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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16095-0.txt b/16095-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5156393 --- /dev/null +++ b/16095-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13034 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Northern Light, by E. Werner + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Northern Light + +Author: E. Werner (Pseudonym of Elisabeth Bürstenbinder) + +Release Date: June 20, 2005 [eBook #16095] +[Most recently updated: April 21, 2021] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT *** + + + + +THE NORTHERN LIGHT + +From the German of E. WERNER + +Author of "At a High Price," "His Word of Honor," etc. + +Translated by MRS. D. M. LOWREY + +1891 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field. Through +its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward +way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving +a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; +turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog. + +At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the +forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing +earnestly with each other. One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm +and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he +wore. He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and +speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature. Yet +something like a shadow lay upon the man's face, and there were, +wrinkles, on his brow which surely were not the result of age, for he +was yet in the prime of life. + +"The birds have started already on their journey to the south," said he, +after watching the flight attentively until they had finally disappeared +in the cloud of mist. "The autumn has come to nature and to our lives as +well." + +"Not to yours yet," objected his companion. "You are just in the hey-day +of life, in the full strength of your manhood." + +"True enough, as to years, but I have a feeling that age will overtake +me sooner than others. I often feel as if it were autumn with me now." + +The other man, who might have been a few years the speaker's senior, was +slender, and of middle height, and clad in civilian's dress. He shook +his head impatiently at his companion's last observation. He appeared +insignificant when compared with the strong, well-built officer near +him; but his pale, sharply cut face wore a look of cold, superior +repose, and the sarcastic expression around the thin lips, together with +his aristocratic air and bearing, suggested a hidden strength behind a +feeble exterior. + +"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reprovingly. "You have +changed strangely in the last few years. Who would recognize in you now, +the gay young officer of other days? And what's the reason of it all? +The shadow which once darkened your life has long since disappeared. You +are a soldier, heart and soul, and have repeatedly distinguished +yourself in your profession. A high position awaits you in the future, +and the thing above all others is--you have your son." + +Falkenried did not answer; he folded his arms and looked out again into +the mist, while the other continued: "The boy has grown handsome as a +god in the last few years. I was quite overcome with surprise when I +saw him again, and you yourself, told me that he was unusually gifted +and in many things showed great talent." + +"I would that Hartmut had fewer talents and more character," said +Falkenried, in an almost acrid tone. "He can make verses quick enough, +and to learn a language is child's play to him, but as soon as he tries +some earnest science, he's behind all the others, and in military +tactics I can make nothing of him at all. You cannot comprehend, +Wallmoden, what iron severity I am constantly compelled to employ." + +"I fear you accomplish little by this same severity," interrupted +Wallmoden. "You should take my advice and leave your son to his studies. +He has not the qualifications for a soldier. You must see that for +yourself by this time." + +"He shall and must acquire those qualifications. It is the only possible +career for such an intractable nature as his, which revolts at every +restraint and to which every duty is a burden. The life of a student at +the university would give him unrestrained liberty; only the iron +dicipline of the service will force him to bend." + +"The only question is, how long will you be able to force him to do your +will? You should not deceive yourself; there are inherited tendencies +which will not allow themselves to be repressed or eradicated. Hartmut, +now, is in appearance the counterpart of his mother; he has her features +and her eyes." + +"Yes," assented Falkenried gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, glowing +eyes, which cast their spell upon all who knew her." + +"And were your ruin," supplemented Wallmoden. "How often did I warn and +advise you then; but you would not listen. Your passion had seized you +like a fever and held you like chains. I declare I never have been able +to understand it." + +Falkenried's lips were drawn in with a bitter smile. + +"I can readily believe that you, the cool, calculating diplomat, you, +whose every word is weighed, are protected against all such witcheries." + +"I should at least be cautious in my choice. Your marriage carried +unhappiness on its face from the very beginning. A women of a foreign +race, with strange blood in her veins and the wild, passionate Sclave +nature, without character, without understanding of what we here call +duty and morality; and you with your rigid principles, with your +sensitive feeling of honor, it could ultimately lead to but one end. And +I believe you loved her in spite of all, until your separation." + +"No," said Falkenried, in a hard tone, "the fire burned out in the first +year; I saw that only too clearly. But I shrank back from publishing to +the world my household misery by a legal separation. So I bore it until +no choice remained, until I was forced. But enough of this." + +He turned abruptly on his heel and looked from the window again; but the +quick movement betrayed rather than concealed the torture which he with +difficulty repressed. + +"Yes, it takes a great deal to tear up a nature like yours by the +roots," said Wallmoden earnestly. "But the divorce freed you from the +unhappy bond, and why should you not bury the memory as well?" + +Falkenried shook his head and sighed heavily. "One cannot bury such +memories; they are forever rising from their supposed sepulchres, and +just now--" he broke off suddenly. + +"Just now; what do you mean?" + +"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been in Burgsdorf +since day before yesterday; how long do you expect to remain?" + +"About two weeks. I haven't much time at my disposal, and am for that +matter only nominally Willibald's guardian, for my diplomatic position +keeps me out of the country most of the time. The guardianship really +rests in the hands of my sister, who rules over everything." + +"Well, Regine is equal to the position. She governs the great estate and +the numerous servants as though she were a man." + +"And gives her orders like a cavalry officer from morning to night," put +in her brother. "Recognizing all her excellent qualities, I, +nevertheless, feel a slight creepy sensation whenever I am constrained +to visit Burgsdorf, and I always leave the place with shattered nerves. +They live in a most primitive fashion over yonder. Willibald is a +perfect young bear, and of course at the same time the apple of his +mother's eye, and she, by the way, is doing her best to bring him up as +a bluff country squire. It's useless to enter any protest, and, for the +matter of that, it seems just what the youngster's good for." + +Their conversation was interrupted at this moment by a servant, who +entered and handed his master a card. Falkenried glanced at it. +"Counsellor Egern? I am glad of that. Tell the gentleman to come in." + +"You have a business engagement I see," said Wallmoden rising. "Then +I'll not disturb you." + +"On the contrary I beg you to remain. I have had an intimation of this +visit and its purpose, and know what will be the result of our +conversation. The question is--" He did not finish, for the door opened +and the lawyer entered. He seemed surprised not to find the officer +alone, as he had fully expected, but Falkenried took no notice of his +ill-concealed astonishment. + +"Herr Counsellor Egern--Herr von Wallmoden, secretary of legation," said +the host, presenting them. The man of law bowed with cool politeness as +he took the seat offered him. + +"I have the honor of being known to you, I believe, Herr Major," he +began. "As your wife's attorney at the time the suit for divorce was in +progress, I had the opportunity of making your acquaintance." He paused +as if expecting an answer; but Major Falkenried gave no sign beyond an +affirmative nod. + +Wallmoden was all attention. He could understand now his friend's +irritation on his arrival. + +"I come to you to-day in the name of my former client," continued the +counsellor. "She has authorized me--have I your permission to speak +freely?" + +He glanced at the diplomat, but Falkenried answered shortly: "Herr von +Wallmoden is my friend, and knows all about this affair. So you may +speak freely." + +"Very well. The lady has, after an absence of many years, returned to +Germany, and naturally enough wishes to see her son. She has already +written you about the matter but has received no answer." + +"I should think that was answer enough. I do not wish any such meeting, +and I will not permit it." + +"That sounds very blunt, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried, in that case, +has--" + +"Say Frau Zalika Rojanow, if you please," interrupted the Major. "I +believe she assumed her maiden name again when she returned to her own +country." + +"The name does not signify on this occasion," responded the lawyer +composedly. "The question concerns only and alone a mother's natural +desire, which the father neither can nor dare refuse, even though, as +in this case, the son has been unconditionally adjudged to him." + +"Dare not? But suppose he does dare?" + +"In so doing he will overstep the limit of his rights. I beg you, Herr +Major, to consider the matter quietly before giving so decided a no. A +mother has rights of which no judicial decree can ever divest her, and +one of those rights is the privilege of seeing her only child again. In +this case my client has the law on her side, and she will appeal to it, +too, if my demand meets with the same refusal as did her written +request." + +"Very well, she can make the attempt. I'll run the risk. My son does not +know that his mother is living, and shall not learn it now. I will not +have him see her or speak with her, and I will know how to prevent it, +too. My no is absolute under all circumstances." + +This declaration left nothing to be wished for as regarded energy; but +Falkenried's face was deathly pale, and his voice had a hollow, menacing +sound. One could see how fearfully the interview had excited him. He was +scarcely able to preserve the semblance of outward composure. + +The attorney seemed to see the uselessness of further endeavor, and only +shrugged his shoulders. + +"If this is your last word, then my errand is at an end, and we will +determine hereafter what our next step will be. I regret having troubled +you about the matter, Herr Major." He bowed himself out with the same +cool, indifferent manner with which he had entered. As the door closed +upon him, Falkenried sprang up and began pacing excitedly up and down +the room; there were a few minutes of oppressive silence, then Wallmoden +said, half aloud: "You should not have done that. Zalika will not resign +herself readily to your no; she made a desperate struggle for her child +in the beginning." + +"But I obtained the victory. It is to be hoped she has not forgotten +that." + +"At that time the question concerned the possession of the child," +objected the secretary. "Now the mother only asks permission to see him +again, and you will not be able to refuse her that, if she demands it +peremptorily." + +The Major stopped suddenly, and his voice was full of undisguised +contempt as he answered: + +"She will not venture to do that after all that has happened. Zalika +learned to know me in the hour of our separation; she'll be cautious +about driving me to extremes a second time." + +"But perhaps she will seek to accomplish secretly what you have openly +refused." + +"That is impossible; the discipline of our institution is so severe +there could be no intercourse here of which I should not learn at once." + +Wallmoden did not seem to share his friend's confidence. He shook his +head doubtfully. + +"To speak openly, I regard it as a great mistake that you are +obstinately silent toward your son concerning his mother and the fact +that she is living. When he learns it from some other source, what then? +And sometime you must tell him." + +"Perhaps, in a couple of years, when he'll have to enter the world. Now +he's only a student, a half-grown boy, and I cannot disclose to him the +drama which was once played in his father's house--I cannot." + +"So be it. You know the woman who was once your wife, and know what to +expect from her. I fear there is nothing impossible for this woman to +accomplish." + +"Ah, I know her," said Falkenried with intense bitterness, "and because +I know her I will protect my son from her at any price. He shall not +breath the poisonous breath of her presence; no, not even for an hour. I +do not under estimate the danger from Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he is safe from her, for she will never come +near me, I give you my word for that." + +"We will hope so," answered Wallmoden, as he rose and reached out his +hand at parting. "But do not forget that the greatest danger with which +you have to contend lies in Hartmut himself; he is in every trait the +son of his mother. You are coming over to Burgsdorf with him day after +to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, he is to spend his short autumn vacation with Willibald. I shall +be able to remain a day only, but I'll surely come for that time. +Good-bye." + +The secretary left the house, and Falkenried returned once more to the +window, but he only gave a fleeting glance after his friend, who waved +him a parting greeting, then returned gloomily to his own thoughts. + +"The son of his mother." The words rang in his ears, but the thought was +not new to him; he had known it a long time, and it was this knowledge +which had furrowed his brow so deeply, and wrung from him many a deep +sigh. He was a man who could brave any outward danger; but against this +unfortunate heritage of blood in his only child he had battled with all +his energy for years, but in vain. + + * * * * * + +"Now I tell you for the last time that all this noise and confusion must +come to an end, for my patience is finally exhausted. Such goings on as +we have had for the last three days are enough to make one think that +all Burgsdorf is bewitched. That Hartmut is full of mad tricks from his +head to his feet. When he once gets loose from the reins which his +father holds tight enough, I'll admit that, there's no getting on with +him, and of course you follow after him through thick and thin, and obey +your lord and master's slightest behest. Oh, you are a fine pair." + +This philippic, which was delivered in a loud tone, came from the lips +of Frau von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, while sitting with her son and +mother at breakfast. The great dining-room lay on the ground floor of +the old mansion, and was an extremely simple room, with glass doors +leading out upon a broad stone terrace, and to the garden beyond. On the +brightly tinted walls hung a number of antlers, which bore witness to +the sporting tastes of former possessors, but these were the only +adornments of the room. + +A dozen high-backed chairs, arranged stiffly in rows like grenadiers, a +cumbrous dining-table and a couple of old-fashioned sideboards +constituted the entire furniture of the room; and one could see at a +glance that they had already done service for several generations. Such +luxuries as wall-paper, paintings or carpet could not be found here. +Evidently the occupants were contented to live on just as their +ancestors had done, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in +the district. + +The appearance of the mistress of the house was in keeping with her +surroundings She was forty years old or there abouts, with a large, +strong figure, cheeks glowing with health, and firm, solid features, +which could never have been called beautiful, but denoted great energy. +Very little escaped the sharp glance of her gray eye, her dark hair was +brushed back smoothly, her gown was of coarse texture, simply made, and +looking at her hands, you saw at once that they were made for work. + +There was nothing attractive in her appearance, and her manner and +bearing were thoroughly masculine. + +The heir and future master of Burgsdorf, who had just been reprimanded +so sharply, sat opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while +he helped himself liberally to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, +fresh-looking youth, about seventeen years old, whose appearance +indicated no great intellectual strength, but he seemed to beam with +good nature. His sun-burned face was the picture of health, but +otherwise he showed little resemblance to his mother. He lacked her +energetic expression, and the blue eyes and blonde hair were not from +her, but were an inheritance from his father. With his large, but very +awkward limbs, he looked like a young giant, and formed a striking +contrast to his more delicately formed, aristocratic looking uncle, +Wallmoden, who sat next him, and who said now with a slight _soupcon_ of +irony in his tone: "You certainly cannot hold Willibald answerable for +all these mad pranks; he certainly is a model son." + +"I would advise him not to be anything else; who lives with me must obey +orders," cried Frau von Eschenhagen, as she struck an emphatic blow upon +the table, which made her brother wince. + +"A man is bound to obey orders under your government," he answered. "At +the same time I would advise you, dear Regine, to do something more for +the intellectual development of your son. I have no doubt that under +your guidance he will become, in time, a most excellent farmer, but to +the education of a future landed proprietor, something more than that is +needed. Willibald has outgrown home instructors and should be sent away +now." + +"Sent a--?" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in unbounded +astonishment. "Sent away," she exclaimed, greatly irritated, "and in the +name of common sense, where?" + +"Well, first to the university, and later to travel, that he may learn +something of the world and of men." + +"That he may be altogether ruined by this world and these men, and no +comfort to me at all! No, Herbert, I'll never do that, and I tell you so +now, once for all. I have educated my son to be honest and fear God, and +do not think I shall turn him loose in your Sodom and Gomorrah which the +dear Lord in his forbearance has yet spared from the fire and brimstone +which it so richly deserves." + +"You only know this Sodom and Gomorrah by hearsay, Regine," interrupted +Herbert, sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever since your +marriage; you must acknowledge that yourself!" + +"I acknowledge nothing at all," declared Frau von Eschenhagen, +obstinately. "Will shall become a capable farmer; he is qualified for +that, and for that he needs no cramming at your universities. Or perhaps +you'd like to educate him in your own school, and make a diplomatist of +him? That would be too great an honor." + +She began to laugh loudly, and Will, to whom the whole conversation had +appeared very comical, joined in in the same key. Herr von Wallmoden +took no part in this sudden explosion of gaiety; he only winced again, +as though his nerves were affected, and shrugged his shoulders. + +"No, I had not thought of that. I know full well I should have my +trouble for my pains. But Willibald and I are the only representatives +of our family, and if I should not marry--" + +"Should not? You are not thinking of marrying in your old age?" +interrupted his sister, sharply. + +"I am in my forty-fifth year, dear Regine, and a man is not usually +considered old at that age," said Wallmoden, somewhat vexed. "Above all +things I consider marriages made late in life by far the happiest; one +is not influenced then by passion, as Falkenried was, to his lasting +wretchedness, but gives to reason the decisive word." + +"The saints protect us! What if Willibald should wait to marry until he +is fifty years old and gray-headed?" cried Frau von Eschenhagen, greatly +vexed. + +"As an only son and future heir he will have to consider such matters; +as for the rest, the main point will be his own inclinations. What do +you think, Willibald?" + +The young heir, who had disposed of his ham and eggs by this time, and +with undiminished appetite was now attacking the sausage, was evidently +much astonished that his opinion had been asked. Such a thing had never +happened before, and he was obliged to reflect deeply before he could +answer at all. + +At length he reached a conclusion. "Yes, of course I must marry some +time, but mamma will choose a wife for me when the right time comes." + +"She will indeed, my boy," assented his mother, warmly. "That is my +affair, so you need not trouble your head about it, and until then you +will remain here in Burgsdorf where I can have my eye upon you. As to +the university and traveling, that matter is--settled." + +She threw a defiant glance at her brother, but he was gazing with a look +of horror at the enormous sausage to which his nephew and ward was +helping himself for the second time. + +"Have you always such a large appetite, Will?" he asked. + +"Always," Will assured him complacently, as he helped himself to a +large slice of bread and butter. + +"No, we don't suffer thank God, with indigestion or any other stomach +trouble," said the mistress of the house tartly, "but we earn our bread +honestly here. First pray and work, then eat and drink, but what we do, +we do thoroughly, and that keeps body and soul together. Just look at +Will, now, and you will see that what I say is true." She gave her +brother a friendly slap on the shoulder with her last words, but this +token of her good will was so energetic that Wallmoden shrank back in +his chair, and immediately moved it sidewise to be out of the reach of +that muscular hand. + +The expression of his face showed clearly that the "creepy sensation" +was coming over him again. In the presence of these patriarchial +conditions, he thought it best to forego any attempt to enforce his +prerogative as guardian, an office, moreover, which, so far as he was +concerned, had always been purely nominal. It was plain from Will's +manner that his mother's praise was highly gratifying to the young man's +feelings. + +"And Hartmut is not here for breakfast again, this morning. He seems to +think there is no necessity for being punctual at Burgsdorf, but I will +enlighten the young gentleman when he comes and make it clear to him +that--" + +"There he is now," exclaimed Willibald. On the clear sunshine which +flooded the room through the open windows, there fell a shadow, and a +tall, slender figure appeared suddenly at the window and vaulted upon +the high sill. + +"Well, what kind of an imp are you anyway, that you can only come in +through the window?" said Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are +the doors for?" + +"For Will and all other well-ordered human beings," laughed the +new-comer good-naturedly. "I always take the nearest way, and that led +this time through the window." So saying he gave one spring from the +high seat into the middle of the room. + +Hartmut Falkenried, like the young heir of Burgsdorf, stood upon the +boundary line where boyhood and manhood meet, but it needed only a +glance to recognize that he was his friend's superior in every respect. +He wore a cadet's uniform which became him well, but yet there was +something in his whole appearance which seemed to be at war with the +military cut and fit. The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth +and beauty, yet there was something odd about this beauty, something +wild in his motions and appearance, with absolutely nothing to remind +one of the martial figure and earnest repose of his father. The +luxuriant, curly locks which crowned the high forehead, were of a deep, +blue black, and the warm, dark coloring of the skin betokened rather a +son of the south than of German parentage. Neither did the eyes, which +flashed in the youthful countenance, belong to the cool, earnest north; +they were enigmatical eyes, dark as the night, and full of hot, +passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, however, there was something +uncanny hidden in their depths, and though the laughter which +accompanied Hartmut's words was free and unrestrained, it was not a +hearty, merry boy's laugh. + +"You certainly conduct yourself in a very free and easy manner," said +Wallmoden, sharply. "You evidently take advantage of the fact that the +inmates of Burgsdorf think little of etiquette. I have no doubt, +however, that your father would protest against such an entrance into +the dining-room." + +"He would not do it if his father were here," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +who did not seem to notice the stab intended for herself in her +brother's remark. "And so you have come to your breakfast at last, +Hartmut. But laggards get nothing to eat; did you know that?" + +"Yes, I know that," replied Hartmut, quite undisturbed, "so I got my +breakfast some time ago from the housekeeper. You can't starve me, Aunt +Regine. I stand on too good a footing with your people." + +"And so you think you can do as you please and go unpunished," cried the +irate lady. "Break all the rules of the house, leave no one and nothing +in peace, and stand all Burgsdorf on its head; but I'll soon stop all +this business, my lad. To-morrow I'll send a messenger over to your +father requesting him to come and take home his son who knows neither +punctuality nor obedience." + +The threat had its effect. The youth was frightened, and thought it well +to surrender at discretion. + +"Oh, you are only jesting; shall I not enjoy my short vacation with--" + +"With all manner of folly?" Frau von Eschenhagen added for him. "Will +has not done so much mischief in all his life as you have accomplished +in the last three days, and you'll spoil him with your bad example and +lead him into all manner of misdoing." + +"Oh, Will is not the kind to be spoiled. I could not do it if I tried," +said Hartmut very warmly. + +The young heir, who certainly did not look as if he could be led into +any impropriety, ate on, untroubled by these personal allusions, until +he had finished the last slice of bread on the table; but his mother was +highly incensed at this remark. + +"That must grieve you greatly," she retorted. "It is certainly not your +fault, for you have tried hard enough to ruin him; but as I just said I +will write to your father to-morrow." + +"That he is to come and fetch me away? You won't do that Aunt Regine, +you are far too good. You know how very strict papa is, how severely he +can punish; you won't complain of me to him; you have never done it +yet." + +"Leave me alone, don't bother me with your flatteries." Frau Regine's +face was as inflexible as ever, but her voice had a certain unsteadiness +which made Hartmut feel he had won the day. He laid his arm upon her +shoulder with the freedom of a child. + +"I believe you do love me a little, Aunt Regine, and I--I have been +happy for weeks over the thought of my visit to Burgsdorf. I have been +sick with longing for woods and sea, for the green meadows and the far +blue heavens. I have been so happy here; but of course, if you really do +not want me, I'll go away from the place. I won't wait to have you send +me." + +His voice had sunk to a soft, seductive whisper, while his eyes spoke +more eloquently than his tongue. They could plead more powerfully than +the lips, and Frau von Eschenhagen, who yielded to no one, from her only +son to the lowest tenant on the estate, permitted herself to be +persuaded by them now. + +"You are incorrigible, you merry-andrew" she said, brushing the curls +from his forehead. "And as to sending you away, you know only too well +that Will and all my people are always ready to make fools of themselves +for you, and I, too, for that matter." + +Hartmut laughed aloud at the last words, and kissed her hand with +impetuous gratitude, then he turned to his friend, who, having finally +ended his meal, was looking on in silent wonderment. + +"Have you finished your breakfast at last, Will? Come, we'll go to the +Burgsdorf fishing pond--don't be so vexatiously slow. Good-bye, Aunt +Regine, I can see Uncle Wallmoden does not approve of your having +pardoned me. Hurrah, now we're off for the woods." And away he rushed +over the terrace and across the garden. There was something attractive +in his exuberance and enthusiasm. The lad was all life and fire. Will +trotted after him like a young deer, and in a few moments the two +disappeared behind the trees. + +"He comes and goes like a wind storm," said Frau von Eschenhagen, gazing +after them. "That boy is not to be restrained once the reins are +slackened." + +"A dangerous youth," said Wallmoden. "He even understands how to manage +you, who usually have all your commands obeyed. It is, within my +knowledge, the first time you have ever forgiven disobedience and lack +of punctuality." + +"Yes, Hartmut has something about him which bewitches one," exclaimed +Regine, half angry at her own irresolution. "If he did not look at me +with those big black eyes of his while he begged and flattered, I might +be able to resist him. You are right, he is a dangerous lad." + +"Well, we've had enough of Hartmut for this morning. The question which +interests me concerns the education of your own son. You have really +decided--" + +"To keep him here. Don't bother yourself about him, Herbert; you may be +a great diplomatist, and have the politics of the whole country in your +pocket, but I wont give my boy into your keeping; he belongs to me +alone, and I intend to keep him, and--that's enough." + +A sounding blow on the table accompanied the "that's enough." Then the +ruling lady of Burgsdorf rose from her chair and left the room. Her +brother shrugged his shoulders and said half aloud: "He can grow up an +ignorant country squire for all of me--perhaps it's the best thing for +him after all." + +Hartmut and Willibald had, in the meantime, reached the tolerably +extensive forest which belonged to the estate. The Burgsdorf fish pond, +a lonely, reedy sheet of water in the middle of the wood, lay glittering +in the sun in the still morning hours. Willibald had chosen for himself +a shady place upon the bank, and gave himself up, with as much +perseverance as comfort, to the delights of angling, while the impatient +Hartmut wandered here and there, now scaring a bird, now breaking off a +branch for the blossoms, and at last, after a series of gymnastic +performances, seating himself on the trunk of an old tree which lay half +in the water. "Can you never be quiet in any place? You frighten the +fish away every time," exclaimed Will, out of humor. "I've caught +nothing at all to-day!" + +"How can you sit for hours on the one spot waiting for the stupid fish +to bite?" retorted Hartmut. "Ah, you can spend the whole long year in +the woods if you desire, you are free, free." + +"Are you a prisoner, then?" asked his friend. "You and your comrades are +out daily, are you not?" + +"But never alone, never without supervision and control. We are always +and eternally in the service, even in recreation hours. O how I hate it, +this service, and the whole slavish life." + +"But Hartmut, what if your father heard you?" + +"Oh, then he would punish me again as he always does. He has nothing +else for me but force and punishment, all for my own good--that goes +without saying." + +He threw himself full length on the grass, but hard as the words +sounded, there was a tremor in his tone which told of pain and passion. +The young heir only shook his head soberly while he put a new bait on +his hook and for a few minutes there was perfect silence. + +Then suddenly something black swooped down like a flash of lightning +from the height above them into the water, and a second later rose again +in the air with the slippery, glittering prey in its beak. + +"Bravo, that was a good catch!" cried Hartmut, rising. But Will spoke +angrily. + +"The wretched robber robs our whole pond. I will speak to the forester +and tell him to fill him full of lead." + +"A robber?" repeated Hartmut, as his glance followed the heron who was +just disappearing behind the high tree tops. "Yes, of course, but how +fine it must be to live such a free robber's life up there in the air. +To descend like a flash for your booty and be up and off again where no +one can follow; that's a hunt that pays." + +"Hartmut, I verily believe you'd take pleasure in such a wild, lawless +life," said Willibald, with the repugnance of a well-trained boy for +such sentiments. + +His companion laughed, but it was the same bitter laugh without the +joyousness of youth in its sound. + +"Well, if I had any such desire, they'd take it out of me at the +military academy. There obedience and discipline is the Alpha and Omega +of all things. Will, have you never wished that you had wings?" + +"I, wings?" asked Will, whose whole attention was again directed to his +bait. "How ridiculous! Who would wish for impossibilities?" + +"I only wish I had them," cried Hartmut excitedly. "I would I were one +of the falcons from whom we take our name. Then I would mount higher and +always higher in the blue sky towards the sun, and never come back +again." + +"I believe you're crazy," answered his listener good-naturedly. "Well, I +wont catch anything, if I sit here all day, for the fish wont bite. I +must move to another place." + +With that he gathered up his fishing tackle and crossed to the other +side of the pond, while Hartmut threw himself on the ground again. + +It was one of those autumn days which during the midday hours recall +thoughts of early spring. The sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, +the woods so fresh and odorous. Upon the glistening little lake danced +thousands of shining sparks, and the long grass whispered softly and +mysteriously to itself whenever a breath of wind passed over it. + +Hartmut lay stretched out motionless on the grass as if listening to the +secrets it told to the autumnal wind. The wild passion and excitement +which flashed from his eyes when he spoke of the bird of prey had all +vanished. Now the eyes which looked into the heavens above were sad and +dreamy, and there rested in them an expression of ardent longing. + +A light step, almost unheard on the soft ground, approached, and the low +bushes rustled as if against a silk garment. Then they parted and a +woman's figure appeared and stood looking intently at the young dreamer. + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy started and sprang up instantly. He knew neither the voice nor +the apparition which stood before him, but saw it was a lady, and he +made her one of his courtly bows. + +"Pardon, Madame--" + +A slender, trembling hand was laid quickly and restrainingly on his arm. + +"Be quiet, not so loud; your companion might hear us, and I want to +speak to you, and to you alone, Hartmut." + +She stepped back again into the thicket and motioned him to follow. +Hartmut hesitated a moment. How came this heavily-veiled and +richly-attired stranger into the lonely wood, and why did she speak so +familiarly to him whom she had never seen before? But the mysteriousness +of her behavior beginning to charm him, he followed. + +She stood now in the shadow of the low trees, where she could not be +seen from the lake, and slowly threw back her veil. She was not very +young, a woman of more than thirty, but her face with its great burning +eyes, possessed an indefinable witchery, and a certain charm lay in her +voice, which, though she talked in whispers, had a soft, deep tone, and +an odd intonation, as though the German which she spoke so fluently was +not her mother tongue. + +"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not know me any more? Does no memory +of your childhood come back to you, to tell you who I am?" + +The young man shook his head slowly, and yet some dreamy and obscure +memory did come to his recollection, of having heard this voice before, +and of this face which had looked into his at some far distant period. +Half shy, half fascinated, he stood looking at this stranger, who +suddenly threw her arms around him. + +"My son, my only child! Do you not know your own mother?" + +"My mother is dead," he answered, half aloud. + +The stranger laughed bitterly, shrilly, and her laugh seemed but an echo +of the hard, joyless sounds which had come from Hartmut's lips a few +moments since. + +"So that's how it is. They would even say I was dead and not leave you +the memory of a mother. It is not true, Hartmut. I live, I stand before +you; look at me, look at my features, are they not your very own? That +at least they could not take from you. Child of my heart, do you not +feel that you belong to me?" + +Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into that face in which his own +was so faithfully mirrored. He saw the same lines, the same luxuriant, +blue-black hair, the same dark, flashing eyes; and the same demoniacal +expression which was a flame in the eye of the mother, was a spark in +the eye of the son. Their close resemblance to one another was witness +enough that they were of one blood. The young man felt the influence of +the mysterious tie. + +He demanded no explanation, no proof; the dreamy, confused recollections +of his childhood were suddenly clear, and after a second's hesitation he +threw himself into the arms which were stretched out to him. + +"Mother!" + +In this cry lay the whole fervid intensity of the boy, who had never +known what it was to have a mother, and who had longed for one with all +the passion of his nature. His mother! And now he lay in her arms, now +she covered him with warm kisses, and called him by sweet, tender names, +which had been strangers to his ear until that moment--everything else +seemed forgotten by him in this flood of stormy ecstasy. + +After a few minutes Hartmut loosed himself from the arms which still +enfolded him. + +"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why have +I always been told that you were dead?" + +Zalika stepped back, and in an instant all tenderness had died out of +her eyes, and in its place was a wild, deadly hate, as the answer came +like a hiss from between her set lips. + +"Because your father hates me, my son--and because he wishes to deny me +the love of my only child since he thrust me from him." + +Hartmut was silent. He knew well enough that the name of his mother +dare not be mentioned in his father's presence, and that he had been +sharply reproved once for doing so, but he had been too much a child at +the time to ask "why." Zalika gave him no time to do so now. She brushed +the thick locks back from his brow and a shadow crossed her face. + +"You get your forehead from him," she said slowly. "But that is the only +thing that reminds me of him, all the rest belongs to me and me alone. +Every feature tells that you are mine--I always knew that." + +She suddenly clasped him in her arms again with unspeakable tenderness, +and Hartmut returned the embrace with ardor. It seemed to him like the +fairy tales which he had so often dreamed, and he gave himself up +unresistingly to the spell of happiness which some wonderful magic had +cast over him. + +Just at that moment, Will called loudly to his friend from the opposite +shore to come on, that it was time to go home. Zalika spoke at once. + +"We must part now. Nobody must learn that I have seen and spoken with +you; above all things your father must not know it. When do you return +to him?" + +"In eight days." + +"Not for eight days?" The words sounded almost triumphant. + +"Until then I can see you daily. Be here by the pond to-morrow at this +same hour; make some pretext for leaving your friend behind, so that we +may be undisturbed. You will come, Hartmut?" + +"Certainly, mother, but--" + +She gave him no time for any objection, but continued in a passionate +whisper: + +"Above all things maintain absolute silence toward every one. Do not +forget that. Good-bye, my child, my own dear son, good-bye." + +Another kiss and she had retreated in the woods as noiselessly as she +had come. It was high time, for Willibald appeared at this moment, +though not noiselessly by any means, for he broke the twigs with many a +crackle as he stepped heavily on them. + +"Why didn't you answer me?" he asked. "I called you three times. You +have been asleep; you look as if you were dreaming." + +Hartmut did have a dazed look as he stood gazing at the trees behind +which his mother had disappeared. Now he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his forehead. + +"Yes, I have been dreaming. A very strange, marvelous dream," he said +slowly. + +"You had better have been fishing," returned Will. "See what a fine +catch I have made. A man should never dream in daylight--that's the time +to be at something serious--mother says." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The Falkenried and Wallmoden families had been on friendly terms for +years. Living upon adjoining estates, their intercourse was frequent, +and their children grew up together, while many common interests united +the bonds of friendship still more closely. Neither of the families were +wealthy, and the sons, after completing their education, always had to +make their own way in the world, and this in their turn Major Hartmut +von Falkenried and Herbert von Wallmoden had done. + +They had played together in their youth, and as men had remained true to +their boyhood's friendship. At one time it looked as if they would be +more closely allied, for their parents had planned a marriage between +Lieutenant Falkenried, as he was then, and Regine Wallmoden. The young +couple seemed to understand one another fully, and everything stood on +the happiest footing, when an event occurred which put an abrupt +termination to all their plans. + +A cousin of the Wallmoden family, an incorrigible idler and spendthrift, +who had made his longer residence at home an impossibility by his wild +conduct, had gone out into the world years before, and after much +wandering, and an adventurous career, had finally turned his steps in +the direction of Roumania, where he obtained the management of a wealthy +Bojar's estate. After the Bojar's death he succeeded in winning the +widow's hand, and once more regained the position among the nobility +which he had lost earlier in life, through his own folly. And now, after +an absence of more than ten years, he returned with his wife to make a +long visit to his kinsfolk. + +Frau von Wallmoden was by no means a youthful bride. She had long since +reached maturity, but she was accompanied by her daughter by her first +marriage, Zalika Rojanow; and this young Sclave, scarcely seventeen +years old, turned the heads of the simple country gentry, who after all +had seen but little of the world, by her grace and strange beauty, and +the fascination of her warm southern temperament. She was a strange +enough figure in this little circle, whose forms and customs she set +aside with such sovereign indifference. But there was many an earnest +shake of the head, many a word of blame, which was not outspoken, +because they only considered the girl a fleeting guest; she would vanish +again as suddenly as she had appeared on their little horizon. + +Then Hartmut Falkenried came home from his garrison on leave, and met +the new family in the house of his friends. He saw Zalika, and his +life's destiny was sealed. It was a sudden and blinding passion, for +which one too often pays with the peace of a whole life. + +He forgot the wishes of his parents, their plans for his future, and his +quiet, warm attachment for his youth's playfellow, Regine. He had eyes +no longer for the simple woodland flower, which yet bloomed young and +fresh for him; but, inhaling the fragrance of the strange and beautiful +exotic, all else sank into insignificance. In an unguarded hour he threw +himself at her feet, and told her of his love. + +Strangely enough, Zalika returned his affection. Perhaps it was +according to the old adage of extremes meeting, for this man was, in +every particular, her opposite; perhaps it flattered her to see that a +word, a glance from her, could so powerfully effect this earnest, quiet +officer, who, even then, had a touch of melancholy in his disposition. +Enough, she accepted him, and with joy he clasped his affianced bride in +his arms. + +The news of their betrothal aroused a storm in the family circle. From +all sides came objections and warnings. Zalika's mother and step-father +were sorely opposed to it, but resistance only increased the ardor of +the young lovers. The engagement, in spite of kinsfolk, was soon an +established fact, and six months later Falkenried took his young bride +to his own house. + +But the voices which had foretold unhappiness from this marriage were +prophetic. + +It was not long before the brief intoxication of joy was followed by +bitter disenchantment. It had been a fatal error to believe a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, who had grown up in the unrestrained freedom of a +disorderly, extravagant Bojar family, could accommodate herself to the +rules and restrictions of a settled German household. + +The only life she had ever known, and the only life which suited her +temper, was one of excitement and outward splendor. A house full of +guests, horses, cards, hunting, racing, and the utmost liberty of +conversation with the men of her acquaintance; this was the life she had +led in her Roumanian home. + +She had no notion of duty and no understanding for the obligations and +requirements of her new position. And this was the wife who must adapt +herself to the narrow life of a little German garrison town, and direct +the household of a young officer with but limited means at his command. +That it was impossible for her to do so, was shown within the first few +weeks. Zalika began at once; regardless of all prudent considerations, +to order her house after the same fashion as her father's, and +squandered her large marriage portion right and left. + +In vain her husband pleaded with and admonished her; she paid no heed to +him. She had nothing but jeers for forms and ceremonies which were +sacred to him, only a shrug of the shoulders for his strict ideas of +honor and propriety. Soon there were violent quarrels, and Falkenried +recognized, too late, what his precipitancy had done for him. + +He had had great faith in the power of love, notwithstanding all the +warnings he had received about Zalika's foreign birth, and the seal +which her erratic education had stamped upon her character. But he had +now to learn that she had never loved him; that it was the whim of the +hour, or, more probably, the fleeting passion of a moment, which had +made her throw herself into his arms. And she saw in him only an +uncomfortable companion, who spoiled all her pleasure in life with his +foolish pendantries and his laughable notions of honor with which he +wished to bind her hand and foot. But with it all, she feared this man, +who, in his energy and force, was striving to bend her characterless +nature to his will. + +The birth of little Hartmut did nothing to relieve the strain of this +unhappy marriage, but it was a tie which, outwardly at least, still +bound them together. Zalika loved her child passionately, and she knew +her husband well enough to recognize fully, that if it ever came to a +separation between them, he would demand the boy. That thought alone +kept her by his side, while Falkenried suffered intensely, hid his +misery in his own breast, and gave a brave front to the world. + +But, in spite of all, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which +the husband had never dreamed, and was only silent out of compassion for +him. But at last there came a day when his eyes were opened, and what +had been so long an open secret to all his little world excepting +himself, was known to him. + +The immediate consequence of this knowledge was a duel, in which +Falkenried's antagonist fell. + +Falkenried was sentenced to a long imprisonment, but very soon released, +for every one recognized that he had only fought to vindicate his +wounded honor. + +In the meantime the suit for divorce had been begun, and a decree +obtained; Zalika made no contest, nor did she venture to approach her +husband again. + +Since the last terrible hour when he had called her to account, she +trembled at the thought of him. She made desperate efforts however to +secure possession of her son, but all in vain. + +Hartmut was given to the father unconditionally, and Falkenried barred +the mother's every effort with iron inexorableness. Zalika made many +attempts to see her son once more, but to no purpose, and fully +convinced at last, that she could accomplish nothing, she returned to +her own country and her mother's house. + +For years her husband had heard nothing from her, until now when she +suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in the neighborhood of the German +capital, where Major von Falkenried had assumed control of a large +military school. + +It was the eighth day since Hartmut's arrival at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room, and opposite her sat the Major, who +had arrived but fifteen minutes before. + +Her conversation must have been as disagreeable as it was earnest, for +Falkenried listened with a face which grew darker at every word, as she +went on with her account. + +"Hartmut seemed to me greatly altered after the third or fourth day he +was here. The first few days nothing could check his overflow of +spirits, and indeed one morning I had to threaten to send him home. But, +all of a sudden, he became silent and quite downcast. He attempted no +more of his mad pranks, spent hours by himself in wandering through our +woods, and when he returned from his solitary rambles, just sat and +dreamed with open eyes, so that we often had to arouse him as if from a +sound slumber. 'He's beginning to think of the future,' Herbert said, +but I said: 'There's something more than that wrong; there's something +back of all this.' So I took Will to task and questioned him closely; he +astonished me with what I extorted from him. He was in the conspiracy. +He had surprised the mother and the son one day at their tryst, and +Hartmut had pledged him to secrecy, and my boy had really kept silence +towards me, me, his own mother! He finally confessed the little he knew, +after I had talked to him seriously. Well, it won't happen a second +time. I'll look after my Will more sharply for the future." + +"And Hartmut, what does he say?" interrupted the father hastily. + +"Nothing at all, for I haven't spoken a syllable to him on the subject. +He would probably have asked why he had never been allowed to see, or +speak to his mother, and that question can only be answered--by his +father." + +"He has heard it all from the other side, by this time," answered the +father bitterly. "Though, of course, he has not heard the truth." + +"That is what I feared, so I didn't lose a moment in communicating with +you after I discovered the thing. And what will you do?" + +"I'll have to think that over," responded the Major with enforced quiet. +"I thank you, Regine. I suspected mischief when your letter came urging +me to come over at once. Herbert was right, I should not have allowed +Hartmut to leave my side for an hour, under any circumstances. But I +believed him to be so safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +was so rejoiced at the thought of spending his little vacation here, had +so set his heart upon it, that I had not the strength to refuse +him;--and then he is seldom happy except when away from me." + +A hidden pain lay in the last words, but his listener only shrugged his +shoulders. + +"That's not altogether the boy's fault," she answered, outspokenly. "I +keep my Will under pretty sharp discipline, but he knows well enough, in +spite of all that, that he lives in his mother's heart. Hartmut has +never learned as much of his father; he only knows his severe, +unapproachable side. If he imagined that you almost adored--"' + +"He would at once misuse the knowledge and leave me weaponless with his +flattery and caresses. He'd rule over me as he does over every one else +who comes near him. His comrades follow him blindly, and are as often +punished as he for his misdoings. He has your Willibald completely under +his control, and his teachers treat him with especial indulgence. I am +the only one whom he fears, and, as a natural consequence, the only one +whom he respects." + +"And you believe fear to be the only weapon to use against him? just +now, too, when his mother is, without doubt, overwhelming him with +lavish caresses? Do not turn away, old friend, you know I have never +mentioned that name before you, but now that it is brought unavoidably +to the front again I must speak plainly. I must admit we could expect +nothing less from Frau Zalika, than that she would appear again. Nothing +would have been gained even if you had not allowed him to leave your +side, for you could not guard a lad of seventeen like a little child. +The mother would have found some way to see her child, and that is her +right--I should do the same." + +"Her right?" interrupted the Major violently. "And you say that to me, +Regine?" + +"I say it, because I know what it is to have an only son. It was right +for you to take your child, for such a mother was not fit to educate +him; but that you should refuse to let her see her son again, after an +absence of twelve years, is a hardness and cruelty which can only be +prompted by hate. No matter how great her guilt may have been--the +punishment is too hard." + +Falkenried looked gloomily on the ground; he knew there was truth in her +words; at last he said slowly: + +"I should never have believed you would espouse Zalika's cause. Once I +injured you deeply for her sake. I tore asunder a bond--" + +"Which never had been united," broke in Frau von Eschenhagen, anxious to +avoid the subject. "It was only a plan of our parents, nothing more." + +"But the thought was a familiar and cherished one in our childhood's +years. Do not seek to shield me, Regine, I know only too well how I +treated you then--and myself too." + +Regine looked straight at him with her clear, gray eyes, but there was +something like moisture in them as she answered: + +"Well, well, Hartmut, it's all over now, so many years that I do not +hesitate to admit that I would have had you then, willingly enough, and +perhaps you would have been able to make something more out of me than I +have become. I was always a headstrong creature, you know, and not +easily ruled, but I should have obeyed you, perhaps you alone, of all +the world. But when Willibald Eschenhagen led me to the altar three +months after your own marriage, the situation was reversed, and I took +the reins in my own hands and began to govern, and have had plenty of +practice since then. But let's not talk of that time so long gone by. I +never have borne any grudge against you, you know that; we have always +been friends in spite of everything, and if you want my assistance or +advice now--here I am." + +She held out her hand and he placed his own in it. + +"I know it, Regine, but in this matter I can only help and advise +myself. If you will send Hartmut to me now, I'll speak with him." + +Frau von Eschenhagen arose at once to fulfil his wish, but as she left +the room she murmured half aloud: + +"If it be not already too late. She blinded the father and made him +almost insane once; she has surely done as much for the son by this +time." + +In about ten minutes Hartmut entered; he closed the door behind him, but +remained standing near it. Falkenried turned to him. "Come near, +Hartmut, I wish to speak with you." + +His son obeyed, but reluctantly. He knew already that Willibald had +confessed, and that Regine had summoned his father at once, but, united +to the shyness with which he always approached his father, there was +to-day an obvious defiance, which did not escape the Major. He gave his +handsome young son a long, gloomy look. + +"My sudden arrival does not appear to surprise you. Perhaps you know why +I am come!" + +"Yes father, I imagine why!" + +"That is well; then we need waste no time with explanatory words. You +have learned that your mother still lives, she has seen you and spoken +with you. I know that already. When did you see her first?" + +"Five days ago." + +"And have you seen her daily since then?" + +"Yes, at the Burgsdorf fish pond?" + +Questions and answers were alike short and precise. Hartmut was +accustomed to the abrupt, military manner of his father, for in all his +intercourse with him, no superfluous word, no hesitancy or evasion of an +answer, was permitted. + +To-day Falkenried was especially abrupt, in order that he might conceal +his intense excitement from his son's unpracticed eye. But Hartmut saw +only the earnest, unmoved countenance, and heard only the cold, severe +accents as his father continued: + +"I have nothing for which to reprove you, for in this matter I have +given you no commands and no word has ever been spoken on the subject +between us. But now I am forced to break the silence. You have always +believed your mother dead, and I have tacitly encouraged this belief, +for I have wished to protect you from recollections which poisoned my +life. Your youth at least should be free, I said. But I have not been +able to carry out that plan, I see, so now you must learn the truth." + +The father paused a moment. To a man of his sensitive feelings it was +torture to discuss this subject with his son, but there was no option +now, he must speak farther. + +"When I was a young man I loved your mother devotedly, and married her +against the wishes of my parents, who saw only unhappiness for me in a +union with a woman from a foreign land. They were right, the marriage +was a most unhappy one, and was finally dissolved by my desire. My son +was awarded to me unconditionally, for it was my absolute right. More I +will not tell you, for I cannot denounce a mother to her own son, so let +that be enough for you." + +Short and bitter as this declaration was, it made a singular impression +upon Hartmut. His father would not denounce his mother to him, to him, +who heard daily the bitterest accusations and invectives against his +father from her lips. + +Zalika had, as might be supposed, cast all the blame of the separation +upon her husband and his countless tyrannies, and her son, who had +suffered so much from his father's austerity, gave a willing ear to all +her tirades. And yet these few short, earnest words had more effect than +all Zalika's passionate outbreaks. Hartmut felt instinctively on which +side the truth lay. + +"And now, to the main point," Falkenried went on. "What was the tenor of +your daily interviews?" + +Perhaps Hartmut had not expected this question; a deep red overspread +his face, he was silent and cast his eyes on the ground. + +"Ah, you do not care to repeat it. I desire to know it. I command you +to answer me!" + +But Hartmut was still silent; he only pressed his lips closer together, +and looked defiantly at his father, who had come close to him now. + +"You will not speak? Perhaps a command from the other side keeps you +silent? No matter, your silence tells me more than any words. I see how +much you are estranged from me already; a little longer with such +influences, and you would be lost to me forever. These meetings with +your mother are now at an end. I forbid you to see her again. You will +go home with me to-day and remain under my protection. Whether that +appears cruel to you or not, it must be, and you must obey." + +But the Major erred when he believed his son would, as formerly, bow to +his stern decree. Hartmut had been for the past few days in a school +where all the antagonism of his nature had been aroused against his +father. + +"Father, you cannot, you dare not order me thus," he cried out now in +great excitement. "It is my own mother whom I have found at last, the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I will not be separated from +her again as I once was. I will not be forced to hate her; threaten, +punish me, do what you will with me, but I will not obey this time, I +will not obey!" + +All the ungovernable passion of his nature broke out in these words; an +unearthly fire gleamed in his eyes, and his hands were clenched; every +fiber quivered in wild revolt; he was resolved to fight out this battle +with his father to the bitter end. + +But the burst of anger which he expected did not come. Falkenried looked +silently at him, but with a glance of earnest, sad reproof. + +"The only one in the whole world who loves you," he repeated slowly. +"You seem to forget that you have a father." + +"Who has never loved me," cried Hartmut with excessive bitterness. +"Since I have found my mother, I have learned for the first time what +love is." + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy seemed almost staggered by this strange tone, vibrating with +pain, which he had never heard in all his life before, and the defiance +which was about to break forth anew, died on his lips. + +"Because I have had no flattering words and caresses for you, because I +have been strict and severe in my training, have you doubted my love?" +said Falkenried, even in that same strange tone. "Do you know what that +severity has cost me against my only, my dearly loved child?" + +"Father!" The word had a shy, hesitating sound, but it was not the old +shyness and fear; there lay in it a joyful, almost incredulous +astonishment, and Hartmut gazed on his father's face as if he could +never take his eyes from it. Falkenried put his hand on his son's arm +and drew him nearer, while he continued: + +"Once I was ambitious, had proud hopes of life, great plans and +projects, but I received a blow from which I could never recover. If I +strive and struggle now, Hartmut, the only spur I have in life, besides +my sense of duty, is you, my son. All my ambitions are centered in you. +I strive for nought else on earth but to make your future great and +happy; and you can become great my boy, for your talents are unusual, +and your mind is as capable for good as for evil. But there is +something more, there are dangerous elements in your nature which are +less your fault than your fate, and which must be curbed in time, before +they obtain a mastery over you, and plunge you into misery. I have been +severe with you in order to expel the germs, but it has not been easy +for me." + +The youth's countenance was in a glow, he hung with bated breath upon +his father's every word, and now he said in a whisper, behind which he +could scarcely conceal his joy: + +"I never dared to think you loved me, you were always so inflexible, so +unapproachable--" he broke off and looked up at his father, who put his +arm around him and drew him closer to himself. Their eyes met in a long, +tender gaze, and the iron man's voice broke as he said softly: + +"You are my only child, Hartmut, all that remains to me of a dream of +happiness which vanished, leaving only bitterness and disenchantment in +its wake. I lost much and bore it;--but if I were to lose you, you,--I +could not bear it." + +He held his son close in his arms, and the boy threw himself sobbing on +his breast, and in this passionate embrace all else seemed to sink from +view. They had both forgotten the threatening shadow from the past which +was forcing itself between them. + +In the meantime Frau von Eschenhagen was harangueing Will in the +dining-room. She had already performed that duty once this morning, but +she thought the occasion required a second portion. The young heir +looked sorely disturbed, he felt himself in a false position both as +regarded his mother and his friend, and yet he was quite innocent in the +matter. As a dutiful son he listened patiently to the tirade, and only +threw a wistful glance now and then toward the table upon which the +evening meal was already spread, and of which his mother took not the +slightest notice. + +"This is what comes of it, when a boy has secrets behind his parents' +back," she said in conclusion. "Hartmut will be well watched now, and +the Major won't deal any too gently with him, either, and you, I think, +will refrain from assisting in any more plots, if I have anything to +say." + +"I had nothing to do with it," said Will, defending himself. "I only +promised to be silent, and I had to keep my word." + +"You should never keep silence toward your mother. She is always and +ever an exception," said Frau Regine, decidedly. + +"Yes, mamma, that was probably what Hartmut thought; that's how he acted +toward his mother," said Willibald, and the remark was so just that +nothing could be said in contradiction; it provoked Frau von +Jischenhagen none the less, on that account. + +"That's something different, something quite different," she answered +shortly. But her son asked obstinately: + +"Why is it something different here, then?" + +"Do not bother me any more with your talk and your questions," his +mother went on angrily. "That is a thing which you do not understand, +and about which you have no business to trouble your head. It's bad +enough that Hartmut has brought you into the affair at all. Now be +quiet, and don't trouble me any more about it. Do you understand?" + +Will was silent as requested. It was the first time in his life that he +had been catechised so sharply and had received so severe a lecture. At +this moment his uncle Wallmoden, just back from a walk, entered the +room. + +"I hear Falkenried has come already?" he said to his sister. + +"Yes," she answered. "He came immediately upon receipt of my letter." + +"And how did he take the news?" + +"Quietly enough, outwardly; but I saw only too well that he was moved +to his very soul. He is alone with Hartmut now, and the pent-up storm +will burst." + +"How unfortunate. But I warned him of all this as soon as I heard of +Zalika's return. He should have spoken to his son at once. Now I fear he +is adding a second blunder to the first in seeking, with commands and +force, to prevent further meetings. That fatal stubbornness of his, +which knows no alternative, is terribly out of place now." + +"Yes, and their talk has lasted a long time already. I'll just go and +see how they're getting on, and whether the Major is too severe or not. +You remain here, Herbert. I'll be back immediately." + +She left the room, and while Wallmoden paced the floor dejectedly, his +nephew sat alone at the supper-table, which no one but himself seemed to +notice. He did not venture to eat his supper, for his mother was in +anything but a pleasant humor to-day, and he felt no liberties were to +be taken. Fortunately she came back in a short time with a gleam of +bright sunshine across her face. + +"It's all right," she said shortly and concisely. "He has the boy in his +arms and Hartmut is clinging to him. They can do as they please now. God +be praised! Now you can eat your supper, Will; the confusion that the +house has been in all day is over at last." + +Will didn't wait to be told twice, but began his meal at the word. +Wallmoden shook his head and said half aloud: + +"If it only really is over at last!" + +Neither Falkenried nor his son perceived that the door had been softly +opened and closed again. + +Hartmut still clung to his father. He seemed to have lost all shyness +and reserve in his newly found happiness. He was so tender, so +caressing, that perhaps the Major was not far wrong in saying he would +be left defenseless when his son learned of his great love for him. He +said little; but pressed his lips again and again to his boy's forehead, +and his eyes never left his son's glowing face, which was so near his +own. At last Hartmut said softly: + +"And my mother?" + +A shadow darkened Falkenried's face, but he did not unclasp the arms +which held his son. + +"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she learns that she must keep +aloof from you," he said, this time without harshness, but most +decisively. "You may write her that I will allow you to correspond with +her under certain conditions, but I cannot nor dare not allow any +personal intercourse." + +"Father, consider--" + +"I cannot, Hartmut, it is impossible!" + +"Do you hate her so much, then?" asked the boy reprovingly. "It was you +that sought the divorce, not my mother; she told me so herself." + +Falkenried's lips trembled, and bitter words were on them; he felt like +telling his son, once for all, that his honor had demanded the +separation; but he looked in his child's dark, questioning eyes, and the +words died on his lips. He could not betray the mother to her son. + +"Let that question rest," he said gloomily. "Perhaps later, you may +learn to appreciate my reasons. Now I cannot spare you the bitter +alternative; you can only belong to one of us, and must shun the other; +you must accept that as your fate." + +Hartmut bowed his head; he felt that nothing more was to be said. That +all meetings with his mother must cease when he was again under the +rigid discipline of the institute, he knew full well; now he was at +least permitted to write to her, which was more than he had ventured to +hope. + +"Well, I will tell my mother," he said, dejectedly. "Now that you know +all, you will not oppose my seeing her again?" + +The Major was startled; he had not thought of such a possibility. + +"When were you to see her again?" he asked. + +"To-day, at this hour, at the lake in the wood. She is already waiting +for me there." + +Falkenried had a fierce battle with himself; a voice within him warned +him not to permit this meeting, but he felt that it would seem cruel for +him to refuse. + +"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked at last. + +"Certainly father, or sooner, if you desire it." + +"Well, go," said the Major with a deep sigh. It was only his sense of +justice which forced the permission from his lips. "As soon as you come +back, we will go home. It is nearly the end of your vacation anyway." + +Hartmut, who was on the point of starting, turned back suddenly. The +words brought forcibly to his mind, what he had forgotten in the last +hour, the compulsion and severity of the hated regimen he would again +have to endure. He had never ventured openly to avow his aversion for +the army, but this hour, which took from him all shyness towards his +father, also removed the seal from his lips. After a moment's hesitation +he returned to his father, and putting his arm around his neck, said: + +"I have a request, a most earnest request to make of you, which I know +you will grant, as a proof of your love for me." + +The Major's brows contracted as he asked, reprovingly: + +"Do you need any proof? Well, let's hear it." + +Hartmut clung still closer to him and his voice assumed its sweetest +and most flattering tones, and the dark eyes were almost irresistible in +their look of entreaty, as he said beseechingly: + +"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not like the profession +you have chosen for me, and I shall never learn to like it. If I have +until now, bowed to your will, it has been with repugnance and secret +hatred, for I have been wretchedly unhappy; but I have never dared until +now, to tell you of it." + +The frown on Falkenried's brow deepened, and he unfolded his son's arms +from his neck. + +"In other words you will not obey," he said in a bitter tone, "and for +you obedience is more necessary than anything else." + +"I cannot endure force and compulsion," Hartmut broke out passionately. +"And the service is nothing else but force and slavery. Always and +eternally, obedience; never to have your own way, but ever, day after +day, to bow to an iron discipline. Always the same still, cold forms, +with your own feelings never allowed to come to the surface--I cannot +bear it longer! Everything within me strives for freedom, for light and +life. Let me leave it, father; do not confine me longer in such chains. +I shall die, I shall suffocate!" + +He could not have chosen more ill-advised words with which to plead his +cause, to a man who was heart and soul a soldier. They sounded +passionate and bitter, yet his arm was still on his father's shoulder; +but the Major pushed him back now. + +"I had thought the service an honor, and no slavery," he said cuttingly. +"It is pretty bad when my own son is the first one to bring it to my +notice. Freedom, light and life! Perhaps you think when one reaches his +seventeenth year he has acquired the right to plunge into life without +any further care or guidance. For you, freedom from restraint would +mean destruction." + +"And if it did?" cried Hartmut, quite beside himself. "Rather +destruction with freedom, than longer life with such restraint. For me +the army means bondage and slavery--" + +"Silence! Not a word more," ordered Falkenried, so threateningly that +the youth, in spite of his fearful passion, was awed. "You have now no +choice, and woe to you if you forget your duty. First you must become an +officer and do your duty as such to the full, like your comrades; then, +if you are still of the same mind and I have no power to prevent it, you +can leave, but if I am alive then, I will receive my death blow when my +only son--runs away from the service." + +"Father, do you take me for a coward?" interrupted Hartmut. "If there +were only a war and I could stand in battle--" + +"Yes, you would plunge madly and blindly into danger, and, with that +very self-will which knows no discipline, rush on to destruction. I +know, only too well, this wild, measureless desire for freedom from +every restraint, which knows no limits, recognizes no duties; I know +from whom you have inherited it, and to what it will eventually lead. +But as long as you are under my jurisdiction I will hold you fast to +that 'slavery' whether you hate it or not. You shall obey and learn to +yield while there is yet time; and you shall learn it. I give you my +word for that." + +His voice had again the old harsh sound to which his son was so well +accustomed, and every vestige of tenderness had died out of his face. +Hartmut knew that prayers or defiance were alike useless now. He uttered +no syllable, but the old demon-like gleam in his eyes, which robbed him +of all his beauty, was again manifest land on the lips so tightly +pressed together lay a strange, evil expression as he turned silently +to leave the room. His father followed him with his eyes, again he heard +the warning voice which came to him as a presentiment of coming evil, +and he called his son back. + +"Hartmut, you'll be back in two hours? You give me your word for it?" + +"Yes, father." The answer sounded angry, but steadfast. + +"Very well, then I will treat you as a man. You have pledged your word +and may go in peace; be punctual." + +The young man had only been gone a few minutes when Wallmoden entered. + +"I knew you were alone," he said. "I would not have disturbed you, but I +saw Hartmut hasten across the garden just now. Where is he going so +late?" + +"To his mother, to take leave of her." + +The diplomatist looked up startled at this unexpected intelligence. + +"With your consent?" he said surprised. + +"Certainly, I gave him permission." + +"How unwise. I thought you would have seen to it that Zalika did not +accomplish her ends; and now, whether it's right or wrong, you are +sending your son to her." + +"Only for an hour, and only for a farewell, which I could not refuse. +What are you afraid of now? Not that there will be any foul play? +Hartmut is no baby to be carried off in a carriage in spite of himself." + +"But if he were willing it would be a different matter." + +"I have his word that he'll be back in a couple of hours," said the +Major with emphasis. + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders: "The word of a boy of seventeen!" + +"Who has had a soldier's education and knows the significance of his +word of honor. That gives me no anxiety; my fears are in another +direction." + +"Regine told me you and he understood one another at last," remarked +Wallmoden, with a glance at his friend's dark, gloomy face. + +"For a few minutes; then I had to be the stern, hard father again, and +this last hour has shown me how hard a task it will be to conquer and +direct this unruly, undisciplined nature, but for all that, I must and +will subdue it." + +His friend stepped to the window and looked out upon the garden. + +"It is twilight already and the Burgsdorf fish-pond is half an hour's +walk from here," he said, half aloud. "You could have this last meeting +held in your presence if you saw fit." + +"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could and would not do that." + +"If this farewell does not end as you anticipate--if Hartmut does not +come back?" + +"Then he would be beneath contempt, a liar," said Falkenried, "a +deserter too, for he already carries arms at his side. But do not insult +me with such thoughts, Herbert. It is my son of whom you speak." + +"He is Zalika's son also. But we won't discuss it any more. They are +waiting for you in the dining-room; you will not go to-night?" + +"Yes, in two hours," answered the Major, steadily and quietly. "Hartmut +will be back by then--I'll answer for it." + +The gray shadows of evening already lay on field and meadow, and they +grew each moment thicker and darker. The short hazy autumn day was at an +end, and the clouded sky brought the night down more quickly than usual. +A woman's figure could be seen pacing impatiently up and down on the +shore of the little lake. She had a dark mantle drawn closely around +her shoulders, but she paid little heed to the frosty evening air which +was blowing about her; she was feverish with expectation, and her ear +was strained to catch the first echo of approaching footsteps. + +Since the first day on which Willibald had surprised them both, and they +had been forced to take him into their confidence, Zalika had chosen a +late hour in the afternoon, and a lonely place in the wood for her +meetings with her son. She was accustomed to meet him before the +twilight began, in order that he might not attract attention by +returning late to Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but to-day his +mother had waited already an hour, in vain. What accident had detained +him, or had their secret been disclosed? Since a third knew it, she was +prepared for such a contingency. + +All was so silent in the wood that the rustle of her gown and her light +footsteps as she walked to and fro, were the only sounds which greeted +her ear. + +Beneath the tall trees lay long nocturnal shadows; over the pond where +there was more light, being free from shade, hung a faint vapory cloud, +and over yonder in the meadows, where a pool of water, concealed by the +mossy moorland, had formed, the mists had gathered still more thickly +and hung like a gray-white veil over all the heath. The air from the +meadows was blowing damp and chill. + +At last there was a light step, faint and uncertain--then, as it came on +quickly in the direction of the pond, firmer and more resolute. Now a +slender figure came in view, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +darkness, and Zalika flew to meet her son, who, in the next minute lay +in her arms. + +"What has happened?" she asked amidst the wonted stormy caresses. "Why +are you so late? I had begun to despair of seeing you to-day. What +detained you?" + +"I could not come sooner," Hartmut explained, still breathless, after +his long run. "I come from my father." + +Zalika drew back. + +"From your father? And he knows--?" + +"All!" + +"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? who told him?" + +The young man related in a few words all that had happened, but he had +not finished when a bitter laugh from his mother interrupted him. + +"Of course, they are all in the plot together to keep me from my child. +And your father? He has threatened and punished you again as if you were +a criminal, because you have been in your mother's arms?" + +Hartmut shook his head. The memory of the moment when his father drew +him to his breast was yet before him, despite all the bitterness with +which the scene had ended. + +"No," he said sadly, "but he has forbidden me to see you again, and +sternly commanded me to part from you." + +"And in spite of all, you are here? O, I knew it!" + +Her words had a joyful sound. + +"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," her son answered her bitterly. "I only +came to say good-bye." + +"Hartmut!" + +"Father has given me permission to see you this time, and then--" + +"Then he will take you away again, and you will be forever lost to me. +Is that it?" + +Hartmut did not answer, he only threw himself upon his mother's breast +with a wild, passionate sob, which had as much anger and bitterness in +it, as pain. + +It had now grown quite dark and the night was upon them, a cold, misty, +autumn night, without moon or starlight, and over in the meadows, where +the vapor was so dense, a light rain had just begun to fall, and +through the rain and the mist a blue shimmering light appeared, now +faint and dull, now with a clear, bright gleam like a flame. + +It disappeared, then started forth again a second and a third time--the +will-o'-the-wisp had begun its unearthly, spectral dance. + +"You are crying!" said Zalika holding her son fast in her arms. "I have +long foreseen this day, and if young Eschenhagen had not surprised us +the other morning. I should before this have given you the choice +between returning to your father and forming some other plan." + +"What other plan? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed. + +Zalika bent over him and although they were alone, her voice sank into a +whisper. + +"Will you allow this tyranny to go on, will you permit yourself to be +separated from your mother and our holy love trodden under foot, without +asserting yourself, or protecting our joint right? If you do permit it, +you are no son of mine, and my blood does not flow in your veins. He +sent you to bid me farewell, and you take his word as final. Do you +really come to take leave of me, for long years, in all probability?" + +"I must do it," her son broke out despairingly. "You know my father. +Against his iron will there is no appeal." + +"If you return to him--no! But who will force you to return?" + +"Mamma. Do not tempt me, for the love of heaven!" he cried trying to +free himself from the arms which held him so fast, but the passionate +voice still whispered in his ear: + +"What alarms you in the thought? You but go with your mother, who loves +you with a boundless love and will live only for you. You have often +complained to me that you hate the service into which you are forced. +Have you forgotten your longing for freedom? If you go back you have no +option, for your father will bind you fast in the chains, and he will +but shorten the links, when he sees you are intolerant of them." + +She had no need to tell her son this, for he knew it all better than she +could tell him. Scarcely an hour since, had he not heard the words: "You +shall obey and learn to yield while yet there is time." + +His voice was full of bitterness as he replied. + +"In any case, I must go back. I have given my word to be at Burgsdorf +again in two hours." + +"Really?" asked Zalika, sharply and scornfully. "I thought as much. I +see he treats you like a child, marks out your every step for you and +gives you your allotted time, as if you had no judgment or mind of your +own; but the time has gone by to treat you thus, you are old enough to +assume the prerogatives of a man. The day has come when you must show +that you are a man in action as well as word. A promise wrung from one +is valueless; tear asunder this invisible chain by which you are held, +and set yourself free." + +"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with another effort to free himself, but his +mother held him fast in her arms. He turned his face away and looked +with hot eyes into the dark night, upon the desolate blackness of the +wood and across at the will-o'-the-wisp, still pursuing its erratic +course, now rising with convulsive, trembling flame, now sinking into +the ground beneath, only to come up again quivering and glimmering. +There was something ghostly and horrible, and withal strangely +fascinating in the ceaseless dance of this imp of night. + +"Come with me, my son," Zalika begged, in those dulcet tones which were +hers, as well as her son's. "I have long since prepared all for your +coming; I knew of a certainty that this day would surely come. My +carriage is waiting a short distance from here. We can soon reach the +railway station and will be far on our way before they are any the wiser +at Burgsdorf. With me lies freedom, life, happiness! I will take you +away and show you the great world, and when you are once in it, you will +learn to breathe freely and enjoy life, as one redeemed from slavery. I +know what it is to be liberated from slavery. I, too, wore the chains +which, in an hour of foolish fascination, I forged for myself, but I +should have torn them apart in the first year had it not been for my +unborn child. O, freedom is sweet, as you will soon learn." + +She knew only too well the words to choose to accomplish her purpose. +Freedom, life, happiness. They signified so much. They echoed and +re-echoed in the heart of the boy, whose longing for freedom had always +been repressed by a powerful hand. Now like a picture from a magician's +hand, the fairy-like visions of promised liberty stood before him. He +need but stretch out his hand and it was his own. + +"My word," he murmured with a last feeble attempt to rescue himself. "My +father will despise me--" + +"When you have attained to a great, proud future," Zalika interrupted +him excitedly, "then go to your father and ask him if he dares to +despise you; he would bind you to the earth, but you have wings to fly +above it. He does not understand a nature like yours, and never will. +Will you destroy yourself for the sake of a mere word and be a slave +forever? Come with me, Hartmut, with me to whom you are all the world." + +She led him slowly away, and he did not tear himself from her, but, as +she caressed him and called him fond names she felt that his going was +under protest, and that she had needed all her wiles to accomplish it. A +few minutes later the pond was deserted, mother and son had disappeared, +and even the sound of their retiring footsteps had died out in the night +air. Over the moor moved only that weird, spectral life. The flashing +lights appeared and sank again in restless play,--mysterious breaths of +flame from the deep. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +It was autumn again, and the warm, golden light of a September day lay +upon the woodland, which stretched away like a green ocean as far as eye +could reach. + +Hill and valley alternated with each other, all forest clad, and many a +mighty and moss-grown trunk in that great wilderness told of the forest +primeval which in the early days had covered all this part of South +Germany. Elsewhere in the land, railways had been built, until there was +scarcely a hamlet whose slumbers were undisturbed by the shrill scream +of the locomotive--but "the forest," as the people called it, remained +apart, cut off from the world, a vast territory many miles in width, +like a great, green island, unmoved by the waves of commotion and +progress from without. + +Here and there amid the forest green a little village peeped out, or an +old castle reared its gray and weather-beaten battlements on high, as if +protesting against its impending decay. There was but one building in +the whole region which yet stood strong, intact and massive, +notwithstanding it was gray with age. + +It was called Fürstenstein, and was originally built as a hunting box, +for the use of the sovereign. The duke's head forester occupied it all +the year round; and during the hunting season some members of the ducal +family always held court there for several weeks. It had been built in +the early part of the last century, with the lavish waste of room which +marked the style of that period. Standing on a high elevation, it +commanded a superb view over the surrounding country. + +The approach to the castle allowed no view of its proportions, for woods +covered the hill upon which it stood, and in places tall fir trees threw +their shadows on tower and turret, so that one scarcely realized the +immensity of the building until he stood quite at the entrance gate. +There were also a number of little structures clustering around the main +edifice, which had been added at different periods. Time was not allowed +to make inroads here; everything was in perfect order and repair, and +the countless rooms on the second floor were always kept ready for the +prince, who took possession of them at any time. + +The head forester, von Schönau, had occupied the immense ground floor +for years, and between filling his house with guests, and making +frequent visits to his neighbors, managed to have a very agreeable time, +notwithstanding the lonely situation. + +He had visitors now; his sister-in-law, Frau Regine von Eschenhagen had +arrived yesterday, and her son was expected soon. The two daughters of +the Wallmoden family had made good marriages; while the elder married +the heir to Burgsdorf, the younger had wedded Herr von Schönau, the son +of a wealthy landed gentleman of a noble South German family. + +The sisters, in spite of the distance which separated them, had always +maintained a close and affectionate intercourse, and since Frau von +Schönau's death, which occurred a few years after her marriage, Frau +Regine had kept up the intimacy with her brother-in-law. + +It was a singular enough friendship which existed between these two, for +they always met, armed cap-a-pie, for battle. They were both strong, +inconsiderate natures, and every time they saw one another they +quarrelled, and as regularly made their peace again, always promising +there should be no further strife between them, which promise was kept +until their next dispute, for which some opportunity would give rise, +sometimes within an hour after their reconciliation, when another +pitched battle would begin, as passionate and wordy as the last. + +At the present moment there seemed a truce between them as they sat on +the terrace in front of the reception room. The head forester, in spite +of his advancing years, was an erect, stately man, with strong, sunburnt +features; his hair and beard were slightly gray, but still luxuriant. +Now he leaned back in his chair listening to his sister-in-law, who +generally did most of the talking. Frau Regine was now in her fiftieth +year, but the last ten years had not changed her much; her life ran on +so smoothly and evenly. + +A wrinkle was to be found here and there in her face, and silver threads +were weaving their way into her dark hair, but the gray eyes had lost +nothing of their clearness and sharpness, the voice was as full and +resolute as ever, and her bearing as erect and energetic as formerly. + +"Willibald will be here in eight days," she was saying. "The harvesting +was not quite done; but everything will be finished within the week, and +then he can come to meet his bride. The matter has been settled between +us for a long time, but I was resolved to postpone it for some time, for +what did a young thing of sixteen or seventeen, with childish notions +still in her head know about the orderly direction of a household? Now +that Toni is twenty years old, and Will twenty-seven, it is all right. +Are you still perfectly satisfied that this betrothal is the best thing +for our children's future?" + +"Perfectly satisfied," assented the head forester. "I think everything +is as it should be. One half my fortune will go, some day, to my son, +the other half to my daughter, and I think you may be well content with +the portion I have set aside as Toni's wedding gift." + +"Yes, you have been very liberal. As to Will, he came into possession of +Burgsdorf three years ago; the remainder of the fortune remains, by the +will, in my hands, and at my death goes, of course, to him. But I've +seen to it that the young people won't suffer. I have made ample +provision for them." + +"No need for haste. We are only going to celebrate the betrothal now; +the marriage won't be until next spring." + +And now the first cloud appeared on the clear heaven of their perfect +harmony. Frau von Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially: + +"We won't postpone it any longer now. The wedding must take place this +winter. Willibald has no time to get married in the spring." + +"Nonsense, a man always has time to get married," declared Schönau, just +as dictatorially. + +"Not in the country," asserted Frau Regine. "There something else must +be considered; first work, then pleasure. That's always been the rule +with us, and that's what I've taught Will." + +"I trust he'd make an exception as regards his young wife; otherwise +he's little better than a milksop," cried the forester, angrily. "Above +all, Regine, you must remember my stipulation. My Toni has not seen your +son for two years. If he does not please her--she has free choice, you +understand." + +His speech touched his sister-in-law on her most sensitive point; her +motherly pride was outraged. + +"My dear Moritz, I have more confidence than you, apparently, in your +daughter's good taste. As for the rest, I hold to the good old custom +that children should marry whom their parents select. It was that way in +our day, and we have found no cause of complaint. What do young people +know of such serious matters any way? But you have let your children +have their own way from the very start; any one could soon tell that +there was no mother in this house." + +"Well, was that my fault?" asked Schönau, incensed. "Perhaps, I ought to +have given them a step-mother. I suggested it to you once, but you +wouldn't hear of it, Regine." + +"No, I had been married once," was the dry answer, and it seemed to +increase the head forester's irritation. He shrugged his shoulders +spitefully. + +"Well, I certainly think you had no cause for complaint against poor +Eschenhagen. He, and all his people at Burgsdorf danced when you piped. +With me you would not have ordered the regiment about so easily." + +"In about four weeks," Frau Regine declared calmly, "you would all have +been under my command, Moritz." + +"What! You say that to my face? Well, I'd just like to prove it for +once," retorted Schönau, full of wrath now. + +"Thank you, I shouldn't care to marry a second time, so give yourself no +uneasiness." + +"I can assure you I didn't mean an offer. I wouldn't think of such a +thing for a moment. One refusal was enough for me. So you need not +trouble giving me a second one." + +With these words the master of the house rose, pushed back his chair +noisily, and left his guest abruptly. Frau von Eschenhagen remained +quietly sitting alone for some time, then she called out in a friendly +tone: + +"Moritz." + +"What is it?" he growled from the other side of the terrace. + +"When are Herbert and his young wife coming?" + +"At twelve o'clock," the voice had an ill-tempered ring yet. + +"I am so glad. I have not seen him since he was sent to the South German +capital, but I have always maintained that Herbert was the pride of our +family, and he keeps up enough state for us all. Now you see he is +Prussian ambassador at your court, and is 'Your Excellency.'" + +"And then he's a young husband of six and fifty, don't forget that," +interrupted the forester spitefully. + +"Yes, he took his time about marrying, but he made a dazzling match at +last. For a man of his years it was no easy matter to win such a wife as +Adelheid, young, beautiful, rich--" + +"And of common birth," added Schönau. + +"Stuff and nonsense! Who asks any questions now-a-days about birth when an +immense fortune stands behind it? Herbert can use money now, too; he has +been hampered for means his life long, and now, as ambassador, he needs +more to keep up the position than he could possibly supply. But my +brother need never be ashamed of his father-in-law. Stahlberg was at the +head of one of our greatest industries, and a man of honor, through and +through. It was a pity he died so soon after his daughter's marriage. +At all events they made a very sensible choice." + +"So that's what you call a sensible choice, do you, when a girl of +eighteen marries a man old enough to be her father?" asked Schönau, who, +in the heat of discussion, came back to his sister-in-law again. "To be +sure she has a high place in society now, as the wife of His Excellency, +the Ambassador, and is a baroness and all that. But to me this +beautiful, cool Adelheid, with her 'sensible' ideas, which would do a +grandmother credit, is not at all sympathetic. A thoughtless maiden, who +falls over head and ears in love, and then declares to her parents, +'This one, or none,' suits me far better." + +"Those are fine opinions for the father of a family to express," cried +Frau von Eschenhagen, much ruffled. "It's a good thing that Toni +inherited my sister's good sense, otherwise she would be coming to you +with some such a speech one of these days. But Stahlberg educated his +daughter better. I know it from himself. She was trained to follow his +wishes, and accepted Herbert at once when he offered himself. But of +course you know nothing about educating children; it stands to reason +that you should not." + +"What? I, a man and a father, and know nothing about educating +children?" cried Schönau, red with anger. They were now both on the fair +way to have another pitched battle, when they were happily interrupted +by the appearance of a young girl, the daughter of the house, who +stepped out on the terrace at this moment. + +Antonie von Schönau could never be called beautiful, but she had her +father's fine figure and a fresh, glowing face, with clear brown eyes. +Her nut-brown hair was laid in smooth braids around her head, and her +attire, although perfectly suitable for a girl of her station, was yet +quite simple. But Antonie was in the first bloom of youth, and that +charm outweighed all others. As she stepped out now, looking so fresh +and rosy and healthy, she was a daughter after Frau Regine's own heart, +and that lady immediately brought the strife to an end and gave her a +smiling nod. + +"Father, the carriage is on its way back from the station," said the +young lady, in very deliberate, almost drawling tones. "It is at the +foot of the castle hill already, and Uncle Wallmoden will be here in +fifteen minutes." + +"Bless me, they have driven quickly!" exclaimed her father, whose face +had cleared at the news. "Are the guest chambers in order?" + +Toni nodded composedly, as if to say her duties were never neglected; +then, as her father left the terrace to watch the approach of the +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen, with a glance at the basket which the girl +carried on her arm, said: + +"Well, Toni, you are always busy." + +"I have been in the kitchen-garden, dear auntie. The gardener declared +there were no more ripe pears, so I went out to see for myself, and +picked a whole basket full." + +"That's right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly pleased, +"you must keep an eye on the servants and use your hands, too, +occasionally, if you want to get on in this world. You'll make a fine +housekeeper. But come, now, we must go to meet your uncle, too." + +Herr von Schönau was already far across the terrace, and was just +starting down the broad flight of stone steps which led from the castle +court, when a man stepped out from one of the side buildings, and stood, +respectful and silent, with his hat off. + +"Well, Stadinger, is that you? What's brought you to Fürstenstein?" the +head forester called out. "Come here!" + +Stadinger approached as commanded; in spite of his snow-white hair he +came forward with a firm, erect step, while a pair of sharp, dark eyes +peered out from his brown, weather-beaten face. + +"I was with the castellan, Herr von Schönau," he explained, "and have +been asking him to lend us a few of his servants to help us, for we're +busy up to our eyes at Rodeck, and have not people enough for all the +work." + +"Ah, yes, Prince Egon is back from his Oriental tour. I heard that +before," said Schönau. "But how does it happen that he's come to such a +small place as Rodeck, with little room and less comfort?" + +Stadinger shrugged his shoulders. "Heaven knows! But our young prince +follows his own sweet will, and no one dare ask why. One morning the +news came, and the castle people hardly know whether they are standing +on their heads or their heels. I had enough trouble to get the place +ready in two days." + +"I can believe that; no one has visited Rodeck for years, but the +prince's visit will put some life in the old walls, at any rate." + +"Well, it turns everything topsy-turvey," growled the castle steward. +"If you only knew how we have been upset, Herr Schönau. The hunting-room +is crammed full of lion and tiger skins, and all sorts of stuffed +animals, and monkeys and parrots are sitting around in all the rooms. +The whole place is in such an uproar from them that one can't hear one's +self speak. And now his highness has just announced to me that there are +a troop of elephants and a great sea-serpent on the way. I think I +struck a blow at them, though." + +"What is on the way?" inquired the head forester, who did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"A sea-serpent and a dozen elephants. I have fought against them with +all my might. 'Your highness,' I said, 'we cannot accommodate any more +animals, and as to the sea-serpent, such a beast will need water and we +have no pond at Rodeck. And if the elephants do come we'll have to chain +them to trees in the forest, I know no other way.'" + +"'That's just the thing' his highness answered, 'just chain them to the +trees, that'll be very wild and picturesque, and we'll send the +sea-serpent to board at Fürstenstein; the castle fish-pond is big +enough.' Herr Schönau, he will people the whole neighborhood with these +monsters, I believe." + +The head forester laughed aloud, and gave the steward, who seemed to +enjoy his special favor, a hearty slap on the shoulder. + +"But, Stadinger, have you really taken all this in earnest? You ought to +know the prince better. He certainly does not seem to come back any +steadier than he went away." + +"No indeed, he does not," sighed Stadinger. "And what his highness does +not devise for himself, Herr Rojanow hatches for him. He is the worst of +the two. It's hard lines that such a dare-devil should be quartered on +us." + +"Rojanow? Who is he?" asked Schönau, all attention now. + +"I hardly know, but he's come with the prince, who cannot live without +him. He met this friend in some heathen country. Maybe he is a +half-heathen, or Turk; he looks enough like one, with his dark face and +strange eyes. And the fellow, with his airs and orders acts as if he +were the lord and master of Rodeck. But he's as handsome as a picture, +handsomer even than our prince, who, by the way has given orders that +Herr Rojanow is to be obeyed in all things just like himself." + +"More than probable it's an adventurer with whom the prince is amusing +himself," murmured Schönau, and aloud he said: "Well good-bye, +Stadinger, I must meet my brother-in-law now, and don't lose any sleep +over the sea-serpent. When his highness threatens you with it again, +tell him I will gladly keep it for him in our fish-pond, but I must see +it alive first." + +He nodded laughingly to the old steward and stepped down to the entrance +gateway. Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece were already there, and a +minute after he joined them, the carriage turned into the broad, smooth +road and was driven rapidly up to the great entrance. + +Regine was the first to greet the travelers. She pressed her brother's +hand so heartily that he was forced to draw it back. The head forester +was somewhat diffident; he had a certain feeling of shyness in the +presence of his diplomatic brother-in-law, whose sarcastic tongue he +secretly feared. But Toni did not allow "his excellency" her uncle, or +his wife, either, to ruffle her wonted composure. + +The years had not treated Herbert von Wallmoden so gently as they had +his sister. He had aged perceptibly; his hair was grey now, and the +sarcastic lines around his mouth had deepened. But he was the same cold +aristocrat as ever, perhaps even a shade colder and more distant. With +the exalted position to which he had attained, the feeling of +superiority, which had ever been his chief characteristic, seemed to +strengthen. + +The young wife by his side was always taken by strangers to be his +daughter. Unquestionably the ambassador's choice had proved his good +taste. Adelheid von Wallmoden was indeed lovely, but her beauty was of +that chill, statuesque type which awakens only cold admiration, and she +seemed to have been born to occupy the position in the world to which +her marriage had raised her. The young bride, not quite nineteen, and +only six months a wife, exhibited a coolness of behavior and as complete +a knowledge of all the forms and obligations of her social position, as +if she had been at the side of her elderly husband for half a lifetime. + +Wallmoden was politeness and attentiveness itself to her. He offered her +his arm now, after the first greetings were over, to conduct her to her +own apartments, and a few minutes later returned alone to the terrace to +have a talk with his sister. + +The intercourse between this brother and sister was in many respects +very singular. + +Regine was as uncouth in outward appearance as she was rugged in +character, and the direct opposite of her courtly brother in every +particular; but still, as they sat side by side now, after their long +separation, there was a look on both faces which told that the +mysterious bond of kinship was much to them both, despite the antagonism +which so often came to the fore. + +Herbert was made rather nervous during their conversation, for Regine +did not think it necessary to refrain from brusque questioning or candid +comment, and her brother was frequently embarrassed and annoyed by both, +but he had learned from experience the uselessness of striving to check +her open speech, so gave himself up to the inevitable with a sigh. Of +course, among other things, she spoke of Willibald's and Toni's +betrothal, of which Wallmoden fully approved. + +The subject had been worn threadbare long years ago, so there was little +really to be said. And now Frau von Eschenhagen branched off on another +theme. + +"Well, Herbert, how do you feel now you're a married man?" asked his +sister. "You certainly were long enough about making up your mind, but +better late than never, and I must admit that for an old gray-head like +you, you have made a very good selection." + +This frank reference to his age did not seem to please the ambassador; +he pressed his lips tightly together for a moment, and then answered his +sister sharply: + +"My dear Regine, you should strive to use a little tact in your +conversation. I know my age well enough, but the position which I +occupy, and to which I elevated Adelheid by marriage, more than +compensates for the difference in our ages." + +"Well, that's true enough, and the marriage portion she brought you is +not to be despised," assented Regine, quite unmoved by his sharp tones. +"Have you presented your wife at Court yet?" + +"Yes, two weeks ago, at the summer Capitol. My father-in-law's death +prevented my doing so before. But this winter we must keep open house, +as my position demands it. I was greatly surprised and pleased at +Adelheid's behavior at Court. She acted with a calmness and proud +security, upon this entirely strange ground, which was worthy of all +praise. I was all the more convinced how wise my choice had been in +every respect. Well now, about home matters; before everything else, +tell me about Falkenried?" + +"Well, what is there for me to tell? Don't you write one another +regularly?" + +"Yes, but his letters are always short and monosyllabic. I wrote him of +my marriage, but his congratulations were very laconic. You must see him +frequently, since he has been made minister of war, as you are so near +the city." + +A shadow darkened Regine's clear eyes, and she shook her head sadly. +"You are mistaken, the colonel scarcely ever comes to Burgsdorf. He +grows more reserved and unapproachable each year." + +"I am sorry to hear it; he has always made an exception of you, and I +hoped you could use your influence to bring him often to Burgsdorf. Have +you made no attempt to renew the old intimacy?" + +"I did at first, but I have finally given it up as hopeless, for I saw +that I was only annoying him. There is nothing to be done, Herbert. +Since that unfortunate catastrophe he has been turned to stone. You have +seen him several times yourself, since then, and know he lives bereft of +hope." + +Wallmoden's face clouded darkly, and his voice was very bitter as he +replied: "Yes, that boy Hartmut has done for him, that's certain. It's +over ten years ago now, however, and I did hope Falkenried would take +some interest in life again by this time." + +"I never hoped that," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. "The life +has all gone from the roots. I shall never forget, as long as I live, +how he looked on that fateful evening, when we waited and waited, first +with uneasiness and apprehension, then with deadly anxiety. You grasped +the truth at once, but I would not let you say a word while there was a +chance. I can see him now as he stood at the window staring out into the +night, with drawn features and face like death, and to every word of +ours only the one answer. 'He will come! He must come! I have his word.' +And when in spite of all, Hartmut did not come, and we repaired to the +railway station at daybreak, only to learn that they two, mother and +son, had taken the express train hours before. God preserve us, may I +never see such a look on a man's face again. I made you promise to stay +by him, for I thought he would put a bullet through his heart before the +day was over." + +"You were wrong there," said Wallmoden with decision. "A man of +Falkenried's temperament would consider it cowardice to commit suicide, +even though the days of his life were one continued torture. I do not +venture to think what would have happened though, had he been allowed to +carry out his intention at that time." + +"I know," interrupted his sister, "that he asked for his discharge, +because, with his keen sense of honor, he could not bear to serve +longer, after his son had become a deserter. It was a step prompted by +despair." + +"Yes, and it was his only salvation, that he, with his military +knowledge and skill, was not allowed to sink into oblivion. The chief of +the General's staff took up the matter and brought it before the King, +and they decided that the father should not be allowed to sacrifice +himself for a boy's rash action, and that the service could not lose +such a highly esteemed officer. So they would not accept his +resignation, but permitted him to go to a distant garrison, where the +matter was never mentioned in his presence. Now, after ten years, it's +buried and forgotten by the whole world." + +"With one exception," said Regine sorrowfully. "My heart aches whenever +I think of what Falkenried once was, and what he is now. The bitter +experience of his marriage made him gloomy and unsocial, but in good +time he recovered himself a little, and his whole soul turned to his boy +and his boy's advancement. Now everything is lost and the rigid, stark +fulfilment of duty is all that remains; all else is dead within him, and +as a sequence, all his old friendships have become painful to him--we +must let him go his own way." + +She broke off with a sigh, as the face of her girlhood's friend came +before her mind's eye. Then laying her hand on her brother's arm, she +said in conclusion: + +"Perhaps you are right, Herbert, when you say that a man chooses more +wisely when he has come to years of discretion. You need not fear +Falkenried's fate; your wife has good blood in her veins. I knew Herr +Stahlberg well; he worked earnestly and with capability, too, or he +would never have succeeded as he did in life. And he was ever an honest +man, even after he became a millionaire, and Adelheid is her father's +daughter, bone and sinew. You have chosen well for yourself, and I +rejoice with you from the bottom of my heart." + + * * * * * + +The little hunting castle of Rodeck which belonged to the princely house +of Adelsberg, lay but a few miles distant from "Fürstenstein," in the +midst of the deep forest. The small, plain building containing at most +but a dozen rooms, had been hastily prepared for the unexpected coming +of the prince. It had not been used for years, and had a neglected +appearance. But as one stepped out from the dark, gloomy forest upon the +light greensward, and saw the old building with its high, pointed roof, +and its four little towers guarding the corners, it seemed very +picturesque in its loneliness. + +The Adelsbergs were old-time princes of the German empire who had long +since lost their sovereignty, but who still retained their princely +title, together with an immense fortune which included very great landed +possessions. The family had dwindled in number so that there were but +few representatives left, and only one in the direct line, Prince Egon, +and he as owner of the family estates and through kinship on his dead +mother's side with the reigning house, played a conspicuous part among +the nobility of the country. + +The young prince was understood to be very wild and erratic, and a man +who was always forming eccentric attachments. He cared little for +princely etiquette, and followed the whim of the moment. The old prince +had held the reins with a tight hand, but at his death Egon von +Adelsberg became his own master, and since that time, had followed his +own free course without check or restraint. + +He had just now returned from a two years' tour in the East, and instead +of going to his palace in the capital, or to one of his magnificently +appointed castles, always in readiness to receive him, no matter what +the season, he had, on the spur of the moment, decided upon this little +hunting castle of Rodeck, where he could not be comfortably housed, and +where the few retainers who took charge of the place, were ill-prepared +for such an honor. But as old Stadinger had said, no one dare ask why of +the prince; he did as the humor of the hour pleased him. + +It was the morning of a sunny autumn day. Upon the broad velvety lawn, +two men attired in hunting costume, were standing talking to the +steward, while in the broad court a few yards beyond, stood a light, +open carriage, awaiting its owner's pleasure. The two young men seemed, +at a first glance, to resemble one another. Both had tall, slender +figures, deeply browned faces, and eyes in which the fiery arrogance of +youth burned fiercely; but a nearer view showed how totally dissimilar +they were, after all. + +It was evident that the younger man, who was about twenty-four years +old, owed his dark complexion to his long residence beneath a fierce +sun, for his light, curly hair and blue eyes were not the fitting +accompaniments for such a browned skin, but were unquestionably German. +He had a blonde beard, curly like the hair which surrounded his +handsome, open countenance, but the face hardly coincided with one's +ideas of perfect beauty. The forehead was somewhat too narrow and the +features were not regular, but something in his expression reminded one +of clear sunshine, it was so good-natured and so winning. + +His companion, who was a few years his senior, had nothing of this +sunlight in his face, although his appearance was undoubtedly the more +distinguished of the two. Slender, like his companion, he was much the +taller, and his dark skin was not the legacy of an eastern sun. It was +of that faint brown which makes the freshest face look pale, and the +blue-black hair, which fell in heavy locks on his high forehead, only +served to heighten this appearance of pallor. It was a beautiful face, +with its noble, proud lines so marked and expressive, but there were +deep shadows on it, too, on the brow and across the eyes, shadows found +but seldom in so youthful a countenance. The great, dark eyes in which a +shade of melancholy always lay, spoke of hot, unrestrained passion, and +the fire which blazed within them had a mysterious, unearthly +fascination. One felt that these orbs possessed some uncanny power, but +they were in accord with the man's whole personality, which had about it +something of this same strange witchery. + +"Well, I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the men. "The +new cases must be unpacked and places found for the things. Where--that +is your business." + +"But, your highness, it is absolutely impossible!" remonstrated +Stadinger, in a tone which showed that he was on a pretty sure footing +with his young master. "There's not an empty corner in all Rodeck. I +have had the greatest trouble already to house all the people your +highness brought with you, and every day chests bigger than a house are +arriving, and ever the same cry: 'Unpack that, Stadinger! Make a place +for this, Stadinger.' And hundreds of rooms empty in the other castles." + +"Stop grumbling, you old ghost of the woods, and make places," +interrupted the prince. "The chests that have come must be unpacked in +Rodeck for the time being at least, and if the worst comes to the worst, +you must find room in your own house for them." + +"Yes, indeed, Stadinger has room and to spare in his own house for +them," it was the tall, dark man who spoke now. "And I'll superintend +the unpacking myself." + +"That's a good plan," said the prince, heartily, "and Zena can assist +him; she is at home yet, I suppose?" + +"No, your highness, she has gone away." + +"Away!" cried prince Egon. "And where has she gone?" + +"To the city," was the laconic answer. + +"That won't do. You should keep your grandchild with you here at Rodeck +all winter." + +"That matter seems to have arranged itself," answered the steward with +quiet dignity. "Just now my old sister, Rosa, is at home with me. If you +should come to my humble dwelling, Herr Rojanow, she would feel greatly +honored." + +Rojanow gave him a glance which was anything but friendly, and the young +prince said sharply: + +"Look here, Stadinger, you are treating us after a most unwarrantable +fashion. You send Zena away, for no reason in the world, and she's the +only one worth seeing about the whole place. There's not a woman in +Rodeck who isn't past sixty and whose head doesn't wobble from side to +side, and as to the belles of the kitchen whom you brought from +Fürstenstein to help us out, they're worse looking than our own people." + +"Your highness need not look at them," suggested the steward. "I gave +strict orders that none of the maids were to come into the castle, but +if your highness goes to the kitchen, as you did the day before +yesterday--" + +"Well, I must inspect my domestic arrangements once in a while. But I +won't go near the kitchen a second time, I promise you that. But I'm +provoked enough at you for having gathered together all the repulsive +looking creatures in the neighborhood as soon as you knew I was coming. +You should be ashamed of yourself, Stadinger." + +The old man looked his young master full in the face, and his voice had +an impressive sound, as he answered: "I am not at all ashamed, your +highness. When that prince of blessed memory, your father, assigned me +to this peaceful post, he said to me: 'Keep everything quiet and orderly +at Rodeck, Stadinger; remember, I depend upon you.' Well, I have kept +everything in order around this castle for twelve years, and more +especially have I guarded those of my own household, and I mean to do so +for the future, too. Has your highness any other orders for me?" + +"No, you old boor!" cried the prince, half amused, half angry. "Go on, +now; we don't need any sermon on morals." + +Stadinger obeyed, he bowed low and marched off. Rojanow glanced after +him and shrugged his shoulders with a sneer. + +"I admire your forbearance, Egon; you certainly permit your servants to +speak very freely--" + +"Oh, Stadinger is an exception," declared Egon. "Of late days he has +allowed himself great latitude, but as to his sending Zena away he +wasn't far wrong. I'd have done the same thing in his place." + +"It isn't the first time the old fellow has made so bold as to call us +both to account. If I were his master--he'd get his dismissal in this +same hour." + +"I'm afraid if I attempted that, it would be all the worse for me," +laughed the prince. "Such an old heir-loom, who has served three +generations already, and trotted me on his knee as a baby, deserves to +be treated with respect. I would gain nothing by commanding and calling +him to account. Peter Stadinger does what he pleases, and whenever it +suits him, reads me a little text into the bargain." + +"How you can permit such liberties is incomprehensible." + +"It is natural that you should not understand it, Hartmut," said his +friend, earnestly. "You only know the submissiveness of Sclavish +servants in your own home, and in the Orient. They kneel and prostrate +themselves whenever opportunity offers, and betray their masters at +every turn, when it can be done with safety. Stadinger is a man with no +civility in him. It doesn't make the least difference to him that I am +'your highness.' He is no respecter of persons, and has often said the +most insulting things to my face, but I could leave hundreds of +thousands in his hands, and he would guard every pfennig, and if Rodeck +were in a blaze, and I within it, his seventy years would not prevent +him plunging into the flames to rescue me--that's how it is with us in +Germany." + +"Yes, with you in Germany," Hartmut repeated slowly, as he fixed his +eyes dreamily on the forest shadows. + +"Are you as much prejudiced against us as ever?" asked Egon. "I had to +beg you hard enough to get you to come with me, for you seemed resolved +never to put foot on German soil again." + +"I would I had not done so," said Rojanow, darkly. "You know--" + +"That you associate bitter memories with my country--yes. You told me +that much, but you must have been a boy at the time. You should have +outgrown your dislike by now. You are, on this point, so obstinately +reserved, that to this day I have never learned what it is that you--" + +"Egon, I beg you, drop the subject," said Hartmut, almost rudely. "I +have declared to you more than once, that I will not and cannot speak on +the subject of my early life. If you are suspicious of me, let me go; I +have not forced myself upon you, you know that, but I will not endure +this questioning." + +The hard, proud tone which he used toward his princely friend, seemed +not unknown to the latter, who only shrugged his shoulders and said +appeasingly: + +"How excited you get in a moment; I believe you are right when you +maintain that the air of Germany makes you nervous. You certainly have +changed since you set foot in the country." + +"Possibly; I feel it myself, and I know I annoy you with my queer +tempers lately, so you'd better let me go, Egon." + +"I will guard you well, instead. I did not catch you so easily that I +can let you fly again after all my trouble. So remember that, Hartmut, +for I won't let you go free at any price." + +The words had a joking sound, but Rojanow seemed to resent them. His +eyes were dark, almost threatening, as he replied: + +"But what if I will go?" + +"But you won't, for I will hold you closer than ever." Egon laid his +arm affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "I wonder how this bad, +obstinate Hartmut can answer to his conscience for even thinking of +leaving me alone. Have we not lived together for nearly two years, and +shared the same dangers and pleasures like brothers? And now you talk +about deserting me, without even a question as to how I'll get along +without you. Do you think I value your friendship so little, dear old +fellow?" + +The words were so warm and sincere that Rojanow's ill-temper was +conquered. His eyes lighted up at the mention of their long and close +friendship, and he answered in a voice which bespoke a sincere affection +for his friend: + +"Do you think that any one but you could have drawn me to Germany at +all?" he said, softly. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable nature and +have always been a rover since--since my boyhood." + +"Well, learn to settle yourself here--here in my home," exclaimed Egon. +"I only stay at Rodeck that you may see its many and varied beauties. +This old building, hidden away in the midst of the forest, is a +veritable production of fairy-land, a woodland poem, such as you will +not find at any of my other castles. The others suit me better, though I +know this is to your taste. But now I must really go. You won't ride?" + +"No, I will enjoy the much-praised poetry of these woods, which seem to +weary you so soon. You can make your visit alone." + +"I'll admit I'm not a poet like you, who can muse and dream all day +long," said Egon laughing. "For a full week we have led hermits' lives, +but I cannot live on sunshine, woody odors and Stadinger's sermons any +longer. I must see my fellow-men, and the head forester is the only +gentleman in the neighborhood; and besides, Herr von Schönau is a +splendid, jolly fellow. You will like him when you meet him." + +He jumped into the carriage, waved a parting greeting to his friend, and +was off. Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared +behind the trees, then he turned and struck into a path which led into +the forest. + +He carried a gun over his shoulder, but his thoughts were not bent on +sport. He went on heedlessly, with no idea of direction, and with no +thought of the distance which he was putting between himself and Rodeck, +which was each moment becoming greater. + +Prince Adelsberg was right when he said he knew this wild, mountain +scenery was to his friend's taste. The very air had for him a certain +sorcery. He stood still at last and took some long, deep breaths, but +the cloud on his brow had not yet disappeared; it grew darker instead, +as he leaned against a tree and cast his eyes around him. + +The beauty of the sunny, autumn day, the picturesqueness of the grand +old wood, could not bring to this handsome, joyless face one expression +of peace or content. + +He saw this country for the first time; his boyhood's home lay far to +the north, and yet this place, so different from his father's birthplace +and his own, brought back the past with all its painful recollections, +and awakened anew within him feelings he had thought long dead and +buried. Feelings and thoughts which had never troubled him during the +long years in which by land or sea, he had drunk of that freedom for +which he had sacrificed so much. + +The old German woods! They whispered here in the South, just as they had +done in the North; the same wind moved the branches of the fir and the +oak, and whistled through the tops of the distant pine trees. Yes, these +were the self-same voices which had once told all their secrets to the +willful boy lying on the mossy bank of the Burgsdorf fish pond. + +There was a stir and sound as of some one moving between the trees. +Hartmut looked up indifferently, expecting to see an animal of some kind +spring out, but he saw instead the fluttering of a light gown between +the low bushes, and from a little side path, which he had not before +noticed, a young lady stepped out, almost in front of him, and stood +hesitatingly, evidently uncertain what direction to take. + +Rojanow was roused from his dreaming by this unexpected apparition, and +the stranger caught sight of him at once. She appeared surprised, too, +but only for a second, then she stepped forward, and said, with a slight +bow: + +"May I beg you, sir, to show me the way to Fürstenstein? I am a stranger +here and have lost my way, and am, I fear, far from the place I seek." + +Hartmut had taken in at a glance the young lady's appearance; and +resolved immediately to become her guide. He did not know the way for +which she inquired, and only had a vague idea of the direction in which +the castle lay, but that troubled him little. He bowed gracefully as he +said: + +"I place myself quite at your disposal, Fräulein. Fürstenstein is some +distance from here, and it would be impossible for you to find the way +alone. I must, therefore, beg you to allow me to accompany you." + +The lady had expected nothing more than that the way would be pointed +out to her; this stranger's offer was not altogether agreeable, but she +feared she might lose her way a second time, and the perfect politeness +with which the offer was made, scarcely left her any choice. After a +moment's hesitation she bowed slightly and said: + +"I thank you. Pray let us lose no time, then." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Rojanow fastened the strap which held his gun a little more securely, +and turned at once into a narrow, half overgrown path, which lay +unquestionably in the direction of Fürstenstein. + +Without further parley he assumed the role of guide, and the adventure +began to have charms for him. + +The stranger was certainly lovely enough to inspire him with zeal in her +service. The clear, delicate oval of her face, the high, smooth +forehead, with its heavy crown of blonde hair, the regular features, +were all in perfect harmony. The beauty of the countenance was +faultless, though cold and symmetrical, with an expression which +betokened energy of character and great strength of purpose. The girl +was at most only eighteen or nineteen years old, but oddly enough, she +possessed none of that indescribable attractiveness which seems the +natural accompaniment of girlhood, nothing of the hilarity and naiveté +of youth. The great blue eyes gazed at you earnestly but coldly, and you +felt instinctively that the soul which looked out through them never +lost itself in girlish dreams of brave heroes and suppliant lovers. The +bearing and appearance was haughty and reserved, yet in form and gesture +she was gracefulness itself. + +Rojanow had time and leisure to notice all this as he directed her +course, sometimes behind her, sometimes in front, now holding back the +low, overhanging branches, and a second later warning her of some sudden +irregularity in the ground. The narrow forest footpath was anything but +a pleasant road for a ramble, and was an especially trying passage for +the woman. Her dress caught frequently on thorn and branch, and her long +gauze veil had to be loosened from more than one bramble, while her feet +sank, time and again, in the soft, moist, moss-covered earth. It could +not be helped, and yet Hartmut felt in his self assumed position as +guide, that he was not covering himself with as much glory as be could +have wished. + +"I regret extremely, Fräulein, that you are obliged to take so +uncomfortable a path," he said politely. "I fear you will be exhausted, +but we are in the thickest part of the forest and have consequently no +choice." + +"I do not become exhausted so easily," was the answer. "I care little +about the disagreeable features of the way, if it will but lead me to +the goal." + +The remark had a somewhat unusual sound coming as it did from the mouth +of a young girl; Rojanow thought so, at any rate, and he gave a slight +mocking smile as he repeated: + +"If it lead to the goal! You are quite right, that is my idea too; but +ladies generally cherish other opinions. They prefer to be carried +quietly over all the rough places." + +"Not all! You err there; many women much prefer going alone, without +submitting to watch and ward, as though they were children." + +"Well, perhaps there are exceptions. I prize the accident which has +afforded me the opportunity of seeing so charming--" + +Hartmut, who was on the point of uttering a very florid compliment, +stopped suddenly, for the cold blue eyes met his with such a look of +surprise and hauteur that the words died on his lips. + +At this moment the lady's veil caught once more in the branch of an +overhanging thorn, which held it fast. She stopped, and her attentive +companion reached out his hand to free the delicate tissue, when she +suddenly tore it from her hat, with a quick motion, and left it +fluttering on the branch. + +Rojanow bit his lips in vexation; the adventure was not at all what he +had expected. He had thought to find this young woman a dependent, timid +creature, who would be very grateful and would turn to him for +protection, just like many another with whom he had come in contact in +his rovings; but this pale girl made it very clear to him by a glance, +that he was nothing but a guide and must conduct himself as such. Who, +and what was she? Still in her teens, and yet acting with all the +reserve and self-possession of a great lady, knowing full well how to +make herself unapproachable. He resolved to enlighten himself on this +matter. + +Now the narrow path ended and they stepped out into a small clearing in +the forest, with thick woods again to the left. It was not an easy thing +just here for a man who knew nothing of the region to decide which +direction to take. But Hartmut was not to be daunted, neither did he +intend to exhibit any irresolution, so with apparent security he went on +in the same direction they had followed from the beginning, and +fortunately enough soon struck into a broad wagon road which crossed +that part of the forest. Before long, thought Hartmut, they must surely +come to some place where they could obtain a view of the surrounding +country and get their bearings. + +The wider road enabled him to walk beside his companion, and he resolved +to enter upon a conversation which the many obstacles in their path had +made, until now, almost an impossibility. + +"I have hesitated about presuming to present myself to you, Fräulein," +he began. "My name is Rojanow, and I am, for the time being, at Rodeck, +a guest of Prince Adelsberg, who, if you reside at Fürstenstein, has the +advantage of being your neighbor." + +"No, I do not belong to Fürstenstein. I am, also, only a guest," replied +the lady. The princely neighbor and name of her companion, appeared to +be alike matters of indifference to her; neither did she deem it +necessary to give her own name in return. She merely bowed slightly as +she spoke. + +"Ah, then you probably live in the capital, and are only here to enjoy a +few weeks of the fine autumn weather?" continued Rojanow. + +"Yes." + +The monosyllable had a very cold, reserved sound, but Hartmut was not +the man to be turned from his course by a rebuff. He was accustomed to +overcome all restraints and obstructions by the power of his +fascinations, and that one of the sex from which he had never received +anything but adulation, should refuse to succumb, was little less than +an insult. There lay a charm, too, in the thought that he would force +this lovely creature into conversation with him, notwithstanding her +reserve. + +"Are you pleased with Fürstenstein?" he asked. "I have never been near +the castle, and have only seen it in the distance, but it seems to +overawe the whole region with its magnificence. A singular taste indeed +to find anything lovely in this landscape, and erect a palace here." + +"Evidently not your taste, at least." + +"I am not specially fond of uniformity, and here there is nothing but +sameness. Woods and woods, and nothing but woods--at times one is almost +driven to despair." + +There was a hidden rancour in these words, as if the poor German forest, +with its whispers and its winds was to blame for all the bitterness +which lay in the soul of this returned wanderer; it almost seemed as if +he must flee from them, for he could hardly endure the simple, earnest +song of olden times which fluttered down to him from the tall fir trees. +But his companion only heard the slighting tone. + +"Are you a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked. + +A black shadow crossed Hartmut's brow, and he hesitated for a moment +before he answered, coldly: + +"Yes, Fräulein." + +"I thought as much from your name and appearance, and from the peculiar +opinions which you express, as well." + +"At any rate, they are unbiased and candid," answered Hartmut, nettled +by the reproof which lay in the last words. "I have been pretty much all +over the world, and am just back now from the Orient. To him who knows +the ocean with its radiant, transparent blue, or its terrible, deadly +storms, to one who has basked in the witcheries of the warmth and light +of the tropics, everything here seems cold and colorless; these eternal +green forests are, in fact, the only features of a German landscape." + +The compassionate shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded, +appeared to rouse his companion from her imperturbability. An expression +of displeasure crossed her face, and her voice had in it a tone of +resentment, as she answered: + +"That is altogether a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at +least Southern Europe very well; those sunny, glowing landscapes, with +their vivid colorings attract one in the beginning--that is true +enough--but soon, too soon, exhaust one. You lose all strength and +vitality; you can stagnate and dream, but you can never live and work. +But why discuss it? Naturally you know nothing of our great forests, or +our people either, I presume." + +Hartmut smiled with an unmistakable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking through this icy reserve. All his arts and blandishments had +been exercised in vain, but he now saw that the momentary resentment had +added the charm which was needed to her lovely, cold features, so he +determined to arouse her still further. + +If he felt aggrieved he would also find pleasure in exciting her. + +"That sounds like a reproof which I shall have to bear," he said +derisively. "Possibly I don't view the affairs of life as you do. I am +accustomed to use other scales of measurement for nature, and for +mortals as well. 'Live and work!' The whole question hinges upon the +definition of these words. I have lived, years at a time, in Paris, that +great central point of all civilization, where life ebbs and flows in a +thousand streams. He who has been wont to stem the tide in these great, +almost overwhelming waters, can nevermore find a place in the little +relations, in the narrow judgments and pedantries, in all this marasmus +which the noble Germans call life." + +The insulting expression which he laid upon the last words, obtained for +him his desire. His companion suddenly stood still and measured him from +head to foot, while a flash of anger shot from her cold blue eyes. She +seemed for the minute to have an angry answer at her tongue's end, but +she forced it back, and drawing herself up to her full height, said in a +tone of contempt and disdain: + +"You forget, sir, that you are speaking to a German--I now remind you +of that fact." + +Hartmut colored to the roots of his hair at this merited reproof given +to a stranger, a foreigner, as she supposed, who had forgotten himself. +What if this girl knew to whom she was talking, what if she ever learned +--a feeling of shame overcame him for the second, but he was a man of +the world and controlled himself once more. + +"I beg your pardon," he said, with a slight, half-mocking bow. "I was +under the impression that we were merely exchanging impersonal opinions. +I sincerely regret having annoyed you, Fräulein." + +A scarcely perceptible movement of her head, and a slight shrug of the +shoulders showed him that he had no power to really annoy her. + +"I could certainly not think of influencing your judgments, but as our +ideas are so radically opposed, I think it would be better to drop the +conversation altogether." + +Rajanow showed no disposition to continue it. Now he knew for a surety +that the cold eyes could sparkle and blaze with anger, he had forced +them to do it, but the thing had ended otherwise than he had expected. +He gave the slight figure at his side a half-inimical glance, and then +his eyes lost themselves again in the dense green of the forest. + +There was something captivating after all about this forest loneliness +under the first light breath of autumn, a breath which touched the +leaves tenderly and laid such delicate tints upon them, brightening the +lovely landscape with its vivid reds and varied browns, with its +glimpses here and there of bright gold where the sunlight pierced the +woodland shade. The branches of the tall trees, centuries old, swayed +gently to and fro, and threw long, cool shadows across the occasional +open spaces, where the wild forest flowers rested on the breast of the +moss-covered earth. An occasional pool of water, lying silent and +placid, mirrored the clear, blue sky with its fleecy clouds, which +seemed to intermingle with the tall green branches, as both cast their +reflection in the water beneath. Only the soft rustling of the leaves, +and the hum of thousands of insects as they sang together a sweet, +dreamy forest song was to be heard. The very sunbeams seemed to echo +this melody as they followed closely the two wanderers, as if this man +and woman had come beneath their ban and would have some penalty to pay +for crossing their shining path so carelessly. Suddenly an unexpected +barrier stood in their way. From a thickly wooded elevation, a broad +mountain stream came rushing down, seeking its way between bushes and +rocks. Rojanow halted abruptly and cast a quick glance up and down, to +see if any means of crossing were to be found, but his eyes could +discover nothing, and turning to his companion, he said: + +"I fear we are in an unpleasant situation here. This stream barricades +our path completely. Usually it is no hard matter to cross it, for those +mossy stones make a good enough bridge, but yesterday's heavy rain has +misplaced them or covered them completely." + +The young lady had stopped, too, and was looking up and down the stream +also, for some crossing. + +"Could we not cross farther up?" she asked, indicating a certain spot +above them. + +"No, because the water is swifter and deeper in that direction. This is +the best place to get across. There is nothing to be done but to carry +you over, and that, with your permission, I will do." + +The offer was made most courteously, almost hesitatingly, but there was +a gleam of triumph in Hartmut's eye, notwithstanding his modest +demeanor. This time she must accept his assistance, even if she had +left the veil hanging in the thorns rather than do so. There was no +choice now, she must trust herself in his arms in order to reach the +opposite shore. He came up to her now as if he took her consent for +granted, but she drew back. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." Hartmut smiled with an irony which he made +no attempt to conceal. He was master of the situation now, and thought +to remain so. + +"Would you rather go around?" he asked. "It will take us more than an +hour and here we will be across in a minute or two. You need not doubt +the strength of my arms, and I am sure footed; it is not at all a +dangerous place to cross." + +"I agree with you," was the quiet answer, "and for that reason I will +essay to cross it alone." + +"Alone? That is impossible, Fräulein." + +"To step through a forest brook? I do not consider that an especially +difficult achievement." + +"But the water is deeper than you believe. You will be wet through and +through, and besides--it is really impossible." + +"A wetting will do me no harm, for I do not take cold easily. Pray lead +the way and I will follow." + +That was clear enough and sounded so peremptory that further +remonstrance was impossible. Hartmut bowed without speaking, and stepped +at once into the water, his high hunting boots serving him good purpose. + +He was right enough, the water was deep and swift, and the stones were +so slippery that he found it difficult enough to set his foot firmly on +them. He had a slight sneer on his lips as he stepped upon the opposite +bank and turned to wait for the girl whom he was so anxious to protect, +but who rejected all his advances so proudly. Would she venture or would +the first step terrify her and force her to call him back? No, she had +gathered up her skirts and followed without hesitation, notwithstanding +the fact that her silk stockings and thin low shoes afforded no +protection whatever. She stepped slowly and carefully on the stones over +which he had just gone, until she came to the middle of the stream. +Here, while the strong man's foot had been able to find a safe resting +place, the woman's smaller one sought in vain for a secure support on +the slimy stones. Her high heels were as much in her way as her gown, +the edges of which were already thoroughly drenched. Her courage forsook +her for the moment, she made several false steps, then stood perfectly +quiet and cast an involuntary glance toward the opposite bank, where +Hartmut stood watching her in silence, resolved to raise no hand toward +her assistance until requested to do so. Perhaps she read this in his +eyes and it gave her back her strength. With a look of decision on her +face she gave up all further search for a secure stepping stone, and +planted her foot firmly on the pebbly bottom of the stream, and a second +later, thoroughly wet now, she clutched the low bough of a tree in +preference to Hartmut's outstretched hand, and drew herself up on the +further bank. Then turning with dripping garments, to her guide, said: + +"We will go on, if you please. We cannot be very far from Fürstenstein." + +Hartmut gave no syllable of reply, but a feeling akin to hate rose +within him as he looked at this woman who preferred such great +discomfort rather than come into closer contact with him even for a +moment. + +This proud, spoiled man whose dazzling personality won all hearts, felt +the humiliation which had been forced upon him most keenly, and +execrated within himself the chance which had brought about this +meeting. + +They went on as rapidly as possible now, and Hartmut cast a glance, from +time to time, at the slender, silent figure with its heavy bedraggled +skirts, the drippings from which marked their course by a long line of +moisture. He kept an attentive eye on the woods on either side; this +dark forest road must come to an end some time. + +His course had been the right one after all, which at least was some +slight satisfaction to him. After a few minutes he came to an elevation +which afforded him a view of the region round about. Yonder, across a +sea of forest trees, rose the towers of Fürstenstein, and at the foot of +the hill on which he stood a broad carriage road was plainly visible, +and this road, winding through a part of the forest, led directly to the +foot of the castle hill. + +"Yonder is Fürstenstein," said he, as he turned and spoke to the young +girl for the first time since they had left the stream. "It is about +half an hour's walk from here, though." + +"O, that is nothing. I am grateful to you for guiding me so +successfully, but the way is very plain now, and I will trouble you no +longer." + +"I am subject to your orders," said Hartmut coldly. "If you desire to +dismiss your guide so summarily, he will no longer force himself upon +you." + +The lady felt the reproof implied in his words. After a man had spent a +couple of hours in her service, he did deserve something more than a +contemptuous dismissal, even though she had found it necessary to keep +him at a distance. + +"I have taken too much of your time already," she said, unbending a +little. "You have introduced yourself to me, Herr Rojanow, and I must, +in return, tell you my name before I say good morning--Adelheid von +Wallmoden." Hartmut drew a short breath, and a fleeting red colored his +face as he repeated, slowly: + +"Wallmoden!" + +"Are you familiar with the name?" + +"I have heard it, but not here, in--in North Germany." + +"Very probable; that is my husband's home, and mine, too." + +Rojanow's face showed extreme surprise as he heard this young girl, whom +he had taken as a matter of course, for unmarried, speak in so +matter-of-fact a tone about her husband, but he bowed, and said most +courteously: + +"I beg your pardon, my dear madame, for mistaking you for a girl, but I +could not know you were married. And I now know that I have never had +the honor of meeting your husband. The only one of the name with whom I +was ever familiar, was a gentleman now past middle life. He belonged to +the diplomatic service, and his name, if I do not mistake, was Herbert +von Wallmoden." + +"That is my husband, and he is at present ambassador to this country. He +will be looking anxiously for me now, so I must not linger a moment +longer. Again let me thank you, Herr Rojanow." And with a bow of adieu, +the lady hurried down the hill toward the carriage road. + +Hartmut stood looking after her, like one in a maze; heavy beads of +perspiration stood out on his forehead. So soon? He had scarcely set +foot on German soil, and here he was met at once by the old names and +all the painful memories which their mention entailed. + +Herbert von Wallmoden, Frau von Eschenhagen's brother, Willibald's +guardian and his own boyhood's friend. Rojanow felt a sharp cut like a +dagger thrust through his breast. He drew himself up and threw his +shoulders back, as though he would throw from him some overwhelming +burden, and the old bitter, mocking smile came to his lips again, as he +said, half aloud: + +"Uncle Wallmoden hasn't wasted any of his opportunities, that's evident. +His hair's gray by this time, but it hasn't prevented him winning a +lovely young wife. To be sure, an ambassador is a fine match, and it is +evident that Adelheid von Wallmoden was born to marry such a man. She +has all the aristocratic airs and manners which are the one thing +needful in the diplomatic circle. Doubtless he's had her well trained to +take her place in the diplomatic school. Well, he's fared well in this +world, there's no doubt of that." + +His eyes followed the young wife, who had just reached the foot of the +hill, and a deep scowl settled on his brow. + +"If I meet Wallmoden here, and perhaps I won't be able to avoid it, +he'll recognize me without a doubt. Then he'll tell her all about it, +and if she ever sees me again, and gives me one of her contemptuous +glances, I'll--" He stamped his foot on the ground with fury at the +thought, and then gave a bitter laugh. + +"Pah! What need I care? What does this pale, blue-eyed creature, with +her cold blood, know of freedom, of the throes of passion, of the storms +which come to some lives? Let her pronounce sentence on me. Why should I +shun a meeting? I will face her and bid her beware." + +And with a haughty movement of his head he turned his back on the +slender figure, and strode back again into the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +The betrothal festivities to which Baron von Wallmoden and his wife had +been bidden were carried out to the letter. Antonie von Schönau plighted +her troth to her cousin, the heir of Burgsdorf. + +The young people had known their parents' plan for years, and were fully +agreed as to its accomplishment. Willibald subscribed like a dutiful +son, to his mother's opinion that she was the suitable person to choose +his life's companion for him, and he had waited patiently her pleasure +as to the time when his betrothal should become an accomplished fact; +the thought of having his little cousin Toni for a wife was very +pleasant to him. He had known her since childhood, and she suited him +exactly. She was a girl absolutely bereft of romance, and Willibald knew +she would make no sentimental demands upon him, to which he, with the +best will in the world, had not the temperament to respond. Toni, for +her part, possessed that good taste for which Frau Regine had given her +credit. Will pleased her very well, and the prospect of being mistress +of Burgsdorf pleased her still better--in short, everything was as it +should be. + +The newly betrothed pair were at the piano in the drawing-room, and Toni +was entertaining her lover with music, not voluntarily, however, but at +her father's request, for she herself considered music a wearisome and +superfluous accomplishment. But the head forester had insisted that his +daughter should show she was not educated in housewifery alone, but had +learned something at boarding-school as well. He was walking to and fro +on the terrace with his sister-in-law now; they had come there to listen +to the music, and discuss for the hundredth time the happiness and +prospects of their children. They had, as usual, soon drifted away from +pleasant topics and their contention was growing fiercer each moment. + +"I really don't know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, very red in the face. "You don't seem to comprehend the +impropriety of permitting such an intimacy. When I ask you who is the +school-girl friend of Toni's who is expected at Waldhofen, you answer me +coolly and complacently, that she is a singer who has been on the stage +of the Court theatre for some time. An actress, a theatrical star. One +of those wretched, frivolous creatures who--" + +"But, Regine, don't fly into such a passion," interrupted her host +angrily. "You speak as though the poor soul had lost her character just +because she went on the stage." + +"So she has, so she has!" Regine answered excitedly. "Who ever enters +that Sodom and Gomorrah goes down to the bottom at once and can never +rise again." + +"That's flattering to the Court theatre company, at least," said Schönau +dryly. "But we go to see them just the same." + +"As spectators! That's quite a different thing, though, for my part, I'm +opposed to encouraging such people at all. Will goes to the theatre very +little, and never without me. But while I, in the performance of my duty +as a mother, have guarded him from any intercourse whatever with such +people, you permit his future wife to come within their poisonous +influence. It's enough to make the heavens cry out!" + +She had raised her voice almost to a shriek at the last, partly from +excitement, and partly to be heard by her brother-in-law, for the +musical production was noisy now, and sent forth loud, discordant sounds +through the open glass door. Toni had good strong wrists, and her touch +on the piano reminded one of the stroke of an axe on hard wood. Her +three listeners had strong nerves, but low speech was certainly an +impossibility. + +"Let me explain the matter to you," said the forester appeasingly. "I +have told you already that this was an exceptional case." + +"Marietta Volkmar is the grandchild of our good old doctor at Waldhofen. +His son died while still in the flower of youth. The young widow +followed her husband the very next year, and the poor little orphan came +to her grandfather. That was ten years ago, just after I had been +assigned to Fürstenstein. Doctor Volkmar became our family physician, +and his grandchild the playfellow of my children. As the school in +Waldhofen was a miserable affair, I begged the doctor to permit his +little one to come here and share the childrens' instruction. Then while +Toni was at boarding-school for two years, Marietta was in the city +pursuing her musical education, and, as a matter of course, their daily +intercourse ceased. Marietta, however, has always visited us regularly +during her vacations, when she came home to her grandfather, and I do +not see why I should forbid her doing so as long as she remains +respectable and honest." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to this reasonable explanation without +unbending in the least. She now said spitefully: + +"Respectable and honest in a theatre! Every one knows well enough what +goes on in such iniquitous places; but you seem to take it as lightly as +does Dr. Volkmar, who for that matter looks honest and venerable enough +with his open face and long white hair. How he can send a soul +entrusted to his care, his own flesh and blood at that, on to certain +destruction, is beyond my comprehension." + +"Regine, I always thought you a most rational woman, but in this matter +you have no sense at all. The theatre and every one connected with it +has always been proscribed by you, and yet you know absolutely nothing +about it. It was no easy matter for the doctor to allow Marietta to go +on the stage. That I know, for we talked it over frequently. It is not +for us who sit in warm nests and can provide lavishly for our children, +to sit in judgment upon other parents who earn their daily food with +labor and bitter care. Volkmar, though seventy years of age, works day +and night, but his practice brings him in little, for this is a poor, +sparsely settled neighborhood, and after his death Marietta will have +nothing." + +"Then he should have made a teacher or a companion of her; that is a +decent way to earn one's bread." + +"God preserve me from bread so earned. No one knows how the poor thing +would be used and ill treated. If I had a child who was dearer to me +than life, whose fate it was to earn her own living, and I was told that +she would have a brilliant future, and put money in her purse if she +went on the stage, I would say 'go!' you may depend upon it." + +This avowal seemed to take the ground from under Regine's feet. She +stood for a moment gazing at him with frightened face. Then she said, +solemnly: + +"Moritz--it makes me shudder to hear you." + +"Well, if it gives you pleasure to shudder, don't stop on my account. +But when Marietta comes as usual to Fürstenstein, I will not send her +back, neither shall I raise any objection if Toni goes to her at +Waldhofen. So we need say nothing more about it." + +Then Herr von Schönau cried out to his daughter, who was still pounding +away, that the window-panes were rattling and the strings of the piano +would be ruined. He did not really care a particle how much noise she +made, neither did her aunt, who answered him now, promptly and sharply: + +"Well, there's one comfort at least, Toni will soon be married. Then +this friendship with the theatrical prodigy will be at an end. I give +you my word for it, that no such guests will be allowed within the walls +of Burgsdorf, and Willibald will not permit his young wife to keep up +any correspondence either." + +"That means that you will not permit it," sneered the head forester. +"There are no yeas or nays in poor Will's life, he is only the obedient +servant of his dear mother. It is really remarkable how you can keep the +fellow, a man grown and soon to be a husband, so cowed down and under +the lash." + +Frau von Eschenhagen threw her head back, more insulted than ever now. + +"I believe I understand my responsibilities better than you. Perhaps you +would like to reprove me for educating my son to honor and love his +parents?" + +"Ah, but there's a point where love leaves off and tyranny begins. You +have made Will quite stupid under your eternal tutelage. You couldn't +let him make his own offer of marriage even. The matter was an old story +to you, so you interfered as usual, without giving the poor boy a +chance. 'The affair is all arranged for you, children. Your parents have +settled it all for you. You are to marry one another. I give you my +blessing; now kiss one another, for you are betrothed.' That's the kind +of a stand you took. I, also, was taught to love and honor my parents, +but if they had attempted to woo my bride for me, they'd have heard me +sing another tune. And that boy of yours took it as quietly as possible; +I really believe he was rejoiced that he did not have to propose for +himself." + +The excitement of the two had by this time reached fever heat, and it +was a fortunate thing that the noise from the piano drowned all further +conversation. Fräulein Antonie had great strength in her hands, and her +only idea of music was to make all the noise she could; one would have +thought a regiment of soldiers was storming a fort. Just now the noise +irritated her father, who wanted to hear himself speak. + +"Toni, Toni, don't break the new piano in two with your thumping," he +shouted crossly. "What is it you are playing, anyway?" + +Toni was working away bravely, notwithstanding the perspiration was +running down her face. Near her sat her lover on a little sofa, his eyes +shaded by his arm as he leaned back, his very soul steeped, as it were, +in the music. At her father's question the fair musician turned slowly +on her stool and answered in a half-sleepy tone: + +"That is the 'Janizary March,' papa. I thought it would please Will, as +he is a soldier, you know." + +"Yes; a dragoon by accident," muttered her father, as he stepped over to +his future son-in-law, who hardly seemed to appreciate the delicate +attentions of his fiancée. + +"Well Will, what do you say to all this fine music?--Will, don't you +hear me? I believe upon my life he's sound asleep." + +The young heir, aroused now by the scolding voices on all sides, rubbed +his eyes and looked at them with a dazed, drowsy air. + +"What--what is the matter? Yes, it was very beautiful, dear Toni." + +"Yes, to be sure it was," cried the head forester with an angry flash of +his eye. "You need never trouble yourself to play for him again, my +child. But come, let us leave this ardent lover to finish his nap in +peace. He has good strong nerves, I must say that for him." + +With these words the irate father gave Antonie his arm and led her from +the room. But Frau von Eschenhagen, already highly incensed, felt that +her son's inattention to his sweetheart was an additional insult, and +now turned upon poor Willibald in a fury. + +"Well, you have overstepped the limits of common decency, this time!" +she cried in a rage. "Your blessed father wasn't much of a carpet knight +in his day. He was engaged to me just twenty-four hours when he fell +asleep, too, while I played for him; but I waked him up after such a +fashion he never did it a second time I can assure you. Now go after +Toni this minute and say what you can to excuse yourself; she has reason +to be sorely vexed with you." + +Regine took him by the shoulder and pushed him out of the door, as she +ended her tirade. + +Will took all she said quietly enough, and went at once to make his +peace with his cousin. He felt really frightened over his ill-timed +slumber, but he had been tired, and the music wearied him greatly. + +So he was very contrite as he entered the room in which his cousin was +standing at the window. + +"Dearest Toni, do not be angry with me," he began, apologetically. "It +was so hot, and your beautiful music had something so soothing in it +that--" + +Toni turned to him. It was certainly the first time that the Janizary +March had ever been called a soothing composition; but the crushed, +penitent look of her lover, who stood like a sinner awaiting +condemnation, restored her to good humor, and she held out her hand to +him, as she said heartily: + +"No, I am not in the least angry with you, Will. I never cared about the +stupid music, myself. We'll find something more sensible than that to do +when we get to Burgsdorf." + +"Yes, that we will," answered Will, cordially, as he pressed the +outstretched hand warmly. He would never have thought of kissing it. +"You are so good, Toni." + +When Frau von Eschenhagen came upon the lovers a few minutes later, she +found them absorbed in the milk and cream question. The mode of +conducting a dairy in South Germany differed from that common in the +North. It was a subject of which Will never tired, and his mother felt +grateful in her heart for a daughter-in-law who had no uncomfortable +sensitiveness. + +A little later, Will found an opportunity to win complete forgiveness. +Toni was anxious to get the evening post as soon as it arrived. She +complained, also, that something which had been ordered for supper had +not been sent from Waldhofen, and that a message which had been +entrusted to a groom, had not, she feared, been properly delivered. So +Willibald offered to go at once, and set all these vexatious trifles to +rights, and his offer was graciously accepted. + +Waldhofen was a place of great importance to the mountaineers, though in +itself it was but a small town. It was about thirty minutes' walk from +Fürstenstein, and was an important centre for all the little villages +and hamlets scattered through the forest. + +There was seldom a soul to be seen on the streets during the afternoon +hours, and it seemed a deserted, desolate place to Herr von Eschenhagen, +as he crossed the dreary market-place on his way from the post-office. + +He had attended to the other errands first, and delivered the message, +which concerned the sending of a chest to Fürstenstein. As the streets +were of no interest to him, he turned now into a side road, where there +were neat little houses, with fresh, green little lawns in front. The +road was uneven and muddy after yesterday's heavy rain, but Willibald +was a countryman himself, and paid no heed to bad roads, so he walked on +now without a murmur. + +He was in a very contented frame of mind, both as regarded himself and +the world at large. Here he was, a strong, healthy young man, with a +generous share of this world's goods, and the pleasurable thought that +he was engaged to be married to a girl who suited him, and who would, he +knew, make him a good wife. + +A heavy, lumbering carriage came up the narrow, uneven road, along which +he was trudging. There was a large trunk strapped on the back, and +various bundles and boxes covered the seats within. Willibald wondered +to himself why any one had chosen such a miserable little lane, which +the recent rains had made totally unfit for vehicles, instead of taking +the wide, decently paved street. The coachman seemed to be in anything +but a happy frame of mind. He turned now in his seat, and said to the +traveler, of whom Willibald had not caught a glimpse: + +"Now really Fräulein, we can go no farther. I told you before that we +couldn't get through here, and now you see for yourself how the wheels +stick in the mud--its a pretty piece of business." + +"It is not very far," sounded a clear young voice from the depths of the +carriage. "Only a few hundred steps, farther. So please go on no matter +how slowly." + +"What can't be done, can't be done!" announced the driver in a +philosophic tone. "I cannot go forward through this mire, and I won't. +We must turn back." + +"I will not ride through the town." The clear voice had a decided, +defiant tone this time. "If you won't go through this lane, stop, and +I'll get out here." + +The driver stopped at once, clambered down from his seat and opened the +heavy door, and a second later a slender girl jumped from the carriage; +jumped skillfully, too, for she landed on a dry place without coming in +contact with the mud and mire which surrounded her on all sides. Then +she took a view of her surroundings. But just before her the road had an +abrupt turn, so she could not see very far. + +The young lady was evidently annoyed to find herself farther from her +destination than she had supposed. Then her glance fell on Herr von +Eschenhagen, who, coming from the other direction, had just reached the +bend in the road. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but is the road passable?" + +He did not answer at once for he was dumb with admiration at the +wonderful and graceful leap which she had just made. She had gone +through the air like a feather, and landed on the only dry spot on the +whole road. + +"Don't you hear me?" she repeated, impatiently. "Do you know whether the +road is passable or not?" + +"I--I am on the road now," he answered, rather staggered by the sharp, +dictatorial tone. + +"I can see that for myself. But I have no high boots like you. What I +want to know is whether the road is as muddy as this all the way or not? +Are there any dry places? Great heavens! can't you answer?" + +"I--I believe you will find it dry after you get past this bend here." + +"Very well, then, I will venture. So you can turn back, driver, and +leave my luggage at the post-office opposite the market-place, and I'll +send for it. Wait. Hand me down that black satchel, and I'll take it +with me." + +"But it's too heavy for you to carry, Fräulein, and I can't leave my +horses to take it for you," objected the coachman. + +"Well, then, give it to that gentleman yonder. It's not very far to our +garden gate. Will you please take that black leather satchel, sir--the +one on the back seat with the heavy straps. Can't you hurry?" + +The little foot stamped impatiently on the ground, for the master of +Burgsdorf stood and stared at her with open mouth. It was something new +to him to be commanded and disposed of in this way by a young woman; but +at the last imperious words he came bashfully forward and took the +satchel from the driver's hand. The young lady evidently thought it the +most natural thing in the world to ask his assistance. + +"There," she said, shortly. "Now, driver, go back to the post-office, +and I'll pick my way through the Waldhofen mud." + +She gathered her gray traveling cloak and frock around her and stepped +along quickly, picking her way carefully as she went, and keeping as +close as possible to the low hedge which bordered the road, while +Willibald, of whom she took no notice, trotted on behind with her +belongings. He thought he had never seen anything half so lovely as this +graceful, slender creature, who scarcely reached up to his shoulder, and +he feasted his eyes on the little figure as he followed after. + +There was something more than ordinarily gracious and pleasing in the +young girl's movements, and in her whole appearance, and she carried her +little head with its mass of curly dark hair which no hat could keep +concealed, with a jaunty air. Her features were irregular, but they +wore an expression of saucy defiance, which with her large, dark eyes +and rosy mouth, and the little dimple in the chin, made up for all +imperfections of contour. The gray traveling costume, while simple in +the extreme, was well and tastefully made, and told that its fair wearer +was of another world than that of Waldhofen. + +The road, after they had rounded the bend, was, as Willibald said, much +drier, though they still had to keep close to the low, hedge-hidden +wall, and take very careful steps to avoid the wet, muddy hollows. There +was no conversation between the two. Will would never have thought of +speaking, so he trudged on patiently, while his guide hurried forward as +rapidly as the way would permit, and apparently never troubling herself +about the meek burden-bearer in the rear. + +In about ten minutes they reached a low garden gate at which the girl +stopped abruptly. She leaned over, and pulling out a little wooden bar, +opened it. Then she turned to her escort, if such he could be called, +and said: + +"I thank you, sir. Please give me my satchel now." + +The satchel, in spite of its small size, was much too heavy for her +little hands to hold. Willibald was, for the first time in his life, +seized with a knightly impulse, and declared the satchel was much too +heavy for her, and that he would carry it to the house for her. She +accepted his courtesy with a careless nod of approval, and turning +hastily, went through the small, well-kept garden to the back door of +the little old-fashioned house, on which the long afternoon shadows were +lingering. Now for the first time, the new-comer was seen from within, +and an elderly woman started out from the little kitchen, crying: + +"Fräulein! Fräulein Marietta, you have come to-day. Ah, what joy, what--" + +Marietta flew toward her and put her hand over her mouth. + +"Hush! hush! Babette. Speak softly, I want to surprise grandpapa. Is he +at home?" + +"Yes, the Herr Doctor is at home and is in his study. Will you go right +in, Fräulein?" + +"No, I'll go into the front room and play a soft accompaniment, and sing +him his favorite song! Be careful, Babette, he must not hear us." + +She went in on tiptoe, as noiselessly as an elf, across the old hall, +and softly opened the door of a little, low-ceilinged corner room; +Babette, who, overcome by joy and surprise, had not noticed the stranger +standing in the shadow, followed her dear Fräulein. The door was left +open, and Willibald could hear a cover laid back cautiously and a chair +pushed gently in place. Then she began a low prelude. The sounds which +the old worn out spinet gave forth were tremulous and thin, and made one +think of an ancient harp; but the maiden's voice recalled the lark's +song of rejoicing. + +The singing was not long continued, for a door opposite was opened +hastily, and an old man with white hair appeared upon the threshold. + +"Marietta! my Marietta, is it really you?" + +"Grandpapa!" cried the young girl exultantly, as she ceased her song and +rushed forward to throw herself in the old man's arms. + +"You bad child. Why did you frighten me so?" he said, tenderly. "I did +not expect you until day after to-morrow, and intended going to the +railway station to meet you. When I heard your voice so suddenly just +now, I believed my ears had deceived me." + +The girl laughed out gaily like an excited child. + +"Ah, I have succeeded in surprising you, grandpapa, haven't I? I came up +the back road, but the wheels stuck so in the mud that I had to get out +and walk part of the way. I came in through the garden and by the back +door--well, Babette, what is it?" + +"Fräulein, the carrier is still waiting with the satchel," Babette had +just discovered that a stranger was on the premises. "Shall I give him +money for a drink and let him go?" + +The young man, thus designated as the carrier, still stood, satchel in +hand, awaiting Marietta's pleasure. Dr. Volkmar turned at once, and +recognizing who it was, cried in a frightened tone: + +"Good heavens--Herr von Eschenhagen!" + +"Do you know the gentleman?" asked Marietta, without any especial +interest or surprise, for her grandfather, being the only physician in +the region, of course knew every one. + +"To be sure I know him. Babette, take the valise at once. I beg your +pardon, sir. I did not know that you were acquainted with my +granddaughter." + +"Why, we never saw each other before to-day," explained Marietta. "But, +grandpapa, will you not introduce me to this gentleman?" + +"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf--" + +"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta delighted. "O, how comical that +we should meet each other for the first time in the mud. If I had known +who it was I would not have treated you so cavalierly, Herr von +Eschenhagen. I let you walk behind me as though you were a veritable +porter. But why didn't you speak?" + +Willibald didn't speak now, but looked stupidly at the little hand +which was extended to him. He felt he must do or say something, and as +it was an impossibility for him to speak, he grasped the little hand in +his great, brawny palm and pressed and shook it vigorously. + +"Oh!" cried Marietta as she drew back hastily. "You have a terrible +grip, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my finger." + +Willibald, glowing from embarrassment and mortification, was about to +stammer an apology, when the doctor came to his rescue by inviting him +to come in. This invitation he accepted without speaking, and followed +his host into the house. Marietta took the principal part in the +conversation. She gave a very amusing account of her meeting with +Willibald. Now that she knew he was her dear Toni's lover, she treated +him with all the familiarity and freedom of an old friend. She asked +question after question about Toni and the head forester, and her tongue +went on without rest or intermission. + +To the young man who sat so silent and listened so eagerly, the girl's +pleasant, bird-like chatter was quite bewildering. He had met the doctor +on the previous day at Fürstenstein and had heard some talk of a certain +Marietta who was a friend of his fiancée. Who or what she was, or from +whence she came, he did not know, for Toni had not been very +communicative on that occasion. + +"And to think of this excited child leaving you standing at the back +door, while she came in to play and sing to decoy me from my study," +said Dr. Volkmar shaking his head. "That was very impolite, Marietta, +very impolite indeed." + +The young girl laughed merrily, and shook her short, curly hair. + +"O, Herr von Eschenhagen has not taken it amiss. But as he only heard a +bar or two of your favorite song, I think the least I can do is to sing +it all for him now." + +And without waiting for an answer, she seated herself at the piano, and +again the clear, silvery voice with its bird-like notes, broke forth on +the evening air. She sang an old, simple ballad, but with such +expression, such pathos and sweetness, that a bright spring sunlight +seemed to enter and flood the little rooms of the old house. But no +sunshine was half so bright as the joy which lit up the face of the old +white-headed man, upon whose forehead lay the shadows of years and +sorrow, and on whose cheeks care had pressed deep furrows. With a +half-pathetic, happy smile he listened to the old familiar melody, which +spoke to his heart like a voice from his own lost youth. + +But he was not the only attentive listener. The master of Burgsdorf, who +had fallen asleep amid the thunders of a military march, and who had +felt himself entirely in accord with Tom when she declared music to be +stupid, listened almost breathlessly to the enchanting strains. Such +music was a revelation to him. He sat, leaning forward in his chair, as +if fearful of losing a single note, with his eyes fastened upon the +pretty maiden, who, singing with all her soul, moved her little head +backward and forward with a graceful movement as she warbled forth her +sweet song. When it was ended Willibald leaned back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, and drew his hand across his eyes. + +"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar tenderly, as he rose and +leaned over his grandchild and kissed her forehead. + +"Well, grandpapa," she said teasingly, "has my voice lost anything +within the last few months? But I fear it does not please Herr von +Eschenhagen. He has no word of commendation for me." + +She turned to Willibald with the assumed sulky look of a spoiled child. +He rose now and came over to her. + +A slight flush diffused his face, and in his eyes, usually so +expressionless, shone a new light. + +"Oh, it was very beautiful!" + +The young singer might be forgiven for having expected something more +then these few embarrassed words; but she felt the deep, honest +admiration which they conveyed, and understood at once that her song had +deeply impressed the taciturn stranger. She smiled pleasantly as she +replied: + +"Yes, it is a sweet song. I have scored more than one triumph singing it +as an encore." + +"As an encore?" repeated Will, with no idea of what she meant. + +"Yes, at the theatre, which I have just left to visit grandpapa. I was +such a success, grandpapa, and the director wanted me to give up all my +vacation, but I had surrendered so much of it already to suit him that I +declared I would have these few weeks with you." + +Willibald listened to all this with increasing astonishment. Theatre, +vacation, director, what did it all mean? The doctor noticed his +astonishment. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know what you are, my child," he said +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for an opera singer." + +"How soberly you say it, grandpapa," cried Marietta, springing up and +drawing her little slender figure to its full height, as she said, with +an assumption of great dignity: + +"For the past five months a member of the renowned and worshipful Ducal +Court theatre, a person in a responsible position and worthy of all +honor. Hats off, gentlemen!" + +A member of the Court theatre company! Willibald drew himself together, +as it were, when he heard the fatal words. The well trained son of his +mother, he had a great abhorrence for all actors and actresses. He +stepped unwittingly, three steps back, and stared in amazement at the +young lady who had just made so startling and so frightful an +announcement. She laughed out loud as he did so. + +"Oh, you need not manifest so much respect for me, Herr von Eschenhagen, +I will permit you to stand by the piano. Has Toni never told you that I +belong to the theatre?" + +"Toni? No!" stammered Willibald, greatly disconcerted. "But she is +waiting for me. I must go to Fürstenstein. I have stayed here much too +long already." + +"How extremely polite," laughed the girl, with a good-natured sneer. "It +is not very polite to us, but where your bride is, there should you be +also." + +"Yes, and with my mother, too," said Will, who had a feeling that +something dreadful was threatening him, and to whom his mother seemed a +protecting angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have been here much too long +already." + +He stopped abruptly, remembering that he had said these words once +before, but as none better offered themselves to his disturbed brain he +repeated them for the third time. + +Marietta was half dead from suppressed laughter. Dr. Volkmar declared, +most courteously, that he would not think of detaining his guest a +second longer, and begged him to give his compliments to the head +forester and to Fräulein von Schönau. + +The young man scarcely heard him; he reached for his hat, muttering some +word of farewell, and was off without delay. He had but one thought, +and that was to get away as quickly as possible. The good-natured, +scarcely restrained laughter confused him greatly. + +When the doctor returned, after having accompanied Willibald to the +door, he found his grandchild half suffocated with laughter, while the +tears were rolling down her cheeks. + +"I don't believe that lover of Toni's is quite right here," she said, as +she tapped her forehead with her finger. "First, he carried my satchel +and was as dumb as a fish; then he thawed out a little when I sang, and +now he is off on a run to Fürstenstein and his mother, before I have a +chance even to send Toni a message" + +The doctor smiled, but it was a pained smile. He had observed this +stranger more closely than Marietta, and knew only too well what caused +the sudden and great anxiety to get away from the house. + +"Evidently the young man is not much accustomed to ladies' society," he +answered evasively; "he's under his mother's thumb apparently, but he +seems to please his sweetheart, and that's the main thing." + +"He's a handsome man," mused Marietta, "a very handsome man. But, +grandpapa, I believe he's also a very stupid one." + +Willibald in the meantime had gone, almost on a run, to the nearest +street corner, and there he halted and tried to overcome his +bewilderment and collect his thoughts. It was some time before he +started slowly on his homeward way, and while standing dazed and stupid +in the little country road, he threw more than one glance back at the +doctor's house. + +What would his mother say? She, who all her life had spurned the +play-actor as she would a reptile. And she was right, Will saw that +clearly; there was a sorcery about such people against which one needed +protection. + +But if this Marietta Volkmar should see fit to go to Fürstenstein to +visit her girlhood's friend! The young heir was horrified at the +thought, and assured himself that he was horrified, but there was a new +light in his eyes all the while. He saw suddenly, in his mind's eye, the +reception room at Fürstenstein, and the piano at which his betrothed had +sat so long that day, but in her place was a dainty little figure, with +a perfect glory of curly brown hair around her head; and the heavy notes +of the "Janizary March" changed into the soft, pleading tones of the +old-time ballad, and in the midst of it all, broke out the clear, +bubbling laugh which sounded like music, too. + +And all this sweetness was lost forever, both in this world and in the +next, because it had been seen and heard on the stage. Frau von +Eschenhagen had often expressed her views on that subject, and her son, +a good, obedient son always, looked upon her as an oracle. But now he +heaved a deep sigh, as he said half aloud: + +"What a shame! What a lamentable shame!