About half way between Furstenstein and Rodeck, where the forest mountains rose to their greatest height, lay the Hochberg, a popular resort for sight-seeing on account of its magnificent views. The old stone tower upon its summit, the last remnant of an otherwise totally demolished castle ruin, had been made an object of interest, and at its foot nestled a little inn, which entertained numerous guests from the neighborhood. Strangers did not often come into these almost unknown forest mountains and valleys. Visitors of any sort were somewhat rare now in the fall, but to-day's beautiful weather had enticed several people out on the trip. Half an hour ago two gentlemen had arrived on horseback, attended by a groom, and now a carriage, bringing more sight-seers, drove up to the inn.
Upon the flat roof of the tower, near the stone breastwork, stood the two gentlemen, the younger one zealously occupied in pointing out and explaining the various points of interest.
"Yes, our Hochberg is renowned for its views." he said. "I was obliged to show them to you, Hartmut. Is not the view over this wide, green forest ocean incomparable?"
Hartmut did not answer; he seemed to be looking through the glass for some distant point.
"Where is Furstenstein? Ah, there. It seems to be an enormous old structure."
"Yes, the castle is worth seeing," assented Prince Adelsberg. "But, outside of that, you were wise to remain at home the other day; I was bored to death by the visit."
"So? You seemed to think a great deal of the Chief Forester."
"Certainly, I like to chat with him; but he had driven out and returned only just before I left. His son is not at Furstenstein. He is studying at the school for foresters, so I had to wait upon Fraulein von Schonan; but that pleasure was not exactly interesting. A word every five minutes and a minute to every word. Very many domestic virtues, but very little behind the forehead. I kept the conversation going by the sweat of my brow, and then had the honor of meeting the betrothed of the Baroness--a genuine, undiluted country squire, with a very energetic mamma, who has him and the future daughter-in-law under complete control. We had an exceedingly brilliant conversation, finally landing on turnip culture, in which I was thoroughly instructed. The visit was bearable only when the Chief Forester returned with his brother-in-law, the Baron Wallmoden."
Rojanow still held the glass directed upon Furstenstein, listening, apparently, indifferently. Now he repeated questioningly: "Wallmoden?"
"The new Prussian Ambassador to our court, a genuine diplomat in appearance; aristocratic, cool and buttoned up to the chin; also having very agreeable manners. Her Excellency, the Frau Baroness, was not visible, which I bore with composure, since the husband already has gray hair, and consequently the lady would probably be of an age which one approaches only with veneration."
A peculiarly bitter expression played around Hartmut's lips as he now lowered the glass.
He had kept his encounter with Frau von Wallmoden from his friend. Why mention the name? He wished to be reminded of it as little as possible.
"But our romantic forest solitude will soon be ended," continued Egon. "I heard from the Chief Forester that the court will come to Furstenstein this year for the hunting season, and I can then expect a visit from the Duke. I am not very delighted at the prospect, for my highly honored uncle has a habit of holding forth to me just as frequent and just as impressive moral sermons as Stadinger, and I must naturally keep the peace then. But I shall present you at this visit, Hartmut. You consent?"
"If you consider it necessary, and the etiquette of your court allows----"
"Bah! the etiquette is not so strictly adhered to with us. Besides, the Rojanows belong to the nobility of your country, do they not?"
"Certainly."
"Well, then, you are in every case entitled to the presentation. I consider it by all means desirable, for I have set my mind on seeing your 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; and as soon as the Duke knows you and your work, that will be done beyond a doubt."
The words betrayed the passionate admiration the young Prince felt for his friend; but the latter only shrugged his shoulders slightly.
"Possibly, particularly if you plead for me; but I do not like to succeed under protection. I am no poet of renown. Indeed, I'm not sure whether I am a poet; and if my work cannot smooth a way for itself----"
"You would be obstinate enough to keep it from publicity; that is like you. Have you no ambition at all?"
"Perhaps only too much, and from that arises originally what you call my obstinacy. I never could bow down and subordinate myself in life. I could not; my whole nature rose against it, and I am not at all suited to the ways of your court."
"Who told you that?" laughed Egon. "They will flatter and spoil you there, just like everywhere else. It is your nature to rise everywhere like a meteor, and one does not expect these stars to travel in old routes. Besides, you have from the start the exceptional position of guest and foreigner, and when you are once summoned by the halo of poesy, then----"
"Then it is with that you intend to keep me here in your country?"
