Section I, Next Section

Part I

Posted on Wednesday, 24 April 2002, at 1:43 a.m.

Vienna, September 1814

Dear cousin Darcy,
You may have wondered lately why you have not heard from me for such a long time. I hope you do not attribute my long silence to negligence on my part - nothing could be further from me, be assured. The only excuse I can give you, and a rather feeble one it is, is that I was quite taken aback by General Tilney's order to accompany him and his son Captain Tilney to Vienna. There have been rumours that it was actually the Duke of Wellington's wish to have me there - however I do not think this is true. Certainly the Duke knows that I am not much of a diplomat, as well as I may have done as a soldier. So far, I have only made one attempt at diplomacy, and have failed so miserably that it shall last me a lifetime.

Anyhow, here I am in Vienna, and I intend to make the most of this visit. I have not seen much of the town yet, I arrived here last night, and after settling into my lodgings, which are very comfortable, I needed nothing but sleep. Tilney, however, went out, determined to find those "sweet Viennese girls everyone is talking about". I dare say he found one, because he came back rather late. Somehow I have a feeling as if he will be in for some trouble sooner or later.

Now it is rather early in the morning, and I shall go down to breakfast as soon as I have finished my letter. I cannot wait to see the state young Tilney will be in after a long night out.
After that, I think I shall have a look round and see what the city of Vienna has to offer.

Please give my regards to Mrs Darcy and Georgiana. Tell them I shall be most happy to give them an accurate account of my journey and my stay as soon as I get back.
So much for now, Darcy. You will hear from me as soon as I have some news to relate.
May the Lord keep you and your family in good health until I return.

I remain, etc.
R. Fitzwilliam

Colonel Fitzwilliam leant back in his chair, wondering if he should write a letter to his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. After some consideration he decided that he'd better... or he would never hear the end of it after his return to England. She already resented the fact that he was still in contact with Darcy - after his "disgraceful marriage with that upstart Elizabeth Bennet". As far as Lady Catherine was concerned, he was quite happy to be beyond her reach at the moment.
Darcy being married, she had chosen him to be her future son-in-law, hinting at family duty all the time, showing off his cousin Anne's virtues and talents daily. True, he pitied Anne for having to live with her mother, and her sickliness did worry him as much as anyone else in the family, but marry her?
He had no doubt that, with the right partner, Anne could be happy - only he knew that this partner's name was NOT Richard Fitzwilliam, if he could help it.

Sometimes he had wished he were not quite as well bred as he was, things would have been so much easier. He would just have told Aunt Catherine to MIND HER OWN BUSINESS, and there would have been an end of it.
But, being the way he was, he had just decided to keep out of her way for a while.
This visit to Vienna was very convenient, after all...

With a sigh, he took another sheet of paper and started writing.

Dear Aunt...

The breakfast was excellent, although the Austrians had yet to learn how to make decent tea. There was bread, butter, jam and some sort of cake ...and the coffee was fit to wake up the dead.

Although Colonel Fitzwilliam had learned a bit of German when he had had to deal with Prussian officers, he wondered how he would get along in this city. What he had heard of the language here was so different from the German he was used to...it sounded like an altogether different language, sometimes. Much softer, and with strange expressions...the whole tone of voice was different.

He had nearly finished his breakfast when there was a knock at the door and Garret, General Tilney's attendant, entered.

"Excuse me, sir, but I had thought General Tilney was up already," he said apologetically.

"As you see, he is not," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. It was not THAT late, was it?

"Too bad...you see, sir, there is an Austrian officer here who wants to see him ... a Colonel Something-or-other, I cannot pronounce his name, but here is his card..."

He handed the card to Richard, obviously wondering what he was to do now.

Richard sighed. Business at this ungodly hour...well, there was no other choice but to receive the visitor at once. Even without being a diplomat he knew that snubbing an Austrian officer would be a bad start.

"I tell you what to do, Garret. Show the gentleman in, and I shall entertain him until the General is ready. But you'd better hurry, or there will be trouble."

Garret, happy to leave the responsibility for the visitor to someone else, nearly ran out of the room.
Richard had a look at the card. Carl von Hertenberg, it read. A member of the nobility, as the "von" indicated.

The door opened again, and Garret reappeared, saying, "Colonel von...von..."

"Hertenberg," the young man who came into the room said. "Just plain Hertenberg."

Garret reddened, saluted and retreated. Richard had a closer look at his visitor. Colonel von Hertenberg was rather young, not yet thirty, and pleasant - looking. He did not seem to resent Garret's failure to pronounce his name correctly. On the contrary, he walked over to Richard, extending his hand, and saying, "Colonel Fitzwilliam, I presume."

They shook hands, and Richard said with a smile, "Good morning, sir. General Tilney will be with us directly, I am sure. Would you care for some breakfast while waiting?"

Hertenberg shook his head. "No, thank you, I have already had breakfast. But I would not say no if you offered me a cup of coffee. So General Tilney is not up yet? Too bad, one of the basic rules I have learned is never to wake sleeping Generals - it usually results in being assigned some dreadful task or other. Poor Mr Garret."

Richard laughed. "It was a late night last night."

"Already getting used to the Viennese ways, is he?"

"I suppose so."

"It will get worse every day, believe me. Once the Congress starts..." Hertenberg said with a grin.

Richard could not help wondering. The English language was not a usual accomplishment in these parts, he had already found out about that, but von Hertenberg's English was...perfect.

"How come you speak English so well?" he asked.

"I am half English, sir. My mother was the daughter of an English diplomat in Vienna. She fell in love with my father, married him and stayed here. Be warned, this is not an uncommon effect the city has on foreigners."

"It is very kind of you to warn me, Colonel von Hertenberg, but I think I can take good care of myself. Do you have any relations in England?"

"I do, though I have never seen any of them. My mother's sister is a Lady Macmillan. Her husband, Sir Anthony, owns an estate in Derbyshire. I also have a cousin there..."

"Archibald Macmillan."

Von Hertenberg looked at him, dumbfounded. "You are acquainted with him?"

"I am. My cousin owns the estate next to the Macmillans', an estate called Pemberley."

"Well, I'm...it is a small world, is it not?" von Hertenberg answered, with a broad smile.

Finally, General Tilney joined them, and Colonel von Hertenberg could give him the message he had had to deliver, apologising for his early visit.

"You see, sir, my General has been so anxious to know if everything is satisfactory that he did not consider the late hour of your arrival yesterday," he said.

Richard grinned. Talking of diplomacy...

General Tilney, who was not in the best temper that morning (or any morning, as a matter of fact), admitted gruffly that there was nothing left to be desired.

Von Hertenberg smiled. "Good. I shall report to the General directly, then. If you have any wishes, do not hesitate to ask me. It is my responsibility to make your stay in Vienna as pleasant as possible, sir."

General Tilney thanked him brusquely and asked him to wait until he had finished an answer to the message he had just received.

So, while the General retired to write his letter, Richard and von Hertenberg took the chance to talk some more.

"So, have you already seen much of Vienna?" von Hertenberg asked.

"No, I have not. We arrived yesterday evening when it was already dark."

"You have never been here before?"

"I have to admit that I have not."

"It shall be my pleasure to show you around then. I like showing the city to foreigners, I confess. It gives one the opportunity to see it with a foreigner's eyes - a fascinating thing. What would you say about this afternoon?"

"If you have no other engagements, this sounds fine with me," Richard replied.

"No engagements that I know of. I shall call on you after luncheon, if you do not mind."

Von Hertenberg kept his promise. He called on Richard, and together they set out on a pleasant walk to explore Vienna. General Tilney had declined the offer, and Captain Tilney was still staying in bed, telling them that he would be most happy to join them some other time, but not today.

Richard soon found out that he had not been mistaken in Colonel von Hertenberg. He was entertaining, pleasant, and eager to be of assistance. Besides, he seemed to have a large acquaintance in Vienna. It was always good to know such a man, if one had just arrived in a new place.

The city was beautiful, and presented itself at its best. Although it was already near the end of September, the weather was warm and sunny.

"Let us hope it will stay that way for some time," von Hertenberg said. "Once it turns nasty at this time of the year, it usually stays nasty."

The high gothic tower of Saint Stephen's Cathedral dominated the city. It could be seen from nearly everywhere, marking the central square. Crowds of people were in the streets, many of them were residents, but there were also travellers who were arriving in the city, preparing for the impending festivities.
Different languages could be heard at every corner, Hungarian, Slovenian, Polish, French, Italian...and German, of course.

Finally, after a considerable walk, von Hertenberg said with a smile, "Now I am going to introduce you to a real Viennese habit."

"What would that be," Richard asked.

"You will see in a minute," von Hertenberg answered, leading him to a building at the other side of a square and entering it. Richard found himself in a coffee shop.

"Let us see if Novacek has been successful to secure my usual table."

"Novacek?"

"Novacek. One of my men. I told him to wait for us here, and to defend my table with his life."

A waiter came near and, on recognising Colonel von Hertenberg, hurried to lead them to a table next to one of the large windows. A soldier was sitting there and nearly overturned the table by jumping up when he saw his Colonel approach him. He saluted and stood attention, greeting both gentlemen in German, and a rather curious German it was. He sounded a bit like a schoolboy who had to recite a poem by heart and who was afraid of the teacher.

Von Hertenberg thanked him for his pains, which seemed to be rather surprising to Novacek, and dismissed him with another task. Richard got the impression that Novacek was quite happy to leave them, and in a hurry too.

Grinning, he turned to von Hertenberg. "Interesting man, that Mr Novacek is."

Von Hertenberg laughed. "Indeed, he is. As good as gold, and loyal as can be."

"It is hard to find such a man nowadays."

"Has been hard all the time, I think. The day I met Novacek was one of the luckiest days of my life, I have to admit. Would not be here without him, I am sure. Treats his officers like he would treat young dogs, I think. They are nice enough, but have no idea about life and need to be educated to be of use."

Richard laughed. "Still, he sounded very respectful just now."

"Oh yes, that's his outward behaviour, but that does not change his attitude. He thinks I need a great deal of looking after."

"Do you?"

"What do you think?"

Meanwhile, the waiter had approached them in a dignified manner and had placed two enormous cups of coffee and two glasses of brandy in front of them. With a bow, he retreated to his place again, watching the door for the entrance of new customers.

Doubtingly, Richard looked at the brandy and took out his watch.

"Is it not rather early for that sort of drink, von Hertenberg," he asked.

"Too early? Ah, no," von Hertenberg answered in a nonchalant tone of voice. "It's past five. About time, if you ask me."

"Is this the Viennese habit you wanted to show me?"

"It is. One should always have time for a cup of coffee or two."

"With brandy?"

"For purely medicinal purposes, of course."

Richard laughed. "Do I look that ill?"

"You have a long journey to recover from, sir."

The door opened again, and two gentlemen entered the café. They were both elegantly dressed. One of them was very tall, slender and fair-haired. The other appeared rather short, perhaps even shorter in comparison to his friend. His complexion was dark, and his face was handsome, though there was nothing amiable in him. It was his eyes...their gaze was cold, scrutinizing.

Richard heard von Hertenberg murmur, "Oh, no, of all people..." and concluded that the gentlemen might be acquainted with him, although, perhaps, not really on friendly terms.

Still, they approached them and Colonel von Hertenberg rose to greet them. After a short discussion in German he turned to Richard and said, "Colonel Fitzwilliam, I would like to introduce my brother, Baron von Hertenberg, to you. Joseph, this is Colonel Fitzwilliam, one of the gentlemen in General Tilney's staff."

The taller gentleman bowed, and greeted him cordially.

"The other gentleman is Count Bāthory, a ... friend of the family."

The short pause before the "friend of the family" had not escaped Richard's notice, and so he concluded that Count Bāthory might well be a friend of von Hertenberg's family, but that Colonel von Hertenberg was not friendly with him. He wondered what the reason might be...

They spent about two hours in the coffee shop, talking and laughing a great deal. Baron von Hertenberg turned out to be a pleasant fellow, just like his younger brother, but Richard could not really warm up to Count Bāthory. He did not know what to make of that man. He was talking pleasantly enough; he seemed intelligent, well read, and disposed to talk. Yet there was something in his manner that made Richard dislike him.

"How long have you known Count Bāthory, von Hertenberg," he asked after the Baron and Count Bāthory had finally left them."

Von Hertenberg sighed. "For years. He is a close friend of my brother's."

"You do not seem to be very fond of him, though."

"I am not. I have my reasons to dislike him." This sentence was accompanied with a rather fierce look.

"What reasons?"

"Family matters. Sorry, but I think we should just leave it at that."

Richard understood. As much as he liked Colonel von Hertenberg, he was still a stranger to him. No one was disposed to discuss family affairs with a stranger.

"He seems to be rather rich."

"Bāthory? He could buy all of Vienna if he wanted to. Yet he never seems to get enough."

"Is he married?"

"He was married. His wife died two years ago. Countess Bāthory was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, but he made her unhappy. She was very fond of him, but he treated her...badly."

Richard could just imagine that. Somehow he could not picture Bāthory in the role of a loving husband.

He did not dwell on the topic any longer. He had a suspicion that the reason of von Hertenberg's dislike of Bāthory might be the Countess ... and if it was so, von Hertenberg would definitely not confide in him.