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The little mountain of Hochberg rose about half way between Fürstenstein +and Rodeck. It was celebrated, and justly, for the fine and extensive +view which could be obtained from its highest point. An ancient stone +tower, all that now remained of a castle long since fallen into decay, +stood upon the extreme summit. + +A few peasants, more zealous than their neighbors, had built a little +inn or house of rest and refreshment at its base. They made a pretense +of keeping the mountain roads in order, and demanded a fair toll from +the stray tourist who came to climb the winding tower stairs. + +Strangers came but seldom, however, into this wild, unknown mountain +region. In the autumn especially, visitors were few and far between. +This bright, warm September day had, however, proved seductive. Two +gentlemen on horseback, attended by a groom, had dismounted at the door +and gone up into the little tower, and they had been followed, a half +hour later, by some guests from the neighborhood, who had driven up the +mountain-side in a light carriage. + +The gentlemen were now standing on a little stone platform of the tower, +and one of them was talking eagerly and excitedly as he called his +companion's attention to certain newly-discovered beauties in the +landscape. "Yes, our Hochberg is celebrated, there's no doubt of that," +he said finally. "I felt I must show it to you, Hartmut. Do you not +think the view across this far green ocean of forest is unparalleled?" + +Hartmut did not answer. He seemed to be searching for some particular +place through his field glass. + +"In which direction does Fürstenstein lie? Ah, I see, over yonder. It +seems to be an immense old building." + +"Yes, the castle is well worth seeing," said Prince Adelsberg. "You were +quite right, though, day before yesterday, to refuse to accompany me +there. The visit worried me to death." + +"Indeed! You spoke very enthusiastically of the head forester to me." + +"Yes, I always enjoy a chat with him, but he had gone driving, worse +luck, and only returned just as I was leaving. His son is not at +Fürstenstein either, he's at college studying forestry, and so I was +entertained by the daughter of the house, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau. +I had a weary hour, I can assure you. A word every five minutes, and a +minute getting that one out. She's a fine housewife, I fancy, with no +brains for anything beyond. It was up hill work talking to her, and no +mistake; then I had the honor of meeting her lover. A genuine, +unsophisticated country squire, with a very energetic mother, who +evidently has both him and her future daughter-in-law well under her +control. Oh, we had a highly intellectual conversation, which ended in +their asking my advice about the culture of turnips--I'm so well up in +turnips, you know. Just then, happily, the head forester and his +brother-in-law, Baron Wallmoden, returned." + +Rojanow still held the field glass to his eyes, and was seemingly +indifferent to his friend's gossip. Now he said in a questioning tone, +"Wallmoden?" + +"The new Prussian ambassador to our court. A genuine diplomatist, too, +if I may judge from appearances; aristocratic, cold, dignified and +reserved to the last degree, but good form, very good form. His wife, +the baroness, was not visible, but I bore her absence with resignation, +for he's a white-haired elderly man, and I doubt not his wife's of the +same stripe." + +Hartmut's lip curled as he took the glass down from his eyes. He had not +mentioned his meeting with Frau von Wallmoden. Why not forget the very +name as soon as possible? + +"Our romantic loneliness will soon end, Herr von Schönau tells me," +continued Egon. "The whole court is coming to Fürstenstein for the +hunting season, and I can count on a visit from the duke. He'll come +over to Rodeck as soon as he arrives. I'm not overjoyed, I can tell you, +for my respected uncle will preach at me about my morals in a way poor +Stadinger never thought of doing, and I'll have to stand it, too. At any +rate Hartmut, I can take this opportunity to present you." + +"If you think it necessary, and the etiquette of the court permits." + +"Bah! The etiquette won't be so strictly observed here, and besides the +Rojanows belong to one of the Bojarin families of your country." + +"Certainly." + +"Well then, there's nothing to prevent your being presented. I am very +anxious to have the duke meet you, then I'll tell him about your +'Arivana,' and as soon as he hears your play, he'll have it put on the +court stage. I've no question of it." + +The words conveyed the deep, almost passionate admiration which the +prince had for his friend. The latter only shrugged his shoulders as he +replied carelessly: + +"That is possible, if you intercede for me, but I do not want to owe my +success to any man's efforts in my behalf. I am no poet of repute; I +scarcely know whether I am a poet at all or not, and if my work cannot +make its own way I shall not force it on the world." + +"You'll be obstinate enough to let a fine opportunity slip, that's like +you. Have you no ambition?" + +"Only too much, I fear; perhaps that's the origin of what you call my +obstinacy. I have never been able to subordinate myself and conform to +the rules of every day life, and as to the restrictions and trammels of +your German courts, I could not adjust myself to them." + +"Who told you you would have to adjust yourself to them?" questioned +Egon laughingly. "You will be flattered and spoiled there, as everywhere +else, for you will appear in the heavens like a meteor and no one ever +requires stars of that nature to follow a prescribed orbit. Moreover +you will be both a guest and a foreigner; and as such will occupy an +exceptional position. When in addition to that, the poet's halo shines +round your head--" + +"You will have found means to bind me to your country, you think?" +interjected Hartmut. + +"Well yes, I certainly have not supposed that I, myself, possessed the +power to attach to us permanently so wild and restless a spirit. But the +rising fame of a poet is a bond which is not so easily broken. This very +morning I took an oath to keep you here at any cost." + +Rojanow gave him a surprised, searching look. "Why this morning?" + +"Ah, that's my secret," said Egon mischievously. "But here comes some +one to join us. I hear steps on the stairs." + +Yes, there were steps coming up the old stone stairway, and a second +later the bearded face of the old watchman peered out at the men on the +platform. + +"Please be careful, my lady," he was saying. "The last few steps are +very steep; now here we are on the platform." He held out his hand to +assist the lady, who was following him closely, but she paid no heed to +his offer and stepped lightly out on the little stone balcony. + +"What a lovely girl," whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend; but +Hartmut, instead of answering, was making a deep and formal bow to the +lady, who could not conceal a look of surprise when she saw him. + +"Ah, Herr Rojanow, you here?" + +"I am admiring the fine views from Hochberg of which you, madame, have +heard also, apparently." + +The prince's face bore a surprised look when he heard Hartmut address +this lovely girl as madame, and saw that she knew him. He came forward +immediately, in order that he might share his friend's acquaintance, so +Hartmut was constrained to introduce Prince Adelsberg to the Baroness +von Wallmoden; he made a passing allusion to the meeting in the wood, +for the young wife was wrapped in her mantle of icy indifference. It was +scarcely necessary to-day, for Rojanow was as fully determined as she, +to consider their acquaintance as of the slightest. + +Egon cast a reproving glance toward his friend, for he could not +comprehend how any one could keep silence about such a happy accident as +that of piloting so lovely a woman through the wood. He entered at once, +and with animation, into a conversation with the baroness. He spoke of +himself as a neighbor, and of his recent visit to Fürstenstein, and his +regret, great regret, at not meeting her on that occasion. But with all +his chatter, the prince kept himself well within bounds, and was the +polite and agreeable courtier. He knew full well that the wife of the +Prussian ambassador, no matter how young and beautiful, was not to be +approached with vapid, idle compliments. Hartmut had made that error in +addressing the unknown girl in the wood, but Egon had the advantage of +knowing to whom he spoke, and succeeded at last in thawing the beautiful +baroness by his gracious, suave manner. Finally he showed her the +landscape, and pointed out and explained the especial objects of +interest. + +Hartmut did not enter into the conversation at all, but after handing +the field glass to his friend, excused himself on the plea of searching +for a lost pocket-book. The watchman of the tower volunteered to go in +search of it for him, but Rojanow declared he would go and look for it +himself. He remembered the exact place, where, as he mounted the stairs, +he had heard something drop, but had paid no attention to it at the +time. He would go and find it, and then return to the platform. And +with a bow he left them. + +Egon, under other circumstances, would have expressed his surprise that +Hartmut did not accept the old watchman's offer, instead of going +himself. But now he saw his friend depart without protest; he was not +unwilling to have the field to himself. The baroness had already raised +the glass to her eyes, and was following attentively his explanations +and comments on the surrounding country. + +"And over yonder, behind that mountain of forest, lies Rodeck," he said +at last. "The little hunting lodge where we two misanthropes live like +hermits, cut off from all the world beside, save the apes and parrots +which we brought from the East, and they, by the way, are growing very +melancholy in their new home." + +"One would never take your highness for a misanthrope," said Frau von +Wallmoden with a fleeting smile. + +"I confess I haven't much taste for it, myself, but once in a while +Hartmut has a touch of the disease, and it is for his sake that I have +buried myself in this solitude." + +"Hartmut? That is a Hungarian name! It's very surprising that Herr +Rojanow speaks such pure German without the slightest accent. And yet he +told me he was a foreigner." + +"Yes, he is from Roumania, but he was educated, partially at least, by +kinsfolk in Germany, from whom he also got his Christian name." The +young prince explained so unconcernedly that it was evident he knew as +little about his friend's family as did his listener. + +"You seem to be very partial to him." There was a slighting tone in her +voice. + +"Yes, I am indeed," exclaimed Egon, roused in an instant. "And not I, +alone. Hartmut has one of those attractive, genial natures, which wins +upon all who know him. But the stranger who does not see him +unrestrained and at his best, can form no judgment of what he is. Then a +flame of fire bursts from his soul, and touches all those with whom he +comes in contact. He exercises a charm which none can resist, and where +he leads all must follow." + +This glowing eulogy was listened to with cool indifference by the young +woman, whose whole attention seemed to be centered in the landscape, as +she answered: + +"You are right, doubtless. Herr Rojanow's eyes indicate an unusually +fiery temperament, but their expression is uncanny and surely not +sympathetic." + +"Perhaps because they have that peculiar and demoniacal expression which +is always the indication of genius. Hartmut has great talent; he +sometimes frightens me with it, and yet it attracts me irresistibly. I +really do not know how I could live without him, now. I shall do +everything in my power to make him remain with me." + +"In Germany? Your highness sets yourself a hard task. Herr Rojanow has a +very contemptuous opinion of our country, I can assure you. He expressed +himself most forcibly to that effect, the other day in the wood." + +The prince listened attentively. These words explained to him what he +had at first thought so singular; why Hartmut had not mentioned to him +the meeting with the baroness. He smiled as he said: "Ah, that's why he +never mentioned meeting you to me. You probably showed him you did not +approve of his candid avowal concerning Germany; you served him just +right, for there's no sense in his lying so persistently. He has often +angered me with his harangues against my country, all of which I thought +he meant, at the time, but now I know better." + +"You do not believe, then?" Adelheid turned suddenly and faced the +speaker. + +"No, I have the proof of it in my hand. He fairly revels in our German +scenery. Your ladyship looks at me incredulously; may I tell you a +secret?" + +"Well?" + +"I went to Hartmut's room, this morning, to look for him," began the +prince, "and he was not there; but I found on his desk what was better +than finding him--a poem which he had evidently forgotten to lock up, +for he never intended it for my eyes, that's certain. No pricks of +conscience prevented my stealing it, and I have it with me this minute. +If you would care to glance at it--" + +"I do not understand the Roumanian tongue," responded Frau von +Wallmoden, with a slight sneer; "and I imagine Herr Rojanow has not +condescended to write in German." + +For answer Egon drew a paper from his pocket, and unfolded it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend, I see, but I do not want to leave him in +the false light in which he has placed himself in your eyes. May I not +read this to you, and let his own words be his justification?" + +"If you desire." + +The words were spoken indifferently, but Adelheid's eyes sought the +paper with an expression of keen interest. A few verses, written in a +careless, hasty hand, covered the white page. Egon began to read. They +were indeed German verses, but in them was a pureness and euphony which +told that they could only have been written by a master of that tongue, +and the description which they gave was one well known to both +listeners. Deep, sad, woodland loneliness, pervaded by the first breath +of autumn; endless green depths which swayed and beckoned with their +gloomy shadows; fragrant meadows flooded with the golden sunlight; +silent stretches of water in the far distance, and the noisy murmur of +the mountain brook, as it rushed down from some nearer height. This +picture had life and speech in it, too, and had its echoes of an +old-time woodland song; the rustle and whisper of the swaying branches +sounded to the ear like a soft, low melody, and above all and through +all, was the deep, pent-up longing for that peace which was the +background of the whole scene. + +The prince had begun with fervor, and entering into the spirit of the +poem, read clearly and intelligently. As he finished, he turned to the +baroness with a triumphant, "What do you say to that?" + +Frau von Wallmoden had not lost a word; she had not looked at the +reader, though, but had gazed across the distant hills. Now, at the +prince's question, she turned slowly. "Is this the language of one who +despises our country?" he continued, confident he had the best of the +argument. And as he looked closely at her, while demanding justice for +his friend, he realized for the first time, just how lovely this Frau +von Wallmoden was. The rosy tints of the setting sun softened the look +in the lovely eyes, and added beauty to the tender oval of her face; but +there was no softness in the cold, deliberate answer: "It is really +quite surprising that a foreigner should understand our language so +well." + +Egon stared at her. Was this all she had to say? He had expected +something quite different. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" +he asked. + +"Very full of sentiment. Herr Rojanow seems to possess a great deal of +poetical talent. Many thanks for your field glass, and now I must go +down to my husband. I fear he is tired already, waiting for me." + +Egon folded his paper without a word and returned it to his pocket. He +had been very enthusiastic over his friend's production, and this young +woman, colder and more frozen than ever now, chilled him to the bone. + +"I have had the honor of meeting his excellency, and will accompany you +down, with your permission," he said, courteously. + +She gave a slight bow of acknowledgment and left the platform, followed +by the Prince, who had grown suddenly very taciturn. He felt annoyed on +his friend's account, and regretted now that he had read, what to him +seemed such a wonderful poem, to a woman who evidently knew nothing +whatever of poesy. + +Hartmut had, in the meantime, after leaving the platform, descended the +winding stairs slowly. The lost purse was a mere subterfuge, for it lay +in its accustomed place in an inner pocket. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden had mentioned to the prince, soon after she +joined them on the platform, that her husband was awaiting her in the +little inn, but that he had not cared to climb the steep, dark stairs. +Hartmut knew he could not avoid a meeting, but he would at least brave +it without witnesses. + +If Wallmoden saw his old friend's son and recognized him, he might not +be able, for the moment, to master his surprise. + +Hartmut did not fear this meeting, though he knew it would be both +painful and uncomfortable. There was but one in the whole world whom he +feared; but one pair of eyes under whose gaze he would lack courage to +lift his own, and in all probability he would never meet that one. + +He could face all others with a proud defiance; he had but exercised his +right in abandoning a hated career. He was decided that there should be +no questioning or reproving; if he were recognized, he should request +the ambassador in a most decided manner, to make no reference whatever +to a past with which he was done forever. + +Upon the little veranda of the summer inn, Herbert von Wallmoden sat +with his sister. The impending arrival of the duke and his court for the +autumn hunting had detained the head forester at home, where he was in +great demand. The betrothed pair stayed at Fürstenstein, also, and as +nothing better offered itself for the day, the three guests decided to +come to Hochberg. + +The view was especially fine this afternoon and the air was like summer. +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, as +her eyes went searchingly over the landscape. "But we have nearly as +good a view here as up above. I certainly will never climb up those dark +stairs, and lose my breath to see any more. No, I thank you." + +"Adelheid was of a different opinion," responded her brother, as he gave +a fleeting glance up the tower. "She suffers neither from fatigue nor +heat." + +"Or cold either. That was proven the day she was drenched to the skin. +She hasn't even a sniffle from it." + +"I have requested her to take a servant with her in future when she goes +upon her rambles," said Herbert quietly. "To be lost in the forest and +have to wade through a brook and then finally be forced to call to her +aid a stray huntsman, are things that I do not care to have repeated. +Adelheid saw that as clearly as I, and will not go unattended for the +future." + +"Ah, she's an excellent, sensible wife, a healthy nature through and +through, with a proper aversion for adventure and romance," said Regine +warmly. "Ah, there are other visitors on the tower. I thought we would +be the only guests to-day." + +Wallmoden glanced indifferently toward the tall, aristocratic young man +who had just emerged from the tower door and was coming toward them; +Frau von Eschenhagen's glance was careless, too, but her look changed to +one both sharp and intense, and she cried out: + +"Herbert, look!" + +"At what?" + +"At that stranger. What a strange resemblance." + +"To whom?" asked Herbert, looking searchingly, too, into the face of the +stranger, who was nearer them now. + +"It's impossible! That is no passing resemblance. It is he, himself," +cried his sister. + +She sprang up pale with excitement, with her eyes fixed and staring at +the young stranger, who was just putting his foot on the first step of +the shaded veranda. Now his eyes met hers, his large, dark, flaming eyes +which had so often looked into her own and pleaded for him in his +childhood, and all doubts vanished. + +"Hartmut, Hartmut Falkenried! You!" + +She stopped suddenly, for Wallmoden laid his hand heavily, very heavily, +on her arm, and said sharply: "You are in error, Regine, we do not know +this gentleman." + +Hartmut was startled, when, upon reaching the top step, he recognized +Frau von Eschenhagen. The lattice-work had prevented his recognizing +her, and for her presence he was not prepared. But at the very moment +when he realized who it was, the ambassador's words sounded in his ears. +He understood only too well what the tone and words implied and the +blood rushed to his temples. + +"Hartmut!" Frau Regine called again, looking uncertainly at her brother, +who still held her arm fast. + +"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. "Must I repeat it to +you again, Regine?" + +She understood his meaning now, and turned with a half-threatening, +half-pained glance from the son of her old-time friend, as she said +bitterly: "You are right. I was mistaken." + +Hartmut drew himself to his full height, and an angry look flashed +across his face as he drew a step nearer. + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"What is it?" answered the other in a sharp, but contemptuous tone. + +"Your excellency has but forestalled me," said Hartmut, forcing himself +by mighty effort to speak quietly. "I came to request you not to know +me. We are strangers to one another." + +Then he turned with a haughty, defiant air, and disappeared within the +little inn. + +Wallmoden looked after him with knitted brow, and then turned to his +sister. "Could you not have restrained yourself, Regine? Why make a +scene? This Hartmut exists no more for us." + +Regine's face showed clearly her intense excitement, and her lips +trembled as she answered: + +"I am no such staid diplomat as you, Herbert. I have not yet learned to +be calm and indifferent when one whom I have for years imagined dead, or +gone to ruin, suddenly springs up before me." + +"Dead? He was too young to make that a probability. Gone to ruin? That +is indeed possible, judging from his life lately." + +"What do you mean?" asked his sister excitedly. "What do you know of +his life?" + +"I know something of it. Falkenried is too dear to me to make me lose +sight altogether of his son. I have never mentioned what I knew to +either of you. But as soon as I returned to my post, ten years ago, I +used my diplomatic position to ascertain what I could concerning them." + +"And what did you learn?" + +"At first, only what we already knew, that Zalika had taken her son to +Roumania. You knew that her step-father, our cousin Wallmoden, had died +some time before, and after her divorce from Falkenried she always lived +with her mother. From that time we heard nothing of her until she came +to Germany to capture her son, but just before she came, as I learned, +she inherited a large fortune by the death of her brother." + +"Her brother? I never knew she had one." + +"Yes, he was ten years her senior, and on attaining his majority had +become master of a large estate. His mother's second marriage was +childless and he never married. When he met with a sudden death while +hunting, Zalika, being next of kin, fell heir to his large possessions. +As soon as she entered into possession, she began at once to plan how +she could get her son. You know that part of the story. Then they passed +a few years in a wild, erratic life upon her Roumania estate, and they +fairly flung money away in their extravagance. After that they became +bankrupt, and mother and son went out into the world like gypsies." + +Wallmoden told all this in the same cold, contemptuous tone as that in +which he had spoken to Hartmut and in Regine's face, too, was a look of +abhorrence for the wife and mother who had fulfilled so ill the duties +of her station. But she could not restrain the anxiety she felt for the +son, as she asked: + +"And since then? Have you heard nothing further?" + +"Yes, on several occasions. Once when I was with the embassy at +Florence, I heard her name mentioned incidentally. She was at Rome; then +a year after that she was back in Paris again; and sometime later I +heard that Frau Zalika Rojanow was dead." + +"So she is dead," said Regine, softly. "How did they live all these +years?" + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. "How do all adventurers live? Perhaps +they had saved something from the shipwreck, perhaps they hadn't. At any +rate she was to be found in the saloons of Rome and Paris. A woman like +Zalika could always find assistance and protection. As a Bojar's +daughter she had her title of nobility, and even the forced sale of her +Roumanian estate, about which many knew, may have aided her to play her +_rôle_. Society opens its arms only too willingly to such as she, +especially when they have talent, and that Zalika undoubtedly had. By +what means she lived is another question." + +"But Hartmut, upon whom she forced such a life, what of him?" + +"He's an adventurer. What else could you expect?" said the ambassador in +his curtest tone. "He inherited her temperament, and his life with her +has developed the dormant tendency. Since his mother's death, three +years ago, I have heard nothing of him." + +"And why did you keep all this from me?" said Regine, reprovingly. + +"I wanted to spare you all I could. You had always given the boy too +warm a place in your heart, and I thought it better to let you imagine +him dead. Have you ever told Falkenried any of your idle speculations +concerning him?" + +"Once I ventured to speak of the past to him. I hoped to break through +the icy reserve which he always maintains towards me now. He looked at +me, I will not soon forget his eyes, and said with fearful +impressiveness: 'My son is dead. You know that, Regine. We will let the +dead rest in peace.' I have never mentioned Hartmut's name since then." + +"I suppose I hardly need counsel you to be silent when we return home," +continued her brother. "On no account let Willibald hear of this +meeting, for he's so good-natured that he'd be off at once if he heard +his boyhood's friend was in the neighborhood. It's much better he should +know nothing about it. If there should be a second meeting I will just +ignore the fellow. Adelheid does not know him; in fact she doesn't even +know that Falkenried had a son." + +He broke off suddenly and arose, for his young wife and her escort +emerged at that moment from the tower door. The prince greeted the +ambassador and his sister, whom he had met a day or two before, and +asked quite innocently whether they had seen his friend Rojanow, who had +disappeared from the tower a few moments before. + +Wallmoden threw a warning glance toward his sister, who stared at the +prince in surprise, and answered promptly and politely that he had seen +no gentleman, and added that he was just on the point of going in search +of his wife, as it was quite time they should return home. The order to +the groom was given at once, and a minute later the prince was bowing +low to the fair woman and her husband, whom he had accompanied to the +carriage. He stood a full minute looking after them when the carriage +rolled away. + +Hartmut stood at the window of the little public room looking at the +trio in the carriage, also. + +On his face lay the same deadly pallor as when the name of Wallmoden was +mentioned two days before, but to-day it was the pallor of a wild, +intense anger. He had steeled himself against question or reproof; these +he would have met with supercilious arrogance, but the contemptuous +manner in which he had been set aside struck him to his heart's core. +Wallmoden's words to his sister, "We do not know him. Must I repeat that +again?" incited his whole being to revolt. He felt keenly the sentence +which lay in them. And Aunt Regine, too, the woman who had once shown an +almost motherly affection for him, she turned her back on him as if +ashamed of her first impulse to speak to him. That was too much! + +"Oh, here you are at last," sounded Egon's voice from the door. "You +disappeared most mysteriously. Well, did you find your pocket-book?" + +Hartmut turned toward his friend; he felt he must be on his guard. + +"Yes," he said absently. "I found it on the stair, as I expected." + +"You might as well have let the watchman get it for you. But why didn't +you come back? 'Twas very shabby of you to desert Frau von Wallmoden and +me. You have not, I fear, won the lovely lady's favor. You were most +ungracious." + +"I shall have to endure my misfortune as best I can," said Hartmut with +a shrug. + +The young prince came nearer, and laid his hand affectionately on his +shoulder. + +"Or perhaps you incurred her displeasure day before yesterday? It is not +your wont to go off on a tangent when you are conversing with a charming +woman. O, I know all about it; the baroness thought fit to reprove you +for your attack on Germany, and you resented it. Now, a man should agree +to everything which comes from such lips." + +"You seem to be quite excited," sneered Hartmut. "Better look to it that +the gray-haired husband does not grow jealous, in spite of his years." + +"Yes, they're a singular couple," said Egon, half aloud, as if lost in +thought. "This old diplomat, with his gray hair and his keen, immobile +face, and the young wife with her dazzling beauty like a--like a--" + +"Northern light, above a sea of ice. It is a question which of the two +is farthest below freezing point." + +Prince Egon laughed out at the comparison. "Very poetical and very +malicious. But you are right enough. I felt the icy breath of this polar +star several times myself. It's just as well I did, for it is all that +saved me from falling head over heels in love with her. But I think we'd +better be starting now, don't you?" He turned to the door to order the +groom to bring around the horses. + +Hartmut, on the point of following him, turned once more to glance from +the window at the carriage, which could be seen through an opening in +the trees. He clenched his fist as he muttered: + +"We will speak yet, Herr von Wallmoden. I will remain now. He shall not +imagine that I am a coward and flee from him. Egon shall bring my work +to the notice of the court. We shall see then whether he will dare to +treat me like an adventurer. He shall pay yet for that glance and tone." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +At Fürstenstein everything was in readiness for the reception of the +Court. The ducal party was coming this autumn for the entire hunting +season, which lasted for several weeks, and the duchess was expected as +well. The second floor of the castle, with its countless rooms, was +prepared for the illustrious guests, and some of the officials and +servants had already arrived. The little town of Waldhofen, through +which the duke would pass, was in a state of excitement, too, as the +townspeople made their modest preparations to do the great man honor. +The Wallmodens had come for a short visit, but under existing +circumstances, decided to prolong it; in fact the duke himself, learning +of their whereabouts, and desirous of showing the ambassador and his +wife some especial mark of his favor, had expressed a desire to meet +them at Fürstenstein. This amounted to an invitation which it would have +been unwise to refuse. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her son were to remain also, to have an +opportunity of "viewing these Court people close at hand." The head +forester, in view of the prospective hunting which was his especial +care, had daily interviews with the under foresters and their +subordinates, and kept them all pretty well on their legs, that nothing +might be neglected. Life at the castle just at present was anything but +monotonous. In Fräulein von Schönau's room, this bright morning, there +were sounds of gay chatter, and many a clear, good-natured laugh. +Marietta Volkmar had come for a little gossip with her old friend, and +as usual during such visits, the laughter and the babble knew no end. +Toni sat in the window-seat, and near her stood Willibald, who, by his +mother's special orders, was to play the _rôle_ of sentinel. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not yet been able to accomplish her purpose +concerning the opera singer. Her brother-in-law had remained obdurate, +and even from her future daughter, whom she imagined so pliant, she had +met with decided resistance when she demanded that all intercourse +should be broken off between the two. "I cannot do that, dear auntie. +You ask too much," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so noble and good. I +could not wound her so deeply." + +"Noble and good!" Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of this girl whose eyes she might not open; but she was +diplomatic enough to let the subject drop for the present and bide her +time. Willibald, accustomed to confide in his mother, had told her of +his meeting with Fräulein Volkmar, and how he had enacted the part of +porter at her suggestion. Frau von Eschenhagen was, naturally enough, +incensed at the thought that her son, the heir of Burgsdorf, should act +as lackey for a "theatrical hussy." She drew, for his benefit, a picture +of this child of the devil, and explained how it would be an +impossibility for her to follow such a shameless life without being +thoroughly bad. Willibald, of course, was horror stricken at what he +heard, and agreed fully with his mother that his future wife must be +protected from so contaminating an influence. + +He received orders never to let the young girls be alone, and to watch +carefully how this Marietta behaved. At the very first intimation of a +disgraceful word or action, Regine would go to her brother-in-law and +demand that he should no longer permit his daughter to associate with +such an one; then she would call her son as witness, and the incubus +would be expelled at once and forever from their presence. Willibald +had been on guard when Marietta paid her first visit to Fürstenstein, +had accompanied Toni to Waldhofen when she went to the old doctor's to +see her friend, and he was now at his post again, to-day, in Antonie's +boudoir. + +Antonie and Marietta were chatting over the approaching arrival of the +Court at Fürstenstein, and the former, who possessed little taste in the +matter of dress, was asking her friend's advice about some details of +the toilette, and Marietta was giving it eagerly. + +"What are you going to wear with this gown?" asked Marietta. "Roses of +course, white or very delicate ones. They will suit admirably with this +faint blue." + +"No, I can't get roses," Toni declared. "I shall wear china asters." + +"Better wear sunflowers. Why should you, a young girl, just affianced, +too, wear such autumnal flowers? I do love roses so, and wear them +whenever opportunity offers. I was so disappointed that I couldn't have +one for my hair for the burgermeister's party to-night, but there isn't +one to be had in Waldhofen. It is getting late in the year for them." + +"The castle gardener has a rose tree in bloom in one of the hot-houses," +said Antonie in her sleepy manner, which formed so decided a contrast to +her friend's sharp, decisive tones. + +Marietta shook her head with a laugh. "They're for the duchess without +doubt, so we cannot beg for them, and must think of something in their +stead. And now that we are entering upon the toilet question, your +presence, Herr von Eschenhagen, is quite unnecessary. You don't know +anything about such matters, and our chatter must weary you greatly. But +in spite of all, you don't desert us, and what have I done so very +remarkable, pray, that you stare at me all the time?" + +The words sounded very ungracious. Will was startled, for the last +question was only too true. He had just been thinking how well a fresh, +half-blown rose would look peeping from those dark, curly locks. Toni, +who had not observed how attentively he was gazing at her friend, now +said good-naturedly: + +"Yes, Will, do go. You'll be wearied to death with our gossip, and I'm +not half through yet--I have a great deal to tell Marietta." + +"As you will, dear Toni," answered her lover, hesitatingly. "But I may +come back again?" + +"Of course, whenever you wish." + +Willibald went. It did not annoy him in the least, this having to desert +his post of observation. He was thinking of something quite different as +he stood for a moment alone in a little ante-room. The result of his +thoughts was that he left the castle a few minutes later, and directed +his steps toward the head gardener's quarters. + +Scarcely had he left the room when Marietta sprang up exclaiming: + +"Heavens, but you're a pokey pair of lovers!" + +"But, Marietta," said Toni, vexed. + +"Yes, whether you are vexed with me or not, I must say it. I had +expected such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You never were +particularly lively, but as for this fiancé of yours he don't seem to +know how to talk at all. What in the world did he say when he proposed +to you? Or did his mother do it for him?" + +"Don't jest all the time," said Toni, really angry now. "It's only in +your presence he's so silent; when we're alone he can talk glibly +enough." + +"Yes, over the new threshing-machine which he has invented himself. I +heard him talking about it just as I came in, and you were listening all +ears. Oh, you'll be a pattern man and wife, and rule Burgsdorf in a most +exemplary manner, but heaven protect me from such a happy marriage." + +"Marietta, you are very rude," said the young girl, highly incensed now. +In the same moment her friend had thrown her arms around her neck, and +said coaxingly: "Do not be angry, Toni. I did not mean to be +disagreeable, and do indeed rejoice in my heart if you are happy; only +you see--every one to his taste; my husband must be different from +yours." + +"Well, what must he be, pray?" asked Toni, resentful yet, but mollified +by her friend's coaxing tone. + +"In the first place he must be under my rule and not under his mother's; +second, he must be an honest, upright man, of whose protection I can +feel assured--that's not inconsistent with petticoat government, so long +as I do the governing. He need not be much of a talker. I'll attend to +that part myself. But he must love me, love me better than father and +mother or houses or lands, better than his threshing-machine, even--I +must be first in his thoughts, ever and always." + +Toni shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "You have very childish +ideas at times, Marietta; but let us decide about the gowns." + +"Yes, we'd better do that at once, for your dearly beloved will come +back soon and plant himself down like a sentinel between us. He +certainly has a talent for standing sentry. Now as to this blue silk--" + +Even now the pros and cons of dress could not go on smoothly, for Frau +von Eschenhagen opened the door at this moment, and called Toni to give +her advice concerning some household matter. Toni rose at once and left +the room, but, instead of following her, her aunt remained and sank +down in a chair by the window. Frau von Eschenhagen wished to see for +herself. Will had not satisfied her; he had grown red and embarrassed +when called upon to repeat the girlish gossip which had taken place +between the two maidens, and his mother, who believed all this light +chatter but a cloak for something worse, determined to take the matter +into her own hands. + +Marietta had risen respectfully at the entrance of the elder woman, whom +she had met but once before, and whose inimical bearing toward herself +she had not perceived in the joy of her first meeting again with her +friends. She only noticed that Toni's future mother-in-law was not a +cordial woman. This morning Frau Regine looked her over from head to +foot with a critical eye. Marietta seemed to her like all other girls, +but she was pretty, very pretty--and that was bad. She had short curly +hair all over her head--and that was worse. + +There was no mistaking Frau Regine's attitude toward the young singer, +whom she now begun to question. "You are a friend of my son's betrothed, +I believe?" + +"Yes, my lady," was the unconcerned reply. + +"A friend since childhood, I understand. You were brought up and +educated by Dr Volkmar?" + +"Yes, I lost my parents when I was very young." + +"So my brother-in-law was telling me. And what was your father's +calling?" + +"He was a physician, the same as grandfather," answered Marietta, more +amused than annoyed by this examination, the object of which she did not +suspect. "And my mother was a physician's daughter, so we might well be +called a medical family, might we not? I'm the only one who has branched +off into another profession." + +"Ah--what a pity," said Frau von Eschenhagen, impressively. The young +girl looked at her puzzled. Was she joking? No, there was no expression +of pleasantry on the lady's face as she continued: "You will agree with +me, my child, that the descendant of an honorable and respected race +should show herself worthy of her family. And you should have thought of +that in choosing your vocation." + +"Good heavens, but I couldn't study medicine like my father and +grandfather," cried Marietta, laughing outright. The matter seemed a +joke to her, but her merriment displeased her severe questioner, who +said, sharply: + +"There are, thank God, plenty of honorable positions for young girls. +You are a singer?" + +"Yes, madame, at the Court theatre." + +"I know it, I know it! Do you feel inclined to resign your position +there?" + +The question was put so suddenly and in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily drew back. Since her first meeting with the son, +when he had seemed so stupid and silent, and had run off so +precipitately, she had decided within herself that he was not of sound +mind. Now the thought came to her that his weakness was an inherited +disease from his mother; for certainly this woman could not be in her +right mind. + +"To resign my position?" she repeated. "And why?" + +"Upon moral grounds, altogether. I am ready to offer you a helping hand. +If you will turn your back upon those paths of frivolity and vice, I +pledge myself to obtain for you a respectable position as governess or +companion." + +The young singer understood at last why the matron had been so +concerned; she threw her head back with an angry, half spiteful +movement. "I thank you very much. I love my profession dearly, and have +no thought of exchanging it for any dependent position. Besides, I fear +my education has not fitted me to make an efficient upper housemaid." + +"I expected some such answer," Frau von Eschenhagen replied, nodding her +head darkly, "but I felt it my duty to make at least one appeal to your +conscience. You are very young, and, consequently, are not altogether +responsible; the heavier blame falls upon Dr. Volkmar for allowing his +son's child to enter such a vicious career." + +"My dear madame, I must request you to leave my grandfather out of the +play altogether," Marietta spoke excitedly now. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law, otherwise I would not have allowed this questioning. But +an insult to my grandfather I will not permit from any human being." + +The two excited women had not heard a distant door open, and did not +know that Willibald had entered. He seemed frightened when he saw his +mother, and slipped something which he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, into his coat-pocket, but he kept his place by the door. + +"I have no intention of quarreling with you, my child," said Frau Regine +in an arrogant tone. "But I am, as you say, Toni's future mother-in-law, +and as such deem it my duty to protect her from all improper +intercourse. I beg you will not misunderstand me. I am not proud, and +the grandchild of Dr. Volkmar is, in my eyes, a fit companion for my +niece; but a lady of the theatre will, rightly enough, seek her +companions among the theatrical circle, but here at Fürstenstein--you +understand me, I hope?" + +"Oh, yes, I understand you, my dear madame," cried Marietta, her whole +face aflame now. "You need say nothing further; I have but one word to +ask. Do Herr von Schönau and Antonie agree with you in what you have +just said?" + +"As regards the root of the matter, certainly. But I would not have you +think for a moment that they would refuse to--" a very expressive shrug +of the shoulders concluded this sentence. The upright and truth-loving +woman did not for a moment imagine she was guilty of an untruth; her +prejudices were deeply rooted, and she could not imagine the head +forester not agreeing with her at bottom, notwithstanding his +contradictory nature prevented him admitting it frankly; as for Antonie, +she was a good-natured little thing, but she lacked the stamina required +to end such an intimacy, and her aunt, in consequence, was resolved to +end it for her. But at this critical moment something unexpected +happened. Willibald stepped forward and said, half reproachfully: + +"But, mother--" + +"Is it you, Will? What are you doing here?" asked his mother, to whom +this interruption was anything but pleasant. + +Willibald understood full well that his mother had been ungracious, and +he usually retreated as quickly as possible when he found her in a bad +humor. To-day he took his stand with unwonted bravery. He came a step +nearer and repeated: "But, mother, you must have misunderstood them. +Toni never thought of such a thing, Fräulein Volkmar." + +"What do you know about it? Do you mean to accuse me of falsehood?" his +enraged mother turned on him. "What business is it of yours what I +discuss with Fräulein Volkmar? Your bride's not here, you can see that +for yourself, so you may go, also, and at once!" + +The young heir had flushed deeply at this tone, to which he was well +accustomed; but before this girl it seemed to shame him, and he looked +as though he would resist his mother's authority for once. His face +assumed a defiant expression, but a threatening, "Well, don't you hear +me?" conquered him as usual. He turned hesitatingly, and left the room, +but the door behind him remained half open. + +Marietta glanced after him with a contemptuous curl of the lip and then +turned back to her adversary. "You need give yourself no further +uneasiness, my dear madame. I have come to Fürstenstein for the last +time. As the head forester had received me with his old-time cordiality, +and as Antonie was as affectionate toward me as ever, I could not know +that they felt that there was a stain upon me on account of the +profession which I follow. Had I suspected such a thing I surely would +not have inflicted myself upon them. It will not happen in the future, +never again." + +Her voice failed her, and her face bore a new, pained expression, while +it was with difficulty she restrained the tears. Frau von Eschenhagen +felt she had gone too far in her candid statement. + +"I do not want to annoy you, my child," she said, unbending a little. "I +only wanted to make it clear to you that--" + +"Not want to annoy me when you say such things to me?" interrupted the +girl with flashing eyes. "You treat me like an outcast, not fit any +longer for association with decent people, and why? Because I earn my +bread with the talent which God has given me, and give pleasure to +mankind at the same time. You traduce my old grandfather who made great +sacrifices to have me well educated, and who saw me go out into the +world with a heavy heart. The bitter tears stood in his eyes as he +clasped me in his arms, and said, as he bade me good-bye: 'Be honest and +true, my Marietta. One can be that always, no matter what their road in +life. When I close my eyes on this world I shall have nothing to leave +you. You will have to fight your own battle. Well, I have remained +honest and true, and shall remain so, even though everything is not as +easy for me as for Toni, the daughter of a rich father, who only leaves +her parent's home to go into her husband's. But I don't envy her the +happiness of calling you mother." + +"Fräulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," said the insulted mother +drawing herself to her full height. But Marietta wasn't going to be +silenced now, she was too excited. + +"O, no, it is not I who forget myself. It was you who insulted me +without cause, and the head forester and Antonie must be well under your +influence to turn away from me. But no matter. I do not desire the +friendship of any girl who will allow herself to be bullied and +brow-beaten by a mother-in-law. I am done, once for all. Tell Toni I say +that, Frau von Eschenhagen." + +She turned away with a passionate motion and left the room. In the front +one, however, she could retain her composure no longer, and the hot +tears, kept back so bravely until now, forced themselves from her eyes. +With a passionate sob the young girl leaned her head against the wall +and wept bitterly. She heard her name called in a low, trembling tone, +and turning, she saw Willibald von Eschenhagen, in his hand the very +paper which he had so hastily concealed in his pocket. It was crumpled +now, but within, as he unfolded the paper, lay a delicate spray of +leaves with two fragrant half-blown roses. + +"Fräulein Volkmar," he stammered again. "You wished for a rose, please +accept--" In his eyes and in his whole bearing one could read plainly +that he deplored his mother's ruthless candor. Marietta repressed her +sobs, the tears were still glistening in her eyes, as she looked up at +him with an expression of disdain and contempt. + +"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she said with acerbity. "You heard +distinctly the words which your mother spoke to me, and whatever else +they may have meant, they most certainly meant that I was to be shunned. +Why do you not obey them?" + +"My mother has done you an injustice," said Willibald, half-aloud. "And +she did not speak in the name of the others. Toni knew nothing about it, +believe me. She--" + +"Then why didn't you speak out and say so?" interrupted the girl with +growing anger. "There you stood, listening to a shameful, insulting +attack upon a young, defenseless girl, and hadn't enough manhood to come +forward and take her part. True enough, you did attempt something of the +kind, but you were well scolded, and sent off like a school-boy, and you +went without a word, too." + +Willibald stood like one in whose ears heavy thunder is echoing. He had +felt most keenly the injustice of his mother's scathing remarks, and was +trying in his timid way, to do what he could to make amends and show his +good will, and here he was being soundly rated for his pains. He stood +and stared at her without speaking, and his silence incensed the girl +still more. + +"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued with growing +excitement. "Secretly, behind your mother's back, and do you think I +would accept such an insult? First learn how a man should behave when he +witnesses such an iniquity, then pay attention to trifling courtesies +afterwards. Now--now, I will show you what I think of you and your +present." She tore the paper from his hand, rolled it like a ball and +threw it upon the floor, where she stamped on it passionately with her +little foot. + +"But Fräulein--" Willibald, vacillating between shame and anger, would +have interfered to save his roses, but the dangerous look in the dark +eyes warned him to keep back. + +"Now we are quits. If Toni knows nothing about all this I am sorry, but +I shall stay away for the future rather than expose myself to fresh +insults. I pray she may be happy, though I should certainly not be so in +her place. I am only a poor girl, but I would never marry a man who was +afraid to speak without his mother's permission. No, not if he were heir +to Burgsdorf ten times over." + +With this she turned her back upon the heir, and a second later left the +room. + +"Will, what does this mean?" sounded the voice of Frau von Eschenhagen, +who stood in the half-open door. As she received no answer, she crossed +the room to her son's side with a step and manner which prophesied no +good for that young man. + +"That was a most remarkable scene which I have just witnessed. Will you +be good enough to explain to me what it signifies? That little +insignificant thing, bubbling over with passion and anger, telling you +the most disgraceful things to your very face, and you standing there +like a sheep, taking them all." + +"Because she had the right to say them," said Will, still looking down +at the scattered rose leaves. + +"She had what?" asked the mother, who could not believe she heard +aright. + +The young heir raised his head and looked at her; his face wore a new +and singular expression. + +"She had the right of it, mother. It is true you have always treated me +like a school-boy, so how could I defend myself against such an +accusation?" + +"Boy, I believe you have lost your senses," said Frau Regine. + +Willibald was roused now. He continued: "I am no boy, I am the heir of +Burgsdorf, and twenty-seven years old. You have always forgotten that, +mother, and so have I, for that matter, but I remember it to-day." + +Frau von Eschenhagen gazed astonished at her son, so tractable all his +life until this moment. "I verily believe you are becoming refractory. +Let us have no more of it, for you know I would never permit such a +thing. What has come over you that you make such reckless assertions? +Because I have seen fit to bring this very unsuitable intercourse to an +end, and dismiss this Marietta, do you take it upon yourself, as soon as +my back is turned, to make formal apologies and present her with roses +which you have just plucked for your bride? I don't know what's come +over you. It's the first time in your life you ever acted so. Toni will +be very much displeased when she learns what has become of her roses. It +served you just right to have the little vixen trample them under foot. +You won't be guilty of such idiotic folly soon again, I fancy." + +"I did not pluck the roses for Toni, but for Fräulein Volkmar," Will +explained, defiantly. + +"For--?" the name stuck in the excited woman's throat. + +"For Fräulein Volkmar! She was wishing she had a rose to wear in her +hair this evening, and said she could not get any in Waldhofen. So I +went to the gardener and got them for her--now you know all about it, +mother." + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood like the pillar of salt; she had become +deadly pale and for a moment the light seemed to go out; she saw such +fearful possibilities that she lost all power of speech and motion. Then +suddenly she regained all her old strength. She grasped her son's arm +impressively, as if to make sure of him under all circumstances, and +said curtly: + +"Will--we will start to-morrow." + +"Start where?" + +"For home. We will start early, at eight o'clock, in order to catch the +afternoon express, and reach Burgsdorf the day following. So go at once +to your room and do your packing." + +The commanding tone did not this time make the slightest impression on +her son. "I do not intend to pack," he declared, doggedly. + +"You will pack at once, I tell you!" + +"No," said the son. "If you wish to go, mother, then go--I remain here." + +This was rebellion, and it removed the last doubt in the mother's mind +that there was something at the bottom of all her son's assertiveness. +She said now in her hardest tone: "Boy, wake up, be yourself again! I +really don't believe you know what has come over you. But I will tell +you. You are in love--in love with Marietta Volkmar." + +She brought out the last words in a towering rage, but Will was not +overwhelmed by them. He stood for a moment staring in surprise, as if +wondering if it was really that which had overtaken him, then a light +seemed to dawn upon him. + +"O!" he said, drawing a deep breath, and a slight smile flitted across +his face. + +"O! is that your only answer?" broke forth the furious mother, who, in +spite of everything, still hoped for a contradiction. "You do not even +deny it. And this is what I must live to see in my own son, whom I +educated so carefully and never allowed to leave my side. While I was +having you watch and protect your betrothed from this infamous woman, +you were acting a hypocrite. And she playing the virtuous, deeply +injured part before me, that creature--" + +"Mother, be silent! I will not allow that," interrupted Willibald, angry +too, now. + +"You will not allow it--what does that mean?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen stopped suddenly and listened. + +"There comes Toni, your betrothed bride, to whom you have pledged your +word, who wears your ring. How do you purpose treating her?" She had at +last found the right means to conquer her son, who now hung his head +despondently as Antonie entered the room. + +"You're here already, are you, Will?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +the matter? Has anything happened?" + +"Yes," said Regine, who, as usual seized the reins without fear. "We +have just received a telegram from Burgsdorf which will compel us to +start for home to-morrow morning. You need not be alarmed, my dear +child, it is nothing serious, only a piece of stupidity,"--she laid a +sharp accent upon the last words,--"a piece of stupidity which will soon +right itself, and the sooner its checked, the sooner the matter'll be +ended. I'll explain it all to you later, but we must go now; it can't be +helped." + +Antonie listened attentively, but it required more than such an +announcement to stir her from her wonted repose, and the declaration +that it was nothing of moment, satisfied her. "But will Willibald have +to go, too?" she asked, without any special eagerness. "Can not he +remain?" + +"Well, Will, can't you answer your sweetheart?" said his mother, +fastening her sharp gray eyes on her son. "You know best all the +circumstances. Do you think you can afford to remain here?" + +There followed a short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then +he turned toward Toni and said, in a half-depressed tone: + +"No, Toni, I must go home--there is nothing else for it." + +Toni took this news, which another girl would have seriously deplored, +very calmly, and began to plan where they had better dine on the morrow, +for they had a long distance to go by carriage before they would meet +the express train. This troubled her much more than the parting, and she +finally decided that she would prepare a luncheon for them, so that they +need have no care concerning their midday meal. + +Frau von Eschenhagen triumphed in her heart as she went to announce +their departure to her brother-in-law. She had already decided upon the +reason which she would give him for their abrupt departure. Of course a +great many things could happen on a large estate like Burgsdorf, which +would demand the master's presence at a moment's notice. So the head +forester knew no more than his daughter, although he, in his blindness, +had been the cause of it all. + +As for the rest, Frau Regine did not doubt her powers as soon as she +should get her son away from the influence of this witch. He had shown +himself amenable to reason at the last moment. She would say nothing +more to him now, save to point out what his betrothal to Toni demanded +from him as a man of honor, and what a fatal error it had been to allow +another to influence him even for an hour. + +"Wait, my son," she said grimly, to herself, after conning over the +whole thing for the twentieth time, "wait. I will teach you to harbor +such sentiments, and revolt against your mother. Only wait until I get +you to Burgsdorf, then God have mercy on you, if you evince any signs of +obstinacy!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +There was life and animation and excitement upon that momentous day when +the duke and duchess, with their numerous retinue, were expected at +Fürstenstein; even the old forest, which had been witness to so many +magnificent hunts in its time, put on its warmest colors, and showed in +the clear sunlight its deepest reds and most vivid greens. + +The reigning duke was, above all things, an ardent and keen sportsman, +and he rarely missed a few days of sport at this season. Now when he was +coming for several weeks, and was bringing with him such a large suite, +it was found that Fürstenstein, notwithstanding its size, could not +accommodate them all. Suitable quarters had to be found in Waldhofen, +and that little town was in a state of pleasurable excitement in +consequence. + +Prince Adelsberg, besides being the owner of the adjoining estate and +castle, was also connected in some way with nearly all the families +forming the ducal suite, and could not of course neglect them. Some of +the men had been invited to take up their quarters at his little hunting +lodge, so that the life and bustle which centered at Fürstenstein, +extended to the woodland loneliness of Rodeck. + +To-night the castle was brilliantly illuminated, and the colored lights +which gleamed from its many windows, threw a rosy glow over wall and +tower. It was the first large gathering since the arrival of the Court, +and every one in the whole neighborhood who laid any claims whatever to +social rank, had been invited. The interior of the castle had been +gorgeously decorated, and the spacious rooms with their lights and +music, and throngs of elegantly attired woman, together with the +glittering appearance of the men in their court costumes, formed a scene +not soon forgotten. + +Prominent among the many grand ladies of the little court was the wife +of the Prussian ambassador. It was her first appearance among them, her +father's death, following immediately upon her marriage, having secluded +her, and now, in the little circle where her husband's position gave her +much prominence, she was the cynosure of all eyes. The duke, too, and +his duchess, to whom she had been presented a few weeks previous, +treated the ambassador's wife with special deference. + +The court ladies, however, looked upon the appearance of this new star +with anything but satisfaction. They all discovered soon enough, that +Frau von Wallmoden, with her cold and haughty manner, was a very proud +woman, and certainly she had no reason to be so; they knew only too well +who she was: only a burger's daughter, who had no right to be in their +charmed circle at all; her father's great wealth, and a certain +prominence to which he had attained by success in his manufacturing +interests, were all she could lay claim to at best. But she certainly +carried herself with remarkable security; they all admitted that it was +evident her husband had schooled her carefully for her first appearance, +for she made no mistakes. + +The men were of another opinion. They found that the ambassador had +proven himself a profound diplomatist in this, as in other things. He, +standing on the threshold of old age, had married a beautiful young girl +with a fortune, which fortune, if report did not err, had been greatly +augmented since their marriage, and was still on the increase. Such a +condition of affairs was to be envied. Wallmoden was not the least +surprised at the impression which his wife's beauty and manners made +upon them all, and he took it, as the true diplomatist takes all things, +as a matter of course. He had expected nothing else, and would on the +contrary have been surprised if she had not created a sensation. + +He stood for one moment now, in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the head forester, and asked casually, while he glanced indifferently +over the heads of the guests: + +"Who is it Prince Adelsberg has with him? Do you know?" + +"You mean the young Roumanian? No. I see him to-day for the first time; +but I have heard about him before. He is Prince Egon's bosom friend, and +accompanied him on his oriental tour. He's as handsome as a picture, and +how the fire does flash in his eyes." + +"He looks to me like an adventurer," said Wallmoden, coldly. "How did he +come to be invited here? Has he been presented to the duke?" + +"Yes, at Rodeck, so I heard. The duke went over there the first thing. +Once in a while Prince Adelsberg succumbs to the, rules of etiquette. +But as to this invitation, it signifies nothing; every one is invited +here to-day." + +The ambassador shrugged his shoulders. + +"It is hardly wise to invite persons about whom you know absolutely +nothing into your midst." + +"You diplomatists want all the credentials sealed and delivered," +laughed his brother-in-law. "There's something aristocratic looking +about this Rojanow, too, which one does not expect to see in a +foreigner. But I'm glad enough to invite any one out of the common for +his grace. He must be wearied with this endless court etiquette and +court gossip, year in and year out. The duke, by the way, seems to have +taken a great fancy to this young Roumanian already." + +"Yes, so it seems," said Wallmoden, a cloud gathering on his brow. + +"As for the man's history, if he has any, what does it matter to us? +Well, I must look after Toni, and see how she's getting along without +that lover of hers. That was a queer freak of Regine's. As soon as +anything concerning her beloved Burgsdorf comes on the tapis, nothing +will keep her. And she raises such a racket with her son, too. She might +as well have left Will here. No one knows why she dragged him away; just +before the duke came, too.--I'm sure I'll never understand your sister." + +"It's a good thing she did," muttered Wallmoden, as he separated from +von Schönau. "If Willibald had seen his boyhood's friend here, there +would have been another scene, doubtless. Who would have thought that +Hartmut would carry his defiance so far as to go to a house where he +must have known he would meet the ambassador." + +Prince Adelsberg, who, through his name and wealth, and his near kinship +to the reigning house, took a first position in the brilliant little +circle, had made a point of introducing his dearest friend to the duke, +at Rodeck, and the stranger had impressed the duke so favorably that he +had made special comment of him to the duchess. + +This Rojanow, with his charming personality and the air of mystery which +surrounded him, had only to exert himself to receive due attention on +all sides. + +And to-day he exercised all those fascinating qualities which he +possessed in fullest measure. His conversation sparkled with wit and +animation, and his ardent temperament imparted to everything he said the +stamp of originality, while united with this he showed himself a master +of social courtesies. + +It was no difficult matter for the ambassador to avoid the Roumanian; in +a large house filled with guests, such avoidance is an easy matter, and +neither of these two were anxious for a meeting. Wallmoden turned now +into an adjoining room, where the duke's sister, the Princess Sophie, +was holding a little court. The princess had married the younger son of +a princely house, but had been a widow now for years, and had lived +since her widowhood at her brother's court, where she was by no means a +favorite. The duchess was beloved for her gentleness and kind +heartedness, by all who came in her way, but her elderly sister-in-law +was disliked heartily for her arrogance and acerbity. They all feared +her sharp tongue, which never failed to bring to light disagreeable +features or fancies, as the case might be, concerning those with whom +she had to do. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate; he was received most +graciously and congratulated at once upon the great beauty of his wife, +about which there could be no dispute. + +"Your excellency has indeed my warmest congratulations. I was quite +surprised when your young wife was presented to me. I had, as a matter +of course, expected to meet a much older woman." + +The "matter of course" had a malicious sound, for the princess had known +for the past six months that the elderly ambassador was married to a +girl of nineteen; he smiled in a perfectly placid manner, as he +answered: + +"Your highness is very good. I cannot be too thankful if my wife has +made a favorable impression upon yourself and your family." + +"O, you need not doubt that the duke and duchess are quite of my +opinion. Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems +to think so also. Perhaps you have not noticed how greatly he admires +her?" + +"Yes, your highness, I have noticed it." + +"Really? And what do you say to it?" + +"I?" asked Wallmoden, composedly. "Whether or no she cares to accept the +prince's homage is wholly and solely my wife's affair. If she finds any +pleasure in it--I certainly will lay no commands upon her." + +"Your enviable confidence in your wife should be an example to younger +husbands," replied the princess, angry that her arrow had missed its +aim. "It is very pleasant, at least for a young wife, to feel that her +husband is not jealous. Ah, here comes Frau von Wallmoden herself, with +her knight by her side. My dear baroness, we were just speaking of you." + +Adelheid von Wallmoden, who with Prince Adelsberg, had just entered the +room, made a courtesy to the princess. She was indeed dazzling in her +beauty to-day, for her rich Court toilette so well chosen, suited her +most admirably. The costly white brocade, with its long, heavy folds, +set off her slender figure to advantage, the pearls which encircled her +neck, and the diamonds which glistened in her light blonde hair, were +jewels well worth the notice of connoisseurs; but that which was most +worthy of attention was the singular coldness and earnestness of this +young wife's face and bearing. She bore no resemblance whatever to +others of her own age in this brilliant assemblage, who were for the +most part married also, and who were decked out in all the witcheries of +lace and flowers. They possessed nothing of her stateliness, but she in +turn had none of their sweetness or assumed gentleness; none of that +premeditated amiability which society women assume under the public +gaze. The severe rigidity of that lovely face was a heritage from her +father, whose stern, austere nature had left its impress upon her soul +as well. + +Egon kissed the hand of his illustrious aunt, and murmured a few polite +words of greeting, but the amiable attention of her highness was +directed toward the beautiful woman who had just joined them. + +"I was just saying to his excellency, that you found yourself at home +very readily in our little Court circle, my dear baroness. You are +entering our little society for the first time to-day, and have lived, +no doubt, in a very different atmosphere until now. Your name was--?" + +"Stahlberg, your highness," was the quiet reply. + +"Oh, yes, I remember it now. I have heard the name often enough. It was +well known, I believe--in mercantile circles." + +"My dearest aunt, you must permit me to set you right in this matter," +interrupted Prince Egon, not wishing to lose an opportunity to anger his +aunt. "The Stahlberg manufacturies have a worldwide reputation, and are +as celebrated across the ocean as here. I had an opportunity, when I was +in North Germany, to learn something about them, and can assure you that +these works, with their iron foundries and enormous factories, their +colony of officers and army of workmen, could absorb many a little +principality, whose rulers have no such unlimited power as had the +baroness' father." + +The lady threw her princely nephew anything but a friendly glance; his +interference was to her mind most uncalled for. + +"Indeed! I had no conception of such greatness," said she innocently. "I +shall have to greet your excellency from this time forth as a great +ruler." + +"Only as a regent of the empire, your highness," answered the +ambassador, seconding, a little apparently harmless joke. "I am only my +father-in-law's executor, and guardian of my wife's younger brother, who +will assume the entire management of the works as soon as he reaches his +majority." + +"Ah, indeed. The son will have to learn to keep a watchful eye over his +inheritance. It is really astonishing to me to see what in these days +can be accomplished by the energy of a single man. It is all the more +creditable, too, when he, like the father of our dear baroness here, +springs from the people. I think I heard that, but I may be mistaken!" + +Princess Sophie knew well that the ambassador, with his old Prussian +noble ancestry would find this rehearsal of his father-in-law's station +in life anything but pleasant, and it gave her great satisfaction to +note that none of the little group who surrounded her, lost a word of +the conversation, which was meant to humiliate the lovely new comer. +Baroness von Wallmoden drew herself up proudly as she replied: + +"Your highness has been correctly informed. My father was of the people, +and entered the capital a poor boy with no means whatever at his +command. He had many and great struggles, and worked for years as a +simple artisan, before he could lay even the foundations for his great +undertaking." + +"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that," cried the princess laughing. +"O I love such childlike attachment, above everything. And Herr +Stahlberg--or was it von Stahlberg? The great industrial heads often get +titles of nobility." + +"My father took no such title, your highness," said Adelheid, meeting +the other's glance quietly but directly. "It was offered to him but he +refused it." + +The ambassador pressed his lips tightly together; he could not forbear +thinking this last utterance of his wife very undiplomatic. The +countenance of the princess assumed at once an irritated expression, and +she answered, with an unconcealed sneer: + +"Well, it is at least fortunate that this aversion was not inherited by +the daughter. Your excellency will know how to appreciate it. Please +give me your arm, Egon. I want to find my brother." + +She bowed coldly to those around her as she took the arm of her nephew, +in whose face was plainly written: + +"Now it is my turn." + +He did not deceive himself, his aunt had no intention of seeking the +duke; she turned into an adjoining room with her young kinsman that she +might have him under her eyes without interruption for a little time. At +first she expended her anger against this unbearable, arrogant Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of the vulgar pride of her father, while she +herself married a baron for his title, for, of course, she could feel no +love for a man who was old enough to be her father. Egon was silent for +he had speculated on that matter himself. How had so unequal a marriage +ever come about? But his silence just now was resented by his incensed +aunt. + +"Well, Egon, why don't you say something? Really it does seem as if you +were this woman's sworn knight, you are by her side continually." + +"I always do homage to beauty, when it comes in my way, you certainly +know that, my dear aunt," explained the prince, striving to shield +himself, but he only brought down a fresh storm on his head. + +"Yes, I know that--I'm sorry to say. You have in this particular always +exhibited great folly. You do not seem to remember all my warnings and +admonitions before you started for the Orient." + +"O, yes, I do," sighed Egon, to whom the very memory of those endless +lectures was an oppression. + +"Really! But you have not returned more sensible or settled. I have +heard things--Egon, there's only one salvation for you--you must marry!" + +"For heaven's sake! Anything but that!" exclaimed Egon, in such a voice +of affright that the princess shut her fan with an angry snap, as she +said in a sharp tone: + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"O, nothing but my own unworthiness to enter into such a holy state. You +yourself, your highness, have often assured me that I was specially +created to make a wife unhappy." + +"If the wife does not succeed in making you better. But you are a +hopeless case. At any rate this is neither the time nor the place to +discuss so serious a matter. The duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, +and I am thinking of accompanying her." + +"What a charming idea," said Egon, to whom the thought of an invasion by +his noble kinsfolk was even more terrifying than the marriage plan. "I +am rejoiced that Rodeck, notwithstanding its isolated situation, +contains something worthy of notice just at present. I brought a good +many curiosities home with me from my journey, among other things a +lion, two young tigers, and some very rare snakes." + +"But not alive?" interrupted his aunt. + +"Of course, your highness." + +"The Lord preserve us! Your life is not safe." + +"Oh, they're not so dangerous after all. Only a few of the beasts have +broken away; the people are so afraid of feeding them--but they were +caught again and have not done any harm up to this time." + +"Up to this time! A nice condition of affairs, I must say," exclaimed +the princess angrily, "to keep every one in the region in constant +danger of their lives. The duke ought to forbid you such diabolical +amusement." + +"Oh, I trust not, for I'm just trying to tame them. But I have some +domesticated creatures to show, as well. Among my servants are several +lovely girls who are well worth looking at in their picturesque national +costumes." + +Egon thought with a shudder, as he made this assertion, of the wretched +old woman for whose appearance he had to thank the ever-watchful +Stadinger, but he had not miscalculated the effect of his announcement. +His amiable aunt drew herself up with an angry snort, and measured him +with no conciliatory glance. + +"Oh, you have them at Rodeck also?" + +"Yes, indeed; and little Zena, the granddaughter of my old steward, is a +lovely little thing, and if you do me the honor of visiting me, dear +aunt, I'll--" + +"I will not go near the place," his aunt interrupted sharply. "There +must be nice goings on at Rodeck anyway, which keep you there with that +young foreigner who is another of the curiosities you brought from the +Orient. He looks like an out and out brigand." + +"My friend Rojanow? He longs for the honor of being presented to you +above all things. I may introduce him now, may I not?" and without +waiting an answer, he hurried away to fetch Hartmut. + +"Now its your turn, my boy," he said, seizing his friend by the arm. "I +have been the sacrificial lamb long enough, and now my angelic aunt must +have some one else to turn on the spit. She wants to marry me off at +once, and she thinks you're a veritable brigand, but, God be praised, +she won't come to Rodeck. I've made that my special care." + +The next moment the two friends were standing before the princess, and +Egon presented the latest victim with an amiable smile. + +After the princess's abrupt departure, Herr von Wallmoden remained for a +few minutes chatting with the little group which the irate lady had +deserted. Then, offering his wife his arm, he walked slowly through the +long salons, greeting an acquaintance here, or saying a word to a friend +there, until they had reached the last of the gaily decked suite which +happened to be empty. The tower-room was used generally only as a +resting place and a point of observation, from which a very good view of +the forest heights could be obtained, but to-day it was richly carpeted +and the walls were hung with heavy tapestries, while choice plants were +scattered about in artistic groupings and designs, so that the little +room was as shaded and picturesque as could be desired, and a rest to +both eye and brain, after the glitter and noise and light of the larger +ones. The ambassador had judged aright in thinking he would have an +uninterrupted moment with his wife, for whom he now drew forward a low +chair. + +"I must call your attention to the fact, Adelheid," he began in a low, +condemnatory tone, "that you were guilty of great imprudence, just now. +Your speech to the princess--" + +"Was in self-defence," the young wife broke in. "You understood, as well +as I, the object of the whole conversation." + +"That's as it may be. You have, on your first entrance into society, +made an enemy who will make both you and me feel her animosity very +keenly as time goes on." + +"You!" Adelheid looked at him in surprise. "Will you, the ambassador of +a great nation, have anything to fear from a malicious woman, who +happens to be related to the ducal house?" + +"My child, you do not comprehend," responded her husband, coolly. "An +evil-tongued woman can be more dangerous than any political opponent, +and Princess Sophie is famed in this respect; even the duchess herself +fears her slanderous tongue." + +"In that the duchess and I differ--I do not fear her." + +"My dear Adelheid," said the ambassador with a superior smile, "that +proud movement of the head does you great credit. But at Court, you must +learn to do as others do. One cannot give royalty a lesson before too +many witnesses, and that is what you did when you spoke of your father's +declination of a title of nobility. It was not necessary for you to be +so explicit concerning your father's origin." + +"Should I have falsified?" + +"No, but it was a well known fact--" + +"Of which I am proud, as was my father before me." + +"You are no longer Adelheid Stahlberg, but the Baroness Wallmoden"--the +baron's voice had assumed a sudden sharpness. "And you, yourself, will +be forced to admit that when a woman has married into a family of the +old nobility, it is hardly fitting for her to sneer at the nobles." + +The young wife's lips were drawn in with a bitter expression. Although +she had been speaking in a subdued tone, she dropped her voice still +lower, as she said now: "Have you forgotten, Herbert, why I gave you my +hand?" + +"Perhaps you have had cause to regret it?" he said, questioning instead +of answering. + +"No," said Adelheid with a deep breath. + +"I thought you were perfectly contented with the position to which you +had attained by marrying me. As for the rest you know I exercised no +control over you. I left it to your own free will." + +His wife was silent, but the bitter expression was yet on her lips. +Wallmoden rose and offered her his arm. + +"You must permit me, my child, to help you at times, for you are +inexperienced," he said in his wonted polite tone. "I have had every +reason to be contented with your tact and discretion, but to-day I +thought it necessary to give you a hint. Will you take my arm?" + +"I will remain here a few minutes if you please," said Adelheid. "It is +so stifling in the saloon." + +"As you please. But I must beg you to come back soon, otherwise your +absence will be noticed." + +He saw that she was vexed and disturbed, but he thought best to take no +notice of it. He knew well what was expected from them both in their +little world, and felt for both their sakes it was better to educate his +wife from the start in those matters which she did not seem to grasp +fully. + +He left her now, and Adelheid leaned back in her chair and gazed fixedly +at the flowering plants which were grouped by her side, but under her +breath she whispered with a gasp: + +"_My own free will. O my God!_" + +Prince Adelsberg and his friend had, in the meantime, been dismissed, +and had made profound bows before the princess as she rose to leave the +room. The sharp features of her highness wore an unusually mild +expression, and Rojanow was favored with a very gracious smile as she +departed. + +"Hartmut, I believe you are a witch," said Egon, half aloud. "I have had +proof many times that you are irresistible, but this last effort of +yours throws all others in shadow. For my gracious aunt to have so +prolonged an attack of amiability is unknown in the annals of the +family." + +"Well, my reception was ungracious enough. Your aunt seemed to think at +first that I was a full-fledged brigand." + +"But it only took ten minutes to win her smiles and make you a declared +favorite. What is it you have about you, old fellow, which wins on every +one? It makes one believe in the old fable of the rat-catcher." + +The old scornful expression, which effaced all his beauty, swept across +Hartmut's face now, as he said contemptuously: + +"I understand how to sing to tickle the ears of my hearers. You have to +strike the chords according to the taste of your listener, but after you +have learned that secret no one can withstand you." + +"No one?" repeated Egon, as his eye glanced over the room. + +"No, not a single soul, I assure you." + +"Oh, you're a pessimist with all your inferences. I only wish I knew +where Frau von Wallmoden was, but I don't see her in any place." + +"His excellency was reading her a little sermon on her undiplomatic +utterances in the other room a short time ago." + +"Why, did you hear what she said?" asked Egon, surprised. + +"Certainly, I was standing by the door." + +"Well, I'm glad enough my worshipful aunt was given a snub, and wasn't +she furious over it, though; but do you believe that the ambassador +would take his wife to task for--hush, here he is himself." + +Yes, there was Baron von Wallmoden himself, true enough, and just in +front of them as they came from an adjoining room. + +It was impossible to avoid a meeting now, and the young prince, who had +no premonition that any secret relations existed between the two, +hastened to present them. + +"Permit me, your excellency, to atone for the neglect of which I was +guilty on the mountain the other day, but my friend had disappeared for +the moment when we came down from the Tower. Herr Hartmut Rojanow--Baron +von Wallmoden." + +The eyes of the two men met, the one with a sharp, contemptuous gaze, +the other, equally sharp, but haughty and defiant. The ambassador was +too much of a diplomat, however, to be other than the courteous +gentleman. + +His greeting, though cold, was polite, but he turned at once to the +prince to speak, and chatted to that gentleman alone for the minute or +two that they stood together. + +"His excellency is more of a ramrod than ever to-day," said Egon to his +friend as they went on. "Whenever that cold, calculating countenance +comes near me I feel frost-bitten and long to fly to the torrid zones." + +"I suppose that's why you seek to bask in the rays of that glittering +northern light, his wife," said Hartmut with a sneer. "Can you tell me +for whom we are searching, in this weary pushing and crowding through +these heated rooms?" + +"I want to find the head forester," said the prince, irritated at his +friend. "I want you to meet him, but you are in one of your bad humors +to-day. Perhaps I'll find Schönau in the arrow-room. I'll go and look at +any rate." + +He left his friend abruptly, and did indeed set out for the +arrow-saloon, where the duke and duchess were, and where he hoped to +find Adelheid von Wallmoden. Unhappily for him, just at the entrance of +the room, he was once more entrapped by his aunt, who pointed +imperiously to a chair by her side. She wanted to hear all there was to +be told about the handsome and interesting young Roumanian, who had +quite won her heart, she said, and her uneasy nephew was obliged to +possess his soul in patience as he answered her many questions. + +The noise and the merriment were at their height, as Hartmut now +threaded his way alone among the throng. He also sought someone, but he +was more fortunate than Prince Egon; casting a fleeting glance into the +tower-room, the entrance to which was almost hidden by portieres and +exotics, he saw the edge of a white satin train which swept the floor, +and in the next second he stood upon the threshold. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden still sat on the same spot where her husband had +left her. She turned her head slowly now as some one entered. + +Suddenly she sat erect, and then returned the young man's deep obeisance +with her accustomed icy bow. + +"Have I disturbed you, baroness?" he asked. "I fear you sought this +room for quiet, and my intrusion was unintentional, I assure you." + +"I only sought a cool place; the heat of the larger rooms seems almost +suffocating." + +"I came for a like reason, but as I have not had an opportunity to greet +you before to-day, my dear madame, permit me to do so now." The words +sounded very formal. Rojanow had come a step nearer as he spoke, but he +still remained at a respectful distance. No movement of hers since he +entered had escaped him, and a singular smile lay in his eyes as he +looked steadily at the young wife. + +She had made a motion as if to rise and depart, but the thought that +such a sudden course could only be constructed into flight, restrained +her in time. So she leaned back in her chair again and bent over a +branch of great purple-red camelias. + +As she plucked a blossom, she answered his question carelessly enough, +but her face had assumed the same look of determination and force which +it wore the morning on which she stood for a second in the middle of the +forest brook. Then she had stepped knee deep into the water rather than +accept his services. Here in the castle, with noise and motion on all +sides, there were no such obstacles to be overcome, and now the same +man, with his dark glance, stood opposite her, and never took his eyes +off her face. + +"Will you remain much longer at Rodeck?" she asked, with the +conventional tone and manner usually accorded a chance acquaintance. + +"Probably for a few weeks yet. As long as the duke is at Fürstenstein, +Prince Adelsberg will not be apt to desert his hunting lodge. Later I +intend accompanying him to the capital." + +"And there we shall hear of you as a poet, I presume?" + +"Of me, my dear baroness?" + +"I heard so at least, from the prince." + +"O, that is only one of Egon's ideas," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has +taken it into his head to have my 'Arivana' brought out on the stage." + +"'Arivana?' A singular title." + +"It is an oriental name taken from an Indian legend, but its poetical +witchery made such an impression upon me that I could not resist the +temptation to create a drama from it." + +"And the heroine of this drama, is she called 'Arivana?'" asked the +baroness. + +"No, that is only the name of a sacred place of refuge during the middle +ages, upon which the scene of the drama was laid. The heroine's name +is--Ada." + +Rojanow spoke the name half-aloud, with a certain hesitation, and gave +her a triumphant glance as he saw the same lowering of the head over the +flowers as when he first spoke; he came a few steps nearer now while he +continued: + +"I heard the name for the first time on Indian ground, and it had for me +a strangely sweet sound, so I adopted it for my character, and now I +learn here that it is, in this country, but the abbreviation of a German +name." + +"Of Adelheid--yes. I was always called Ada in my father's house. But it +is not at all remarkable that the same sounds are repeated in different +languages." + +The words were spoken coldly, but the speaker did not raise her eyes +from the flowers with which her hand played. + +"Not at all," agreed Hartmut. "It has often been a surprise to me to +hear the same fable repeated in different countries over and over again. +The coloring is different, to be sure, but the passion, the woe, the +happiness of our human race is alike in them all." + +Adelheid shrugged her shoulders. + +"I won't dispute over the matter with a poet, but doubt it, +notwithstanding. I think our German legends wear a different countenance +from the dreamy tales of India." + +"Perhaps, but when you study them deeply, you will discover the same +features in both. These common features are manifest in the legend of +'Arivana,' at least. The principal character is that of a young priest +who has consecrated himself, body and soul, to the service of his +divinity, to the holy fire, but in time he is mastered by an earthly +love with all its glow and passion, till his priestly vows dissolve in +its consuming flame." + +He stood opposite her, quietly and respectfully, but his voice had an +odd, covert sound, as if something of deeper significance were hidden +beneath this story. Frau von Wallmoden looked up at him suddenly, and +said, gazing earnestly into his face: + +"And--the end?" + +"The end is death, as in all these legends. The knowledge of the broken +vows comes to light and the guilty ones are offered as a sacrifice to an +enraged deity--the priest perishes in the flames with the woman whom he +loves." + +There was a second's pause after the last words were spoken, then +Adelheid rose abruptly; she would end this conversation at once. + +"You are right; no doubt the legends do resemble ours; it is only the +old story of sin and atonement." + +"Do you call that sin, my dear lady?" Hartmut dropped suddenly the more +formal madame or baroness. "Men call it sin and punish it accordingly, +without any premonition that such a punishment will lead to perfect +happiness. To pass away in a flame of fire after one has enjoyed the +highest earthly joys, and is yet surrounded by them in death. Ah! that +is to die like a god--far better such a death than a long, stupid, +humdrum existence. Eternal, undying love rises like a flaming brand to +the heavens above, in defiance of mankind's sentence--do you not think +such an ending is enviable?" + +Adelheid's face was pale, but her voice was as steady and cool as ever, +as she answered: + +"No, nothing is enviable but death for a high and holy duty. One can +forgive sin, but can never admire it." + +Hartmut bit his lips and gave the slender, white robed figure who stood +near him a threatening glance. + +"Ah, what a hard sentence to meet my drama at the outset, for I have +expended all my strength in transfiguring just such love and death. What +if the world's judgment is like yours--I beg your pardon, madame." + +He crossed to the divan upon which she had been sitting, where her fan +and the camelia blossom yet lay. + +"I thank you," said Adelheid, extending her hand for them, but he only +handed her the fan. + +"I beg your pardon--I wrote my 'Arivana' upon the veranda of a little +Indian house where these lovely flowers were gleaming through the dark +foliage on all sides, and to-day they greet me here again in the cold +north. May I not keep this blossom?" + +Adelheid made a little impatient motion. + +"No; for what reason?" + +"For what reason? As a reminder of the harsh sentence which my poem has +received from the lips of a woman who bears the same name as my heroine. +There were many white blossoms, baroness, but you broke off +unconsciously the deep purple-red. Poets are superstitious above all +things. Let me keep this as a token that my work may yet find favor in +your eyes, when you learn to know it. You do not know how much it +contains." + +"Herr Rojanow, I--" + +It was apparent to him, both from her voice and manner, that she meant +to refuse his petition, so he interrupted her in a subdued, but +passionate tone: + +"What is a single blossom to you which you plucked heedlessly and cast +aside so carelessly? To me--baroness, as a favor--I beg you, baroness." + +He stood close by her side. The witchery of voice and eye which had so +often overcome all obstacles in his boyhood's days, and which had then +been exercised, unconsciously, had become a great power in these later +years, and one which he knew how to use only too well. + +His voice had again that soft, persuasive tone which fell on her ear +like music, and his eyes, those dark, fathomless eyes, were fixed on the +young wife with a half melancholy, half pleading expression. Adelheid's +face had grown very white now, but she did not answer. + +"Please," he repeated, in a lower, more pleading tone, as he pressed his +lips to the purple-red blossom; but this last motion seemed to break the +spell. Adelheid reached her hand out suddenly. + +"I must insist upon your giving me my flower, Herr Rojanow. It is for my +husband." + +"Indeed, then, I beg your pardon, madame." + +He held out the flower to her with a profound bow, and she took it with +a scarcely perceptible motion of the head, then the heavy white train of +her robe rustled past him--he was alone. + +All in vain! Nothing affected this icy nature. Hartmut stamped his foot +in a fury. Scarcely fifteen minutes ago he had asserted to Prince Egon +that he could sing to please the ear of any woman. Now he had sung again +that song which never before had failed him, and all to no purpose. But +this proud, arrogant man could not believe that the game which he so +often won had been lost this time, and in this knowledge lay his +determination to win yet at all hazards. + +And should it only remain a game? He had not called himself to account +as yet, but in the intense interest which this beautiful woman excited +within him, there was a strong mixture of hate. There had been an +antagonistic feeling on that first day in the wood, and since then he +had been repelled and attracted by turns; it was just that which spurred +him on. + +Love, the holy, pure significance of that word, was a stranger to the +heart of Zalika's son. He had learned much that was harmful at the side +of his mother, who had made such a shameless spectacle of her own +husband's love; and the many women who were her companions and +associates in her Roumanian home, but echoed her sentiments concerning +love and fidelity. Their later life, unstable and adventurous, with no +ground under their feet, had ruined altogether all ideals of happiness +and love in the young man's breast; he learned contempt before he +learned love, and now he received his well-deserved humiliation as an +insult. + +"You keep me at bay now," he murmured. "You are battling against +yourself. I have felt it and seen it, but in such a battle the man is +always victor." + +A slight rustle of a curtain made him turn round. It was the ambassador +in search of his wife, whom he thought still here; he stood on the +threshold and threw a hasty glance around the room, when he caught sight +of Hartmut. He stopped and hesitated for a moment, then he said half +aloud: + +"Herr Rojanow--" + +"Your Excellency!" + +"I would like to speak to you alone for a few minutes." + +"I am at your service." + +Wallmoden stepped forward into the room now, but he took up his position +so that he could keep his eye on the entrance. + +It was scarcely necessary, for the doors into the dining-hall were just +opened, and the room adjoining the tower-chamber was deserted. + +"I am surprised to see you here," began the ambassador, in the subdued, +but severely cold tone which he had used the day of their first meeting +at Hochberg, and it brought the blood to the younger man's brow to-day, +as it had done then. He straightened himself proudly as he answered: + +"And why, your Excellency?" + +"That question is superfluous; in any case I did not imagine that I +should be forced into the position of being presented to you by Prince +Adelsberg." + +"It was I who was forced," answered Hartmut, sharply and promptly. "I do +not suppose you consider me an intruder? You know full well that I have +a right to be here." + +"Hartmut von Falkenried certainly had a right--but all that is changed." + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Pardon me, but not so loud," interrupted the ambassador. "We can be +heard here easily, and you would certainly not like strange ears to hear +the name which I have just spoken." + +"I am bearing my mother's name at present, to which I have certainly a +right. When I laid aside the other, it was out of respect--" + +"To your father," interrupted Wallmoden, impressively. + +That was an admonition which Hartmut found hard to bear. "Yes," he +answered curtly, "and I confess it would be painful to me if I should be +forced to mention--" + +"And with reason; your _rôle_ here would, in that event, be played to +the end." + +Rojanow stepped close to the ambassador with an angry movement, as he +retorted: + +"You are the friend of my father's youth, Herr von Wallmoden, and I, in +my boyhood days, called you uncle. But you forget that I am no longer +the boy whom you could order about and censure at pleasure. The man +looks on all that as an insult." + +"I purpose neither to insult you, nor to make mention of former +associations which have no longer any existence for either of us," said +the ambassador. "I sought this interview in order that I might explain +to you that it is not possible for me, in my official position, to see +you in constant intercourse with the Court and keep silence. It will be +my duty to explain all to the duke." + +"Explain all? All what?" + +"Many things about which none of the people here, not even your friend +Prince Adelsberg, know. Listen to me, Herr Rojanow. I will not do this +except it is forced upon me, for I have an old and dear friend to spare. +I know how a certain occurrence struck him down ten years ago, an +occurrence which is buried and forgotten these many years in our country +now; but if all this was brought up and gossiped over again--Colonel +Falkenried would die." + +Hartmut paled perceptibly, and the scornful expression faded from his +lips. + +"He would die!" the words rang in his ears. He knew only too well how +true they were, and for the moment all defiance died within him. + +"It is to my father that I am answerable, at any rate," he responded, +controlling his voice with an effort. "To him alone and to no other." + +"He will scarcely call you to account--his son is dead to him. But we +can let that rest. I speak especially of those later years which your +mother and you spent in Rome and Paris, where you lived at a glittering +pace, in spite of the fact that the Roumanian estate had been sold under +the hammer." + +"You seem to know all the particulars," retorted Rojanow, highly +indignant now. "We were not aware that we were under such vigilant +inspection. As to our manner of life, we lived as best pleased +ourselves, upon the remnant of the fortune which was saved from the +wreck." + +"There was nothing saved, the whole fortune was squandered, even to the +last heller." + +"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut stormily. + +"It is true. Don't you think I know more about it than you?" The +ambassador's voice was sharp and sneering now. "It is very possible that +Frau Rojanow did not consider it necessary to explain to her son the +means by which she obtained her gold; better to leave him in ignorance. +I know from whence the money came--if she did not tell you, so much the +better for you." + +"Have a care, sir, about insulting my mother," the young man was beside +himself now, "or I may forget your gray hairs, and demand satisfaction." + +"For what? For an assertion which I can back with indisputable proof at +any moment? Let us put aside all such mad folly and say no more on that +subject. She was your mother and she is dead, so her past shall be a +dead letter to us. I have only this one question to put to you, whether +you will, after this conversation, remain here and become one of the +circle which Prince Adelsberg has opened for you?" + +Hartmut had become deadly pale at the allusion made to his mother, and +the source from which she had obtained money, and the first stare with +which he gazed at the speaker showed only too clearly that he had no +knowledge of anything disreputable, but at the last question he began to +recover himself. He cast an almost insane glance at his enemy, and a +wild determination sounded in his voice as he answered: + +"Yes, Herr Wallmoden, I shall remain." + +The ambassador had not expected this answer; he had thought after his +conversation the matter would be ended. + +He evinced no surprise, however, and said: + +"Really? So you decide to remain? You are accustomed to play high, and +expect to do it here? We will have to interfere with that, I fear. +Better think it well over before you decide finally." + +With that he turned quickly on his heel and left the room, just in time +to meet the head forester at its entrance. + +"Where have you been hiding yourself, Herbert?" Schönau asked +impatiently. "I have been searching the whole place for you." + +"I went to the tower-chamber in search of my wife." + +"She's in the dining-room with all the rest of the world, but you have +been missed already. Come, it is time that we got something to eat." + +With which the head forester took hold of his brother-in-law's arm and +led him away, after his usual jolly manner. + +Hartmut stood where von Wallmoden had left him. His breath came fast and +thick, and he was almost stifled with the feelings of shame, and hate, +and revolt, which surged within him. The ambassador's significant +speeches had crushed him utterly, although he had hardly grasped their +full meaning. They tore aside the veil with which he, half +unconsciously, half purposely, had enveloped himself. He had believed +implicitly what his mother told him concerning the portion of their +fortune which was saved to them, and which enabled them to live and +travel. But there were times when he had chosen to close his eyes rather +than enter into investigations. + +When his mother's hand had torn him so suddenly from his father's side, +when after the hard discipline of obedience and duty, he had been +plunged into a life of boundless freedom, he had allowed himself an +unchecked rein, having no one to whom to account for his actions. He was +too young for reflection or judgment, and later--but it was too late for +him then, and habit had woven a net about him which could not be +destroyed. Now for the first time it was shown him clearly and +definitely what that life was which he had led so long; the life of an +adventurer, and as an adventurer he was to be expelled from society. + +But above all the shame was the sense of ignominy and defeat, the +feeling of intense hatred toward the man who had told him the truth. +That unholy heritage from his mother, the hot, wild, passionate blood, +which had proven so fatal to the boy, welled up like a stream of fire in +the man's breast and extinguished all feeling but that of revenge. +Hartmut's handsome features were still disfigured with passion and +anger, when, with compressed lips, he finally left the tower room. + +He knew and felt but one thing, that he must have revenge, revenge at +any price. + +It was late when the guests arose from the table. The duke and duchess +retired soon after, and carriage after carriage ascended the castle +hill, and descended soon after with its full complement of departing +guests; lights were extinguished, and bolts and bars were drawn, and +Fürstenstein was soon enveloped in silence and darkness. + +From the rooms occupied by Baron von Wallmoden and his wife lights were +still shining. Adelheid stood at the window peering into the darkness. +She yet wore her rich court gown, and as she leaned her head against the +pane, lost in thought, her attitude was one of weariness and languor. + +Wallmoden sat at his writing table, reading hastily the dispatches and +letters which had arrived during the day. One or two seemed to contain +matter of importance, for he did not place them with the pile which were +to be answered or destroyed early in the morning, but took up his pen +and made a check across them in red ink; then he arose and crossed the +room to his wife. + +"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I'll have to go to Berlin at once." + +Adelheid turned round surprised. + +"This is very sudden." + +"Yes, I had hoped to settle the matter by letter, but the minister +desires a personal conference. I must take my leave of the duke early in +the morning, and set off at once. I'll be away about eight days, I +presume." + +In the shadow of the curtain Adelheid's face could not be seen clearly, +but one could fancy a sigh of relief escaped her, as if her heart was to +be lightened of a burden. + +"At what hour do we start?" she asked quickly. "I must give my maid her +orders at once." + +"We? It's a purely business affair, and I am going alone." + +"But that won't prevent my accompanying you!" + +"There would be no object in that. I'll only be away a week or two." + +"But I--I'd like to see Berlin again." + +"What a whim!" her husband answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I'll have +so many claims upon my time that I could not have you with me." + +The young wife had stepped to the table, and stood in the glare of the +lamp. She was very pale now, and her voice had a pleading sound as she +said: + +"Very well, then, I will go home. But it is not possible for me to +remain at Fürstenstein alone, without you." + +"Alone!" The ambassador gave her a puzzled look. "You remain with our +kinsfolk whose guests we are. Since when have you become so anxious for +protection? That is a peculiarity which I had never observed in you +until now. I don't understand you, Adelheid; it's a most singular +caprice which you have taken into your head, this desire to accompany +me." + +"Well, call it a caprice. But let me go with you, Herbert--please let me +go." + +She laid her hand beseechingly on his arm, and her eyes had an intense +and anxious expression, as she looked at her husband. There was a +superior, almost sneering smile on his lips, as he answered her: + +"Now I understand it. The scene with the princess was so unpleasant to +you that you dread other skirmishes of a like nature. You must steel +yourself against such sensitiveness, my child; you should see that for +this very reason, it is imperative for you to remain. At court every +word, every glance signifies, and your sudden departure might give rise +to any kind of a report. You must hold your ground from the very start +at court, or you will find your difficulties increase rather than +diminish." + +The wife's hand dropped slowly from her husband's arm, and her eyes sank +to the ground, as he refused the first request she had preferred since +their married life of only a few short months. + +"Stand my ground?" she repeated, in a low voice. "That I shall ever do, +but I hoped you would be at my side." + +"That is, for the moment, not possible, as you see. As for the rest, you +have shown to-day that you know how to defend yourself. And I have no +doubt that the hint which I found it necessary to give you, will bear +fruit, and that you will, in future, be guarded in your answers. At any +rate, you must stay here until I return." + +Adelheid was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained by further +speech. Wallmoden stepped back to the writing-table and put aside his +papers, and locked his drawers with his usual precision; then he took up +the two letters, with their red checks, and folded them together. + +"One thing more, Adelheid," he said, casually, "Prince Adelsberg was +most noticeable in his attentions to you to-day; he was always near +you." + +"Do you wish me to keep him at a distance?" she asked, indifferently. + +"No, indeed, only keep him within bounds, so that there will be no +unnecessary talk. No harm will come to you from being in his company. We +do not stand on the same plane as the burgers, and it would be ludicrous +for me, in my position, to enact the jealous husband toward every man +who pays my wife attention. I leave all that to your discretion; I have +unbounded faith in your tact." + +This sounded very reasonable, very temperate, and above all, very +indifferent. No one could accuse Herr von Wallmoden of jealousy towards +the young prince, whose undisguised admiration caused him no second +thought; and, as he had just said, he had unbounded faith in his wife's +tact. + +"I will send these telegrams myself," he said. "Since the duke's arrival +there's a telegraph office in the castle. You should ring for your maid, +my child; you look tired and worn--good-night." + +With that he left her, but Adelheid did not follow his advice. She +returned once more to the window, and a bitter, pained expression lay on +her face. She had never before felt so keenly that she was to her +husband nothing more than a glittering bauble, to be exhibited by him to +prove how wisely he had chosen a wife; she was to be treated with the +greatest courtesy and politeness, because a princely fortune had been +received from her hand; but as a woman she was to be refused the most +trifling request with equal courtesy, because it did not suit his +pleasure. + +The night was dark, and the low clouds which surrounded the forest +heights were black and heavy; only here and there, where a break +occurred, was a star to be seen glimmering far and faint in the distant +heavens. The face which peered out into the darkness had not the proud, +cold look which the world knew, but a disturbed, anxious expression, +lacking altogether that repose which was its chief characteristic at +most times. + +The wife had both hands pressed against her breast, as if in pain. She +would have flown from that dark power which she felt was upon her. She +had sought her husband's protection, had plead for it--in vain. He went +and left her alone, and the other remained, with his dark, demoniacal +eyes, with his voice and tones, which exercised such a singular, +irresistible influence over her. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +October had come. It was autumn's reign. The leaves of the trees were +richly colored with deep and varied hues. The landscape lay enveloped +morning and evening in fog and mist, and the nights brought with them +the hoar-frost, but the days, for the most part, were sunny and +delightful. + +Since the gay evening on which the whole country round had assembled, +there had been no special festivities at Fürstenstein; all interest had +centered in the hunt, which was, of course, of paramount importance to +the men. + +The duke, at his wife's instance, decided to have no other great or +noisy entertainment at the castle. The duchess liked a change of faces +in their little circle, but she courted the quiet and freedom from +restraint which her mountain home brought her. There were frequent +arrivals and various excursions, both by horse and on foot, through the +mountain forest, and a goodly number always met around the princely +board at night to discuss the pleasures and excitements of the day. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden belonged, naturally, to this exclusive circle. +The duchess, who had learned through some source, of her sister-in-law's +insulting attitude toward the young wife, had been more amiable than +ever, and had managed to keep Baroness von Wallmoden near herself +whenever it was possible; the duke also, anxious to show all attention +to the Prussian ambassador, seconded his wife's endeavors with zest. + +Wallmoden was still in Berlin, though over two weeks had elapsed since +he left the castle, and he had not yet been able to write definitely as +to the date of his return. + +One of the most frequent guests at Fürstenstein was Prince Egon +Adelsberg, who was an acknowledged favorite among his princely kinsfolk, +and his friend Rojanow was always included in the invitations sent to +Rodeck. The prince's prophesies had proven true; Hartmut had descended +upon them like a brilliant meteor. All eyes were turned upon him with +admiration and wonder, and it pleased his new associates to have him +soar above the old fashioned usages and customs of their monotonous +Court life. He had read his 'Arivana' to the duchess at her request, and +had scored a decided success. The duke had promised him that his drama +should be brought out at the Court theatre, and the princess Sophie had +made a special point of taking the young man under her wing. + +The princely household followed, as usual, in the wake of their master, +but willingly enough in this instance, for Hartmut won friends on all +sides by his cordiality, good temper, and grace of manner and person. + +The prince's hunting wagon stood before the castle of Rodeck. It was +early in the day and the faint mist which yet hung over the hills +concealed a bright, warm sun. Egon stepped out on the terrace dressed +for the hunt, closely followed by the old steward, to whom he was +speaking. + +"So you want to see the hunt, too, do you?" he asked. "Of course, if +there's anything to see, Peter Stadinger must see it. My valet has asked +permission also. For that matter I believe all the inhabitants of the +forest have turned out to-day with their whole families to go to the +hunting grounds." + +"Yes, your highness, they don't often have an opportunity to see such a +sight," replied Stadinger. "The great Court hunts seldom take place in +our woods. There's hunting enough around here to be sure, but then you +never ask any ladies to Rodeck, and the ladies--" + +"Are a great bore," interrupted the prince. "That's my opinion; but what +are you prating about? You are generally down on the women, and unless +they are over eighty don't want to see one of them around the place. Are +you going back to your young and giddy days?" + +"I meant the court ladies, your highness," said Stadinger impressively. + +"'The court ladies,' can honor me with their company for a walk, but +I'll never invite any of them to any hunt of mine, for I'm still a young +bachelor." + +"And why is it that your highness is still a bachelor?" responded the +old servant reprovingly. + +"Man alive, I do believe you are trying to get me married, like my +old--like all the rest of the world. Don't waste any thought or time on +me, for I won't marry." + +"Your highness is wrong," remonstrated old Stadinger, who always gave +his master the title once at least in each sentence, for he thought if +he did have to read the prince a lecture every now and then, he must +show him some respect while doing it, "and it is unchristian, too, for +the marriage relation is a holy state in which it is well to live; your +father, blessed be his memory, married--and so did I." + +"Of course, and so did you. Yes, you are the grandfather of that lovely +girl, Zena, whom you sent away in such shameless haste. By the way, when +is Zena coming back?" + +The steward appeared not to hear the question, but returned obstinately +to his theme. + +"Her highness, the duchess, and princess Sophie, are very anxious to see +you married. Your highness should think it well over." + +"Well, that's enough of your fatherly advice for one day. And it's no +business of princess Sophie. By the way, as you are going to Bucheneck, +where the hunt meets to-day, it's very possible that you will be seen +and spoken to by some of the court." + +"Very possible, your highness," agreed the steward, complacently. "Her +grace often honors me with a little conversation, for she recognizes me +as the oldest servant of a princely house." + +"Well, if the princess should inquire by chance about the snakes and +beasts of prey which I brought with me from my travels, you can tell her +that I'm going to have them sent to one of my other castles." + +"That is not at all necessary, your highness," replied the steward. +"Your gracious aunt has obtained information about everything." + +"Information? About what? Perhaps you have given it." + +"I was questioned the other day at Fürstenstein. Princess Sophie was +just returning from a walk and beckoned me to her to ask me a few +questions." + +"The deuce she did!" muttered the prince, who saw mischief. "And what +answers did you give her?" + +"'Your grace need feel no uneasiness,' I said, 'of living animals we +have only monkeys and parrots at Rodeck, and there's never been a snake +about the place; a sea serpent was coming, but it died on the way, and +the elephants broke loose before they were shipped at all, and went back +to their palm groves--so his highness told me. As to tigers, we have +two, but they are stuffed, and we've only the skin of a lion in the +large hall, so your grace can see that no harm will come from them.'" + +"No, but enough will come from your tattle," said the prince, angrily. +"And the princess, what did she say to it all?" + +"Her grace only smiled and then asked me about the women employed here +at Rodeck, and if all the girls in the region were not here. But I +said," and Stadinger threw his head back proudly, "'all the women at the +castle, your grace, were engaged by me. They are all industrious and +honest; I have seen to that; but his highness ran away when he caught +sight of them, and Herr Rojanow was more put out than the prince even, +so the gentlemen never paid but one visit to the kitchen.' Her grace was +very kind and gracious to me, and took leave of me very well contented, +I could see that." + +"And I'd be very well contented to send you to the devil, you old fool. +To spoil it all with your long tongue," exclaimed the prince, furious +now. + +The old man, who thought he had done everything for the best, looked at +his young master in perplexity. + +"But I only told the truth, your highness." + +"But the truth's not to be spoken at all times." + +"Oh, I did not know that." + +"Stadinger, you have a bad habit of answering back--perhaps you also +told the princess that Zena had been in the city for several weeks?" + +"Yes, your highness, she asked me about my granddaughter, particularly." + +"What's the trouble with Stadinger now?" asked Hartmut, who came out at +this moment, also attired for the day's sport, and who had caught the +last few words. + +"Oh, he's been making a first class fool of himself, that's all," +explained the exasperated prince. The oldest servant of a princely house +could not allow such an insult to pass. + +"I beg your highness's pardon. I have not been making a fool of myself +at all." + +"Perhaps you believe it is I who have been doing it?" + +Stadinger looked his young master well over and then replied, +discreetly: + +"I do not know, your highness--but it might be so." + +"You're an old bear," cried the prince sharply. + +"The whole forest knows that, your highness." + +"Come on, Hartmut, there's nothing to be gained from this old ghost of +the woods," said Egon half angry, half laughing. "First you place me in +all sorts of embarrassments, and then you defend yourself by giving me a +lecture." + +With that he went off with Rojanow to the carriage. Stadinger remained +standing in a respectful attitude, for he never meant to be rebuked for +lack of respect to "his highness." It never occurred to him to yield an +inch of ground; that was for Prince Egon to do, but not for Peter +Stadinger. + +Egon was almost of this opinion himself. He related what had occurred to +Hartmut as they drove along, and with a comical despair he concluded: + +"Now can you imagine what kind of a reception that most worshipful aunt +of mine will give me? She evidently suspected that I wanted to keep her +away from Rodeck. Now my morals are saved in her eyes, but at the +expense of my love of truth. Hartmut, you must do me a favor; you must +be my lightning rod. Expend all your power of fascination upon that +imperious kinswoman of mine. Dedicate a poem to her if necessary, but at +least shield me from the first fierce flashes of her anger." + +"Well, I should have thought you weather-proof in that particular by +now," said Rojanow smiling. "You must have had cause for forgiveness +before this for such enormities. The duchess and the other ladies will +be on horseback to-day, will they not?" + +"Certainly; they could see nothing from the carriages. By the way, did +you know that Frau von Wallmoden was an accomplished horse woman? I met +her day before yesterday returning from a ride with her brother-in-law, +the head forester." + +"Ah, then we'll know where to find Prince Adelsberg to-day." + +Egon, who had been leaning back comfortably, sat erect now, and said, as +he gave his friend a searching look: + +"Not so spitefully, I beg of you. You are not often in the company of +the lady in question, I grant that, and you bear yourself as if you were +only a looker-on at others, but I know you well enough to understand +that you and I are very much of the same opinion concerning her, +nevertheless." + +"Well, and if we are--would you consider it a breach of friendship on my +part?" + +"Not in this instance. For the object is unattainable by either of us." + +"Unattainable?" an ironical smile played around Rojanow's lips. + +"Yes, Hartmut," said the young prince, half in earnest, half in jest, +"the lovely, cold northern light, as you have named her, remains true to +its nature. It gleams on the horizon distant and unapproachable, and the +icy sea above which it shines is not to be broken through. The lady has +no heart. She is free from every feeling of passion, and that is what +gives her her enviable security. Here you must acknowledge all your +influence, all your boasted powers are frustrated by that icy breath; +you are chilled through, and so you keep your distance." + +Hartmut was silent. He was thinking of the moment in the tower room when +he had begged for the bright blossom. She had refused him, but no icy +breath had enveloped the young wife while she stood trembling beneath +his pleading glance and words. He had seen her daily since then, but +had seldom gone near her, but he knew that now, as before, she was under +his influence. + +"But, in spite of it all, I cannot tear myself loose from this foolish +fascination," Egon went on in a dreamy tone. "It always seems to me that +the ice and snow will disappear as if by magic, and warmth and light +burst out in full bloom in their stead. If Adelheid von Wallmoden were +still free--I believe I'd try the experiment." + +Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist +which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now. + +"What experiment? Do you mean by that, you'd offer her your hand?" + +"That thought seems to excite you greatly," said the prince, laughing +out loud. "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I have no such prejudice +against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over +the very thought, and even you don't seem to take to the idea any too +kindly. Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband, +has already secured the prize, and he'll never change her into a +creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of +his--but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck." + +"Call no man happy until his death," said Hartmut, half-aloud. + +"A very wise remark, only not quite original," answered Egon. "Do you +know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively +alarming, like a demon. Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment +as if you were one." + +Hartmut did not answer. + +They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and +Fürstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind, +was plainly visible on its wooded height. + +Half an hour later, their carriage rolled along the broad graveled +carriage-way, where all was life and bustle. Every servant of the +household was stirring; carriages and saddle horses were standing ready +for the start, and nearly all those invited to join the hunt had +arrived. + +As the gay throng started on their way, the sun suddenly burst forth +through the mist, and as it shone down on the glittering cavalcade just +leaving the castle, it made a brilliant and impressive picture. + +The duke and duchess rode at the head, closely followed by their +numerous suite, and then came the many guests. All the younger women +were on horseback, and the whole party were in full hunting costume. + +Away they rode in the clear sunlight of a bright autumn morning. Over +the hills and meadows and through the woods. Shots were fired on every +side, and the flying deer broke through the thicket and across the +clearing, while the whole hunting park resounded with the din of the +sport. + +The whole corps of foresters had been summoned by the head forester, who +saw to it that no arrangements were lacking to make the day a success. +He felt that this was peculiarly his affair, and that no mishaps of any +sort should occur. + +They arrived about midday at Bucheneck, a small hunting lodge belonging +to the duke, which lay in the center of the forest, and which could +offer shelter in case of any unfavorable change in the weather. To-day +no such precaution seemed necessary, as the weather was glorious, only +somewhat too warm for the season. The sun beat down almost too fiercely, +as they took their breakfast in the open air. + +With that exception, everything was a success, and the crowd which +moved hither and thither over the broad, green meadow, near which +Bucheneck lay, were in high spirits. The duke, who had handled his +fowling piece with more than usual skill, was in the best of humors; the +duchess chatted gaily with the ladies, and the head forester fairly +beamed with pleasure, for the prince had congratulated him warmly upon +his faculty for doing perfectly all he undertook. Frau von Wallmoden, +who kept near the duchess, was the object of much attention; she was +unquestionably the most beautiful woman there; the others needed for the +most part rich toilettes and glittering gems to set off their beauty. +Here in the clear light of the midday sun, clad in dark riding habits, +which permitted neither color nor adornment, many paled who were at +other times very attractive in appearance, but Frau von Wallmoden, with +her slender figure and erect bearing, which seemed especially suited to +the saddle, her clear skin, large, earnest eyes and wealth of blonde +hair so simply coiled, was a picture at which to gaze with unmitigated +pleasure. In short, the "northern light," as she was now commonly called +at court, the prince having whispered the name, was the admired of all +beholders, all the more so when it became known that the cold, +statuesque beauty was soon to desert them. + +Frau von Wallmoden had received a letter from her husband yesterday, +stating that his diplomatic business was ended, but that affairs in +North Germany connected with the Stahlberg manufactories would detain +him for some time longer. It was whispered that there were to be many +important changes, great improvements were to be introduced, and in all +this Baron von Wallmoden as executor and guardian of the only son, would +have a decisive voice. The length of his absence from the South Germany +court would necessarily be uncertain, so he had asked his government +for an extended leave, which had been granted, and had announced all +this to the duke. He had written his wife at the same time, leaving her +free to remain at Fürstenstein, or to join him at once and go with him +to her old home to see her brother again; now, after two weeks, if she +chose to leave, no "misconstruction" could be placed upon her departure. +Adelheid had chosen without hesitation; she had announced to the duchess +that she would leave on the following day. + +Princess Sophie and her sister, together with some of the older ladies, +had driven to Bucheneck in carriages, and the Princess Sophie's first +anxiety had been to get hold of her nephew. But so far Prince Egon had +managed to avoid her. He had been everywhere but in the neighborhood of +his deceived aunt, until at last, losing all patience, she ordered a +gentleman of the Court to bring Prince Adelsberg to her at once. This +order was imperative, and Egon did not dare disobey it, but he took the +precaution of having his "lightning rod" with him to get the first +shock. Hartmut was by his side when he presented himself before the +princess. + +"Well, Egon, it's a great privilege to see your face at all to-day," +were the first words. "You are in demand on all sides, it seems." + +"But I am always at the service of my beloved aunt," Egon declared. His +amiability was of no use to him on this occasion, however; the princess +measured him with anything but a conciliatory glance. + +"Whenever your knightly services are not needed in the interest of Frau +von Wallmoden. You will have the opportunity of exhibiting a glittering +example of chivalry and courage, when her husband comes back. You will +learn to know and appreciate him better then." + +"I appreciate him very highly now, as a man, as a diplomat and as 'his +excellency.' Your grace must surely believe that." + +"I believe you absolutely, Egon. Your love of truth is one of the +verities upon which I pin my faith," said the lady, with biting irony. +"For that very reason I was pleased to have the opportunity of a little +talk with old Stadinger the other day. He's not so rusty after all, for +his years." + +"Poor fellow, he suffers greatly from weakness of memory," the prince +hastened to assure her. "Stadinger forgets nearly everything--don't you +know, Hartmut? What he declares most earnestly one day, is entirely +forgotten on the next." + +"I found, on the contrary, that his memory was very fresh; above all, +this faithful old servant of your house is trustworthy, circumspect--" + +"And rude," interrupted Egon, sighing. "You can have no idea of the +incivility in which old Peter Stadinger's whole nature is steeped. He +tyrannizes most terribly over Herr Rojanow and myself. I have thought +seriously of putting him out of the way." + +It is hardly necessary to say he had not thought of anything of the +kind. + +Princess Sophie, who was an autocrat, and who dealt most severely with +her own servants, was inclined to be very lenient in this instance. + +"You should not think of harming so faithful a creature," she answered. +"A man who has served three generations of your race can be forgiven for +slight eccentricities, especially when one thinks of the pleasant life +which the two young masters of Rodeck lead him, for we all know they do +not court company, but prefer loneliness." + +"Ah, yes, loneliness," said Egon with feeling. "It is a great change +after our eventful life in the East, and we enjoy it in full measure. I +occupy myself principally--" + +"With the taming of wild beasts," interrupted the princess, maliciously. + +"No, with--with--reminiscences of my travels, which I recount to +Hartmut, while he poetises a little, and composes melancholy odes from +them. He's writing a little poem now on some reflection he heard your +grace make." + +The princess turned with a radiant smile to the young poet as she +exclaimed: + +"And have you really been able to use any nonsense which I may have +uttered in a poem, Herr Rojanow?" + +"Indeed, I have, your grace, and I am very grateful to you for your +idea," replied Hartmut promptly. He had no idea in the world what the +talk was all about, but was ready to second whatever his friend might +suggest. + +"I am delighted to hear it; I adore poetry, and think it the greatest of +literary productions." + +"You two will agree perfectly as to that," said Egon with admiration. +Having accomplished his object, he escaped, leaving his friend to enter +into a discussion with the princess, on the relative merits of poets and +their inspirations. + +The prince once more approached the duchess's little circle, where he +was sure to find Frau von Wallmoden, and where he was far from the sound +of his malicious aunt's voice. + +The breakfast was ended, and the day's sport was about to begin in +earnest. But since noon the bright, sunny weather had changed; the +heavens were overcast, and there was a fear that one of the sudden, +heavy storms which were frequent at this season, might come before the +day was over. + +The duchess, with some of her friends, had taken their stand upon a +height, from which they thought they could obtain the best view, but the +hunters took a sudden turn, and the lookers on were forced to follow. + +It was at this juncture that a slight accident occurred to Frau von +Wallmoden; her saddle girth broke, and she would have had a disagreeable +fall had she not had the presence of mind to slip at once from her +saddle to the ground. To follow the riders was now an impossibility, for +her groom could not have obtained another saddle for her, so she decided +to send the servant over to Bucheneck with the horse, and follow on +foot, at her leisure. + +It was a relief to her that this accident had occurred, it saved her the +weary necessity of following the hunt to its close, and permitted her to +drop for a time, in this solitude, the mask which she wore before the +world, and which was at times becoming almost too heavy for her to +carry. + +Now that she was alone and unobserved, the cold, proud repose which had +been so noticeable since her wedding-day, departed as a shadow, and she +was a creature of another world. + +Her features, which were an heritage from her father, and betokened a +strong and determined nature, had become more rigid in the last few +months, but over her face lay a new expression, one of pain and anxiety, +as if some secret and hitherto unknown spring had been touched; the blue +eyes lost their cold, passionate look, deep shadows lay in them, which +told of strife and anguish, and the blonde head sank low, as under some +unsupportable burden. + +And yet Adelheid breathed more freely than she had done for many a day, +at the thought that this was the last one at Fürstenstein. To-morrow at +this time, she would be far away, and distance she prayed would save her +from that dark influence against which she had been battling for weeks +in vain, when she would no longer see those eyes whose power she +dreaded, or hear the voice which bewitched her. When she had flown from +the mysterious power which held her, she could conquer and utterly +destroy it. God be praised! + +The sound of the hunt grew each moment less distinct, and was finally +lost altogether in the distance; but in the wood, near the elevation on +which she stood, the baroness could hear crunching footsteps which told +her she was no longer alone. She turned to go in an opposite direction, +but as she turned, a man's form appeared among the trees, and Hartmut +Rojanow stood before her. + +The meeting was so sudden that Adelheid lost her self-possession. + +She drew back as if seeking protection among the trees beneath which she +had been standing, and stared at him with the eyes of a wounded animal +watching the pursuing hunter. + +Rojanow did not appear to perceive this. He bowed and asked hastily: +"Are you alone, baroness? The accident was not serious, then?" + +"What accident?" + +"I heard you'd been thrown from your horse!" + +"What an exaggeration. My saddle girth broke, and as I saw it in time I +jumped to the ground, while the animal stood perfectly still--that was +the accident." + +"Thank God--I heard something of a plunge, a fall, and as you did not +return to the hunting field I--" + +He stopped suddenly, for Adelheid's glance showed him she did not +believe his statement; he had probably met the groom and had questioned +him. Now at last her self-possession returned, and she said very +coldly: + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your solicitude was altogether +unnecessary. You should have reflected that the duchess would not have +allowed me to remain unsought in the wood had so serious an accident +occurred. I sent her word I was on my way to Bucheneck." + +She would have passed by him now, but as he stepped aside, he said in a +low voice: + +"My dear madame--I have to beg your pardon." + +"My pardon--for what?" + +"For the favor for which I plead so hard and injudiciously. I only asked +for a flower. Is my crime then so great that your anger must last for +weeks?" + +Adelheid remained standing, almost without knowing it. She was again +under the influence of those eyes and that wonderful voice. + +"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow," she responded. "I am not angry with +you." + +"No? And yet you assume again that icy tone which is ever yours when I +am near you, and now that you have heard my drama you make no sign of +approval. You were present when I read it at Fürstenstein. I heard words +of praise on all sides. Your lips alone were closed. From you I received +no single word of commendation--will you deny it to me now?" + +"I thought we were out for a hunt, to-day," said Adelheid evasively, +"and this is neither the time nor the place to discuss poetry." + +"We have both left the hunt for to-day; it's on its way now toward the +Rodecker heights. Here is the true forest loneliness. Look at the +perfect autumn landscape around us. It speaks to the heart of peace and +forgiveness. Look at that placid sheet of water, a those heavy +storm-laden clouds against the horizon--to me there is more poetry in +this than in the crowded salons of Fürstenstein." + +The aspect of the landscape had entirely changed since the morning +hours, and a dull, gloomy light had taken the place of the bright, clear +sunshine, beneath whose gleams the cavalcade had set forth so merrily. + +The endless stretch of forest which lay before them was in its gayest +autumn dress, but in the sombre light of the approaching storm, its +brilliant leaves looked faded and faint. The deep reds and many tinted +yellows of the foliage formed a beautiful picture, but these were the +colors of decay and death, and told that the end of their life and bloom +was not far distant. + +Beneath them lay the little lake, dark and motionless, surrounded by +high grasses and swamp reeds. It looked like another lonely sheet of +water in the far northland--the Burgsdorf fish pond, and back from this +little lake stretched a meadow green and marshy, from which, even now, a +faint mist was rising, a mist, which as night came down, would change +into a rain, while the will-o'-the-wisp in its endless sport and motion, +would play in and out among the long green rushes, now gleaming, now +disappearing--thus perfecting that far off picture of long ago. + +The air was oppressive and sultry, and the distant clouds were forming +deeper and darker heights against the horizon. + +Adelheid had not answered Hartmut's question; she stood looking into the +distance with face turned away from the man who was watching her, and +yet she felt the dark consuming glance resting on her, as she had felt +it so many times during the past few weeks. + +"You are going away to-morrow, my dear baroness!" he began again. "Who +knows when you will return--when I shall see you again. May I not beg +for your verdict now, may I not ask whether my words have found favor in +Ada's eyes?" + +Again her name upon his lips, again that soft, veiled, passionate tone +which she so feared, and which rang in her ear like the voice of an +enchanter. She felt there was no escape, no chance for flight, she must +look the danger in the eye. She turned to her questioner, and her face +betrayed that she had decided to fight out the battle--the battle with +herself. + +"Are you interested in my verdict merely because I bear this name?" she +said coldly and proudly. "It stands at the beginning of your poem, which +by the way was sent me the other day by some mysterious hand, without +name." + +"And which you read notwithstanding?" he interrupted triumphantly. + +"Yes, and burned." + +"Burned?" The old savage expression came over Hartmut's face, that +intense angered look which had evoked from Egon's lips the expression, +"You look like a demon, Hartmut." The demon of hate and revenge burned +once again in his breast as he thought of his recent insults from this +woman's husband, insults which must be resented to the full. And yet he +loved the woman before him as only Zalika's son could love, with a wild, +consuming passion. But in this moment hate gained the mastery. + +"My poor pages!" he said with unconcealed bitterness. "They, too, +suffered in the flame; they were, perhaps, worthy a better fate." + +"Then you should not have sent them to me. I will not and dare not +accept such poems." + +"You dare not, my dear Baroness? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at a woman's feet, and poets have had that right for all time. It +is incumbent on you to accept such an offering." + +The words were spoken in such a hot, passionate whisper that Adelheid +trembled. + +"Perhaps you pay homage to the women of your country in such words. +German woman do not understand them." + +"But you understand them," said Hartmut fiercely, "and you understand +the fire and passion of my 'Arivana,' which rises above all laws and +restrictions of this narrow, human life. I saw that on the evening when +you turned your back on me, while the rest of the world applauded and +came forward with their congratulations. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the god-like spark enters two souls, it bursts into flame whether +they be of the south or the cold north, and that spark has ignited and +burns in us both. All strength and will dies in its fiery breath, it +extinguishes all else, nothing remains but that holy, sacred fire which +illumines and blesses, even while it consumes. You love me, Ada, I know +it; do not try to deceive me, and I love you beyond all power of +speech." + +He stood before her in the triumph of victory. Never before had his dark +beauty shone forth so strongly, never before had his eyes glowed with +such intensity, or his face expressed such passion and longing. + +And he had spoken the truth. + +The woman who leaned against the tree, trembling and deadly pale, loved +him; loved him as only a pure, exalted nature can love. This cold, +haughty woman, whom the world had named heartless, was swayed and torn +by this, the first love of her young life. + +She felt within her a passion to which she could no longer blind +herself; the fiery breath, with all its fierceness, was blowing down +upon her. Now came the crucial-test. + +"Leave me at once, Herr Rojanow--this instant," she said. The words had +a choked, scarcely audible sound, and they were spoken to a man who was +not accustomed to yield when he felt himself the victor. He would have +gone closer to her--but something in the young wife's eye, in spite of +all, kept him within bounds. But he spoke her name again, and in a tone +whose power he best knew: + +"Ada!" + +She shuddered, and made a protesting motion. + +"Not that name. For you I am only Adelheid von Wallmoden. I am married; +you know that." + +"Yes, married to a man who is standing on the threshold of old age; who +does not love you, and for whom you could feel no love even if he were +younger. What does that cold, calculating diplomat know of love? The +Court, his position, his advancement, is all in all to him; his wife is +nothing. He exults over the possession of a treasure whom he knows not +how to prize, and to whose happiness and peace he gives not a thought." + +Adelheid's lips trembled. She knew only too well that all he said was +true. She did not answer. + +"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, coming closer. "A +word, a single 'yes,' which you have spoken without knowing its +significance, without knowing yourself. Shall you permit it to bind you +for your whole life? Shall you allow it to make us both miserable for +all time? No, Ada, love, that eternal, undying right of the human heart, +must have its own. Men prate of guilt, others of destiny. It is destiny +which is beckoning us to-day, and we must follow after. A feeble word +cannot separate us." + +At this moment a lightning flash parted the heavy, distant clouds, and +cast a long, narrow, dazzling light over the great forest, and gleamed +across Hartmut's face and figure where he stood. + +Surely he was his mother's son now. He never looked more like her than +at this moment, with his dark, destroying beauty, and his peculiar, +passionate, demoniacal glance. Perhaps it was this glance which brought +Adelheid to her senses, perhaps it was the something concealed behind +all the fire and passion. + +"A freely given and freely received word is an oath," she said, slowly, +"and who breaks it breaks his honor." + +Hartmut breathed hard; keen and cruel like a lightning's flash, came a +memory to his soul, the memory of that hour in which he had freely given +his word--and broken it. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden looked straight at Hartmut now; her face was +pale, and her voice trembled as she addressed him again: + +"I wish you to cease this persecution, which has been going on for weeks +now. You fill me with horror--your eyes, your words, your manner. I feel +that everything which emanates from you is false, and no one can love +that which is false." + +"Ada." There was a tone of passionate entreaty in his voice, but hers +had gained in steadfastness now, and she continued earnestly: + +"And you do not love me. I have seen for some time that your pursuance +of me was from hate, not love. You and your kind have not the capacity +for loving." + +Rojanow was silent from surprise. Who had taught her to read him so +nearly aright? + +He had not even acknowledged to himself how closely the love and hate +were united in his breast. + +"And you say this to the author of Arivana?" he exclaimed with +bitterness. "My drama has been called the ode to love, and--" + +"Then those who so named it have been deceived by the flimsy veil of +oriental legend in which your figures are enveloped, they have seen the +Eastern priest with the woman he loves succumb to an iron, inhuman law. +Perhaps you are a great poet, perhaps you will astonish the world with +your fame, but to me you are something else, for the passion and fiery +language of 'Arivana' have taught me something of its creator; of the +man who believes in nothing, to whom nothing in the world is holy, +neither duty nor pledge, neither manly honor nor womanly virtue; who +would drag the highest in the dust for the sport of his passion. I yet +believe in duty and honor, believe in myself, and with this belief I bid +defiance to the fate which you so triumphantly prophesy will enthrall +me. It can drive me to death--but never into your arms." + +She stood opposite him, neither trembling nor irresolute. All her secret +struggles were over, and with each word one more link of the chain was +loosened. + +Her eyes met his, full and free; she feared their dark, baneful glance +no longer--that mysterious power was broken; she felt it and breathed +deeply, like one whose hour of deliverance had come. + +Again there was a flash of lightning, noiseless, not followed by any +thunder crash, but it seemed to open the heavens to their very depths. +In the palpitating light one could see fantastic cloud pictures, forms +which seemed to struggle and battle with one another as if borne by +force before the storm, and yet the cloud-mountain stood immovable on +the far horizon; and just as immovable stood the man upon whose dark +countenance the lightning flash revealed a deep pallor. + +His eyes had not turned from the young wife's face, but the wild glow +within them was extinguished, and his voice had a strange sound as he +said: + +"And this is the sentence for which I begged. I am then, in your eyes +nothing more than a--reprobate?" + +"A lost man, perhaps--you have forced me to this avowal." + +Hartmut stepped slowly back a few steps. + +"Lost," he repeated in bitter tone. "That is probably what you think. +You may be at rest, my dear madam. I will never approach you again; one +has no desire to hear such words a second time. You stand so proud and +firm upon your watch tower of virtue and judge so severely. You have no +conception what a wild, desperate life can make of a man who goes +through the world without home or family. You are right. I believed in +nothing in the heavens above or on the earth beneath--until this hour." + +There was something in his tone and in his whole bearing which disarmed +Adelheid. + +She felt she had no cause to fear a further explosion of passion, and +her voice grew milder as she answered: + +"I judge no one, but I belong heart and soul to another world, with +other laws than yours. I am the daughter of a father whom I dearly +loved, who, all his life long, trod but one path, the earnest, rigid +path of duty. Upon this he raised himself from poverty and privation to +wealth and honor, and he taught his children to follow in the same way, +and it is this thought which has been my shield and protection in this +hard hour. I could not endure it if I were compelled to lower my eyes +before the noble image which my memory holds. Your father is no longer +alive?" + +There followed a long, oppressive pause. Hartmut did not answer, but his +head sank under the words of whose crushing significance the questioner +had no knowledge, while his eyes seemed to pierce the ground. + +"No," he said at last, slowly. + +"But you have the memory of him and of your mother?" + +"My mother!" Rojanow broke forth wildly now. "Do not speak of her, in +this hour--do not speak to me of my mother." + +It was an alarming cry, a mixture of boundless bitterness, with reproach +and despair. In it the mother was sentenced by her son, he felt her +memory was but a desecration of this hour. + +Adelheid did not understand him, she only saw that she had touched on a +point which admitted of no discussion, but she also saw that the man who +stood before her with his deep, dark glance, with his tone of despair, +was another than he who had stood there a quarter of an hour before. It +was a dark, fathomless mystery upon which she gazed, but she had no +longer any fear. + +"Let us end this interview," she said, earnestly. "You will seek no +second one, I believe that; but one word more before we part. You are a +poet. I have felt that in spite of everything, as I have learned to know +your work. But poets are teachers of mankind, and can lead to good or to +ill. The wild flame of your 'Arivana' springs from a life which you, +yourself, seem to hate. Look yonder," and she pointed to the distant +heavens inflamed now with the lightning's play. "Those are also flaming +brands, but their beginnings are from above and they point out another +way--and now farewell!" + +Long after she had disappeared, Hartmut stood on the same spot as if +rooted to the ground. He had answered no word, made no comment, only +gazed where she had pointed, with fixed, hopeless eyes. + +Flash after flash of lightning was now rending the heavens and the whole +landscape was enveloped in a lurid glare which reflected itself in that +little sheet of water so like the Burgsdorf fish pond; the long reeds +and grasses swayed and bent above the water and the mist from the meadow +rose above it all. + +Under just such long, waving grass the boy had lain long ago and dreamed +of the day when he should mount like the falcon from which his race had +taken their name, always higher and higher into boundless freedom toward +the sun, and now on a similar spot the sentence had fallen upon him like +a judgment from heaven, and the will-o'-the-wisp on this lowering autumn +night seemed in its spectral flashes to dance over the grave of false +hopes and falser aspirations. The falcon had not mounted to the skies, +the earth had held him fast. He had felt for some time that the +intoxicating cup of freedom and of life which his mother's hand had +poured for him was poisoned; there were for him no cherished memories to +guard--he dare not venture to think of his father. + +Darker and darker grew the heavens with their heavy, storm laden clouds, +and wilder and fiercer was the struggle between those giant figures +which were riven at every flash only to come together again with greater +fury, and brighter and more vivid grew that mighty flame as it mounted +higher and higher in the inky firmament. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The winter gaieties had fairly begun in the South-German capital, and in +the exclusive court circle the artistic element played a prominent part. +The duke, who loved and fostered art, took great pride in being +accounted its patron, and strove to make his capital an intellectual and +artistic centre. The young poet who had been received so favorably by +the court, and whose first great work was soon to be produced at the +court theatre, was an object of great interest to the little world. It +was an almost unheard of feat for a Roumanian to write in the German +tongue, even though it was admitted that, in this instance, the writer +had received his education in Germany. Here, as at Rodeck, he was the +bosom friend and guest of Prince Adelsberg, and many strange and +wonderful stories were related of this friendship. But Hartmut's +personality, above all else, created for him an enviable position no +matter where he turned. The young, handsome and genial stranger, +surrounded as he was with a halo of romance and mystery, had only to +appear to have all eyes turned upon him. + +Soon after the return of the court to the city, the rehearsals for +"Arivana" began, and its author and Prince Egon had the matter in +charge. + +The latter entered so enthusiastically into the spirit of it all, that +he made the lives of the director and theatre attachés miserable with +his many and contradictory suggestions concerning the setting of the +drama, a matter about which, it is unnecessary to add, they were much +more capable of directing than he. At first they could not get an +actress to suit them, but they finally secured the services of a young +and favorite opera-singer named Marietta Volkmar. + +The preparations for the performance, which they had intended originally +to bring out late in the season, were now hurried forward with all +speed, for royal visitors were expected at court, and the duke was most +anxious that this weird and poetical drama with its Indian setting +should be presented before them. Unusual honors to the poet were +prophesied as a result of this spectacle. + +Such was the condition of affairs when Herbert von Wallmoden returned to +the court, and he was, naturally, painfully surprised. + +He had asked his wife casually, while inquiring for others, whether the +prince's Roumanian friend had yet left Fürstenstein, and she had +answered in the negative. He had not expected Hartmut to leave at once, +for the latter had declared most positively he would not. But Wallmoden +imagined he would think it all well over, and when Prince Adelsberg left +Rodeck that would end the whole matter. Under no circumstances would +Rojanow appear by the prince's side at the capital where the ambassador +had threatened to denounce him at once. + +But Baron von Wallmoden did not understand the unyielding defiance of +this man, who had indeed dared much. Now, upon his return from the +north, he found this "adventurer" established on a very sure footing, in +close intercourse with the court and society of the capital. It would be +a most embarrassing matter to explain everything at this late day, when +all were on the _qui vive_ of expectation, and when the duke was so +deeply interested both in the new drama and in its author. It would make +a very painful impression in all circles. The experienced diplomat did +not disguise from himself the fact that the duke would complain, and +with reason, that all this exposure should have been made on the first +day of the stranger's appearance rather than at this inopportune time. +There remained nothing for it but to be silent and await developments. + +Wallmoden had no thought of the danger which had threatened himself. He +had not seen fit to tell his wife anything concerning his old friend +Falkenried's history, and decided now that she had better know nothing +more about Prince Adelsberg's friend than was known by their associates. + +No conversation concerning Hartmut had ever passed between them save the +one fleeting question and his wife's monosyllabic answer. + +But he felt he dare keep silence no longer toward his nephew Willibald, +for there would be a similar scene to that enacted by the mother at +Hochberg if the son was surprised by the sight of his boyhood's friend. + +The young heir had accompanied the Wallmodens to the southern capital, +where he intended remaining a few days, when he was going on to +Fürstenstein to see his betrothed, for the head forester had expressly +requested that the September visit, which was so suddenly interrupted, +should be finished later in the season. + +"You were only with us a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and I +desire to see something more of my future son-in-law. Everything is in +order again, I trust, in your much loved Burgsdorf, and there is little +to do in November at any rate. So send Will to us, even if you cannot +come yourself. I will not take no for an answer. Toni is waiting to see +her lover--so don t fail!" + +Frau von Eschenhagen admitted that he was right, and she was glad enough +to have Will go. He had made no further attempt to assert himself +against her motherly authority, and appeared to have fully regained his +reason again. He had grown quieter of late and since his return from +Fürstenstein rushed with greater zest into all his agricultural +pursuits; he had, take it all in all, behaved in a most exemplary +manner. + +On one point alone he remained obstinate, he would not discuss with his +mother the "idiocy" of which he had been guilty and which caused their +sudden journey home, and avoided all reference to the subject. Of course +his mother understood how it was; he was ashamed of his sudden +excitement, and of a passion which had been only momentary, and wanted +to forget it and have her forget it, too, as soon as possible. As for +the rest, he wrote regularly to his bride-elect, who responded most +punctually. Frau Regine, who considered it her special prerogative, read +all this correspondence, and declared herself satisfied with it. There +was no sentiment, no declaration of affection, in these letters; they +were quite practical epistles, telling of home matters in a homely +fashion, but they evinced Will's intention to keep his word and marry +his cousin on the day appointed, and now near at hand. + +So Willibald was told that he could go and visit his bride; the +permission was granted all the more willingly because Frau Regine knew +that Marietta Volkmar must have returned to the city long since. Baron +von Wallmoden and his wife had paid a flying visit to Burgsdorf on their +way south from the Stahlberg factories, and Willibald was put in their +care and was to spend a few days in the South-German Capital. During +those few days in which he would remain in the ambassador's house, he +was perfectly safe, his mother assured herself. + +The baron found that it would be necessary to tell his nephew about his +old friend at once. On the very day of their arrival, Hartmut Rojanow's +name was mentioned several times in Willibald's presence. He asked +promptly to whom the name belonged, and was answered, 'to a young +Roumanian poet.' An unmistakable wink from his uncle was all that saved +him from further questions. + +Then when they were alone the ambassador explained to Willibald who and +what this Hartmut Rojanow was. An adventurer of the lowest and worst +type, whom he would soon expose and force to abandon forever the _rôle_ +which he was now playing with so little right, but with such signal +success. + +Poor Willibald shook his head in a dazed sort of way over this news. His +old friend, for whom he had always had a warm and unchanged affection, +notwithstanding the episode of ten years before, was near him now, and +he dare not see him again. + +Wallmoden was especially sharp and explicit about this, and made his +nephew promise to say nothing about the matter to Frau von Wallmoden or +his uncle von Schönau. But poor Willibald could not understand it at +all; he needed time and quiet with this as with all other things, to +comprehend them fully. + +The day on which "Arivana" was to be produced, came at last. It was the +work of a young and unknown poet, but the circumstances connected with +its production were such that society was anxious to judge for itself of +this work of the duke's latest protégé. The theatre was crowded to +overflowing, and the ducal couple with their suite were early in the +court boxes. Although no special announcement had been made, the evening +was evidently looked upon as a festival occasion, and every one was +attired _a la grande toilette_, the ladies vieing with one another in +the richness and brilliancy of their dress. + +Prince Adelsberg, who was in the ducal box, was as much excited as if +he had written the drama himself. + +His aunt, too, was greatly interested in the success of the evening's +entertainment, and had been looking carefully over the play bill when he +entered the box; she called him to her at once. + +"Our young friend seems to have his whims like all other poets," she +remarked. "What a singular caprice to change the name of his heroine in +the last hour." + +"But that is not the case," Egon answered. "The change was made long +before we left Rodeck. Hartmut took it into his head that 'Ada' was too +cold and clear-cut a name for the passionate character of his heroine, +so he re-baptized her." + +"But the name 'Ada' is here on the programme," interrupted the princess. + +"Certainly, but it belongs to quite a different person in the drama now, +one who only appears in a single scene." + +"Then Herr Rojanow has made his alterations since he read it for us at +Fürstenstein?" + +"Only a few; the play is really quite unchanged with that single +exception. Hartmut has added that scene with Ada in it, and I can assure +your highness it's the most poetical thing he has ever written." + +"Of course, everything your friend writes is wonderful in your eyes," +his aunt answered, but her unusually gracious smiles showed that in this +opinion she did not disagree with him. + +The ambassador and his wife, who had only returned forty-eight hours +before, sat in one of the large proscenium boxes. Baron von Wallmoden +was anything but a willing guest of the court to-night, but he knew it +was incumbent on him in his position to accept this evening's +invitation. The duke had invited the whole diplomatic corps, and as the +North German ambassador and his wife had dined at the ducal table that +evening no excuse could be offered for declining the later +entertainment. + +Willibald had come too, to see and hear the work of his old-time friend; +as his uncle was to be there, surely he had a right also. It did not +please Wallmoden to have him there, but he could not well forbid his +nephew's presence when he himself was present. Will, who had some +difficulty in obtaining a seat in the parquette, unfolded the programme +carelessly, when suddenly his eye caught the name of "Marietta Volkmar," +and knew whom he was to see this evening. He folded the programme +hastily and put it in his pocket; he regretted in this moment that he +had come to the theatre at all. + +Finally the performance began. The curtain rose, and the first act, +little more than a prelude, was soon over. It was an introduction to the +spectators, of that weird, fantastic, legendary world into which they +were to enter, with Arivana, the sacred place of offering, the holy of +holies, in the foreground. + +The principal character in the drama, the young priest, who in the +fanaticism of his belief puts everything earthly far from him, as +unclean, appeared, and in a few masterly, powerful lines, pronounced his +vow, by which, for him, for time and eternity, all earthly bonds were +loosed, and he was committed heart and soul to the service of his God. +The oath was taken, the holy flame blazed and waved on the sacrificial +altar, and the curtain fell. + +The applause, started at once by the duke, resounded on all sides. This +work, about which so much had been said, was bound to be a success, in a +certain sense, for this one evening at least. But there was something +more than idle flattery in this applause. The spectators felt at once +that, a true poet had spoken to them; the creation had already had the +commendation of the court, but the public were carried away with it +now. They were charmed by the diction, by the characters, and by the +subject, and when the curtain rose anew, there was a look of silent +expectancy on every face. + +The drama now moved forward in majestic measure upon a scenic background +as full of warmth and color as the language and characters of the piece. + +The luxuriant vegetation of India, the fabulous pomp of her temples and +her palaces; the men and women with their wild loves and their still +wilder hatred; the rigid laws of their faith; all this was strange and +fantastic, but the manner in which these men and women felt and acted +was familiar to every one. They stood under the influence of a power +which is the same to-day that it was a thousand years ago; the same in +the tropics and in the colder climes of the north; the power of passion +in the heart of man. It was indeed a doctrine of fire, and its burden +was the inalienable right of passion to sweep away every obstacle, to +break down every barrier of law and custom, of oath and pledge, which +stood between it and its aim. + +A right which Hartmut Rojanow well understood and illustrated in the +exercise of his own unbridled will, which knew no law and no duty, and +to which self-gratification was the highest good. + +The awakening of this passion, its mighty growth and final triumph, was +described in words of ravishing eloquence, and depicted in pictures +which seemed drawn, now from the purest heights of ideality, and now +from the depths of the pit. The poet had done wisely to drape his +characters with the veil of an oriental legend, for under this covering +he might express sentiments and present scenes, which otherwise would +scarcely have been forgiven, and he did this now with a boldness which +threw glowing sparks into the souls of those who heard him, and held +them enthralled as if by some infernal spell. + +By the close of the second act, the success of Arivana was assured. + +The work was presented with a skill and perfection of acting never +surpassed on any stage. The actors in the two principal _rôles_ played +their parts with a fire and perfection which could only have come from +genuine enthusiasm. The heroine was no longer called Ada. That name was +borne by a being who stood, strange and alone, in this restless world of +surging passions; one of those half-fabulous creatures with whom the +Indian legends people the icy summits of the Himalayas; cold and pure as +the eternal snows which glisten in those lofty regions. She appeared +only in one scene, and at the decisive moment of the drama, where she +moved through the stormy action as if upon spirits' pinions, warning and +exhorting, and Egon was quite right when he said that the words which +the poet put into her mouth were the most beautiful of the whole play. + +Suddenly the pure, white light of heaven breaks through the red glow of +the drama; the scene is beautiful, but short and swift and fleeting as +the zephyr's breath. The chaste form vanished to the snowy heights of +her distant home, while here below from the river's moonlit shore rose +the song of the Hindoo maiden--Marietta's soft and swelling voice; the +cry of warning from above was lost in these sweet seductive tones. In +the last act came the tragic ending, the judgment upon the guilty pair +who suffer death in the flames. But this death was no atonement, it was +rather a triumph, a glorious apotheosis, and out of the midst of the +fire flamed high toward heaven the infernal doctrine of the +unconditional right of passion. The curtain fell for the last time, and +the applause, which had increased from act to act, rose now to a perfect +storm. The house shouted for the author and would take no denial. At +last Hartmut came forward, free from every trace of embarrassment, and +beaming with pride and joy. He bowed his thanks to the public, which had +held to his lips that night a cup of delight such as he had never before +tasted. They are intoxicating, these first draughts from the goblet of +fame! In the pride of victory the young poet cast a glance toward the +proscenium box whose inmates he had already recognized. + +He did not find what he sought. + +Adelheid had leaned back in her chair and covered her face with an open +fan. He saw only the cold, unmoved countenance of the man who had so +deeply insulted him, and who now was the witness of his triumph. + +Wallmoden understood only too well the mute language of those flashing +dark eyes; they said to him: + +"Dare to despise me now!" + + * * * * * + +At an early hour the next morning, Willibald von Eschenhagen entered the +great city park, which, he had just declared to his uncle, he would +explore for himself. This extensive, well-wooded park, which lay before +the city's very doors, was well worth a visit, but Willibald took scant +notice of its beauties as he hurried on in the keen November morning. He +glanced neither to the right nor to the left, but strode on, striking +into this path and now into that, frequently re-treading the very ground +which he had left but a moment before. + +Perhaps this brisk, aimless walk, would silence or stupefy the passion +and excitement which were struggling for mastery within him. + +Some of his excitement was due to seeing his old friend again, for he +had been greatly moved at the sight of him. Fourteen long years he had +heard nothing of Hartmut, had been forbidden even to mention his name, +and now he stood before him suddenly in all the pride and glory of a +rising poet's fame, wonderfully changed in appearance and manner, but +yet the old Hartmut still, the same with whom he had so often frolicked +and never quarreled in by-gone days. Even had he been unprepared, he +would have known his dear old friend at a glance. + +Wallmoden had been greatly disturbed and annoyed at the result of the +previous night's performance. He had scarcely spoken as they drove from +the theatre, and his wife had been equally taciturn. She explained that +the heat of the crowded room had given her a headache, and in +consequence retired at once upon reaching home. + +Her example was followed by her husband, who, as he bade his nephew +good-night, said: + +"Do not forget our talk, Willibald. Be silent before every one, no +matter who. You'll have to be on your guard, too, for the name of +Rojanow will be on every one's lips for the next few days. He's had luck +this time, like all adventurers!" + +Willibald made no answer to this, but he felt that something beyond +adventurer's luck had come to the author of Arivana. Under other +circumstances he should have looked on this drama as something unheard +of, inexplicable, without in the least understanding it, but last night +he seemed to comprehend it all fully. + +One could love without the consent of parent or guardian; such freedom +was not confined to India alone--it often happened in Germany as well. A +promise given thoughtlessly and blindly could be broken, but what then? +Yes, then came the fate which Hartmut had pictured so beautifully, yet +so vividly. Will was fully determined to transfer the lesson which +Arivana had taught him to Burgsdorf. Surely the punishment invoked by +the furious priestcraft, would be no worse than the vial of Frau von +Eschenhagen's wrath. + +The young heir sighed deeply as he thought of the second act of the +drama, where, from the group of Hindoo maidens, the sacrificial figure +steps forth. How lovely she looked in her soft, white, clinging +garments, with the wealth of flowers in her dark curly hair. His eyes +had never left her during the two or three times when she had appeared +for a moment on the stage; then her song sounded forth from the shore of +the moonlit river, the same clear, sweet voice which had captivated him +in the little parlor of Waldhofen, and here again were the same old +unholy feelings against which he had battled so bravely then. + +And the worst of it was that he no longer considered them unholy. + +The energetic walker came for the third time to a little temple which +was open at one side and within which were seats inviting to rest, and a +marble bust in the centre. Willibald stepped in and sat down, less from +necessity for rest than with the hope he might in this seclusion get his +disturbed thoughts in order. + +It was about ten o'clock in the morning, and the grounds were almost +entirely deserted. + +Only a single pedestrian, a young man elegantly attired, lounged along +slowly, and to the casual observer, purposelessly. + +But he was on the lookout for some one, for he glanced with unconcealed +impatience toward the winding walks which led direct from the city. + +Suddenly he stepped quickly behind one of the pillars which supported +the little temple, where he could see any one approaching without being +seen himself. + +About five minutes later a young lady walking briskly came along a +narrow path which led past the temple. She was of slight, graceful +figure, wore a dark, fur-trimmed mantle with cap and muff to match, and +was glancing over a roll of manuscript as she stepped quickly forward. + +Suddenly she gave a surprised cry, which had anything but a joyful +sound, as the young man stepped in front of her. + +"Oh, Count Westerburg." + +The man bowed low as he exclaimed: + +"What a happy accident! Who would have thought to find Fräulein Marietta +Volkmar seeking the fresh air of the park at this hour." + +Marietta stood still and looked the speaker well over from head to foot, +before she answered, in a tone of mingled anger and contempt: + +"I do not believe it is by accident that you so often and so +persistently cross my path, Herr Count, although I have been very +explicit as to the annoyance which your attentions cause me." + +"Oh, yes, you have been very cruel to me," said the count reprovingly, +but with unmistakable assurance. "You will not permit me to visit you, +despise my gifts of flowers, hardly acknowledge my greetings when you +meet me. What have I done to you? I have ventured to prove my devotion +by laying at your feet a little tribute in the form of jewels, but you +return them with--" + +"With the explanation that I decline such insolent advances now and +always," Marietta interrupted angrily; "that I will have no more of your +brazen impertinences. You have waylaid me purposely to-day." + +"Good heavens! I am only here to sue for pardon for my boldness," said +the count, as he stepped, with apparent submissiveness, directly in +front of her in the narrow path. "I know full well how unapproachable +you are, and that no one guards her reputation more jealously than the +beautiful Marietta." + +"My name is Fräulein Volkmar," cried Marietta angrily. "Save such +familiar speeches for those who appreciate them. I do not, and if you do +not cease your importunities, I will in future claim protection against +them." + +"Whose protection?" sneered the count. "Perhaps that of the old woman +with whom you live, and who is forever at your side! It is only when you +go to Professor Marani that she is left at home; you do not regard the +old singing master as dangerous. But that is the only time when you are +without her." + +"Except for a morning walk in the park, of which you are apparently +aware. Get out of my path, please. I want to go on." + +She attempted to pass him, but the count put out both arms to intercept +her. + +"You will at least, give me permission to accompany you, Fräulein? You +can see for yourself the walks are lonely and deserted, and I'm bound to +offer you my protection." + +The park was indeed deserted; no sign of life in any direction, and the +brave girl was secretly alarmed, but she answered, boldly: + +"Do not attempt to follow me a single step. Your protection would be as +unendurable as is your presence. How often have I to repeat that?" + +"Ah, how angry she can get," said the count with a malicious laugh. "Ah, +I must be repaid for those hard words. I must have a kiss from those +rosy lips which speak so harshly." + +He made a movement to take her in his arms, as the girl drew back, +really alarmed now, but in the same moment he lay sprawling upon the +sward, a heavy blow, well aimed, having thrown him to the damp ground, +where he lay, a most contemptible object! + +Marietta turned, more alarmed than ever, in the direction from which the +blow had come, and the angry, hot expression on her face was succeeded +by one of boundless surprise, when she saw who it was that had come to +her aid so suddenly, and now stood by her side gazing grimly at the +prostrate man whom he had put in this humiliating position with such +evident satisfaction. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen--you?" + +Count Westerburg had in the meantime risen with some difficulty, and now +advanced threateningly toward his new enemy. + +"Sir, what do you mean by this? Who has given you the right--who has +given you the right--" + +"Stay where you are! Don't advance a step nearer this lady," interrupted +Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or I'll send you +flying under those trees, and you won't get up from the second blow as +soon as you did from the first." + +The count, who was neither very large nor very rugged, and who had felt +already the weight of this young giant's fist, measured Willibald for a +minute, but that was long enough to convince him that a hand to hand +scuffle could only result one way. + +"You will give me satisfaction--if you are capable of giving +satisfaction," he began in a half-suffocated voice. "Probably you don't +know that you have before you a--" + +"A low scoundrel whom it will give me pleasure to discipline," said +Willibald, composedly. "Remain where you are, if you please, or I shall +be obliged to do it on the spot. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen of +Burgsdorf, and I am to be found at the residence of the Prussian +ambassador, if you have anything more to say. I beg you to accept my +protection, Fräulein, and I'll pledge myself that you'll not be insulted +again." + +And then something unheard of, almost past belief, happened. + +Herr von Eschenhagen, without awkwardness or embarrassment, with the +grace of a gentleman of the old school, offered Fräulein Volkmar his arm +and led her away, without troubling himself farther about the low +scoundrel! + +Marietta had accepted his arm, but she spoke no word; as soon as they +were out of hearing she began, with an agitation which was anything but +natural to her: "Herr von Eschenhagen--" + +"Yes, Fräulein?" + +"I--I am very grateful to you for your protection. But the Count--you +have insulted him deeply--he will challenge you, and you will accept his +challenge?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest pleasure," answered Will, and a smile +broke over his face which proved that such a state of affairs would give +him great gratification. His stupidity and obtuseness had disappeared, +he felt he was a hero and deliverer, and was very well satisfied with +himself. Marietta looked up at him in speechless surprise. + +"But it is terrible that all this should happen on my account," she +remonstrated. "And that it should be you, of all men." + +The last remark did not please the young man. + +"You evidently regret that, Fräulein," he said rather stiffly. "But +under such circumstances you cannot always have what you want. I was +near by, and you were forced to accept my services even though I do not +stand very well in your esteem." + +A flush crossed Marietta's face as she remembered the time when she had +poured the vials of her wrath and contempt over this man who now came to +her rescue so bravely. + +"I was thinking of Toni and her father," she answered softly. "I am +altogether blameless, but if I should be the cause of tearing you from +your bride--" + +"Then Toni would have to accept it as an intervention of Providence," +answered Willibald, upon whom the mention of his betrothed seemed to +make no impression. "One can but lose his life once, and there is no use +looking on the worst side, either. Where shall I take you, Fräulein? To +Park street? I think I heard you lived on that street." + +She shook her head violently. + +"No, no; I cannot walk, I shall call a carriage; there are some over +there. I had meant to go to Professor Marani, to practice a new part, +but I cannot sing now." + +Willibald turned his steps in the direction where the carriages were +standing, and they went on in silence until they came near them. +Marietta stopped then, and turning to her escort, said anxiously: + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, must it be? Can nothing be done?" + +"Well, hardly. I knocked the count down, and called him a low scoundrel, +and most fellows would regard that as sufficient grounds for a duel. +But, don't you worry about it. The whole affair will be over to-morrow +or next day, with only a couple of scratches to tell the tale, in all +probability." + +"And I shall have to wait two or three days in anxiety and uncertainty. +Cannot you send me some news?" + +Will looked down into the dark, tearful eyes, and a light came in his +own such as had gleamed from them on the first day he saw the little +"singing bird." + +"When all is happily over, I'll come myself and bring you the news if I +may?" + +"Certainly, certainly. But if it should end unfortunately, if you should +fall?" + +"Then hold me in kinder remembrance than you have done hitherto," said +Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You took me for a coward. O, don't +say a word, you were right; I have felt it bitterly enough, but I was +accustomed always to obey my mother, who I knew loved me devotedly. But +now you see that I know also how a man should behave when he sees a +defenseless girl insulted, and I will avenge that insult--if need be +with my blood." + +Without waiting for an answer, he hailed a driver, assisted Marietta +into the carriage, and repeated to the man the street and number which +she gave him. She placed her little hand in his for a moment, and gave +him a long look, then, as the carriage rolled away, she threw herself +back on the cushions with a loud sob. Will looked after the carriage as +long as it was in sight, then he threw his shoulders back and said, with +a sort of fierce pleasure: + +"Now, have a care, Herr Count. It will be a real pleasure for me to have +a shot at you." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The short November day was nearly over, and the twilight shadows were +lengthening rapidly, when Prince Egon, returning from a short walk, +entered his brilliantly lighted palace. + +"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he asked a footman. + +"Yes, your highness," the servant answered with a respectful bow. + +"Then order the carriage for nine o'clock, to take us to the castle." + +So saying Egon sprang quickly up the stairs, and hastened to his +friend's apartments, which were on the first floor, not far from his +own, and which were furnished with all the old-time magnificence of a +princely house. A lamp was burning on the table in Hartmut's little +study, and he himself, looking weary and dejected, was lying full length +upon a couch. + +"He of the laurel wreath is taking his rest," said the prince, laughing, +as he entered the room and came quickly forward to his friend. "I can't +find fault with you this time, for you haven't had a minute's rest +to-day. There's something exciting in being the rising star in the +poet's heaven, but it's hard on the nerves, I must admit. People are +vieing with one another to do you honor. You certainly had an +overwhelming reception to-day." + +"Yes, and we must go to the court to-night," Hartmut answered in a +tired, indifferent tone; evidently the prospect was not an enlivening +one. + +"We must, indeed. The high and mighty desire to do homage to the hero of +the hour, my dear aunt at the head of them. You must know that she +thinks she's the embodiment of soulfulness and poesy herself, and that +she has discovered a responsive spirit in you Praise the Lord! She'll +leave me alone for a while, and if she gets very deep in her illusions, +she'll forget ail about the marriage plan, for the time at least; but +you seem to be very indifferent to the ducal favor which, by the way, is +quite pronounced. You hardly speak. Are you ill?" + +"I'm tired. I wish I could escape from all the noise, and go to Rodeck." + +"To Rodeck? That would be a fine place in the November mists and the +damp, leafless forests. Ugh, it gives me the horrors." + +"All the same, I have a great longing for the dreary loneliness, and I'm +going there, too, after a few days; that is, if you have no objection." + +"Well, I have very serious objections," retorted Egon crossly. "In +heaven's name what's the matter with you anyway? Now when the whole city +is wild over the author of 'Arivana' and your presence is demanded +everywhere, you want to run away from all the glory and triumph, and +hide yourself in a little, dark hole which is only bearable in +midsummer. Such an idea is unheard of." + +"For my own sake--I need quiet and rest--I will go to Rodeck." + +The young prince shook his head. He was accustomed to have his friend do +as he pleased without much heed to his remonstrances, and he knew no +means by which he could combat this new whim; but it did appear to him a +very unaccountable one. + +"I believe my highly esteemed aunt knows what she's talking about +sometimes," he said, between a joke and a reproof. "She said to me last +night, in the theatre, 'Our friend has caprices like other poets.' I +agree with her. What has come over you, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day +you were fairly beaming with triumph and joy, and now I have scarcely +left you for an hour and return to find you in the depths of melancholy. +Have you seen anything in the papers which has annoyed you? Something +from the pen of a malicious, spiteful critic, I'll be bound." + +He turned toward the writing-table, where the evening papers lay. + +"No, no," Rojanow said, hastily, but he turned his face sidewise, so +that it lay in the shadow. "All the papers mention 'Arivana,' and each +strives to outdo his neighbor in writing complimentary things about me. +You know I am of an uncertain temper, and am often cast down, without +being able to give reason for my depression." + +"Yes, but now when you are overwhelmed with praise, fairly extolled to +the skies, such depression should be far from you. You really seem +exhausted. That comes from the excitement we both have undergone during +the past few weeks." + +He bent anxiously over his friend, who stretched out his hand to him as +if to atone for this sudden change. + +"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--I'll be myself again +in a little while." + +"I sincerely hope so. My poet has much honor awaiting him, even +to-night. I'll leave you now. Try and rest, and don't let any one else +disturb you. You have three good hours before we need start." + +The prince went. He had not seen the bitter smile on his friend's face +when he referred to his triumphs and good fortune; and yet the prince +had spoken the truth. Fame was good fortune and happiness, perhaps the +highest in life, and Hartmut was willing to acknowledge that it was so, +until an hour ago, when a bitter drop had mingled in his cup. + +When the young man had entered his room an hour before, he had glanced +hastily over the evening papers. A review of his work was to be found in +each, and he read with interest the impressions which the drama had +made: of its strength, and depth, and power, and how skillfully the +young and talented Roumanian, Hartmut Rojanow, had outlined and +elaborated his characters. + +Then, as he turned the sheet, another name met his gaze, a name which, +for the moment, deadened his very senses. + +The article which caught his eye stated that the recent journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin, had been on a matter of great +significance. Herr von Wallmoden had had an audience of the duke +immediately on his return, and they had discussed matters of the gravest +importance, and now a high Prussian officer was expected, who was the +bearer of certain special dispatches to the duke. It was evident that +some weighty military affair was under discussion, and Colonel Hartmut +von Falkenried would be in the city in a few days. + +Hartmut let the paper drop from his hands; his whole body seemed to turn +to ice. His father to be here in a day or two! Herr von Wallmoden would +of course tell him all. The possibility of meeting him now seemed to +resolve itself into a certainty. + +"When you have made a great, proud name and future for yourself then you +can stand before him and ask him whether he despises you or not," Zalika +had said to her son on that memorable night when he had protested +against breaking his word to his father. Now the first step toward this +brilliant future had been taken. + +Hartmut Rojanow already wore the laurel wreath, and that was enough, +surely, to obliterate the past. It should and must be enough; and it was +this thought which blazed from Hartmut's eyes as he looked toward the +ambassador's box last night. + +But could he look thus into his father's eyes? Despite all his defiance +he feared those eyes, and them alone, in all the world. + +He had partly decided to go to Rodeck, and then he picked up the paper +again to see if any date was named for the distinguished officer's +arrival. He felt within him a something--a secret and burning longing. +Perhaps now when his great triumph was but just begun, the hour for +reconciliation had come; perhaps, when Falkenried saw what the freedom +and life for which his son had craved so long ago, had developed, he +would forgive the boy for the sake of the man. He was his child still, +his only son, whom he had clasped to his arms with such passionate +tenderness on that last evening at Burgsdorf. + +This memory brought with it a mighty longing in Hartmut's soul for those +arms, for a home, for all that he had lost since those boyhood's days, +which, despite their severity, had been so innocent, so peaceful, so +happy. + +The door opened, and a servant entered and extended a card on a salver. +Rojanow made an impatient movement to take it away. + +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't see any one else to-day?" + +"I told the gentleman that," explained the servant, "but he said he'd +like Herr Rojanow to hear his name, anyway--Willibald von Eschenhagen." + +Hartmut rose suddenly from his reclining position; he did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"What name, did you say?" + +"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card." + +"Ah--show him up. Hurry!" + +The servant left the room, and a minute later Willibald entered, but +remained standing, uncertain and hesitating, near the door. Hartmut had +sprung up and was staring at him. Yes, these were the same old features, +the dear face, the honest blue eyes of his youth's friend, and with a +passionate cry of: + +"Will! My own dear Will! Is it really you? You have come to me!" he +threw his arms stormingly around his friend's neck. + +The young heir, who little understood how his appearance just at the +moment when old memories were welling up in Hartmut's brain, had moved +his friend, was almost overcome by this reception. He remembered that +Hartmut had always been his superior, intellectually, and how many times +he had been made to feel this. He had thought that the author of +"Arivana" would have grown even more imperious and self-assertive, and +now he was given this tender and overwhelming reception. + +"Are you then so rejoiced to see me, Hartmut?" he asked, somewhat +timorously. "I almost feared it would not be right for me to come." + +"Not right, when I have not seen you for ten long years?" cried Hartmut, +reprovingly. And then he drew his friend toward him and began to ask +questions and chatter away with such genuine heartiness, that Will soon +lost his shyness and could speak as of old to him. + +He explained that he had only been three days in town, and was on his +way to Fürstenstein. + +"Yes, and you're to be married soon. I heard of your betrothal at +Rodeck, and I have seen Fräulein von Schönau once. I wish you great +happiness, old fellow." + +Willibald took the wish for his happiness with characteristic coolness. +He sat and gazed on the floor, and said in a low tone: + +"Yes--my mother chose a wife for me." + +"I can well believe that," said Hartmut laughing. "But you at least gave +your 'yes' willingly." + +Willibald did not answer, but seemed to be studying the pattern of the +carpet intently; suddenly he asked abruptly: + +"Hartmut--how do you go to work to write poetry anyhow?" + +Hartmut repressed a smile with difficulty. "That is not easy to explain. +I really fear I cannot answer you intelligibly." + +"Yes, writing poetry is a curious thing," sighed Willibald with a sad +shake of the head. "I tried it myself after I came out of the theatre +last night." + +"What! You've taken to poetry?" + +"Haven't I, though," said Will with a lofty self-consciousness. "But," +he added dejectedly, "I can't make it rhyme, and it hasn't the same +sound as your verses. I have it in my head, but I don't suppose I have +it just right. How did you begin yours? The commencement is the +stumbling block. It's nothing very great or romantic, like 'Arivana.'" + +"Addressed to her of course?" hazarded Hartmut. + +"Yes, to her," Willibald admitted with a deep sigh; and now his listener +laughed out loud and clear. + +"Well, you are a model son, one must concede that. It's not unusual for +a man to be engaged in response to a father's or mother's wishes, but +your sense of duty is so strong that you fall in love with the girl and +even go so far as to write verses in her praise." + +"But they are not to her," cried Willibald suddenly, and with so +sorrowful a face that Hartmut gazed at him dumbfounded. He believed that +his friend was out of his mind, and Willibald's next statement quite +overpowered him, without weakening this suspicion. + +"I had a quarrel early this morning with an insolent fellow who +attempted to insult a lady, Fräulein Marietta Volkmar of the Court +theatre of this city. I struck him to the ground and I'd do it again if +I had an opportunity;--him, or any one else who came near Fräulein +Volkmar." + +He had grown so excited, and rose, as he spoke, with such a threatening +air, that Hartmut seized him by the arm and held him fast. + +"Well, I've no intention of going near her, so you needn't shake your +fist at me, old boy. But what have you to do with the opera singer, +Marietta Volkmar, who has always posed as a very mirror of virtue?" + +"Hartmut, have a care. You must speak respectfully of this lady to me. +To make a long story short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me, and +we're going to have a shot at one another, and I sincerely hope I'll +leave him with a remembrance he won't soon forget." + +"Well, you're making very fair progress in your romance, I must say," +Hartmut answered with growing astonishment. "You've been in town two +days, have had a quarrel with a stranger, who has demanded satisfaction, +are the knight and protector of a young singer on whose account you are +going to fight a duel. For God's sake, Will, what'll your mother say?" + +"As it concerns an affair of honor, my mother will have no right to say +anything," Willibald declared with true heroism. "But I will have to +find a second here, where I am a stranger and know no one. Of course +uncle Wallmoden knows nothing of the matter, or he would have the police +interfere at once, so I resolved to come and ask you whether you would +perform that service for me?" + +"Ah, that's why you came?" said Hartmut in a pained voice. "I thought +for the moment it was the old friendship which had brought you. But, all +the same, I am at your service. With what weapons do you fight?" + +"With pistols." + +"That's an advantage for you. When we used to shoot at a target at +Burgsdorf, you were a fine shot. I'll see the Count's second the first +thing in the morning, and let you know of the arrangements at once; but +I must write to you, for I won't enter Herr von Wallmoden's house." + +Willibald only nodded. He had thought that his uncle's enmity would be +returned in full by Rojanow, so considered it better to say nothing on +the subject. + +"Yes, write me," he answered. "You make what arrangements you deem fit. +I have no experience in such matters, and leave it all to you. Here is +the second's address. Now I must go. I have much to do yet--I must +prepare for the worst." + +He rose and held out his hand to his friend, but Hartmut did not see it. +He sat with eyes fastened on the ground, as he said in a low, stifled +tone: + +"Wait a minute, Will--Burgsdorf is not far from Berlin--do you often +see--" + +"Who?" asked Will. + +"My--my father." + +The young heir was evidently embarrassed by the question; he had avoided +the name of Falkenried all through the conversation, and he did not know +that the father was expected in the city. + +"No," he answered finally, "We don't see the Colonel at all." + +"But he comes to Burgsdorf sometimes, does he not?" + +"No--he keeps to himself, but I saw him by chance the other day with +uncle Wallmoden in Berlin." + +"And how does he look? Is he much changed in these last years?" + +Willibald shrugged his shoulders: "He has certainly grown old. You would +hardly recognize him with his white hair." + +"White hair!" exclaimed Hartmut. "He is scarcely fifty-two years +old--has he been ill?" + +"No--not that I know. His gray hair came suddenly in a few months when +he demanded that his resignation be accepted." + +Hartmut grew pale and stared at the speaker with anxious eyes. + +"My father wished to leave the army, he, heart and soul a soldier, +devoted to his profession--in what year did that happen?" + +"They would not accept it," said Will, evasively. "They sent him to a +distant garrison instead, and for the last three years he has been +minister of war." + +"But he wanted to go--in what year was it?" Hartmut asked in a +determined voice now. + +"It was when you disappeared. He believed his honor demanded it. You +should not have treated your father so, Hartmut; it nearly killed him." + +Hartmut gave no answer, made no attempt to vindicate himself, but he +breathed heavily. + +"We'd better not talk about it," said Will, turning to go. "Nothing can +be undone now, I'll expect your letter in the morning, and you'll +arrange everything. Good-night." + +Hartmut did not seem to hear his friend's words nor notice his +departure; he stood and stared on the ground. A few minutes after +Willibald had left the room he threw his head back, and passed his hand +over his eyes. + +"He would have resigned," he muttered, "resigned, because he believed +his honor demanded it--no, no, I cannot see him, not now--I shall go to +Rodeck." + +The gifted poet, who had stood proud and triumphant before the whole +world and received the laurel wreath of fame, dared not meet his +father's eye--rather face loneliness and desolation. + + * * * * * + +Marietta Volkmar lived with an old kinswoman of her grandfather in a +modest little house surrounded by a tiny garden, in one of those +restful, retired streets which are fast disappearing from our large +cities. + +The two women, old and young, lived a quiet, uneventful life, which +permitted no breath of gossip concerning the young singer; they were +objects of interest and affection to the other inmates of the house, and +Marietta's clear voice was a welcome sound and her bright young face a +cheering sight, to the few who had apartments under the same roof. + +For the past two days the "singing bird" had been dumb, and whosoever +caught sight of her face, saw pale, tear-stained cheeks and swollen +eyes. The people of the house could not explain it, and shook their +heads over it until old Fräulein Berger said that Dr. Volkmar was ill, +and his grandchild could not obtain permission just now to go to him. +All this was true enough for the good doctor was suffering from a severe +cold. + +But it was no sufficient reason for Marietta's despondency, which had +caused much comment among her fellow-workers at the theatre. + +She stood at the window of the comfortable little living-room, having +just returned from rehearsal, and looked out drearily into the quiet +street. Fräulein Berger was stitching industriously by the little centre +table, and looked up now at the young girl with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Child, why do you take the thing so hard?" she said, almost sharply. +"You'll wear yourself out with all this anxiety and excitement. What's +the sense of looking on the worst side?" + +Marietta turned toward the speaker; she was very pale and there was a +sob in her voice, as she replied: + +"This is the third day and I can learn nothing. O, it is terrible, this +waiting hour after hour for bad news." + +"But why need it be bad?" remonstrated the old lady. "Yesterday +afternoon Herr von Eschenhagen, was well and happy. I went out myself at +your desire and found he was out driving with Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden. Perhaps the matter has been settled amicably." + +"Then I'd have had news before now," the girl answered, hopelessly. "He +promised me and he'd keep his word, I know it. If anything has happened, +if he has fallen--I believe I can't live through it." + +The last words sounded forth so passionately that Fräulein Berger +glanced at the speaker frightened. + +"Marietta, that sounds very unreasonable," she said. "It wasn't your +fault that you were insulted, neither would you be to blame if your +friend Toni's fiancé was shot. You couldn't really be more despairing if +it was your own lover who was to fight." + +A deep flush overspread the pale features of the girl for a moment, and +she turned again toward the window. + +"You do not understand, auntie," she replied in a low tone. "You do not +know how much happiness I have had in the head forester's house, how +humbly Toni begged my pardon for the insults her future mother-in-law +heaped upon me. What will she think of me when she hears that her lover +has had a duel on my account? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?" + +"Well, they can be easily convinced that you are blameless in the whole +affair, and if it ends well, they need know nothing about it. I hardly +know you, child, the last few days. You, who always laughed every care +and anxiety away, to sit and mope and grieve. It's incomprehensible to +me. You have hardly eaten or drunk a thing for two days, and wouldn't +sit down to your breakfast this morning. But you must eat some dinner, +and I must go and see to it at once." + +With this the old lady rose and left the room. She was right, poor +Marietta seemed indeed a changed girl. It was without doubt a painful, +depressing feeling, that blame would undoubtedly rest upon her; her +friends at Fürstenstein perhaps might never be made to understand the +real state of the case, how innocent she was of any intention to wrong +or even annoy them; her reputation, too, of which she had been so +guarded; would not every paper be teeming with this "affair of honor," +if either combatant were killed? + +"If need be with my blood," these had been Willibald's last words to her +and they rang in her ears. "O, God be merciful. Not that! not that!" + +Suddenly a tall, manly figure turned the corner and came forward hastily +through the little street, evidently in search of some special number, +and as Marietta looked down she gave a cry of delight, for she +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. + +She did not wait for the bell to be answered, but rushed out impetuously +to open the door herself. + +Her eyes were wet with tears, but her voice sounded clear and jubilant: + +"You have come at last--God be praised!" + +"Yes, here I am, safe and sound," Willibald replied, while his whole +face glowed at this reception. + +How they got back to the little sitting-room neither of them ever knew, +but he had drawn her arm through his and led her in, while she feasted +her eyes on his flushed, happy face. But now she noticed that his right +wrist was bandaged. + +"You have been hurt?" she said, in an anxious whisper. + +"Only a scratch, not worth talking about," Willibald answered, with +great cheerfulness of spirit. "I gave the count something worth +remembering, though--a fine shot through his shoulder--nothing +dangerous, but slow to heal, so that he'll have plenty of time for +reflection. It's very satisfactory, very!" + +"Then it's all over? I knew it." + +"Yes, we met this morning at eight o'clock. But there's nothing to be +anxious about now, Fräulein. It's all well over." + +The young singer gave a deep sigh, as she said: "I thank you, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I thank you from my heart. You have risked your life on my +account, and I cannot be too grateful." + +"There is no occasion for gratitude, Fräulein, but as I have faced a +pistol on your account, you must, at least accept a little memento of +the occasion. You must not trample this peace offering under your feet." + +As he spoke he unwrapped--somewhat awkwardly, for he had only his left +hand--a full blown rose and two buds from its cover of tissue paper. + +Marietta's eyes sank and a flush of shame o'erspread her features as she +took the flowers, without speaking, and pinned them on her breast; then +she reached out her hand, as if begging for forgiveness; it was grasped +at once. + +"You are accustomed to receive gifts of flowers," he said almost +apologetically. "I hear from all sides how much homage is paid you." + +The young girl smiled, but smiled more sadly than joyfully. + +"You have seen what manner of homage is done me at times," she said. +"Count Westerburg is not the first against whom I have had to contend. +So many men consider it perfectly legitimate to attempt liberties with +any one who appears on the stage, and sometimes even those with whom one +associates are not--believe me, Herr von Eschenhagen, my lot is not +always an enviable one." + +Willibald appeared surprised. + +"Not an enviable one? Why, I thought you loved your profession, heart +and soul, and that nothing could induce you to leave it." + +"Certainly, I love it; but I am realizing each day, more and more, with +how much that is hard and bitter I have to contend. My teacher, +Professor Marani, says 'one must mount with the wings of an eagle, then +he leaves all the dross far beneath him.' I think he is right, but I am +not an eagle, I am only what my dear grandfather has often called me, 'a +singing bird,' with nothing but my voice, and no strength to mount to +dizzy heights. The critics have said before now that my acting lacked +fire and strength, and I feel myself that I have little dramatic talent. +I can only sing, and I'd much rather do that at home in our own green +woods, than here in a golden cage." + +The girl's voice had a worn, discouraged ring, very unusual in one so +full of vivacity. The recent occurrence had brought her unprotected +position before her most forcibly, and unconsciously she opened her +heart to the man who had shielded her so bravely. He listened in +astonishment to her sad words, but instead of showing any pity, his face +and eyes fairly beamed with happiness and joy at her sad admission. He +asked abruptly, almost roughly: + +"You long to get away from here? You will leave the stage?" + +Despite her troubles, Marietta laughed out at this question. + +"No, indeed, I have no such thought. What would I turn to then? My dear +grandfather has scraped and saved for years in order that I might +receive a musical education, and it would be but a poor return for me to +go back to him now, a burden for his few remaining years. He shall never +know that his 'singing bird' longs for her woodland nest, or that she +has hardships and insults to encounter here. I have more courage than +that. I mean to fight it out, no matter how heavy the odds. So do not +let them hear anything about my murmurings at Fürstenstein. How soon are +you going there?" + +A shadow fell across the young heir's happy face, and his eyes sank to +the floor. + +"I am going at two this afternoon," he answered in a strange, depressed +tone. + +"O, then grant me one favor. Tell Toni everything--everything--you hear? +She has cause to blame us both. I shall write to her to-day, at once, +and tell her about this unfortunate affair, and you will explain just +how it happened, too, will you not?" + +Willibald raised his eyes slowly from the ground and looked at the +speaker. + +"You are right, Fräulein, Toni must hear all, the whole truth. I had +decided on that before I came here--but it will be a trying hour for +me." + +"Oh, no indeed, it will not," Marietta said hastily. "Toni is good and +full of confidence; she will know that what we tell her is the exact +truth, and that we were both quite guiltless in the matter." + +"But I am not guiltless, at least toward Toni," said Willibald very +earnestly. "Do not look so frightened, you would hear all later, so it +is, perhaps, as well to hear it from my lips. I am going to Fürstenstein +to ask Toni"--he hesitated and sighed deeply--"to give me back my +freedom." + +"Heaven help us! and why?" cried the young maiden, seriously alarmed at +this declaration. + +"Why? Because, feeling as I do, knowing that Toni has no place in my +heart, it would be wrong to lead her to the altar. Because I know now +what is the one thing needful to make a happy marriage, because," he +stopped and looked at Marietta so steadily and so expressively that she +could not fail to understand him. Her face flushed painfully; she drew +back and made a hasty motion as if to prevent further speech. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, tell me no more." + +"I cannot help it," Willibald continued, almost defiantly. "I fought it +over and over in my own mind when I was alone at Burgsdorf, and honestly +tried to keep my word. I thought it might be possible; then I came here +and saw you again--the other evening in 'Arivana'--and then I realized +that all my struggling had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fräulein Marietta, no, not for an hour, even while I was trying to +persuade myself you must be forgotten, and I should not have forgotten +you my whole life long. I will tell Toni all this frankly, and my +mother, too, when I see her again." + +It was all out at last. The man who could not stand alone at +Fürstenstein, and for whom his mother had done all the talking and +planning, spoke now, warmly and earnestly, from his very heart, as only +a man can speak in such an hour. He had learned what liberty meant when +his affections were aroused, and with this knowledge he had forever cast +aside the dependence of habit and indifference. + +He crossed the room to Marietta, who had gone back to the window. + +"And now one question. You were very pale when you opened the door for +me, and had been crying. Of course this affair was very painful to you. +I can understand that, but--but were you the least bit anxious--on my +account?" + +He received no answer. There was only a low, stifled sob. + +"Were you anxious about me? Only a little 'yes;' you cannot know, +Marietta, how happy it will make me." + +He bent over the maiden whose head had sunk so low, but he could not see +the gleam of happiness which lighted up her face as she said softly: "I +have been so anxious that life has hardly been endurable the past two +days." + +Willibald gave a laugh of exultation, and tried to draw her into his +arms; she gave him one long look, and then released herself. + +"No, no, not now. Go--I beg you." + +He stepped back at once. + +"You are right, Marietta. Not now; but when I am free, I shall come to +you and beg for another 'yes.' Good-bye. God bless you!" + +He was gone in an instant, before Marietta could collect her thoughts; +and now the voice of her old kinswoman, who had entered the room a +moment before, unperceived by its occupants, recalled her to herself. + +"My child, what is this, what does it mean? Have you both forgotten--" + +The excited girl did not let her finish; she flung her arms around her +neck, and cried out, passionately: + +"Ah, now I know why I was so angry when he allowed his mother to insult +me and did not take my part. It grieved me so to think he was weak and +cowardly, for I have loved him from the very first." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made +at the house of the Prussian ambassador. Wallmoden had entered upon the +duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but +his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer +coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social +obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great +government. The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with +great splendor. His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things +possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one +of mark in the southern capital. The following week he was to give his +first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made. + +The ambassador was busily engaged, also, in attending to certain +official matters of more than usual importance. With all his other cares +he was secretly annoyed at the result of the production of "Arivana." If +he had had any thought before of openly denouncing Hartmut Rojanow, such +denunciation was now almost impossible. + +This adventurer had been so praised and so lauded and admired for his +poetical genius and talents, that just at present it was a matter of +doubt whether any statement which Wallmoden could make would have much +effect on the society and the court where the newly risen star was the +hero of the hour. Hartmut had risked much against Wallmoden's +threats--and won. The one thing which completed the ambassador's +discomfiture, and made his position extremely painful, was the coming of +Falkenried. It would be impossible to conceal his son's whereabouts and +doings from the father, and Wallmoden dare not let him learn them from +strangers. When they had met in Berlin, for a brief hour, neither knew +of the journey to the South which the Colonel would have to take almost +immediately. He was to be the guest of his old friend, for he also knew +Adelheid very well; she and her brother had grown up under his eyes. + +When Major Falkenried had taken command of a distant garrison ten years +before, the little city where he was stationed had been very near the +principal Stahlberg factories. The new major's reputation had preceded +him; he was said to be a valiant soldier, devoted to the service, who, +when not on duty, gave all his time to the study of military tactics and +discipline, but who held all mankind, soldiers excepted, in abhorrence. +He had a house and lived among men, but for the rest, he turned his back +upon society and every one connected with it. + +But the head of the house of Stahlberg took little heed of the gossip or +of the major's attitude toward his fellow-men, and approached him +without hesitation. The bitter, disappointed man, who shunned all the +world, could not fail to admire in the manufacturer much that was akin +to his own nature, and while their acquaintance never ripened into +friendship, Falkenried understood and appreciated Stahlberg's rugged +character, and in the years in which they lived near one another the +Stahlberg house was the only one which he ever entered willingly. So he +grew to know the children of the house intimately, and kept up his +intercourse with the family after his return to Berlin. When Wallmoden +married he felt that both he and Adelheid had been hardly treated by the +Colonel, when the latter sent some plausible excuse for not attending +the wedding. Adelheid knew little or nothing of the Colonel's fateful +history. She supposed him to be childless, and had only recently learned +from her husband that he had married very young, been divorced from his +wife for many years, and was now a widower. + +Eight days after the return of the Wallmodens, as Adelheid was sitting +at her writing table late one afternoon, Colonel Falkenried was +announced. She rose at once, threw down her pen and hastened to greet +her old friend. + +"How glad I am to see you, dear Colonel. We received your telegram, and +Herbert was just about to start to the station to meet you himself, when +he received a summons from the duke and had to go at once to the castle, +so we could only send the carriage for you." Her greeting was warm and +cordial, such as an old friend of her father might have expected, but +Falkenried, while not exactly distant, was certainly not hearty. He took +the extended hand, but his manner was cold and earnest, and he said +indifferently, as he took the chair offered him: "Well, we can talk to +one another until his return." + +The colonel had changed, changed so greatly as to be past recognition. +Were it not for the tall and erect bearing he would be taken for an old +man. The hair of this man in his fifty-second year was snow white, his +forehead was deeply ploughed with furrows, and the deep lines in his +face told of sorrow beyond all hope of cure. The countenance, which had +once been so full of expression, had a staring, uncomfortable look now, +and his manner bespoke a reserve and repression which could not be +penetrated. Regine's expression, "The man seems turned to stone," was +only too true. + +One could not help forming the impression that the good or ill of his +fellow creatures were both matters of supreme indifference to him; he +lived only in the fulfillment of the duties of his profession. + +"I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using the old name which he had +always heard in her father's house, as he threw a glance at the +half-finished letter on the writing table. + +"Oh, there's plenty of time," his hostess answered carelessly. "I was +only writing to Eugen." + +"Ah, yes; I saw him day before yesterday, and he sent his love to you." + +"I knew he would go to Berlin on purpose to see you. He has not seen you +for over two years, and neither have I, except for the moment, as we +passed through Berlin. We did hope you would come out to Burgsdorf while +we were there, and Regine felt sorely vexed that you did not accept her +invitation." + +The colonel looked at her gloomily. He knew, too well, the bitter +memories associated with the place. He had only been there a couple of +times since his return to Berlin. + +"Regine understands how much my time is occupied," he answered +evasively. "But to return to your brother, I want to speak to you about +something, Ada, and I am not sorry we are alone. What is the matter +between Eugen and his brother-in-law? What has happened?" + +A shade of embarrassment crossed Adelheid's face at this question, but +she answered carelessly: "Nothing especial, only they don't exactly +understand each other." + +"Not understand one another! Wallmoden is almost forty years your +brother's senior, and he's the lad's guardian, too, for two years more, +until Eugen attains his majority. So the boy had nothing to do but obey +orders for that brief space." + +"Of course, but Eugen, while warm-hearted, is impetuous and +inconsiderate, as he has always been from a small boy." + +"That's a pity! He'll have to change all that when he assumes the +responsible position which is awaiting him, if he expects to follow in +his father's footsteps. But there seems something more than that the +matter here. I made a passing allusion to your marriage, Ada--that it +had surprised me a little, more especially as I had known your husband +so well, and had not imagined you were so ambitious. Whereupon Eugen +turned on me and defended you in the warmest manner. Said you had been +sacrificed for him, and left me quite bewildered by his passionate words +and insinuations." + +"You should not have paid any attention to him," said Adelheid, with +noticeable uneasiness. "Such a young hothead sees the tragical side of +everything. What was it he did say?" + +"Really nothing. He said you had made him promise to say nothing without +your permission, but that he hated his brother-in-law. What does it all +mean?" + +The young wife was silent; this talk was anything but pleasant to her. +The colonel looked at her searchingly, while he continued: + +"You know it is not my habit to force myself into others' secrets. I +take little interest, now-a-days, in the doings of my neighbors, but the +honor of my oldest friend is called into question by the insinuation of +a boy. I had no patience with Eugen, and told him to go to Wallmoden +and threaten him if he had anything to say. His answer was: 'O, Herr von +Wallmoden would explain the thing by calling it diplomatic; he has shown +himself a great diplomat. Ask Ada, let her tell you her experience.' So +I did as he bade me, I asked you, but as you will say nothing, I have no +alternative but to speak to your husband. For I cannot keep silence +concerning such insulting remarks." + +He spoke without excitement, in a measured, cold tone, as if, while a +matter of no moment to himself, he felt it his duty to interrogate his +friend's wife. + +"Pray don't mention it to Herbert, I beg of you," Adelheid said, +hastily. "I will tell you myself. Eugen has been carried away by his +temper; he has taken the affair too much to heart from the beginning. +There was nothing dishonorable in it." + +"I supposed that when Wallmoden had to do with it," the colonel +interrupted with marked emphasis. + +Adelheid lowered her voice, but she avoided the colonel's eye as she +continued: + +"You know that I was not engaged to Herbert until after our year's +residence in Florence. My father was very ill and his physicians ordered +him to Italy for the winter. We went to Florence for a couple of months; +our farther movements were to depend upon my father's condition. My +brother accompanied, us and when the winter set in he was to return +home. After a few weeks we took a villa just outside the city, and +lived, of course, a very retired life. Eugen saw Italy for the first +time under very sad and depressing circumstances; it was very trying for +him, a mere boy, to sit day after day in a sick room, so I seconded his +request to be allowed to go to Rome for a few weeks, and obtained the +desired permission for him. I ought never to have done so. But I did +not know how great was his inexperience or into what it would lead him." + +"Which means that he plunged into frivolous pleasure or dissipation +while his father lay on his death-bed," the Colonel interposed harshly. + +"Do not be hard on him. My brother was scarcely twenty years old, and +while he had a loving father, he had a severe one, who had brought him +up with such strictness that this little breath of freedom proved too +much for him. The young German, with no worldly experience whatever, was +enticed into a circle where play ran high, and where, as was afterwards +proven, cheats and gamblers plied their vocation. Eugen in his ignorance +saw nothing of all this; he lost considerable sums, and at last one +night the club was raided by the police. The Italians resisted them and +a scuffle ensued, into which Eugen was drawn. He only defended himself, +but in so doing severely wounded one of the police, and he was arrested +with the others." + +The Colonel had listened in silence to Adelheid's agitated recital, but +he showed neither interest nor emotion as he said severely: "And poor +Stahlberg had to live to see his son, whom he imagined a model, come to +this!" + +"He never knew it. It was only a momentary seduction, a boy's misstep +through ignorance, which will never be repeated; Eugen has given me his +word of honor for that." + +Falkenried laughed out suddenly, such a bitter, mocking laugh, that the +young wife looked at him in alarm. + +"His word of honor. Certainly, why not? It is as easy given as broken. +Are you really so credulous that you would take the word of such a boy?" + +"Yes, I am, indeed," Adelheid answered earnestly, as she looked +reprovingly into the face of the man whose bitterness she could not +understand. "I know my brother; he is his father's son in spite of +everything and will not break his word." + +"It is well for you you can still trust and believe; for me such days +were over long ago," said Falkenried, scowling, but in a milder tone. +"And what happened then?" + +"My brother had word sent to me at once. 'Do not tell father, it would +kill him,' he wrote. I knew better than he that it would do so; my +father was far too ill then to bear any excitement. It was hard for the +moment to know what to do, for we were strangers in a strange land. Then +I thought of Herbert, who was at that time ambassador to Florence. We +knew him slightly at home, and he had called upon us in Florence, and +offered his services or those of his attachés if we should desire +anything. Since we had taken a house he had been to see father +frequently, and came now immediately in answer to my request. I had +reliance in him, and told him all, asking for advice and help, and he +gave me both." + +"At what price?" asked the Colonel, suddenly, with darkening face. + +"No, no; it is not as you think, or as Eugen will persist in believing. +I have not been forced. Herbert gave me my free choice. He explained to +me that the matter was much more serious than I had thought, that all +sums lost at play must be paid, and that the affair might yet assume +serious proportions on account of the wounding of the policeman. He +explained that it would be very embarrassing for him in his position, to +be personally mixed up in such an affair. 'You desire me to save your +brother," he said. "Perhaps I can do it, but I place my present +position, and my whole future at stake by so doing, and one hardly cares +to do that for any one less than a brother, or brother-in-law!" + +Falkenried rose with a start and paced the room once, then he stood +before his friend's wife, and said in an angry tone: + +"And in your deadly anxiety, naturally you believed him?" + +"Do you mean that it was not so?" questioned Adelheid. + +He shrugged his shoulders as he answered: + +"Possibly. I understand little of diplomatic considerations, but I know +that Wallmoden showed himself a greater diplomat than ever in this hour. +What answer did you give him?" + +"I begged for time, it had all come on me so suddenly. But I knew not a +moment was to be lost, so the same evening I gave Herbert the right to +rescue his brother-in-law." + +"Naturally," muttered Falkenried with keen contempt. "Wise Herbert." + +"He left for Rome at once," continued Baroness von Wallmoden, "and +returned eight days later with my brother. He had succeeded in getting +Eugen off without making him conspicuous; his name was not even +mentioned in the papers as connected with the affair. How Herbert did it +I never knew. He spent money like water, and he told me later that he +pledged half his fortune to cover the gambling debts." + +"That was very magnanimous, when he was about to gain a million by the +sacrifice. And what did Eugen say to this--transaction?" + +"He did not know of it at the time, for he returned at once to Germany, +as had been arranged before. Herbert came to the house now, daily, and +my father grew to like him, and when Herbert finally proposed to him for +my hand, I was thankful that the affair had taken the turn it had, and +my father imagined he had been paying court to me all this time. But +Eugen was not to be deceived. As soon as he heard of our betrothal, his +suspicions were aroused, and he wrung the truth from me. Since then he +has reproached himself continually, and has a hatred for Herbert, +notwithstanding my repeated assurances that I was not coerced, and have +had no cause to regret my marriage, and that I find in Herbert an +attentive, considerate husband." + +Falkenried looked searchingly in her face as if he would read her inmost +thoughts. + +"Are you happy?" he asked at last, slowly. + +"I am contented." + +"That is much in this life; we are not born to be happy. I have done you +an injustice, Ada. I thought that the glitter of court life, the +opportunity to marry a baron and an ambassador had tempted you to become +Frau von Wallmoden, but I find instead--I am sorry, Ada, that I did you +an injustice." + +He extended his hand as he spoke, and in the motion there was a plea for +pardon. + +"Now you know all," said Adelheid with a deep sigh, "and I beg you not +to discuss the subject with Herbert. You see for yourself he did nothing +dishonorable. I repeat to you he used no force, my love for my brother +was the only force. I could not have expected Herbert to exert himself +as he had to do in Rome--for a stranger." + +"If a woman had come to me under such circumstances, I should have saved +her brother--without stipulations," Falkenried exclaimed. + +"Ah, you--I would have followed you with a light heart." + +These words disclosed unconsciously how hard had been the struggle +within this girl's breast. If a sacrifice had to be made, far easier to +make it to the dark, gloomy, rigid man who, notwithstanding all his +bitterness and hardness, she could trust implicitly, than to the polite +and attentive husband who had taken advantage of her inexperience and +fear. + +"You'd have had a sad lot in that case, Ada," the colonel answered with +a shake of the head. "I am one of those human beings who can give or +receive nothing more in this world; life was over for me long ago. But +you are right, it is better for me not to discuss this matter with +Wallmoden, for if I gave him my opinion--but he is and ever will be a +diplomat." + +The conversation was over and Adelheid rose and said in her usual quiet +tone: + +"And now shall I show you to your room? You must be fatigued after your +long journey." + +"No indeed, I'd be a poor soldier to be worn out by a night's travel. In +the service something else is expected from us." + +He bore no marks of fatigue; as he stood, broad and tall before her, his +muscles and sinews seemed made of steel, it was only the face which was +old and haggard. The eyes of the young wife followed him thoughtfully as +he again paced the room. She noted the furrowed forehead, so high and +broad under the white hair. It seemed to her she had seen it somewhere +else, only the locks were dark and curly, and beneath the brow were +strange, large eyes, which illumined a face of southern beauty. But +surely the forehead on which she gazed was strangely like that across +which the sudden wave of passion had passed on that memorable day of the +hunt, even to the deep-set blue veins which stood out so prominently in +the temples. It was a strange, unaccountable, fascinating resemblance. + +A few hours later the two old friends were seated together in +Wallmoden's private study. The host had dreaded this hour, but now the +tale was told and the impression which it made on the Colonel anything +but what his host had expected. He had told of Rojanow's sudden +appearance at Fürstenstein, of the sensation which his drama had created +in the city, of his wandering life with his mother during past years, +and of Zalika's death. Falkenried had leaned back in the chair, his arm +resting on the window sill, and listened to the whole long story without +movement of form or feature, without a question, without a comment; he +hardly seemed to hear, he was indeed made of stone. + +"I believe it is right to tell you all this now," concluded the +ambassador. "Hitherto I have not troubled you with the knowledge which +has come to me from time to time, but now you must learn all I have to +tell and how the land lies." + +The Colonel did not change his position, and his voice betrayed no +emotion as he replied: "I thank you for your good intentions, but you +could have spared yourself the trouble. What do I care for this +adventurer?" + +Wallmoden had not expected such an answer, and looked keenly at his +friend as he continued: + +"I deemed it necessary to tell you because of the possibility of a +meeting. Rojanow plays a conspicuous part here and is to be met with +everywhere. The duke is greatly taken with him; you will be very apt to +come across him at the castle." + +"And what then? I know no one who bears the name of Rojanow, and he will +not dare to know me. We will pass one another as strangers." + +Wallmoden watched his friend's face closely while he was speaking; he +wondered if all feeling was dead, or if this intense coldness and +indifference were assumed. + +"I believed you would have taken the news of your son's re-appearance +differently," he said, half aloud. It was the only time he used the word +"son;" he had called him Rojanow in telling the story, and he did it +with a purpose now. For the first time there was a movement from the +window, but it was a movement of anger. + +"I have no son, bear that in mind, Wallmoden. He died that last night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead return no more." + +Wallmoden was silent, but the colonel stepped up to him and laid his +hand heavily on his arm. + +"You mentioned just now that you felt it your duty to tell the duke, but +consideration for me had kept you silent so far. I have but one thing +left to guard in the wide world, the honor of my name, and such an +explanation on your part would stain it forever. Do what you think is +best. I shall not prevent you, but--I must then do what I think best." + +His voice sounded hard as ever, but there was a tone underlying his +words which fairly frightened the ambassador. + +"For God's sake, Falkenried, what do you mean?" + +"Do as you choose. You diplomats have peculiar ideas of honor at times, +with which ordinary mortals may not agree--I leave it to you." + +"I shall be silent, I give you my word," answered Wallmoden, to whom +Falkenried's words were enigmatical, for Adelheid's confession was +unknown to him. "I had really decided on that before you came. The name +of Falkenried shall not be exposed to scorn or derision through me." + +"Well and good, then we need not discuss the subject farther," said +Falkenried. Then, after a short pause, he began on quite a different +subject. "You have prepared the duke for what I bring him? What does +he say about it?" + +Here was again the old, iron impenetrability which closed the door +against all inquiry. The change was a welcome one to the ambassador, who +was here, as elsewhere, the diplomat, and disliked nothing more than +unnecessary candor and straightforwardness, and who would never have +thought of giving all this information to Falkenried, had not the danger +of his friend learning it elsewhere been very great. Now no matter what +happened, he could say to the father, "I told you. I warned you." Even +the duke could not find fault with a man for sparing an old friend. +"Wise Herbert" understood how to answer them all. + +Colonel Falkenried's stay was limited, and there was so much to be done +that he had scarcely time to breathe. + +Audiences with the duke, consultations with prominent military +officials, hours spent with certain members of foreign embassies, all +these had to be crowded into a few days. Wallmoden was scarcely less in +demand until everything was arranged. The ambassador, and more +especially Colonel von Falkenried, had reason to be contented with the +result, for they had acquired everything which they demanded for their +government, and could count with full reliance on the duke. It was +whispered that some matter of more than ordinary import was on the +tapis, but none of the gossipers knew what, and the few who did know +kept their own counsel. + +The author of "Arivana" was the favorite of the day, and people began to +discuss his very erratic behavior. Almost immediately after his +glittering triumph he had turned his back upon all who had done him +homage, friends and sycophants alike, and gone to the "wilderness," as +Prince Adelsberg explained to every one; where that wilderness lay, no +one knew, for Egon had given his word to his friend that he would not +reveal his retreat, and Hartmut had promised in return that as soon as +he had had a little quiet and rest he would come back. So no one knew +that Herr Rojanow was at Rodeck. + +Baron von Wallmoden's carriage was drawn up on a cold, dark morning +before the door of the Prussian ambassador's residence. + +This time the drive was to be a long one, for servants brought out furs +and robes and piled them on the seats. The ambassador, who had just +risen from his breakfast, was taking leave of the Colonel. + +"Well, good-bye until to-morrow night," he said, holding out his hand. +"We'll be back by that time, anyway, and you'll remain for several days +yet." + +"Yes, as the duke has requested it," answered the Colonel. "I sent my +report off at once to Berlin; so a few days either way doesn't matter +now." + +"Of course not. And they'll certainly be well satisfied with your +reports, too. But we've had a few hot days with little time for rest. +Thank God, everything is arranged and we can breathe again! I feel that +I am free to leave the city now for twenty-four hours, so Adelheid and I +will go to Ostwalden." + +"Ostwalden is the name of your new country seat? I remember, you +mentioned it yesterday, but I did not understand just where it was +situated." + +"It lies about ten miles from Fürstenstein. When we were there in +September, Schönau called my attention to it. It is situated in the most +beautiful part of the celebrated forest, and suits me exactly. They +asked a ridiculous price for it, but since my return I've decided to +take it and am going there now to make some final arrangements." + +"Ada does not appear too well pleased with your choice. She seems to +dislike the neighborhood of Fürstenstein," said the Colonel. But +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +"Just a whim, nothing more. In the beginning Adelheid was in raptures +over Ostwalden, and then later she raised every possible objection to +the place; but I had gone too far to retreat. I shall in all probability +remain some time at my present post, and want to avoid long journeys in +the summer. So that a country seat which can be reached in four hours +from town possesses great attractions in my eyes. The castle has been +sadly neglected of late years, and I'll have to make many altertions. +But I have my plans for rebuilding and altering all arranged, and am +going to make it one of the finest places in the country." + +He talked with great satisfaction over all he was to accomplish at +Ostwalden. Herbert von Wallmoden had possessed but a small fortune of +his own, and had been forced to live very circumspectly all his life +long, in consequence. But now he could give free rein to his desire for +splendor and display, and could talk of fine homes in city and country +without thought of the outlay, or any consideration either for the whims +of the young wife whose fortune he was spending with so lavish a hand. + +Perhaps Falkenried thought of all this as he listened to his friend +grown almost enthusiastic on the subject, but he said nothing. He had +grown more silent and stonier than ever, if that were possible, during +the last few days. And when he did ask a question concerning the +every-day affairs of life, one felt it was merely mechanical, and that +he scarcely cared whether he received an answer or not. + +Now as Adelheid entered the room, fully equipped for her journey, he +turned to her and offered his arm to escort her to the carriage. After +he had helped her in it, Wallmoden entered, and as the coachman cracked +his whip, said: + +"We'll be back to-morrow without fail--good-bye." + +Falkenried bowed and stepped back. It mattered little to him whether +they came back to-morrow or not, all friendships were over for him. But +as he entered the house again, he said: + +"Poor Ada, she deserved a better fate." + +Everything was going on in the usual quiet fashion at Fürstenstein. +Willibald had been there for a week. He was two days later than he had +expected to be; but he had met with a slight accident, and his hand was +hurt, so he told his uncle; and this was perfectly satisfactory, and not +at all alarming, as the hand was nearly healed now. The head forester +found his son-in-law changed since his last visit, and changed for the +better, too. He had become much more earnest and decided than formerly, +and seemed so well satisfied with his daughter, von Schönau thought. + +"I believe Will will turn out to be a man, yet. How much he improves +without his mother to stand by to command and dictate." + +As for the rest, Herr von Schönau had no time to trouble himself with +the lovers. The duke, during his stay at Fürstenstein, had made many +changes and innovations upon the established order of things in the +forestry, and it required both zeal and watchfulness on the part of the +head forester to set things straight again, and bring his subordinates +back to the old regime. He saw Antonie and Willibald daily, and noticed +that they were much together and seemed to understand one another +perfectly, so he did not concern himself much about them. + +In the meantime there had been much anxiety and alarm in the house of +Dr. Volkmar. + +The doctor's sickness, which had not at first been regarded as serious, +had suddenly taken an alarming turn, and owing to his age the worst was +feared. His granddaughter was telegraphed for in hot haste, and she, +after obtaining permission from her manager, who gave her part in +"Arivana" to an understudy, hurried home at once. + +It was at this time that Antonie showed her sincere, unobtrusive +attachment to her childhood's friend. Day after day she went to the +Volkmar cottage, to comfort and cheer Marietta, who hung in an agony of +anguish and suspense over her grandfather's bed. Willibald found it +necessary to go with his cousin and do what he could. All this seemed +natural enough to the head forester, who was sincerely attached to the +Volkmars, and felt a great desire to show more than an ordinary amount +of attention to "the poor little thing" who had been so cruelly insulted +in his house. He had it in for his sister-in-law when he should see her +again. + +At the end of three dreadful days the doctor's strong constitution +asserted itself, and hopes of his recovery were entertained. Herr von +Schönau was as rejoiced as any of the family, and rubbed his hands with +a satisfied air when Toni, on the fourth day, reported a marked +amendment in the doctor's condition. + +But a thunder-storm from the north was descending upon them all. +Suddenly, without any announcement, Frau von Eschenhagen appeared in +their midst. She had wasted no time in the city with her brother, but +came on directly from Burgsdorf, and descended like a veritable +thunder-storm upon her brother-in-law, who was in his own room reading +the papers. + +"Bless us--is it you, Regine?" he cried, really alarmed. "This is a +surprise. Why didn't you send word you were coming?" + +"Where is Willibald?" was her only response in an incensed tone. "Is he +at Fürstenstein?" + +"Of course, where else would he be? He wrote you of his arrival, that +much I know." + +"Let him be called--now, this minute." + +"What's the matter with you, Regine?" asked the head forester, noticing +for the first time her intense excitement. "Is Burgsdorf burned to the +ground? I can't bring your Will to you now, this minute, for he's not +here just now, he's over at Waldhofen--" + +"Probably, at Dr. Volkmar's. In that case she's there too." + +"What 'she?' Toni has gone over as usual to be with Marietta; that poor +little girl has been in despair for the past few days. And I want to +have a word with you, Frau sister-in-law, while we are on this subject. +How could you have spoken so cruelly to Marietta, in my house, too. I +didn't hear of it for some time after, but I can tell you I--" + +A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown aside her bonnet and cloak, and she now +strode angrily to her brother-in-law's chair. + +"Do you still reprove me because I did my best to put an unclean thing +out of your house? You have always been blind. You would not listen to +me--and now it is too late." + +"I believe you're gone clean mad, Regine," said Herr von Schönau +solemnly. He didn't really know what to think. "Control yourself long +enough to tell me what the trouble is." + +For reply Regine unfolded a newspaper and pointing to a certain +paragraph said tragically: + +"Read!" + +The head forester began to read, and he, too, soon became excited, and +grew red and angry as he read on. The paper was a weekly, published in +the South-German capital, and the article which excited their joint +wrath read as follows: + +"We have just learned that a duel with pistols was fought early last +Monday morning, in one of the unfrequented suburbs of our city. The +opponents were the well-known society gentleman, Count W., and a young +North German landlord, W.v.E., who is the nephew and has been for the +past few days the guest of a very prominent member of the diplomatic +circle. The cause of the quarrel which resulted in the duel was a member +of the court theatre company, a young singer who has, until now, enjoyed +a good reputation. Count W. was wounded in the shoulder, and Herr v.E., +who has left the city since, received a trifling wound in the hand." + +"That goes beyond anything I ever heard," cried the head forester, in a +towering rage. "My future son-in-law fights a duel on Marietta's +account. What was the quarrel about? What do you know about it, Regine? +My papers don't mention it." + +"But mine do. You'll find it in yours if you look them over well. I +caught sight of the article yesterday, and started at once, without even +staying over to see Herbert. Evidently he knows nothing about it yet, or +he'd have sent me word." + +"Herbert'll be here to-day; in an hour or two now," said von Schönau, +while glancing hastily over the papers. "He was going to Ostwalden with +Adelheid, he wrote me, and would return to town by way of Fürstenstein +and spend an hour with me. Perhaps he is coming to tell me about it, +but that doesn't change anything. What's the matter with Will, has he +gone mad?" + +"Yes, that he has," answered Regine, all excitement again. "You sneered +at me, Moritz, when I warned you your child would suffer from +association with an actress. That such a thing as this could happen +never entered my head until the moment when I discovered that Willibald, +my own, only son, was in love with this Marietta Volkmar. I tore him +from the danger and returned at once to Burgsdorf. That was the reason +of our sudden flight. I did not tell you for I thought Will was only +dazed for the moment, and would soon recover his reason again. The boy +seemed to have done so, or I would never have trusted him to come here +without me. I put him in Herbert's charge and felt perfectly sure that +all would be well. He could only have been in the city three or four +days at most, and well must he have spent his time." + +She threw herself back in an easy chair, worn out and anxious as well as +angry, while the head forester walked up and down the room angrier than +ever now. + +"And that's not the worst of it," he cried. "The worst is the game which +the rascal has been playing with me and my poor daughter since he came +here. My poor child has been running to Waldhofen day after day to give +what comfort and aid she could, and Willibald has always accompanied her +to comfort Marietta too--oh, its atrocious! Your model son has turned +out well, I must say, Regine." + +"Perhaps you think I intend to shield him!" Regine answered spitefully. +"He shall stand before me, shall stand before us both, and speak. That's +what I have come for. He shall learn to know me!" + +She rose as though ready now for the attack, and her hearer, who was +muttering angrily to himself, said aloud: + +"He shall learn to know us both!" + +Just then, in the middle of their excitement, the door opened, and the +poor, ill-treated fiancé, Antonie von Schönau entered the room quiet and +composed as ever, and said as she went toward her aunt: + +"I heard from the servants of your unexpected arrival, dear aunt--I am +so glad to see you." + +Instead of any answer or word of greeting from her aunt the same +question from both sides sounded in her ears. + +"Where is Willibald?" + +"He'll be here in a few minutes, he waited to give some direction to the +castle gardener; he does not know his mother is here." + +"To the castle-gardener! Doubtless he wants some more roses," Frau von +Eschenhagen broke out afresh, while the father held out both his arms to +Toni and said, in a trembling voice: + +"My child, my poor, deceived child, come to me. Come to your father's +arms." + +He would have drawn his daughter into his arms, but Regine stepped +before him and said in a husky voice: + +"Be composed, Toni, you will have a fearful blow from your false lover; +you will despise him and his deceptions from your very soul." + +This sudden sympathy had in it something alarming, but fortunately Toni +had never been troubled with weak nerves; she released herself now from +this double embrace, and drew back from them both as she said, with +quiet decision: + +"I could not do that, for Will is beginning to please me better now than +he has ever pleased me before in his life." + +"So much the worse," interrupted her father. "Poor child, you know +nothing, suspect nothing. Your lover has fought a duel, and for a woman, +too." + +"I know it, papa." + +"For Marietta," screamed her aunt. + +"I know it, dear aunt." + +"But he loves Marietta," they both cried out with one voice. + +"I know it all," declared Toni in her quiet, drawling tone. "Have known +it for a week." + +The effect of this declaration was so depressing that the two angry +parents were dumb, and looked at one another stupefied. In the meantime +Toni continued with the utmost composure: + +"Will told me all about it just as soon as he got here; and he spoke so +simply and with such true heartedness that he made me weep from very +sympathy; then a letter came from Marietta begging my pardon, and it was +so loving and penitent in its tone that I was deeply moved. There was +nothing for me to do but to give back my lover his freedom." + +"Without asking us?" interposed her aunt. + +"No questions were necessary in this case," Antonie answered, quietly. +"I cannot marry a man who declares to me that he loves another woman. So +we dissolved our engagement without any further discussion." + +"Indeed, and I learn it now for the first time. You two have become very +independent, all at once," cried the head forester, enraged. + +"Will meant to explain to you the next day, papa, but after such an +explanation he felt he could not remain here longer, and just then +Marietta was called home by her grandfather's illness. She was nearly +broken hearted when she thought he would die, and Will felt he could +not leave her until he knew what would be the result of the illness. So +I said to keep silence until the danger was over, and then speak. We +have both gone daily to the cottage to cheer poor Marietta. They are so +grateful to me and call me the guardian angel of their love." + +The young girl seemed quite affected by this thought, and took her +handkerchief to wipe the tears which were welling up in her eyes. + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood stark and stiff as a statue. + +Schönau had folded his arms, and said with a deep sigh: + +"Well, God bless you for your magnanimity, my dear child. So everything +is as if it had never been. But you have been very generous in your +statements, one must acknowledge that. You have taken it very quietly, +and seen your betrothed make love to another girl before your very +eyes." + +Antonie nodded her head. She was greatly pleased to play the _rôle_ of +guardian angel, and she found no difficulty in so doing for her +affection for Willibald had been very mild from the beginning. + +"There was no talk of love making, papa. Dr. Volkmar was far too ill," +she explained. "We had all we could do to comfort poor Marietta, who was +dreadfully alarmed. You can see for yourself now that I have not been +deceived and that Will has been outspoken and honorable throughout. It +was I who advised him to be silent for a few days, particularly as it +was a matter which only concerned us two, and--" + +"Oh, that is what you thought. Then it does not concern us at all?" the +head forester interrupted angrily. + +"No papa, and Will thought with me that in such a case there was no use +in troubling the parents--" + +"What did Will think ?" asked Frau Regine, who at this unheard of +assertion thought it was time to take part in the conversation again. + +"That one should love before one marries, and Will is right," Toni +declared with unwonted vivacity. "When he and I were engaged, there was +no talk of love. It was all settled for us, but that'll never happen to +me a second time. I see now for myself what it means when two people +love one another with their whole hearts, and how greatly it has changed +and improved Will. Now when I marry I must be loved as Will loves +Marietta, and if I can't find a man who will love me devotedly, I'll +remain single all my life." + +And with this declaration and with a decisiveness in which nothing was +lacking, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau tossed her head back, and walked +out of the room leaving her father and aunt in anything but an enviable +state. + +Herr von Schönau turned to his sister-in-law and said in a subdued but +angry tone: + +"Your son has been going ahead beautifully, Regine. Now Toni declares +she will be loved devotedly, too; this is the beginning of fine, +romantic ideas in her head, and Will seems to have them all down fine by +this time. I verily believe he has done his own proposing this time." + +Frau von Eschenhagen did not heed his ironical remarks; she sat gazing +vacantly into space, but the look on her face was not pleasant to see. + +"I'm glad you can see the comical side," she said after a pause. "I +confess I look another way." + +"That won't help you much," Herr von Schönau answered. "When a model son +begins to rebel, that's the end of it. It's hopeless trying to change +him, particularly when he's in love. But I am very curious to see Will +genuinely in love, and to hear what this paragon has to say for +himself." + +His curiosity was to be gratified at once, for just at that moment +Willibald put in an appearance. + +It could be seen at a glance that he had heard of his mother's arrival +and was prepared to face her. The young heir did not hang back +diffidently this time, as he had done when he hid the roses in his +pocket two months before. There was something in his bearing which told +he was prepared for combat. + +"There is your mother, Will," began the head forester. "You must be +greatly surprised to see her." + +"No, uncle, I am not," the young man answered, but he made no attempt to +approach his mother, who stood like a threatening cloud, and whose voice +was an angry growl as she asked: + +"Perhaps you know, then, why I came?" + +"I imagine why, mother, even though I do not know where you obtained +your information." + +"The newspapers keep us advised--there, read that," and his mother +handed him the newspaper from the table. "But Toni has been here and +told us all--do you hear--all!" + +She spoke the last words in a tone of annihilation, but Willibald did +not seem at all disturbed by them, and answered very quietly: + +"Well, then, in that case, there's no need for my saying anything. +Otherwise I should have spoken to my uncle this afternoon." + +That was too much. Now the cloud broke with thunder and lightning, and +the storm descended with such violence upon the head of the sinning son +that there seemed nothing less for him to do than to sink into the +ground as a creature too debased to live; but he did not sink; he bent +his head before the driving tempest, and when his mother stopped a +moment--she had to take breath--he looked up quietly and said: + +"Mother--will you allow me to speak now?" + +"Oh, you are ready to speak? That is really remarkable," Schönau +interrupted with a sneer. He felt he had not been kindly used by his +daughter and her lover. Willibald began to speak, at first hesitatingly +and slowly, but, as he went on, his voice strengthened, and his courage +returned. + +"I am very sorry to have grieved you, but I could do nothing else this +time. I was as innocent of any desire to fight a duel as was Marietta. +She was followed in the park by an impertinent fellow who insisted upon +pressing his attentions upon her; she was alone, unprotected. I saw what +happened and knocked the fellow down for his pains. He sent me a +challenge which I would not, and dare not decline. I have only Toni's +pardon to beg for loving Marietta, and that I did immediately upon my +arrival. She knows all, and has given me back my freedom. We understand +and respect one another much more since our betrothal is at an end, than +ever we did before." + +"Well, this almost passes belief," exclaimed the head forester angrily. +"We did not force you; you could have said no, either of you, if you had +desired." + +"Well, we do it now," Willibald answered, so decidedly and quickly that +his uncle looked at him quite bluffed. "Toni sees as well as I that a +mere marriage by arrangement is not right, and when one has felt the +bliss of loving he must marry the object of that love and no other." + +Frau von Eschenhagen, who had recovered her breath by this time, felt +the sting of these last words. It had not entered her thoughts that one +betrothal had been broken in order that another might be arranged, but +now the fearful possibility struck her. + +"Marry;" she repeated, "who would you marry? Would you marry that +Marietta, that creature--" + +"Mother, you must learn to speak of my future wife in a different +tone--" said her son, in so earnest and decided a manner that the +enraged woman was dumbfounded. "As Toni has released me, I am at liberty +to love Marietta, and Marietta's character is blameless, of that I have +had proof. Who vexes or insults her must answer to me--even if it be my +own mother." + +"See, see, the boy's getting on bravely," cried the head forester, whose +sense of justice overcame for the moment his anger. But Frau von +Eschenhagen was far removed from any instinct of justice. She had +believed that her mere presence would have subdued her son, and now he +defied her in this manner. His very appearance was different, and this +enraged her the more for she realized how deep and strong was the +feeling which could thus have changed him. + +"I will spare you the trouble of calling your own mother to account," +she said with intense bitterness. "You are of age and are the heir of +Burgsdorf, and I cannot prevent you doing as you choose. But on the day +when you bring Marietta Volkmar to Burgsdorf--I leave it." + +The threat had its effect; Willibald moved back a step as he said +excitedly: + +"Mother, you are speaking in anger." + +"I speak in full earnest. As soon as an actress enters that house as +mistress, where I have lived and ruled in honor for thirty years, and +where I had hoped to lay my head down for my last, long sleep, I leave +it forever. So take her to Burgsdorf if you wish--you have your choice +between your mother and the actress." + +"But Regine, don't be so unreasonable," remonstrated Schönau. "You +should give the poor fellow some chance and not leave him such a hard +choice." + +Regine did not heed his remonstrance, she stood there, white to the very +lips, her eyes fixed upon her son. She repeated impressively: + +"Decide which it shall be--she or I." + +Willibald had grown pale, too, and an expression of deep pain lay on his +face as he said gently: "That is hard, mother. You know how dearly I +love you, and what a grief it will be to me if you should leave me. But +if you are so cruel as to leave me no option, then," he straightened +himself and finished with great decision, "then I choose Marietta." + +"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a +sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better +now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you +are not going to be my son-in-law." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had +built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a +wreck. + +She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she +would not have bent her stubborn will then. + +"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and +turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words, +as he rose to follow her. But before they had reached the door, it was +opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly: + +"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes--" + +"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schönau sharply. "Tell +old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and--" + +He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in +the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone: + +"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schönau, but it is a sad one. I +cannot wait, but must speak with you at once." + +"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune +happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?" + +"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me. +He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck, +and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not +heard, "and my lady should come, too." + +"But what is it, what has happened?" cried the forester, seriously +alarmed now. + +The old man hesitated; he seemed not to know how to break his bad news +gently. At last he spoke. + +"His excellency Baron von Wallmoden is at Rodeck--and the baroness, +too." + +"My brother?" Regine cried apprehensively. + +"Yes, my lady. His excellency was thrown from his carriage and now he is +unconscious at Rodeck, and the physician whom we summoned in haste, says +his condition is very serious." + +"God help us! Moritz, we must go at once," exclaimed Regine. + +Schönau had already rung and he ordered horses and carriage to be got +ready at once. "And now, Stadinger, tell us how it happened." + +"The Herr Baron was on his way from Ostwalden to Fürstenstein," began +Stadinger. "The way lay through the Rodeck lands, not far from the +Castle. Our forester, who was in the woods close by with some of the +men, fired a couple of shots at a deer which started out of the thicket +and ran across the road just in front of His Excellency's carriage. The +horses shied and started off, and the coachman lost control of them. +The forester, who reached the road at that moment, heard the Frau +Baroness say to her husband: 'Sit still, Herbert! for God's sake, don't +move!' But the baron must have lost his head, for he stood up and made +one spring. Of course he did not know where he was going, and fell with +great force against a fallen tree. Just a few yards farther on, at a +bend in the road, the coachman succeeded in pulling up the horses. The +baroness, who was not hurt at all, only shaken a little, hastened at +once to her husband, but the poor gentleman was badly hurt, and was +unconscious. The forester and his men brought him to Rodeck. Herr +Rojanow did everything that was necessary, and then sent me in hot haste +for you!" + +In the presence of this new disaster, all dissensions ceased, and Toni +was summoned and orders were hastily given, and as soon as the carriage +was ready the head forester and Frau Regine hurried off. Willibald and +Stadinger followed them at once, but as they descended the stairs, the +former held back for a moment and asked in a whisper: + +"What did the physician say? Did you hear anything?" + +The old man shook his head sadly and answered in a subdued tone: + +"I stood by when Herr Rojanow questioned him in the hall. There is no +hope. The poor baron won't live until night." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The little hunting lodge of Rodeck, which lay so white and silent in the +snow of that first December day, had seldom been witness to so great an +excitement as that occasioned by Baron Wallmoden's accident. It was +about noon when the two foresters appeared with their unconscious burden +in their arms. Hartmut Rojanow had seen at a glance what was to be done. +He had the injured man taken at once to Prince Adelsberg's room, sent +off a messenger for the nearest physician, and gave intelligent orders +concerning the sick man's treatment until the doctor should arrive. + +Then, when the physician told him there was no hope, he dispatched old +Stadinger to Fürstenstein. Frau Regine only arrived in time to see her +brother die. Wallmoden never recovered consciousness after the fearful +shock of his fall; he lay upon the bed silent and motionless, breathing +with difficulty, and recognizing no one, and an hour later all was over. + +Toward evening Herr von Schönau and Willibald returned to Fürstenstein. +Before starting for Rodeck a telegram had been dispatched to the embassy +telling of the accident, and now the head forester sent another +announcing its fatal termination. + +Fran von Eschenhagen remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. The +corpse would be taken to the city early in the morning and until then +the two women would remain with it. Adelheid, who had faced the danger +so bravely, and had done her duty, though there was little to do at her +husband's death bed, now when all was over, seemed to lose her strength. +She was bewildered by the sudden and terrible occurrence. + +Hartmut Rojanow stood at his window in the second story, and glanced +across the desolate, bare forest, which, with its snowy mantle, had a +ghostly, uncanny look. + +The night came down quickly, and the stars shed a faint light over the +tall, leafless branches. Yesterday the first snow storm of the season +had come, and everything as far as eye could reach was enveloped in an +icy mantle. The great level park before the castle was knee deep with +snow, and the broad branches of the fir trees bent to the earth with +their heavy white burden. The stars came out one by one and dotted the +heavens with their clear, quiet light, while far to the north a faint +rosy glow tinted the distant horizon like a first morning greeting in +the eastern sky. But it was night, a cold, icy winter night, upon which +no gleam of a new day could have fallen. + +Hartmut's eyes rested on the distant shimmer, but he heeded not its +light; all was dark and gloomy within him this night. He had not spoken +to Adelheid von Wallmoden since the memorable day in the forest, until +he met her to-day walking beside her bleeding and unconscious husband, +whom they were bearing to his death bed. The moment forbade everything +but action, and Rojanow had not attempted to enter the sick room, but +had waited outside for the physician's reports. Neither had he showed +himself when Frau von Eschenhagen appeared, but he had spoken later with +Herr von Schönau and Willibald. Now all was over, Herbert von Wallmoden +was no longer numbered among the living, and his wife, his widow, was +free! + +Hartmut breathed heavily at this thought, but it brought him no joy. His +feelings were changed since that hour when he had staked his all and +lost, for he loved this woman now, madly. This sudden death had showed +him the chasm which yawned between them, a chasm no less because +Adelheid's marriage bonds were broken. Her aversion had been for the man +who believed in nothing, and to whom nothing was sacred, and that man +was as great a scoffer, as great an unbeliever to-day as ever. + +He had pleaded for forgiveness in the character to which he had given +her name in "Arivana," but that Ada had disappeared again in the heights +above after giving her warning cry, leaving to their fate the creatures +she had exhorted, with their earthly passionate hates and loves. Hartmut +Rojanow could not force the wild blood in his veins to run in quiet +grooves, he could not bend to a life of strict and narrow duty, and he +would not! What were the use of all those gifts which he felt were his, +if they did not lift him out of the old ruts, did not raise him above +the duties and limits of the commonplace world? He knew well that those +great blue eyes urged him to follow the paths which he hated so +bitterly, and which, he told himself over and over again, he could never +take. + +The rosy shimmer yonder over the forest had grown deeper as it mounted +higher in the heavens. Unmovable it shone in the north, mysterious, far +and high--the great northern light in its dawning splendor! + +A roll of carriage wheels and sound of horses' hoofs coming at great +speed waked Hartmut from his dream. It was past nine, who could be +coming at so late an hour? Perhaps the second physician, who had been +sent for early in the day, but had not yet answered the summons; perhaps +some one from Ostwalden, where the news had been sent late. The carriage +turned into the broad road, and came on crunching and cracking over the +icy ground, and drew up under the wide porte cochere at the side of the +house. Hartmut, who was virtually master of the place, left his room +and hastened to see who had come or what was wanted. + +He had taken but a step or two down the stairs which led to the entrance +hall, when he stopped suddenly and held his breath with a gasp. There +sounded a voice which he had not heard for ten long years. It spoke in a +low, subdued tone, and yet he recognized it at the first word. + +"I come from the Prussian Embassy," the new-comer explained. "We +received the telegram early this afternoon, and I started at once. How +is he? Can I see Herr von Wallmoden?" + +Stadinger, who admitted the stranger, answered in a low tone. Hartmut +did not hear what he said, but could imagine from the next words: + +"Then I come too late!" + +"Yes, sir; the Baron died this afternoon." There was a short pause, then +the stranger said: + +"Take me to his widow; tell her it is Colonel von Falkenried." + +Stadinger led the way, and a tall figure wrapped in a military cloak +followed him; the man watching on the stairs could only recognize the +contour of the figure. The two had long since disappeared in the room +beneath, and yet Hartmut stood grasping the ballister, and looking down +into the semi-darkness with vacant eyes. When Stadinger came out again, +Hartmut retraced his steps slowly to his own room. + +For a quarter of an hour he paced restlessly up and down. He was having +a hard, fierce struggle with himself; he had never yet bent his pride, +never been able to yield, and he must bend and bend low before this +deeply injured father; this much he knew. But the longing, the burning +longing to see and be with him again, finally gained the victory. + +He threw back his head with sudden decision. "No, I will be no coward. I +will not avoid him. Now that we are under the same roof, within the same +four walls, I will venture. He is my own father and I am his son!" + +From the castle clock of Rodeck sounded forth ten slow, heavy strokes. +Without in the forest all was still, and within was the silence of +death. The old steward and the servants had all gone to bed, as had also +Frau von Eschenhagen. She had had a long journey without rest, and one +painful excitement after another on this never-to-be-forgotten day, and +now nature demanded rest. Lights yet glimmered from a few windows, and +these belonged to Colonel von Falkenried's and Frau von Wallmoden's +rooms, which were only separated by a long, narrow ante-chamber. + +Falkenried was to accompany Adelheid to the city to-morrow. He had seen +her and Regine, and then had stood for a long time beside the body of +his old friend, who had parted from him with a careless good-by but +yesterday; who had been so full of plans and projects of his hopes and +ambitions for the future. Now everything was at an end. There he lay, +cold and stiff upon the bier. Falkenried stood at the window in his own +room; even this fatal accident had not moved him from his icy calm; he +had long looked upon death as a happy release. Life was hard, very +hard--but not death. + +He gazed out into the silent winter night. The whole northern sky was +aglow with the dark red flame which started out of the darkness like a +sheet of fire. The stars blinked faintly, as through a purple veil, and +far beneath them all the earth lay cold and white and still. + +Falkenried was so deeply wrapt in thought that he did not notice the +opening and closing of the door of the adjoining room. Softly his own +room door opened, but he did not look up nor see the tall figure +standing on the threshold. + +The Colonel still stood by the window, though his face was but half +turned toward it, and the flickering of the candle on the table shone +across it. How deep and sad were the lines around the mouth; how +fearfully furrowed the high forehead beneath the white hair. Hartmut +shuddered unconsciously--he had not thought to find the change so great +nor so painful. This man who was yet in his prime, looked old, so old. +And who had worked this change? Several minutes passed in silence, then +a sound was heard in the room, half aloud and breathless; only one word, +but that one full of inexpressible tenderness: + +"Father!" + +The colonel started as if a voice from another world had fallen on his +ear. Then he turned slowly, but with an expression as though he expected +really to see a vision from the spirit-land. + +Hartmut took a few quick steps forward, and then stood still. "Father, +it is I. I come--" + +He was silent, for now he met his father's eyes--those eyes which he so +dreaded; and meeting them, he was robbed of all courage to speak +farther. His head sank and he was silent. + +Every drop of blood seemed to have left the colonel's face. He had not +known that his son was under the same roof with him, and was totally +unprepared for the meeting. But he made no outcry, showed no sign either +of anger or weakness. Still and stark he stood and looked upon him who +had once been his all. At last he raised his hand slowly, and pointed +toward the door: + +"Go!" + +"Father, hear me." + +"Go, I say!" The order sounded threatening this time. + +"No, I will not go!" cried Hartmut, passionately. "I know that +reconciliation can only come in this hour. I have wronged you deeply; +how deeply, how severely, I feel now for the first time. But I was only +a boy of seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Remember that, +father, and forgive me, forgive your own son." + +"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear; you are no son of +mine. No one devoid of honor can be a Falkenried." + +The words were almost too much for Hartmut. The blood mounted hot and +wild to his brow--the brow so like his father's--and it required all his +strength to keep himself under control. + +The two believed themselves to be alone in the silence of the night, for +all in the castle had retired to rest. They did not know that they had a +witness. Adelheid von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that +sleep would not come to her eyes, which had witnessed the dreadful +accident which left her a widow. Still clad in the dark traveling dress +which she had worn on that fateful journey, she sat in her room, when +the colonel's voice sounded on her ear. With whom could he be speaking +at that late hour? He knew no one, and yet his voice had a strange, +threatening sound. Puzzled and uneasy, the tired woman rose and stepped +into the ante-chamber which separated the two rooms, to see who it was. +She had no desire to overhear any conversation. She had a nervous +feeling that something new might have happened. Then a voice which she +knew only too well, said "Father," and that one word revealed to her +what the next few words confirmed. Like one possessed she stood still +and listened to all which came to her through the half-opened door. + +"You make this hour very hard, father," Hartmut said, laboring to +control his voice, "but I think I hardly expected anything else. +Wallmoden has told you about me, I feel sure, and what I have sought, +and how I have succeeded. I bring you the poet's wreath, father, the +first which has fallen to my share. Learn to know my work, let it speak +to you, then you will realize how impossible it was for a man of my +temperament to live and breathe under the restrictions of a profession +which was death to every poetic feeling; then you will forgive your +unruly son for his boyish trick." + +Hartmut Rojanow was himself again, and spoke with his old domineering +pride. His arrogant self-consciousness clung to him even in this hour. +He was the author of "Arivana," who acknowledged neither obligation nor +duty. + +"The boyish trick," said Falkenried in a harder voice than ever. "Yes, +that's what they called it in order to make it possible for me to remain +in the service. I called it something else, and many of my comrades with +me. You would soon have been an ensign, in a few weeks you would have +been fleeing from the flag you had sworn to defend--I have never known +such another case. You had been well and carefully educated and I had +striven to instill into your mind the keenest sense of honor. You knew +only too well what you did, you were no longer a boy. He who flees like +a thief in the night from the service of his country is a deserter; he +breaks his word and he does not know what honor means. That is what you +did! But it comes easy for you, and such as you, to do such things." + +Hartmut bit his lips and his whole body trembled at these merciless +words. His voice had a hollow, half suffocated sound as he answered: + +"Listen, father, I cannot bear that. I have bowed before you, have plead +for forgiveness, and you drive me from you. It is the same cruel +hardness with which you once drove my mother away. It was your severity +alone which was accountable for her erratic life after you thrust her +from you and for mine through hers." + +The colonel folded his arms and an expression of withering contempt +played round his lips. + +"And you heard all this from her own lips? Possibly! No woman falls so +low that she reveals to her son the disgraceful truths of her life. I +would not soil your soul at that time with the truth, for you were yet +innocent and pure. Now you will understand me when I say that my honor +demanded the separation from your mother. The man who had stained it +fell by my hand, and she, as you know--I put her from me." + +Hartmut grew deadly pale at this revelation. He had never known this, +never dreamed of such a thing, had in fact, believed that it was his +father's cruel disposition which had separated husband and wife. + +The image of his mother whom he had so dearly loved, was suddenly and +ruthlessly despoiled of its purity and its charm, and in its place came +the desolating conviction that she whom he had trusted and followed had +been his destruction. + +"I would have protected you from the poisonous atmosphere of such an +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! Even without her +persuasion you were lost to me. You had your mother's features, and it +was her blood which flowed in your veins, and sooner or later you were +bound to come to your own. You became what you are--a homeless +adventurer who knows neither fatherland nor honor!" + +"That is too much!" cried Hartmut, almost wild now. "I will not be so +insulted by any one, not even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I will go, but the world will judge otherwise +than you. It has already crowned me, and I will force from it the +recognition which my own father denies me." + +The colonel looked at his son, and there was something frightful in his +glance; then he said, slowly and distinctly, in his icy tone: + +"Better be careful that the world does not learn that the 'laurel +crowned poet' was suborned in Paris for over two years--as a spy." + +Hartmut started back as though shot. + +"I? in Paris? you must be out of your mind." + +Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously: + +"Still acting a comedy? you need give yourself no trouble; I know all. +Wallmoden laid before me the proofs of the game which Zalika Rojanow and +her son played in Paris. I know the sources from which the money came on +which you lived after she had lost her fortune. She was greatly sought +after for her peculiar accomplishments, for she was very skillful. He +who paid the highest price--secured her services!" + +Hartmut was completely overwhelmed. + +This then was the solution of Wallmoden's riddle. He had not understood +the ambassador, and had thought his insinuations of a different nature. + +He could understand his mother's hypocrisy now, her evasions, her kisses +and flatteries when he pressed her with questions. This last was indeed +the worst of all--and the last vestige of respect for her who had borne +him died within him as he listened to his father's recital. + +The silence which ensued was awful. It continued for several minutes, +and when Hartmut spoke again his voice seemed to have lost all sound, +and the words came brokenly--scarcely audibly--from his lips: + +"And you believe that I--that I--knew it?" + +"I do," the colonel answered shortly. + +"Father, you cannot, you must not believe that, it would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had not the +slightest premonition of such a disgrace. I believed that part of our +fortune was saved, I did indeed--you must believe that, father." + +"No, you did not," responded Falkenried, more coldly than ever. Hartmut +threw himself upon his knees. + +"Father, by all that is sacred in heaven and earth--oh, do not, do not +look at me that way--you will drive me mad. Father, I give you my word +of honor--" + +A wild, hideous laugh from his father interrupted him. + +"Your word of honor--you gave that at Burgsdorf. Let us end this comedy; +you cannot deceive me. You leave me with one lie, you return to me with +another. You have become the genuine son of your mother. Go your own +way, and I'll go mine. But one thing I tell you, I command you! Never +venture to connect the name of Falkenried with the dishonored name of +Rojanow. Never let the world know who you are. Remember this warning, +otherwise my blood be upon your head--for I will make an end of it all." + +With a cry of despair, Hartmut sprang up and would have rushed to his +father, but the latter held him back with his hand. + +"Perhaps you think that I love life. I have borne it because I must, and +I felt that it was my duty. But there is a point where duty ends, you +know it now--so act accordingly." + +He turned his back to his son and stepped again to the window. Hartmut +spoke no word; in silence he turned and left the apartment. + +The ante-chamber was not lighted, but the dim, distant light from the +northern sky fell upon the face of a woman, who stood pale as death near +the window, and whose eyes gazed with a look of indescribable anguish at +the face of the miserable man who entered the room. He saw her, and a +single glance told him that she knew all. His cup was full! The woman +whom he loved had been a witness to his terrible humiliation. + +Hartmut never knew how he succeeded in leaving the castle; he only knew +that he was suffocating within four walls and must have air. But when he +realized where he was and who he was, he was lying in the deep snow at +the foot of an old fir tree. It was night in the forest, a cold, icy +night, the heavens were illuminated with a deep red glow which centered +in the north and sent up its long, gleaming sheet of flame. + + * * * * * + +It was summer again, the sultry July days were half over. + +The forest trees cast long, cool shadows from their green and sombre +depths, while the sunbeams danced in and out among the branches through +all the silent, bright days. + +Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, had been empty and deserted until within +the past few days, when the young widow, accompanied by her +sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen, had arrived. Adelheid had left the +South German capital soon after her husband's death, and had gone to her +old home accompanied by her brother, who had hastened to her side as +soon as he heard of the sad accident. Her short marriage had only lasted +eight months and now in her twentieth year she wore the weeds of +widowhood. + +Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. She had +never changed her ultimatum regarding her return to Burgsdorf, and it is +needless to add, Willibald had not changed. Adelheid asked her to go +home with her and she had gone, feeling that her threat had as yet borne +no fruit. + +Frau von Eschenhagen believed she could effect a revolution of feeling +in Willibald's heart by this move. But his newly acquired firmness had +not been fleeting, though he tried every argument to persuade his mother +to return to Burgsdorf and to think kindly of his future wife--but all +to no purpose. Regine had no thought of yielding an inch, and now, +mother and son had not seen one another for many months. + +There had been no formal betrothal to Marietta. Willibald felt that he +owed his cousin and uncle the consideration of not having a second +betrothal follow so closely upon the first. Then Marietta's contract +with the Court theatre bound her for the next six months, and as her +engagement was a secret there, it was thought advisable to keep it so +until she had left the theatre forever. The young singer had but just +returned to her grandfather's house, where Willibald was also expected +soon. Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing of all this, or she would hardly +have accepted an invitation which brought her into the neighborhood of +Waldhofen. + +The day had been hot and sunny, but the late afternoon hours brought a +refreshing breeze, and swayed the drooping branches of the trees which +overhung and shaded the road leading from Ostwalden through the Rodeck +forest. Along this road, two men were trotting their horses; the one in +gray jacket and hunting cap was the head forester, Herr von Schönau, the +other in a light summer riding suit, which set off his slender figure +to advantage, was Prince Adelsberg. They had met accidentally, and soon +discovered that they were bound for the same place. + +"I did not dream of meeting your Highness here," said Schönau. "I +understood you were not coming to Rodeck at all this summer. I saw +Stadinger day before yesterday and he certainly didn't expect you then." + +"Stadinger made a great hue and cry because I came upon him so +unexpectedly," answered the prince. "To hear him you'd think it was his +own castle and I was intruding. And then I walked from the station, and +he considered that a most undignified proceeding. But the heat at Ostend +was unbearable; the sun just poured down on the strand, and an +irresistible longing came over me for my own cool forest home. Thank the +Lord, I am rid of the heat and noise of that Babel at last." + +His Highness had not cared in this instance to tell the truth. A certain +attraction in his immediate neighborhood, of which he heard +accidentally, had started him from the North Sea at a moment's notice. +Stadinger in a report which he sent his master concerning certain +matters at Rodeck, had mentioned that preparations were being made at +Ostwalden for the reception of the young widow. And it was in +consequence of his own gossipy letter that the steward was disagreeably +surprised by the prince's sudden appearance. The head forester seemed +somewhat sceptical about the prince's fancy for his "cool forest home," +for he said banteringly: + +"Then I am greatly surprised that our Court remains so long at Ostend. +The duke and duchess are there, and Princess Sophie with a royal niece, +a kinswoman of her late husband, I hear." + +"Yes, with her niece." Prince Egon turned suddenly and looked at his +companion. + +"Herr von Schönau, I see you are about to congratulate me. If you do +I'll demand satisfaction on the spot, right here in the middle of the +forest." + +"I don't intend to get into any difficulty with you," laughed his +hearer. "But the papers speak very openly of an impending betrothal at +Court, and that the duchess and Princess Sophie are charmed with the +prospect." + +"My beloved aunt has many desires which I fear will never be gratified," +said the prince, coolly. "Her obedient nephew doesn't always fall in +with her views, and that's the case in this affair. I went to Ostend +because I had to; in other words, because the duke invited me, and I +could not refuse; but the air did not agree with me, and I prize my +health above all things. I didn't feel well from the first, so at last I +resolved--" + +"To break loose," interrupted the head forester. "That was very like +your highness, but how will you calm your kinsfolk at Court?" + +"Oh, well, I can make it all right with them if they feel aggrieved. As +far as that goes," continued the prince, with seeming frankness, "I made +up my mind last winter to spend part of the summer here, and when +Stadinger wrote me that some alterations were going on, I determined to +come on to Rodeck myself to superintend them." + +"Superintend the putting up of a new chimney?" questioned the head +forester in surprise. "The old one smoked last winter, so Stadinger +determined to put in a new one, but that don't require any attention +from you." + +"What does Stadinger know about it ?" said the prince angrily. He wished +the "old bear" would hold his tongue about what went on at Rodeck. "I +have many changes in view. We are pretty near our destination, I see." + +With that he started his horse on at a faster gait, and the head +forester followed his example, for Ostwalden lay before them. The great +building which Herr von Wallmoden would have made so magnificent, had he +lived, was an old, rambling castle, with two high towers, one on either +side, which gave the building a very picturesque appearance, surrounded +as it was by a wild, partially overgrown park. The present mistress of +the place, so it was said, intended to make few changes, but she would +not sell the place. What mattered a country-seat more or less to the +heiress of the Stahlberg millions. + +The gentlemen found on their arrival that Frau von Wallmoden was walking +in the park, and Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The young prince +announced that he would seek the lady of the house, while the head +forester turned his steps toward his sister-in-law's room. + +He had not seen Regine since the previous winter. As he entered the room +he said in his wonted hearty manner: + +"Here I am. I didn't think it worth while being announced to my +sister-in-law, although she does avoid my house with contempt. I don't +believe in hunting pretexts for quarrels, so have ridden over in this +hot sun to have an explanation." + +Regine reached out her hand to him. A passing glance would reveal no +change in her in these last six or seven months; she was the same +strong, determined woman as ever. But there was a change, nevertheless. +Heretofore her severity and harshness had always been tempered by a +certain winning cheerfulness, but that was gone now. She had not +yielded, but--she had suffered. She was estranged, perhaps forever, from +her only son, who was the idol of her mother's heart. + +"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she said heartily. "I knew you +would be true to the old friendship in spite of all that you and your +daughter were made to suffer; but of course it is very painful for me to +go to Fürstenstein; you must see that." + +"On account of the broken engagement? Well you can console yourself +about that. You saw and heard at the time how good naturedly Toni took +the matter. She played the _rôle_ of guardian angel much better than +that of sweetheart, and she wrote you several times that she had no +regrets and so did I. But, I am sorry to say, our assurances have +amounted to nothing." + +"No, but I know how to appreciate your rare generosity." + +"Rare generosity!" repeated her brother-in-law laughing. "Well, perhaps +a jilted bride and her father do not always want to speak a good word +for a recreant lover, but that is not the case this time, and who knows +but we may be able to persuade the mother to see as we do. Toni and I +have both remarked that Will never was a man until now, and +that--forgive me, Regine, but I must say it--he owes his manhood to +little Marietta." + +Frau von Eschenhagen's brow darkened at this remark; she did not see fit +to answer it though, but showed that she wanted to avoid further +discussion by asking, in a changed tone: + +"Has Toni come back yet? I heard from Adelheid that she had been +visiting in the city, but was expected any day." + +Herr von Schönau, who in the meantime had ensconced himself in a +comfortable chair, answered: + +"Yes, she came home yesterday--and with an escort, too. She brought a +young man with her who was to be her future husband, she declared, and +as he declared so too, with great positiveness, there was nothing left +me but to say, yes and Amen." + +"What's that? Toni engaged again?" exclaimed Frau Regine in surprise. + +"Yes, this time she did it all herself. I knew nothing of it. But you +see, she took it into her head that she must be loved to distraction; +nothing less romantic would do for her. Well, Herr von Walldorf seems to +answer all her requirements. He related to me with the greatest +satisfaction how he fell on his knees and assured her he could not live +without her, and how she gave him a similar touching assurance, with +more to the same effect. Yes, Regine, the day has gone by when we can +keep the children in leading strings. When they get ready, they want to +choose their own partners for life and I must say they're not far +wrong." + +The last sentence was uttered with seeming carelessness, but Regine +understand it fully. Thoughtfully she repeated: + +"Walldorf? The name is strange to me. When did Toni meet him?" + +"He is a friend of my son and came home with him on his last visit. As a +result of that visit, I met the mother, and she invited Toni to spend a +few weeks with her, and that's where all the courting was done. But I +have no reason to feel dissatisfied. Walldorf's a handsome fellow, and +lively, and head over heels in love; he seems a little light and frothy +now, but that will disappear when he gets a sensible wife like Toni. +These model sons are not always to my taste; they get too skittish when +they break loose. We have an example of that in Will. Walldorf will +resign in the Autumn. I won't have my Toni marrying a lieutenant; I will +buy them an estate and they will be married at Christmas." + +"I am greatly rejoiced on Toni's account," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +heartily. "You take a great load from my heart by this news." + +"And now," said the head forester, nodding to her, "you should follow my +example and take a load from the heart of another betrothed couple. Be +reasonable, Regine, and give in. Little Marietta is a dear, good girl, +if she has sung in a theatre. Every one speaks highly of her. You need +never be ashamed of your daughter-in-law." + +Regine rose suddenly and pushed her chair back with a violent movement. + +"I beg you, Moritz, once for all, to spare me such requests. I will +stand by my word. Willibald knows the conditions under which I shall +return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfill them, we are better apart." + +"It will be a long time before he will do that," said her +brother-in-law, dryly. "When a man is asked to abandon the woman he +loves for a mother's whim, he's not apt to do it if he's made of the +right stuff." + +"You express yourself very freely," said Frau Regine, angrily. "But what +does a man know of a mother's love or of the gratitude of children? You +are all an ungrateful, heedless, selfish--" + +"Hold! I have something to say for my own sex," von Schönau began +excitedly. Suddenly, however, he leaned forward and said in a changed +tone: + +"We haven't seen each other for seven months, Regine, so don't let's +quarrel the very first day we meet. We can do that any time, you know. +We won't discuss that obstinate heir of Burgsdorf, but speak of +ourselves. How do you like life in the city? To me you hardly seem +contented." + +"I am very well contented," declared Regine with great decision. "All I +miss is the work; I am not accustomed to an idle life." + +"Of course you miss it. You always have been at the head of a great +establishment, and that's where you should be now, so I--" + +"Don't begin again, I beg you." + +"No, I don't mean Burgsdorf this time," said von Schönau, looking down +at his riding boots. "I only meant--you're all alone in the city, and +I'm all alone at Fürstenstein, and when Toni marries, it will be very +weary. Would it not be better--oh, I've said it all to you +before--perhaps you won't, perhaps you have a better offer in view, +but--wouldn't it be better to have a triple instead of a double +marriage?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked darkly on the ground and shook her head. + +"No, Moritz, I never was less in the humor for marrying than now." + +"Another refusal !" cried the head forester impatiently. "This makes the +second time. First you would not have me because you had your son and +your beloved Burgsdorf to look after, now you won't have me because you +are not in the humor. Humors have nothing to do with marrying, only +common sense; but when a woman hasn't any sense, and is too stubborn +to--" + +"You're in a very flattering mood, I must say," interrupted Regine, +thoroughly aroused now. "It would be a very peaceful marriage, with you +wagging your sharp tongue all the time." + +"It wouldn't be peaceful. I never expected that," Schönau declared, "but +neither would it be monotonous. I believe we could endure one another. +Now, once for all, Regine, will you have me or will you not?" + +"No, I don't care to enter into a marriage of endurance." + +"So be it!" cried the head forester, furious now as he jumped up and +seized his hat. "If it gives you such pleasure to be eternally saying +no, why say it. Willibald will marry and he is right, and now I'll do +everything to hurry on his marriage just to annoy you." So saying he +left the room in a violent temper, slamming the door behind him as he +went, while Frau Regine remained behind equally irritated. These two +were apparently fated to quarrel whenever they met; it seemed a +necessity of their natures, but no quarrel was so bitter that peace +could not be established at their next meeting. + +In the meantime Prince Adelsberg had found Frau von Wallmoden in the +park. He begged her to continue her walk, and now the two were +sauntering under the cool dark shadows of the great lindens, whose +spreading branches protected them from the sun's rays, which beat down +so fiercely on the neighboring meadows. + +Egon had not seen the young wife since her husband's death. He had made +a formal visit of condolence at that time, but Eugen Stahlberg had +received him in his sister's stead, and immediately after the brother +and sister had left for the North. Adelheid still wore deep mourning, +but Prince Egon thought the sombre attire and black veil under which her +fair hair gleamed like a halo, only enhanced her beauty. + +His glance frequently sought the fair young face, and each time he asked +himself what change had come over it; he felt there was a change, but +could not define wherein it lay. Egon had only seen her when her cold, +proud reserve held every one in check. Now all coldness had disappeared, +he saw and felt it, and yet there seemed a mystery about her which he +could not unravel. + +She could not be grieving for a husband old enough to be her father, +who, even had he been nearer her own age, was of a cold, guarded nature, +and could not inspire the love of a fresh young girl. And yet there was +something in the face which told of sorrow, of a deep and voiceless woe. + +"If this icy exterior could be broken through one would find warmth and +life beneath," Prince Egon had declared more than once, half jestingly. +Now this transformation had been partially effected, slowly, almost +imperceptibly. But this soft, half-pained expression, which had taken +the place of the haughty, cold one, this sorrowful glance, gave the +young widow the one charm which had been lacking--gentleness. + +The conversation had been about trifling every-day matters, inquiries +and answers concerning the court and the harmless gossip of the day. +Egon repeated the story he had already related to the head forester +about the heat of Ostend, and his desire for solitude in his little +woodland home. His listener's fleeting smile showed him that she was as +incredulous as Herr von Schönau had been; perhaps she too had read the +newspaper statements concerning the royal niece at Ostend. He was angry, +and was puzzling his brain to know how he could broach the subject, and +correct the error into which the papers had led her, when Adelheid asked +suddenly: + +"Will your highness be alone all summer at Rodeck? Last year you had a +guest with you." + +A shadow darkened the prince's face, and he forgot the correction which +he was about to make concerning his reported betrothal. + +"You mean Hartmut Rojanow ?" he said very seriously. "He will scarcely +join me; he is in Sicily at present, or was, at least, a couple of +months ago. Since then I have not heard from him, and don't even know +where to write." + +Frau von Wallmoden stooped to pluck a flower which grew in her way, as +she said quietly: + +"I believed you were in constant correspondence with one another." + +"I hoped to be when we parted, but the fault is not on my side. Hartmut +has become an unsolvable riddle to me lately. You witnessed the +glittering success of his 'Arivana' on that first night; which success +has been repeated in many cities since then; the drama has fairly taken +the people by storm, and the poet who has done it all flees from the +world, even from me, and buries himself, God knows where. I cannot +understand it. Upon my soul, I cannot understand it." + +Adelheid plucked the petals of her flower as they walked on slowly, then +said in a low tone, as she looked with intense interest into the +prince's face: + +"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" + +"In the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to Rodeck +to spend a few days; that was immediately after 'Arivana' was brought +out. I thought it was a whim of the moment and said little, but suddenly +he came back to me in the city in a state of excitement which fairly +frightened me, and announced that he was going to leave Germany and +travel. He wouldn't listen to reason, wouldn't answer a question, and +was off like a thunder-bolt. He had been gone weeks before I heard from +him again; since then I have had some letters, few and far between. He +was in Greece for several months, then he went to Sicily, and now for +two months I have been waiting anxiously for news." + +Egon spoke in an anxious tone. No need to ask how painfully this +separation from his dearest friend affected him. + +He little knew that the woman by his side could have solved the riddle +for him. She knew what drove poor, unsatisfied Hartmut from land to +land, knew the blemish that soiled the poet's name. This was the first +news she had heard of him since that fatal night at Rodeck, when all had +been revealed to her. + +"I presume poets are formed of different clay from common mortals," she +said slowly, as she scattered the leaves before her. "That's the only +reason one can ascribe for their vagaries." + +The young prince shook his head sadly. + +"No, it is not that; his peculiarities spring from some other source. I +have felt confident for a long time that there is something dark and +mysterious in Hartmut's life, but I never could ascertain what it was. +He would allow no allusions to his past. I have often broached the +subject, but he resented all reference to it. There seems to be a +veritable sword of Damocles hanging over him, and when in some happy +moment he thinks he has escaped, he looks up, and there it hangs as +usual gleaming above his head. I was more impressed than ever with that +idea when he last parted from me, he was so excited--almost +insane--nothing could hold him back. I cannot tell you how sad I am +about him. For more than two years we lived together. I learnt to know +and appreciate his warm heart, and responsive, genial nature. Now +everything is desolate and dreary without him, and all the rich coloring +seems to have gone out of my life." + +They had reached the limit of the park and remained standing for a +moment now. Before them lay a long stretch of meadow with a hot +afternoon sun streaming down on it, while a background of forest-clad +mountains rose high and green in the distance. Adelheid had listened +silently, and now her sad glance rested on the far mountain heights. +Suddenly she turned and held out her hand to her companion. + +"I believe you to be a very self-sacrificing friend. Herr Rojanow should +not desert so true a comrade. Perhaps you could save him from +this--sword of Damocles." + +Egon could hardly credit his senses. + +This warm hand pressure, the sad, tender glance from the eyes brimming +with tears, and the almost passionate earnestness with which she spoke, +surprised and enchanted him. He grasped her hand and pressed it with +fervor to his lips. + +"If I could ever do anything for Hartmut, I would do it gladly. Rest +assured your plea for him will spur me on. While I am here you must +allow me the neighborly privilege of coming to Ostwalden frequently. Do +not say no for I am all alone at Rodeck, and I came here solely for the +purpose--" + +He stopped suddenly, feeling that the time had not yet come when he +could reveal to her why he had come, and he saw that no such confession +would avail him now. Adelheid drew her hand back quickly, and stepped +back; for a moment the old icy manner was upon her again. + +"Of avoiding the heat and noise of Ostend; so you have already +explained." She said very coldly. + +"That was only a pretext," responded the prince earnestly. "I left +Ostend because of certain reports which were being circulated concerning +me. When I saw myself figuring in the newspapers, I determined to make +an end of it. These reports were altogether groundless, as far as I was +concerned. I give you my word for it, Baroness." + +He had at least taken advantage of this opportunity to explain how +untrue were all rumors concerning his engagement to his aunt Sophie's +niece. Frau von Wallmoden was distant and formal as she replied: + +"Why does your Highness deem it necessary to make this declaration to +me? It was only a report, I fancy. It is understood, I believe, that you +have resolved never to give up your freedom. I think we must return to +the castle now? You say my brother-in-law has come with you, and I must +see him." + +Egon turned with her, and as they sauntered back resumed his light, +gossipy chatter. As soon as possible he made some excuse for leaving, +and as Adelheid bade him good-bye, she gave him a courteous invitation +to call again, and that was to him the important thing. + +"My cursed hastiness!" he muttered, as he rode away. "I'll keep away for +a couple of weeks. As soon as any one approaches a step near, she turns +into ice again"--but here the prince's face lighted--"but the ice is +beginning to melt. I saw it and felt it in her tone and glance. I will +have patience--the prize is worth a struggle!" + +Egon von Adelsberg little thought that every glance, every tone had been +inspired by the memory of another, and that the invitation to repeat his +visit had only been spoken because the fair chatelaine of Ostwalden +hoped to hear from her guest the news of a distant wanderer. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +It was midsummer in the warm and pleasant month of July, when the world, +which lay in such dreamy, peaceful repose, was suddenly awakened in +affright as from a deep sleep. From the Rhine to the sea and back again +to the Alps, there blazed an unearthly lightning flash followed by +distant thunder-roar, and from the west the heavy war cloud descended +upon the land; while the cry of "War! War! War with France!" re-echoed +throughout all Germany. + +It came like a whirlwind upon the South Germans,--tearing men from their +homes, changing plans so carefully laid, and parting many who made them, +forever. Where all had been so calm but one short week before, +everything was now confusion and excitement. At Fürstenstein where the +daughter of the house was happy with her lover, all was bustle now, for +the lover must leave at once to join his regiment. At Waldhofen where +Willibald was expected, he appeared suddenly in hot haste to spend with +Marietta the few days which intervened before he marched to the front. +At Ostwalden, Adelheid was making hasty preparations to start for the +North, in order that she might clasp her brother once more in her arms, +before he, too, joined the troops. Prince Adelsberg had left at the +first sound, and was in the city as soon as the duke. The world had +changed its face altogether in a few short hours. + +Willibald was in the little garden of Waldhofen, speaking earnestly and +impressively to the old doctor, who sat upon the rustic bench, but who +hardly seemed persuaded by the younger man's eloquence. + +"But, Will, it seems very precipitate," he said, shaking his head, +"your betrothal to Marietta has never been made public, and now you are +going to be married. What will the world say?" + +"Under existing circumstances the world will say it was the proper thing +to do," Will answered, emphatically. "Though we need not care what it +says. I must go to the war, and it is my duty to make Marietta's future +secure before I go. I couldn't endure the thought that she'd have to +return to the stage if I should die, nor be left to the tender mercies +of my mother; the fortune which I shall inherit is in her hands, and she +will guard it carefully. I have only the estate of Burgsdorf, which if I +should die, goes to a distant branch of the family. According to the old +family law and custom, however, the widow of the heir has a rich dower. +I want Marietta to have my name, and I can then go to the field feeling +assured that her future will be well provided for." + +He spoke quietly but with determination. The indifferent, dull +Willibald, was not to be recognized in this energetic man, who knew what +he wanted, could give clear, sound reasons, and was determined to have +his wishes fulfilled. He had gone through a hard but thorough school in +these last six months in which he had been alone. He had had to fight +against many obstacles, but the manliness and independence within him +had asserted themselves for all time. Even in appearance he was changed +for the better, and the head forester was right when he said that Will +was a man at last. + +Dr. Volkmar could not say him nay; he knew, alas, only too well, if that +war took Marietta's lover from her, she would be friendless, penniless +and alone, and a load was lifted from his heart at the thought of her +future being assured. He made no further objections, but only said: + +"And what does Marietta say? Is she willing?" + +"Certainly. We decided the question last evening, after my arrival. I +didn't alarm her by telling her I might be killed, or bother her with +anything of that kind. There will be time enough for that should +anything serious happen, but I did tell her that if I was wounded my +wife could come to me and nurse me. That decided the matter. We will +have a very quiet wedding, of course." + +The young fellow's face clouded over as he spoke, and he sighed deeply. + +"No, we don't care to have a gay wedding when the mother's blessing +cannot follow the bridal pair to the altar. Have you really done +everything you can, Will?" + +"Everything," Willibald answered, earnestly. "Do you think it is a light +matter to do without my mother on such a day? But she left me no choice, +and I must bear it. I must take the necessary steps at once. I had the +forethought to bring such papers as were needed with me." + +"And do you think it possible to have all the arrangements for the +marriage made in a few days?" asked the Doctor, doubtfully. + +"Certainly. I will attend to all the formalities that are necessary, so +that there will be no difficulty. As soon as we are married, Marietta +will go with me to Berlin, where we will stay until I am ordered to the +field, then she can return to you." + +Dr. Volkmar rose and held out his hand, saying: + +"You are right, it is the best thing to do under the circumstances. +Well! well! my singing-bird, so you are willing to be married off-hand +as this lover of yours wishes?" + +The question was put to Marietta, who had joined them at the moment. Her +face bore traces of recent tears, but her eyes lighted with a smile as +Willibald clasped her hand in his. + +"I won't be long away from you, and you are willing, are you not?" + +The old man's glance was half of pain, half of pleasure, as he thought +how little these two knew of life and its dark shadows, which had closed +in around him so long ago. He said in a trembling tone, "Well, marry, +and God be with you! I give you my blessing from the bottom of my +heart." + +The simple preparations were to be made with all speed, and the marriage +to take place as soon as possible. Willibald, to whom the head forester +had already confided his daughter's engagement, felt that there was no +need of delay now, out of respect to his cousin Toni. + +Toward evening Dr. Volkmar went to visit some patients, and the +betrothed pair, who had had but little opportunity to see one another, +settled themselves for a long, quiet talk. The future was dim and +fraught with fear and dread, but the present belonged to them, and in +that thought there was happiness despite everything. + +They whispered together in the shaded room, talking the old sweet +lovers' talk, and so thoroughly absorbed in one another that they failed +to hear some one cross the hall with slow, hesitating steps. Then the +rustle of a woman's gown attracted their attention, and they looked up +and sprang to their feet as they looked. + +"My mother!" cried Will in an alarmed but joyous tone, putting his arm +around Marietta as he spoke, as though to protect her, for his mother's +face wore its hardest, most forbidding look. Without appearing to notice +the young girl she turned her face to her son. + +"I heard from Adelheid that you were here," said she in a hard, dry +tone, "and I thought I would come and ask you how things were going on +at Burgsdorf. Who have you left in your place during your absence? No +one can tell how long the campaign will last." + +The joyful expression on her son's face disappeared; he had hoped for +another greeting from his mother's unexpected appearance. + +"I have provided for possibilities as well as I could," he answered. +"The greater part of the people will have to go, too, and the inspector +is off already; there is no question of substitutes now. So the work +will be, of necessity, limited, and old Merton can oversee it." + +"Merton's an old sheep," said Regine, in her most decided tone. "If he +has the reins, things will come to a pretty pass at Burgsdorf. There's +nothing else for it, but for me to go and see to it." + +"What! You will go?" Willibald cried, but his mother cut him off +sharply. + +"Do you think I'd let everything you own go to ruin while you were in +the field? Burgsdorf will be safe in my hands, you know that. I have had +charge for many a long year, and I'll take my old place until you +return." + +She still spoke in a hard, cold tone, as if she would stifle all warm +feelings, but now Will took his sweetheart in his arms and came close to +her. + +"For my worldly possessions, mother, you have a care," he said +reprovingly. "But for the best and dearest I possess you have neither +word nor glance. Have you really only come to say you will return to +Burgsdorf?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen's lips trembled; she could retain her forced +composure no longer. + +"I came to see my only son once more before he went to the war, perhaps +to meet his death," she said with painful bitterness. "I had to learn +from others that he was come to take leave of his future wife, but not +to take leave of his mother, and that--that I could not endure." + +"We were coming!" cried the young heir, excitedly. "We were coming +before we left here to make one last attempt to win your heart. See, +mother, here is my love, my Marietta--she waits for a friendly word from +you." + +Regine gave a long look at the lovers, and a pained expression passed +over her face as she saw her son draw Marietta's head down on his +breast, while the girl's happy, blushing face spoke of trust and love +never to be shaken. Motherly jealousy had a last, sharp struggle against +her better nature, and then, conquered by love and justice, disappeared +forever. Frau von Eschenhagen stretched out her hand to the young +maiden. + +"I have grieved you sorely, Marietta," she said half aloud, "and have +done you great injustice, but you have repaid me by taking my boy from +me, my boy, who loved no one but his mother until he met you, and now +loves none but you. I believe that makes us quits." + +"O, Will loves his mother as much as ever," cried Marietta eagerly. "I +know only too well how much this separation has cost him." + +"Well, there, we will have to endure one another on his account," Regine +responded, with an attempt at joking which was far from successful. "We +will both be anxious enough about him in the days to come, when he is in +the field--ah," with a deep sigh, "there'll be sorrow and care enough +then. What do you say, child? I believe we'll bear it better together." + +She held out both arms, and in the next moment Marietta lay sobbing upon +her breast. There were tears in the mother's eyes, too, as she leaned +over to kiss her future daughter. Then she said in her natural sturdy +tone: + +"Do not weep. Keep your head in the air, Marietta. A soldier's +sweetheart must be brave, remember that." + +"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, as his face grew bright. "She +is to be a soldier's wife before I march." + +"Then Marietta will belong by right to Burgsdorf," said the mother, +seemingly not at all surprised at this news, which she took very kindly. +"No demurrers, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing farther +to do with Waldhofen except to visit her grandfather. Or perhaps you are +afraid of the stern mother-in-law? Ah, I know you think he will protect +you," with a nod toward her son, "although he is not at home. He would +even declare war against his own mother if she didn't meet his little +wife with open arms." + +"But she will always do that, I know it," exclaimed her son, with a +happy laugh. "When my mother once opens her heart, then everything she +does is right." + +"Ah, now you can flatter," said Regine with a reproving glance. "You +will come to your future home at once, Marietta! As to the management of +affairs, you need not bother your head about that. I'll take care of +everything, for a little thing like you wouldn't know where to begin, +and candidly, I wouldn't allow any one to have a voice in the management +of Burgsdorf while I lived there. If I decide to live elsewhere that's +another matter; but I can see already that Will will want you to live +like a princess all your days. I can but pray that he'll return to us +whole and sound." + +She threw her arms around her son and they embraced more warmly than +they had ever done in their lives before. + +A quarter of an hour later, the head forester, coming in hastily to see +the old doctor, found the three in earnest conversation. He gave Regine +a look, to which she responded by saying: + +"Well, Moritz, am I still the personification of obstinacy and +unreasonableness?" and she held out her hand to her brother-in-law. But +he did not take it. Her second refusal but the week before was still +fresh in his mind, and he turned to the others now, saying: + +"So you're to be married at once, I hear? I met Dr. Volkmar and he told +me all about it, so I came over to offer our services to the bride, but +as Willibald's mother is here, there's little for me to do." + +"Ah, your services will be heartily welcome, uncle," said Willibald +cordially. + +"Well, well, I won't be sorry to see my nephew married," said the head +forester, kindly. "You've become a very romantic young man of late. +Toni's caught the fever, too, and nothing would do but that Walldorf and +she should be married at once; but I put my foot down on that. I said +the circumstances were quite different, and that I had no intention of +being left all alone like a cat." + +He gave another grim look at Regine, but she went up to him and answered +him cordially: + +"Come now, Moritz, don't growl; let us be happy and without strife for +once. You see I did say yes, to my boy at least, when I found his heart +was set on Marietta." + +The head forester looked at her gravely for a moment, then he seized her +hand and pressed it warmly, as he said: + +"Yes, I see, Regine, and perhaps you'll repent ere long of your no in +another matter, and give a yes instead." + +The old steward of Rodeck stood in his master's dressing-room in the +Adelsberg palace. He had come to the city to receive instructions from +the prince before the latter left for the field. Egon, who wore the +uniform of his regiment, had just finished giving the old man his +orders, and said, finally: + +"And keep everything in good order at Rodeck, I may possibly be able to +spend a few hours there before I start, though the order to march may +come any day. How do you think I look as a soldier?" + +He stood back and straightened himself as he asked the question. + +He was a handsome man, and his tall, slender figure appeared to great +advantage in the rich uniform which he wore. Stadinger looked at him +with eyes full of admiration. + +"You're magnificent!" he said. "It's a pity your highness has to go as a +soldier!" + +"What do you mean? Am I not heart and soul a soldier? Service in the +field won't be any too easy, but I'll soon get accustomed to it. Nothing +should be difficult when it's one's duty." + +"No, your highness thinks a great deal about duty; that's why you left +Ostend when your honored aunt had arranged a marriage for you, so +suitable in every particular, and that's why you--" + +"You old rascal!" said the prince. "There's one thing I shall miss in +the field, and that's your insinuations and sermons. By the way, +remember me to pretty little Zena when you get back to Rodeck. Is she +there now?" + +"Yes, your highness, she is there now," said the old steward with +emphasis. + +"Naturally, because I'm marching to France. But I'll tell you a secret. +I'm going to be a model of reason and virtue when I come back and then I +shall marry." + +"Really?" said Stadinger with delight "How rejoiced the whole court +will be!" + +"That's as it may be," said Egon. "It's more than probable that the +whole court will be in a rage, especially my aunt Sophie. But you be +silent, Stadinger; don't breathe a syllable while I am away. Who knows +but I may never return to you--think kindly of me, old fellow." + +Stadinger's eyes were filled with tears as he turned to go, and he said: + +"How can your highness talk that way? It's not likely an old worn-out +man like me would be left, and you, so handsome, so young, so gay be +taken. That's not according to nature." + +"Well, well, I did not mean to sadden you, you old ghost of the woods!" +said the young prince reaching out his hand. "We'll think of victory and +not of the slain, but if both should come together it would not be so +hard." + +The old man knelt and kissed his young prince's hand. + +"I would I could go with you," he said, half aloud. + +"I've no doubt of it," said the prince laughing. "And you wouldn't make +a bad soldier either, despite your old gray head. This time the young +ones have to go, and the old ones stay at home. Good-bye, Stadinger," +and he shook him heartily by the hand. "What! You're not crying' You +ought to be ashamed of yourself. Away with all tears and sad +forebodings. You'll read me many a lecture yet." + +"God grant it," said old Peter, with a heavy sigh. He gave one glance at +the bright, handsome face, and looked at the moist eyes; then he went +away with sad, drooping head. He realized for the first time, poor old +man, how deep his highness had crept into his heart. + +The prince glanced at the clock. + +He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the +newspapers containing the latest war rumors. + +There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up +surprised. Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always +announced. This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the +palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him. + +"Hartmut, is it you?" + +Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw +himself upon his breast. + +"You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it? You bad boy, to +keep me two whole months without any news! Have you come to see me off +and say good-bye?" + +Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; +he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over +this meeting. + +"I have come directly from the station," he said. "I almost feared I +would not find you, and so much depended on my doing so." + +"Why didn't you write or telegraph that you were coming? I wrote to you +at once when war was declared. You were in Sicily, were you not?" + +"No, I left there as soon as the war seemed to me inevitable, so I did +not get your letter. I have been in Germany a week." + +"And only come to me now?" said Egon reprovingly. + +Rojanow paid no heed to his friend's reproof; his eyes were fastened on +his uniform with consuming jealousy. + +"You are already in the service I see," he said hastily. "I, too, am +anxious to enter the German army." + +Nothing he could have said would have surprised Egon so effectually. In +great astonishment he stepped back a pace. + +"In the German army? You, a Roumanian?" "Yes, and that is why I come to +you; you can make my entrance possible." + +"I?" said the prince, his amazement increasing each moment. "I'm only a +young lieutenant myself. If you are really in earnest you must apply to +some high officer in command." + +"That I have done already, in various places, in the neighboring states, +but no one will take a stranger. A hundred questions are asked, above +all one is treated with suspicion and distrust; no one seems to +understand my decision." + +"To speak openly, Hartmut, neither do I," said Egon earnestly. "You have +always shown the greatest aversion to Germany. You are the son of a land +whose court circles have always followed French manners and customs; the +people have always been closely allied to France, so the distrust and +suspicion are easily explained. But why do you not go to the duke in +person, and prefer your request? You know how much he would do for the +poet who wrote 'Arivana.' All you will have to do will be to obtain an +audience, and that will be granted as soon as your name's sent in. An +order from him would silence every objection." + +Rojanow's eyes sank to the ground, and his dark, frowning brow grew +blacker as he answered: + +"I know it, but I can ask nothing of him. The duke would ask the same +questions as the others. I dare not refuse him an answer, and I could +not tell him the truth." + +"Nor me?" asked the prince, as he stepped up to his friend and placed +his hands on his shoulders. "Why do you wish to fight under the German +flag?" + +Hartmut drew his hand across his brow as if to smooth out something, +then he answered with a gasp: + +"Because it means deliverance or--death." + +"You return as great a mystery as when you went away," said Egon, +shaking his head. "You have avoided my questionings; can you not tell me +your secret now?" + +"Only get me into the army and I'll tell you everything!" cried Rojanow, +feverish with excitement. "I care not under what conditions, only get me +in the army. Don't speak to the duke or to any of the generals, only get +me into some subordinate command. Your name, your kinship to the +reigning house will make your recommendation of great value. They will +not be captious when Prince Adelsberg solicits a place for a friend." + +"But they'll be sure to ask me the same questions they asked you. You +are a Roumanian--" + +"No, no!" exclaimed Rojanow, passionately. "Have you never seen, never +felt that--I am a German?" + +The effect of this declaration was not so great as Hartmut had feared. + +The prince looked steadily at him for a minute, then he said: + +"I have thought that for some time. The man who wrote 'Arivana' never +learned the German language as part of his education; it was born in +him. But you bear the name of Rojanow--" + +"That was my mother's name, she belonged to a Roumanian Bojarin family. +My own name is--Hartmut von Falkenried." + +"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian officer who came from +Berlin with the secret despatches to the duke. Is he a kinsman of +yours?" + +"He is my father." + +The prince glanced sympathetically at his friend, for he saw how it +wrung his very soul to make this confession. He felt that here lay +hidden a family drama, and desirous to avoid all show of curiosity +concerning it, he only said: + +"Take your own name as the son of your father; then every regiment in +Prussia will be open to you." + +"No, that would close them forever--I ran away from the cadet academy +over ten years ago." + +"Hartmut!" There was atone of horror in the exclamation. + +"Ah, you are like my father. You regard me as a criminal. You who were +reared in freedom know naught of the severities and restraints of that +institution, of its tyrannies, to which every one within its walls has +to bow in blind obedience. I endured it as long as I could, then I left +it, for my soul demanded freedom and light. I appealed to my father in +vain; he but tightened the chains--so I tore them apart and went away +with my mother." + +His manner was wild and excited as he told his short, fateful story; but +his eyes, anxious and watchful, never left his listener's face. His +father, with his fierce, severe code of honor, had cursed him, but his +friend, who adored him, who had professed such a deep admiration for his +genius, surely he would understand him, and how he had been driven to +take such a step. But this friend was silent now, and in his silence lay +his sentence. + +"And you, too, Egon?" In the tone of the questioner, who had waited a +long minute, and waited in vain for some word, there was inexpressible +bitterness. "You, who have so often said to me that nothing should +hamper the poet's flight, that he must break all bonds which would bind +him to the earth. That's what I did, and it's what you would have done +in my place." + +The young prince drew himself up proudly, and answered decisively: + +"No, Hartmut, you are in error there! I would perhaps have escaped from +a severe school,--but from military service never!" + +There were again the same old hard words he remembered as a boy--"the +military service"--"the service of arms!" All the blood in his body +rushed to his head. + +"How did it happen you were not an officer?" continued Egon. "The cadets +are promoted while very young in the north! Then in a few years you +could have resigned. Just at the age, too, when life was beginning, and +been free--with honor." + +Hartmut was dumb; that was what his father had said to him once, but he +would not wait. The barriers were an obstruction, and he threw them +down, not recking that he trampled duty and honor in the dust at the +same time. + +"You do not understand how many things pressed upon me at the time," he +explained with difficulty. "My mother--I will not complain, but she has +been my fate. My father was divorced from her when I was little more +than a baby, and I thought she was dead. Then suddenly she appeared in +my life and I was tossed and torn by her hot mother love and her +extravagant promises of freedom and happiness. She alone is accountable +for my broken word--" + +"What broken word?" asked Egon, excitedly. "You had not yet taken the +oath?" + +"No, but I had promised my father to return, when he permitted me a last +interview with my mother." + +"And instead of doing so, you ran away with her?" + +"Yes." + +The answer was almost inaudible, and then followed a long pause. The +young prince spoke no word, but a deep, bitter pain lay on his sunny +face, the bitterest of his lifetime, for in this minute he lost the +friend he had loved so passionately. + +Hartmut began again, but did not look at his friend while he spoke. + +"Now you understand why I will force myself into the army at any price. +On the battle-field I can expiate my boyhood's offense. When I saw in +Sicily that war was imminent, I flew in haste to Germany. I hoped to be +able to enter the service at once. I did not dream of the difficulties +which I should encounter; but you can help me if you will." + +"No, I cannot," said Egon, coldly. "After what I now know it would be an +impossibility." + +Hartmut grew pale to his very lips as he stepped excitedly before him. + +"You cannot? That means you will not." + +The prince was silent. + +"Egon"--there was a tone of wild entreaty in his voice. "You know I have +never asked a favor of you, this is the first and last, but now I beg, I +implore your friendship. It is my release from the fatality which has +followed me since that hour. It means reconciliation to my father, +reconciliation to myself--you must help me!" + +"I cannot," repeated the prince, solemnly. "The repulses which you have +received are hard to bear, I doubt not, but they are right. You have +broken faith with your country and with duty. You fled from the +service--you, an officer's son--so it is closed against you--and you +must bear it." + +"And you say all this to me, so quietly, so coldly?" cried Hartmut +fairly beside himself now. "This is a matter of life and death to me. I +saw my father for the first time in over ten years at Rodeck when he +hurried to Wallmoden's death bed. He scourged me with contempt and +fearful words. That was what drove me from Germany and sent me roaming +through foreign lands, for his words went with me and changed my life +into hell. I hailed the war cry as my release. I would fight for the +land I had once deserted. But you, you, who alone can open the door, +shut it in my face. Egon, you turn from me; only one course is left!" + +He turned with a movement of despair to the table on which the prince's +pistols lay, but the latter pulled him back in affright: + +"Hartmut! Are you mad?" + +Egon was pale too, now, and his voice trembled as he said: + +"I cannot let that happen, I will do my best to get you into some +regiment!" + +"At last I thank you!" + +"I cannot promise anything, for I must keep it from the duke. He leaves +to-morrow for the seat of war. If he learns later that you are in the +army, the excitement of war may prevent him asking the why and +wherefore. But it will be several days before I can know anything +definite. Will you be my guest until then?" + +The prince had recovered his self-possession, and spoke as usual to his +old friend; but Hartmut understood the undertone in this question. + +"No, I will not remain in the city; I will go to the forestry at Rodeck. +You can send me word there, and I'll be in the city in a few hours." + +"As you please. Will you not go to Rodeck castle?" + +Hartmut give him a long, sorrowful glance. + +"No, I will stay at the forestry. Farewell, Egon." + +"Farewell!" + +So they parted without one pressure of the hand, without one cordial +word, these two who had been more than brothers, and as the door closed +between them Hartmut knew that he had lost the dearest friend of his +life. Here, too, he had been judged and sentenced! Surely his punishment +was being meted out to him with no scant measure! + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +A dark, misty vapor enveloped the forest like a veil, and from time to +time the rain fell in torrents. The tree tops swayed in the wind, and +the raw, wet atmosphere reminded one of November rather than of +midsummer. + +The mistress of Ostwalden was in her forest home and alone; she had +received news from her brother telling her he would march at once, and +as her journey to Berlin to see him would be futile, she had been +persuaded to remain in the south until after Willibald's marriage. The +marriage had been a very quiet, simple affair, and Marietta had +accompanied her husband to Berlin, where he was to join his regiment, +and when he marched, she was to go to Burgsdorf, where her mother-in-law +was again established. + +Early one morning Prince Adelsberg drove over to Ostwalden. + +He had obtained a day's leave that he might give some necessary orders +at Rodeck, but it was toward Ostwalden not Rodeck that he ordered the +horses' heads to be turned. He came to say good-bye to Adelheid, whom he +had not seen again since that first visit. + +When he reached Ostwalden, he found its mistress away on some errand of +mercy, and he was ushered into a reception room to await her return. He +paced the room restlessly, thinking of many things, of the struggle for +life or death which lay before him, of the morrow's march, but mainly of +the beautiful woman whose face had warmed with fire and sympathetic +light while discussing his friend, of her dignity, her goodness and +gentleness, and his heart was filled with the hope that he might take +with him some word, some assurance to make him feel that when the strife +was over he could return to peace--and her. He had no foreboding that +the warmth and fire had not been from sympathy with him. + +But in spite of everything, a shadow lay upon the sunny young face. It +was not the war which troubled him, he went into that heart and soul, +with no presentiments, and with all the ardor of youth. He dreamed and +planned a happy future when all the excitement and turmoil were over. + +Then the door opened and Frau von Wallmoden entered. + +"I beg your pardon for keeping your highness waiting so long," she said +after the first greeting. "The servants told you, perhaps, that a member +of the household was dying." + +"I heard that one of the men about the place was very ill," Egon +answered as he hastened toward her. + +"Yes, poor Tanner. He was formerly a tutor somewhere in this +neighborhood, but his health failed, and Herr von Schönau recommended +him to my late husband. He has been here ever since we bought the place. +He told me the other day how thankful his mother was that he had so easy +a position. Since Herr von Wallmoden's death, nothing further has been +done towards a library here, and Tanner was to have had special charge +of that, so that except to act as my secretary occasionally, there has +been literally nothing for him to do. Only yesterday I obtained the +necessary papers for him to enter the army, and he was all enthusiasm +over the prospect. This morning he had a severe hemorrhage, and now the +physician says he cannot live an hour. It seems terrible to see a young +life cut off so suddenly without any warning." The young mistress sighed +deeply as she finished her sad little story. + +After a minute's pause, Egon said quietly: + +"I have come to say good-bye. We march to-morrow or next day, and I +could not go without seeing you once again. I am fortunate in finding +you here; some one said you were going away." + +"Yes, I go to Berlin at once. Ostwalden is too isolated; I want to be +near the centre where I can receive the latest news at this exciting +time. My brother fights for the flag, you know, and I must be where I +can hear from him." + +Again there was a short pause, and the prince was thinking how he should +say what lay nearest his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden asked a +question, speaking indifferently, but with a slight falling in her +voice. + +"When I last saw your highness you were in doubt about your friend's +whereabouts. Has he given any signs of life yet?" + +Egon's eyes fell to the ground, and the shadows which had disappeared +when the baroness entered the room, come back now, darker than ever. + +"Yes!" he answered coldly. "Rojanow is again in Germany." + +"Since the declaration of the war?" + +"Yes, he came--" + +"In order to enter the army? O, I knew it!" + +The prince looked at her in great surprise. + +"You knew it, baroness? I supposed you only knew Hartmut through me, and +considered him a Roumanian!" + +The young widow's face flushed as she realised how unwise she had been +to make this outcry, but she answered quickly: + +"I learned to know who Herr Rojanow was last winter when he was at +Rodeck. I have known his father, however, for many long years, and +the--I take it for granted that your highness knows the whole story?" + +"Yes, I know it all," said Egon in a hopeless tone. + +"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father, and a constant guest +at our house. I had never heard of his son, and took it for granted that +he was childless, until that frightful hour at Rodeck, on the day of my +husband's death. I was witness to the painful conversation between +father and son." + +The young prince breathed more freely; and an uncomfortable, suspicious +feeling was set at rest for the moment. + +"Now I understand your interest and sympathy," he responded. "Colonel +Falkenried is to be pitied indeed." + +"Why he?" inquired Adelheid, struck by the hard tone. "And how about +your friend?" + +"I have no friend. I have lost him," cried Egon with a passionate burst. +"What he told me two days ago made a break between us, but what I have +since heard has parted us forever." + +"You judge a seventeen year old boy--he could not have been much +older--very severely." + +There was deep reproof in Adelheid's voice as she spoke, but the prince +shook his head passionately. + +"I'm not speaking of his flight, or his broken word, though they were +both bad enough, considering he was an officer's son, but what I learned +yesterday--I see, my dear madam, you do not know the worst. How should +you? I should not have spoken." + +"I beg your highness," began Adelheid again, "to tell me the truth. You +say that Rojanow has come back to enter the army. I am not surprised. I +expected it, for it was the only thing left for him to do to expiate his +old fault. Does he march beneath our colors yet?" + +"So far he has not been able to gain admission, and I have been saved a +fearful responsibility," said Egon, with intense bitterness. "He +endeavored to get into several regiments but was refused every time." + +"Refused? And why?" + +"Because he dared not acknowledge himself a German, and all strangers, +especially Roumanians, are regarded with suspicion, and with justice, +too. We can't be too cautious now, for fear of spies!" + +"For God's sake, what do you mean by that?" exclaimed Adelheid, who +began to see toward what Egon was drifting. He sprang up now in great +excitement and came over to her side. + +"If you wish to know, then listen to me. Hartmut came to me and desired +me to use my influence to get him into one of our regiments. I refused +at first, but he finally forced me to promise to do my utmost with a +threat which I now think he had no intention of carrying into execution. +I kept my word, and went at once to a general officer whose brother had +but recently returned from Paris where he was secretary of our legation. +This gentleman was present at the time of my visit, and as soon as he +heard the name of Rojanow, asked many questions and then told us--I +cannot speak of it--I have loved Hartmut more than any one else in the +world, have almost adored him, his talents, his genius, and now I learn +that this friend, who was all in all to me, is but a miserable, low +wretch. He and his mother served as spies--spies, think of it--in +Paris. Perhaps he would do the same in our army, and that was his object +in striving to be admitted." + +He laid his hand over his eyes if to keep out the horrible picture. + +There was something inexpressibly sad in the young man's face and manner +as he told how his idol had been shattered. Adelheid rose, and +supporting herself against a chair, spoke in an eager, excited, +trembling tone. + +"And what did he say when you accused him?" + +"Rojanow, do you mean? I haven't seen him again and do not intend to. It +is better to spare both him and me. He is at the Rodeck forestry +awaiting an answer from me. I sent him three lines telling him what I +had learned, without one word of comment. He has the letter by this +time, I suppose, and that will be sufficient explanation." + +"God help him!" + +"You speak sympathetically," said the prince, sneering. + +"Yes, for this is not the first time I have heard this terrible +accusation. His father threw it into his face during their interview." + +"Well, when his own father acknowledged the disgrace, surely--" + +"He is a sadly injured, deeply embittered man, and could have no +unbiased judgment; but you, Hartmut's friend, who stood so near him, +should shield him from such an imputation!" + +Egon looked with astonishment at the excited woman. + +"That evidently seems an easy matter to you," he said slowly. "I could +not do it. There was too much to condemn in Hartmut's life; he told me +much himself that had seemed mysterious before, and I can find no +excuse, no extenuating circumstances for his actions. Even his +denunciation of--" + +"Of his mother! She was the sword which hung over his head. It was she +who destroyed her son! But he knew nothing of the shameful depths to +which she had sunk; he lived with her but she concealed her life from +him. I saw it, I knew it when his father hurled the dreadful accusation +at him; he was as one struck by lightning. There was truth in the man's +despairing cry. Whatever his youthful misdemeanors, his punishment in +that hour balanced them all. His flight, his broken promise, have robbed +him of a father, and of his dearest friend; but though they turn against +him I will believe in him. Yes, to the death! Their charge is untrue, he +is an innocent man." + +Adelheid was in a state of intense excitement now, her cheeks were +aflame, her voice and manner had that intense passion which love alone +can give. Egon stood and looked at her. There it was, the awaking to +love and life, of which he had so often dreamed; the sea of ice had +melted forever, but for another. + +"I will not venture to decide whether you are right or not, my dear +madame," he said, in a spiritless voice, after a second's pause. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or innocent, he is to be +envied in this hour!" + +Adelheid drew back with a start. She understood the significance of his +words, and her head sank before his pained, sorrowful glance. + +"I came to say good-bye," continued Egon, "and to ask one question, one +favor--but it is fruitless to ask it now. I have only farewell to say to +you." + +Adelheid raised her eyes, in which the hot tears were standing, and held +out her hand to him. + +"Good-bye," she said. "Good-bye. May Heaven protect you!" + +The prince shook his head, and said with bitterness: + +"What does it matter? I had thought to return--do not look at me so +pleadingly. I have made a great mistake. I see it now, and I will not +annoy you with my moaning, but Adelheid, I would willingly fall if I +could but inspire for a moment the feeling and passion which you reserve +for another. God bless you! Good bye!" + +He pressed her hand and was gone. + +A dreary afternoon. The wind had risen since the morning hours, and +whistled ominously through the tall forest trees; the clouds grew darker +and heavier, and the damp air was growing rawer and colder every moment. +The sunshine of yesterday was forgotten in the gloom of to-day. The +fresh green leaves, torn by the rising storm from the tall, waving +branches, fell in a swirl at the feet of the tall, dark man, who, with +folded arms, leaned against an old tree, utterly oblivious to the +tempest which was gathering about him. + +Hartmut's face was deadly pale, and on it there lay a strange, unearthly +quiet; the fiery light was gone from those speaking eyes, and his hair +lay wet and heavy upon his forehead. The storm had whirled his hat from +his head, but he did not notice it, neither did he know that a heavy +shower had drenched him to the skin. After wandering about in the woods +for hours, he had at last found this spot--a fitting place to accomplish +his purpose. + +He had waited with feverish expectancy the message from Egon, and it had +come. No letter, only three lines with the signature, "Egon, Prince +Adelsberg," but these three lines, for him who received them, meant--the +end of all things. Thrust out forever and despised! The friend his heart +held dear asking neither for confirmation nor denial, but condemning +him unheard. + +The crash of a mighty branch which had been broken in the whirlwind, +aroused Hartmut from his brooding. He was not alarmed, and turned his +head slowly to look where the heavy branch had fallen. Only a few feet +from him--why had it not struck him and ended his misery in a moment? +How welcome was the thought of death. Such fatalities follow only those +who love life. He who seeks death must accomplish it with his own hands. +He took his gun from his shoulder and set the stock firmly in the ground +and felt over his breast for the right place. He looked up at the veiled +heavens, then down at the little lake with the deceptive, marshy +meadow-lands beyond, with the old gray mist hovering over it as usual. + +He seemed to see again the will-o'-the-wisp darting in and out, that +spirit of the marsh at which he had often gazed in the long ago over his +mother's shoulder, and while listening to her seductive words. He gave +no second look to the sky, no sign was in the heavens to-day to lead him +up to higher planes. One shot through the heart and all would be over. + +He moved his hand to touch the trigger, when he heard a voice call his +name. It was a quick, desperate cry, and a figure tall and slender, +enveloped in a dark storm cloak, rushed before him. The gun fell from +his hands as he looked up to see Adelheid's face, white and despairing, +looking into his own. + +Several minutes went by before either of them spoke. It was Hartmut who +broke the silence finally. + +"You here, my dear madame?" he asked, forcing himself to speak quietly. +"Why are you abroad in such unseemly weather?" + +Adelheid looked at the weapon which had fallen at her feet and +shuddered. + +"I might ask you the same question," she answered. + +"I started out for a hunt, but this is no day for sport. I was just +emptying my gun, when you--" + +He did not finish, for her pained, reproving glance told him that all +subterfuge was useless--he broke off and gazed gloomily before him. +Adelheid too, abandoned any attempt at an ordinary conversation. Her +voice was trembling and her face white as death, as she said: "Herr von +Falkenried--God help us, what would you have done?" + +"That which would have been finished now, had you not interfered," said +Hartmut, in a hard tone. "Believe me, dear madame, it would have been +better if accident had brought you here five minutes later." + +"It was no accident. I was at the Rodeck forestry and heard that you had +been gone several hours; a terrible suspicion took possession of me and +drove me to follow you. I was almost certain I should find you here." + +"You were seeking me? Me, Ada?" His voice trembled with emotion as he +asked the question. "How did you learn that I was at the forestry?" + +"Through Prince Adelsberg, who was with me to-day. You received a letter +from him this morning?" + +"No, only some intelligence," responded Hartmut, with drawn lips. "The +few short lines contained no word directed personally to me, only +business, only a communication which the prince thought necessary to +make--I understood it!" + +Adelheid was silent; she had felt sure that those few lines would be as +death to him. Slowly she stepped toward him in the shadow of a great +tree, the wind blew so fiercely that it was a necessity to have such +protection as the trees could afford; Hartmut did not seem to notice +its increasing fury. + +"I see that you know what those few lines contained," he began again, +"but it was not new to you. You heard it all at Rodeck. Ada, when I saw +you standing in the shimmering, ghostly light on that frightful night, +and knew that you had seen me trampled in the dust--even my own father, +who loathes me, would have been satisfied with my punishment." + +"You do him injustice," said Frau von Wallmoden, earnestly. "You saw him +only when he was thrusting you from him with such iron relentlessness. I +saw him afterwards when you had disappeared. He broke into the wildest +anguish and I caught a glimpse of the father's heart which loved his son +above all else on earth. Have you made no effort since then to convince +him?" + +"No, he would believe me as little as did Egon. He who has once broken +his word destroys all belief in himself, no matter though he afterwards +give his life in defense of truth. Had I met my death upon the +battle-field, perhaps his eyes and Egon's would have been opened. Now +when I fall by my own hand, the few who know my life will say, 'it was +his guilt which drove him to despair, and forced him to commit the +deed.'" + +"No," said Adelheid softly, "one would not say it. I believe in you +Hartmut, despite everything." + +He looked at her, and through the gray hopelessness of despair a gleam +of the old light shone forth. + +"You, Ada? And you tell me this on the very spot where you condemned me? +At that time, too, you knew nothing--" + +"That was why I had a horror of the man to whom nothing was holy, who +knew no law but his own passions; but when I saw you pleading at your +father's feet, I felt fate rather than guilt had led you astray. Since +then I have known that you could not throw aside that unfortunate +heritage of your mother. Rouse yourself, Hartmut! The way which I showed +you then is yet open. Whether it leads to life or death--it leads onward +and upward." + +Hartmut shook his head darkly! + +"No, that has all gone by now. You do not know what my father did for me +with his frightful words, what my life has been since then; but I will +be silent, no one would understand. I thank you for your belief in me, +Ada. My death will be easier." + +"God help us! You dare not do it." + +"What value has life for me?" said Hartmut with great excitement. "My +mother has marked me with a brand as of seething iron, and that mark +closes every door to atonement, to salvation. I am alone, condemned, +thrust out from my own countrymen. Why, even the poorest peasant can +fight; that right is denied only to the criminal without honor, and such +I am in Egon's eyes. He fears that I would only join with my own +countrymen to betray them, to--be a spy!" He put his hands over his +face, and his last words died out in a groan. Then he felt a hand laid +gently on his arm. + +"The stigma lies in the name of Rojanow. Abandon that name, Hartmut. I +bring you that for which you so ardently long--your admission to the +army." + +Hartmut gazed in unutterable astonishment at the speaker. + +"Impossible! How could you?" + +"Take these papers," said Adelheid, drawing out a long sealed envelope +which she carried under her cloak. "You will answer the description of +Joseph Tanner, twenty-nine years old, slender, dark complexion, dark +hair and eyes. It's all right, you see; no one will question your right +with these papers." + +She handed him the envelope which she held with a convulsive grasp, as +if it were a costly treasure. + +"And these papers?" he asked doubting yet. + +"Belonged to the dead! They were given me for one who will not use them +now, for he died to-day; and I will be forgiven if I save the living by +their use." + +Hartmut tore open the envelope, the wind nearly blew the papers from his +hand, so that it was with difficulty he could master their contents, +while the baroness continued: + +"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden. This morning he had an +unusually severe hemorrhage and died an hour after. Poor fellow, he had +only time to leave a message with me for his old mother. I shall send +her everything belonging to him, except these papers, which I, myself, +obtained for him, and these I have kept for you. We rob no one; they +would be of no use whatever to the mother. A severe judge might question +my right, but I take all responsibility. God and my fatherland will +forgive me." + +Hartmut folded the papers carefully and hid them in his breast, then he +threw the wet locks back from his broad forehead, his father's forehead, +for that mark of the Falkenried blood was patent to the most careless +observer. + +"You are right, Ada. I can never thank you enough for what you have done +to-day, but I will strive to deserve it!" + +"I know that. God guard you from danger, and now good-bye." + +"No, you cannot wish that for me!" said Hartmut sadly. "This battle of +life and death into which I go can ease my own conscience of a load, but +my father and Egon will never know, if I live, that I have fought for my +country, and the old stain will still be there. But if I fall, then you +can tell them that I fought under a strange name, and am at rest, +perhaps under foreign soil. They will at least have some respect for my +grave." + +"You would fall?" asked Ada, with sad reproof in her voice. "Even if I +tell you that your death will be mine too?" + +"Yours, Ada?" he cried excitedly, "and do you no longer turn in +abhorrence from my love, from the fate which threw us together? To +possess you would be my highest glory, for you are free. Such joy comes +to me now, only for a single fleeting minute, and then ascends again to +unattainable heights, like the prophetess of my drama who bore your +name. No matter; it is with me now in this moment of parting." + +He drew her to him and pressed a kiss on her brow, while she broke into +a passion of tears on his shoulder. + +"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death." + +"No, but it will seek me! Good-bye, my own, good-bye." + +He tore himself from her, and rushed away through the storm. She stood +still, leaning in her turn against the old tree, whose branches tossed +their arms and kept time to the moaning and shrieking winds which played +at hide and seek through the leafy foliage. But suddenly in the west, +through a rent in the angry clouds, shone a purple ray. It was only for +a minute, only a single lost beam of the descending sun, but it lighted +up the woodland height and beamed across the face of the departing man, +as he turned back once to wave a last adieu. Then the dark clouds met +again, and hid the light--the last greeting of the setting sun. + +The red, flickering firelight lit up the interior of a small house which +had formerly been the home of a signal man, but now served as +headquarters for the officers of the advanced guard. The room made +anything but a comfortable impression, with its cold, rough, whitewashed +walls, low ceilings and narrow barred windows; the heavy logs of wood +which blazed and crackled in the clumsy stone fire-place, threw out a +grateful warmth, for the weather was bitter cold and the ground covered +with snow. The regiments which lay here were little better off than +those before Paris although these belonged to the army of the South. + +Two young officers entered the room, and one, as he held the door open +for his comrade, said with a laugh: "You'll have to stoop here, for the +entrance to our villa is somewhat out of repair." + +The warning was not unnecessary, for the tall figure of the guest, a +Prussian Lieutenant of Reserves, had need to stoop to avoid the loose, +overhanging plaster. His companion who was doing the honors, wore the +uniform of a South German regiment. + +"Permit me to offer you a chair in our salon," he continued. "Not so bad +after all, considering everything; we'll have worse than this before the +campaign is over. You are looking for Stahlberg. He is at an outpost +near here with one of my comrades, but he'll certainly be back soon. You +won't have to wait above fifteen minutes." + +"I'll wait with pleasure," responded the Prussian. "Eugen's wound was +not very serious, I judge. I looked for him in the hospital and heard +that he had gone on a visit to the outpost, but would probably be back +shortly, so I thought I'd come over and see him at once." + +"The wound was but a slight one, a shot in the arm, but not deep; it's +almost healed now, but Stahlberg cannot use it in active service for +some time yet. You are acquainted with him?" + +"Oh, yes, I was a kinsman of his sister's late husband. I see you do +not remember me. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I have met your +highness several times in past years." + +"At Fürstenstein!" exclaimed Egon with animation. "Certainly, now I +remember you well, but it is wonderful what a change the uniform makes +in one's appearance. I didn't recognize you at all at first." + +He cast an admiring, surprised glance at the tall, handsome man whom he +had once ridiculed as a cabbage grower, but who looked so brave and +manly in his military dress. It was not the uniform which had so altered +Willibald; love, camp life and entire change from the old monotonous +existence had done it. The young heir was no longer a "weak tool," as +his uncle Schönau had called him, but a brave, determined, genuine man. + +"Our former meetings have been but fleeting," the prince went on, "so +you must forgive the liberty if I offer you my congratulations; you are +betrothed, I believe to--" + +"I believe your highness is laboring under a mistake," Willibald +interrupted him, with some embarrassment. "When I last saw you at +Fürstenstein I was to be the future son of that house, but--" + +"That's all changed," interrupted Egon, laughing. "I know all about it +from a comrade of mine, Lieutenant Walldorf, who is to marry your +cousin, Fräulein von Schönau. My words had reference to Fräulein +Marietta Volkmar." + +"Now Frau von Eschenhagen." + +"What! you are a married man?" + +"And have been for five months. We were married just before I marched, +and my wife is at Burgsdorf with my mother." + +"Then I can congratulate you upon your marriage. But seriously, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for your robbery of an artist +from our midst. Please tell your wife that the whole city is in +sackcloth and ashes over her loss." + +"I will tell her, although I think the city has no time for such light +sorrows now. Ah, there are the gentlemen! I hear Eugen's voice." + +There they were, true enough. They entered just as Willibald ceased +speaking. Young Stahlberg greeted his friend with a joyous cry of +surprise. They had not seen each other since the war began, though they +were in the same army corps. Eugen's arm was in a sling, otherwise he +looked well and happy. He had none of his sister's beauty, neither had +he the strength and earnestness of expression which had been her legacy +from their father. The son seemed, to judge from his appearance, of an +amiable and yielding, rather than a strong nature; but notwithstanding +all this he resembled his sister strongly, and that was the secret of +Egon's friendship for him. His companion was a handsome young officer, +with keen, merry eyes, and as he stepped into the room the prince +introduced him to Willibald. + +"I need not fear a duel when I mention your names to one another," he +said laughing. "You'll have to meet some day. Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr +von Walldorf." + +"Bless me! I at least declare for peace!" cried Walldorf gaily. "Herr +von Eschenhagen, I am rejoiced to know my future wife's cousin, who got +ahead of us at the altar. We, too, wanted a marriage from the saddle, +but my future father-in-law assumed his fiercest look and declared: +'First conquer, and then marry.' Now we've been doing the former for the +last five months, and when I go home again I'll see to the latter." + +He shook Toni's cousin warmly by the hand, then turning to the prince, +said: + +"We have something here for you. Orderly from Rodeck, present yourself +before his highness, Herr lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg." + +Through the open door came a tall figure which Egon recognized as that +of his old, gray-haired steward. He closed the door cautiously, and came +forward into the room. + +"Saints preserve us, it's Peter Stadinger!" It was, indeed, old Peter +who stood in front of his master. He was not unknown to the other +officers, either, for they all greeted him with a shout. + +"Well, we must have lights now, that your highness may have a good view +of this old 'ghost of the woods,'" cried Walldorf, as he lit two +candles and placed them with comic gravity before the old man. Egon +laughed as he said: + +"You see, Stadinger, what a prominent personage you are, and how much I +talk about you; now I'll present you in all form; here, gentlemen, is +Peter Stadinger, noted for his unfailing incivility and his everlasting +moral lectures. He thinks that I need both to keep me in order and even +here in the field he has followed me in order that he might keep up the +friendly custom. I trust he pleases you, my masters--now you can let me +go, Peter." + +But instead of obeying this order, the old man held his two hands all +the more firmly, while he said in a tone of deep emotion: "Ah, your +highness, you cannot know how anxious we have been about you at Rodeck." + +The prince answered him impatiently: "Indeed, and that's why you have +run away and left things at sixes and sevens at Rodeck, despite all my +solemn charges? I had not thought you would be so neglectful of duty." + +Stadinger looked at him quite puzzled. + +"But I came on receipt of your letter telling me to do so. You wrote me +to fetch Lois from the hospital, so I started at once. I saw the boy +this morning, and found him as gay as he could be, but he can't be moved +for a week, the doctor said; then I am to take him home. What your +highness, and Lois, and all the rest from Rodeck would have done if I +had not stayed home to guard and control--God alone knows." + +Egon drew his hand back impatiently. + +"I am Herr Lieutenant here, and have no other title but my military one, +remember that! and here you are as meek as a lamb, when I counted on a +fine sermon for the benefit of us all. Lois, gentlemen, is the grandson +of this old growler, a fine, brave fellow, and he has a sister as sweet +as a peach. But her grandfather sends her away regularly the minute I +set foot in Rodeck. Why didn't you bring Zena with you, and let her see +a little of the world?" + +The old man, notwithstanding his desire for peace, threw back his head +at this interrogatory, and answered with all the old acerbity: + +"I believed your highness had no time for folly now." + +"You made a mistake then. We lead the wildest kind of a life in the +army, and when I go home again--" + +"Your highness has promised to marry," finished the steward in such an +impressive manner that the officers all shouted. Egon joined in, but +something was wanting in his merriment, and in his answer too. + +"Yes, yes, I've promised that, sure enough, but I have many matters to +settle in the meantime, I'll keep my word in ten years, or perhaps in +twenty--perhaps never!" + +Stadinger listened to his highness's words--not for worlds would he have +obeyed the order to call him Herr lieutenant--and his face darkened. + +"I almost thought as much, for when your highness really does plan for +the future your plans don't last twenty-four hours. Your blessed father +married, and I married, and all men marry, and it's the only way to cure +you of your foolishness, and--" + +"Now gentlemen, the sermon's coming," laughed Egon good-naturedly. He +was not far wrong, for Stadinger spoke his mind as usual, and to the +point too, so that before he finished the officers felt he had the best +of it against the prince. After half an hour's chatter, Willibald and +Eugen Stahlberg rose to go. As they bade good-night to the prince he +said: + +"You push on to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, we march to R---- at daybreak to meet Major General von +Falkenried and his brigade. We'll be some days on the way, I fancy, for +the whole of this region is infested with the enemy, and our next move +will depend upon theirs," answered Willibald. + +"Then tell the general, Will, that I'll be there at latest in a week," +said Eugen. "It's pretty bad to have to stay behind on account of a +scratch that's not worth talking about. In another week I'll be all +right. I don't care what the doctor says, and I hope to join my regiment +before you take R----." + +"We'll have to be active now," said Egon, "for resistance doesn't +continue long where General von Falkenried commands. He's always first +with his men and has been victorious beyond belief. It seems as if no +difficulties were too great for him to surmount." + +"He seems to stand at the head," answered Lieutenant Walldorf. "He may +take R---- while we are lying here idle; perhaps he has taken it +already. No news can reach us with the enemy between." + +He rose to accompany his departing comrades a short distance, while the +prince remained behind by the fire. He folded his arms and looked +vacantly at the burning logs, but the expression of his face was not in +accord with the gaiety he had exhibited before his friends. It was dark +and gloomy, and all light and happiness seemed gone out of it. He had +forgotten Stadinger's presence until the latter gave a little cough, +then he turned and said: + +"Ah, you are there yet, are you? Tell Lois I asked for him, and that I +will see him to-morrow some time. I'll see you again, of course, for +you'll have to wait several days for him. You didn't think we had such a +fine time here, did you? No need to take life hard just because we may +lose it any day." + +The old man looked keenly at his master. + +"Yes, the gentlemen were jolly enough, and you were the ring-leader, +but--your highness is not gay now." + +"I? What's the matter now? Why shouldn't I be gay?" + +"I don't know, but I see you are not happy," declared Stadinger. "When +you were at Rodeck with Herr Rojanow you were quite different. As you +stood looking into the fire just now I could see that something lay on +your heart." + +"Don't bother me with your observations," exclaimed Egon impatiently. +"Do you think I should never have a serious thought, when it may be we +go into battle to-morrow?" + +Then he resumed his old position, and Stadinger, though silent, was +unconvinced. He knew full well that something was the matter with his +master, that it was no thought of battle which clouded his sunny face. +The door opened and Lieutenant Walldorf entered without closing it. + +"Come in," he cried to some one behind him. "Here's an orderly from the +seventh regiment with some information. Come in, orderly!" + +Walldorf repeated his invitation to enter in an impatient tone. The +soldier who stood on the threshold of the door had hesitated, and made a +movement to retreat into the darkness again. Now he obeyed; he remained +close to the door, his face in the shadow. + +"You come from the outpost yonder on chapel mountain?" questioned +Walldorf. + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +Egon, who had turned round indifferently when the soldier entered, +started as he heard the voice. He took a hasty step forward, then halted +suddenly, as if he remembered something, but his glance embraced the +stranger with a look almost of horror. He was, as far as one could see +in the semi-darkness, a tall young soldier wrapped in the coarse mantle +of the private, with a helmet over his closely cut black hair. He stood +stiff and immovable, and gave his message minutely. His voice had a +suppressed, almost suffocated tone. + +"I come from Herr Captain Salfeld!" he announced. "We have seized a +suspicious looking man, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the +relief corps, who was sneaking into the fortress. There was some writing +found on him." + +"Come over closer," ordered Walldorf sharply. "I can't hear you over +there by the door." + +The soldier obeyed at once, and stepped up to the officers. The +firelight gleamed full upon the face, which was pallid, and on the +tightly compressed lips, but not on the eyes, for they seemed fastened +to the ground. + +Egon's hand seized the hilt of his sabre with convulsive grasp; it was +all he could do not to cry out, while Stadinger stared at the man with +wide open eyes. + +"There was some writing found on him, but it was of no consequence, nor +what he told by word of mouth either. Now the Herr Captain wants to know +whether he shall send the prisoner here, or to headquarters, for he +thinks there is more in the papers than meets the eye." + +There was nothing uncommon in this message. Suspicious characters were +arrested daily, particularly from the relief corps, but Prince Adelsberg +hesitated, as if he feared the sound of his own voice, then he gave the +answer: + +"Tell the Herr Captain to send the prisoner here. We relieve the guard +in two hours, and he can be taken on to headquarters at once." + +"I hope we can make the churl say something," said Walldorf. "Many a +coward loses his hold when he knows there's a court martial ahead of +him. Well, we'll see." + +The soldier stood waiting for his dismissal; not a muscle of his face +moved, but he never lifted his eyes. Egon had recovered himself now, and +he asked, in his coldest, most distant tones: + +"You belong to the seventh regiment?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Your name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Forced into service?" + +"No, a volunteer." + +"Since when?" + +"Since the thirtieth of July." + +"You have been through the whole campaign?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Very well. You can take my message to the Captain." + +The soldier saluted and left the room. Walldorf had been a little +surprised at this examination, but gave no second thought to it. He +looked after the retreating figure and said as he shrugged his +shoulders: "The men on Chapel hill have the devil's own time. They have +no rest day or night, and have to exert themselves to the utmost. The +poor fellows have to work in the hard frozen trenches until the sweat +runs from their faces and their hands are covered with blood. Fighting +is the only relief they get." + +He stepped into another room to order the watch for the expected +prisoner, and to make some additional arrangements. Egon threw open the +window and leaned out--he felt he was suffocating. Then he heard +Stadinger's voice behind him in a half-whisper as though he were too +frightened to speak out loud. + +"Your highness!" + +"What is it?" the prince answered without turning around. + +"But didn't your highness see--?" + +"See what?" + +"The orderly, who was just here--that was Herr Rojanow, as sure as he +lives and breathes." + +Egon saw that presence of mind was necessary here; he turned and said +coldly: "I believe you see ghosts!" + +"But, your highness--" + +"Nonsense! only a passing resemblance. I noticed it myself. That's why I +asked the man his name. You heard him say his name was Tanner!" + +"Yes, but it was Herr Rojanow for all that," said Stadinger, whose sharp +eyes were not to be deceived. "To be sure the black locks were gone, and +the proud, independent manner, but his voice was, the same!" + +"Do cease your senseless chatter," said Egon violently. "You know very +well that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, and now you find him in an orderly +of the seventh regiment. It is really laughable." + +Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or +impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his +friend was only a common soldier. To be sure the Herr Rojanow of Rodeck, +who ordered every one around, even the prince himself, and the orderly +whom Lieutenant Walldorf ordered to come forward because he didn't speak +loud enough, were as far apart as heaven and earth. If it had not been +for the voice! + +"Then your highness, you think--" Stadinger began again. + +"I think you're an old ghost-hunter," said Egon gently. "Go to your +quarters and get a good night's rest after your journey; otherwise +you'll be discovering resemblances throughout the whole +garrison--good-night!" + +Stadinger obeyed, and left for his own quarters at once. He shook his +head as he went--he was by no means satisfied with his master's +peremptory dismissal of the subject. + +The prince paced the little room in great excitement as soon as he was +alone. His former friend had forced his way into the army +notwithstanding. Joseph Tanner! He remembered perfectly to whom the name +had belonged, and knew only too well whose hand had opened the way for +Hartmut. What will not a woman do for the man she loves, what price will +she not pay? She had even sent him into danger in order that he might be +reconciled to life and himself. + +Jealousy, fierce and wild, filled Egon's heart at these thoughts, and +above all rose the fearful suspicion of the man's fidelity to his flag +and country. Was his presence at the dangerous outpost an answer to +suspicions, or was it a cloak to hide secret machinations? + +Then the prince thought of the pale, dark face which had been so dear to +him, and with a motion of torture, he tried to put the memory from him. +He knew, none so well, Hartmut's intense pride, and this pride was +dragged in the dirt day after day in the degrading position which he +occupied. + +He had heard of the ceaseless labor on Chapel hill, of the days and +nights employed in digging trenches, of the worn bodies, the bleeding +hands. That was what Rojanow did now, the same Rojanow who had had a +city at his feet one short year before, who had been the honored guest +at princely boards, whose successful work had not only placed the laurel +wreath on his brow, but had brought him a fortune as well. And besides +all this, he was General von Falkenried's son. + +Egon's breast heaved violently as he thought of it all. Then his lost +confidence came back to him slowly, and banished the unjust doubts. +Hartmut was atoning now for his boyish folly. As for the rest, his +mother, and she alone, was to blame. + +It was about nine o'clock in the evening when the prince left his +quarters in order to visit the commandant. He did not go on an affair of +service, but in answer to an invitation from the general, who had been +an old friend of his father, and had looked after the son, since the +campaign began, with fatherly solicitude. Egon would have given much to +be alone this evening, for his meeting with Hartmut had moved him +deeply, but a soldier has little time for brooding, and an invitation +from a commanding officer must not be set aside. + +As the young prince went into the house he met an adjutant coming out, +who explained breathlessly that there was bad news, but that the general +would tell him all. + +The general was alone, and was pacing the room in great excitement, +gesticulating and muttering as he went. + +"Ah, Prince Adelsberg, is it you?" he exclaimed, halting in his walk as +Egon entered the room. "I can't promise you a pleasant evening, for we +have had intelligence which destroys all sociability for us to-night." + +"The adjutant said something about trouble," answered Egon. "What is it, +your excellency? The despatches at midday were very favorable." + +"I only got the news an hour ago. The man you sent to headquarters +to-night as a suspicious character had it all. Do you know what he had +with him?" + +"Captain Salfeld sent word he had papers of little importance, +apparently, but thought they might contain some secret advices; of +course, a spy would not carry anything in writing that looked suspicious +on the surface." + +"Well, the papers were most important. The man was a coward, naturally, +and when he was threatened with a bullet, he revealed all, and, alas! we +cannot doubt the truth of his statements. You may remember a few lines +on a slip of paper which read that one had better in an extreme case +follow the heroic example of the commanding general before R----." + +"Yes, I didn't understand that, for the fort will have to surrender +soon. General von Falkenried said he hoped to take it to-morrow." + +"Yes, and I fear he will do it!" answered the General, excitedly. + +"You fear, your excellency?" + +"Yes, there's been treachery, there's been foul villainy at work! They +will surrender the fort, and then as soon as their garrison have been +taken off as prisoners of war, and our men occupy the citadel, it will +be blown up." + +"God help us!" cried the young prince, excitedly. "Cannot General +Falkenried be warned?" + +"I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two +different ways, but our direct course to R---- is cut off. The enemy +holds the mountain pass, and it is quite impossible for the messengers +to reach the place in time." + +Egon was silent for a moment. + +The pass was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's +regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a +day or two. + +"We have thought of everything," continued the general, "but there isn't +the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to +close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of +his men, will perish." + +He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince +stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind. + +"Your excellency?" + +"Well?" + +"If it were possible in spite of everything, to send the despatches by +the mountain path--a good rider could get to R---- by to-morrow +morning; to be sure he'd have to ride for life or death--dash right +through the enemy." + +"What folly! You are a soldier and should know that such a course would +be madness. The boldest rider would be shot down before he had been gone +an hour." + +"But if one could find the man who would make the attempt? I know a man +who would do it." + +The general scowled at the young man. + +"Do you mean that you would venture upon this useless exposure? I forbid +it, once for all, Prince Adelsberg. I pride myself upon my officers' +bravery, but I cannot permit any such senseless experiments." + +"I do not mean myself, your excellency," said Egon, earnestly. "The man +whom I mean is in the seventh regiment, and is at this moment on outpost +duty on Chapel mountain. It was he who brought me word of the prisoner." + +The general shook his head thoughtfully. + +"I tell you it's impossible, but--who is the man?