"Well, then, yes. I do not think that I alone possess the power to keep you here permanently, you wild, restless guest; but a rising poet's name is a fetter which one does not slip off so easily, and I have sworn to myself since this morning not to let you go again at any price."
Rojanow started and looked at him inquiringly.
"Why just since this morning?"
"That is my secret for the present," said Egon, jestingly.
"Ah, more guests are coming here, it seems."
A step was heard upon the narrow, winding stone stairs, and the bearded face of the tower watchman appeared at the opening which led to the platform.
"Please take care, gracious lady," he said, warningly, looking back with concern; "the last steps are very steep and much worn. So, now we are at the top."
He offered a helping hand to the lady who followed him, but she did not need it, ascending easily with effort.
"What a beautiful girl!" whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend, who, instead of replying, made a deep and formal bow before the lady. She could not conceal a certain surprise at the sight of him. "Ah, Herr Rojanow, you here?"
"I am admiring the view from the Hochberg, which may also have attracted you, Your Excellency."
The face of the Prince betrayed boundless astonishment when the "beautiful girl" was called "Excellency," and when he saw that she was not a stranger to his friend. He speedily drew near for an introduction to this acquaintance, and Hartmut could not avoid presenting the Prince Adelsberg to the Baroness Wallmoden.
He touched upon the forest encounter very lightly, for the lady found it convenient to-day to enshroud herself in her haughty reserve. It was hardly necessary, for Rojanow observed the strictest reticence. Both seemed decided to treat the acquaintance as a very slight and formal one.
Egon had thrown a glance of the liveliest reproach upon his friend. He could not understand how Hartmut could have kept such a meeting to himself; but, after that, he cast himself with ardor into the conversation. He announced himself a neighbor, mentioned his recent call at Furstenstein, and expressed his regret at having missed Frau von Wallmoden at that time. A conversation was commenced, in which the Prince exhibited his amiability and vivacity, while retaining the reserve of etiquette. He knew from the beginning that he stood before the wife of the Ambassador, whom one could not approach with a bold compliment, as Hartmut had ventured.
Finally his happy, unaffected good humor succeeded in diminishing the icy atmosphere which surrounded the beautiful woman, and he had the good fortune of being permitted to show and explain to her the surrounding country.
Hartmut did not join in the conversation with his usual vivacity, and when he again drew out the glass from his pocket, at the Prince's request, he suddenly missed his letter-case.
The watchman offered at once to look for it, but Rojanow declared he would do it himself. He remembered exactly the place where something had slipped to the floor when he came up the stairs, which he had not noticed at the time. It was the letter-case, no doubt, and he would find it with little trouble and return. Saying which, he bowed and departed.
Under other circumstances Egon would doubtless have thought it strange that his friend should refuse the offer of the old man and take upon himself the trouble of searching the dark stairway, but he was at present so totally occupied with his office of explanatory exhibitor that he did not seem to regret being left alone.
Frau von Wallmoden had accepted the glass which he offered her and followed with apparent attention his explanations as he pointed out all the various heights and villages.
"And over yonder, behind those hills, lies Rodeck," he concluded; "the little hunting lodge where we live like two hermits, cut off from all the world, having only the company of monkeys and parrots, which we brought from the Orient, and which have already become quite melancholy."
"You do not look at all like a hermit, Your Highness," said the young Baroness, with a fleeting smile.
"In truth, I have not much taste for it; but at times Hartmut has perfect attacks of the ailment, and then I bury myself in solitude for weeks for his pleasure."
"Hartmut! That is a thoroughly German name, and it is also surprising that Herr Rojanow speaks German with such fluency and without even a foreign intonation. Yet he introduced himself to me as a foreigner."
"Certainly. He comes from Roumania, but was raised by relatives in Germany, from whom also he may have inherited the German name," said the Prince, simply.
It was plainly to be seen that he knew nothing further of the origin of his friend. "I became acquainted with him at Paris, when I was about to begin my trip to the East, and he decided to accompany me. It was my good star of fortune that brought him to me."
"You seem infatuated with your friend."
There was something like disapprobation in the tone.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I am indeed," affirmed Egon, warmly; "and not I alone. Hartmut is one of those genial natures who conquers and wins people by storm wherever he appears. You should see and hear him when he is heart and soul enthusiastic. Then his soul flames like fire into yours. He envelops everything with his warmth; one has to follow where his flight leads."
