Wilhelm Hauffs sämtliche Werke in sechs Bänden. Bd. 5

On a storm‑laden November night the streets of Freilingen hum with restless traffic, while rain drums against shutters, urging townsfolk toward warm hearths. Yet the city is alive with excitement, for a grand ball has been arranged by the meticulous Hofrat Berner to celebrate the king’s name‑day. The venue, a brilliantly lit museum hall, draws nobles, travelers, and locals alike, all eager to display the season’s latest fashions and gossip. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation as guests mingle beneath glittering chandeliers.

Amid the revelry, Berner’s usually steady composure gives way to a restless pacing, as if a secret weight presses upon him. He offers cryptic smiles and murmurs “you’ll see,” hinting at a revelation that could change the night’s course. At the same time, a striking young woman returns to the town after years away, her presence stirring whispers among the assembled guests. Listeners are drawn into the delicate dance between public celebration and the hidden motives that linger beneath the polished surface.