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"A private?" + +"Yes, a volunteer." + +"You know something about him?" + +"Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole +army,--bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act +with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do +it." + +"And you believe--it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to +sure death--you believe the man will do it freely--willingly?" + +"I'll swear he will, your excellency." + +"Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for +Tanner at once." + +"May I take the order to him?" interrupted Egon, quickly. The general +turned in surprise and looked at him. + +"You, yourself, do you mean? Why?" + +"Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel +mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting +place an hour would be lost." + +There was nothing to be said in answer to this, and yet the general felt +there was something about the whole affair which he did not understand. +A common soldier rarely undertook, voluntarily, a mission which drove +him into the arms of death, but the old warrior asked no further +questions, he only said: "You will be responsible for the man?" + +"Yes," said Egon, quietly but emphatically. + +"Good, then you can give him all the necessary instructions; there is +one thing more; he must have credentials if he ever reaches our own +posts, for any detention would be fatal where every minute counts." + +He turned to his writing table, and after setting his seal to a paper, +handed it to the prince. + +"Here are the necessary papers, and these are the despatches for General +Falkenried. Let me know at once whether Tanner was willing to go or +not." + +"I'll let your excellency know immediately." + +Egon hurried to his own quarters, where he ordered his horse to be +saddled. In five minutes he was off for Chapel mountain. + +Chapel mountain, which the German troops had so christened from the +little church which stood on its summit, was one of a subordinate range +of hills, which traversed the country in the region where the army corps +of the South were quartered. The little church lay desolate and lonely, +half buried in the deep snow. Priest and sacristan were gone long since, +and the house of God bore traces of demolition, for a deadly battle had +been fought on this height. The walls were standing and part of the +pointed roof; the rest had been carried away by shot and shell, and the +wind whistled through the shattered windows. Ice and snow covered the +surrounding wood, and a faint half-moon lit up the whole with a +ghastly, uncertain light. + +It was a bitter cold night, like that memorable one at Rodeck. A deep +red flame lit up the horizon, but it was no northern light this time, no +purple glow to lessen the gloom, it was the signal of war, the deep, +blood-red flash such as went up from every village and hamlet in +Germany, rousing men to action, waving them on to battle and--to death! + +A single guard stood at one of the lonely outposts--Hartmut von +Falkenried. His eyes were fixed on distant watch fires which from time +to time sent up their showers of sparks to heaven. In the distance, +warmth and light, here, ice and night. The cold which had been intense +all day strengthened with the night, and seemed to freeze out all life +from the solitary watch on duty. True there were other sentinels, at +various posts, but they were not accustomed to winters in the Orient or +in Sicily. Hartmut had spent no winters in the north since his boyhood's +days, and the cold seemed to freeze the very blood in his veins. + +A deadly languor came over him, which was not the forerunner of sleep; +it crept into the limbs and closed the heavy eyelids. He fought it off +bravely, but it would return again and again as the icy air grew colder. +He knew what it meant and struggled bravely against it. Surely he would +not freeze to death. + +His glance turned, as if seeking strength, to the little half-ruined +house of God. What were church and altar to him? He had cast all belief +from him long ago. Death was an eternal night, and life alone could give +him all he wished, full expiation of his early fault, the woman he +loved, the poet's crown, his father's blessing! But here he stood at his +post waiting an inglorious death, which he felt would meet him ere the +night was over. He would not swerve from duty, death might seek him and +find him--on guard. + +Then in the distance he heard steps and voices which came nearer; they +waked him up from the lethargy into which he had fallen. He aroused +himself and grasped his gun more firmly, though he knew it was some one +from his own regiment. What was it? The hour of redemption was close at +hand though he knew it not. A few minutes later a corporal with another +man stood before him. + +"Picket! Orders from headquarters brought by an officer!" cried the +corporal. The relief had come! The man who but a second since stood on +the bleak, dreary shore of despair, felt himself recalled to life at the +sound. + +He started to follow the corporal, when the other man, an officer also, +stepped forward. + +"Let the corporal go on. I wish to speak to you alone, Tanner. Follow +me!" + +Prince Adelsberg, who wished no witnesses, stepped into the little +church, and Hartmut followed him. The pale moonlight entering through +the open window showed only disorder and confusion. The roof had been +pierced by a cannon ball, which had shattered pulpit and desk as well; +only the little altar, in its quiet niche, remained undisturbed. + +Egon stepped into the middle of the room, then he turned and said: + +"Hartmut!" + +"Herr lieutenant?" + +"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another +so soon again." + +"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily. +"You come--" + +"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel +mountain. A fearful night for such a service." + +Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would +have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain +light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned +against a pillar as if needing support. + +"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit," +he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so +for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your +exertions you have the strength, is another question." + +"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my +strength. What is it?" + +"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R---- through +the mountain pass just where the enemy lies." + +"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where--" + +"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not +reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!" + +Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in +an instant. + +"I can save my father? I? What has happened? What am I to do?" + +"Listen. The prisoner which you sent to us this evening has made some +terrible revelations. The fort is to be blown up after the surrender, as +soon as the French garrison are out and our men are in it. The general +has sent two messengers--but they take round-about ways and will never +reach there in time. Your father intends to seize the fort to-morrow. He +must be warned in time, and there's but one way. The news must go +through the mountain pass which the enemy hold; that is the only chance +to reach our friends. But that way--" + +"I know it. Our regiment marched through it two weeks ago before the +enemy had taken it," cried Hartmut. + +"All the better! You must of course lay aside your uniform." + +"I only need exchange my cloak and helmet. If I had stayed here I'd have +been dead in a few hours; now if I ride fast enough I have one chance. +If I only had a good horse." + +"That is ready for you, I brought my own Arabian, Sadi, with me. You +know him well, have ridden him often. He'll fly like a bird on a night +like this, he'll need no whip to spur him on." + +The conversation was whispered in stormy haste, and the prince handed +him the papers. + +"Here is the general's order which you present when you reach our +sentinels, and here are the dispatches. Take a half hour to get some +warmth and strength into your body, then you can start." + +"Do you think I want rest or warmth?" cried Hartmut, the old Hartmut +again. "When I break down now it will be from the enemy's bullet. I +thank you Egon for this hour, in which you have at last, at last, +exonerated me from a fearful suspicion!" + +"And in which I send you to your death," said the prince gently. "We +must not hide the truth from ourselves--only a miracle can save you." + +"A miracle?" Hartmut's glance sought the altar which the flickering +moonlight revealed. He had ceased to pray long years ago, and yet in +this moment a hot, speechless prayer went up to Heaven for strength to +accomplish this miracle. "If I can only save my father then I am +content!" + +In the next second he turned, and Egon, who had put new life into him +and given him back his courage, said gently: + +"And now let us say good-bye! God bless you, Hartmut!" + +The two friends clung to one another in a last embrace. All that had +come between them was lost sight of forever, and the old, warm love was +mightier than ever in this last hour, for they both felt that it was a +farewell for all time. + +Scarcely fifteen minutes later a rider dashed out of the camp. The +slender Arab's hoofs hardly touched the ground over which it sped; in a +wild gallop it went on over the snow-covered ground, through the +ice-clad forest, over frozen streams, on, on, into the mountain pass! + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +The following day brought clear, frosty weather. The intense cold had +abated and the sun shone out warm and bright. Eugen Stahlberg and +Lieutenant Walldorf, free from duty for the time being, were in Prince +Adelsberg's quarters. Walldorf had been thrown from his horse the +previous evening, and his hand had been injured, and this prevented him +from going out with his company, as Egon had done. The gentlemen were +waiting for the return of their princely comrade, who must be back soon +now, and as they waited, they teased and guyed old Peter Stadinger, who +was on duty early at his master's quarters. + +The young officers had heard nothing of the news which had been learned +over night at headquarters, they were as merry as could be, and +indulged in much raillery over old Peter's lectures to his master. But +the old man said little in answer to their banter this morning; his +master was long in returning, and Stadinger had reached the age when he +borrowed trouble, and it rested heavily upon him. Finally Walldorf got +out of all patience with him and said: + +"I believe, Stadinger, you'd like to strap the prince on your back and +take him off to Rodeck with you. The camp is no place for anxiety or +alarm, remember that." + +"Then the prince had to reconnoitre to-day," added Eugen. "He has to +make a detour from Chapel mountain to the valley beneath and through the +ravine, in order to see what the outlook is. We'll probably have a +pleasant exchange of civilities with the French gentlemen within the +next few days, and we want to be ready for them at all points." + +"But there's plenty of chances for them to shoot now, isn't there?" +asked the old man with such anxiety that the officers had to laugh +aloud. + +"Yes, there's chances enough to shoot," Walldorf asserted. "You seem to +be afraid of a gun. You're safe from any stray shots here!" + +"I?" the old man straightened himself; he was deeply insulted. "I wish +to God I could be in the midst of it all." + +"Yes, you'd stay by the prince, and when you saw a bullet coming you'd +give his coat a pull and say: 'Be careful, your highness, here comes a +bullet.' That would be great fun." + +"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man so earnestly that their merriment +was silenced, "you should not talk so to an old hunter, who has climbed +time and again to the mountain's summit, and shot, and killed too, where +he had scarcely room to plant his foot. It is only here that I am so +anxious and discouraged--I would the day were well over." + +"We were only in fun," said Eugen good naturedly. "Of course you're not +afraid of a shot, one only has to look at you to know that. But don't +come to us with your presentiments and misgivings; after men have stood +under a shower of bullets they don't heed croakings. When we're all home +again I am going to visit my sister at Ostwalden and we'll be good +neighbors, you and I. The prince is very fond of his hunting castle at +Rodeck, is he not? But you can banish your gloomy thoughts, for here he +comes." + +There was a quick step without on the stair; the old man gave a relieved +sigh, but when the door opened it was only Eugen's man who appeared. + +"Isn't his highness coming?" asked Walldorf; but Stadinger gave the man +no time to answer. He had glanced at his face, only a glance, then he +started forward and seized his hand half-frantically. + +"What is it? Where--where is my master?" + +The man shook his head sadly and pointed to the window; the two officers +hastened to it, but Stadinger lost no time in looking; he rushed out of +the door and down the steps and across the little yard, and sank down +with a piercing cry beside a litter which two soldiers were carrying, +and upon which a tall, youthful form was stretched. + +"Silence!" said the surgeon, who accompanied the sad little procession. +"Control yourself, the prince is badly wounded." + +"I see that," said the old man, huskily. "But his wound is not mortal? +Tell me it's not mortal!" + +He glanced up at the physician with a look of such despair, that the +latter had not the heart to tell him the truth. He turned to the two +officers who had followed Stadinger, and answered their questions +instead. + +"A bullet in the breast," he said in a whisper. "The prince desired to +be brought to his own quarters, and we have been as careful as we could, +but the end is nearer than I thought." + +"No hope then?" asked Walldorf. + +"Not the slightest." + +The men were already lifting their burden to carry him into the house, +when the physician motioned them to put him down. + +"Wait! The prince wants to speak to his old servant, I think. A few +minutes here or there doesn't matter now." + +Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what was going on around him, he saw +only his master. Egon appeared to be unconscious; the blonde hair was +thrown back, the eyes were closed, and under the mantle with which the +man had covered him was the blood-soaked uniform. + +"Your highness!" said the old man in low, heart-rending tones. "Look at +me, speak to me! It is your old Stadinger." + +The well-known voice found its way to the dying man's ear; he opened his +eyes slowly, and a faint smile crossed his face as he recognized his +faithful servant. + +"My old ghost of the woods," he said softly; "and you are with me at the +last." + +"But you'll not die, your highness," murmured Stadinger. His whole body +was in a tremble, but he never took his eyes from his adored master. +"No, you will not die, you will not die .'" + +"Do you think it is so hard?" said Egon quietly. "Yesterday you were +quite right, a burden was on my heart, now it is light. Take a greeting +to dear Rodeck, and the forest, and to the lady of Ostwalden." + +"To whom? To Frau von Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, thinking he had not +heard aright. + +"Yes, tell her I send her my last greeting; she must think of me +sometimes." + +The words came slowly, brokenly, from the lips which would so soon +refuse to do further service, but there was no mistaking their full +significance. Eugen was startled when he heard his sister's name, and +bent over the dying man, who looked into the countenance which so +resembled Adelheid's, and again a smile lighted his face. Then he raised +his head and laid it heavily on the breast of his old ghost of the +woods, and the sunny blue eyes closed forever. + +It was a short, painless battle with death, a peaceful falling to sleep. +Stadinger hardly breathed while life remained in the body of him he had +nursed as a babe and cherished as a man, but was to lose forever now. +When all was over the old man lost control of himself, and threw himself +in despair on the body of his beloved master, and sobbed like a child. + + * * * * * + +Yonder, on the other side of the mountain-pass, the clear, bright winter +sun lighted up the citadel which had just surrendered to the German +troops. The garrison which had occupied it were marching off prisoners +of war, while a portion of the victors were already on their way to the +fort. + +General von Falkenried, surrounded by his staff, was standing in the +market-place of the little city, and was just on the point of marching +to the fortress. The helmets and guns of the men gleamed brightly in the +morning sun as they marched in solemn order toward the citadel. + +General von Falkenried, who had been giving various orders, now turned +to his officers and gave the signal to move forward. + +At that moment a rider came dashing down the main street at a mad galop. +His noble horse was covered with sweat and froth, and his flanks were +bleeding from the sharp spurs which had been pressed into his side. The +rider's face was covered with blood, too, which evidently came from a +wound in the forehead which had been hastily bound with a cloth. As if +fleeing before a storm, he heeded naught in his path, but rushed on in +his mad ride toward the market-place where the commanding general was to +be found. + +Just a few steps from his goal the horse's strength gave out and he +fell. But in the same instant the rider had sprung from the saddle, and +hastened to the commander-in-chief. + +"I come from General M----." + +Falkenried drew a sharp, quick breath; he had not recognized the +blood-stained face, he only knew that the man must have come on some +important mission, but the tone of the man's voice gave him some +premonition of the truth. + +Hartmut swayed for a moment and put his hand to his head--it seemed as +if he, like his horse, would succumb at the last moment; but he gathered +himself together for a final effort. + +"It is a warning from the general--there is treachery, the citadel is to +be blown up as soon as our men are in it--here are the dispatches." + +He tore the dispatches from his breast and handed them to Falkenried. +The officers were startled by the unexpected news, and gathered around +their chief waiting the corroboration or denial of the statement just +made, but a strange sight met their eyes. Their general, who never lost +his presence of mind, no matter how unexpected or how dreadful the +calamity which he faced, stood gazing at the orderly as if a ghost had +risen from the earth, still holding the unopened dispatches in his hand. + +"Herr General, the dispatches!" said one of the adjutants, half aloud. +He understood his leader as little as did the others. It was enough to +bring Falkenried to his senses. He tore open the dispatches and learned +their contents in a second, then again he was a soldier who thought of +nothing but duty. He gave his orders in a loud, clear voice, the +officers hurried hither and thither, cries of command were given, and +signals sounded in every direction, and a few minutes later the division +marching to the fortress was brought to a standstill, while the +withdrawing garrison was also brought to a sudden halt. + +Now the alarm signal was sounded from the citadel. Neither friend nor +foe knew what it signified, only the newly conquered fort must be +evacuated at once. The orders were carried out promptly. Despite the +haste there was no disorder; the troops turned to march back to the city +as they marched from it. + +Falkenried still stood in the same place issuing orders, receiving +communications, while with glance and word he watched and guided all. +But he found a minute's time to turn to his son, he to whom he had given +no sign of recognition. + +"You are bleeding--your wound must be bound." + +Hartmut shook his head. + +"Later; first I must see the retreat and know we are saved." + +The fearful excitement kept him up. He swayed no more, but watched with +feverish impatience every movement of the troops. Falkenried looked at +him, then he said: + +"Which way did you come?" + +"Over the pass." + +"Why, the enemy hold it," cried the General. + +"Yes--they hold it." + +"And yet you came that way?" + +"There was no choice; we only knew it last night, and I had no time for +any other." + +"That's a piece of heroism without parallel," said a high officer, who +had just come up with a communication and heard the last words. "Man, +how did you dare to run such a risk?" + +Hartmut was silent; he raised his eyes slowly, and looked at his father. +Now he was not afraid to meet those eyes, and in them he read that he +was absolved. + +But even the strength of him who has ventured all--and won, has its +limits. + +His father's face was the last he saw, then a bloody veil covered his +eyes; he felt the blood again, hot and wet, running down his face, and +all was night to him as he sank to the ground. + +There was a roar and a shock which made the whole city quake and +tremble. The citadel whose outline rose bold and clear toward the blue +heavens seemed suddenly to be turned into a seething, glowing crater, +vomiting flame. Within the bursting walls a very hell seemed to gape, as +the shower of stones rose in the air only to sink again in the fiery +hollow, and, as the gigantic wreck burned and blazed, it made one mighty +pillar of fire reaching to the very heavens above--a vengeful, hideous +flame of death. + +The warning had not come a moment too soon. In spite of all precautions +there had been some victims who lived in the immediate vicinity of the +citadel and could not be reached, who were either blown to pieces or +severely wounded; though in comparison with the fearful calamity which +might have occurred and would have paralyzed all Germany, the loss was +slight. + +The General with his officers and all his troops were saved. + +The General, with his wonted foresight and energy, had taken every +precaution to avoid the terrible catastrophe, while his coolness, his +example, had done more than anything else to inspire both officers and +men to action. But now, when his duty as commander-in-chief was done, he +had his rights as a father. + +Hartmut had been carried, when he fell, to a house near by, and lay +unconscious on his narrow cot. He neither saw nor heard his father, who +stood with the surgeon by his side. + +Falkenried looked earnestly at the pale, worn face and closed eyes, then +he turned to the surgeon and said: + +"Do you consider the wound mortal?" + +The physician shrugged his shoulders. + +"The wound of itself is not, but the strain and excitement of that +fearful ride, the loss of blood, and the terrible night--I fear, +General, there's little hope for the brave fellow. We must be prepared +for the worst." + +"I am prepared!" said Falkenried earnestly, then he kneeled and kissed +his son, whom he had only found, he feared, to lose again; as he rose +two hot tears fell on the death-like face. + +But the father had no time to stay by his son. He must be up and doing. +After a few minutes he left the room, leaving repeated injunctions with +the doctor not to relax his watchful care for an instant. + +The General's staff and many other officers were waiting in the +market-place for their commander. As they waited they talked of the man +who had ridden through the jaws of death to save them all; none knew his +name, but he had come through the mountain pass, had faced a revengeful +and infuriated foe, with death on all sides, and had reached them in +time. + +When the general appeared they surrounded and questioned him at once +concerning the brave stranger. + +Falkenried had his usual earnest look, but the settled gloom of his face +was gone forever, and in its stead was an expression which those around +him had never seen before. His eyes were wet, but his voice was firm and +clear as he answered: + +"Yes, gentlemen, he is severely wounded, and perhaps the ride which +saved us all was his death ride. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you would know his name, he is my son--Hartmut von +Falkenried." + +The old manor house of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and quiet in the summer +sunshine. Its young master, who had been away from it for a whole year +had just returned to it and to his young wife, for the war was over. + +The great estate had not suffered during his long absence; it had been +well cared for. The mother had taken the reins in hand again, and had +governed as of old with judgment and a watchful eye, but she now +resigned them willingly to her son, and declared her intention of taking +up her residence in Berlin. + +She looked well and happy to-day as she stood upon the broad stone +veranda talking with her son who was by her side. He had never before +seemed so handsome in her eyes, for his military life and discipline had +given him a fine, stately bearing. She might well feel that he had +gained something with which her education had not provided him, but she +would not have admitted that for the world. + +"So you intend to build?" she asked. + +"I had thought of it." + +"The old house in which your father and I lived is not good enough for +your princess, whom you must needs surround with all possible glitter +and splendor. Not that I care. You have the money to do it with. If all +these fine doings please you, well and good. It's nothing to me, thank +God." + +"Don't try to be so severe, mother," laughed Willibald. "If a stranger +heard you he'd think you were the worst kind of a mother-in-law. If +Marietta's letters had not given me assurance enough that you spoiled +her, your own actions every day would do so." + +"Now and then one plays, even in old age, with a pretty doll," Regine +answered dryly. "And your wife is but a fragile doll. Do not imagine +she'll ever be a capable housewife--I saw at a glance that she hadn't +it in her to manage here." + +"You are quite right," answered her son eagerly "The work and the +management of the estate are my care and mine alone, and I shall never +bother Marietta with them. One takes pleasure in work too with such a +sweet little singing bird by his side and in his heart." + +"Willibald, I don't believe your head is right yet," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with her old acerbity. "Who ever heard a sensible man, a +married man and a landed gentleman, speak in such a manner of his wife, +'A sweet little singing bird.' You've been learning that from your bosom +friend, Hartmut, whom you all think such a great poet." + +"No mother, that's my own poetry," said Willibald, defending himself. "I +never wrote but one poem, and that was on the night when I saw Marietta +play. I gave it to Hartmut and asked him to change it a little and make +it read more like his. I'll tell you what he said in answer. 'Dear Will, +your poem is very beautiful and full of feeling; but you'd better let +it remain as it is. The public would in all probability not appreciate +the lines as they deserve, and your wife will value your work better +without any rearrangement by me.' That was my bosom friend's judgment." + +"It served you right; what had you, a landlord, to do with verses?" +cried Regine sharply. Just then the door from the dining-room opened, +and a dark curly head peeped out, while a fresh voice said playfully: + +"May a poor subject have a moment's speech with her most gracious +majesty?" + +"Come here with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen, but the invitation was +unnecessary, for the young wife was already in her husband's arms, while +he, drawing her to him, whispered something in her ear. + +"There you begin again," said his mother. "Some people never grow tired +of folly." + +The young wife turned toward her mother-in-law and said: + +"You mustn't forget that we had no honeymoon when we were married, and +so we are taking it now. You know from experience that one is permitted +an extra share of happiness during that time." + +Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with Herr von +Eschenhagen of blessed memory had been of another kind. + +"You received a letter from your grandfather, did you not, Marietta?" +she said, changing the subject. "Good news?" + +"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well, and is delighted at the thought +that he'll be here with me in another month. He writes that it's the +quietest summer he has known for a long time around Waldhofen. Rodeck +has been desolate and deserted since the prince's death. Ostwalden is +closed and Fürstenstein will be empty soon, too. Toni is to be married +in two weeks, and then uncle Schönau will be all alone." + +The last words were spoken in a peculiar tone, and Marietta gave her +mother-in-law an odd glance, which the latter did not notice; she only +said: + +"It does seem singular for Hartmut and Ada to spend the first weeks of +their marriage here in that little villa when they could go to the great +castle at Ostwalden or one of the Stahlberg palaces." + +"They wanted to be as near the general as possible," said Willibald. + +"Well, in this case, Falkenried could have gotten leave and gone to +them. God be praised! The man seems to live again since he has his son +with him. I knew better than any one how the boy's flight struck him, +for he fairly worshipped his son, notwithstanding his severity. That +famous ride which saved his father and his troops, absolved him from all +his boyhood's errors, for which, after all, his mother alone was +accountable." + +"If we only had some wedding festivities in the family," said Marietta. +"Will and I were married without any, because the war had commenced, and +now when the war is happily ended, Hartmut and Ada are married just as +quietly as we." + +"My child, when a man has gone through all that Hartmut has endured, he +has little desire for gaieties," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. +"Besides, he has by no means recovered his strength yet. You saw how +pale he was when they were married. Adelheid's first marriage was very +different from her second one. Her poor father gave her away, although +he was so ill, and she in her train and lace and diamonds looked like a +queen; but her face was pale and cold. Now, she seemed like a different +creature as she turned with Hartmut from the altar in her simple white +silk gown and gauzy veil. I have never seen so peaceful, so happy a +face! Poor Herbert! He never possessed his wife's love." + +"Who could love so old a man? Always with his diplomatic coat and manner +on, too. I shouldn't have been able to do it, I'm sure," cried Marietta, +thoughtlessly. + +Her mother-in-law, who held her brother's memory sacred, said tartly: + +"Such an opportunity would never have come in your way. A man like +Herbert von Wallmoden would scarcely have chosen you, you little +insolent thing--" + +The little insolent thing threw her arms around Frau Regine's neck, and +said, flatteringly: + +"Now, don't be angry, mamma! I wouldn't exchange my Will for all the +great ambassadors of the world, and neither would you." + +"You're a little minx," said Regine, striving to look as severe as ever. +"You know very well that one can't be angry with you long. Oh, there'll +be a petticoat government at Burgsdorf from this time on, such as the +place has never witnessed before. Will's a little ashamed before me yet, +but as soon as I'm gone he'll surrender at discretion." + +"Why do you cling to that idea, mother?" said Willibald, reprovingly. +"Why do you want to go when all is love and peace between us?" + +"Just for that reason I go, that peace may continue; we need not discuss +it, my son. I must always be first where I live and work. You must be +that now, and we wouldn't pull together. Until now we have been +distressed and anxious about you, not knowing what hour would bring +tidings to break our hearts. That's all over, but I'm not so old that I +must be set aside as useless. Wherever I am I must be the head, and for +that reason I am going." + +She turned and entered the house, while her son gazed after her and gave +a troubled sigh. + +"Perhaps she is right," he said, "but it will be hard for her to be +without duties or occupation. Enforced quiet will be very hard for her, +I know. You should have begged her to remain, Marietta." + +Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and looked up smiling: + +"O no, I'll do something better. I'll have a care that when she leaves +us she will not be unhappy." + +"You? What will you do?" + +"Only a simple thing--have her get married." + +"What do you mean?" + +"O, Will, to be so wise and yet see nothing," said his wife with her old +sweet silvery laugh. "Have you no idea why uncle Schönau was in such a +bad humor when we met him in Berlin, and urged him to visit us? Your +mother didn't invite him because she feared another proposal; he +understood that, and it made him furious. I saw them at Waldhofen the +time of our marriage, and I knew he would have been very glad to have a +similar ceremony performed for himself, only your mother said him nay. +Don't put on such a face, Will; you look exactly as you did the first +day I saw you." + +Her husband was gazing at her in boundless astonishment. He had never +dreamed of such a possibility as his mother marrying again, or his uncle +either, for that matter. It struck him now as a most excellent +arrangement. + +"Marietta, how wise you are!" he said, looking with admiration at the +smiling girl, who was beaming with satisfaction at the manner in which +her news had been received. + +"I'm wiser than you think," she declared triumphantly, "for I have set +the wheel going. I took occasion to let uncle Schönau know that if he +stormed the fort again, a complete surrender might follow. He said he +had no intention of being refused again, but you'll see him sooner than +you think. In fact he's in the house now, came half an hour ago, but I +determined to say nothing about it before mamma--here he is now!" + +The head forester stepped on the terrace just in time to hear the last +words. + +"Yes, here I am," said Herr von Schönau. "It's all your little wife's +fault, Will, that I am at Burgsdorf. I'm here at her suggestion, and if +that mother of your's is not obstinate and unreasonable and pig-headed +as usual--why I'll marry her." + +"I pray to God you may, uncle," answered Will, to whom this summary of +his mother's wonted characteristics was very singular, to say the least. + +"Yes, so do I," agreed Schönau, "your wife thinks--" + +"I think that you shouldn't lose a moment," cried Marietta, "Mamma has +just gone to her sitting-room and knows nothing of your arrival. Will +and I will remain behind, and if the worst comes to the worst call on +us. Forward, march!" + +With these words she gave him a push, and the sturdy, broad shouldered +man turned at her bidding, saying to Will, who entered the house with +him: + +"They are all commanders whether they be large or small--it's born in +them, I suppose." + +Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her cosy room looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she was to leave in a few days. Though +she had said so decidedly she would go, the decision had been no light +matter to her. The strong, active, capable woman who had been mistress +here for thirty years and over, dreaded the quiet and inactivity of city +life, of which she had had some slight experience at the time of her +quarrel with her son. She dreaded going back to it now, though she knew +it was but just and fitting to leave Willibald and his wife alone, and +she had the courage to do what was right. She heard the door open and +turned to see the head forester enter the room. + +"Moritz, you here?" she said, surprised. "It was very sensible of you to +come." + +"Yes, I'm always sensible," answered the head forester, with his usual +lack of tact. "You didn't have the grace to invite me, but I thought I'd +come in person to invite you and your children to Toni's marriage. You +will come to Fürstenstein, will you not?" + +"Certainly we will come, but we were surprised to hear it was to take +place so soon. I thought you were going to buy them an estate first and +settle the matter more slowly!" + +"No, they wouldn't wait or listen to reason. Our warriors make great +demands when they come home covered with glory. Walldorf said to me +quite coolly: 'You know you said first conquer then marry. Well we have +conquered; now I shall marry without any delay. The estate can wait, the +land won't run away, but we must be married now!' Of course Toni +seconded everything he said. What could I do? I let them name the day +then and there." + +Frau von Eschenhagen laughed. + +"The young are in a hurry to marry, though they have plenty of time to +wait." + +"The old have none to spare, though," said the head forester promptly, +glad of so good a chance to get on the subject near his heart. "Have you +reflected enough over our little affair, Regine?" + +"What affair?" + +"Why, our marriage. I trust you are in the humor for it now." Regine +turned away somewhat embarrassed. + +"How you do love to take one by surprise, Moritz." + +"So that is what you call taking by surprise?" cried the head forester, +irritated. "Over five years ago I asked you to marry me, then last year +a second time, and now for the third time, so you have had plenty of +time to consider the matter. Yes, or no? If you send me away this time +I'll never come again, understand that!" + +Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Notwithstanding her hard, unyielding nature, deep down in her +heart there had always been a warm feeling for the man who was to have +been her husband long years ago, for Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had +turned from her she had married another, for she had no thought of +leading a desolate, useless life; but the same feeling of bitter woe +which had entered the young girl's heart was in the heart of the older +woman to-day and closed her lips. She stood silent for a few minutes, +then cast the sweet, sad memory from her forever, and gave her hand to +her brother-in-law: + +"Well then, yes, Moritz! I will make you a good and true wife." + +"Thank God!" said Schönau earnestly, for he had feared her hesitation +would result in a third refusal. "You should have said that five years +ago, Regine, but better late than never. It's all right at last." + +And with these words the persevering man folded her in his arms with +affectionate tenderness. + + * * * * * + +The sun shone down warm and bright on the meadow land and penetrated +even into the forest depths. It fell across the pathway of General von +Falkenried and his son and daughter, who were sauntering along under +the high firs on the way which led to Burgsdorf. + +Falkenried did not seem the same man he had been for the past ten years. +The war which, despite its victories and final triumph, had made so many +old before their time, had affected him apparently in a different +manner. His white hair was thin over his deeply furrowed brow, but his +features had life again, his eyes had fire and expression, and one saw +at a glance that this was no old man, but one in the zenith of his +strength and power. + +Falkenried's son had not fully recovered his strength yet, and his face +showed traces of great suffering. The war had not left him younger, on +the contrary he had grown older; his pallid face, and the broad, red +scar on his forehead, told a tale of their own. For months after that +fearful night he had lain at death's door, but with returning life and +strength all traces of the old Hartmut, of Zalika's son, disappeared +forever. + +It seemed as if, in casting from him the name of Rojanow, he cast with +it the unholy heritage of her who had borne him. The dark curly locks +were beginning to grow again over the high, broad forehead, so like his +father's. + +The young wife by his side, so beautiful, so winning always, was +lovelier than ever now, for joy and happiness had set their seal on her +bright, girlish face! Who would recognize in this slender, graceful +figure, clad in a simple, summer frock, the proud, cold court beauty in +her laces and jewels? The smile, the tone in which she spoke to her +father and husband, Frau von Wallmoden had never known, for it was Ada +Falkenried who had learned it. + +"You can go no farther to-day," said the general, standing still. "You +have a long walk back, and Hartmut is not strong enough for much yet. +The physician was very decided about his not exerting himself." + +"If you only knew, father, how hard it was to be mistaken for an invalid +when I am getting so well and strong again," said Hartmut. "I am getting +strong enough--" + +"To bring on a relapse by your folly," his father answered. "You have +never learned patience, and it is altogether owing to Ada that you are +as strong as you are." + +"If it hadn't been for her there would be no Hartmut to-day," said her +husband, giving her a glance of tenderest love. "I believe the case was +almost hopeless when she came to me!" + +"The physicians at least gave no hope, when I telegraphed for Ada in +response to your cry. The first minute you recovered consciousness, you +called for her, to my boundless astonishment, for I did not know you +even knew one another." + +"That hardly seemed fair to you, papa, did it?" As she glanced up +laughing into her father's face, he drew her to him, and kissed her +forehead. + +"You know best what you have been to Hartmut and me, my child. I thank +God for bringing him back to me through your nursing. And you are right +in detaining him here, although the physician says he could travel now. +He must first learn to know his fatherland and his home to which he was +so long a stranger." + +"First learn?" said Ada, reprovingly. "What he read to you and to me +to-day shows that he has long since learned it; his new poem breathes a +different spirit from his wild, passionate 'Arivana.'" + +"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is certainly fine," said his father, as he +reached out his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will yet +honor my boy in peace, as well as in war." + +Hartmut's eyes lighted as he returned the warm hand pressure. He knew +what such praise from his father's lips signified. + +"Good-bye," said the general, kissing his daughter. "I'll go on from +Burgsdorf to the city, but in a few days we'll meet again. Good-bye, +children." + +As he disappeared through the trees, Hartmut led Ada toward the +Burgsdorf fish-pond. When they reached it they stood gazing down on the +still sheet of water which lay so placid and clear in its setting of +water lilies and reeds. + +"Here, as a boy, I played for hours with Will," said Hartmut softly, +"and here my destiny was decided for me on that fateful night. I realize +now, for the first time, all that I did to my father in that fearful +hour." + +"Ah, but you have repaid him for all his suffering," answered Ada, as +she laid her hand on her husband's arm. "The world, too, has forgotten +your boyhood's folly. That was proven by the words of praise and +congratulations which poured in upon your father from all sides about +his heroic son." + +Hartmut shook his head. "That was no heroism, it was despair. I did not +think I should succeed. No one thought so; but even had I fallen, the +enemy's bullet would have redeemed my honor. Egon understood that, and +that was why he put my salvation in my own hands. When we two said +good-bye in the little ruined church on that icy winter's night, we knew +we should never meet again, but we both thought I would be the victim, +for I rode to almost certain death. But a spirit-hand seemed to lead me, +and in the hour in which I reached my goal, poor Egon fell. You need +not hide your tears, dear. I have no jealousy of the dead." + +"Eugen brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, the hot tears +standing in her eyes. "And poor Stadinger wrote me, too, of his master's +last words. I fear the old man won't live long; his letter sounded as +though he were heart-broken." + +"My poor Egon!" Hartmut's voice told how deep was his sorrow for his +loss. "He was so sunny, so amiable always. He seemed created for a long, +cloudless life. Perhaps you would have been happier by his side, Ada, +than with your wild, stormy Hartmut, who will so often vex you with the +dark shadows of his life." + +Ada glanced up at him, smiling through her tears. + +"I have only one love, and that is my wild, stormy Hartmut, and I know +no greater happiness than to be his wife!" + +Wood and water lay quiet in the afternoon sunshine. The old firs stood +dark and tall, while the reeds whispered softly to one another, and +thousands of sunny sparks danced on the water. Far above, in the heavens +to which the boy had once longed to mount like a falcon, the sun rode on +his glorious course. In splendor he shed his rays on all +beneath--mighty, eternal and glorious source and promise of life and +joy. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT *** + +***** This file should be named 16095-0.txt or 16095-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/9/16095/ + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +concept and trademark. 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Werner</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Northern Light</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: E. Werner (Pseudonym of Elisabeth Bürstenbinder)</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: June 20, 2005 [eBook #16095]<br /> +[Most recently updated: April 21, 2021]</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT ***</div> + +<h1>THE NORTHERN LIGHT</h1> + +<h2>FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER</h2> + +<h3><i>Author of "At a High Price," "His Word of Honor," etc</i>.</h3> + +<h2>TRANSLATED BY MRS. D. M. LOWREY</h2> + +<h3>1891</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field. Through +its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward +way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving +a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; +turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.</p> + +<p>At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the +forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing +earnestly with each other. One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm +and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he +wore. He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and +speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature. Yet +something like a shadow lay upon the man's face, and there were, +wrinkles, on his brow which surely were not the result of age, for he +was yet in the prime of life.</p> + +<p>"The birds have started already on their journey to the south," said he, +after watching the flight attentively until they had finally disappeared +in the cloud of mist. "The autumn has come to nature and to our lives as +well."</p> + +<p>"Not to yours yet," objected his companion. "You are just in the hey-day +of life, in the full strength of your manhood."</p> + +<p>"True enough, as to years, but I have a feeling that age will overtake +me sooner than others. I often feel as if it were autumn with me now."</p> + +<p>The other man, who might have been a few years the speaker's senior, was +slender, and of middle height, and clad in civilian's dress. He shook +his head impatiently at his companion's last observation. He appeared +insignificant when compared with the strong, well-built officer near +him; but his pale, sharply cut face wore a look of cold, superior +repose, and the sarcastic expression around the thin lips, together with +his aristocratic air and bearing, suggested a hidden strength behind a +feeble exterior.</p> + +<p>"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reprovingly. "You have +changed strangely in the last few years. Who would recognize in you now, +the gay young officer of other days? And what's the reason of it all? +The shadow which once darkened your life has long since disappeared. You +are a soldier, heart and soul, and have repeatedly distinguished +yourself in your profession. A high position awaits you in the future, +and the thing above all others is—you have your son."</p> + +<p>Falkenried did not answer; he folded his arms and looked out again into +the mist, while the other continued: "The boy has grown handsome as a +god in the last few years. I was quite overcome with surprise when I +saw him again, and you yourself, told me that he was unusually gifted +and in many things showed great talent."</p> + +<p>"I would that Hartmut had fewer talents and more character," said +Falkenried, in an almost acrid tone. "He can make verses quick enough, +and to learn a language is child's play to him, but as soon as he tries +some earnest science, he's behind all the others, and in military +tactics I can make nothing of him at all. You cannot comprehend, +Wallmoden, what iron severity I am constantly compelled to employ."</p> + +<p>"I fear you accomplish little by this same severity," interrupted +Wallmoden. "You should take my advice and leave your son to his studies. +He has not the qualifications for a soldier. You must see that for +yourself by this time."</p> + +<p>"He shall and must acquire those qualifications. It is the only possible +career for such an intractable nature as his, which revolts at every +restraint and to which every duty is a burden. The life of a student at +the university would give him unrestrained liberty; only the iron +dicipline of the service will force him to bend."</p> + +<p>"The only question is, how long will you be able to force him to do your +will? You should not deceive yourself; there are inherited tendencies +which will not allow themselves to be repressed or eradicated. Hartmut, +now, is in appearance the counterpart of his mother; he has her features +and her eyes."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Falkenried gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, glowing +eyes, which cast their spell upon all who knew her."</p> + +<p>"And were your ruin," supplemented Wallmoden. "How often did I warn and +advise you then; but you would not listen. Your passion had seized you +like a fever and held you like chains. I declare I never have been able +to understand it."</p> + +<p>Falkenried's lips were drawn in with a bitter smile.</p> + +<p>"I can readily believe that you, the cool, calculating diplomat, you, +whose every word is weighed, are protected against all such witcheries."</p> + +<p>"I should at least be cautious in my choice. Your marriage carried +unhappiness on its face from the very beginning. A women of a foreign +race, with strange blood in her veins and the wild, passionate Sclave +nature, without character, without understanding of what we here call +duty and morality; and you with your rigid principles, with your +sensitive feeling of honor, it could ultimately lead to but one end. And +I believe you loved her in spite of all, until your separation."</p> + +<p>"No," said Falkenried, in a hard tone, "the fire burned out in the first +year; I saw that only too clearly. But I shrank back from publishing to +the world my household misery by a legal separation. So I bore it until +no choice remained, until I was forced. But enough of this."</p> + +<p>He turned abruptly on his heel and looked from the window again; but the +quick movement betrayed rather than concealed the torture which he with +difficulty repressed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it takes a great deal to tear up a nature like yours by the +roots," said Wallmoden earnestly. "But the divorce freed you from the +unhappy bond, and why should you not bury the memory as well?"</p> + +<p>Falkenried shook his head and sighed heavily. "One cannot bury such +memories; they are forever rising from their supposed sepulchres, and +just now—" he broke off suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Just now; what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been in Burgsdorf +since day before yesterday; how long do you expect to remain?"</p> + +<p>"About two weeks. I haven't much time at my disposal, and am for that +matter only nominally Willibald's guardian, for my diplomatic position +keeps me out of the country most of the time. The guardianship really +rests in the hands of my sister, who rules over everything."</p> + +<p>"Well, Regine is equal to the position. She governs the great estate and +the numerous servants as though she were a man."</p> + +<p>"And gives her orders like a cavalry officer from morning to night," put +in her brother. "Recognizing all her excellent qualities, I, +nevertheless, feel a slight creepy sensation whenever I am constrained +to visit Burgsdorf, and I always leave the place with shattered nerves. +They live in a most primitive fashion over yonder. Willibald is a +perfect young bear, and of course at the same time the apple of his +mother's eye, and she, by the way, is doing her best to bring him up as +a bluff country squire. It's useless to enter any protest, and, for the +matter of that, it seems just what the youngster's good for."</p> + +<p>Their conversation was interrupted at this moment by a servant, who +entered and handed his master a card. Falkenried glanced at it. +"Counsellor Egern? I am glad of that. Tell the gentleman to come in."</p> + +<p>"You have a business engagement I see," said Wallmoden rising. "Then +I'll not disturb you."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary I beg you to remain. I have had an intimation of this +visit and its purpose, and know what will be the result of our +conversation. The question is—" He did not finish, for the door opened +and the lawyer entered. He seemed surprised not to find the officer +alone, as he had fully expected, but Falkenried took no notice of his +ill-concealed astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Herr Counsellor Egern—Herr von Wallmoden, secretary of legation," said +the host, presenting them. The man of law bowed with cool politeness as +he took the seat offered him.</p> + +<p>"I have the honor of being known to you, I believe, Herr Major," he +began. "As your wife's attorney at the time the suit for divorce was in +progress, I had the opportunity of making your acquaintance." He paused +as if expecting an answer; but Major Falkenried gave no sign beyond an +affirmative nod.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden was all attention. He could understand now his friend's +irritation on his arrival.</p> + +<p>"I come to you to-day in the name of my former client," continued the +counsellor. "She has authorized me—have I your permission to speak +freely?"</p> + +<p>He glanced at the diplomat, but Falkenried answered shortly: "Herr von +Wallmoden is my friend, and knows all about this affair. So you may +speak freely."</p> + +<p>"Very well. The lady has, after an absence of many years, returned to +Germany, and naturally enough wishes to see her son. She has already +written you about the matter but has received no answer."</p> + +<p>"I should think that was answer enough. I do not wish any such meeting, +and I will not permit it."</p> + +<p>"That sounds very blunt, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried, in that case, +has—"</p> + +<p>"Say Frau Zalika Rojanow, if you please," interrupted the Major. "I +believe she assumed her maiden name again when she returned to her own +country."</p> + +<p>"The name does not signify on this occasion," responded the lawyer +composedly. "The question concerns only and alone a mother's natural +desire, which the father neither can nor dare refuse, even though, as +in this case, the son has been unconditionally adjudged to him."</p> + +<p>"Dare not? But suppose he does dare?"</p> + +<p>"In so doing he will overstep the limit of his rights. I beg you, Herr +Major, to consider the matter quietly before giving so decided a no. A +mother has rights of which no judicial decree can ever divest her, and +one of those rights is the privilege of seeing her only child again. In +this case my client has the law on her side, and she will appeal to it, +too, if my demand meets with the same refusal as did her written +request."</p> + +<p>"Very well, she can make the attempt. I'll run the risk. My son does not +know that his mother is living, and shall not learn it now. I will not +have him see her or speak with her, and I will know how to prevent it, +too. My no is absolute under all circumstances."</p> + +<p>This declaration left nothing to be wished for as regarded energy; but +Falkenried's face was deathly pale, and his voice had a hollow, menacing +sound. One could see how fearfully the interview had excited him. He was +scarcely able to preserve the semblance of outward composure.</p> + +<p>The attorney seemed to see the uselessness of further endeavor, and only +shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"If this is your last word, then my errand is at an end, and we will +determine hereafter what our next step will be. I regret having troubled +you about the matter, Herr Major." He bowed himself out with the same +cool, indifferent manner with which he had entered. As the door closed +upon him, Falkenried sprang up and began pacing excitedly up and down +the room; there were a few minutes of oppressive silence, then Wallmoden +said, half aloud: "You should not have done that. Zalika will not resign +herself readily to your no; she made a desperate struggle for her child +in the beginning."</p> + +<p>"But I obtained the victory. It is to be hoped she has not forgotten +that."</p> + +<p>"At that time the question concerned the possession of the child," +objected the secretary. "Now the mother only asks permission to see him +again, and you will not be able to refuse her that, if she demands it +peremptorily."</p> + +<p>The Major stopped suddenly, and his voice was full of undisguised +contempt as he answered:</p> + +<p>"She will not venture to do that after all that has happened. Zalika +learned to know me in the hour of our separation; she'll be cautious +about driving me to extremes a second time."</p> + +<p>"But perhaps she will seek to accomplish secretly what you have openly +refused."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible; the discipline of our institution is so severe +there could be no intercourse here of which I should not learn at once."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden did not seem to share his friend's confidence. He shook his +head doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"To speak openly, I regard it as a great mistake that you are +obstinately silent toward your son concerning his mother and the fact +that she is living. When he learns it from some other source, what then? +And sometime you must tell him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, in a couple of years, when he'll have to enter the world. Now +he's only a student, a half-grown boy, and I cannot disclose to him the +drama which was once played in his father's house—I cannot."</p> + +<p>"So be it. You know the woman who was once your wife, and know what to +expect from her. I fear there is nothing impossible for this woman to +accomplish."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I know her," said Falkenried with intense bitterness, "and because +I know her I will protect my son from her at any price. He shall not +breath the poisonous breath of her presence; no, not even for an hour. I +do not under estimate the danger from Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he is safe from her, for she will never come +near me, I give you my word for that."</p> + +<p>"We will hope so," answered Wallmoden, as he rose and reached out his +hand at parting. "But do not forget that the greatest danger with which +you have to contend lies in Hartmut himself; he is in every trait the +son of his mother. You are coming over to Burgsdorf with him day after +to-morrow, I hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is to spend his short autumn vacation with Willibald. I shall +be able to remain a day only, but I'll surely come for that time. +Good-bye."</p> + +<p>The secretary left the house, and Falkenried returned once more to the +window, but he only gave a fleeting glance after his friend, who waved +him a parting greeting, then returned gloomily to his own thoughts.</p> + +<p>"The son of his mother." The words rang in his ears, but the thought was +not new to him; he had known it a long time, and it was this knowledge +which had furrowed his brow so deeply, and wrung from him many a deep +sigh. He was a man who could brave any outward danger; but against this +unfortunate heritage of blood in his only child he had battled with all +his energy for years, but in vain.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Now I tell you for the last time that all this noise and confusion must +come to an end, for my patience is finally exhausted. Such goings on as +we have had for the last three days are enough to make one think that +all Burgsdorf is bewitched. That Hartmut is full of mad tricks from his +head to his feet. When he once gets loose from the reins which his +father holds tight enough, I'll admit that, there's no getting on with +him, and of course you follow after him through thick and thin, and obey +your lord and master's slightest behest. Oh, you are a fine pair."</p> + +<p>This philippic, which was delivered in a loud tone, came from the lips +of Frau von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, while sitting with her son and +mother at breakfast. The great dining-room lay on the ground floor of +the old mansion, and was an extremely simple room, with glass doors +leading out upon a broad stone terrace, and to the garden beyond. On the +brightly tinted walls hung a number of antlers, which bore witness to +the sporting tastes of former possessors, but these were the only +adornments of the room.</p> + +<p>A dozen high-backed chairs, arranged stiffly in rows like grenadiers, a +cumbrous dining-table and a couple of old-fashioned sideboards +constituted the entire furniture of the room; and one could see at a +glance that they had already done service for several generations. Such +luxuries as wall-paper, paintings or carpet could not be found here. +Evidently the occupants were contented to live on just as their +ancestors had done, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in +the district.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the mistress of the house was in keeping with her +surroundings She was forty years old or there abouts, with a large, +strong figure, cheeks glowing with health, and firm, solid features, +which could never have been called beautiful, but denoted great energy. +Very little escaped the sharp glance of her gray eye, her dark hair was +brushed back smoothly, her gown was of coarse texture, simply made, and +looking at her hands, you saw at once that they were made for work.</p> + +<p>There was nothing attractive in her appearance, and her manner and +bearing were thoroughly masculine.</p> + +<p>The heir and future master of Burgsdorf, who had just been reprimanded +so sharply, sat opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while +he helped himself liberally to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, +fresh-looking youth, about seventeen years old, whose appearance +indicated no great intellectual strength, but he seemed to beam with +good nature. His sun-burned face was the picture of health, but +otherwise he showed little resemblance to his mother. He lacked her +energetic expression, and the blue eyes and blonde hair were not from +her, but were an inheritance from his father. With his large, but very +awkward limbs, he looked like a young giant, and formed a striking +contrast to his more delicately formed, aristocratic looking uncle, +Wallmoden, who sat next him, and who said now with a slight <i>soupcon</i> of +irony in his tone: "You certainly cannot hold Willibald answerable for +all these mad pranks; he certainly is a model son."</p> + +<p>"I would advise him not to be anything else; who lives with me must obey +orders," cried Frau von Eschenhagen, as she struck an emphatic blow upon +the table, which made her brother wince.</p> + +<p>"A man is bound to obey orders under your government," he answered. "At +the same time I would advise you, dear Regine, to do something more for +the intellectual development of your son. I have no doubt that under +your guidance he will become, in time, a most excellent farmer, but to +the education of a future landed proprietor, something more than that is +needed. Willibald has outgrown home instructors and should be sent away +now."</p> + +<p>"Sent a—?" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in unbounded +astonishment. "Sent away," she exclaimed, greatly irritated, "and in the +name of common sense, where?"</p> + +<p>"Well, first to the university, and later to travel, that he may learn +something of the world and of men."</p> + +<p>"That he may be altogether ruined by this world and these men, and no +comfort to me at all! No, Herbert, I'll never do that, and I tell you so +now, once for all. I have educated my son to be honest and fear God, and +do not think I shall turn him loose in your Sodom and Gomorrah which the +dear Lord in his forbearance has yet spared from the fire and brimstone +which it so richly deserves."</p> + +<p>"You only know this Sodom and Gomorrah by hearsay, Regine," interrupted +Herbert, sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever since your +marriage; you must acknowledge that yourself!"</p> + +<p>"I acknowledge nothing at all," declared Frau von Eschenhagen, +obstinately. "Will shall become a capable farmer; he is qualified for +that, and for that he needs no cramming at your universities. Or perhaps +you'd like to educate him in your own school, and make a diplomatist of +him? That would be too great an honor."</p> + +<p>She began to laugh loudly, and Will, to whom the whole conversation had +appeared very comical, joined in in the same key. Herr von Wallmoden +took no part in this sudden explosion of gaiety; he only winced again, +as though his nerves were affected, and shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"No, I had not thought of that. I know full well I should have my +trouble for my pains. But Willibald and I are the only representatives +of our family, and if I should not marry—"</p> + +<p>"Should not? You are not thinking of marrying in your old age?" +interrupted his sister, sharply.</p> + +<p>"I am in my forty-fifth year, dear Regine, and a man is not usually +considered old at that age," said Wallmoden, somewhat vexed. "Above all +things I consider marriages made late in life by far the happiest; one +is not influenced then by passion, as Falkenried was, to his lasting +wretchedness, but gives to reason the decisive word."</p> + +<p>"The saints protect us! What if Willibald should wait to marry until he +is fifty years old and gray-headed?" cried Frau von Eschenhagen, greatly +vexed.</p> + +<p>"As an only son and future heir he will have to consider such matters; +as for the rest, the main point will be his own inclinations. What do +you think, Willibald?"</p> + +<p>The young heir, who had disposed of his ham and eggs by this time, and +with undiminished appetite was now attacking the sausage, was evidently +much astonished that his opinion had been asked. Such a thing had never +happened before, and he was obliged to reflect deeply before he could +answer at all.</p> + +<p>At length he reached a conclusion. "Yes, of course I must marry some +time, but mamma will choose a wife for me when the right time comes."</p> + +<p>"She will indeed, my boy," assented his mother, warmly. "That is my +affair, so you need not trouble your head about it, and until then you +will remain here in Burgsdorf where I can have my eye upon you. As to +the university and traveling, that matter is—settled."</p> + +<p>She threw a defiant glance at her brother, but he was gazing with a look +of horror at the enormous sausage to which his nephew and ward was +helping himself for the second time.</p> + +<p>"Have you always such a large appetite, Will?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Always," Will assured him complacently, as he helped himself to a +large slice of bread and butter.</p> + +<p>"No, we don't suffer thank God, with indigestion or any other stomach +trouble," said the mistress of the house tartly, "but we earn our bread +honestly here. First pray and work, then eat and drink, but what we do, +we do thoroughly, and that keeps body and soul together. Just look at +Will, now, and you will see that what I say is true." She gave her +brother a friendly slap on the shoulder with her last words, but this +token of her good will was so energetic that Wallmoden shrank back in +his chair, and immediately moved it sidewise to be out of the reach of +that muscular hand.</p> + +<p>The expression of his face showed clearly that the "creepy sensation" +was coming over him again. In the presence of these patriarchial +conditions, he thought it best to forego any attempt to enforce his +prerogative as guardian, an office, moreover, which, so far as he was +concerned, had always been purely nominal. It was plain from Will's +manner that his mother's praise was highly gratifying to the young man's +feelings.</p> + +<p>"And Hartmut is not here for breakfast again, this morning. He seems to +think there is no necessity for being punctual at Burgsdorf, but I will +enlighten the young gentleman when he comes and make it clear to him +that—"</p> + +<p>"There he is now," exclaimed Willibald. On the clear sunshine which +flooded the room through the open windows, there fell a shadow, and a +tall, slender figure appeared suddenly at the window and vaulted upon +the high sill.</p> + +<p>"Well, what kind of an imp are you anyway, that you can only come in +through the window?" said Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are +the doors for?"</p> + +<p>"For Will and all other well-ordered human beings," laughed the +new-comer good-naturedly. "I always take the nearest way, and that led +this time through the window." So saying he gave one spring from the +high seat into the middle of the room.</p> + +<p>Hartmut Falkenried, like the young heir of Burgsdorf, stood upon the +boundary line where boyhood and manhood meet, but it needed only a +glance to recognize that he was his friend's superior in every respect. +He wore a cadet's uniform which became him well, but yet there was +something in his whole appearance which seemed to be at war with the +military cut and fit. The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth +and beauty, yet there was something odd about this beauty, something +wild in his motions and appearance, with absolutely nothing to remind +one of the martial figure and earnest repose of his father. The +luxuriant, curly locks which crowned the high forehead, were of a deep, +blue black, and the warm, dark coloring of the skin betokened rather a +son of the south than of German parentage. Neither did the eyes, which +flashed in the youthful countenance, belong to the cool, earnest north; +they were enigmatical eyes, dark as the night, and full of hot, +passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, however, there was something +uncanny hidden in their depths, and though the laughter which +accompanied Hartmut's words was free and unrestrained, it was not a +hearty, merry boy's laugh.</p> + +<p>"You certainly conduct yourself in a very free and easy manner," said +Wallmoden, sharply. "You evidently take advantage of the fact that the +inmates of Burgsdorf think little of etiquette. I have no doubt, +however, that your father would protest against such an entrance into +the dining-room."</p> + +<p>"He would not do it if his father were here," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +who did not seem to notice the stab intended for herself in her +brother's remark. "And so you have come to your breakfast at last, +Hartmut. But laggards get nothing to eat; did you know that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that," replied Hartmut, quite undisturbed, "so I got my +breakfast some time ago from the housekeeper. You can't starve me, Aunt +Regine. I stand on too good a footing with your people."</p> + +<p>"And so you think you can do as you please and go unpunished," cried the +irate lady. "Break all the rules of the house, leave no one and nothing +in peace, and stand all Burgsdorf on its head; but I'll soon stop all +this business, my lad. To-morrow I'll send a messenger over to your +father requesting him to come and take home his son who knows neither +punctuality nor obedience."</p> + +<p>The threat had its effect. The youth was frightened, and thought it well +to surrender at discretion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are only jesting; shall I not enjoy my short vacation with—"</p> + +<p>"With all manner of folly?" Frau von Eschenhagen added for him. "Will +has not done so much mischief in all his life as you have accomplished +in the last three days, and you'll spoil him with your bad example and +lead him into all manner of misdoing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will is not the kind to be spoiled. I could not do it if I tried," +said Hartmut very warmly.</p> + +<p>The young heir, who certainly did not look as if he could be led into +any impropriety, ate on, untroubled by these personal allusions, until +he had finished the last slice of bread on the table; but his mother was +highly incensed at this remark.</p> + +<p>"That must grieve you greatly," she retorted. "It is certainly not your +fault, for you have tried hard enough to ruin him; but as I just said I +will write to your father to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"That he is to come and fetch me away? You won't do that Aunt Regine, +you are far too good. You know how very strict papa is, how severely he +can punish; you won't complain of me to him; you have never done it +yet."</p> + +<p>"Leave me alone, don't bother me with your flatteries." Frau Regine's +face was as inflexible as ever, but her voice had a certain unsteadiness +which made Hartmut feel he had won the day. He laid his arm upon her +shoulder with the freedom of a child.</p> + +<p>"I believe you do love me a little, Aunt Regine, and I—I have been +happy for weeks over the thought of my visit to Burgsdorf. I have been +sick with longing for woods and sea, for the green meadows and the far +blue heavens. I have been so happy here; but of course, if you really do +not want me, I'll go away from the place. I won't wait to have you send +me."</p> + +<p>His voice had sunk to a soft, seductive whisper, while his eyes spoke +more eloquently than his tongue. They could plead more powerfully than +the lips, and Frau von Eschenhagen, who yielded to no one, from her only +son to the lowest tenant on the estate, permitted herself to be +persuaded by them now.</p> + +<p>"You are incorrigible, you merry-andrew" she said, brushing the curls +from his forehead. "And as to sending you away, you know only too well +that Will and all my people are always ready to make fools of themselves +for you, and I, too, for that matter."</p> + +<p>Hartmut laughed aloud at the last words, and kissed her hand with +impetuous gratitude, then he turned to his friend, who, having finally +ended his meal, was looking on in silent wonderment.</p> + +<p>"Have you finished your breakfast at last, Will? Come, we'll go to the +Burgsdorf fishing pond—don't be so vexatiously slow. Good-bye, Aunt +Regine, I can see Uncle Wallmoden does not approve of your having +pardoned me. Hurrah, now we're off for the woods." And away he rushed +over the terrace and across the garden. There was something attractive +in his exuberance and enthusiasm. The lad was all life and fire. Will +trotted after him like a young deer, and in a few moments the two +disappeared behind the trees.</p> + +<p>"He comes and goes like a wind storm," said Frau von Eschenhagen, gazing +after them. "That boy is not to be restrained once the reins are +slackened."</p> + +<p>"A dangerous youth," said Wallmoden. "He even understands how to manage +you, who usually have all your commands obeyed. It is, within my +knowledge, the first time you have ever forgiven disobedience and lack +of punctuality."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Hartmut has something about him which bewitches one," exclaimed +Regine, half angry at her own irresolution. "If he did not look at me +with those big black eyes of his while he begged and flattered, I might +be able to resist him. You are right, he is a dangerous lad."</p> + +<p>"Well, we've had enough of Hartmut for this morning. The question which +interests me concerns the education of your own son. You have really +decided—"</p> + +<p>"To keep him here. Don't bother yourself about him, Herbert; you may be +a great diplomatist, and have the politics of the whole country in your +pocket, but I wont give my boy into your keeping; he belongs to me +alone, and I intend to keep him, and—that's enough."</p> + +<p>A sounding blow on the table accompanied the "that's enough." Then the +ruling lady of Burgsdorf rose from her chair and left the room. Her +brother shrugged his shoulders and said half aloud: "He can grow up an +ignorant country squire for all of me—perhaps it's the best thing for +him after all."</p> + +<p>Hartmut and Willibald had, in the meantime, reached the tolerably +extensive forest which belonged to the estate. The Burgsdorf fish pond, +a lonely, reedy sheet of water in the middle of the wood, lay glittering +in the sun in the still morning hours. Willibald had chosen for himself +a shady place upon the bank, and gave himself up, with as much +perseverance as comfort, to the delights of angling, while the impatient +Hartmut wandered here and there, now scaring a bird, now breaking off a +branch for the blossoms, and at last, after a series of gymnastic +performances, seating himself on the trunk of an old tree which lay half +in the water. "Can you never be quiet in any place? You frighten the +fish away every time," exclaimed Will, out of humor. "I've caught +nothing at all to-day!"</p> + +<p>"How can you sit for hours on the one spot waiting for the stupid fish +to bite?" retorted Hartmut. "Ah, you can spend the whole long year in +the woods if you desire, you are free, free."</p> + +<p>"Are you a prisoner, then?" asked his friend. "You and your comrades are +out daily, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"But never alone, never without supervision and control. We are always +and eternally in the service, even in recreation hours. O how I hate it, +this service, and the whole slavish life."</p> + +<p>"But Hartmut, what if your father heard you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, then he would punish me again as he always does. He has nothing +else for me but force and punishment, all for my own good—that goes +without saying."</p> + +<p>He threw himself full length on the grass, but hard as the words +sounded, there was a tremor in his tone which told of pain and passion. +The young heir only shook his head soberly while he put a new bait on +his hook and for a few minutes there was perfect silence.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly something black swooped down like a flash of lightning +from the height above them into the water, and a second later rose again +in the air with the slippery, glittering prey in its beak.</p> + +<p>"Bravo, that was a good catch!" cried Hartmut, rising. But Will spoke +angrily.</p> + +<p>"The wretched robber robs our whole pond. I will speak to the forester +and tell him to fill him full of lead."</p> + +<p>"A robber?" repeated Hartmut, as his glance followed the heron who was +just disappearing behind the high tree tops. "Yes, of course, but how +fine it must be to live such a free robber's life up there in the air. +To descend like a flash for your booty and be up and off again where no +one can follow; that's a hunt that pays."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, I verily believe you'd take pleasure in such a wild, lawless +life," said Willibald, with the repugnance of a well-trained boy for +such sentiments.</p> + +<p>His companion laughed, but it was the same bitter laugh without the +joyousness of youth in its sound.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I had any such desire, they'd take it out of me at the +military academy. There obedience and discipline is the Alpha and Omega +of all things. Will, have you never wished that you had wings?"</p> + +<p>"I, wings?" asked Will, whose whole attention was again directed to his +bait. "How ridiculous! Who would wish for impossibilities?"</p> + +<p>"I only wish I had them," cried Hartmut excitedly. "I would I were one +of the falcons from whom we take our name. Then I would mount higher and +always higher in the blue sky towards the sun, and never come back +again."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're crazy," answered his listener good-naturedly. "Well, I +wont catch anything, if I sit here all day, for the fish wont bite. I +must move to another place."</p> + +<p>With that he gathered up his fishing tackle and crossed to the other +side of the pond, while Hartmut threw himself on the ground again.</p> + +<p>It was one of those autumn days which during the midday hours recall +thoughts of early spring. The sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, +the woods so fresh and odorous. Upon the glistening little lake danced +thousands of shining sparks, and the long grass whispered softly and +mysteriously to itself whenever a breath of wind passed over it.</p> + +<p>Hartmut lay stretched out motionless on the grass as if listening to the +secrets it told to the autumnal wind. The wild passion and excitement +which flashed from his eyes when he spoke of the bird of prey had all +vanished. Now the eyes which looked into the heavens above were sad and +dreamy, and there rested in them an expression of ardent longing.</p> + +<p>A light step, almost unheard on the soft ground, approached, and the low +bushes rustled as if against a silk garment. Then they parted and a +woman's figure appeared and stood looking intently at the young dreamer.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p>The boy started and sprang up instantly. He knew neither the voice nor +the apparition which stood before him, but saw it was a lady, and he +made her one of his courtly bows.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, Madame—"</p> + +<p>A slender, trembling hand was laid quickly and restrainingly on his arm.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, not so loud; your companion might hear us, and I want to +speak to you, and to you alone, Hartmut."</p> + +<p>She stepped back again into the thicket and motioned him to follow. +Hartmut hesitated a moment. How came this heavily-veiled and +richly-attired stranger into the lonely wood, and why did she speak so +familiarly to him whom she had never seen before? But the mysteriousness +of her behavior beginning to charm him, he followed.</p> + +<p>She stood now in the shadow of the low trees, where she could not be +seen from the lake, and slowly threw back her veil. She was not very +young, a woman of more than thirty, but her face with its great burning +eyes, possessed an indefinable witchery, and a certain charm lay in her +voice, which, though she talked in whispers, had a soft, deep tone, and +an odd intonation, as though the German which she spoke so fluently was +not her mother tongue.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not know me any more? Does no memory +of your childhood come back to you, to tell you who I am?"</p> + +<p>The young man shook his head slowly, and yet some dreamy and obscure +memory did come to his recollection, of having heard this voice before, +and of this face which had looked into his at some far distant period. +Half shy, half fascinated, he stood looking at this stranger, who +suddenly threw her arms around him.</p> + +<p>"My son, my only child! Do you not know your own mother?"</p> + +<p>"My mother is dead," he answered, half aloud.</p> + +<p>The stranger laughed bitterly, shrilly, and her laugh seemed but an echo +of the hard, joyless sounds which had come from Hartmut's lips a few +moments since.</p> + +<p>"So that's how it is. They would even say I was dead and not leave you +the memory of a mother. It is not true, Hartmut. I live, I stand before +you; look at me, look at my features, are they not your very own? That +at least they could not take from you. Child of my heart, do you not +feel that you belong to me?"</p> + +<p>Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into that face in which his own +was so faithfully mirrored. He saw the same lines, the same luxuriant, +blue-black hair, the same dark, flashing eyes; and the same demoniacal +expression which was a flame in the eye of the mother, was a spark in +the eye of the son. Their close resemblance to one another was witness +enough that they were of one blood. The young man felt the influence of +the mysterious tie.</p> + +<p>He demanded no explanation, no proof; the dreamy, confused recollections +of his childhood were suddenly clear, and after a second's hesitation he +threw himself into the arms which were stretched out to him.</p> + +<p>"Mother!"</p> + +<p>In this cry lay the whole fervid intensity of the boy, who had never +known what it was to have a mother, and who had longed for one with all +the passion of his nature. His mother! And now he lay in her arms, now +she covered him with warm kisses, and called him by sweet, tender names, +which had been strangers to his ear until that moment—everything else +seemed forgotten by him in this flood of stormy ecstasy.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes Hartmut loosed himself from the arms which still +enfolded him.</p> + +<p>"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why have +I always been told that you were dead?"</p> + +<p>Zalika stepped back, and in an instant all tenderness had died out of +her eyes, and in its place was a wild, deadly hate, as the answer came +like a hiss from between her set lips.</p> + +<p>"Because your father hates me, my son—and because he wishes to deny me +the love of my only child since he thrust me from him."</p> + +<p>Hartmut was silent. He knew well enough that the name of his mother +dare not be mentioned in his father's presence, and that he had been +sharply reproved once for doing so, but he had been too much a child at +the time to ask "why." Zalika gave him no time to do so now. She brushed +the thick locks back from his brow and a shadow crossed her face.</p> + +<p>"You get your forehead from him," she said slowly. "But that is the only +thing that reminds me of him, all the rest belongs to me and me alone. +Every feature tells that you are mine—I always knew that."</p> + +<p>She suddenly clasped him in her arms again with unspeakable tenderness, +and Hartmut returned the embrace with ardor. It seemed to him like the +fairy tales which he had so often dreamed, and he gave himself up +unresistingly to the spell of happiness which some wonderful magic had +cast over him.</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, Will called loudly to his friend from the opposite +shore to come on, that it was time to go home. Zalika spoke at once.</p> + +<p>"We must part now. Nobody must learn that I have seen and spoken with +you; above all things your father must not know it. When do you return +to him?"</p> + +<p>"In eight days."</p> + +<p>"Not for eight days?" The words sounded almost triumphant.</p> + +<p>"Until then I can see you daily. Be here by the pond to-morrow at this +same hour; make some pretext for leaving your friend behind, so that we +may be undisturbed. You will come, Hartmut?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, mother, but—"</p> + +<p>She gave him no time for any objection, but continued in a passionate +whisper:</p> + +<p>"Above all things maintain absolute silence toward every one. Do not +forget that. Good-bye, my child, my own dear son, good-bye."</p> + +<p>Another kiss and she had retreated in the woods as noiselessly as she +had come. It was high time, for Willibald appeared at this moment, +though not noiselessly by any means, for he broke the twigs with many a +crackle as he stepped heavily on them.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you answer me?" he asked. "I called you three times. You +have been asleep; you look as if you were dreaming."</p> + +<p>Hartmut did have a dazed look as he stood gazing at the trees behind +which his mother had disappeared. Now he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his forehead.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have been dreaming. A very strange, marvelous dream," he said +slowly.</p> + +<p>"You had better have been fishing," returned Will. "See what a fine +catch I have made. A man should never dream in daylight—that's the time +to be at something serious—mother says."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>The Falkenried and Wallmoden families had been on friendly terms for +years. Living upon adjoining estates, their intercourse was frequent, +and their children grew up together, while many common interests united +the bonds of friendship still more closely. Neither of the families were +wealthy, and the sons, after completing their education, always had to +make their own way in the world, and this in their turn Major Hartmut +von Falkenried and Herbert von Wallmoden had done.</p> + +<p>They had played together in their youth, and as men had remained true to +their boyhood's friendship. At one time it looked as if they would be +more closely allied, for their parents had planned a marriage between +Lieutenant Falkenried, as he was then, and Regine Wallmoden. The young +couple seemed to understand one another fully, and everything stood on +the happiest footing, when an event occurred which put an abrupt +termination to all their plans.</p> + +<p>A cousin of the Wallmoden family, an incorrigible idler and spendthrift, +who had made his longer residence at home an impossibility by his wild +conduct, had gone out into the world years before, and after much +wandering, and an adventurous career, had finally turned his steps in +the direction of Roumania, where he obtained the management of a wealthy +Bojar's estate. After the Bojar's death he succeeded in winning the +widow's hand, and once more regained the position among the nobility +which he had lost earlier in life, through his own folly. And now, after +an absence of more than ten years, he returned with his wife to make a +long visit to his kinsfolk.</p> + +<p>Frau von Wallmoden was by no means a youthful bride. She had long since +reached maturity, but she was accompanied by her daughter by her first +marriage, Zalika Rojanow; and this young Sclave, scarcely seventeen +years old, turned the heads of the simple country gentry, who after all +had seen but little of the world, by her grace and strange beauty, and +the fascination of her warm southern temperament. She was a strange +enough figure in this little circle, whose forms and customs she set +aside with such sovereign indifference. But there was many an earnest +shake of the head, many a word of blame, which was not outspoken, +because they only considered the girl a fleeting guest; she would vanish +again as suddenly as she had appeared on their little horizon.</p> + +<p>Then Hartmut Falkenried came home from his garrison on leave, and met +the new family in the house of his friends. He saw Zalika, and his +life's destiny was sealed. It was a sudden and blinding passion, for +which one too often pays with the peace of a whole life.</p> + +<p>He forgot the wishes of his parents, their plans for his future, and his +quiet, warm attachment for his youth's playfellow, Regine. He had eyes +no longer for the simple woodland flower, which yet bloomed young and +fresh for him; but, inhaling the fragrance of the strange and beautiful +exotic, all else sank into insignificance. In an unguarded hour he threw +himself at her feet, and told her of his love.</p> + +<p>Strangely enough, Zalika returned his affection. Perhaps it was +according to the old adage of extremes meeting, for this man was, in +every particular, her opposite; perhaps it flattered her to see that a +word, a glance from her, could so powerfully effect this earnest, quiet +officer, who, even then, had a touch of melancholy in his disposition. +Enough, she accepted him, and with joy he clasped his affianced bride in +his arms.</p> + +<p>The news of their betrothal aroused a storm in the family circle. From +all sides came objections and warnings. Zalika's mother and step-father +were sorely opposed to it, but resistance only increased the ardor of +the young lovers. The engagement, in spite of kinsfolk, was soon an +established fact, and six months later Falkenried took his young bride +to his own house.</p> + +<p>But the voices which had foretold unhappiness from this marriage were +prophetic.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the brief intoxication of joy was followed by +bitter disenchantment. It had been a fatal error to believe a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, who had grown up in the unrestrained freedom of a +disorderly, extravagant Bojar family, could accommodate herself to the +rules and restrictions of a settled German household.</p> + +<p>The only life she had ever known, and the only life which suited her +temper, was one of excitement and outward splendor. A house full of +guests, horses, cards, hunting, racing, and the utmost liberty of +conversation with the men of her acquaintance; this was the life she had +led in her Roumanian home.</p> + +<p>She had no notion of duty and no understanding for the obligations and +requirements of her new position. And this was the wife who must adapt +herself to the narrow life of a little German garrison town, and direct +the household of a young officer with but limited means at his command. +That it was impossible for her to do so, was shown within the first few +weeks. Zalika began at once; regardless of all prudent considerations, +to order her house after the same fashion as her father's, and +squandered her large marriage portion right and left.</p> + +<p>In vain her husband pleaded with and admonished her; she paid no heed to +him. She had nothing but jeers for forms and ceremonies which were +sacred to him, only a shrug of the shoulders for his strict ideas of +honor and propriety. Soon there were violent quarrels, and Falkenried +recognized, too late, what his precipitancy had done for him.</p> + +<p>He had had great faith in the power of love, notwithstanding all the +warnings he had received about Zalika's foreign birth, and the seal +which her erratic education had stamped upon her character. But he had +now to learn that she had never loved him; that it was the whim of the +hour, or, more probably, the fleeting passion of a moment, which had +made her throw herself into his arms. And she saw in him only an +uncomfortable companion, who spoiled all her pleasure in life with his +foolish pendantries and his laughable notions of honor with which he +wished to bind her hand and foot. But with it all, she feared this man, +who, in his energy and force, was striving to bend her characterless +nature to his will.</p> + +<p>The birth of little Hartmut did nothing to relieve the strain of this +unhappy marriage, but it was a tie which, outwardly at least, still +bound them together. Zalika loved her child passionately, and she knew +her husband well enough to recognize fully, that if it ever came to a +separation between them, he would demand the boy. That thought alone +kept her by his side, while Falkenried suffered intensely, hid his +misery in his own breast, and gave a brave front to the world.</p> + +<p>But, in spite of all, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which +the husband had never dreamed, and was only silent out of compassion for +him. But at last there came a day when his eyes were opened, and what +had been so long an open secret to all his little world excepting +himself, was known to him.</p> + +<p>The immediate consequence of this knowledge was a duel, in which +Falkenried's antagonist fell.</p> + +<p>Falkenried was sentenced to a long imprisonment, but very soon released, +for every one recognized that he had only fought to vindicate his +wounded honor.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the suit for divorce had been begun, and a decree +obtained; Zalika made no contest, nor did she venture to approach her +husband again.</p> + +<p>Since the last terrible hour when he had called her to account, she +trembled at the thought of him. She made desperate efforts however to +secure possession of her son, but all in vain.</p> + +<p>Hartmut was given to the father unconditionally, and Falkenried barred +the mother's every effort with iron inexorableness. Zalika made many +attempts to see her son once more, but to no purpose, and fully +convinced at last, that she could accomplish nothing, she returned to +her own country and her mother's house.</p> + +<p>For years her husband had heard nothing from her, until now when she +suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in the neighborhood of the German +capital, where Major von Falkenried had assumed control of a large +military school.</p> + +<p>It was the eighth day since Hartmut's arrival at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room, and opposite her sat the Major, who +had arrived but fifteen minutes before.</p> + +<p>Her conversation must have been as disagreeable as it was earnest, for +Falkenried listened with a face which grew darker at every word, as she +went on with her account.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut seemed to me greatly altered after the third or fourth day he +was here. The first few days nothing could check his overflow of +spirits, and indeed one morning I had to threaten to send him home. But, +all of a sudden, he became silent and quite downcast. He attempted no +more of his mad pranks, spent hours by himself in wandering through our +woods, and when he returned from his solitary rambles, just sat and +dreamed with open eyes, so that we often had to arouse him as if from a +sound slumber. 'He's beginning to think of the future,' Herbert said, +but I said: 'There's something more than that wrong; there's something +back of all this.' So I took Will to task and questioned him closely; he +astonished me with what I extorted from him. He was in the conspiracy. +He had surprised the mother and the son one day at their tryst, and +Hartmut had pledged him to secrecy, and my boy had really kept silence +towards me, me, his own mother! He finally confessed the little he knew, +after I had talked to him seriously. Well, it won't happen a second +time. I'll look after my Will more sharply for the future."</p> + +<p>"And Hartmut, what does he say?" interrupted the father hastily.</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all, for I haven't spoken a syllable to him on the subject. +He would probably have asked why he had never been allowed to see, or +speak to his mother, and that question can only be answered—by his +father."</p> + +<p>"He has heard it all from the other side, by this time," answered the +father bitterly. "Though, of course, he has not heard the truth."</p> + +<p>"That is what I feared, so I didn't lose a moment in communicating with +you after I discovered the thing. And what will you do?"</p> + +<p>"I'll have to think that over," responded the Major with enforced quiet. +"I thank you, Regine. I suspected mischief when your letter came urging +me to come over at once. Herbert was right, I should not have allowed +Hartmut to leave my side for an hour, under any circumstances. But I +believed him to be so safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +was so rejoiced at the thought of spending his little vacation here, had +so set his heart upon it, that I had not the strength to refuse +him;—and then he is seldom happy except when away from me."</p> + +<p>A hidden pain lay in the last words, but his listener only shrugged his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"That's not altogether the boy's fault," she answered, outspokenly. "I +keep my Will under pretty sharp discipline, but he knows well enough, in +spite of all that, that he lives in his mother's heart. Hartmut has +never learned as much of his father; he only knows his severe, +unapproachable side. If he imagined that you almost adored—"'</p> + +<p>"He would at once misuse the knowledge and leave me weaponless with his +flattery and caresses. He'd rule over me as he does over every one else +who comes near him. His comrades follow him blindly, and are as often +punished as he for his misdoings. He has your Willibald completely under +his control, and his teachers treat him with especial indulgence. I am +the only one whom he fears, and, as a natural consequence, the only one +whom he respects."</p> + +<p>"And you believe fear to be the only weapon to use against him? just +now, too, when his mother is, without doubt, overwhelming him with +lavish caresses? Do not turn away, old friend, you know I have never +mentioned that name before you, but now that it is brought unavoidably +to the front again I must speak plainly. I must admit we could expect +nothing less from Frau Zalika, than that she would appear again. Nothing +would have been gained even if you had not allowed him to leave your +side, for you could not guard a lad of seventeen like a little child. +The mother would have found some way to see her child, and that is her +right—I should do the same."</p> + +<p>"Her right?" interrupted the Major violently. "And you say that to me, +Regine?"</p> + +<p>"I say it, because I know what it is to have an only son. It was right +for you to take your child, for such a mother was not fit to educate +him; but that you should refuse to let her see her son again, after an +absence of twelve years, is a hardness and cruelty which can only be +prompted by hate. No matter how great her guilt may have been—the +punishment is too hard."</p> + +<p>Falkenried looked gloomily on the ground; he knew there was truth in her +words; at last he said slowly:</p> + +<p>"I should never have believed you would espouse Zalika's cause. Once I +injured you deeply for her sake. I tore asunder a bond—"</p> + +<p>"Which never had been united," broke in Frau von Eschenhagen, anxious to +avoid the subject. "It was only a plan of our parents, nothing more."</p> + +<p>"But the thought was a familiar and cherished one in our childhood's +years. Do not seek to shield me, Regine, I know only too well how I +treated you then—and myself too."</p> + +<p>Regine looked straight at him with her clear, gray eyes, but there was +something like moisture in them as she answered:</p> + +<p>"Well, well, Hartmut, it's all over now, so many years that I do not +hesitate to admit that I would have had you then, willingly enough, and +perhaps you would have been able to make something more out of me than I +have become. I was always a headstrong creature, you know, and not +easily ruled, but I should have obeyed you, perhaps you alone, of all +the world. But when Willibald Eschenhagen led me to the altar three +months after your own marriage, the situation was reversed, and I took +the reins in my own hands and began to govern, and have had plenty of +practice since then. But let's not talk of that time so long gone by. I +never have borne any grudge against you, you know that; we have always +been friends in spite of everything, and if you want my assistance or +advice now—here I am."</p> + +<p>She held out her hand and he placed his own in it.</p> + +<p>"I know it, Regine, but in this matter I can only help and advise +myself. If you will send Hartmut to me now, I'll speak with him."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen arose at once to fulfil his wish, but as she left +the room she murmured half aloud:</p> + +<p>"If it be not already too late. She blinded the father and made him +almost insane once; she has surely done as much for the son by this +time."</p> + +<p>In about ten minutes Hartmut entered; he closed the door behind him, but +remained standing near it. Falkenried turned to him. "Come near, +Hartmut, I wish to speak with you."</p> + +<p>His son obeyed, but reluctantly. He knew already that Willibald had +confessed, and that Regine had summoned his father at once, but, united +to the shyness with which he always approached his father, there was +to-day an obvious defiance, which did not escape the Major. He gave his +handsome young son a long, gloomy look.</p> + +<p>"My sudden arrival does not appear to surprise you. Perhaps you know why +I am come!"</p> + +<p>"Yes father, I imagine why!"</p> + +<p>"That is well; then we need waste no time with explanatory words. You +have learned that your mother still lives, she has seen you and spoken +with you. I know that already. When did you see her first?"</p> + +<p>"Five days ago."</p> + +<p>"And have you seen her daily since then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, at the Burgsdorf fish pond?"</p> + +<p>Questions and answers were alike short and precise. Hartmut was +accustomed to the abrupt, military manner of his father, for in all his +intercourse with him, no superfluous word, no hesitancy or evasion of an +answer, was permitted.</p> + +<p>To-day Falkenried was especially abrupt, in order that he might conceal +his intense excitement from his son's unpracticed eye. But Hartmut saw +only the earnest, unmoved countenance, and heard only the cold, severe +accents as his father continued:</p> + +<p>"I have nothing for which to reprove you, for in this matter I have +given you no commands and no word has ever been spoken on the subject +between us. But now I am forced to break the silence. You have always +believed your mother dead, and I have tacitly encouraged this belief, +for I have wished to protect you from recollections which poisoned my +life. Your youth at least should be free, I said. But I have not been +able to carry out that plan, I see, so now you must learn the truth."</p> + +<p>The father paused a moment. To a man of his sensitive feelings it was +torture to discuss this subject with his son, but there was no option +now, he must speak farther.</p> + +<p>"When I was a young man I loved your mother devotedly, and married her +against the wishes of my parents, who saw only unhappiness for me in a +union with a woman from a foreign land. They were right, the marriage +was a most unhappy one, and was finally dissolved by my desire. My son +was awarded to me unconditionally, for it was my absolute right. More I +will not tell you, for I cannot denounce a mother to her own son, so let +that be enough for you."</p> + +<p>Short and bitter as this declaration was, it made a singular impression +upon Hartmut. His father would not denounce his mother to him, to him, +who heard daily the bitterest accusations and invectives against his +father from her lips.</p> + +<p>Zalika had, as might be supposed, cast all the blame of the separation +upon her husband and his countless tyrannies, and her son, who had +suffered so much from his father's austerity, gave a willing ear to all +her tirades. And yet these few short, earnest words had more effect than +all Zalika's passionate outbreaks. Hartmut felt instinctively on which +side the truth lay.</p> + +<p>"And now, to the main point," Falkenried went on. "What was the tenor of +your daily interviews?"</p> + +<p>Perhaps Hartmut had not expected this question; a deep red overspread +his face, he was silent and cast his eyes on the ground.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you do not care to repeat it. I desire to know it. I command you +to answer me!"</p> + +<p>But Hartmut was still silent; he only pressed his lips closer together, +and looked defiantly at his father, who had come close to him now.</p> + +<p>"You will not speak? Perhaps a command from the other side keeps you +silent? No matter, your silence tells me more than any words. I see how +much you are estranged from me already; a little longer with such +influences, and you would be lost to me forever. These meetings with +your mother are now at an end. I forbid you to see her again. You will +go home with me to-day and remain under my protection. Whether that +appears cruel to you or not, it must be, and you must obey."</p> + +<p>But the Major erred when he believed his son would, as formerly, bow to +his stern decree. Hartmut had been for the past few days in a school +where all the antagonism of his nature had been aroused against his +father.</p> + +<p>"Father, you cannot, you dare not order me thus," he cried out now in +great excitement. "It is my own mother whom I have found at last, the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I will not be separated from +her again as I once was. I will not be forced to hate her; threaten, +punish me, do what you will with me, but I will not obey this time, I +will not obey!"</p> + +<p>All the ungovernable passion of his nature broke out in these words; an +unearthly fire gleamed in his eyes, and his hands were clenched; every +fiber quivered in wild revolt; he was resolved to fight out this battle +with his father to the bitter end.</p> + +<p>But the burst of anger which he expected did not come. Falkenried looked +silently at him, but with a glance of earnest, sad reproof.</p> + +<p>"The only one in the whole world who loves you," he repeated slowly. +"You seem to forget that you have a father."</p> + +<p>"Who has never loved me," cried Hartmut with excessive bitterness. +"Since I have found my mother, I have learned for the first time what +love is."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p>The boy seemed almost staggered by this strange tone, vibrating with +pain, which he had never heard in all his life before, and the defiance +which was about to break forth anew, died on his lips.</p> + +<p>"Because I have had no flattering words and caresses for you, because I +have been strict and severe in my training, have you doubted my love?" +said Falkenried, even in that same strange tone. "Do you know what that +severity has cost me against my only, my dearly loved child?"</p> + +<p>"Father!" The word had a shy, hesitating sound, but it was not the old +shyness and fear; there lay in it a joyful, almost incredulous +astonishment, and Hartmut gazed on his father's face as if he could +never take his eyes from it. Falkenried put his hand on his son's arm +and drew him nearer, while he continued:</p> + +<p>"Once I was ambitious, had proud hopes of life, great plans and +projects, but I received a blow from which I could never recover. If I +strive and struggle now, Hartmut, the only spur I have in life, besides +my sense of duty, is you, my son. All my ambitions are centered in you. +I strive for nought else on earth but to make your future great and +happy; and you can become great my boy, for your talents are unusual, +and your mind is as capable for good as for evil. But there is +something more, there are dangerous elements in your nature which are +less your fault than your fate, and which must be curbed in time, before +they obtain a mastery over you, and plunge you into misery. I have been +severe with you in order to expel the germs, but it has not been easy +for me."</p> + +<p>The youth's countenance was in a glow, he hung with bated breath upon +his father's every word, and now he said in a whisper, behind which he +could scarcely conceal his joy:</p> + +<p>"I never dared to think you loved me, you were always so inflexible, so +unapproachable—" he broke off and looked up at his father, who put his +arm around him and drew him closer to himself. Their eyes met in a long, +tender gaze, and the iron man's voice broke as he said softly:</p> + +<p>"You are my only child, Hartmut, all that remains to me of a dream of +happiness which vanished, leaving only bitterness and disenchantment in +its wake. I lost much and bore it;—but if I were to lose you, you,—I +could not bear it."</p> + +<p>He held his son close in his arms, and the boy threw himself sobbing on +his breast, and in this passionate embrace all else seemed to sink from +view. They had both forgotten the threatening shadow from the past which +was forcing itself between them.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Frau von Eschenhagen was harangueing Will in the +dining-room. She had already performed that duty once this morning, but +she thought the occasion required a second portion. The young heir +looked sorely disturbed, he felt himself in a false position both as +regarded his mother and his friend, and yet he was quite innocent in the +matter. As a dutiful son he listened patiently to the tirade, and only +threw a wistful glance now and then toward the table upon which the +evening meal was already spread, and of which his mother took not the +slightest notice.</p> + +<p>"This is what comes of it, when a boy has secrets behind his parents' +back," she said in conclusion. "Hartmut will be well watched now, and +the Major won't deal any too gently with him, either, and you, I think, +will refrain from assisting in any more plots, if I have anything to +say."</p> + +<p>"I had nothing to do with it," said Will, defending himself. "I only +promised to be silent, and I had to keep my word."</p> + +<p>"You should never keep silence toward your mother. She is always and +ever an exception," said Frau Regine, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma, that was probably what Hartmut thought; that's how he acted +toward his mother," said Willibald, and the remark was so just that +nothing could be said in contradiction; it provoked Frau von +Jischenhagen none the less, on that account.</p> + +<p>"That's something different, something quite different," she answered +shortly. But her son asked obstinately:</p> + +<p>"Why is it something different here, then?"</p> + +<p>"Do not bother me any more with your talk and your questions," his +mother went on angrily. "That is a thing which you do not understand, +and about which you have no business to trouble your head. It's bad +enough that Hartmut has brought you into the affair at all. Now be +quiet, and don't trouble me any more about it. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>Will was silent as requested. It was the first time in his life that he +had been catechised so sharply and had received so severe a lecture. At +this moment his uncle Wallmoden, just back from a walk, entered the +room.</p> + +<p>"I hear Falkenried has come already?" he said to his sister.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered. "He came immediately upon receipt of my letter."</p> + +<p>"And how did he take the news?"</p> + +<p>"Quietly enough, outwardly; but I saw only too well that he was moved +to his very soul. He is alone with Hartmut now, and the pent-up storm +will burst."</p> + +<p>"How unfortunate. But I warned him of all this as soon as I heard of +Zalika's return. He should have spoken to his son at once. Now I fear he +is adding a second blunder to the first in seeking, with commands and +force, to prevent further meetings. That fatal stubbornness of his, +which knows no alternative, is terribly out of place now."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and their talk has lasted a long time already. I'll just go and +see how they're getting on, and whether the Major is too severe or not. +You remain here, Herbert. I'll be back immediately."</p> + +<p>She left the room, and while Wallmoden paced the floor dejectedly, his +nephew sat alone at the supper-table, which no one but himself seemed to +notice. He did not venture to eat his supper, for his mother was in +anything but a pleasant humor to-day, and he felt no liberties were to +be taken. Fortunately she came back in a short time with a gleam of +bright sunshine across her face.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," she said shortly and concisely. "He has the boy in his +arms and Hartmut is clinging to him. They can do as they please now. God +be praised! Now you can eat your supper, Will; the confusion that the +house has been in all day is over at last."</p> + +<p>Will didn't wait to be told twice, but began his meal at the word. +Wallmoden shook his head and said half aloud:</p> + +<p>"If it only really is over at last!"</p> + +<p>Neither Falkenried nor his son perceived that the door had been softly +opened and closed again.</p> + +<p>Hartmut still clung to his father. He seemed to have lost all shyness +and reserve in his newly found happiness. He was so tender, so +caressing, that perhaps the Major was not far wrong in saying he would +be left defenseless when his son learned of his great love for him. He +said little; but pressed his lips again and again to his boy's forehead, +and his eyes never left his son's glowing face, which was so near his +own. At last Hartmut said softly:</p> + +<p>"And my mother?"</p> + +<p>A shadow darkened Falkenried's face, but he did not unclasp the arms +which held his son.</p> + +<p>"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she learns that she must keep +aloof from you," he said, this time without harshness, but most +decisively. "You may write her that I will allow you to correspond with +her under certain conditions, but I cannot nor dare not allow any +personal intercourse."</p> + +<p>"Father, consider—"</p> + +<p>"I cannot, Hartmut, it is impossible!"</p> + +<p>"Do you hate her so much, then?" asked the boy reprovingly. "It was you +that sought the divorce, not my mother; she told me so herself."</p> + +<p>Falkenried's lips trembled, and bitter words were on them; he felt like +telling his son, once for all, that his honor had demanded the +separation; but he looked in his child's dark, questioning eyes, and the +words died on his lips. He could not betray the mother to her son.</p> + +<p>"Let that question rest," he said gloomily. "Perhaps later, you may +learn to appreciate my reasons. Now I cannot spare you the bitter +alternative; you can only belong to one of us, and must shun the other; +you must accept that as your fate."</p> + +<p>Hartmut bowed his head; he felt that nothing more was to be said. That +all meetings with his mother must cease when he was again under the +rigid discipline of the institute, he knew full well; now he was at +least permitted to write to her, which was more than he had ventured to +hope.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will tell my mother," he said, dejectedly. "Now that you know +all, you will not oppose my seeing her again?"</p> + +<p>The Major was startled; he had not thought of such a possibility.</p> + +<p>"When were you to see her again?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"To-day, at this hour, at the lake in the wood. She is already waiting +for me there."</p> + +<p>Falkenried had a fierce battle with himself; a voice within him warned +him not to permit this meeting, but he felt that it would seem cruel for +him to refuse.</p> + +<p>"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked at last.</p> + +<p>"Certainly father, or sooner, if you desire it."</p> + +<p>"Well, go," said the Major with a deep sigh. It was only his sense of +justice which forced the permission from his lips. "As soon as you come +back, we will go home. It is nearly the end of your vacation anyway."</p> + +<p>Hartmut, who was on the point of starting, turned back suddenly. The +words brought forcibly to his mind, what he had forgotten in the last +hour, the compulsion and severity of the hated regimen he would again +have to endure. He had never ventured openly to avow his aversion for +the army, but this hour, which took from him all shyness towards his +father, also removed the seal from his lips. After a moment's hesitation +he returned to his father, and putting his arm around his neck, said:</p> + +<p>"I have a request, a most earnest request to make of you, which I know +you will grant, as a proof of your love for me."</p> + +<p>The Major's brows contracted as he asked, reprovingly:</p> + +<p>"Do you need any proof? Well, let's hear it."</p> + +<p>Hartmut clung still closer to him and his voice assumed its sweetest +and most flattering tones, and the dark eyes were almost irresistible in +their look of entreaty, as he said beseechingly:</p> + +<p>"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not like the profession +you have chosen for me, and I shall never learn to like it. If I have +until now, bowed to your will, it has been with repugnance and secret +hatred, for I have been wretchedly unhappy; but I have never dared until +now, to tell you of it."</p> + +<p>The frown on Falkenried's brow deepened, and he unfolded his son's arms +from his neck.</p> + +<p>"In other words you will not obey," he said in a bitter tone, "and for +you obedience is more necessary than anything else."</p> + +<p>"I cannot endure force and compulsion," Hartmut broke out passionately. +"And the service is nothing else but force and slavery. Always and +eternally, obedience; never to have your own way, but ever, day after +day, to bow to an iron discipline. Always the same still, cold forms, +with your own feelings never allowed to come to the surface—I cannot +bear it longer! Everything within me strives for freedom, for light and +life. Let me leave it, father; do not confine me longer in such chains. +I shall die, I shall suffocate!"</p> + +<p>He could not have chosen more ill-advised words with which to plead his +cause, to a man who was heart and soul a soldier. They sounded +passionate and bitter, yet his arm was still on his father's shoulder; +but the Major pushed him back now.</p> + +<p>"I had thought the service an honor, and no slavery," he said cuttingly. +"It is pretty bad when my own son is the first one to bring it to my +notice. Freedom, light and life! Perhaps you think when one reaches his +seventeenth year he has acquired the right to plunge into life without +any further care or guidance. For you, freedom from restraint would +mean destruction."</p> + +<p>"And if it did?" cried Hartmut, quite beside himself. "Rather +destruction with freedom, than longer life with such restraint. For me +the army means bondage and slavery—"</p> + +<p>"Silence! Not a word more," ordered Falkenried, so threateningly that +the youth, in spite of his fearful passion, was awed. "You have now no +choice, and woe to you if you forget your duty. First you must become an +officer and do your duty as such to the full, like your comrades; then, +if you are still of the same mind and I have no power to prevent it, you +can leave, but if I am alive then, I will receive my death blow when my +only son—runs away from the service."</p> + +<p>"Father, do you take me for a coward?" interrupted Hartmut. "If there +were only a war and I could stand in battle—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you would plunge madly and blindly into danger, and, with that +very self-will which knows no discipline, rush on to destruction. I +know, only too well, this wild, measureless desire for freedom from +every restraint, which knows no limits, recognizes no duties; I know +from whom you have inherited it, and to what it will eventually lead. +But as long as you are under my jurisdiction I will hold you fast to +that 'slavery' whether you hate it or not. You shall obey and learn to +yield while there is yet time; and you shall learn it. I give you my +word for that."</p> + +<p>His voice had again the old harsh sound to which his son was so well +accustomed, and every vestige of tenderness had died out of his face. +Hartmut knew that prayers or defiance were alike useless now. He uttered +no syllable, but the old demon-like gleam in his eyes, which robbed him +of all his beauty, was again manifest land on the lips so tightly +pressed together lay a strange, evil expression as he turned silently +to leave the room. His father followed him with his eyes, again he heard +the warning voice which came to him as a presentiment of coming evil, +and he called his son back.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, you'll be back in two hours? You give me your word for it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father." The answer sounded angry, but steadfast.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then I will treat you as a man. You have pledged your word +and may go in peace; be punctual."</p> + +<p>The young man had only been gone a few minutes when Wallmoden entered.</p> + +<p>"I knew you were alone," he said. "I would not have disturbed you, but I +saw Hartmut hasten across the garden just now. Where is he going so +late?"</p> + +<p>"To his mother, to take leave of her."</p> + +<p>The diplomatist looked up startled at this unexpected intelligence.</p> + +<p>"With your consent?" he said surprised.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I gave him permission."</p> + +<p>"How unwise. I thought you would have seen to it that Zalika did not +accomplish her ends; and now, whether it's right or wrong, you are +sending your son to her."</p> + +<p>"Only for an hour, and only for a farewell, which I could not refuse. +What are you afraid of now? Not that there will be any foul play? +Hartmut is no baby to be carried off in a carriage in spite of himself."</p> + +<p>"But if he were willing it would be a different matter."</p> + +<p>"I have his word that he'll be back in a couple of hours," said the +Major with emphasis.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders: "The word of a boy of seventeen!"</p> + +<p>"Who has had a soldier's education and knows the significance of his +word of honor. That gives me no anxiety; my fears are in another +direction."</p> + +<p>"Regine told me you and he understood one another at last," remarked +Wallmoden, with a glance at his friend's dark, gloomy face.</p> + +<p>"For a few minutes; then I had to be the stern, hard father again, and +this last hour has shown me how hard a task it will be to conquer and +direct this unruly, undisciplined nature, but for all that, I must and +will subdue it."</p> + +<p>His friend stepped to the window and looked out upon the garden.</p> + +<p>"It is twilight already and the Burgsdorf fish-pond is half an hour's +walk from here," he said, half aloud. "You could have this last meeting +held in your presence if you saw fit."</p> + +<p>"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could and would not do that."</p> + +<p>"If this farewell does not end as you anticipate—if Hartmut does not +come back?"</p> + +<p>"Then he would be beneath contempt, a liar," said Falkenried, "a +deserter too, for he already carries arms at his side. But do not insult +me with such thoughts, Herbert. It is my son of whom you speak."</p> + +<p>"He is Zalika's son also. But we won't discuss it any more. They are +waiting for you in the dining-room; you will not go to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in two hours," answered the Major, steadily and quietly. "Hartmut +will be back by then—I'll answer for it."</p> + +<p>The gray shadows of evening already lay on field and meadow, and they +grew each moment thicker and darker. The short hazy autumn day was at an +end, and the clouded sky brought the night down more quickly than usual. +A woman's figure could be seen pacing impatiently up and down on the +shore of the little lake. She had a dark mantle drawn closely around +her shoulders, but she paid little heed to the frosty evening air which +was blowing about her; she was feverish with expectation, and her ear +was strained to catch the first echo of approaching footsteps.</p> + +<p>Since the first day on which Willibald had surprised them both, and they +had been forced to take him into their confidence, Zalika had chosen a +late hour in the afternoon, and a lonely place in the wood for her +meetings with her son. She was accustomed to meet him before the +twilight began, in order that he might not attract attention by +returning late to Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but to-day his +mother had waited already an hour, in vain. What accident had detained +him, or had their secret been disclosed? Since a third knew it, she was +prepared for such a contingency.</p> + +<p>All was so silent in the wood that the rustle of her gown and her light +footsteps as she walked to and fro, were the only sounds which greeted +her ear.</p> + +<p>Beneath the tall trees lay long nocturnal shadows; over the pond where +there was more light, being free from shade, hung a faint vapory cloud, +and over yonder in the meadows, where a pool of water, concealed by the +mossy moorland, had formed, the mists had gathered still more thickly +and hung like a gray-white veil over all the heath. The air from the +meadows was blowing damp and chill.</p> + +<p>At last there was a light step, faint and uncertain—then, as it came on +quickly in the direction of the pond, firmer and more resolute. Now a +slender figure came in view, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +darkness, and Zalika flew to meet her son, who, in the next minute lay +in her arms.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" she asked amidst the wonted stormy caresses. "Why +are you so late? I had begun to despair of seeing you to-day. What +detained you?"</p> + +<p>"I could not come sooner," Hartmut explained, still breathless, after +his long run. "I come from my father."</p> + +<p>Zalika drew back.</p> + +<p>"From your father? And he knows—?"</p> + +<p>"All!"</p> + +<p>"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? who told him?"</p> + +<p>The young man related in a few words all that had happened, but he had +not finished when a bitter laugh from his mother interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Of course, they are all in the plot together to keep me from my child. +And your father? He has threatened and punished you again as if you were +a criminal, because you have been in your mother's arms?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut shook his head. The memory of the moment when his father drew +him to his breast was yet before him, despite all the bitterness with +which the scene had ended.</p> + +<p>"No," he said sadly, "but he has forbidden me to see you again, and +sternly commanded me to part from you."</p> + +<p>"And in spite of all, you are here? O, I knew it!"</p> + +<p>Her words had a joyful sound.</p> + +<p>"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," her son answered her bitterly. "I only +came to say good-bye."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p>"Father has given me permission to see you this time, and then—"</p> + +<p>"Then he will take you away again, and you will be forever lost to me. +Is that it?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not answer, he only threw himself upon his mother's breast +with a wild, passionate sob, which had as much anger and bitterness in +it, as pain.</p> + +<p>It had now grown quite dark and the night was upon them, a cold, misty, +autumn night, without moon or starlight, and over in the meadows, where +the vapor was so dense, a light rain had just begun to fall, and +through the rain and the mist a blue shimmering light appeared, now +faint and dull, now with a clear, bright gleam like a flame.</p> + +<p>It disappeared, then started forth again a second and a third time—the +will-o'-the-wisp had begun its unearthly, spectral dance.</p> + +<p>"You are crying!" said Zalika holding her son fast in her arms. "I have +long foreseen this day, and if young Eschenhagen had not surprised us +the other morning. I should before this have given you the choice +between returning to your father and forming some other plan."</p> + +<p>"What other plan? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed.</p> + +<p>Zalika bent over him and although they were alone, her voice sank into a +whisper.</p> + +<p>"Will you allow this tyranny to go on, will you permit yourself to be +separated from your mother and our holy love trodden under foot, without +asserting yourself, or protecting our joint right? If you do permit it, +you are no son of mine, and my blood does not flow in your veins. He +sent you to bid me farewell, and you take his word as final. Do you +really come to take leave of me, for long years, in all probability?"</p> + +<p>"I must do it," her son broke out despairingly. "You know my father. +Against his iron will there is no appeal."</p> + +<p>"If you return to him—no! But who will force you to return?"</p> + +<p>"Mamma. Do not tempt me, for the love of heaven!" he cried trying to +free himself from the arms which held him so fast, but the passionate +voice still whispered in his ear:</p> + +<p>"What alarms you in the thought? You but go with your mother, who loves +you with a boundless love and will live only for you. You have often +complained to me that you hate the service into which you are forced. +Have you forgotten your longing for freedom? If you go back you have no +option, for your father will bind you fast in the chains, and he will +but shorten the links, when he sees you are intolerant of them."</p> + +<p>She had no need to tell her son this, for he knew it all better than she +could tell him. Scarcely an hour since, had he not heard the words: "You +shall obey and learn to yield while yet there is time."</p> + +<p>His voice was full of bitterness as he replied.</p> + +<p>"In any case, I must go back. I have given my word to be at Burgsdorf +again in two hours."</p> + +<p>"Really?" asked Zalika, sharply and scornfully. "I thought as much. I +see he treats you like a child, marks out your every step for you and +gives you your allotted time, as if you had no judgment or mind of your +own; but the time has gone by to treat you thus, you are old enough to +assume the prerogatives of a man. The day has come when you must show +that you are a man in action as well as word. A promise wrung from one +is valueless; tear asunder this invisible chain by which you are held, +and set yourself free."</p> + +<p>"No—no," murmured Hartmut, with another effort to free himself, but his +mother held him fast in her arms. He turned his face away and looked +with hot eyes into the dark night, upon the desolate blackness of the +wood and across at the will-o'-the-wisp, still pursuing its erratic +course, now rising with convulsive, trembling flame, now sinking into +the ground beneath, only to come up again quivering and glimmering. +There was something ghostly and horrible, and withal strangely +fascinating in the ceaseless dance of this imp of night.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, my son," Zalika begged, in those dulcet tones which were +hers, as well as her son's. "I have long since prepared all for your +coming; I knew of a certainty that this day would surely come. My +carriage is waiting a short distance from here. We can soon reach the +railway station and will be far on our way before they are any the wiser +at Burgsdorf. With me lies freedom, life, happiness! I will take you +away and show you the great world, and when you are once in it, you will +learn to breathe freely and enjoy life, as one redeemed from slavery. I +know what it is to be liberated from slavery. I, too, wore the chains +which, in an hour of foolish fascination, I forged for myself, but I +should have torn them apart in the first year had it not been for my +unborn child. O, freedom is sweet, as you will soon learn."</p> + +<p>She knew only too well the words to choose to accomplish her purpose. +Freedom, life, happiness. They signified so much. They echoed and +re-echoed in the heart of the boy, whose longing for freedom had always +been repressed by a powerful hand. Now like a picture from a magician's +hand, the fairy-like visions of promised liberty stood before him. He +need but stretch out his hand and it was his own.</p> + +<p>"My word," he murmured with a last feeble attempt to rescue himself. "My +father will despise me—"</p> + +<p>"When you have attained to a great, proud future," Zalika interrupted +him excitedly, "then go to your father and ask him if he dares to +despise you; he would bind you to the earth, but you have wings to fly +above it. He does not understand a nature like yours, and never will. +Will you destroy yourself for the sake of a mere word and be a slave +forever? Come with me, Hartmut, with me to whom you are all the world."</p> + +<p>She led him slowly away, and he did not tear himself from her, but, as +she caressed him and called him fond names she felt that his going was +under protest, and that she had needed all her wiles to accomplish it. A +few minutes later the pond was deserted, mother and son had disappeared, +and even the sound of their retiring footsteps had died out in the night +air. Over the moor moved only that weird, spectral life. The flashing +lights appeared and sank again in restless play,—mysterious breaths of +flame from the deep.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>It was autumn again, and the warm, golden light of a September day lay +upon the woodland, which stretched away like a green ocean as far as eye +could reach.</p> + +<p>Hill and valley alternated with each other, all forest clad, and many a +mighty and moss-grown trunk in that great wilderness told of the forest +primeval which in the early days had covered all this part of South +Germany. Elsewhere in the land, railways had been built, until there was +scarcely a hamlet whose slumbers were undisturbed by the shrill scream +of the locomotive—but "the forest," as the people called it, remained +apart, cut off from the world, a vast territory many miles in width, +like a great, green island, unmoved by the waves of commotion and +progress from without.</p> + +<p>Here and there amid the forest green a little village peeped out, or an +old castle reared its gray and weather-beaten battlements on high, as if +protesting against its impending decay. There was but one building in +the whole region which yet stood strong, intact and massive, +notwithstanding it was gray with age.</p> + +<p>It was called Fürstenstein, and was originally built as a hunting box, +for the use of the sovereign. The duke's head forester occupied it all +the year round; and during the hunting season some members of the ducal +family always held court there for several weeks. It had been built in +the early part of the last century, with the lavish waste of room which +marked the style of that period. Standing on a high elevation, it +commanded a superb view over the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>The approach to the castle allowed no view of its proportions, for woods +covered the hill upon which it stood, and in places tall fir trees threw +their shadows on tower and turret, so that one scarcely realized the +immensity of the building until he stood quite at the entrance gate. +There were also a number of little structures clustering around the main +edifice, which had been added at different periods. Time was not allowed +to make inroads here; everything was in perfect order and repair, and +the countless rooms on the second floor were always kept ready for the +prince, who took possession of them at any time.</p> + +<p>The head forester, von Schönau, had occupied the immense ground floor +for years, and between filling his house with guests, and making +frequent visits to his neighbors, managed to have a very agreeable time, +notwithstanding the lonely situation.</p> + +<p>He had visitors now; his sister-in-law, Frau Regine von Eschenhagen had +arrived yesterday, and her son was expected soon. The two daughters of +the Wallmoden family had made good marriages; while the elder married +the heir to Burgsdorf, the younger had wedded Herr von Schönau, the son +of a wealthy landed gentleman of a noble South German family.</p> + +<p>The sisters, in spite of the distance which separated them, had always +maintained a close and affectionate intercourse, and since Frau von +Schönau's death, which occurred a few years after her marriage, Frau +Regine had kept up the intimacy with her brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>It was a singular enough friendship which existed between these two, for +they always met, armed cap-a-pie, for battle. They were both strong, +inconsiderate natures, and every time they saw one another they +quarrelled, and as regularly made their peace again, always promising +there should be no further strife between them, which promise was kept +until their next dispute, for which some opportunity would give rise, +sometimes within an hour after their reconciliation, when another +pitched battle would begin, as passionate and wordy as the last.</p> + +<p>At the present moment there seemed a truce between them as they sat on +the terrace in front of the reception room. The head forester, in spite +of his advancing years, was an erect, stately man, with strong, sunburnt +features; his hair and beard were slightly gray, but still luxuriant. +Now he leaned back in his chair listening to his sister-in-law, who +generally did most of the talking. Frau Regine was now in her fiftieth +year, but the last ten years had not changed her much; her life ran on +so smoothly and evenly.</p> + +<p>A wrinkle was to be found here and there in her face, and silver threads +were weaving their way into her dark hair, but the gray eyes had lost +nothing of their clearness and sharpness, the voice was as full and +resolute as ever, and her bearing as erect and energetic as formerly.</p> + +<p>"Willibald will be here in eight days," she was saying. "The harvesting +was not quite done; but everything will be finished within the week, and +then he can come to meet his bride. The matter has been settled between +us for a long time, but I was resolved to postpone it for some time, for +what did a young thing of sixteen or seventeen, with childish notions +still in her head know about the orderly direction of a household? Now +that Toni is twenty years old, and Will twenty-seven, it is all right. +Are you still perfectly satisfied that this betrothal is the best thing +for our children's future?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly satisfied," assented the head forester. "I think everything +is as it should be. One half my fortune will go, some day, to my son, +the other half to my daughter, and I think you may be well content with +the portion I have set aside as Toni's wedding gift."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have been very liberal. As to Will, he came into possession of +Burgsdorf three years ago; the remainder of the fortune remains, by the +will, in my hands, and at my death goes, of course, to him. But I've +seen to it that the young people won't suffer. I have made ample +provision for them."</p> + +<p>"No need for haste. We are only going to celebrate the betrothal now; +the marriage won't be until next spring."</p> + +<p>And now the first cloud appeared on the clear heaven of their perfect +harmony. Frau von Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially:</p> + +<p>"We won't postpone it any longer now. The wedding must take place this +winter. Willibald has no time to get married in the spring."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, a man always has time to get married," declared Schönau, just +as dictatorially.</p> + +<p>"Not in the country," asserted Frau Regine. "There something else must +be considered; first work, then pleasure. That's always been the rule +with us, and that's what I've taught Will."</p> + +<p>"I trust he'd make an exception as regards his young wife; otherwise +he's little better than a milksop," cried the forester, angrily. "Above +all, Regine, you must remember my stipulation. My Toni has not seen your +son for two years. If he does not please her—she has free choice, you +understand."</p> + +<p>His speech touched his sister-in-law on her most sensitive point; her +motherly pride was outraged.</p> + +<p>"My dear Moritz, I have more confidence than you, apparently, in your +daughter's good taste. As for the rest, I hold to the good old custom +that children should marry whom their parents select. It was that way in +our day, and we have found no cause of complaint. What do young people +know of such serious matters any way? But you have let your children +have their own way from the very start; any one could soon tell that +there was no mother in this house."</p> + +<p>"Well, was that my fault?" asked Schönau, incensed. "Perhaps, I ought to +have given them a step-mother. I suggested it to you once, but you +wouldn't hear of it, Regine."</p> + +<p>"No, I had been married once," was the dry answer, and it seemed to +increase the head forester's irritation. He shrugged his shoulders +spitefully.</p> + +<p>"Well, I certainly think you had no cause for complaint against poor +Eschenhagen. He, and all his people at Burgsdorf danced when you piped. +With me you would not have ordered the regiment about so easily."</p> + +<p>"In about four weeks," Frau Regine declared calmly, "you would all have +been under my command, Moritz."</p> + +<p>"What! You say that to my face? Well, I'd just like to prove it for +once," retorted Schönau, full of wrath now.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I shouldn't care to marry a second time, so give yourself no +uneasiness."</p> + +<p>"I can assure you I didn't mean an offer. I wouldn't think of such a +thing for a moment. One refusal was enough for me. So you need not +trouble giving me a second one."</p> + +<p>With these words the master of the house rose, pushed back his chair +noisily, and left his guest abruptly. Frau von Eschenhagen remained +quietly sitting alone for some time, then she called out in a friendly +tone:</p> + +<p>"Moritz."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he growled from the other side of the terrace.</p> + +<p>"When are Herbert and his young wife coming?"</p> + +<p>"At twelve o'clock," the voice had an ill-tempered ring yet.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad. I have not seen him since he was sent to the South German +capital, but I have always maintained that Herbert was the pride of our +family, and he keeps up enough state for us all. Now you see he is +Prussian ambassador at your court, and is 'Your Excellency.'"</p> + +<p>"And then he's a young husband of six and fifty, don't forget that," +interrupted the forester spitefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he took his time about marrying, but he made a dazzling match at +last. For a man of his years it was no easy matter to win such a wife as +Adelheid, young, beautiful, rich—"</p> + +<p>"And of common birth," added Schönau.</p> + +<p>"Stuff and nonsense! Who asks any questions now-a-days about birth when an +immense fortune stands behind it? Herbert can use money now, too; he has +been hampered for means his life long, and now, as ambassador, he needs +more to keep up the position than he could possibly supply. But my +brother need never be ashamed of his father-in-law. Stahlberg was at the +head of one of our greatest industries, and a man of honor, through and +through. It was a pity he died so soon after his daughter's marriage. +At all events they made a very sensible choice."</p> + +<p>"So that's what you call a sensible choice, do you, when a girl of +eighteen marries a man old enough to be her father?" asked Schönau, who, +in the heat of discussion, came back to his sister-in-law again. "To be +sure she has a high place in society now, as the wife of His Excellency, +the Ambassador, and is a baroness and all that. But to me this +beautiful, cool Adelheid, with her 'sensible' ideas, which would do a +grandmother credit, is not at all sympathetic. A thoughtless maiden, who +falls over head and ears in love, and then declares to her parents, +'This one, or none,' suits me far better."</p> + +<p>"Those are fine opinions for the father of a family to express," cried +Frau von Eschenhagen, much ruffled. "It's a good thing that Toni +inherited my sister's good sense, otherwise she would be coming to you +with some such a speech one of these days. But Stahlberg educated his +daughter better. I know it from himself. She was trained to follow his +wishes, and accepted Herbert at once when he offered himself. But of +course you know nothing about educating children; it stands to reason +that you should not."</p> + +<p>"What? I, a man and a father, and know nothing about educating +children?" cried Schönau, red with anger. They were now both on the fair +way to have another pitched battle, when they were happily interrupted +by the appearance of a young girl, the daughter of the house, who +stepped out on the terrace at this moment.</p> + +<p>Antonie von Schönau could never be called beautiful, but she had her +father's fine figure and a fresh, glowing face, with clear brown eyes. +Her nut-brown hair was laid in smooth braids around her head, and her +attire, although perfectly suitable for a girl of her station, was yet +quite simple. But Antonie was in the first bloom of youth, and that +charm outweighed all others. As she stepped out now, looking so fresh +and rosy and healthy, she was a daughter after Frau Regine's own heart, +and that lady immediately brought the strife to an end and gave her a +smiling nod.</p> + +<p>"Father, the carriage is on its way back from the station," said the +young lady, in very deliberate, almost drawling tones. "It is at the +foot of the castle hill already, and Uncle Wallmoden will be here in +fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>"Bless me, they have driven quickly!" exclaimed her father, whose face +had cleared at the news. "Are the guest chambers in order?"</p> + +<p>Toni nodded composedly, as if to say her duties were never neglected; +then, as her father left the terrace to watch the approach of the +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen, with a glance at the basket which the girl +carried on her arm, said:</p> + +<p>"Well, Toni, you are always busy."</p> + +<p>"I have been in the kitchen-garden, dear auntie. The gardener declared +there were no more ripe pears, so I went out to see for myself, and +picked a whole basket full."</p> + +<p>"That's right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly pleased, +"you must keep an eye on the servants and use your hands, too, +occasionally, if you want to get on in this world. You'll make a fine +housekeeper. But come, now, we must go to meet your uncle, too."</p> + +<p>Herr von Schönau was already far across the terrace, and was just +starting down the broad flight of stone steps which led from the castle +court, when a man stepped out from one of the side buildings, and stood, +respectful and silent, with his hat off.</p> + +<p>"Well, Stadinger, is that you? What's brought you to Fürstenstein?" the +head forester called out. "Come here!"</p> + +<p>Stadinger approached as commanded; in spite of his snow-white hair he +came forward with a firm, erect step, while a pair of sharp, dark eyes +peered out from his brown, weather-beaten face.</p> + +<p>"I was with the castellan, Herr von Schönau," he explained, "and have +been asking him to lend us a few of his servants to help us, for we're +busy up to our eyes at Rodeck, and have not people enough for all the +work."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, Prince Egon is back from his Oriental tour. I heard that +before," said Schönau. "But how does it happen that he's come to such a +small place as Rodeck, with little room and less comfort?"</p> + +<p>Stadinger shrugged his shoulders. "Heaven knows! But our young prince +follows his own sweet will, and no one dare ask why. One morning the +news came, and the castle people hardly know whether they are standing +on their heads or their heels. I had enough trouble to get the place +ready in two days."</p> + +<p>"I can believe that; no one has visited Rodeck for years, but the +prince's visit will put some life in the old walls, at any rate."</p> + +<p>"Well, it turns everything topsy-turvey," growled the castle steward. +"If you only knew how we have been upset, Herr Schönau. The hunting-room +is crammed full of lion and tiger skins, and all sorts of stuffed +animals, and monkeys and parrots are sitting around in all the rooms. +The whole place is in such an uproar from them that one can't hear one's +self speak. And now his highness has just announced to me that there are +a troop of elephants and a great sea-serpent on the way. I think I +struck a blow at them, though."</p> + +<p>"What is on the way?" inquired the head forester, who did not believe he +had heard aright.</p> + +<p>"A sea-serpent and a dozen elephants. I have fought against them with +all my might. 'Your highness,' I said, 'we cannot accommodate any more +animals, and as to the sea-serpent, such a beast will need water and we +have no pond at Rodeck. And if the elephants do come we'll have to chain +them to trees in the forest, I know no other way.'"</p> + +<p>"'That's just the thing' his highness answered, 'just chain them to the +trees, that'll be very wild and picturesque, and we'll send the +sea-serpent to board at Fürstenstein; the castle fish-pond is big +enough.' Herr Schönau, he will people the whole neighborhood with these +monsters, I believe."</p> + +<p>The head forester laughed aloud, and gave the steward, who seemed to +enjoy his special favor, a hearty slap on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"But, Stadinger, have you really taken all this in earnest? You ought to +know the prince better. He certainly does not seem to come back any +steadier than he went away."</p> + +<p>"No indeed, he does not," sighed Stadinger. "And what his highness does +not devise for himself, Herr Rojanow hatches for him. He is the worst of +the two. It's hard lines that such a dare-devil should be quartered on +us."</p> + +<p>"Rojanow? Who is he?" asked Schönau, all attention now.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know, but he's come with the prince, who cannot live without +him. He met this friend in some heathen country. Maybe he is a +half-heathen, or Turk; he looks enough like one, with his dark face and +strange eyes. And the fellow, with his airs and orders acts as if he +were the lord and master of Rodeck. But he's as handsome as a picture, +handsomer even than our prince, who, by the way has given orders that +Herr Rojanow is to be obeyed in all things just like himself."</p> + +<p>"More than probable it's an adventurer with whom the prince is amusing +himself," murmured Schönau, and aloud he said: "Well good-bye, +Stadinger, I must meet my brother-in-law now, and don't lose any sleep +over the sea-serpent. When his highness threatens you with it again, +tell him I will gladly keep it for him in our fish-pond, but I must see +it alive first."</p> + +<p>He nodded laughingly to the old steward and stepped down to the entrance +gateway. Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece were already there, and a +minute after he joined them, the carriage turned into the broad, smooth +road and was driven rapidly up to the great entrance.</p> + +<p>Regine was the first to greet the travelers. She pressed her brother's +hand so heartily that he was forced to draw it back. The head forester +was somewhat diffident; he had a certain feeling of shyness in the +presence of his diplomatic brother-in-law, whose sarcastic tongue he +secretly feared. But Toni did not allow "his excellency" her uncle, or +his wife, either, to ruffle her wonted composure.</p> + +<p>The years had not treated Herbert von Wallmoden so gently as they had +his sister. He had aged perceptibly; his hair was grey now, and the +sarcastic lines around his mouth had deepened. But he was the same cold +aristocrat as ever, perhaps even a shade colder and more distant. With +the exalted position to which he had attained, the feeling of +superiority, which had ever been his chief characteristic, seemed to +strengthen.</p> + +<p>The young wife by his side was always taken by strangers to be his +daughter. Unquestionably the ambassador's choice had proved his good +taste. Adelheid von Wallmoden was indeed lovely, but her beauty was of +that chill, statuesque type which awakens only cold admiration, and she +seemed to have been born to occupy the position in the world to which +her marriage had raised her. The young bride, not quite nineteen, and +only six months a wife, exhibited a coolness of behavior and as complete +a knowledge of all the forms and obligations of her social position, as +if she had been at the side of her elderly husband for half a lifetime.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden was politeness and attentiveness itself to her. He offered her +his arm now, after the first greetings were over, to conduct her to her +own apartments, and a few minutes later returned alone to the terrace to +have a talk with his sister.</p> + +<p>The intercourse between this brother and sister was in many respects +very singular.</p> + +<p>Regine was as uncouth in outward appearance as she was rugged in +character, and the direct opposite of her courtly brother in every +particular; but still, as they sat side by side now, after their long +separation, there was a look on both faces which told that the +mysterious bond of kinship was much to them both, despite the antagonism +which so often came to the fore.</p> + +<p>Herbert was made rather nervous during their conversation, for Regine +did not think it necessary to refrain from brusque questioning or candid +comment, and her brother was frequently embarrassed and annoyed by both, +but he had learned from experience the uselessness of striving to check +her open speech, so gave himself up to the inevitable with a sigh. Of +course, among other things, she spoke of Willibald's and Toni's +betrothal, of which Wallmoden fully approved.</p> + +<p>The subject had been worn threadbare long years ago, so there was little +really to be said. And now Frau von Eschenhagen branched off on another +theme.</p> + +<p>"Well, Herbert, how do you feel now you're a married man?" asked his +sister. "You certainly were long enough about making up your mind, but +better late than never, and I must admit that for an old gray-head like +you, you have made a very good selection."</p> + +<p>This frank reference to his age did not seem to please the ambassador; +he pressed his lips tightly together for a moment, and then answered his +sister sharply:</p> + +<p>"My dear Regine, you should strive to use a little tact in your +conversation. I know my age well enough, but the position which I +occupy, and to which I elevated Adelheid by marriage, more than +compensates for the difference in our ages."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's true enough, and the marriage portion she brought you is +not to be despised," assented Regine, quite unmoved by his sharp tones. +"Have you presented your wife at Court yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, two weeks ago, at the summer Capitol. My father-in-law's death +prevented my doing so before. But this winter we must keep open house, +as my position demands it. I was greatly surprised and pleased at +Adelheid's behavior at Court. She acted with a calmness and proud +security, upon this entirely strange ground, which was worthy of all +praise. I was all the more convinced how wise my choice had been in +every respect. Well now, about home matters; before everything else, +tell me about Falkenried?"</p> + +<p>"Well, what is there for me to tell? Don't you write one another +regularly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but his letters are always short and monosyllabic. I wrote him of +my marriage, but his congratulations were very laconic. You must see him +frequently, since he has been made minister of war, as you are so near +the city."</p> + +<p>A shadow darkened Regine's clear eyes, and she shook her head sadly. +"You are mistaken, the colonel scarcely ever comes to Burgsdorf. He +grows more reserved and unapproachable each year."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to hear it; he has always made an exception of you, and I +hoped you could use your influence to bring him often to Burgsdorf. Have +you made no attempt to renew the old intimacy?"</p> + +<p>"I did at first, but I have finally given it up as hopeless, for I saw +that I was only annoying him. There is nothing to be done, Herbert. +Since that unfortunate catastrophe he has been turned to stone. You have +seen him several times yourself, since then, and know he lives bereft of +hope."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden's face clouded darkly, and his voice was very bitter as he +replied: "Yes, that boy Hartmut has done for him, that's certain. It's +over ten years ago now, however, and I did hope Falkenried would take +some interest in life again by this time."</p> + +<p>"I never hoped that," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. "The life +has all gone from the roots. I shall never forget, as long as I live, +how he looked on that fateful evening, when we waited and waited, first +with uneasiness and apprehension, then with deadly anxiety. You grasped +the truth at once, but I would not let you say a word while there was a +chance. I can see him now as he stood at the window staring out into the +night, with drawn features and face like death, and to every word of +ours only the one answer. 'He will come! He must come! I have his word.' +And when in spite of all, Hartmut did not come, and we repaired to the +railway station at daybreak, only to learn that they two, mother and +son, had taken the express train hours before. God preserve us, may I +never see such a look on a man's face again. I made you promise to stay +by him, for I thought he would put a bullet through his heart before the +day was over."</p> + +<p>"You were wrong there," said Wallmoden with decision. "A man of +Falkenried's temperament would consider it cowardice to commit suicide, +even though the days of his life were one continued torture. I do not +venture to think what would have happened though, had he been allowed to +carry out his intention at that time."</p> + +<p>"I know," interrupted his sister, "that he asked for his discharge, +because, with his keen sense of honor, he could not bear to serve +longer, after his son had become a deserter. It was a step prompted by +despair."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it was his only salvation, that he, with his military +knowledge and skill, was not allowed to sink into oblivion. The chief of +the General's staff took up the matter and brought it before the King, +and they decided that the father should not be allowed to sacrifice +himself for a boy's rash action, and that the service could not lose +such a highly esteemed officer. So they would not accept his +resignation, but permitted him to go to a distant garrison, where the +matter was never mentioned in his presence. Now, after ten years, it's +buried and forgotten by the whole world."</p> + +<p>"With one exception," said Regine sorrowfully. "My heart aches whenever +I think of what Falkenried once was, and what he is now. The bitter +experience of his marriage made him gloomy and unsocial, but in good +time he recovered himself a little, and his whole soul turned to his boy +and his boy's advancement. Now everything is lost and the rigid, stark +fulfilment of duty is all that remains; all else is dead within him, and +as a sequence, all his old friendships have become painful to him—we +must let him go his own way."</p> + +<p>She broke off with a sigh, as the face of her girlhood's friend came +before her mind's eye. Then laying her hand on her brother's arm, she +said in conclusion:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are right, Herbert, when you say that a man chooses more +wisely when he has come to years of discretion. You need not fear +Falkenried's fate; your wife has good blood in her veins. I knew Herr +Stahlberg well; he worked earnestly and with capability, too, or he +would never have succeeded as he did in life. And he was ever an honest +man, even after he became a millionaire, and Adelheid is her father's +daughter, bone and sinew. You have chosen well for yourself, and I +rejoice with you from the bottom of my heart."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The little hunting castle of Rodeck which belonged to the princely house +of Adelsberg, lay but a few miles distant from "Fürstenstein," in the +midst of the deep forest. The small, plain building containing at most +but a dozen rooms, had been hastily prepared for the unexpected coming +of the prince. It had not been used for years, and had a neglected +appearance. But as one stepped out from the dark, gloomy forest upon the +light greensward, and saw the old building with its high, pointed roof, +and its four little towers guarding the corners, it seemed very +picturesque in its loneliness.</p> + +<p>The Adelsbergs were old-time princes of the German empire who had long +since lost their sovereignty, but who still retained their princely +title, together with an immense fortune which included very great landed +possessions. The family had dwindled in number so that there were but +few representatives left, and only one in the direct line, Prince Egon, +and he as owner of the family estates and through kinship on his dead +mother's side with the reigning house, played a conspicuous part among +the nobility of the country.</p> + +<p>The young prince was understood to be very wild and erratic, and a man +who was always forming eccentric attachments. He cared little for +princely etiquette, and followed the whim of the moment. The old prince +had held the reins with a tight hand, but at his death Egon von +Adelsberg became his own master, and since that time, had followed his +own free course without check or restraint.</p> + +<p>He had just now returned from a two years' tour in the East, and instead +of going to his palace in the capital, or to one of his magnificently +appointed castles, always in readiness to receive him, no matter what +the season, he had, on the spur of the moment, decided upon this little +hunting castle of Rodeck, where he could not be comfortably housed, and +where the few retainers who took charge of the place, were ill-prepared +for such an honor. But as old Stadinger had said, no one dare ask why of +the prince; he did as the humor of the hour pleased him.</p> + +<p>It was the morning of a sunny autumn day. Upon the broad velvety lawn, +two men attired in hunting costume, were standing talking to the +steward, while in the broad court a few yards beyond, stood a light, +open carriage, awaiting its owner's pleasure. The two young men seemed, +at a first glance, to resemble one another. Both had tall, slender +figures, deeply browned faces, and eyes in which the fiery arrogance of +youth burned fiercely; but a nearer view showed how totally dissimilar +they were, after all.</p> + +<p>It was evident that the younger man, who was about twenty-four years +old, owed his dark complexion to his long residence beneath a fierce +sun, for his light, curly hair and blue eyes were not the fitting +accompaniments for such a browned skin, but were unquestionably German. +He had a blonde beard, curly like the hair which surrounded his +handsome, open countenance, but the face hardly coincided with one's +ideas of perfect beauty. The forehead was somewhat too narrow and the +features were not regular, but something in his expression reminded one +of clear sunshine, it was so good-natured and so winning.</p> + +<p>His companion, who was a few years his senior, had nothing of this +sunlight in his face, although his appearance was undoubtedly the more +distinguished of the two. Slender, like his companion, he was much the +taller, and his dark skin was not the legacy of an eastern sun. It was +of that faint brown which makes the freshest face look pale, and the +blue-black hair, which fell in heavy locks on his high forehead, only +served to heighten this appearance of pallor. It was a beautiful face, +with its noble, proud lines so marked and expressive, but there were +deep shadows on it, too, on the brow and across the eyes, shadows found +but seldom in so youthful a countenance. The great, dark eyes in which a +shade of melancholy always lay, spoke of hot, unrestrained passion, and +the fire which blazed within them had a mysterious, unearthly +fascination. One felt that these orbs possessed some uncanny power, but +they were in accord with the man's whole personality, which had about it +something of this same strange witchery.</p> + +<p>"Well, I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the men. "The +new cases must be unpacked and places found for the things. Where—that +is your business."</p> + +<p>"But, your highness, it is absolutely impossible!" remonstrated +Stadinger, in a tone which showed that he was on a pretty sure footing +with his young master. "There's not an empty corner in all Rodeck. I +have had the greatest trouble already to house all the people your +highness brought with you, and every day chests bigger than a house are +arriving, and ever the same cry: 'Unpack that, Stadinger! Make a place +for this, Stadinger.' And hundreds of rooms empty in the other castles."</p> + +<p>"Stop grumbling, you old ghost of the woods, and make places," +interrupted the prince. "The chests that have come must be unpacked in +Rodeck for the time being at least, and if the worst comes to the worst, +you must find room in your own house for them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, Stadinger has room and to spare in his own house for +them," it was the tall, dark man who spoke now. "And I'll superintend +the unpacking myself."</p> + +<p>"That's a good plan," said the prince, heartily, "and Zena can assist +him; she is at home yet, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, your highness, she has gone away."</p> + +<p>"Away!" cried prince Egon. "And where has she gone?"</p> + +<p>"To the city," was the laconic answer.</p> + +<p>"That won't do. You should keep your grandchild with you here at Rodeck +all winter."</p> + +<p>"That matter seems to have arranged itself," answered the steward with +quiet dignity. "Just now my old sister, Rosa, is at home with me. If you +should come to my humble dwelling, Herr Rojanow, she would feel greatly +honored."</p> + +<p>Rojanow gave him a glance which was anything but friendly, and the young +prince said sharply:</p> + +<p>"Look here, Stadinger, you are treating us after a most unwarrantable +fashion. You send Zena away, for no reason in the world, and she's the +only one worth seeing about the whole place. There's not a woman in +Rodeck who isn't past sixty and whose head doesn't wobble from side to +side, and as to the belles of the kitchen whom you brought from +Fürstenstein to help us out, they're worse looking than our own people."</p> + +<p>"Your highness need not look at them," suggested the steward. "I gave +strict orders that none of the maids were to come into the castle, but +if your highness goes to the kitchen, as you did the day before +yesterday—"</p> + +<p>"Well, I must inspect my domestic arrangements once in a while. But I +won't go near the kitchen a second time, I promise you that. But I'm +provoked enough at you for having gathered together all the repulsive +looking creatures in the neighborhood as soon as you knew I was coming. +You should be ashamed of yourself, Stadinger."</p> + +<p>The old man looked his young master full in the face, and his voice had +an impressive sound, as he answered: "I am not at all ashamed, your +highness. When that prince of blessed memory, your father, assigned me +to this peaceful post, he said to me: 'Keep everything quiet and orderly +at Rodeck, Stadinger; remember, I depend upon you.' Well, I have kept +everything in order around this castle for twelve years, and more +especially have I guarded those of my own household, and I mean to do so +for the future, too. Has your highness any other orders for me?"</p> + +<p>"No, you old boor!" cried the prince, half amused, half angry. "Go on, +now; we don't need any sermon on morals."</p> + +<p>Stadinger obeyed, he bowed low and marched off. Rojanow glanced after +him and shrugged his shoulders with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"I admire your forbearance, Egon; you certainly permit your servants to +speak very freely—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Stadinger is an exception," declared Egon. "Of late days he has +allowed himself great latitude, but as to his sending Zena away he +wasn't far wrong. I'd have done the same thing in his place."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the first time the old fellow has made so bold as to call us +both to account. If I were his master—he'd get his dismissal in this +same hour."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid if I attempted that, it would be all the worse for me," +laughed the prince. "Such an old heir-loom, who has served three +generations already, and trotted me on his knee as a baby, deserves to +be treated with respect. I would gain nothing by commanding and calling +him to account. Peter Stadinger does what he pleases, and whenever it +suits him, reads me a little text into the bargain."</p> + +<p>"How you can permit such liberties is incomprehensible."</p> + +<p>"It is natural that you should not understand it, Hartmut," said his +friend, earnestly. "You only know the submissiveness of Sclavish +servants in your own home, and in the Orient. They kneel and prostrate +themselves whenever opportunity offers, and betray their masters at +every turn, when it can be done with safety. Stadinger is a man with no +civility in him. It doesn't make the least difference to him that I am +'your highness.' He is no respecter of persons, and has often said the +most insulting things to my face, but I could leave hundreds of +thousands in his hands, and he would guard every pfennig, and if Rodeck +were in a blaze, and I within it, his seventy years would not prevent +him plunging into the flames to rescue me—that's how it is with us in +Germany."</p> + +<p>"Yes, with you in Germany," Hartmut repeated slowly, as he fixed his +eyes dreamily on the forest shadows.</p> + +<p>"Are you as much prejudiced against us as ever?" asked Egon. "I had to +beg you hard enough to get you to come with me, for you seemed resolved +never to put foot on German soil again."</p> + +<p>"I would I had not done so," said Rojanow, darkly. "You know—"</p> + +<p>"That you associate bitter memories with my country—yes. You told me +that much, but you must have been a boy at the time. You should have +outgrown your dislike by now. You are, on this point, so obstinately +reserved, that to this day I have never learned what it is that you—"</p> + +<p>"Egon, I beg you, drop the subject," said Hartmut, almost rudely. "I +have declared to you more than once, that I will not and cannot speak on +the subject of my early life. If you are suspicious of me, let me go; I +have not forced myself upon you, you know that, but I will not endure +this questioning."</p> + +<p>The hard, proud tone which he used toward his princely friend, seemed +not unknown to the latter, who only shrugged his shoulders and said +appeasingly:</p> + +<p>"How excited you get in a moment; I believe you are right when you +maintain that the air of Germany makes you nervous. You certainly have +changed since you set foot in the country."</p> + +<p>"Possibly; I feel it myself, and I know I annoy you with my queer +tempers lately, so you'd better let me go, Egon."</p> + +<p>"I will guard you well, instead. I did not catch you so easily that I +can let you fly again after all my trouble. So remember that, Hartmut, +for I won't let you go free at any price."</p> + +<p>The words had a joking sound, but Rojanow seemed to resent them. His +eyes were dark, almost threatening, as he replied:</p> + +<p>"But what if I will go?"</p> + +<p>"But you won't, for I will hold you closer than ever." Egon laid his +arm affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "I wonder how this bad, +obstinate Hartmut can answer to his conscience for even thinking of +leaving me alone. Have we not lived together for nearly two years, and +shared the same dangers and pleasures like brothers? And now you talk +about deserting me, without even a question as to how I'll get along +without you. Do you think I value your friendship so little, dear old +fellow?"</p> + +<p>The words were so warm and sincere that Rojanow's ill-temper was +conquered. His eyes lighted up at the mention of their long and close +friendship, and he answered in a voice which bespoke a sincere affection +for his friend:</p> + +<p>"Do you think that any one but you could have drawn me to Germany at +all?" he said, softly. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable nature and +have always been a rover since—since my boyhood."</p> + +<p>"Well, learn to settle yourself here—here in my home," exclaimed Egon. +"I only stay at Rodeck that you may see its many and varied beauties. +This old building, hidden away in the midst of the forest, is a +veritable production of fairy-land, a woodland poem, such as you will +not find at any of my other castles. The others suit me better, though I +know this is to your taste. But now I must really go. You won't ride?"</p> + +<p>"No, I will enjoy the much-praised poetry of these woods, which seem to +weary you so soon. You can make your visit alone."</p> + +<p>"I'll admit I'm not a poet like you, who can muse and dream all day +long," said Egon laughing. "For a full week we have led hermits' lives, +but I cannot live on sunshine, woody odors and Stadinger's sermons any +longer. I must see my fellow-men, and the head forester is the only +gentleman in the neighborhood; and besides, Herr von Schönau is a +splendid, jolly fellow. You will like him when you meet him."</p> + +<p>He jumped into the carriage, waved a parting greeting to his friend, and +was off. Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared +behind the trees, then he turned and struck into a path which led into +the forest.</p> + +<p>He carried a gun over his shoulder, but his thoughts were not bent on +sport. He went on heedlessly, with no idea of direction, and with no +thought of the distance which he was putting between himself and Rodeck, +which was each moment becoming greater.</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg was right when he said he knew this wild, mountain +scenery was to his friend's taste. The very air had for him a certain +sorcery. He stood still at last and took some long, deep breaths, but +the cloud on his brow had not yet disappeared; it grew darker instead, +as he leaned against a tree and cast his eyes around him.</p> + +<p>The beauty of the sunny, autumn day, the picturesqueness of the grand +old wood, could not bring to this handsome, joyless face one expression +of peace or content.</p> + +<p>He saw this country for the first time; his boyhood's home lay far to +the north, and yet this place, so different from his father's birthplace +and his own, brought back the past with all its painful recollections, +and awakened anew within him feelings he had thought long dead and +buried. Feelings and thoughts which had never troubled him during the +long years in which by land or sea, he had drunk of that freedom for +which he had sacrificed so much.</p> + +<p>The old German woods! They whispered here in the South, just as they had +done in the North; the same wind moved the branches of the fir and the +oak, and whistled through the tops of the distant pine trees. Yes, these +were the self-same voices which had once told all their secrets to the +willful boy lying on the mossy bank of the Burgsdorf fish pond.</p> + +<p>There was a stir and sound as of some one moving between the trees. +Hartmut looked up indifferently, expecting to see an animal of some kind +spring out, but he saw instead the fluttering of a light gown between +the low bushes, and from a little side path, which he had not before +noticed, a young lady stepped out, almost in front of him, and stood +hesitatingly, evidently uncertain what direction to take.</p> + +<p>Rojanow was roused from his dreaming by this unexpected apparition, and +the stranger caught sight of him at once. She appeared surprised, too, +but only for a second, then she stepped forward, and said, with a slight +bow:</p> + +<p>"May I beg you, sir, to show me the way to Fürstenstein? I am a stranger +here and have lost my way, and am, I fear, far from the place I seek."</p> + +<p>Hartmut had taken in at a glance the young lady's appearance; and +resolved immediately to become her guide. He did not know the way for +which she inquired, and only had a vague idea of the direction in which +the castle lay, but that troubled him little. He bowed gracefully as he +said:</p> + +<p>"I place myself quite at your disposal, Fräulein. Fürstenstein is some +distance from here, and it would be impossible for you to find the way +alone. I must, therefore, beg you to allow me to accompany you."</p> + +<p>The lady had expected nothing more than that the way would be pointed +out to her; this stranger's offer was not altogether agreeable, but she +feared she might lose her way a second time, and the perfect politeness +with which the offer was made, scarcely left her any choice. After a +moment's hesitation she bowed slightly and said:</p> + +<p>"I thank you. Pray let us lose no time, then."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>Rojanow fastened the strap which held his gun a little more securely, +and turned at once into a narrow, half overgrown path, which lay +unquestionably in the direction of Fürstenstein.</p> + +<p>Without further parley he assumed the role of guide, and the adventure +began to have charms for him.</p> + +<p>The stranger was certainly lovely enough to inspire him with zeal in her +service. The clear, delicate oval of her face, the high, smooth +forehead, with its heavy crown of blonde hair, the regular features, +were all in perfect harmony. The beauty of the countenance was +faultless, though cold and symmetrical, with an expression which +betokened energy of character and great strength of purpose. The girl +was at most only eighteen or nineteen years old, but oddly enough, she +possessed none of that indescribable attractiveness which seems the +natural accompaniment of girlhood, nothing of the hilarity and naiveté +of youth. The great blue eyes gazed at you earnestly but coldly, and you +felt instinctively that the soul which looked out through them never +lost itself in girlish dreams of brave heroes and suppliant lovers. The +bearing and appearance was haughty and reserved, yet in form and gesture +she was gracefulness itself.</p> + +<p>Rojanow had time and leisure to notice all this as he directed her +course, sometimes behind her, sometimes in front, now holding back the +low, overhanging branches, and a second later warning her of some sudden +irregularity in the ground. The narrow forest footpath was anything but +a pleasant road for a ramble, and was an especially trying passage for +the woman. Her dress caught frequently on thorn and branch, and her long +gauze veil had to be loosened from more than one bramble, while her feet +sank, time and again, in the soft, moist, moss-covered earth. It could +not be helped, and yet Hartmut felt in his self assumed position as +guide, that he was not covering himself with as much glory as be could +have wished.</p> + +<p>"I regret extremely, Fräulein, that you are obliged to take so +uncomfortable a path," he said politely. "I fear you will be exhausted, +but we are in the thickest part of the forest and have consequently no +choice."</p> + +<p>"I do not become exhausted so easily," was the answer. "I care little +about the disagreeable features of the way, if it will but lead me to +the goal."</p> + +<p>The remark had a somewhat unusual sound coming as it did from the mouth +of a young girl; Rojanow thought so, at any rate, and he gave a slight +mocking smile as he repeated:</p> + +<p>"If it lead to the goal! You are quite right, that is my idea too; but +ladies generally cherish other opinions. They prefer to be carried +quietly over all the rough places."</p> + +<p>"Not all! You err there; many women much prefer going alone, without +submitting to watch and ward, as though they were children."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps there are exceptions. I prize the accident which has +afforded me the opportunity of seeing so charming—"</p> + +<p>Hartmut, who was on the point of uttering a very florid compliment, +stopped suddenly, for the cold blue eyes met his with such a look of +surprise and hauteur that the words died on his lips.</p> + +<p>At this moment the lady's veil caught once more in the branch of an +overhanging thorn, which held it fast. She stopped, and her attentive +companion reached out his hand to free the delicate tissue, when she +suddenly tore it from her hat, with a quick motion, and left it +fluttering on the branch.</p> + +<p>Rojanow bit his lips in vexation; the adventure was not at all what he +had expected. He had thought to find this young woman a dependent, timid +creature, who would be very grateful and would turn to him for +protection, just like many another with whom he had come in contact in +his rovings; but this pale girl made it very clear to him by a glance, +that he was nothing but a guide and must conduct himself as such. Who, +and what was she? Still in her teens, and yet acting with all the +reserve and self-possession of a great lady, knowing full well how to +make herself unapproachable. He resolved to enlighten himself on this +matter.</p> + +<p>Now the narrow path ended and they stepped out into a small clearing in +the forest, with thick woods again to the left. It was not an easy thing +just here for a man who knew nothing of the region to decide which +direction to take. But Hartmut was not to be daunted, neither did he +intend to exhibit any irresolution, so with apparent security he went on +in the same direction they had followed from the beginning, and +fortunately enough soon struck into a broad wagon road which crossed +that part of the forest. Before long, thought Hartmut, they must surely +come to some place where they could obtain a view of the surrounding +country and get their bearings.</p> + +<p>The wider road enabled him to walk beside his companion, and he resolved +to enter upon a conversation which the many obstacles in their path had +made, until now, almost an impossibility.</p> + +<p>"I have hesitated about presuming to present myself to you, Fräulein," +he began. "My name is Rojanow, and I am, for the time being, at Rodeck, +a guest of Prince Adelsberg, who, if you reside at Fürstenstein, has the +advantage of being your neighbor."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not belong to Fürstenstein. I am, also, only a guest," replied +the lady. The princely neighbor and name of her companion, appeared to +be alike matters of indifference to her; neither did she deem it +necessary to give her own name in return. She merely bowed slightly as +she spoke.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then you probably live in the capital, and are only here to enjoy a +few weeks of the fine autumn weather?" continued Rojanow.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The monosyllable had a very cold, reserved sound, but Hartmut was not +the man to be turned from his course by a rebuff. He was accustomed to +overcome all restraints and obstructions by the power of his +fascinations, and that one of the sex from which he had never received +anything but adulation, should refuse to succumb, was little less than +an insult. There lay a charm, too, in the thought that he would force +this lovely creature into conversation with him, notwithstanding her +reserve.</p> + +<p>"Are you pleased with Fürstenstein?" he asked. "I have never been near +the castle, and have only seen it in the distance, but it seems to +overawe the whole region with its magnificence. A singular taste indeed +to find anything lovely in this landscape, and erect a palace here."</p> + +<p>"Evidently not your taste, at least."</p> + +<p>"I am not specially fond of uniformity, and here there is nothing but +sameness. Woods and woods, and nothing but woods—at times one is almost +driven to despair."</p> + +<p>There was a hidden rancour in these words, as if the poor German forest, +with its whispers and its winds was to blame for all the bitterness +which lay in the soul of this returned wanderer; it almost seemed as if +he must flee from them, for he could hardly endure the simple, earnest +song of olden times which fluttered down to him from the tall fir trees. +But his companion only heard the slighting tone.</p> + +<p>"Are you a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked.</p> + +<p>A black shadow crossed Hartmut's brow, and he hesitated for a moment +before he answered, coldly:</p> + +<p>"Yes, Fräulein."</p> + +<p>"I thought as much from your name and appearance, and from the peculiar +opinions which you express, as well."</p> + +<p>"At any rate, they are unbiased and candid," answered Hartmut, nettled +by the reproof which lay in the last words. "I have been pretty much all +over the world, and am just back now from the Orient. To him who knows +the ocean with its radiant, transparent blue, or its terrible, deadly +storms, to one who has basked in the witcheries of the warmth and light +of the tropics, everything here seems cold and colorless; these eternal +green forests are, in fact, the only features of a German landscape."</p> + +<p>The compassionate shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded, +appeared to rouse his companion from her imperturbability. An expression +of displeasure crossed her face, and her voice had in it a tone of +resentment, as she answered:</p> + +<p>"That is altogether a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at +least Southern Europe very well; those sunny, glowing landscapes, with +their vivid colorings attract one in the beginning—that is true +enough—but soon, too soon, exhaust one. You lose all strength and +vitality; you can stagnate and dream, but you can never live and work. +But why discuss it? Naturally you know nothing of our great forests, or +our people either, I presume."</p> + +<p>Hartmut smiled with an unmistakable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking through this icy reserve. All his arts and blandishments had +been exercised in vain, but he now saw that the momentary resentment had +added the charm which was needed to her lovely, cold features, so he +determined to arouse her still further.</p> + +<p>If he felt aggrieved he would also find pleasure in exciting her.</p> + +<p>"That sounds like a reproof which I shall have to bear," he said +derisively. "Possibly I don't view the affairs of life as you do. I am +accustomed to use other scales of measurement for nature, and for +mortals as well. 'Live and work!' The whole question hinges upon the +definition of these words. I have lived, years at a time, in Paris, that +great central point of all civilization, where life ebbs and flows in a +thousand streams. He who has been wont to stem the tide in these great, +almost overwhelming waters, can nevermore find a place in the little +relations, in the narrow judgments and pedantries, in all this marasmus +which the noble Germans call life."</p> + +<p>The insulting expression which he laid upon the last words, obtained for +him his desire. His companion suddenly stood still and measured him from +head to foot, while a flash of anger shot from her cold blue eyes. She +seemed for the minute to have an angry answer at her tongue's end, but +she forced it back, and drawing herself up to her full height, said in a +tone of contempt and disdain:</p> + +<p>"You forget, sir, that you are speaking to a German—I now remind you +of that fact."</p> + +<p>Hartmut colored to the roots of his hair at this merited reproof given +to a stranger, a foreigner, as she supposed, who had forgotten himself. +What if this girl knew to whom she was talking, what if she ever learned +—a feeling of shame overcame him for the second, but he was a man of +the world and controlled himself once more.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," he said, with a slight, half-mocking bow. "I was +under the impression that we were merely exchanging impersonal opinions. +I sincerely regret having annoyed you, Fräulein."</p> + +<p>A scarcely perceptible movement of her head, and a slight shrug of the +shoulders showed him that he had no power to really annoy her.</p> + +<p>"I could certainly not think of influencing your judgments, but as our +ideas are so radically opposed, I think it would be better to drop the +conversation altogether."</p> + +<p>Rajanow showed no disposition to continue it. Now he knew for a surety +that the cold eyes could sparkle and blaze with anger, he had forced +them to do it, but the thing had ended otherwise than he had expected. +He gave the slight figure at his side a half-inimical glance, and then +his eyes lost themselves again in the dense green of the forest.</p> + +<p>There was something captivating after all about this forest loneliness +under the first light breath of autumn, a breath which touched the +leaves tenderly and laid such delicate tints upon them, brightening the +lovely landscape with its vivid reds and varied browns, with its +glimpses here and there of bright gold where the sunlight pierced the +woodland shade. The branches of the tall trees, centuries old, swayed +gently to and fro, and threw long, cool shadows across the occasional +open spaces, where the wild forest flowers rested on the breast of the +moss-covered earth. An occasional pool of water, lying silent and +placid, mirrored the clear, blue sky with its fleecy clouds, which +seemed to intermingle with the tall green branches, as both cast their +reflection in the water beneath. Only the soft rustling of the leaves, +and the hum of thousands of insects as they sang together a sweet, +dreamy forest song was to be heard. The very sunbeams seemed to echo +this melody as they followed closely the two wanderers, as if this man +and woman had come beneath their ban and would have some penalty to pay +for crossing their shining path so carelessly. Suddenly an unexpected +barrier stood in their way. From a thickly wooded elevation, a broad +mountain stream came rushing down, seeking its way between bushes and +rocks. Rojanow halted abruptly and cast a quick glance up and down, to +see if any means of crossing were to be found, but his eyes could +discover nothing, and turning to his companion, he said:</p> + +<p>"I fear we are in an unpleasant situation here. This stream barricades +our path completely. Usually it is no hard matter to cross it, for those +mossy stones make a good enough bridge, but yesterday's heavy rain has +misplaced them or covered them completely."</p> + +<p>The young lady had stopped, too, and was looking up and down the stream +also, for some crossing.</p> + +<p>"Could we not cross farther up?" she asked, indicating a certain spot +above them.</p> + +<p>"No, because the water is swifter and deeper in that direction. This is +the best place to get across. There is nothing to be done but to carry +you over, and that, with your permission, I will do."