The enthusiastic eulogy found a very cool listener. The young lady seemed to bend all her attention upon the landscape, as she replied: "You may be correct. Herr Rojanow's eyes betray something of it, but such fiery natures make upon me an impression more uncanny than sympathetic."
"Perhaps because they bear the demoniac lines which are peculiar to genius. Hartmut has them. He startles me sometimes, and yet the dark depths of his nature draw me irresistibly to him. I have actually forgotten how to live without him and shall try everything to retain him in our country."
"In Germany? You will hardly succeed in that, Your Highness. Herr Rojanow has a poor opinion of our fatherland. He betrayed that to me the day before yesterday in rather an offensive way."
The Prince became attentive. The words at once explained the cold reserve, which was not usually Hartmut's manner toward a beautiful woman, and which had surprised him at the first moment. But he smiled.
"Ah, that was the reason why he did not speak of the encounter. Your Excellency has probably shown him your displeasure. It serves him right. Why does he prevaricate with such persistency? He has irritated me often enough with this assumed depreciation, which I accepted then in good faith; but I know better now."
"You do not believe in it?" Adelaide suddenly turned from the view to the speaker.
"No, I have the proof of it in my hands. He is infatuated with our German land. You look at me incredulously, Your Excellency. May I impart a secret to you?"
"Well?"
"I was looking for Hartmut this morning in his room, but did not find him, I found, instead, a poem upon his desk, which he had probably forgotten to lock up, for it was surely not intended for my eyes. I stole it, without any compunction of conscience, and carry the spoils still with me. Will you permit me to read it?"
"I do not understand the Roumanian language," said Frau von Wallmoden, with cool satire. "Herr Rojanow has scarcely condescended to compose a poem in German."
Instead of answering, Egon drew out the paper and opened it. "You are prejudiced against my friend; I see it. But I do not like you to regard him in the wrong light in which he has placed himself. May I justify him with his own words?"
"If you please."
The words sounded indifferent, and yet Adelaide's gaze was riveted with a strange expectancy upon the paper, which seemed to contain only a few hastily written stanzas. Egon read.
They were German verses, indeed; but of a perfection and harmony which could belong only to a master of the language. The pictures they conjured up before the listener were strangely familiar. Deep, dreamy forest solitude, touched by the first breath of approaching autumn; endless green depths which beckoned and charmed irresistibly with their twilight shadows; aromatic meadows flooded with sunlight; small, still waters, which gleamed in the distance, and the foaming forest brook roaring down from the heights.
And this picture had taken on life and language. That which whispered in it was the old, old song of the forest itself; its murmuring and rustling--its mysterious working gathered into words which enchanted the ear of the listener like melody, while through it all floated and moaned a deep, unspeakable longing for this forest peace.
The Prince read warmly at first, then with great enthusiasm. Now he dropped the sheet and asked triumphantly:
"Well?"
The young Baroness had listened spellbound. She did not look at the reader, but stared motionless into the blue distance. At the question she started slightly and hastily turned.
"What did you say, Your Highness?"
"Is this the language of a depredator of our fatherland? I believe not," said Egon in most decided tones, but greatly as he was engrossed with his friend's poetry, he could still notice how exceptionally beautiful Frau von Wallmoden looked at this moment.
Of course, it must have been the setting sun which lent the rosy coloring to her face and the brilliancy to her eyes, for her bearing was as cold as her answer.
"It is really surprising that a foreigner should command the German language so perfectly."
Egon looked at her in amazement. Was this all? He had expected a different impression. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" he asked.
"Quite excellent. Herr Rojanow seems indeed to possess much poetic talent. But here is your glass, Your Highness. I thank you. I must be thinking of the descent now, as I do not wish to keep my husband waiting too long."
Egon folded up the paper slowly and deposited it in his breast pocket. He felt the icy breath now surround again the beautiful woman, which chilled him to the heart.
"I already have the honor of an acquaintance with His Excellency," he said. "May I renew it today?"
A slight bow gave the permission to accompany her. They left the platform, but the Prince had grown somewhat monosyllabic. He felt offended for his friend, and now regretted having given this poetry, the beauty of which carried him away, to a lady who had no understanding of, nor appreciation whatever for, poetry.
Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place. It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses. If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
Hartmut did not fear this meeting, even if it were inconvenient and uncomfortable to him. There was but one face in the whole world he feared--only one face to which he would not dare lift his eyes--and that face was far away; probably he would never see it again. Every one else he met with the proud defiance of a man who had only done right in withdrawing from a hated vocation.
He was decided upon not permitting any expression of reproach, but, if he should be recognized, to request the Ambassador in the most decided manner to consider certain old connections, with which he had so totally broken, as no longer existing. With this conclusion he emerged into the open air.
Herbert Wallmoden sat with his sister upon the little veranda of the inn. The Chief Forester had been too much occupied with the approaching arrival of the court, the hunting expeditions of which he had to arrange, to accompany the party. The betrothed couple had also remained at home; but the day for the little trip could not have been more pleasant.
"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, her eyes roaming over the country. "We have almost the same view here as upon the top of the tower. Why climb and overheat oneself and lose one's breath on those never-ending steps?"
"Adelaide was of a different opinion," replied Wallmoden, with a casual glance at the tower. "She does not know fatigue nor how to get overheated."
"And also how not to catch cold. She proved that the day before yesterday, when she came home drenched through. She did not catch the least cold."
"Nevertheless, I have requested her to take an escort for her future walks," said the Ambassador, calmly. "To get lost in the forest, wade a creek, and be guided to the right path by the first hunter one comes across are things which must not occur again. Adelaide agreed with me and promised immediately to obey my wishes."
"Yes, she is a sensible woman, a thoroughly healthy nature from which anything romantic or adventurous is far removed," complimented Regine. "But there seem to be more visitors upon the tower. I thought we should be the only guests to-day."
Wallmoden looked indifferently at the tall, slender gentleman who now emerged from the small tower door and walked toward the inn. Frau von Eschenhagen also looked at him carelessly; but suddenly her glance grew keener, and she started.
"Herbert--look!"
"Where?"
"That stranger there. What a strange resemblance!"
"To whom?" asked Herbert, growing more attentive and looking sharply at the stranger.
"To--impossible! That is not only a resemblance. It is he himself."
She sprang up, pale with excitement, and her look fastened itself upon the features of the man just now putting his foot upon the first step of the veranda. She met his eyes, those dark, glowing eyes, which had so often shone upon her from the face of the boy, and the last doubt disappeared.
"Hartmut--Hartmut Falkenried--you----"
She was suddenly silenced by Wallmoden's laying his hand heavily upon her arm and saying slowly, but with emphasis: "You are mistaken, Regine. We do not know this gentleman."
Hartmut stopped short when he caught sight of Frau von Eschenhagen, who had been hidden by the foliage. He was not prepared for her presence. At the moment he recognized her the words of the Ambassador reached his ear. He knew that icy tone only too well; it forced the blood to his brow.
"Herbert!" Regine looked doubtingly at her brother, who still held her by the arm.
"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone.
"Is it possible that I have to tell you that, Regine?"
She understood now his meaning. With a half threatening, half painful glance, she turned her back upon the son of her friend and said, with deep bitterness:
"You are right. I was mistaken."
Hartmut started, and in rising anger he drew a step nearer.
"Herr von Wallmoden!"
"Did you speak to me?" The tone was as stinging and scornful as before.
"You have anticipated my wishes, Your Excellency," said Hartmut, forcing himself to be calm. "I wished to ask you not to recognize me. We are strangers to each other."
He turned and walked off defiantly, tall and erect, and entered the house by another door.
Wallmoden looked after him with darkened brow. Then he turned to his sister.
"Could you not control yourself better, Regine? Why have a scene at such a meeting? This Hartmut does not exist any longer for us."
Regine's face betrayed only too well how much this encounter had shocked her. Her lips still quivered as she replied:
"I am no practiced diplomat like you, Herbert. I have not learned to be still when one whom I thought dead or ruined suddenly appears before me."
"Dead? that was hardly to be expected at his age. Ruined, corrupted? that might be nearer it. His life up to the present moment has lain in that direction."
"Do you know about it?" Frau von Eschenhagen started with surprise. "Do you know of his life?"
"Partly. Falkenried was too much my friend for me not to investigate what became of his son. Of course, I was silent to him as well as you concerning it; but as soon as I had returned to my office that time, I used our diplomatic relations, which reach everywhere, to inquire about it."
"Well, what did you learn?"
