Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

  “You have five children, each of whom has different talents and expectations. To start with we have Alex in the military, who is now out of our hands. Hannes tends to be inclined towards medicine, Franz-Xavier wants to become a priest, and not to forget Lillian, she has a special love for horses!” Adding laughingly, he said, “I suppose, if she could, she would join a circus.”

  “Well, there is always Verena,” Karl would remind him. In his opinion, she had only virtues.

  Stephany made note of that also, as Verena hadn’t changed.

  Hannes left in 1855 to be enrolled in what was widely known as the ‘First Vienna School of Medicine’. He had been very proud to have been accepted after only the first test they had administered. And in later years, his professors would admit that Hannes Reinhardt had all it took to become a self-sacrificing and devoted physician, not only aiding the rich and famous, but also having the distinct longing to help the many less fortunate citizens of Vienna. He had continued to live with Karl and Verena throughout his studies, being a frequent guest of the Rombergs’ for the purpose of having lengthy conversations with Max and Moritz. He had never taken anything for granted that was offered him by the Reinhardts, and considered himself the luckiest man on this earth.

  Franz-Xavier left the year after to attend a Catholic seminary, dropping by whenever he was allowed to leave the school. He had been ordained a few years ago and was now serving a small parish on the outskirts of Vienna. Karl and Stephany had been extremely pleased by his offering to conduct the wedding ceremony.

  With Verena and Lillian, it had been an entirely different story. Having an age difference of five years between them, with Lillian being the elder, she had gone to a French cooking school, and was soon so proficient as to be able to arrange and oversee menus for several hundred people. She had been considered a star pupil from the start, for which she had to thank the Reinhardt kitchen staff who had given her more knowledge than any teacher would ever have been able to offer her. Upon the very highly rated completion of her training, the Reinhardts had given her her own horse as a present, and she considered herself very fortunate.

  Verena’s tastes and talents were in every way different from the others. She loved her piano, which she would play endlessly, and enjoyed the opera, the theater, as well as poetry, even writing some herself. She lived the life she was born into, changing clothes several times a day and being, on the whole, a happy, contented person. She also kept a vigilant eye on Hannes.

  Kurt Essler and Hannes had become close friends. Outside of the few times in their youth when Kurt and Alex had played with their soldiers, Alex had never much mattered to either one of the boys.

  As expected, Major Essler proved to be an officer of the highest caliber and had advanced to the rank of Colonel. He had also, over the years, become a close friend of the Reinhardts and well accepted into Karl’s inner circle of friends. This was important enough to Stephany to write down, naming George Auersbach, Max and Moritz Romberg, Mark and Ulrich Wiland, as part of the group.

  Felix Nordmann and family had moved to Salzburg shortly after his parents’ deaths and were now living in their luxurious villa, his children also having grown up and left at short intervals. They had promised to attend the wedding, and were looking forward to seeing their old friends, with whom they had a lot of catching up to do.

  Stephany was interrupted in her writings by Karl, who had come in to see if she had recovered from her predicament.

  “How are you getting along, Mother?” he inquired fondly, knowing that these were her favorite words, first spoken to her by her beloved Otto, when he had encountered her for the first time in the kitchen.

  “Just fine Karl. I’m almost done. There might be some help I’ll need from you. I’ve only written the rough draft of our lives as far as I can remember. As Honoré de Balzac wrote, ‘a woman’s heart has its own memory’.”

  “You are certainly doing a lot of quoting lately.”

  “I must. Nothing better comes to my aging mind, as of late.”

  “I agree, however, with Balzac. I had too many years to recollect my feelings.”

  “But I could add,” she continued, putting her memos aside. “that my soul is still with Otto, and my body is only functional because my heart is still beating. What do you say to that, Karl?”

  “Say this about both of us, Mother. Mine will always be with Louise. Nothing will ever change that.”

