complexion, was enjoying life and had a daring salon; that is to say
gatherings in which all the men did not wear uniforms nor prefix the
sacred von. She drew the line at bad manners, but otherwise all (and of
any nation) who had distinguished themselves, or possessed the priceless
gift of personality, were welcome there; and although she lived to be
amused and make up what she had lost during thirty unspeakable years,
she progressed inevitably in keenness of insight and breadth of vision.
She had become a student of politics and stared into the future with
deepening apprehension, but of this she gave not a hint to Gisela.
Mariette was her closest friend and only confidante. Mariette was now
living in Berlin, and amusing herself in ways Frau von Niebuhr
disapproved, mainly because she thought it wiser to banish men from
one's inner life altogether; but, true to her code, she forebore
remonstrance.

Lili, having discovered that her voice was not for grand opera, had
philosophically descended to the concert stage and was excitedly happy
in her success and independence. Elsa was a Red Cross nurse.

Gisela met Franz von Nettelbeck at a court function and had her little
revenge. He was furious, and vowed, quite audibly, that he would never
forgive her. But Gisela was merely disturbed lest the Obersthofmeisterin
who stood but three feet away overhear his caustic remarks.
Distinguished professors (without their wives) might go to court as a
reward for shedding added luster upon the German Empire, but lesser
mortals who had received payment for services rendered might not. Her
independent mother, still a favorite, for she was exceeding discreet,
would have incurred the imperial displeasure if the truth were known.
However, the incident passed unnoticed, and Franz, whatever his
shortcomings, was a gentleman and kept her secret.