Part 2

Posted on Saturday, 27 April 2002, at 2:35 a.m.

Marie von Hertenberg ran out of the salon and retreated into the music room, where her cousin, Theresia von Laudeck, was practising on the piano. Once again Amalia, Marie's sister-in-law, had managed to provoke her, and once again Marie found that good resolutions were fruitless with some people, simply because they were not happy until there had been a quarrel. This was the case with Amalia. Surely Amalia would lose no time in telling Joseph how badly his sister was treating her, as soon as he came back.

"I am trying so hard, my dear, I do not know what to do...." In her imagination, Marie could hear her already.

She slammed the music room door shut and took a deep breath.

"Snake," she hissed, seating herself on a sofa.
Theresia watched her with an amused expression.

"And a good evening to you, too, my dear," she said, making Marie laugh despite herself. "You are in an excellent mood, Marie. Is it Amalia again?"

"Good guess."

"Oh, something completely new. What was it this time?"

"Ask her, I do not know. It would spoil her fun if she told me what is wrong."

"And we would not want that, would we?"

Marie sighed. "It is a pity Carl was not here. He would have stood up for me, he usually does."

"That's why she keeps her mouth shut when he is around. Remember the Bāthory fiasco. Carl expressed his opinion in no uncertain terms then."
Theresia could not suppress a malicious grin. There was no love lost between Amalia and her, but she was not the only one in the family who disliked her.

The Bāthory fiasco.... Marie could not help but smile, too, remembering Carl's reaction when his sister-in-law had hinted that Count Bāthory "had taken a liking to our dear Marie". She had been "our dear Marie" that evening, surprisingly enough.

"This is out of the question, Amalia, do not even think about it," Carl had said, in a voice that would have sent any of his men searching for cover at once.

"But why not, dear brother? It would be an excellent match..."

"Over my dead body. I am not going to allow it."

It was a good thing that Carl had a say in Marie's affairs. He was her guardian, together with their eldest brother Joseph. As long as Carl opposed Amalia's plans, everything would be fine.

"My dear Carl, you are being unreasonable....." Amalia had tried again.

"UNREASONABLE, Amalia? Is it reasonable to allow one's sister to marry a man who is known to have treated his first wife with no more respect than..."

"This is gossip, Carl. There is no proof."

"I need no proof for that, Amalia, at least no more than I have. No-" he had said when he had noticed that Amalia wanted to say something, "I will not discuss this issue any further."

Even Amalia knew that Carl's patience had its limits, and so she had stopped trying to convince him. After both Joseph and Count Bāthory had been equally unsuccessful with Carl, she had taken to other methods.
Some reasoning or other had led her to the conclusion that Carl would give in if Marie expressed her wish to marry Bāthory. He was sincerely attached to his sister and would not want to stand in the way of her happiness.
So now Amalia took every opportunity to praise Bāthory in Marie's presence and to reproach her for the pain she was giving him - something that Marie did not believe for one second. Whenever she noticed Bāthory's gaze resting on her, her hair stood on end. Whatever his feelings for her were like, love was not one of them. Marie doubted that he was capable of something like love, even without knowing why Carl disliked him so much.

Marie sighed. "I wish I could do something about that Bāthory business," she said to Theresia. "Do you have an idea?"

Theresia shrugged her shoulders. "Talk to Carl."

"I am afraid this will not help."

"I think you underestimate your brother. Once he puts his mind to something..."

"The thing is, Theresia, that he cannot do any more for me than he already does. You said before she keeps quiet as long as he is around. How is he supposed to help me if he is not?"

"Good point." Theresia played a few notes, and then said, "I am afraid, Mademoiselle Hertenberg, that only drastic measures will help. Have a fainting fit whenever the name Ferenc Bāthory is mentioned. Or - even better - tell Joseph that you are going to become a nun."

"Is this the same girl who always had an ingenious plan or other to get us out of a scrape?" Marie asked.

"That was with your parents, Marie, that was different. Your parents were reasonable people. Amalia would not see reason if it bit her nose off."

Marie laughed. For a moment, she wondered how Theresia managed to be like that... lively, fun loving, and nothing ever seemed to worry her. Had her life been anything like Theresia's, would she still be able to laugh as heartily as Theresia did?

"Come over here, dear, I want to show you something," Theresia said with a smile.

Marie joined her at the piano, and Theresia showed her a new sheet of music.

"I would love to play that, but unfortunately I need a partner. Would you like to try?"

Theresia hardly ever asked for a favour. Marie sat down next to her.

"Let us try then," she said.

They spent the following half hour playing, and Theresia explained Marie's part to her.

Music was Theresia's life. Her parents had both been very musical people, and Theresia's mother had recognised her daughter's talent very early. She had been determined to let her have the best teachers. By the age of thirteen, Theresia's skill had by far surpassed her teacher's, and Anna von Laudeck had started wondering what she could do for her. Finally, she had resolved to set up house in Vienna. A city that had housed a genius like Mozart...there were certainly possibilities for someone like Theresia.
Theresia's father had opposed the plan. He would not leave his estate behind like that, and go to the other end of the country just because his daughter needed a new music master....however, he had made a suggestion. His cousin, Baron von Hertenberg, lived in Vienna. What if...?
Lots of letters had been written on her behalf, and finally thirteen-year-old Theresia had found herself in Vienna, in the von Hertenberg household. For a few months only, her mother had said...that had been more than ten years ago.

Amalia interrupted their practising.

"Ah, here you are," she said with a smile. "Practising again, Theresia?"

"As you see," was Theresia's cool reply.

"Do you not think you could use your time for something better than that? Something - more productive?"

Amalia often expressed that Theresia had no right to genteel pastimes - not any more.

"Such as," Theresia asked, her eyes flashing dangerously.

Amalia ignored her, and turned to Marie.

"Marie, Joseph has just returned, and guess whom he has brought with him."

That guess was easy to make.

"Count Bāthory was particularly inquiring after you. Come and join us."

Although Amalia's tone of voice was sweet, it was clear that she would not have any opposition. But she had underestimated Theresia.

"When do we have to be at the Palais Harrach, Amalia," she asked in a distracted manner.

"At eight o'clock. I told you so before. If you kept your mind to something other than making that noise all day...."

"Eight o'clock, is it? Why, Marie, you will need to make haste then, it is already past six..."

Marie gave her a blank look. What was she up to?

"You wanted to make some changes about your dress, remember?" Theresia said, nudging her.

"Ah, yes, now I remember...Leonie said it looked a bit boring last time I wore it. I wanted to freshen it up a bit."

"You really should learn not to leave things till the last moment," Theresia said, in her best imitation of Amalia's reproachful tone.

"Exactly," Amalia said, not noticing that they were making fun of her.

"I know," Marie said, trying desperately to look as if she was sorry. "Tell Joseph and Count Bāthory we are really sorry, but since it is so late already...we will meet Count Bāthory at Palais Harrach anyway, will we not?"

"And we do want to make a good impression there, do we not," Theresia added.

Make a good impression... these were the magic words. Amalia would have given her right arm to make a good impression on someone like the Harrachs.

She just gave a short nod and left them. Theresia started a particularly loud prelude so that Amalia could not hear them laugh.

"Good Lord," she said, after a while, "I will need to go to confession tomorrow. All those lies..."

Marie hugged her. "Thank you for saving me," she said.

"Not worth mentioning. We Laudecks have always been a heroic lot, if you remember."

The door opened and Carl entered the room.

"Good evening, ladies," he said with a smile and a mock bow in Theresia's direction.

"Speaking of heroes," Theresia said with a grin. "How was your day, sir?"

"Very long, and very busy," he answered, sitting down. "What about yours?"

"Very much the same, Carl," Theresia said.

"Did you meet the English officers already," Marie asked.

"Some of them, yes. Very agreeable people, as far as I can tell."

"Did you invite them to dinner? You know Amalia wanted to meet them," Marie said.

"And you do not, I suppose," Carl said with a wink. "No, I did not invite them, since I only met General Tilney and Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the Colonel told me they were already engaged tonight. Besides, I wanted to wait with my invitation until Captain Tilney is able to leave his room."

"Oh, the poor man," Marie exclaimed. "Is he ill?"

Carl grinned. "Sort of."

"Sounds like suitable company for you, cousin," Theresia said, and added, "Colonel von Hertenberg is not at all well this morning, not at all well," mimicking Novacek's Bohemian accent.

Carl laughed. "Did he say so?"

"More than once."

"It cannot have happened that often, though."

"Often enough, Carl."

Carl shook his head. "I never said I was a saint, did I?"

"No one would have believed it if you had, Carl."

Marie sighed. Carl and Theresia loved to tease each other...and this looked like one more occasion.

"You are going to come to Palais Harrach with us tonight, are you not, Carl?" Marie asked.

"Palais Harrach? Tonight? I thought that was tomorrow," Carl answered.

"No, the soiree is tonight," Marie said. "Do not tell me you forgot."

"He already did tell you, Marie," Theresia said dryly. "You should ask Novacek to keep a book with your appointments, cousin."

"I will tell him so, Theresia. If I do not forget, that is."

"You do grow old, Carl. I am getting worried..."

"But you are going to come with us tonight, are you not?" Marie interrupted Theresia.

"I am sorry, Marie, but I cannot. There is an important staff meeting tonight...if I had known..."

"We understand you perfectly, dearest cousin," Theresia said sweetly. "That staff meeting does not take place in Grinzing, by any chance, does it?"

"Why go all the way to Grinzing, I wonder," Carl answered. "I know people with fine wine cellars here in town as well."

"Just leave us to fend for ourselves," Theresia said theatrically. "Never mind us, we shall be fine..."

She turned to Marie and said in a mournful tone, "I fear Colonel von Hertenberg will not be at all well tomorrow morning..."

Carl laughed. "Stop being silly, Reserl."

Theresia hated being called Reserl, he knew that.

"Don't call me Reserl," she exclaimed, her eyes nearly black with anger.

"I won't, if you stop being silly." He got up. "Wish me luck. I have to tell Amalia that I am not going to come with you tonight. Have fun, ladies."

"There he goes," Theresia said when he had left the room. "A real hero, if you ask me. Facing the dragon unarmed..."

"And our only chance for a tolerable evening, too," Marie added.

"Not quite," Theresia answered. "You forgot Leonie."

Leonie Potocka was one of the rising stars in Viennese society. She was young, pretty, charming, and rich. Wherever she went, she could choose among those young men who wanted to dance with her, talk with her, entertain her.... and had she ever paid more attention to one of them than she did with the others, she would probably have married a long time ago. Her aunt, the Countess Potocka, was hinting at this all the time. She blamed herself for "not being able to find a husband for her niece yet".

Her two best friends were Marie von Hertenberg and Theresia von Laudeck. She had met Theresia at a concert, and having many things in common, the two ladies had soon become friends.

Theresia and Marie had hardly entered the Palais Harrach, when Leonie joined them to share the latest gossip.

"Metternich is here," she whispered into Theresia's ear.

"The Sagan, too?" Theresia asked with a mischievous smile.

Everyone in Vienna knew that Metternich and "the" Sagan were most particular friends.

"Not yet, but I am sure she will come, too," Leonie answered.

She looked at Amalia disapprovingly. "Where does she think she is?" she asked Theresia in a whisper.

"I do not know. Ask her."

"I do not think that anyone would wear that dress at any occasion..."

"Except Amalia, that is."

Amalia was convinced that elegance was the same thing as finery. That evening, she wore a green silk dress with lace, and a great deal of jewellery.

"A bell round her neck is missing," Theresia said. "At home, we used to dress up our cows like that in autumn..."

Marie started to cough violently to hide her laughter.

Leonie grinned. "A crow can wear as many peacock feathers as it likes, it will still be a crow. And a rather ridiculous-looking one into the bargain."

"To be laughed at by us other crows," Marie added. "Really, you should be careful. She might hear you."

Leonie looked at Amalia, who was talking to Countess Potocka animatedly.

"Not likely. She is busy boring my aunt to death."

The evening started with a concert which none of the young ladies could enjoy very much. Somehow Amalia had contrived to seat Marie next to Count Bāthory, and his presence next to her would even have spoiled a performance by Beethoven himself. Since it was not Beethoven, but rather untalented amateur musicians who did the performance, there was not much enjoyment to be had for Theresia or Leonie, either.

"No skill, no feeling, no taste," Leonie whispered into Marie's ear before congratulating the hostess on her excellent choice of music.

"How can you do it," Marie asked her when the hostess was gone. "You just said you hated the music."

"I congratulated her on her choice of music, Marie. Luckily I did not comment on her choice of musicians. This is what one calls diplomacy, my dear."

"I begin to consider myself lucky for not being much of a diplomat," Marie answered.

"Are you not?" Leonie asked slyly. "I could have sworn you just promised Count Bāthory to dance the first two dances with him, but it cannot be. You cannot stand the sight of him, or so you keep telling me all the time."

"That is different. I have to be polite with him, he is my brother's friend."

"You see? Call it as you like - diplomacy or good breeding."

"Who is going to be your partner, Leonie," Marie asked to change the topic.

"I do not think I am going to dance tonight," Leonie said, flashing a smile at a young Hungarian officer who had been watching her for at least five minutes. The young man seemed to take this as an invitation to join them.

"Do you know him," Marie whispered.