  She tried to skip lightly over his sad words, and asked instead, “By the way, Karl, I don’t seem to remember when our two girls fell in love. I must not omit writing about that. It is the most important event in our lives!”

  “If you feel it is so important to each of us, why don’t you let them write their own stories? It would make a nice beginning, and probably fill a lot of pages, don’t you agree?”

  “You are right, Karl. Everyone should do their own. With us, it was love at first sight, whereas these two girls seem to have taken the long road via friendship. I’m afraid they themselves may not even remember how it happened.”

  “There you go again, Mother. Like Balzac said, ‘Certainly one remembers when one’s heart skips a beat for the first time.’ Now you have two weeks to think about that. In two weeks, they shall have their big day,” Karl concluded, hoping just as his mother did, that nothing would go wrong.

  16

  Within the last few months, the Reinhardt place in Lindenfels had been bustling with activity, Verena and Lillian trying to give the place an overhaul, together with Stephany lovingly attending to every little detail, transforming the already beautiful castle into a fairy-tale one. To the delight of all, especially the dazzled guests, even the weather played along with their plan, showcasing the most beautiful blue sky.

  Karl and Stephany were happy to welcome Madeleine, who had brought along her parents, as their first guests, arriving from Salzburg, where they had spent the summer with the Nordmanns. Felix, unable to change his busy schedule with numerous festivals taking place in Salzburg during the high season, had sent his apologies along with his best wishes to the brides and grooms.

  “This is going to be our first night in a grand castle for an equally grand occasion!” Dr. Kramer commented sincerely. “And we deeply appreciate your most gracious invitation.”

  Both Karl and Stephany blurted out, “Stay as long as your hearts desire!” They had, over the years, grown very fond of Madeleine, as well as her parents.

  “We may never leave!” they answered in rapid succession.

  Stephany, who considered her granddaughter’s weddings the happiest event in as long as she could remember, at least from the time Otto had died, stood there elated and very regal as always, smiling like a queen, which she was in her own right. Even if she only wore a common name, she was a Reinhardt of the old guard.

  She had decided on a navy blue dress with an exquisite white lace collar and matching cuffs, a large pearl necklace and earrings adorning her fine face that, because of today’s excitement, had had a bit of the old rose return to her high cheeks.

  Karl stood there, tall and handsome and looking splendid in his black attire, the white silk vest giving him a dignified, though youthful appearance, as he greeted each and every guest personally and thanking them in his charming way for their attendance. Many of the guests had traveled for days and had prepared for this tedious journey for weeks. No one who had been invited would have forgone the opportunity to attend this grand occasion, it being the first Reinhardt wedding in the new decade. All the festivities of the Emperor’s dedication from a few years ago had already been forgotten, and were, as pompous as they had been, not considered in the same class with what would be offered here today.

  “A Reinhardt marrying a Reinhardt?” was a constant tongue-in-cheek remark, which by some was not said without a tinge of jealousy, as the name of Essler had to be included. There was Reinhardt’s immense fortune and the great name of Essler dating back to the thirteenth century. Quite a combination to be
watched as time went on.

  The organists, no less than three, who had been hired for this grand event, were alternately playing a variety of music by Schubert, Mozart, and Haydn as the guests were being seated. All were momentarily expecting the grand entrance of the two couples to be wed and their entourage, which in itself would have been well worth the long travel.

  Colonel Essler conversed with his happy son Kurt, being the natural choice to be his best man. Since Karl had to give his daughter away, Hannes chose Max Romberg as his. After all, the Reinhardts considered them family, aside from the fact that he was Verena’s uncle. The wedding party was ready for this great moment, waiting for the sign from the head usher to take their designated places. Colonel Essler had, however, unbeknownst to anyone else, something else on his mind and hoped to intervene to avoid a scandal on this special day. The person in question was First Lieutenant Alex von Dorn Reinhardt, who had yet to arrive. He knew he had personally granted him the requested leave to surprise his family. Under any other circumstances he would have thought that he encountered some travel delay through Hungary. But being aware of his two-year long exchange of letters with none other than Clarissa von Walden, a relative of the late Thomas von Walden whose infamous name was still vividly etched in everyone’s memory, his tardiness was not to be taken lightly. A man like him with no special closeness or regard for his family, let alone Verena, may just arrive with that von Walden girl, and then what? He didn’t even allow himself to think of the consequences and hoped his fears were unfounded.