"Principally only that which was to be expected. Zalika had turned her steps directly homeward with her son. You know that her stepfather--our cousin Wallmoden--was already dead when she returned to her mother after the divorce. The connections on our side were thereby broken off, but I learned that shortly before Zalika's reappearance in Germany she had come into the possession of the Rojanow estates."
"Zalika? Did she not have a brother?"
"Yes, he had charge of the estates for ten years, but died, unmarried, from an accident while hunting, and, since his mother's second marriage had resulted in no descendant, Zalika entered now upon the inheritance--at least in name--for through the reckless management of the Bojar, the most of it belonged to the Jews. Nevertheless, she now felt herself master, and planned thecoupof getting possession of her son. The old, wild life was then continued upon the estates for a few years, with senseless management, until everything was gone. Then mother and son, like a couple of gypsies, went out into the wide world."
Wallmoden narrated this with the same cold contempt which he had shown to Hartmut, and the same horror and aversion were pictured in the face of his sister--that strictly duteous and moral lady. Nevertheless, a certain degree of sympathy was in her voice as she asked: "And you have not heard anything of them since?"
"Yes, several times. A casual mention of the name led me to the track. While I was at the embassy at Florence, they were in Rome; a few years later they appeared in Paris, and there I heard of the death of Frau Zalika Rojanow."
"So she is dead," said Frau von Eschenhagen, in a low voice. "What do you think they have lived on all these years?"
Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders.
"What do all adventurers who wander homeless over the world live on? They may perhaps have saved something from the wreck, perhaps not. At any rate, they visited all the salons in Paris and Rome. A woman like Zalika finds help and protection everywhere. She had the title of nobility as daughter of a Bojar, and the forced sale of the Roumania property was probably not known, so it played a prominent part in their success. Society opens its doors only too quickly to this element if it knows how to keep up appearances, which seems to have been the case here. By what means, that, of course, is another question."
"But Hartmut, whom she forcibly carried into such a life--what of him?"
"An adventurer--what else?" said the Ambassador, with intense harshness. "He always had an inclination that way; he will have developed finely in such a school. I have not heard anything of him since the death of his mother, three years ago."
"And you kept it a secret from me?" said Regine, reproachfully.
"I wished to spare you. You had taken this scoundrel--this Hartmut--too much into your heart. I was afraid you might be carried away in a hint to Falkenried."
"You took unnecessary pains. I have ventured but once to speak of the past to Falkenried. He looked at me--I shall never forget that look--and said, with an awful expression: 'My son is dead--you know that, Regine. Let the dead rest!' I shall certainly not mention that name to him again."
"Then I do not need to caution you when you return home," replied Wallmoden. "But you ought not to speak of it to Willibald, either. His good nature might play him a trick when he learns that his once great friend lives in the neighborhood. It is best for him to hear nothing of it. I shall certainly ignore thisgentlemanat a possible second meeting, and Adelaide does not know him at all. She does not even know that Falkenried had a son."
He broke off and arose, for his young wife now appeared in the door of the tower.
Prince Adelsberg renewed the acquaintance of yesterday and inquired innocently if his friend, Rojanow, had passed by here. He could not explain his absence.
A glance from Wallmoden warned his sister, who was proof this time against surprise. Wallmoden himself regretted not having seen the gentleman, and said that he was just about to leave with his wife and sister, having only awaited the former's return. The order for the carriage was given at once, to which Egon accompanied them, taking leave of them with a deep bow, but following the carriage with attentive eyes.
Hartmut stood alone at a window of the inn, also observing the departure. The same ashy paleness again overspread his face, which had gleamed there at the first mention of the name of Wallmoden; but now it was the whiteness of a wild anger which almost shocked him.
He had expected questions and reproaches, which, of course, he had intended to refute haughtily; but was met instead with a complete ignoring, which was a deadly insult to his pride. Wallmoden's harsh warning to his sister, "We do not know him--have I to remind you of that?" had wrought up his whole being. He felt the annihilation contained in it. And the woman, who had always shown him a mother's love--even Frau von Eschenhagen--had joined her brother in turning her back upon him, as upon a person one is ashamed to have once known. This was too much.
"Well, here you are!" Egon's voice came from the door. "You disappeared as if the earth had swallowed you. Has the unlucky letter-case been found?"
Rojanow turned. He was obliged to recall the pretext he had used.
