Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

"I overheard," she began, "that you just published your first volume of poetry—and that your father has been detainedagain. Are you still studying at the University?"Her arm made him self-conscious."Yes, father, who is a leading man of the Cadets, a member of the Constitutional-Democratic Party and a determinedliberal, made contacts with Kerensky who is the clearest mind among the Socialists. Father’s confreres among theCadets feared that he was slipping to the left, and I don’t have to put in words what the Okhrana thought. They detainedhim for ‘questioning.’ We are worried, and I have to be careful of the company I keep. I hope you don’t mind, I am surethat I am under surveillance."He awkwardly looked over his shoulder, but nobody was following them. "Unfortunately Mother has not taken this well,she is ill. For months we have been hiding at our estate south of town, and I rarely visit the city. I have left the universityand continue my education at home with the help of private tutors. I don’t mind, I have much time to write and read. Ourproperty is very beautiful."He paused pensively. "Yes, I submitted a first volume of poetry to my publisher and had come to town to check itsprogress. It also seems to be under detention."He shook his head and fell silent. Trying to hide from her that he was involved in a turbulent love affair he returned to hismother’s illness. "In search of a cure for Mother’s tuberculosis we spent many months in France and Italy during the pasttwo years. This is the reason why you have not heard from me. How is Niko? I hear he is in München."A trace of mockery came back to her voice. "I am sorry to hear all these disturbing news."She suggested a student café on Liteini Prospect a few blocks further, where they would not encounter anyacquaintances."You asked about Niko. On Konrad’s suggestion he changed to physics and for the last three years has studied inMünchen. He seems happy there and in any case he is safe. He has persuaded Konrad to spend a year in München too.The Academy will pay for us. Konrad is already in München looking for a place to live, and I will follow him in a month."She disengaged her arm and turned to face him. "But the greatest news is that I finished my medical degree with honorsa month ago! Do you remember how mercilessly you teased me when I started this education, pregnant as I was?"She laughed her father’s laugh. "I did very well and finished faster than anybody in the faculty. How do you like my newtitle, Doctor Dadiani-Rost?"Vladimir with a perfect bow produced another, albeit formal kiss on the hand she offered."My congratulations, Doctor Alexandra! Teasing or not, I never doubted that you would finish most brilliantly what youhad set your singular mind on."She laughed shamelessly straight into his eyes.Shaking his head, he had been sure that Tatiana, his love, would protect him from all new infatuations, he held the doorof the café open for her.As she passed him she asked with a mischievous smile. "How is sensuous Rebekka?"Vladimir frowned. He found a table for them. The place was filled with groups of noisy students of all persuasions. "I lostRebekka years ago. She got married to a rich merchant, an older man and friend of her parents. I was not invited to herwedding. It is a pity, because my education in the visual arts has come to an abrupt end with her departure."He laughed briefly. "But you were very interested in modern painting, have you done anything yourself?""How could I? In addition to my studies I had to take care of a husband and a child. For four years we have not done anysocializing, have not been to any concerts or in the opera. Our last extended vacation was our honeymoon. I am reallylooking forward to an occasional escape from München south across the mountains."A group of Tolstoyans in white peasant shirts and long hair sat at the next table listening to a serious looking, youngwoman reading a political manifesto."Do you still frequent the revolutionary circles?"He hesitated. "No, I cannot afford to be seen with some of my oldest friends. But let us talk about this subject elsewhere,at another time. Am I going to see you again?"A small, taunting smile played around her full mouth. "Do you like to ride? We have two horses stabled in Lakhta, on thecoast, north of here. To ride by myself is not very entertaining, would you accompany me for a day out there? The area isbeautiful, especially along the shore of the Finnish Gulf."For a split second his sense of danger returned, and then he heard himself say, "Why not, it would be my pleasure."She suggested a date and a time. To avoid attention, they agreed to meeting on the train seemingly by accident. Inparting Alexandra gave him a fleeting kiss and left him to walk home pensively.The agreed-upon time had long passed, Vladimir had not appeared. Unobtrusively Alexandra had waited for him andfinally decided to find a seat in an empty compartment. In the very last minute, the train was already moving, she sawhim running down the platform and jump on the last car.Eventually they embraced."What happened?""We now have a policeman stationed in front of our door. To escape and prevent him from following me, I had our64