Transcriber's Note:
1. Page scan source:http://www.archive.org/details/3429917
Copyright, 1879, by J. B. Lippincott & Co.
Copyright, 1906, by A. L. Wister.
The music ceased. The gentlemen led their partners to their variouschaperones, and then crowded out upon the balcony to enjoy the coolspring breeze, giving no attention to the remonstrances of their host,the President, who, when he found how little heed was paid to hiswarning against imprudence, turned away, declaring to his friend thecolonel that there really was nothing to be done with the heedlessyoung people of the present day. "They trifle with their health as iftheir nerves were of iron and illness impossible," he added, a littleout of humour, perhaps, at the neglect of his advice.
"Why then, old friend, do you give a ball in April?" the colonel asked,laughing.
"Could I help being born on the 20th of April? My son and daughterinsist upon my keeping up the old custom and celebrating the occasionby a ball. This year it is perfect folly, but then no one couldforetell this early warm spring."
"Come, never trouble yourself about those young people; my officershave often braved more sudden changes of temperature in the fieldwithout being any the worse."
"But the Assessor? His constitution is none of the strongest."
"And suppose he does take cold; 'twill do him no harm. Come, come, letthe young people alone. We were once not a whit more prudentourselves."
And as he spoke the colonel took his old friend's arm and led him backinto the ball-room, while the young officers upon the balcony, who hadoverheard all that had been said, laughingly grouped themselves aboutthe Assessor, rallying him upon the anxiety with regard to his healthmanifested by the President.
"The President is right," said a black-bearded cuirassier, inclininghis tall figure towards the slightly-built Assessor. "You ought to takecare of yourself, my dear Assessor; the sensitive nature of which youso often tell us can never endure what our coarser constitutions bravewith impunity. Put an end to the anxiety of your future father-in-lawand leave the balcony, I beseech you."
"Herr von Saldern, I beg----"
"Do not make the fair Adèle a widow before she is a wife," chimed inanother officer.
"Herr von Arnim, such remarks are very much out of place. It is truethat I am peacefully disposed. I make no boast of it, for the gifts ofnature----"
"Are variously distributed," Herr von Arnim interrupted