"Yes, indeed," he answered absently, "it lay upon the stairs."
"Well, the guide would have found it just as well. Why did you not come back? Very polite of you to leave Frau von Wallmoden and me without ceremony. You have not even taken leave of the lady. His Excellency's highest displeasure is sure to fall upon you."
"I shall know how to bear the misfortune," said Hartmut, shrugging his shoulders.
The Prince drew near and laid his hand jestingly upon his friend's shoulder.
"So? It is probably because you fell into disgrace yesterday. It is not your usual way to run off where the entertainment of a beautiful lady is concerned. Oh, I know all about it. Her Excellency has given you a lecture over your loving tirades against Germany, and the spoiled favorite has been offended. Why, one could afford to be told the truth by such lips."
"You seem to be quite transported," sneered Hartmut. "Beware lest the husband be not jealous in spite of his years."
"It is a strange couple," said Egon musingly, as if lost in thought; "that old diplomat, with his gray hair and immovable face, and his young wife with her brilliant beauty like----"
"An aurora which rises from a sea of ice. It is only a question of which stood furthest below zero."
The young Prince laughed heartily. "Very poetical and very malicious; but you are not far wrong. I have also felt something of this polar breath touching me chillingly several times; but that is my luck. Otherwise I would fall hopelessly in love with the beautiful Excellency. But I think it is time for us to leave,nicht wahr?"
He went to the door to call the groom. Hartmut following, threw one more glance out to where, through an opening in the forest, the Ambassador's carriage was again visible, and his hands clinched involuntarily.
"We shall speak yet, Herr Wallmoden," he muttered. "I shall remain now. He shall not think that I fly from his presence. I shall allow Egon to present me at court, and exert my utmost to make my work a success. We shall see then if he dares treat me like a first-class adventurer. He shall pay for that tone and look!"
Everything at Furstenstein was in a state of preparation for the arrival of the Court. Their stay was to be of longer duration than for a short hunting expedition; they were to remain several weeks, for which time the Duchess also was expected. The upper stories of the castle, with their numerous suites of rooms, were being aired and put in order. A portion of the court officials and servants had already arrived. Extensive and festive preparations were also being made in Waldhofen, through which the Court was to pass on its way to the castle.
Wallmoden's stay, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been short, was prolonged. The Duke, who was pleased to distinguish the Ambassador in every way, had heard of his attending a family fête at Furstenstein, and had expressed a wish to find him and his wife still there. The invitation was equivalent to a command which had to be obeyed.
Frau von Eschenhagen and her son also wished to remain to look at the Court in close proximity; and the Chief Forester, who wished to distinguish himself in the probably extensive hunts, held daily conferences with the Head Forester and his subordinates, and put the whole forestry in motion.
There was much bustle already about the castle. A sound of merry chattering and clear laughter came from Fraulein von Schonan's room. Marietta Volkmar had come to her friend for an hour, and as usual there was no end to the talking and laughing.
Toni sat near the window, and Willibald, who was acting as guard at his mother's command, stood beside her.
Frau von Eschenhagen so far had not had her way about the intercourse of the two girls. Her brother-in-law had remained obstinate, and even her future daughter-in-law, usually so compliant, rendered unexpected resistance when the subject was broached.
"I cannot, dear Aunt," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so sweet and good that I cannot offend her so bitterly."
Sweet and good! Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the inexperience of the young girl, whose eyes she did not wish to open, but she felt bound to interfere, and concluded to act diplomatically this time.
Willibald, accustomed to confess everything to his mother, had narrated to a fine point the encounter with the young singer. Frau von Eschenhagen had naturally been beside herself to think that the master of Burgsdorf should have carried a satchel behind the "theatre princess!" On the other hand, she heard the description of his horror upon learning who this lady really was, and his running away, with high pleasure, and thought it exceedingly praiseworthy that he objected to the rôle of guard over the girl. Of course he disliked every touch with such a person; but since his mother found it beneath her dignity to attend these meetings, hemustprotect his bride-elect.
He was given the curt command to never leave the young ladies alone, but to report explicitly how this Marietta actually behaved herself. After the first report, which would undoubtedly be atrocious, Frau Regine would impress upon her brother-in-law's conscience the frivolous association he had allowed his child; would call upon her son as witness, and request emphatically the breaking off of the friendship.