</p> + +<p>The offer was made most courteously, almost hesitatingly, but there was +a gleam of triumph in Hartmut's eye, notwithstanding his modest +demeanor. This time she must accept his assistance, even if she had +left the veil hanging in the thorns rather than do so. There was no +choice now, she must trust herself in his arms in order to reach the +opposite shore. He came up to her now as if he took her consent for +granted, but she drew back.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." Hartmut smiled with an irony which he made +no attempt to conceal. He was master of the situation now, and thought +to remain so.</p> + +<p>"Would you rather go around?" he asked. "It will take us more than an +hour and here we will be across in a minute or two. You need not doubt +the strength of my arms, and I am sure footed; it is not at all a +dangerous place to cross."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," was the quiet answer, "and for that reason I will +essay to cross it alone."</p> + +<p>"Alone? That is impossible, Fräulein."</p> + +<p>"To step through a forest brook? I do not consider that an especially +difficult achievement."</p> + +<p>"But the water is deeper than you believe. You will be wet through and +through, and besides—it is really impossible."</p> + +<p>"A wetting will do me no harm, for I do not take cold easily. Pray lead +the way and I will follow."</p> + +<p>That was clear enough and sounded so peremptory that further +remonstrance was impossible. Hartmut bowed without speaking, and stepped +at once into the water, his high hunting boots serving him good purpose.</p> + +<p>He was right enough, the water was deep and swift, and the stones were +so slippery that he found it difficult enough to set his foot firmly on +them. He had a slight sneer on his lips as he stepped upon the opposite +bank and turned to wait for the girl whom he was so anxious to protect, +but who rejected all his advances so proudly. Would she venture or would +the first step terrify her and force her to call him back? No, she had +gathered up her skirts and followed without hesitation, notwithstanding +the fact that her silk stockings and thin low shoes afforded no +protection whatever. She stepped slowly and carefully on the stones over +which he had just gone, until she came to the middle of the stream. +Here, while the strong man's foot had been able to find a safe resting +place, the woman's smaller one sought in vain for a secure support on +the slimy stones. Her high heels were as much in her way as her gown, +the edges of which were already thoroughly drenched. Her courage forsook +her for the moment, she made several false steps, then stood perfectly +quiet and cast an involuntary glance toward the opposite bank, where +Hartmut stood watching her in silence, resolved to raise no hand toward +her assistance until requested to do so. Perhaps she read this in his +eyes and it gave her back her strength. With a look of decision on her +face she gave up all further search for a secure stepping stone, and +planted her foot firmly on the pebbly bottom of the stream, and a second +later, thoroughly wet now, she clutched the low bough of a tree in +preference to Hartmut's outstretched hand, and drew herself up on the +further bank. Then turning with dripping garments, to her guide, said:</p> + +<p>"We will go on, if you please. We cannot be very far from Fürstenstein."</p> + +<p>Hartmut gave no syllable of reply, but a feeling akin to hate rose +within him as he looked at this woman who preferred such great +discomfort rather than come into closer contact with him even for a +moment.</p> + +<p>This proud, spoiled man whose dazzling personality won all hearts, felt +the humiliation which had been forced upon him most keenly, and +execrated within himself the chance which had brought about this +meeting.</p> + +<p>They went on as rapidly as possible now, and Hartmut cast a glance, from +time to time, at the slender, silent figure with its heavy bedraggled +skirts, the drippings from which marked their course by a long line of +moisture. He kept an attentive eye on the woods on either side; this +dark forest road must come to an end some time.</p> + +<p>His course had been the right one after all, which at least was some +slight satisfaction to him. After a few minutes he came to an elevation +which afforded him a view of the region round about. Yonder, across a +sea of forest trees, rose the towers of Fürstenstein, and at the foot of +the hill on which he stood a broad carriage road was plainly visible, +and this road, winding through a part of the forest, led directly to the +foot of the castle hill.</p> + +<p>"Yonder is Fürstenstein," said he, as he turned and spoke to the young +girl for the first time since they had left the stream. "It is about +half an hour's walk from here, though."</p> + +<p>"O, that is nothing. I am grateful to you for guiding me so +successfully, but the way is very plain now, and I will trouble you no +longer."</p> + +<p>"I am subject to your orders," said Hartmut coldly. "If you desire to +dismiss your guide so summarily, he will no longer force himself upon +you."</p> + +<p>The lady felt the reproof implied in his words. After a man had spent a +couple of hours in her service, he did deserve something more than a +contemptuous dismissal, even though she had found it necessary to keep +him at a distance.</p> + +<p>"I have taken too much of your time already," she said, unbending a +little. "You have introduced yourself to me, Herr Rojanow, and I must, +in return, tell you my name before I say good morning—Adelheid von +Wallmoden." Hartmut drew a short breath, and a fleeting red colored his +face as he repeated, slowly:</p> + +<p>"Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p>"Are you familiar with the name?"</p> + +<p>"I have heard it, but not here, in—in North Germany."</p> + +<p>"Very probable; that is my husband's home, and mine, too."</p> + +<p>Rojanow's face showed extreme surprise as he heard this young girl, whom +he had taken as a matter of course, for unmarried, speak in so +matter-of-fact a tone about her husband, but he bowed, and said most +courteously:</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, my dear madame, for mistaking you for a girl, but I +could not know you were married. And I now know that I have never had +the honor of meeting your husband. The only one of the name with whom I +was ever familiar, was a gentleman now past middle life. He belonged to +the diplomatic service, and his name, if I do not mistake, was Herbert +von Wallmoden."</p> + +<p>"That is my husband, and he is at present ambassador to this country. He +will be looking anxiously for me now, so I must not linger a moment +longer. Again let me thank you, Herr Rojanow." And with a bow of adieu, +the lady hurried down the hill toward the carriage road.</p> + +<p>Hartmut stood looking after her, like one in a maze; heavy beads of +perspiration stood out on his forehead. So soon? He had scarcely set +foot on German soil, and here he was met at once by the old names and +all the painful memories which their mention entailed.</p> + +<p>Herbert von Wallmoden, Frau von Eschenhagen's brother, Willibald's +guardian and his own boyhood's friend. Rojanow felt a sharp cut like a +dagger thrust through his breast. He drew himself up and threw his +shoulders back, as though he would throw from him some overwhelming +burden, and the old bitter, mocking smile came to his lips again, as he +said, half aloud:</p> + +<p>"Uncle Wallmoden hasn't wasted any of his opportunities, that's evident. +His hair's gray by this time, but it hasn't prevented him winning a +lovely young wife. To be sure, an ambassador is a fine match, and it is +evident that Adelheid von Wallmoden was born to marry such a man. She +has all the aristocratic airs and manners which are the one thing +needful in the diplomatic circle. Doubtless he's had her well trained to +take her place in the diplomatic school. Well, he's fared well in this +world, there's no doubt of that."</p> + +<p>His eyes followed the young wife, who had just reached the foot of the +hill, and a deep scowl settled on his brow.</p> + +<p>"If I meet Wallmoden here, and perhaps I won't be able to avoid it, +he'll recognize me without a doubt. Then he'll tell her all about it, +and if she ever sees me again, and gives me one of her contemptuous +glances, I'll—" He stamped his foot on the ground with fury at the +thought, and then gave a bitter laugh.</p> + +<p>"Pah! What need I care? What does this pale, blue-eyed creature, with +her cold blood, know of freedom, of the throes of passion, of the storms +which come to some lives? Let her pronounce sentence on me. Why should I +shun a meeting? I will face her and bid her beware."</p> + +<p>And with a haughty movement of his head he turned his back on the +slender figure, and strode back again into the woods.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>The betrothal festivities to which Baron von Wallmoden and his wife had +been bidden were carried out to the letter. Antonie von Schönau plighted +her troth to her cousin, the heir of Burgsdorf.</p> + +<p>The young people had known their parents' plan for years, and were fully +agreed as to its accomplishment. Willibald subscribed like a dutiful +son, to his mother's opinion that she was the suitable person to choose +his life's companion for him, and he had waited patiently her pleasure +as to the time when his betrothal should become an accomplished fact; +the thought of having his little cousin Toni for a wife was very +pleasant to him. He had known her since childhood, and she suited him +exactly. She was a girl absolutely bereft of romance, and Willibald knew +she would make no sentimental demands upon him, to which he, with the +best will in the world, had not the temperament to respond. Toni, for +her part, possessed that good taste for which Frau Regine had given her +credit. Will pleased her very well, and the prospect of being mistress +of Burgsdorf pleased her still better—in short, everything was as it +should be.</p> + +<p>The newly betrothed pair were at the piano in the drawing-room, and Toni +was entertaining her lover with music, not voluntarily, however, but at +her father's request, for she herself considered music a wearisome and +superfluous accomplishment. But the head forester had insisted that his +daughter should show she was not educated in housewifery alone, but had +learned something at boarding-school as well. He was walking to and fro +on the terrace with his sister-in-law now; they had come there to listen +to the music, and discuss for the hundredth time the happiness and +prospects of their children. They had, as usual, soon drifted away from +pleasant topics and their contention was growing fiercer each moment.</p> + +<p>"I really don't know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, very red in the face. "You don't seem to comprehend the +impropriety of permitting such an intimacy. When I ask you who is the +school-girl friend of Toni's who is expected at Waldhofen, you answer me +coolly and complacently, that she is a singer who has been on the stage +of the Court theatre for some time. An actress, a theatrical star. One +of those wretched, frivolous creatures who—"</p> + +<p>"But, Regine, don't fly into such a passion," interrupted her host +angrily. "You speak as though the poor soul had lost her character just +because she went on the stage."</p> + +<p>"So she has, so she has!" Regine answered excitedly. "Who ever enters +that Sodom and Gomorrah goes down to the bottom at once and can never +rise again."</p> + +<p>"That's flattering to the Court theatre company, at least," said Schönau +dryly. "But we go to see them just the same."</p> + +<p>"As spectators! That's quite a different thing, though, for my part, I'm +opposed to encouraging such people at all. Will goes to the theatre very +little, and never without me. But while I, in the performance of my duty +as a mother, have guarded him from any intercourse whatever with such +people, you permit his future wife to come within their poisonous +influence. It's enough to make the heavens cry out!"</p> + +<p>She had raised her voice almost to a shriek at the last, partly from +excitement, and partly to be heard by her brother-in-law, for the +musical production was noisy now, and sent forth loud, discordant sounds +through the open glass door. Toni had good strong wrists, and her touch +on the piano reminded one of the stroke of an axe on hard wood. Her +three listeners had strong nerves, but low speech was certainly an +impossibility.</p> + +<p>"Let me explain the matter to you," said the forester appeasingly. "I +have told you already that this was an exceptional case."</p> + +<p>"Marietta Volkmar is the grandchild of our good old doctor at Waldhofen. +His son died while still in the flower of youth. The young widow +followed her husband the very next year, and the poor little orphan came +to her grandfather. That was ten years ago, just after I had been +assigned to Fürstenstein. Doctor Volkmar became our family physician, +and his grandchild the playfellow of my children. As the school in +Waldhofen was a miserable affair, I begged the doctor to permit his +little one to come here and share the childrens' instruction. Then while +Toni was at boarding-school for two years, Marietta was in the city +pursuing her musical education, and, as a matter of course, their daily +intercourse ceased. Marietta, however, has always visited us regularly +during her vacations, when she came home to her grandfather, and I do +not see why I should forbid her doing so as long as she remains +respectable and honest."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to this reasonable explanation without +unbending in the least. She now said spitefully:</p> + +<p>"Respectable and honest in a theatre! Every one knows well enough what +goes on in such iniquitous places; but you seem to take it as lightly as +does Dr. Volkmar, who for that matter looks honest and venerable enough +with his open face and long white hair. How he can send a soul +entrusted to his care, his own flesh and blood at that, on to certain +destruction, is beyond my comprehension."</p> + +<p>"Regine, I always thought you a most rational woman, but in this matter +you have no sense at all. The theatre and every one connected with it +has always been proscribed by you, and yet you know absolutely nothing +about it. It was no easy matter for the doctor to allow Marietta to go +on the stage. That I know, for we talked it over frequently. It is not +for us who sit in warm nests and can provide lavishly for our children, +to sit in judgment upon other parents who earn their daily food with +labor and bitter care. Volkmar, though seventy years of age, works day +and night, but his practice brings him in little, for this is a poor, +sparsely settled neighborhood, and after his death Marietta will have +nothing."</p> + +<p>"Then he should have made a teacher or a companion of her; that is a +decent way to earn one's bread."</p> + +<p>"God preserve me from bread so earned. No one knows how the poor thing +would be used and ill treated. If I had a child who was dearer to me +than life, whose fate it was to earn her own living, and I was told that +she would have a brilliant future, and put money in her purse if she +went on the stage, I would say 'go!' you may depend upon it."</p> + +<p>This avowal seemed to take the ground from under Regine's feet. She +stood for a moment gazing at him with frightened face. Then she said, +solemnly:</p> + +<p>"Moritz—it makes me shudder to hear you."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it gives you pleasure to shudder, don't stop on my account. +But when Marietta comes as usual to Fürstenstein, I will not send her +back, neither shall I raise any objection if Toni goes to her at +Waldhofen. So we need say nothing more about it."</p> + +<p>Then Herr von Schönau cried out to his daughter, who was still pounding +away, that the window-panes were rattling and the strings of the piano +would be ruined. He did not really care a particle how much noise she +made, neither did her aunt, who answered him now, promptly and sharply:</p> + +<p>"Well, there's one comfort at least, Toni will soon be married. Then +this friendship with the theatrical prodigy will be at an end. I give +you my word for it, that no such guests will be allowed within the walls +of Burgsdorf, and Willibald will not permit his young wife to keep up +any correspondence either."</p> + +<p>"That means that you will not permit it," sneered the head forester. +"There are no yeas or nays in poor Will's life, he is only the obedient +servant of his dear mother. It is really remarkable how you can keep the +fellow, a man grown and soon to be a husband, so cowed down and under +the lash."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen threw her head back, more insulted than ever now.</p> + +<p>"I believe I understand my responsibilities better than you. Perhaps you +would like to reprove me for educating my son to honor and love his +parents?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, but there's a point where love leaves off and tyranny begins. You +have made Will quite stupid under your eternal tutelage. You couldn't +let him make his own offer of marriage even. The matter was an old story +to you, so you interfered as usual, without giving the poor boy a +chance. 'The affair is all arranged for you, children. Your parents have +settled it all for you. You are to marry one another. I give you my +blessing; now kiss one another, for you are betrothed.' That's the kind +of a stand you took. I, also, was taught to love and honor my parents, +but if they had attempted to woo my bride for me, they'd have heard me +sing another tune. And that boy of yours took it as quietly as possible; +I really believe he was rejoiced that he did not have to propose for +himself."</p> + +<p>The excitement of the two had by this time reached fever heat, and it +was a fortunate thing that the noise from the piano drowned all further +conversation. Fräulein Antonie had great strength in her hands, and her +only idea of music was to make all the noise she could; one would have +thought a regiment of soldiers was storming a fort. Just now the noise +irritated her father, who wanted to hear himself speak.</p> + +<p>"Toni, Toni, don't break the new piano in two with your thumping," he +shouted crossly. "What is it you are playing, anyway?"</p> + +<p>Toni was working away bravely, notwithstanding the perspiration was +running down her face. Near her sat her lover on a little sofa, his eyes +shaded by his arm as he leaned back, his very soul steeped, as it were, +in the music. At her father's question the fair musician turned slowly +on her stool and answered in a half-sleepy tone:</p> + +<p>"That is the 'Janizary March,' papa. I thought it would please Will, as +he is a soldier, you know."</p> + +<p>"Yes; a dragoon by accident," muttered her father, as he stepped over to +his future son-in-law, who hardly seemed to appreciate the delicate +attentions of his fiancée.</p> + +<p>"Well Will, what do you say to all this fine music?—Will, don't you +hear me? I believe upon my life he's sound asleep."</p> + +<p>The young heir, aroused now by the scolding voices on all sides, rubbed +his eyes and looked at them with a dazed, drowsy air.</p> + +<p>"What—what is the matter? Yes, it was very beautiful, dear Toni."</p> + +<p>"Yes, to be sure it was," cried the head forester with an angry flash of +his eye. "You need never trouble yourself to play for him again, my +child. But come, let us leave this ardent lover to finish his nap in +peace. He has good strong nerves, I must say that for him."</p> + +<p>With these words the irate father gave Antonie his arm and led her from +the room. But Frau von Eschenhagen, already highly incensed, felt that +her son's inattention to his sweetheart was an additional insult, and +now turned upon poor Willibald in a fury.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have overstepped the limits of common decency, this time!" +she cried in a rage. "Your blessed father wasn't much of a carpet knight +in his day. He was engaged to me just twenty-four hours when he fell +asleep, too, while I played for him; but I waked him up after such a +fashion he never did it a second time I can assure you. Now go after +Toni this minute and say what you can to excuse yourself; she has reason +to be sorely vexed with you."</p> + +<p>Regine took him by the shoulder and pushed him out of the door, as she +ended her tirade.</p> + +<p>Will took all she said quietly enough, and went at once to make his +peace with his cousin. He felt really frightened over his ill-timed +slumber, but he had been tired, and the music wearied him greatly.</p> + +<p>So he was very contrite as he entered the room in which his cousin was +standing at the window.</p> + +<p>"Dearest Toni, do not be angry with me," he began, apologetically. "It +was so hot, and your beautiful music had something so soothing in it +that—"</p> + +<p>Toni turned to him. It was certainly the first time that the Janizary +March had ever been called a soothing composition; but the crushed, +penitent look of her lover, who stood like a sinner awaiting +condemnation, restored her to good humor, and she held out her hand to +him, as she said heartily:</p> + +<p>"No, I am not in the least angry with you, Will. I never cared about the +stupid music, myself. We'll find something more sensible than that to do +when we get to Burgsdorf."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that we will," answered Will, cordially, as he pressed the +outstretched hand warmly. He would never have thought of kissing it. +"You are so good, Toni."</p> + +<p>When Frau von Eschenhagen came upon the lovers a few minutes later, she +found them absorbed in the milk and cream question. The mode of +conducting a dairy in South Germany differed from that common in the +North. It was a subject of which Will never tired, and his mother felt +grateful in her heart for a daughter-in-law who had no uncomfortable +sensitiveness.</p> + +<p>A little later, Will found an opportunity to win complete forgiveness. +Toni was anxious to get the evening post as soon as it arrived. She +complained, also, that something which had been ordered for supper had +not been sent from Waldhofen, and that a message which had been +entrusted to a groom, had not, she feared, been properly delivered. So +Willibald offered to go at once, and set all these vexatious trifles to +rights, and his offer was graciously accepted.</p> + +<p>Waldhofen was a place of great importance to the mountaineers, though in +itself it was but a small town. It was about thirty minutes' walk from +Fürstenstein, and was an important centre for all the little villages +and hamlets scattered through the forest.</p> + +<p>There was seldom a soul to be seen on the streets during the afternoon +hours, and it seemed a deserted, desolate place to Herr von Eschenhagen, +as he crossed the dreary market-place on his way from the post-office.</p> + +<p>He had attended to the other errands first, and delivered the message, +which concerned the sending of a chest to Fürstenstein. As the streets +were of no interest to him, he turned now into a side road, where there +were neat little houses, with fresh, green little lawns in front. The +road was uneven and muddy after yesterday's heavy rain, but Willibald +was a countryman himself, and paid no heed to bad roads, so he walked on +now without a murmur.</p> + +<p>He was in a very contented frame of mind, both as regarded himself and +the world at large. Here he was, a strong, healthy young man, with a +generous share of this world's goods, and the pleasurable thought that +he was engaged to be married to a girl who suited him, and who would, he +knew, make him a good wife.</p> + +<p>A heavy, lumbering carriage came up the narrow, uneven road, along which +he was trudging. There was a large trunk strapped on the back, and +various bundles and boxes covered the seats within. Willibald wondered +to himself why any one had chosen such a miserable little lane, which +the recent rains had made totally unfit for vehicles, instead of taking +the wide, decently paved street. The coachman seemed to be in anything +but a happy frame of mind. He turned now in his seat, and said to the +traveler, of whom Willibald had not caught a glimpse:</p> + +<p>"Now really Fräulein, we can go no farther. I told you before that we +couldn't get through here, and now you see for yourself how the wheels +stick in the mud—its a pretty piece of business."</p> + +<p>"It is not very far," sounded a clear young voice from the depths of the +carriage. "Only a few hundred steps, farther. So please go on no matter +how slowly."</p> + +<p>"What can't be done, can't be done!" announced the driver in a +philosophic tone. "I cannot go forward through this mire, and I won't. +We must turn back."</p> + +<p>"I will not ride through the town." The clear voice had a decided, +defiant tone this time. "If you won't go through this lane, stop, and +I'll get out here."</p> + +<p>The driver stopped at once, clambered down from his seat and opened the +heavy door, and a second later a slender girl jumped from the carriage; +jumped skillfully, too, for she landed on a dry place without coming in +contact with the mud and mire which surrounded her on all sides. Then +she took a view of her surroundings. But just before her the road had an +abrupt turn, so she could not see very far.</p> + +<p>The young lady was evidently annoyed to find herself farther from her +destination than she had supposed. Then her glance fell on Herr von +Eschenhagen, who, coming from the other direction, had just reached the +bend in the road.</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon, sir, but is the road passable?"</p> + +<p>He did not answer at once for he was dumb with admiration at the +wonderful and graceful leap which she had just made. She had gone +through the air like a feather, and landed on the only dry spot on the +whole road.</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear me?" she repeated, impatiently. "Do you know whether the +road is passable or not?"</p> + +<p>"I—I am on the road now," he answered, rather staggered by the sharp, +dictatorial tone.</p> + +<p>"I can see that for myself. But I have no high boots like you. What I +want to know is whether the road is as muddy as this all the way or not? +Are there any dry places? Great heavens! can't you answer?"</p> + +<p>"I—I believe you will find it dry after you get past this bend here."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, I will venture. So you can turn back, driver, and +leave my luggage at the post-office opposite the market-place, and I'll +send for it. Wait. Hand me down that black satchel, and I'll take it +with me."</p> + +<p>"But it's too heavy for you to carry, Fräulein, and I can't leave my +horses to take it for you," objected the coachman.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, give it to that gentleman yonder. It's not very far to our +garden gate. Will you please take that black leather satchel, sir—the +one on the back seat with the heavy straps. Can't you hurry?"</p> + +<p>The little foot stamped impatiently on the ground, for the master of +Burgsdorf stood and stared at her with open mouth. It was something new +to him to be commanded and disposed of in this way by a young woman; but +at the last imperious words he came bashfully forward and took the +satchel from the driver's hand. The young lady evidently thought it the +most natural thing in the world to ask his assistance.</p> + +<p>"There," she said, shortly. "Now, driver, go back to the post-office, +and I'll pick my way through the Waldhofen mud."</p> + +<p>She gathered her gray traveling cloak and frock around her and stepped +along quickly, picking her way carefully as she went, and keeping as +close as possible to the low hedge which bordered the road, while +Willibald, of whom she took no notice, trotted on behind with her +belongings. He thought he had never seen anything half so lovely as this +graceful, slender creature, who scarcely reached up to his shoulder, and +he feasted his eyes on the little figure as he followed after.</p> + +<p>There was something more than ordinarily gracious and pleasing in the +young girl's movements, and in her whole appearance, and she carried her +little head with its mass of curly dark hair which no hat could keep +concealed, with a jaunty air. Her features were irregular, but they +wore an expression of saucy defiance, which with her large, dark eyes +and rosy mouth, and the little dimple in the chin, made up for all +imperfections of contour. The gray traveling costume, while simple in +the extreme, was well and tastefully made, and told that its fair wearer +was of another world than that of Waldhofen.</p> + +<p>The road, after they had rounded the bend, was, as Willibald said, much +drier, though they still had to keep close to the low, hedge-hidden +wall, and take very careful steps to avoid the wet, muddy hollows. There +was no conversation between the two. Will would never have thought of +speaking, so he trudged on patiently, while his guide hurried forward as +rapidly as the way would permit, and apparently never troubling herself +about the meek burden-bearer in the rear.</p> + +<p>In about ten minutes they reached a low garden gate at which the girl +stopped abruptly. She leaned over, and pulling out a little wooden bar, +opened it. Then she turned to her escort, if such he could be called, +and said:</p> + +<p>"I thank you, sir. Please give me my satchel now."</p> + +<p>The satchel, in spite of its small size, was much too heavy for her +little hands to hold. Willibald was, for the first time in his life, +seized with a knightly impulse, and declared the satchel was much too +heavy for her, and that he would carry it to the house for her. She +accepted his courtesy with a careless nod of approval, and turning +hastily, went through the small, well-kept garden to the back door of +the little old-fashioned house, on which the long afternoon shadows were +lingering. Now for the first time, the new-comer was seen from within, +and an elderly woman started out from the little kitchen, crying:</p> + +<p>"Fräulein! Fräulein Marietta, you have come to-day. Ah, what joy, what—"</p> + +<p>Marietta flew toward her and put her hand over her mouth.</p> + +<p>"Hush! hush! Babette. Speak softly, I want to surprise grandpapa. Is he +at home?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Herr Doctor is at home and is in his study. Will you go right +in, Fräulein?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'll go into the front room and play a soft accompaniment, and sing +him his favorite song! Be careful, Babette, he must not hear us."</p> + +<p>She went in on tiptoe, as noiselessly as an elf, across the old hall, +and softly opened the door of a little, low-ceilinged corner room; +Babette, who, overcome by joy and surprise, had not noticed the stranger +standing in the shadow, followed her dear Fräulein. The door was left +open, and Willibald could hear a cover laid back cautiously and a chair +pushed gently in place. Then she began a low prelude. The sounds which +the old worn out spinet gave forth were tremulous and thin, and made one +think of an ancient harp; but the maiden's voice recalled the lark's +song of rejoicing.</p> + +<p>The singing was not long continued, for a door opposite was opened +hastily, and an old man with white hair appeared upon the threshold.</p> + +<p>"Marietta! my Marietta, is it really you?"</p> + +<p>"Grandpapa!" cried the young girl exultantly, as she ceased her song and +rushed forward to throw herself in the old man's arms.</p> + +<p>"You bad child. Why did you frighten me so?" he said, tenderly. "I did +not expect you until day after to-morrow, and intended going to the +railway station to meet you. When I heard your voice so suddenly just +now, I believed my ears had deceived me."</p> + +<p>The girl laughed out gaily like an excited child.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I have succeeded in surprising you, grandpapa, haven't I? I came up +the back road, but the wheels stuck so in the mud that I had to get out +and walk part of the way. I came in through the garden and by the back +door—well, Babette, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Fräulein, the carrier is still waiting with the satchel," Babette had +just discovered that a stranger was on the premises. "Shall I give him +money for a drink and let him go?"</p> + +<p>The young man, thus designated as the carrier, still stood, satchel in +hand, awaiting Marietta's pleasure. Dr. Volkmar turned at once, and +recognizing who it was, cried in a frightened tone:</p> + +<p>"Good heavens—Herr von Eschenhagen!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know the gentleman?" asked Marietta, without any especial +interest or surprise, for her grandfather, being the only physician in +the region, of course knew every one.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I know him. Babette, take the valise at once. I beg your +pardon, sir. I did not know that you were acquainted with my +granddaughter."</p> + +<p>"Why, we never saw each other before to-day," explained Marietta. "But, +grandpapa, will you not introduce me to this gentleman?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf—"</p> + +<p>"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta delighted. "O, how comical that +we should meet each other for the first time in the mud. If I had known +who it was I would not have treated you so cavalierly, Herr von +Eschenhagen. I let you walk behind me as though you were a veritable +porter. But why didn't you speak?"</p> + +<p>Willibald didn't speak now, but looked stupidly at the little hand +which was extended to him. He felt he must do or say something, and as +it was an impossibility for him to speak, he grasped the little hand in +his great, brawny palm and pressed and shook it vigorously.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Marietta as she drew back hastily. "You have a terrible +grip, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my finger."</p> + +<p>Willibald, glowing from embarrassment and mortification, was about to +stammer an apology, when the doctor came to his rescue by inviting him +to come in. This invitation he accepted without speaking, and followed +his host into the house. Marietta took the principal part in the +conversation. She gave a very amusing account of her meeting with +Willibald. Now that she knew he was her dear Toni's lover, she treated +him with all the familiarity and freedom of an old friend. She asked +question after question about Toni and the head forester, and her tongue +went on without rest or intermission.</p> + +<p>To the young man who sat so silent and listened so eagerly, the girl's +pleasant, bird-like chatter was quite bewildering. He had met the doctor +on the previous day at Fürstenstein and had heard some talk of a certain +Marietta who was a friend of his fiancée. Who or what she was, or from +whence she came, he did not know, for Toni had not been very +communicative on that occasion.</p> + +<p>"And to think of this excited child leaving you standing at the back +door, while she came in to play and sing to decoy me from my study," +said Dr. Volkmar shaking his head. "That was very impolite, Marietta, +very impolite indeed."</p> + +<p>The young girl laughed merrily, and shook her short, curly hair.</p> + +<p>"O, Herr von Eschenhagen has not taken it amiss. But as he only heard a +bar or two of your favorite song, I think the least I can do is to sing +it all for him now."</p> + +<p>And without waiting for an answer, she seated herself at the piano, and +again the clear, silvery voice with its bird-like notes, broke forth on +the evening air. She sang an old, simple ballad, but with such +expression, such pathos and sweetness, that a bright spring sunlight +seemed to enter and flood the little rooms of the old house. But no +sunshine was half so bright as the joy which lit up the face of the old +white-headed man, upon whose forehead lay the shadows of years and +sorrow, and on whose cheeks care had pressed deep furrows. With a +half-pathetic, happy smile he listened to the old familiar melody, which +spoke to his heart like a voice from his own lost youth.</p> + +<p>But he was not the only attentive listener. The master of Burgsdorf, who +had fallen asleep amid the thunders of a military march, and who had +felt himself entirely in accord with Tom when she declared music to be +stupid, listened almost breathlessly to the enchanting strains. Such +music was a revelation to him. He sat, leaning forward in his chair, as +if fearful of losing a single note, with his eyes fastened upon the +pretty maiden, who, singing with all her soul, moved her little head +backward and forward with a graceful movement as she warbled forth her +sweet song. When it was ended Willibald leaned back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, and drew his hand across his eyes.</p> + +<p>"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar tenderly, as he rose and +leaned over his grandchild and kissed her forehead.</p> + +<p>"Well, grandpapa," she said teasingly, "has my voice lost anything +within the last few months? But I fear it does not please Herr von +Eschenhagen. He has no word of commendation for me."</p> + +<p>She turned to Willibald with the assumed sulky look of a spoiled child. +He rose now and came over to her.</p> + +<p>A slight flush diffused his face, and in his eyes, usually so +expressionless, shone a new light.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was very beautiful!"</p> + +<p>The young singer might be forgiven for having expected something more +then these few embarrassed words; but she felt the deep, honest +admiration which they conveyed, and understood at once that her song had +deeply impressed the taciturn stranger. She smiled pleasantly as she +replied:</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is a sweet song. I have scored more than one triumph singing it +as an encore."</p> + +<p>"As an encore?" repeated Will, with no idea of what she meant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, at the theatre, which I have just left to visit grandpapa. I was +such a success, grandpapa, and the director wanted me to give up all my +vacation, but I had surrendered so much of it already to suit him that I +declared I would have these few weeks with you."</p> + +<p>Willibald listened to all this with increasing astonishment. Theatre, +vacation, director, what did it all mean? The doctor noticed his +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know what you are, my child," he said +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for an opera singer."</p> + +<p>"How soberly you say it, grandpapa," cried Marietta, springing up and +drawing her little slender figure to its full height, as she said, with +an assumption of great dignity:</p> + +<p>"For the past five months a member of the renowned and worshipful Ducal +Court theatre, a person in a responsible position and worthy of all +honor. Hats off, gentlemen!"</p> + +<p>A member of the Court theatre company! Willibald drew himself together, +as it were, when he heard the fatal words. The well trained son of his +mother, he had a great abhorrence for all actors and actresses. He +stepped unwittingly, three steps back, and stared in amazement at the +young lady who had just made so startling and so frightful an +announcement. She laughed out loud as he did so.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you need not manifest so much respect for me, Herr von Eschenhagen, +I will permit you to stand by the piano. Has Toni never told you that I +belong to the theatre?"</p> + +<p>"Toni? No!" stammered Willibald, greatly disconcerted. "But she is +waiting for me. I must go to Fürstenstein. I have stayed here much too +long already."</p> + +<p>"How extremely polite," laughed the girl, with a good-natured sneer. "It +is not very polite to us, but where your bride is, there should you be +also."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and with my mother, too," said Will, who had a feeling that +something dreadful was threatening him, and to whom his mother seemed a +protecting angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have been here much too long +already."</p> + +<p>He stopped abruptly, remembering that he had said these words once +before, but as none better offered themselves to his disturbed brain he +repeated them for the third time.</p> + +<p>Marietta was half dead from suppressed laughter. Dr. Volkmar declared, +most courteously, that he would not think of detaining his guest a +second longer, and begged him to give his compliments to the head +forester and to Fräulein von Schönau.</p> + +<p>The young man scarcely heard him; he reached for his hat, muttering some +word of farewell, and was off without delay. He had but one thought, +and that was to get away as quickly as possible. The good-natured, +scarcely restrained laughter confused him greatly.</p> + +<p>When the doctor returned, after having accompanied Willibald to the +door, he found his grandchild half suffocated with laughter, while the +tears were rolling down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that lover of Toni's is quite right here," she said, as +she tapped her forehead with her finger. "First, he carried my satchel +and was as dumb as a fish; then he thawed out a little when I sang, and +now he is off on a run to Fürstenstein and his mother, before I have a +chance even to send Toni a message"</p> + +<p>The doctor smiled, but it was a pained smile. He had observed this +stranger more closely than Marietta, and knew only too well what caused +the sudden and great anxiety to get away from the house.</p> + +<p>"Evidently the young man is not much accustomed to ladies' society," he +answered evasively; "he's under his mother's thumb apparently, but he +seems to please his sweetheart, and that's the main thing."</p> + +<p>"He's a handsome man," mused Marietta, "a very handsome man. But, +grandpapa, I believe he's also a very stupid one."</p> + +<p>Willibald in the meantime had gone, almost on a run, to the nearest +street corner, and there he halted and tried to overcome his +bewilderment and collect his thoughts. It was some time before he +started slowly on his homeward way, and while standing dazed and stupid +in the little country road, he threw more than one glance back at the +doctor's house.</p> + +<p>What would his mother say? She, who all her life had spurned the +play-actor as she would a reptile. And she was right, Will saw that +clearly; there was a sorcery about such people against which one needed +protection.</p> + +<p>But if this Marietta Volkmar should see fit to go to Fürstenstein to +visit her girlhood's friend! The young heir was horrified at the +thought, and assured himself that he was horrified, but there was a new +light in his eyes all the while. He saw suddenly, in his mind's eye, the +reception room at Fürstenstein, and the piano at which his betrothed had +sat so long that day, but in her place was a dainty little figure, with +a perfect glory of curly brown hair around her head; and the heavy notes +of the "Janizary March" changed into the soft, pleading tones of the +old-time ballad, and in the midst of it all, broke out the clear, +bubbling laugh which sounded like music, too.</p> + +<p>And all this sweetness was lost forever, both in this world and in the +next, because it had been seen and heard on the stage. Frau von +Eschenhagen had often expressed her views on that subject, and her son, +a good, obedient son always, looked upon her as an oracle. But now he +heaved a deep sigh, as he said half aloud:</p> + +<p>"What a shame! What a lamentable shame!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>The little mountain of Hochberg rose about half way between Fürstenstein +and Rodeck. It was celebrated, and justly, for the fine and extensive +view which could be obtained from its highest point. An ancient stone +tower, all that now remained of a castle long since fallen into decay, +stood upon the extreme summit.</p> + +<p>A few peasants, more zealous than their neighbors, had built a little +inn or house of rest and refreshment at its base. They made a pretense +of keeping the mountain roads in order, and demanded a fair toll from +the stray tourist who came to climb the winding tower stairs.</p> + +<p>Strangers came but seldom, however, into this wild, unknown mountain +region. In the autumn especially, visitors were few and far between. +This bright, warm September day had, however, proved seductive. Two +gentlemen on horseback, attended by a groom, had dismounted at the door +and gone up into the little tower, and they had been followed, a half +hour later, by some guests from the neighborhood, who had driven up the +mountain-side in a light carriage.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen were now standing on a little stone platform of the tower, +and one of them was talking eagerly and excitedly as he called his +companion's attention to certain newly-discovered beauties in the +landscape. "Yes, our Hochberg is celebrated, there's no doubt of that," +he said finally. "I felt I must show it to you, Hartmut. Do you not +think the view across this far green ocean of forest is unparalleled?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not answer. He seemed to be searching for some particular +place through his field glass.</p> + +<p>"In which direction does Fürstenstein lie? Ah, I see, over yonder. It +seems to be an immense old building."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the castle is well worth seeing," said Prince Adelsberg. "You were +quite right, though, day before yesterday, to refuse to accompany me +there. The visit worried me to death."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! You spoke very enthusiastically of the head forester to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I always enjoy a chat with him, but he had gone driving, worse +luck, and only returned just as I was leaving. His son is not at +Fürstenstein either, he's at college studying forestry, and so I was +entertained by the daughter of the house, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau. +I had a weary hour, I can assure you. A word every five minutes, and a +minute getting that one out. She's a fine housewife, I fancy, with no +brains for anything beyond. It was up hill work talking to her, and no +mistake; then I had the honor of meeting her lover. A genuine, +unsophisticated country squire, with a very energetic mother, who +evidently has both him and her future daughter-in-law well under her +control. Oh, we had a highly intellectual conversation, which ended in +their asking my advice about the culture of turnips—I'm so well up in +turnips, you know. Just then, happily, the head forester and his +brother-in-law, Baron Wallmoden, returned."</p> + +<p>Rojanow still held the field glass to his eyes, and was seemingly +indifferent to his friend's gossip. Now he said in a questioning tone, +"Wallmoden?"</p> + +<p>"The new Prussian ambassador to our court. A genuine diplomatist, too, +if I may judge from appearances; aristocratic, cold, dignified and +reserved to the last degree, but good form, very good form. His wife, +the baroness, was not visible, but I bore her absence with resignation, +for he's a white-haired elderly man, and I doubt not his wife's of the +same stripe."</p> + +<p>Hartmut's lip curled as he took the glass down from his eyes. He had not +mentioned his meeting with Frau von Wallmoden. Why not forget the very +name as soon as possible?</p> + +<p>"Our romantic loneliness will soon end, Herr von Schönau tells me," +continued Egon. "The whole court is coming to Fürstenstein for the +hunting season, and I can count on a visit from the duke. He'll come +over to Rodeck as soon as he arrives. I'm not overjoyed, I can tell you, +for my respected uncle will preach at me about my morals in a way poor +Stadinger never thought of doing, and I'll have to stand it, too. At any +rate Hartmut, I can take this opportunity to present you."</p> + +<p>"If you think it necessary, and the etiquette of the court permits."</p> + +<p>"Bah! The etiquette won't be so strictly observed here, and besides the +Rojanows belong to one of the Bojarin families of your country."</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Well then, there's nothing to prevent your being presented. I am very +anxious to have the duke meet you, then I'll tell him about your +'Arivana,' and as soon as he hears your play, he'll have it put on the +court stage. I've no question of it."</p> + +<p>The words conveyed the deep, almost passionate admiration which the +prince had for his friend. The latter only shrugged his shoulders as he +replied carelessly:</p> + +<p>"That is possible, if you intercede for me, but I do not want to owe my +success to any man's efforts in my behalf. I am no poet of repute; I +scarcely know whether I am a poet at all or not, and if my work cannot +make its own way I shall not force it on the world."</p> + +<p>"You'll be obstinate enough to let a fine opportunity slip, that's like +you. Have you no ambition?"</p> + +<p>"Only too much, I fear; perhaps that's the origin of what you call my +obstinacy. I have never been able to subordinate myself and conform to +the rules of every day life, and as to the restrictions and trammels of +your German courts, I could not adjust myself to them."</p> + +<p>"Who told you you would have to adjust yourself to them?" questioned +Egon laughingly. "You will be flattered and spoiled there, as everywhere +else, for you will appear in the heavens like a meteor and no one ever +requires stars of that nature to follow a prescribed orbit. Moreover +you will be both a guest and a foreigner; and as such will occupy an +exceptional position. When in addition to that, the poet's halo shines +round your head—"</p> + +<p>"You will have found means to bind me to your country, you think?" +interjected Hartmut.</p> + +<p>"Well yes, I certainly have not supposed that I, myself, possessed the +power to attach to us permanently so wild and restless a spirit. But the +rising fame of a poet is a bond which is not so easily broken. This very +morning I took an oath to keep you here at any cost."</p> + +<p>Rojanow gave him a surprised, searching look. "Why this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's my secret," said Egon mischievously. "But here comes some +one to join us. I hear steps on the stairs."</p> + +<p>Yes, there were steps coming up the old stone stairway, and a second +later the bearded face of the old watchman peered out at the men on the +platform.</p> + +<p>"Please be careful, my lady," he was saying. "The last few steps are +very steep; now here we are on the platform." He held out his hand to +assist the lady, who was following him closely, but she paid no heed to +his offer and stepped lightly out on the little stone balcony.</p> + +<p>"What a lovely girl," whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend; but +Hartmut, instead of answering, was making a deep and formal bow to the +lady, who could not conceal a look of surprise when she saw him.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Herr Rojanow, you here?"</p> + +<p>"I am admiring the fine views from Hochberg of which you, madame, have +heard also, apparently."</p> + +<p>The prince's face bore a surprised look when he heard Hartmut address +this lovely girl as madame, and saw that she knew him. He came forward +immediately, in order that he might share his friend's acquaintance, so +Hartmut was constrained to introduce Prince Adelsberg to the Baroness +von Wallmoden; he made a passing allusion to the meeting in the wood, +for the young wife was wrapped in her mantle of icy indifference. It was +scarcely necessary to-day, for Rojanow was as fully determined as she, +to consider their acquaintance as of the slightest.</p> + +<p>Egon cast a reproving glance toward his friend, for he could not +comprehend how any one could keep silence about such a happy accident as +that of piloting so lovely a woman through the wood. He entered at once, +and with animation, into a conversation with the baroness. He spoke of +himself as a neighbor, and of his recent visit to Fürstenstein, and his +regret, great regret, at not meeting her on that occasion. But with all +his chatter, the prince kept himself well within bounds, and was the +polite and agreeable courtier. He knew full well that the wife of the +Prussian ambassador, no matter how young and beautiful, was not to be +approached with vapid, idle compliments. Hartmut had made that error in +addressing the unknown girl in the wood, but Egon had the advantage of +knowing to whom he spoke, and succeeded at last in thawing the beautiful +baroness by his gracious, suave manner. Finally he showed her the +landscape, and pointed out and explained the especial objects of +interest.</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not enter into the conversation at all, but after handing +the field glass to his friend, excused himself on the plea of searching +for a lost pocket-book. The watchman of the tower volunteered to go in +search of it for him, but Rojanow declared he would go and look for it +himself. He remembered the exact place, where, as he mounted the stairs, +he had heard something drop, but had paid no attention to it at the +time. He would go and find it, and then return to the platform. And +with a bow he left them.</p> + +<p>Egon, under other circumstances, would have expressed his surprise that +Hartmut did not accept the old watchman's offer, instead of going +himself. But now he saw his friend depart without protest; he was not +unwilling to have the field to himself. The baroness had already raised +the glass to her eyes, and was following attentively his explanations +and comments on the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>"And over yonder, behind that mountain of forest, lies Rodeck," he said +at last. "The little hunting lodge where we two misanthropes live like +hermits, cut off from all the world beside, save the apes and parrots +which we brought from the East, and they, by the way, are growing very +melancholy in their new home."</p> + +<p>"One would never take your highness for a misanthrope," said Frau von +Wallmoden with a fleeting smile.</p> + +<p>"I confess I haven't much taste for it, myself, but once in a while +Hartmut has a touch of the disease, and it is for his sake that I have +buried myself in this solitude."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut? That is a Hungarian name! It's very surprising that Herr +Rojanow speaks such pure German without the slightest accent. And yet he +told me he was a foreigner."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is from Roumania, but he was educated, partially at least, by +kinsfolk in Germany, from whom he also got his Christian name." The +young prince explained so unconcernedly that it was evident he knew as +little about his friend's family as did his listener.</p> + +<p>"You seem to be very partial to him." There was a slighting tone in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am indeed," exclaimed Egon, roused in an instant. "And not I, +alone. Hartmut has one of those attractive, genial natures, which wins +upon all who know him. But the stranger who does not see him +unrestrained and at his best, can form no judgment of what he is. Then a +flame of fire bursts from his soul, and touches all those with whom he +comes in contact. He exercises a charm which none can resist, and where +he leads all must follow."</p> + +<p>This glowing eulogy was listened to with cool indifference by the young +woman, whose whole attention seemed to be centered in the landscape, as +she answered:</p> + +<p>"You are right, doubtless. Herr Rojanow's eyes indicate an unusually +fiery temperament, but their expression is uncanny and surely not +sympathetic."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps because they have that peculiar and demoniacal expression which +is always the indication of genius. Hartmut has great talent; he +sometimes frightens me with it, and yet it attracts me irresistibly. I +really do not know how I could live without him, now. I shall do +everything in my power to make him remain with me."</p> + +<p>"In Germany? Your highness sets yourself a hard task. Herr Rojanow has a +very contemptuous opinion of our country, I can assure you. He expressed +himself most forcibly to that effect, the other day in the wood."</p> + +<p>The prince listened attentively. These words explained to him what he +had at first thought so singular; why Hartmut had not mentioned to him +the meeting with the baroness. He smiled as he said: "Ah, that's why he +never mentioned meeting you to me. You probably showed him you did not +approve of his candid avowal concerning Germany; you served him just +right, for there's no sense in his lying so persistently. He has often +angered me with his harangues against my country, all of which I thought +he meant, at the time, but now I know better."</p> + +<p>"You do not believe, then?" Adelheid turned suddenly and faced the +speaker.</p> + +<p>"No, I have the proof of it in my hand. He fairly revels in our German +scenery. Your ladyship looks at me incredulously; may I tell you a +secret?"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I went to Hartmut's room, this morning, to look for him," began the +prince, "and he was not there; but I found on his desk what was better +than finding him—a poem which he had evidently forgotten to lock up, +for he never intended it for my eyes, that's certain. No pricks of +conscience prevented my stealing it, and I have it with me this minute. +If you would care to glance at it—"</p> + +<p>"I do not understand the Roumanian tongue," responded Frau von +Wallmoden, with a slight sneer; "and I imagine Herr Rojanow has not +condescended to write in German."</p> + +<p>For answer Egon drew a paper from his pocket, and unfolded it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend, I see, but I do not want to leave him in +the false light in which he has placed himself in your eyes. May I not +read this to you, and let his own words be his justification?"</p> + +<p>"If you desire."</p> + +<p>The words were spoken indifferently, but Adelheid's eyes sought the +paper with an expression of keen interest. A few verses, written in a +careless, hasty hand, covered the white page. Egon began to read. They +were indeed German verses, but in them was a pureness and euphony which +told that they could only have been written by a master of that tongue, +and the description which they gave was one well known to both +listeners. Deep, sad, woodland loneliness, pervaded by the first breath +of autumn; endless green depths which swayed and beckoned with their +gloomy shadows; fragrant meadows flooded with the golden sunlight; +silent stretches of water in the far distance, and the noisy murmur of +the mountain brook, as it rushed down from some nearer height. This +picture had life and speech in it, too, and had its echoes of an +old-time woodland song; the rustle and whisper of the swaying branches +sounded to the ear like a soft, low melody, and above all and through +all, was the deep, pent-up longing for that peace which was the +background of the whole scene.</p> + +<p>The prince had begun with fervor, and entering into the spirit of the +poem, read clearly and intelligently. As he finished, he turned to the +baroness with a triumphant, "What do you say to that?"</p> + +<p>Frau von Wallmoden had not lost a word; she had not looked at the +reader, though, but had gazed across the distant hills. Now, at the +prince's question, she turned slowly. "Is this the language of one who +despises our country?" he continued, confident he had the best of the +argument. And as he looked closely at her, while demanding justice for +his friend, he realized for the first time, just how lovely this Frau +von Wallmoden was. The rosy tints of the setting sun softened the look +in the lovely eyes, and added beauty to the tender oval of her face; but +there was no softness in the cold, deliberate answer: "It is really +quite surprising that a foreigner should understand our language so +well."</p> + +<p>Egon stared at her. Was this all she had to say? He had expected +something quite different. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Very full of sentiment. Herr Rojanow seems to possess a great deal of +poetical talent. Many thanks for your field glass, and now I must go +down to my husband. I fear he is tired already, waiting for me."</p> + +<p>Egon folded his paper without a word and returned it to his pocket. He +had been very enthusiastic over his friend's production, and this young +woman, colder and more frozen than ever now, chilled him to the bone.</p> + +<p>"I have had the honor of meeting his excellency, and will accompany you +down, with your permission," he said, courteously.</p> + +<p>She gave a slight bow of acknowledgment and left the platform, followed +by the Prince, who had grown suddenly very taciturn. He felt annoyed on +his friend's account, and regretted now that he had read, what to him +seemed such a wonderful poem, to a woman who evidently knew nothing +whatever of poesy.</p> + +<p>Hartmut had, in the meantime, after leaving the platform, descended the +winding stairs slowly. The lost purse was a mere subterfuge, for it lay +in its accustomed place in an inner pocket.</p> + +<p>Adelheid von Wallmoden had mentioned to the prince, soon after she +joined them on the platform, that her husband was awaiting her in the +little inn, but that he had not cared to climb the steep, dark stairs. +Hartmut knew he could not avoid a meeting, but he would at least brave +it without witnesses.</p> + +<p>If Wallmoden saw his old friend's son and recognized him, he might not +be able, for the moment, to master his surprise.</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not fear this meeting, though he knew it would be both +painful and uncomfortable. There was but one in the whole world whom he +feared; but one pair of eyes under whose gaze he would lack courage to +lift his own, and in all probability he would never meet that one.</p> + +<p>He could face all others with a proud defiance; he had but exercised his +right in abandoning a hated career. He was decided that there should be +no questioning or reproving; if he were recognized, he should request +the ambassador in a most decided manner, to make no reference whatever +to a past with which he was done forever.</p> + +<p>Upon the little veranda of the summer inn, Herbert von Wallmoden sat +with his sister. The impending arrival of the duke and his court for the +autumn hunting had detained the head forester at home, where he was in +great demand. The betrothed pair stayed at Fürstenstein, also, and as +nothing better offered itself for the day, the three guests decided to +come to Hochberg.</p> + +<p>The view was especially fine this afternoon and the air was like summer. +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, as +her eyes went searchingly over the landscape. "But we have nearly as +good a view here as up above. I certainly will never climb up those dark +stairs, and lose my breath to see any more. No, I thank you."</p> + +<p>"Adelheid was of a different opinion," responded her brother, as he gave +a fleeting glance up the tower. "She suffers neither from fatigue nor +heat."</p> + +<p>"Or cold either. That was proven the day she was drenched to the skin. +She hasn't even a sniffle from it."</p> + +<p>"I have requested her to take a servant with her in future when she goes +upon her rambles," said Herbert quietly. "To be lost in the forest and +have to wade through a brook and then finally be forced to call to her +aid a stray huntsman, are things that I do not care to have repeated. +Adelheid saw that as clearly as I, and will not go unattended for the +future."</p> + +<p>"Ah, she's an excellent, sensible wife, a healthy nature through and +through, with a proper aversion for adventure and romance," said Regine +warmly. "Ah, there are other visitors on the tower. I thought we would +be the only guests to-day."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden glanced indifferently toward the tall, aristocratic young man +who had just emerged from the tower door and was coming toward them; +Frau von Eschenhagen's glance was careless, too, but her look changed to +one both sharp and intense, and she cried out:</p> + +<p>"Herbert, look!"</p> + +<p>"At what?"</p> + +<p>"At that stranger. What a strange resemblance."</p> + +<p>"To whom?" asked Herbert, looking searchingly, too, into the face of the +stranger, who was nearer them now.</p> + +<p>"It's impossible! That is no passing resemblance. It is he, himself," +cried his sister.</p> + +<p>She sprang up pale with excitement, with her eyes fixed and staring at +the young stranger, who was just putting his foot on the first step of +the shaded veranda. Now his eyes met hers, his large, dark, flaming eyes +which had so often looked into her own and pleaded for him in his +childhood, and all doubts vanished.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, Hartmut Falkenried! You!"</p> + +<p>She stopped suddenly, for Wallmoden laid his hand heavily, very heavily, +on her arm, and said sharply: "You are in error, Regine, we do not know +this gentleman."</p> + +<p>Hartmut was startled, when, upon reaching the top step, he recognized +Frau von Eschenhagen. The lattice-work had prevented his recognizing +her, and for her presence he was not prepared. But at the very moment +when he realized who it was, the ambassador's words sounded in his ears. +He understood only too well what the tone and words implied and the +blood rushed to his temples.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!" Frau Regine called again, looking uncertainly at her brother, +who still held her arm fast.</p> + +<p>"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. "Must I repeat it to +you again, Regine?"</p> + +<p>She understood his meaning now, and turned with a half-threatening, +half-pained glance from the son of her old-time friend, as she said +bitterly: "You are right. I was mistaken."</p> + +<p>Hartmut drew himself to his full height, and an angry look flashed +across his face as he drew a step nearer.</p> + +<p>"Herr von Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" answered the other in a sharp, but contemptuous tone.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency has but forestalled me," said Hartmut, forcing himself +by mighty effort to speak quietly. "I came to request you not to know +me. We are strangers to one another."</p> + +<p>Then he turned with a haughty, defiant air, and disappeared within the +little inn.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden looked after him with knitted brow, and then turned to his +sister. "Could you not have restrained yourself, Regine? Why make a +scene? This Hartmut exists no more for us."</p> + +<p>Regine's face showed clearly her intense excitement, and her lips +trembled as she answered:</p> + +<p>"I am no such staid diplomat as you, Herbert. I have not yet learned to +be calm and indifferent when one whom I have for years imagined dead, or +gone to ruin, suddenly springs up before me."</p> + +<p>"Dead? He was too young to make that a probability. Gone to ruin? That +is indeed possible, judging from his life lately."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked his sister excitedly. "What do you know of +his life?"</p> + +<p>"I know something of it. Falkenried is too dear to me to make me lose +sight altogether of his son. I have never mentioned what I knew to +either of you. But as soon as I returned to my post, ten years ago, I +used my diplomatic position to ascertain what I could concerning them."</p> + +<p>"And what did you learn?"</p> + +<p>"At first, only what we already knew, that Zalika had taken her son to +Roumania. You knew that her step-father, our cousin Wallmoden, had died +some time before, and after her divorce from Falkenried she always lived +with her mother. From that time we heard nothing of her until she came +to Germany to capture her son, but just before she came, as I learned, +she inherited a large fortune by the death of her brother."</p> + +<p>"Her brother? I never knew she had one."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was ten years her senior, and on attaining his majority had +become master of a large estate. His mother's second marriage was +childless and he never married. When he met with a sudden death while +hunting, Zalika, being next of kin, fell heir to his large possessions. +As soon as she entered into possession, she began at once to plan how +she could get her son. You know that part of the story. Then they passed +a few years in a wild, erratic life upon her Roumania estate, and they +fairly flung money away in their extravagance. After that they became +bankrupt, and mother and son went out into the world like gypsies."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden told all this in the same cold, contemptuous tone as that in +which he had spoken to Hartmut and in Regine's face, too, was a look of +abhorrence for the wife and mother who had fulfilled so ill the duties +of her station. But she could not restrain the anxiety she felt for the +son, as she asked:</p> + +<p>"And since then? Have you heard nothing further?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, on several occasions. Once when I was with the embassy at +Florence, I heard her name mentioned incidentally. She was at Rome; then +a year after that she was back in Paris again; and sometime later I +heard that Frau Zalika Rojanow was dead."</p> + +<p>"So she is dead," said Regine, softly. "How did they live all these +years?"</p> + +<p>Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. "How do all adventurers live? Perhaps +they had saved something from the shipwreck, perhaps they hadn't. At any +rate she was to be found in the saloons of Rome and Paris. A woman like +Zalika could always find assistance and protection. As a Bojar's +daughter she had her title of nobility, and even the forced sale of her +Roumanian estate, about which many knew, may have aided her to play her +<i>rôle</i>. Society opens its arms only too willingly to such as she, +especially when they have talent, and that Zalika undoubtedly had. By +what means she lived is another question."</p> + +<p>"But Hartmut, upon whom she forced such a life, what of him?"</p> + +<p>"He's an adventurer. What else could you expect?" said the ambassador in +his curtest tone. "He inherited her temperament, and his life with her +has developed the dormant tendency. Since his mother's death, three +years ago, I have heard nothing of him."</p> + +<p>"And why did you keep all this from me?" said Regine, reprovingly.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to spare you all I could. You had always given the boy too +warm a place in your heart, and I thought it better to let you imagine +him dead. Have you ever told Falkenried any of your idle speculations +concerning him?"</p> + +<p>"Once I ventured to speak of the past to him. I hoped to break through +the icy reserve which he always maintains towards me now. He looked at +me, I will not soon forget his eyes, and said with fearful +impressiveness: 'My son is dead. You know that, Regine. We will let the +dead rest in peace.' I have never mentioned Hartmut's name since then."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I hardly need counsel you to be silent when we return home," +continued her brother. "On no account let Willibald hear of this +meeting, for he's so good-natured that he'd be off at once if he heard +his boyhood's friend was in the neighborhood. It's much better he should +know nothing about it. If there should be a second meeting I will just +ignore the fellow. Adelheid does not know him; in fact she doesn't even +know that Falkenried had a son."</p> + +<p>He broke off suddenly and arose, for his young wife and her escort +emerged at that moment from the tower door. The prince greeted the +ambassador and his sister, whom he had met a day or two before, and +asked quite innocently whether they had seen his friend Rojanow, who had +disappeared from the tower a few moments before.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden threw a warning glance toward his sister, who stared at the +prince in surprise, and answered promptly and politely that he had seen +no gentleman, and added that he was just on the point of going in search +of his wife, as it was quite time they should return home. The order to +the groom was given at once, and a minute later the prince was bowing +low to the fair woman and her husband, whom he had accompanied to the +carriage. He stood a full minute looking after them when the carriage +rolled away.</p> + +<p>Hartmut stood at the window of the little public room looking at the +trio in the carriage, also.</p> + +<p>On his face lay the same deadly pallor as when the name of Wallmoden was +mentioned two days before, but to-day it was the pallor of a wild, +intense anger. He had steeled himself against question or reproof; these +he would have met with supercilious arrogance, but the contemptuous +manner in which he had been set aside struck him to his heart's core. +Wallmoden's words to his sister, "We do not know him. Must I repeat that +again?" incited his whole being to revolt. He felt keenly the sentence +which lay in them. And Aunt Regine, too, the woman who had once shown an +almost motherly affection for him, she turned her back on him as if +ashamed of her first impulse to speak to him. That was too much!</p> + +<p>"Oh, here you are at last," sounded Egon's voice from the door. "You +disappeared most mysteriously. Well, did you find your pocket-book?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut turned toward his friend; he felt he must be on his guard.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said absently. "I found it on the stair, as I expected."</p> + +<p>"You might as well have let the watchman get it for you. But why didn't +you come back? 'Twas very shabby of you to desert Frau von Wallmoden and +me. You have not, I fear, won the lovely lady's favor. You were most +ungracious."</p> + +<p>"I shall have to endure my misfortune as best I can," said Hartmut with +a shrug.</p> + +<p>The young prince came nearer, and laid his hand affectionately on his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Or perhaps you incurred her displeasure day before yesterday? It is not +your wont to go off on a tangent when you are conversing with a charming +woman. O, I know all about it; the baroness thought fit to reprove you +for your attack on Germany, and you resented it. Now, a man should agree +to everything which comes from such lips."</p> + +<p>"You seem to be quite excited," sneered Hartmut. "Better look to it that +the gray-haired husband does not grow jealous, in spite of his years."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they're a singular couple," said Egon, half aloud, as if lost in +thought. "This old diplomat, with his gray hair and his keen, immobile +face, and the young wife with her dazzling beauty like a—like a—"</p> + +<p>"Northern light, above a sea of ice. It is a question which of the two +is farthest below freezing point."</p> + +<p>Prince Egon laughed out at the comparison. "Very poetical and very +malicious. But you are right enough. I felt the icy breath of this polar +star several times myself. It's just as well I did, for it is all that +saved me from falling head over heels in love with her. But I think we'd +better be starting now, don't you?" He turned to the door to order the +groom to bring around the horses.</p> + +<p>Hartmut, on the point of following him, turned once more to glance from +the window at the carriage, which could be seen through an opening in +the trees. He clenched his fist as he muttered:</p> + +<p>"We will speak yet, Herr von Wallmoden. I will remain now. He shall not +imagine that I am a coward and flee from him. Egon shall bring my work +to the notice of the court. We shall see then whether he will dare to +treat me like an adventurer. He shall pay yet for that glance and tone."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>At Fürstenstein everything was in readiness for the reception of the +Court. The ducal party was coming this autumn for the entire hunting +season, which lasted for several weeks, and the duchess was expected as +well. The second floor of the castle, with its countless rooms, was +prepared for the illustrious guests, and some of the officials and +servants had already arrived. The little town of Waldhofen, through +which the duke would pass, was in a state of excitement, too, as the +townspeople made their modest preparations to do the great man honor. +The Wallmodens had come for a short visit, but under existing +circumstances, decided to prolong it; in fact the duke himself, learning +of their whereabouts, and desirous of showing the ambassador and his +wife some especial mark of his favor, had expressed a desire to meet +them at Fürstenstein. This amounted to an invitation which it would have +been unwise to refuse.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen and her son were to remain also, to have an +opportunity of "viewing these Court people close at hand." The head +forester, in view of the prospective hunting which was his especial +care, had daily interviews with the under foresters and their +subordinates, and kept them all pretty well on their legs, that nothing +might be neglected. Life at the castle just at present was anything but +monotonous. In Fräulein von Schönau's room, this bright morning, there +were sounds of gay chatter, and many a clear, good-natured laugh. +Marietta Volkmar had come for a little gossip with her old friend, and +as usual during such visits, the laughter and the babble knew no end. +Toni sat in the window-seat, and near her stood Willibald, who, by his +mother's special orders, was to play the <i>rôle</i> of sentinel.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen had not yet been able to accomplish her purpose +concerning the opera singer. Her brother-in-law had remained obdurate, +and even from her future daughter, whom she imagined so pliant, she had +met with decided resistance when she demanded that all intercourse +should be broken off between the two. "I cannot do that, dear auntie. +You ask too much," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so noble and good. I +could not wound her so deeply."</p> + +<p>"Noble and good!" Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of this girl whose eyes she might not open; but she was +diplomatic enough to let the subject drop for the present and bide her +time. Willibald, accustomed to confide in his mother, had told her of +his meeting with Fräulein Volkmar, and how he had enacted the part of +porter at her suggestion. Frau von Eschenhagen was, naturally enough, +incensed at the thought that her son, the heir of Burgsdorf, should act +as lackey for a "theatrical hussy." She drew, for his benefit, a picture +of this child of the devil, and explained how it would be an +impossibility for her to follow such a shameless life without being +thoroughly bad. Willibald, of course, was horror stricken at what he +heard, and agreed fully with his mother that his future wife must be +protected from so contaminating an influence.</p> + +<p>He received orders never to let the young girls be alone, and to watch +carefully how this Marietta behaved. At the very first intimation of a +disgraceful word or action, Regine would go to her brother-in-law and +demand that he should no longer permit his daughter to associate with +such an one; then she would call her son as witness, and the incubus +would be expelled at once and forever from their presence. Willibald +had been on guard when Marietta paid her first visit to Fürstenstein, +had accompanied Toni to Waldhofen when she went to the old doctor's to +see her friend, and he was now at his post again, to-day, in Antonie's +boudoir.</p> + +<p>Antonie and Marietta were chatting over the approaching arrival of the +Court at Fürstenstein, and the former, who possessed little taste in the +matter of dress, was asking her friend's advice about some details of +the toilette, and Marietta was giving it eagerly.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to wear with this gown?" asked Marietta. "Roses of +course, white or very delicate ones. They will suit admirably with this +faint blue."</p> + +<p>"No, I can't get roses," Toni declared. "I shall wear china asters."</p> + +<p>"Better wear sunflowers. Why should you, a young girl, just affianced, +too, wear such autumnal flowers? I do love roses so, and wear them +whenever opportunity offers. I was so disappointed that I couldn't have +one for my hair for the burgermeister's party to-night, but there isn't +one to be had in Waldhofen. It is getting late in the year for them."</p> + +<p>"The castle gardener has a rose tree in bloom in one of the hot-houses," +said Antonie in her sleepy manner, which formed so decided a contrast to +her friend's sharp, decisive tones.</p> + +<p>Marietta shook her head with a laugh. "They're for the duchess without +doubt, so we cannot beg for them, and must think of something in their +stead. And now that we are entering upon the toilet question, your +presence, Herr von Eschenhagen, is quite unnecessary. You don't know +anything about such matters, and our chatter must weary you greatly. But +in spite of all, you don't desert us, and what have I done so very +remarkable, pray, that you stare at me all the time?"</p> + +<p>The words sounded very ungracious. Will was startled, for the last +question was only too true. He had just been thinking how well a fresh, +half-blown rose would look peeping from those dark, curly locks. Toni, +who had not observed how attentively he was gazing at her friend, now +said good-naturedly:</p> + +<p>"Yes, Will, do go. You'll be wearied to death with our gossip, and I'm +not half through yet—I have a great deal to tell Marietta."</p> + +<p>"As you will, dear Toni," answered her lover, hesitatingly. "But I may +come back again?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, whenever you wish."</p> + +<p>Willibald went. It did not annoy him in the least, this having to desert +his post of observation. He was thinking of something quite different as +he stood for a moment alone in a little ante-room. The result of his +thoughts was that he left the castle a few minutes later, and directed +his steps toward the head gardener's quarters.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he left the room when Marietta sprang up exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Heavens, but you're a pokey pair of lovers!"</p> + +<p>"But, Marietta," said Toni, vexed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, whether you are vexed with me or not, I must say it. I had +expected such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You never were +particularly lively, but as for this fiancé of yours he don't seem to +know how to talk at all. What in the world did he say when he proposed +to you? Or did his mother do it for him?"</p> + +<p>"Don't jest all the time," said Toni, really angry now. "It's only in +your presence he's so silent; when we're alone he can talk glibly +enough."</p> + +<p>"Yes, over the new threshing-machine which he has invented himself. I +heard him talking about it just as I came in, and you were listening all +ears. Oh, you'll be a pattern man and wife, and rule Burgsdorf in a most +exemplary manner, but heaven protect me from such a happy marriage."</p> + +<p>"Marietta, you are very rude," said the young girl, highly incensed now. +In the same moment her friend had thrown her arms around her neck, and +said coaxingly: "Do not be angry, Toni. I did not mean to be +disagreeable, and do indeed rejoice in my heart if you are happy; only +you see—every one to his taste; my husband must be different from +yours."</p> + +<p>"Well, what must he be, pray?" asked Toni, resentful yet, but mollified +by her friend's coaxing tone.</p> + +<p>"In the first place he must be under my rule and not under his mother's; +second, he must be an honest, upright man, of whose protection I can +feel assured—that's not inconsistent with petticoat government, so long +as I do the governing. He need not be much of a talker. I'll attend to +that part myself. But he must love me, love me better than father and +mother or houses or lands, better than his threshing-machine, even—I +must be first in his thoughts, ever and always."</p> + +<p>Toni shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "You have very childish +ideas at times, Marietta; but let us decide about the gowns."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'd better do that at once, for your dearly beloved will come +back soon and plant himself down like a sentinel between us. He +certainly has a talent for standing sentry. Now as to this blue silk—"</p> + +<p>Even now the pros and cons of dress could not go on smoothly, for Frau +von Eschenhagen opened the door at this moment, and called Toni to give +her advice concerning some household matter. Toni rose at once and left +the room, but, instead of following her, her aunt remained and sank +down in a chair by the window. Frau von Eschenhagen wished to see for +herself. Will had not satisfied her; he had grown red and embarrassed +when called upon to repeat the girlish gossip which had taken place +between the two maidens, and his mother, who believed all this light +chatter but a cloak for something worse, determined to take the matter +into her own hands.</p> + +<p>Marietta had risen respectfully at the entrance of the elder woman, whom +she had met but once before, and whose inimical bearing toward herself +she had not perceived in the joy of her first meeting again with her +friends. She only noticed that Toni's future mother-in-law was not a +cordial woman. This morning Frau Regine looked her over from head to +foot with a critical eye. Marietta seemed to her like all other girls, +but she was pretty, very pretty—and that was bad. She had short curly +hair all over her head—and that was worse.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking Frau Regine's attitude toward the young singer, +whom she now begun to question. "You are a friend of my son's betrothed, +I believe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lady," was the unconcerned reply.</p> + +<p>"A friend since childhood, I understand. You were brought up and +educated by Dr Volkmar?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I lost my parents when I was very young."</p> + +<p>"So my brother-in-law was telling me. And what was your father's +calling?"</p> + +<p>"He was a physician, the same as grandfather," answered Marietta, more +amused than annoyed by this examination, the object of which she did not +suspect. "And my mother was a physician's daughter, so we might well be +called a medical family, might we not? I'm the only one who has branched +off into another profession."</p> + +<p>"Ah—what a pity," said Frau von Eschenhagen, impressively. The young +girl looked at her puzzled. Was she joking? No, there was no expression +of pleasantry on the lady's face as she continued: "You will agree with +me, my child, that the descendant of an honorable and respected race +should show herself worthy of her family. And you should have thought of +that in choosing your vocation."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens, but I couldn't study medicine like my father and +grandfather," cried Marietta, laughing outright. The matter seemed a +joke to her, but her merriment displeased her severe questioner, who +said, sharply:</p> + +<p>"There are, thank God, plenty of honorable positions for young girls. +You are a singer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, madame, at the Court theatre."</p> + +<p>"I know it, I know it! Do you feel inclined to resign your position +there?"</p> + +<p>The question was put so suddenly and in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily drew back. Since her first meeting with the son, +when he had seemed so stupid and silent, and had run off so +precipitately, she had decided within herself that he was not of sound +mind. Now the thought came to her that his weakness was an inherited +disease from his mother; for certainly this woman could not be in her +right mind.</p> + +<p>"To resign my position?" she repeated. "And why?"</p> + +<p>"Upon moral grounds, altogether. I am ready to offer you a helping hand. +If you will turn your back upon those paths of frivolity and vice, I +pledge myself to obtain for you a respectable position as governess or +companion."</p> + +<p>The young singer understood at last why the matron had been so +concerned; she threw her head back with an angry, half spiteful +movement. "I thank you very much. I love my profession dearly, and have +no thought of exchanging it for any dependent position. Besides, I fear +my education has not fitted me to make an efficient upper housemaid."</p> + +<p>"I expected some such answer," Frau von Eschenhagen replied, nodding her +head darkly, "but I felt it my duty to make at least one appeal to your +conscience. You are very young, and, consequently, are not altogether +responsible; the heavier blame falls upon Dr. Volkmar for allowing his +son's child to enter such a vicious career."</p> + +<p>"My dear madame, I must request you to leave my grandfather out of the +play altogether," Marietta spoke excitedly now. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law, otherwise I would not have allowed this questioning. But +an insult to my grandfather I will not permit from any human being."</p> + +<p>The two excited women had not heard a distant door open, and did not +know that Willibald had entered. He seemed frightened when he saw his +mother, and slipped something which he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, into his coat-pocket, but he kept his place by the door.</p> + +<p>"I have no intention of quarreling with you, my child," said Frau Regine +in an arrogant tone. "But I am, as you say, Toni's future mother-in-law, +and as such deem it my duty to protect her from all improper +intercourse. I beg you will not misunderstand me. I am not proud, and +the grandchild of Dr. Volkmar is, in my eyes, a fit companion for my +niece; but a lady of the theatre will, rightly enough, seek her +companions among the theatrical circle, but here at Fürstenstein—you +understand me, I hope?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I understand you, my dear madame," cried Marietta, her whole +face aflame now. "You need say nothing further; I have but one word to +ask. Do Herr von Schönau and Antonie agree with you in what you have +just said?"</p> + +<p>"As regards the root of the matter, certainly. But I would not have you +think for a moment that they would refuse to—" a very expressive shrug +of the shoulders concluded this sentence. The upright and truth-loving +woman did not for a moment imagine she was guilty of an untruth; her +prejudices were deeply rooted, and she could not imagine the head +forester not agreeing with her at bottom, notwithstanding his +contradictory nature prevented him admitting it frankly; as for Antonie, +she was a good-natured little thing, but she lacked the stamina required +to end such an intimacy, and her aunt, in consequence, was resolved to +end it for her. But at this critical moment something unexpected +happened. Willibald stepped forward and said, half reproachfully:</p> + +<p>"But, mother—"</p> + +<p>"Is it you, Will? What are you doing here?" asked his mother, to whom +this interruption was anything but pleasant.</p> + +<p>Willibald understood full well that his mother had been ungracious, and +he usually retreated as quickly as possible when he found her in a bad +humor. To-day he took his stand with unwonted bravery. He came a step +nearer and repeated: "But, mother, you must have misunderstood them. +Toni never thought of such a thing, Fräulein Volkmar."</p> + +<p>"What do you know about it? Do you mean to accuse me of falsehood?" his +enraged mother turned on him. "What business is it of yours what I +discuss with Fräulein Volkmar? Your bride's not here, you can see that +for yourself, so you may go, also, and at once!"</p> + +<p>The young heir had flushed deeply at this tone, to which he was well +accustomed; but before this girl it seemed to shame him, and he looked +as though he would resist his mother's authority for once. His face +assumed a defiant expression, but a threatening, "Well, don't you hear +me?" conquered him as usual. He turned hesitatingly, and left the room, +but the door behind him remained half open.</p> + +<p>Marietta glanced after him with a contemptuous curl of the lip and then +turned back to her adversary. "You need give yourself no further +uneasiness, my dear madame. I have come to Fürstenstein for the last +time. As the head forester had received me with his old-time cordiality, +and as Antonie was as affectionate toward me as ever, I could not know +that they felt that there was a stain upon me on account of the +profession which I follow. Had I suspected such a thing I surely would +not have inflicted myself upon them. It will not happen in the future, +never again."</p> + +<p>Her voice failed her, and her face bore a new, pained expression, while +it was with difficulty she restrained the tears. Frau von Eschenhagen +felt she had gone too far in her candid statement.</p> + +<p>"I do not want to annoy you, my child," she said, unbending a little. "I +only wanted to make it clear to you that—"</p> + +<p>"Not want to annoy me when you say such things to me?" interrupted the +girl with flashing eyes. "You treat me like an outcast, not fit any +longer for association with decent people, and why? Because I earn my +bread with the talent which God has given me, and give pleasure to +mankind at the same time. You traduce my old grandfather who made great +sacrifices to have me well educated, and who saw me go out into the +world with a heavy heart. The bitter tears stood in his eyes as he +clasped me in his arms, and said, as he bade me good-bye: 'Be honest and +true, my Marietta. One can be that always, no matter what their road in +life. When I close my eyes on this world I shall have nothing to leave +you. You will have to fight your own battle. Well, I have remained +honest and true, and shall remain so, even though everything is not as +easy for me as for Toni, the daughter of a rich father, who only leaves +her parent's home to go into her husband's. But I don't envy her the +happiness of calling you mother."</p> + +<p>"Fräulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," said the insulted mother +drawing herself to her full height. But Marietta wasn't going to be +silenced now, she was too excited.</p> + +<p>"O, no, it is not I who forget myself. It was you who insulted me +without cause, and the head forester and Antonie must be well under your +influence to turn away from me. But no matter. I do not desire the +friendship of any girl who will allow herself to be bullied and +brow-beaten by a mother-in-law. I am done, once for all. Tell Toni I say +that, Frau von Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p>She turned away with a passionate motion and left the room. In the front +one, however, she could retain her composure no longer, and the hot +tears, kept back so bravely until now, forced themselves from her eyes. +With a passionate sob the young girl leaned her head against the wall +and wept bitterly. She heard her name called in a low, trembling tone, +and turning, she saw Willibald von Eschenhagen, in his hand the very +paper which he had so hastily concealed in his pocket. It was crumpled +now, but within, as he unfolded the paper, lay a delicate spray of +leaves with two fragrant half-blown roses.</p> + +<p>"Fräulein Volkmar," he stammered again. "You wished for a rose, please +accept—" In his eyes and in his whole bearing one could read plainly +that he deplored his mother's ruthless candor. Marietta repressed her +sobs, the tears were still glistening in her eyes, as she looked up at +him with an expression of disdain and contempt.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she said with acerbity. "You heard +distinctly the words which your mother spoke to me, and whatever else +they may have meant, they most certainly meant that I was to be shunned. +Why do you not obey them?"</p> + +<p>"My mother has done you an injustice," said Willibald, half-aloud. "And +she did not speak in the name of the others. Toni knew nothing about it, +believe me. She—"</p> + +<p>"Then why didn't you speak out and say so?" interrupted the girl with +growing anger. "There you stood, listening to a shameful, insulting +attack upon a young, defenseless girl, and hadn't enough manhood to come +forward and take her part. True enough, you did attempt something of the +kind, but you were well scolded, and sent off like a school-boy, and you +went without a word, too."</p> + +<p>Willibald stood like one in whose ears heavy thunder is echoing. He had +felt most keenly the injustice of his mother's scathing remarks, and was +trying in his timid way, to do what he could to make amends and show his +good will, and here he was being soundly rated for his pains. He stood +and stared at her without speaking, and his silence incensed the girl +still more.</p> + +<p>"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued with growing +excitement. "Secretly, behind your mother's back, and do you think I +would accept such an insult? First learn how a man should behave when he +witnesses such an iniquity, then pay attention to trifling courtesies +afterwards. Now—now, I will show you what I think of you and your +present." She tore the paper from his hand, rolled it like a ball and +threw it upon the floor, where she stamped on it passionately with her +little foot.</p> + +<p>"But Fräulein—" Willibald, vacillating between shame and anger, would +have interfered to save his roses, but the dangerous look in the dark +eyes warned him to keep back.</p> + +<p>"Now we are quits. If Toni knows nothing about all this I am sorry, but +I shall stay away for the future rather than expose myself to fresh +insults. I pray she may be happy, though I should certainly not be so in +her place. I am only a poor girl, but I would never marry a man who was +afraid to speak without his mother's permission. No, not if he were heir +to Burgsdorf ten times over."</p> + +<p>With this she turned her back upon the heir, and a second later left the +room.</p> + +<p>"Will, what does this mean?" sounded the voice of Frau von Eschenhagen, +who stood in the half-open door. As she received no answer, she crossed +the room to her son's side with a step and manner which prophesied no +good for that young man.</p> + +<p>"That was a most remarkable scene which I have just witnessed. Will you +be good enough to explain to me what it signifies? That little +insignificant thing, bubbling over with passion and anger, telling you +the most disgraceful things to your very face, and you standing there +like a sheep, taking them all."</p> + +<p>"Because she had the right to say them," said Will, still looking down +at the scattered rose leaves.</p> + +<p>"She had what?" asked the mother, who could not believe she heard +aright.</p> + +<p>The young heir raised his head and looked at her; his face wore a new +and singular expression.</p> + +<p>"She had the right of it, mother. It is true you have always treated me +like a school-boy, so how could I defend myself against such an +accusation?"</p> + +<p>"Boy, I believe you have lost your senses," said Frau Regine.</p> + +<p>Willibald was roused now. He continued: "I am no boy, I am the heir of +Burgsdorf, and twenty-seven years old. You have always forgotten that, +mother, and so have I, for that matter, but I remember it to-day."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen gazed astonished at her son, so tractable all his +life until this moment. "I verily believe you are becoming refractory. +Let us have no more of it, for you know I would never permit such a +thing. What has come over you that you make such reckless assertions? +Because I have seen fit to bring this very unsuitable intercourse to an +end, and dismiss this Marietta, do you take it upon yourself, as soon as +my back is turned, to make formal apologies and present her with roses +which you have just plucked for your bride? I don't know what's come +over you. It's the first time in your life you ever acted so. Toni will +be very much displeased when she learns what has become of her roses. It +served you just right to have the little vixen trample them under foot. +You won't be guilty of such idiotic folly soon again, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"I did not pluck the roses for Toni, but for Fräulein Volkmar," Will +explained, defiantly.</p> + +<p>"For—?" the name stuck in the excited woman's throat.</p> + +<p>"For Fräulein Volkmar! She was wishing she had a rose to wear in her +hair this evening, and said she could not get any in Waldhofen. So I +went to the gardener and got them for her—now you know all about it, +mother."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen stood like the pillar of salt; she had become +deadly pale and for a moment the light seemed to go out; she saw such +fearful possibilities that she lost all power of speech and motion. Then +suddenly she regained all her old strength. She grasped her son's arm +impressively, as if to make sure of him under all circumstances, and +said curtly:</p> + +<p>"Will—we will start to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Start where?"</p> + +<p>"For home. We will start early, at eight o'clock, in order to catch the +afternoon express, and reach Burgsdorf the day following. So go at once +to your room and do your packing."</p> + +<p>The commanding tone did not this time make the slightest impression on +her son. "I do not intend to pack," he declared, doggedly.</p> + +<p>"You will pack at once, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"No," said the son. "If you wish to go, mother, then go—I remain here."</p> + +<p>This was rebellion, and it removed the last doubt in the mother's mind +that there was something at the bottom of all her son's assertiveness. +She said now in her hardest tone: "Boy, wake up, be yourself again! I +really don't believe you know what has come over you. But I will tell +you. You are in love—in love with Marietta Volkmar."</p> + +<p>She brought out the last words in a towering rage, but Will was not +overwhelmed by them. He stood for a moment staring in surprise, as if +wondering if it was really that which had overtaken him, then a light +seemed to dawn upon him.</p> + +<p>"O!" he said, drawing a deep breath, and a slight smile flitted across +his face.</p> + +<p>"O! is that your only answer?" broke forth the furious mother, who, in +spite of everything, still hoped for a contradiction. "You do not even +deny it. And this is what I must live to see in my own son, whom I +educated so carefully and never allowed to leave my side. While I was +having you watch and protect your betrothed from this infamous woman, +you were acting a hypocrite. And she playing the virtuous, deeply +injured part before me, that creature—"</p> + +<p>"Mother, be silent! I will not allow that," interrupted Willibald, angry +too, now.</p> + +<p>"You will not allow it—what does that mean?"</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen stopped suddenly and listened.</p> + +<p>"There comes Toni, your betrothed bride, to whom you have pledged your +word, who wears your ring. How do you purpose treating her?" She had at +last found the right means to conquer her son, who now hung his head +despondently as Antonie entered the room.</p> + +<p>"You're here already, are you, Will?" she asked. "I thought—but what is +the matter? Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Regine, who, as usual seized the reins without fear. "We +have just received a telegram from Burgsdorf which will compel us to +start for home to-morrow morning. You need not be alarmed, my dear +child, it is nothing serious, only a piece of stupidity,"—she laid a +sharp accent upon the last words,—"a piece of stupidity which will soon +right itself, and the sooner its checked, the sooner the matter'll be +ended. I'll explain it all to you later, but we must go now; it can't be +helped."</p> + +<p>Antonie listened attentively, but it required more than such an +announcement to stir her from her wonted repose, and the declaration +that it was nothing of moment, satisfied her. "But will Willibald have +to go, too?" she asked, without any special eagerness. "Can not he +remain?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Will, can't you answer your sweetheart?" said his mother, +fastening her sharp gray eyes on her son. "You know best all the +circumstances. Do you think you can afford to remain here?"</p> + +<p>There followed a short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then +he turned toward Toni and said, in a half-depressed tone:</p> + +<p>"No, Toni, I must go home—there is nothing else for it."</p> + +<p>Toni took this news, which another girl would have seriously deplored, +very calmly, and began to plan where they had better dine on the morrow, +for they had a long distance to go by carriage before they would meet +the express train. This troubled her much more than the parting, and she +finally decided that she would prepare a luncheon for them, so that they +need have no care concerning their midday meal.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen triumphed in her heart as she went to announce +their departure to her brother-in-law. She had already decided upon the +reason which she would give him for their abrupt departure. Of course a +great many things could happen on a large estate like Burgsdorf, which +would demand the master's presence at a moment's notice. So the head +forester knew no more than his daughter, although he, in his blindness, +had been the cause of it all.</p> + +<p>As for the rest, Frau Regine did not doubt her powers as soon as she +should get her son away from the influence of this witch. He had shown +himself amenable to reason at the last moment. She would say nothing +more to him now, save to point out what his betrothal to Toni demanded +from him as a man of honor, and what a fatal error it had been to allow +another to influence him even for an hour.</p> + +<p>"Wait, my son," she said grimly, to herself, after conning over the +whole thing for the twentieth time, "wait. I will teach you to harbor +such sentiments, and revolt against your mother. Only wait until I get +you to Burgsdorf, then God have mercy on you, if you evince any signs of +obstinacy!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>There was life and animation and excitement upon that momentous day when +the duke and duchess, with their numerous retinue, were expected at +Fürstenstein; even the old forest, which had been witness to so many +magnificent hunts in its time, put on its warmest colors, and showed in +the clear sunlight its deepest reds and most vivid greens.</p> + +<p>The reigning duke was, above all things, an ardent and keen sportsman, +and he rarely missed a few days of sport at this season. Now when he was +coming for several weeks, and was bringing with him such a large suite, +it was found that Fürstenstein, notwithstanding its size, could not +accommodate them all. Suitable quarters had to be found in Waldhofen, +and that little town was in a state of pleasurable excitement in +consequence.</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg, besides being the owner of the adjoining estate and +castle, was also connected in some way with nearly all the families +forming the ducal suite, and could not of course neglect them. Some of +the men had been invited to take up their quarters at his little hunting +lodge, so that the life and bustle which centered at Fürstenstein, +extended to the woodland loneliness of Rodeck.</p> + +<p>To-night the castle was brilliantly illuminated, and the colored lights +which gleamed from its many windows, threw a rosy glow over wall and +tower. It was the first large gathering since the arrival of the Court, +and every one in the whole neighborhood who laid any claims whatever to +social rank, had been invited. The interior of the castle had been +gorgeously decorated, and the spacious rooms with their lights and +music, and throngs of elegantly attired woman, together with the +glittering appearance of the men in their court costumes, formed a scene +not soon forgotten.</p> + +<p>Prominent among the many grand ladies of the little court was the wife +of the Prussian ambassador. It was her first appearance among them, her +father's death, following immediately upon her marriage, having secluded +her, and now, in the little circle where her husband's position gave her +much prominence, she was the cynosure of all eyes. The duke, too, and +his duchess, to whom she had been presented a few weeks previous, +treated the ambassador's wife with special deference.</p> + +<p>The court ladies, however, looked upon the appearance of this new star +with anything but satisfaction. They all discovered soon enough, that +Frau von Wallmoden, with her cold and haughty manner, was a very proud +woman, and certainly she had no reason to be so; they knew only too well +who she was: only a burger's daughter, who had no right to be in their +charmed circle at all; her father's great wealth, and a certain +prominence to which he had attained by success in his manufacturing +interests, were all she could lay claim to at best. But she certainly +carried herself with remarkable security; they all admitted that it was +evident her husband had schooled her carefully for her first appearance, +for she made no mistakes.</p> + +<p>The men were of another opinion. They found that the ambassador had +proven himself a profound diplomatist in this, as in other things. He, +standing on the threshold of old age, had married a beautiful young girl +with a fortune, which fortune, if report did not err, had been greatly +augmented since their marriage, and was still on the increase. Such a +condition of affairs was to be envied. Wallmoden was not the least +surprised at the impression which his wife's beauty and manners made +upon them all, and he took it, as the true diplomatist takes all things, +as a matter of course. He had expected nothing else, and would on the +contrary have been surprised if she had not created a sensation.</p> + +<p>He stood for one moment now, in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the head forester, and asked casually, while he glanced indifferently +over the heads of the guests:</p> + +<p>"Who is it Prince Adelsberg has with him? Do you know?"</p> + +<p>"You mean the young Roumanian? No. I see him to-day for the first time; +but I have heard about him before. He is Prince Egon's bosom friend, and +accompanied him on his oriental tour. He's as handsome as a picture, and +how the fire does flash in his eyes."</p> + +<p>"He looks to me like an adventurer," said Wallmoden, coldly. "How did he +come to be invited here? Has he been presented to the duke?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, at Rodeck, so I heard. The duke went over there the first thing. +Once in a while Prince Adelsberg succumbs to the, rules of etiquette. +But as to this invitation, it signifies nothing; every one is invited +here to-day."</p> + +<p>The ambassador shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"It is hardly wise to invite persons about whom you know absolutely +nothing into your midst."</p> + +<p>"You diplomatists want all the credentials sealed and delivered," +laughed his brother-in-law. "There's something aristocratic looking +about this Rojanow, too, which one does not expect to see in a +foreigner. But I'm glad enough to invite any one out of the common for +his grace. He must be wearied with this endless court etiquette and +court gossip, year in and year out. The duke, by the way, seems to have +taken a great fancy to this young Roumanian already."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so it seems," said Wallmoden, a cloud gathering on his brow.</p> + +<p>"As for the man's history, if he has any, what does it matter to us? +Well, I must look after Toni, and see how she's getting along without +that lover of hers. That was a queer freak of Regine's. As soon as +anything concerning her beloved Burgsdorf comes on the tapis, nothing +will keep her. And she raises such a racket with her son, too. She might +as well have left Will here. No one knows why she dragged him away; just +before the duke came, too.—I'm sure I'll never understand your sister."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing she did," muttered Wallmoden, as he separated from +von Schönau. "If Willibald had seen his boyhood's friend here, there +would have been another scene, doubtless. Who would have thought that +Hartmut would carry his defiance so far as to go to a house where he +must have known he would meet the ambassador."</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg, who, through his name and wealth, and his near kinship +to the reigning house, took a first position in the brilliant little +circle, had made a point of introducing his dearest friend to the duke, +at Rodeck, and the stranger had impressed the duke so favorably that he +had made special comment of him to the duchess.</p> + +<p>This Rojanow, with his charming personality and the air of mystery which +surrounded him, had only to exert himself to receive due attention on +all sides.</p> + +<p>And to-day he exercised all those fascinating qualities which he +possessed in fullest measure. His conversation sparkled with wit and +animation, and his ardent temperament imparted to everything he said the +stamp of originality, while united with this he showed himself a master +of social courtesies.</p> + +<p>It was no difficult matter for the ambassador to avoid the Roumanian; in +a large house filled with guests, such avoidance is an easy matter, and +neither of these two were anxious for a meeting. Wallmoden turned now +into an adjoining room, where the duke's sister, the Princess Sophie, +was holding a little court. The princess had married the younger son of +a princely house, but had been a widow now for years, and had lived +since her widowhood at her brother's court, where she was by no means a +favorite. The duchess was beloved for her gentleness and kind +heartedness, by all who came in her way, but her elderly sister-in-law +was disliked heartily for her arrogance and acerbity. They all feared +her sharp tongue, which never failed to bring to light disagreeable +features or fancies, as the case might be, concerning those with whom +she had to do.</p> + +<p>Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate; he was received most +graciously and congratulated at once upon the great beauty of his wife, +about which there could be no dispute.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency has indeed my warmest congratulations. I was quite +surprised when your young wife was presented to me. I had, as a matter +of course, expected to meet a much older woman."</p> + +<p>The "matter of course" had a malicious sound, for the princess had known +for the past six months that the elderly ambassador was married to a +girl of nineteen; he smiled in a perfectly placid manner, as he +answered:</p> + +<p>"Your highness is very good. I cannot be too thankful if my wife has +made a favorable impression upon yourself and your family."</p> + +<p>"O, you need not doubt that the duke and duchess are quite of my +opinion. Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty—Prince Adelsberg seems +to think so also. Perhaps you have not noticed how greatly he admires +her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, I have noticed it."</p> + +<p>"Really? And what do you say to it?"</p> + +<p>"I?" asked Wallmoden, composedly. "Whether or no she cares to accept the +prince's homage is wholly and solely my wife's affair. If she finds any +pleasure in it—I certainly will lay no commands upon her."</p> + +<p>"Your enviable confidence in your wife should be an example to younger +husbands," replied the princess, angry that her arrow had missed its +aim. "It is very pleasant, at least for a young wife, to feel that her +husband is not jealous. Ah, here comes Frau von Wallmoden herself, with +her knight by her side. My dear baroness, we were just speaking of you."</p> + +<p>Adelheid von Wallmoden, who with Prince Adelsberg, had just entered the +room, made a courtesy to the princess. She was indeed dazzling in her +beauty to-day, for her rich Court toilette so well chosen, suited her +most admirably. The costly white brocade, with its long, heavy folds, +set off her slender figure to advantage, the pearls which encircled her +neck, and the diamonds which glistened in her light blonde hair, were +jewels well worth the notice of connoisseurs; but that which was most +worthy of attention was the singular coldness and earnestness of this +young wife's face and bearing. She bore no resemblance whatever to +others of her own age in this brilliant assemblage, who were for the +most part married also, and who were decked out in all the witcheries of +lace and flowers. They possessed nothing of her stateliness, but she in +turn had none of their sweetness or assumed gentleness; none of that +premeditated amiability which society women assume under the public +gaze. The severe rigidity of that lovely face was a heritage from her +father, whose stern, austere nature had left its impress upon her soul +as well.</p> + +<p>Egon kissed the hand of his illustrious aunt, and murmured a few polite +words of greeting, but the amiable attention of her highness was +directed toward the beautiful woman who had just joined them.</p> + +<p>"I was just saying to his excellency, that you found yourself at home +very readily in our little Court circle, my dear baroness. You are +entering our little society for the first time to-day, and have lived, +no doubt, in a very different atmosphere until now. Your name was—?"</p> + +<p>"Stahlberg, your highness," was the quiet reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember it now. I have heard the name often enough. It was +well known, I believe—in mercantile circles."</p> + +<p>"My dearest aunt, you must permit me to set you right in this matter," +interrupted Prince Egon, not wishing to lose an opportunity to anger his +aunt. "The Stahlberg manufacturies have a worldwide reputation, and are +as celebrated across the ocean as here. I had an opportunity, when I was +in North Germany, to learn something about them, and can assure you that +these works, with their iron foundries and enormous factories, their +colony of officers and army of workmen, could absorb many a little +principality, whose rulers have no such unlimited power as had the +baroness' father."</p> + +<p>The lady threw her princely nephew anything but a friendly glance; his +interference was to her mind most uncalled for.</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I had no conception of such greatness," said she innocently. "I +shall have to greet your excellency from this time forth as a great +ruler."</p> + +<p>"Only as a regent of the empire, your highness," answered the +ambassador, seconding, a little apparently harmless joke. "I am only my +father-in-law's executor, and guardian of my wife's younger brother, who +will assume the entire management of the works as soon as he reaches his +majority."</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed. The son will have to learn to keep a watchful eye over his +inheritance. It is really astonishing to me to see what in these days +can be accomplished by the energy of a single man. It is all the more +creditable, too, when he, like the father of our dear baroness here, +springs from the people. I think I heard that, but I may be mistaken!"</p> + +<p>Princess Sophie knew well that the ambassador, with his old Prussian +noble ancestry would find this rehearsal of his father-in-law's station +in life anything but pleasant, and it gave her great satisfaction to +note that none of the little group who surrounded her, lost a word of +the conversation, which was meant to humiliate the lovely new comer. +Baroness von Wallmoden drew herself up proudly as she replied:</p> + +<p>"Your highness has been correctly informed. My father was of the people, +and entered the capital a poor boy with no means whatever at his +command. He had many and great struggles, and worked for years as a +simple artisan, before he could lay even the foundations for his great +undertaking."</p> + +<p>"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that," cried the princess laughing. +"O I love such childlike attachment, above everything. And Herr +Stahlberg—or was it von Stahlberg? The great industrial heads often get +titles of nobility."</p> + +<p>"My father took no such title, your highness," said Adelheid, meeting +the other's glance quietly but directly. "It was offered to him but he +refused it."</p> + +<p>The ambassador pressed his lips tightly together; he could not forbear +thinking this last utterance of his wife very undiplomatic. The +countenance of the princess assumed at once an irritated expression, and +she answered, with an unconcealed sneer:</p> + +<p>"Well, it is at least fortunate that this aversion was not inherited by +the daughter. Your excellency will know how to appreciate it. Please +give me your arm, Egon. I want to find my brother."</p> + +<p>She bowed coldly to those around her as she took the arm of her nephew, +in whose face was plainly written:</p> + +<p>"Now it is my turn."</p> + +<p>He did not deceive himself, his aunt had no intention of seeking the +duke; she turned into an adjoining room with her young kinsman that she +might have him under her eyes without interruption for a little time. At +first she expended her anger against this unbearable, arrogant Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of the vulgar pride of her father, while she +herself married a baron for his title, for, of course, she could feel no +love for a man who was old enough to be her father. Egon was silent for +he had speculated on that matter himself. How had so unequal a marriage +ever come about? But his silence just now was resented by his incensed +aunt.</p> + +<p>"Well, Egon, why don't you say something? Really it does seem as if you +were this woman's sworn knight, you are by her side continually."</p> + +<p>"I always do homage to beauty, when it comes in my way, you certainly +know that, my dear aunt," explained the prince, striving to shield +himself, but he only brought down a fresh storm on his head.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that—I'm sorry to say. You have in this particular always +exhibited great folly. You do not seem to remember all my warnings and +admonitions before you started for the Orient."</p> + +<p>"O, yes, I do," sighed Egon, to whom the very memory of those endless +lectures was an oppression.</p> + +<p>"Really! But you have not returned more sensible or settled. I have +heard things—Egon, there's only one salvation for you—you must marry!"</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake! Anything but that!" exclaimed Egon, in such a voice +of affright that the princess shut her fan with an angry snap, as she +said in a sharp tone:</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"O, nothing but my own unworthiness to enter into such a holy state. You +yourself, your highness, have often assured me that I was specially +created to make a wife unhappy."</p> + +<p>"If the wife does not succeed in making you better. But you are a +hopeless case. At any rate this is neither the time nor the place to +discuss so serious a matter. The duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, +and I am thinking of accompanying her."</p> + +<p>"What a charming idea," said Egon, to whom the thought of an invasion by +his noble kinsfolk was even more terrifying than the marriage plan. "I +am rejoiced that Rodeck, notwithstanding its isolated situation, +contains something worthy of notice just at present. I brought a good +many curiosities home with me from my journey, among other things a +lion, two young tigers, and some very rare snakes."</p> + +<p>"But not alive?" interrupted his aunt.</p> + +<p>"Of course, your highness."</p> + +<p>"The Lord preserve us! Your life is not safe."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're not so dangerous after all. Only a few of the beasts have +broken away; the people are so afraid of feeding them—but they were +caught again and have not done any harm up to this time."</p> + +<p>"Up to this time! A nice condition of affairs, I must say," exclaimed +the princess angrily, "to keep every one in the region in constant +danger of their lives. The duke ought to forbid you such diabolical +amusement."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I trust not, for I'm just trying to tame them. But I have some +domesticated creatures to show, as well. Among my servants are several +lovely girls who are well worth looking at in their picturesque national +costumes."</p> + +<p>Egon thought with a shudder, as he made this assertion, of the wretched +old woman for whose appearance he had to thank the ever-watchful +Stadinger, but he had not miscalculated the effect of his announcement. +His amiable aunt drew herself up with an angry snort, and measured him +with no conciliatory glance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have them at Rodeck also?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; and little Zena, the granddaughter of my old steward, is a +lovely little thing, and if you do me the honor of visiting me, dear +aunt, I'll—"</p> + +<p>"I will not go near the place," his aunt interrupted sharply. "There +must be nice goings on at Rodeck anyway, which keep you there with that +young foreigner who is another of the curiosities you brought from the +Orient. He looks like an out and out brigand."</p> + +<p>"My friend Rojanow? He longs for the honor of being presented to you +above all things. I may introduce him now, may I not?" and without +waiting an answer, he hurried away to fetch Hartmut.</p> + +<p>"Now its your turn, my boy," he said, seizing his friend by the arm. "I +have been the sacrificial lamb long enough, and now my angelic aunt must +have some one else to turn on the spit. She wants to marry me off at +once, and she thinks you're a veritable brigand, but, God be praised, +she won't come to Rodeck. I've made that my special care."</p> + +<p>The next moment the two friends were standing before the princess, and +Egon presented the latest victim with an amiable smile.</p> + +<p>After the princess's abrupt departure, Herr von Wallmoden remained for a +few minutes chatting with the little group which the irate lady had +deserted. Then, offering his wife his arm, he walked slowly through the +long salons, greeting an acquaintance here, or saying a word to a friend +there, until they had reached the last of the gaily decked suite which +happened to be empty. The tower-room was used generally only as a +resting place and a point of observation, from which a very good view of +the forest heights could be obtained, but to-day it was richly carpeted +and the walls were hung with heavy tapestries, while choice plants were +scattered about in artistic groupings and designs, so that the little +room was as shaded and picturesque as could be desired, and a rest to +both eye and brain, after the glitter and noise and light of the larger +ones. The ambassador had judged aright in thinking he would have an +uninterrupted moment with his wife, for whom he now drew forward a low +chair.</p> + +<p>"I must call your attention to the fact, Adelheid," he began in a low, +condemnatory tone, "that you were guilty of great imprudence, just now. +Your speech to the princess—"</p> + +<p>"Was in self-defence," the young wife broke in. "You understood, as well +as I, the object of the whole conversation."</p> + +<p>"That's as it may be. You have, on your first entrance into society, +made an enemy who will make both you and me feel her animosity very +keenly as time goes on."</p> + +<p>"You!" Adelheid looked at him in surprise. "Will you, the ambassador of +a great nation, have anything to fear from a malicious woman, who +happens to be related to the ducal house?"</p> + +<p>"My child, you do not comprehend," responded her husband, coolly. "An +evil-tongued woman can be more dangerous than any political opponent, +and Princess Sophie is famed in this respect; even the duchess herself +fears her slanderous tongue."</p> + +<p>"In that the duchess and I differ—I do not fear her."</p> + +<p>"My dear Adelheid," said the ambassador with a superior smile, "that +proud movement of the head does you great credit. But at Court, you must +learn to do as others do. One cannot give royalty a lesson before too +many witnesses, and that is what you did when you spoke of your father's +declination of a title of nobility. It was not necessary for you to be +so explicit concerning your father's origin."</p> + +<p>"Should I have falsified?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it was a well known fact—"</p> + +<p>"Of which I am proud, as was my father before me."</p> + +<p>"You are no longer Adelheid Stahlberg, but the Baroness Wallmoden"—the +baron's voice had assumed a sudden sharpness. "And you, yourself, will +be forced to admit that when a woman has married into a family of the +old nobility, it is hardly fitting for her to sneer at the nobles."</p> + +<p>The young wife's lips were drawn in with a bitter expression. Although +she had been speaking in a subdued tone, she dropped her voice still +lower, as she said now: "Have you forgotten, Herbert, why I gave you my +hand?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have had cause to regret it?" he said, questioning instead +of answering.</p> + +<p>"No," said Adelheid with a deep breath.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were perfectly contented with the position to which you +had attained by marrying me. As for the rest you know I exercised no +control over you. I left it to your own free will."</p> + +<p>His wife was silent, but the bitter expression was yet on her lips. +Wallmoden rose and offered her his arm.</p> + +<p>"You must permit me, my child, to help you at times, for you are +inexperienced," he said in his wonted polite tone. "I have had every +reason to be contented with your tact and discretion, but to-day I +thought it necessary to give you a hint. Will you take my arm?"</p> + +<p>"I will remain here a few minutes if you please," said Adelheid. "It is +so stifling in the saloon."</p> + +<p>"As you please. But I must beg you to come back soon, otherwise your +absence will be noticed."</p> + +<p>He saw that she was vexed and disturbed, but he thought best to take no +notice of it. He knew well what was expected from them both in their +little world, and felt for both their sakes it was better to educate his +wife from the start in those matters which she did not seem to grasp +fully.</p> + +<p>He left her now, and Adelheid leaned back in her chair and gazed fixedly +at the flowering plants which were grouped by her side, but under her +breath she whispered with a gasp:</p> + +<p>"<i>My own free will. O my God!</i>"</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg and his friend had, in the meantime, been dismissed, +and had made profound bows before the princess as she rose to leave the +room. The sharp features of her highness wore an unusually mild +expression, and Rojanow was favored with a very gracious smile as she +departed.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, I believe you are a witch," said Egon, half aloud. "I have had +proof many times that you are irresistible, but this last effort of +yours throws all others in shadow. For my gracious aunt to have so +prolonged an attack of amiability is unknown in the annals of the +family."</p> + +<p>"Well, my reception was ungracious enough. Your aunt seemed to think at +first that I was a full-fledged brigand."</p> + +<p>"But it only took ten minutes to win her smiles and make you a declared +favorite. What is it you have about you, old fellow, which wins on every +one? It makes one believe in the old fable of the rat-catcher."</p> + +<p>The old scornful expression, which effaced all his beauty, swept across +Hartmut's face now, as he said contemptuously:</p> + +<p>"I understand how to sing to tickle the ears of my hearers. You have to +strike the chords according to the taste of your listener, but after you +have learned that secret no one can withstand you."</p> + +<p>"No one?" repeated Egon, as his eye glanced over the room.</p> + +<p>"No, not a single soul, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're a pessimist with all your inferences. I only wish I knew +where Frau von Wallmoden was, but I don't see her in any place."</p> + +<p>"His excellency was reading her a little sermon on her undiplomatic +utterances in the other room a short time ago."</p> + +<p>"Why, did you hear what she said?" asked Egon, surprised.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I was standing by the door."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad enough my worshipful aunt was given a snub, and wasn't +she furious over it, though; but do you believe that the ambassador +would take his wife to task for—hush, here he is himself."</p> + +<p>Yes, there was Baron von Wallmoden himself, true enough, and just in +front of them as they came from an adjoining room.</p> + +<p>It was impossible to avoid a meeting now, and the young prince, who had +no premonition that any secret relations existed between the two, +hastened to present them.</p> + +<p>"Permit me, your excellency, to atone for the neglect of which I was +guilty on the mountain the other day, but my friend had disappeared for +the moment when we came down from the Tower. Herr Hartmut Rojanow—Baron +von Wallmoden."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the two men met, the one with a sharp, contemptuous gaze, +the other, equally sharp, but haughty and defiant. The ambassador was +too much of a diplomat, however, to be other than the courteous +gentleman.</p> + +<p>His greeting, though cold, was polite, but he turned at once to the +prince to speak, and chatted to that gentleman alone for the minute or +two that they stood together.</p> + +<p>"His excellency is more of a ramrod than ever to-day," said Egon to his +friend as they went on. "Whenever that cold, calculating countenance +comes near me I feel frost-bitten and long to fly to the torrid zones."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that's why you seek to bask in the rays of that glittering +northern light, his wife," said Hartmut with a sneer. "Can you tell me +for whom we are searching, in this weary pushing and crowding through +these heated rooms?"</p> + +<p>"I want to find the head forester," said the prince, irritated at his +friend. "I want you to meet him, but you are in one of your bad humors +to-day. Perhaps I'll find Schönau in the arrow-room. I'll go and look at +any rate."</p> + +<p>He left his friend abruptly, and did indeed set out for the +arrow-saloon, where the duke and duchess were, and where he hoped to +find Adelheid von Wallmoden. Unhappily for him, just at the entrance of +the room, he was once more entrapped by his aunt, who pointed +imperiously to a chair by her side. She wanted to hear all there was to +be told about the handsome and interesting young Roumanian, who had +quite won her heart, she said, and her uneasy nephew was obliged to +possess his soul in patience as he answered her many questions.</p> + +<p>The noise and the merriment were at their height, as Hartmut now +threaded his way alone among the throng. He also sought someone, but he +was more fortunate than Prince Egon; casting a fleeting glance into the +tower-room, the entrance to which was almost hidden by portieres and +exotics, he saw the edge of a white satin train which swept the floor, +and in the next second he stood upon the threshold.</p> + +<p>Adelheid von Wallmoden still sat on the same spot where her husband had +left her. She turned her head slowly now as some one entered.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she sat erect, and then returned the young man's deep obeisance +with her accustomed icy bow.</p> + +<p>"Have I disturbed you, baroness?" he asked. "I fear you sought this +room for quiet, and my intrusion was unintentional, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"I only sought a cool place; the heat of the larger rooms seems almost +suffocating."</p> + +<p>"I came for a like reason, but as I have not had an opportunity to greet +you before to-day, my dear madame, permit me to do so now." The words +sounded very formal. Rojanow had come a step nearer as he spoke, but he +still remained at a respectful distance. No movement of hers since he +entered had escaped him, and a singular smile lay in his eyes as he +looked steadily at the young wife.</p> + +<p>She had made a motion as if to rise and depart, but the thought that +such a sudden course could only be constructed into flight, restrained +her in time. So she leaned back in her chair again and bent over a +branch of great purple-red camelias.</p> + +<p>As she plucked a blossom, she answered his question carelessly enough, +but her face had assumed the same look of determination and force which +it wore the morning on which she stood for a second in the middle of the +forest brook. Then she had stepped knee deep into the water rather than +accept his services. Here in the castle, with noise and motion on all +sides, there were no such obstacles to be overcome, and now the same +man, with his dark glance, stood opposite her, and never took his eyes +off her face.</p> + +<p>"Will you remain much longer at Rodeck?" she asked, with the +conventional tone and manner usually accorded a chance acquaintance.</p> + +<p>"Probably for a few weeks yet. As long as the duke is at Fürstenstein, +Prince Adelsberg will not be apt to desert his hunting lodge. Later I +intend accompanying him to the capital."</p> + +<p>"And there we shall hear of you as a poet, I presume?"</p> + +<p>"Of me, my dear baroness?"</p> + +<p>"I heard so at least, from the prince."</p> + +<p>"O, that is only one of Egon's ideas," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has +taken it into his head to have my 'Arivana' brought out on the stage."</p> + +<p>"'Arivana?' A singular title."</p> + +<p>"It is an oriental name taken from an Indian legend, but its poetical +witchery made such an impression upon me that I could not resist the +temptation to create a drama from it."</p> + +<p>"And the heroine of this drama, is she called 'Arivana?'" asked the +baroness.</p> + +<p>"No, that is only the name of a sacred place of refuge during the middle +ages, upon which the scene of the drama was laid. The heroine's name +is—Ada."</p> + +<p>Rojanow spoke the name half-aloud, with a certain hesitation, and gave +her a triumphant glance as he saw the same lowering of the head over the +flowers as when he first spoke; he came a few steps nearer now while he +continued:</p> + +<p>"I heard the name for the first time on Indian ground, and it had for me +a strangely sweet sound, so I adopted it for my character, and now I +learn here that it is, in this country, but the abbreviation of a German +name."</p> + +<p>"Of Adelheid—yes. I was always called Ada in my father's house. But it +is not at all remarkable that the same sounds are repeated in different +languages."</p> + +<p>The words were spoken coldly, but the speaker did not raise her eyes +from the flowers with which her hand played.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," agreed Hartmut. "It has often been a surprise to me to +hear the same fable repeated in different countries over and over again. +The coloring is different, to be sure, but the passion, the woe, the +happiness of our human race is alike in them all."</p> + +<p>Adelheid shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I won't dispute over the matter with a poet, but doubt it, +notwithstanding. I think our German legends wear a different countenance +from the dreamy tales of India."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, but when you study them deeply, you will discover the same +features in both. These common features are manifest in the legend of +'Arivana,' at least. The principal character is that of a young priest +who has consecrated himself, body and soul, to the service of his +divinity, to the holy fire, but in time he is mastered by an earthly +love with all its glow and passion, till his priestly vows dissolve in +its consuming flame."</p> + +<p>He stood opposite her, quietly and respectfully, but his voice had an +odd, covert sound, as if something of deeper significance were hidden +beneath this story. Frau von Wallmoden looked up at him suddenly, and +said, gazing earnestly into his face:</p> + +<p>"And—the end?"</p> + +<p>"The end is death, as in all these legends. The knowledge of the broken +vows comes to light and the guilty ones are offered as a sacrifice to an +enraged deity—the priest perishes in the flames with the woman whom he +loves."</p> + +<p>There was a second's pause after the last words were spoken, then +Adelheid rose abruptly; she would end this conversation at once.</p> + +<p>"You are right; no doubt the legends do resemble ours; it is only the +old story of sin and atonement."</p> + +<p>"Do you call that sin, my dear lady?" Hartmut dropped suddenly the more +formal madame or baroness. "Men call it sin and punish it accordingly, +without any premonition that such a punishment will lead to perfect +happiness. To pass away in a flame of fire after one has enjoyed the +highest earthly joys, and is yet surrounded by them in death. Ah! that +is to die like a god—far better such a death than a long, stupid, +humdrum existence. Eternal, undying love rises like a flaming brand to +the heavens above, in defiance of mankind's sentence—do you not think +such an ending is enviable?"</p> + +<p>Adelheid's face was pale, but her voice was as steady and cool as ever, +as she answered:</p> + +<p>"No, nothing is enviable but death for a high and holy duty. One can +forgive sin, but can never admire it."</p> + +<p>Hartmut bit his lips and gave the slender, white robed figure who stood +near him a threatening glance.</p> + +<p>"Ah, what a hard sentence to meet my drama at the outset, for I have +expended all my strength in transfiguring just such love and death. What +if the world's judgment is like yours—I beg your pardon, madame."</p> + +<p>He crossed to the divan upon which she had been sitting, where her fan +and the camelia blossom yet lay.</p> + +<p>"I thank you," said Adelheid, extending her hand for them, but he only +handed her the fan.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon—I wrote my 'Arivana' upon the veranda of a little +Indian house where these lovely flowers were gleaming through the dark +foliage on all sides, and to-day they greet me here again in the cold +north. May I not keep this blossom?"</p> + +<p>Adelheid made a little impatient motion.</p> + +<p>"No; for what reason?"</p> + +<p>"For what reason? As a reminder of the harsh sentence which my poem has +received from the lips of a woman who bears the same name as my heroine. +There were many white blossoms, baroness, but you broke off +unconsciously the deep purple-red. Poets are superstitious above all +things. Let me keep this as a token that my work may yet find favor in +your eyes, when you learn to know it. You do not know how much it +contains."</p> + +<p>"Herr Rojanow, I—"</p> + +<p>It was apparent to him, both from her voice and manner, that she meant +to refuse his petition, so he interrupted her in a subdued, but +passionate tone:</p> + +<p>"What is a single blossom to you which you plucked heedlessly and cast +aside so carelessly? To me—baroness, as a favor—I beg you, baroness."</p> + +<p>He stood close by her side. The witchery of voice and eye which had so +often overcome all obstacles in his boyhood's days, and which had then +been exercised, unconsciously, had become a great power in these later +years, and one which he knew how to use only too well.</p> + +<p>His voice had again that soft, persuasive tone which fell on her ear +like music, and his eyes, those dark, fathomless eyes, were fixed on the +young wife with a half melancholy, half pleading expression. Adelheid's +face had grown very white now, but she did not answer.</p> + +<p>"Please," he repeated, in a lower, more pleading tone, as he pressed his +lips to the purple-red blossom; but this last motion seemed to break the +spell. Adelheid reached her hand out suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I must insist upon your giving me my flower, Herr Rojanow. It is for my +husband."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, then, I beg your pardon, madame."</p> + +<p>He held out the flower to her with a profound bow, and she took it with +a scarcely perceptible motion of the head, then the heavy white train of +her robe rustled past him—he was alone.</p> + +<p>All in vain! Nothing affected this icy nature. Hartmut stamped his foot +in a fury. Scarcely fifteen minutes ago he had asserted to Prince Egon +that he could sing to please the ear of any woman. Now he had sung again +that song which never before had failed him, and all to no purpose. But +this proud, arrogant man could not believe that the game which he so +often won had been lost this time, and in this knowledge lay his +determination to win yet at all hazards.</p> + +<p>And should it only remain a game? He had not called himself to account +as yet, but in the intense interest which this beautiful woman excited +within him, there was a strong mixture of hate. There had been an +antagonistic feeling on that first day in the wood, and since then he +had been repelled and attracted by turns; it was just that which spurred +him on.</p> + +<p>Love, the holy, pure significance of that word, was a stranger to the +heart of Zalika's son. He had learned much that was harmful at the side +of his mother, who had made such a shameless spectacle of her own +husband's love; and the many women who were her companions and +associates in her Roumanian home, but echoed her sentiments concerning +love and fidelity. Their later life, unstable and adventurous, with no +ground under their feet, had ruined altogether all ideals of happiness +and love in the young man's breast; he learned contempt before he +learned love, and now he received his well-deserved humiliation as an +insult.</p> + +<p>"You keep me at bay now," he murmured. "You are battling against +yourself. I have felt it and seen it, but in such a battle the man is +always victor."</p> + +<p>A slight rustle of a curtain made him turn round. It was the ambassador +in search of his wife, whom he thought still here; he stood on the +threshold and threw a hasty glance around the room, when he caught sight +of Hartmut. He stopped and hesitated for a moment, then he said half +aloud:</p> + +<p>"Herr Rojanow—"</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency!"</p> + +<p>"I would like to speak to you alone for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>"I am at your service."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden stepped forward into the room now, but he took up his position +so that he could keep his eye on the entrance.</p> + +<p>It was scarcely necessary, for the doors into the dining-hall were just +opened, and the room adjoining the tower-chamber was deserted.</p> + +<p>"I am surprised to see you here," began the ambassador, in the subdued, +but severely cold tone which he had used the day of their first meeting +at Hochberg, and it brought the blood to the younger man's brow to-day, +as it had done then. He straightened himself proudly as he answered:</p> + +<p>"And why, your Excellency?"</p> + +<p>"That question is superfluous; in any case I did not imagine that I +should be forced into the position of being presented to you by Prince +Adelsberg."</p> + +<p>"It was I who was forced," answered Hartmut, sharply and promptly. "I do +not suppose you consider me an intruder? You know full well that I have +a right to be here."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut von Falkenried certainly had a right—but all that is changed."</p> + +<p>"Herr von Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, but not so loud," interrupted the ambassador. "We can be +heard here easily, and you would certainly not like strange ears to hear +the name which I have just spoken."</p> + +<p>"I am bearing my mother's name at present, to which I have certainly a +right. When I laid aside the other, it was out of respect—"</p> + +<p>"To your father," interrupted Wallmoden, impressively.</p> + +<p>That was an admonition which Hartmut found hard to bear. "Yes," he +answered curtly, "and I confess it would be painful to me if I should be +forced to mention—"</p> + +<p>"And with reason; your <i>rôle</i> here would, in that event, be played to +the end."</p> + +<p>Rojanow stepped close to the ambassador with an angry movement, as he +retorted:</p> + +<p>"You are the friend of my father's youth, Herr von Wallmoden, and I, in +my boyhood days, called you uncle. But you forget that I am no longer +the boy whom you could order about and censure at pleasure. The man +looks on all that as an insult."</p> + +<p>"I purpose neither to insult you, nor to make mention of former +associations which have no longer any existence for either of us," said +the ambassador. "I sought this interview in order that I might explain +to you that it is not possible for me, in my official position, to see +you in constant intercourse with the Court and keep silence. It will be +my duty to explain all to the duke."</p> + +<p>"Explain all? All what?"</p> + +<p>"Many things about which none of the people here, not even your friend +Prince Adelsberg, know. Listen to me, Herr Rojanow. I will not do this +except it is forced upon me, for I have an old and dear friend to spare. +I know how a certain occurrence struck him down ten years ago, an +occurrence which is buried and forgotten these many years in our country +now; but if all this was brought up and gossiped over again—Colonel +Falkenried would die."</p> + +<p>Hartmut paled perceptibly, and the scornful expression faded from his +lips.</p> + +<p>"He would die!" the words rang in his ears. He knew only too well how +true they were, and for the moment all defiance died within him.</p> + +<p>"It is to my father that I am answerable, at any rate," he responded, +controlling his voice with an effort. "To him alone and to no other."</p> + +<p>"He will scarcely call you to account—his son is dead to him. But we +can let that rest. I speak especially of those later years which your +mother and you spent in Rome and Paris, where you lived at a glittering +pace, in spite of the fact that the Roumanian estate had been sold under +the hammer."</p> + +<p>"You seem to know all the particulars," retorted Rojanow, highly +indignant now. "We were not aware that we were under such vigilant +inspection. As to our manner of life, we lived as best pleased +ourselves, upon the remnant of the fortune which was saved from the +wreck."</p> + +<p>"There was nothing saved, the whole fortune was squandered, even to the +last heller."</p> + +<p>"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut stormily.</p> + +<p>"It is true. Don't you think I know more about it than you?" The +ambassador's voice was sharp and sneering now. "It is very possible that +Frau Rojanow did not consider it necessary to explain to her son the +means by which she obtained her gold; better to leave him in ignorance. +I know from whence the money came—if she did not tell you, so much the +better for you."</p> + +<p>"Have a care, sir, about insulting my mother," the young man was beside +himself now, "or I may forget your gray hairs, and demand satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"For what? For an assertion which I can back with indisputable proof at +any moment? Let us put aside all such mad folly and say no more on that +subject. She was your mother and she is dead, so her past shall be a +dead letter to us. I have only this one question to put to you, whether +you will, after this conversation, remain here and become one of the +circle which Prince Adelsberg has opened for you?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut had become deadly pale at the allusion made to his mother, and +the source from which she had obtained money, and the first stare with +which he gazed at the speaker showed only too clearly that he had no +knowledge of anything disreputable, but at the last question he began to +recover himself. He cast an almost insane glance at his enemy, and a +wild determination sounded in his voice as he answered:</p> + +<p>"Yes, Herr Wallmoden, I shall remain."</p> + +<p>The ambassador had not expected this answer; he had thought after his +conversation the matter would be ended.</p> + +<p>He evinced no surprise, however, and said:</p> + +<p>"Really? So you decide to remain? You are accustomed to play high, and +expect to do it here? We will have to interfere with that, I fear. +Better think it well over before you decide finally."</p> + +<p>With that he turned quickly on his heel and left the room, just in time +to meet the head forester at its entrance.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been hiding yourself, Herbert?" Schönau asked +impatiently. "I have been searching the whole place for you."</p> + +<p>"I went to the tower-chamber in search of my wife."</p> + +<p>"She's in the dining-room with all the rest of the world, but you have +been missed already. Come, it is time that we got something to eat."</p> + +<p>With which the head forester took hold of his brother-in-law's arm and +led him away, after his usual jolly manner.</p> + +<p>Hartmut stood where von Wallmoden had left him. His breath came fast and +thick, and he was almost stifled with the feelings of shame, and hate, +and revolt, which surged within him. The ambassador's significant +speeches had crushed him utterly, although he had hardly grasped their +full meaning. They tore aside the veil with which he, half +unconsciously, half purposely, had enveloped himself. He had believed +implicitly what his mother told him concerning the portion of their +fortune which was saved to them, and which enabled them to live and +travel. But there were times when he had chosen to close his eyes rather +than enter into investigations.</p> + +<p>When his mother's hand had torn him so suddenly from his father's side, +when after the hard discipline of obedience and duty, he had been +plunged into a life of boundless freedom, he had allowed himself an +unchecked rein, having no one to whom to account for his actions. He was +too young for reflection or judgment, and later—but it was too late for +him then, and habit had woven a net about him which could not be +destroyed. Now for the first time it was shown him clearly and +definitely what that life was which he had led so long; the life of an +adventurer, and as an adventurer he was to be expelled from society.</p> + +<p>But above all the shame was the sense of ignominy and defeat, the +feeling of intense hatred toward the man who had told him the truth. +That unholy heritage from his mother, the hot, wild, passionate blood, +which had proven so fatal to the boy, welled up like a stream of fire in +the man's breast and extinguished all feeling but that of revenge. +Hartmut's handsome features were still disfigured with passion and +anger, when, with compressed lips, he finally left the tower room.</p> + +<p>He knew and felt but one thing, that he must have revenge, revenge at +any price.</p> + +<p>It was late when the guests arose from the table. The duke and duchess +retired soon after, and carriage after carriage ascended the castle +hill, and descended soon after with its full complement of departing +guests; lights were extinguished, and bolts and bars were drawn, and +Fürstenstein was soon enveloped in silence and darkness.</p> + +<p>From the rooms occupied by Baron von Wallmoden and his wife lights were +still shining. Adelheid stood at the window peering into the darkness. +She yet wore her rich court gown, and as she leaned her head against the +pane, lost in thought, her attitude was one of weariness and languor.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden sat at his writing table, reading hastily the dispatches and +letters which had arrived during the day. One or two seemed to contain +matter of importance, for he did not place them with the pile which were +to be answered or destroyed early in the morning, but took up his pen +and made a check across them in red ink; then he arose and crossed the +room to his wife.</p> + +<p>"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I'll have to go to Berlin at once."</p> + +<p>Adelheid turned round surprised.</p> + +<p>"This is very sudden."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had hoped to settle the matter by letter, but the minister +desires a personal conference. I must take my leave of the duke early in +the morning, and set off at once. I'll be away about eight days, I +presume."</p> + +<p>In the shadow of the curtain Adelheid's face could not be seen clearly, +but one could fancy a sigh of relief escaped her, as if her heart was to +be lightened of a burden.</p> + +<p>"At what hour do we start?" she asked quickly. "I must give my maid her +orders at once."</p> + +<p>"We? It's a purely business affair, and I am going alone."</p> + +<p>"But that won't prevent my accompanying you!"</p> + +<p>"There would be no object in that. I'll only be away a week or two."</p> + +<p>"But I—I'd like to see Berlin again."</p> + +<p>"What a whim!" her husband answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I'll have +so many claims upon my time that I could not have you with me."</p> + +<p>The young wife had stepped to the table, and stood in the glare of the +lamp. She was very pale now, and her voice had a pleading sound as she +said:</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, I will go home. But it is not possible for me to +remain at Fürstenstein alone, without you."</p> + +<p>"Alone!" The ambassador gave her a puzzled look. "You remain with our +kinsfolk whose guests we are. Since when have you become so anxious for +protection? That is a peculiarity which I had never observed in you +until now. I don't understand you, Adelheid; it's a most singular +caprice which you have taken into your head, this desire to accompany +me."</p> + +<p>"Well, call it a caprice. But let me go with you, Herbert—please let me +go."</p> + +<p>She laid her hand beseechingly on his arm, and her eyes had an intense +and anxious expression, as she looked at her husband. There was a +superior, almost sneering smile on his lips, as he answered her:</p> + +<p>"Now I understand it. The scene with the princess was so unpleasant to +you that you dread other skirmishes of a like nature. You must steel +yourself against such sensitiveness, my child; you should see that for +this very reason, it is imperative for you to remain. At court every +word, every glance signifies, and your sudden departure might give rise +to any kind of a report. You must hold your ground from the very start +at court, or you will find your difficulties increase rather than +diminish."</p> + +<p>The wife's hand dropped slowly from her husband's arm, and her eyes sank +to the ground, as he refused the first request she had preferred since +their married life of only a few short months.</p> + +<p>"Stand my ground?" she repeated, in a low voice. "That I shall ever do, +but I hoped you would be at my side."</p> + +<p>"That is, for the moment, not possible, as you see. As for the rest, you +have shown to-day that you know how to defend yourself. And I have no +doubt that the hint which I found it necessary to give you, will bear +fruit, and that you will, in future, be guarded in your answers. At any +rate, you must stay here until I return."</p> + +<p>Adelheid was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained by further +speech. Wallmoden stepped back to the writing-table and put aside his +papers, and locked his drawers with his usual precision; then he took up +the two letters, with their red checks, and folded them together.</p> + +<p>"One thing more, Adelheid," he said, casually, "Prince Adelsberg was +most noticeable in his attentions to you to-day; he was always near +you."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to keep him at a distance?" she asked, indifferently.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, only keep him within bounds, so that there will be no +unnecessary talk. No harm will come to you from being in his company. We +do not stand on the same plane as the burgers, and it would be ludicrous +for me, in my position, to enact the jealous husband toward every man +who pays my wife attention. I leave all that to your discretion; I have +unbounded faith in your tact."</p> + +<p>This sounded very reasonable, very temperate, and above all, very +indifferent. No one could accuse Herr von Wallmoden of jealousy towards +the young prince, whose undisguised admiration caused him no second +thought; and, as he had just said, he had unbounded faith in his wife's +tact.</p> + +<p>"I will send these telegrams myself," he said. "Since the duke's arrival +there's a telegraph office in the castle. You should ring for your maid, +my child; you look tired and worn—good-night."</p> + +<p>With that he left her, but Adelheid did not follow his advice. She +returned once more to the window, and a bitter, pained expression lay on +her face. She had never before felt so keenly that she was to her +husband nothing more than a glittering bauble, to be exhibited by him to +prove how wisely he had chosen a wife; she was to be treated with the +greatest courtesy and politeness, because a princely fortune had been +received from her hand; but as a woman she was to be refused the most +trifling request with equal courtesy, because it did not suit his +pleasure.</p> + +<p>The night was dark, and the low clouds which surrounded the forest +heights were black and heavy; only here and there, where a break +occurred, was a star to be seen glimmering far and faint in the distant +heavens. The face which peered out into the darkness had not the proud, +cold look which the world knew, but a disturbed, anxious expression, +lacking altogether that repose which was its chief characteristic at +most times.</p> + +<p>The wife had both hands pressed against her breast, as if in pain. She +would have flown from that dark power which she felt was upon her. She +had sought her husband's protection, had plead for it—in vain. He went +and left her alone, and the other remained, with his dark, demoniacal +eyes, with his voice and tones, which exercised such a singular, +irresistible influence over her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>October had come. It was autumn's reign. The leaves of the trees were +richly colored with deep and varied hues. The landscape lay enveloped +morning and evening in fog and mist, and the nights brought with them +the hoar-frost, but the days, for the most part, were sunny and +delightful.</p> + +<p>Since the gay evening on which the whole country round had assembled, +there had been no special festivities at Fürstenstein; all interest had +centered in the hunt, which was, of course, of paramount importance to +the men.</p> + +<p>The duke, at his wife's instance, decided to have no other great or +noisy entertainment at the castle. The duchess liked a change of faces +in their little circle, but she courted the quiet and freedom from +restraint which her mountain home brought her. There were frequent +arrivals and various excursions, both by horse and on foot, through the +mountain forest, and a goodly number always met around the princely +board at night to discuss the pleasures and excitements of the day.</p> + +<p>Adelheid von Wallmoden belonged, naturally, to this exclusive circle. +The duchess, who had learned through some source, of her sister-in-law's +insulting attitude toward the young wife, had been more amiable than +ever, and had managed to keep Baroness von Wallmoden near herself +whenever it was possible; the duke also, anxious to show all attention +to the Prussian ambassador, seconded his wife's endeavors with zest.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden was still in Berlin, though over two weeks had elapsed since +he left the castle, and he had not yet been able to write definitely as +to the date of his return.</p> + +<p>One of the most frequent guests at Fürstenstein was Prince Egon +Adelsberg, who was an acknowledged favorite among his princely kinsfolk, +and his friend Rojanow was always included in the invitations sent to +Rodeck. The prince's prophesies had proven true; Hartmut had descended +upon them like a brilliant meteor. All eyes were turned upon him with +admiration and wonder, and it pleased his new associates to have him +soar above the old fashioned usages and customs of their monotonous +Court life. He had read his 'Arivana' to the duchess at her request, and +had scored a decided success. The duke had promised him that his drama +should be brought out at the Court theatre, and the princess Sophie had +made a special point of taking the young man under her wing.</p> + +<p>The princely household followed, as usual, in the wake of their master, +but willingly enough in this instance, for Hartmut won friends on all +sides by his cordiality, good temper, and grace of manner and person.</p> + +<p>The prince's hunting wagon stood before the castle of Rodeck. It was +early in the day and the faint mist which yet hung over the hills +concealed a bright, warm sun. Egon stepped out on the terrace dressed +for the hunt, closely followed by the old steward, to whom he was +speaking.</p> + +<p>"So you want to see the hunt, too, do you?" he asked. "Of course, if +there's anything to see, Peter Stadinger must see it. My valet has asked +permission also. For that matter I believe all the inhabitants of the +forest have turned out to-day with their whole families to go to the +hunting grounds."</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, they don't often have an opportunity to see such a +sight," replied Stadinger. "The great Court hunts seldom take place in +our woods. There's hunting enough around here to be sure, but then you +never ask any ladies to Rodeck, and the ladies—"</p> + +<p>"Are a great bore," interrupted the prince. "That's my opinion; but what +are you prating about? You are generally down on the women, and unless +they are over eighty don't want to see one of them around the place. Are +you going back to your young and giddy days?"</p> + +<p>"I meant the court ladies, your highness," said Stadinger impressively.</p> + +<p>"'The court ladies,' can honor me with their company for a walk, but +I'll never invite any of them to any hunt of mine, for I'm still a young +bachelor."</p> + +<p>"And why is it that your highness is still a bachelor?" responded the +old servant reprovingly.</p> + +<p>"Man alive, I do believe you are trying to get me married, like my +old—like all the rest of the world. Don't waste any thought or time on +me, for I won't marry."</p> + +<p>"Your highness is wrong," remonstrated old Stadinger, who always gave +his master the title once at least in each sentence, for he thought if +he did have to read the prince a lecture every now and then, he must +show him some respect while doing it, "and it is unchristian, too, for +the marriage relation is a holy state in which it is well to live; your +father, blessed be his memory, married—and so did I."</p> + +<p>"Of course, and so did you. Yes, you are the grandfather of that lovely +girl, Zena, whom you sent away in such shameless haste. By the way, when +is Zena coming back?"</p> + +<p>The steward appeared not to hear the question, but returned obstinately +to his theme.</p> + +<p>"Her highness, the duchess, and princess Sophie, are very anxious to see +you married. Your highness should think it well over."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's enough of your fatherly advice for one day. And it's no +business of princess Sophie. By the way, as you are going to Bucheneck, +where the hunt meets to-day, it's very possible that you will be seen +and spoken to by some of the court."</p> + +<p>"Very possible, your highness," agreed the steward, complacently. "Her +grace often honors me with a little conversation, for she recognizes me +as the oldest servant of a princely house."</p> + +<p>"Well, if the princess should inquire by chance about the snakes and +beasts of prey which I brought with me from my travels, you can tell her +that I'm going to have them sent to one of my other castles."</p> + +<p>"That is not at all necessary, your highness," replied the steward. +"Your gracious aunt has obtained information about everything."</p> + +<p>"Information? About what? Perhaps you have given it."</p> + +<p>"I was questioned the other day at Fürstenstein. Princess Sophie was +just returning from a walk and beckoned me to her to ask me a few +questions."</p> + +<p>"The deuce she did!" muttered the prince, who saw mischief. "And what +answers did you give her?"</p> + +<p>"'Your grace need feel no uneasiness,' I said, 'of living animals we +have only monkeys and parrots at Rodeck, and there's never been a snake +about the place; a sea serpent was coming, but it died on the way, and +the elephants broke loose before they were shipped at all, and went back +to their palm groves—so his highness told me. As to tigers, we have +two, but they are stuffed, and we've only the skin of a lion in the +large hall, so your grace can see that no harm will come from them.'"</p> + +<p>"No, but enough will come from your tattle," said the prince, angrily. +"And the princess, what did she say to it all?"</p> + +<p>"Her grace only smiled and then asked me about the women employed here +at Rodeck, and if all the girls in the region were not here. But I +said," and Stadinger threw his head back proudly, "'all the women at the +castle, your grace, were engaged by me. They are all industrious and +honest; I have seen to that; but his highness ran away when he caught +sight of them, and Herr Rojanow was more put out than the prince even, +so the gentlemen never paid but one visit to the kitchen.' Her grace was +very kind and gracious to me, and took leave of me very well contented, +I could see that."</p> + +<p>"And I'd be very well contented to send you to the devil, you old fool. +To spoil it all with your long tongue," exclaimed the prince, furious +now.</p> + +<p>The old man, who thought he had done everything for the best, looked at +his young master in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"But I only told the truth, your highness."</p> + +<p>"But the truth's not to be spoken at all times."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I did not know that."</p> + +<p>"Stadinger, you have a bad habit of answering back—perhaps you also +told the princess that Zena had been in the city for several weeks?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, she asked me about my granddaughter, particularly."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble with Stadinger now?" asked Hartmut, who came out at +this moment, also attired for the day's sport, and who had caught the +last few words.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's been making a first class fool of himself, that's all," +explained the exasperated prince. The oldest servant of a princely house +could not allow such an insult to pass.</p> + +<p>"I beg your highness's pardon. I have not been making a fool of myself +at all."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you believe it is I who have been doing it?"</p> + +<p>Stadinger looked his young master well over and then replied, +discreetly:</p> + +<p>"I do not know, your highness—but it might be so."</p> + +<p>"You're an old bear," cried the prince sharply.</p> + +<p>"The whole forest knows that, your highness."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Hartmut, there's nothing to be gained from this old ghost of +the woods," said Egon half angry, half laughing. "First you place me in +all sorts of embarrassments, and then you defend yourself by giving me a +lecture."</p> + +<p>With that he went off with Rojanow to the carriage. Stadinger remained +standing in a respectful attitude, for he never meant to be rebuked for +lack of respect to "his highness." It never occurred to him to yield an +inch of ground; that was for Prince Egon to do, but not for Peter +Stadinger.</p> + +<p>Egon was almost of this opinion himself. He related what had occurred to +Hartmut as they drove along, and with a comical despair he concluded:</p> + +<p>"Now can you imagine what kind of a reception that most worshipful aunt +of mine will give me? She evidently suspected that I wanted to keep her +away from Rodeck. Now my morals are saved in her eyes, but at the +expense of my love of truth. Hartmut, you must do me a favor; you must +be my lightning rod. Expend all your power of fascination upon that +imperious kinswoman of mine. Dedicate a poem to her if necessary, but at +least shield me from the first fierce flashes of her anger."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should have thought you weather-proof in that particular by +now," said Rojanow smiling. "You must have had cause for forgiveness +before this for such enormities. The duchess and the other ladies will +be on horseback to-day, will they not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; they could see nothing from the carriages. By the way, did +you know that Frau von Wallmoden was an accomplished horse woman? I met +her day before yesterday returning from a ride with her brother-in-law, +the head forester."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then we'll know where to find Prince Adelsberg to-day."</p> + +<p>Egon, who had been leaning back comfortably, sat erect now, and said, as +he gave his friend a searching look:</p> + +<p>"Not so spitefully, I beg of you. You are not often in the company of +the lady in question, I grant that, and you bear yourself as if you were +only a looker-on at others, but I know you well enough to understand +that you and I are very much of the same opinion concerning her, +nevertheless."</p> + +<p>"Well, and if we are—would you consider it a breach of friendship on my +part?"</p> + +<p>"Not in this instance. For the object is unattainable by either of us."</p> + +<p>"Unattainable?" an ironical smile played around Rojanow's lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Hartmut," said the young prince, half in earnest, half in jest, +"the lovely, cold northern light, as you have named her, remains true to +its nature. It gleams on the horizon distant and unapproachable, and the +icy sea above which it shines is not to be broken through. The lady has +no heart. She is free from every feeling of passion, and that is what +gives her her enviable security. Here you must acknowledge all your +influence, all your boasted powers are frustrated by that icy breath; +you are chilled through, and so you keep your distance."</p> + +<p>Hartmut was silent. He was thinking of the moment in the tower room when +he had begged for the bright blossom. She had refused him, but no icy +breath had enveloped the young wife while she stood trembling beneath +his pleading glance and words. He had seen her daily since then, but +had seldom gone near her, but he knew that now, as before, she was under +his influence.</p> + +<p>"But, in spite of it all, I cannot tear myself loose from this foolish +fascination," Egon went on in a dreamy tone. "It always seems to me that +the ice and snow will disappear as if by magic, and warmth and light +burst out in full bloom in their stead. If Adelheid von Wallmoden were +still free—I believe I'd try the experiment."</p> + +<p>Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist +which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now.</p> + +<p>"What experiment? Do you mean by that, you'd offer her your hand?"</p> + +<p>"That thought seems to excite you greatly," said the prince, laughing +out loud. "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I have no such prejudice +against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over +the very thought, and even you don't seem to take to the idea any too +kindly. Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband, +has already secured the prize, and he'll never change her into a +creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of +his—but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck."</p> + +<p>"Call no man happy until his death," said Hartmut, half-aloud.</p> + +<p>"A very wise remark, only not quite original," answered Egon. "Do you +know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively +alarming, like a demon. Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment +as if you were one."</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not answer.</p> + +<p>They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and +Fürstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind, +was plainly visible on its wooded height.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, their carriage rolled along the broad graveled +carriage-way, where all was life and bustle. Every servant of the +household was stirring; carriages and saddle horses were standing ready +for the start, and nearly all those invited to join the hunt had +arrived.</p> + +<p>As the gay throng started on their way, the sun suddenly burst forth +through the mist, and as it shone down on the glittering cavalcade just +leaving the castle, it made a brilliant and impressive picture.</p> + +<p>The duke and duchess rode at the head, closely followed by their +numerous suite, and then came the many guests. All the younger women +were on horseback, and the whole party were in full hunting costume.</p> + +<p>Away they rode in the clear sunlight of a bright autumn morning. Over +the hills and meadows and through the woods. Shots were fired on every +side, and the flying deer broke through the thicket and across the +clearing, while the whole hunting park resounded with the din of the +sport.</p> + +<p>The whole corps of foresters had been summoned by the head forester, who +saw to it that no arrangements were lacking to make the day a success. +He felt that this was peculiarly his affair, and that no mishaps of any +sort should occur.</p> + +<p>They arrived about midday at Bucheneck, a small hunting lodge belonging +to the duke, which lay in the center of the forest, and which could +offer shelter in case of any unfavorable change in the weather. To-day +no such precaution seemed necessary, as the weather was glorious, only +somewhat too warm for the season. The sun beat down almost too fiercely, +as they took their breakfast in the open air.</p> + +<p>With that exception, everything was a success, and the crowd which +moved hither and thither over the broad, green meadow, near which +Bucheneck lay, were in high spirits. The duke, who had handled his +fowling piece with more than usual skill, was in the best of humors; the +duchess chatted gaily with the ladies, and the head forester fairly +beamed with pleasure, for the prince had congratulated him warmly upon +his faculty for doing perfectly all he undertook. Frau von Wallmoden, +who kept near the duchess, was the object of much attention; she was +unquestionably the most beautiful woman there; the others needed for the +most part rich toilettes and glittering gems to set off their beauty. +Here in the clear light of the midday sun, clad in dark riding habits, +which permitted neither color nor adornment, many paled who were at +other times very attractive in appearance, but Frau von Wallmoden, with +her slender figure and erect bearing, which seemed especially suited to +the saddle, her clear skin, large, earnest eyes and wealth of blonde +hair so simply coiled, was a picture at which to gaze with unmitigated +pleasure. In short, the "northern light," as she was now commonly called +at court, the prince having whispered the name, was the admired of all +beholders, all the more so when it became known that the cold, +statuesque beauty was soon to desert them.</p> + +<p>Frau von Wallmoden had received a letter from her husband yesterday, +stating that his diplomatic business was ended, but that affairs in +North Germany connected with the Stahlberg manufactories would detain +him for some time longer. It was whispered that there were to be many +important changes, great improvements were to be introduced, and in all +this Baron von Wallmoden as executor and guardian of the only son, would +have a decisive voice. The length of his absence from the South Germany +court would necessarily be uncertain, so he had asked his government +for an extended leave, which had been granted, and had announced all +this to the duke. He had written his wife at the same time, leaving her +free to remain at Fürstenstein, or to join him at once and go with him +to her old home to see her brother again; now, after two weeks, if she +chose to leave, no "misconstruction" could be placed upon her departure. +Adelheid had chosen without hesitation; she had announced to the duchess +that she would leave on the following day.</p> + +<p>Princess Sophie and her sister, together with some of the older ladies, +had driven to Bucheneck in carriages, and the Princess Sophie's first +anxiety had been to get hold of her nephew. But so far Prince Egon had +managed to avoid her. He had been everywhere but in the neighborhood of +his deceived aunt, until at last, losing all patience, she ordered a +gentleman of the Court to bring Prince Adelsberg to her at once. This +order was imperative, and Egon did not dare disobey it, but he took the +precaution of having his "lightning rod" with him to get the first +shock. Hartmut was by his side when he presented himself before the +princess.</p> + +<p>"Well, Egon, it's a great privilege to see your face at all to-day," +were the first words. "You are in demand on all sides, it seems."</p> + +<p>"But I am always at the service of my beloved aunt," Egon declared. His +amiability was of no use to him on this occasion, however; the princess +measured him with anything but a conciliatory glance.</p> + +<p>"Whenever your knightly services are not needed in the interest of Frau +von Wallmoden. You will have the opportunity of exhibiting a glittering +example of chivalry and courage, when her husband comes back. You will +learn to know and appreciate him better then."</p> + +<p>"I appreciate him very highly now, as a man, as a diplomat and as 'his +excellency.' Your grace must surely believe that."</p> + +<p>"I believe you absolutely, Egon. Your love of truth is one of the +verities upon which I pin my faith," said the lady, with biting irony. +"For that very reason I was pleased to have the opportunity of a little +talk with old Stadinger the other day. He's not so rusty after all, for +his years."</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow, he suffers greatly from weakness of memory," the prince +hastened to assure her. "Stadinger forgets nearly everything—don't you +know, Hartmut? What he declares most earnestly one day, is entirely +forgotten on the next."</p> + +<p>"I found, on the contrary, that his memory was very fresh; above all, +this faithful old servant of your house is trustworthy, circumspect—"</p> + +<p>"And rude," interrupted Egon, sighing. "You can have no idea of the +incivility in which old Peter Stadinger's whole nature is steeped. He +tyrannizes most terribly over Herr Rojanow and myself. I have thought +seriously of putting him out of the way."</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to say he had not thought of anything of the +kind.</p> + +<p>Princess Sophie, who was an autocrat, and who dealt most severely with +her own servants, was inclined to be very lenient in this instance.</p> + +<p>"You should not think of harming so faithful a creature," she answered. +"A man who has served three generations of your race can be forgiven for +slight eccentricities, especially when one thinks of the pleasant life +which the two young masters of Rodeck lead him, for we all know they do +not court company, but prefer loneliness."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, loneliness," said Egon with feeling. "It is a great change +after our eventful life in the East, and we enjoy it in full measure. I +occupy myself principally—"</p> + +<p>"With the taming of wild beasts," interrupted the princess, maliciously.</p> + +<p>"No, with—with—reminiscences of my travels, which I recount to +Hartmut, while he poetises a little, and composes melancholy odes from +them. He's writing a little poem now on some reflection he heard your +grace make."</p> + +<p>The princess turned with a radiant smile to the young poet as she +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"And have you really been able to use any nonsense which I may have +uttered in a poem, Herr Rojanow?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I have, your grace, and I am very grateful to you for your +idea," replied Hartmut promptly. He had no idea in the world what the +talk was all about, but was ready to second whatever his friend might +suggest.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to hear it; I adore poetry, and think it the greatest of +literary productions."</p> + +<p>"You two will agree perfectly as to that," said Egon with admiration. +Having accomplished his object, he escaped, leaving his friend to enter +into a discussion with the princess, on the relative merits of poets and +their inspirations.</p> + +<p>The prince once more approached the duchess's little circle, where he +was sure to find Frau von Wallmoden, and where he was far from the sound +of his malicious aunt's voice.</p> + +<p>The breakfast was ended, and the day's sport was about to begin in +earnest. But since noon the bright, sunny weather had changed; the +heavens were overcast, and there was a fear that one of the sudden, +heavy storms which were frequent at this season, might come before the +day was over.</p> + +<p>The duchess, with some of her friends, had taken their stand upon a +height, from which they thought they could obtain the best view, but the +hunters took a sudden turn, and the lookers on were forced to follow.</p> + +<p>It was at this juncture that a slight accident occurred to Frau von +Wallmoden; her saddle girth broke, and she would have had a disagreeable +fall had she not had the presence of mind to slip at once from her +saddle to the ground. To follow the riders was now an impossibility, for +her groom could not have obtained another saddle for her, so she decided +to send the servant over to Bucheneck with the horse, and follow on +foot, at her leisure.</p> + +<p>It was a relief to her that this accident had occurred, it saved her the +weary necessity of following the hunt to its close, and permitted her to +drop for a time, in this solitude, the mask which she wore before the +world, and which was at times becoming almost too heavy for her to +carry.</p> + +<p>Now that she was alone and unobserved, the cold, proud repose which had +been so noticeable since her wedding-day, departed as a shadow, and she +was a creature of another world.</p> + +<p>Her features, which were an heritage from her father, and betokened a +strong and determined nature, had become more rigid in the last few +months, but over her face lay a new expression, one of pain and anxiety, +as if some secret and hitherto unknown spring had been touched; the blue +eyes lost their cold, passionate look, deep shadows lay in them, which +told of strife and anguish, and the blonde head sank low, as under some +unsupportable burden.</p> + +<p>And yet Adelheid breathed more freely than she had done for many a day, +at the thought that this was the last one at Fürstenstein. To-morrow at +this time, she would be far away, and distance she prayed would save her +from that dark influence against which she had been battling for weeks +in vain, when she would no longer see those eyes whose power she +dreaded, or hear the voice which bewitched her. When she had flown from +the mysterious power which held her, she could conquer and utterly +destroy it. God be praised!</p> + +<p>The sound of the hunt grew each moment less distinct, and was finally +lost altogether in the distance; but in the wood, near the elevation on +which she stood, the baroness could hear crunching footsteps which told +her she was no longer alone. She turned to go in an opposite direction, +but as she turned, a man's form appeared among the trees, and Hartmut +Rojanow stood before her.</p> + +<p>The meeting was so sudden that Adelheid lost her self-possession.</p> + +<p>She drew back as if seeking protection among the trees beneath which she +had been standing, and stared at him with the eyes of a wounded animal +watching the pursuing hunter.</p> + +<p>Rojanow did not appear to perceive this. He bowed and asked hastily: +"Are you alone, baroness? The accident was not serious, then?"</p> + +<p>"What accident?"</p> + +<p>"I heard you'd been thrown from your horse!"</p> + +<p>"What an exaggeration. My saddle girth broke, and as I saw it in time I +jumped to the ground, while the animal stood perfectly still—that was +the accident."</p> + +<p>"Thank God—I heard something of a plunge, a fall, and as you did not +return to the hunting field I—"</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly, for Adelheid's glance showed him she did not +believe his statement; he had probably met the groom and had questioned +him. Now at last her self-possession returned, and she said very +coldly:</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your solicitude was altogether +unnecessary. You should have reflected that the duchess would not have +allowed me to remain unsought in the wood had so serious an accident +occurred. I sent her word I was on my way to Bucheneck."</p> + +<p>She would have passed by him now, but as he stepped aside, he said in a +low voice:</p> + +<p>"My dear madame—I have to beg your pardon."</p> + +<p>"My pardon—for what?"</p> + +<p>"For the favor for which I plead so hard and injudiciously. I only asked +for a flower. Is my crime then so great that your anger must last for +weeks?"</p> + +<p>Adelheid remained standing, almost without knowing it. She was again +under the influence of those eyes and that wonderful voice.</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow," she responded. "I am not angry with +you."</p> + +<p>"No? And yet you assume again that icy tone which is ever yours when I +am near you, and now that you have heard my drama you make no sign of +approval. You were present when I read it at Fürstenstein. I heard words +of praise on all sides. Your lips alone were closed. From you I received +no single word of commendation—will you deny it to me now?"</p> + +<p>"I thought we were out for a hunt, to-day," said Adelheid evasively, +"and this is neither the time nor the place to discuss poetry."</p> + +<p>"We have both left the hunt for to-day; it's on its way now toward the +Rodecker heights. Here is the true forest loneliness. Look at the +perfect autumn landscape around us. It speaks to the heart of peace and +forgiveness. Look at that placid sheet of water, a those heavy +storm-laden clouds against the horizon—to me there is more poetry in +this than in the crowded salons of Fürstenstein."