"Oh, we were introduced last week, but I cannot remember his name just now... one meets so many people every day," Leonie said vaguely.

"You have turned into an awful flirt lately, Leonie," Theresia remarked. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself."

"I am thoroughly ashamed, Theresia, but I cannot help it. It is so hard to resist temptation..."

"...and Hungarian uniforms are so attractive..." Theresia said, in a low voice, since the young officer had reached them by now.

During the following minutes, Theresia and Marie amused themselves by watching Leonie. She was talking animatedly, suddenly recalling his name very well, it seemed, and after some pleading on his part and some (well acted) hesitation on hers, she consented to dance the first two dances with him, thus disappointing young Baron von Harmstorff.
Since he had not been successful with Mademoiselle Potocka, he asked "her charming friend, Mademoiselle von Laudeck". Theresia accepted readily. Being someone's second choice was better than sitting down with Amalia, and she was already used to the fact that many men only paid her attention because they thought it might gain them Leonie's favour.
It was not as if she was not pretty enough to attract a partner, or as if she was boring. Men were attracted by her, but since her family connections (except her cousins, the von Hertenbergs) were not worth mentioning, she was only considered a pleasant pastime, with no serious design...while Leonie could be sure that every man who tried to make himself agreeable to her had matrimony in his mind.

It was late when the music ended, and while the guests were waiting for their carriages, Marie, Theresia and Leonie gathered in a quiet corner to talk. Since Amalia was in hearing distance, they spoke English to make it impossible for her to eavesdrop. Amalia had never bothered to learn her mother-in-law's language.

"How did you enjoy yourself with Count Bāthory," Leonie asked. "He seems to have taken considerable pains to please you..."

"Thank you for reminding me," Marie said angrily. "I was just trying to forget. One would think he would finally take the hint. I shall turn into stone if I treat him in a colder manner than I have done tonight."

"Mount Marie, the Viennese glacier. All stone and ice, but still endearing," Theresia said with a grin.

Marie sighed. "You are joking, but I am in earnest. I am at my wits' end. How can I make him understand that I do not want his attention? I was not even polite with him tonight, but I fear this only made him more determined than ever. Besides, now I will have to face Amalia on our way home - the perfect end to a perfect evening."

Marie looked really desperate, and Theresia resolved that something had to be done about it.

"I shall prepare you for it, my dear. I can tell you exactly what she is going to say, and I shall tell you what to answer."

She cleared her throat and began, mimicking Amalia's voice, "What have I heard, Marie? You have treated The Ferret abominably tonight. How could you? How could you treat a man's noblest feelings with such contempt?"

She grinned. "Now it is your turn, Marie. "I have already suspected that these are the noblest feelings Count Bāthory is capable of...""

Marie and Leonie laughed, as Theresia went on.

"You do not deserve such devotion from a man like the Count. - I am glad you say that, Amalia, because I already wondered what I had done to deserve this..."

"I cannot really say that, Theresia. What would Joseph say if I did?"

"Think it, then. Believe me, it is such a relief. I do that every time she opens her mouth."

Leonie grinned. "I would love to read your thoughts, sometimes."

"Be glad you cannot. You would be shocked."

"Try me," Leonie said. "Or are these thoughts not to be mentioned in polite society?"

Theresia smiled. "Some perhaps not. You know her, she keeps abusing me whenever there is a chance, and, well... last week she told me that without her I'd probably end up as a waitress at the Golden Eagle in Innsbruck..."

Leonie stared at her, shocked. "She said so? How far does she go, I wonder?"

"Well, my answer, the one I thought, mind you, was, "There'd be better company at least. Some of your friends would not be admitted there, the Golden Eagle being a respectable place...""

Marie was shocked, but not because of Theresia's answer. Leonie was right. How far would Amalia go?

Theresia went on. "Somehow she has that thing about gratitude... After all I did for you, Theresia, you should show your gratitude more, Theresia! - I will, Amalia, just give me five minutes alone with you and a stick, that is all I need."

Suddenly someone behind them started laughing. Although the gentleman tried to suppress his laughter once he had noticed they were looking at him, it was clear that he had heard - and understood - their conversation and was now laughing at them.

Marie blushed. She was so embarrassed she wished she could die right at the spot. How much had the gentleman actually heard?

When she dared look at him again, another gentleman had just joined him, saying, "Come, Tilney, let us go outside. You need fresh air, anyway."

Their eyes met, and he gave her a reassuring smile and a nod. Could it be possible that he had noticed how uneasy she felt and that he wanted to spare her further embarrassment? If that was possible, Marie blushed even more and turned away.

When she looked into the direction of the two gentlemen again, they had already disappeared in the crowd.

Part Three

Posted on Tuesday, 30 April 2002, at 12:03 a.m.

Richard Fitzwilliam was rather tired the next morning, but otherwise he was fine. He had got home late last evening, it was true, but that had been all.
His first excursion into Viennese society had been satisfactory. He had met all sorts of people at the Palais Harrach, among them people of some renown and importance in Vienna. All in all, it had been a good start.

The only thing that had spoiled his evening had been Tilney's behaviour. He had drunk too much, and then he had become unbearable. Richard had heard of Tilney's reputation before. He had heard that Tilney was an incurable flirt, and that he had no regard for anybody else but himself. Still, he had let Tilney have the benefit of doubt.

Yesterday evening had convinced him that all the rumours had, if anything, only belittled Tilney's capability of mischief. Once he had managed to get Tilney out of the Palais Harrach, on their way home, Tilney had kept telling him how he had enjoyed himself with some girl or other...as if he had wanted to know.

"You know, Fitzwilliam," he had continued in his drunken stammer, "it is a shame that you pulled me away from those Three Graces..."

Three Graces? Whom did he mean?

"I mean, the blonde one, the playacting one...I suppose she might be fun to be with..."

Ah, those three graces...Richard had grabbed the tumbling Tilney by his arm and had dragged him on.

"Come, Tilney, you are drunk. The only thing you will need tonight is some sleep. Besides, that lady did not look as if she was fond of drunkards."

"Although, the other one, the one with those dark curls...I would not say no to her either..." Tilney had gone on, ignoring Richard's comment.

Show me the woman you would say no to, Richard had thought.

"Listen, Tilney, I am not really interested in your fancies," he had said aloud.

Finally, he had been glad to hand Tilney over to Garret, and to get to sleep.

As he had expected, he was alone at breakfast. Certainly Tilney would need all day again to get rid of his hangover.

Richard grinned. The day after the night before... Well, one had to pay the price for a lifestyle such as Tilney's. He did not pity him for one moment.

Garret came in and announced "a Mr Nova...Nova...dammit".

"Novacek, Garret?"

"Exactly. I shall never get the hang of these names, sir."

Richard laughed. "Well, what does he want?"

"He has got a message for you, sir."

Novacek came in, saluted and stood attention in an attempt to keep up military discipline, said something in his peculiar German that Richard could hardly understand ... except for the words "Colonel von Hertenberg" and "Tsar", and handed a note to Richard.
Richard could only hope that the note made matters a bit clearer to him, or he would be sadly at a loss.

"Please, sir, I am to wait for an answer, sir," Novacek said, still standing attention.

Richard opened the letter and read it. Colonel von Hertenberg informed him that, due to important preparations for the Tsar's impending arrival in Vienna, he was unfortunately unable to call on the English officers. However, if Colonel Fitzwilliam and Captain Tilney wanted to meet him at the café, he would be there, at the usual hour, meaning about six o'clock in the afternoon...
Richard Fitzwilliam wanted.

Shortly after six, Richard and Tilney entered the café. Tilney had expressed his wish to be finally acquainted with the Austrian Colonel, of whom he had already heard a great deal, and since von Hertenberg had included Tilney in his invitation, Richard had taken him along.

On looking around, Richard noticed von Hertenberg sitting at "his usual table", and in the company of another officer in Hungarian uniform.

Von Hertenberg saw them approaching and rose to greet them.

"Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad you could make it."

Richard introduced Tilney, and von Hertenberg said, smiling, "I am pleased to finally meet you, sir. I hope you are feeling better."

"I am very well, thank you, sir," was Tilney's reply, accompanied by a furious look at Richard.
Richard smiled. He liked von Hertenberg's way of dealing with the Tilneys, and he could imagine young Tilney's thoughts just now.

What did Fitzwilliam tell him?

"I would like you to meet a good friend of mine, Major Janos Horvāth," von Hertenberg continued.

Horvāth greeted them politely, apologising for his intrusion.

"I told von Hertenberg he ought to keep his appointment, without bringing me along, but he would not listen," he said.

They sat down, and when the coffee had been served, von Hertenberg told them what had kept him busy all day.

"The Tsar and the King of Prussia are to arrive tomorrow, and the event is to be celebrated with a parade - our regiment is to be a part of it. Not to forget the preparations concerning Their Majesties' safety... I can tell you, it was like being in a madhouse today."

Horvāth grinned. "The only difference between some quarters and a madhouse is the address, I told you so before, von Hertenberg."

"I never was more disposed to agree with you than today, Horvāth," von Hertenberg replied.
Then he turned to Richard and Tilney again.

"There will be quite a show tomorrow," he said with a smile. "Do not miss it. I dare say the whole city will be out and watching. How often does one get the opportunity to see two emperors at once?"

"Well, the last opportunity was not really appreciated," Horvāth said. "Napoleon did not get a warm welcome, I remember."

"I wonder why," von Hertenberg answered ironically. "Anyway, gentlemen, it will be worth seeing."

After about an hour of pleasant talk, Richard and Tilney rose to take their leave. Von Hertenberg and Horvāth decided to leave too, and since Horvāth lived in their neighbourhood, they decided to walk a short distance together.

"Anyway, before I forget...there is one more thing I wanted to ask you," von Hertenberg said to Richard. "Do you have any plans for Monday evening already?"

"Not yet, no," Richard answered. "Do you, Tilney?"

"None that I know of."

"Good. In that case, gentlemen, I would like to invite you - and General Tilney, of course - to dine with my family and me. My sister-in-law made a particular point of my inviting you." He laughed. "It is a good thing I remembered."

Both Richard and Tilney eagerly accepted the invitation. Tilney even went so far as to accept it on his father's behalf.

"Are you going to come, too, Horvāth," von Hertenberg asked his friend.

"Is this an official invitation," Horvāth asked.

"Of course it is, Horvāth."

"In that case...I would love to come, von Hertenberg, but I am afraid that someone I am not too keen to meet will be there, so I hope you will not take it amiss if I keep away ... it has nothing to do with you, you know that."

Von Hertenberg nodded. "I was afraid you would say that, Horvāth. However, if you should change your mind, you would be most welcome."

"I know, von Hertenberg, but I do not think I am going to change my mind."

Although the conversation had been in German, Richard had understood enough of it to wonder who the person Horvāth wanted to avoid might be. He was soon to find out.

They were just walking past St Stephen's, when Count Bāthory emerged from the crowd and came towards them. He did not recognise them at first, or so Richard thought. Then he noticed the way Horvāth stared at Bāthory, and the look in Horvāth's face made Richard's blood run cold. There was so much hatred in his eyes that Richard could not vouch for Bāthory's surviving the next five minutes.

But Richard had not been the only one who had noticed. The moment Bāthory had come in sight, von Hertenberg had grabbed his friend's arm and held on to it with an iron grip.

"Let go," Horvāth hissed, his tone leaving no doubt as to what he would do if von Hertenberg did not.

Tilney, not having noticed what was happening, just went on and was soon round the corner.

"Don't be a fool," von Hertenberg muttered. "There is a better place and a better time to settle such a thing. Not here, not now. It will not help if you make an exhibition of yourself."

"I do not mind making an exhibition of myself, von Hertenberg. Let go!"

"No, I won't. I will tell you what to do. We pass him, and we greet him, like any acquaintance. Do not show anything...keep cool!"

"I cannot!"

"Oh yes, you can. Show a little resolve, man!"

Meanwhile, Bāthory had seen them, and was obviously disposed to talk to them.

"Ah, good evening, von Hertenberg...Colonel Fitzwilliam..."

He turned to Horvāth, saying something in Hungarian with a sneering smile.

Richard saw von Hertenberg's grip on Horvāth's arm harden and prepared to interfere if any help was needed.
Horvāth answered the question, and even though Richard did not understand what he had said, his disdainful tone indicated that the answer was not at all friendly.
Neither did he understand what Bāthory said in reply, but Horvāth's reaction told him all he needed to know. Had not von Hertenberg held Horvāth back, Bāthory's nose would have been broken.

"Go away," von Hertenberg said to Bāthory. Bāthory gave a short laugh.

"Tell your friend he is a fool," he said in German, and walked away. The whole situation only seemed to amuse him.

When Bāthory had disappeared round the corner, Horvāth said, quietly, "You can let go now."

"Are you sure," von Hertenberg asked.

"Absolutely. He's gone anyway." He started to laugh. "I let him go..."

Richard exchanged a worried look with von Hertenberg.

"Are you sure you are all right," von Hertenberg asked his friend again.

"Never felt better. I am fine."

"I'll take you home, Horvāth."

"Nonsense, I am perfectly well, and far beyond the age at which one requires a nanny."

No matter what Horvāth said, Richard and von Hertenberg insisted on going with him and escorted him to his front door. They watched him enter the house.

