The Betrothal

Ludwig Tieck's novella 'The Betrothal' (Die Verlobung) was first published in Das Berliner Taschenbuch journal in 1822. Two young men, Alfred and Ferdinand, visit a respectable family of a Baroness, where they socialize with the Baroness's daughters. Meanwhile their other companion Baron Von Wallen, an older bachelor who has few kind words on marriage shocks them when he announces that he is to marry the governess Miss von Erhard, a relative of the Baroness's family. And a betrothal is sure to follow.