Colonel Essler's words ricocheted through Alex's mind, as it was just the opposite of what he had told him, and as his father had stated, different types of duty. His head started to swim again thinking of his own "Von Walden Affair". He would have to say it all in a letter as there was no chance to meet Clarissa von Walden anywhere, but the desire to continue their friendship, even only via mail, had left him.
As if the priest had read his mind, he offered, "I shall take care of the von Waldens, Alex. I am the only one who will be able to reason with them. In spite of all their indifference where humanity is concerned, they are strong believers in our church."
“You did read my mind!” Alex exclaimed, astonished at the perception of the priest.
“Not really, but it was the only matter left to be resolved. Forget the past few years of your life and start anew. You will soon feel better. And remember, hatred leads nowhere, no matter how justified. I'm sure you had not much more on your list to tell.”
“To tell the truth, I did. I owe you a lot, Franz-Xavier.”
“You owe yourself. Keep searching your conscience and you may find yourself.”
“It's a promise.” Alex sounded hopeful again, or at least not as distraught as before. “The next time you see me, you'll see a different Alex!”
“To be good is not easy. It is, unfortunately, rather difficult,” Father Christopher sighed.
“How did you ever do it?”
“Maybe because I never wanted to be anything else than what I am now.” With that simple and truthful remark, they both left the chapel.
“I thought I had lost you!” Anette called across the garden, visibly relieved. “Where have you been?”
“Oh, just talking to Franz-Xavier.”
“Yes, I understand family. I feel so sorry for him being a priest. No life of his own!”
“That is almost exactly what I told my father a little while ago. Now I'm not so sure,” he replied remorsefully. She directed her warm and happy smile at him again and he noticed her beautiful, pearl white teeth. “Your smile becomes you, Anette!
“Thank you. I only wish I had more to smile about.”
“Would you like to dance, Anette? Everyone else seems to have a lot of fun doing it.”
“I would like that! Now there is something worth smiling about!”
“It's a beginning.” He took her arm and led her to the dance floor.
Waltzing to Strauss' music, Alex's thoughts were mostly on this eventful day, ignoring what was happening around him, except to appreciate Anette's artful dancing skills. Anette, however, was delighted to notice not only all the envious stares starting in their direction, but also the ladies' fashionable silk and taffeta gowns, most of them in lilac and bright blue hues, old rose and many shades of green. A few wore gowns made of white muslin, and caused her to wonder if they considered themselves to be Josephine Bonaparte. She suddenly could not contain a laugh, hearing them cackle like hens, double chins wobbling to the beat of the music, but having the time of their lives!
Sparkling crystal chandeliers with countless candles highlighted the magnificent fresco-ceiling, tapestries, and the beautiful paintings and priceless figurines which were placed carefully to give the ballroom a graceful finish. Verena waved happily to Anette and her brother Alex, still in wonderment, but grateful for the warm welcome he had shown towards his new family members. She was dancing with Kurt Essler while Lillian twirled with Papa Reinhardt. The Auersbachs, as well as their children, were dancing in a festive mood, as were the Rombergs and Wilands.
Anette finally noticed her father and mother. She couldn’t help but think that they made quite a strange couple, he covered in decorations and medals, all totally undeserved. For an instant, she thought back to a time when she had overheard her mother accusing him of wearing his father’s medals too. She had said that at least the late General von Essler had earned his medals by marching to the beat of drums with the Austrian Army through a beleaguered Paris, having distinguished himself by waving to girls more than to anyone else, as they were hanging out their windows, enjoying the Prussians as much as the Austrians. This had all taken place in the spring of 1814, but was still the main topic of their endless quarrels. Only on special, festive occasions, were her parents on speaking terms, mainly to represent to the public a real, wholesome family life. Their son Kurt’s marriage to Lillian Reinhardt was one of these special occasions.
