I don't want to
hear any more about it. And then you stayed with her Ladyship?"
"Yes, your Lordship. I made a bed on the floor close by her. And I had
to hold her hand, and then she went to sleep."
"And she is still sleeping?"
"Very soundly."
"I am worried about that, Johanna. One can sleep one's self well, but
also ill. We must waken her, cautiously, of course, so that she will
not be startled again. And tell Frederick not to bring the breakfast.
I will wait till her Ladyship is here. Now let me see how clever you
can be."
Half an hour later Effi came. She looked charming, but quite pale, and
was leaning on Johanna. The moment she caught sight of Innstetten she
rushed up to him and embraced and kissed him, while the tears streamed
down her face. "Oh, Geert, thank heaven, you are here. All is well
again now. You must not go away again, you must not leave me alone
again."
"My dear Effi--Just put it down, Frederick, I will do the rest--my
dear Effi, I am not leaving you alone from lack of consideration or
from caprice, but because it is necessary. I have no choice. I am a
man in office and cannot say to the Prince, or even to the Princess:
Your Highness, I cannot come; my wife is so alone, or, my wife is
afraid. If I said that it would put us in a rather comical light, me
certainly, and you, too. But first take a cup of coffee."
Effi drank her coffee and its stimulating effect was plainly to be
seen. Then she took her husband's hand again and said: "You shall have
your way.
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