Courts and courtiers -- Fiction; German fiction -- Translations into English; Germany -- Fiction
That is how Imma Spoelmann drove to the Old Schloss, and the boom and
buzz of the bells mingled with the cheers of the people and Percival's
mad bark. The procession crossed the Albrechtsplatz at a walk and went
through the Albrechtstor. In the Courtyard of the Schloss the mounted
corps of the guilds rode to one side, and took up their position as a
guard of honour, and in the corridor, in front of the weather-beaten
front door, Grand Duke Albrecht, dressed as a Colonel of Hussars,
received the bride with his brother and the rest of his House, offered
her his arm and conducted her up the grey stone steps into the
state-rooms, at whose doors guards of honour were posted and in which
the Court was assembled. The princesses of the House stayed in the Hall
of the Knights, and it was there that Herr von Knobelsdorff, surrounded
by the Grand Ducal family, executed the civil marriage. Never, it was
said later, had the wrinkles played round his eyes more lively than
whilst he joined Klaus Heinrich and Imma Spoelmann in civil wedlock.
When this was over, Albrecht II commanded that the church festivities
should begin.
Herr von Bühl zu Bühl had done his best to get together an imposing
procession--the bridal procession, which passed up Heinrich the
Luxurious's staircase and along a covered way into the Court Chapel.
Stooping under the weight of years, yet in a brown toupée and with a
youthful waddle, he marched, covered with orders down to his waist and
planting his long staff in front of him, in front of the chamberlains,
who walked along in silk stockings with their feather hats under their
arms and a key embroidered on their coat-tails. The young pair drew
near; the foreign-looking bride in a shimmer of white and Klaus
Heinrich, the Heir Presumptive, in a Grenadier uniform with the yellow
ribbon across his chest and back. Four maidens belonging to the nobility
of the land, with demure looks, carried Imma Spoelmann's train,
accompanied by Countess Löwenjoul, who looked suspiciously out of the
corners of her eyes. Behind the bridegroom walked Herr von
Schulenburg-Tressen and Herr von Braunbart-Schellendorf. The Master of
the Royal Hunt, von Stieglitz, and the ballet-loving Grand Duke walked
in front of the young monarch, who sucked quietly at his upper lip. At
his side came Aunt Catherine, followed by the Minister of the Household,
von Knobelsdorff, the Adjutant, the princely zu Ried-Hohenried couple,
and the remaining members of the House. The rear of the procession was
brought up by more chamberlains.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account