Alex, returning from deep thought, at last inquired to an equally thoughtful Anette, “Are you enjoying dancing with me, Anette? I am sorry that I have been such a bore, but my thoughts were far away.”
“So were mine. Let’s just enjoy ourselves for a change. We both deserve it.”
“You are very easy to be with. In time, I will tell you how much of a comfort you have been to me tonight.” Alex smiled.
“Then you will write to me once in a while?”
“I certainly will!” he replied sincerely.
Karl and Hannes, for whom the waltzes and polkas had proven a bit too tiring, commiserated on how their arms ached from all the shaking of hands. “Never mind the smiling!” said Hannes as they watched some guests climbing into their waiting coaches, still singing along with the band. “Papa, have you noticed how radiant Verena looks?” Hannes asked Karl, to his utter surprise. “I feel so inadequate next to her, and I hope with all my heart that I will be a very good husband. Words just don’t come very easy for me.”
Karl, color coming back to his face, was extremely grateful and relieved by what he was hearing. He and his mother had often wondered if it was gratitude towards the family, or simply pity for Verena that prompted Hannes to ask for her hand in marriage, as they were convinced that it was Verena who loved him more than he could ever be able to love her. “Thank you so much for telling me, Hannes,” he sighed, contentedly.
Hannes continued, “You have no idea how many doubts I have about myself. I wouldn’t know where to begin. Becoming a good provider is only one of the worries that keeps me awake at night. I’m afraid I have very little to give. And there is always the lingering fact of knowing that I am not a born Reinhardt. That alone—”
“Stop right there, Hannes! I have been an expert on living with doubts and self-accusations for as long as I care to remember. Don’t you think for a moment that I didn’t take a lot of snubbing in my younger years, but since my adoptive parents never considered me anything less than their own son, I, in turn, have always considered both of them my natural parents. Frankly speaking, it had never been discussed until my grandfather’s death, and then only in connection with my inheritance. That is when it came out in the open, a last bombshell from my grandfather’s relatives before they left empty handed for America!” Karl replied.
“This brings me to another subject,” Hannes said somberly. “It’s money.”
Karl simply smiled as he replied. “I know you better than to give that trifling matter a thought. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and continue with the festivities. Just look at Alex and Anette! Well, you two seem to be having a great time tonight!”
“Yes, Father. I am so glad to be here!”
“So am I!” Anette chirped, her face luminous.
“Anette is a wonderful dancer,” Alex stated truthfully. “And it’s all thanks to her brother Kurt. It was he who insisted that all girls enter a dancing school if they were ever to meet a nice young man befitting a nice young lady.”
Karl smiled at his son as both took a short rest. “I’d like to thank you too, Alex.”
“For what Father?”
“Never mind, we’ll talk about it some other time.” It was his favorite sentence, which he had acquired from his parents some time ago.
Colonel Essler, who had come over and excused himself for the interruption, looked rather upset, but still told Karl and Alex what a beautiful wedding it was and what a great time he had.
“Anette and I must leave now, as all of our overnight guests have already gone, and we, as hosts, have an
obligation.” Alex mentioned what a delight it was to have had the pleasure of Anette’s company. “And I thank you for entertaining my daughter. Be back at the Arsenal by tomorrow, midnight. Have you told your father about your transfer to Venice?”
“No sir, there hasn’t been time yet. And thank you for the extension on my leave.”
The Colonel gave a salute and left with his daughter, who was thrilled when Alex said what a great evening he had had thanks to her.
∼
“You should be ashamed of your behavior tonight. You have practically thrown yourself at Alex! Mother and I are very upset! There you are, and only twenty-one!”
“I did not do anything wrong, Father!” Anette interrupted, defending herself. “He was alone, and so was I. We just happened to remember each other after many years. We enjoyed dancing, that’s all!”
“What did Alex say to you?”
“He only said that through Lillian and Kurt’s marriage, we are now family.”
“All right then, we’ll leave it at that and not discuss it any further.”
