A Legacy by Sybille Bedford

not becoming a Quietist, Hauser?"
    "Not a Quietist. But sufficient unto the day, Conrad."
    "Such have not always been the views of your Order."
    "Members of my Order are subject to error."
    "And their products?"
    "And their products, Conrad."
    "And you?"
    "And I."
    "You may be in error now."
    "Certain things are knowable," said Father Hauser.
    "How?"
    Father Hauser did not speak.
    "How?"
    "That," Father Hauser said, "is a strange question from a man of Faith."
    Count Bernin lifted his head. "There are certain ends," he said, "certain ends . . ."
    Father Hauser put away his pipe. "Conrad von Bernin" he said, "what have you been up to?'*
    Count Bernin spoke; Father Hauser listened. Then Father Hauser spoke and Count Bernin listened. To every word he had to say. It was a great deal.
    "And yet I cannot agree with you," he said at the end. "I cannot."
    Presently, Count Bernin said, "There is too much involved."

    And presently, "I can't help it that old Felden hasn't got his wits about him."
    "Besides it's too late."
    "You are not my spiritual adviser, you know."
    "I did not start it. I never liked it."
    "You know, if anybody does, I am not building for myself. Nor for my time . . "
    "Oh those men. They're still in the house. They are nothing. Automata. Cut off. With their Nation and their duty to the State. They are blind men who must be led."
    "Yes, if you like, used. On occasions used."
    "Pride? My pride?"
    "But I can see the future. I am not interested in the present."
    "Nothing has ever been achieved without some cost . . ."
    "No, no—there are such things as larger questions."
    "No. I suppose I never have believed in anybody's happiness."
    "Then my service? My life —. ? "
    And later again, he said, "Can that place really be so bad?"
    Presently Father Hauser said, "Well, good night, Conrad. It's getting late. I shall be back with you tomorrow." "Where are you going to sleep, Hauser?"

    "Oh I'll find myself a place."
    "What folly. If you are going to stay, you had better stay here."
    "Thank you, Conrad. As you ask me, I will."
    Next day, Count Bernin said, "And the Bishop of Bamberg?"
    "Kramer is a good man, a very good man, but I doubt that God would let a single soul come to harm because Bismarck will not have Archdeacon Kramer appointed to the Episcopal See of Bamberg."
    "He happens to be the one person who is able to get on with His Holiness and the Cardinal of Berlin. Now don't you go and tell that to those Government chaps."
    "They wouldn't listen," said Father Hauser; "they all but cross themselves when they see me."
    Later on that day, Count Bernin said, "Perhaps I haven't done so well by Clara either. Strange girl. Always at Landen these days, with her young man hanging about here. I thought I knew her. You are making everything seem very complicated, Hauser."
    Father Hauser stayed four days. When he knew that he could get no further, he left.
    Count Bernin himself drove him across the Swiss Border. The two men embraced. "Good-bye, Conrad. Pray for me."
    "Good-bye, Father. Shall I see you again?"
    "Clara will know my whereabouts. Give her my love."
    Count Bernin returned and faced the men who were uneasily lingering over their mission at Sigmundshofen.
    It had become known at Landen that Captain Montclair was to take Johannes away with him as soon as he was strong enough to travel. Captain Montclair, kit and all, was staying at the house now. The old Baron, anxious to see an end of it, had left arrangements to him. Every morning Julius forced himself into his father's presence and tried to speak. The old Baron did what he had never done before, he put his hand to his heart and in a quavering voice threatened immediate stroke. Every day Julius fled.
    Gabriel said to Julius, "Jean and I were going to run away together. To America. It is easy. First one hides in a ship, then we are going to hire ourselves out to herd buffaloes in the prairies. Jean would like that. But he won't come. He doesn't listen. He only says