</p> + +<p>The aspect of the landscape had entirely changed since the morning +hours, and a dull, gloomy light had taken the place of the bright, clear +sunshine, beneath whose gleams the cavalcade had set forth so merrily.</p> + +<p>The endless stretch of forest which lay before them was in its gayest +autumn dress, but in the sombre light of the approaching storm, its +brilliant leaves looked faded and faint. The deep reds and many tinted +yellows of the foliage formed a beautiful picture, but these were the +colors of decay and death, and told that the end of their life and bloom +was not far distant.</p> + +<p>Beneath them lay the little lake, dark and motionless, surrounded by +high grasses and swamp reeds. It looked like another lonely sheet of +water in the far northland—the Burgsdorf fish pond, and back from this +little lake stretched a meadow green and marshy, from which, even now, a +faint mist was rising, a mist, which as night came down, would change +into a rain, while the will-o'-the-wisp in its endless sport and motion, +would play in and out among the long green rushes, now gleaming, now +disappearing—thus perfecting that far off picture of long ago.</p> + +<p>The air was oppressive and sultry, and the distant clouds were forming +deeper and darker heights against the horizon.</p> + +<p>Adelheid had not answered Hartmut's question; she stood looking into the +distance with face turned away from the man who was watching her, and +yet she felt the dark consuming glance resting on her, as she had felt +it so many times during the past few weeks.</p> + +<p>"You are going away to-morrow, my dear baroness!" he began again. "Who +knows when you will return—when I shall see you again. May I not beg +for your verdict now, may I not ask whether my words have found favor in +Ada's eyes?"</p> + +<p>Again her name upon his lips, again that soft, veiled, passionate tone +which she so feared, and which rang in her ear like the voice of an +enchanter. She felt there was no escape, no chance for flight, she must +look the danger in the eye. She turned to her questioner, and her face +betrayed that she had decided to fight out the battle—the battle with +herself.</p> + +<p>"Are you interested in my verdict merely because I bear this name?" she +said coldly and proudly. "It stands at the beginning of your poem, which +by the way was sent me the other day by some mysterious hand, without +name."</p> + +<p>"And which you read notwithstanding?" he interrupted triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and burned."</p> + +<p>"Burned?" The old savage expression came over Hartmut's face, that +intense angered look which had evoked from Egon's lips the expression, +"You look like a demon, Hartmut." The demon of hate and revenge burned +once again in his breast as he thought of his recent insults from this +woman's husband, insults which must be resented to the full. And yet he +loved the woman before him as only Zalika's son could love, with a wild, +consuming passion. But in this moment hate gained the mastery.</p> + +<p>"My poor pages!" he said with unconcealed bitterness. "They, too, +suffered in the flame; they were, perhaps, worthy a better fate."</p> + +<p>"Then you should not have sent them to me. I will not and dare not +accept such poems."</p> + +<p>"You dare not, my dear Baroness? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at a woman's feet, and poets have had that right for all time. It +is incumbent on you to accept such an offering."</p> + +<p>The words were spoken in such a hot, passionate whisper that Adelheid +trembled.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you pay homage to the women of your country in such words. +German woman do not understand them."</p> + +<p>"But you understand them," said Hartmut fiercely, "and you understand +the fire and passion of my 'Arivana,' which rises above all laws and +restrictions of this narrow, human life. I saw that on the evening when +you turned your back on me, while the rest of the world applauded and +came forward with their congratulations. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the god-like spark enters two souls, it bursts into flame whether +they be of the south or the cold north, and that spark has ignited and +burns in us both. All strength and will dies in its fiery breath, it +extinguishes all else, nothing remains but that holy, sacred fire which +illumines and blesses, even while it consumes. You love me, Ada, I know +it; do not try to deceive me, and I love you beyond all power of +speech."</p> + +<p>He stood before her in the triumph of victory. Never before had his dark +beauty shone forth so strongly, never before had his eyes glowed with +such intensity, or his face expressed such passion and longing.</p> + +<p>And he had spoken the truth.</p> + +<p>The woman who leaned against the tree, trembling and deadly pale, loved +him; loved him as only a pure, exalted nature can love. This cold, +haughty woman, whom the world had named heartless, was swayed and torn +by this, the first love of her young life.</p> + +<p>She felt within her a passion to which she could no longer blind +herself; the fiery breath, with all its fierceness, was blowing down +upon her. Now came the crucial-test.</p> + +<p>"Leave me at once, Herr Rojanow—this instant," she said. The words had +a choked, scarcely audible sound, and they were spoken to a man who was +not accustomed to yield when he felt himself the victor. He would have +gone closer to her—but something in the young wife's eye, in spite of +all, kept him within bounds. But he spoke her name again, and in a tone +whose power he best knew:</p> + +<p>"Ada!"</p> + +<p>She shuddered, and made a protesting motion.</p> + +<p>"Not that name. For you I am only Adelheid von Wallmoden. I am married; +you know that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, married to a man who is standing on the threshold of old age; who +does not love you, and for whom you could feel no love even if he were +younger. What does that cold, calculating diplomat know of love? The +Court, his position, his advancement, is all in all to him; his wife is +nothing. He exults over the possession of a treasure whom he knows not +how to prize, and to whose happiness and peace he gives not a thought."</p> + +<p>Adelheid's lips trembled. She knew only too well that all he said was +true. She did not answer.</p> + +<p>"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, coming closer. "A +word, a single 'yes,' which you have spoken without knowing its +significance, without knowing yourself. Shall you permit it to bind you +for your whole life? Shall you allow it to make us both miserable for +all time? No, Ada, love, that eternal, undying right of the human heart, +must have its own. Men prate of guilt, others of destiny. It is destiny +which is beckoning us to-day, and we must follow after. A feeble word +cannot separate us."</p> + +<p>At this moment a lightning flash parted the heavy, distant clouds, and +cast a long, narrow, dazzling light over the great forest, and gleamed +across Hartmut's face and figure where he stood.</p> + +<p>Surely he was his mother's son now. He never looked more like her than +at this moment, with his dark, destroying beauty, and his peculiar, +passionate, demoniacal glance. Perhaps it was this glance which brought +Adelheid to her senses, perhaps it was the something concealed behind +all the fire and passion.</p> + +<p>"A freely given and freely received word is an oath," she said, slowly, +"and who breaks it breaks his honor."</p> + +<p>Hartmut breathed hard; keen and cruel like a lightning's flash, came a +memory to his soul, the memory of that hour in which he had freely given +his word—and broken it.</p> + +<p>Adelheid von Wallmoden looked straight at Hartmut now; her face was +pale, and her voice trembled as she addressed him again:</p> + +<p>"I wish you to cease this persecution, which has been going on for weeks +now. You fill me with horror—your eyes, your words, your manner. I feel +that everything which emanates from you is false, and no one can love +that which is false."</p> + +<p>"Ada." There was a tone of passionate entreaty in his voice, but hers +had gained in steadfastness now, and she continued earnestly:</p> + +<p>"And you do not love me. I have seen for some time that your pursuance +of me was from hate, not love. You and your kind have not the capacity +for loving."</p> + +<p>Rojanow was silent from surprise. Who had taught her to read him so +nearly aright?</p> + +<p>He had not even acknowledged to himself how closely the love and hate +were united in his breast.</p> + +<p>"And you say this to the author of Arivana?" he exclaimed with +bitterness. "My drama has been called the ode to love, and—"</p> + +<p>"Then those who so named it have been deceived by the flimsy veil of +oriental legend in which your figures are enveloped, they have seen the +Eastern priest with the woman he loves succumb to an iron, inhuman law. +Perhaps you are a great poet, perhaps you will astonish the world with +your fame, but to me you are something else, for the passion and fiery +language of 'Arivana' have taught me something of its creator; of the +man who believes in nothing, to whom nothing in the world is holy, +neither duty nor pledge, neither manly honor nor womanly virtue; who +would drag the highest in the dust for the sport of his passion. I yet +believe in duty and honor, believe in myself, and with this belief I bid +defiance to the fate which you so triumphantly prophesy will enthrall +me. It can drive me to death—but never into your arms."</p> + +<p>She stood opposite him, neither trembling nor irresolute. All her secret +struggles were over, and with each word one more link of the chain was +loosened.</p> + +<p>Her eyes met his, full and free; she feared their dark, baneful glance +no longer—that mysterious power was broken; she felt it and breathed +deeply, like one whose hour of deliverance had come.</p> + +<p>Again there was a flash of lightning, noiseless, not followed by any +thunder crash, but it seemed to open the heavens to their very depths. +In the palpitating light one could see fantastic cloud pictures, forms +which seemed to struggle and battle with one another as if borne by +force before the storm, and yet the cloud-mountain stood immovable on +the far horizon; and just as immovable stood the man upon whose dark +countenance the lightning flash revealed a deep pallor.</p> + +<p>His eyes had not turned from the young wife's face, but the wild glow +within them was extinguished, and his voice had a strange sound as he +said:</p> + +<p>"And this is the sentence for which I begged. I am then, in your eyes +nothing more than a—reprobate?"</p> + +<p>"A lost man, perhaps—you have forced me to this avowal."</p> + +<p>Hartmut stepped slowly back a few steps.</p> + +<p>"Lost," he repeated in bitter tone. "That is probably what you think. +You may be at rest, my dear madam. I will never approach you again; one +has no desire to hear such words a second time. You stand so proud and +firm upon your watch tower of virtue and judge so severely. You have no +conception what a wild, desperate life can make of a man who goes +through the world without home or family. You are right. I believed in +nothing in the heavens above or on the earth beneath—until this hour."</p> + +<p>There was something in his tone and in his whole bearing which disarmed +Adelheid.</p> + +<p>She felt she had no cause to fear a further explosion of passion, and +her voice grew milder as she answered:</p> + +<p>"I judge no one, but I belong heart and soul to another world, with +other laws than yours. I am the daughter of a father whom I dearly +loved, who, all his life long, trod but one path, the earnest, rigid +path of duty. Upon this he raised himself from poverty and privation to +wealth and honor, and he taught his children to follow in the same way, +and it is this thought which has been my shield and protection in this +hard hour. I could not endure it if I were compelled to lower my eyes +before the noble image which my memory holds. Your father is no longer +alive?"</p> + +<p>There followed a long, oppressive pause. Hartmut did not answer, but his +head sank under the words of whose crushing significance the questioner +had no knowledge, while his eyes seemed to pierce the ground.</p> + +<p>"No," he said at last, slowly.</p> + +<p>"But you have the memory of him and of your mother?"</p> + +<p>"My mother!" Rojanow broke forth wildly now. "Do not speak of her, in +this hour—do not speak to me of my mother."</p> + +<p>It was an alarming cry, a mixture of boundless bitterness, with reproach +and despair. In it the mother was sentenced by her son, he felt her +memory was but a desecration of this hour.</p> + +<p>Adelheid did not understand him, she only saw that she had touched on a +point which admitted of no discussion, but she also saw that the man who +stood before her with his deep, dark glance, with his tone of despair, +was another than he who had stood there a quarter of an hour before. It +was a dark, fathomless mystery upon which she gazed, but she had no +longer any fear.</p> + +<p>"Let us end this interview," she said, earnestly. "You will seek no +second one, I believe that; but one word more before we part. You are a +poet. I have felt that in spite of everything, as I have learned to know +your work. But poets are teachers of mankind, and can lead to good or to +ill. The wild flame of your 'Arivana' springs from a life which you, +yourself, seem to hate. Look yonder," and she pointed to the distant +heavens inflamed now with the lightning's play. "Those are also flaming +brands, but their beginnings are from above and they point out another +way—and now farewell!"</p> + +<p>Long after she had disappeared, Hartmut stood on the same spot as if +rooted to the ground. He had answered no word, made no comment, only +gazed where she had pointed, with fixed, hopeless eyes.</p> + +<p>Flash after flash of lightning was now rending the heavens and the whole +landscape was enveloped in a lurid glare which reflected itself in that +little sheet of water so like the Burgsdorf fish pond; the long reeds +and grasses swayed and bent above the water and the mist from the meadow +rose above it all.</p> + +<p>Under just such long, waving grass the boy had lain long ago and dreamed +of the day when he should mount like the falcon from which his race had +taken their name, always higher and higher into boundless freedom toward +the sun, and now on a similar spot the sentence had fallen upon him like +a judgment from heaven, and the will-o'-the-wisp on this lowering autumn +night seemed in its spectral flashes to dance over the grave of false +hopes and falser aspirations. The falcon had not mounted to the skies, +the earth had held him fast. He had felt for some time that the +intoxicating cup of freedom and of life which his mother's hand had +poured for him was poisoned; there were for him no cherished memories to +guard—he dare not venture to think of his father.</p> + +<p>Darker and darker grew the heavens with their heavy, storm laden clouds, +and wilder and fiercer was the struggle between those giant figures +which were riven at every flash only to come together again with greater +fury, and brighter and more vivid grew that mighty flame as it mounted +higher and higher in the inky firmament.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>The winter gaieties had fairly begun in the South-German capital, and in +the exclusive court circle the artistic element played a prominent part. +The duke, who loved and fostered art, took great pride in being +accounted its patron, and strove to make his capital an intellectual and +artistic centre. The young poet who had been received so favorably by +the court, and whose first great work was soon to be produced at the +court theatre, was an object of great interest to the little world. It +was an almost unheard of feat for a Roumanian to write in the German +tongue, even though it was admitted that, in this instance, the writer +had received his education in Germany. Here, as at Rodeck, he was the +bosom friend and guest of Prince Adelsberg, and many strange and +wonderful stories were related of this friendship. But Hartmut's +personality, above all else, created for him an enviable position no +matter where he turned. The young, handsome and genial stranger, +surrounded as he was with a halo of romance and mystery, had only to +appear to have all eyes turned upon him.</p> + +<p>Soon after the return of the court to the city, the rehearsals for +"Arivana" began, and its author and Prince Egon had the matter in +charge.</p> + +<p>The latter entered so enthusiastically into the spirit of it all, that +he made the lives of the director and theatre attachés miserable with +his many and contradictory suggestions concerning the setting of the +drama, a matter about which, it is unnecessary to add, they were much +more capable of directing than he. At first they could not get an +actress to suit them, but they finally secured the services of a young +and favorite opera-singer named Marietta Volkmar.</p> + +<p>The preparations for the performance, which they had intended originally +to bring out late in the season, were now hurried forward with all +speed, for royal visitors were expected at court, and the duke was most +anxious that this weird and poetical drama with its Indian setting +should be presented before them. Unusual honors to the poet were +prophesied as a result of this spectacle.</p> + +<p>Such was the condition of affairs when Herbert von Wallmoden returned to +the court, and he was, naturally, painfully surprised.</p> + +<p>He had asked his wife casually, while inquiring for others, whether the +prince's Roumanian friend had yet left Fürstenstein, and she had +answered in the negative. He had not expected Hartmut to leave at once, +for the latter had declared most positively he would not. But Wallmoden +imagined he would think it all well over, and when Prince Adelsberg left +Rodeck that would end the whole matter. Under no circumstances would +Rojanow appear by the prince's side at the capital where the ambassador +had threatened to denounce him at once.</p> + +<p>But Baron von Wallmoden did not understand the unyielding defiance of +this man, who had indeed dared much. Now, upon his return from the +north, he found this "adventurer" established on a very sure footing, in +close intercourse with the court and society of the capital. It would be +a most embarrassing matter to explain everything at this late day, when +all were on the <i>qui vive</i> of expectation, and when the duke was so +deeply interested both in the new drama and in its author. It would make +a very painful impression in all circles. The experienced diplomat did +not disguise from himself the fact that the duke would complain, and +with reason, that all this exposure should have been made on the first +day of the stranger's appearance rather than at this inopportune time. +There remained nothing for it but to be silent and await developments.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden had no thought of the danger which had threatened himself. He +had not seen fit to tell his wife anything concerning his old friend +Falkenried's history, and decided now that she had better know nothing +more about Prince Adelsberg's friend than was known by their associates.</p> + +<p>No conversation concerning Hartmut had ever passed between them save the +one fleeting question and his wife's monosyllabic answer.</p> + +<p>But he felt he dare keep silence no longer toward his nephew Willibald, +for there would be a similar scene to that enacted by the mother at +Hochberg if the son was surprised by the sight of his boyhood's friend.</p> + +<p>The young heir had accompanied the Wallmodens to the southern capital, +where he intended remaining a few days, when he was going on to +Fürstenstein to see his betrothed, for the head forester had expressly +requested that the September visit, which was so suddenly interrupted, +should be finished later in the season.</p> + +<p>"You were only with us a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and I +desire to see something more of my future son-in-law. Everything is in +order again, I trust, in your much loved Burgsdorf, and there is little +to do in November at any rate. So send Will to us, even if you cannot +come yourself. I will not take no for an answer. Toni is waiting to see +her lover—so don t fail!"</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen admitted that he was right, and she was glad enough +to have Will go. He had made no further attempt to assert himself +against her motherly authority, and appeared to have fully regained his +reason again. He had grown quieter of late and since his return from +Fürstenstein rushed with greater zest into all his agricultural +pursuits; he had, take it all in all, behaved in a most exemplary +manner.</p> + +<p>On one point alone he remained obstinate, he would not discuss with his +mother the "idiocy" of which he had been guilty and which caused their +sudden journey home, and avoided all reference to the subject. Of course +his mother understood how it was; he was ashamed of his sudden +excitement, and of a passion which had been only momentary, and wanted +to forget it and have her forget it, too, as soon as possible. As for +the rest, he wrote regularly to his bride-elect, who responded most +punctually. Frau Regine, who considered it her special prerogative, read +all this correspondence, and declared herself satisfied with it. There +was no sentiment, no declaration of affection, in these letters; they +were quite practical epistles, telling of home matters in a homely +fashion, but they evinced Will's intention to keep his word and marry +his cousin on the day appointed, and now near at hand.</p> + +<p>So Willibald was told that he could go and visit his bride; the +permission was granted all the more willingly because Frau Regine knew +that Marietta Volkmar must have returned to the city long since. Baron +von Wallmoden and his wife had paid a flying visit to Burgsdorf on their +way south from the Stahlberg factories, and Willibald was put in their +care and was to spend a few days in the South-German Capital. During +those few days in which he would remain in the ambassador's house, he +was perfectly safe, his mother assured herself.</p> + +<p>The baron found that it would be necessary to tell his nephew about his +old friend at once. On the very day of their arrival, Hartmut Rojanow's +name was mentioned several times in Willibald's presence. He asked +promptly to whom the name belonged, and was answered, 'to a young +Roumanian poet.' An unmistakable wink from his uncle was all that saved +him from further questions.</p> + +<p>Then when they were alone the ambassador explained to Willibald who and +what this Hartmut Rojanow was. An adventurer of the lowest and worst +type, whom he would soon expose and force to abandon forever the <i>rôle</i> +which he was now playing with so little right, but with such signal +success.</p> + +<p>Poor Willibald shook his head in a dazed sort of way over this news. His +old friend, for whom he had always had a warm and unchanged affection, +notwithstanding the episode of ten years before, was near him now, and +he dare not see him again.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden was especially sharp and explicit about this, and made his +nephew promise to say nothing about the matter to Frau von Wallmoden or +his uncle von Schönau. But poor Willibald could not understand it at +all; he needed time and quiet with this as with all other things, to +comprehend them fully.</p> + +<p>The day on which "Arivana" was to be produced, came at last. It was the +work of a young and unknown poet, but the circumstances connected with +its production were such that society was anxious to judge for itself of +this work of the duke's latest protégé. The theatre was crowded to +overflowing, and the ducal couple with their suite were early in the +court boxes. Although no special announcement had been made, the evening +was evidently looked upon as a festival occasion, and every one was +attired <i>a la grande toilette</i>, the ladies vieing with one another in +the richness and brilliancy of their dress.</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg, who was in the ducal box, was as much excited as if +he had written the drama himself.</p> + +<p>His aunt, too, was greatly interested in the success of the evening's +entertainment, and had been looking carefully over the play bill when he +entered the box; she called him to her at once.</p> + +<p>"Our young friend seems to have his whims like all other poets," she +remarked. "What a singular caprice to change the name of his heroine in +the last hour."</p> + +<p>"But that is not the case," Egon answered. "The change was made long +before we left Rodeck. Hartmut took it into his head that 'Ada' was too +cold and clear-cut a name for the passionate character of his heroine, +so he re-baptized her."</p> + +<p>"But the name 'Ada' is here on the programme," interrupted the princess.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, but it belongs to quite a different person in the drama now, +one who only appears in a single scene."</p> + +<p>"Then Herr Rojanow has made his alterations since he read it for us at +Fürstenstein?"</p> + +<p>"Only a few; the play is really quite unchanged with that single +exception. Hartmut has added that scene with Ada in it, and I can assure +your highness it's the most poetical thing he has ever written."</p> + +<p>"Of course, everything your friend writes is wonderful in your eyes," +his aunt answered, but her unusually gracious smiles showed that in this +opinion she did not disagree with him.</p> + +<p>The ambassador and his wife, who had only returned forty-eight hours +before, sat in one of the large proscenium boxes. Baron von Wallmoden +was anything but a willing guest of the court to-night, but he knew it +was incumbent on him in his position to accept this evening's +invitation. The duke had invited the whole diplomatic corps, and as the +North German ambassador and his wife had dined at the ducal table that +evening no excuse could be offered for declining the later +entertainment.</p> + +<p>Willibald had come too, to see and hear the work of his old-time friend; +as his uncle was to be there, surely he had a right also. It did not +please Wallmoden to have him there, but he could not well forbid his +nephew's presence when he himself was present. Will, who had some +difficulty in obtaining a seat in the parquette, unfolded the programme +carelessly, when suddenly his eye caught the name of "Marietta Volkmar," +and knew whom he was to see this evening. He folded the programme +hastily and put it in his pocket; he regretted in this moment that he +had come to the theatre at all.</p> + +<p>Finally the performance began. The curtain rose, and the first act, +little more than a prelude, was soon over. It was an introduction to the +spectators, of that weird, fantastic, legendary world into which they +were to enter, with Arivana, the sacred place of offering, the holy of +holies, in the foreground.</p> + +<p>The principal character in the drama, the young priest, who in the +fanaticism of his belief puts everything earthly far from him, as +unclean, appeared, and in a few masterly, powerful lines, pronounced his +vow, by which, for him, for time and eternity, all earthly bonds were +loosed, and he was committed heart and soul to the service of his God. +The oath was taken, the holy flame blazed and waved on the sacrificial +altar, and the curtain fell.</p> + +<p>The applause, started at once by the duke, resounded on all sides. This +work, about which so much had been said, was bound to be a success, in a +certain sense, for this one evening at least. But there was something +more than idle flattery in this applause. The spectators felt at once +that, a true poet had spoken to them; the creation had already had the +commendation of the court, but the public were carried away with it +now. They were charmed by the diction, by the characters, and by the +subject, and when the curtain rose anew, there was a look of silent +expectancy on every face.</p> + +<p>The drama now moved forward in majestic measure upon a scenic background +as full of warmth and color as the language and characters of the piece.</p> + +<p>The luxuriant vegetation of India, the fabulous pomp of her temples and +her palaces; the men and women with their wild loves and their still +wilder hatred; the rigid laws of their faith; all this was strange and +fantastic, but the manner in which these men and women felt and acted +was familiar to every one. They stood under the influence of a power +which is the same to-day that it was a thousand years ago; the same in +the tropics and in the colder climes of the north; the power of passion +in the heart of man. It was indeed a doctrine of fire, and its burden +was the inalienable right of passion to sweep away every obstacle, to +break down every barrier of law and custom, of oath and pledge, which +stood between it and its aim.</p> + +<p>A right which Hartmut Rojanow well understood and illustrated in the +exercise of his own unbridled will, which knew no law and no duty, and +to which self-gratification was the highest good.</p> + +<p>The awakening of this passion, its mighty growth and final triumph, was +described in words of ravishing eloquence, and depicted in pictures +which seemed drawn, now from the purest heights of ideality, and now +from the depths of the pit. The poet had done wisely to drape his +characters with the veil of an oriental legend, for under this covering +he might express sentiments and present scenes, which otherwise would +scarcely have been forgiven, and he did this now with a boldness which +threw glowing sparks into the souls of those who heard him, and held +them enthralled as if by some infernal spell.</p> + +<p>By the close of the second act, the success of Arivana was assured.</p> + +<p>The work was presented with a skill and perfection of acting never +surpassed on any stage. The actors in the two principal <i>rôles</i> played +their parts with a fire and perfection which could only have come from +genuine enthusiasm. The heroine was no longer called Ada. That name was +borne by a being who stood, strange and alone, in this restless world of +surging passions; one of those half-fabulous creatures with whom the +Indian legends people the icy summits of the Himalayas; cold and pure as +the eternal snows which glisten in those lofty regions. She appeared +only in one scene, and at the decisive moment of the drama, where she +moved through the stormy action as if upon spirits' pinions, warning and +exhorting, and Egon was quite right when he said that the words which +the poet put into her mouth were the most beautiful of the whole play.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the pure, white light of heaven breaks through the red glow of +the drama; the scene is beautiful, but short and swift and fleeting as +the zephyr's breath. The chaste form vanished to the snowy heights of +her distant home, while here below from the river's moonlit shore rose +the song of the Hindoo maiden—Marietta's soft and swelling voice; the +cry of warning from above was lost in these sweet seductive tones. In +the last act came the tragic ending, the judgment upon the guilty pair +who suffer death in the flames. But this death was no atonement, it was +rather a triumph, a glorious apotheosis, and out of the midst of the +fire flamed high toward heaven the infernal doctrine of the +unconditional right of passion. The curtain fell for the last time, and +the applause, which had increased from act to act, rose now to a perfect +storm. The house shouted for the author and would take no denial. At +last Hartmut came forward, free from every trace of embarrassment, and +beaming with pride and joy. He bowed his thanks to the public, which had +held to his lips that night a cup of delight such as he had never before +tasted. They are intoxicating, these first draughts from the goblet of +fame! In the pride of victory the young poet cast a glance toward the +proscenium box whose inmates he had already recognized.</p> + +<p>He did not find what he sought.</p> + +<p>Adelheid had leaned back in her chair and covered her face with an open +fan. He saw only the cold, unmoved countenance of the man who had so +deeply insulted him, and who now was the witness of his triumph.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden understood only too well the mute language of those flashing +dark eyes; they said to him:</p> + +<p>"Dare to despise me now!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>At an early hour the next morning, Willibald von Eschenhagen entered the +great city park, which, he had just declared to his uncle, he would +explore for himself. This extensive, well-wooded park, which lay before +the city's very doors, was well worth a visit, but Willibald took scant +notice of its beauties as he hurried on in the keen November morning. He +glanced neither to the right nor to the left, but strode on, striking +into this path and now into that, frequently re-treading the very ground +which he had left but a moment before.</p> + +<p>Perhaps this brisk, aimless walk, would silence or stupefy the passion +and excitement which were struggling for mastery within him.</p> + +<p>Some of his excitement was due to seeing his old friend again, for he +had been greatly moved at the sight of him. Fourteen long years he had +heard nothing of Hartmut, had been forbidden even to mention his name, +and now he stood before him suddenly in all the pride and glory of a +rising poet's fame, wonderfully changed in appearance and manner, but +yet the old Hartmut still, the same with whom he had so often frolicked +and never quarreled in by-gone days. Even had he been unprepared, he +would have known his dear old friend at a glance.</p> + +<p>Wallmoden had been greatly disturbed and annoyed at the result of the +previous night's performance. He had scarcely spoken as they drove from +the theatre, and his wife had been equally taciturn. She explained that +the heat of the crowded room had given her a headache, and in +consequence retired at once upon reaching home.</p> + +<p>Her example was followed by her husband, who, as he bade his nephew +good-night, said:</p> + +<p>"Do not forget our talk, Willibald. Be silent before every one, no +matter who. You'll have to be on your guard, too, for the name of +Rojanow will be on every one's lips for the next few days. He's had luck +this time, like all adventurers!"</p> + +<p>Willibald made no answer to this, but he felt that something beyond +adventurer's luck had come to the author of Arivana. Under other +circumstances he should have looked on this drama as something unheard +of, inexplicable, without in the least understanding it, but last night +he seemed to comprehend it all fully.</p> + +<p>One could love without the consent of parent or guardian; such freedom +was not confined to India alone—it often happened in Germany as well. A +promise given thoughtlessly and blindly could be broken, but what then? +Yes, then came the fate which Hartmut had pictured so beautifully, yet +so vividly. Will was fully determined to transfer the lesson which +Arivana had taught him to Burgsdorf. Surely the punishment invoked by +the furious priestcraft, would be no worse than the vial of Frau von +Eschenhagen's wrath.</p> + +<p>The young heir sighed deeply as he thought of the second act of the +drama, where, from the group of Hindoo maidens, the sacrificial figure +steps forth. How lovely she looked in her soft, white, clinging +garments, with the wealth of flowers in her dark curly hair. His eyes +had never left her during the two or three times when she had appeared +for a moment on the stage; then her song sounded forth from the shore of +the moonlit river, the same clear, sweet voice which had captivated him +in the little parlor of Waldhofen, and here again were the same old +unholy feelings against which he had battled so bravely then.</p> + +<p>And the worst of it was that he no longer considered them unholy.</p> + +<p>The energetic walker came for the third time to a little temple which +was open at one side and within which were seats inviting to rest, and a +marble bust in the centre. Willibald stepped in and sat down, less from +necessity for rest than with the hope he might in this seclusion get his +disturbed thoughts in order.</p> + +<p>It was about ten o'clock in the morning, and the grounds were almost +entirely deserted.</p> + +<p>Only a single pedestrian, a young man elegantly attired, lounged along +slowly, and to the casual observer, purposelessly.</p> + +<p>But he was on the lookout for some one, for he glanced with unconcealed +impatience toward the winding walks which led direct from the city.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he stepped quickly behind one of the pillars which supported +the little temple, where he could see any one approaching without being +seen himself.</p> + +<p>About five minutes later a young lady walking briskly came along a +narrow path which led past the temple. She was of slight, graceful +figure, wore a dark, fur-trimmed mantle with cap and muff to match, and +was glancing over a roll of manuscript as she stepped quickly forward.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she gave a surprised cry, which had anything but a joyful +sound, as the young man stepped in front of her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Count Westerburg."</p> + +<p>The man bowed low as he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"What a happy accident! Who would have thought to find Fräulein Marietta +Volkmar seeking the fresh air of the park at this hour."</p> + +<p>Marietta stood still and looked the speaker well over from head to foot, +before she answered, in a tone of mingled anger and contempt:</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it is by accident that you so often and so +persistently cross my path, Herr Count, although I have been very +explicit as to the annoyance which your attentions cause me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you have been very cruel to me," said the count reprovingly, +but with unmistakable assurance. "You will not permit me to visit you, +despise my gifts of flowers, hardly acknowledge my greetings when you +meet me. What have I done to you? I have ventured to prove my devotion +by laying at your feet a little tribute in the form of jewels, but you +return them with—"</p> + +<p>"With the explanation that I decline such insolent advances now and +always," Marietta interrupted angrily; "that I will have no more of your +brazen impertinences. You have waylaid me purposely to-day."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! I am only here to sue for pardon for my boldness," said +the count, as he stepped, with apparent submissiveness, directly in +front of her in the narrow path. "I know full well how unapproachable +you are, and that no one guards her reputation more jealously than the +beautiful Marietta."</p> + +<p>"My name is Fräulein Volkmar," cried Marietta angrily. "Save such +familiar speeches for those who appreciate them. I do not, and if you do +not cease your importunities, I will in future claim protection against +them."</p> + +<p>"Whose protection?" sneered the count. "Perhaps that of the old woman +with whom you live, and who is forever at your side! It is only when you +go to Professor Marani that she is left at home; you do not regard the +old singing master as dangerous. But that is the only time when you are +without her."</p> + +<p>"Except for a morning walk in the park, of which you are apparently +aware. Get out of my path, please. I want to go on."</p> + +<p>She attempted to pass him, but the count put out both arms to intercept +her.</p> + +<p>"You will at least, give me permission to accompany you, Fräulein? You +can see for yourself the walks are lonely and deserted, and I'm bound to +offer you my protection."</p> + +<p>The park was indeed deserted; no sign of life in any direction, and the +brave girl was secretly alarmed, but she answered, boldly:</p> + +<p>"Do not attempt to follow me a single step. Your protection would be as +unendurable as is your presence. How often have I to repeat that?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, how angry she can get," said the count with a malicious laugh. "Ah, +I must be repaid for those hard words. I must have a kiss from those +rosy lips which speak so harshly."</p> + +<p>He made a movement to take her in his arms, as the girl drew back, +really alarmed now, but in the same moment he lay sprawling upon the +sward, a heavy blow, well aimed, having thrown him to the damp ground, +where he lay, a most contemptible object!</p> + +<p>Marietta turned, more alarmed than ever, in the direction from which the +blow had come, and the angry, hot expression on her face was succeeded +by one of boundless surprise, when she saw who it was that had come to +her aid so suddenly, and now stood by her side gazing grimly at the +prostrate man whom he had put in this humiliating position with such +evident satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Herr von Eschenhagen—you?"</p> + +<p>Count Westerburg had in the meantime risen with some difficulty, and now +advanced threateningly toward his new enemy.</p> + +<p>"Sir, what do you mean by this? Who has given you the right—who has +given you the right—"</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are! Don't advance a step nearer this lady," interrupted +Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or I'll send you +flying under those trees, and you won't get up from the second blow as +soon as you did from the first."</p> + +<p>The count, who was neither very large nor very rugged, and who had felt +already the weight of this young giant's fist, measured Willibald for a +minute, but that was long enough to convince him that a hand to hand +scuffle could only result one way.</p> + +<p>"You will give me satisfaction—if you are capable of giving +satisfaction," he began in a half-suffocated voice. "Probably you don't +know that you have before you a—"</p> + +<p>"A low scoundrel whom it will give me pleasure to discipline," said +Willibald, composedly. "Remain where you are, if you please, or I shall +be obliged to do it on the spot. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen of +Burgsdorf, and I am to be found at the residence of the Prussian +ambassador, if you have anything more to say. I beg you to accept my +protection, Fräulein, and I'll pledge myself that you'll not be insulted +again."</p> + +<p>And then something unheard of, almost past belief, happened.</p> + +<p>Herr von Eschenhagen, without awkwardness or embarrassment, with the +grace of a gentleman of the old school, offered Fräulein Volkmar his arm +and led her away, without troubling himself farther about the low +scoundrel!</p> + +<p>Marietta had accepted his arm, but she spoke no word; as soon as they +were out of hearing she began, with an agitation which was anything but +natural to her: "Herr von Eschenhagen—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Fräulein?"</p> + +<p>"I—I am very grateful to you for your protection. But the Count—you +have insulted him deeply—he will challenge you, and you will accept his +challenge?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, with the greatest pleasure," answered Will, and a smile +broke over his face which proved that such a state of affairs would give +him great gratification. His stupidity and obtuseness had disappeared, +he felt he was a hero and deliverer, and was very well satisfied with +himself. Marietta looked up at him in speechless surprise.</p> + +<p>"But it is terrible that all this should happen on my account," she +remonstrated. "And that it should be you, of all men."</p> + +<p>The last remark did not please the young man.</p> + +<p>"You evidently regret that, Fräulein," he said rather stiffly. "But +under such circumstances you cannot always have what you want. I was +near by, and you were forced to accept my services even though I do not +stand very well in your esteem."</p> + +<p>A flush crossed Marietta's face as she remembered the time when she had +poured the vials of her wrath and contempt over this man who now came to +her rescue so bravely.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of Toni and her father," she answered softly. "I am +altogether blameless, but if I should be the cause of tearing you from +your bride—"</p> + +<p>"Then Toni would have to accept it as an intervention of Providence," +answered Willibald, upon whom the mention of his betrothed seemed to +make no impression. "One can but lose his life once, and there is no use +looking on the worst side, either. Where shall I take you, Fräulein? To +Park street? I think I heard you lived on that street."</p> + +<p>She shook her head violently.</p> + +<p>"No, no; I cannot walk, I shall call a carriage; there are some over +there. I had meant to go to Professor Marani, to practice a new part, +but I cannot sing now."</p> + +<p>Willibald turned his steps in the direction where the carriages were +standing, and they went on in silence until they came near them. +Marietta stopped then, and turning to her escort, said anxiously:</p> + +<p>"Herr von Eschenhagen, must it be? Can nothing be done?"</p> + +<p>"Well, hardly. I knocked the count down, and called him a low scoundrel, +and most fellows would regard that as sufficient grounds for a duel. +But, don't you worry about it. The whole affair will be over to-morrow +or next day, with only a couple of scratches to tell the tale, in all +probability."</p> + +<p>"And I shall have to wait two or three days in anxiety and uncertainty. +Cannot you send me some news?"</p> + +<p>Will looked down into the dark, tearful eyes, and a light came in his +own such as had gleamed from them on the first day he saw the little +"singing bird."</p> + +<p>"When all is happily over, I'll come myself and bring you the news if I +may?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, certainly. But if it should end unfortunately, if you should +fall?"</p> + +<p>"Then hold me in kinder remembrance than you have done hitherto," said +Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You took me for a coward. O, don't +say a word, you were right; I have felt it bitterly enough, but I was +accustomed always to obey my mother, who I knew loved me devotedly. But +now you see that I know also how a man should behave when he sees a +defenseless girl insulted, and I will avenge that insult—if need be +with my blood."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for an answer, he hailed a driver, assisted Marietta +into the carriage, and repeated to the man the street and number which +she gave him. She placed her little hand in his for a moment, and gave +him a long look, then, as the carriage rolled away, she threw herself +back on the cushions with a loud sob. Will looked after the carriage as +long as it was in sight, then he threw his shoulders back and said, with +a sort of fierce pleasure:</p> + +<p>"Now, have a care, Herr Count. It will be a real pleasure for me to have +a shot at you."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>The short November day was nearly over, and the twilight shadows were +lengthening rapidly, when Prince Egon, returning from a short walk, +entered his brilliantly lighted palace.</p> + +<p>"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he asked a footman.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness," the servant answered with a respectful bow.</p> + +<p>"Then order the carriage for nine o'clock, to take us to the castle."</p> + +<p>So saying Egon sprang quickly up the stairs, and hastened to his +friend's apartments, which were on the first floor, not far from his +own, and which were furnished with all the old-time magnificence of a +princely house. A lamp was burning on the table in Hartmut's little +study, and he himself, looking weary and dejected, was lying full length +upon a couch.</p> + +<p>"He of the laurel wreath is taking his rest," said the prince, laughing, +as he entered the room and came quickly forward to his friend. "I can't +find fault with you this time, for you haven't had a minute's rest +to-day. There's something exciting in being the rising star in the +poet's heaven, but it's hard on the nerves, I must admit. People are +vieing with one another to do you honor. You certainly had an +overwhelming reception to-day."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we must go to the court to-night," Hartmut answered in a +tired, indifferent tone; evidently the prospect was not an enlivening +one.</p> + +<p>"We must, indeed. The high and mighty desire to do homage to the hero of +the hour, my dear aunt at the head of them. You must know that she +thinks she's the embodiment of soulfulness and poesy herself, and that +she has discovered a responsive spirit in you Praise the Lord! She'll +leave me alone for a while, and if she gets very deep in her illusions, +she'll forget ail about the marriage plan, for the time at least; but +you seem to be very indifferent to the ducal favor which, by the way, is +quite pronounced. You hardly speak. Are you ill?"</p> + +<p>"I'm tired. I wish I could escape from all the noise, and go to Rodeck."</p> + +<p>"To Rodeck? That would be a fine place in the November mists and the +damp, leafless forests. Ugh, it gives me the horrors."</p> + +<p>"All the same, I have a great longing for the dreary loneliness, and I'm +going there, too, after a few days; that is, if you have no objection."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have very serious objections," retorted Egon crossly. "In +heaven's name what's the matter with you anyway? Now when the whole city +is wild over the author of 'Arivana' and your presence is demanded +everywhere, you want to run away from all the glory and triumph, and +hide yourself in a little, dark hole which is only bearable in +midsummer. Such an idea is unheard of."</p> + +<p>"For my own sake—I need quiet and rest—I will go to Rodeck."</p> + +<p>The young prince shook his head. He was accustomed to have his friend do +as he pleased without much heed to his remonstrances, and he knew no +means by which he could combat this new whim; but it did appear to him a +very unaccountable one.</p> + +<p>"I believe my highly esteemed aunt knows what she's talking about +sometimes," he said, between a joke and a reproof. "She said to me last +night, in the theatre, 'Our friend has caprices like other poets.' I +agree with her. What has come over you, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day +you were fairly beaming with triumph and joy, and now I have scarcely +left you for an hour and return to find you in the depths of melancholy. +Have you seen anything in the papers which has annoyed you? Something +from the pen of a malicious, spiteful critic, I'll be bound."</p> + +<p>He turned toward the writing-table, where the evening papers lay.</p> + +<p>"No, no," Rojanow said, hastily, but he turned his face sidewise, so +that it lay in the shadow. "All the papers mention 'Arivana,' and each +strives to outdo his neighbor in writing complimentary things about me. +You know I am of an uncertain temper, and am often cast down, without +being able to give reason for my depression."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but now when you are overwhelmed with praise, fairly extolled to +the skies, such depression should be far from you. You really seem +exhausted. That comes from the excitement we both have undergone during +the past few weeks."</p> + +<p>He bent anxiously over his friend, who stretched out his hand to him as +if to atone for this sudden change.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me—I'll be myself again +in a little while."</p> + +<p>"I sincerely hope so. My poet has much honor awaiting him, even +to-night. I'll leave you now. Try and rest, and don't let any one else +disturb you. You have three good hours before we need start."</p> + +<p>The prince went. He had not seen the bitter smile on his friend's face +when he referred to his triumphs and good fortune; and yet the prince +had spoken the truth. Fame was good fortune and happiness, perhaps the +highest in life, and Hartmut was willing to acknowledge that it was so, +until an hour ago, when a bitter drop had mingled in his cup.</p> + +<p>When the young man had entered his room an hour before, he had glanced +hastily over the evening papers. A review of his work was to be found in +each, and he read with interest the impressions which the drama had +made: of its strength, and depth, and power, and how skillfully the +young and talented Roumanian, Hartmut Rojanow, had outlined and +elaborated his characters.</p> + +<p>Then, as he turned the sheet, another name met his gaze, a name which, +for the moment, deadened his very senses.</p> + +<p>The article which caught his eye stated that the recent journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin, had been on a matter of great +significance. Herr von Wallmoden had had an audience of the duke +immediately on his return, and they had discussed matters of the gravest +importance, and now a high Prussian officer was expected, who was the +bearer of certain special dispatches to the duke. It was evident that +some weighty military affair was under discussion, and Colonel Hartmut +von Falkenried would be in the city in a few days.</p> + +<p>Hartmut let the paper drop from his hands; his whole body seemed to turn +to ice. His father to be here in a day or two! Herr von Wallmoden would +of course tell him all. The possibility of meeting him now seemed to +resolve itself into a certainty.</p> + +<p>"When you have made a great, proud name and future for yourself then you +can stand before him and ask him whether he despises you or not," Zalika +had said to her son on that memorable night when he had protested +against breaking his word to his father. Now the first step toward this +brilliant future had been taken.</p> + +<p>Hartmut Rojanow already wore the laurel wreath, and that was enough, +surely, to obliterate the past. It should and must be enough; and it was +this thought which blazed from Hartmut's eyes as he looked toward the +ambassador's box last night.</p> + +<p>But could he look thus into his father's eyes? Despite all his defiance +he feared those eyes, and them alone, in all the world.</p> + +<p>He had partly decided to go to Rodeck, and then he picked up the paper +again to see if any date was named for the distinguished officer's +arrival. He felt within him a something—a secret and burning longing. +Perhaps now when his great triumph was but just begun, the hour for +reconciliation had come; perhaps, when Falkenried saw what the freedom +and life for which his son had craved so long ago, had developed, he +would forgive the boy for the sake of the man. He was his child still, +his only son, whom he had clasped to his arms with such passionate +tenderness on that last evening at Burgsdorf.</p> + +<p>This memory brought with it a mighty longing in Hartmut's soul for those +arms, for a home, for all that he had lost since those boyhood's days, +which, despite their severity, had been so innocent, so peaceful, so +happy.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and a servant entered and extended a card on a salver. +Rojanow made an impatient movement to take it away.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't see any one else to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I told the gentleman that," explained the servant, "but he said he'd +like Herr Rojanow to hear his name, anyway—Willibald von Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p>Hartmut rose suddenly from his reclining position; he did not believe he +had heard aright.</p> + +<p>"What name, did you say?"</p> + +<p>"Von Eschenhagen—here is the card."</p> + +<p>"Ah—show him up. Hurry!"</p> + +<p>The servant left the room, and a minute later Willibald entered, but +remained standing, uncertain and hesitating, near the door. Hartmut had +sprung up and was staring at him. Yes, these were the same old features, +the dear face, the honest blue eyes of his youth's friend, and with a +passionate cry of:</p> + +<p>"Will! My own dear Will! Is it really you? You have come to me!" he +threw his arms stormingly around his friend's neck.</p> + +<p>The young heir, who little understood how his appearance just at the +moment when old memories were welling up in Hartmut's brain, had moved +his friend, was almost overcome by this reception. He remembered that +Hartmut had always been his superior, intellectually, and how many times +he had been made to feel this. He had thought that the author of +"Arivana" would have grown even more imperious and self-assertive, and +now he was given this tender and overwhelming reception.</p> + +<p>"Are you then so rejoiced to see me, Hartmut?" he asked, somewhat +timorously. "I almost feared it would not be right for me to come."</p> + +<p>"Not right, when I have not seen you for ten long years?" cried Hartmut, +reprovingly. And then he drew his friend toward him and began to ask +questions and chatter away with such genuine heartiness, that Will soon +lost his shyness and could speak as of old to him.</p> + +<p>He explained that he had only been three days in town, and was on his +way to Fürstenstein.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you're to be married soon. I heard of your betrothal at +Rodeck, and I have seen Fräulein von Schönau once. I wish you great +happiness, old fellow."</p> + +<p>Willibald took the wish for his happiness with characteristic coolness. +He sat and gazed on the floor, and said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Yes—my mother chose a wife for me."</p> + +<p>"I can well believe that," said Hartmut laughing. "But you at least gave +your 'yes' willingly."</p> + +<p>Willibald did not answer, but seemed to be studying the pattern of the +carpet intently; suddenly he asked abruptly:</p> + +<p>"Hartmut—how do you go to work to write poetry anyhow?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut repressed a smile with difficulty. "That is not easy to explain. +I really fear I cannot answer you intelligibly."</p> + +<p>"Yes, writing poetry is a curious thing," sighed Willibald with a sad +shake of the head. "I tried it myself after I came out of the theatre +last night."</p> + +<p>"What! You've taken to poetry?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't I, though," said Will with a lofty self-consciousness. "But," +he added dejectedly, "I can't make it rhyme, and it hasn't the same +sound as your verses. I have it in my head, but I don't suppose I have +it just right. How did you begin yours? The commencement is the +stumbling block. It's nothing very great or romantic, like 'Arivana.'"</p> + +<p>"Addressed to her of course?" hazarded Hartmut.</p> + +<p>"Yes, to her," Willibald admitted with a deep sigh; and now his listener +laughed out loud and clear.</p> + +<p>"Well, you are a model son, one must concede that. It's not unusual for +a man to be engaged in response to a father's or mother's wishes, but +your sense of duty is so strong that you fall in love with the girl and +even go so far as to write verses in her praise."</p> + +<p>"But they are not to her," cried Willibald suddenly, and with so +sorrowful a face that Hartmut gazed at him dumbfounded. He believed that +his friend was out of his mind, and Willibald's next statement quite +overpowered him, without weakening this suspicion.</p> + +<p>"I had a quarrel early this morning with an insolent fellow who +attempted to insult a lady, Fräulein Marietta Volkmar of the Court +theatre of this city. I struck him to the ground and I'd do it again if +I had an opportunity;—him, or any one else who came near Fräulein +Volkmar."</p> + +<p>He had grown so excited, and rose, as he spoke, with such a threatening +air, that Hartmut seized him by the arm and held him fast.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've no intention of going near her, so you needn't shake your +fist at me, old boy. But what have you to do with the opera singer, +Marietta Volkmar, who has always posed as a very mirror of virtue?"</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, have a care. You must speak respectfully of this lady to me. +To make a long story short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me, and +we're going to have a shot at one another, and I sincerely hope I'll +leave him with a remembrance he won't soon forget."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're making very fair progress in your romance, I must say," +Hartmut answered with growing astonishment. "You've been in town two +days, have had a quarrel with a stranger, who has demanded satisfaction, +are the knight and protector of a young singer on whose account you are +going to fight a duel. For God's sake, Will, what'll your mother say?"</p> + +<p>"As it concerns an affair of honor, my mother will have no right to say +anything," Willibald declared with true heroism. "But I will have to +find a second here, where I am a stranger and know no one. Of course +uncle Wallmoden knows nothing of the matter, or he would have the police +interfere at once, so I resolved to come and ask you whether you would +perform that service for me?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's why you came?" said Hartmut in a pained voice. "I thought +for the moment it was the old friendship which had brought you. But, all +the same, I am at your service. With what weapons do you fight?"</p> + +<p>"With pistols."</p> + +<p>"That's an advantage for you. When we used to shoot at a target at +Burgsdorf, you were a fine shot. I'll see the Count's second the first +thing in the morning, and let you know of the arrangements at once; but +I must write to you, for I won't enter Herr von Wallmoden's house."</p> + +<p>Willibald only nodded. He had thought that his uncle's enmity would be +returned in full by Rojanow, so considered it better to say nothing on +the subject.</p> + +<p>"Yes, write me," he answered. "You make what arrangements you deem fit. +I have no experience in such matters, and leave it all to you. Here is +the second's address. Now I must go. I have much to do yet—I must +prepare for the worst."</p> + +<p>He rose and held out his hand to his friend, but Hartmut did not see it. +He sat with eyes fastened on the ground, as he said in a low, stifled +tone:</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Will—Burgsdorf is not far from Berlin—do you often +see—"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"My—my father."</p> + +<p>The young heir was evidently embarrassed by the question; he had avoided +the name of Falkenried all through the conversation, and he did not know +that the father was expected in the city.</p> + +<p>"No," he answered finally, "We don't see the Colonel at all."</p> + +<p>"But he comes to Burgsdorf sometimes, does he not?"</p> + +<p>"No—he keeps to himself, but I saw him by chance the other day with +uncle Wallmoden in Berlin."</p> + +<p>"And how does he look? Is he much changed in these last years?"</p> + +<p>Willibald shrugged his shoulders: "He has certainly grown old. You would +hardly recognize him with his white hair."</p> + +<p>"White hair!" exclaimed Hartmut. "He is scarcely fifty-two years +old—has he been ill?"</p> + +<p>"No—not that I know. His gray hair came suddenly in a few months when +he demanded that his resignation be accepted."</p> + +<p>Hartmut grew pale and stared at the speaker with anxious eyes.</p> + +<p>"My father wished to leave the army, he, heart and soul a soldier, +devoted to his profession—in what year did that happen?"</p> + +<p>"They would not accept it," said Will, evasively. "They sent him to a +distant garrison instead, and for the last three years he has been +minister of war."</p> + +<p>"But he wanted to go—in what year was it?" Hartmut asked in a +determined voice now.</p> + +<p>"It was when you disappeared. He believed his honor demanded it. You +should not have treated your father so, Hartmut; it nearly killed him."</p> + +<p>Hartmut gave no answer, made no attempt to vindicate himself, but he +breathed heavily.</p> + +<p>"We'd better not talk about it," said Will, turning to go. "Nothing can +be undone now, I'll expect your letter in the morning, and you'll +arrange everything. Good-night."</p> + +<p>Hartmut did not seem to hear his friend's words nor notice his +departure; he stood and stared on the ground. A few minutes after +Willibald had left the room he threw his head back, and passed his hand +over his eyes.</p> + +<p>"He would have resigned," he muttered, "resigned, because he believed +his honor demanded it—no, no, I cannot see him, not now—I shall go to +Rodeck."</p> + +<p>The gifted poet, who had stood proud and triumphant before the whole +world and received the laurel wreath of fame, dared not meet his +father's eye—rather face loneliness and desolation.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Marietta Volkmar lived with an old kinswoman of her grandfather in a +modest little house surrounded by a tiny garden, in one of those +restful, retired streets which are fast disappearing from our large +cities.</p> + +<p>The two women, old and young, lived a quiet, uneventful life, which +permitted no breath of gossip concerning the young singer; they were +objects of interest and affection to the other inmates of the house, and +Marietta's clear voice was a welcome sound and her bright young face a +cheering sight, to the few who had apartments under the same roof.</p> + +<p>For the past two days the "singing bird" had been dumb, and whosoever +caught sight of her face, saw pale, tear-stained cheeks and swollen +eyes. The people of the house could not explain it, and shook their +heads over it until old Fräulein Berger said that Dr. Volkmar was ill, +and his grandchild could not obtain permission just now to go to him. +All this was true enough for the good doctor was suffering from a severe +cold.</p> + +<p>But it was no sufficient reason for Marietta's despondency, which had +caused much comment among her fellow-workers at the theatre.</p> + +<p>She stood at the window of the comfortable little living-room, having +just returned from rehearsal, and looked out drearily into the quiet +street. Fräulein Berger was stitching industriously by the little centre +table, and looked up now at the young girl with a grave shake of the +head.</p> + +<p>"Child, why do you take the thing so hard?" she said, almost sharply. +"You'll wear yourself out with all this anxiety and excitement. What's +the sense of looking on the worst side?"</p> + +<p>Marietta turned toward the speaker; she was very pale and there was a +sob in her voice, as she replied:</p> + +<p>"This is the third day and I can learn nothing. O, it is terrible, this +waiting hour after hour for bad news."</p> + +<p>"But why need it be bad?" remonstrated the old lady. "Yesterday +afternoon Herr von Eschenhagen, was well and happy. I went out myself at +your desire and found he was out driving with Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden. Perhaps the matter has been settled amicably."</p> + +<p>"Then I'd have had news before now," the girl answered, hopelessly. "He +promised me and he'd keep his word, I know it. If anything has happened, +if he has fallen—I believe I can't live through it."</p> + +<p>The last words sounded forth so passionately that Fräulein Berger +glanced at the speaker frightened.</p> + +<p>"Marietta, that sounds very unreasonable," she said. "It wasn't your +fault that you were insulted, neither would you be to blame if your +friend Toni's fiancé was shot. You couldn't really be more despairing if +it was your own lover who was to fight."</p> + +<p>A deep flush overspread the pale features of the girl for a moment, and +she turned again toward the window.</p> + +<p>"You do not understand, auntie," she replied in a low tone. "You do not +know how much happiness I have had in the head forester's house, how +humbly Toni begged my pardon for the insults her future mother-in-law +heaped upon me. What will she think of me when she hears that her lover +has had a duel on my account? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?"</p> + +<p>"Well, they can be easily convinced that you are blameless in the whole +affair, and if it ends well, they need know nothing about it. I hardly +know you, child, the last few days. You, who always laughed every care +and anxiety away, to sit and mope and grieve. It's incomprehensible to +me. You have hardly eaten or drunk a thing for two days, and wouldn't +sit down to your breakfast this morning. But you must eat some dinner, +and I must go and see to it at once."</p> + +<p>With this the old lady rose and left the room. She was right, poor +Marietta seemed indeed a changed girl. It was without doubt a painful, +depressing feeling, that blame would undoubtedly rest upon her; her +friends at Fürstenstein perhaps might never be made to understand the +real state of the case, how innocent she was of any intention to wrong +or even annoy them; her reputation, too, of which she had been so +guarded; would not every paper be teeming with this "affair of honor," +if either combatant were killed?</p> + +<p>"If need be with my blood," these had been Willibald's last words to her +and they rang in her ears. "O, God be merciful. Not that! not that!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly a tall, manly figure turned the corner and came forward hastily +through the little street, evidently in search of some special number, +and as Marietta looked down she gave a cry of delight, for she +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen.</p> + +<p>She did not wait for the bell to be answered, but rushed out impetuously +to open the door herself.</p> + +<p>Her eyes were wet with tears, but her voice sounded clear and jubilant:</p> + +<p>"You have come at last—God be praised!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, here I am, safe and sound," Willibald replied, while his whole +face glowed at this reception.</p> + +<p>How they got back to the little sitting-room neither of them ever knew, +but he had drawn her arm through his and led her in, while she feasted +her eyes on his flushed, happy face. But now she noticed that his right +wrist was bandaged.</p> + +<p>"You have been hurt?" she said, in an anxious whisper.</p> + +<p>"Only a scratch, not worth talking about," Willibald answered, with +great cheerfulness of spirit. "I gave the count something worth +remembering, though—a fine shot through his shoulder—nothing +dangerous, but slow to heal, so that he'll have plenty of time for +reflection. It's very satisfactory, very!"</p> + +<p>"Then it's all over? I knew it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we met this morning at eight o'clock. But there's nothing to be +anxious about now, Fräulein. It's all well over."</p> + +<p>The young singer gave a deep sigh, as she said: "I thank you, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I thank you from my heart. You have risked your life on my +account, and I cannot be too grateful."</p> + +<p>"There is no occasion for gratitude, Fräulein, but as I have faced a +pistol on your account, you must, at least accept a little memento of +the occasion. You must not trample this peace offering under your feet."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he unwrapped—somewhat awkwardly, for he had only his left +hand—a full blown rose and two buds from its cover of tissue paper.</p> + +<p>Marietta's eyes sank and a flush of shame o'erspread her features as she +took the flowers, without speaking, and pinned them on her breast; then +she reached out her hand, as if begging for forgiveness; it was grasped +at once.</p> + +<p>"You are accustomed to receive gifts of flowers," he said almost +apologetically. "I hear from all sides how much homage is paid you."</p> + +<p>The young girl smiled, but smiled more sadly than joyfully.</p> + +<p>"You have seen what manner of homage is done me at times," she said. +"Count Westerburg is not the first against whom I have had to contend. +So many men consider it perfectly legitimate to attempt liberties with +any one who appears on the stage, and sometimes even those with whom one +associates are not—believe me, Herr von Eschenhagen, my lot is not +always an enviable one."</p> + +<p>Willibald appeared surprised.</p> + +<p>"Not an enviable one? Why, I thought you loved your profession, heart +and soul, and that nothing could induce you to leave it."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I love it; but I am realizing each day, more and more, with +how much that is hard and bitter I have to contend. My teacher, +Professor Marani, says 'one must mount with the wings of an eagle, then +he leaves all the dross far beneath him.' I think he is right, but I am +not an eagle, I am only what my dear grandfather has often called me, 'a +singing bird,' with nothing but my voice, and no strength to mount to +dizzy heights. The critics have said before now that my acting lacked +fire and strength, and I feel myself that I have little dramatic talent. +I can only sing, and I'd much rather do that at home in our own green +woods, than here in a golden cage."</p> + +<p>The girl's voice had a worn, discouraged ring, very unusual in one so +full of vivacity. The recent occurrence had brought her unprotected +position before her most forcibly, and unconsciously she opened her +heart to the man who had shielded her so bravely. He listened in +astonishment to her sad words, but instead of showing any pity, his face +and eyes fairly beamed with happiness and joy at her sad admission. He +asked abruptly, almost roughly:</p> + +<p>"You long to get away from here? You will leave the stage?"</p> + +<p>Despite her troubles, Marietta laughed out at this question.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, I have no such thought. What would I turn to then? My dear +grandfather has scraped and saved for years in order that I might +receive a musical education, and it would be but a poor return for me to +go back to him now, a burden for his few remaining years. He shall never +know that his 'singing bird' longs for her woodland nest, or that she +has hardships and insults to encounter here. I have more courage than +that. I mean to fight it out, no matter how heavy the odds. So do not +let them hear anything about my murmurings at Fürstenstein. How soon are +you going there?"</p> + +<p>A shadow fell across the young heir's happy face, and his eyes sank to +the floor.</p> + +<p>"I am going at two this afternoon," he answered in a strange, depressed +tone.</p> + +<p>"O, then grant me one favor. Tell Toni everything—everything—you hear? +She has cause to blame us both. I shall write to her to-day, at once, +and tell her about this unfortunate affair, and you will explain just +how it happened, too, will you not?"</p> + +<p>Willibald raised his eyes slowly from the ground and looked at the +speaker.</p> + +<p>"You are right, Fräulein, Toni must hear all, the whole truth. I had +decided on that before I came here—but it will be a trying hour for +me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no indeed, it will not," Marietta said hastily. "Toni is good and +full of confidence; she will know that what we tell her is the exact +truth, and that we were both quite guiltless in the matter."</p> + +<p>"But I am not guiltless, at least toward Toni," said Willibald very +earnestly. "Do not look so frightened, you would hear all later, so it +is, perhaps, as well to hear it from my lips. I am going to Fürstenstein +to ask Toni"—he hesitated and sighed deeply—"to give me back my +freedom."</p> + +<p>"Heaven help us! and why?" cried the young maiden, seriously alarmed at +this declaration.</p> + +<p>"Why? Because, feeling as I do, knowing that Toni has no place in my +heart, it would be wrong to lead her to the altar. Because I know now +what is the one thing needful to make a happy marriage, because," he +stopped and looked at Marietta so steadily and so expressively that she +could not fail to understand him. Her face flushed painfully; she drew +back and made a hasty motion as if to prevent further speech.</p> + +<p>"Herr von Eschenhagen, tell me no more."</p> + +<p>"I cannot help it," Willibald continued, almost defiantly. "I fought it +over and over in my own mind when I was alone at Burgsdorf, and honestly +tried to keep my word. I thought it might be possible; then I came here +and saw you again—the other evening in 'Arivana'—and then I realized +that all my struggling had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fräulein Marietta, no, not for an hour, even while I was trying to +persuade myself you must be forgotten, and I should not have forgotten +you my whole life long. I will tell Toni all this frankly, and my +mother, too, when I see her again."</p> + +<p>It was all out at last. The man who could not stand alone at +Fürstenstein, and for whom his mother had done all the talking and +planning, spoke now, warmly and earnestly, from his very heart, as only +a man can speak in such an hour. He had learned what liberty meant when +his affections were aroused, and with this knowledge he had forever cast +aside the dependence of habit and indifference.</p> + +<p>He crossed the room to Marietta, who had gone back to the window.</p> + +<p>"And now one question. You were very pale when you opened the door for +me, and had been crying. Of course this affair was very painful to you. +I can understand that, but—but were you the least bit anxious—on my +account?"</p> + +<p>He received no answer. There was only a low, stifled sob.</p> + +<p>"Were you anxious about me? Only a little 'yes;' you cannot know, +Marietta, how happy it will make me."</p> + +<p>He bent over the maiden whose head had sunk so low, but he could not see +the gleam of happiness which lighted up her face as she said softly: "I +have been so anxious that life has hardly been endurable the past two +days."</p> + +<p>Willibald gave a laugh of exultation, and tried to draw her into his +arms; she gave him one long look, and then released herself.</p> + +<p>"No, no, not now. Go—I beg you."</p> + +<p>He stepped back at once.</p> + +<p>"You are right, Marietta. Not now; but when I am free, I shall come to +you and beg for another 'yes.' Good-bye. God bless you!"</p> + +<p>He was gone in an instant, before Marietta could collect her thoughts; +and now the voice of her old kinswoman, who had entered the room a +moment before, unperceived by its occupants, recalled her to herself.</p> + +<p>"My child, what is this, what does it mean? Have you both forgotten—"</p> + +<p>The excited girl did not let her finish; she flung her arms around her +neck, and cried out, passionately:</p> + +<p>"Ah, now I know why I was so angry when he allowed his mother to insult +me and did not take my part. It grieved me so to think he was weak and +cowardly, for I have loved him from the very first."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made +at the house of the Prussian ambassador. Wallmoden had entered upon the +duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but +his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer +coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social +obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great +government. The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with +great splendor. His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things +possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one +of mark in the southern capital. The following week he was to give his +first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.</p> + +<p>The ambassador was busily engaged, also, in attending to certain +official matters of more than usual importance. With all his other cares +he was secretly annoyed at the result of the production of "Arivana." If +he had had any thought before of openly denouncing Hartmut Rojanow, such +denunciation was now almost impossible.</p> + +<p>This adventurer had been so praised and so lauded and admired for his +poetical genius and talents, that just at present it was a matter of +doubt whether any statement which Wallmoden could make would have much +effect on the society and the court where the newly risen star was the +hero of the hour. Hartmut had risked much against Wallmoden's +threats—and won. The one thing which completed the ambassador's +discomfiture, and made his position extremely painful, was the coming of +Falkenried. It would be impossible to conceal his son's whereabouts and +doings from the father, and Wallmoden dare not let him learn them from +strangers. When they had met in Berlin, for a brief hour, neither knew +of the journey to the South which the Colonel would have to take almost +immediately. He was to be the guest of his old friend, for he also knew +Adelheid very well; she and her brother had grown up under his eyes.</p> + +<p>When Major Falkenried had taken command of a distant garrison ten years +before, the little city where he was stationed had been very near the +principal Stahlberg factories. The new major's reputation had preceded +him; he was said to be a valiant soldier, devoted to the service, who, +when not on duty, gave all his time to the study of military tactics and +discipline, but who held all mankind, soldiers excepted, in abhorrence. +He had a house and lived among men, but for the rest, he turned his back +upon society and every one connected with it.</p> + +<p>But the head of the house of Stahlberg took little heed of the gossip or +of the major's attitude toward his fellow-men, and approached him +without hesitation. The bitter, disappointed man, who shunned all the +world, could not fail to admire in the manufacturer much that was akin +to his own nature, and while their acquaintance never ripened into +friendship, Falkenried understood and appreciated Stahlberg's rugged +character, and in the years in which they lived near one another the +Stahlberg house was the only one which he ever entered willingly. So he +grew to know the children of the house intimately, and kept up his +intercourse with the family after his return to Berlin. When Wallmoden +married he felt that both he and Adelheid had been hardly treated by the +Colonel, when the latter sent some plausible excuse for not attending +the wedding. Adelheid knew little or nothing of the Colonel's fateful +history. She supposed him to be childless, and had only recently learned +from her husband that he had married very young, been divorced from his +wife for many years, and was now a widower.</p> + +<p>Eight days after the return of the Wallmodens, as Adelheid was sitting +at her writing table late one afternoon, Colonel Falkenried was +announced. She rose at once, threw down her pen and hastened to greet +her old friend.</p> + +<p>"How glad I am to see you, dear Colonel. We received your telegram, and +Herbert was just about to start to the station to meet you himself, when +he received a summons from the duke and had to go at once to the castle, +so we could only send the carriage for you." Her greeting was warm and +cordial, such as an old friend of her father might have expected, but +Falkenried, while not exactly distant, was certainly not hearty. He took +the extended hand, but his manner was cold and earnest, and he said +indifferently, as he took the chair offered him: "Well, we can talk to +one another until his return."</p> + +<p>The colonel had changed, changed so greatly as to be past recognition. +Were it not for the tall and erect bearing he would be taken for an old +man. The hair of this man in his fifty-second year was snow white, his +forehead was deeply ploughed with furrows, and the deep lines in his +face told of sorrow beyond all hope of cure. The countenance, which had +once been so full of expression, had a staring, uncomfortable look now, +and his manner bespoke a reserve and repression which could not be +penetrated. Regine's expression, "The man seems turned to stone," was +only too true.</p> + +<p>One could not help forming the impression that the good or ill of his +fellow creatures were both matters of supreme indifference to him; he +lived only in the fulfillment of the duties of his profession.</p> + +<p>"I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using the old name which he had +always heard in her father's house, as he threw a glance at the +half-finished letter on the writing table.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's plenty of time," his hostess answered carelessly. "I was +only writing to Eugen."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; I saw him day before yesterday, and he sent his love to you."</p> + +<p>"I knew he would go to Berlin on purpose to see you. He has not seen you +for over two years, and neither have I, except for the moment, as we +passed through Berlin. We did hope you would come out to Burgsdorf while +we were there, and Regine felt sorely vexed that you did not accept her +invitation."</p> + +<p>The colonel looked at her gloomily. He knew, too well, the bitter +memories associated with the place. He had only been there a couple of +times since his return to Berlin.</p> + +<p>"Regine understands how much my time is occupied," he answered +evasively. "But to return to your brother, I want to speak to you about +something, Ada, and I am not sorry we are alone. What is the matter +between Eugen and his brother-in-law? What has happened?"</p> + +<p>A shade of embarrassment crossed Adelheid's face at this question, but +she answered carelessly: "Nothing especial, only they don't exactly +understand each other."</p> + +<p>"Not understand one another! Wallmoden is almost forty years your +brother's senior, and he's the lad's guardian, too, for two years more, +until Eugen attains his majority. So the boy had nothing to do but obey +orders for that brief space."</p> + +<p>"Of course, but Eugen, while warm-hearted, is impetuous and +inconsiderate, as he has always been from a small boy."</p> + +<p>"That's a pity! He'll have to change all that when he assumes the +responsible position which is awaiting him, if he expects to follow in +his father's footsteps. But there seems something more than that the +matter here. I made a passing allusion to your marriage, Ada—that it +had surprised me a little, more especially as I had known your husband +so well, and had not imagined you were so ambitious. Whereupon Eugen +turned on me and defended you in the warmest manner. Said you had been +sacrificed for him, and left me quite bewildered by his passionate words +and insinuations."</p> + +<p>"You should not have paid any attention to him," said Adelheid, with +noticeable uneasiness. "Such a young hothead sees the tragical side of +everything. What was it he did say?"</p> + +<p>"Really nothing. He said you had made him promise to say nothing without +your permission, but that he hated his brother-in-law. What does it all +mean?"</p> + +<p>The young wife was silent; this talk was anything but pleasant to her. +The colonel looked at her searchingly, while he continued:</p> + +<p>"You know it is not my habit to force myself into others' secrets. I +take little interest, now-a-days, in the doings of my neighbors, but the +honor of my oldest friend is called into question by the insinuation of +a boy. I had no patience with Eugen, and told him to go to Wallmoden +and threaten him if he had anything to say. His answer was: 'O, Herr von +Wallmoden would explain the thing by calling it diplomatic; he has shown +himself a great diplomat. Ask Ada, let her tell you her experience.' So +I did as he bade me, I asked you, but as you will say nothing, I have no +alternative but to speak to your husband. For I cannot keep silence +concerning such insulting remarks."</p> + +<p>He spoke without excitement, in a measured, cold tone, as if, while a +matter of no moment to himself, he felt it his duty to interrogate his +friend's wife.</p> + +<p>"Pray don't mention it to Herbert, I beg of you," Adelheid said, +hastily. "I will tell you myself. Eugen has been carried away by his +temper; he has taken the affair too much to heart from the beginning. +There was nothing dishonorable in it."</p> + +<p>"I supposed that when Wallmoden had to do with it," the colonel +interrupted with marked emphasis.</p> + +<p>Adelheid lowered her voice, but she avoided the colonel's eye as she +continued:</p> + +<p>"You know that I was not engaged to Herbert until after our year's +residence in Florence. My father was very ill and his physicians ordered +him to Italy for the winter. We went to Florence for a couple of months; +our farther movements were to depend upon my father's condition. My +brother accompanied, us and when the winter set in he was to return +home. After a few weeks we took a villa just outside the city, and +lived, of course, a very retired life. Eugen saw Italy for the first +time under very sad and depressing circumstances; it was very trying for +him, a mere boy, to sit day after day in a sick room, so I seconded his +request to be allowed to go to Rome for a few weeks, and obtained the +desired permission for him. I ought never to have done so. But I did +not know how great was his inexperience or into what it would lead him."</p> + +<p>"Which means that he plunged into frivolous pleasure or dissipation +while his father lay on his death-bed," the Colonel interposed harshly.</p> + +<p>"Do not be hard on him. My brother was scarcely twenty years old, and +while he had a loving father, he had a severe one, who had brought him +up with such strictness that this little breath of freedom proved too +much for him. The young German, with no worldly experience whatever, was +enticed into a circle where play ran high, and where, as was afterwards +proven, cheats and gamblers plied their vocation. Eugen in his ignorance +saw nothing of all this; he lost considerable sums, and at last one +night the club was raided by the police. The Italians resisted them and +a scuffle ensued, into which Eugen was drawn. He only defended himself, +but in so doing severely wounded one of the police, and he was arrested +with the others."</p> + +<p>The Colonel had listened in silence to Adelheid's agitated recital, but +he showed neither interest nor emotion as he said severely: "And poor +Stahlberg had to live to see his son, whom he imagined a model, come to +this!"</p> + +<p>"He never knew it. It was only a momentary seduction, a boy's misstep +through ignorance, which will never be repeated; Eugen has given me his +word of honor for that."</p> + +<p>Falkenried laughed out suddenly, such a bitter, mocking laugh, that the +young wife looked at him in alarm.</p> + +<p>"His word of honor. Certainly, why not? It is as easy given as broken. +Are you really so credulous that you would take the word of such a boy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am, indeed," Adelheid answered earnestly, as she looked +reprovingly into the face of the man whose bitterness she could not +understand. "I know my brother; he is his father's son in spite of +everything and will not break his word."</p> + +<p>"It is well for you you can still trust and believe; for me such days +were over long ago," said Falkenried, scowling, but in a milder tone. +"And what happened then?"</p> + +<p>"My brother had word sent to me at once. 'Do not tell father, it would +kill him,' he wrote. I knew better than he that it would do so; my +father was far too ill then to bear any excitement. It was hard for the +moment to know what to do, for we were strangers in a strange land. Then +I thought of Herbert, who was at that time ambassador to Florence. We +knew him slightly at home, and he had called upon us in Florence, and +offered his services or those of his attachés if we should desire +anything. Since we had taken a house he had been to see father +frequently, and came now immediately in answer to my request. I had +reliance in him, and told him all, asking for advice and help, and he +gave me both."</p> + +<p>"At what price?" asked the Colonel, suddenly, with darkening face.</p> + +<p>"No, no; it is not as you think, or as Eugen will persist in believing. +I have not been forced. Herbert gave me my free choice. He explained to +me that the matter was much more serious than I had thought, that all +sums lost at play must be paid, and that the affair might yet assume +serious proportions on account of the wounding of the policeman. He +explained that it would be very embarrassing for him in his position, to +be personally mixed up in such an affair. 'You desire me to save your +brother," he said. "Perhaps I can do it, but I place my present +position, and my whole future at stake by so doing, and one hardly cares +to do that for any one less than a brother, or brother-in-law!"</p> + +<p>Falkenried rose with a start and paced the room once, then he stood +before his friend's wife, and said in an angry tone:</p> + +<p>"And in your deadly anxiety, naturally you believed him?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that it was not so?" questioned Adelheid.</p> + +<p>He shrugged his shoulders as he answered:</p> + +<p>"Possibly. I understand little of diplomatic considerations, but I know +that Wallmoden showed himself a greater diplomat than ever in this hour. +What answer did you give him?"</p> + +<p>"I begged for time, it had all come on me so suddenly. But I knew not a +moment was to be lost, so the same evening I gave Herbert the right to +rescue his brother-in-law."</p> + +<p>"Naturally," muttered Falkenried with keen contempt. "Wise Herbert."</p> + +<p>"He left for Rome at once," continued Baroness von Wallmoden, "and +returned eight days later with my brother. He had succeeded in getting +Eugen off without making him conspicuous; his name was not even +mentioned in the papers as connected with the affair. How Herbert did it +I never knew. He spent money like water, and he told me later that he +pledged half his fortune to cover the gambling debts."</p> + +<p>"That was very magnanimous, when he was about to gain a million by the +sacrifice. And what did Eugen say to this—transaction?"</p> + +<p>"He did not know of it at the time, for he returned at once to Germany, +as had been arranged before. Herbert came to the house now, daily, and +my father grew to like him, and when Herbert finally proposed to him for +my hand, I was thankful that the affair had taken the turn it had, and +my father imagined he had been paying court to me all this time. But +Eugen was not to be deceived. As soon as he heard of our betrothal, his +suspicions were aroused, and he wrung the truth from me. Since then he +has reproached himself continually, and has a hatred for Herbert, +notwithstanding my repeated assurances that I was not coerced, and have +had no cause to regret my marriage, and that I find in Herbert an +attentive, considerate husband."</p> + +<p>Falkenried looked searchingly in her face as if he would read her inmost +thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Are you happy?" he asked at last, slowly.</p> + +<p>"I am contented."</p> + +<p>"That is much in this life; we are not born to be happy. I have done you +an injustice, Ada. I thought that the glitter of court life, the +opportunity to marry a baron and an ambassador had tempted you to become +Frau von Wallmoden, but I find instead—I am sorry, Ada, that I did you +an injustice."</p> + +<p>He extended his hand as he spoke, and in the motion there was a plea for +pardon.</p> + +<p>"Now you know all," said Adelheid with a deep sigh, "and I beg you not +to discuss the subject with Herbert. You see for yourself he did nothing +dishonorable. I repeat to you he used no force, my love for my brother +was the only force. I could not have expected Herbert to exert himself +as he had to do in Rome—for a stranger."</p> + +<p>"If a woman had come to me under such circumstances, I should have saved +her brother—without stipulations," Falkenried exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you—I would have followed you with a light heart."</p> + +<p>These words disclosed unconsciously how hard had been the struggle +within this girl's breast. If a sacrifice had to be made, far easier to +make it to the dark, gloomy, rigid man who, notwithstanding all his +bitterness and hardness, she could trust implicitly, than to the polite +and attentive husband who had taken advantage of her inexperience and +fear.</p> + +<p>"You'd have had a sad lot in that case, Ada," the colonel answered with +a shake of the head. "I am one of those human beings who can give or +receive nothing more in this world; life was over for me long ago. But +you are right, it is better for me not to discuss this matter with +Wallmoden, for if I gave him my opinion—but he is and ever will be a +diplomat."</p> + +<p>The conversation was over and Adelheid rose and said in her usual quiet +tone:</p> + +<p>"And now shall I show you to your room? You must be fatigued after your +long journey."</p> + +<p>"No indeed, I'd be a poor soldier to be worn out by a night's travel. In +the service something else is expected from us."</p> + +<p>He bore no marks of fatigue; as he stood, broad and tall before her, his +muscles and sinews seemed made of steel, it was only the face which was +old and haggard. The eyes of the young wife followed him thoughtfully as +he again paced the room. She noted the furrowed forehead, so high and +broad under the white hair. It seemed to her she had seen it somewhere +else, only the locks were dark and curly, and beneath the brow were +strange, large eyes, which illumined a face of southern beauty. But +surely the forehead on which she gazed was strangely like that across +which the sudden wave of passion had passed on that memorable day of the +hunt, even to the deep-set blue veins which stood out so prominently in +the temples. It was a strange, unaccountable, fascinating resemblance.</p> + +<p>A few hours later the two old friends were seated together in +Wallmoden's private study. The host had dreaded this hour, but now the +tale was told and the impression which it made on the Colonel anything +but what his host had expected. He had told of Rojanow's sudden +appearance at Fürstenstein, of the sensation which his drama had created +in the city, of his wandering life with his mother during past years, +and of Zalika's death. Falkenried had leaned back in the chair, his arm +resting on the window sill, and listened to the whole long story without +movement of form or feature, without a question, without a comment; he +hardly seemed to hear, he was indeed made of stone.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is right to tell you all this now," concluded the +ambassador. "Hitherto I have not troubled you with the knowledge which +has come to me from time to time, but now you must learn all I have to +tell and how the land lies."</p> + +<p>The Colonel did not change his position, and his voice betrayed no +emotion as he replied: "I thank you for your good intentions, but you +could have spared yourself the trouble. What do I care for this +adventurer?"</p> + +<p>Wallmoden had not expected such an answer, and looked keenly at his +friend as he continued:</p> + +<p>"I deemed it necessary to tell you because of the possibility of a +meeting. Rojanow plays a conspicuous part here and is to be met with +everywhere. The duke is greatly taken with him; you will be very apt to +come across him at the castle."</p> + +<p>"And what then? I know no one who bears the name of Rojanow, and he will +not dare to know me. We will pass one another as strangers."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden watched his friend's face closely while he was speaking; he +wondered if all feeling was dead, or if this intense coldness and +indifference were assumed.</p> + +<p>"I believed you would have taken the news of your son's re-appearance +differently," he said, half aloud. It was the only time he used the word +"son;" he had called him Rojanow in telling the story, and he did it +with a purpose now. For the first time there was a movement from the +window, but it was a movement of anger.</p> + +<p>"I have no son, bear that in mind, Wallmoden. He died that last night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead return no more."</p> + +<p>Wallmoden was silent, but the colonel stepped up to him and laid his +hand heavily on his arm.</p> + +<p>"You mentioned just now that you felt it your duty to tell the duke, but +consideration for me had kept you silent so far. I have but one thing +left to guard in the wide world, the honor of my name, and such an +explanation on your part would stain it forever. Do what you think is +best. I shall not prevent you, but—I must then do what I think best."</p> + +<p>His voice sounded hard as ever, but there was a tone underlying his +words which fairly frightened the ambassador.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Falkenried, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Do as you choose. You diplomats have peculiar ideas of honor at times, +with which ordinary mortals may not agree—I leave it to you."</p> + +<p>"I shall be silent, I give you my word," answered Wallmoden, to whom +Falkenried's words were enigmatical, for Adelheid's confession was +unknown to him. "I had really decided on that before you came. The name +of Falkenried shall not be exposed to scorn or derision through me."</p> + +<p>"Well and good, then we need not discuss the subject farther," said +Falkenried. Then, after a short pause, he began on quite a different +subject. "You have prepared the duke for what I bring him? What does +he say about it?"</p> + +<p>Here was again the old, iron impenetrability which closed the door +against all inquiry. The change was a welcome one to the ambassador, who +was here, as elsewhere, the diplomat, and disliked nothing more than +unnecessary candor and straightforwardness, and who would never have +thought of giving all this information to Falkenried, had not the danger +of his friend learning it elsewhere been very great. Now no matter what +happened, he could say to the father, "I told you. I warned you." Even +the duke could not find fault with a man for sparing an old friend. +"Wise Herbert" understood how to answer them all.</p> + +<p>Colonel Falkenried's stay was limited, and there was so much to be done +that he had scarcely time to breathe.</p> + +<p>Audiences with the duke, consultations with prominent military +officials, hours spent with certain members of foreign embassies, all +these had to be crowded into a few days. Wallmoden was scarcely less in +demand until everything was arranged. The ambassador, and more +especially Colonel von Falkenried, had reason to be contented with the +result, for they had acquired everything which they demanded for their +government, and could count with full reliance on the duke. It was +whispered that some matter of more than ordinary import was on the +tapis, but none of the gossipers knew what, and the few who did know +kept their own counsel.</p> + +<p>The author of "Arivana" was the favorite of the day, and people began to +discuss his very erratic behavior. Almost immediately after his +glittering triumph he had turned his back upon all who had done him +homage, friends and sycophants alike, and gone to the "wilderness," as +Prince Adelsberg explained to every one; where that wilderness lay, no +one knew, for Egon had given his word to his friend that he would not +reveal his retreat, and Hartmut had promised in return that as soon as +he had had a little quiet and rest he would come back. So no one knew +that Herr Rojanow was at Rodeck.</p> + +<p>Baron von Wallmoden's carriage was drawn up on a cold, dark morning +before the door of the Prussian ambassador's residence.</p> + +<p>This time the drive was to be a long one, for servants brought out furs +and robes and piled them on the seats. The ambassador, who had just +risen from his breakfast, was taking leave of the Colonel.</p> + +<p>"Well, good-bye until to-morrow night," he said, holding out his hand. +"We'll be back by that time, anyway, and you'll remain for several days +yet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, as the duke has requested it," answered the Colonel. "I sent my +report off at once to Berlin; so a few days either way doesn't matter +now."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. And they'll certainly be well satisfied with your +reports, too. But we've had a few hot days with little time for rest. +Thank God, everything is arranged and we can breathe again! I feel that +I am free to leave the city now for twenty-four hours, so Adelheid and I +will go to Ostwalden."</p> + +<p>"Ostwalden is the name of your new country seat? I remember, you +mentioned it yesterday, but I did not understand just where it was +situated."</p> + +<p>"It lies about ten miles from Fürstenstein. When we were there in +September, Schönau called my attention to it. It is situated in the most +beautiful part of the celebrated forest, and suits me exactly. They +asked a ridiculous price for it, but since my return I've decided to +take it and am going there now to make some final arrangements."</p> + +<p>"Ada does not appear too well pleased with your choice. She seems to +dislike the neighborhood of Fürstenstein," said the Colonel. But +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders indifferently.</p> + +<p>"Just a whim, nothing more. In the beginning Adelheid was in raptures +over Ostwalden, and then later she raised every possible objection to +the place; but I had gone too far to retreat. I shall in all probability +remain some time at my present post, and want to avoid long journeys in +the summer. So that a country seat which can be reached in four hours +from town possesses great attractions in my eyes. The castle has been +sadly neglected of late years, and I'll have to make many altertions. +But I have my plans for rebuilding and altering all arranged, and am +going to make it one of the finest places in the country."</p> + +<p>He talked with great satisfaction over all he was to accomplish at +Ostwalden. Herbert von Wallmoden had possessed but a small fortune of +his own, and had been forced to live very circumspectly all his life +long, in consequence. But now he could give free rein to his desire for +splendor and display, and could talk of fine homes in city and country +without thought of the outlay, or any consideration either for the whims +of the young wife whose fortune he was spending with so lavish a hand.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Falkenried thought of all this as he listened to his friend +grown almost enthusiastic on the subject, but he said nothing. He had +grown more silent and stonier than ever, if that were possible, during +the last few days. And when he did ask a question concerning the +every-day affairs of life, one felt it was merely mechanical, and that +he scarcely cared whether he received an answer or not.</p> + +<p>Now as Adelheid entered the room, fully equipped for her journey, he +turned to her and offered his arm to escort her to the carriage. After +he had helped her in it, Wallmoden entered, and as the coachman cracked +his whip, said:</p> + +<p>"We'll be back to-morrow without fail—good-bye."</p> + +<p>Falkenried bowed and stepped back. It mattered little to him whether +they came back to-morrow or not, all friendships were over for him. But +as he entered the house again, he said:</p> + +<p>"Poor Ada, she deserved a better fate."</p> + +<p>Everything was going on in the usual quiet fashion at Fürstenstein. +Willibald had been there for a week. He was two days later than he had +expected to be; but he had met with a slight accident, and his hand was +hurt, so he told his uncle; and this was perfectly satisfactory, and not +at all alarming, as the hand was nearly healed now. The head forester +found his son-in-law changed since his last visit, and changed for the +better, too. He had become much more earnest and decided than formerly, +and seemed so well satisfied with his daughter, von Schönau thought.</p> + +<p>"I believe Will will turn out to be a man, yet. How much he improves +without his mother to stand by to command and dictate."</p> + +<p>As for the rest, Herr von Schönau had no time to trouble himself with +the lovers. The duke, during his stay at Fürstenstein, had made many +changes and innovations upon the established order of things in the +forestry, and it required both zeal and watchfulness on the part of the +head forester to set things straight again, and bring his subordinates +back to the old regime. He saw Antonie and Willibald daily, and noticed +that they were much together and seemed to understand one another +perfectly, so he did not concern himself much about them.</p> + +<p>In the meantime there had been much anxiety and alarm in the house of +Dr. Volkmar.</p> + +<p>The doctor's sickness, which had not at first been regarded as serious, +had suddenly taken an alarming turn, and owing to his age the worst was +feared. His granddaughter was telegraphed for in hot haste, and she, +after obtaining permission from her manager, who gave her part in +"Arivana" to an understudy, hurried home at once.</p> + +<p>It was at this time that Antonie showed her sincere, unobtrusive +attachment to her childhood's friend. Day after day she went to the +Volkmar cottage, to comfort and cheer Marietta, who hung in an agony of +anguish and suspense over her grandfather's bed. Willibald found it +necessary to go with his cousin and do what he could. All this seemed +natural enough to the head forester, who was sincerely attached to the +Volkmars, and felt a great desire to show more than an ordinary amount +of attention to "the poor little thing" who had been so cruelly insulted +in his house. He had it in for his sister-in-law when he should see her +again.</p> + +<p>At the end of three dreadful days the doctor's strong constitution +asserted itself, and hopes of his recovery were entertained. Herr von +Schönau was as rejoiced as any of the family, and rubbed his hands with +a satisfied air when Toni, on the fourth day, reported a marked +amendment in the doctor's condition.</p> + +<p>But a thunder-storm from the north was descending upon them all. +Suddenly, without any announcement, Frau von Eschenhagen appeared in +their midst. She had wasted no time in the city with her brother, but +came on directly from Burgsdorf, and descended like a veritable +thunder-storm upon her brother-in-law, who was in his own room reading +the papers.</p> + +<p>"Bless us—is it you, Regine?" he cried, really alarmed. "This is a +surprise. Why didn't you send word you were coming?"</p> + +<p>"Where is Willibald?" was her only response in an incensed tone. "Is he +at Fürstenstein?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, where else would he be? He wrote you of his arrival, that +much I know."</p> + +<p>"Let him be called—now, this minute."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Regine?" asked the head forester, noticing +for the first time her intense excitement. "Is Burgsdorf burned to the +ground? I can't bring your Will to you now, this minute, for he's not +here just now, he's over at Waldhofen—"</p> + +<p>"Probably, at Dr. Volkmar's. In that case she's there too."</p> + +<p>"What 'she?' Toni has gone over as usual to be with Marietta; that poor +little girl has been in despair for the past few days. And I want to +have a word with you, Frau sister-in-law, while we are on this subject. +How could you have spoken so cruelly to Marietta, in my house, too. I +didn't hear of it for some time after, but I can tell you I—"</p> + +<p>A loud, angry laugh interrupted him.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown aside her bonnet and cloak, and she now +strode angrily to her brother-in-law's chair.</p> + +<p>"Do you still reprove me because I did my best to put an unclean thing +out of your house? You have always been blind. You would not listen to +me—and now it is too late."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're gone clean mad, Regine," said Herr von Schönau +solemnly. He didn't really know what to think. "Control yourself long +enough to tell me what the trouble is."</p> + +<p>For reply Regine unfolded a newspaper and pointing to a certain +paragraph said tragically:</p> + +<p>"Read!"</p> + +<p>The head forester began to read, and he, too, soon became excited, and +grew red and angry as he read on. The paper was a weekly, published in +the South-German capital, and the article which excited their joint +wrath read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We have just learned that a duel with pistols was fought early +last Monday morning, in one of the unfrequented suburbs of our +city. The opponents were the well-known society gentleman, Count +W., and a young North German landlord, W.v.E., who is the nephew +and has been for the past few days the guest of a very prominent +member of the diplomatic circle. The cause of the quarrel which +resulted in the duel was a member of the court theatre company, a +young singer who has, until now, enjoyed a good reputation. Count +W. was wounded in the shoulder, and Herr v.E., who has left the +city since, received a trifling wound in the hand."</p></div> + +<p>"That goes beyond anything I ever heard," cried the head forester, in a +towering rage. "My future son-in-law fights a duel on Marietta's +account. What was the quarrel about? What do you know about it, Regine? +My papers don't mention it."</p> + +<p>"But mine do. You'll find it in yours if you look them over well. I +caught sight of the article yesterday, and started at once, without even +staying over to see Herbert. Evidently he knows nothing about it yet, or +he'd have sent me word."</p> + +<p>"Herbert'll be here to-day; in an hour or two now," said von Schönau, +while glancing hastily over the papers. "He was going to Ostwalden with +Adelheid, he wrote me, and would return to town by way of Fürstenstein +and spend an hour with me. Perhaps he is coming to tell me about it, +but that doesn't change anything. What's the matter with Will, has he +gone mad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that he has," answered Regine, all excitement again. "You sneered +at me, Moritz, when I warned you your child would suffer from +association with an actress. That such a thing as this could happen +never entered my head until the moment when I discovered that Willibald, +my own, only son, was in love with this Marietta Volkmar. I tore him +from the danger and returned at once to Burgsdorf. That was the reason +of our sudden flight. I did not tell you for I thought Will was only +dazed for the moment, and would soon recover his reason again. The boy +seemed to have done so, or I would never have trusted him to come here +without me. I put him in Herbert's charge and felt perfectly sure that +all would be well. He could only have been in the city three or four +days at most, and well must he have spent his time."</p> + +<p>She threw herself back in an easy chair, worn out and anxious as well as +angry, while the head forester walked up and down the room angrier than +ever now.</p> + +<p>"And that's not the worst of it," he cried. "The worst is the game which +the rascal has been playing with me and my poor daughter since he came +here. My poor child has been running to Waldhofen day after day to give +what comfort and aid she could, and Willibald has always accompanied her +to comfort Marietta too—oh, its atrocious! Your model son has turned +out well, I must say, Regine."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think I intend to shield him!" Regine answered spitefully. +"He shall stand before me, shall stand before us both, and speak. That's +what I have come for. He shall learn to know me!"</p> + +<p>She rose as though ready now for the attack, and her hearer, who was +muttering angrily to himself, said aloud:</p> + +<p>"He shall learn to know us both!"</p> + +<p>Just then, in the middle of their excitement, the door opened, and the +poor, ill-treated fiancé, Antonie von Schönau entered the room quiet and +composed as ever, and said as she went toward her aunt:</p> + +<p>"I heard from the servants of your unexpected arrival, dear aunt—I am +so glad to see you."</p> + +<p>Instead of any answer or word of greeting from her aunt the same +question from both sides sounded in her ears.</p> + +<p>"Where is Willibald?"</p> + +<p>"He'll be here in a few minutes, he waited to give some direction to the +castle gardener; he does not know his mother is here."</p> + +<p>"To the castle-gardener! Doubtless he wants some more roses," Frau von +Eschenhagen broke out afresh, while the father held out both his arms to +Toni and said, in a trembling voice:</p> + +<p>"My child, my poor, deceived child, come to me. Come to your father's +arms."</p> + +<p>He would have drawn his daughter into his arms, but Regine stepped +before him and said in a husky voice:</p> + +<p>"Be composed, Toni, you will have a fearful blow from your false lover; +you will despise him and his deceptions from your very soul."</p> + +<p>This sudden sympathy had in it something alarming, but fortunately Toni +had never been troubled with weak nerves; she released herself now from +this double embrace, and drew back from them both as she said, with +quiet decision:</p> + +<p>"I could not do that, for Will is beginning to please me better now than +he has ever pleased me before in his life."</p> + +<p>"So much the worse," interrupted her father. "Poor child, you know +nothing, suspect nothing. Your lover has fought a duel, and for a woman, +too."</p> + +<p>"I know it, papa."</p> + +<p>"For Marietta," screamed her aunt.</p> + +<p>"I know it, dear aunt."</p> + +<p>"But he loves Marietta," they both cried out with one voice.</p> + +<p>"I know it all," declared Toni in her quiet, drawling tone. "Have known +it for a week."</p> + +<p>The effect of this declaration was so depressing that the two angry +parents were dumb, and looked at one another stupefied. In the meantime +Toni continued with the utmost composure:</p> + +<p>"Will told me all about it just as soon as he got here; and he spoke so +simply and with such true heartedness that he made me weep from very +sympathy; then a letter came from Marietta begging my pardon, and it was +so loving and penitent in its tone that I was deeply moved. There was +nothing for me to do but to give back my lover his freedom."</p> + +<p>"Without asking us?" interposed her aunt.</p> + +<p>"No questions were necessary in this case," Antonie answered, quietly. +"I cannot marry a man who declares to me that he loves another woman. So +we dissolved our engagement without any further discussion."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, and I learn it now for the first time. You two have become very +independent, all at once," cried the head forester, enraged.</p> + +<p>"Will meant to explain to you the next day, papa, but after such an +explanation he felt he could not remain here longer, and just then +Marietta was called home by her grandfather's illness. She was nearly +broken hearted when she thought he would die, and Will felt he could +not leave her until he knew what would be the result of the illness. So +I said to keep silence until the danger was over, and then speak. We +have both gone daily to the cottage to cheer poor Marietta. They are so +grateful to me and call me the guardian angel of their love."</p> + +<p>The young girl seemed quite affected by this thought, and took her +handkerchief to wipe the tears which were welling up in her eyes.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen stood stark and stiff as a statue.</p> + +<p>Schönau had folded his arms, and said with a deep sigh:</p> + +<p>"Well, God bless you for your magnanimity, my dear child. So everything +is as if it had never been. But you have been very generous in your +statements, one must acknowledge that. You have taken it very quietly, +and seen your betrothed make love to another girl before your very +eyes."</p> + +<p>Antonie nodded her head. She was greatly pleased to play the <i>rôle</i> of +guardian angel, and she found no difficulty in so doing for her +affection for Willibald had been very mild from the beginning.</p> + +<p>"There was no talk of love making, papa. Dr. Volkmar was far too ill," +she explained. "We had all we could do to comfort poor Marietta, who was +dreadfully alarmed. You can see for yourself now that I have not been +deceived and that Will has been outspoken and honorable throughout. It +was I who advised him to be silent for a few days, particularly as it +was a matter which only concerned us two, and—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is what you thought. Then it does not concern us at all?" the +head forester interrupted angrily.</p> + +<p>"No papa, and Will thought with me that in such a case there was no use +in troubling the parents—"</p> + +<p>"What did Will think ?" asked Frau Regine, who at this unheard of +assertion thought it was time to take part in the conversation again.</p> + +<p>"That one should love before one marries, and Will is right," Toni +declared with unwonted vivacity. "When he and I were engaged, there was +no talk of love. It was all settled for us, but that'll never happen to +me a second time. I see now for myself what it means when two people +love one another with their whole hearts, and how greatly it has changed +and improved Will. Now when I marry I must be loved as Will loves +Marietta, and if I can't find a man who will love me devotedly, I'll +remain single all my life."</p> + +<p>And with this declaration and with a decisiveness in which nothing was +lacking, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau tossed her head back, and walked +out of the room leaving her father and aunt in anything but an enviable +state.</p> + +<p>Herr von Schönau turned to his sister-in-law and said in a subdued but +angry tone:</p> + +<p>"Your son has been going ahead beautifully, Regine. Now Toni declares +she will be loved devotedly, too; this is the beginning of fine, +romantic ideas in her head, and Will seems to have them all down fine by +this time. I verily believe he has done his own proposing this time."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen did not heed his ironical remarks; she sat gazing +vacantly into space, but the look on her face was not pleasant to see.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you can see the comical side," she said after a pause. "I +confess I look another way."</p> + +<p>"That won't help you much," Herr von Schönau answered. "When a model son +begins to rebel, that's the end of it. It's hopeless trying to change +him, particularly when he's in love. But I am very curious to see Will +genuinely in love, and to hear what this paragon has to say for +himself."</p> + +<p>His curiosity was to be gratified at once, for just at that moment +Willibald put in an appearance.</p> + +<p>It could be seen at a glance that he had heard of his mother's arrival +and was prepared to face her. The young heir did not hang back +diffidently this time, as he had done when he hid the roses in his +pocket two months before. There was something in his bearing which told +he was prepared for combat.</p> + +<p>"There is your mother, Will," began the head forester. "You must be +greatly surprised to see her."</p> + +<p>"No, uncle, I am not," the young man answered, but he made no attempt to +approach his mother, who stood like a threatening cloud, and whose voice +was an angry growl as she asked:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you know, then, why I came?"</p> + +<p>"I imagine why, mother, even though I do not know where you obtained +your information."</p> + +<p>"The newspapers keep us advised—there, read that," and his mother +handed him the newspaper from the table. "But Toni has been here and +told us all—do you hear—all!"</p> + +<p>She spoke the last words in a tone of annihilation, but Willibald did +not seem at all disturbed by them, and answered very quietly:</p> + +<p>"Well, then, in that case, there's no need for my saying anything. +Otherwise I should have spoken to my uncle this afternoon."</p> + +<p>That was too much. Now the cloud broke with thunder and lightning, and +the storm descended with such violence upon the head of the sinning son +that there seemed nothing less for him to do than to sink into the +ground as a creature too debased to live; but he did not sink; he bent +his head before the driving tempest, and when his mother stopped a +moment—she had to take breath—he looked up quietly and said:</p> + +<p>"Mother—will you allow me to speak now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are ready to speak? That is really remarkable," Schönau +interrupted with a sneer. He felt he had not been kindly used by his +daughter and her lover. Willibald began to speak, at first hesitatingly +and slowly, but, as he went on, his voice strengthened, and his courage +returned.</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry to have grieved you, but I could do nothing else this +time. I was as innocent of any desire to fight a duel as was Marietta. +She was followed in the park by an impertinent fellow who insisted upon +pressing his attentions upon her; she was alone, unprotected. I saw what +happened and knocked the fellow down for his pains. He sent me a +challenge which I would not, and dare not decline. I have only Toni's +pardon to beg for loving Marietta, and that I did immediately upon my +arrival. She knows all, and has given me back my freedom. We understand +and respect one another much more since our betrothal is at an end, than +ever we did before."</p> + +<p>"Well, this almost passes belief," exclaimed the head forester angrily. +"We did not force you; you could have said no, either of you, if you had +desired."</p> + +<p>"Well, we do it now," Willibald answered, so decidedly and quickly that +his uncle looked at him quite bluffed. "Toni sees as well as I that a +mere marriage by arrangement is not right, and when one has felt the +bliss of loving he must marry the object of that love and no other."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen, who had recovered her breath by this time, felt +the sting of these last words. It had not entered her thoughts that one +betrothal had been broken in order that another might be arranged, but +now the fearful possibility struck her.</p> + +<p>"Marry;" she repeated, "who would you marry? Would you marry that +Marietta, that creature—"</p> + +<p>"Mother, you must learn to speak of my future wife in a different +tone—" said her son, in so earnest and decided a manner that the +enraged woman was dumbfounded. "As Toni has released me, I am at liberty +to love Marietta, and Marietta's character is blameless, of that I have +had proof. Who vexes or insults her must answer to me—even if it be my +own mother."</p> + +<p>"See, see, the boy's getting on bravely," cried the head forester, whose +sense of justice overcame for the moment his anger. But Frau von +Eschenhagen was far removed from any instinct of justice. She had +believed that her mere presence would have subdued her son, and now he +defied her in this manner. His very appearance was different, and this +enraged her the more for she realized how deep and strong was the +feeling which could thus have changed him.</p> + +<p>"I will spare you the trouble of calling your own mother to account," +she said with intense bitterness. "You are of age and are the heir of +Burgsdorf, and I cannot prevent you doing as you choose. But on the day +when you bring Marietta Volkmar to Burgsdorf—I leave it."</p> + +<p>The threat had its effect; Willibald moved back a step as he said +excitedly:</p> + +<p>"Mother, you are speaking in anger."</p> + +<p>"I speak in full earnest. As soon as an actress enters that house as +mistress, where I have lived and ruled in honor for thirty years, and +where I had hoped to lay my head down for my last, long sleep, I leave +it forever. So take her to Burgsdorf if you wish—you have your choice +between your mother and the actress."</p> + +<p>"But Regine, don't be so unreasonable," remonstrated Schönau. "You +should give the poor fellow some chance and not leave him such a hard +choice."</p> + +<p>Regine did not heed his remonstrance, she stood there, white to the very +lips, her eyes fixed upon her son. She repeated impressively:</p> + +<p>"Decide which it shall be—she or I."</p> + +<p>Willibald had grown pale, too, and an expression of deep pain lay on his +face as he said gently: "That is hard, mother. You know how dearly I +love you, and what a grief it will be to me if you should leave me. But +if you are so cruel as to leave me no option, then," he straightened +himself and finished with great decision, "then I choose Marietta."</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a +sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better +now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you +are not going to be my son-in-law."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had +built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a +wreck.</p> + +<p>She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she +would not have bent her stubborn will then.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and +turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words, +as he rose to follow her. But before they had reached the door, it was +opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly:</p> + +<p>"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes—"</p> + +<p>"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schönau sharply. "Tell +old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and—"</p> + +<p>He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in +the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone:</p> + +<p>"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schönau, but it is a sad one. I +cannot wait, but must speak with you at once."</p> + +<p>"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune +happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?"</p> + +<p>"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me. +He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck, +and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not +heard, "and my lady should come, too."</p> + +<p>"But what is it, what has happened?" cried the forester, seriously +alarmed now.</p> + +<p>The old man hesitated; he seemed not to know how to break his bad news +gently. At last he spoke.</p> + +<p>"His excellency Baron von Wallmoden is at Rodeck—and the baroness, +too."</p> + +<p>"My brother?" Regine cried apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lady. His excellency was thrown from his carriage and now he is +unconscious at Rodeck, and the physician whom we summoned in haste, says +his condition is very serious."</p> + +<p>"God help us! Moritz, we must go at once," exclaimed Regine.</p> + +<p>Schönau had already rung and he ordered horses and carriage to be got +ready at once. "And now, Stadinger, tell us how it happened."</p> + +<p>"The Herr Baron was on his way from Ostwalden to Fürstenstein," began +Stadinger. "The way lay through the Rodeck lands, not far from the +Castle. Our forester, who was in the woods close by with some of the +men, fired a couple of shots at a deer which started out of the thicket +and ran across the road just in front of His Excellency's carriage. The +horses shied and started off, and the coachman lost control of them. +The forester, who reached the road at that moment, heard the Frau +Baroness say to her husband: 'Sit still, Herbert! for God's sake, don't +move!' But the baron must have lost his head, for he stood up and made +one spring. Of course he did not know where he was going, and fell with +great force against a fallen tree. Just a few yards farther on, at a +bend in the road, the coachman succeeded in pulling up the horses. The +baroness, who was not hurt at all, only shaken a little, hastened at +once to her husband, but the poor gentleman was badly hurt, and was +unconscious. The forester and his men brought him to Rodeck. Herr +Rojanow did everything that was necessary, and then sent me in hot haste +for you!"</p> + +<p>In the presence of this new disaster, all dissensions ceased, and Toni +was summoned and orders were hastily given, and as soon as the carriage +was ready the head forester and Frau Regine hurried off. Willibald and +Stadinger followed them at once, but as they descended the stairs, the +former held back for a moment and asked in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"What did the physician say? Did you hear anything?"</p> + +<p>The old man shook his head sadly and answered in a subdued tone:</p> + +<p>"I stood by when Herr Rojanow questioned him in the hall. There is no +hope. The poor baron won't live until night."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>The little hunting lodge of Rodeck, which lay so white and silent in the +snow of that first December day, had seldom been witness to so great an +excitement as that occasioned by Baron Wallmoden's accident. It was +about noon when the two foresters appeared with their unconscious burden +in their arms. Hartmut Rojanow had seen at a glance what was to be done. +He had the injured man taken at once to Prince Adelsberg's room, sent +off a messenger for the nearest physician, and gave intelligent orders +concerning the sick man's treatment until the doctor should arrive.</p> + +<p>Then, when the physician told him there was no hope, he dispatched old +Stadinger to Fürstenstein. Frau Regine only arrived in time to see her +brother die. Wallmoden never recovered consciousness after the fearful +shock of his fall; he lay upon the bed silent and motionless, breathing +with difficulty, and recognizing no one, and an hour later all was over.</p> + +<p>Toward evening Herr von Schönau and Willibald returned to Fürstenstein. +Before starting for Rodeck a telegram had been dispatched to the embassy +telling of the accident, and now the head forester sent another +announcing its fatal termination.</p> + +<p>Fran von Eschenhagen remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. The +corpse would be taken to the city early in the morning and until then +the two women would remain with it. Adelheid, who had faced the danger +so bravely, and had done her duty, though there was little to do at her +husband's death bed, now when all was over, seemed to lose her strength. +She was bewildered by the sudden and terrible occurrence.</p> + +<p>Hartmut Rojanow stood at his window in the second story, and glanced +across the desolate, bare forest, which, with its snowy mantle, had a +ghostly, uncanny look.</p> + +<p>The night came down quickly, and the stars shed a faint light over the +tall, leafless branches. Yesterday the first snow storm of the season +had come, and everything as far as eye could reach was enveloped in an +icy mantle. The great level park before the castle was knee deep with +snow, and the broad branches of the fir trees bent to the earth with +their heavy white burden. The stars came out one by one and dotted the +heavens with their clear, quiet light, while far to the north a faint +rosy glow tinted the distant horizon like a first morning greeting in +the eastern sky. But it was night, a cold, icy winter night, upon which +no gleam of a new day could have fallen.</p> + +<p>Hartmut's eyes rested on the distant shimmer, but he heeded not its +light; all was dark and gloomy within him this night. He had not spoken +to Adelheid von Wallmoden since the memorable day in the forest, until +he met her to-day walking beside her bleeding and unconscious husband, +whom they were bearing to his death bed. The moment forbade everything +but action, and Rojanow had not attempted to enter the sick room, but +had waited outside for the physician's reports. Neither had he showed +himself when Frau von Eschenhagen appeared, but he had spoken later with +Herr von Schönau and Willibald. Now all was over, Herbert von Wallmoden +was no longer numbered among the living, and his wife, his widow, was +free!</p> + +<p>Hartmut breathed heavily at this thought, but it brought him no joy. His +feelings were changed since that hour when he had staked his all and +lost, for he loved this woman now, madly. This sudden death had showed +him the chasm which yawned between them, a chasm no less because +Adelheid's marriage bonds were broken. Her aversion had been for the man +who believed in nothing, and to whom nothing was sacred, and that man +was as great a scoffer, as great an unbeliever to-day as ever.</p> + +<p>He had pleaded for forgiveness in the character to which he had given +her name in "Arivana," but that Ada had disappeared again in the heights +above after giving her warning cry, leaving to their fate the creatures +she had exhorted, with their earthly passionate hates and loves. Hartmut +Rojanow could not force the wild blood in his veins to run in quiet +grooves, he could not bend to a life of strict and narrow duty, and he +would not! What were the use of all those gifts which he felt were his, +if they did not lift him out of the old ruts, did not raise him above +the duties and limits of the commonplace world? He knew well that those +great blue eyes urged him to follow the paths which he hated so +bitterly, and which, he told himself over and over again, he could never +take.</p> + +<p>The rosy shimmer yonder over the forest had grown deeper as it mounted +higher in the heavens. Unmovable it shone in the north, mysterious, far +and high—the great northern light in its dawning splendor!</p> + +<p>A roll of carriage wheels and sound of horses' hoofs coming at great +speed waked Hartmut from his dream. It was past nine, who could be +coming at so late an hour? Perhaps the second physician, who had been +sent for early in the day, but had not yet answered the summons; perhaps +some one from Ostwalden, where the news had been sent late. The carriage +turned into the broad road, and came on crunching and cracking over the +icy ground, and drew up under the wide porte cochere at the side of the +house. Hartmut, who was virtually master of the place, left his room +and hastened to see who had come or what was wanted.</p> + +<p>He had taken but a step or two down the stairs which led to the entrance +hall, when he stopped suddenly and held his breath with a gasp. There +sounded a voice which he had not heard for ten long years. It spoke in a +low, subdued tone, and yet he recognized it at the first word.</p> + +<p>"I come from the Prussian Embassy," the new-comer explained. "We +received the telegram early this afternoon, and I started at once. How +is he? Can I see Herr von Wallmoden?"</p> + +<p>Stadinger, who admitted the stranger, answered in a low tone. Hartmut +did not hear what he said, but could imagine from the next words:</p> + +<p>"Then I come too late!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; the Baron died this afternoon." There was a short pause, then +the stranger said:</p> + +<p>"Take me to his widow; tell her it is Colonel von Falkenried."</p> + +<p>Stadinger led the way, and a tall figure wrapped in a military cloak +followed him; the man watching on the stairs could only recognize the +contour of the figure. The two had long since disappeared in the room +beneath, and yet Hartmut stood grasping the ballister, and looking down +into the semi-darkness with vacant eyes. When Stadinger came out again, +Hartmut retraced his steps slowly to his own room.</p> + +<p>For a quarter of an hour he paced restlessly up and down. He was having +a hard, fierce struggle with himself; he had never yet bent his pride, +never been able to yield, and he must bend and bend low before this +deeply injured father; this much he knew. But the longing, the burning +longing to see and be with him again, finally gained the victory.</p> + +<p>He threw back his head with sudden decision. "No, I will be no coward. I +will not avoid him. Now that we are under the same roof, within the same +four walls, I will venture. He is my own father and I am his son!"</p> + +<p>From the castle clock of Rodeck sounded forth ten slow, heavy strokes. +Without in the forest all was still, and within was the silence of +death. The old steward and the servants had all gone to bed, as had also +Frau von Eschenhagen. She had had a long journey without rest, and one +painful excitement after another on this never-to-be-forgotten day, and +now nature demanded rest. Lights yet glimmered from a few windows, and +these belonged to Colonel von Falkenried's and Frau von Wallmoden's +rooms, which were only separated by a long, narrow ante-chamber.</p> + +<p>Falkenried was to accompany Adelheid to the city to-morrow. He had seen +her and Regine, and then had stood for a long time beside the body of +his old friend, who had parted from him with a careless good-by but +yesterday; who had been so full of plans and projects of his hopes and +ambitions for the future. Now everything was at an end. There he lay, +cold and stiff upon the bier. Falkenried stood at the window in his own +room; even this fatal accident had not moved him from his icy calm; he +had long looked upon death as a happy release. Life was hard, very +hard—but not death.</p> + +<p>He gazed out into the silent winter night. The whole northern sky was +aglow with the dark red flame which started out of the darkness like a +sheet of fire. The stars blinked faintly, as through a purple veil, and +far beneath them all the earth lay cold and white and still.</p> + +<p>Falkenried was so deeply wrapt in thought that he did not notice the +opening and closing of the door of the adjoining room. Softly his own +room door opened, but he did not look up nor see the tall figure +standing on the threshold.</p> + +<p>The Colonel still stood by the window, though his face was but half +turned toward it, and the flickering of the candle on the table shone +across it. How deep and sad were the lines around the mouth; how +fearfully furrowed the high forehead beneath the white hair. Hartmut +shuddered unconsciously—he had not thought to find the change so great +nor so painful. This man who was yet in his prime, looked old, so old. +And who had worked this change? Several minutes passed in silence, then +a sound was heard in the room, half aloud and breathless; only one word, +but that one full of inexpressible tenderness:</p> + +<p>"Father!"</p> + +<p>The colonel started as if a voice from another world had fallen on his +ear. Then he turned slowly, but with an expression as though he expected +really to see a vision from the spirit-land.</p> + +<p>Hartmut took a few quick steps forward, and then stood still. "Father, +it is I. I come—"</p> + +<p>He was silent, for now he met his father's eyes—those eyes which he so +dreaded; and meeting them, he was robbed of all courage to speak +farther. His head sank and he was silent.</p> + +<p>Every drop of blood seemed to have left the colonel's face. He had not +known that his son was under the same roof with him, and was totally +unprepared for the meeting. But he made no outcry, showed no sign either +of anger or weakness. Still and stark he stood and looked upon him who +had once been his all. At last he raised his hand slowly, and pointed +toward the door:</p> + +<p>"Go!"</p> + +<p>"Father, hear me."</p> + +<p>"Go, I say!" The order sounded threatening this time.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not go!" cried Hartmut, passionately. "I know that +reconciliation can only come in this hour. I have wronged you deeply; +how deeply, how severely, I feel now for the first time. But I was only +a boy of seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Remember that, +father, and forgive me, forgive your own son."</p> + +<p>"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear; you are no son of +mine. No one devoid of honor can be a Falkenried."</p> + +<p>The words were almost too much for Hartmut. The blood mounted hot and +wild to his brow—the brow so like his father's—and it required all his +strength to keep himself under control.</p> + +<p>The two believed themselves to be alone in the silence of the night, for +all in the castle had retired to rest. They did not know that they had a +witness. Adelheid von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that +sleep would not come to her eyes, which had witnessed the dreadful +accident which left her a widow. Still clad in the dark traveling dress +which she had worn on that fateful journey, she sat in her room, when +the colonel's voice sounded on her ear. With whom could he be speaking +at that late hour? He knew no one, and yet his voice had a strange, +threatening sound. Puzzled and uneasy, the tired woman rose and stepped +into the ante-chamber which separated the two rooms, to see who it was. +She had no desire to overhear any conversation. She had a nervous +feeling that something new might have happened. Then a voice which she +knew only too well, said "Father," and that one word revealed to her +what the next few words confirmed. Like one possessed she stood still +and listened to all which came to her through the half-opened door.</p> + +<p>"You make this hour very hard, father," Hartmut said, laboring to +control his voice, "but I think I hardly expected anything else. +Wallmoden has told you about me, I feel sure, and what I have sought, +and how I have succeeded. I bring you the poet's wreath, father, the +first which has fallen to my share. Learn to know my work, let it speak +to you, then you will realize how impossible it was for a man of my +temperament to live and breathe under the restrictions of a profession +which was death to every poetic feeling; then you will forgive your +unruly son for his boyish trick."</p> + +<p>Hartmut Rojanow was himself again, and spoke with his old domineering +pride. His arrogant self-consciousness clung to him even in this hour. +He was the author of "Arivana," who acknowledged neither obligation nor +duty.</p> + +<p>"The boyish trick," said Falkenried in a harder voice than ever. "Yes, +that's what they called it in order to make it possible for me to remain +in the service. I called it something else, and many of my comrades with +me. You would soon have been an ensign, in a few weeks you would have +been fleeing from the flag you had sworn to defend—I have never known +such another case. You had been well and carefully educated and I had +striven to instill into your mind the keenest sense of honor. You knew +only too well what you did, you were no longer a boy. He who flees like +a thief in the night from the service of his country is a deserter; he +breaks his word and he does not know what honor means. That is what you +did! But it comes easy for you, and such as you, to do such things."</p> + +<p>Hartmut bit his lips and his whole body trembled at these merciless +words. His voice had a hollow, half suffocated sound as he answered:</p> + +<p>"Listen, father, I cannot bear that. I have bowed before you, have plead +for forgiveness, and you drive me from you. It is the same cruel +hardness with which you once drove my mother away. It was your severity +alone which was accountable for her erratic life after you thrust her +from you and for mine through hers."</p> + +<p>The colonel folded his arms and an expression of withering contempt +played round his lips.</p> + +<p>"And you heard all this from her own lips? Possibly! No woman falls so +low that she reveals to her son the disgraceful truths of her life. I +would not soil your soul at that time with the truth, for you were yet +innocent and pure. Now you will understand me when I say that my honor +demanded the separation from your mother. The man who had stained it +fell by my hand, and she, as you know—I put her from me."</p> + +<p>Hartmut grew deadly pale at this revelation. He had never known this, +never dreamed of such a thing, had in fact, believed that it was his +father's cruel disposition which had separated husband and wife.</p> + +<p>The image of his mother whom he had so dearly loved, was suddenly and +ruthlessly despoiled of its purity and its charm, and in its place came +the desolating conviction that she whom he had trusted and followed had +been his destruction.</p> + +<p>"I would have protected you from the poisonous atmosphere of such an +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! Even without her +persuasion you were lost to me. You had your mother's features, and it +was her blood which flowed in your veins, and sooner or later you were +bound to come to your own. You became what you are—a homeless +adventurer who knows neither fatherland nor honor!"</p> + +<p>"That is too much!" cried Hartmut, almost wild now. "I will not be so +insulted by any one, not even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I will go, but the world will judge otherwise +than you. It has already crowned me, and I will force from it the +recognition which my own father denies me."</p> + +<p>The colonel looked at his son, and there was something frightful in his +glance; then he said, slowly and distinctly, in his icy tone:</p> + +<p>"Better be careful that the world does not learn that the 'laurel +crowned poet' was suborned in Paris for over two years—as a spy."</p> + +<p>Hartmut started back as though shot.</p> + +<p>"I? in Paris? you must be out of your mind."</p> + +<p>Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously:</p> + +<p>"Still acting a comedy? you need give yourself no trouble; I know all. +Wallmoden laid before me the proofs of the game which Zalika Rojanow and +her son played in Paris. I know the sources from which the money came on +which you lived after she had lost her fortune. She was greatly sought +after for her peculiar accomplishments, for she was very skillful. He +who paid the highest price—secured her services!"</p> + +<p>Hartmut was completely overwhelmed.</p> + +<p>This then was the solution of Wallmoden's riddle. He had not understood +the ambassador, and had thought his insinuations of a different nature.</p> + +<p>He could understand his mother's hypocrisy now, her evasions, her kisses +and flatteries when he pressed her with questions. This last was indeed +the worst of all—and the last vestige of respect for her who had borne +him died within him as he listened to his father's recital.</p> + +<p>The silence which ensued was awful. It continued for several minutes, +and when Hartmut spoke again his voice seemed to have lost all sound, +and the words came brokenly—scarcely audibly—from his lips:</p> + +<p>"And you believe that I—that I—knew it?"</p> + +<p>"I do," the colonel answered shortly.</p> + +<p>"Father, you cannot, you must not believe that, it would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had not the +slightest premonition of such a disgrace. I believed that part of our +fortune was saved, I did indeed—you must believe that, father."</p> + +<p>"No, you did not," responded Falkenried, more coldly than ever. Hartmut +threw himself upon his knees.</p> + +<p>"Father, by all that is sacred in heaven and earth—oh, do not, do not +look at me that way—you will drive me mad. Father, I give you my word +of honor—"</p> + +<p>A wild, hideous laugh from his father interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Your word of honor—you gave that at Burgsdorf. Let us end this comedy; +you cannot deceive me. You leave me with one lie, you return to me with +another. You have become the genuine son of your mother. Go your own +way, and I'll go mine. But one thing I tell you, I command you! Never +venture to connect the name of Falkenried with the dishonored name of +Rojanow. Never let the world know who you are. Remember this warning, +otherwise my blood be upon your head—for I will make an end of it all."</p> + +<p>With a cry of despair, Hartmut sprang up and would have rushed to his +father, but the latter held him back with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think that I love life. I have borne it because I must, and +I felt that it was my duty. But there is a point where duty ends, you +know it now—so act accordingly."</p> + +<p>He turned his back to his son and stepped again to the window. Hartmut +spoke no word; in silence he turned and left the apartment.</p> + +<p>The ante-chamber was not lighted, but the dim, distant light from the +northern sky fell upon the face of a woman, who stood pale as death near +the window, and whose eyes gazed with a look of indescribable anguish at +the face of the miserable man who entered the room. He saw her, and a +single glance told him that she knew all. His cup was full! The woman +whom he loved had been a witness to his terrible humiliation.</p> + +<p>Hartmut never knew how he succeeded in leaving the castle; he only knew +that he was suffocating within four walls and must have air. But when he +realized where he was and who he was, he was lying in the deep snow at +the foot of an old fir tree. It was night in the forest, a cold, icy +night, the heavens were illuminated with a deep red glow which centered +in the north and sent up its long, gleaming sheet of flame.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was summer again, the sultry July days were half over.</p> + +<p>The forest trees cast long, cool shadows from their green and sombre +depths, while the sunbeams danced in and out among the branches through +all the silent, bright days.</p> + +<p>Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, had been empty and deserted until within +the past few days, when the young widow, accompanied by her +sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen, had arrived. Adelheid had left the +South German capital soon after her husband's death, and had gone to her +old home accompanied by her brother, who had hastened to her side as +soon as he heard of the sad accident. Her short marriage had only lasted +eight months and now in her twentieth year she wore the weeds of +widowhood.</p> + +<p>Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. She had +never changed her ultimatum regarding her return to Burgsdorf, and it is +needless to add, Willibald had not changed. Adelheid asked her to go +home with her and she had gone, feeling that her threat had as yet borne +no fruit.</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen believed she could effect a revolution of feeling +in Willibald's heart by this move. But his newly acquired firmness had +not been fleeting, though he tried every argument to persuade his mother +to return to Burgsdorf and to think kindly of his future wife—but all +to no purpose. Regine had no thought of yielding an inch, and now, +mother and son had not seen one another for many months.</p> + +<p>There had been no formal betrothal to Marietta. Willibald felt that he +owed his cousin and uncle the consideration of not having a second +betrothal follow so closely upon the first. Then Marietta's contract +with the Court theatre bound her for the next six months, and as her +engagement was a secret there, it was thought advisable to keep it so +until she had left the theatre forever. The young singer had but just +returned to her grandfather's house, where Willibald was also expected +soon. Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing of all this, or she would hardly +have accepted an invitation which brought her into the neighborhood of +Waldhofen.</p> + +<p>The day had been hot and sunny, but the late afternoon hours brought a +refreshing breeze, and swayed the drooping branches of the trees which +overhung and shaded the road leading from Ostwalden through the Rodeck +forest. Along this road, two men were trotting their horses; the one in +gray jacket and hunting cap was the head forester, Herr von Schönau, the +other in a light summer riding suit, which set off his slender figure +to advantage, was Prince Adelsberg. They had met accidentally, and soon +discovered that they were bound for the same place.</p> + +<p>"I did not dream of meeting your Highness here," said Schönau. "I +understood you were not coming to Rodeck at all this summer. I saw +Stadinger day before yesterday and he certainly didn't expect you then."</p> + +<p>"Stadinger made a great hue and cry because I came upon him so +unexpectedly," answered the prince. "To hear him you'd think it was his +own castle and I was intruding. And then I walked from the station, and +he considered that a most undignified proceeding. But the heat at Ostend +was unbearable; the sun just poured down on the strand, and an +irresistible longing came over me for my own cool forest home. Thank the +Lord, I am rid of the heat and noise of that Babel at last."</p> + +<p>His Highness had not cared in this instance to tell the truth. A certain +attraction in his immediate neighborhood, of which he heard +accidentally, had started him from the North Sea at a moment's notice. +Stadinger in a report which he sent his master concerning certain +matters at Rodeck, had mentioned that preparations were being made at +Ostwalden for the reception of the young widow. And it was in +consequence of his own gossipy letter that the steward was disagreeably +surprised by the prince's sudden appearance. The head forester seemed +somewhat sceptical about the prince's fancy for his "cool forest home," +for he said banteringly:</p> + +<p>"Then I am greatly surprised that our Court remains so long at Ostend. +The duke and duchess are there, and Princess Sophie with a royal niece, +a kinswoman of her late husband, I hear."</p> + +<p>"Yes, with her niece." Prince Egon turned suddenly and looked at his +companion.</p> + +<p>"Herr von Schönau, I see you are about to congratulate me. If you do +I'll demand satisfaction on the spot, right here in the middle of the +forest."</p> + +<p>"I don't intend to get into any difficulty with you," laughed his +hearer. "But the papers speak very openly of an impending betrothal at +Court, and that the duchess and Princess Sophie are charmed with the +prospect."</p> + +<p>"My beloved aunt has many desires which I fear will never be gratified," +said the prince, coolly. "Her obedient nephew doesn't always fall in +with her views, and that's the case in this affair. I went to Ostend +because I had to; in other words, because the duke invited me, and I +could not refuse; but the air did not agree with me, and I prize my +health above all things. I didn't feel well from the first, so at last I +resolved—"</p> + +<p>"To break loose," interrupted the head forester. "That was very like +your highness, but how will you calm your kinsfolk at Court?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I can make it all right with them if they feel aggrieved. As +far as that goes," continued the prince, with seeming frankness, "I made +up my mind last winter to spend part of the summer here, and when +Stadinger wrote me that some alterations were going on, I determined to +come on to Rodeck myself to superintend them."</p> + +<p>"Superintend the putting up of a new chimney?" questioned the head +forester in surprise. "The old one smoked last winter, so Stadinger +determined to put in a new one, but that don't require any attention +from you."</p> + +<p>"What does Stadinger know about it ?" said the prince angrily. He wished +the "old bear" would hold his tongue about what went on at Rodeck. "I +have many changes in view. We are pretty near our destination, I see."</p> + +<p>With that he started his horse on at a faster gait, and the head +forester followed his example, for Ostwalden lay before them. The great +building which Herr von Wallmoden would have made so magnificent, had he +lived, was an old, rambling castle, with two high towers, one on either +side, which gave the building a very picturesque appearance, surrounded +as it was by a wild, partially overgrown park. The present mistress of +the place, so it was said, intended to make few changes, but she would +not sell the place. What mattered a country-seat more or less to the +heiress of the Stahlberg millions.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen found on their arrival that Frau von Wallmoden was walking +in the park, and Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The young prince +announced that he would seek the lady of the house, while the head +forester turned his steps toward his sister-in-law's room.</p> + +<p>He had not seen Regine since the previous winter. As he entered the room +he said in his wonted hearty manner:</p> + +<p>"Here I am. I didn't think it worth while being announced to my +sister-in-law, although she does avoid my house with contempt. I don't +believe in hunting pretexts for quarrels, so have ridden over in this +hot sun to have an explanation."</p> + +<p>Regine reached out her hand to him. A passing glance would reveal no +change in her in these last six or seven months; she was the same +strong, determined woman as ever. But there was a change, nevertheless. +Heretofore her severity and harshness had always been tempered by a +certain winning cheerfulness, but that was gone now. She had not +yielded, but—she had suffered. She was estranged, perhaps forever, from +her only son, who was the idol of her mother's heart.</p> + +<p>"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she said heartily. "I knew you +would be true to the old friendship in spite of all that you and your +daughter were made to suffer; but of course it is very painful for me to +go to Fürstenstein; you must see that."</p> + +<p>"On account of the broken engagement? Well you can console yourself +about that. You saw and heard at the time how good naturedly Toni took +the matter. She played the <i>rôle</i> of guardian angel much better than +that of sweetheart, and she wrote you several times that she had no +regrets and so did I. But, I am sorry to say, our assurances have +amounted to nothing."</p> + +<p>"No, but I know how to appreciate your rare generosity."</p> + +<p>"Rare generosity!" repeated her brother-in-law laughing. "Well, perhaps +a jilted bride and her father do not always want to speak a good word +for a recreant lover, but that is not the case this time, and who knows +but we may be able to persuade the mother to see as we do. Toni and I +have both remarked that Will never was a man until now, and +that—forgive me, Regine, but I must say it—he owes his manhood to +little Marietta."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen's brow darkened at this remark; she did not see fit +to answer it though, but showed that she wanted to avoid further +discussion by asking, in a changed tone:</p> + +<p>"Has Toni come back yet? I heard from Adelheid that she had been +visiting in the city, but was expected any day."</p> + +<p>Herr von Schönau, who in the meantime had ensconced himself in a +comfortable chair, answered:</p> + +<p>"Yes, she came home yesterday—and with an escort, too. She brought a +young man with her who was to be her future husband, she declared, and +as he declared so too, with great positiveness, there was nothing left +me but to say, yes and Amen."</p> + +<p>"What's that? Toni engaged again?" exclaimed Frau Regine in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this time she did it all herself. I knew nothing of it. But you +see, she took it into her head that she must be loved to distraction; +nothing less romantic would do for her. Well, Herr von Walldorf seems to +answer all her requirements. He related to me with the greatest +satisfaction how he fell on his knees and assured her he could not live +without her, and how she gave him a similar touching assurance, with +more to the same effect. Yes, Regine, the day has gone by when we can +keep the children in leading strings. When they get ready, they want to +choose their own partners for life and I must say they're not far +wrong."</p> + +<p>The last sentence was uttered with seeming carelessness, but Regine +understand it fully. Thoughtfully she repeated:</p> + +<p>"Walldorf? The name is strange to me. When did Toni meet him?"</p> + +<p>"He is a friend of my son and came home with him on his last visit. As a +result of that visit, I met the mother, and she invited Toni to spend a +few weeks with her, and that's where all the courting was done. But I +have no reason to feel dissatisfied. Walldorf's a handsome fellow, and +lively, and head over heels in love; he seems a little light and frothy +now, but that will disappear when he gets a sensible wife like Toni. +These model sons are not always to my taste; they get too skittish when +they break loose. We have an example of that in Will. Walldorf will +resign in the Autumn. I won't have my Toni marrying a lieutenant; I will +buy them an estate and they will be married at Christmas."</p> + +<p>"I am greatly rejoiced on Toni's account," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +heartily. "You take a great load from my heart by this news."</p> + +<p>"And now," said the head forester, nodding to her, "you should follow my +example and take a load from the heart of another betrothed couple. Be +reasonable, Regine, and give in. Little Marietta is a dear, good girl, +if she has sung in a theatre. Every one speaks highly of her. You need +never be ashamed of your daughter-in-law."</p> + +<p>Regine rose suddenly and pushed her chair back with a violent movement.</p> + +<p>"I beg you, Moritz, once for all, to spare me such requests. I will +stand by my word. Willibald knows the conditions under which I shall +return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfill them, we are better apart."</p> + +<p>"It will be a long time before he will do that," said her +brother-in-law, dryly. "When a man is asked to abandon the woman he +loves for a mother's whim, he's not apt to do it if he's made of the +right stuff."</p> + +<p>"You express yourself very freely," said Frau Regine, angrily. "But what +does a man know of a mother's love or of the gratitude of children? You +are all an ungrateful, heedless, selfish—"</p> + +<p>"Hold! I have something to say for my own sex," von Schönau began +excitedly. Suddenly, however, he leaned forward and said in a changed +tone:</p> + +<p>"We haven't seen each other for seven months, Regine, so don't let's +quarrel the very first day we meet. We can do that any time, you know. +We won't discuss that obstinate heir of Burgsdorf, but speak of +ourselves. How do you like life in the city? To me you hardly seem +contented."</p> + +<p>"I am very well contented," declared Regine with great decision. "All I +miss is the work; I am not accustomed to an idle life."</p> + +<p>"Of course you miss it. You always have been at the head of a great +establishment, and that's where you should be now, so I—"</p> + +<p>"Don't begin again, I beg you."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't mean Burgsdorf this time," said von Schönau, looking down +at his riding boots. "I only meant—you're all alone in the city, and +I'm all alone at Fürstenstein, and when Toni marries, it will be very +weary. Would it not be better—oh, I've said it all to you +before—perhaps you won't, perhaps you have a better offer in view, +but—wouldn't it be better to have a triple instead of a double +marriage?"</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen looked darkly on the ground and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, Moritz, I never was less in the humor for marrying than now."</p> + +<p>"Another refusal !" cried the head forester impatiently. "This makes the +second time. First you would not have me because you had your son and +your beloved Burgsdorf to look after, now you won't have me because you +are not in the humor. Humors have nothing to do with marrying, only +common sense; but when a woman hasn't any sense, and is too stubborn +to—"</p> + +<p>"You're in a very flattering mood, I must say," interrupted Regine, +thoroughly aroused now. "It would be a very peaceful marriage, with you +wagging your sharp tongue all the time."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be peaceful. I never expected that," Schönau declared, "but +neither would it be monotonous. I believe we could endure one another. +Now, once for all, Regine, will you have me or will you not?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't care to enter into a marriage of endurance."</p> + +<p>"So be it!" cried the head forester, furious now as he jumped up and +seized his hat. "If it gives you such pleasure to be eternally saying +no, why say it. Willibald will marry and he is right, and now I'll do +everything to hurry on his marriage just to annoy you." So saying he +left the room in a violent temper, slamming the door behind him as he +went, while Frau Regine remained behind equally irritated. These two +were apparently fated to quarrel whenever they met; it seemed a +necessity of their natures, but no quarrel was so bitter that peace +could not be established at their next meeting.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Prince Adelsberg had found Frau von Wallmoden in the +park. He begged her to continue her walk, and now the two were +sauntering under the cool dark shadows of the great lindens, whose +spreading branches protected them from the sun's rays, which beat down +so fiercely on the neighboring meadows.</p> + +<p>Egon had not seen the young wife since her husband's death. He had made +a formal visit of condolence at that time, but Eugen Stahlberg had +received him in his sister's stead, and immediately after the brother +and sister had left for the North. Adelheid still wore deep mourning, +but Prince Egon thought the sombre attire and black veil under which her +fair hair gleamed like a halo, only enhanced her beauty.</p> + +<p>His glance frequently sought the fair young face, and each time he asked +himself what change had come over it; he felt there was a change, but +could not define wherein it lay. Egon had only seen her when her cold, +proud reserve held every one in check. Now all coldness had disappeared, +he saw and felt it, and yet there seemed a mystery about her which he +could not unravel.</p> + +<p>She could not be grieving for a husband old enough to be her father, +who, even had he been nearer her own age, was of a cold, guarded nature, +and could not inspire the love of a fresh young girl. And yet there was +something in the face which told of sorrow, of a deep and voiceless woe.</p> + +<p>"If this icy exterior could be broken through one would find warmth and +life beneath," Prince Egon had declared more than once, half jestingly. +Now this transformation had been partially effected, slowly, almost +imperceptibly. But this soft, half-pained expression, which had taken +the place of the haughty, cold one, this sorrowful glance, gave the +young widow the one charm which had been lacking—gentleness.</p> + +<p>The conversation had been about trifling every-day matters, inquiries +and answers concerning the court and the harmless gossip of the day. +Egon repeated the story he had already related to the head forester +about the heat of Ostend, and his desire for solitude in his little +woodland home. His listener's fleeting smile showed him that she was as +incredulous as Herr von Schönau had been; perhaps she too had read the +newspaper statements concerning the royal niece at Ostend. He was angry, +and was puzzling his brain to know how he could broach the subject, and +correct the error into which the papers had led her, when Adelheid asked +suddenly:</p> + +<p>"Will your highness be alone all summer at Rodeck? Last year you had a +guest with you."</p> + +<p>A shadow darkened the prince's face, and he forgot the correction which +he was about to make concerning his reported betrothal.</p> + +<p>"You mean Hartmut Rojanow ?" he said very seriously. "He will scarcely +join me; he is in Sicily at present, or was, at least, a couple of +months ago. Since then I have not heard from him, and don't even know +where to write."</p> + +<p>Frau von Wallmoden stooped to pluck a flower which grew in her way, as +she said quietly:</p> + +<p>"I believed you were in constant correspondence with one another."</p> + +<p>"I hoped to be when we parted, but the fault is not on my side. Hartmut +has become an unsolvable riddle to me lately. You witnessed the +glittering success of his 'Arivana' on that first night; which success +has been repeated in many cities since then; the drama has fairly taken +the people by storm, and the poet who has done it all flees from the +world, even from me, and buries himself, God knows where. I cannot +understand it. Upon my soul, I cannot understand it."</p> + +<p>Adelheid plucked the petals of her flower as they walked on slowly, then +said in a low tone, as she looked with intense interest into the +prince's face:</p> + +<p>"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?"</p> + +<p>"In the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to Rodeck +to spend a few days; that was immediately after 'Arivana' was brought +out. I thought it was a whim of the moment and said little, but suddenly +he came back to me in the city in a state of excitement which fairly +frightened me, and announced that he was going to leave Germany and +travel. He wouldn't listen to reason, wouldn't answer a question, and +was off like a thunder-bolt. He had been gone weeks before I heard from +him again; since then I have had some letters, few and far between. He +was in Greece for several months, then he went to Sicily, and now for +two months I have been waiting anxiously for news."</p> + +<p>Egon spoke in an anxious tone. No need to ask how painfully this +separation from his dearest friend affected him.</p> + +<p>He little knew that the woman by his side could have solved the riddle +for him. She knew what drove poor, unsatisfied Hartmut from land to +land, knew the blemish that soiled the poet's name. This was the first +news she had heard of him since that fatal night at Rodeck, when all had +been revealed to her.</p> + +<p>"I presume poets are formed of different clay from common mortals," she +said slowly, as she scattered the leaves before her. "That's the only +reason one can ascribe for their vagaries."</p> + +<p>The young prince shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p>"No, it is not that; his peculiarities spring from some other source. I +have felt confident for a long time that there is something dark and +mysterious in Hartmut's life, but I never could ascertain what it was. +He would allow no allusions to his past. I have often broached the +subject, but he resented all reference to it. There seems to be a +veritable sword of Damocles hanging over him, and when in some happy +moment he thinks he has escaped, he looks up, and there it hangs as +usual gleaming above his head. I was more impressed than ever with that +idea when he last parted from me, he was so excited—almost +insane—nothing could hold him back. I cannot tell you how sad I am +about him. For more than two years we lived together. I learnt to know +and appreciate his warm heart, and responsive, genial nature. Now +everything is desolate and dreary without him, and all the rich coloring +seems to have gone out of my life."</p> + +<p>They had reached the limit of the park and remained standing for a +moment now. Before them lay a long stretch of meadow with a hot +afternoon sun streaming down on it, while a background of forest-clad +mountains rose high and green in the distance. Adelheid had listened +silently, and now her sad glance rested on the far mountain heights. +Suddenly she turned and held out her hand to her companion.</p> + +<p>"I believe you to be a very self-sacrificing friend. Herr Rojanow should +not desert so true a comrade. Perhaps you could save him from +this—sword of Damocles."</p> + +<p>Egon could hardly credit his senses.</p> + +<p>This warm hand pressure, the sad, tender glance from the eyes brimming +with tears, and the almost passionate earnestness with which she spoke, +surprised and enchanted him. He grasped her hand and pressed it with +fervor to his lips.</p> + +<p>"If I could ever do anything for Hartmut, I would do it gladly. Rest +assured your plea for him will spur me on. While I am here you must +allow me the neighborly privilege of coming to Ostwalden frequently. Do +not say no for I am all alone at Rodeck, and I came here solely for the +purpose—"</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly, feeling that the time had not yet come when he +could reveal to her why he had come, and he saw that no such confession +would avail him now. Adelheid drew her hand back quickly, and stepped +back; for a moment the old icy manner was upon her again.</p> + +<p>"Of avoiding the heat and noise of Ostend; so you have already +explained." She said very coldly.</p> + +<p>"That was only a pretext," responded the prince earnestly. "I left +Ostend because of certain reports which were being circulated concerning +me. When I saw myself figuring in the newspapers, I determined to make +an end of it. These reports were altogether groundless, as far as I was +concerned. I give you my word for it, Baroness."</p> + +<p>He had at least taken advantage of this opportunity to explain how +untrue were all rumors concerning his engagement to his aunt Sophie's +niece. Frau von Wallmoden was distant and formal as she replied:</p> + +<p>"Why does your Highness deem it necessary to make this declaration to +me? It was only a report, I fancy. It is understood, I believe, that you +have resolved never to give up your freedom. I think we must return to +the castle now? You say my brother-in-law has come with you, and I must +see him."</p> + +<p>Egon turned with her, and as they sauntered back resumed his light, +gossipy chatter. As soon as possible he made some excuse for leaving, +and as Adelheid bade him good-bye, she gave him a courteous invitation +to call again, and that was to him the important thing.</p> + +<p>"My cursed hastiness!" he muttered, as he rode away. "I'll keep away for +a couple of weeks. As soon as any one approaches a step near, she turns +into ice again"—but here the prince's face lighted—"but the ice is +beginning to melt. I saw it and felt it in her tone and glance. I will +have patience—the prize is worth a struggle!"</p> + +<p>Egon von Adelsberg little thought that every glance, every tone had been +inspired by the memory of another, and that the invitation to repeat his +visit had only been spoken because the fair chatelaine of Ostwalden +hoped to hear from her guest the news of a distant wanderer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>It was midsummer in the warm and pleasant month of July, when the world, +which lay in such dreamy, peaceful repose, was suddenly awakened in +affright as from a deep sleep. From the Rhine to the sea and back again +to the Alps, there blazed an unearthly lightning flash followed by +distant thunder-roar, and from the west the heavy war cloud descended +upon the land; while the cry of "War! War! War with France!" re-echoed +throughout all Germany.</p> + +<p>It came like a whirlwind upon the South Germans,—tearing men from their +homes, changing plans so carefully laid, and parting many who made them, +forever. Where all had been so calm but one short week before, +everything was now confusion and excitement. At Fürstenstein where the +daughter of the house was happy with her lover, all was bustle now, for +the lover must leave at once to join his regiment. At Waldhofen where +Willibald was expected, he appeared suddenly in hot haste to spend with +Marietta the few days which intervened before he marched to the front. +At Ostwalden, Adelheid was making hasty preparations to start for the +North, in order that she might clasp her brother once more in her arms, +before he, too, joined the troops. Prince Adelsberg had left at the +first sound, and was in the city as soon as the duke. The world had +changed its face altogether in a few short hours.</p> + +<p>Willibald was in the little garden of Waldhofen, speaking earnestly and +impressively to the old doctor, who sat upon the rustic bench, but who +hardly seemed persuaded by the younger man's eloquence.</p> + +<p>"But, Will, it seems very precipitate," he said, shaking his head, +"your betrothal to Marietta has never been made public, and now you are +going to be married. What will the world say?"</p> + +<p>"Under existing circumstances the world will say it was the proper thing +to do," Will answered, emphatically. "Though we need not care what it +says. I must go to the war, and it is my duty to make Marietta's future +secure before I go. I couldn't endure the thought that she'd have to +return to the stage if I should die, nor be left to the tender mercies +of my mother; the fortune which I shall inherit is in her hands, and she +will guard it carefully. I have only the estate of Burgsdorf, which if I +should die, goes to a distant branch of the family. According to the old +family law and custom, however, the widow of the heir has a rich dower. +I want Marietta to have my name, and I can then go to the field feeling +assured that her future will be well provided for."</p> + +<p>He spoke quietly but with determination. The indifferent, dull +Willibald, was not to be recognized in this energetic man, who knew what +he wanted, could give clear, sound reasons, and was determined to have +his wishes fulfilled. He had gone through a hard but thorough school in +these last six months in which he had been alone. He had had to fight +against many obstacles, but the manliness and independence within him +had asserted themselves for all time. Even in appearance he was changed +for the better, and the head forester was right when he said that Will +was a man at last.</p> + +<p>Dr. Volkmar could not say him nay; he knew, alas, only too well, if that +war took Marietta's lover from her, she would be friendless, penniless +and alone, and a load was lifted from his heart at the thought of her +future being assured. He made no further objections, but only said:</p> + +<p>"And what does Marietta say? Is she willing?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. We decided the question last evening, after my arrival. I +didn't alarm her by telling her I might be killed, or bother her with +anything of that kind. There will be time enough for that should +anything serious happen, but I did tell her that if I was wounded my +wife could come to me and nurse me. That decided the matter. We will +have a very quiet wedding, of course."</p> + +<p>The young fellow's face clouded over as he spoke, and he sighed deeply.</p> + +<p>"No, we don't care to have a gay wedding when the mother's blessing +cannot follow the bridal pair to the altar. Have you really done +everything you can, Will?"</p> + +<p>"Everything," Willibald answered, earnestly. "Do you think it is a light +matter to do without my mother on such a day? But she left me no choice, +and I must bear it. I must take the necessary steps at once. I had the +forethought to bring such papers as were needed with me."</p> + +<p>"And do you think it possible to have all the arrangements for the +marriage made in a few days?" asked the Doctor, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. I will attend to all the formalities that are necessary, so +that there will be no difficulty. As soon as we are married, Marietta +will go with me to Berlin, where we will stay until I am ordered to the +field, then she can return to you."</p> + +<p>Dr. Volkmar rose and held out his hand, saying:</p> + +<p>"You are right, it is the best thing to do under the circumstances. +Well! well! my singing-bird, so you are willing to be married off-hand +as this lover of yours wishes?"</p> + +<p>The question was put to Marietta, who had joined them at the moment. Her +face bore traces of recent tears, but her eyes lighted with a smile as +Willibald clasped her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"I won't be long away from you, and you are willing, are you not?"</p> + +<p>The old man's glance was half of pain, half of pleasure, as he thought +how little these two knew of life and its dark shadows, which had closed +in around him so long ago. He said in a trembling tone, "Well, marry, +and God be with you! I give you my blessing from the bottom of my +heart."</p> + +<p>The simple preparations were to be made with all speed, and the marriage +to take place as soon as possible. Willibald, to whom the head forester +had already confided his daughter's engagement, felt that there was no +need of delay now, out of respect to his cousin Toni.</p> + +<p>Toward evening Dr. Volkmar went to visit some patients, and the +betrothed pair, who had had but little opportunity to see one another, +settled themselves for a long, quiet talk. The future was dim and +fraught with fear and dread, but the present belonged to them, and in +that thought there was happiness despite everything.</p> + +<p>They whispered together in the shaded room, talking the old sweet +lovers' talk, and so thoroughly absorbed in one another that they failed +to hear some one cross the hall with slow, hesitating steps. Then the +rustle of a woman's gown attracted their attention, and they looked up +and sprang to their feet as they looked.</p> + +<p>"My mother!" cried Will in an alarmed but joyous tone, putting his arm +around Marietta as he spoke, as though to protect her, for his mother's +face wore its hardest, most forbidding look. Without appearing to notice +the young girl she turned her face to her son.</p> + +<p>"I heard from Adelheid that you were here," said she in a hard, dry +tone, "and I thought I would come and ask you how things were going on +at Burgsdorf. Who have you left in your place during your absence? No +one can tell how long the campaign will last."</p> + +<p>The joyful expression on her son's face disappeared; he had hoped for +another greeting from his mother's unexpected appearance.</p> + +<p>"I have provided for possibilities as well as I could," he answered. +"The greater part of the people will have to go, too, and the inspector +is off already; there is no question of substitutes now. So the work +will be, of necessity, limited, and old Merton can oversee it."</p> + +<p>"Merton's an old sheep," said Regine, in her most decided tone. "If he +has the reins, things will come to a pretty pass at Burgsdorf. There's +nothing else for it, but for me to go and see to it."</p> + +<p>"What! You will go?" Willibald cried, but his mother cut him off +sharply.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I'd let everything you own go to ruin while you were in +the field? Burgsdorf will be safe in my hands, you know that. I have had +charge for many a long year, and I'll take my old place until you +return."</p> + +<p>She still spoke in a hard, cold tone, as if she would stifle all warm +feelings, but now Will took his sweetheart in his arms and came close to +her.</p> + +<p>"For my worldly possessions, mother, you have a care," he said +reprovingly. "But for the best and dearest I possess you have neither +word nor glance. Have you really only come to say you will return to +Burgsdorf?"</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen's lips trembled; she could retain her forced +composure no longer.</p> + +<p>"I came to see my only son once more before he went to the war, perhaps +to meet his death," she said with painful bitterness. "I had to learn +from others that he was come to take leave of his future wife, but not +to take leave of his mother, and that—that I could not endure."</p> + +<p>"We were coming!" cried the young heir, excitedly. "We were coming +before we left here to make one last attempt to win your heart. See, +mother, here is my love, my Marietta—she waits for a friendly word from +you."</p> + +<p>Regine gave a long look at the lovers, and a pained expression passed +over her face as she saw her son draw Marietta's head down on his +breast, while the girl's happy, blushing face spoke of trust and love +never to be shaken. Motherly jealousy had a last, sharp struggle against +her better nature, and then, conquered by love and justice, disappeared +forever. Frau von Eschenhagen stretched out her hand to the young +maiden.</p> + +<p>"I have grieved you sorely, Marietta," she said half aloud, "and have +done you great injustice, but you have repaid me by taking my boy from +me, my boy, who loved no one but his mother until he met you, and now +loves none but you. I believe that makes us quits."</p> + +<p>"O, Will loves his mother as much as ever," cried Marietta eagerly. "I +know only too well how much this separation has cost him."</p> + +<p>"Well, there, we will have to endure one another on his account," Regine +responded, with an attempt at joking which was far from successful. "We +will both be anxious enough about him in the days to come, when he is in +the field—ah," with a deep sigh, "there'll be sorrow and care enough +then. What do you say, child? I believe we'll bear it better together."</p> + +<p>She held out both arms, and in the next moment Marietta lay sobbing upon +her breast. There were tears in the mother's eyes, too, as she leaned +over to kiss her future daughter. Then she said in her natural sturdy +tone:</p> + +<p>"Do not weep. Keep your head in the air, Marietta. A soldier's +sweetheart must be brave, remember that."</p> + +<p>"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, as his face grew bright. "She +is to be a soldier's wife before I march."</p> + +<p>"Then Marietta will belong by right to Burgsdorf," said the mother, +seemingly not at all surprised at this news, which she took very kindly. +"No demurrers, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing farther +to do with Waldhofen except to visit her grandfather. Or perhaps you are +afraid of the stern mother-in-law? Ah, I know you think he will protect +you," with a nod toward her son, "although he is not at home. He would +even declare war against his own mother if she didn't meet his little +wife with open arms."</p> + +<p>"But she will always do that, I know it," exclaimed her son, with a +happy laugh. "When my mother once opens her heart, then everything she +does is right."</p> + +<p>"Ah, now you can flatter," said Regine with a reproving glance. "You +will come to your future home at once, Marietta! As to the management of +affairs, you need not bother your head about that. I'll take care of +everything, for a little thing like you wouldn't know where to begin, +and candidly, I wouldn't allow any one to have a voice in the management +of Burgsdorf while I lived there. If I decide to live elsewhere that's +another matter; but I can see already that Will will want you to live +like a princess all your days. I can but pray that he'll return to us +whole and sound."</p> + +<p>She threw her arms around her son and they embraced more warmly than +they had ever done in their lives before.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later, the head forester, coming in hastily to see +the old doctor, found the three in earnest conversation. He gave Regine +a look, to which she responded by saying:</p> + +<p>"Well, Moritz, am I still the personification of obstinacy and +unreasonableness?" and she held out her hand to her brother-in-law. But +he did not take it. Her second refusal but the week before was still +fresh in his mind, and he turned to the others now, saying:</p> + +<p>"So you're to be married at once, I hear? I met Dr. Volkmar and he told +me all about it, so I came over to offer our services to the bride, but +as Willibald's mother is here, there's little for me to do."</p> + +<p>"Ah, your services will be heartily welcome, uncle," said Willibald +cordially.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I won't be sorry to see my nephew married," said the head +forester, kindly. "You've become a very romantic young man of late. +Toni's caught the fever, too, and nothing would do but that Walldorf and +she should be married at once; but I put my foot down on that. I said +the circumstances were quite different, and that I had no intention of +being left all alone like a cat."