“Where is Mother?” she inquired.
“Staying late as usual. That’s why we have to hurry home. What will our waiting guests think of us?”
“They all had a wonderful time, and considering that you are the father and I am the sister of the groom, I am sure they understand. Besides, all of our servants will take good care of them.”
“Must you always have the last word? You are just like your mother,” he fumed.
Anette knew that he was in no mood to be calmed down, upset as he was at his wife’s refusal to come home, leaving him once more in a dilemma. Therefore, she focused her thoughts on a better thing, the better thing being Alex.
∼
Karl, after realizing the predicament in which his son had found himself, finally had a chance to talk to him about his good fortune to be stationed in beautiful Venice.
“It still hasn’t quite sunk in,” Alex said. He told his father that while he was dancing, he had overheard some people say that Grandmother’s greatest surprise was when a cousin of hers arrived to visit from America. “He must have impressed our guests because even some officers joined the spellbound crowd.”
“A cousin from where?” Karl asked in amazement, not quite sure he had heard correctly.
“They said from America. I’m amazed that I couldn’t find Grandmother to ask, but with so many people, and the fact that she knew all of them over the years, I never gave it too much thought.”
“Come on son. We’ll have to see for ourselves.”
Both hurried and found Stephany amid a group of listeners assembled around a tall, portly man approximately Karl’s age. The handsome and even-featured man reminded him of his late Grandfather Albert. Many of the tables in the garden had been rearranged and moved close together, with gaslight and wineglasses glowing in the darkness. A completely new milieu presented itself away from the festive ballroom.
Karl and Alex liked what they were seeing. There were friends among friends, which Karl valued more than anything else. Both sat down quietly, unnoticed by the others who were still attentively listening to the newcomer. The theme was still the Civil War in America which had ended only two months ago.
The names of Richmond, Gettysburg, Kennesaw, Atlanta and many more were heard, along with General Robert E. Lee and Sherman, the latter being responsible for the burning of Atlanta. It was mostly the young officers who were enthralled by this chronicle, availing themselves of the opportunity of a first-hand response to all of their eager questions about a faraway continent that one only read about. Not so for Alex, though. He kept himself informed as well as possible, his full and only interest since childhood. He was listening as if in a trance, eager to inquire, and also to reveal some of his own knowledge at the first given opportunity. Karl, on the other hand, never keen on war stories, had his thoughts on something entirely different. He was trying to recall some of his father’s tales pertaining to the relatives who had long ago ventured to America and no one had ever heard from again. He became increasingly anxious to be introduced to the stranger.
As Alex and Karl rose from their seats almost simultaneously, they walked towards Stephany, who appeared radiant and rejuvenated. “I have been looking for both of you, but anytime I got a glimpse of you, you were in deep conversation, and Alex, you were nowhere to be found!” she exclaimed, smiling. “I knew that sooner or later we would meet up again. I wish it had been sooner because this is a most interesting coincidence.”
“Who is to assume anything coincidental on a day like this?” Karl laughed, still in festive spirits, nodding to the surrounding guests.
“Robert, this is my son Karl and my grandson, Alex, who has traveled for many days to attend this wedding.”
Alex greeted the gentleman politely, his stomach cringing in guilt for a split-second, recalling his disloyal thoughts about his grandmother. All three shook hands firmly.
“You are still too young to remember, but I am one of your late father’s cousins who left with my family for America in 1828.”
“Not exactly.” Karl reflected to himself as Stephany bit her lower lip. Instead, he said pleasantly, “Is this the first time that anyone in your family has revisited Vienna?”
“I have no idea since I lost contact with the rest of them. Aunt Stephany is very eager to catch me up on all interesting occurrences for the next few days.”
“Great! I was hoping you would stay a while longer. It is such a treat for all of us! Right Alex?”
“Right. So sorry I have to leave by tomorrow at midnight.”
