" After this explanation on
the part of Miss Trippelli, Effi desisted from further warnings that
it was time to go. When twelve o'clock came, the guests, who had
meanwhile developed a certain degree of intimacy, bade their host a
merry and hearty good night.
* * * * *
Three days later Gieshuebler's friend brought herself once more to
Effi's attention by a telegram in French, from St. Petersburg: "Madame
the Baroness von Innstetten, nee von Briest. Arrived safe. Prince K.
at station. More taken with me than ever. Thousand thanks for your
good reception. Kindest regards to Monsieur the Baron. Marietta
Trippelli."
Innstetten was delighted and gave more enthusiastic expression to his
delight than Effi was able to understand.
"I don't understand you, Geert."
"Because you don't understand Miss Trippelli. It's her true self in
the telegram, perfect to a dot."
"So you take it all as a bit of comedy."
"As what else could I take it, pray? All calculated for friends there
and here, for Kotschukoff and Gieshuebler. Gieshuebler will probably
found something for Miss Trippelli, or maybe just leave her a legacy."
Gieshuebler's party had occurred in the middle of December.
Immediately thereafter began the preparations for Christmas. Effi, who
might otherwise have found it hard to live through these days,
considered it a blessing to have a household with demands that had to
be satisfied. It was a time for pondering, deciding, and buying, and
this left no leisure for gloomy thoughts.
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