  The first notes of the wedding music could be heard and the head usher motioned the wedding party to enter the splendidly decorated chapel. It was only for the Reinhardt and Essler families, as the chapel had only one hundred seats. The other invited guests waited in the big hall, being served like royalty with all kinds of refreshments and little finger sandwiches.

  Verena and Lillian had purposely chosen only a maid of honor, forsaking the many bridesmaids which became so fashionable in order not to hurt anyone’s feelings, as there were too many to choose from. Instead Verena selected Helena Romberg, her best friend and cousin, and Lillian took Sophia von Auersbach, also related through the late Louise Reinhardt. Mother Superior from St. Anthony’s orphanage also had a big part with her girls. They were to be flower girls, following the two brides while handing out roses to the guests. She took only the most well-behaved ones, who got white dresses from the Reinhardts.

  With Father Christopher’s entrance, all were standing in silence, and to their utter surprise the Archbishop and many choirboys followed him. It was quite a festive scene. Now Verena entered simultaneously with Lillian, she on the arm of her father and Lillian on the arm of George Auersbach.

  “Those magnificent gowns surpass anything I have ever seen!” was the consensus of all the female guests.

  Verena’s dress was a white, heavy satin with a wrap-around skirt of embroidered tulle and little garlands of roses, as was her bridal bouquet. The dress had a high neckline with a slender upper body and narrow sleeves. Lillian chose the same style on white taffeta, but had blue and lilac pansies embroidered. Her bouquet was enhanced with myrtle to give it a larger effect. Blue flowers were impossible to come by as all forget-me-nots stopped blooming in May.

  “Both girls look simply exquisite,” Countess Auersbach stated to Stephany, who had shed quite a few tears by now.

  “If Otto just could see them now. But on the other hand, he may be watching from heaven,” she thought to herself.

  ∼

  The long line of Vienna’s elite well-wishers seemed endless, lingering to compliment both of their families. With the ceremony and all formalities behind them, George Auersbach and Karl suggested they make their own rounds starting with Stephany, who had just left the receiving line. Her fragile hands couldn’t take anymore shaking.

  The Colonel saw his opportunity to look for Alex, having already figured out his plan. It didn’t take him long to walk towards the many parked carriages, where Alex had just helped what he assumed was the von Walden girl to descend. He took a few fast strides to confront him. “Lieutenant von Dorn, I’d like to have a word with you.” Alex’s face reddened, as in his own thoughts the Colonel had already demoted him. “I’d like to go behind some carriage to avoid any unnecessary interruptions. I am sure you will agree, being an officer in our Emperor’s Cavalry,” he remarked sarcastically, taking a long look at Alex’s companion. “Won’t you introduce us?” It sounded like an order from a superior.

  “Yes, Colonel Essler,” he stammered. “This is Baroness Clarissa von Walden and hopefully my—” He was not permitted to go any further, and he stood, shocked, watching the Colonel’s wrath.

  He turned around and commanded swiftly, “Sergeant! Take this girl home. She will tell you where.” A salute and ‘Yes, Colonel’ came as required.

  He walked with a stunned Alex a bit further, watching Clarissa ascend the step and hissed to her, “Never, and I mean never, will you or anyone of the von Walden family ever again set foot on any of the Reinhardts’ premises as long as Lieutenant von Dorn wears the uniform of our Emperor.”

  Clarissa, at first completely dumbfounded, was also unafraid, as all von Waldens had in time become, from being forced to live so undeservingly in shame. She retaliated in defiance with a loud retort. “We shall see about that!” The Sergeant, appalled, spurred the horses on.

