von Hohenstein, in spite of the _née_ Kohnheim, is a model of high-bred elegance, and our apartments and our equipage are quite perfect. Oh, absolutely aristocratic, I can tell you! As for Rollin, I am turning it into an El-Dorado. You would hardly recognize it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What does your father say to it all?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since my governor no longer lives at Rollin, I see no reason why I should consult his taste, especially as it seems likely at present that I shall seldom have the pleasure of seeing him; that little witch Adela has turned his head with her high and mighty ideas. Fortunately, he was not himself when the bombshell exploded in the midst of us, and he could do nothing to prevent my arranging my affairs as seemed to me best. But now when he is perfectly well again and ought to be reasonable, he scolds and rages at my marriage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the reports are true? I had heard something of this----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course they are true, and it is all Fräulein Adela's doing. She has the governor absolutely in leading-strings. He has lately refused to see me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But what will he do?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, Fräulein Adela has arranged all that. Unfortunately, she has a small income of her own, which was not lost in the universal crash, and which makes her independent of me, or I could soon bring her to terms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that seems to me to be very fortunate for her, and for you too----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hm! That's according to circumstances. I have not sufficient influence; people will talk, and it's deuced disagreeable to be at odds with the old man. It's all that witch's doing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adela is a deuce of a girl!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was always a good-for-nothing hoyden, but I never supposed that she would so meddle in business matters and take such an obstinate stand. Fancy the old man's writing to me that he was quite willing to accept everything from her, but that he would take nothing from me!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, let's have done with these cursed matters! cried Hohenstein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am so glad to see you that I must crack a bottle of champagne with you. Have you one here?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, not here; but let us go to the Casino: our dinner will be served in half an hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "True, we are in the provinces; my Berlin stomach can hardly accommodate itself to these mid-day meals. But to-day, if you will have me, I'll dine with you, and drive from here to the station. I must go back to Berlin by the night-train."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shall be glad to introduce you as my guest to our mess, Lothar said, more courteously than cordially."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Let us wait here, then, for the half-hour."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Agreed. And now tell me all about the people hereabouts, and in especial how your sister-in-law fares at Eichhof. You go there a good deal, eh?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course I am frequently at Eichhof,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hm! And what are you doing at Eichhof?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I go to see my brother's wife,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And to make love to her?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I beg you to refrain from expressions which I regard as insulting,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh! ah! said the other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had no idea that you would fire up so at an innocent jest. For the matter of that, your brother Bernhard's views on such matters are not so provincial; he is making furious love to a certain blonde lady from these parts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bah! such stuff as is called 'making love' in Berlin society,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, you fancy you understand it better here in the country. Well, well, in spite of that, I can assure you that Bernhard understands it too, and that Frau Julutta Wronsky is an admirable teacher."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You would not suggest that he is actually making love to that woman?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I suggest nothing; I only mention what I have seen and heard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that is?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That is, that friend Bernhard is daily seen riding with Frau von Wronsky in the Thiergarten; that he is her inseparable cavalier at every ball and party; and that, last though not least, he very nearly fought a duel upon her account,--would have fought it undoubtedly had not his opponent preferred to make his escape----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nonsense, Hugo! Bernhard is much too sensible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ha! ha! Why, what a country bumpkin you are become, Lothar! Well, it is really of no consequence whether you believe it or not. The duel I know all about from a perfectly trustworthy source. The occupant of the next room to that belonging to the gentleman in question, who was no other, in fact, than the lady's first husband, is a business friend of my father-in-law's, and knows Bernhard quite well. He could not help hearing a part of the conversation in the next room, for Bernhard must have roared like a lion."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you remember my prophecies with regard to the Wronsky? he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I tell you they have been most brilliantly fulfilled. She is making a _furor_, and Bernhard has enviers enough to satisfy the vainest of men. A handsomer couple cannot be imagined."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You know that woman was never to my taste, said Lothar,"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just a quiet little game, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Will you not take my place at that table? I see you are not yet engaged, and I want to go home early to-night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, said Lothar, who had taken more punch than was good for him, and whose irritable mood had gradually given place to one of noisy merriment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, I couldn't think of it. If you are tired of whist, come and play faro with us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You know I never play faro, Werner replied, and then added, in a low tone,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless, I shall do as I please,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have _warned_ you, my dear Eichhof."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew I should have no influence over him, he thought;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He smiled sadly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was there any choice left me? I owed it to myself, and---- It is by a fortunate dispensation of Providence that I am enabled to go so soon."
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will ride to Eichhof and take leave of Countess Thea, he thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can do so calmly now, without betraying myself; and the sooner it is over the better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How strange that he should know that Alma is coming here again at noon!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am come to take my leave of you, he said, and there was a slight tremor in the voice usually so firm and clear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am ordered to the military school at S----; and, as I shall be excessively busy during the next few days, I thought I would employ my Sunday leisure in paying a farewell visit to Eichhof."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good heavens, so suddenly! she exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had no idea that you expected to be transferred----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I did not expect it, although I had asked for it. A happy combination of circumstances has favoured me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You wish to go away, then?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I think this transfer is best for me,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, then I will not be sorry that you are transferred, grieved as I must be for ourselves and for Lothar. Ah, if Bernhard were only at home again! When you go Lothar will be left entirely to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, there comes my sister!"
}
]
|
35311 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Let me say farewell to you now, madame, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have several other visits to pay, and anything so painful as leave-taking should not be unnecessarily prolonged."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Go; you are right to go now. God bless you! and believe that I shall always think of you with warm, genuine friendship."
}
]
|
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