With a sigh, von Hertenberg turned to Richard. "I am sorry you had to witness such a scene, Colonel Fitzwilliam."

Richard smiled. "You need not apologise, Colonel von Hertenberg. It was not your fault. As far as I can see, Bāthory provoked him."

"It did not surprise me....I think I owe you an explanation, though."

"Not at all, Colonel von Hertenberg, not at all."

"Oh yes, I do. I want you to understand the whole situation. I told you that Bāthory's wife died two years ago."

"You did."

"Well, the late Countess Bāthory was Horvāth's sister. They were very close, and so he got to know many things about her marriage which...led him to the conclusion that her husband mistreated her."

"Reason enough to hate him, if you ask me. But why..." Richard did not know how to ask that question and stopped.

"Why does he still react so violently on seeing Bāthory, you mean?"

"Right, that was what I wanted to ask. She died two years ago, surely in two years...If she had died a few weeks ago, I could understand him, but after two years..."

"Horvāth blames him for her death, that is why, and he has not met Bāthory since before her death. Bāthory did not bother to attend her funeral. I cannot give you any more details without...without betraying Horvāth's confidence, I am afraid. I hope my explanation was sufficient, sir."

It had been sufficient. Anyone who had a sister would probably have reacted the same way. Fortunately Richard's own sister was happily married...but he only needed to recall his cousin Darcy's face whenever the name Wickham had been mentioned, and he had to admit that he, himself, would have been glad to get his hands on Wickham after the events in Ramsgate. He doubted Wickham would have been equally glad, however.
How could he blame Horvāth, then?

The next day, as von Hertenberg had predicted, was a day to be seen - and remembered.
It being a Sunday, and the weather being warm and sunny, the whole population seemed to be in the streets, to watch the Tsar and the King of Prussia enter the city.
One could hardly make one's way through the crowd.

Richard had to admit that the Austrians knew how to celebrate an occasion such as this in style. The houses were decorated with flags and flowers, everyone was wearing their best apparel, and everyone was looking cheerful.
Some people had set up stalls to sell food and drink, and some had brought along musical instruments and started to play for the bystanders - who soon started to dance in the street, just to pass the time until the real show began.
The Viennese were not the sort of people to let anything stand in the way of a good party, it seemed, and Richard suspected that no one would take offence if the Tsar changed his mind and decided to arrive some other day. It would give them a chance to celebrate his arrival all over again.

The Tsar did turn up, however, and made his entrance into the city with all the pomp that was due to the occasion. He was in the company of the Austrian Emperor, and King Frederick William of Prussia, who looked a bit displeased.
The most important military leaders were attending them, too...Schwarzenberg, War Minister Colloredo, and of course Archduke Charles, the Emperor's younger brother, the celebrated victor at Aspern.
Among the other people of rank, Metternich was to be noted. He was the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and was to preside the Congress. He was a true diplomat, or a "puppet player", as Richard had heard people call him. Strangely, no one would call him so aloud, though.

In this multitude of uniforms, Richard was unable to discern von Hertenberg or Horvāth
...but then, they would not have been able to take notice of him, anyway.

All in all, it was a day to be remembered...

Finally, Monday evening had arrived, and Richard, General and Captain Tilney entered Baron von Hertenberg's "Palais", as the town houses of the Viennese nobility were called. Even though it was not as grand as the Palais Harrach, it was certainly an elegant place.
A large portrait of a lady dominated the salon. She was very pretty, and much of her features could be found in the young Baron, who welcomed them civilly. Colonel von Hertenberg took it on himself to introduce them to the other guests.

"Your mother," Richard said in a whisper, indicating at the portrait with a nod.

"Good guess." Von Hertenberg smiled. "Though the original was much more beautiful."

Their hostess, the Baroness von Hertenberg, was a beautiful young woman, and had her smile been less haughty and artificial, Richard might have called her manners pleasing. Her smile being as it was, he only believed her to be rather too convinced of her own importance, and a bit overdressed for the occasion.

The other guests were Count Bāthory, a Polish Countess by the name of Potocka, and her niece, Miss Leonie Potocka.

Miss Potocka looked strangely familiar to him, although Richard could not tell where he had seen her before. He was sure they had not been introduced, or he would have remembered. Yet, it was strange...

Then he heard Tilney gasp and whisper, "The Three Graces". Now he did remember. The three young ladies remaining to be introduced were indeed the ladies they had seen at the Palais Harrach the other night.

The lady whom von Hertenberg introduced as his sister Marie was the one who had been so embarrassed by Tilney's behaviour. Like Richard himself, she seemed to recall the situation vividly, and she tried to hide her discomfort as well as she could.

She was pretty, rather tall, as everyone in her family, with light brown hair and regular features. Her dress was simple, but elegant. Richard was sure that her sister-in-law had no say in her way of dressing - luckily.

Miss von Hertenberg curtsied and said, with a shy smile, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. My brother has told me very much about you already."

"Only the best things, I hope," Richard answered, with what he hoped to be a reassuring smile.

"Oh, I could not find fault with anything I heard, I assure you."

Richard laughed. He liked Miss von Hertenberg; she seemed to be very much like her brother - just as kind, and surely just as entertaining, if she chose to. Well, perhaps at closer acquaintance...

Finally, they turned to the young lady whom Richard recognised to be "the blonde one, the playacting one".
It was obvious that she had recognised them, too, for she looked at them with unfeigned interest and a playful smile.

"My cousin, Theresia von Laudeck," von Hertenberg said.

She curtsied, and said to Tilney, "I see you are not quite as amused today as you were at the Palais Harrach, sir. I am sorry to see it."

Her English was good, although there was a slight accent.

Tilney laughed, and seemed to be ready to take up the challenge.

"I am sure you can do something about it, Miss von Laudeck."

"Oh, I am sure I can."

"You are already acquainted with Captain Tilney, Theresia," von Hertenberg asked with a puzzled look.

"We know each other by sight, yes." She noticed that Tilney wanted to say something, and said, "Shhh, Captain Tilney, my cousin does not have to know everything, does he? It is his own fault. Had he come with us that evening, instead of attending staff meetings in Grinzing or Heaven knows where..."

Tilney laughed. "Very well then, I shall not say a word."

"This is unfair, Theresia, I want to know," von Hertenberg laughed.

"He wants to know..." Miss von Laudeck said, gravely. "Now that Captain Tilney has given me his word, I hope you will not let me down, Colonel Fitzwilliam? If someone wants to know something so badly, he needs to deserve being told, first."

Richard laughed. Miss von Laudeck was lively, and she was not afraid of using her charms.

"My lips are sealed, Madam," he said with a bow.

"You see, Carl," she said, turning to her cousin, "you will have to be very good if you want me to tell you..."

"I will have it out of you one of these days," Colonel von Hertenberg said with a grin.

"I am not afraid of you, cousin."

"I know you are not. You are not afraid of anything or anyone, Theresia."

She laughed. "Well, nearly."

Richard felt himself reminded of a similar occasion at Rosings Park.

I am not afraid of you, Miss Bennet...

He would keep an eye on Miss von Laudeck and Colonel von Hertenberg, just for the fun of it.

Richard had the opportunity to talk with Miss von Laudeck a bit more during dinner, as she was seated next to him. Miss Potocka was Tilney's neighbour, and Tilney seemed to be very pleased about that fact. Miss von Hertenberg was the only one who did not look very happy, being seated between Bāthory and General Tilney.
Richard noticed that she talked to General Tilney much more often than to Bāthory. To him, she only spoke when he had asked her something, and even then she kept her answers as short as possible.

"So, how long have you been staying with your relatives here, Miss von Laudeck," he asked his neighbour.

"Ten and a half years, Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"Ten and a half years? This is a long time."

"Indeed, it is. But I cannot help it, this is the only place for me to go. Not that I complain, I like being here."

"So the von Hertenbergs are your only relations?"

"Not quite. I have an uncle, but I cannot live with him. He is a priest in Innsbruck, teaching at the Jesuit College there. He is my guardian, and writes a letter every month, but that is it."

Richard did not inquire any further. He wanted to avoid touching a topic that was painful to her.

"Do you enjoy being in Vienna, Colonel," she asked him after a while.

"Very much - although I am still in the process of getting used to it."

She laughed. "That can take some time, sir. I have not got used to it yet."

"I hope I will not have to stay here for ten years, Miss von Laudeck."

"Why not? There is not much wrong with this city. Except its not being the Tyrol, there is no fault to be found with it."

"I dare say you are right, Miss von Laudeck, but yet I would like to get home some day or other."

"I understand," she said with a sad smile. "Home is always the best place to be."

Richard decided to ask Colonel von Hertenberg what prevented Miss von Laudeck from going home. It interested him.
He looked across the table and perceived Miss von Hertenberg looking at him. Too bad he could not talk to her at the moment...but surely there would be a chance, later in the evening.

Part 4

Posted on Sunday, 5 May 2002, at 11:07 a.m.

The ladies retired into the music room, since it was a bit larger than the drawing room. Amalia devoted herself to Couantess Potocka, and Marie could not help but feel extremely thankful towards that lady. Had she not been there, they would have had Amalia at their heels the whole evening.

"How does your aunt bear with that woman, Leonie," she asked.

Leonie laughed. "Well, I do not think your sister treats my aunt like she treats us - that is you, or Theresia. She knows that being acquainted with a Countess gives her some consequence in society - so she would never set that acquaintance at stake. Believe it or not, but my aunt says that she is actually a very pleasing person."

"I'd rather not believe it," Marie said. "If she is pleasing, I wonder what I am, then."

"Universally charming, Marie," Theresia answered.

"You are too good to me, Theresia," Marie said.

"I meant, in comparison to Amalia," Theresia continued, with a mischievous grin.

Leonie laughed. "She knows how to get people back on the ground, does she not?"

"I should have known," Marie said. "Always take Theresia's compliments with a pinch of salt."

"I have a reputation to live up to, ladies," Theresia said with a wink. "Some people actually call me malicious."

"Some people being Amalia, I suppose." Marie knew that Amalia was downright afraid of Theresia, sometimes. Theresia repaid every bit of unkindness from her without delay, and there was nothing Amalia could do about it.

"Quite so. How did you like your neighbour, Marie?"

"You know my opinion of Bāthory, do you not?" Marie said angrily.

"Actually, I was talking about General Tilney, dear. What is he like?"

"General Tilney? Well, he was more pleasant than Bāthory, for sure. He is polite, and capable of intelligent conversation - "

"So is Bāthory, if he puts his mind to it," Leonie remarked.

"LEONIE!"

"Why, it is true, is it not? Credit where credit is due. His manners are perfect, it is his character we do not like." Leonie put a grape in her mouth.

"Did you notice that your brother treated him in an even colder manner than he has done before, Marie?" she said, after a while. "I have never seen such politeness - and chill."

"Carl?" Marie thought for a while. "I did not notice any change in him, I am sorry, Leonie."

"Well, Horvāth is back in town," Theresia said. "Perhaps it has something to do with him."

"Horvāth is back in town? Since when? And who told you," Marie asked.

"I met him this morning on my way back from Leonie's. He had arrived last Friday evening, he said."

"Why did Carl not invite him, then? They must have met, do you not think?"

Theresia shrugged her shoulders. "I do not think Carl did not invite him, Marie. I think he just did not come."

"I would not come if I was him," Leonie said thoughtfully. "Certainly not."

"It is so dreadful," Marie said. "Why cannot Joseph invite Horvāth once, instead of Bāthory? No one would miss him."

"Is it not interesting," Theresia said, with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "how my cousin always manages to bring the conversation back to Bāthory?"

Leonie laughed. "Indeed, an interesting thought...it does raise some suspicion, I am sure."

"Oh, you..." Marie began. Then she noticed how Amalia gave her a disapproving look, and stopped.

"Now, Leonie, it is your turn," Theresia said. "Marie was sitting next to the father, now you tell us about the son. How did you like Captain Tilney?"

"Captain Tilney is charming...dangerously charming...and fully aware of it. I suspect him of being..." She whispered something in Theresia's ear.

Theresia laughed out loud. "You could not have said it more aptly, Leonie."

"What did you say," Marie asked. "I have the suspicion you are trying to leave me out!"

She, too, laughed when Leonie told her what she had said to Theresia.

"What makes you believe so," she asked. "He has not been in town long enough to gain himself such a reputation, has he?"

"No, but believe me, I have met too many men of that sort. He is a terrible flirt. I do not mind flirts, I only do not take them too seriously."

Theresia grinned. "Poor Captain Tilney. Perhaps you do him wrong, and he is in fact very much in love with you."

Leonie laughed. "Oh, yes, certainly. After an acquaintance of three hours - or is it three and a half?"

"What is the meaning of time, my dear, when matters of the heart are concerned? Can not a man discover his burning passion for a lady in one moment?" Theresia said, theatrically.

"He can, only that sort of passion is not really what I want," Leonie answered. "No, believe me, Captain Tilney will not rest before he has made half the women in Vienna fall in love with him."

"In that case he will need to start soon," Theresia said dryly. "At least you warned us. Thank you very much, dear."

She got up, went over to the fruit bowl and helped herself to some more grapes, answering Amalia's angry stare with a polite nod and a smile. She came back, seated herself on the sofa, and offered the grapes to Marie and Leonie.

