Part 52

Then Dom Wislezenus completed the marriage, and at the moment when the bridal pair exchanged rings, fanfares of trumpets blared forth, and a salvo of three times twelve guns began to roll over city and country-side, fired by the soldiers on the wall of the "Citadel." Directly afterwards the fire brigade let off the town guns by way of salute; but long pauses occurred between each detonation, giving rise to inexhaustible laughter among the people.

After the blessing had been pronounced, the procession re-formed and returned to the Hall of the Knights, where the House of Grimmburg congratulated the newly married pair. Then came the Court, and Klaus Heinrich and Imma Spoelmann walked arm-in-arm through the Gala Rooms, where the Court was drawn up, and spoke to various members of the company, smiling across an interval of shining parquet; and Imma pouted and wagged her head as she spoke to anyone who curtsied low and answered deferentially. After the Court there was a State supper in the Marble Hall, and a Marshal's supper in that of the Twelve Months, and everything was of the best that money could buy, out of regard to what Klaus Heinrich's wife had been accustomed to. Even Percival, now restored to his senses, was among the guests, and was given some roast meat. After supper the students and the populace had arranged in honour of the young couple a demonstration with serenades and a torchlight procession on the Albrechtsplatz. The square outside was a blaze of light, and resounded with shouts.

Lackeys drew aside the curtains from one of the windows in the Silver Hall, and Klaus Heinrich and Imma advanced to the open window. They threw it open, and stood in the opening just as they were, for outside it was a warm spring night. Next them, in a dignified attitude and looking most imposing, sat Percival, the collie, and looked down like his mistress.

Several of the town bands played in the illuminated square, which was packed tight with human beings, and the upturned faces of the people were lighted to a smoky dark red by the students' torches as they marched past the Schloss. Cheers broke forth when the newly married couple appeared at the window. They bowed their thanks, and then stayed there awhile, looking and letting themselves be looked at. The people, looking up, could see their lips moving in conversation. This is what they said:

"Listen, Imma, how thankful they are that we have not forgotten their need and affliction. What crowds there are, standing there and shouting up to us! Of course many of them are scoundrels, and take each other in, and sadly need to be elevated above the work-day and its reality. But they are really grateful when one shows oneself conscious of their need and affliction."

"But we are so stupid and so lonely, Prince--on the peaks of humanity, as Doctor Ueberbein used always to say--and we know absolutely nothing of life."

"Nothing, little Imma? What was it, then, which at last gave you confidence in me, and brought us to study so practically the public weal? Knows he nothing of life who knows of love? That shall be our business in future: Highness and Love--an austere happiness."

The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.

The Swiss governess was the widow of a Calvanistic minister and was in The Swiss governess was the widow of a Calvinistic minister and was in

The opportunity came. While the Swiss governness was absent on leave to The opportunity came. While the Swiss governess was absent on leave to

where it's too dusty, for this dress shows everything. where it's too dusty, for this dress shows everything."

compared with Trümmerhauff. Trümmerhauf had the nobility of a wild compared with Trümmerhauff. Trümmerhauff had the nobility of a wild

rather broad, he had cheek bones like the men in the street, and he rather broad, he had cheek-bones like the men in the street, and he

annouce that their Royal Highnesses were now going. He had been charged announce that their Royal Highnesses were now going. He had been charged

exploratory operation, whch was conducted by the Director of the exploratory operation, which was conducted by the Director of the

Lastly, Princess Ditlande had married at the age of twenty, one year Lastly, Princess Ditlinde had married at the age of twenty, one year

Albrecht bowed his thanks with eyes downcast and underlip protuded. Albrecht bowed his thanks with eyes downcast and underlip protruded.

Jettchen, as provisional lodgings." Jettchen, "as provisional lodgings."

architect from the captital had been entrusted with the building. But architect from the capital had been entrusted with the building. But

suite" in the "Spa Court" Hotel was by no means dazzingly magnificent. suite" in the "Spa Court" Hotel was by no means dazzlingly magnificent.

temperature-and weight-charts--tended by nurses in white caps, and temperature- and weight-charts--tended by nurses in white caps, and

his tail, At the same moment the butler began to run, as fast as his his tail. At the same moment the butler began to run, as fast as his

upon me, Prince." And she suddenly sat Fatma off at a gallop and flew at upon me, Prince." And she suddenly set Fatma off at a gallop and flew at

Spoelman took stock of the prosaic country-house which rejoiced in the Spoelmann took stock of the prosaic country-house which rejoiced in the

"Yes, though unfortunately not from you. But Jettchen Isenschnibble has "Yes, though unfortunately not from you. But Jettchen Isenschnibbe has

had withdrawn and Princes Griseldis had opened the cotillon with a had withdrawn and Princess Griseldis had opened the cotillon with a