Willibald had finally consented. He had been present when Fraulein Volkmar made her first visit to Furstenstein. He had accompanied his fiancée when she returned the call at Waldhofen, and now stood at his post to-day.
Antonie and Marietta talked about the expected arrival of the Court, and the former, who had but little taste in dress, asked her friend's advice, which was gladly given.
"What must you wear? Roses, of course," said Marietta; "white or delicate-colored ones. They will look lovely with the dainty blue."
"But I do not like roses," declared Toni. "I intended to wear asters----"
"Then why not sunflowers? Do you wish to appear autumnal in spite of everything, although you are a young girl and a bride-elect? And how can you help liking roses? I love them passionately and use them at every opportunity. I wanted so much to wear a rose in my hair at the Mayor's party to-night, and am quite unhappy because none are to be found anywhere in Waldhofen. Of course it is late in the season."
"The gardener has roses in the hothouse," remarked Antonie in the sleepy manner which was such a sharp contrast to her vivacious friend.
The latter shook her head laughingly.
"They are doubtless for the Duchess' use, and we poor mortals dare not venture to ask for one. What's the use? I must deny myself that pleasure---- But to return to the dress question. You are quite superfluous in this, Herr von Eschenhagen. You do not understand a thing about it and must be bored to death, but in spite of it you do not waver nor move; besides, what is there so remarkable about me that you look at me so constantly?"
The words sounded very ungracious. Willy started, for the last reproach was well founded. He had been meditating upon how a fresh, half-open rose would look in the dark, curly locks, and, of course, had to subject the curls and the head belonging to them to a minute observation, which his fiancée had passed unnoticed.
"Yes, Willy, go," she now said good-naturedly. "You must really feel bored over our dress affairs, and I have much to talk over yet with Marietta."
"Just as you wish, dear Toni," returned the young lord; "but may I not come back?"
"Of course, as soon as you wish."
Willibald left the room, not in the least remembering that he was deserting his post. He was thinking of something quite different as he stood for a few moments in the little ante-room. In consequence of this meditation he finally descended the stairs and turned his steps straight to the house of the castle gardener.
He had scarcely left when Marietta sprang up and exclaimed with comic vehemence: "Gracious heavens! what a tiresome couple you are!"
"But, Marietta----"
"Yes, whether you are offended or not, I declare it is a sacrifice to friendship to stand it in your presence, and I had anticipated such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You were never particularly lively, but your betrothed seems to have lost his speech entirely. How did you manage to become engaged? Did he actually speak then, or did his mamma attend to that?"
"Stop your foolishness," replied Antonie, displeased. "Willy is only so silent in your presence. He can be quite entertaining when we are alone."
"Yes, over the new threshing machine he has bought. When I came I listened a moment before I entered. He was singing the praise of the before-mentioned threshing machine, and you were listening attentively. Oh, you will reign as a model couple, but--may heaven protect me in mercy from such a marriageable blessing!"
"You are very naughty. Marietta," said the young Baroness, now really angry, but her mischievous little friend instantly clung to her neck.
"Don't be mad, Toni. I do not mean any harm, and wish you happiness with all my heart, but you see my husband has to be of a different nature."
"Ah, and how, pray?" asked Toni, half pouting, half reconciled by the coaxing plea.
"First, he has to be under my command, and not under his mother's. Second, he must be a genuine man in whose protection I feel safe. He need not talk much--I do that--but he must love me so much--so much that he will not talk about papa or mamma, or his estates, or the new threshing machine, but let them all go if only he has--me."
Toni shrugged her shoulders with compassionate superiority.
"You have very childish views at times, Marietta--but now let us talk about the dresses."
"Yes, we will, before your elect returns and posts himself at our side like a guard. He has a remarkable talent for mounting guard. Now, you wear with the blue silk----"
The pending question was not destined to receive a solution this time, either, for the door opened and Frau von Eschenhagen entered, calling for Antonie, whose presence was desired elsewhere.
Antonie arose obediently and left the room. Frau Regine made no effort to follow her, but took her vacant seat at the window instead.
The reigning mistress of Burgsdorf was not diplomatically inclined like her brother; she had to interfere everywhere with force. She had become impatient, for Willy had as good as reported nothing. He grew red and stammered every time he should have repeated what the "theatre princess" had said and done, and his mother, who would not believe in a harmless girls' chat, concluded to take the affair in her own hands.