"Now, you did not tell us how you enjoyed your dinner, Theresia," Leonie said, with a mischievous smile.

"My dinner was excellent. I must say that Amalia's cook is well worth her wages." Theresia answered with an innocent look.

Marie laughed. "We are not talking about the food, Theresia. Colonel Fitzwilliam!"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam? I did not try him...should I have?" Theresia's eyes sparkled roguishly.

"Tell me, Theresia. What is he like?"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"Yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam." Marie watched Theresia eat another grape.

"Delightful," Theresia finally said.

"The Colonel or the grape," Leonie asked, smiling.

"Both."

"Is that all you are going to say? What did you talk about? Come, tell us!" Marie said.

Theresia ate another grape, biding her time.

"What did we talk about, let me see...Vienna, among other things."

"Vienna? What did he say about Vienna?"

"He said he would not want to spend ten years here," Theresia said, grinning.

"Understandable," Leonie said.

"Most of the time, we were talking about me. He wanted to know how long I had been here, and about my family. The usual things one is talking about with a new acquaintance. Besides, he was very busy casting looks at you, Marie."

Marie blushed. "I cannot see any reason why he should, Theresia."

"Well, ask him then."

"Did he say something about me, too," Marie asked.

"No, he did not, Marie. Sorry to disappoint you. But I really like him. I must say that he is the most agreeable gentleman in our new acquaintance."

Marie agreed with Theresia, though she did not say so aloud. She did not feel up to another portion of teasing, and she was sure that either Leonie or Theresia would grab the opportunity to do so.

The gentlemen joined them soon after that, and Marie got the opportunity to talk to Colonel Fitzwilliam. It only took her about five minutes to determine that Theresia had been right - Colonel Fitzwilliam was the most agreeable gentleman in their new acquaintance. Even though they were only talking about mere commonplace topics, there was something in him ... somehow she had the feeling that, whatever she said, he felt a deep interest in her opinion. He listened attentively, asked questions, and made her feel completely at ease.

General and Captain Tilney joined Countess Potocka and her niece, and anyone who had their wits about them could tell that Captain Tilney did his best to make himself agreeable to Leonie.

Marie smiled. Dangerously charming, indeed.

"Are you laughing at me, Miss von Hertenberg," Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

"Laugh at you? Why... oh, no sir, I am not laughing at you," Marie said, blushing.

"Something amuses you, though."

"Should an evening in pleasant company not amuse me, sir?" Marie asked, hoping that he would give up on the subject.

"You are right, Miss von Hertenberg. But an amused smile on a lady's face can create suspicion in a gentleman - especially if he has, to his knowledge, done nothing to cause it."

Marie laughed. "You need not be uneasy, sir. I hardly ever laugh at people."

"A comforting idea, Miss von Hertenberg."

Marie saw that Amalia and Count Bāthory were moving towards them, and her expression became earnest again. Her change had not escaped the Colonel's notice; he gave her an interested look and cast another one at Amalia and Bāthory.

"Marie, my dear," Amalia exclaimed, enthusiastically.

This is serious, Marie thought.Once she calls me my dear, there is something going on.

"Marie, my dear, do you know what has happened? Count Bāthory has made us a most generous offer."

Marie forced herself to smile politely, but did not say a word. Certainly Amalia would soon go on, so it was not worth asking. Besides, Marie was sure that she was not required to say anything in reply.
She heard Theresia, who was sitting next to her, murmur, "Has he, indeed?"

"He has invited us to join him in his box at the opera on Saturday!"

Marie could think of a better way of spending a Saturday evening than sitting in a dark box, accompanied by Count Bāthory. Unfortunately, everything seemed to be settled already.

"What are they going to show," she asked, feigning interest.

"Don Giovanni," Count Bāthory answered, with a pleasant smile.

"How appropriate," she heard Theresia mutter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had heard it, too, presumably. Marie saw him smile.

"My husband, sister and I will be glad to join you, Count Bāthory. Such a generous offer!" Amalia said.

My husband, sister and I? What about Theresia, Marie wondered. Theresia is the only one of us who would really care to hear that opera.

She heard Theresia draw a sharp breath. Carl, who had been talking with Joseph, had noticed Amalia's unkindness, too, and gave Amalia an angry look.

For once, Count Bāthory saved the situation by saying, "Is Miss von Laudeck already otherwise engaged, Madam? I was so sure that she, being so fond of music, would delight in the scheme."

"I have no other engagement on Saturday, sir," Theresia answered.

"I only thought there would not be enough room for all of us, Count Bāthory," Amalia said sweetly, giving Theresia a venomous look. The look Theresia gave her in return was by no means more pleasant.

Oh, how convenient this would have been for you, Amalia, Marie thought.

"There is enough room, I assure you, Madam." Bāthory answered.
"Miss von Laudeck was, of course, included in my invitation. I do hope you will accompany us, too, Miss von Laudeck; I would not want to miss the company of someone with such taste and knowledge in music as yours. Besides," he continued, with a gallant bow in Marie's direction, "I know Miss von Hertenberg would not be able to enjoy herself without her cousin."

"You are too kind, sir," Theresia said, smiling. "It will certainly be a treat. I am much obliged."

Amalia, seeing that her scheme for insulting Theresia had not quite worked, turned to Count Bāthory and said, pleasantly, "This will be a wonderful evening, to be sure. I am excessively fond of Mozart, and "Don Giovanni" is one of my favourites. I have heard it quite often, I think I nearly know it by heart..."

Amalia an expert in music? Since when? Marie wondered.

She saw Theresia break into a malicious smile.

Oh dear! This looks like you are going to pay very soon, Amalia. Watch out, you are no match for Theresia, you lose every time, Marie thought.

Since the conversation had turned to music now, Joseph suggested that someone might play for the guests. Amalia volunteered at once, sat down at the piano and began to play. She had never been a good player, but had always believed herself to be one.

As Theresia had once said, "She is playing the pianoforte like others would chop wood. I get a headache whenever I hear her."

When Amalia had finished her performance, everyone was applauding politely, and Leonie remarked, in her special way of paying compliments, "I have never heard such an interesting interpretation of Bach before, madam. I do not know how to express myself properly, it was so ... impressive."

Theresia did not say a word; she just gave Leonie a wink. Marie took a sip of wine to hide her smile. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had just joined Carl, gave them an interested look.

Leonie turned to Theresia. "It has been such a long time since I heard you play, Theresia. Would you do me the favour tonight?"

She turned to Captain Tilney and said, "You must know, sir, that my friend is an excellent piano player - and I just adore her voice. Anyone who had the good fortune to hear her sing once can tell you that her talent is extraordinary."

"You do me too much honour, Leonie," Theresia said, but a slight blush betrayed that she was well pleased with the compliment.

"I am all anticipation to hear you, Miss von Laudeck," Captain Tilney said. "Such praise from Miss Potocka's lips must be well deserved, I am sure."

Theresia got up, and went to the piano. While she was searching among her sheets of music and started to play, Carl took one seat next to Marie, and Colonel Fitzwilliam took the other.

The contrast between Theresia's playing and Amalia's was huge. In comparison to Theresia, Amalia had sounded like a beginner. Marie watched the guests while listening to the music. She saw amazement in most of their faces, only Amalia looked angry, and Count Bāthory, instead of looking at Theresia, stared at her.

Marie blushed and turned away. Why could he not leave her in peace?
Theresia had finished her first piece, a light tune by Mozart, and received her applause.

"Are you not going to sing for us tonight, Theresia," Carl asked.

Theresia smiled. "Do you not think it will get too long - too boring, if I do, Carl?"

"Too boring? You cannot be in earnest, Theresia," he answered.

"Very well, then," Theresia said, with a grin. "I shall sing, to oblige you and Leonie..."

She started to play the intro of an Italian aria - a sweet, appealing tune. "Vedrai Carino..."

Marie saw Carl smile and shake his head slightly, but did not know why.

"Your brother seems to be very fond of Miss von Laudeck," Colonel Fitzwilliam whispered.

"He definitely is. She is like a sister to us," Marie replied.

"A sister, indeed," he said. Marie looked at him suspiciously.

"Your tone suggests you think his affections for her are of a different sort, sir."

"Does it?"

"You are mistaken if you think so, sir."

"I am sure you know your family better than I do," Colonel Fitzwilliam said. Marie noticed that Carl gave them a disapproving look and remained silent. Had he understood what they had talked about? No, it was just that he wanted to listen, and they had disturbed him.

Carl in love with Theresia? How absurd...they are arguing all the time!

Theresia had finished her aria, and had started another one to oblige Count Bāthory. Even though Marie did not believe what Colonel Fitzwilliam had said, she watched Carl and Theresia. Theresia seemed oblivious of everything around her, concentrating on her song.

"Infelice, o dio! mi fa..."

Carl was listening intently - no wonder, he had always been fond of music, and had always loved listening to Theresia. No, there was nothing different to other occasions. They were just as they had always been.

Theresia's performance ended, and everyone complimented her on doing so well. Everyone but Amalia, that was.

She gave Theresia a sour look, and said, "I say, Theresia, this was nice. I do prefer Mozart, however."

Theresia's expression was as innocent as always when she was up to something.

"I am sure he would be most happy to hear it, if he were still alive, Madam," she answered.

Colonel Fitzwilliam started to cough, and Marie noticed how Carl turned away from Amalia, so that she could not see the broad grin on his face. Leonie had started fanning herself, and the fan conveniently hid her smile.

I knew it! Amalia is an expert in music, indeed!

Only Amalia had not noticed what a fool she had just made of herself, until Carl walked over to Theresia and said, "Well sung, Reserl. Shall we play a game of cards? It is something different than listening to Don Giovanni, to be sure, but it can be entertaining, too..."

He gave Theresia his hand to help her get up. Amalia's look was priceless. Of course she blamed Theresia for her humiliation, instead of blaming herself.

I cannot say she did not deserve it, Marie thought. Boasting about her knowledge in music, and then not knowing Mozart.... and treating Theresia the way she did...

Theresia smiled at Carl and said, "Of course I shall play cards with you, cousin. No one calls me Reserl without being punished for it, not even you. This is going to be your worst defeat since Wagram, sir."

"Says who?"

"Just wait and see!"

"You are not going to play this coarse ale-house game in here, are you," Amalia snapped.

"I beg your pardon?" Theresia looked at Amalia, her face a picture of politeness.

"This game you are going to play - do you think it is suitable for a lady to play?" Amalia seemed determined to criticise Theresia, no matter what she did.

"Madam, my grandfather has taught me to play this game, and neither my father nor my mother ever objected to my playing it."

Again, Amalia had lost. Without saying it directly, Theresia had let Amalia know that she did not feel obliged to listen to her, or to obey her orders.

The card table was set up, and Theresia and Carl started their game. Marie turned to Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"Do you want to watch them," she asked.

"I would like to, Miss von Hertenberg. The game looks interesting."

So they joined Carl and Theresia and watched them play, which, in itself, was amusing.

"What do you think you are doing, cousin?"

"You will not be able to beat that card," was Carl's answer.

"That bit of a trump? Is that all the tactics they taught you in the military?"

"Careful, Theresia, I am not the only military man here," Carl answered.

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. "I have never seen such cards."

"They are called German cards," Marie explained. "The game is mostly played in the western parts of Austria...Theresia taught us to play it."

"Would you like to learn it, too, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Theresia asked.

"Why not? It looks as if it could be fun," the Colonel answered.

"Very well then - we will just finish that game, which will not take that long, if my cousin keeps playing the way he does... eight plus three, you know what that means, Carl ... and then you and Marie can join in."

"I am not going to give up, Theresia," Carl said, laughing. "I bid four."

"I'd like to see that," Theresia answered, putting a high trump card on the table.

"The game is mine, then," Carl said, with a grin. "I've got ten points now."

"Never mind, you need eleven to win," Theresia answered, taking notes on a piece of paper.

"You see, Colonel Fitzwilliam," Carl remarked, "If one wants to win this game, one needs good tactics. Good cards are not as important as tactics - and concentration."

"Says Carl, the military man. Three." Theresia looked at Carl. "So, what do you say?"

"Show me."

Carl lost the game. "It is easy to win with such cards," he said. "Besides, I wanted this game to end so the Colonel and Marie can join us."

"Of course you did," Theresia said, winking at Marie. "If a man wins, it is tactics, if a woman wins, it is plain luck. We are used to that, are we not?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed.

"You seem to be somewhere else with your thoughts tonight, not with your cards, Carl," Marie remarked.

"That could very well be, Marie."

"Well, where are they?"

"I am not going to tell you."

"Wrong answer, cousin," Theresia said.

Carl laughed. "Are we going to argue, or are we going to teach Colonel Fitzwilliam how to play that game?" he asked Theresia.

"Can we not do both?"

Carl shook his head, and said to Marie, "Will you start?"

"Certainly."

They spent the next half hour explaining the game to Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he seemed to enjoy himself very much. The rules were not too difficult, so he soon got the hang of the game. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Marie were partners, as were Theresia and Carl.

It had been a long time since Marie had enjoyed herself so much. Playing cards with Theresia and Carl was something enjoyable, and Colonel Fitzwilliam turned out to be a delightful partner, even if he applied to her help quite often.

