The Porter's Son, part 2 · page 21 2101"No, I have still your drawing of the castle."102"I must build the castle in reality now," said George; and he became quite warm at his own words.103The General and the General's lady talked to each other in their room about the porter's son--how he knew how to behave, and to express himself with the greatest propriety.104"He might be a tutor," said the General.105"Intellect!" said the General's lady; but she did not say anything more.106During the beautiful summer-time Mr. George several times visited the Count at his castle; and he was missed when he did not come.107"How much the good God has given you that he has not given to us poor mortals," said Emily to him. "108Are you sure you are very grateful for it?"109It flattered George that the lovely young girl should look up to him, and he thought then that Emily had unusually good abilities.110And the General felt more and more convinced that George was no cellar-child.111"His mother was a very good woman," he observed. "112It is only right I should do her that justice now she is in her grave."113The summer passed away, and the winter came; again there was talk about Mr. George.114He was highly respected, and was received in the first circles.115The General had met him at a court ball.116And now there was a ball to be given in the General's house for Emily, and could Mr. George be invited to it?117"He whom the King invites can be invited by the General also," said the General, and drew himself up till he stood quite an inch higher than before.118Mr. George was invited, and he came; princes and counts came, and they danced, one better than the other.119But Emily could only dance one dance--the first; for she made a false step--nothing of consequence; but her foot hurt her, so that she had to be careful, and leave off dancing, and look at the others.120So she sat and looked on, and the architect stood by her side.121"I suppose you are giving her the whole history of St. Peter's," said the General, as he passed by; and smiled, like the personification of patronage.122With the same patronizing smile he received Mr. George a few days afterwards.123The young man came, no doubt, to return thanks for the invitation to the ball.124What else could it be?125But indeed there was something else, something very astonishing and startling.126He spoke words of sheer lunacy, so that the General could hardly believe his own ears.127It was "the height of rhodomontade," an offer, quite an inconceivable offer--Mr. George came to ask the hand of Emily in marriage!128"Man!" cried the General, and his brain seemed to be boiling. "129I don't understand you at all.130What is it you say?131What is it you want?132I don't know you.133Sir!134Man!135What possesses you to break into my house?136And am I to stand here and listen to you?"137He stepped backwards into his bed-room, locked the door behind him, and left Mr. George standing alone.138George stood still for a few minutes, and then turned round and left the room.139Emily was standing in the corridor.140"My father has answered?" she said, and her voice trembled.141George pressed her hand.142"He has escaped me," he replied; "but a better time will come."143There were tears in Emily's eyes, but in the young man's eyes shone courage and confidence; and the sun shone through the window, and cast his beams on the pair, and gave them his blessing.144The General sat in his room, bursting hot.145Yes, he was still boiling, until he boiled over in the exclamation, "Lunacy! porter! madness!"146Not an hour was over before the General's lady knew it out of the General's own mouth.147She called Emily, and remained alone with her.148"You poor child," she said; "to insult you so! to insult us so!149There are tears in your eyes, too, but they become you well.150You look beautiful in tears.151You look as I looked on my wedding-day.152Weep on, my sweet Emily."1 2← previousThe Porter's Son, part 1next →The Porter's Son, part 3↑ back to Fairy Tales of Hans Christian AndersenThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/page/2/