And then you know the names of noblemen are often a bit
comical."
"Yes, my dear, they are. But people do not belong to the nobility for
nothing. They can endure such things, and the farther back their
nobility goes, I mean in point of time, the better they are able to
endure them. But you don't know anything about this and you must not
take offense at me for saying so. We shall continue to be good friends
just the same. So it is Geert von Innstetten and he is a Baron. He is
just as old as mama, to the day."
"And how old, pray, is your mama?"
"Thirty-eight."
"A fine age."
"Indeed it is, especially when one still looks as well as mama. I
consider her truly a beautiful woman, don't you, too? And how
accomplished she is in everything, always so sure and at the same time
so ladylike, and never unconventional, like papa. If I were a young
lieutenant I should fall in love with mama."
"Oh, Effi, how can you ever say such a thing?" said Hulda. "Why, that
is contrary to the fourth commandment."
"Nonsense. How can it be? I think it would please mama if she knew I
said such a thing."
"That may be," interrupted Hertha. "But are you ever going to tell the
story?"
"Yes, compose yourself and I'll begin. We were speaking of Baron von
Innstetten. Before he had reached the age of twenty he was living over
in Rathenow, but spent much of his time on the seignioral estates of
this region, and liked best of all to visit in Schwantikow, at my
grandfather Belling's.
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