39. THE DEATHS[1].
Baron de Hinz[2] had just been presuming to such an extent upon the belief[3] of an assembly with stories of which he said he had been an eye-witness[4], that several persons present[5] expressed their doubts loudly[6]. This the narrator considered as an offence to himself[7] and fought for[8] the truth of his statements[9] only the more zealously as Major Johnson took his part[10]. At this last incident[11] people wondered not a little because the major justly maintained the reputation of especial intelligence[12] and love of truth. They were even more amazed[13] when he spoke as follows[14]:
Indeed[15] I must share[16] the indignation of the baron de Hinz, in as much as frequently nothing looks more improbable than the truth. My own experience may here serve as a proof[17]. As I was still studying at Jena, I once drove with a good friend, the baron Zitzerling, over to Weimar in order to visit the theatre, where the Maid of Orleans was just being represented[18]. Madme Wolf had the principal part[19] and was playing it so excellently that several times I broke forth into loud admiration[20]. That annoyed the baron whose particular inclination for some other actress would not allow him to acknowledge the superiority[21] of the universally valued[22] artiste. We got[23] into a dispute.
- ↑ die Todesfälle.
- ↑ Herr von Hinz.
- ↑ hatte ſo eben den Glauben . . . . dergeſtalt in Anſpruch genommen.
- ↑ er . . . . Augenzeuge geweſen ſein wollte.
- ↑ Anweſende.
- ↑ to express loudly, laut werden laſſen.
- ↑ der Errzähler hielt ſich dadurch für beleidigt.
- ↑ to fight for, verfechten.
- ↑ statement, Vortrag.
- ↑ auf ſeine Seite trat.
- ↑ über letzteres.
- ↑ Einſicht.
- ↑ man flaunte vollends.
- ↑ als er ſich endlich alſo vernehmen ließ.
- ↑ in der That.
- ↑ Recht gegen.
- ↑ zum Belege.
- ↑ to represent, aufführen.
- ↑ Hauptrolle.
- ↑ daß ich . . . . ganz laut darüber in Bewunderung ausbrach.
- ↑ Uebergewicht.
- ↑ valued, geſchätzt.
- ↑ to get, gerathen.