  Once again Alex was caught off guard, realizing the bitter consequences Clarissa could have caused showing so much disrespect. But before he even had a chance to apologize on her behalf, he was interrupted again by Colonel Essler.

  “You are the one who is solely responsible for this incident, which you know will result in severe punishment. I’ll have to disclose this to the General, who is presently in your father’s castle with the rest of the wedding guests.”

  “Yes, Colonel. I—” Alex got no further than that, his face still reddened.

  “That von Walden girl has not only insulted our dignity, but both of you have almost succeeded in ruining a perfectly happy day for two of Vienna’s most prominent families, ‘Reinhardt-Essler’.” Alex could almost feel his pleasure in announcing both names as one. “I have no choice but to give you an immediate transfer.”

  Once again, Alex made an attempt to apologize, not fully appreciating the horrendous scandal he had almost caused. However, Clarissa’s reaction was not that of a well-bred lady and quite insulting, he admitted to himself.

  “What exactly were your plans, Lieutenant Dorn?” The Colonel purposely left out his proper title.

  “To introduce Baroness von Walden to my family while they were in a cheerful mood, sir. I’m sorry to say, I didn’t have the courage to handle it differently. To insult our army had never entered my mind, otherwise I would have avoided it at any cost. You know me that well, sir,” he said lamely.

  The Colonel believed that much about him. He too had been young once and had his flings, finally ending up with a wife who had the talent to make life sheer hell for him. He could not, in all honesty, let Alex feel even an iota of understanding, but would have to ponder very hard about the unforgiving regulations of His Majesty’s proud military. To talk to the General was not seriously on his mind.

  “You would have dared to introduce a von Walden to your family?” he continued angrily, trying to put fear into Alex, who was starting to realize the dreadful situation he found himself in. Not giving him the slightest chance to reply, he continued. “Surely you must have heard a great deal from your fellow officers about those two perverts who murdered a fine young lady who was your aunt. And I am sure you are also aware as to the reason why. I refuse to comment anymore on the matter. However, I forbid you therefore to exchange letters with, or ever to see that girl again.” He could not go any further as his daughter interrupted.

  “Papa, come! The wedding photographs are being taken now.”

  “Alex, forget the ugly incident for now. Pretend you have just arrived at this moment, w
anting to surprise your family.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Both walked back to the castle but the Colonel impressed upon him that he would see him after his return to the headquarters in Rosau.

  “For now, I want you to behave in the manner of an officer and a Reinhardt. The matter rests now between you and me solely.”

  “Can you ever forgive me, sir?”

  “I’ll think on it, Alex, as a new member of your distinguished family. But as a commander, I will have to search my conscience very hard, as nothing else will do.”

  “Whatever you decide, I’ll respect your decision,” Alex answered, only partly relieved but very grateful, entering with Colonel Essler with utmost self-control to his surprised and elated family.

  “Alex! Oh, Alex!” he was greeted cheerfully.

  “Well, Colonel, how can we ever thank you? We know you did all the pulling of strings for Alex to be with us on this joyous occasion,” Karl said, overwhelmed and hugging his son heartily. The Colonel only gave Alex a sly look and walked towards his officers.

  “I would say the day is complete now that you have arrived.” Stephany took Alex’s slightly shaking hand, beaming lovingly.

  “Good to be home, Grandmother.” He walked towards the newlyweds, while the photographer tried to get as many people as possible in one picture.

  No one was more perplexed than Verena and Hannes when he embraced his sister with a big smile and complimented both of them.

  “Verena and Hannes. I am so sorry I was not the first one to congratulate you, but I just arrived. You look beautiful, sister. And I can see this must be the most wonderful day for both of you.”

  “Thank you, Alex.”

  He took a look at Hannes who held Verena’s hand very tightly and said, “I don’t know what to say except that I wish you all the happiness in the world.”