"I am really sorry, but I will have to rely on your advice, Miss von Hertenberg," he said.

However, against Carl and Theresia, both rather tough players who had no intention of sparing their opponents, they had no chance. They lost the game, and Colonel Fitzwilliam blamed himself for it.

"I am sure that you would have won, had you had another partner, Miss von Hertenberg," he said.

Theresia laughed. "My cousin has done her best to help you lose, sir."

"Theresia! I was not that bad, was I?" Marie said.

"It was not the Colonel's entire fault, however."

"You are too kind, Miss von Laudeck," Colonel Fitzwilliam answered. "But I do know when to take the full responsibility for a defeat."

Carl laughed. "Shall we give them an opportunity to win, Theresia?"

Theresia shrugged her shoulders. "Suits me, Carl."

That game had to be postponed, however, since most of the guests were getting ready to leave. Colonel Fitzwilliam had to join the Tilneys on their way home.

Marie was sorry to see him go away; she had really grown to like him and would not have minded enjoying his company a bit longer. Shortly after the guests had left, Theresia and Marie excused themselves and retired to their rooms. On walking up the stairs, Marie said, "You were right, Theresia. Colonel Fitzwilliam is delightful."

Theresia laughed.

"I hate to think of Saturday," Marie went on. "A whole evening in the company of Count Bāthory, and not even Carl will be there with us."

Theresia smiled. "You should also see the positive side, Marie. We are going to see an excellent performance. To see that, I would even put up with the company of Don Giovanni himself."

"Theresia!"

"Why, it is true."

Marie shook her head. "Where are your principles, dear?"

"A woman in my position cannot afford too many principles, Marie. Good night and..."

She broke into a broad grin.

"Yes?"

"Sweet dreams." Theresia winked at her and disappeared in her room, leaving Marie in the corridor wondering what she had meant.

Part 4

Posted on Sunday, 5 May 2002, at 11:07 a.m.

The ladies retired into the music room, since it was a bit larger than the drawing room. Amalia devoted herself to Couantess Potocka, and Marie could not help but feel extremely thankful towards that lady. Had she not been there, they would have had Amalia at their heels the whole evening.

"How does your aunt bear with that woman, Leonie," she asked.

Leonie laughed. "Well, I do not think your sister treats my aunt like she treats us - that is you, or Theresia. She knows that being acquainted with a Countess gives her some consequence in society - so she would never set that acquaintance at stake. Believe it or not, but my aunt says that she is actually a very pleasing person."

"I'd rather not believe it," Marie said. "If she is pleasing, I wonder what I am, then."

"Universally charming, Marie," Theresia answered.

"You are too good to me, Theresia," Marie said.

"I meant, in comparison to Amalia," Theresia continued, with a mischievous grin.

Leonie laughed. "She knows how to get people back on the ground, does she not?"

"I should have known," Marie said. "Always take Theresia's compliments with a pinch of salt."

"I have a reputation to live up to, ladies," Theresia said with a wink. "Some people actually call me malicious."

"Some people being Amalia, I suppose." Marie knew that Amalia was downright afraid of Theresia, sometimes. Theresia repaid every bit of unkindness from her without delay, and there was nothing Amalia could do about it.

"Quite so. How did you like your neighbour, Marie?"

"You know my opinion of Bāthory, do you not?" Marie said angrily.

"Actually, I was talking about General Tilney, dear. What is he like?"

"General Tilney? Well, he was more pleasant than Bāthory, for sure. He is polite, and capable of intelligent conversation - "

"So is Bāthory, if he puts his mind to it," Leonie remarked.

"LEONIE!"

"Why, it is true, is it not? Credit where credit is due. His manners are perfect, it is his character we do not like." Leonie put a grape in her mouth.

"Did you notice that your brother treated him in an even colder manner than he has done before, Marie?" she said, after a while. "I have never seen such politeness - and chill."

"Carl?" Marie thought for a while. "I did not notice any change in him, I am sorry, Leonie."

"Well, Horvāth is back in town," Theresia said. "Perhaps it has something to do with him."

"Horvāth is back in town? Since when? And who told you," Marie asked.

"I met him this morning on my way back from Leonie's. He had arrived last Friday evening, he said."

"Why did Carl not invite him, then? They must have met, do you not think?"

Theresia shrugged her shoulders. "I do not think Carl did not invite him, Marie. I think he just did not come."

"I would not come if I was him," Leonie said thoughtfully. "Certainly not."

"It is so dreadful," Marie said. "Why cannot Joseph invite Horvāth once, instead of Bāthory? No one would miss him."

"Is it not interesting," Theresia said, with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "how my cousin always manages to bring the conversation back to Bāthory?"

Leonie laughed. "Indeed, an interesting thought...it does raise some suspicion, I am sure."

"Oh, you..." Marie began. Then she noticed how Amalia gave her a disapproving look, and stopped.

"Now, Leonie, it is your turn," Theresia said. "Marie was sitting next to the father, now you tell us about the son. How did you like Captain Tilney?"

"Captain Tilney is charming...dangerously charming...and fully aware of it. I suspect him of being..." She whispered something in Theresia's ear.

Theresia laughed out loud. "You could not have said it more aptly, Leonie."

"What did you say," Marie asked. "I have the suspicion you are trying to leave me out!"

She, too, laughed when Leonie told her what she had said to Theresia.

"What makes you believe so," she asked. "He has not been in town long enough to gain himself such a reputation, has he?"

"No, but believe me, I have met too many men of that sort. He is a terrible flirt. I do not mind flirts, I only do not take them too seriously."

Theresia grinned. "Poor Captain Tilney. Perhaps you do him wrong, and he is in fact very much in love with you."

Leonie laughed. "Oh, yes, certainly. After an acquaintance of three hours - or is it three and a half?"

"What is the meaning of time, my dear, when matters of the heart are concerned? Can not a man discover his burning passion for a lady in one moment?" Theresia said, theatrically.

"He can, only that sort of passion is not really what I want," Leonie answered. "No, believe me, Captain Tilney will not rest before he has made half the women in Vienna fall in love with him."

"In that case he will need to start soon," Theresia said dryly. "At least you warned us. Thank you very much, dear."

She got up, went over to the fruit bowl and helped herself to some more grapes, answering Amalia's angry stare with a polite nod and a smile. She came back, seated herself on the sofa, and offered the grapes to Marie and Leonie.

"Now, you did not tell us how you enjoyed your dinner, Theresia," Leonie said, with a mischievous smile.

"My dinner was excellent. I must say that Amalia's cook is well worth her wages." Theresia answered with an innocent look.

Marie laughed. "We are not talking about the food, Theresia. Colonel Fitzwilliam!"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam? I did not try him...should I have?" Theresia's eyes sparkled roguishly.

"Tell me, Theresia. What is he like?"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"Yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam." Marie watched Theresia eat another grape.

"Delightful," Theresia finally said.

"The Colonel or the grape," Leonie asked, smiling.

"Both."

"Is that all you are going to say? What did you talk about? Come, tell us!" Marie said.

Theresia ate another grape, biding her time.

"What did we talk about, let me see...Vienna, among other things."

"Vienna? What did he say about Vienna?"

"He said he would not want to spend ten years here," Theresia said, grinning.

"Understandable," Leonie said.

"Most of the time, we were talking about me. He wanted to know how long I had been here, and about my family. The usual things one is talking about with a new acquaintance. Besides, he was very busy casting looks at you, Marie."

Marie blushed. "I cannot see any reason why he should, Theresia."

"Well, ask him then."

"Did he say something about me, too," Marie asked.

"No, he did not, Marie. Sorry to disappoint you. But I really like him. I must say that he is the most agreeable gentleman in our new acquaintance."

Marie agreed with Theresia, though she did not say so aloud. She did not feel up to another portion of teasing, and she was sure that either Leonie or Theresia would grab the opportunity to do so.

The gentlemen joined them soon after that, and Marie got the opportunity to talk to Colonel Fitzwilliam. It only took her about five minutes to determine that Theresia had been right - Colonel Fitzwilliam was the most agreeable gentleman in their new acquaintance. Even though they were only talking about mere commonplace topics, there was something in him ... somehow she had the feeling that, whatever she said, he felt a deep interest in her opinion. He listened attentively, asked questions, and made her feel completely at ease.

General and Captain Tilney joined Countess Potocka and her niece, and anyone who had their wits about them could tell that Captain Tilney did his best to make himself agreeable to Leonie.

Marie smiled. Dangerously charming, indeed.

"Are you laughing at me, Miss von Hertenberg," Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

"Laugh at you? Why... oh, no sir, I am not laughing at you," Marie said, blushing.

"Something amuses you, though."

"Should an evening in pleasant company not amuse me, sir?" Marie asked, hoping that he would give up on the subject.

"You are right, Miss von Hertenberg. But an amused smile on a lady's face can create suspicion in a gentleman - especially if he has, to his knowledge, done nothing to cause it."

Marie laughed. "You need not be uneasy, sir. I hardly ever laugh at people."

"A comforting idea, Miss von Hertenberg."

Marie saw that Amalia and Count Bāthory were moving towards them, and her expression became earnest again. Her change had not escaped the Colonel's notice; he gave her an interested look and cast another one at Amalia and Bāthory.

"Marie, my dear," Amalia exclaimed, enthusiastically.

This is serious, Marie thought.Once she calls me my dear, there is something going on.

"Marie, my dear, do you know what has happened? Count Bāthory has made us a most generous offer."

Marie forced herself to smile politely, but did not say a word. Certainly Amalia would soon go on, so it was not worth asking. Besides, Marie was sure that she was not required to say anything in reply.
She heard Theresia, who was sitting next to her, murmur, "Has he, indeed?"

"He has invited us to join him in his box at the opera on Saturday!"

Marie could think of a better way of spending a Saturday evening than sitting in a dark box, accompanied by Count Bāthory. Unfortunately, everything seemed to be settled already.

"What are they going to show," she asked, feigning interest.

"Don Giovanni," Count Bāthory answered, with a pleasant smile.

"How appropriate," she heard Theresia mutter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had heard it, too, presumably. Marie saw him smile.

"My husband, sister and I will be glad to join you, Count Bāthory. Such a generous offer!" Amalia said.

My husband, sister and I? What about Theresia, Marie wondered. Theresia is the only one of us who would really care to hear that opera.

She heard Theresia draw a sharp breath. Carl, who had been talking with Joseph, had noticed Amalia's unkindness, too, and gave Amalia an angry look.

For once, Count Bāthory saved the situation by saying, "Is Miss von Laudeck already otherwise engaged, Madam? I was so sure that she, being so fond of music, would delight in the scheme."

"I have no other engagement on Saturday, sir," Theresia answered.

"I only thought there would not be enough room for all of us, Count Bāthory," Amalia said sweetly, giving Theresia a venomous look. The look Theresia gave her in return was by no means more pleasant.

Oh, how convenient this would have been for you, Amalia, Marie thought.

"There is enough room, I assure you, Madam." Bāthory answered.
"Miss von Laudeck was, of course, included in my invitation. I do hope you will accompany us, too, Miss von Laudeck; I would not want to miss the company of someone with such taste and knowledge in music as yours. Besides," he continued, with a gallant bow in Marie's direction, "I know Miss von Hertenberg would not be able to enjoy herself without her cousin."

"You are too kind, sir," Theresia said, smiling. "It will certainly be a treat. I am much obliged."

Amalia, seeing that her scheme for insulting Theresia had not quite worked, turned to Count Bāthory and said, pleasantly, "This will be a wonderful evening, to be sure. I am excessively fond of Mozart, and "Don Giovanni" is one of my favourites. I have heard it quite often, I think I nearly know it by heart..."

Amalia an expert in music? Since when? Marie wondered.

She saw Theresia break into a malicious smile.

Oh dear! This looks like you are going to pay very soon, Amalia. Watch out, you are no match for Theresia, you lose every time, Marie thought.

Since the conversation had turned to music now, Joseph suggested that someone might play for the guests. Amalia volunteered at once, sat down at the piano and began to play. She had never been a good player, but had always believed herself to be one.

As Theresia had once said, "She is playing the pianoforte like others would chop wood. I get a headache whenever I hear her."

When Amalia had finished her performance, everyone was applauding politely, and Leonie remarked, in her special way of paying compliments, "I have never heard such an interesting interpretation of Bach before, madam. I do not know how to express myself properly, it was so ... impressive."

Theresia did not say a word; she just gave Leonie a wink. Marie took a sip of wine to hide her smile. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had just joined Carl, gave them an interested look.

Leonie turned to Theresia. "It has been such a long time since I heard you play, Theresia. Would you do me the favour tonight?"

She turned to Captain Tilney and said, "You must know, sir, that my friend is an excellent piano player - and I just adore her voice. Anyone who had the good fortune to hear her sing once can tell you that her talent is extraordinary."

"You do me too much honour, Leonie," Theresia said, but a slight blush betrayed that she was well pleased with the compliment.

"I am all anticipation to hear you, Miss von Laudeck," Captain Tilney said. "Such praise from Miss Potocka's lips must be well deserved, I am sure."

Theresia got up, and went to the piano. While she was searching among her sheets of music and started to play, Carl took one seat next to Marie, and Colonel Fitzwilliam took the other.

