Page:German Stories (Volumes 2–3).djvu/394

204 of the icognita’s eccentric manners. However this might be, those who were nearest her at the supper-table left their places on the first opportunity offered for a change, and sought elsewhere for a more agreeable situation. Afterwards, however, many of the party assembled round her, for the sole purpose of discovering who she really was, expecting that, after all, she would unmask, and prove to be a well-known friend—but in vain!

“At last, when white champaigne was handed round, the bridegroom also drew near, taking the chair next but one to the silent lady; and now, indeed, she seemed to be more animated;—at least she turned round towards her new neighbour when he addressed her, which she had never done to any one else, and even offered her glass, as if she wished him to drink out of it. It was visible, however, that by her attentions Felippo had been excessively agitated. He held up the glass in his left hand trembling like an aspen leaf, pointed to it and said, ‘How comes it that the wine is red? I thought we had no red champaigne!’—‘Red,’ said the bride’s father, who had drawn near, with his curiosity stretched to the utmost; ‘What can you mean?’—‘Look only at the