“Then you will have to get preference in our conversation.” Robert smiled, stating that he only arrived a week ago after a two-week trip to Manchester, England, and Paris.
“We must talk about Paris, as I know every street!” Karl smiled.
Robert relaxed as time went on and took an immediate liking to Karl and Alex, not to mention his Aunt Stephany who had given him the warmest welcome with only a few hours’ notice.
“I had intended to call on you before leaving Vienna, but while staying at the Hotel Imperial, I heard about the upcoming double wedding of the Reinhardts’. I was very anxious to find out if it was still THE Reinhardts that I vaguely remembered from a long time ago.”
“Never mind the Imperial. You are staying with us!”
“I already invited Robert,” Stephany acknowledged self-assuredly. “but so far I have not heard any commitment.”
Alex also appealed to him to stay, which forced him to change his mind, very happily.
Arm in arm, Hannes and Verena joined the guests to say good-bye, but after being introduced to Robert, they too decided to stay a bit longer, with Hannes talking in turn and wanting to know about America’s progress with medicine. He had read about a Dr. Crawford Long who made medical history in 1842 by introducing what had formerly been referred to in general as ‘laughing gas’ to medicine, but was known as sulfuric ether or nitrous oxide. Dr. Kramer and Hannes were enthralled at the circumstances in which this historic event took place. Medicine had become the topic for discussion until Hannes took the liberty to ask about his family, seeing an obviously wide wedding ring.
“My wife and I live in New York,” he answered, his face becoming abruptly cheerless. “I had a son who studied to become a lawyer, but like so many others, he got the feeling that he should serve his country, and died on the battlefield in Kennesaw Mountain, which is near Atlanta, Georgia,” he said in one breath, knowing that no one present had ever heard of either name. His statement caused an obvious and instant stir among the other guests, while Robert tried to regain his composure.
Hannes rose and put his hand on one of Robert’s shoulders. “I am so sorry I brought the subject up.”
“Well, Hannes, as a gentleman, one is supposed to inquire about a visitor’s family. Don’t think a thing about it. I’ve already answered that question a hundred times in America.”
“All of th
e faces looked so much happier when we dropped by to say we were on our way to the coach,” Verena lamented.
Karl walked up to him after embracing his children who were about to leave on their honeymoon. “Robert, I can sympathize with you. I lost someone who was very dear to me and have never recovered.”
“So I have heard, Karl.”
“From Mother?”
“No, from guests at the Hotel Imperial. I sat at a table with a few couples and asked if they knew someone by the name of Reinhardt.” Robert sighed. “I got curious before paying a visit to my long, lost relatives, which is only natural,” he concluded.
Minute by minute the place was becoming emptier, which was a good thing for Stephany and Robert, leaving them some privacy. After all of those years, they had a lot of catching up to do. Before leaving, each one of them assured the Reinhardts that it was one of their greatest events, and many promised to return, as the wedding was a three-day celebration.
∼
Stephany, who had finally found the time to have a private chat with Robert, retired to her room and Karl enjoyed chatting with his close friends, all of whom had a day or more of travel time behind them, while their wives enjoyed a little gossip. An intoxicated Susan von Essler was the main topic as always, dancing all alone, as her previous dance partners had gone home. It was the usual scenario which the Reinhardts, along with their many friends and the Esslers’ large circle of friends had come to accept. It was also no secret that the helpless Colonel would, on these occasions, retreat quietly to avoid an open confrontation with his feisty and drunken wife, for fear of causing him and his son, Kurt, repercussions in their military careers. His anger was, therefore, often released on Anette, who he secretly never believed was his own daughter. Anette retaliated by becoming extremely difficult in all her dealings with the Essler clan.
“I do hope that Verena and Hannes find the right place in Salzburg to build a chalet in the mountains,” Karl mused to Max and Moritz Romberg, while they approached the deserted and tranquil gardens, hearing Robert and Alex still in deep conversation.
Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One Page 29