The contrast between Theresia's playing and Amalia's was huge. In comparison to Theresia, Amalia had sounded like a beginner. Marie watched the guests while listening to the music. She saw amazement in most of their faces, only Amalia looked angry, and Count Bāthory, instead of looking at Theresia, stared at her.

Marie blushed and turned away. Why could he not leave her in peace?
Theresia had finished her first piece, a light tune by Mozart, and received her applause.

"Are you not going to sing for us tonight, Theresia," Carl asked.

Theresia smiled. "Do you not think it will get too long - too boring, if I do, Carl?"

"Too boring? You cannot be in earnest, Theresia," he answered.

"Very well, then," Theresia said, with a grin. "I shall sing, to oblige you and Leonie..."

She started to play the intro of an Italian aria - a sweet, appealing tune. "Vedrai Carino..."

Marie saw Carl smile and shake his head slightly, but did not know why.

"Your brother seems to be very fond of Miss von Laudeck," Colonel Fitzwilliam whispered.

"He definitely is. She is like a sister to us," Marie replied.

"A sister, indeed," he said. Marie looked at him suspiciously.

"Your tone suggests you think his affections for her are of a different sort, sir."

"Does it?"

"You are mistaken if you think so, sir."

"I am sure you know your family better than I do," Colonel Fitzwilliam said. Marie noticed that Carl gave them a disapproving look and remained silent. Had he understood what they had talked about? No, it was just that he wanted to listen, and they had disturbed him.

Carl in love with Theresia? How absurd...they are arguing all the time!

Theresia had finished her aria, and had started another one to oblige Count Bāthory. Even though Marie did not believe what Colonel Fitzwilliam had said, she watched Carl and Theresia. Theresia seemed oblivious of everything around her, concentrating on her song.

"Infelice, o dio! mi fa..."

Carl was listening intently - no wonder, he had always been fond of music, and had always loved listening to Theresia. No, there was nothing different to other occasions. They were just as they had always been.

Theresia's performance ended, and everyone complimented her on doing so well. Everyone but Amalia, that was.

She gave Theresia a sour look, and said, "I say, Theresia, this was nice. I do prefer Mozart, however."

Theresia's expression was as innocent as always when she was up to something.

"I am sure he would be most happy to hear it, if he were still alive, Madam," she answered.

Colonel Fitzwilliam started to cough, and Marie noticed how Carl turned away from Amalia, so that she could not see the broad grin on his face. Leonie had started fanning herself, and the fan conveniently hid her smile.

I knew it! Amalia is an expert in music, indeed!

Only Amalia had not noticed what a fool she had just made of herself, until Carl walked over to Theresia and said, "Well sung, Reserl. Shall we play a game of cards? It is something different than listening to Don Giovanni, to be sure, but it can be entertaining, too..."

He gave Theresia his hand to help her get up. Amalia's look was priceless. Of course she blamed Theresia for her humiliation, instead of blaming herself.

I cannot say she did not deserve it, Marie thought. Boasting about her knowledge in music, and then not knowing Mozart.... and treating Theresia the way she did...

Theresia smiled at Carl and said, "Of course I shall play cards with you, cousin. No one calls me Reserl without being punished for it, not even you. This is going to be your worst defeat since Wagram, sir."

"Says who?"

"Just wait and see!"

"You are not going to play this coarse ale-house game in here, are you," Amalia snapped.

"I beg your pardon?" Theresia looked at Amalia, her face a picture of politeness.

"This game you are going to play - do you think it is suitable for a lady to play?" Amalia seemed determined to criticise Theresia, no matter what she did.

"Madam, my grandfather has taught me to play this game, and neither my father nor my mother ever objected to my playing it."

Again, Amalia had lost. Without saying it directly, Theresia had let Amalia know that she did not feel obliged to listen to her, or to obey her orders.

The card table was set up, and Theresia and Carl started their game. Marie turned to Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"Do you want to watch them," she asked.

"I would like to, Miss von Hertenberg. The game looks interesting."

So they joined Carl and Theresia and watched them play, which, in itself, was amusing.

"What do you think you are doing, cousin?"

"You will not be able to beat that card," was Carl's answer.

"That bit of a trump? Is that all the tactics they taught you in the military?"

"Careful, Theresia, I am not the only military man here," Carl answered.

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. "I have never seen such cards."

"They are called German cards," Marie explained. "The game is mostly played in the western parts of Austria...Theresia taught us to play it."

"Would you like to learn it, too, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Theresia asked.

"Why not? It looks as if it could be fun," the Colonel answered.

"Very well then - we will just finish that game, which will not take that long, if my cousin keeps playing the way he does... eight plus three, you know what that means, Carl ... and then you and Marie can join in."

"I am not going to give up, Theresia," Carl said, laughing. "I bid four."

"I'd like to see that," Theresia answered, putting a high trump card on the table.

"The game is mine, then," Carl said, with a grin. "I've got ten points now."

"Never mind, you need eleven to win," Theresia answered, taking notes on a piece of paper.

"You see, Colonel Fitzwilliam," Carl remarked, "If one wants to win this game, one needs good tactics. Good cards are not as important as tactics - and concentration."

"Says Carl, the military man. Three." Theresia looked at Carl. "So, what do you say?"

"Show me."

Carl lost the game. "It is easy to win with such cards," he said. "Besides, I wanted this game to end so the Colonel and Marie can join us."

"Of course you did," Theresia said, winking at Marie. "If a man wins, it is tactics, if a woman wins, it is plain luck. We are used to that, are we not?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed.

"You seem to be somewhere else with your thoughts tonight, not with your cards, Carl," Marie remarked.

"That could very well be, Marie."

"Well, where are they?"

"I am not going to tell you."

"Wrong answer, cousin," Theresia said.

Carl laughed. "Are we going to argue, or are we going to teach Colonel Fitzwilliam how to play that game?" he asked Theresia.

"Can we not do both?"

Carl shook his head, and said to Marie, "Will you start?"

"Certainly."

They spent the next half hour explaining the game to Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he seemed to enjoy himself very much. The rules were not too difficult, so he soon got the hang of the game. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Marie were partners, as were Theresia and Carl.

It had been a long time since Marie had enjoyed herself so much. Playing cards with Theresia and Carl was something enjoyable, and Colonel Fitzwilliam turned out to be a delightful partner, even if he applied to her help quite often.

"I am really sorry, but I will have to rely on your advice, Miss von Hertenberg," he said.

However, against Carl and Theresia, both rather tough players who had no intention of sparing their opponents, they had no chance. They lost the game, and Colonel Fitzwilliam blamed himself for it.

"I am sure that you would have won, had you had another partner, Miss von Hertenberg," he said.

Theresia laughed. "My cousin has done her best to help you lose, sir."

"Theresia! I was not that bad, was I?" Marie said.

"It was not the Colonel's entire fault, however."

"You are too kind, Miss von Laudeck," Colonel Fitzwilliam answered. "But I do know when to take the full responsibility for a defeat."

Carl laughed. "Shall we give them an opportunity to win, Theresia?"

Theresia shrugged her shoulders. "Suits me, Carl."

That game had to be postponed, however, since most of the guests were getting ready to leave. Colonel Fitzwilliam had to join the Tilneys on their way home.

Marie was sorry to see him go away; she had really grown to like him and would not have minded enjoying his company a bit longer. Shortly after the guests had left, Theresia and Marie excused themselves and retired to their rooms. On walking up the stairs, Marie said, "You were right, Theresia. Colonel Fitzwilliam is delightful."

Theresia laughed.

"I hate to think of Saturday," Marie went on. "A whole evening in the company of Count Bāthory, and not even Carl will be there with us."

Theresia smiled. "You should also see the positive side, Marie. We are going to see an excellent performance. To see that, I would even put up with the company of Don Giovanni himself."

"Theresia!"

"Why, it is true."

Marie shook her head. "Where are your principles, dear?"

"A woman in my position cannot afford too many principles, Marie. Good night and..."

She broke into a broad grin.

"Yes?"

"Sweet dreams." Theresia winked at her and disappeared in her room, leaving Marie in the corridor wondering what she had meant.

Part 5

Posted on Wednesday, 8 May 2002, at 1:19 a.m.

The following days were very busy for Richard Fitzwilliam and the Tilneys. Their time to get used to Vienna was over - now it became obvious that they had not been ordered to go there to enjoy themselves. There were duties to perform every day - Richard had to do a lot of translation work for General Tilney, and there were meetings every day.

He had to admit that Frederick Tilney - as easygoing and unreliable he might be off duty - became very earnest and diligent as soon as work was concerned. Of course, Richard suspected that some of young Tilney's diligence had to do with the General. General Tilney did not look like a man who would spare his own son if he were dissatisfied with him. As it was, Richard grew to like Tilney, despite all the faults he might have had. It was not easy to be General Tilney's son, he suspected. He only hoped that Frederick Tilney might, in time, become more responsible in his private matters as well.

Colonel von Hertenberg became a good friend to both Richard and Tilney. He was there for them whenever he was needed, and sacrificed a great deal of his time to be of use to them. So did Major Horvāth. Even if they were too absorbed in their own duties to be able to see them during the day, the meeting at the café at six o'clock in the afternoon became a regular habit that none of them would wish to miss.
"London has got its gentlemen's clubs, we have got our coffee houses," as von Hertenberg had once said.

They had even been presented to the Emperor. Francis I, Emperor of Austria, was an earnest man in his forties. Richard had already heard from various sources that the Emperor was a distrustful man - he kept even his closest relations under constant control.

After five minutes of polite small talk, they were dismissed, and the next guests were admitted to see the Emperor. As for business, the Emperor had left the arrangements to Metternich.
A puppet player... - and although no one would have dared to say it aloud, the Emperor, too, was not much more than one of Metternich's puppets.

It was on Friday morning when Tilney suggested that they should go for a ride in the Prater area. The Prater was a huge park, the former Imperial hunting grounds that had been opened to the public by Joseph II, the present Emperor's uncle.

"I think we have earned some time off, and besides, I need some exercise," Tilney said.

Richard agreed. He, too, felt that he could do with some exercise, and since the weather was still nice and warm...

The Prater was a first-rate meeting place in Vienna. They saw many people, either taking their morning walks or riding their horses, sitting somewhere to have a chat...and in between there were the bakery boys selling pretzels. The park was full of life.

Richard was amazed how Tilney, within a week, had managed to get to know so many people. True, he had gone out very often, but still...it was astonishing. It was even more astonishing that he did not forget the names of people. Even if he had met them but for a short time - he was sure to remember their names. Perhaps this was a part of his charms.

They were just turning round a corner, when they saw two ladies on horseback coming towards them, attended by a stable boy following close behind them. Tilney recognised them at once.

"I say, Fitzwilliam, these are two of the ladies we met at von Hertenberg's on Monday...Miss Potocka, and von Hertenberg's cousin."

Meanwhile, the ladies had taken notice of them, too, and greeted them politely. They dismounted, and decided to walk with the ladies for a while. Tilney was talking to Miss Potocka, and Richard could not help but suspect that he had his reasons for giving her so much attention. Miss Potocka did not seem to take it as a compliment, though, or at least she did not show it. A hard blow for someone like Tilney, who was used to meet with nothing but admiration in ladies.

Since the path was not wide enough to allow all four of them to walk next to each other, Richard was walking next to Miss von Laudeck, letting Tilney and Miss Potocka walk ahead of them.

"You are up very early, Miss von Laudeck," he said. She laughed.

"I always get up very early, sir. How is one supposed to get things done if one stays in bed all day? Besides, the Prater is especially nice at this time of day. It is worth getting up so early."

"I cannot contradict you there," he answered, with a smile. "Your cousin, Miss von Hertenberg, did not join you?"

"No, not today. She usually does, only she is a bit out of sorts today, and decided that it was better to stay at home."

"Out of sorts? Nothing serious, I hope." Richard was surprised at himself for being so worried about someone he had only just met a few days ago.

"No, sir, I do not think it will prevent her from going to the opera tomorrow."

"Good!" He laughed. "We will meet her there, then." He had to admit that he was looking forward to meeting Miss von Hertenberg again.

She gave him a wondering look. "You are going to come to the opera, too?"

"General Tilney has found the idea of going there irresistible, yes, and he has invited us to come along. Did your cousin not tell you?"

"My cousin? You mean Carl? No, he hardly ever tells us about his plans. He probably wanted to surprise us."

"And now I have spoilt his surprise."

"I will not tell him, sir, you can rely on it."

They went on without talking for a while. It was true; the Prater was a lovely place at this time of day. He heard Miss von Laudeck sigh.

"Is anything the matter, Miss von Laudeck," he asked.

"Not really, no. It is only ... one of the reasons why I like it so much here is that it reminds me of my home. My grandfather used to take me along when he went hunting, so we got up very early in the morning and went into the forest - or even further up into the mountains ... my grandfather, Arno, that was his dog, and me. Sometimes my brother joined us, too."

Richard remembered what von Hertenberg had told him about his cousin's family. No wonder she had sighed ... any remembrance of them must be painful for her, he thought.

"So, did you hunt as well?"

She laughed. "No, I did not...and luckily, my grandfather did not shoot any animals when I was with him. I was a child then, and I would have been so unhappy, had he hurt any of the animals. He just took me with him to watch them, really. In winter we went into the forest to feed them - that was quite an experience. I think that is why he took me with him. He wanted to show me how beautiful the world can be, that is all. My brother became a keen hunter when he grew up - and an excellent shot, too..."