Marietta had dutifully risen at the entrance of the older lady, whom she had scarcely seen at the first visit, and whose hostile bearing she had not observed in the joy of the first meeting. She only thought that Toni's future mother-in-law had little friendliness about her, but troubled herself no further about the severe lady who was now measuring her from head to foot, with the stern mien of a judge.
In point of fact this Marietta looked just like other young girls, but she was pretty--very pretty, which was that much worse. She wore her hair in short curls--that was improper; other bad attributes would doubtless make their appearance in the conversation which was now begun.
"You are a friend of the fiancée of my son?"
"Yes, gracious lady," was the unembarrassed rejoinder.
"A friendship which dates from childhood, as you were raised in the house of Dr. Volkmar?"
"Certainly; I lost my parents very early."
"Quite right; my brother-in-law told me so. And to what calling did your father belong?"
"He was a physician like my grandpapa," replied Marietta, more amused than surprised at this examination, the object of which she did not guess. "My mother was also the daughter of a physician--a whole medical family, is it not? Only I have taken a different course."
"Alas, yes," said Frau von Eschenhagen with emphasis.
The young girl looked at her with surprise. Was that a jest? The mien of the lady was not at all mirthful, though, as she continued: "You will admit, my child, that if one has the good fortune to come from an honorable and respected family, one ought to show oneself worthy of it. You ought to have chosen your vocation accordingly."
"Mon Dieu! but I could not study medicine like my father and grandfather," exclaimed Marietta, breaking into an amused laugh. The affair gave her endless fun, but the remark displeased her stern judge, who replied with considerable sharpness:
"There are, God be thanked, plenty of proper vocations for a young girl. You are a singer?"
"Yes, gracious lady, at the Court Theatre."
"I know it. Are you disposed to accept a dismissal?"
The question was put so suddenly, in such a domineering tone, that Marietta involuntarily retreated.
She was still of the opinion that the lord of Burgsdorf, with his obstinate silence and stormy leave-taking, was not quite sane, and now she was struck by the thought that it might be a family failing which he had inherited from his mother, for it was very apparent that everything was not quite right with her.
"A dismissal?" she repeated. "But why?"
"For the sake of morality. I am willing to offer you a helping hand. Turn aside from this path of frivolity and I pledge myself to find a place as companion for you."
Now at last the young singer comprehended the object of the conversation. Half angrily and half scornfully she tossed back the little, curly head.
"I must thank you for it, but I love my work and cannot think of exchanging it for a dependent position. I am not fit, anyway, for an upper maid."
"I have expected this answer," said Frau von Eschenhagen with a grim nod of the head, "but I consider it my duty to once more appeal to your conscience. You are still very young and are therefore not responsible to a great extent for it; the heaviest reproach falls on Doctor Volkmar, who allowed the daughter of his son to accept such a calling."
"Gracious lady, I must beg you to leave my grandfather entirely out of the question," cried Marietta indignantly. "You are Toni's future mother-in-law--otherwise I should not have stood this examination--but I will not suffer an insult to my grandfather from anybody on the earth."
In their excitement the two ladies had not noticed that the door leading to the ante-room had opened quietly, and that Willibald had appeared. He was much surprised when he saw his mother, and hastily thrust in his pocket something that he carried carefully wrapped in paper, but he remained standing in the door.
"I do not intend to argue with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen in lofty tones, "but since I am Toni's future mother-in-law, I have the right to warn her of a friendship which does not seem proper to me. Pray do not misunderstand me. I am not haughty. The granddaughter of Dr. Volkmar would be quite welcome to a continuance of friendship, but a lady from a theatre probably has all of her connections in theatrical circles, and here at Furstenstein---- I hope you understand me?"
"Oh, yes, I understand you, gracious lady," cried Marietta, whose face was suddenly suffused by a deep blush. "You do not need to say anything more. I ask but for one more word. Is Herr von Schonan--is Antonie--of the same opinion as yourself?"
"Chiefly so as to the matter of it, but, of course, they do not wish--with explanations--to----" A very graphic shrug finished the sentence.
The otherwise just and truth-loving woman did not even feel that she was plainly telling an untruth. So taken up with her idea was she that she was firmly convinced that the Chief Forester kept up the intercourse only through a spirit of spite, and Antonie through her good nature, although it must be uncomfortable to them, and she was firmly decided to bring this thing to an end.