She laughed, but it did not sound real. "Well, so you are going to the opera, too? Are you fond of operas, sir?" Miss von Laudeck was determined to change the topic, and Richard did her the favour.

"I am fond of music - which is running in the family, I think, but as to operas ... there is one thing about them I do not like."

"Which is?"

"I do not understand enough Italian to enjoy them, since I have no idea what the people on the stage are singing about."

"I hope you will get to like this one, though. I have heard nothing but good about this production. Miss Potocka has enjoyed it so much that she is going to see it again. Her aunt is taking the Horvāths with her."

Meanwhile they had reached the main walk, and Miss Potocka asked Miss von Laudeck to move on.

"I am afraid we will have to leave you here, gentlemen," she said, "My Aunt does not like to be kept waiting, and I do not wish to vex her. Are you coming, Theresia?"

"Certainly." She turned to Captain Tilney. "I am sorry I could not amuse you today, sir, but I will do my best to live up to my usual standards as soon as possible."

Richard laughed. There was the teasing Miss von Laudeck again.

"Give my best wishes to your cousin, Miss von Hertenberg," he said, finally. "I do hope she will feel better soon."

"I am sure she will feel better soon, sir," Miss von Laudeck said and got back on her horse, assisted by the stable boy.

Richard and Tilney watched the two ladies until they disappeared around the corner. Tilney sighed.

"Fitzwilliam, can you tell me what is wrong with me?" He sounded upset.

Richard frowned. "I beg your pardon?"

"What is wrong with me? Miss Potocka was as pleasant and polite as can be, but she did not once laugh - or smile at me. I did my best, believe me, and I am beginning to doubt my skill with women."

Richard laughed. "Perhaps she just does not like you very much, did that thought occur to you, Tilney?"

"But why not? I am not that repulsive, am I?"

"Repulsive? No, certainly not, but that does not mean that every woman has to succumb to your charms at once, do you not think? Besides, since when do you worry so much about what a particular lady thinks about you?"

"I do not really know. Perhaps it is because she is so exceptionally beautiful, and charming ... I cannot help but think that it would mean something to be liked by her."

They mounted their horses to ride back to their lodgings. Tilney kept silent all the way back; he seemed to be deep in thought. Richard left him to his thinking. It looked as if the idea that his charms did not work with every woman took some time to get into Tilney's head.

It is your own fault, Tilney ... you have been playing with fire so often, it is about time you burn your fingers, Richard thought. Perhaps it will do you good if someone gives you a taste of your own medicine.

It was Saturday evening, and the von Hertenberg family were assembled in the drawing room, waiting for Amalia to make her appearance. She had scared her seamstress out of her wits to get a new dress for the occasion, as well as another one for the "redoute"* in Court that was to take place the next day.

Marie was nervous, she had not reconciled herself to being a guest in Count Bāthory's box. How she would manage was beyond her imagination.
Theresia, on the other hand, looked radiant, and one could see clearly that she was looking forward to the evening. Since Marie knew that it was not Count Bāthory who could cause such feelings in her cousin, she concluded that it was Mozart, or at least his music, that sent her cousin into rapture. "Rapture" was a bit too strong a word, perhaps, but Theresia was in an excellent mood, and determined that no one would be able to spoil the evening for her, not even Amalia, who was still not ready.

Instead, Carl joined them to wish them a pleasant evening, dressed in one of his best suits.

"What made you dress up like that," Marie asked, curiously.

"Good question, sister. I am going out."

"He is going out," Marie repeated to Theresia, grinning. "Something completely new."

Theresia raised her eyebrows, but did not say anything.

"I could have guessed as much, Carl, really. Where are you going?" Why did Carl have to be so secretive all the time, Marie wondered.

"To the opera, with the Tilneys and Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"To the opera? Did you hear that, Theresia? They are going to the opera, too!"
This was good news indeed...even if they would not be with them, at least they might be there, and one might meet them, especially if Carl was with them.

Theresia nodded, and said, casually, "Carl, so you dressed up like that for the opera? What's the use? It is dark in there, anyway."

"I'll take your advice in dressing when I need it, Reserl," Carl said, smiling. "You know what?"

"What?" Theresia looked at him, seemingly waiting for her chance to hit back.

"Do whatever you want. I'm leaving. See you in the opera - if it's not too dark, that is."

He was gone before Theresia could say something. Marie laughed.

"I tell you something - he is getting better at that every day, is he not?"

"Not good enough yet," Theresia said, laughing, and then glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece. "It is getting late..." she began, but as Amalia joined them that moment, she remained silent.

Joseph complimented his wife on her new dress, and suggested that they should hurry up.
"We must not keep Bāthory waiting," he said.

Had it been for Marie to decide, Bāthory would have waited forever, without success.

At the opera, Count Bāthory welcomed them, civil as usual, and staring at Marie, as usual, though he was also disposed to notice Theresia's charms, seemingly. Still, it was Marie who got the most of his attention.

Marie kept a lookout to see where the English officers were seated, but she could not see any of them. Instead, she saw that the Countess Potocka was in her box, in company with Leonie and the Horvāths. Bāthory noticed them, too, and excused himself, to greet his mother-in-law.

While he was gone, Marie talked with Theresia. She wanted Theresia to fill her in with some details about the opera they were going to see.

"I know the plot in general, Theresia, but I am not sure," she said.

Theresia explained the plot to her, and then began to laugh.

"Why are you laughing, dear," Marie asked, wondering if she had said or done something particularly funny.

"Nothing..." Theresia said, laughing on, and, after cautiously looking behind her and seeing Amalia and Joseph absorbed in some conversation of their own, she whispered, "I only found one or two similarities between our host and Don Giovanni."

"A comforting thought," Marie said dryly. "Can you explain them to me, if you please? I would like to know what to expect."

"Very well then. First, the character. Like Don Giovanni, Bāthory does not really care for other people. Even if he professes to be in love with a woman, all he wants is to have her. As soon as she has given in, he loses his interest. That's what happened to his wife, was it not so?"

Marie shivered. Theresia had hit the nail on the head.

"Any other similarities?"

"Well, there are two more... like Don Giovanni, Bāthory displays hospitality for the only purpose of making a conquest...well, in comparison to Don Giovanni, Bāthory is quite modest, he only wants one conquest, while Don Giovanni wants to make ten or twelve in one evening..."

"Theresia, if you go on like that, I'll leave at once!"

Theresia laughed. "And spoil his evening? Please, dear, reconsider. Well, the last one is not really a similarity, but I think you will agree with me nevertheless when I say that you wish him to end the same way as Don Giovanni did."

"I would not go so far as that, Theresia, although I wish he would leave me alone at last. I say, dear, could you do me a favour?" She gazed at the empty seat next to her that would, no doubt, be taken by Count Bāthory once he returned. "Would you swap seats with me? I know it is much to ask for, but you have an excellent view of the stage here...."

"Certainly, Marie." Theresia answered, laughing. "So considerate of you!"

They swapped places, to Count Bāthory's great dismay, although he was too polite to say so when he returned, and reconciled himself to be seated next to Theresia.

Marie, again, looked around, but could see neither Carl nor any of the English gentlemen. Where were they?

It was during the overture, when she noticed that some late spectators arrived. She turned to Theresia, who was listening to the music attentively, and whispered, "May I borrow your opera glass?"

"What for? There is nothing to be seen at the moment," Theresia replied.

"Please, may I have it?"

Seeing that she would not be able to enjoy the music in peace and quiet as long as she did not hand the opera glass over to Marie, Theresia gave it to her.

Marie tried to find the box where those new people had arrived.

Theresia watched her with a grin. "The stage is on the other side, Marie," she whispered.

Marie shrugged her shoulders and kept searching the boxes. Theresia shook her head and turned her attention to the music again, until she heard Marie say, "Ah, there they are!"

"Who?"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Tilneys...and Carl, too."

"Thank God they are here. May I listen now, please?" Theresia said, ironically. She was annoyed, Marie noticed that. No wonder, someone who was so fond of music must think it extremely vexing to be distracted all the time.

Marie tried to keep her attention to the stage for a while. As far as she could tell, the performance was excellent, it was only that she was not very fond of operas in general - they lasted too long, for her taste, and since she did not understand any Italian, she soon got bored. So, what else was there to do for her but look around and watch the people? Joseph and Amalia were not a really rewarding object for observation, and neither was Count Bāthory. Marie took the opera glass again and looked to the Tilneys' box. Suddenly, she gasped and put the opera glass away. Colonel Fitzwilliam had looked at her, she was sure he had seen her. Marie felt caught. What would he think about her? She could not bear to think of it, and decided that she would not touch the opera glass again all evening. It was much better to turn one's attention to the stage, really.

On the stage, Don Giovanni's servant Leporello was just telling Donna Elvira that she was not the only one who had been fooled by his master...and even Marie understood what "mille e tre" meant.

"He had one thousand and three...women?" she whispered to Theresia.

Theresia grinned. "Well, in Spain, yes."

"When are they going to sing the arias you sung on Monday, Theresia," Marie asked after a while.

"Not before the second act, Marie. May I listen now?"

Marie tried hard to resist the temptation, but after a while she took up the opera glass again. She would certainly not watch the Tilneys' box, she assured herself. But she had to do something, and since she was sure that Theresia would resent her asking questions all the time, she decided that there could be nothing bad about keeping an eye on the audience, to see what dresses the ladies of her acquaintance wore, for example...

The intermission was a welcome break for Marie. She turned to Theresia and asked her how she had liked the performance so far.

"Very much, Marie. Did you not?" Theresia asked slyly. "Ah, yes, you did not see much of it."

Marie gave her a threatening look. What if Joseph or Amalia heard her?

"You did not see much of it, Miss von Hertenberg," Count Bāthory asked her.

"I saw everything I cared to see, sir," Marie replied coldly.

"I bet you did," Theresia said with an innocent look.

The door opened, and the Tilneys, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Carl came in.

"We did not want to miss the chance to visit our acquaintance here," General Tilney said and soon was absorbed in a discussion with Count Bāthory and Joseph. Carl and Captain Tilney were talking with Theresia, and so Marie found herself conversing with Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"I hope you are feeling better than you did yesterday," he said.

"Much better, thank you, sir. My cousin Theresia told me she had met you in the Prater."

"So she did. I have to confess I was a bit worried, Miss von Hertenberg. I feared we might not be able to meet you here."

Marie blushed, and did not know what to say. "How did you enjoy yourself so far, sir," she finally managed to say.

"Oh, very much, thank you." Colonel Fitzwilliam answered with a smile. Then he noticed the opera glass and said, "Are these of any use, Miss von Hertenberg?"
Marie blushed and tried to hide her awkwardness with a laugh. She was sure he was trying to make fun of her.
"It depends, sir."

"On what, Miss von Hertenberg?"

"It depends on what one wants to see, Colonel."

"Oh, I am sure you will find something worthwhile, Miss von Hertenberg."

For a moment, Marie felt even angry. That teasing man! What was he up to?

Then Amalia came to ask Marie something, and stayed, not noticing that Marie wished her about ten miles away. Marie had just got used to the Colonel's presence, and would not have minded to talk to him a bit longer, but there was no chance - Amalia kept talking to him until he had to leave.

For Marie's taste, the intermission was over much too soon. Carl and the English gentlemen went back to their own box, and the second act started. Marie settled down for another two hours of boredom.

Richard had enjoyed himself very much that evening. Even though they were late at the opera (General Tilney had received an important letter he had been waiting for just when they were about to leave, and had insisted on reading it before going to the opera), they had been able to be there before the overture was over.

Colonel von Hertenberg had told them that he intended to visit his family in Count Bāthory's box later on, and they had agreed to join him. Richard had been looking forward to see Miss von Hertenberg again.

He had really liked meeting her again - even though he could not explain why she had been so embarrassed when he had asked her about that opera glass. This had puzzled him considerably. Then the Baroness had taken up all of his attention, and whatever he had tried, he had not been able to get rid of her. Well, at least he was left with the hope of meeting Miss von Hertenberg again the next day - the ball at the Imperial court was an event they both would attend, and von Hertenberg had already arranged to meet them beforehand.

Richard looked over to Bāthory's box, trying to discern Miss von Hertenberg from its other occupants. It was not easy, in the dim light and considering the distance...suddenly he had an idea why Miss von Hertenberg had been so embarrassed when he had mentioned the opera glass, and he started to laugh.

Von Hertenberg gave him a curious look. "What is the matter, Fitzwilliam," he whispered.

"Nothing....really, nothing. I just thought I need to bring an opera glass next time."

Von Hertenberg shook his head in disbelief and turned to the stage again. Richard pulled himself together. What was von Hertenberg to think of him if he went on like that? But he was looking forward to tease von Hertenberg's sister on that subject. As Tilney had once said, nothing advanced intimacy so much as teasing did.

* The term "redoute" was used for a ball at the Imperial court, very often a masked ball, usually taking place in the Imperial Palace in Vienna. There were special rooms for these balls, the "Redoutensäle", which burned down in 1992. Though they have been rebuilt, the new "Redoutensäle" lack the charm of the old ones - the modern paintings were, at one point, a heavily discussed topic.

Continued in the next section