</p> + +<p>He gave another grim look at Regine, but she went up to him and answered +him cordially:</p> + +<p>"Come now, Moritz, don't growl; let us be happy and without strife for +once. You see I did say yes, to my boy at least, when I found his heart +was set on Marietta."</p> + +<p>The head forester looked at her gravely for a moment, then he seized her +hand and pressed it warmly, as he said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see, Regine, and perhaps you'll repent ere long of your no in +another matter, and give a yes instead."</p> + +<p>The old steward of Rodeck stood in his master's dressing-room in the +Adelsberg palace. He had come to the city to receive instructions from +the prince before the latter left for the field. Egon, who wore the +uniform of his regiment, had just finished giving the old man his +orders, and said, finally:</p> + +<p>"And keep everything in good order at Rodeck, I may possibly be able to +spend a few hours there before I start, though the order to march may +come any day. How do you think I look as a soldier?"</p> + +<p>He stood back and straightened himself as he asked the question.</p> + +<p>He was a handsome man, and his tall, slender figure appeared to great +advantage in the rich uniform which he wore. Stadinger looked at him +with eyes full of admiration.</p> + +<p>"You're magnificent!" he said. "It's a pity your highness has to go as a +soldier!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Am I not heart and soul a soldier? Service in the +field won't be any too easy, but I'll soon get accustomed to it. Nothing +should be difficult when it's one's duty."</p> + +<p>"No, your highness thinks a great deal about duty; that's why you left +Ostend when your honored aunt had arranged a marriage for you, so +suitable in every particular, and that's why you—"</p> + +<p>"You old rascal!" said the prince. "There's one thing I shall miss in +the field, and that's your insinuations and sermons. By the way, +remember me to pretty little Zena when you get back to Rodeck. Is she +there now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, she is there now," said the old steward with +emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Naturally, because I'm marching to France. But I'll tell you a secret. +I'm going to be a model of reason and virtue when I come back and then I +shall marry."</p> + +<p>"Really?" said Stadinger with delight "How rejoiced the whole court +will be!"</p> + +<p>"That's as it may be," said Egon. "It's more than probable that the +whole court will be in a rage, especially my aunt Sophie. But you be +silent, Stadinger; don't breathe a syllable while I am away. Who knows +but I may never return to you—think kindly of me, old fellow."</p> + +<p>Stadinger's eyes were filled with tears as he turned to go, and he said:</p> + +<p>"How can your highness talk that way? It's not likely an old worn-out +man like me would be left, and you, so handsome, so young, so gay be +taken. That's not according to nature."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I did not mean to sadden you, you old ghost of the woods!" +said the young prince reaching out his hand. "We'll think of victory and +not of the slain, but if both should come together it would not be so +hard."</p> + +<p>The old man knelt and kissed his young prince's hand.</p> + +<p>"I would I could go with you," he said, half aloud.</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt of it," said the prince laughing. "And you wouldn't make +a bad soldier either, despite your old gray head. This time the young +ones have to go, and the old ones stay at home. Good-bye, Stadinger," +and he shook him heartily by the hand. "What! You're not crying' You +ought to be ashamed of yourself. Away with all tears and sad +forebodings. You'll read me many a lecture yet."</p> + +<p>"God grant it," said old Peter, with a heavy sigh. He gave one glance at +the bright, handsome face, and looked at the moist eyes; then he went +away with sad, drooping head. He realized for the first time, poor old +man, how deep his highness had crept into his heart.</p> + +<p>The prince glanced at the clock.</p> + +<p>He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the +newspapers containing the latest war rumors.</p> + +<p>There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up +surprised. Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always +announced. This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the +palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, is it you?"</p> + +<p>Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw +himself upon his breast.</p> + +<p>"You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it? You bad boy, to +keep me two whole months without any news! Have you come to see me off +and say good-bye?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; +he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over +this meeting.</p> + +<p>"I have come directly from the station," he said. "I almost feared I +would not find you, and so much depended on my doing so."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you write or telegraph that you were coming? I wrote to you +at once when war was declared. You were in Sicily, were you not?"</p> + +<p>"No, I left there as soon as the war seemed to me inevitable, so I did +not get your letter. I have been in Germany a week."</p> + +<p>"And only come to me now?" said Egon reprovingly.</p> + +<p>Rojanow paid no heed to his friend's reproof; his eyes were fastened on +his uniform with consuming jealousy.</p> + +<p>"You are already in the service I see," he said hastily. "I, too, am +anxious to enter the German army."</p> + +<p>Nothing he could have said would have surprised Egon so effectually. In +great astonishment he stepped back a pace.</p> + +<p>"In the German army? You, a Roumanian?" "Yes, and that is why I come to +you; you can make my entrance possible."</p> + +<p>"I?" said the prince, his amazement increasing each moment. "I'm only a +young lieutenant myself. If you are really in earnest you must apply to +some high officer in command."</p> + +<p>"That I have done already, in various places, in the neighboring states, +but no one will take a stranger. A hundred questions are asked, above +all one is treated with suspicion and distrust; no one seems to +understand my decision."</p> + +<p>"To speak openly, Hartmut, neither do I," said Egon earnestly. "You have +always shown the greatest aversion to Germany. You are the son of a land +whose court circles have always followed French manners and customs; the +people have always been closely allied to France, so the distrust and +suspicion are easily explained. But why do you not go to the duke in +person, and prefer your request? You know how much he would do for the +poet who wrote 'Arivana.' All you will have to do will be to obtain an +audience, and that will be granted as soon as your name's sent in. An +order from him would silence every objection."</p> + +<p>Rojanow's eyes sank to the ground, and his dark, frowning brow grew +blacker as he answered:</p> + +<p>"I know it, but I can ask nothing of him. The duke would ask the same +questions as the others. I dare not refuse him an answer, and I could +not tell him the truth."</p> + +<p>"Nor me?" asked the prince, as he stepped up to his friend and placed +his hands on his shoulders. "Why do you wish to fight under the German +flag?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut drew his hand across his brow as if to smooth out something, +then he answered with a gasp:</p> + +<p>"Because it means deliverance or—death."</p> + +<p>"You return as great a mystery as when you went away," said Egon, +shaking his head. "You have avoided my questionings; can you not tell me +your secret now?"</p> + +<p>"Only get me into the army and I'll tell you everything!" cried Rojanow, +feverish with excitement. "I care not under what conditions, only get me +in the army. Don't speak to the duke or to any of the generals, only get +me into some subordinate command. Your name, your kinship to the +reigning house will make your recommendation of great value. They will +not be captious when Prince Adelsberg solicits a place for a friend."</p> + +<p>"But they'll be sure to ask me the same questions they asked you. You +are a Roumanian—"</p> + +<p>"No, no!" exclaimed Rojanow, passionately. "Have you never seen, never +felt that—I am a German?"</p> + +<p>The effect of this declaration was not so great as Hartmut had feared.</p> + +<p>The prince looked steadily at him for a minute, then he said:</p> + +<p>"I have thought that for some time. The man who wrote 'Arivana' never +learned the German language as part of his education; it was born in +him. But you bear the name of Rojanow—"</p> + +<p>"That was my mother's name, she belonged to a Roumanian Bojarin family. +My own name is—Hartmut von Falkenried."</p> + +<p>"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian officer who came from +Berlin with the secret despatches to the duke. Is he a kinsman of +yours?"</p> + +<p>"He is my father."</p> + +<p>The prince glanced sympathetically at his friend, for he saw how it +wrung his very soul to make this confession. He felt that here lay +hidden a family drama, and desirous to avoid all show of curiosity +concerning it, he only said:</p> + +<p>"Take your own name as the son of your father; then every regiment in +Prussia will be open to you."</p> + +<p>"No, that would close them forever—I ran away from the cadet academy +over ten years ago."</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!" There was atone of horror in the exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you are like my father. You regard me as a criminal. You who were +reared in freedom know naught of the severities and restraints of that +institution, of its tyrannies, to which every one within its walls has +to bow in blind obedience. I endured it as long as I could, then I left +it, for my soul demanded freedom and light. I appealed to my father in +vain; he but tightened the chains—so I tore them apart and went away +with my mother."</p> + +<p>His manner was wild and excited as he told his short, fateful story; but +his eyes, anxious and watchful, never left his listener's face. His +father, with his fierce, severe code of honor, had cursed him, but his +friend, who adored him, who had professed such a deep admiration for his +genius, surely he would understand him, and how he had been driven to +take such a step. But this friend was silent now, and in his silence lay +his sentence.</p> + +<p>"And you, too, Egon?" In the tone of the questioner, who had waited a +long minute, and waited in vain for some word, there was inexpressible +bitterness. "You, who have so often said to me that nothing should +hamper the poet's flight, that he must break all bonds which would bind +him to the earth. That's what I did, and it's what you would have done +in my place."</p> + +<p>The young prince drew himself up proudly, and answered decisively:</p> + +<p>"No, Hartmut, you are in error there! I would perhaps have escaped from +a severe school,—but from military service never!"</p> + +<p>There were again the same old hard words he remembered as a boy—"the +military service"—"the service of arms!" All the blood in his body +rushed to his head.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen you were not an officer?" continued Egon. "The cadets +are promoted while very young in the north! Then in a few years you +could have resigned. Just at the age, too, when life was beginning, and +been free—with honor."</p> + +<p>Hartmut was dumb; that was what his father had said to him once, but he +would not wait. The barriers were an obstruction, and he threw them +down, not recking that he trampled duty and honor in the dust at the +same time.</p> + +<p>"You do not understand how many things pressed upon me at the time," he +explained with difficulty. "My mother—I will not complain, but she has +been my fate. My father was divorced from her when I was little more +than a baby, and I thought she was dead. Then suddenly she appeared in +my life and I was tossed and torn by her hot mother love and her +extravagant promises of freedom and happiness. She alone is accountable +for my broken word—"</p> + +<p>"What broken word?" asked Egon, excitedly. "You had not yet taken the +oath?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I had promised my father to return, when he permitted me a last +interview with my mother."</p> + +<p>"And instead of doing so, you ran away with her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The answer was almost inaudible, and then followed a long pause. The +young prince spoke no word, but a deep, bitter pain lay on his sunny +face, the bitterest of his lifetime, for in this minute he lost the +friend he had loved so passionately.</p> + +<p>Hartmut began again, but did not look at his friend while he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Now you understand why I will force myself into the army at any price. +On the battle-field I can expiate my boyhood's offense. When I saw in +Sicily that war was imminent, I flew in haste to Germany. I hoped to be +able to enter the service at once. I did not dream of the difficulties +which I should encounter; but you can help me if you will."</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot," said Egon, coldly. "After what I now know it would be an +impossibility."</p> + +<p>Hartmut grew pale to his very lips as he stepped excitedly before him.</p> + +<p>"You cannot? That means you will not."</p> + +<p>The prince was silent.</p> + +<p>"Egon"—there was a tone of wild entreaty in his voice. "You know I have +never asked a favor of you, this is the first and last, but now I beg, I +implore your friendship. It is my release from the fatality which has +followed me since that hour. It means reconciliation to my father, +reconciliation to myself—you must help me!"</p> + +<p>"I cannot," repeated the prince, solemnly. "The repulses which you have +received are hard to bear, I doubt not, but they are right. You have +broken faith with your country and with duty. You fled from the +service—you, an officer's son—so it is closed against you—and you +must bear it."</p> + +<p>"And you say all this to me, so quietly, so coldly?" cried Hartmut +fairly beside himself now. "This is a matter of life and death to me. I +saw my father for the first time in over ten years at Rodeck when he +hurried to Wallmoden's death bed. He scourged me with contempt and +fearful words. That was what drove me from Germany and sent me roaming +through foreign lands, for his words went with me and changed my life +into hell. I hailed the war cry as my release. I would fight for the +land I had once deserted. But you, you, who alone can open the door, +shut it in my face. Egon, you turn from me; only one course is left!"</p> + +<p>He turned with a movement of despair to the table on which the prince's +pistols lay, but the latter pulled him back in affright:</p> + +<p>"Hartmut! Are you mad?"</p> + +<p>Egon was pale too, now, and his voice trembled as he said:</p> + +<p>"I cannot let that happen, I will do my best to get you into some +regiment!"</p> + +<p>"At last I thank you!"</p> + +<p>"I cannot promise anything, for I must keep it from the duke. He leaves +to-morrow for the seat of war. If he learns later that you are in the +army, the excitement of war may prevent him asking the why and +wherefore. But it will be several days before I can know anything +definite. Will you be my guest until then?"</p> + +<p>The prince had recovered his self-possession, and spoke as usual to his +old friend; but Hartmut understood the undertone in this question.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not remain in the city; I will go to the forestry at Rodeck. +You can send me word there, and I'll be in the city in a few hours."</p> + +<p>"As you please. Will you not go to Rodeck castle?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut give him a long, sorrowful glance.</p> + +<p>"No, I will stay at the forestry. Farewell, Egon."</p> + +<p>"Farewell!"</p> + +<p>So they parted without one pressure of the hand, without one cordial +word, these two who had been more than brothers, and as the door closed +between them Hartmut knew that he had lost the dearest friend of his +life. Here, too, he had been judged and sentenced! Surely his punishment +was being meted out to him with no scant measure!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>A dark, misty vapor enveloped the forest like a veil, and from time to +time the rain fell in torrents. The tree tops swayed in the wind, and +the raw, wet atmosphere reminded one of November rather than of +midsummer.</p> + +<p>The mistress of Ostwalden was in her forest home and alone; she had +received news from her brother telling her he would march at once, and +as her journey to Berlin to see him would be futile, she had been +persuaded to remain in the south until after Willibald's marriage. The +marriage had been a very quiet, simple affair, and Marietta had +accompanied her husband to Berlin, where he was to join his regiment, +and when he marched, she was to go to Burgsdorf, where her mother-in-law +was again established.</p> + +<p>Early one morning Prince Adelsberg drove over to Ostwalden.</p> + +<p>He had obtained a day's leave that he might give some necessary orders +at Rodeck, but it was toward Ostwalden not Rodeck that he ordered the +horses' heads to be turned. He came to say good-bye to Adelheid, whom he +had not seen again since that first visit.</p> + +<p>When he reached Ostwalden, he found its mistress away on some errand of +mercy, and he was ushered into a reception room to await her return. He +paced the room restlessly, thinking of many things, of the struggle for +life or death which lay before him, of the morrow's march, but mainly of +the beautiful woman whose face had warmed with fire and sympathetic +light while discussing his friend, of her dignity, her goodness and +gentleness, and his heart was filled with the hope that he might take +with him some word, some assurance to make him feel that when the strife +was over he could return to peace—and her. He had no foreboding that +the warmth and fire had not been from sympathy with him.</p> + +<p>But in spite of everything, a shadow lay upon the sunny young face. It +was not the war which troubled him, he went into that heart and soul, +with no presentiments, and with all the ardor of youth. He dreamed and +planned a happy future when all the excitement and turmoil were over.</p> + +<p>Then the door opened and Frau von Wallmoden entered.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon for keeping your highness waiting so long," she said +after the first greeting. "The servants told you, perhaps, that a member +of the household was dying."</p> + +<p>"I heard that one of the men about the place was very ill," Egon +answered as he hastened toward her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, poor Tanner. He was formerly a tutor somewhere in this +neighborhood, but his health failed, and Herr von Schönau recommended +him to my late husband. He has been here ever since we bought the place. +He told me the other day how thankful his mother was that he had so easy +a position. Since Herr von Wallmoden's death, nothing further has been +done towards a library here, and Tanner was to have had special charge +of that, so that except to act as my secretary occasionally, there has +been literally nothing for him to do. Only yesterday I obtained the +necessary papers for him to enter the army, and he was all enthusiasm +over the prospect. This morning he had a severe hemorrhage, and now the +physician says he cannot live an hour. It seems terrible to see a young +life cut off so suddenly without any warning." The young mistress sighed +deeply as she finished her sad little story.</p> + +<p>After a minute's pause, Egon said quietly:</p> + +<p>"I have come to say good-bye. We march to-morrow or next day, and I +could not go without seeing you once again. I am fortunate in finding +you here; some one said you were going away."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I go to Berlin at once. Ostwalden is too isolated; I want to be +near the centre where I can receive the latest news at this exciting +time. My brother fights for the flag, you know, and I must be where I +can hear from him."</p> + +<p>Again there was a short pause, and the prince was thinking how he should +say what lay nearest his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden asked a +question, speaking indifferently, but with a slight falling in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"When I last saw your highness you were in doubt about your friend's +whereabouts. Has he given any signs of life yet?"</p> + +<p>Egon's eyes fell to the ground, and the shadows which had disappeared +when the baroness entered the room, come back now, darker than ever.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" he answered coldly. "Rojanow is again in Germany."</p> + +<p>"Since the declaration of the war?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he came—"</p> + +<p>"In order to enter the army? O, I knew it!"</p> + +<p>The prince looked at her in great surprise.</p> + +<p>"You knew it, baroness? I supposed you only knew Hartmut through me, and +considered him a Roumanian!"</p> + +<p>The young widow's face flushed as she realised how unwise she had been +to make this outcry, but she answered quickly:</p> + +<p>"I learned to know who Herr Rojanow was last winter when he was at +Rodeck. I have known his father, however, for many long years, and +the—I take it for granted that your highness knows the whole story?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it all," said Egon in a hopeless tone.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father, and a constant guest +at our house. I had never heard of his son, and took it for granted that +he was childless, until that frightful hour at Rodeck, on the day of my +husband's death. I was witness to the painful conversation between +father and son."</p> + +<p>The young prince breathed more freely; and an uncomfortable, suspicious +feeling was set at rest for the moment.</p> + +<p>"Now I understand your interest and sympathy," he responded. "Colonel +Falkenried is to be pitied indeed."</p> + +<p>"Why he?" inquired Adelheid, struck by the hard tone. "And how about +your friend?"</p> + +<p>"I have no friend. I have lost him," cried Egon with a passionate burst. +"What he told me two days ago made a break between us, but what I have +since heard has parted us forever."</p> + +<p>"You judge a seventeen year old boy—he could not have been much +older—very severely."</p> + +<p>There was deep reproof in Adelheid's voice as she spoke, but the prince +shook his head passionately.</p> + +<p>"I'm not speaking of his flight, or his broken word, though they were +both bad enough, considering he was an officer's son, but what I learned +yesterday—I see, my dear madam, you do not know the worst. How should +you? I should not have spoken."</p> + +<p>"I beg your highness," began Adelheid again, "to tell me the truth. You +say that Rojanow has come back to enter the army. I am not surprised. I +expected it, for it was the only thing left for him to do to expiate his +old fault. Does he march beneath our colors yet?"</p> + +<p>"So far he has not been able to gain admission, and I have been saved a +fearful responsibility," said Egon, with intense bitterness. "He +endeavored to get into several regiments but was refused every time."</p> + +<p>"Refused? And why?"</p> + +<p>"Because he dared not acknowledge himself a German, and all strangers, +especially Roumanians, are regarded with suspicion, and with justice, +too. We can't be too cautious now, for fear of spies!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, what do you mean by that?" exclaimed Adelheid, who +began to see toward what Egon was drifting. He sprang up now in great +excitement and came over to her side.</p> + +<p>"If you wish to know, then listen to me. Hartmut came to me and desired +me to use my influence to get him into one of our regiments. I refused +at first, but he finally forced me to promise to do my utmost with a +threat which I now think he had no intention of carrying into execution. +I kept my word, and went at once to a general officer whose brother had +but recently returned from Paris where he was secretary of our legation. +This gentleman was present at the time of my visit, and as soon as he +heard the name of Rojanow, asked many questions and then told us—I +cannot speak of it—I have loved Hartmut more than any one else in the +world, have almost adored him, his talents, his genius, and now I learn +that this friend, who was all in all to me, is but a miserable, low +wretch. He and his mother served as spies—spies, think of it—in +Paris. Perhaps he would do the same in our army, and that was his object +in striving to be admitted."</p> + +<p>He laid his hand over his eyes if to keep out the horrible picture.</p> + +<p>There was something inexpressibly sad in the young man's face and manner +as he told how his idol had been shattered. Adelheid rose, and +supporting herself against a chair, spoke in an eager, excited, +trembling tone.</p> + +<p>"And what did he say when you accused him?"</p> + +<p>"Rojanow, do you mean? I haven't seen him again and do not intend to. It +is better to spare both him and me. He is at the Rodeck forestry +awaiting an answer from me. I sent him three lines telling him what I +had learned, without one word of comment. He has the letter by this +time, I suppose, and that will be sufficient explanation."</p> + +<p>"God help him!"</p> + +<p>"You speak sympathetically," said the prince, sneering.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for this is not the first time I have heard this terrible +accusation. His father threw it into his face during their interview."</p> + +<p>"Well, when his own father acknowledged the disgrace, surely—"</p> + +<p>"He is a sadly injured, deeply embittered man, and could have no +unbiased judgment; but you, Hartmut's friend, who stood so near him, +should shield him from such an imputation!"</p> + +<p>Egon looked with astonishment at the excited woman.</p> + +<p>"That evidently seems an easy matter to you," he said slowly. "I could +not do it. There was too much to condemn in Hartmut's life; he told me +much himself that had seemed mysterious before, and I can find no +excuse, no extenuating circumstances for his actions. Even his +denunciation of—"</p> + +<p>"Of his mother! She was the sword which hung over his head. It was she +who destroyed her son! But he knew nothing of the shameful depths to +which she had sunk; he lived with her but she concealed her life from +him. I saw it, I knew it when his father hurled the dreadful accusation +at him; he was as one struck by lightning. There was truth in the man's +despairing cry. Whatever his youthful misdemeanors, his punishment in +that hour balanced them all. His flight, his broken promise, have robbed +him of a father, and of his dearest friend; but though they turn against +him I will believe in him. Yes, to the death! Their charge is untrue, he +is an innocent man."</p> + +<p>Adelheid was in a state of intense excitement now, her cheeks were +aflame, her voice and manner had that intense passion which love alone +can give. Egon stood and looked at her. There it was, the awaking to +love and life, of which he had so often dreamed; the sea of ice had +melted forever, but for another.</p> + +<p>"I will not venture to decide whether you are right or not, my dear +madame," he said, in a spiritless voice, after a second's pause. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or innocent, he is to be +envied in this hour!"</p> + +<p>Adelheid drew back with a start. She understood the significance of his +words, and her head sank before his pained, sorrowful glance.</p> + +<p>"I came to say good-bye," continued Egon, "and to ask one question, one +favor—but it is fruitless to ask it now. I have only farewell to say to +you."</p> + +<p>Adelheid raised her eyes, in which the hot tears were standing, and held +out her hand to him.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye," she said. "Good-bye. May Heaven protect you!"</p> + +<p>The prince shook his head, and said with bitterness:</p> + +<p>"What does it matter? I had thought to return—do not look at me so +pleadingly. I have made a great mistake. I see it now, and I will not +annoy you with my moaning, but Adelheid, I would willingly fall if I +could but inspire for a moment the feeling and passion which you reserve +for another. God bless you! Good bye!"</p> + +<p>He pressed her hand and was gone.</p> + +<p>A dreary afternoon. The wind had risen since the morning hours, and +whistled ominously through the tall forest trees; the clouds grew darker +and heavier, and the damp air was growing rawer and colder every moment. +The sunshine of yesterday was forgotten in the gloom of to-day. The +fresh green leaves, torn by the rising storm from the tall, waving +branches, fell in a swirl at the feet of the tall, dark man, who, with +folded arms, leaned against an old tree, utterly oblivious to the +tempest which was gathering about him.</p> + +<p>Hartmut's face was deadly pale, and on it there lay a strange, unearthly +quiet; the fiery light was gone from those speaking eyes, and his hair +lay wet and heavy upon his forehead. The storm had whirled his hat from +his head, but he did not notice it, neither did he know that a heavy +shower had drenched him to the skin. After wandering about in the woods +for hours, he had at last found this spot—a fitting place to accomplish +his purpose.</p> + +<p>He had waited with feverish expectancy the message from Egon, and it had +come. No letter, only three lines with the signature, "Egon, Prince +Adelsberg," but these three lines, for him who received them, meant—the +end of all things. Thrust out forever and despised! The friend his heart +held dear asking neither for confirmation nor denial, but condemning +him unheard.</p> + +<p>The crash of a mighty branch which had been broken in the whirlwind, +aroused Hartmut from his brooding. He was not alarmed, and turned his +head slowly to look where the heavy branch had fallen. Only a few feet +from him—why had it not struck him and ended his misery in a moment? +How welcome was the thought of death. Such fatalities follow only those +who love life. He who seeks death must accomplish it with his own hands. +He took his gun from his shoulder and set the stock firmly in the ground +and felt over his breast for the right place. He looked up at the veiled +heavens, then down at the little lake with the deceptive, marshy +meadow-lands beyond, with the old gray mist hovering over it as usual.</p> + +<p>He seemed to see again the will-o'-the-wisp darting in and out, that +spirit of the marsh at which he had often gazed in the long ago over his +mother's shoulder, and while listening to her seductive words. He gave +no second look to the sky, no sign was in the heavens to-day to lead him +up to higher planes. One shot through the heart and all would be over.</p> + +<p>He moved his hand to touch the trigger, when he heard a voice call his +name. It was a quick, desperate cry, and a figure tall and slender, +enveloped in a dark storm cloak, rushed before him. The gun fell from +his hands as he looked up to see Adelheid's face, white and despairing, +looking into his own.</p> + +<p>Several minutes went by before either of them spoke. It was Hartmut who +broke the silence finally.</p> + +<p>"You here, my dear madame?" he asked, forcing himself to speak quietly. +"Why are you abroad in such unseemly weather?"</p> + +<p>Adelheid looked at the weapon which had fallen at her feet and +shuddered.</p> + +<p>"I might ask you the same question," she answered.</p> + +<p>"I started out for a hunt, but this is no day for sport. I was just +emptying my gun, when you—"</p> + +<p>He did not finish, for her pained, reproving glance told him that all +subterfuge was useless—he broke off and gazed gloomily before him. +Adelheid too, abandoned any attempt at an ordinary conversation. Her +voice was trembling and her face white as death, as she said: "Herr von +Falkenried—God help us, what would you have done?"</p> + +<p>"That which would have been finished now, had you not interfered," said +Hartmut, in a hard tone. "Believe me, dear madame, it would have been +better if accident had brought you here five minutes later."</p> + +<p>"It was no accident. I was at the Rodeck forestry and heard that you had +been gone several hours; a terrible suspicion took possession of me and +drove me to follow you. I was almost certain I should find you here."</p> + +<p>"You were seeking me? Me, Ada?" His voice trembled with emotion as he +asked the question. "How did you learn that I was at the forestry?"</p> + +<p>"Through Prince Adelsberg, who was with me to-day. You received a letter +from him this morning?"</p> + +<p>"No, only some intelligence," responded Hartmut, with drawn lips. "The +few short lines contained no word directed personally to me, only +business, only a communication which the prince thought necessary to +make—I understood it!"</p> + +<p>Adelheid was silent; she had felt sure that those few lines would be as +death to him. Slowly she stepped toward him in the shadow of a great +tree, the wind blew so fiercely that it was a necessity to have such +protection as the trees could afford; Hartmut did not seem to notice +its increasing fury.</p> + +<p>"I see that you know what those few lines contained," he began again, +"but it was not new to you. You heard it all at Rodeck. Ada, when I saw +you standing in the shimmering, ghostly light on that frightful night, +and knew that you had seen me trampled in the dust—even my own father, +who loathes me, would have been satisfied with my punishment."</p> + +<p>"You do him injustice," said Frau von Wallmoden, earnestly. "You saw him +only when he was thrusting you from him with such iron relentlessness. I +saw him afterwards when you had disappeared. He broke into the wildest +anguish and I caught a glimpse of the father's heart which loved his son +above all else on earth. Have you made no effort since then to convince +him?"</p> + +<p>"No, he would believe me as little as did Egon. He who has once broken +his word destroys all belief in himself, no matter though he afterwards +give his life in defense of truth. Had I met my death upon the +battle-field, perhaps his eyes and Egon's would have been opened. Now +when I fall by my own hand, the few who know my life will say, 'it was +his guilt which drove him to despair, and forced him to commit the +deed.'"</p> + +<p>"No," said Adelheid softly, "one would not say it. I believe in you +Hartmut, despite everything."</p> + +<p>He looked at her, and through the gray hopelessness of despair a gleam +of the old light shone forth.</p> + +<p>"You, Ada? And you tell me this on the very spot where you condemned me? +At that time, too, you knew nothing—"</p> + +<p>"That was why I had a horror of the man to whom nothing was holy, who +knew no law but his own passions; but when I saw you pleading at your +father's feet, I felt fate rather than guilt had led you astray. Since +then I have known that you could not throw aside that unfortunate +heritage of your mother. Rouse yourself, Hartmut! The way which I showed +you then is yet open. Whether it leads to life or death—it leads onward +and upward."</p> + +<p>Hartmut shook his head darkly!</p> + +<p>"No, that has all gone by now. You do not know what my father did for me +with his frightful words, what my life has been since then; but I will +be silent, no one would understand. I thank you for your belief in me, +Ada. My death will be easier."</p> + +<p>"God help us! You dare not do it."</p> + +<p>"What value has life for me?" said Hartmut with great excitement. "My +mother has marked me with a brand as of seething iron, and that mark +closes every door to atonement, to salvation. I am alone, condemned, +thrust out from my own countrymen. Why, even the poorest peasant can +fight; that right is denied only to the criminal without honor, and such +I am in Egon's eyes. He fears that I would only join with my own +countrymen to betray them, to—be a spy!" He put his hands over his +face, and his last words died out in a groan. Then he felt a hand laid +gently on his arm.</p> + +<p>"The stigma lies in the name of Rojanow. Abandon that name, Hartmut. I +bring you that for which you so ardently long—your admission to the +army."</p> + +<p>Hartmut gazed in unutterable astonishment at the speaker.</p> + +<p>"Impossible! How could you?"</p> + +<p>"Take these papers," said Adelheid, drawing out a long sealed envelope +which she carried under her cloak. "You will answer the description of +Joseph Tanner, twenty-nine years old, slender, dark complexion, dark +hair and eyes. It's all right, you see; no one will question your right +with these papers."</p> + +<p>She handed him the envelope which she held with a convulsive grasp, as +if it were a costly treasure.</p> + +<p>"And these papers?" he asked doubting yet.</p> + +<p>"Belonged to the dead! They were given me for one who will not use them +now, for he died to-day; and I will be forgiven if I save the living by +their use."</p> + +<p>Hartmut tore open the envelope, the wind nearly blew the papers from his +hand, so that it was with difficulty he could master their contents, +while the baroness continued:</p> + +<p>"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden. This morning he had an +unusually severe hemorrhage and died an hour after. Poor fellow, he had +only time to leave a message with me for his old mother. I shall send +her everything belonging to him, except these papers, which I, myself, +obtained for him, and these I have kept for you. We rob no one; they +would be of no use whatever to the mother. A severe judge might question +my right, but I take all responsibility. God and my fatherland will +forgive me."</p> + +<p>Hartmut folded the papers carefully and hid them in his breast, then he +threw the wet locks back from his broad forehead, his father's forehead, +for that mark of the Falkenried blood was patent to the most careless +observer.</p> + +<p>"You are right, Ada. I can never thank you enough for what you have done +to-day, but I will strive to deserve it!"</p> + +<p>"I know that. God guard you from danger, and now good-bye."</p> + +<p>"No, you cannot wish that for me!" said Hartmut sadly. "This battle of +life and death into which I go can ease my own conscience of a load, but +my father and Egon will never know, if I live, that I have fought for my +country, and the old stain will still be there. But if I fall, then you +can tell them that I fought under a strange name, and am at rest, +perhaps under foreign soil. They will at least have some respect for my +grave."</p> + +<p>"You would fall?" asked Ada, with sad reproof in her voice. "Even if I +tell you that your death will be mine too?"</p> + +<p>"Yours, Ada?" he cried excitedly, "and do you no longer turn in +abhorrence from my love, from the fate which threw us together? To +possess you would be my highest glory, for you are free. Such joy comes +to me now, only for a single fleeting minute, and then ascends again to +unattainable heights, like the prophetess of my drama who bore your +name. No matter; it is with me now in this moment of parting."</p> + +<p>He drew her to him and pressed a kiss on her brow, while she broke into +a passion of tears on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death."</p> + +<p>"No, but it will seek me! Good-bye, my own, good-bye."</p> + +<p>He tore himself from her, and rushed away through the storm. She stood +still, leaning in her turn against the old tree, whose branches tossed +their arms and kept time to the moaning and shrieking winds which played +at hide and seek through the leafy foliage. But suddenly in the west, +through a rent in the angry clouds, shone a purple ray. It was only for +a minute, only a single lost beam of the descending sun, but it lighted +up the woodland height and beamed across the face of the departing man, +as he turned back once to wave a last adieu. Then the dark clouds met +again, and hid the light—the last greeting of the setting sun.</p> + +<p>The red, flickering firelight lit up the interior of a small house which +had formerly been the home of a signal man, but now served as +headquarters for the officers of the advanced guard. The room made +anything but a comfortable impression, with its cold, rough, whitewashed +walls, low ceilings and narrow barred windows; the heavy logs of wood +which blazed and crackled in the clumsy stone fire-place, threw out a +grateful warmth, for the weather was bitter cold and the ground covered +with snow. The regiments which lay here were little better off than +those before Paris although these belonged to the army of the South.</p> + +<p>Two young officers entered the room, and one, as he held the door open +for his comrade, said with a laugh: "You'll have to stoop here, for the +entrance to our villa is somewhat out of repair."</p> + +<p>The warning was not unnecessary, for the tall figure of the guest, a +Prussian Lieutenant of Reserves, had need to stoop to avoid the loose, +overhanging plaster. His companion who was doing the honors, wore the +uniform of a South German regiment.</p> + +<p>"Permit me to offer you a chair in our salon," he continued. "Not so bad +after all, considering everything; we'll have worse than this before the +campaign is over. You are looking for Stahlberg. He is at an outpost +near here with one of my comrades, but he'll certainly be back soon. You +won't have to wait above fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>"I'll wait with pleasure," responded the Prussian. "Eugen's wound was +not very serious, I judge. I looked for him in the hospital and heard +that he had gone on a visit to the outpost, but would probably be back +shortly, so I thought I'd come over and see him at once."</p> + +<p>"The wound was but a slight one, a shot in the arm, but not deep; it's +almost healed now, but Stahlberg cannot use it in active service for +some time yet. You are acquainted with him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I was a kinsman of his sister's late husband. I see you do +not remember me. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I have met your +highness several times in past years."</p> + +<p>"At Fürstenstein!" exclaimed Egon with animation. "Certainly, now I +remember you well, but it is wonderful what a change the uniform makes +in one's appearance. I didn't recognize you at all at first."</p> + +<p>He cast an admiring, surprised glance at the tall, handsome man whom he +had once ridiculed as a cabbage grower, but who looked so brave and +manly in his military dress. It was not the uniform which had so altered +Willibald; love, camp life and entire change from the old monotonous +existence had done it. The young heir was no longer a "weak tool," as +his uncle Schönau had called him, but a brave, determined, genuine man.</p> + +<p>"Our former meetings have been but fleeting," the prince went on, "so +you must forgive the liberty if I offer you my congratulations; you are +betrothed, I believe to—"</p> + +<p>"I believe your highness is laboring under a mistake," Willibald +interrupted him, with some embarrassment. "When I last saw you at +Fürstenstein I was to be the future son of that house, but—"</p> + +<p>"That's all changed," interrupted Egon, laughing. "I know all about it +from a comrade of mine, Lieutenant Walldorf, who is to marry your +cousin, Fräulein von Schönau. My words had reference to Fräulein +Marietta Volkmar."</p> + +<p>"Now Frau von Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p>"What! you are a married man?"</p> + +<p>"And have been for five months. We were married just before I marched, +and my wife is at Burgsdorf with my mother."</p> + +<p>"Then I can congratulate you upon your marriage. But seriously, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for your robbery of an artist +from our midst. Please tell your wife that the whole city is in +sackcloth and ashes over her loss."</p> + +<p>"I will tell her, although I think the city has no time for such light +sorrows now. Ah, there are the gentlemen! I hear Eugen's voice."</p> + +<p>There they were, true enough. They entered just as Willibald ceased +speaking. Young Stahlberg greeted his friend with a joyous cry of +surprise. They had not seen each other since the war began, though they +were in the same army corps. Eugen's arm was in a sling, otherwise he +looked well and happy. He had none of his sister's beauty, neither had +he the strength and earnestness of expression which had been her legacy +from their father. The son seemed, to judge from his appearance, of an +amiable and yielding, rather than a strong nature; but notwithstanding +all this he resembled his sister strongly, and that was the secret of +Egon's friendship for him. His companion was a handsome young officer, +with keen, merry eyes, and as he stepped into the room the prince +introduced him to Willibald.</p> + +<p>"I need not fear a duel when I mention your names to one another," he +said laughing. "You'll have to meet some day. Herr von Eschenhagen—Herr +von Walldorf."</p> + +<p>"Bless me! I at least declare for peace!" cried Walldorf gaily. "Herr +von Eschenhagen, I am rejoiced to know my future wife's cousin, who got +ahead of us at the altar. We, too, wanted a marriage from the saddle, +but my future father-in-law assumed his fiercest look and declared: +'First conquer, and then marry.' Now we've been doing the former for the +last five months, and when I go home again I'll see to the latter."</p> + +<p>He shook Toni's cousin warmly by the hand, then turning to the prince, +said:</p> + +<p>"We have something here for you. Orderly from Rodeck, present yourself +before his highness, Herr lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg."</p> + +<p>Through the open door came a tall figure which Egon recognized as that +of his old, gray-haired steward. He closed the door cautiously, and came +forward into the room.</p> + +<p>"Saints preserve us, it's Peter Stadinger!" It was, indeed, old Peter +who stood in front of his master. He was not unknown to the other +officers, either, for they all greeted him with a shout.</p> + +<p>"Well, we must have lights now, that your highness may have a good view +of this old 'ghost of the woods,'" cried Walldorf, as he lit two +candles and placed them with comic gravity before the old man. Egon +laughed as he said:</p> + +<p>"You see, Stadinger, what a prominent personage you are, and how much I +talk about you; now I'll present you in all form; here, gentlemen, is +Peter Stadinger, noted for his unfailing incivility and his everlasting +moral lectures. He thinks that I need both to keep me in order and even +here in the field he has followed me in order that he might keep up the +friendly custom. I trust he pleases you, my masters—now you can let me +go, Peter."</p> + +<p>But instead of obeying this order, the old man held his two hands all +the more firmly, while he said in a tone of deep emotion: "Ah, your +highness, you cannot know how anxious we have been about you at Rodeck."</p> + +<p>The prince answered him impatiently: "Indeed, and that's why you have +run away and left things at sixes and sevens at Rodeck, despite all my +solemn charges? I had not thought you would be so neglectful of duty."</p> + +<p>Stadinger looked at him quite puzzled.</p> + +<p>"But I came on receipt of your letter telling me to do so. You wrote me +to fetch Lois from the hospital, so I started at once. I saw the boy +this morning, and found him as gay as he could be, but he can't be moved +for a week, the doctor said; then I am to take him home. What your +highness, and Lois, and all the rest from Rodeck would have done if I +had not stayed home to guard and control—God alone knows."</p> + +<p>Egon drew his hand back impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I am Herr Lieutenant here, and have no other title but my military one, +remember that! and here you are as meek as a lamb, when I counted on a +fine sermon for the benefit of us all. Lois, gentlemen, is the grandson +of this old growler, a fine, brave fellow, and he has a sister as sweet +as a peach. But her grandfather sends her away regularly the minute I +set foot in Rodeck. Why didn't you bring Zena with you, and let her see +a little of the world?"</p> + +<p>The old man, notwithstanding his desire for peace, threw back his head +at this interrogatory, and answered with all the old acerbity:</p> + +<p>"I believed your highness had no time for folly now."</p> + +<p>"You made a mistake then. We lead the wildest kind of a life in the +army, and when I go home again—"</p> + +<p>"Your highness has promised to marry," finished the steward in such an +impressive manner that the officers all shouted. Egon joined in, but +something was wanting in his merriment, and in his answer too.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I've promised that, sure enough, but I have many matters to +settle in the meantime, I'll keep my word in ten years, or perhaps in +twenty—perhaps never!"</p> + +<p>Stadinger listened to his highness's words—not for worlds would he have +obeyed the order to call him Herr lieutenant—and his face darkened.</p> + +<p>"I almost thought as much, for when your highness really does plan for +the future your plans don't last twenty-four hours. Your blessed father +married, and I married, and all men marry, and it's the only way to cure +you of your foolishness, and—"</p> + +<p>"Now gentlemen, the sermon's coming," laughed Egon good-naturedly. He +was not far wrong, for Stadinger spoke his mind as usual, and to the +point too, so that before he finished the officers felt he had the best +of it against the prince. After half an hour's chatter, Willibald and +Eugen Stahlberg rose to go. As they bade good-night to the prince he +said:</p> + +<p>"You push on to-morrow, I hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we march to R——— at daybreak to meet Major General von +Falkenried and his brigade. We'll be some days on the way, I fancy, for +the whole of this region is infested with the enemy, and our next move +will depend upon theirs," answered Willibald.</p> + +<p>"Then tell the general, Will, that I'll be there at latest in a week," +said Eugen. "It's pretty bad to have to stay behind on account of a +scratch that's not worth talking about. In another week I'll be all +right. I don't care what the doctor says, and I hope to join my regiment +before you take R———."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to be active now," said Egon, "for resistance doesn't +continue long where General von Falkenried commands. He's always first +with his men and has been victorious beyond belief. It seems as if no +difficulties were too great for him to surmount."</p> + +<p>"He seems to stand at the head," answered Lieutenant Walldorf. "He may +take R——- while we are lying here idle; perhaps he has taken it +already. No news can reach us with the enemy between."</p> + +<p>He rose to accompany his departing comrades a short distance, while the +prince remained behind by the fire. He folded his arms and looked +vacantly at the burning logs, but the expression of his face was not in +accord with the gaiety he had exhibited before his friends. It was dark +and gloomy, and all light and happiness seemed gone out of it. He had +forgotten Stadinger's presence until the latter gave a little cough, +then he turned and said:</p> + +<p>"Ah, you are there yet, are you? Tell Lois I asked for him, and that I +will see him to-morrow some time. I'll see you again, of course, for +you'll have to wait several days for him. You didn't think we had such a +fine time here, did you? No need to take life hard just because we may +lose it any day."</p> + +<p>The old man looked keenly at his master.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the gentlemen were jolly enough, and you were the ring-leader, +but—your highness is not gay now."</p> + +<p>"I? What's the matter now? Why shouldn't I be gay?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I see you are not happy," declared Stadinger. "When +you were at Rodeck with Herr Rojanow you were quite different. As you +stood looking into the fire just now I could see that something lay on +your heart."</p> + +<p>"Don't bother me with your observations," exclaimed Egon impatiently. +"Do you think I should never have a serious thought, when it may be we +go into battle to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>Then he resumed his old position, and Stadinger, though silent, was +unconvinced. He knew full well that something was the matter with his +master, that it was no thought of battle which clouded his sunny face. +The door opened and Lieutenant Walldorf entered without closing it.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he cried to some one behind him. "Here's an orderly from the +seventh regiment with some information. Come in, orderly!"</p> + +<p>Walldorf repeated his invitation to enter in an impatient tone. The +soldier who stood on the threshold of the door had hesitated, and made a +movement to retreat into the darkness again. Now he obeyed; he remained +close to the door, his face in the shadow.</p> + +<p>"You come from the outpost yonder on chapel mountain?" questioned +Walldorf.</p> + +<p>"At your service, Herr lieutenant."</p> + +<p>Egon, who had turned round indifferently when the soldier entered, +started as he heard the voice. He took a hasty step forward, then halted +suddenly, as if he remembered something, but his glance embraced the +stranger with a look almost of horror. He was, as far as one could see +in the semi-darkness, a tall young soldier wrapped in the coarse mantle +of the private, with a helmet over his closely cut black hair. He stood +stiff and immovable, and gave his message minutely. His voice had a +suppressed, almost suffocated tone.</p> + +<p>"I come from Herr Captain Salfeld!" he announced. "We have seized a +suspicious looking man, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the +relief corps, who was sneaking into the fortress. There was some writing +found on him."</p> + +<p>"Come over closer," ordered Walldorf sharply. "I can't hear you over +there by the door."</p> + +<p>The soldier obeyed at once, and stepped up to the officers. The +firelight gleamed full upon the face, which was pallid, and on the +tightly compressed lips, but not on the eyes, for they seemed fastened +to the ground.</p> + +<p>Egon's hand seized the hilt of his sabre with convulsive grasp; it was +all he could do not to cry out, while Stadinger stared at the man with +wide open eyes.</p> + +<p>"There was some writing found on him, but it was of no consequence, nor +what he told by word of mouth either. Now the Herr Captain wants to know +whether he shall send the prisoner here, or to headquarters, for he +thinks there is more in the papers than meets the eye."</p> + +<p>There was nothing uncommon in this message. Suspicious characters were +arrested daily, particularly from the relief corps, but Prince Adelsberg +hesitated, as if he feared the sound of his own voice, then he gave the +answer:</p> + +<p>"Tell the Herr Captain to send the prisoner here. We relieve the guard +in two hours, and he can be taken on to headquarters at once."</p> + +<p>"I hope we can make the churl say something," said Walldorf. "Many a +coward loses his hold when he knows there's a court martial ahead of +him. Well, we'll see."</p> + +<p>The soldier stood waiting for his dismissal; not a muscle of his face +moved, but he never lifted his eyes. Egon had recovered himself now, and +he asked, in his coldest, most distant tones:</p> + +<p>"You belong to the seventh regiment?"</p> + +<p>"At your service, Herr lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Your name?"</p> + +<p>"Joseph Tanner."</p> + +<p>"Forced into service?"</p> + +<p>"No, a volunteer."</p> + +<p>"Since when?"</p> + +<p>"Since the thirtieth of July."</p> + +<p>"You have been through the whole campaign?"</p> + +<p>"At your service, Herr lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Very well. You can take my message to the Captain."</p> + +<p>The soldier saluted and left the room. Walldorf had been a little +surprised at this examination, but gave no second thought to it. He +looked after the retreating figure and said as he shrugged his +shoulders: "The men on Chapel hill have the devil's own time. They have +no rest day or night, and have to exert themselves to the utmost. The +poor fellows have to work in the hard frozen trenches until the sweat +runs from their faces and their hands are covered with blood. Fighting +is the only relief they get."</p> + +<p>He stepped into another room to order the watch for the expected +prisoner, and to make some additional arrangements. Egon threw open the +window and leaned out—he felt he was suffocating. Then he heard +Stadinger's voice behind him in a half-whisper as though he were too +frightened to speak out loud.</p> + +<p>"Your highness!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" the prince answered without turning around.</p> + +<p>"But didn't your highness see—?"</p> + +<p>"See what?"</p> + +<p>"The orderly, who was just here—that was Herr Rojanow, as sure as he +lives and breathes."</p> + +<p>Egon saw that presence of mind was necessary here; he turned and said +coldly: "I believe you see ghosts!"</p> + +<p>"But, your highness—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! only a passing resemblance. I noticed it myself. That's why I +asked the man his name. You heard him say his name was Tanner!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it was Herr Rojanow for all that," said Stadinger, whose sharp +eyes were not to be deceived. "To be sure the black locks were gone, and +the proud, independent manner, but his voice was, the same!"</p> + +<p>"Do cease your senseless chatter," said Egon violently. "You know very +well that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, and now you find him in an orderly +of the seventh regiment. It is really laughable."</p> + +<p>Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or +impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his +friend was only a common soldier. To be sure the Herr Rojanow of Rodeck, +who ordered every one around, even the prince himself, and the orderly +whom Lieutenant Walldorf ordered to come forward because he didn't speak +loud enough, were as far apart as heaven and earth. If it had not been +for the voice!</p> + +<p>"Then your highness, you think—" Stadinger began again.</p> + +<p>"I think you're an old ghost-hunter," said Egon gently. "Go to your +quarters and get a good night's rest after your journey; otherwise +you'll be discovering resemblances throughout the whole +garrison—good-night!"</p> + +<p>Stadinger obeyed, and left for his own quarters at once. He shook his +head as he went—he was by no means satisfied with his master's +peremptory dismissal of the subject.</p> + +<p>The prince paced the little room in great excitement as soon as he was +alone. His former friend had forced his way into the army +notwithstanding. Joseph Tanner! He remembered perfectly to whom the name +had belonged, and knew only too well whose hand had opened the way for +Hartmut. What will not a woman do for the man she loves, what price will +she not pay? She had even sent him into danger in order that he might be +reconciled to life and himself.</p> + +<p>Jealousy, fierce and wild, filled Egon's heart at these thoughts, and +above all rose the fearful suspicion of the man's fidelity to his flag +and country. Was his presence at the dangerous outpost an answer to +suspicions, or was it a cloak to hide secret machinations?</p> + +<p>Then the prince thought of the pale, dark face which had been so dear to +him, and with a motion of torture, he tried to put the memory from him. +He knew, none so well, Hartmut's intense pride, and this pride was +dragged in the dirt day after day in the degrading position which he +occupied.</p> + +<p>He had heard of the ceaseless labor on Chapel hill, of the days and +nights employed in digging trenches, of the worn bodies, the bleeding +hands. That was what Rojanow did now, the same Rojanow who had had a +city at his feet one short year before, who had been the honored guest +at princely boards, whose successful work had not only placed the laurel +wreath on his brow, but had brought him a fortune as well. And besides +all this, he was General von Falkenried's son.</p> + +<p>Egon's breast heaved violently as he thought of it all. Then his lost +confidence came back to him slowly, and banished the unjust doubts. +Hartmut was atoning now for his boyish folly. As for the rest, his +mother, and she alone, was to blame.</p> + +<p>It was about nine o'clock in the evening when the prince left his +quarters in order to visit the commandant. He did not go on an affair of +service, but in answer to an invitation from the general, who had been +an old friend of his father, and had looked after the son, since the +campaign began, with fatherly solicitude. Egon would have given much to +be alone this evening, for his meeting with Hartmut had moved him +deeply, but a soldier has little time for brooding, and an invitation +from a commanding officer must not be set aside.</p> + +<p>As the young prince went into the house he met an adjutant coming out, +who explained breathlessly that there was bad news, but that the general +would tell him all.</p> + +<p>The general was alone, and was pacing the room in great excitement, +gesticulating and muttering as he went.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Prince Adelsberg, is it you?" he exclaimed, halting in his walk as +Egon entered the room. "I can't promise you a pleasant evening, for we +have had intelligence which destroys all sociability for us to-night."</p> + +<p>"The adjutant said something about trouble," answered Egon. "What is it, +your excellency? The despatches at midday were very favorable."</p> + +<p>"I only got the news an hour ago. The man you sent to headquarters +to-night as a suspicious character had it all. Do you know what he had +with him?"</p> + +<p>"Captain Salfeld sent word he had papers of little importance, +apparently, but thought they might contain some secret advices; of +course, a spy would not carry anything in writing that looked suspicious +on the surface."</p> + +<p>"Well, the papers were most important. The man was a coward, naturally, +and when he was threatened with a bullet, he revealed all, and, alas! we +cannot doubt the truth of his statements. You may remember a few lines +on a slip of paper which read that one had better in an extreme case +follow the heroic example of the commanding general before R——-."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I didn't understand that, for the fort will have to surrender +soon. General von Falkenried said he hoped to take it to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I fear he will do it!" answered the General, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"You fear, your excellency?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's been treachery, there's been foul villainy at work! They +will surrender the fort, and then as soon as their garrison have been +taken off as prisoners of war, and our men occupy the citadel, it will +be blown up."</p> + +<p>"God help us!" cried the young prince, excitedly. "Cannot General +Falkenried be warned?"</p> + +<p>"I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two +different ways, but our direct course to R——— is cut off. The enemy +holds the mountain pass, and it is quite impossible for the messengers +to reach the place in time."</p> + +<p>Egon was silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>The pass was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's +regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a +day or two.</p> + +<p>"We have thought of everything," continued the general, "but there isn't +the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to +close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of +his men, will perish."</p> + +<p>He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince +stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency?"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"If it were possible in spite of everything, to send the despatches by +the mountain path—a good rider could get to R——— by to-morrow +morning; to be sure he'd have to ride for life or death—dash right +through the enemy."</p> + +<p>"What folly! You are a soldier and should know that such a course would +be madness. The boldest rider would be shot down before he had been gone +an hour."</p> + +<p>"But if one could find the man who would make the attempt? I know a man +who would do it."</p> + +<p>The general scowled at the young man.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that you would venture upon this useless exposure? I forbid +it, once for all, Prince Adelsberg. I pride myself upon my officers' +bravery, but I cannot permit any such senseless experiments."</p> + +<p>"I do not mean myself, your excellency," said Egon, earnestly. "The man +whom I mean is in the seventh regiment, and is at this moment on outpost +duty on Chapel mountain. It was he who brought me word of the prisoner."</p> + +<p>The general shook his head thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I tell you it's impossible, but—who is the man?"</p> + +<p>"Joseph Tanner."</p> + +<p>"A private?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a volunteer."</p> + +<p>"You know something about him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole +army,—bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act +with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do +it."</p> + +<p>"And you believe—it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to +sure death—you believe the man will do it freely—willingly?"</p> + +<p>"I'll swear he will, your excellency."</p> + +<p>"Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for +Tanner at once."</p> + +<p>"May I take the order to him?" interrupted Egon, quickly. The general +turned in surprise and looked at him.</p> + +<p>"You, yourself, do you mean? Why?"</p> + +<p>"Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel +mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting +place an hour would be lost."</p> + +<p>There was nothing to be said in answer to this, and yet the general felt +there was something about the whole affair which he did not understand. +A common soldier rarely undertook, voluntarily, a mission which drove +him into the arms of death, but the old warrior asked no further +questions, he only said: "You will be responsible for the man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Egon, quietly but emphatically.</p> + +<p>"Good, then you can give him all the necessary instructions; there is +one thing more; he must have credentials if he ever reaches our own +posts, for any detention would be fatal where every minute counts."</p> + +<p>He turned to his writing table, and after setting his seal to a paper, +handed it to the prince.</p> + +<p>"Here are the necessary papers, and these are the despatches for General +Falkenried. Let me know at once whether Tanner was willing to go or +not."</p> + +<p>"I'll let your excellency know immediately."</p> + +<p>Egon hurried to his own quarters, where he ordered his horse to be +saddled. In five minutes he was off for Chapel mountain.</p> + +<p>Chapel mountain, which the German troops had so christened from the +little church which stood on its summit, was one of a subordinate range +of hills, which traversed the country in the region where the army corps +of the South were quartered. The little church lay desolate and lonely, +half buried in the deep snow. Priest and sacristan were gone long since, +and the house of God bore traces of demolition, for a deadly battle had +been fought on this height. The walls were standing and part of the +pointed roof; the rest had been carried away by shot and shell, and the +wind whistled through the shattered windows. Ice and snow covered the +surrounding wood, and a faint half-moon lit up the whole with a +ghastly, uncertain light.</p> + +<p>It was a bitter cold night, like that memorable one at Rodeck. A deep +red flame lit up the horizon, but it was no northern light this time, no +purple glow to lessen the gloom, it was the signal of war, the deep, +blood-red flash such as went up from every village and hamlet in +Germany, rousing men to action, waving them on to battle and—to death!</p> + +<p>A single guard stood at one of the lonely outposts—Hartmut von +Falkenried. His eyes were fixed on distant watch fires which from time +to time sent up their showers of sparks to heaven. In the distance, +warmth and light, here, ice and night. The cold which had been intense +all day strengthened with the night, and seemed to freeze out all life +from the solitary watch on duty. True there were other sentinels, at +various posts, but they were not accustomed to winters in the Orient or +in Sicily. Hartmut had spent no winters in the north since his boyhood's +days, and the cold seemed to freeze the very blood in his veins.</p> + +<p>A deadly languor came over him, which was not the forerunner of sleep; +it crept into the limbs and closed the heavy eyelids. He fought it off +bravely, but it would return again and again as the icy air grew colder. +He knew what it meant and struggled bravely against it. Surely he would +not freeze to death.</p> + +<p>His glance turned, as if seeking strength, to the little half-ruined +house of God. What were church and altar to him? He had cast all belief +from him long ago. Death was an eternal night, and life alone could give +him all he wished, full expiation of his early fault, the woman he +loved, the poet's crown, his father's blessing! But here he stood at his +post waiting an inglorious death, which he felt would meet him ere the +night was over. He would not swerve from duty, death might seek him and +find him—on guard.</p> + +<p>Then in the distance he heard steps and voices which came nearer; they +waked him up from the lethargy into which he had fallen. He aroused +himself and grasped his gun more firmly, though he knew it was some one +from his own regiment. What was it? The hour of redemption was close at +hand though he knew it not. A few minutes later a corporal with another +man stood before him.</p> + +<p>"Picket! Orders from headquarters brought by an officer!" cried the +corporal. The relief had come! The man who but a second since stood on +the bleak, dreary shore of despair, felt himself recalled to life at the +sound.</p> + +<p>He started to follow the corporal, when the other man, an officer also, +stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"Let the corporal go on. I wish to speak to you alone, Tanner. Follow +me!"</p> + +<p>Prince Adelsberg, who wished no witnesses, stepped into the little +church, and Hartmut followed him. The pale moonlight entering through +the open window showed only disorder and confusion. The roof had been +pierced by a cannon ball, which had shattered pulpit and desk as well; +only the little altar, in its quiet niche, remained undisturbed.</p> + +<p>Egon stepped into the middle of the room, then he turned and said:</p> + +<p>"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p>"Herr lieutenant?"</p> + +<p>"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another +so soon again."</p> + +<p>"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily. +"You come—"</p> + +<p>"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel +mountain. A fearful night for such a service."</p> + +<p>Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would +have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain +light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned +against a pillar as if needing support.</p> + +<p>"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit," +he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so +for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your +exertions you have the strength, is another question."</p> + +<p>"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my +strength. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R——— through +the mountain pass just where the enemy lies."</p> + +<p>"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where—"</p> + +<p>"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not +reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!"</p> + +<p>Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in +an instant.</p> + +<p>"I can save my father? I? What has happened? What am I to do?"</p> + +<p>"Listen. The prisoner which you sent to us this evening has made some +terrible revelations. The fort is to be blown up after the surrender, as +soon as the French garrison are out and our men are in it. The general +has sent two messengers—but they take round-about ways and will never +reach there in time. Your father intends to seize the fort to-morrow. He +must be warned in time, and there's but one way. The news must go +through the mountain pass which the enemy hold; that is the only chance +to reach our friends. But that way—"</p> + +<p>"I know it. Our regiment marched through it two weeks ago before the +enemy had taken it," cried Hartmut.</p> + +<p>"All the better! You must of course lay aside your uniform."</p> + +<p>"I only need exchange my cloak and helmet. If I had stayed here I'd have +been dead in a few hours; now if I ride fast enough I have one chance. +If I only had a good horse."</p> + +<p>"That is ready for you, I brought my own Arabian, Sadi, with me. You +know him well, have ridden him often. He'll fly like a bird on a night +like this, he'll need no whip to spur him on."</p> + +<p>The conversation was whispered in stormy haste, and the prince handed +him the papers.</p> + +<p>"Here is the general's order which you present when you reach our +sentinels, and here are the dispatches. Take a half hour to get some +warmth and strength into your body, then you can start."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I want rest or warmth?" cried Hartmut, the old Hartmut +again. "When I break down now it will be from the enemy's bullet. I +thank you Egon for this hour, in which you have at last, at last, +exonerated me from a fearful suspicion!"</p> + +<p>"And in which I send you to your death," said the prince gently. "We +must not hide the truth from ourselves—only a miracle can save you."</p> + +<p>"A miracle?" Hartmut's glance sought the altar which the flickering +moonlight revealed. He had ceased to pray long years ago, and yet in +this moment a hot, speechless prayer went up to Heaven for strength to +accomplish this miracle. "If I can only save my father then I am +content!"</p> + +<p>In the next second he turned, and Egon, who had put new life into him +and given him back his courage, said gently:</p> + +<p>"And now let us say good-bye! God bless you, Hartmut!"</p> + +<p>The two friends clung to one another in a last embrace. All that had +come between them was lost sight of forever, and the old, warm love was +mightier than ever in this last hour, for they both felt that it was a +farewell for all time.</p> + +<p>Scarcely fifteen minutes later a rider dashed out of the camp. The +slender Arab's hoofs hardly touched the ground over which it sped; in a +wild gallop it went on over the snow-covered ground, through the +ice-clad forest, over frozen streams, on, on, into the mountain pass!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>The following day brought clear, frosty weather. The intense cold had +abated and the sun shone out warm and bright. Eugen Stahlberg and +Lieutenant Walldorf, free from duty for the time being, were in Prince +Adelsberg's quarters. Walldorf had been thrown from his horse the +previous evening, and his hand had been injured, and this prevented him +from going out with his company, as Egon had done. The gentlemen were +waiting for the return of their princely comrade, who must be back soon +now, and as they waited, they teased and guyed old Peter Stadinger, who +was on duty early at his master's quarters.</p> + +<p>The young officers had heard nothing of the news which had been learned +over night at headquarters, they were as merry as could be, and +indulged in much raillery over old Peter's lectures to his master. But +the old man said little in answer to their banter this morning; his +master was long in returning, and Stadinger had reached the age when he +borrowed trouble, and it rested heavily upon him. Finally Walldorf got +out of all patience with him and said:</p> + +<p>"I believe, Stadinger, you'd like to strap the prince on your back and +take him off to Rodeck with you. The camp is no place for anxiety or +alarm, remember that."</p> + +<p>"Then the prince had to reconnoitre to-day," added Eugen. "He has to +make a detour from Chapel mountain to the valley beneath and through the +ravine, in order to see what the outlook is. We'll probably have a +pleasant exchange of civilities with the French gentlemen within the +next few days, and we want to be ready for them at all points."</p> + +<p>"But there's plenty of chances for them to shoot now, isn't there?" +asked the old man with such anxiety that the officers had to laugh +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's chances enough to shoot," Walldorf asserted. "You seem to +be afraid of a gun. You're safe from any stray shots here!"</p> + +<p>"I?" the old man straightened himself; he was deeply insulted. "I wish +to God I could be in the midst of it all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you'd stay by the prince, and when you saw a bullet coming you'd +give his coat a pull and say: 'Be careful, your highness, here comes a +bullet.' That would be great fun."</p> + +<p>"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man so earnestly that their merriment +was silenced, "you should not talk so to an old hunter, who has climbed +time and again to the mountain's summit, and shot, and killed too, where +he had scarcely room to plant his foot. It is only here that I am so +anxious and discouraged—I would the day were well over."</p> + +<p>"We were only in fun," said Eugen good naturedly. "Of course you're not +afraid of a shot, one only has to look at you to know that. But don't +come to us with your presentiments and misgivings; after men have stood +under a shower of bullets they don't heed croakings. When we're all home +again I am going to visit my sister at Ostwalden and we'll be good +neighbors, you and I. The prince is very fond of his hunting castle at +Rodeck, is he not? But you can banish your gloomy thoughts, for here he +comes."</p> + +<p>There was a quick step without on the stair; the old man gave a relieved +sigh, but when the door opened it was only Eugen's man who appeared.</p> + +<p>"Isn't his highness coming?" asked Walldorf; but Stadinger gave the man +no time to answer. He had glanced at his face, only a glance, then he +started forward and seized his hand half-frantically.</p> + +<p>"What is it? Where—where is my master?"</p> + +<p>The man shook his head sadly and pointed to the window; the two officers +hastened to it, but Stadinger lost no time in looking; he rushed out of +the door and down the steps and across the little yard, and sank down +with a piercing cry beside a litter which two soldiers were carrying, +and upon which a tall, youthful form was stretched.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" said the surgeon, who accompanied the sad little procession. +"Control yourself, the prince is badly wounded."</p> + +<p>"I see that," said the old man, huskily. "But his wound is not mortal? +Tell me it's not mortal!"</p> + +<p>He glanced up at the physician with a look of such despair, that the +latter had not the heart to tell him the truth. He turned to the two +officers who had followed Stadinger, and answered their questions +instead.</p> + +<p>"A bullet in the breast," he said in a whisper. "The prince desired to +be brought to his own quarters, and we have been as careful as we could, +but the end is nearer than I thought."</p> + +<p>"No hope then?" asked Walldorf.</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest."</p> + +<p>The men were already lifting their burden to carry him into the house, +when the physician motioned them to put him down.</p> + +<p>"Wait! The prince wants to speak to his old servant, I think. A few +minutes here or there doesn't matter now."</p> + +<p>Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what was going on around him, he saw +only his master. Egon appeared to be unconscious; the blonde hair was +thrown back, the eyes were closed, and under the mantle with which the +man had covered him was the blood-soaked uniform.</p> + +<p>"Your highness!" said the old man in low, heart-rending tones. "Look at +me, speak to me! It is your old Stadinger."</p> + +<p>The well-known voice found its way to the dying man's ear; he opened his +eyes slowly, and a faint smile crossed his face as he recognized his +faithful servant.</p> + +<p>"My old ghost of the woods," he said softly; "and you are with me at the +last."</p> + +<p>"But you'll not die, your highness," murmured Stadinger. His whole body +was in a tremble, but he never took his eyes from his adored master. +"No, you will not die, you will not die .'"</p> + +<p>"Do you think it is so hard?" said Egon quietly. "Yesterday you were +quite right, a burden was on my heart, now it is light. Take a greeting +to dear Rodeck, and the forest, and to the lady of Ostwalden."</p> + +<p>"To whom? To Frau von Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, thinking he had not +heard aright.</p> + +<p>"Yes, tell her I send her my last greeting; she must think of me +sometimes."</p> + +<p>The words came slowly, brokenly, from the lips which would so soon +refuse to do further service, but there was no mistaking their full +significance. Eugen was startled when he heard his sister's name, and +bent over the dying man, who looked into the countenance which so +resembled Adelheid's, and again a smile lighted his face. Then he raised +his head and laid it heavily on the breast of his old ghost of the +woods, and the sunny blue eyes closed forever.</p> + +<p>It was a short, painless battle with death, a peaceful falling to sleep. +Stadinger hardly breathed while life remained in the body of him he had +nursed as a babe and cherished as a man, but was to lose forever now. +When all was over the old man lost control of himself, and threw himself +in despair on the body of his beloved master, and sobbed like a child.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Yonder, on the other side of the mountain-pass, the clear, bright winter +sun lighted up the citadel which had just surrendered to the German +troops. The garrison which had occupied it were marching off prisoners +of war, while a portion of the victors were already on their way to the +fort.</p> + +<p>General von Falkenried, surrounded by his staff, was standing in the +market-place of the little city, and was just on the point of marching +to the fortress. The helmets and guns of the men gleamed brightly in the +morning sun as they marched in solemn order toward the citadel.</p> + +<p>General von Falkenried, who had been giving various orders, now turned +to his officers and gave the signal to move forward.</p> + +<p>At that moment a rider came dashing down the main street at a mad galop. +His noble horse was covered with sweat and froth, and his flanks were +bleeding from the sharp spurs which had been pressed into his side. The +rider's face was covered with blood, too, which evidently came from a +wound in the forehead which had been hastily bound with a cloth. As if +fleeing before a storm, he heeded naught in his path, but rushed on in +his mad ride toward the market-place where the commanding general was to +be found.</p> + +<p>Just a few steps from his goal the horse's strength gave out and he +fell. But in the same instant the rider had sprung from the saddle, and +hastened to the commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>"I come from General M——."</p> + +<p>Falkenried drew a sharp, quick breath; he had not recognized the +blood-stained face, he only knew that the man must have come on some +important mission, but the tone of the man's voice gave him some +premonition of the truth.</p> + +<p>Hartmut swayed for a moment and put his hand to his head—it seemed as +if he, like his horse, would succumb at the last moment; but he gathered +himself together for a final effort.</p> + +<p>"It is a warning from the general—there is treachery, the citadel is to +be blown up as soon as our men are in it—here are the dispatches."</p> + +<p>He tore the dispatches from his breast and handed them to Falkenried. +The officers were startled by the unexpected news, and gathered around +their chief waiting the corroboration or denial of the statement just +made, but a strange sight met their eyes. Their general, who never lost +his presence of mind, no matter how unexpected or how dreadful the +calamity which he faced, stood gazing at the orderly as if a ghost had +risen from the earth, still holding the unopened dispatches in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Herr General, the dispatches!" said one of the adjutants, half aloud. +He understood his leader as little as did the others. It was enough to +bring Falkenried to his senses. He tore open the dispatches and learned +their contents in a second, then again he was a soldier who thought of +nothing but duty. He gave his orders in a loud, clear voice, the +officers hurried hither and thither, cries of command were given, and +signals sounded in every direction, and a few minutes later the division +marching to the fortress was brought to a standstill, while the +withdrawing garrison was also brought to a sudden halt.</p> + +<p>Now the alarm signal was sounded from the citadel. Neither friend nor +foe knew what it signified, only the newly conquered fort must be +evacuated at once. The orders were carried out promptly. Despite the +haste there was no disorder; the troops turned to march back to the city +as they marched from it.</p> + +<p>Falkenried still stood in the same place issuing orders, receiving +communications, while with glance and word he watched and guided all. +But he found a minute's time to turn to his son, he to whom he had given +no sign of recognition.</p> + +<p>"You are bleeding—your wound must be bound."</p> + +<p>Hartmut shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Later; first I must see the retreat and know we are saved."</p> + +<p>The fearful excitement kept him up. He swayed no more, but watched with +feverish impatience every movement of the troops. Falkenried looked at +him, then he said:</p> + +<p>"Which way did you come?"</p> + +<p>"Over the pass."</p> + +<p>"Why, the enemy hold it," cried the General.</p> + +<p>"Yes—they hold it."</p> + +<p>"And yet you came that way?"</p> + +<p>"There was no choice; we only knew it last night, and I had no time for +any other."</p> + +<p>"That's a piece of heroism without parallel," said a high officer, who +had just come up with a communication and heard the last words. "Man, +how did you dare to run such a risk?"</p> + +<p>Hartmut was silent; he raised his eyes slowly, and looked at his father. +Now he was not afraid to meet those eyes, and in them he read that he +was absolved.</p> + +<p>But even the strength of him who has ventured all—and won, has its +limits.</p> + +<p>His father's face was the last he saw, then a bloody veil covered his +eyes; he felt the blood again, hot and wet, running down his face, and +all was night to him as he sank to the ground.</p> + +<p>There was a roar and a shock which made the whole city quake and +tremble. The citadel whose outline rose bold and clear toward the blue +heavens seemed suddenly to be turned into a seething, glowing crater, +vomiting flame. Within the bursting walls a very hell seemed to gape, as +the shower of stones rose in the air only to sink again in the fiery +hollow, and, as the gigantic wreck burned and blazed, it made one mighty +pillar of fire reaching to the very heavens above—a vengeful, hideous +flame of death.</p> + +<p>The warning had not come a moment too soon. In spite of all precautions +there had been some victims who lived in the immediate vicinity of the +citadel and could not be reached, who were either blown to pieces or +severely wounded; though in comparison with the fearful calamity which +might have occurred and would have paralyzed all Germany, the loss was +slight.</p> + +<p>The General with his officers and all his troops were saved.</p> + +<p>The General, with his wonted foresight and energy, had taken every +precaution to avoid the terrible catastrophe, while his coolness, his +example, had done more than anything else to inspire both officers and +men to action. But now, when his duty as commander-in-chief was done, he +had his rights as a father.</p> + +<p>Hartmut had been carried, when he fell, to a house near by, and lay +unconscious on his narrow cot. He neither saw nor heard his father, who +stood with the surgeon by his side.</p> + +<p>Falkenried looked earnestly at the pale, worn face and closed eyes, then +he turned to the surgeon and said:</p> + +<p>"Do you consider the wound mortal?"</p> + +<p>The physician shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"The wound of itself is not, but the strain and excitement of that +fearful ride, the loss of blood, and the terrible night—I fear, +General, there's little hope for the brave fellow. We must be prepared +for the worst."</p> + +<p>"I am prepared!" said Falkenried earnestly, then he kneeled and kissed +his son, whom he had only found, he feared, to lose again; as he rose +two hot tears fell on the death-like face.</p> + +<p>But the father had no time to stay by his son. He must be up and doing. +After a few minutes he left the room, leaving repeated injunctions with +the doctor not to relax his watchful care for an instant.</p> + +<p>The General's staff and many other officers were waiting in the +market-place for their commander. As they waited they talked of the man +who had ridden through the jaws of death to save them all; none knew his +name, but he had come through the mountain pass, had faced a revengeful +and infuriated foe, with death on all sides, and had reached them in +time.</p> + +<p>When the general appeared they surrounded and questioned him at once +concerning the brave stranger.</p> + +<p>Falkenried had his usual earnest look, but the settled gloom of his face +was gone forever, and in its stead was an expression which those around +him had never seen before. His eyes were wet, but his voice was firm and +clear as he answered:</p> + +<p>"Yes, gentlemen, he is severely wounded, and perhaps the ride which +saved us all was his death ride. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you would know his name, he is my son—Hartmut von +Falkenried."</p> + +<p>The old manor house of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and quiet in the summer +sunshine. Its young master, who had been away from it for a whole year +had just returned to it and to his young wife, for the war was over.</p> + +<p>The great estate had not suffered during his long absence; it had been +well cared for. The mother had taken the reins in hand again, and had +governed as of old with judgment and a watchful eye, but she now +resigned them willingly to her son, and declared her intention of taking +up her residence in Berlin.</p> + +<p>She looked well and happy to-day as she stood upon the broad stone +veranda talking with her son who was by her side. He had never before +seemed so handsome in her eyes, for his military life and discipline had +given him a fine, stately bearing. She might well feel that he had +gained something with which her education had not provided him, but she +would not have admitted that for the world.</p> + +<p>"So you intend to build?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I had thought of it."</p> + +<p>"The old house in which your father and I lived is not good enough for +your princess, whom you must needs surround with all possible glitter +and splendor. Not that I care. You have the money to do it with. If all +these fine doings please you, well and good. It's nothing to me, thank +God."</p> + +<p>"Don't try to be so severe, mother," laughed Willibald. "If a stranger +heard you he'd think you were the worst kind of a mother-in-law. If +Marietta's letters had not given me assurance enough that you spoiled +her, your own actions every day would do so."</p> + +<p>"Now and then one plays, even in old age, with a pretty doll," Regine +answered dryly. "And your wife is but a fragile doll. Do not imagine +she'll ever be a capable housewife—I saw at a glance that she hadn't +it in her to manage here."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," answered her son eagerly "The work and the +management of the estate are my care and mine alone, and I shall never +bother Marietta with them. One takes pleasure in work too with such a +sweet little singing bird by his side and in his heart."</p> + +<p>"Willibald, I don't believe your head is right yet," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with her old acerbity. "Who ever heard a sensible man, a +married man and a landed gentleman, speak in such a manner of his wife, +'A sweet little singing bird.' You've been learning that from your bosom +friend, Hartmut, whom you all think such a great poet."</p> + +<p>"No mother, that's my own poetry," said Willibald, defending himself. "I +never wrote but one poem, and that was on the night when I saw Marietta +play. I gave it to Hartmut and asked him to change it a little and make +it read more like his. I'll tell you what he said in answer. 'Dear Will, +your poem is very beautiful and full of feeling; but you'd better let +it remain as it is. The public would in all probability not appreciate +the lines as they deserve, and your wife will value your work better +without any rearrangement by me.' That was my bosom friend's judgment."</p> + +<p>"It served you right; what had you, a landlord, to do with verses?" +cried Regine sharply. Just then the door from the dining-room opened, +and a dark curly head peeped out, while a fresh voice said playfully:</p> + +<p>"May a poor subject have a moment's speech with her most gracious +majesty?"</p> + +<p>"Come here with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen, but the invitation was +unnecessary, for the young wife was already in her husband's arms, while +he, drawing her to him, whispered something in her ear.</p> + +<p>"There you begin again," said his mother. "Some people never grow tired +of folly."</p> + +<p>The young wife turned toward her mother-in-law and said:</p> + +<p>"You mustn't forget that we had no honeymoon when we were married, and +so we are taking it now. You know from experience that one is permitted +an extra share of happiness during that time."</p> + +<p>Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with Herr von +Eschenhagen of blessed memory had been of another kind.</p> + +<p>"You received a letter from your grandfather, did you not, Marietta?" +she said, changing the subject. "Good news?"</p> + +<p>"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well, and is delighted at the thought +that he'll be here with me in another month. He writes that it's the +quietest summer he has known for a long time around Waldhofen. Rodeck +has been desolate and deserted since the prince's death. Ostwalden is +closed and Fürstenstein will be empty soon, too. Toni is to be married +in two weeks, and then uncle Schönau will be all alone."</p> + +<p>The last words were spoken in a peculiar tone, and Marietta gave her +mother-in-law an odd glance, which the latter did not notice; she only +said:</p> + +<p>"It does seem singular for Hartmut and Ada to spend the first weeks of +their marriage here in that little villa when they could go to the great +castle at Ostwalden or one of the Stahlberg palaces."</p> + +<p>"They wanted to be as near the general as possible," said Willibald.</p> + +<p>"Well, in this case, Falkenried could have gotten leave and gone to +them. God be praised! The man seems to live again since he has his son +with him. I knew better than any one how the boy's flight struck him, +for he fairly worshipped his son, notwithstanding his severity. That +famous ride which saved his father and his troops, absolved him from all +his boyhood's errors, for which, after all, his mother alone was +accountable."</p> + +<p>"If we only had some wedding festivities in the family," said Marietta. +"Will and I were married without any, because the war had commenced, and +now when the war is happily ended, Hartmut and Ada are married just as +quietly as we."</p> + +<p>"My child, when a man has gone through all that Hartmut has endured, he +has little desire for gaieties," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. +"Besides, he has by no means recovered his strength yet. You saw how +pale he was when they were married. Adelheid's first marriage was very +different from her second one. Her poor father gave her away, although +he was so ill, and she in her train and lace and diamonds looked like a +queen; but her face was pale and cold. Now, she seemed like a different +creature as she turned with Hartmut from the altar in her simple white +silk gown and gauzy veil. I have never seen so peaceful, so happy a +face! Poor Herbert! He never possessed his wife's love."</p> + +<p>"Who could love so old a man? Always with his diplomatic coat and manner +on, too. I shouldn't have been able to do it, I'm sure," cried Marietta, +thoughtlessly.</p> + +<p>Her mother-in-law, who held her brother's memory sacred, said tartly:</p> + +<p>"Such an opportunity would never have come in your way. A man like +Herbert von Wallmoden would scarcely have chosen you, you little +insolent thing—"</p> + +<p>The little insolent thing threw her arms around Frau Regine's neck, and +said, flatteringly:</p> + +<p>"Now, don't be angry, mamma! I wouldn't exchange my Will for all the +great ambassadors of the world, and neither would you."</p> + +<p>"You're a little minx," said Regine, striving to look as severe as ever. +"You know very well that one can't be angry with you long. Oh, there'll +be a petticoat government at Burgsdorf from this time on, such as the +place has never witnessed before. Will's a little ashamed before me yet, +but as soon as I'm gone he'll surrender at discretion."</p> + +<p>"Why do you cling to that idea, mother?" said Willibald, reprovingly. +"Why do you want to go when all is love and peace between us?"</p> + +<p>"Just for that reason I go, that peace may continue; we need not discuss +it, my son. I must always be first where I live and work. You must be +that now, and we wouldn't pull together. Until now we have been +distressed and anxious about you, not knowing what hour would bring +tidings to break our hearts. That's all over, but I'm not so old that I +must be set aside as useless. Wherever I am I must be the head, and for +that reason I am going."</p> + +<p>She turned and entered the house, while her son gazed after her and gave +a troubled sigh.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she is right," he said, "but it will be hard for her to be +without duties or occupation. Enforced quiet will be very hard for her, +I know. You should have begged her to remain, Marietta."</p> + +<p>Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and looked up smiling:</p> + +<p>"O no, I'll do something better. I'll have a care that when she leaves +us she will not be unhappy."</p> + +<p>"You? What will you do?"</p> + +<p>"Only a simple thing—have her get married."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"O, Will, to be so wise and yet see nothing," said his wife with her old +sweet silvery laugh. "Have you no idea why uncle Schönau was in such a +bad humor when we met him in Berlin, and urged him to visit us? Your +mother didn't invite him because she feared another proposal; he +understood that, and it made him furious. I saw them at Waldhofen the +time of our marriage, and I knew he would have been very glad to have a +similar ceremony performed for himself, only your mother said him nay. +Don't put on such a face, Will; you look exactly as you did the first +day I saw you."</p> + +<p>Her husband was gazing at her in boundless astonishment. He had never +dreamed of such a possibility as his mother marrying again, or his uncle +either, for that matter. It struck him now as a most excellent +arrangement.</p> + +<p>"Marietta, how wise you are!" he said, looking with admiration at the +smiling girl, who was beaming with satisfaction at the manner in which +her news had been received.</p> + +<p>"I'm wiser than you think," she declared triumphantly, "for I have set +the wheel going. I took occasion to let uncle Schönau know that if he +stormed the fort again, a complete surrender might follow. He said he +had no intention of being refused again, but you'll see him sooner than +you think. In fact he's in the house now, came half an hour ago, but I +determined to say nothing about it before mamma—here he is now!"</p> + +<p>The head forester stepped on the terrace just in time to hear the last +words.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here I am," said Herr von Schönau. "It's all your little wife's +fault, Will, that I am at Burgsdorf. I'm here at her suggestion, and if +that mother of your's is not obstinate and unreasonable and pig-headed +as usual—why I'll marry her."</p> + +<p>"I pray to God you may, uncle," answered Will, to whom this summary of +his mother's wonted characteristics was very singular, to say the least.</p> + +<p>"Yes, so do I," agreed Schönau, "your wife thinks—"</p> + +<p>"I think that you shouldn't lose a moment," cried Marietta, "Mamma has +just gone to her sitting-room and knows nothing of your arrival. Will +and I will remain behind, and if the worst comes to the worst call on +us. Forward, march!"</p> + +<p>With these words she gave him a push, and the sturdy, broad shouldered +man turned at her bidding, saying to Will, who entered the house with +him:</p> + +<p>"They are all commanders whether they be large or small—it's born in +them, I suppose."</p> + +<p>Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her cosy room looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she was to leave in a few days. Though +she had said so decidedly she would go, the decision had been no light +matter to her. The strong, active, capable woman who had been mistress +here for thirty years and over, dreaded the quiet and inactivity of city +life, of which she had had some slight experience at the time of her +quarrel with her son. She dreaded going back to it now, though she knew +it was but just and fitting to leave Willibald and his wife alone, and +she had the courage to do what was right. She heard the door open and +turned to see the head forester enter the room.</p> + +<p>"Moritz, you here?" she said, surprised. "It was very sensible of you to +come."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm always sensible," answered the head forester, with his usual +lack of tact. "You didn't have the grace to invite me, but I thought I'd +come in person to invite you and your children to Toni's marriage. You +will come to Fürstenstein, will you not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly we will come, but we were surprised to hear it was to take +place so soon. I thought you were going to buy them an estate first and +settle the matter more slowly!"</p> + +<p>"No, they wouldn't wait or listen to reason. Our warriors make great +demands when they come home covered with glory. Walldorf said to me +quite coolly: 'You know you said first conquer then marry. Well we have +conquered; now I shall marry without any delay. The estate can wait, the +land won't run away, but we must be married now!' Of course Toni +seconded everything he said. What could I do? I let them name the day +then and there."</p> + +<p>Frau von Eschenhagen laughed.</p> + +<p>"The young are in a hurry to marry, though they have plenty of time to +wait."</p> + +<p>"The old have none to spare, though," said the head forester promptly, +glad of so good a chance to get on the subject near his heart. "Have you +reflected enough over our little affair, Regine?"</p> + +<p>"What affair?"</p> + +<p>"Why, our marriage. I trust you are in the humor for it now." Regine +turned away somewhat embarrassed.</p> + +<p>"How you do love to take one by surprise, Moritz."</p> + +<p>"So that is what you call taking by surprise?" cried the head forester, +irritated. "Over five years ago I asked you to marry me, then last year +a second time, and now for the third time, so you have had plenty of +time to consider the matter. Yes, or no? If you send me away this time +I'll never come again, understand that!"</p> + +<p>Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Notwithstanding her hard, unyielding nature, deep down in her +heart there had always been a warm feeling for the man who was to have +been her husband long years ago, for Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had +turned from her she had married another, for she had no thought of +leading a desolate, useless life; but the same feeling of bitter woe +which had entered the young girl's heart was in the heart of the older +woman to-day and closed her lips. She stood silent for a few minutes, +then cast the sweet, sad memory from her forever, and gave her hand to +her brother-in-law:</p> + +<p>"Well then, yes, Moritz! I will make you a good and true wife."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" said Schönau earnestly, for he had feared her hesitation +would result in a third refusal. "You should have said that five years +ago, Regine, but better late than never. It's all right at last."</p> + +<p>And with these words the persevering man folded her in his arms with +affectionate tenderness.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The sun shone down warm and bright on the meadow land and penetrated +even into the forest depths. It fell across the pathway of General von +Falkenried and his son and daughter, who were sauntering along under +the high firs on the way which led to Burgsdorf.</p> + +<p>Falkenried did not seem the same man he had been for the past ten years. +The war which, despite its victories and final triumph, had made so many +old before their time, had affected him apparently in a different +manner. His white hair was thin over his deeply furrowed brow, but his +features had life again, his eyes had fire and expression, and one saw +at a glance that this was no old man, but one in the zenith of his +strength and power.</p> + +<p>Falkenried's son had not fully recovered his strength yet, and his face +showed traces of great suffering. The war had not left him younger, on +the contrary he had grown older; his pallid face, and the broad, red +scar on his forehead, told a tale of their own. For months after that +fearful night he had lain at death's door, but with returning life and +strength all traces of the old Hartmut, of Zalika's son, disappeared +forever.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if, in casting from him the name of Rojanow, he cast with +it the unholy heritage of her who had borne him. The dark curly locks +were beginning to grow again over the high, broad forehead, so like his +father's.</p> + +<p>The young wife by his side, so beautiful, so winning always, was +lovelier than ever now, for joy and happiness had set their seal on her +bright, girlish face! Who would recognize in this slender, graceful +figure, clad in a simple, summer frock, the proud, cold court beauty in +her laces and jewels? The smile, the tone in which she spoke to her +father and husband, Frau von Wallmoden had never known, for it was Ada +Falkenried who had learned it.</p> + +<p>"You can go no farther to-day," said the general, standing still. "You +have a long walk back, and Hartmut is not strong enough for much yet. +The physician was very decided about his not exerting himself."</p> + +<p>"If you only knew, father, how hard it was to be mistaken for an invalid +when I am getting so well and strong again," said Hartmut. "I am getting +strong enough—"</p> + +<p>"To bring on a relapse by your folly," his father answered. "You have +never learned patience, and it is altogether owing to Ada that you are +as strong as you are."</p> + +<p>"If it hadn't been for her there would be no Hartmut to-day," said her +husband, giving her a glance of tenderest love. "I believe the case was +almost hopeless when she came to me!"</p> + +<p>"The physicians at least gave no hope, when I telegraphed for Ada in +response to your cry. The first minute you recovered consciousness, you +called for her, to my boundless astonishment, for I did not know you +even knew one another."</p> + +<p>"That hardly seemed fair to you, papa, did it?" As she glanced up +laughing into her father's face, he drew her to him, and kissed her +forehead.</p> + +<p>"You know best what you have been to Hartmut and me, my child. I thank +God for bringing him back to me through your nursing. And you are right +in detaining him here, although the physician says he could travel now. +He must first learn to know his fatherland and his home to which he was +so long a stranger."</p> + +<p>"First learn?" said Ada, reprovingly. "What he read to you and to me +to-day shows that he has long since learned it; his new poem breathes a +different spirit from his wild, passionate 'Arivana.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is certainly fine," said his father, as he +reached out his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will yet +honor my boy in peace, as well as in war."</p> + +<p>Hartmut's eyes lighted as he returned the warm hand pressure. He knew +what such praise from his father's lips signified.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye," said the general, kissing his daughter. "I'll go on from +Burgsdorf to the city, but in a few days we'll meet again. Good-bye, +children."</p> + +<p>As he disappeared through the trees, Hartmut led Ada toward the +Burgsdorf fish-pond. When they reached it they stood gazing down on the +still sheet of water which lay so placid and clear in its setting of +water lilies and reeds.</p> + +<p>"Here, as a boy, I played for hours with Will," said Hartmut softly, +"and here my destiny was decided for me on that fateful night. I realize +now, for the first time, all that I did to my father in that fearful +hour."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but you have repaid him for all his suffering," answered Ada, as +she laid her hand on her husband's arm. "The world, too, has forgotten +your boyhood's folly. That was proven by the words of praise and +congratulations which poured in upon your father from all sides about +his heroic son."</p> + +<p>Hartmut shook his head. "That was no heroism, it was despair. I did not +think I should succeed. No one thought so; but even had I fallen, the +enemy's bullet would have redeemed my honor. Egon understood that, and +that was why he put my salvation in my own hands. When we two said +good-bye in the little ruined church on that icy winter's night, we knew +we should never meet again, but we both thought I would be the victim, +for I rode to almost certain death. But a spirit-hand seemed to lead me, +and in the hour in which I reached my goal, poor Egon fell. You need +not hide your tears, dear. I have no jealousy of the dead."</p> + +<p>"Eugen brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, the hot tears +standing in her eyes. "And poor Stadinger wrote me, too, of his master's +last words. I fear the old man won't live long; his letter sounded as +though he were heart-broken."</p> + +<p>"My poor Egon!" Hartmut's voice told how deep was his sorrow for his +loss. "He was so sunny, so amiable always. He seemed created for a long, +cloudless life. Perhaps you would have been happier by his side, Ada, +than with your wild, stormy Hartmut, who will so often vex you with the +dark shadows of his life."</p> + +<p>Ada glanced up at him, smiling through her tears.</p> + +<p>"I have only one love, and that is my wild, stormy Hartmut, and I know +no greater happiness than to be his wife!"</p> + +<p>Wood and water lay quiet in the afternoon sunshine. The old firs stood +dark and tall, while the reeds whispered softly to one another, and +thousands of sunny sparks danced on the water. Far above, in the heavens +to which the boy had once longed to mount like a falcon, the sun rode on +his glorious course. In splendor he shed his rays on all +beneath—mighty, eternal and glorious source and promise of life and +joy.</p> + +<div style='display:block;margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT ***</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This file should be named 16095-h.htm or 16095-h.zip</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/9/16095/</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..330804d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #16095 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16095) diff --git a/old/16095-8.txt b/old/16095-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d290214 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/16095-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13048 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Northern Light, by E. Werner, Translated +by Mrs. D. M. Lowrey + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Northern Light + + +Author: E. Werner + + + +Release Date: June 20, 2005 [eBook #16095] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT*** + + +E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +THE NORTHERN LIGHT + +From the German of E. WERNER + +Author of "At a High Price," "His Word of Honor," etc. + +Translated by MRS. D. M. LOWREY + +1891 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field. Through +its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward +way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving +a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; +turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog. + +At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the +forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing +earnestly with each other. One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm +and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he +wore. He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and +speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature. Yet +something like a shadow lay upon the man's face, and there were, +wrinkles, on his brow which surely were not the result of age, for he +was yet in the prime of life. + +"The birds have started already on their journey to the south," said he, +after watching the flight attentively until they had finally disappeared +in the cloud of mist. "The autumn has come to nature and to our lives as +well." + +"Not to yours yet," objected his companion. "You are just in the hey-day +of life, in the full strength of your manhood." + +"True enough, as to years, but I have a feeling that age will overtake +me sooner than others. I often feel as if it were autumn with me now." + +The other man, who might have been a few years the speaker's senior, was +slender, and of middle height, and clad in civilian's dress. He shook +his head impatiently at his companion's last observation. He appeared +insignificant when compared with the strong, well-built officer near +him; but his pale, sharply cut face wore a look of cold, superior +repose, and the sarcastic expression around the thin lips, together with +his aristocratic air and bearing, suggested a hidden strength behind a +feeble exterior. + +"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reprovingly. "You have +changed strangely in the last few years. Who would recognize in you now, +the gay young officer of other days? And what's the reason of it all? +The shadow which once darkened your life has long since disappeared. You +are a soldier, heart and soul, and have repeatedly distinguished +yourself in your profession. A high position awaits you in the future, +and the thing above all others is--you have your son." + +Falkenried did not answer; he folded his arms and looked out again into +the mist, while the other continued: "The boy has grown handsome as a +god in the last few years. I was quite overcome with surprise when I +saw him again, and you yourself, told me that he was unusually gifted +and in many things showed great talent." + +"I would that Hartmut had fewer talents and more character," said +Falkenried, in an almost acrid tone. "He can make verses quick enough, +and to learn a language is child's play to him, but as soon as he tries +some earnest science, he's behind all the others, and in military +tactics I can make nothing of him at all. You cannot comprehend, +Wallmoden, what iron severity I am constantly compelled to employ." + +"I fear you accomplish little by this same severity," interrupted +Wallmoden. "You should take my advice and leave your son to his studies. +He has not the qualifications for a soldier. You must see that for +yourself by this time." + +"He shall and must acquire those qualifications. It is the only possible +career for such an intractable nature as his, which revolts at every +restraint and to which every duty is a burden. The life of a student at +the university would give him unrestrained liberty; only the iron +dicipline of the service will force him to bend." + +"The only question is, how long will you be able to force him to do your +will? You should not deceive yourself; there are inherited tendencies +which will not allow themselves to be repressed or eradicated. Hartmut, +now, is in appearance the counterpart of his mother; he has her features +and her eyes." + +"Yes," assented Falkenried gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, glowing +eyes, which cast their spell upon all who knew her." + +"And were your ruin," supplemented Wallmoden. "How often did I warn and +advise you then; but you would not listen. Your passion had seized you +like a fever and held you like chains. I declare I never have been able +to understand it." + +Falkenried's lips were drawn in with a bitter smile. + +"I can readily believe that you, the cool, calculating diplomat, you, +whose every word is weighed, are protected against all such witcheries." + +"I should at least be cautious in my choice. Your marriage carried +unhappiness on its face from the very beginning. A women of a foreign +race, with strange blood in her veins and the wild, passionate Sclave +nature, without character, without understanding of what we here call +duty and morality; and you with your rigid principles, with your +sensitive feeling of honor, it could ultimately lead to but one end. And +I believe you loved her in spite of all, until your separation." + +"No," said Falkenried, in a hard tone, "the fire burned out in the first +year; I saw that only too clearly. But I shrank back from publishing to +the world my household misery by a legal separation. So I bore it until +no choice remained, until I was forced. But enough of this." + +He turned abruptly on his heel and looked from the window again; but the +quick movement betrayed rather than concealed the torture which he with +difficulty repressed. + +"Yes, it takes a great deal to tear up a nature like yours by the +roots," said Wallmoden earnestly. "But the divorce freed you from the +unhappy bond, and why should you not bury the memory as well?" + +Falkenried shook his head and sighed heavily. "One cannot bury such +memories; they are forever rising from their supposed sepulchres, and +just now--" he broke off suddenly. + +"Just now; what do you mean?" + +"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been in Burgsdorf +since day before yesterday; how long do you expect to remain?" + +"About two weeks. I haven't much time at my disposal, and am for that +matter only nominally Willibald's guardian, for my diplomatic position +keeps me out of the country most of the time. The guardianship really +rests in the hands of my sister, who rules over everything." + +"Well, Regine is equal to the position. She governs the great estate and +the numerous servants as though she were a man." + +"And gives her orders like a cavalry officer from morning to night," put +in her brother. "Recognizing all her excellent qualities, I, +nevertheless, feel a slight creepy sensation whenever I am constrained +to visit Burgsdorf, and I always leave the place with shattered nerves. +They live in a most primitive fashion over yonder. Willibald is a +perfect young bear, and of course at the same time the apple of his +mother's eye, and she, by the way, is doing her best to bring him up as +a bluff country squire. It's useless to enter any protest, and, for the +matter of that, it seems just what the youngster's good for." + +Their conversation was interrupted at this moment by a servant, who +entered and handed his master a card. Falkenried glanced at it. +"Counsellor Egern? I am glad of that. Tell the gentleman to come in." + +"You have a business engagement I see," said Wallmoden rising. "Then +I'll not disturb you." + +"On the contrary I beg you to remain. I have had an intimation of this +visit and its purpose, and know what will be the result of our +conversation. The question is--" He did not finish, for the door opened +and the lawyer entered. He seemed surprised not to find the officer +alone, as he had fully expected, but Falkenried took no notice of his +ill-concealed astonishment. + +"Herr Counsellor Egern--Herr von Wallmoden, secretary of legation," said +the host, presenting them. The man of law bowed with cool politeness as +he took the seat offered him. + +"I have the honor of being known to you, I believe, Herr Major," he +began. "As your wife's attorney at the time the suit for divorce was in +progress, I had the opportunity of making your acquaintance." He paused +as if expecting an answer; but Major Falkenried gave no sign beyond an +affirmative nod. + +Wallmoden was all attention. He could understand now his friend's +irritation on his arrival. + +"I come to you to-day in the name of my former client," continued the +counsellor. "She has authorized me--have I your permission to speak +freely?" + +He glanced at the diplomat, but Falkenried answered shortly: "Herr von +Wallmoden is my friend, and knows all about this affair. So you may +speak freely." + +"Very well. The lady has, after an absence of many years, returned to +Germany, and naturally enough wishes to see her son. She has already +written you about the matter but has received no answer." + +"I should think that was answer enough. I do not wish any such meeting, +and I will not permit it." + +"That sounds very blunt, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried, in that case, +has--" + +"Say Frau Zalika Rojanow, if you please," interrupted the Major. "I +believe she assumed her maiden name again when she returned to her own +country." + +"The name does not signify on this occasion," responded the lawyer +composedly. "The question concerns only and alone a mother's natural +desire, which the father neither can nor dare refuse, even though, as +in this case, the son has been unconditionally adjudged to him." + +"Dare not? But suppose he does dare?" + +"In so doing he will overstep the limit of his rights. I beg you, Herr +Major, to consider the matter quietly before giving so decided a no. A +mother has rights of which no judicial decree can ever divest her, and +one of those rights is the privilege of seeing her only child again. In +this case my client has the law on her side, and she will appeal to it, +too, if my demand meets with the same refusal as did her written +request." + +"Very well, she can make the attempt. I'll run the risk. My son does not +know that his mother is living, and shall not learn it now. I will not +have him see her or speak with her, and I will know how to prevent it, +too. My no is absolute under all circumstances." + +This declaration left nothing to be wished for as regarded energy; but +Falkenried's face was deathly pale, and his voice had a hollow, menacing +sound. One could see how fearfully the interview had excited him. He was +scarcely able to preserve the semblance of outward composure. + +The attorney seemed to see the uselessness of further endeavor, and only +shrugged his shoulders. + +"If this is your last word, then my errand is at an end, and we will +determine hereafter what our next step will be. I regret having troubled +you about the matter, Herr Major." He bowed himself out with the same +cool, indifferent manner with which he had entered. As the door closed +upon him, Falkenried sprang up and began pacing excitedly up and down +the room; there were a few minutes of oppressive silence, then Wallmoden +said, half aloud: "You should not have done that. Zalika will not resign +herself readily to your no; she made a desperate struggle for her child +in the beginning." + +"But I obtained the victory. It is to be hoped she has not forgotten +that." + +"At that time the question concerned the possession of the child," +objected the secretary. "Now the mother only asks permission to see him +again, and you will not be able to refuse her that, if she demands it +peremptorily." + +The Major stopped suddenly, and his voice was full of undisguised +contempt as he answered: + +"She will not venture to do that after all that has happened. Zalika +learned to know me in the hour of our separation; she'll be cautious +about driving me to extremes a second time." + +"But perhaps she will seek to accomplish secretly what you have openly +refused." + +"That is impossible; the discipline of our institution is so severe +there could be no intercourse here of which I should not learn at once." + +Wallmoden did not seem to share his friend's confidence. He shook his +head doubtfully. + +"To speak openly, I regard it as a great mistake that you are +obstinately silent toward your son concerning his mother and the fact +that she is living. When he learns it from some other source, what then? +And sometime you must tell him." + +"Perhaps, in a couple of years, when he'll have to enter the world. Now +he's only a student, a half-grown boy, and I cannot disclose to him the +drama which was once played in his father's house--I cannot." + +"So be it. You know the woman who was once your wife, and know what to +expect from her. I fear there is nothing impossible for this woman to +accomplish." + +"Ah, I know her," said Falkenried with intense bitterness, "and because +I know her I will protect my son from her at any price. He shall not +breath the poisonous breath of her presence; no, not even for an hour. I +do not under estimate the danger from Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he is safe from her, for she will never come +near me, I give you my word for that." + +"We will hope so," answered Wallmoden, as he rose and reached out his +hand at parting. "But do not forget that the greatest danger with which +you have to contend lies in Hartmut himself; he is in every trait the +son of his mother. You are coming over to Burgsdorf with him day after +to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, he is to spend his short autumn vacation with Willibald. I shall +be able to remain a day only, but I'll surely come for that time. +Good-bye." + +The secretary left the house, and Falkenried returned once more to the +window, but he only gave a fleeting glance after his friend, who waved +him a parting greeting, then returned gloomily to his own thoughts. + +"The son of his mother." The words rang in his ears, but the thought was +not new to him; he had known it a long time, and it was this knowledge +which had furrowed his brow so deeply, and wrung from him many a deep +sigh. He was a man who could brave any outward danger; but against this +unfortunate heritage of blood in his only child he had battled with all +his energy for years, but in vain. + + * * * * * + +"Now I tell you for the last time that all this noise and confusion must +come to an end, for my patience is finally exhausted. Such goings on as +we have had for the last three days are enough to make one think that +all Burgsdorf is bewitched. That Hartmut is full of mad tricks from his +head to his feet. When he once gets loose from the reins which his +father holds tight enough, I'll admit that, there's no getting on with +him, and of course you follow after him through thick and thin, and obey +your lord and master's slightest behest. Oh, you are a fine pair." + +This philippic, which was delivered in a loud tone, came from the lips +of Frau von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, while sitting with her son and +mother at breakfast. The great dining-room lay on the ground floor of +the old mansion, and was an extremely simple room, with glass doors +leading out upon a broad stone terrace, and to the garden beyond. On the +brightly tinted walls hung a number of antlers, which bore witness to +the sporting tastes of former possessors, but these were the only +adornments of the room. + +A dozen high-backed chairs, arranged stiffly in rows like grenadiers, a +cumbrous dining-table and a couple of old-fashioned sideboards +constituted the entire furniture of the room; and one could see at a +glance that they had already done service for several generations. Such +luxuries as wall-paper, paintings or carpet could not be found here. +Evidently the occupants were contented to live on just as their +ancestors had done, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in +the district. + +The appearance of the mistress of the house was in keeping with her +surroundings She was forty years old or there abouts, with a large, +strong figure, cheeks glowing with health, and firm, solid features, +which could never have been called beautiful, but denoted great energy. +Very little escaped the sharp glance of her gray eye, her dark hair was +brushed back smoothly, her gown was of coarse texture, simply made, and +looking at her hands, you saw at once that they were made for work. + +There was nothing attractive in her appearance, and her manner and +bearing were thoroughly masculine. + +The heir and future master of Burgsdorf, who had just been reprimanded +so sharply, sat opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while +he helped himself liberally to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, +fresh-looking youth, about seventeen years old, whose appearance +indicated no great intellectual strength, but he seemed to beam with +good nature. His sun-burned face was the picture of health, but +otherwise he showed little resemblance to his mother. He lacked her +energetic expression, and the blue eyes and blonde hair were not from +her, but were an inheritance from his father. With his large, but very +awkward limbs, he looked like a young giant, and formed a striking +contrast to his more delicately formed, aristocratic looking uncle, +Wallmoden, who sat next him, and who said now with a slight _soupcon_ of +irony in his tone: "You certainly cannot hold Willibald answerable for +all these mad pranks; he certainly is a model son." + +"I would advise him not to be anything else; who lives with me must obey +orders," cried Frau von Eschenhagen, as she struck an emphatic blow upon +the table, which made her brother wince. + +"A man is bound to obey orders under your government," he answered. "At +the same time I would advise you, dear Regine, to do something more for +the intellectual development of your son. I have no doubt that under +your guidance he will become, in time, a most excellent farmer, but to +the education of a future landed proprietor, something more than that is +needed. Willibald has outgrown home instructors and should be sent away +now." + +"Sent a--?" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in unbounded +astonishment. "Sent away," she exclaimed, greatly irritated, "and in the +name of common sense, where?" + +"Well, first to the university, and later to travel, that he may learn +something of the world and of men." + +"That he may be altogether ruined by this world and these men, and no +comfort to me at all! No, Herbert, I'll never do that, and I tell you so +now, once for all. I have educated my son to be honest and fear God, and +do not think I shall turn him loose in your Sodom and Gomorrah which the +dear Lord in his forbearance has yet spared from the fire and brimstone +which it so richly deserves." + +"You only know this Sodom and Gomorrah by hearsay, Regine," interrupted +Herbert, sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever since your +marriage; you must acknowledge that yourself!" + +"I acknowledge nothing at all," declared Frau von Eschenhagen, +obstinately. "Will shall become a capable farmer; he is qualified for +that, and for that he needs no cramming at your universities. Or perhaps +you'd like to educate him in your own school, and make a diplomatist of +him? That would be too great an honor." + +She began to laugh loudly, and Will, to whom the whole conversation had +appeared very comical, joined in in the same key. Herr von Wallmoden +took no part in this sudden explosion of gaiety; he only winced again, +as though his nerves were affected, and shrugged his shoulders. + +"No, I had not thought of that. I know full well I should have my +trouble for my pains. But Willibald and I are the only representatives +of our family, and if I should not marry--" + +"Should not? You are not thinking of marrying in your old age?" +interrupted his sister, sharply. + +"I am in my forty-fifth year, dear Regine, and a man is not usually +considered old at that age," said Wallmoden, somewhat vexed. "Above all +things I consider marriages made late in life by far the happiest; one +is not influenced then by passion, as Falkenried was, to his lasting +wretchedness, but gives to reason the decisive word." + +"The saints protect us! What if Willibald should wait to marry until he +is fifty years old and gray-headed?" cried Frau von Eschenhagen, greatly +vexed. + +"As an only son and future heir he will have to consider such matters; +as for the rest, the main point will be his own inclinations. What do +you think, Willibald?" + +The young heir, who had disposed of his ham and eggs by this time, and +with undiminished appetite was now attacking the sausage, was evidently +much astonished that his opinion had been asked. Such a thing had never +happened before, and he was obliged to reflect deeply before he could +answer at all. + +At length he reached a conclusion. "Yes, of course I must marry some +time, but mamma will choose a wife for me when the right time comes." + +"She will indeed, my boy," assented his mother, warmly. "That is my +affair, so you need not trouble your head about it, and until then you +will remain here in Burgsdorf where I can have my eye upon you. As to +the university and traveling, that matter is--settled." + +She threw a defiant glance at her brother, but he was gazing with a look +of horror at the enormous sausage to which his nephew and ward was +helping himself for the second time. + +"Have you always such a large appetite, Will?" he asked. + +"Always," Will assured him complacently, as he helped himself to a +large slice of bread and butter. + +"No, we don't suffer thank God, with indigestion or any other stomach +trouble," said the mistress of the house tartly, "but we earn our bread +honestly here. First pray and work, then eat and drink, but what we do, +we do thoroughly, and that keeps body and soul together. Just look at +Will, now, and you will see that what I say is true." She gave her +brother a friendly slap on the shoulder with her last words, but this +token of her good will was so energetic that Wallmoden shrank back in +his chair, and immediately moved it sidewise to be out of the reach of +that muscular hand. + +The expression of his face showed clearly that the "creepy sensation" +was coming over him again. In the presence of these patriarchial +conditions, he thought it best to forego any attempt to enforce his +prerogative as guardian, an office, moreover, which, so far as he was +concerned, had always been purely nominal. It was plain from Will's +manner that his mother's praise was highly gratifying to the young man's +feelings. + +"And Hartmut is not here for breakfast again, this morning. He seems to +think there is no necessity for being punctual at Burgsdorf, but I will +enlighten the young gentleman when he comes and make it clear to him +that--" + +"There he is now," exclaimed Willibald. On the clear sunshine which +flooded the room through the open windows, there fell a shadow, and a +tall, slender figure appeared suddenly at the window and vaulted upon +the high sill. + +"Well, what kind of an imp are you anyway, that you can only come in +through the window?" said Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are +the doors for?" + +"For Will and all other well-ordered human beings," laughed the +new-comer good-naturedly. "I always take the nearest way, and that led +this time through the window." So saying he gave one spring from the +high seat into the middle of the room. + +Hartmut Falkenried, like the young heir of Burgsdorf, stood upon the +boundary line where boyhood and manhood meet, but it needed only a +glance to recognize that he was his friend's superior in every respect. +He wore a cadet's uniform which became him well, but yet there was +something in his whole appearance which seemed to be at war with the +military cut and fit. The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth +and beauty, yet there was something odd about this beauty, something +wild in his motions and appearance, with absolutely nothing to remind +one of the martial figure and earnest repose of his father. The +luxuriant, curly locks which crowned the high forehead, were of a deep, +blue black, and the warm, dark coloring of the skin betokened rather a +son of the south than of German parentage. Neither did the eyes, which +flashed in the youthful countenance, belong to the cool, earnest north; +they were enigmatical eyes, dark as the night, and full of hot, +passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, however, there was something +uncanny hidden in their depths, and though the laughter which +accompanied Hartmut's words was free and unrestrained, it was not a +hearty, merry boy's laugh. + +"You certainly conduct yourself in a very free and easy manner," said +Wallmoden, sharply. "You evidently take advantage of the fact that the +inmates of Burgsdorf think little of etiquette. I have no doubt, +however, that your father would protest against such an entrance into +the dining-room." + +"He would not do it if his father were here," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +who did not seem to notice the stab intended for herself in her +brother's remark. "And so you have come to your breakfast at last, +Hartmut. But laggards get nothing to eat; did you know that?" + +"Yes, I know that," replied Hartmut, quite undisturbed, "so I got my +breakfast some time ago from the housekeeper. You can't starve me, Aunt +Regine. I stand on too good a footing with your people." + +"And so you think you can do as you please and go unpunished," cried the +irate lady. "Break all the rules of the house, leave no one and nothing +in peace, and stand all Burgsdorf on its head; but I'll soon stop all +this business, my lad. To-morrow I'll send a messenger over to your +father requesting him to come and take home his son who knows neither +punctuality nor obedience." + +The threat had its effect. The youth was frightened, and thought it well +to surrender at discretion. + +"Oh, you are only jesting; shall I not enjoy my short vacation with--" + +"With all manner of folly?" Frau von Eschenhagen added for him. "Will +has not done so much mischief in all his life as you have accomplished +in the last three days, and you'll spoil him with your bad example and +lead him into all manner of misdoing." + +"Oh, Will is not the kind to be spoiled. I could not do it if I tried," +said Hartmut very warmly. + +The young heir, who certainly did not look as if he could be led into +any impropriety, ate on, untroubled by these personal allusions, until +he had finished the last slice of bread on the table; but his mother was +highly incensed at this remark. + +"That must grieve you greatly," she retorted. "It is certainly not your +fault, for you have tried hard enough to ruin him; but as I just said I +will write to your father to-morrow." + +"That he is to come and fetch me away? You won't do that Aunt Regine, +you are far too good. You know how very strict papa is, how severely he +can punish; you won't complain of me to him; you have never done it +yet." + +"Leave me alone, don't bother me with your flatteries." Frau Regine's +face was as inflexible as ever, but her voice had a certain unsteadiness +which made Hartmut feel he had won the day. He laid his arm upon her +shoulder with the freedom of a child. + +"I believe you do love me a little, Aunt Regine, and I--I have been +happy for weeks over the thought of my visit to Burgsdorf. I have been +sick with longing for woods and sea, for the green meadows and the far +blue heavens. I have been so happy here; but of course, if you really do +not want me, I'll go away from the place. I won't wait to have you send +me." + +His voice had sunk to a soft, seductive whisper, while his eyes spoke +more eloquently than his tongue. They could plead more powerfully than +the lips, and Frau von Eschenhagen, who yielded to no one, from her only +son to the lowest tenant on the estate, permitted herself to be +persuaded by them now. + +"You are incorrigible, you merry-andrew" she said, brushing the curls +from his forehead. "And as to sending you away, you know only too well +that Will and all my people are always ready to make fools of themselves +for you, and I, too, for that matter." + +Hartmut laughed aloud at the last words, and kissed her hand with +impetuous gratitude, then he turned to his friend, who, having finally +ended his meal, was looking on in silent wonderment. + +"Have you finished your breakfast at last, Will? Come, we'll go to the +Burgsdorf fishing pond--don't be so vexatiously slow. Good-bye, Aunt +Regine, I can see Uncle Wallmoden does not approve of your having +pardoned me. Hurrah, now we're off for the woods." And away he rushed +over the terrace and across the garden. There was something attractive +in his exuberance and enthusiasm. The lad was all life and fire. Will +trotted after him like a young deer, and in a few moments the two +disappeared behind the trees. + +"He comes and goes like a wind storm," said Frau von Eschenhagen, gazing +after them. "That boy is not to be restrained once the reins are +slackened." + +"A dangerous youth," said Wallmoden. "He even understands how to manage +you, who usually have all your commands obeyed. It is, within my +knowledge, the first time you have ever forgiven disobedience and lack +of punctuality." + +"Yes, Hartmut has something about him which bewitches one," exclaimed +Regine, half angry at her own irresolution. "If he did not look at me +with those big black eyes of his while he begged and flattered, I might +be able to resist him. You are right, he is a dangerous lad." + +"Well, we've had enough of Hartmut for this morning. The question which +interests me concerns the education of your own son. You have really +decided--" + +"To keep him here. Don't bother yourself about him, Herbert; you may be +a great diplomatist, and have the politics of the whole country in your +pocket, but I wont give my boy into your keeping; he belongs to me +alone, and I intend to keep him, and--that's enough." + +A sounding blow on the table accompanied the "that's enough." Then the +ruling lady of Burgsdorf rose from her chair and left the room. Her +brother shrugged his shoulders and said half aloud: "He can grow up an +ignorant country squire for all of me--perhaps it's the best thing for +him after all." + +Hartmut and Willibald had, in the meantime, reached the tolerably +extensive forest which belonged to the estate. The Burgsdorf fish pond, +a lonely, reedy sheet of water in the middle of the wood, lay glittering +in the sun in the still morning hours. Willibald had chosen for himself +a shady place upon the bank, and gave himself up, with as much +perseverance as comfort, to the delights of angling, while the impatient +Hartmut wandered here and there, now scaring a bird, now breaking off a +branch for the blossoms, and at last, after a series of gymnastic +performances, seating himself on the trunk of an old tree which lay half +in the water. "Can you never be quiet in any place? You frighten the +fish away every time," exclaimed Will, out of humor. "I've caught +nothing at all to-day!" + +"How can you sit for hours on the one spot waiting for the stupid fish +to bite?" retorted Hartmut. "Ah, you can spend the whole long year in +the woods if you desire, you are free, free." + +"Are you a prisoner, then?" asked his friend. "You and your comrades are +out daily, are you not?" + +"But never alone, never without supervision and control. We are always +and eternally in the service, even in recreation hours. O how I hate it, +this service, and the whole slavish life." + +"But Hartmut, what if your father heard you?" + +"Oh, then he would punish me again as he always does. He has nothing +else for me but force and punishment, all for my own good--that goes +without saying." + +He threw himself full length on the grass, but hard as the words +sounded, there was a tremor in his tone which told of pain and passion. +The young heir only shook his head soberly while he put a new bait on +his hook and for a few minutes there was perfect silence. + +Then suddenly something black swooped down like a flash of lightning +from the height above them into the water, and a second later rose again +in the air with the slippery, glittering prey in its beak. + +"Bravo, that was a good catch!" cried Hartmut, rising. But Will spoke +angrily. + +"The wretched robber robs our whole pond. I will speak to the forester +and tell him to fill him full of lead." + +"A robber?" repeated Hartmut, as his glance followed the heron who was +just disappearing behind the high tree tops. "Yes, of course, but how +fine it must be to live such a free robber's life up there in the air. +To descend like a flash for your booty and be up and off again where no +one can follow; that's a hunt that pays." + +"Hartmut, I verily believe you'd take pleasure in such a wild, lawless +life," said Willibald, with the repugnance of a well-trained boy for +such sentiments. + +His companion laughed, but it was the same bitter laugh without the +joyousness of youth in its sound. + +"Well, if I had any such desire, they'd take it out of me at the +military academy. There obedience and discipline is the Alpha and Omega +of all things. Will, have you never wished that you had wings?" + +"I, wings?" asked Will, whose whole attention was again directed to his +bait. "How ridiculous! Who would wish for impossibilities?" + +"I only wish I had them," cried Hartmut excitedly. "I would I were one +of the falcons from whom we take our name. Then I would mount higher and +always higher in the blue sky towards the sun, and never come back +again." + +"I believe you're crazy," answered his listener good-naturedly. "Well, I +wont catch anything, if I sit here all day, for the fish wont bite. I +must move to another place." + +With that he gathered up his fishing tackle and crossed to the other +side of the pond, while Hartmut threw himself on the ground again. + +It was one of those autumn days which during the midday hours recall +thoughts of early spring. The sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, +the woods so fresh and odorous. Upon the glistening little lake danced +thousands of shining sparks, and the long grass whispered softly and +mysteriously to itself whenever a breath of wind passed over it. + +Hartmut lay stretched out motionless on the grass as if listening to the +secrets it told to the autumnal wind. The wild passion and excitement +which flashed from his eyes when he spoke of the bird of prey had all +vanished. Now the eyes which looked into the heavens above were sad and +dreamy, and there rested in them an expression of ardent longing. + +A light step, almost unheard on the soft ground, approached, and the low +bushes rustled as if against a silk garment. Then they parted and a +woman's figure appeared and stood looking intently at the young dreamer. + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy started and sprang up instantly. He knew neither the voice nor +the apparition which stood before him, but saw it was a lady, and he +made her one of his courtly bows. + +"Pardon, Madame--" + +A slender, trembling hand was laid quickly and restrainingly on his arm. + +"Be quiet, not so loud; your companion might hear us, and I want to +speak to you, and to you alone, Hartmut." + +She stepped back again into the thicket and motioned him to follow. +Hartmut hesitated a moment. How came this heavily-veiled and +richly-attired stranger into the lonely wood, and why did she speak so +familiarly to him whom she had never seen before? But the mysteriousness +of her behavior beginning to charm him, he followed. + +She stood now in the shadow of the low trees, where she could not be +seen from the lake, and slowly threw back her veil. She was not very +young, a woman of more than thirty, but her face with its great burning +eyes, possessed an indefinable witchery, and a certain charm lay in her +voice, which, though she talked in whispers, had a soft, deep tone, and +an odd intonation, as though the German which she spoke so fluently was +not her mother tongue. + +"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not know me any more? Does no memory +of your childhood come back to you, to tell you who I am?" + +The young man shook his head slowly, and yet some dreamy and obscure +memory did come to his recollection, of having heard this voice before, +and of this face which had looked into his at some far distant period. +Half shy, half fascinated, he stood looking at this stranger, who +suddenly threw her arms around him. + +"My son, my only child! Do you not know your own mother?" + +"My mother is dead," he answered, half aloud. + +The stranger laughed bitterly, shrilly, and her laugh seemed but an echo +of the hard, joyless sounds which had come from Hartmut's lips a few +moments since. + +"So that's how it is. They would even say I was dead and not leave you +the memory of a mother. It is not true, Hartmut. I live, I stand before +you; look at me, look at my features, are they not your very own? That +at least they could not take from you. Child of my heart, do you not +feel that you belong to me?" + +Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into that face in which his own +was so faithfully mirrored. He saw the same lines, the same luxuriant, +blue-black hair, the same dark, flashing eyes; and the same demoniacal +expression which was a flame in the eye of the mother, was a spark in +the eye of the son. Their close resemblance to one another was witness +enough that they were of one blood. The young man felt the influence of +the mysterious tie. + +He demanded no explanation, no proof; the dreamy, confused recollections +of his childhood were suddenly clear, and after a second's hesitation he +threw himself into the arms which were stretched out to him. + +"Mother!" + +In this cry lay the whole fervid intensity of the boy, who had never +known what it was to have a mother, and who had longed for one with all +the passion of his nature. His mother! And now he lay in her arms, now +she covered him with warm kisses, and called him by sweet, tender names, +which had been strangers to his ear until that moment--everything else +seemed forgotten by him in this flood of stormy ecstasy. + +After a few minutes Hartmut loosed himself from the arms which still +enfolded him. + +"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why have +I always been told that you were dead?" + +Zalika stepped back, and in an instant all tenderness had died out of +her eyes, and in its place was a wild, deadly hate, as the answer came +like a hiss from between her set lips. + +"Because your father hates me, my son--and because he wishes to deny me +the love of my only child since he thrust me from him." + +Hartmut was silent. He knew well enough that the name of his mother +dare not be mentioned in his father's presence, and that he had been +sharply reproved once for doing so, but he had been too much a child at +the time to ask "why." Zalika gave him no time to do so now. She brushed +the thick locks back from his brow and a shadow crossed her face. + +"You get your forehead from him," she said slowly. "But that is the only +thing that reminds me of him, all the rest belongs to me and me alone. +Every feature tells that you are mine--I always knew that." + +She suddenly clasped him in her arms again with unspeakable tenderness, +and Hartmut returned the embrace with ardor. It seemed to him like the +fairy tales which he had so often dreamed, and he gave himself up +unresistingly to the spell of happiness which some wonderful magic had +cast over him. + +Just at that moment, Will called loudly to his friend from the opposite +shore to come on, that it was time to go home. Zalika spoke at once. + +"We must part now. Nobody must learn that I have seen and spoken with +you; above all things your father must not know it. When do you return +to him?" + +"In eight days." + +"Not for eight days?" The words sounded almost triumphant. + +"Until then I can see you daily. Be here by the pond to-morrow at this +same hour; make some pretext for leaving your friend behind, so that we +may be undisturbed. You will come, Hartmut?" + +"Certainly, mother, but--" + +She gave him no time for any objection, but continued in a passionate +whisper: + +"Above all things maintain absolute silence toward every one. Do not +forget that. Good-bye, my child, my own dear son, good-bye." + +Another kiss and she had retreated in the woods as noiselessly as she +had come. It was high time, for Willibald appeared at this moment, +though not noiselessly by any means, for he broke the twigs with many a +crackle as he stepped heavily on them. + +"Why didn't you answer me?" he asked. "I called you three times. You +have been asleep; you look as if you were dreaming." + +Hartmut did have a dazed look as he stood gazing at the trees behind +which his mother had disappeared. Now he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his forehead. + +"Yes, I have been dreaming. A very strange, marvelous dream," he said +slowly. + +"You had better have been fishing," returned Will. "See what a fine +catch I have made. A man should never dream in daylight--that's the time +to be at something serious--mother says." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The Falkenried and Wallmoden families had been on friendly terms for +years. Living upon adjoining estates, their intercourse was frequent, +and their children grew up together, while many common interests united +the bonds of friendship still more closely. Neither of the families were +wealthy, and the sons, after completing their education, always had to +make their own way in the world, and this in their turn Major Hartmut +von Falkenried and Herbert von Wallmoden had done. + +They had played together in their youth, and as men had remained true to +their boyhood's friendship. At one time it looked as if they would be +more closely allied, for their parents had planned a marriage between +Lieutenant Falkenried, as he was then, and Regine Wallmoden. The young +couple seemed to understand one another fully, and everything stood on +the happiest footing, when an event occurred which put an abrupt +termination to all their plans. + +A cousin of the Wallmoden family, an incorrigible idler and spendthrift, +who had made his longer residence at home an impossibility by his wild +conduct, had gone out into the world years before, and after much +wandering, and an adventurous career, had finally turned his steps in +the direction of Roumania, where he obtained the management of a wealthy +Bojar's estate. After the Bojar's death he succeeded in winning the +widow's hand, and once more regained the position among the nobility +which he had lost earlier in life, through his own folly. And now, after +an absence of more than ten years, he returned with his wife to make a +long visit to his kinsfolk. + +Frau von Wallmoden was by no means a youthful bride. She had long since +reached maturity, but she was accompanied by her daughter by her first +marriage, Zalika Rojanow; and this young Sclave, scarcely seventeen +years old, turned the heads of the simple country gentry, who after all +had seen but little of the world, by her grace and strange beauty, and +the fascination of her warm southern temperament. She was a strange +enough figure in this little circle, whose forms and customs she set +aside with such sovereign indifference. But there was many an earnest +shake of the head, many a word of blame, which was not outspoken, +because they only considered the girl a fleeting guest; she would vanish +again as suddenly as she had appeared on their little horizon. + +Then Hartmut Falkenried came home from his garrison on leave, and met +the new family in the house of his friends. He saw Zalika, and his +life's destiny was sealed. It was a sudden and blinding passion, for +which one too often pays with the peace of a whole life. + +He forgot the wishes of his parents, their plans for his future, and his +quiet, warm attachment for his youth's playfellow, Regine. He had eyes +no longer for the simple woodland flower, which yet bloomed young and +fresh for him; but, inhaling the fragrance of the strange and beautiful +exotic, all else sank into insignificance. In an unguarded hour he threw +himself at her feet, and told her of his love. + +Strangely enough, Zalika returned his affection. Perhaps it was +according to the old adage of extremes meeting, for this man was, in +every particular, her opposite; perhaps it flattered her to see that a +word, a glance from her, could so powerfully effect this earnest, quiet +officer, who, even then, had a touch of melancholy in his disposition. +Enough, she accepted him, and with joy he clasped his affianced bride in +his arms. + +The news of their betrothal aroused a storm in the family circle. From +all sides came objections and warnings. Zalika's mother and step-father +were sorely opposed to it, but resistance only increased the ardor of +the young lovers. The engagement, in spite of kinsfolk, was soon an +established fact, and six months later Falkenried took his young bride +to his own house. + +But the voices which had foretold unhappiness from this marriage were +prophetic. + +It was not long before the brief intoxication of joy was followed by +bitter disenchantment. It had been a fatal error to believe a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, who had grown up in the unrestrained freedom of a +disorderly, extravagant Bojar family, could accommodate herself to the +rules and restrictions of a settled German household. + +The only life she had ever known, and the only life which suited her +temper, was one of excitement and outward splendor. A house full of +guests, horses, cards, hunting, racing, and the utmost liberty of +conversation with the men of her acquaintance; this was the life she had +led in her Roumanian home. + +She had no notion of duty and no understanding for the obligations and +requirements of her new position. And this was the wife who must adapt +herself to the narrow life of a little German garrison town, and direct +the household of a young officer with but limited means at his command. +That it was impossible for her to do so, was shown within the first few +weeks. Zalika began at once; regardless of all prudent considerations, +to order her house after the same fashion as her father's, and +squandered her large marriage portion right and left. + +In vain her husband pleaded with and admonished her; she paid no heed to +him. She had nothing but jeers for forms and ceremonies which were +sacred to him, only a shrug of the shoulders for his strict ideas of +honor and propriety. Soon there were violent quarrels, and Falkenried +recognized, too late, what his precipitancy had done for him. + +He had had great faith in the power of love, notwithstanding all the +warnings he had received about Zalika's foreign birth, and the seal +which her erratic education had stamped upon her character. But he had +now to learn that she had never loved him; that it was the whim of the +hour, or, more probably, the fleeting passion of a moment, which had +made her throw herself into his arms. And she saw in him only an +uncomfortable companion, who spoiled all her pleasure in life with his +foolish pendantries and his laughable notions of honor with which he +wished to bind her hand and foot. But with it all, she feared this man, +who, in his energy and force, was striving to bend her characterless +nature to his will. + +The birth of little Hartmut did nothing to relieve the strain of this +unhappy marriage, but it was a tie which, outwardly at least, still +bound them together. Zalika loved her child passionately, and she knew +her husband well enough to recognize fully, that if it ever came to a +separation between them, he would demand the boy. That thought alone +kept her by his side, while Falkenried suffered intensely, hid his +misery in his own breast, and gave a brave front to the world. + +But, in spite of all, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which +the husband had never dreamed, and was only silent out of compassion for +him. But at last there came a day when his eyes were opened, and what +had been so long an open secret to all his little world excepting +himself, was known to him. + +The immediate consequence of this knowledge was a duel, in which +Falkenried's antagonist fell. + +Falkenried was sentenced to a long imprisonment, but very soon released, +for every one recognized that he had only fought to vindicate his +wounded honor. + +In the meantime the suit for divorce had been begun, and a decree +obtained; Zalika made no contest, nor did she venture to approach her +husband again. + +Since the last terrible hour when he had called her to account, she +trembled at the thought of him. She made desperate efforts however to +secure possession of her son, but all in vain. + +Hartmut was given to the father unconditionally, and Falkenried barred +the mother's every effort with iron inexorableness. Zalika made many +attempts to see her son once more, but to no purpose, and fully +convinced at last, that she could accomplish nothing, she returned to +her own country and her mother's house. + +For years her husband had heard nothing from her, until now when she +suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in the neighborhood of the German +capital, where Major von Falkenried had assumed control of a large +military school. + +It was the eighth day since Hartmut's arrival at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room, and opposite her sat the Major, who +had arrived but fifteen minutes before. + +Her conversation must have been as disagreeable as it was earnest, for +Falkenried listened with a face which grew darker at every word, as she +went on with her account. + +"Hartmut seemed to me greatly altered after the third or fourth day he +was here. The first few days nothing could check his overflow of +spirits, and indeed one morning I had to threaten to send him home. But, +all of a sudden, he became silent and quite downcast. He attempted no +more of his mad pranks, spent hours by himself in wandering through our +woods, and when he returned from his solitary rambles, just sat and +dreamed with open eyes, so that we often had to arouse him as if from a +sound slumber. 'He's beginning to think of the future,' Herbert said, +but I said: 'There's something more than that wrong; there's something +back of all this.' So I took Will to task and questioned him closely; he +astonished me with what I extorted from him. He was in the conspiracy. +He had surprised the mother and the son one day at their tryst, and +Hartmut had pledged him to secrecy, and my boy had really kept silence +towards me, me, his own mother! He finally confessed the little he knew, +after I had talked to him seriously. Well, it won't happen a second +time. I'll look after my Will more sharply for the future." + +"And Hartmut, what does he say?" interrupted the father hastily. + +"Nothing at all, for I haven't spoken a syllable to him on the subject. +He would probably have asked why he had never been allowed to see, or +speak to his mother, and that question can only be answered--by his +father." + +"He has heard it all from the other side, by this time," answered the +father bitterly. "Though, of course, he has not heard the truth." + +"That is what I feared, so I didn't lose a moment in communicating with +you after I discovered the thing. And what will you do?" + +"I'll have to think that over," responded the Major with enforced quiet. +"I thank you, Regine. I suspected mischief when your letter came urging +me to come over at once. Herbert was right, I should not have allowed +Hartmut to leave my side for an hour, under any circumstances. But I +believed him to be so safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +was so rejoiced at the thought of spending his little vacation here, had +so set his heart upon it, that I had not the strength to refuse +him;--and then he is seldom happy except when away from me." + +A hidden pain lay in the last words, but his listener only shrugged his +shoulders. + +"That's not altogether the boy's fault," she answered, outspokenly. "I +keep my Will under pretty sharp discipline, but he knows well enough, in +spite of all that, that he lives in his mother's heart. Hartmut has +never learned as much of his father; he only knows his severe, +unapproachable side. If he imagined that you almost adored--"' + +"He would at once misuse the knowledge and leave me weaponless with his +flattery and caresses. He'd rule over me as he does over every one else +who comes near him. His comrades follow him blindly, and are as often +punished as he for his misdoings. He has your Willibald completely under +his control, and his teachers treat him with especial indulgence. I am +the only one whom he fears, and, as a natural consequence, the only one +whom he respects." + +"And you believe fear to be the only weapon to use against him? just +now, too, when his mother is, without doubt, overwhelming him with +lavish caresses? Do not turn away, old friend, you know I have never +mentioned that name before you, but now that it is brought unavoidably +to the front again I must speak plainly. I must admit we could expect +nothing less from Frau Zalika, than that she would appear again. Nothing +would have been gained even if you had not allowed him to leave your +side, for you could not guard a lad of seventeen like a little child. +The mother would have found some way to see her child, and that is her +right--I should do the same." + +"Her right?" interrupted the Major violently. "And you say that to me, +Regine?" + +"I say it, because I know what it is to have an only son. It was right +for you to take your child, for such a mother was not fit to educate +him; but that you should refuse to let her see her son again, after an +absence of twelve years, is a hardness and cruelty which can only be +prompted by hate. No matter how great her guilt may have been--the +punishment is too hard." + +Falkenried looked gloomily on the ground; he knew there was truth in her +words; at last he said slowly: + +"I should never have believed you would espouse Zalika's cause. Once I +injured you deeply for her sake. I tore asunder a bond--" + +"Which never had been united," broke in Frau von Eschenhagen, anxious to +avoid the subject. "It was only a plan of our parents, nothing more." + +"But the thought was a familiar and cherished one in our childhood's +years. Do not seek to shield me, Regine, I know only too well how I +treated you then--and myself too." + +Regine looked straight at him with her clear, gray eyes, but there was +something like moisture in them as she answered: + +"Well, well, Hartmut, it's all over now, so many years that I do not +hesitate to admit that I would have had you then, willingly enough, and +perhaps you would have been able to make something more out of me than I +have become. I was always a headstrong creature, you know, and not +easily ruled, but I should have obeyed you, perhaps you alone, of all +the world. But when Willibald Eschenhagen led me to the altar three +months after your own marriage, the situation was reversed, and I took +the reins in my own hands and began to govern, and have had plenty of +practice since then. But let's not talk of that time so long gone by. I +never have borne any grudge against you, you know that; we have always +been friends in spite of everything, and if you want my assistance or +advice now--here I am." + +She held out her hand and he placed his own in it. + +"I know it, Regine, but in this matter I can only help and advise +myself. If you will send Hartmut to me now, I'll speak with him." + +Frau von Eschenhagen arose at once to fulfil his wish, but as she left +the room she murmured half aloud: + +"If it be not already too late. She blinded the father and made him +almost insane once; she has surely done as much for the son by this +time." + +In about ten minutes Hartmut entered; he closed the door behind him, but +remained standing near it. Falkenried turned to him. "Come near, +Hartmut, I wish to speak with you." + +His son obeyed, but reluctantly. He knew already that Willibald had +confessed, and that Regine had summoned his father at once, but, united +to the shyness with which he always approached his father, there was +to-day an obvious defiance, which did not escape the Major. He gave his +handsome young son a long, gloomy look. + +"My sudden arrival does not appear to surprise you. Perhaps you know why +I am come!" + +"Yes father, I imagine why!" + +"That is well; then we need waste no time with explanatory words. You +have learned that your mother still lives, she has seen you and spoken +with you. I know that already. When did you see her first?" + +"Five days ago." + +"And have you seen her daily since then?" + +"Yes, at the Burgsdorf fish pond?" + +Questions and answers were alike short and precise. Hartmut was +accustomed to the abrupt, military manner of his father, for in all his +intercourse with him, no superfluous word, no hesitancy or evasion of an +answer, was permitted. + +To-day Falkenried was especially abrupt, in order that he might conceal +his intense excitement from his son's unpracticed eye. But Hartmut saw +only the earnest, unmoved countenance, and heard only the cold, severe +accents as his father continued: + +"I have nothing for which to reprove you, for in this matter I have +given you no commands and no word has ever been spoken on the subject +between us. But now I am forced to break the silence. You have always +believed your mother dead, and I have tacitly encouraged this belief, +for I have wished to protect you from recollections which poisoned my +life. Your youth at least should be free, I said. But I have not been +able to carry out that plan, I see, so now you must learn the truth." + +The father paused a moment. To a man of his sensitive feelings it was +torture to discuss this subject with his son, but there was no option +now, he must speak farther. + +"When I was a young man I loved your mother devotedly, and married her +against the wishes of my parents, who saw only unhappiness for me in a +union with a woman from a foreign land. They were right, the marriage +was a most unhappy one, and was finally dissolved by my desire. My son +was awarded to me unconditionally, for it was my absolute right. More I +will not tell you, for I cannot denounce a mother to her own son, so let +that be enough for you." + +Short and bitter as this declaration was, it made a singular impression +upon Hartmut. His father would not denounce his mother to him, to him, +who heard daily the bitterest accusations and invectives against his +father from her lips. + +Zalika had, as might be supposed, cast all the blame of the separation +upon her husband and his countless tyrannies, and her son, who had +suffered so much from his father's austerity, gave a willing ear to all +her tirades. And yet these few short, earnest words had more effect than +all Zalika's passionate outbreaks. Hartmut felt instinctively on which +side the truth lay. + +"And now, to the main point," Falkenried went on. "What was the tenor of +your daily interviews?" + +Perhaps Hartmut had not expected this question; a deep red overspread +his face, he was silent and cast his eyes on the ground. + +"Ah, you do not care to repeat it. I desire to know it. I command you +to answer me!" + +But Hartmut was still silent; he only pressed his lips closer together, +and looked defiantly at his father, who had come close to him now. + +"You will not speak? Perhaps a command from the other side keeps you +silent? No matter, your silence tells me more than any words. I see how +much you are estranged from me already; a little longer with such +influences, and you would be lost to me forever. These meetings with +your mother are now at an end. I forbid you to see her again. You will +go home with me to-day and remain under my protection. Whether that +appears cruel to you or not, it must be, and you must obey." + +But the Major erred when he believed his son would, as formerly, bow to +his stern decree. Hartmut had been for the past few days in a school +where all the antagonism of his nature had been aroused against his +father. + +"Father, you cannot, you dare not order me thus," he cried out now in +great excitement. "It is my own mother whom I have found at last, the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I will not be separated from +her again as I once was. I will not be forced to hate her; threaten, +punish me, do what you will with me, but I will not obey this time, I +will not obey!" + +All the ungovernable passion of his nature broke out in these words; an +unearthly fire gleamed in his eyes, and his hands were clenched; every +fiber quivered in wild revolt; he was resolved to fight out this battle +with his father to the bitter end. + +But the burst of anger which he expected did not come. Falkenried looked +silently at him, but with a glance of earnest, sad reproof. + +"The only one in the whole world who loves you," he repeated slowly. +"You seem to forget that you have a father." + +"Who has never loved me," cried Hartmut with excessive bitterness. +"Since I have found my mother, I have learned for the first time what +love is." + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy seemed almost staggered by this strange tone, vibrating with +pain, which he had never heard in all his life before, and the defiance +which was about to break forth anew, died on his lips. + +"Because I have had no flattering words and caresses for you, because I +have been strict and severe in my training, have you doubted my love?" +said Falkenried, even in that same strange tone. "Do you know what that +severity has cost me against my only, my dearly loved child?" + +"Father!" The word had a shy, hesitating sound, but it was not the old +shyness and fear; there lay in it a joyful, almost incredulous +astonishment, and Hartmut gazed on his father's face as if he could +never take his eyes from it. Falkenried put his hand on his son's arm +and drew him nearer, while he continued: + +"Once I was ambitious, had proud hopes of life, great plans and +projects, but I received a blow from which I could never recover. If I +strive and struggle now, Hartmut, the only spur I have in life, besides +my sense of duty, is you, my son. All my ambitions are centered in you. +I strive for nought else on earth but to make your future great and +happy; and you can become great my boy, for your talents are unusual, +and your mind is as capable for good as for evil. But there is +something more, there are dangerous elements in your nature which are +less your fault than your fate, and which must be curbed in time, before +they obtain a mastery over you, and plunge you into misery. I have been +severe with you in order to expel the germs, but it has not been easy +for me." + +The youth's countenance was in a glow, he hung with bated breath upon +his father's every word, and now he said in a whisper, behind which he +could scarcely conceal his joy: + +"I never dared to think you loved me, you were always so inflexible, so +unapproachable--" he broke off and looked up at his father, who put his +arm around him and drew him closer to himself. Their eyes met in a long, +tender gaze, and the iron man's voice broke as he said softly: + +"You are my only child, Hartmut, all that remains to me of a dream of +happiness which vanished, leaving only bitterness and disenchantment in +its wake. I lost much and bore it;--but if I were to lose you, you,--I +could not bear it." + +He held his son close in his arms, and the boy threw himself sobbing on +his breast, and in this passionate embrace all else seemed to sink from +view. They had both forgotten the threatening shadow from the past which +was forcing itself between them. + +In the meantime Frau von Eschenhagen was harangueing Will in the +dining-room. She had already performed that duty once this morning, but +she thought the occasion required a second portion. The young heir +looked sorely disturbed, he felt himself in a false position both as +regarded his mother and his friend, and yet he was quite innocent in the +matter. As a dutiful son he listened patiently to the tirade, and only +threw a wistful glance now and then toward the table upon which the +evening meal was already spread, and of which his mother took not the +slightest notice. + +"This is what comes of it, when a boy has secrets behind his parents' +back," she said in conclusion. "Hartmut will be well watched now, and +the Major won't deal any too gently with him, either, and you, I think, +will refrain from assisting in any more plots, if I have anything to +say." + +"I had nothing to do with it," said Will, defending himself. "I only +promised to be silent, and I had to keep my word." + +"You should never keep silence toward your mother. She is always and +ever an exception," said Frau Regine, decidedly. + +"Yes, mamma, that was probably what Hartmut thought; that's how he acted +toward his mother," said Willibald, and the remark was so just that +nothing could be said in contradiction; it provoked Frau von +Jischenhagen none the less, on that account. + +"That's something different, something quite different," she answered +shortly. But her son asked obstinately: + +"Why is it something different here, then?" + +"Do not bother me any more with your talk and your questions," his +mother went on angrily. "That is a thing which you do not understand, +and about which you have no business to trouble your head. It's bad +enough that Hartmut has brought you into the affair at all. Now be +quiet, and don't trouble me any more about it. Do you understand?" + +Will was silent as requested. It was the first time in his life that he +had been catechised so sharply and had received so severe a lecture. At +this moment his uncle Wallmoden, just back from a walk, entered the +room. + +"I hear Falkenried has come already?" he said to his sister. + +"Yes," she answered. "He came immediately upon receipt of my letter." + +"And how did he take the news?" + +"Quietly enough, outwardly; but I saw only too well that he was moved +to his very soul. He is alone with Hartmut now, and the pent-up storm +will burst." + +"How unfortunate. But I warned him of all this as soon as I heard of +Zalika's return. He should have spoken to his son at once. Now I fear he +is adding a second blunder to the first in seeking, with commands and +force, to prevent further meetings. That fatal stubbornness of his, +which knows no alternative, is terribly out of place now." + +"Yes, and their talk has lasted a long time already. I'll just go and +see how they're getting on, and whether the Major is too severe or not. +You remain here, Herbert. I'll be back immediately." + +She left the room, and while Wallmoden paced the floor dejectedly, his +nephew sat alone at the supper-table, which no one but himself seemed to +notice. He did not venture to eat his supper, for his mother was in +anything but a pleasant humor to-day, and he felt no liberties were to +be taken. Fortunately she came back in a short time with a gleam of +bright sunshine across her face. + +"It's all right," she said shortly and concisely. "He has the boy in his +arms and Hartmut is clinging to him. They can do as they please now. God +be praised! Now you can eat your supper, Will; the confusion that the +house has been in all day is over at last." + +Will didn't wait to be told twice, but began his meal at the word. +Wallmoden shook his head and said half aloud: + +"If it only really is over at last!" + +Neither Falkenried nor his son perceived that the door had been softly +opened and closed again. + +Hartmut still clung to his father. He seemed to have lost all shyness +and reserve in his newly found happiness. He was so tender, so +caressing, that perhaps the Major was not far wrong in saying he would +be left defenseless when his son learned of his great love for him. He +said little; but pressed his lips again and again to his boy's forehead, +and his eyes never left his son's glowing face, which was so near his +own. At last Hartmut said softly: + +"And my mother?" + +A shadow darkened Falkenried's face, but he did not unclasp the arms +which held his son. + +"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she learns that she must keep +aloof from you," he said, this time without harshness, but most +decisively. "You may write her that I will allow you to correspond with +her under certain conditions, but I cannot nor dare not allow any +personal intercourse." + +"Father, consider--" + +"I cannot, Hartmut, it is impossible!" + +"Do you hate her so much, then?" asked the boy reprovingly. "It was you +that sought the divorce, not my mother; she told me so herself." + +Falkenried's lips trembled, and bitter words were on them; he felt like +telling his son, once for all, that his honor had demanded the +separation; but he looked in his child's dark, questioning eyes, and the +words died on his lips. He could not betray the mother to her son. + +"Let that question rest," he said gloomily. "Perhaps later, you may +learn to appreciate my reasons. Now I cannot spare you the bitter +alternative; you can only belong to one of us, and must shun the other; +you must accept that as your fate." + +Hartmut bowed his head; he felt that nothing more was to be said. That +all meetings with his mother must cease when he was again under the +rigid discipline of the institute, he knew full well; now he was at +least permitted to write to her, which was more than he had ventured to +hope. + +"Well, I will tell my mother," he said, dejectedly. "Now that you know +all, you will not oppose my seeing her again?" + +The Major was startled; he had not thought of such a possibility. + +"When were you to see her again?" he asked. + +"To-day, at this hour, at the lake in the wood. She is already waiting +for me there." + +Falkenried had a fierce battle with himself; a voice within him warned +him not to permit this meeting, but he felt that it would seem cruel for +him to refuse. + +"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked at last. + +"Certainly father, or sooner, if you desire it." + +"Well, go," said the Major with a deep sigh. It was only his sense of +justice which forced the permission from his lips. "As soon as you come +back, we will go home. It is nearly the end of your vacation anyway." + +Hartmut, who was on the point of starting, turned back suddenly. The +words brought forcibly to his mind, what he had forgotten in the last +hour, the compulsion and severity of the hated regimen he would again +have to endure. He had never ventured openly to avow his aversion for +the army, but this hour, which took from him all shyness towards his +father, also removed the seal from his lips. After a moment's hesitation +he returned to his father, and putting his arm around his neck, said: + +"I have a request, a most earnest request to make of you, which I know +you will grant, as a proof of your love for me." + +The Major's brows contracted as he asked, reprovingly: + +"Do you need any proof? Well, let's hear it." + +Hartmut clung still closer to him and his voice assumed its sweetest +and most flattering tones, and the dark eyes were almost irresistible in +their look of entreaty, as he said beseechingly: + +"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not like the profession +you have chosen for me, and I shall never learn to like it. If I have +until now, bowed to your will, it has been with repugnance and secret +hatred, for I have been wretchedly unhappy; but I have never dared until +now, to tell you of it." + +The frown on Falkenried's brow deepened, and he unfolded his son's arms +from his neck. + +"In other words you will not obey," he said in a bitter tone, "and for +you obedience is more necessary than anything else." + +"I cannot endure force and compulsion," Hartmut broke out passionately. +"And the service is nothing else but force and slavery. Always and +eternally, obedience; never to have your own way, but ever, day after +day, to bow to an iron discipline. Always the same still, cold forms, +with your own feelings never allowed to come to the surface--I cannot +bear it longer! Everything within me strives for freedom, for light and +life. Let me leave it, father; do not confine me longer in such chains. +I shall die, I shall suffocate!" + +He could not have chosen more ill-advised words with which to plead his +cause, to a man who was heart and soul a soldier. They sounded +passionate and bitter, yet his arm was still on his father's shoulder; +but the Major pushed him back now. + +"I had thought the service an honor, and no slavery," he said cuttingly. +"It is pretty bad when my own son is the first one to bring it to my +notice. Freedom, light and life! Perhaps you think when one reaches his +seventeenth year he has acquired the right to plunge into life without +any further care or guidance. For you, freedom from restraint would +mean destruction." + +"And if it did?" cried Hartmut, quite beside himself. "Rather +destruction with freedom, than longer life with such restraint. For me +the army means bondage and slavery--" + +"Silence! Not a word more," ordered Falkenried, so threateningly that +the youth, in spite of his fearful passion, was awed. "You have now no +choice, and woe to you if you forget your duty. First you must become an +officer and do your duty as such to the full, like your comrades; then, +if you are still of the same mind and I have no power to prevent it, you +can leave, but if I am alive then, I will receive my death blow when my +only son--runs away from the service." + +"Father, do you take me for a coward?" interrupted Hartmut. "If there +were only a war and I could stand in battle--" + +"Yes, you would plunge madly and blindly into danger, and, with that +very self-will which knows no discipline, rush on to destruction. I +know, only too well, this wild, measureless desire for freedom from +every restraint, which knows no limits, recognizes no duties; I know +from whom you have inherited it, and to what it will eventually lead. +But as long as you are under my jurisdiction I will hold you fast to +that 'slavery' whether you hate it or not. You shall obey and learn to +yield while there is yet time; and you shall learn it. I give you my +word for that." + +His voice had again the old harsh sound to which his son was so well +accustomed, and every vestige of tenderness had died out of his face. +Hartmut knew that prayers or defiance were alike useless now. He uttered +no syllable, but the old demon-like gleam in his eyes, which robbed him +of all his beauty, was again manifest land on the lips so tightly +pressed together lay a strange, evil expression as he turned silently +to leave the room. His father followed him with his eyes, again he heard +the warning voice which came to him as a presentiment of coming evil, +and he called his son back. + +"Hartmut, you'll be back in two hours? You give me your word for it?" + +"Yes, father." The answer sounded angry, but steadfast. + +"Very well, then I will treat you as a man. You have pledged your word +and may go in peace; be punctual." + +The young man had only been gone a few minutes when Wallmoden entered. + +"I knew you were alone," he said. "I would not have disturbed you, but I +saw Hartmut hasten across the garden just now. Where is he going so +late?" + +"To his mother, to take leave of her." + +The diplomatist looked up startled at this unexpected intelligence. + +"With your consent?" he said surprised. + +"Certainly, I gave him permission." + +"How unwise. I thought you would have seen to it that Zalika did not +accomplish her ends; and now, whether it's right or wrong, you are +sending your son to her." + +"Only for an hour, and only for a farewell, which I could not refuse. +What are you afraid of now? Not that there will be any foul play? +Hartmut is no baby to be carried off in a carriage in spite of himself." + +"But if he were willing it would be a different matter." + +"I have his word that he'll be back in a couple of hours," said the +Major with emphasis. + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders: "The word of a boy of seventeen!" + +"Who has had a soldier's education and knows the significance of his +word of honor. That gives me no anxiety; my fears are in another +direction." + +"Regine told me you and he understood one another at last," remarked +Wallmoden, with a glance at his friend's dark, gloomy face. + +"For a few minutes; then I had to be the stern, hard father again, and +this last hour has shown me how hard a task it will be to conquer and +direct this unruly, undisciplined nature, but for all that, I must and +will subdue it." + +His friend stepped to the window and looked out upon the garden. + +"It is twilight already and the Burgsdorf fish-pond is half an hour's +walk from here," he said, half aloud. "You could have this last meeting +held in your presence if you saw fit." + +"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could and would not do that." + +"If this farewell does not end as you anticipate--if Hartmut does not +come back?" + +"Then he would be beneath contempt, a liar," said Falkenried, "a +deserter too, for he already carries arms at his side. But do not insult +me with such thoughts, Herbert. It is my son of whom you speak." + +"He is Zalika's son also. But we won't discuss it any more. They are +waiting for you in the dining-room; you will not go to-night?" + +"Yes, in two hours," answered the Major, steadily and quietly. "Hartmut +will be back by then--I'll answer for it." + +The gray shadows of evening already lay on field and meadow, and they +grew each moment thicker and darker. The short hazy autumn day was at an +end, and the clouded sky brought the night down more quickly than usual. +A woman's figure could be seen pacing impatiently up and down on the +shore of the little lake. She had a dark mantle drawn closely around +her shoulders, but she paid little heed to the frosty evening air which +was blowing about her; she was feverish with expectation, and her ear +was strained to catch the first echo of approaching footsteps. + +Since the first day on which Willibald had surprised them both, and they +had been forced to take him into their confidence, Zalika had chosen a +late hour in the afternoon, and a lonely place in the wood for her +meetings with her son. She was accustomed to meet him before the +twilight began, in order that he might not attract attention by +returning late to Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but to-day his +mother had waited already an hour, in vain. What accident had detained +him, or had their secret been disclosed? Since a third knew it, she was +prepared for such a contingency. + +All was so silent in the wood that the rustle of her gown and her light +footsteps as she walked to and fro, were the only sounds which greeted +her ear. + +Beneath the tall trees lay long nocturnal shadows; over the pond where +there was more light, being free from shade, hung a faint vapory cloud, +and over yonder in the meadows, where a pool of water, concealed by the +mossy moorland, had formed, the mists had gathered still more thickly +and hung like a gray-white veil over all the heath. The air from the +meadows was blowing damp and chill. + +At last there was a light step, faint and uncertain--then, as it came on +quickly in the direction of the pond, firmer and more resolute. Now a +slender figure came in view, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +darkness, and Zalika flew to meet her son, who, in the next minute lay +in her arms. + +"What has happened?" she asked amidst the wonted stormy caresses. "Why +are you so late? I had begun to despair of seeing you to-day. What +detained you?" + +"I could not come sooner," Hartmut explained, still breathless, after +his long run. "I come from my father." + +Zalika drew back. + +"From your father? And he knows--?" + +"All!" + +"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? who told him?" + +The young man related in a few words all that had happened, but he had +not finished when a bitter laugh from his mother interrupted him. + +"Of course, they are all in the plot together to keep me from my child. +And your father? He has threatened and punished you again as if you were +a criminal, because you have been in your mother's arms?" + +Hartmut shook his head. The memory of the moment when his father drew +him to his breast was yet before him, despite all the bitterness with +which the scene had ended. + +"No," he said sadly, "but he has forbidden me to see you again, and +sternly commanded me to part from you." + +"And in spite of all, you are here? O, I knew it!" + +Her words had a joyful sound. + +"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," her son answered her bitterly. "I only +came to say good-bye." + +"Hartmut!" + +"Father has given me permission to see you this time, and then--" + +"Then he will take you away again, and you will be forever lost to me. +Is that it?" + +Hartmut did not answer, he only threw himself upon his mother's breast +with a wild, passionate sob, which had as much anger and bitterness in +it, as pain. + +It had now grown quite dark and the night was upon them, a cold, misty, +autumn night, without moon or starlight, and over in the meadows, where +the vapor was so dense, a light rain had just begun to fall, and +through the rain and the mist a blue shimmering light appeared, now +faint and dull, now with a clear, bright gleam like a flame. + +It disappeared, then started forth again a second and a third time--the +will-o'-the-wisp had begun its unearthly, spectral dance. + +"You are crying!" said Zalika holding her son fast in her arms. "I have +long foreseen this day, and if young Eschenhagen had not surprised us +the other morning. I should before this have given you the choice +between returning to your father and forming some other plan." + +"What other plan? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed. + +Zalika bent over him and although they were alone, her voice sank into a +whisper. + +"Will you allow this tyranny to go on, will you permit yourself to be +separated from your mother and our holy love trodden under foot, without +asserting yourself, or protecting our joint right? If you do permit it, +you are no son of mine, and my blood does not flow in your veins. He +sent you to bid me farewell, and you take his word as final. Do you +really come to take leave of me, for long years, in all probability?" + +"I must do it," her son broke out despairingly. "You know my father. +Against his iron will there is no appeal." + +"If you return to him--no! But who will force you to return?" + +"Mamma. Do not tempt me, for the love of heaven!" he cried trying to +free himself from the arms which held him so fast, but the passionate +voice still whispered in his ear: + +"What alarms you in the thought? You but go with your mother, who loves +you with a boundless love and will live only for you. You have often +complained to me that you hate the service into which you are forced. +Have you forgotten your longing for freedom? If you go back you have no +option, for your father will bind you fast in the chains, and he will +but shorten the links, when he sees you are intolerant of them." + +She had no need to tell her son this, for he knew it all better than she +could tell him. Scarcely an hour since, had he not heard the words: "You +shall obey and learn to yield while yet there is time." + +His voice was full of bitterness as he replied. + +"In any case, I must go back. I have given my word to be at Burgsdorf +again in two hours." + +"Really?" asked Zalika, sharply and scornfully. "I thought as much. I +see he treats you like a child, marks out your every step for you and +gives you your allotted time, as if you had no judgment or mind of your +own; but the time has gone by to treat you thus, you are old enough to +assume the prerogatives of a man. The day has come when you must show +that you are a man in action as well as word. A promise wrung from one +is valueless; tear asunder this invisible chain by which you are held, +and set yourself free." + +"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with another effort to free himself, but his +mother held him fast in her arms. He turned his face away and looked +with hot eyes into the dark night, upon the desolate blackness of the +wood and across at the will-o'-the-wisp, still pursuing its erratic +course, now rising with convulsive, trembling flame, now sinking into +the ground beneath, only to come up again quivering and glimmering. +There was something ghostly and horrible, and withal strangely +fascinating in the ceaseless dance of this imp of night. + +"Come with me, my son," Zalika begged, in those dulcet tones which were +hers, as well as her son's. "I have long since prepared all for your +coming; I knew of a certainty that this day would surely come. My +carriage is waiting a short distance from here. We can soon reach the +railway station and will be far on our way before they are any the wiser +at Burgsdorf. With me lies freedom, life, happiness! I will take you +away and show you the great world, and when you are once in it, you will +learn to breathe freely and enjoy life, as one redeemed from slavery. I +know what it is to be liberated from slavery. I, too, wore the chains +which, in an hour of foolish fascination, I forged for myself, but I +should have torn them apart in the first year had it not been for my +unborn child. O, freedom is sweet, as you will soon learn." + +She knew only too well the words to choose to accomplish her purpose. +Freedom, life, happiness. They signified so much. They echoed and +re-echoed in the heart of the boy, whose longing for freedom had always +been repressed by a powerful hand. Now like a picture from a magician's +hand, the fairy-like visions of promised liberty stood before him. He +need but stretch out his hand and it was his own. + +"My word," he murmured with a last feeble attempt to rescue himself. "My +father will despise me--" + +"When you have attained to a great, proud future," Zalika interrupted +him excitedly, "then go to your father and ask him if he dares to +despise you; he would bind you to the earth, but you have wings to fly +above it. He does not understand a nature like yours, and never will. +Will you destroy yourself for the sake of a mere word and be a slave +forever? Come with me, Hartmut, with me to whom you are all the world." + +She led him slowly away, and he did not tear himself from her, but, as +she caressed him and called him fond names she felt that his going was +under protest, and that she had needed all her wiles to accomplish it. A +few minutes later the pond was deserted, mother and son had disappeared, +and even the sound of their retiring footsteps had died out in the night +air. Over the moor moved only that weird, spectral life. The flashing +lights appeared and sank again in restless play,--mysterious breaths of +flame from the deep. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +It was autumn again, and the warm, golden light of a September day lay +upon the woodland, which stretched away like a green ocean as far as eye +could reach. + +Hill and valley alternated with each other, all forest clad, and many a +mighty and moss-grown trunk in that great wilderness told of the forest +primeval which in the early days had covered all this part of South +Germany. Elsewhere in the land, railways had been built, until there was +scarcely a hamlet whose slumbers were undisturbed by the shrill scream +of the locomotive--but "the forest," as the people called it, remained +apart, cut off from the world, a vast territory many miles in width, +like a great, green island, unmoved by the waves of commotion and +progress from without. + +Here and there amid the forest green a little village peeped out, or an +old castle reared its gray and weather-beaten battlements on high, as if +protesting against its impending decay. There was but one building in +the whole region which yet stood strong, intact and massive, +notwithstanding it was gray with age. + +It was called Fürstenstein, and was originally built as a hunting box, +for the use of the sovereign. The duke's head forester occupied it all +the year round; and during the hunting season some members of the ducal +family always held court there for several weeks. It had been built in +the early part of the last century, with the lavish waste of room which +marked the style of that period. Standing on a high elevation, it +commanded a superb view over the surrounding country. + +The approach to the castle allowed no view of its proportions, for woods +covered the hill upon which it stood, and in places tall fir trees threw +their shadows on tower and turret, so that one scarcely realized the +immensity of the building until he stood quite at the entrance gate. +There were also a number of little structures clustering around the main +edifice, which had been added at different periods. Time was not allowed +to make inroads here; everything was in perfect order and repair, and +the countless rooms on the second floor were always kept ready for the +prince, who took possession of them at any time. + +The head forester, von Schönau, had occupied the immense ground floor +for years, and between filling his house with guests, and making +frequent visits to his neighbors, managed to have a very agreeable time, +notwithstanding the lonely situation. + +He had visitors now; his sister-in-law, Frau Regine von Eschenhagen had +arrived yesterday, and her son was expected soon. The two daughters of +the Wallmoden family had made good marriages; while the elder married +the heir to Burgsdorf, the younger had wedded Herr von Schönau, the son +of a wealthy landed gentleman of a noble South German family. + +The sisters, in spite of the distance which separated them, had always +maintained a close and affectionate intercourse, and since Frau von +Schönau's death, which occurred a few years after her marriage, Frau +Regine had kept up the intimacy with her brother-in-law. + +It was a singular enough friendship which existed between these two, for +they always met, armed cap-a-pie, for battle. They were both strong, +inconsiderate natures, and every time they saw one another they +quarrelled, and as regularly made their peace again, always promising +there should be no further strife between them, which promise was kept +until their next dispute, for which some opportunity would give rise, +sometimes within an hour after their reconciliation, when another +pitched battle would begin, as passionate and wordy as the last. + +At the present moment there seemed a truce between them as they sat on +the terrace in front of the reception room. The head forester, in spite +of his advancing years, was an erect, stately man, with strong, sunburnt +features; his hair and beard were slightly gray, but still luxuriant. +Now he leaned back in his chair listening to his sister-in-law, who +generally did most of the talking. Frau Regine was now in her fiftieth +year, but the last ten years had not changed her much; her life ran on +so smoothly and evenly. + +A wrinkle was to be found here and there in her face, and silver threads +were weaving their way into her dark hair, but the gray eyes had lost +nothing of their clearness and sharpness, the voice was as full and +resolute as ever, and her bearing as erect and energetic as formerly. + +"Willibald will be here in eight days," she was saying. "The harvesting +was not quite done; but everything will be finished within the week, and +then he can come to meet his bride. The matter has been settled between +us for a long time, but I was resolved to postpone it for some time, for +what did a young thing of sixteen or seventeen, with childish notions +still in her head know about the orderly direction of a household? Now +that Toni is twenty years old, and Will twenty-seven, it is all right. +Are you still perfectly satisfied that this betrothal is the best thing +for our children's future?" + +"Perfectly satisfied," assented the head forester. "I think everything +is as it should be. One half my fortune will go, some day, to my son, +the other half to my daughter, and I think you may be well content with +the portion I have set aside as Toni's wedding gift." + +"Yes, you have been very liberal. As to Will, he came into possession of +Burgsdorf three years ago; the remainder of the fortune remains, by the +will, in my hands, and at my death goes, of course, to him. But I've +seen to it that the young people won't suffer. I have made ample +provision for them." + +"No need for haste. We are only going to celebrate the betrothal now; +the marriage won't be until next spring." + +And now the first cloud appeared on the clear heaven of their perfect +harmony. Frau von Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially: + +"We won't postpone it any longer now. The wedding must take place this +winter. Willibald has no time to get married in the spring." + +"Nonsense, a man always has time to get married," declared Schönau, just +as dictatorially. + +"Not in the country," asserted Frau Regine. "There something else must +be considered; first work, then pleasure. That's always been the rule +with us, and that's what I've taught Will." + +"I trust he'd make an exception as regards his young wife; otherwise +he's little better than a milksop," cried the forester, angrily. "Above +all, Regine, you must remember my stipulation. My Toni has not seen your +son for two years. If he does not please her--she has free choice, you +understand." + +His speech touched his sister-in-law on her most sensitive point; her +motherly pride was outraged. + +"My dear Moritz, I have more confidence than you, apparently, in your +daughter's good taste. As for the rest, I hold to the good old custom +that children should marry whom their parents select. It was that way in +our day, and we have found no cause of complaint. What do young people +know of such serious matters any way? But you have let your children +have their own way from the very start; any one could soon tell that +there was no mother in this house." + +"Well, was that my fault?" asked Schönau, incensed. "Perhaps, I ought to +have given them a step-mother. I suggested it to you once, but you +wouldn't hear of it, Regine." + +"No, I had been married once," was the dry answer, and it seemed to +increase the head forester's irritation. He shrugged his shoulders +spitefully. + +"Well, I certainly think you had no cause for complaint against poor +Eschenhagen. He, and all his people at Burgsdorf danced when you piped. +With me you would not have ordered the regiment about so easily." + +"In about four weeks," Frau Regine declared calmly, "you would all have +been under my command, Moritz." + +"What! You say that to my face? Well, I'd just like to prove it for +once," retorted Schönau, full of wrath now. + +"Thank you, I shouldn't care to marry a second time, so give yourself no +uneasiness." + +"I can assure you I didn't mean an offer. I wouldn't think of such a +thing for a moment. One refusal was enough for me. So you need not +trouble giving me a second one." + +With these words the master of the house rose, pushed back his chair +noisily, and left his guest abruptly. Frau von Eschenhagen remained +quietly sitting alone for some time, then she called out in a friendly +tone: + +"Moritz." + +"What is it?" he growled from the other side of the terrace. + +"When are Herbert and his young wife coming?" + +"At twelve o'clock," the voice had an ill-tempered ring yet. + +"I am so glad. I have not seen him since he was sent to the South German +capital, but I have always maintained that Herbert was the pride of our +family, and he keeps up enough state for us all. Now you see he is +Prussian ambassador at your court, and is 'Your Excellency.'" + +"And then he's a young husband of six and fifty, don't forget that," +interrupted the forester spitefully. + +"Yes, he took his time about marrying, but he made a dazzling match at +last. For a man of his years it was no easy matter to win such a wife as +Adelheid, young, beautiful, rich--" + +"And of common birth," added Schönau. + +"Stuff and nonsense! Who asks any questions now-a-days about birth when an +immense fortune stands behind it? Herbert can use money now, too; he has +been hampered for means his life long, and now, as ambassador, he needs +more to keep up the position than he could possibly supply. But my +brother need never be ashamed of his father-in-law. Stahlberg was at the +head of one of our greatest industries, and a man of honor, through and +through. It was a pity he died so soon after his daughter's marriage. +At all events they made a very sensible choice." + +"So that's what you call a sensible choice, do you, when a girl of +eighteen marries a man old enough to be her father?" asked Schönau, who, +in the heat of discussion, came back to his sister-in-law again. "To be +sure she has a high place in society now, as the wife of His Excellency, +the Ambassador, and is a baroness and all that. But to me this +beautiful, cool Adelheid, with her 'sensible' ideas, which would do a +grandmother credit, is not at all sympathetic. A thoughtless maiden, who +falls over head and ears in love, and then declares to her parents, +'This one, or none,' suits me far better." + +"Those are fine opinions for the father of a family to express," cried +Frau von Eschenhagen, much ruffled. "It's a good thing that Toni +inherited my sister's good sense, otherwise she would be coming to you +with some such a speech one of these days. But Stahlberg educated his +daughter better. I know it from himself. She was trained to follow his +wishes, and accepted Herbert at once when he offered himself. But of +course you know nothing about educating children; it stands to reason +that you should not." + +"What? I, a man and a father, and know nothing about educating +children?" cried Schönau, red with anger. They were now both on the fair +way to have another pitched battle, when they were happily interrupted +by the appearance of a young girl, the daughter of the house, who +stepped out on the terrace at this moment. + +Antonie von Schönau could never be called beautiful, but she had her +father's fine figure and a fresh, glowing face, with clear brown eyes. +Her nut-brown hair was laid in smooth braids around her head, and her +attire, although perfectly suitable for a girl of her station, was yet +quite simple. But Antonie was in the first bloom of youth, and that +charm outweighed all others. As she stepped out now, looking so fresh +and rosy and healthy, she was a daughter after Frau Regine's own heart, +and that lady immediately brought the strife to an end and gave her a +smiling nod. + +"Father, the carriage is on its way back from the station," said the +young lady, in very deliberate, almost drawling tones. "It is at the +foot of the castle hill already, and Uncle Wallmoden will be here in +fifteen minutes." + +"Bless me, they have driven quickly!" exclaimed her father, whose face +had cleared at the news. "Are the guest chambers in order?" + +Toni nodded composedly, as if to say her duties were never neglected; +then, as her father left the terrace to watch the approach of the +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen, with a glance at the basket which the girl +carried on her arm, said: + +"Well, Toni, you are always busy." + +"I have been in the kitchen-garden, dear auntie. The gardener declared +there were no more ripe pears, so I went out to see for myself, and +picked a whole basket full." + +"That's right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly pleased, +"you must keep an eye on the servants and use your hands, too, +occasionally, if you want to get on in this world. You'll make a fine +housekeeper. But come, now, we must go to meet your uncle, too." + +Herr von Schönau was already far across the terrace, and was just +starting down the broad flight of stone steps which led from the castle +court, when a man stepped out from one of the side buildings, and stood, +respectful and silent, with his hat off. + +"Well, Stadinger, is that you? What's brought you to Fürstenstein?" the +head forester called out. "Come here!" + +Stadinger approached as commanded; in spite of his snow-white hair he +came forward with a firm, erect step, while a pair of sharp, dark eyes +peered out from his brown, weather-beaten face. + +"I was with the castellan, Herr von Schönau," he explained, "and have +been asking him to lend us a few of his servants to help us, for we're +busy up to our eyes at Rodeck, and have not people enough for all the +work." + +"Ah, yes, Prince Egon is back from his Oriental tour. I heard that +before," said Schönau. "But how does it happen that he's come to such a +small place as Rodeck, with little room and less comfort?" + +Stadinger shrugged his shoulders. "Heaven knows! But our young prince +follows his own sweet will, and no one dare ask why. One morning the +news came, and the castle people hardly know whether they are standing +on their heads or their heels. I had enough trouble to get the place +ready in two days." + +"I can believe that; no one has visited Rodeck for years, but the +prince's visit will put some life in the old walls, at any rate." + +"Well, it turns everything topsy-turvey," growled the castle steward. +"If you only knew how we have been upset, Herr Schönau. The hunting-room +is crammed full of lion and tiger skins, and all sorts of stuffed +animals, and monkeys and parrots are sitting around in all the rooms. +The whole place is in such an uproar from them that one can't hear one's +self speak. And now his highness has just announced to me that there are +a troop of elephants and a great sea-serpent on the way. I think I +struck a blow at them, though." + +"What is on the way?" inquired the head forester, who did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"A sea-serpent and a dozen elephants. I have fought against them with +all my might. 'Your highness,' I said, 'we cannot accommodate any more +animals, and as to the sea-serpent, such a beast will need water and we +have no pond at Rodeck. And if the elephants do come we'll have to chain +them to trees in the forest, I know no other way.'" + +"'That's just the thing' his highness answered, 'just chain them to the +trees, that'll be very wild and picturesque, and we'll send the +sea-serpent to board at Fürstenstein; the castle fish-pond is big +enough.' Herr Schönau, he will people the whole neighborhood with these +monsters, I believe." + +The head forester laughed aloud, and gave the steward, who seemed to +enjoy his special favor, a hearty slap on the shoulder. + +"But, Stadinger, have you really taken all this in earnest? You ought to +know the prince better. He certainly does not seem to come back any +steadier than he went away." + +"No indeed, he does not," sighed Stadinger. "And what his highness does +not devise for himself, Herr Rojanow hatches for him. He is the worst of +the two. It's hard lines that such a dare-devil should be quartered on +us." + +"Rojanow? Who is he?" asked Schönau, all attention now. + +"I hardly know, but he's come with the prince, who cannot live without +him. He met this friend in some heathen country. Maybe he is a +half-heathen, or Turk; he looks enough like one, with his dark face and +strange eyes. And the fellow, with his airs and orders acts as if he +were the lord and master of Rodeck. But he's as handsome as a picture, +handsomer even than our prince, who, by the way has given orders that +Herr Rojanow is to be obeyed in all things just like himself." + +"More than probable it's an adventurer with whom the prince is amusing +himself," murmured Schönau, and aloud he said: "Well good-bye, +Stadinger, I must meet my brother-in-law now, and don't lose any sleep +over the sea-serpent. When his highness threatens you with it again, +tell him I will gladly keep it for him in our fish-pond, but I must see +it alive first." + +He nodded laughingly to the old steward and stepped down to the entrance +gateway. Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece were already there, and a +minute after he joined them, the carriage turned into the broad, smooth +road and was driven rapidly up to the great entrance. + +Regine was the first to greet the travelers. She pressed her brother's +hand so heartily that he was forced to draw it back. The head forester +was somewhat diffident; he had a certain feeling of shyness in the +presence of his diplomatic brother-in-law, whose sarcastic tongue he +secretly feared. But Toni did not allow "his excellency" her uncle, or +his wife, either, to ruffle her wonted composure. + +The years had not treated Herbert von Wallmoden so gently as they had +his sister. He had aged perceptibly; his hair was grey now, and the +sarcastic lines around his mouth had deepened. But he was the same cold +aristocrat as ever, perhaps even a shade colder and more distant. With +the exalted position to which he had attained, the feeling of +superiority, which had ever been his chief characteristic, seemed to +strengthen. + +The young wife by his side was always taken by strangers to be his +daughter. Unquestionably the ambassador's choice had proved his good +taste. Adelheid von Wallmoden was indeed lovely, but her beauty was of +that chill, statuesque type which awakens only cold admiration, and she +seemed to have been born to occupy the position in the world to which +her marriage had raised her. The young bride, not quite nineteen, and +only six months a wife, exhibited a coolness of behavior and as complete +a knowledge of all the forms and obligations of her social position, as +if she had been at the side of her elderly husband for half a lifetime. + +Wallmoden was politeness and attentiveness itself to her. He offered her +his arm now, after the first greetings were over, to conduct her to her +own apartments, and a few minutes later returned alone to the terrace to +have a talk with his sister. + +The intercourse between this brother and sister was in many respects +very singular. + +Regine was as uncouth in outward appearance as she was rugged in +character, and the direct opposite of her courtly brother in every +particular; but still, as they sat side by side now, after their long +separation, there was a look on both faces which told that the +mysterious bond of kinship was much to them both, despite the antagonism +which so often came to the fore. + +Herbert was made rather nervous during their conversation, for Regine +did not think it necessary to refrain from brusque questioning or candid +comment, and her brother was frequently embarrassed and annoyed by both, +but he had learned from experience the uselessness of striving to check +her open speech, so gave himself up to the inevitable with a sigh. Of +course, among other things, she spoke of Willibald's and Toni's +betrothal, of which Wallmoden fully approved. + +The subject had been worn threadbare long years ago, so there was little +really to be said. And now Frau von Eschenhagen branched off on another +theme. + +"Well, Herbert, how do you feel now you're a married man?" asked his +sister. "You certainly were long enough about making up your mind, but +better late than never, and I must admit that for an old gray-head like +you, you have made a very good selection." + +This frank reference to his age did not seem to please the ambassador; +he pressed his lips tightly together for a moment, and then answered his +sister sharply: + +"My dear Regine, you should strive to use a little tact in your +conversation. I know my age well enough, but the position which I +occupy, and to which I elevated Adelheid by marriage, more than +compensates for the difference in our ages." + +"Well, that's true enough, and the marriage portion she brought you is +not to be despised," assented Regine, quite unmoved by his sharp tones. +"Have you presented your wife at Court yet?" + +"Yes, two weeks ago, at the summer Capitol. My father-in-law's death +prevented my doing so before. But this winter we must keep open house, +as my position demands it. I was greatly surprised and pleased at +Adelheid's behavior at Court. She acted with a calmness and proud +security, upon this entirely strange ground, which was worthy of all +praise. I was all the more convinced how wise my choice had been in +every respect. Well now, about home matters; before everything else, +tell me about Falkenried?" + +"Well, what is there for me to tell? Don't you write one another +regularly?" + +"Yes, but his letters are always short and monosyllabic. I wrote him of +my marriage, but his congratulations were very laconic. You must see him +frequently, since he has been made minister of war, as you are so near +the city." + +A shadow darkened Regine's clear eyes, and she shook her head sadly. +"You are mistaken, the colonel scarcely ever comes to Burgsdorf. He +grows more reserved and unapproachable each year." + +"I am sorry to hear it; he has always made an exception of you, and I +hoped you could use your influence to bring him often to Burgsdorf. Have +you made no attempt to renew the old intimacy?" + +"I did at first, but I have finally given it up as hopeless, for I saw +that I was only annoying him. There is nothing to be done, Herbert. +Since that unfortunate catastrophe he has been turned to stone. You have +seen him several times yourself, since then, and know he lives bereft of +hope." + +Wallmoden's face clouded darkly, and his voice was very bitter as he +replied: "Yes, that boy Hartmut has done for him, that's certain. It's +over ten years ago now, however, and I did hope Falkenried would take +some interest in life again by this time." + +"I never hoped that," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. "The life +has all gone from the roots. I shall never forget, as long as I live, +how he looked on that fateful evening, when we waited and waited, first +with uneasiness and apprehension, then with deadly anxiety. You grasped +the truth at once, but I would not let you say a word while there was a +chance. I can see him now as he stood at the window staring out into the +night, with drawn features and face like death, and to every word of +ours only the one answer. 'He will come! He must come! I have his word.' +And when in spite of all, Hartmut did not come, and we repaired to the +railway station at daybreak, only to learn that they two, mother and +son, had taken the express train hours before. God preserve us, may I +never see such a look on a man's face again. I made you promise to stay +by him, for I thought he would put a bullet through his heart before the +day was over." + +"You were wrong there," said Wallmoden with decision. "A man of +Falkenried's temperament would consider it cowardice to commit suicide, +even though the days of his life were one continued torture. I do not +venture to think what would have happened though, had he been allowed to +carry out his intention at that time." + +"I know," interrupted his sister, "that he asked for his discharge, +because, with his keen sense of honor, he could not bear to serve +longer, after his son had become a deserter. It was a step prompted by +despair." + +"Yes, and it was his only salvation, that he, with his military +knowledge and skill, was not allowed to sink into oblivion. The chief of +the General's staff took up the matter and brought it before the King, +and they decided that the father should not be allowed to sacrifice +himself for a boy's rash action, and that the service could not lose +such a highly esteemed officer. So they would not accept his +resignation, but permitted him to go to a distant garrison, where the +matter was never mentioned in his presence. Now, after ten years, it's +buried and forgotten by the whole world." + +"With one exception," said Regine sorrowfully. "My heart aches whenever +I think of what Falkenried once was, and what he is now. The bitter +experience of his marriage made him gloomy and unsocial, but in good +time he recovered himself a little, and his whole soul turned to his boy +and his boy's advancement. Now everything is lost and the rigid, stark +fulfilment of duty is all that remains; all else is dead within him, and +as a sequence, all his old friendships have become painful to him--we +must let him go his own way." + +She broke off with a sigh, as the face of her girlhood's friend came +before her mind's eye. Then laying her hand on her brother's arm, she +said in conclusion: + +"Perhaps you are right, Herbert, when you say that a man chooses more +wisely when he has come to years of discretion. You need not fear +Falkenried's fate; your wife has good blood in her veins. I knew Herr +Stahlberg well; he worked earnestly and with capability, too, or he +would never have succeeded as he did in life. And he was ever an honest +man, even after he became a millionaire, and Adelheid is her father's +daughter, bone and sinew. You have chosen well for yourself, and I +rejoice with you from the bottom of my heart." + + * * * * * + +The little hunting castle of Rodeck which belonged to the princely house +of Adelsberg, lay but a few miles distant from "Fürstenstein," in the +midst of the deep forest. The small, plain building containing at most +but a dozen rooms, had been hastily prepared for the unexpected coming +of the prince. It had not been used for years, and had a neglected +appearance. But as one stepped out from the dark, gloomy forest upon the +light greensward, and saw the old building with its high, pointed roof, +and its four little towers guarding the corners, it seemed very +picturesque in its loneliness. + +The Adelsbergs were old-time princes of the German empire who had long +since lost their sovereignty, but who still retained their princely +title, together with an immense fortune which included very great landed +possessions. The family had dwindled in number so that there were but +few representatives left, and only one in the direct line, Prince Egon, +and he as owner of the family estates and through kinship on his dead +mother's side with the reigning house, played a conspicuous part among +the nobility of the country. + +The young prince was understood to be very wild and erratic, and a man +who was always forming eccentric attachments. He cared little for +princely etiquette, and followed the whim of the moment. The old prince +had held the reins with a tight hand, but at his death Egon von +Adelsberg became his own master, and since that time, had followed his +own free course without check or restraint. + +He had just now returned from a two years' tour in the East, and instead +of going to his palace in the capital, or to one of his magnificently +appointed castles, always in readiness to receive him, no matter what +the season, he had, on the spur of the moment, decided upon this little +hunting castle of Rodeck, where he could not be comfortably housed, and +where the few retainers who took charge of the place, were ill-prepared +for such an honor. But as old Stadinger had said, no one dare ask why of +the prince; he did as the humor of the hour pleased him. + +It was the morning of a sunny autumn day. Upon the broad velvety lawn, +two men attired in hunting costume, were standing talking to the +steward, while in the broad court a few yards beyond, stood a light, +open carriage, awaiting its owner's pleasure. The two young men seemed, +at a first glance, to resemble one another. Both had tall, slender +figures, deeply browned faces, and eyes in which the fiery arrogance of +youth burned fiercely; but a nearer view showed how totally dissimilar +they were, after all. + +It was evident that the younger man, who was about twenty-four years +old, owed his dark complexion to his long residence beneath a fierce +sun, for his light, curly hair and blue eyes were not the fitting +accompaniments for such a browned skin, but were unquestionably German. +He had a blonde beard, curly like the hair which surrounded his +handsome, open countenance, but the face hardly coincided with one's +ideas of perfect beauty. The forehead was somewhat too narrow and the +features were not regular, but something in his expression reminded one +of clear sunshine, it was so good-natured and so winning. + +His companion, who was a few years his senior, had nothing of this +sunlight in his face, although his appearance was undoubtedly the more +distinguished of the two. Slender, like his companion, he was much the +taller, and his dark skin was not the legacy of an eastern sun. It was +of that faint brown which makes the freshest face look pale, and the +blue-black hair, which fell in heavy locks on his high forehead, only +served to heighten this appearance of pallor. It was a beautiful face, +with its noble, proud lines so marked and expressive, but there were +deep shadows on it, too, on the brow and across the eyes, shadows found +but seldom in so youthful a countenance. The great, dark eyes in which a +shade of melancholy always lay, spoke of hot, unrestrained passion, and +the fire which blazed within them had a mysterious, unearthly +fascination. One felt that these orbs possessed some uncanny power, but +they were in accord with the man's whole personality, which had about it +something of this same strange witchery. + +"Well, I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the men. "The +new cases must be unpacked and places found for the things. Where--that +is your business." + +"But, your highness, it is absolutely impossible!" remonstrated +Stadinger, in a tone which showed that he was on a pretty sure footing +with his young master. "There's not an empty corner in all Rodeck. I +have had the greatest trouble already to house all the people your +highness brought with you, and every day chests bigger than a house are +arriving, and ever the same cry: 'Unpack that, Stadinger! Make a place +for this, Stadinger.' And hundreds of rooms empty in the other castles." + +"Stop grumbling, you old ghost of the woods, and make places," +interrupted the prince. "The chests that have come must be unpacked in +Rodeck for the time being at least, and if the worst comes to the worst, +you must find room in your own house for them." + +"Yes, indeed, Stadinger has room and to spare in his own house for +them," it was the tall, dark man who spoke now. "And I'll superintend +the unpacking myself." + +"That's a good plan," said the prince, heartily, "and Zena can assist +him; she is at home yet, I suppose?" + +"No, your highness, she has gone away." + +"Away!" cried prince Egon. "And where has she gone?" + +"To the city," was the laconic answer. + +"That won't do. You should keep your grandchild with you here at Rodeck +all winter." + +"That matter seems to have arranged itself," answered the steward with +quiet dignity. "Just now my old sister, Rosa, is at home with me. If you +should come to my humble dwelling, Herr Rojanow, she would feel greatly +honored." + +Rojanow gave him a glance which was anything but friendly, and the young +prince said sharply: + +"Look here, Stadinger, you are treating us after a most unwarrantable +fashion. You send Zena away, for no reason in the world, and she's the +only one worth seeing about the whole place. There's not a woman in +Rodeck who isn't past sixty and whose head doesn't wobble from side to +side, and as to the belles of the kitchen whom you brought from +Fürstenstein to help us out, they're worse looking than our own people." + +"Your highness need not look at them," suggested the steward. "I gave +strict orders that none of the maids were to come into the castle, but +if your highness goes to the kitchen, as you did the day before +yesterday--" + +"Well, I must inspect my domestic arrangements once in a while. But I +won't go near the kitchen a second time, I promise you that. But I'm +provoked enough at you for having gathered together all the repulsive +looking creatures in the neighborhood as soon as you knew I was coming. +You should be ashamed of yourself, Stadinger." + +The old man looked his young master full in the face, and his voice had +an impressive sound, as he answered: "I am not at all ashamed, your +highness. When that prince of blessed memory, your father, assigned me +to this peaceful post, he said to me: 'Keep everything quiet and orderly +at Rodeck, Stadinger; remember, I depend upon you.' Well, I have kept +everything in order around this castle for twelve years, and more +especially have I guarded those of my own household, and I mean to do so +for the future, too. Has your highness any other orders for me?" + +"No, you old boor!" cried the prince, half amused, half angry. "Go on, +now; we don't need any sermon on morals." + +Stadinger obeyed, he bowed low and marched off. Rojanow glanced after +him and shrugged his shoulders with a sneer. + +"I admire your forbearance, Egon; you certainly permit your servants to +speak very freely--" + +"Oh, Stadinger is an exception," declared Egon. "Of late days he has +allowed himself great latitude, but as to his sending Zena away he +wasn't far wrong. I'd have done the same thing in his place." + +"It isn't the first time the old fellow has made so bold as to call us +both to account. If I were his master--he'd get his dismissal in this +same hour." + +"I'm afraid if I attempted that, it would be all the worse for me," +laughed the prince. "Such an old heir-loom, who has served three +generations already, and trotted me on his knee as a baby, deserves to +be treated with respect. I would gain nothing by commanding and calling +him to account. Peter Stadinger does what he pleases, and whenever it +suits him, reads me a little text into the bargain." + +"How you can permit such liberties is incomprehensible." + +"It is natural that you should not understand it, Hartmut," said his +friend, earnestly. "You only know the submissiveness of Sclavish +servants in your own home, and in the Orient. They kneel and prostrate +themselves whenever opportunity offers, and betray their masters at +every turn, when it can be done with safety. Stadinger is a man with no +civility in him. It doesn't make the least difference to him that I am +'your highness.' He is no respecter of persons, and has often said the +most insulting things to my face, but I could leave hundreds of +thousands in his hands, and he would guard every pfennig, and if Rodeck +were in a blaze, and I within it, his seventy years would not prevent +him plunging into the flames to rescue me--that's how it is with us in +Germany." + +"Yes, with you in Germany," Hartmut repeated slowly, as he fixed his +eyes dreamily on the forest shadows. + +"Are you as much prejudiced against us as ever?" asked Egon. "I had to +beg you hard enough to get you to come with me, for you seemed resolved +never to put foot on German soil again." + +"I would I had not done so," said Rojanow, darkly. "You know--" + +"That you associate bitter memories with my country--yes. You told me +that much, but you must have been a boy at the time. You should have +outgrown your dislike by now. You are, on this point, so obstinately +reserved, that to this day I have never learned what it is that you--" + +"Egon, I beg you, drop the subject," said Hartmut, almost rudely. "I +have declared to you more than once, that I will not and cannot speak on +the subject of my early life. If you are suspicious of me, let me go; I +have not forced myself upon you, you know that, but I will not endure +this questioning." + +The hard, proud tone which he used toward his princely friend, seemed +not unknown to the latter, who only shrugged his shoulders and said +appeasingly: + +"How excited you get in a moment; I believe you are right when you +maintain that the air of Germany makes you nervous. You certainly have +changed since you set foot in the country." + +"Possibly; I feel it myself, and I know I annoy you with my queer +tempers lately, so you'd better let me go, Egon." + +"I will guard you well, instead. I did not catch you so easily that I +can let you fly again after all my trouble. So remember that, Hartmut, +for I won't let you go free at any price." + +The words had a joking sound, but Rojanow seemed to resent them. His +eyes were dark, almost threatening, as he replied: + +"But what if I will go?" + +"But you won't, for I will hold you closer than ever." Egon laid his +arm affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "I wonder how this bad, +obstinate Hartmut can answer to his conscience for even thinking of +leaving me alone. Have we not lived together for nearly two years, and +shared the same dangers and pleasures like brothers? And now you talk +about deserting me, without even a question as to how I'll get along +without you. Do you think I value your friendship so little, dear old +fellow?" + +The words were so warm and sincere that Rojanow's ill-temper was +conquered. His eyes lighted up at the mention of their long and close +friendship, and he answered in a voice which bespoke a sincere affection +for his friend: + +"Do you think that any one but you could have drawn me to Germany at +all?" he said, softly. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable nature and +have always been a rover since--since my boyhood." + +"Well, learn to settle yourself here--here in my home," exclaimed Egon. +"I only stay at Rodeck that you may see its many and varied beauties. +This old building, hidden away in the midst of the forest, is a +veritable production of fairy-land, a woodland poem, such as you will +not find at any of my other castles. The others suit me better, though I +know this is to your taste. But now I must really go. You won't ride?" + +"No, I will enjoy the much-praised poetry of these woods, which seem to +weary you so soon. You can make your visit alone." + +"I'll admit I'm not a poet like you, who can muse and dream all day +long," said Egon laughing. "For a full week we have led hermits' lives, +but I cannot live on sunshine, woody odors and Stadinger's sermons any +longer. I must see my fellow-men, and the head forester is the only +gentleman in the neighborhood; and besides, Herr von Schönau is a +splendid, jolly fellow. You will like him when you meet him." + +He jumped into the carriage, waved a parting greeting to his friend, and +was off. Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared +behind the trees, then he turned and struck into a path which led into +the forest. + +He carried a gun over his shoulder, but his thoughts were not bent on +sport. He went on heedlessly, with no idea of direction, and with no +thought of the distance which he was putting between himself and Rodeck, +which was each moment becoming greater. + +Prince Adelsberg was right when he said he knew this wild, mountain +scenery was to his friend's taste. The very air had for him a certain +sorcery. He stood still at last and took some long, deep breaths, but +the cloud on his brow had not yet disappeared; it grew darker instead, +as he leaned against a tree and cast his eyes around him. + +The beauty of the sunny, autumn day, the picturesqueness of the grand +old wood, could not bring to this handsome, joyless face one expression +of peace or content. + +He saw this country for the first time; his boyhood's home lay far to +the north, and yet this place, so different from his father's birthplace +and his own, brought back the past with all its painful recollections, +and awakened anew within him feelings he had thought long dead and +buried. Feelings and thoughts which had never troubled him during the +long years in which by land or sea, he had drunk of that freedom for +which he had sacrificed so much. + +The old German woods! They whispered here in the South, just as they had +done in the North; the same wind moved the branches of the fir and the +oak, and whistled through the tops of the distant pine trees. Yes, these +were the self-same voices which had once told all their secrets to the +willful boy lying on the mossy bank of the Burgsdorf fish pond. + +There was a stir and sound as of some one moving between the trees. +Hartmut looked up indifferently, expecting to see an animal of some kind +spring out, but he saw instead the fluttering of a light gown between +the low bushes, and from a little side path, which he had not before +noticed, a young lady stepped out, almost in front of him, and stood +hesitatingly, evidently uncertain what direction to take. + +Rojanow was roused from his dreaming by this unexpected apparition, and +the stranger caught sight of him at once. She appeared surprised, too, +but only for a second, then she stepped forward, and said, with a slight +bow: + +"May I beg you, sir, to show me the way to Fürstenstein? I am a stranger +here and have lost my way, and am, I fear, far from the place I seek." + +Hartmut had taken in at a glance the young lady's appearance; and +resolved immediately to become her guide. He did not know the way for +which she inquired, and only had a vague idea of the direction in which +the castle lay, but that troubled him little. He bowed gracefully as he +said: + +"I place myself quite at your disposal, Fräulein. Fürstenstein is some +distance from here, and it would be impossible for you to find the way +alone. I must, therefore, beg you to allow me to accompany you." + +The lady had expected nothing more than that the way would be pointed +out to her; this stranger's offer was not altogether agreeable, but she +feared she might lose her way a second time, and the perfect politeness +with which the offer was made, scarcely left her any choice. After a +moment's hesitation she bowed slightly and said: + +"I thank you. Pray let us lose no time, then." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Rojanow fastened the strap which held his gun a little more securely, +and turned at once into a narrow, half overgrown path, which lay +unquestionably in the direction of Fürstenstein. + +Without further parley he assumed the role of guide, and the adventure +began to have charms for him. + +The stranger was certainly lovely enough to inspire him with zeal in her +service. The clear, delicate oval of her face, the high, smooth +forehead, with its heavy crown of blonde hair, the regular features, +were all in perfect harmony. The beauty of the countenance was +faultless, though cold and symmetrical, with an expression which +betokened energy of character and great strength of purpose. The girl +was at most only eighteen or nineteen years old, but oddly enough, she +possessed none of that indescribable attractiveness which seems the +natural accompaniment of girlhood, nothing of the hilarity and naiveté +of youth. The great blue eyes gazed at you earnestly but coldly, and you +felt instinctively that the soul which looked out through them never +lost itself in girlish dreams of brave heroes and suppliant lovers. The +bearing and appearance was haughty and reserved, yet in form and gesture +she was gracefulness itself. + +Rojanow had time and leisure to notice all this as he directed her +course, sometimes behind her, sometimes in front, now holding back the +low, overhanging branches, and a second later warning her of some sudden +irregularity in the ground. The narrow forest footpath was anything but +a pleasant road for a ramble, and was an especially trying passage for +the woman. Her dress caught frequently on thorn and branch, and her long +gauze veil had to be loosened from more than one bramble, while her feet +sank, time and again, in the soft, moist, moss-covered earth. It could +not be helped, and yet Hartmut felt in his self assumed position as +guide, that he was not covering himself with as much glory as be could +have wished. + +"I regret extremely, Fräulein, that you are obliged to take so +uncomfortable a path," he said politely. "I fear you will be exhausted, +but we are in the thickest part of the forest and have consequently no +choice." + +"I do not become exhausted so easily," was the answer. "I care little +about the disagreeable features of the way, if it will but lead me to +the goal." + +The remark had a somewhat unusual sound coming as it did from the mouth +of a young girl; Rojanow thought so, at any rate, and he gave a slight +mocking smile as he repeated: + +"If it lead to the goal! You are quite right, that is my idea too; but +ladies generally cherish other opinions. They prefer to be carried +quietly over all the rough places." + +"Not all! You err there; many women much prefer going alone, without +submitting to watch and ward, as though they were children." + +"Well, perhaps there are exceptions. I prize the accident which has +afforded me the opportunity of seeing so charming--" + +Hartmut, who was on the point of uttering a very florid compliment, +stopped suddenly, for the cold blue eyes met his with such a look of +surprise and hauteur that the words died on his lips. + +At this moment the lady's veil caught once more in the branch of an +overhanging thorn, which held it fast. She stopped, and her attentive +companion reached out his hand to free the delicate tissue, when she +suddenly tore it from her hat, with a quick motion, and left it +fluttering on the branch. + +Rojanow bit his lips in vexation; the adventure was not at all what he +had expected. He had thought to find this young woman a dependent, timid +creature, who would be very grateful and would turn to him for +protection, just like many another with whom he had come in contact in +his rovings; but this pale girl made it very clear to him by a glance, +that he was nothing but a guide and must conduct himself as such. Who, +and what was she? Still in her teens, and yet acting with all the +reserve and self-possession of a great lady, knowing full well how to +make herself unapproachable. He resolved to enlighten himself on this +matter. + +Now the narrow path ended and they stepped out into a small clearing in +the forest, with thick woods again to the left. It was not an easy thing +just here for a man who knew nothing of the region to decide which +direction to take. But Hartmut was not to be daunted, neither did he +intend to exhibit any irresolution, so with apparent security he went on +in the same direction they had followed from the beginning, and +fortunately enough soon struck into a broad wagon road which crossed +that part of the forest. Before long, thought Hartmut, they must surely +come to some place where they could obtain a view of the surrounding +country and get their bearings. + +The wider road enabled him to walk beside his companion, and he resolved +to enter upon a conversation which the many obstacles in their path had +made, until now, almost an impossibility. + +"I have hesitated about presuming to present myself to you, Fräulein," +he began. "My name is Rojanow, and I am, for the time being, at Rodeck, +a guest of Prince Adelsberg, who, if you reside at Fürstenstein, has the +advantage of being your neighbor." + +"No, I do not belong to Fürstenstein. I am, also, only a guest," replied +the lady. The princely neighbor and name of her companion, appeared to +be alike matters of indifference to her; neither did she deem it +necessary to give her own name in return. She merely bowed slightly as +she spoke. + +"Ah, then you probably live in the capital, and are only here to enjoy a +few weeks of the fine autumn weather?" continued Rojanow. + +"Yes." + +The monosyllable had a very cold, reserved sound, but Hartmut was not +the man to be turned from his course by a rebuff. He was accustomed to +overcome all restraints and obstructions by the power of his +fascinations, and that one of the sex from which he had never received +anything but adulation, should refuse to succumb, was little less than +an insult. There lay a charm, too, in the thought that he would force +this lovely creature into conversation with him, notwithstanding her +reserve. + +"Are you pleased with Fürstenstein?" he asked. "I have never been near +the castle, and have only seen it in the distance, but it seems to +overawe the whole region with its magnificence. A singular taste indeed +to find anything lovely in this landscape, and erect a palace here." + +"Evidently not your taste, at least." + +"I am not specially fond of uniformity, and here there is nothing but +sameness. Woods and woods, and nothing but woods--at times one is almost +driven to despair." + +There was a hidden rancour in these words, as if the poor German forest, +with its whispers and its winds was to blame for all the bitterness +which lay in the soul of this returned wanderer; it almost seemed as if +he must flee from them, for he could hardly endure the simple, earnest +song of olden times which fluttered down to him from the tall fir trees. +But his companion only heard the slighting tone. + +"Are you a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked. + +A black shadow crossed Hartmut's brow, and he hesitated for a moment +before he answered, coldly: + +"Yes, Fräulein." + +"I thought as much from your name and appearance, and from the peculiar +opinions which you express, as well." + +"At any rate, they are unbiased and candid," answered Hartmut, nettled +by the reproof which lay in the last words. "I have been pretty much all +over the world, and am just back now from the Orient. To him who knows +the ocean with its radiant, transparent blue, or its terrible, deadly +storms, to one who has basked in the witcheries of the warmth and light +of the tropics, everything here seems cold and colorless; these eternal +green forests are, in fact, the only features of a German landscape." + +The compassionate shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded, +appeared to rouse his companion from her imperturbability. An expression +of displeasure crossed her face, and her voice had in it a tone of +resentment, as she answered: + +"That is altogether a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at +least Southern Europe very well; those sunny, glowing landscapes, with +their vivid colorings attract one in the beginning--that is true +enough--but soon, too soon, exhaust one. You lose all strength and +vitality; you can stagnate and dream, but you can never live and work. +But why discuss it? Naturally you know nothing of our great forests, or +our people either, I presume." + +Hartmut smiled with an unmistakable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking through this icy reserve. All his arts and blandishments had +been exercised in vain, but he now saw that the momentary resentment had +added the charm which was needed to her lovely, cold features, so he +determined to arouse her still further. + +If he felt aggrieved he would also find pleasure in exciting her. + +"That sounds like a reproof which I shall have to bear," he said +derisively. "Possibly I don't view the affairs of life as you do. I am +accustomed to use other scales of measurement for nature, and for +mortals as well. 'Live and work!' The whole question hinges upon the +definition of these words. I have lived, years at a time, in Paris, that +great central point of all civilization, where life ebbs and flows in a +thousand streams. He who has been wont to stem the tide in these great, +almost overwhelming waters, can nevermore find a place in the little +relations, in the narrow judgments and pedantries, in all this marasmus +which the noble Germans call life." + +The insulting expression which he laid upon the last words, obtained for +him his desire. His companion suddenly stood still and measured him from +head to foot, while a flash of anger shot from her cold blue eyes. She +seemed for the minute to have an angry answer at her tongue's end, but +she forced it back, and drawing herself up to her full height, said in a +tone of contempt and disdain: + +"You forget, sir, that you are speaking to a German--I now remind you +of that fact." + +Hartmut colored to the roots of his hair at this merited reproof given +to a stranger, a foreigner, as she supposed, who had forgotten himself. +What if this girl knew to whom she was talking, what if she ever learned +--a feeling of shame overcame him for the second, but he was a man of +the world and controlled himself once more. + +"I beg your pardon," he said, with a slight, half-mocking bow. "I was +under the impression that we were merely exchanging impersonal opinions. +I sincerely regret having annoyed you, Fräulein." + +A scarcely perceptible movement of her head, and a slight shrug of the +shoulders showed him that he had no power to really annoy her. + +"I could certainly not think of influencing your judgments, but as our +ideas are so radically opposed, I think it would be better to drop the +conversation altogether." + +Rajanow showed no disposition to continue it. Now he knew for a surety +that the cold eyes could sparkle and blaze with anger, he had forced +them to do it, but the thing had ended otherwise than he had expected. +He gave the slight figure at his side a half-inimical glance, and then +his eyes lost themselves again in the dense green of the forest. + +There was something captivating after all about this forest loneliness +under the first light breath of autumn, a breath which touched the +leaves tenderly and laid such delicate tints upon them, brightening the +lovely landscape with its vivid reds and varied browns, with its +glimpses here and there of bright gold where the sunlight pierced the +woodland shade. The branches of the tall trees, centuries old, swayed +gently to and fro, and threw long, cool shadows across the occasional +open spaces, where the wild forest flowers rested on the breast of the +moss-covered earth. An occasional pool of water, lying silent and +placid, mirrored the clear, blue sky with its fleecy clouds, which +seemed to intermingle with the tall green branches, as both cast their +reflection in the water beneath. Only the soft rustling of the leaves, +and the hum of thousands of insects as they sang together a sweet, +dreamy forest song was to be heard. The very sunbeams seemed to echo +this melody as they followed closely the two wanderers, as if this man +and woman had come beneath their ban and would have some penalty to pay +for crossing their shining path so carelessly. Suddenly an unexpected +barrier stood in their way. From a thickly wooded elevation, a broad +mountain stream came rushing down, seeking its way between bushes and +rocks. Rojanow halted abruptly and cast a quick glance up and down, to +see if any means of crossing were to be found, but his eyes could +discover nothing, and turning to his companion, he said: + +"I fear we are in an unpleasant situation here. This stream barricades +our path completely. Usually it is no hard matter to cross it, for those +mossy stones make a good enough bridge, but yesterday's heavy rain has +misplaced them or covered them completely." + +The young lady had stopped, too, and was looking up and down the stream +also, for some crossing. + +"Could we not cross farther up?" she asked, indicating a certain spot +above them. + +"No, because the water is swifter and deeper in that direction. This is +the best place to get across. There is nothing to be done but to carry +you over, and that, with your permission, I will do." + +The offer was made most courteously, almost hesitatingly, but there was +a gleam of triumph in Hartmut's eye, notwithstanding his modest +demeanor. This time she must accept his assistance, even if she had +left the veil hanging in the thorns rather than do so. There was no +choice now, she must trust herself in his arms in order to reach the +opposite shore. He came up to her now as if he took her consent for +granted, but she drew back. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." Hartmut smiled with an irony which he made +no attempt to conceal. He was master of the situation now, and thought +to remain so. + +"Would you rather go around?" he asked. "It will take us more than an +hour and here we will be across in a minute or two. You need not doubt +the strength of my arms, and I am sure footed; it is not at all a +dangerous place to cross." + +"I agree with you," was the quiet answer, "and for that reason I will +essay to cross it alone." + +"Alone? That is impossible, Fräulein." + +"To step through a forest brook? I do not consider that an especially +difficult achievement." + +"But the water is deeper than you believe. You will be wet through and +through, and besides--it is really impossible." + +"A wetting will do me no harm, for I do not take cold easily. Pray lead +the way and I will follow." + +That was clear enough and sounded so peremptory that further +remonstrance was impossible. Hartmut bowed without speaking, and stepped +at once into the water, his high hunting boots serving him good purpose. + +He was right enough, the water was deep and swift, and the stones were +so slippery that he found it difficult enough to set his foot firmly on +them. He had a slight sneer on his lips as he stepped upon the opposite +bank and turned to wait for the girl whom he was so anxious to protect, +but who rejected all his advances so proudly. Would she venture or would +the first step terrify her and force her to call him back? No, she had +gathered up her skirts and followed without hesitation, notwithstanding +the fact that her silk stockings and thin low shoes afforded no +protection whatever. She stepped slowly and carefully on the stones over +which he had just gone, until she came to the middle of the stream. +Here, while the strong man's foot had been able to find a safe resting +place, the woman's smaller one sought in vain for a secure support on +the slimy stones. Her high heels were as much in her way as her gown, +the edges of which were already thoroughly drenched. Her courage forsook +her for the moment, she made several false steps, then stood perfectly +quiet and cast an involuntary glance toward the opposite bank, where +Hartmut stood watching her in silence, resolved to raise no hand toward +her assistance until requested to do so. Perhaps she read this in his +eyes and it gave her back her strength. With a look of decision on her +face she gave up all further search for a secure stepping stone, and +planted her foot firmly on the pebbly bottom of the stream, and a second +later, thoroughly wet now, she clutched the low bough of a tree in +preference to Hartmut's outstretched hand, and drew herself up on the +further bank. Then turning with dripping garments, to her guide, said: + +"We will go on, if you please. We cannot be very far from Fürstenstein." + +Hartmut gave no syllable of reply, but a feeling akin to hate rose +within him as he looked at this woman who preferred such great +discomfort rather than come into closer contact with him even for a +moment. + +This proud, spoiled man whose dazzling personality won all hearts, felt +the humiliation which had been forced upon him most keenly, and +execrated within himself the chance which had brought about this +meeting. + +They went on as rapidly as possible now, and Hartmut cast a glance, from +time to time, at the slender, silent figure with its heavy bedraggled +skirts, the drippings from which marked their course by a long line of +moisture. He kept an attentive eye on the woods on either side; this +dark forest road must come to an end some time. + +His course had been the right one after all, which at least was some +slight satisfaction to him. After a few minutes he came to an elevation +which afforded him a view of the region round about. Yonder, across a +sea of forest trees, rose the towers of Fürstenstein, and at the foot of +the hill on which he stood a broad carriage road was plainly visible, +and this road, winding through a part of the forest, led directly to the +foot of the castle hill. + +"Yonder is Fürstenstein," said he, as he turned and spoke to the young +girl for the first time since they had left the stream. "It is about +half an hour's walk from here, though." + +"O, that is nothing. I am grateful to you for guiding me so +successfully, but the way is very plain now, and I will trouble you no +longer." + +"I am subject to your orders," said Hartmut coldly. "If you desire to +dismiss your guide so summarily, he will no longer force himself upon +you." + +The lady felt the reproof implied in his words. After a man had spent a +couple of hours in her service, he did deserve something more than a +contemptuous dismissal, even though she had found it necessary to keep +him at a distance. + +"I have taken too much of your time already," she said, unbending a +little. "You have introduced yourself to me, Herr Rojanow, and I must, +in return, tell you my name before I say good morning--Adelheid von +Wallmoden." Hartmut drew a short breath, and a fleeting red colored his +face as he repeated, slowly: + +"Wallmoden!" + +"Are you familiar with the name?" + +"I have heard it, but not here, in--in North Germany." + +"Very probable; that is my husband's home, and mine, too." + +Rojanow's face showed extreme surprise as he heard this young girl, whom +he had taken as a matter of course, for unmarried, speak in so +matter-of-fact a tone about her husband, but he bowed, and said most +courteously: + +"I beg your pardon, my dear madame, for mistaking you for a girl, but I +could not know you were married. And I now know that I have never had +the honor of meeting your husband. The only one of the name with whom I +was ever familiar, was a gentleman now past middle life. He belonged to +the diplomatic service, and his name, if I do not mistake, was Herbert +von Wallmoden." + +"That is my husband, and he is at present ambassador to this country. He +will be looking anxiously for me now, so I must not linger a moment +longer. Again let me thank you, Herr Rojanow." And with a bow of adieu, +the lady hurried down the hill toward the carriage road. + +Hartmut stood looking after her, like one in a maze; heavy beads of +perspiration stood out on his forehead. So soon? He had scarcely set +foot on German soil, and here he was met at once by the old names and +all the painful memories which their mention entailed. + +Herbert von Wallmoden, Frau von Eschenhagen's brother, Willibald's +guardian and his own boyhood's friend. Rojanow felt a sharp cut like a +dagger thrust through his breast. He drew himself up and threw his +shoulders back, as though he would throw from him some overwhelming +burden, and the old bitter, mocking smile came to his lips again, as he +said, half aloud: + +"Uncle Wallmoden hasn't wasted any of his opportunities, that's evident. +His hair's gray by this time, but it hasn't prevented him winning a +lovely young wife. To be sure, an ambassador is a fine match, and it is +evident that Adelheid von Wallmoden was born to marry such a man. She +has all the aristocratic airs and manners which are the one thing +needful in the diplomatic circle. Doubtless he's had her well trained to +take her place in the diplomatic school. Well, he's fared well in this +world, there's no doubt of that." + +His eyes followed the young wife, who had just reached the foot of the +hill, and a deep scowl settled on his brow. + +"If I meet Wallmoden here, and perhaps I won't be able to avoid it, +he'll recognize me without a doubt. Then he'll tell her all about it, +and if she ever sees me again, and gives me one of her contemptuous +glances, I'll--" He stamped his foot on the ground with fury at the +thought, and then gave a bitter laugh. + +"Pah! What need I care? What does this pale, blue-eyed creature, with +her cold blood, know of freedom, of the throes of passion, of the storms +which come to some lives? Let her pronounce sentence on me. Why should I +shun a meeting? I will face her and bid her beware." + +And with a haughty movement of his head he turned his back on the +slender figure, and strode back again into the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +The betrothal festivities to which Baron von Wallmoden and his wife had +been bidden were carried out to the letter. Antonie von Schönau plighted +her troth to her cousin, the heir of Burgsdorf. + +The young people had known their parents' plan for years, and were fully +agreed as to its accomplishment. Willibald subscribed like a dutiful +son, to his mother's opinion that she was the suitable person to choose +his life's companion for him, and he had waited patiently her pleasure +as to the time when his betrothal should become an accomplished fact; +the thought of having his little cousin Toni for a wife was very +pleasant to him. He had known her since childhood, and she suited him +exactly. She was a girl absolutely bereft of romance, and Willibald knew +she would make no sentimental demands upon him, to which he, with the +best will in the world, had not the temperament to respond. Toni, for +her part, possessed that good taste for which Frau Regine had given her +credit. Will pleased her very well, and the prospect of being mistress +of Burgsdorf pleased her still better--in short, everything was as it +should be. + +The newly betrothed pair were at the piano in the drawing-room, and Toni +was entertaining her lover with music, not voluntarily, however, but at +her father's request, for she herself considered music a wearisome and +superfluous accomplishment. But the head forester had insisted that his +daughter should show she was not educated in housewifery alone, but had +learned something at boarding-school as well. He was walking to and fro +on the terrace with his sister-in-law now; they had come there to listen +to the music, and discuss for the hundredth time the happiness and +prospects of their children. They had, as usual, soon drifted away from +pleasant topics and their contention was growing fiercer each moment. + +"I really don't know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, very red in the face. "You don't seem to comprehend the +impropriety of permitting such an intimacy. When I ask you who is the +school-girl friend of Toni's who is expected at Waldhofen, you answer me +coolly and complacently, that she is a singer who has been on the stage +of the Court theatre for some time. An actress, a theatrical star. One +of those wretched, frivolous creatures who--" + +"But, Regine, don't fly into such a passion," interrupted her host +angrily. "You speak as though the poor soul had lost her character just +because she went on the stage." + +"So she has, so she has!" Regine answered excitedly. "Who ever enters +that Sodom and Gomorrah goes down to the bottom at once and can never +rise again." + +"That's flattering to the Court theatre company, at least," said Schönau +dryly. "But we go to see them just the same." + +"As spectators! That's quite a different thing, though, for my part, I'm +opposed to encouraging such people at all. Will goes to the theatre very +little, and never without me. But while I, in the performance of my duty +as a mother, have guarded him from any intercourse whatever with such +people, you permit his future wife to come within their poisonous +influence. It's enough to make the heavens cry out!" + +She had raised her voice almost to a shriek at the last, partly from +excitement, and partly to be heard by her brother-in-law, for the +musical production was noisy now, and sent forth loud, discordant sounds +through the open glass door. Toni had good strong wrists, and her touch +on the piano reminded one of the stroke of an axe on hard wood. Her +three listeners had strong nerves, but low speech was certainly an +impossibility. + +"Let me explain the matter to you," said the forester appeasingly. "I +have told you already that this was an exceptional case." + +"Marietta Volkmar is the grandchild of our good old doctor at Waldhofen. +His son died while still in the flower of youth. The young widow +followed her husband the very next year, and the poor little orphan came +to her grandfather. That was ten years ago, just after I had been +assigned to Fürstenstein. Doctor Volkmar became our family physician, +and his grandchild the playfellow of my children. As the school in +Waldhofen was a miserable affair, I begged the doctor to permit his +little one to come here and share the childrens' instruction. Then while +Toni was at boarding-school for two years, Marietta was in the city +pursuing her musical education, and, as a matter of course, their daily +intercourse ceased. Marietta, however, has always visited us regularly +during her vacations, when she came home to her grandfather, and I do +not see why I should forbid her doing so as long as she remains +respectable and honest." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to this reasonable explanation without +unbending in the least. She now said spitefully: + +"Respectable and honest in a theatre! Every one knows well enough what +goes on in such iniquitous places; but you seem to take it as lightly as +does Dr. Volkmar, who for that matter looks honest and venerable enough +with his open face and long white hair. How he can send a soul +entrusted to his care, his own flesh and blood at that, on to certain +destruction, is beyond my comprehension." + +"Regine, I always thought you a most rational woman, but in this matter +you have no sense at all. The theatre and every one connected with it +has always been proscribed by you, and yet you know absolutely nothing +about it. It was no easy matter for the doctor to allow Marietta to go +on the stage. That I know, for we talked it over frequently. It is not +for us who sit in warm nests and can provide lavishly for our children, +to sit in judgment upon other parents who earn their daily food with +labor and bitter care. Volkmar, though seventy years of age, works day +and night, but his practice brings him in little, for this is a poor, +sparsely settled neighborhood, and after his death Marietta will have +nothing." + +"Then he should have made a teacher or a companion of her; that is a +decent way to earn one's bread." + +"God preserve me from bread so earned. No one knows how the poor thing +would be used and ill treated. If I had a child who was dearer to me +than life, whose fate it was to earn her own living, and I was told that +she would have a brilliant future, and put money in her purse if she +went on the stage, I would say 'go!' you may depend upon it." + +This avowal seemed to take the ground from under Regine's feet. She +stood for a moment gazing at him with frightened face. Then she said, +solemnly: + +"Moritz--it makes me shudder to hear you." + +"Well, if it gives you pleasure to shudder, don't stop on my account. +But when Marietta comes as usual to Fürstenstein, I will not send her +back, neither shall I raise any objection if Toni goes to her at +Waldhofen. So we need say nothing more about it." + +Then Herr von Schönau cried out to his daughter, who was still pounding +away, that the window-panes were rattling and the strings of the piano +would be ruined. He did not really care a particle how much noise she +made, neither did her aunt, who answered him now, promptly and sharply: + +"Well, there's one comfort at least, Toni will soon be married. Then +this friendship with the theatrical prodigy will be at an end. I give +you my word for it, that no such guests will be allowed within the walls +of Burgsdorf, and Willibald will not permit his young wife to keep up +any correspondence either." + +"That means that you will not permit it," sneered the head forester. +"There are no yeas or nays in poor Will's life, he is only the obedient +servant of his dear mother. It is really remarkable how you can keep the +fellow, a man grown and soon to be a husband, so cowed down and under +the lash." + +Frau von Eschenhagen threw her head back, more insulted than ever now. + +"I believe I understand my responsibilities better than you. Perhaps you +would like to reprove me for educating my son to honor and love his +parents?" + +"Ah, but there's a point where love leaves off and tyranny begins. You +have made Will quite stupid under your eternal tutelage. You couldn't +let him make his own offer of marriage even. The matter was an old story +to you, so you interfered as usual, without giving the poor boy a +chance. 'The affair is all arranged for you, children. Your parents have +settled it all for you. You are to marry one another. I give you my +blessing; now kiss one another, for you are betrothed.' That's the kind +of a stand you took. I, also, was taught to love and honor my parents, +but if they had attempted to woo my bride for me, they'd have heard me +sing another tune. And that boy of yours took it as quietly as possible; +I really believe he was rejoiced that he did not have to propose for +himself." + +The excitement of the two had by this time reached fever heat, and it +was a fortunate thing that the noise from the piano drowned all further +conversation. Fräulein Antonie had great strength in her hands, and her +only idea of music was to make all the noise she could; one would have +thought a regiment of soldiers was storming a fort. Just now the noise +irritated her father, who wanted to hear himself speak. + +"Toni, Toni, don't break the new piano in two with your thumping," he +shouted crossly. "What is it you are playing, anyway?" + +Toni was working away bravely, notwithstanding the perspiration was +running down her face. Near her sat her lover on a little sofa, his eyes +shaded by his arm as he leaned back, his very soul steeped, as it were, +in the music. At her father's question the fair musician turned slowly +on her stool and answered in a half-sleepy tone: + +"That is the 'Janizary March,' papa. I thought it would please Will, as +he is a soldier, you know." + +"Yes; a dragoon by accident," muttered her father, as he stepped over to +his future son-in-law, who hardly seemed to appreciate the delicate +attentions of his fiancée. + +"Well Will, what do you say to all this fine music?--Will, don't you +hear me? I believe upon my life he's sound asleep." + +The young heir, aroused now by the scolding voices on all sides, rubbed +his eyes and looked at them with a dazed, drowsy air. + +"What--what is the matter? Yes, it was very beautiful, dear Toni." + +"Yes, to be sure it was," cried the head forester with an angry flash of +his eye. "You need never trouble yourself to play for him again, my +child. But come, let us leave this ardent lover to finish his nap in +peace. He has good strong nerves, I must say that for him." + +With these words the irate father gave Antonie his arm and led her from +the room. But Frau von Eschenhagen, already highly incensed, felt that +her son's inattention to his sweetheart was an additional insult, and +now turned upon poor Willibald in a fury. + +"Well, you have overstepped the limits of common decency, this time!" +she cried in a rage. "Your blessed father wasn't much of a carpet knight +in his day. He was engaged to me just twenty-four hours when he fell +asleep, too, while I played for him; but I waked him up after such a +fashion he never did it a second time I can assure you. Now go after +Toni this minute and say what you can to excuse yourself; she has reason +to be sorely vexed with you." + +Regine took him by the shoulder and pushed him out of the door, as she +ended her tirade. + +Will took all she said quietly enough, and went at once to make his +peace with his cousin. He felt really frightened over his ill-timed +slumber, but he had been tired, and the music wearied him greatly. + +So he was very contrite as he entered the room in which his cousin was +standing at the window. + +"Dearest Toni, do not be angry with me," he began, apologetically. "It +was so hot, and your beautiful music had something so soothing in it +that--" + +Toni turned to him. It was certainly the first time that the Janizary +March had ever been called a soothing composition; but the crushed, +penitent look of her lover, who stood like a sinner awaiting +condemnation, restored her to good humor, and she held out her hand to +him, as she said heartily: + +"No, I am not in the least angry with you, Will. I never cared about the +stupid music, myself. We'll find something more sensible than that to do +when we get to Burgsdorf." + +"Yes, that we will," answered Will, cordially, as he pressed the +outstretched hand warmly. He would never have thought of kissing it. +"You are so good, Toni." + +When Frau von Eschenhagen came upon the lovers a few minutes later, she +found them absorbed in the milk and cream question. The mode of +conducting a dairy in South Germany differed from that common in the +North. It was a subject of which Will never tired, and his mother felt +grateful in her heart for a daughter-in-law who had no uncomfortable +sensitiveness. + +A little later, Will found an opportunity to win complete forgiveness. +Toni was anxious to get the evening post as soon as it arrived. She +complained, also, that something which had been ordered for supper had +not been sent from Waldhofen, and that a message which had been +entrusted to a groom, had not, she feared, been properly delivered. So +Willibald offered to go at once, and set all these vexatious trifles to +rights, and his offer was graciously accepted. + +Waldhofen was a place of great importance to the mountaineers, though in +itself it was but a small town. It was about thirty minutes' walk from +Fürstenstein, and was an important centre for all the little villages +and hamlets scattered through the forest. + +There was seldom a soul to be seen on the streets during the afternoon +hours, and it seemed a deserted, desolate place to Herr von Eschenhagen, +as he crossed the dreary market-place on his way from the post-office. + +He had attended to the other errands first, and delivered the message, +which concerned the sending of a chest to Fürstenstein. As the streets +were of no interest to him, he turned now into a side road, where there +were neat little houses, with fresh, green little lawns in front. The +road was uneven and muddy after yesterday's heavy rain, but Willibald +was a countryman himself, and paid no heed to bad roads, so he walked on +now without a murmur. + +He was in a very contented frame of mind, both as regarded himself and +the world at large. Here he was, a strong, healthy young man, with a +generous share of this world's goods, and the pleasurable thought that +he was engaged to be married to a girl who suited him, and who would, he +knew, make him a good wife. + +A heavy, lumbering carriage came up the narrow, uneven road, along which +he was trudging. There was a large trunk strapped on the back, and +various bundles and boxes covered the seats within. Willibald wondered +to himself why any one had chosen such a miserable little lane, which +the recent rains had made totally unfit for vehicles, instead of taking +the wide, decently paved street. The coachman seemed to be in anything +but a happy frame of mind. He turned now in his seat, and said to the +traveler, of whom Willibald had not caught a glimpse: + +"Now really Fräulein, we can go no farther. I told you before that we +couldn't get through here, and now you see for yourself how the wheels +stick in the mud--its a pretty piece of business." + +"It is not very far," sounded a clear young voice from the depths of the +carriage. "Only a few hundred steps, farther. So please go on no matter +how slowly." + +"What can't be done, can't be done!" announced the driver in a +philosophic tone. "I cannot go forward through this mire, and I won't. +We must turn back." + +"I will not ride through the town." The clear voice had a decided, +defiant tone this time. "If you won't go through this lane, stop, and +I'll get out here." + +The driver stopped at once, clambered down from his seat and opened the +heavy door, and a second later a slender girl jumped from the carriage; +jumped skillfully, too, for she landed on a dry place without coming in +contact with the mud and mire which surrounded her on all sides. Then +she took a view of her surroundings. But just before her the road had an +abrupt turn, so she could not see very far. + +The young lady was evidently annoyed to find herself farther from her +destination than she had supposed. Then her glance fell on Herr von +Eschenhagen, who, coming from the other direction, had just reached the +bend in the road. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but is the road passable?" + +He did not answer at once for he was dumb with admiration at the +wonderful and graceful leap which she had just made. She had gone +through the air like a feather, and landed on the only dry spot on the +whole road. + +"Don't you hear me?" she repeated, impatiently. "Do you know whether the +road is passable or not?" + +"I--I am on the road now," he answered, rather staggered by the sharp, +dictatorial tone. + +"I can see that for myself. But I have no high boots like you. What I +want to know is whether the road is as muddy as this all the way or not? +Are there any dry places? Great heavens! can't you answer?" + +"I--I believe you will find it dry after you get past this bend here." + +"Very well, then, I will venture. So you can turn back, driver, and +leave my luggage at the post-office opposite the market-place, and I'll +send for it. Wait. Hand me down that black satchel, and I'll take it +with me." + +"But it's too heavy for you to carry, Fräulein, and I can't leave my +horses to take it for you," objected the coachman. + +"Well, then, give it to that gentleman yonder. It's not very far to our +garden gate. Will you please take that black leather satchel, sir--the +one on the back seat with the heavy straps. Can't you hurry?" + +The little foot stamped impatiently on the ground, for the master of +Burgsdorf stood and stared at her with open mouth. It was something new +to him to be commanded and disposed of in this way by a young woman; but +at the last imperious words he came bashfully forward and took the +satchel from the driver's hand. The young lady evidently thought it the +most natural thing in the world to ask his assistance. + +"There," she said, shortly. "Now, driver, go back to the post-office, +and I'll pick my way through the Waldhofen mud." + +She gathered her gray traveling cloak and frock around her and stepped +along quickly, picking her way carefully as she went, and keeping as +close as possible to the low hedge which bordered the road, while +Willibald, of whom she took no notice, trotted on behind with her +belongings. He thought he had never seen anything half so lovely as this +graceful, slender creature, who scarcely reached up to his shoulder, and +he feasted his eyes on the little figure as he followed after. + +There was something more than ordinarily gracious and pleasing in the +young girl's movements, and in her whole appearance, and she carried her +little head with its mass of curly dark hair which no hat could keep +concealed, with a jaunty air. Her features were irregular, but they +wore an expression of saucy defiance, which with her large, dark eyes +and rosy mouth, and the little dimple in the chin, made up for all +imperfections of contour. The gray traveling costume, while simple in +the extreme, was well and tastefully made, and told that its fair wearer +was of another world than that of Waldhofen. + +The road, after they had rounded the bend, was, as Willibald said, much +drier, though they still had to keep close to the low, hedge-hidden +wall, and take very careful steps to avoid the wet, muddy hollows. There +was no conversation between the two. Will would never have thought of +speaking, so he trudged on patiently, while his guide hurried forward as +rapidly as the way would permit, and apparently never troubling herself +about the meek burden-bearer in the rear. + +In about ten minutes they reached a low garden gate at which the girl +stopped abruptly. She leaned over, and pulling out a little wooden bar, +opened it. Then she turned to her escort, if such he could be called, +and said: + +"I thank you, sir. Please give me my satchel now." + +The satchel, in spite of its small size, was much too heavy for her +little hands to hold. Willibald was, for the first time in his life, +seized with a knightly impulse, and declared the satchel was much too +heavy for her, and that he would carry it to the house for her. She +accepted his courtesy with a careless nod of approval, and turning +hastily, went through the small, well-kept garden to the back door of +the little old-fashioned house, on which the long afternoon shadows were +lingering. Now for the first time, the new-comer was seen from within, +and an elderly woman started out from the little kitchen, crying: + +"Fräulein! Fräulein Marietta, you have come to-day. Ah, what joy, what--" + +Marietta flew toward her and put her hand over her mouth. + +"Hush! hush! Babette. Speak softly, I want to surprise grandpapa. Is he +at home?" + +"Yes, the Herr Doctor is at home and is in his study. Will you go right +in, Fräulein?" + +"No, I'll go into the front room and play a soft accompaniment, and sing +him his favorite song! Be careful, Babette, he must not hear us." + +She went in on tiptoe, as noiselessly as an elf, across the old hall, +and softly opened the door of a little, low-ceilinged corner room; +Babette, who, overcome by joy and surprise, had not noticed the stranger +standing in the shadow, followed her dear Fräulein. The door was left +open, and Willibald could hear a cover laid back cautiously and a chair +pushed gently in place. Then she began a low prelude. The sounds which +the old worn out spinet gave forth were tremulous and thin, and made one +think of an ancient harp; but the maiden's voice recalled the lark's +song of rejoicing. + +The singing was not long continued, for a door opposite was opened +hastily, and an old man with white hair appeared upon the threshold. + +"Marietta! my Marietta, is it really you?" + +"Grandpapa!" cried the young girl exultantly, as she ceased her song and +rushed forward to throw herself in the old man's arms. + +"You bad child. Why did you frighten me so?" he said, tenderly. "I did +not expect you until day after to-morrow, and intended going to the +railway station to meet you. When I heard your voice so suddenly just +now, I believed my ears had deceived me." + +The girl laughed out gaily like an excited child. + +"Ah, I have succeeded in surprising you, grandpapa, haven't I? I came up +the back road, but the wheels stuck so in the mud that I had to get out +and walk part of the way. I came in through the garden and by the back +door--well, Babette, what is it?" + +"Fräulein, the carrier is still waiting with the satchel," Babette had +just discovered that a stranger was on the premises. "Shall I give him +money for a drink and let him go?" + +The young man, thus designated as the carrier, still stood, satchel in +hand, awaiting Marietta's pleasure. Dr. Volkmar turned at once, and +recognizing who it was, cried in a frightened tone: + +"Good heavens--Herr von Eschenhagen!" + +"Do you know the gentleman?" asked Marietta, without any especial +interest or surprise, for her grandfather, being the only physician in +the region, of course knew every one. + +"To be sure I know him. Babette, take the valise at once. I beg your +pardon, sir. I did not know that you were acquainted with my +granddaughter." + +"Why, we never saw each other before to-day," explained Marietta. "But, +grandpapa, will you not introduce me to this gentleman?" + +"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf--" + +"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta delighted. "O, how comical that +we should meet each other for the first time in the mud. If I had known +who it was I would not have treated you so cavalierly, Herr von +Eschenhagen. I let you walk behind me as though you were a veritable +porter. But why didn't you speak?" + +Willibald didn't speak now, but looked stupidly at the little hand +which was extended to him. He felt he must do or say something, and as +it was an impossibility for him to speak, he grasped the little hand in +his great, brawny palm and pressed and shook it vigorously. + +"Oh!" cried Marietta as she drew back hastily. "You have a terrible +grip, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my finger." + +Willibald, glowing from embarrassment and mortification, was about to +stammer an apology, when the doctor came to his rescue by inviting him +to come in. This invitation he accepted without speaking, and followed +his host into the house. Marietta took the principal part in the +conversation. She gave a very amusing account of her meeting with +Willibald. Now that she knew he was her dear Toni's lover, she treated +him with all the familiarity and freedom of an old friend. She asked +question after question about Toni and the head forester, and her tongue +went on without rest or intermission. + +To the young man who sat so silent and listened so eagerly, the girl's +pleasant, bird-like chatter was quite bewildering. He had met the doctor +on the previous day at Fürstenstein and had heard some talk of a certain +Marietta who was a friend of his fiancée. Who or what she was, or from +whence she came, he did not know, for Toni had not been very +communicative on that occasion. + +"And to think of this excited child leaving you standing at the back +door, while she came in to play and sing to decoy me from my study," +said Dr. Volkmar shaking his head. "That was very impolite, Marietta, +very impolite indeed." + +The young girl laughed merrily, and shook her short, curly hair. + +"O, Herr von Eschenhagen has not taken it amiss. But as he only heard a +bar or two of your favorite song, I think the least I can do is to sing +it all for him now." + +And without waiting for an answer, she seated herself at the piano, and +again the clear, silvery voice with its bird-like notes, broke forth on +the evening air. She sang an old, simple ballad, but with such +expression, such pathos and sweetness, that a bright spring sunlight +seemed to enter and flood the little rooms of the old house. But no +sunshine was half so bright as the joy which lit up the face of the old +white-headed man, upon whose forehead lay the shadows of years and +sorrow, and on whose cheeks care had pressed deep furrows. With a +half-pathetic, happy smile he listened to the old familiar melody, which +spoke to his heart like a voice from his own lost youth. + +But he was not the only attentive listener. The master of Burgsdorf, who +had fallen asleep amid the thunders of a military march, and who had +felt himself entirely in accord with Tom when she declared music to be +stupid, listened almost breathlessly to the enchanting strains. Such +music was a revelation to him. He sat, leaning forward in his chair, as +if fearful of losing a single note, with his eyes fastened upon the +pretty maiden, who, singing with all her soul, moved her little head +backward and forward with a graceful movement as she warbled forth her +sweet song. When it was ended Willibald leaned back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, and drew his hand across his eyes. + +"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar tenderly, as he rose and +leaned over his grandchild and kissed her forehead. + +"Well, grandpapa," she said teasingly, "has my voice lost anything +within the last few months? But I fear it does not please Herr von +Eschenhagen. He has no word of commendation for me." + +She turned to Willibald with the assumed sulky look of a spoiled child. +He rose now and came over to her. + +A slight flush diffused his face, and in his eyes, usually so +expressionless, shone a new light. + +"Oh, it was very beautiful!" + +The young singer might be forgiven for having expected something more +then these few embarrassed words; but she felt the deep, honest +admiration which they conveyed, and understood at once that her song had +deeply impressed the taciturn stranger. She smiled pleasantly as she +replied: + +"Yes, it is a sweet song. I have scored more than one triumph singing it +as an encore." + +"As an encore?" repeated Will, with no idea of what she meant. + +"Yes, at the theatre, which I have just left to visit grandpapa. I was +such a success, grandpapa, and the director wanted me to give up all my +vacation, but I had surrendered so much of it already to suit him that I +declared I would have these few weeks with you." + +Willibald listened to all this with increasing astonishment. Theatre, +vacation, director, what did it all mean? The doctor noticed his +astonishment. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know what you are, my child," he said +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for an opera singer." + +"How soberly you say it, grandpapa," cried Marietta, springing up and +drawing her little slender figure to its full height, as she said, with +an assumption of great dignity: + +"For the past five months a member of the renowned and worshipful Ducal +Court theatre, a person in a responsible position and worthy of all +honor. Hats off, gentlemen!" + +A member of the Court theatre company! Willibald drew himself together, +as it were, when he heard the fatal words. The well trained son of his +mother, he had a great abhorrence for all actors and actresses. He +stepped unwittingly, three steps back, and stared in amazement at the +young lady who had just made so startling and so frightful an +announcement. She laughed out loud as he did so. + +"Oh, you need not manifest so much respect for me, Herr von Eschenhagen, +I will permit you to stand by the piano. Has Toni never told you that I +belong to the theatre?" + +"Toni? No!" stammered Willibald, greatly disconcerted. "But she is +waiting for me. I must go to Fürstenstein. I have stayed here much too +long already." + +"How extremely polite," laughed the girl, with a good-natured sneer. "It +is not very polite to us, but where your bride is, there should you be +also." + +"Yes, and with my mother, too," said Will, who had a feeling that +something dreadful was threatening him, and to whom his mother seemed a +protecting angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have been here much too long +already." + +He stopped abruptly, remembering that he had said these words once +before, but as none better offered themselves to his disturbed brain he +repeated them for the third time. + +Marietta was half dead from suppressed laughter. Dr. Volkmar declared, +most courteously, that he would not think of detaining his guest a +second longer, and begged him to give his compliments to the head +forester and to Fräulein von Schönau. + +The young man scarcely heard him; he reached for his hat, muttering some +word of farewell, and was off without delay. He had but one thought, +and that was to get away as quickly as possible. The good-natured, +scarcely restrained laughter confused him greatly. + +When the doctor returned, after having accompanied Willibald to the +door, he found his grandchild half suffocated with laughter, while the +tears were rolling down her cheeks. + +"I don't believe that lover of Toni's is quite right here," she said, as +she tapped her forehead with her finger. "First, he carried my satchel +and was as dumb as a fish; then he thawed out a little when I sang, and +now he is off on a run to Fürstenstein and his mother, before I have a +chance even to send Toni a message" + +The doctor smiled, but it was a pained smile. He had observed this +stranger more closely than Marietta, and knew only too well what caused +the sudden and great anxiety to get away from the house. + +"Evidently the young man is not much accustomed to ladies' society," he +answered evasively; "he's under his mother's thumb apparently, but he +seems to please his sweetheart, and that's the main thing." + +"He's a handsome man," mused Marietta, "a very handsome man. But, +grandpapa, I believe he's also a very stupid one." + +Willibald in the meantime had gone, almost on a run, to the nearest +street corner, and there he halted and tried to overcome his +bewilderment and collect his thoughts. It was some time before he +started slowly on his homeward way, and while standing dazed and stupid +in the little country road, he threw more than one glance back at the +doctor's house. + +What would his mother say? She, who all her life had spurned the +play-actor as she would a reptile. And she was right, Will saw that +clearly; there was a sorcery about such people against which one needed +protection. + +But if this Marietta Volkmar should see fit to go to Fürstenstein to +visit her girlhood's friend! The young heir was horrified at the +thought, and assured himself that he was horrified, but there was a new +light in his eyes all the while. He saw suddenly, in his mind's eye, the +reception room at Fürstenstein, and the piano at which his betrothed had +sat so long that day, but in her place was a dainty little figure, with +a perfect glory of curly brown hair around her head; and the heavy notes +of the "Janizary March" changed into the soft, pleading tones of the +old-time ballad, and in the midst of it all, broke out the clear, +bubbling laugh which sounded like music, too. + +And all this sweetness was lost forever, both in this world and in the +next, because it had been seen and heard on the stage. Frau von +Eschenhagen had often expressed her views on that subject, and her son, +a good, obedient son always, looked upon her as an oracle. But now he +heaved a deep sigh, as he said half aloud: + +"What a shame! What a lamentable shame!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The little mountain of Hochberg rose about half way between Fürstenstein +and Rodeck. It was celebrated, and justly, for the fine and extensive +view which could be obtained from its highest point. An ancient stone +tower, all that now remained of a castle long since fallen into decay, +stood upon the extreme summit. + +A few peasants, more zealous than their neighbors, had built a little +inn or house of rest and refreshment at its base. They made a pretense +of keeping the mountain roads in order, and demanded a fair toll from +the stray tourist who came to climb the winding tower stairs. + +Strangers came but seldom, however, into this wild, unknown mountain +region. In the autumn especially, visitors were few and far between. +This bright, warm September day had, however, proved seductive. Two +gentlemen on horseback, attended by a groom, had dismounted at the door +and gone up into the little tower, and they had been followed, a half +hour later, by some guests from the neighborhood, who had driven up the +mountain-side in a light carriage. + +The gentlemen were now standing on a little stone platform of the tower, +and one of them was talking eagerly and excitedly as he called his +companion's attention to certain newly-discovered beauties in the +landscape. "Yes, our Hochberg is celebrated, there's no doubt of that," +he said finally. "I felt I must show it to you, Hartmut. Do you not +think the view across this far green ocean of forest is unparalleled?" + +Hartmut did not answer. He seemed to be searching for some particular +place through his field glass. + +"In which direction does Fürstenstein lie? Ah, I see, over yonder. It +seems to be an immense old building." + +"Yes, the castle is well worth seeing," said Prince Adelsberg. "You were +quite right, though, day before yesterday, to refuse to accompany me +there. The visit worried me to death." + +"Indeed! You spoke very enthusiastically of the head forester to me." + +"Yes, I always enjoy a chat with him, but he had gone driving, worse +luck, and only returned just as I was leaving. His son is not at +Fürstenstein either, he's at college studying forestry, and so I was +entertained by the daughter of the house, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau. +I had a weary hour, I can assure you. A word every five minutes, and a +minute getting that one out. She's a fine housewife, I fancy, with no +brains for anything beyond. It was up hill work talking to her, and no +mistake; then I had the honor of meeting her lover. A genuine, +unsophisticated country squire, with a very energetic mother, who +evidently has both him and her future daughter-in-law well under her +control. Oh, we had a highly intellectual conversation, which ended in +their asking my advice about the culture of turnips--I'm so well up in +turnips, you know. Just then, happily, the head forester and his +brother-in-law, Baron Wallmoden, returned." + +Rojanow still held the field glass to his eyes, and was seemingly +indifferent to his friend's gossip. Now he said in a questioning tone, +"Wallmoden?" + +"The new Prussian ambassador to our court. A genuine diplomatist, too, +if I may judge from appearances; aristocratic, cold, dignified and +reserved to the last degree, but good form, very good form. His wife, +the baroness, was not visible, but I bore her absence with resignation, +for he's a white-haired elderly man, and I doubt not his wife's of the +same stripe." + +Hartmut's lip curled as he took the glass down from his eyes. He had not +mentioned his meeting with Frau von Wallmoden. Why not forget the very +name as soon as possible? + +"Our romantic loneliness will soon end, Herr von Schönau tells me," +continued Egon. "The whole court is coming to Fürstenstein for the +hunting season, and I can count on a visit from the duke. He'll come +over to Rodeck as soon as he arrives. I'm not overjoyed, I can tell you, +for my respected uncle will preach at me about my morals in a way poor +Stadinger never thought of doing, and I'll have to stand it, too. At any +rate Hartmut, I can take this opportunity to present you." + +"If you think it necessary, and the etiquette of the court permits." + +"Bah! The etiquette won't be so strictly observed here, and besides the +Rojanows belong to one of the Bojarin families of your country." + +"Certainly." + +"Well then, there's nothing to prevent your being presented. I am very +anxious to have the duke meet you, then I'll tell him about your +'Arivana,' and as soon as he hears your play, he'll have it put on the +court stage. I've no question of it." + +The words conveyed the deep, almost passionate admiration which the +prince had for his friend. The latter only shrugged his shoulders as he +replied carelessly: + +"That is possible, if you intercede for me, but I do not want to owe my +success to any man's efforts in my behalf. I am no poet of repute; I +scarcely know whether I am a poet at all or not, and if my work cannot +make its own way I shall not force it on the world." + +"You'll be obstinate enough to let a fine opportunity slip, that's like +you. Have you no ambition?" + +"Only too much, I fear; perhaps that's the origin of what you call my +obstinacy. I have never been able to subordinate myself and conform to +the rules of every day life, and as to the restrictions and trammels of +your German courts, I could not adjust myself to them." + +"Who told you you would have to adjust yourself to them?" questioned +Egon laughingly. "You will be flattered and spoiled there, as everywhere +else, for you will appear in the heavens like a meteor and no one ever +requires stars of that nature to follow a prescribed orbit. Moreover +you will be both a guest and a foreigner; and as such will occupy an +exceptional position. When in addition to that, the poet's halo shines +round your head--" + +"You will have found means to bind me to your country, you think?" +interjected Hartmut. + +"Well yes, I certainly have not supposed that I, myself, possessed the +power to attach to us permanently so wild and restless a spirit. But the +rising fame of a poet is a bond which is not so easily broken. This very +morning I took an oath to keep you here at any cost." + +Rojanow gave him a surprised, searching look. "Why this morning?" + +"Ah, that's my secret," said Egon mischievously. "But here comes some +one to join us. I hear steps on the stairs." + +Yes, there were steps coming up the old stone stairway, and a second +later the bearded face of the old watchman peered out at the men on the +platform. + +"Please be careful, my lady," he was saying. "The last few steps are +very steep; now here we are on the platform." He held out his hand to +assist the lady, who was following him closely, but she paid no heed to +his offer and stepped lightly out on the little stone balcony. + +"What a lovely girl," whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend; but +Hartmut, instead of answering, was making a deep and formal bow to the +lady, who could not conceal a look of surprise when she saw him. + +"Ah, Herr Rojanow, you here?" + +"I am admiring the fine views from Hochberg of which you, madame, have +heard also, apparently." + +The prince's face bore a surprised look when he heard Hartmut address +this lovely girl as madame, and saw that she knew him. He came forward +immediately, in order that he might share his friend's acquaintance, so +Hartmut was constrained to introduce Prince Adelsberg to the Baroness +von Wallmoden; he made a passing allusion to the meeting in the wood, +for the young wife was wrapped in her mantle of icy indifference. It was +scarcely necessary to-day, for Rojanow was as fully determined as she, +to consider their acquaintance as of the slightest. + +Egon cast a reproving glance toward his friend, for he could not +comprehend how any one could keep silence about such a happy accident as +that of piloting so lovely a woman through the wood. He entered at once, +and with animation, into a conversation with the baroness. He spoke of +himself as a neighbor, and of his recent visit to Fürstenstein, and his +regret, great regret, at not meeting her on that occasion. But with all +his chatter, the prince kept himself well within bounds, and was the +polite and agreeable courtier. He knew full well that the wife of the +Prussian ambassador, no matter how young and beautiful, was not to be +approached with vapid, idle compliments. Hartmut had made that error in +addressing the unknown girl in the wood, but Egon had the advantage of +knowing to whom he spoke, and succeeded at last in thawing the beautiful +baroness by his gracious, suave manner. Finally he showed her the +landscape, and pointed out and explained the especial objects of +interest. + +Hartmut did not enter into the conversation at all, but after handing +the field glass to his friend, excused himself on the plea of searching +for a lost pocket-book. The watchman of the tower volunteered to go in +search of it for him, but Rojanow declared he would go and look for it +himself. He remembered the exact place, where, as he mounted the stairs, +he had heard something drop, but had paid no attention to it at the +time. He would go and find it, and then return to the platform. And +with a bow he left them. + +Egon, under other circumstances, would have expressed his surprise that +Hartmut did not accept the old watchman's offer, instead of going +himself. But now he saw his friend depart without protest; he was not +unwilling to have the field to himself. The baroness had already raised +the glass to her eyes, and was following attentively his explanations +and comments on the surrounding country. + +"And over yonder, behind that mountain of forest, lies Rodeck," he said +at last. "The little hunting lodge where we two misanthropes live like +hermits, cut off from all the world beside, save the apes and parrots +which we brought from the East, and they, by the way, are growing very +melancholy in their new home." + +"One would never take your highness for a misanthrope," said Frau von +Wallmoden with a fleeting smile. + +"I confess I haven't much taste for it, myself, but once in a while +Hartmut has a touch of the disease, and it is for his sake that I have +buried myself in this solitude." + +"Hartmut? That is a Hungarian name! It's very surprising that Herr +Rojanow speaks such pure German without the slightest accent. And yet he +told me he was a foreigner." + +"Yes, he is from Roumania, but he was educated, partially at least, by +kinsfolk in Germany, from whom he also got his Christian name." The +young prince explained so unconcernedly that it was evident he knew as +little about his friend's family as did his listener. + +"You seem to be very partial to him." There was a slighting tone in her +voice. + +"Yes, I am indeed," exclaimed Egon, roused in an instant. "And not I, +alone. Hartmut has one of those attractive, genial natures, which wins +upon all who know him. But the stranger who does not see him +unrestrained and at his best, can form no judgment of what he is. Then a +flame of fire bursts from his soul, and touches all those with whom he +comes in contact. He exercises a charm which none can resist, and where +he leads all must follow." + +This glowing eulogy was listened to with cool indifference by the young +woman, whose whole attention seemed to be centered in the landscape, as +she answered: + +"You are right, doubtless. Herr Rojanow's eyes indicate an unusually +fiery temperament, but their expression is uncanny and surely not +sympathetic." + +"Perhaps because they have that peculiar and demoniacal expression which +is always the indication of genius. Hartmut has great talent; he +sometimes frightens me with it, and yet it attracts me irresistibly. I +really do not know how I could live without him, now. I shall do +everything in my power to make him remain with me." + +"In Germany? Your highness sets yourself a hard task. Herr Rojanow has a +very contemptuous opinion of our country, I can assure you. He expressed +himself most forcibly to that effect, the other day in the wood." + +The prince listened attentively. These words explained to him what he +had at first thought so singular; why Hartmut had not mentioned to him +the meeting with the baroness. He smiled as he said: "Ah, that's why he +never mentioned meeting you to me. You probably showed him you did not +approve of his candid avowal concerning Germany; you served him just +right, for there's no sense in his lying so persistently. He has often +angered me with his harangues against my country, all of which I thought +he meant, at the time, but now I know better." + +"You do not believe, then?" Adelheid turned suddenly and faced the +speaker. + +"No, I have the proof of it in my hand. He fairly revels in our German +scenery. Your ladyship looks at me incredulously; may I tell you a +secret?" + +"Well?" + +"I went to Hartmut's room, this morning, to look for him," began the +prince, "and he was not there; but I found on his desk what was better +than finding him--a poem which he had evidently forgotten to lock up, +for he never intended it for my eyes, that's certain. No pricks of +conscience prevented my stealing it, and I have it with me this minute. +If you would care to glance at it--" + +"I do not understand the Roumanian tongue," responded Frau von +Wallmoden, with a slight sneer; "and I imagine Herr Rojanow has not +condescended to write in German." + +For answer Egon drew a paper from his pocket, and unfolded it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend, I see, but I do not want to leave him in +the false light in which he has placed himself in your eyes. May I not +read this to you, and let his own words be his justification?" + +"If you desire." + +The words were spoken indifferently, but Adelheid's eyes sought the +paper with an expression of keen interest. A few verses, written in a +careless, hasty hand, covered the white page. Egon began to read. They +were indeed German verses, but in them was a pureness and euphony which +told that they could only have been written by a master of that tongue, +and the description which they gave was one well known to both +listeners. Deep, sad, woodland loneliness, pervaded by the first breath +of autumn; endless green depths which swayed and beckoned with their +gloomy shadows; fragrant meadows flooded with the golden sunlight; +silent stretches of water in the far distance, and the noisy murmur of +the mountain brook, as it rushed down from some nearer height. This +picture had life and speech in it, too, and had its echoes of an +old-time woodland song; the rustle and whisper of the swaying branches +sounded to the ear like a soft, low melody, and above all and through +all, was the deep, pent-up longing for that peace which was the +background of the whole scene. + +The prince had begun with fervor, and entering into the spirit of the +poem, read clearly and intelligently. As he finished, he turned to the +baroness with a triumphant, "What do you say to that?" + +Frau von Wallmoden had not lost a word; she had not looked at the +reader, though, but had gazed across the distant hills. Now, at the +prince's question, she turned slowly. "Is this the language of one who +despises our country?" he continued, confident he had the best of the +argument. And as he looked closely at her, while demanding justice for +his friend, he realized for the first time, just how lovely this Frau +von Wallmoden was. The rosy tints of the setting sun softened the look +in the lovely eyes, and added beauty to the tender oval of her face; but +there was no softness in the cold, deliberate answer: "It is really +quite surprising that a foreigner should understand our language so +well." + +Egon stared at her. Was this all she had to say? He had expected +something quite different. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" +he asked. + +"Very full of sentiment. Herr Rojanow seems to possess a great deal of +poetical talent. Many thanks for your field glass, and now I must go +down to my husband. I fear he is tired already, waiting for me." + +Egon folded his paper without a word and returned it to his pocket. He +had been very enthusiastic over his friend's production, and this young +woman, colder and more frozen than ever now, chilled him to the bone. + +"I have had the honor of meeting his excellency, and will accompany you +down, with your permission," he said, courteously. + +She gave a slight bow of acknowledgment and left the platform, followed +by the Prince, who had grown suddenly very taciturn. He felt annoyed on +his friend's account, and regretted now that he had read, what to him +seemed such a wonderful poem, to a woman who evidently knew nothing +whatever of poesy. + +Hartmut had, in the meantime, after leaving the platform, descended the +winding stairs slowly. The lost purse was a mere subterfuge, for it lay +in its accustomed place in an inner pocket. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden had mentioned to the prince, soon after she +joined them on the platform, that her husband was awaiting her in the +little inn, but that he had not cared to climb the steep, dark stairs. +Hartmut knew he could not avoid a meeting, but he would at least brave +it without witnesses. + +If Wallmoden saw his old friend's son and recognized him, he might not +be able, for the moment, to master his surprise. + +Hartmut did not fear this meeting, though he knew it would be both +painful and uncomfortable. There was but one in the whole world whom he +feared; but one pair of eyes under whose gaze he would lack courage to +lift his own, and in all probability he would never meet that one. + +He could face all others with a proud defiance; he had but exercised his +right in abandoning a hated career. He was decided that there should be +no questioning or reproving; if he were recognized, he should request +the ambassador in a most decided manner, to make no reference whatever +to a past with which he was done forever. + +Upon the little veranda of the summer inn, Herbert von Wallmoden sat +with his sister. The impending arrival of the duke and his court for the +autumn hunting had detained the head forester at home, where he was in +great demand. The betrothed pair stayed at Fürstenstein, also, and as +nothing better offered itself for the day, the three guests decided to +come to Hochberg. + +The view was especially fine this afternoon and the air was like summer. +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, as +her eyes went searchingly over the landscape. "But we have nearly as +good a view here as up above. I certainly will never climb up those dark +stairs, and lose my breath to see any more. No, I thank you." + +"Adelheid was of a different opinion," responded her brother, as he gave +a fleeting glance up the tower. "She suffers neither from fatigue nor +heat." + +"Or cold either. That was proven the day she was drenched to the skin. +She hasn't even a sniffle from it." + +"I have requested her to take a servant with her in future when she goes +upon her rambles," said Herbert quietly. "To be lost in the forest and +have to wade through a brook and then finally be forced to call to her +aid a stray huntsman, are things that I do not care to have repeated. +Adelheid saw that as clearly as I, and will not go unattended for the +future." + +"Ah, she's an excellent, sensible wife, a healthy nature through and +through, with a proper aversion for adventure and romance," said Regine +warmly. "Ah, there are other visitors on the tower. I thought we would +be the only guests to-day." + +Wallmoden glanced indifferently toward the tall, aristocratic young man +who had just emerged from the tower door and was coming toward them; +Frau von Eschenhagen's glance was careless, too, but her look changed to +one both sharp and intense, and she cried out: + +"Herbert, look!" + +"At what?" + +"At that stranger. What a strange resemblance." + +"To whom?" asked Herbert, looking searchingly, too, into the face of the +stranger, who was nearer them now. + +"It's impossible! That is no passing resemblance. It is he, himself," +cried his sister. + +She sprang up pale with excitement, with her eyes fixed and staring at +the young stranger, who was just putting his foot on the first step of +the shaded veranda. Now his eyes met hers, his large, dark, flaming eyes +which had so often looked into her own and pleaded for him in his +childhood, and all doubts vanished. + +"Hartmut, Hartmut Falkenried! You!" + +She stopped suddenly, for Wallmoden laid his hand heavily, very heavily, +on her arm, and said sharply: "You are in error, Regine, we do not know +this gentleman." + +Hartmut was startled, when, upon reaching the top step, he recognized +Frau von Eschenhagen. The lattice-work had prevented his recognizing +her, and for her presence he was not prepared. But at the very moment +when he realized who it was, the ambassador's words sounded in his ears. +He understood only too well what the tone and words implied and the +blood rushed to his temples. + +"Hartmut!" Frau Regine called again, looking uncertainly at her brother, +who still held her arm fast. + +"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. "Must I repeat it to +you again, Regine?" + +She understood his meaning now, and turned with a half-threatening, +half-pained glance from the son of her old-time friend, as she said +bitterly: "You are right. I was mistaken." + +Hartmut drew himself to his full height, and an angry look flashed +across his face as he drew a step nearer. + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"What is it?" answered the other in a sharp, but contemptuous tone. + +"Your excellency has but forestalled me," said Hartmut, forcing himself +by mighty effort to speak quietly. "I came to request you not to know +me. We are strangers to one another." + +Then he turned with a haughty, defiant air, and disappeared within the +little inn. + +Wallmoden looked after him with knitted brow, and then turned to his +sister. "Could you not have restrained yourself, Regine? Why make a +scene? This Hartmut exists no more for us." + +Regine's face showed clearly her intense excitement, and her lips +trembled as she answered: + +"I am no such staid diplomat as you, Herbert. I have not yet learned to +be calm and indifferent when one whom I have for years imagined dead, or +gone to ruin, suddenly springs up before me." + +"Dead? He was too young to make that a probability. Gone to ruin? That +is indeed possible, judging from his life lately." + +"What do you mean?" asked his sister excitedly. "What do you know of +his life?" + +"I know something of it. Falkenried is too dear to me to make me lose +sight altogether of his son. I have never mentioned what I knew to +either of you. But as soon as I returned to my post, ten years ago, I +used my diplomatic position to ascertain what I could concerning them." + +"And what did you learn?" + +"At first, only what we already knew, that Zalika had taken her son to +Roumania. You knew that her step-father, our cousin Wallmoden, had died +some time before, and after her divorce from Falkenried she always lived +with her mother. From that time we heard nothing of her until she came +to Germany to capture her son, but just before she came, as I learned, +she inherited a large fortune by the death of her brother." + +"Her brother? I never knew she had one." + +"Yes, he was ten years her senior, and on attaining his majority had +become master of a large estate. His mother's second marriage was +childless and he never married. When he met with a sudden death while +hunting, Zalika, being next of kin, fell heir to his large possessions. +As soon as she entered into possession, she began at once to plan how +she could get her son. You know that part of the story. Then they passed +a few years in a wild, erratic life upon her Roumania estate, and they +fairly flung money away in their extravagance. After that they became +bankrupt, and mother and son went out into the world like gypsies." + +Wallmoden told all this in the same cold, contemptuous tone as that in +which he had spoken to Hartmut and in Regine's face, too, was a look of +abhorrence for the wife and mother who had fulfilled so ill the duties +of her station. But she could not restrain the anxiety she felt for the +son, as she asked: + +"And since then? Have you heard nothing further?" + +"Yes, on several occasions. Once when I was with the embassy at +Florence, I heard her name mentioned incidentally. She was at Rome; then +a year after that she was back in Paris again; and sometime later I +heard that Frau Zalika Rojanow was dead." + +"So she is dead," said Regine, softly. "How did they live all these +years?" + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. "How do all adventurers live? Perhaps +they had saved something from the shipwreck, perhaps they hadn't. At any +rate she was to be found in the saloons of Rome and Paris. A woman like +Zalika could always find assistance and protection. As a Bojar's +daughter she had her title of nobility, and even the forced sale of her +Roumanian estate, about which many knew, may have aided her to play her +_rôle_. Society opens its arms only too willingly to such as she, +especially when they have talent, and that Zalika undoubtedly had. By +what means she lived is another question." + +"But Hartmut, upon whom she forced such a life, what of him?" + +"He's an adventurer. What else could you expect?" said the ambassador in +his curtest tone. "He inherited her temperament, and his life with her +has developed the dormant tendency. Since his mother's death, three +years ago, I have heard nothing of him." + +"And why did you keep all this from me?" said Regine, reprovingly. + +"I wanted to spare you all I could. You had always given the boy too +warm a place in your heart, and I thought it better to let you imagine +him dead. Have you ever told Falkenried any of your idle speculations +concerning him?" + +"Once I ventured to speak of the past to him. I hoped to break through +the icy reserve which he always maintains towards me now. He looked at +me, I will not soon forget his eyes, and said with fearful +impressiveness: 'My son is dead. You know that, Regine. We will let the +dead rest in peace.' I have never mentioned Hartmut's name since then." + +"I suppose I hardly need counsel you to be silent when we return home," +continued her brother. "On no account let Willibald hear of this +meeting, for he's so good-natured that he'd be off at once if he heard +his boyhood's friend was in the neighborhood. It's much better he should +know nothing about it. If there should be a second meeting I will just +ignore the fellow. Adelheid does not know him; in fact she doesn't even +know that Falkenried had a son." + +He broke off suddenly and arose, for his young wife and her escort +emerged at that moment from the tower door. The prince greeted the +ambassador and his sister, whom he had met a day or two before, and +asked quite innocently whether they had seen his friend Rojanow, who had +disappeared from the tower a few moments before. + +Wallmoden threw a warning glance toward his sister, who stared at the +prince in surprise, and answered promptly and politely that he had seen +no gentleman, and added that he was just on the point of going in search +of his wife, as it was quite time they should return home. The order to +the groom was given at once, and a minute later the prince was bowing +low to the fair woman and her husband, whom he had accompanied to the +carriage. He stood a full minute looking after them when the carriage +rolled away. + +Hartmut stood at the window of the little public room looking at the +trio in the carriage, also. + +On his face lay the same deadly pallor as when the name of Wallmoden was +mentioned two days before, but to-day it was the pallor of a wild, +intense anger. He had steeled himself against question or reproof; these +he would have met with supercilious arrogance, but the contemptuous +manner in which he had been set aside struck him to his heart's core. +Wallmoden's words to his sister, "We do not know him. Must I repeat that +again?" incited his whole being to revolt. He felt keenly the sentence +which lay in them. And Aunt Regine, too, the woman who had once shown an +almost motherly affection for him, she turned her back on him as if +ashamed of her first impulse to speak to him. That was too much! + +"Oh, here you are at last," sounded Egon's voice from the door. "You +disappeared most mysteriously. Well, did you find your pocket-book?" + +Hartmut turned toward his friend; he felt he must be on his guard. + +"Yes," he said absently. "I found it on the stair, as I expected." + +"You might as well have let the watchman get it for you. But why didn't +you come back? 'Twas very shabby of you to desert Frau von Wallmoden and +me. You have not, I fear, won the lovely lady's favor. You were most +ungracious." + +"I shall have to endure my misfortune as best I can," said Hartmut with +a shrug. + +The young prince came nearer, and laid his hand affectionately on his +shoulder. + +"Or perhaps you incurred her displeasure day before yesterday? It is not +your wont to go off on a tangent when you are conversing with a charming +woman. O, I know all about it; the baroness thought fit to reprove you +for your attack on Germany, and you resented it. Now, a man should agree +to everything which comes from such lips." + +"You seem to be quite excited," sneered Hartmut. "Better look to it that +the gray-haired husband does not grow jealous, in spite of his years." + +"Yes, they're a singular couple," said Egon, half aloud, as if lost in +thought. "This old diplomat, with his gray hair and his keen, immobile +face, and the young wife with her dazzling beauty like a--like a--" + +"Northern light, above a sea of ice. It is a question which of the two +is farthest below freezing point." + +Prince Egon laughed out at the comparison. "Very poetical and very +malicious. But you are right enough. I felt the icy breath of this polar +star several times myself. It's just as well I did, for it is all that +saved me from falling head over heels in love with her. But I think we'd +better be starting now, don't you?" He turned to the door to order the +groom to bring around the horses. + +Hartmut, on the point of following him, turned once more to glance from +the window at the carriage, which could be seen through an opening in +the trees. He clenched his fist as he muttered: + +"We will speak yet, Herr von Wallmoden. I will remain now. He shall not +imagine that I am a coward and flee from him. Egon shall bring my work +to the notice of the court. We shall see then whether he will dare to +treat me like an adventurer. He shall pay yet for that glance and tone." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +At Fürstenstein everything was in readiness for the reception of the +Court. The ducal party was coming this autumn for the entire hunting +season, which lasted for several weeks, and the duchess was expected as +well. The second floor of the castle, with its countless rooms, was +prepared for the illustrious guests, and some of the officials and +servants had already arrived. The little town of Waldhofen, through +which the duke would pass, was in a state of excitement, too, as the +townspeople made their modest preparations to do the great man honor. +The Wallmodens had come for a short visit, but under existing +circumstances, decided to prolong it; in fact the duke himself, learning +of their whereabouts, and desirous of showing the ambassador and his +wife some especial mark of his favor, had expressed a desire to meet +them at Fürstenstein. This amounted to an invitation which it would have +been unwise to refuse. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her son were to remain also, to have an +opportunity of "viewing these Court people close at hand." The head +forester, in view of the prospective hunting which was his especial +care, had daily interviews with the under foresters and their +subordinates, and kept them all pretty well on their legs, that nothing +might be neglected. Life at the castle just at present was anything but +monotonous. In Fräulein von Schönau's room, this bright morning, there +were sounds of gay chatter, and many a clear, good-natured laugh. +Marietta Volkmar had come for a little gossip with her old friend, and +as usual during such visits, the laughter and the babble knew no end. +Toni sat in the window-seat, and near her stood Willibald, who, by his +mother's special orders, was to play the _rôle_ of sentinel. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not yet been able to accomplish her purpose +concerning the opera singer. Her brother-in-law had remained obdurate, +and even from her future daughter, whom she imagined so pliant, she had +met with decided resistance when she demanded that all intercourse +should be broken off between the two. "I cannot do that, dear auntie. +You ask too much," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so noble and good. I +could not wound her so deeply." + +"Noble and good!" Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of this girl whose eyes she might not open; but she was +diplomatic enough to let the subject drop for the present and bide her +time. Willibald, accustomed to confide in his mother, had told her of +his meeting with Fräulein Volkmar, and how he had enacted the part of +porter at her suggestion. Frau von Eschenhagen was, naturally enough, +incensed at the thought that her son, the heir of Burgsdorf, should act +as lackey for a "theatrical hussy." She drew, for his benefit, a picture +of this child of the devil, and explained how it would be an +impossibility for her to follow such a shameless life without being +thoroughly bad. Willibald, of course, was horror stricken at what he +heard, and agreed fully with his mother that his future wife must be +protected from so contaminating an influence. + +He received orders never to let the young girls be alone, and to watch +carefully how this Marietta behaved. At the very first intimation of a +disgraceful word or action, Regine would go to her brother-in-law and +demand that he should no longer permit his daughter to associate with +such an one; then she would call her son as witness, and the incubus +would be expelled at once and forever from their presence. Willibald +had been on guard when Marietta paid her first visit to Fürstenstein, +had accompanied Toni to Waldhofen when she went to the old doctor's to +see her friend, and he was now at his post again, to-day, in Antonie's +boudoir. + +Antonie and Marietta were chatting over the approaching arrival of the +Court at Fürstenstein, and the former, who possessed little taste in the +matter of dress, was asking her friend's advice about some details of +the toilette, and Marietta was giving it eagerly. + +"What are you going to wear with this gown?" asked Marietta. "Roses of +course, white or very delicate ones. They will suit admirably with this +faint blue." + +"No, I can't get roses," Toni declared. "I shall wear china asters." + +"Better wear sunflowers. Why should you, a young girl, just affianced, +too, wear such autumnal flowers? I do love roses so, and wear them +whenever opportunity offers. I was so disappointed that I couldn't have +one for my hair for the burgermeister's party to-night, but there isn't +one to be had in Waldhofen. It is getting late in the year for them." + +"The castle gardener has a rose tree in bloom in one of the hot-houses," +said Antonie in her sleepy manner, which formed so decided a contrast to +her friend's sharp, decisive tones. + +Marietta shook her head with a laugh. "They're for the duchess without +doubt, so we cannot beg for them, and must think of something in their +stead. And now that we are entering upon the toilet question, your +presence, Herr von Eschenhagen, is quite unnecessary. You don't know +anything about such matters, and our chatter must weary you greatly. But +in spite of all, you don't desert us, and what have I done so very +remarkable, pray, that you stare at me all the time?" + +The words sounded very ungracious. Will was startled, for the last +question was only too true. He had just been thinking how well a fresh, +half-blown rose would look peeping from those dark, curly locks. Toni, +who had not observed how attentively he was gazing at her friend, now +said good-naturedly: + +"Yes, Will, do go. You'll be wearied to death with our gossip, and I'm +not half through yet--I have a great deal to tell Marietta." + +"As you will, dear Toni," answered her lover, hesitatingly. "But I may +come back again?" + +"Of course, whenever you wish." + +Willibald went. It did not annoy him in the least, this having to desert +his post of observation. He was thinking of something quite different as +he stood for a moment alone in a little ante-room. The result of his +thoughts was that he left the castle a few minutes later, and directed +his steps toward the head gardener's quarters. + +Scarcely had he left the room when Marietta sprang up exclaiming: + +"Heavens, but you're a pokey pair of lovers!" + +"But, Marietta," said Toni, vexed. + +"Yes, whether you are vexed with me or not, I must say it. I had +expected such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You never were +particularly lively, but as for this fiancé of yours he don't seem to +know how to talk at all. What in the world did he say when he proposed +to you? Or did his mother do it for him?" + +"Don't jest all the time," said Toni, really angry now. "It's only in +your presence he's so silent; when we're alone he can talk glibly +enough." + +"Yes, over the new threshing-machine which he has invented himself. I +heard him talking about it just as I came in, and you were listening all +ears. Oh, you'll be a pattern man and wife, and rule Burgsdorf in a most +exemplary manner, but heaven protect me from such a happy marriage." + +"Marietta, you are very rude," said the young girl, highly incensed now. +In the same moment her friend had thrown her arms around her neck, and +said coaxingly: "Do not be angry, Toni. I did not mean to be +disagreeable, and do indeed rejoice in my heart if you are happy; only +you see--every one to his taste; my husband must be different from +yours." + +"Well, what must he be, pray?" asked Toni, resentful yet, but mollified +by her friend's coaxing tone. + +"In the first place he must be under my rule and not under his mother's; +second, he must be an honest, upright man, of whose protection I can +feel assured--that's not inconsistent with petticoat government, so long +as I do the governing. He need not be much of a talker. I'll attend to +that part myself. But he must love me, love me better than father and +mother or houses or lands, better than his threshing-machine, even--I +must be first in his thoughts, ever and always." + +Toni shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "You have very childish +ideas at times, Marietta; but let us decide about the gowns." + +"Yes, we'd better do that at once, for your dearly beloved will come +back soon and plant himself down like a sentinel between us. He +certainly has a talent for standing sentry. Now as to this blue silk--" + +Even now the pros and cons of dress could not go on smoothly, for Frau +von Eschenhagen opened the door at this moment, and called Toni to give +her advice concerning some household matter. Toni rose at once and left +the room, but, instead of following her, her aunt remained and sank +down in a chair by the window. Frau von Eschenhagen wished to see for +herself. Will had not satisfied her; he had grown red and embarrassed +when called upon to repeat the girlish gossip which had taken place +between the two maidens, and his mother, who believed all this light +chatter but a cloak for something worse, determined to take the matter +into her own hands. + +Marietta had risen respectfully at the entrance of the elder woman, whom +she had met but once before, and whose inimical bearing toward herself +she had not perceived in the joy of her first meeting again with her +friends. She only noticed that Toni's future mother-in-law was not a +cordial woman. This morning Frau Regine looked her over from head to +foot with a critical eye. Marietta seemed to her like all other girls, +but she was pretty, very pretty--and that was bad. She had short curly +hair all over her head--and that was worse. + +There was no mistaking Frau Regine's attitude toward the young singer, +whom she now begun to question. "You are a friend of my son's betrothed, +I believe?" + +"Yes, my lady," was the unconcerned reply. + +"A friend since childhood, I understand. You were brought up and +educated by Dr Volkmar?" + +"Yes, I lost my parents when I was very young." + +"So my brother-in-law was telling me. And what was your father's +calling?" + +"He was a physician, the same as grandfather," answered Marietta, more +amused than annoyed by this examination, the object of which she did not +suspect. "And my mother was a physician's daughter, so we might well be +called a medical family, might we not? I'm the only one who has branched +off into another profession." + +"Ah--what a pity," said Frau von Eschenhagen, impressively. The young +girl looked at her puzzled. Was she joking? No, there was no expression +of pleasantry on the lady's face as she continued: "You will agree with +me, my child, that the descendant of an honorable and respected race +should show herself worthy of her family. And you should have thought of +that in choosing your vocation." + +"Good heavens, but I couldn't study medicine like my father and +grandfather," cried Marietta, laughing outright. The matter seemed a +joke to her, but her merriment displeased her severe questioner, who +said, sharply: + +"There are, thank God, plenty of honorable positions for young girls. +You are a singer?" + +"Yes, madame, at the Court theatre." + +"I know it, I know it! Do you feel inclined to resign your position +there?" + +The question was put so suddenly and in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily drew back. Since her first meeting with the son, +when he had seemed so stupid and silent, and had run off so +precipitately, she had decided within herself that he was not of sound +mind. Now the thought came to her that his weakness was an inherited +disease from his mother; for certainly this woman could not be in her +right mind. + +"To resign my position?" she repeated. "And why?" + +"Upon moral grounds, altogether. I am ready to offer you a helping hand. +If you will turn your back upon those paths of frivolity and vice, I +pledge myself to obtain for you a respectable position as governess or +companion." + +The young singer understood at last why the matron had been so +concerned; she threw her head back with an angry, half spiteful +movement. "I thank you very much. I love my profession dearly, and have +no thought of exchanging it for any dependent position. Besides, I fear +my education has not fitted me to make an efficient upper housemaid." + +"I expected some such answer," Frau von Eschenhagen replied, nodding her +head darkly, "but I felt it my duty to make at least one appeal to your +conscience. You are very young, and, consequently, are not altogether +responsible; the heavier blame falls upon Dr. Volkmar for allowing his +son's child to enter such a vicious career." + +"My dear madame, I must request you to leave my grandfather out of the +play altogether," Marietta spoke excitedly now. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law, otherwise I would not have allowed this questioning. But +an insult to my grandfather I will not permit from any human being." + +The two excited women had not heard a distant door open, and did not +know that Willibald had entered. He seemed frightened when he saw his +mother, and slipped something which he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, into his coat-pocket, but he kept his place by the door. + +"I have no intention of quarreling with you, my child," said Frau Regine +in an arrogant tone. "But I am, as you say, Toni's future mother-in-law, +and as such deem it my duty to protect her from all improper +intercourse. I beg you will not misunderstand me. I am not proud, and +the grandchild of Dr. Volkmar is, in my eyes, a fit companion for my +niece; but a lady of the theatre will, rightly enough, seek her +companions among the theatrical circle, but here at Fürstenstein--you +understand me, I hope?" + +"Oh, yes, I understand you, my dear madame," cried Marietta, her whole +face aflame now. "You need say nothing further; I have but one word to +ask. Do Herr von Schönau and Antonie agree with you in what you have +just said?" + +"As regards the root of the matter, certainly. But I would not have you +think for a moment that they would refuse to--" a very expressive shrug +of the shoulders concluded this sentence. The upright and truth-loving +woman did not for a moment imagine she was guilty of an untruth; her +prejudices were deeply rooted, and she could not imagine the head +forester not agreeing with her at bottom, notwithstanding his +contradictory nature prevented him admitting it frankly; as for Antonie, +she was a good-natured little thing, but she lacked the stamina required +to end such an intimacy, and her aunt, in consequence, was resolved to +end it for her. But at this critical moment something unexpected +happened. Willibald stepped forward and said, half reproachfully: + +"But, mother--" + +"Is it you, Will? What are you doing here?" asked his mother, to whom +this interruption was anything but pleasant. + +Willibald understood full well that his mother had been ungracious, and +he usually retreated as quickly as possible when he found her in a bad +humor. To-day he took his stand with unwonted bravery. He came a step +nearer and repeated: "But, mother, you must have misunderstood them. +Toni never thought of such a thing, Fräulein Volkmar." + +"What do you know about it? Do you mean to accuse me of falsehood?" his +enraged mother turned on him. "What business is it of yours what I +discuss with Fräulein Volkmar? Your bride's not here, you can see that +for yourself, so you may go, also, and at once!" + +The young heir had flushed deeply at this tone, to which he was well +accustomed; but before this girl it seemed to shame him, and he looked +as though he would resist his mother's authority for once. His face +assumed a defiant expression, but a threatening, "Well, don't you hear +me?" conquered him as usual. He turned hesitatingly, and left the room, +but the door behind him remained half open. + +Marietta glanced after him with a contemptuous curl of the lip and then +turned back to her adversary. "You need give yourself no further +uneasiness, my dear madame. I have come to Fürstenstein for the last +time. As the head forester had received me with his old-time cordiality, +and as Antonie was as affectionate toward me as ever, I could not know +that they felt that there was a stain upon me on account of the +profession which I follow. Had I suspected such a thing I surely would +not have inflicted myself upon them. It will not happen in the future, +never again." + +Her voice failed her, and her face bore a new, pained expression, while +it was with difficulty she restrained the tears. Frau von Eschenhagen +felt she had gone too far in her candid statement. + +"I do not want to annoy you, my child," she said, unbending a little. "I +only wanted to make it clear to you that--" + +"Not want to annoy me when you say such things to me?" interrupted the +girl with flashing eyes. "You treat me like an outcast, not fit any +longer for association with decent people, and why? Because I earn my +bread with the talent which God has given me, and give pleasure to +mankind at the same time. You traduce my old grandfather who made great +sacrifices to have me well educated, and who saw me go out into the +world with a heavy heart. The bitter tears stood in his eyes as he +clasped me in his arms, and said, as he bade me good-bye: 'Be honest and +true, my Marietta. One can be that always, no matter what their road in +life. When I close my eyes on this world I shall have nothing to leave +you. You will have to fight your own battle. Well, I have remained +honest and true, and shall remain so, even though everything is not as +easy for me as for Toni, the daughter of a rich father, who only leaves +her parent's home to go into her husband's. But I don't envy her the +happiness of calling you mother." + +"Fräulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," said the insulted mother +drawing herself to her full height. But Marietta wasn't going to be +silenced now, she was too excited. + +"O, no, it is not I who forget myself. It was you who insulted me +without cause, and the head forester and Antonie must be well under your +influence to turn away from me. But no matter. I do not desire the +friendship of any girl who will allow herself to be bullied and +brow-beaten by a mother-in-law. I am done, once for all. Tell Toni I say +that, Frau von Eschenhagen." + +She turned away with a passionate motion and left the room. In the front +one, however, she could retain her composure no longer, and the hot +tears, kept back so bravely until now, forced themselves from her eyes. +With a passionate sob the young girl leaned her head against the wall +and wept bitterly. She heard her name called in a low, trembling tone, +and turning, she saw Willibald von Eschenhagen, in his hand the very +paper which he had so hastily concealed in his pocket. It was crumpled +now, but within, as he unfolded the paper, lay a delicate spray of +leaves with two fragrant half-blown roses. + +"Fräulein Volkmar," he stammered again. "You wished for a rose, please +accept--" In his eyes and in his whole bearing one could read plainly +that he deplored his mother's ruthless candor. Marietta repressed her +sobs, the tears were still glistening in her eyes, as she looked up at +him with an expression of disdain and contempt. + +"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she said with acerbity. "You heard +distinctly the words which your mother spoke to me, and whatever else +they may have meant, they most certainly meant that I was to be shunned. +Why do you not obey them?" + +"My mother has done you an injustice," said Willibald, half-aloud. "And +she did not speak in the name of the others. Toni knew nothing about it, +believe me. She--" + +"Then why didn't you speak out and say so?" interrupted the girl with +growing anger. "There you stood, listening to a shameful, insulting +attack upon a young, defenseless girl, and hadn't enough manhood to come +forward and take her part. True enough, you did attempt something of the +kind, but you were well scolded, and sent off like a school-boy, and you +went without a word, too." + +Willibald stood like one in whose ears heavy thunder is echoing. He had +felt most keenly the injustice of his mother's scathing remarks, and was +trying in his timid way, to do what he could to make amends and show his +good will, and here he was being soundly rated for his pains. He stood +and stared at her without speaking, and his silence incensed the girl +still more. + +"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued with growing +excitement. "Secretly, behind your mother's back, and do you think I +would accept such an insult? First learn how a man should behave when he +witnesses such an iniquity, then pay attention to trifling courtesies +afterwards. Now--now, I will show you what I think of you and your +present." She tore the paper from his hand, rolled it like a ball and +threw it upon the floor, where she stamped on it passionately with her +little foot. + +"But Fräulein--" Willibald, vacillating between shame and anger, would +have interfered to save his roses, but the dangerous look in the dark +eyes warned him to keep back. + +"Now we are quits. If Toni knows nothing about all this I am sorry, but +I shall stay away for the future rather than expose myself to fresh +insults. I pray she may be happy, though I should certainly not be so in +her place. I am only a poor girl, but I would never marry a man who was +afraid to speak without his mother's permission. No, not if he were heir +to Burgsdorf ten times over." + +With this she turned her back upon the heir, and a second later left the +room. + +"Will, what does this mean?" sounded the voice of Frau von Eschenhagen, +who stood in the half-open door. As she received no answer, she crossed +the room to her son's side with a step and manner which prophesied no +good for that young man. + +"That was a most remarkable scene which I have just witnessed. Will you +be good enough to explain to me what it signifies? That little +insignificant thing, bubbling over with passion and anger, telling you +the most disgraceful things to your very face, and you standing there +like a sheep, taking them all." + +"Because she had the right to say them," said Will, still looking down +at the scattered rose leaves. + +"She had what?" asked the mother, who could not believe she heard +aright. + +The young heir raised his head and looked at her; his face wore a new +and singular expression. + +"She had the right of it, mother. It is true you have always treated me +like a school-boy, so how could I defend myself against such an +accusation?" + +"Boy, I believe you have lost your senses," said Frau Regine. + +Willibald was roused now. He continued: "I am no boy, I am the heir of +Burgsdorf, and twenty-seven years old. You have always forgotten that, +mother, and so have I, for that matter, but I remember it to-day." + +Frau von Eschenhagen gazed astonished at her son, so tractable all his +life until this moment. "I verily believe you are becoming refractory. +Let us have no more of it, for you know I would never permit such a +thing. What has come over you that you make such reckless assertions? +Because I have seen fit to bring this very unsuitable intercourse to an +end, and dismiss this Marietta, do you take it upon yourself, as soon as +my back is turned, to make formal apologies and present her with roses +which you have just plucked for your bride? I don't know what's come +over you. It's the first time in your life you ever acted so. Toni will +be very much displeased when she learns what has become of her roses. It +served you just right to have the little vixen trample them under foot. +You won't be guilty of such idiotic folly soon again, I fancy." + +"I did not pluck the roses for Toni, but for Fräulein Volkmar," Will +explained, defiantly. + +"For--?" the name stuck in the excited woman's throat. + +"For Fräulein Volkmar! She was wishing she had a rose to wear in her +hair this evening, and said she could not get any in Waldhofen. So I +went to the gardener and got them for her--now you know all about it, +mother." + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood like the pillar of salt; she had become +deadly pale and for a moment the light seemed to go out; she saw such +fearful possibilities that she lost all power of speech and motion. Then +suddenly she regained all her old strength. She grasped her son's arm +impressively, as if to make sure of him under all circumstances, and +said curtly: + +"Will--we will start to-morrow." + +"Start where?" + +"For home. We will start early, at eight o'clock, in order to catch the +afternoon express, and reach Burgsdorf the day following. So go at once +to your room and do your packing." + +The commanding tone did not this time make the slightest impression on +her son. "I do not intend to pack," he declared, doggedly. + +"You will pack at once, I tell you!" + +"No," said the son. "If you wish to go, mother, then go--I remain here." + +This was rebellion, and it removed the last doubt in the mother's mind +that there was something at the bottom of all her son's assertiveness. +She said now in her hardest tone: "Boy, wake up, be yourself again! I +really don't believe you know what has come over you. But I will tell +you. You are in love--in love with Marietta Volkmar." + +She brought out the last words in a towering rage, but Will was not +overwhelmed by them. He stood for a moment staring in surprise, as if +wondering if it was really that which had overtaken him, then a light +seemed to dawn upon him. + +"O!" he said, drawing a deep breath, and a slight smile flitted across +his face. + +"O! is that your only answer?" broke forth the furious mother, who, in +spite of everything, still hoped for a contradiction. "You do not even +deny it. And this is what I must live to see in my own son, whom I +educated so carefully and never allowed to leave my side. While I was +having you watch and protect your betrothed from this infamous woman, +you were acting a hypocrite. And she playing the virtuous, deeply +injured part before me, that creature--" + +"Mother, be silent! I will not allow that," interrupted Willibald, angry +too, now. + +"You will not allow it--what does that mean?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen stopped suddenly and listened. + +"There comes Toni, your betrothed bride, to whom you have pledged your +word, who wears your ring. How do you purpose treating her?" She had at +last found the right means to conquer her son, who now hung his head +despondently as Antonie entered the room. + +"You're here already, are you, Will?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +the matter? Has anything happened?" + +"Yes," said Regine, who, as usual seized the reins without fear. "We +have just received a telegram from Burgsdorf which will compel us to +start for home to-morrow morning. You need not be alarmed, my dear +child, it is nothing serious, only a piece of stupidity,"--she laid a +sharp accent upon the last words,--"a piece of stupidity which will soon +right itself, and the sooner its checked, the sooner the matter'll be +ended. I'll explain it all to you later, but we must go now; it can't be +helped." + +Antonie listened attentively, but it required more than such an +announcement to stir her from her wonted repose, and the declaration +that it was nothing of moment, satisfied her. "But will Willibald have +to go, too?" she asked, without any special eagerness. "Can not he +remain?" + +"Well, Will, can't you answer your sweetheart?" said his mother, +fastening her sharp gray eyes on her son. "You know best all the +circumstances. Do you think you can afford to remain here?" + +There followed a short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then +he turned toward Toni and said, in a half-depressed tone: + +"No, Toni, I must go home--there is nothing else for it." + +Toni took this news, which another girl would have seriously deplored, +very calmly, and began to plan where they had better dine on the morrow, +for they had a long distance to go by carriage before they would meet +the express train. This troubled her much more than the parting, and she +finally decided that she would prepare a luncheon for them, so that they +need have no care concerning their midday meal. + +Frau von Eschenhagen triumphed in her heart as she went to announce +their departure to her brother-in-law. She had already decided upon the +reason which she would give him for their abrupt departure. Of course a +great many things could happen on a large estate like Burgsdorf, which +would demand the master's presence at a moment's notice. So the head +forester knew no more than his daughter, although he, in his blindness, +had been the cause of it all. + +As for the rest, Frau Regine did not doubt her powers as soon as she +should get her son away from the influence of this witch. He had shown +himself amenable to reason at the last moment. She would say nothing +more to him now, save to point out what his betrothal to Toni demanded +from him as a man of honor, and what a fatal error it had been to allow +another to influence him even for an hour. + +"Wait, my son," she said grimly, to herself, after conning over the +whole thing for the twentieth time, "wait. I will teach you to harbor +such sentiments, and revolt against your mother. Only wait until I get +you to Burgsdorf, then God have mercy on you, if you evince any signs of +obstinacy!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +There was life and animation and excitement upon that momentous day when +the duke and duchess, with their numerous retinue, were expected at +Fürstenstein; even the old forest, which had been witness to so many +magnificent hunts in its time, put on its warmest colors, and showed in +the clear sunlight its deepest reds and most vivid greens. + +The reigning duke was, above all things, an ardent and keen sportsman, +and he rarely missed a few days of sport at this season. Now when he was +coming for several weeks, and was bringing with him such a large suite, +it was found that Fürstenstein, notwithstanding its size, could not +accommodate them all. Suitable quarters had to be found in Waldhofen, +and that little town was in a state of pleasurable excitement in +consequence. + +Prince Adelsberg, besides being the owner of the adjoining estate and +castle, was also connected in some way with nearly all the families +forming the ducal suite, and could not of course neglect them. Some of +the men had been invited to take up their quarters at his little hunting +lodge, so that the life and bustle which centered at Fürstenstein, +extended to the woodland loneliness of Rodeck. + +To-night the castle was brilliantly illuminated, and the colored lights +which gleamed from its many windows, threw a rosy glow over wall and +tower. It was the first large gathering since the arrival of the Court, +and every one in the whole neighborhood who laid any claims whatever to +social rank, had been invited. The interior of the castle had been +gorgeously decorated, and the spacious rooms with their lights and +music, and throngs of elegantly attired woman, together with the +glittering appearance of the men in their court costumes, formed a scene +not soon forgotten. + +Prominent among the many grand ladies of the little court was the wife +of the Prussian ambassador. It was her first appearance among them, her +father's death, following immediately upon her marriage, having secluded +her, and now, in the little circle where her husband's position gave her +much prominence, she was the cynosure of all eyes. The duke, too, and +his duchess, to whom she had been presented a few weeks previous, +treated the ambassador's wife with special deference. + +The court ladies, however, looked upon the appearance of this new star +with anything but satisfaction. They all discovered soon enough, that +Frau von Wallmoden, with her cold and haughty manner, was a very proud +woman, and certainly she had no reason to be so; they knew only too well +who she was: only a burger's daughter, who had no right to be in their +charmed circle at all; her father's great wealth, and a certain +prominence to which he had attained by success in his manufacturing +interests, were all she could lay claim to at best. But she certainly +carried herself with remarkable security; they all admitted that it was +evident her husband had schooled her carefully for her first appearance, +for she made no mistakes. + +The men were of another opinion. They found that the ambassador had +proven himself a profound diplomatist in this, as in other things. He, +standing on the threshold of old age, had married a beautiful young girl +with a fortune, which fortune, if report did not err, had been greatly +augmented since their marriage, and was still on the increase. Such a +condition of affairs was to be envied. Wallmoden was not the least +surprised at the impression which his wife's beauty and manners made +upon them all, and he took it, as the true diplomatist takes all things, +as a matter of course. He had expected nothing else, and would on the +contrary have been surprised if she had not created a sensation. + +He stood for one moment now, in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the head forester, and asked casually, while he glanced indifferently +over the heads of the guests: + +"Who is it Prince Adelsberg has with him? Do you know?" + +"You mean the young Roumanian? No. I see him to-day for the first time; +but I have heard about him before. He is Prince Egon's bosom friend, and +accompanied him on his oriental tour. He's as handsome as a picture, and +how the fire does flash in his eyes." + +"He looks to me like an adventurer," said Wallmoden, coldly. "How did he +come to be invited here? Has he been presented to the duke?" + +"Yes, at Rodeck, so I heard. The duke went over there the first thing. +Once in a while Prince Adelsberg succumbs to the, rules of etiquette. +But as to this invitation, it signifies nothing; every one is invited +here to-day." + +The ambassador shrugged his shoulders. + +"It is hardly wise to invite persons about whom you know absolutely +nothing into your midst." + +"You diplomatists want all the credentials sealed and delivered," +laughed his brother-in-law. "There's something aristocratic looking +about this Rojanow, too, which one does not expect to see in a +foreigner. But I'm glad enough to invite any one out of the common for +his grace. He must be wearied with this endless court etiquette and +court gossip, year in and year out. The duke, by the way, seems to have +taken a great fancy to this young Roumanian already." + +"Yes, so it seems," said Wallmoden, a cloud gathering on his brow. + +"As for the man's history, if he has any, what does it matter to us? +Well, I must look after Toni, and see how she's getting along without +that lover of hers. That was a queer freak of Regine's. As soon as +anything concerning her beloved Burgsdorf comes on the tapis, nothing +will keep her. And she raises such a racket with her son, too. She might +as well have left Will here. No one knows why she dragged him away; just +before the duke came, too.--I'm sure I'll never understand your sister." + +"It's a good thing she did," muttered Wallmoden, as he separated from +von Schönau. "If Willibald had seen his boyhood's friend here, there +would have been another scene, doubtless. Who would have thought that +Hartmut would carry his defiance so far as to go to a house where he +must have known he would meet the ambassador." + +Prince Adelsberg, who, through his name and wealth, and his near kinship +to the reigning house, took a first position in the brilliant little +circle, had made a point of introducing his dearest friend to the duke, +at Rodeck, and the stranger had impressed the duke so favorably that he +had made special comment of him to the duchess. + +This Rojanow, with his charming personality and the air of mystery which +surrounded him, had only to exert himself to receive due attention on +all sides. + +And to-day he exercised all those fascinating qualities which he +possessed in fullest measure. His conversation sparkled with wit and +animation, and his ardent temperament imparted to everything he said the +stamp of originality, while united with this he showed himself a master +of social courtesies. + +It was no difficult matter for the ambassador to avoid the Roumanian; in +a large house filled with guests, such avoidance is an easy matter, and +neither of these two were anxious for a meeting. Wallmoden turned now +into an adjoining room, where the duke's sister, the Princess Sophie, +was holding a little court. The princess had married the younger son of +a princely house, but had been a widow now for years, and had lived +since her widowhood at her brother's court, where she was by no means a +favorite. The duchess was beloved for her gentleness and kind +heartedness, by all who came in her way, but her elderly sister-in-law +was disliked heartily for her arrogance and acerbity. They all feared +her sharp tongue, which never failed to bring to light disagreeable +features or fancies, as the case might be, concerning those with whom +she had to do. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate; he was received most +graciously and congratulated at once upon the great beauty of his wife, +about which there could be no dispute. + +"Your excellency has indeed my warmest congratulations. I was quite +surprised when your young wife was presented to me. I had, as a matter +of course, expected to meet a much older woman." + +The "matter of course" had a malicious sound, for the princess had known +for the past six months that the elderly ambassador was married to a +girl of nineteen; he smiled in a perfectly placid manner, as he +answered: + +"Your highness is very good. I cannot be too thankful if my wife has +made a favorable impression upon yourself and your family." + +"O, you need not doubt that the duke and duchess are quite of my +opinion. Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems +to think so also. Perhaps you have not noticed how greatly he admires +her?" + +"Yes, your highness, I have noticed it." + +"Really? And what do you say to it?" + +"I?" asked Wallmoden, composedly. "Whether or no she cares to accept the +prince's homage is wholly and solely my wife's affair. If she finds any +pleasure in it--I certainly will lay no commands upon her." + +"Your enviable confidence in your wife should be an example to younger +husbands," replied the princess, angry that her arrow had missed its +aim. "It is very pleasant, at least for a young wife, to feel that her +husband is not jealous. Ah, here comes Frau von Wallmoden herself, with +her knight by her side. My dear baroness, we were just speaking of you." + +Adelheid von Wallmoden, who with Prince Adelsberg, had just entered the +room, made a courtesy to the princess. She was indeed dazzling in her +beauty to-day, for her rich Court toilette so well chosen, suited her +most admirably. The costly white brocade, with its long, heavy folds, +set off her slender figure to advantage, the pearls which encircled her +neck, and the diamonds which glistened in her light blonde hair, were +jewels well worth the notice of connoisseurs; but that which was most +worthy of attention was the singular coldness and earnestness of this +young wife's face and bearing. She bore no resemblance whatever to +others of her own age in this brilliant assemblage, who were for the +most part married also, and who were decked out in all the witcheries of +lace and flowers. They possessed nothing of her stateliness, but she in +turn had none of their sweetness or assumed gentleness; none of that +premeditated amiability which society women assume under the public +gaze. The severe rigidity of that lovely face was a heritage from her +father, whose stern, austere nature had left its impress upon her soul +as well. + +Egon kissed the hand of his illustrious aunt, and murmured a few polite +words of greeting, but the amiable attention of her highness was +directed toward the beautiful woman who had just joined them. + +"I was just saying to his excellency, that you found yourself at home +very readily in our little Court circle, my dear baroness. You are +entering our little society for the first time to-day, and have lived, +no doubt, in a very different atmosphere until now. Your name was--?" + +"Stahlberg, your highness," was the quiet reply. + +"Oh, yes, I remember it now. I have heard the name often enough. It was +well known, I believe--in mercantile circles." + +"My dearest aunt, you must permit me to set you right in this matter," +interrupted Prince Egon, not wishing to lose an opportunity to anger his +aunt. "The Stahlberg manufacturies have a worldwide reputation, and are +as celebrated across the ocean as here. I had an opportunity, when I was +in North Germany, to learn something about them, and can assure you that +these works, with their iron foundries and enormous factories, their +colony of officers and army of workmen, could absorb many a little +principality, whose rulers have no such unlimited power as had the +baroness' father." + +The lady threw her princely nephew anything but a friendly glance; his +interference was to her mind most uncalled for. + +"Indeed! I had no conception of such greatness," said she innocently. "I +shall have to greet your excellency from this time forth as a great +ruler." + +"Only as a regent of the empire, your highness," answered the +ambassador, seconding, a little apparently harmless joke. "I am only my +father-in-law's executor, and guardian of my wife's younger brother, who +will assume the entire management of the works as soon as he reaches his +majority." + +"Ah, indeed. The son will have to learn to keep a watchful eye over his +inheritance. It is really astonishing to me to see what in these days +can be accomplished by the energy of a single man. It is all the more +creditable, too, when he, like the father of our dear baroness here, +springs from the people. I think I heard that, but I may be mistaken!" + +Princess Sophie knew well that the ambassador, with his old Prussian +noble ancestry would find this rehearsal of his father-in-law's station +in life anything but pleasant, and it gave her great satisfaction to +note that none of the little group who surrounded her, lost a word of +the conversation, which was meant to humiliate the lovely new comer. +Baroness von Wallmoden drew herself up proudly as she replied: + +"Your highness has been correctly informed. My father was of the people, +and entered the capital a poor boy with no means whatever at his +command. He had many and great struggles, and worked for years as a +simple artisan, before he could lay even the foundations for his great +undertaking." + +"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that," cried the princess laughing. +"O I love such childlike attachment, above everything. And Herr +Stahlberg--or was it von Stahlberg? The great industrial heads often get +titles of nobility." + +"My father took no such title, your highness," said Adelheid, meeting +the other's glance quietly but directly. "It was offered to him but he +refused it." + +The ambassador pressed his lips tightly together; he could not forbear +thinking this last utterance of his wife very undiplomatic. The +countenance of the princess assumed at once an irritated expression, and +she answered, with an unconcealed sneer: + +"Well, it is at least fortunate that this aversion was not inherited by +the daughter. Your excellency will know how to appreciate it. Please +give me your arm, Egon. I want to find my brother." + +She bowed coldly to those around her as she took the arm of her nephew, +in whose face was plainly written: + +"Now it is my turn." + +He did not deceive himself, his aunt had no intention of seeking the +duke; she turned into an adjoining room with her young kinsman that she +might have him under her eyes without interruption for a little time. At +first she expended her anger against this unbearable, arrogant Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of the vulgar pride of her father, while she +herself married a baron for his title, for, of course, she could feel no +love for a man who was old enough to be her father. Egon was silent for +he had speculated on that matter himself. How had so unequal a marriage +ever come about? But his silence just now was resented by his incensed +aunt. + +"Well, Egon, why don't you say something? Really it does seem as if you +were this woman's sworn knight, you are by her side continually." + +"I always do homage to beauty, when it comes in my way, you certainly +know that, my dear aunt," explained the prince, striving to shield +himself, but he only brought down a fresh storm on his head. + +"Yes, I know that--I'm sorry to say. You have in this particular always +exhibited great folly. You do not seem to remember all my warnings and +admonitions before you started for the Orient." + +"O, yes, I do," sighed Egon, to whom the very memory of those endless +lectures was an oppression. + +"Really! But you have not returned more sensible or settled. I have +heard things--Egon, there's only one salvation for you--you must marry!" + +"For heaven's sake! Anything but that!" exclaimed Egon, in such a voice +of affright that the princess shut her fan with an angry snap, as she +said in a sharp tone: + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"O, nothing but my own unworthiness to enter into such a holy state. You +yourself, your highness, have often assured me that I was specially +created to make a wife unhappy." + +"If the wife does not succeed in making you better. But you are a +hopeless case. At any rate this is neither the time nor the place to +discuss so serious a matter. The duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, +and I am thinking of accompanying her." + +"What a charming idea," said Egon, to whom the thought of an invasion by +his noble kinsfolk was even more terrifying than the marriage plan. "I +am rejoiced that Rodeck, notwithstanding its isolated situation, +contains something worthy of notice just at present. I brought a good +many curiosities home with me from my journey, among other things a +lion, two young tigers, and some very rare snakes." + +"But not alive?" interrupted his aunt. + +"Of course, your highness." + +"The Lord preserve us! Your life is not safe." + +"Oh, they're not so dangerous after all. Only a few of the beasts have +broken away; the people are so afraid of feeding them--but they were +caught again and have not done any harm up to this time." + +"Up to this time! A nice condition of affairs, I must say," exclaimed +the princess angrily, "to keep every one in the region in constant +danger of their lives. The duke ought to forbid you such diabolical +amusement." + +"Oh, I trust not, for I'm just trying to tame them. But I have some +domesticated creatures to show, as well. Among my servants are several +lovely girls who are well worth looking at in their picturesque national +costumes." + +Egon thought with a shudder, as he made this assertion, of the wretched +old woman for whose appearance he had to thank the ever-watchful +Stadinger, but he had not miscalculated the effect of his announcement. +His amiable aunt drew herself up with an angry snort, and measured him +with no conciliatory glance. + +"Oh, you have them at Rodeck also?" + +"Yes, indeed; and little Zena, the granddaughter of my old steward, is a +lovely little thing, and if you do me the honor of visiting me, dear +aunt, I'll--" + +"I will not go near the place," his aunt interrupted sharply. "There +must be nice goings on at Rodeck anyway, which keep you there with that +young foreigner who is another of the curiosities you brought from the +Orient. He looks like an out and out brigand." + +"My friend Rojanow? He longs for the honor of being presented to you +above all things. I may introduce him now, may I not?" and without +waiting an answer, he hurried away to fetch Hartmut. + +"Now its your turn, my boy," he said, seizing his friend by the arm. "I +have been the sacrificial lamb long enough, and now my angelic aunt must +have some one else to turn on the spit. She wants to marry me off at +once, and she thinks you're a veritable brigand, but, God be praised, +she won't come to Rodeck. I've made that my special care." + +The next moment the two friends were standing before the princess, and +Egon presented the latest victim with an amiable smile. + +After the princess's abrupt departure, Herr von Wallmoden remained for a +few minutes chatting with the little group which the irate lady had +deserted. Then, offering his wife his arm, he walked slowly through the +long salons, greeting an acquaintance here, or saying a word to a friend +there, until they had reached the last of the gaily decked suite which +happened to be empty. The tower-room was used generally only as a +resting place and a point of observation, from which a very good view of +the forest heights could be obtained, but to-day it was richly carpeted +and the walls were hung with heavy tapestries, while choice plants were +scattered about in artistic groupings and designs, so that the little +room was as shaded and picturesque as could be desired, and a rest to +both eye and brain, after the glitter and noise and light of the larger +ones. The ambassador had judged aright in thinking he would have an +uninterrupted moment with his wife, for whom he now drew forward a low +chair. + +"I must call your attention to the fact, Adelheid," he began in a low, +condemnatory tone, "that you were guilty of great imprudence, just now. +Your speech to the princess--" + +"Was in self-defence," the young wife broke in. "You understood, as well +as I, the object of the whole conversation." + +"That's as it may be. You have, on your first entrance into society, +made an enemy who will make both you and me feel her animosity very +keenly as time goes on." + +"You!" Adelheid looked at him in surprise. "Will you, the ambassador of +a great nation, have anything to fear from a malicious woman, who +happens to be related to the ducal house?" + +"My child, you do not comprehend," responded her husband, coolly. "An +evil-tongued woman can be more dangerous than any political opponent, +and Princess Sophie is famed in this respect; even the duchess herself +fears her slanderous tongue." + +"In that the duchess and I differ--I do not fear her." + +"My dear Adelheid," said the ambassador with a superior smile, "that +proud movement of the head does you great credit. But at Court, you must +learn to do as others do. One cannot give royalty a lesson before too +many witnesses, and that is what you did when you spoke of your father's +declination of a title of nobility. It was not necessary for you to be +so explicit concerning your father's origin." + +"Should I have falsified?" + +"No, but it was a well known fact--" + +"Of which I am proud, as was my father before me." + +"You are no longer Adelheid Stahlberg, but the Baroness Wallmoden"--the +baron's voice had assumed a sudden sharpness. "And you, yourself, will +be forced to admit that when a woman has married into a family of the +old nobility, it is hardly fitting for her to sneer at the nobles." + +The young wife's lips were drawn in with a bitter expression. Although +she had been speaking in a subdued tone, she dropped her voice still +lower, as she said now: "Have you forgotten, Herbert, why I gave you my +hand?" + +"Perhaps you have had cause to regret it?" he said, questioning instead +of answering. + +"No," said Adelheid with a deep breath. + +"I thought you were perfectly contented with the position to which you +had attained by marrying me. As for the rest you know I exercised no +control over you. I left it to your own free will." + +His wife was silent, but the bitter expression was yet on her lips. +Wallmoden rose and offered her his arm. + +"You must permit me, my child, to help you at times, for you are +inexperienced," he said in his wonted polite tone. "I have had every +reason to be contented with your tact and discretion, but to-day I +thought it necessary to give you a hint. Will you take my arm?" + +"I will remain here a few minutes if you please," said Adelheid. "It is +so stifling in the saloon." + +"As you please. But I must beg you to come back soon, otherwise your +absence will be noticed." + +He saw that she was vexed and disturbed, but he thought best to take no +notice of it. He knew well what was expected from them both in their +little world, and felt for both their sakes it was better to educate his +wife from the start in those matters which she did not seem to grasp +fully. + +He left her now, and Adelheid leaned back in her chair and gazed fixedly +at the flowering plants which were grouped by her side, but under her +breath she whispered with a gasp: + +"_My own free will. O my God!_" + +Prince Adelsberg and his friend had, in the meantime, been dismissed, +and had made profound bows before the princess as she rose to leave the +room. The sharp features of her highness wore an unusually mild +expression, and Rojanow was favored with a very gracious smile as she +departed. + +"Hartmut, I believe you are a witch," said Egon, half aloud. "I have had +proof many times that you are irresistible, but this last effort of +yours throws all others in shadow. For my gracious aunt to have so +prolonged an attack of amiability is unknown in the annals of the +family." + +"Well, my reception was ungracious enough. Your aunt seemed to think at +first that I was a full-fledged brigand." + +"But it only took ten minutes to win her smiles and make you a declared +favorite. What is it you have about you, old fellow, which wins on every +one? It makes one believe in the old fable of the rat-catcher." + +The old scornful expression, which effaced all his beauty, swept across +Hartmut's face now, as he said contemptuously: + +"I understand how to sing to tickle the ears of my hearers. You have to +strike the chords according to the taste of your listener, but after you +have learned that secret no one can withstand you." + +"No one?" repeated Egon, as his eye glanced over the room. + +"No, not a single soul, I assure you." + +"Oh, you're a pessimist with all your inferences. I only wish I knew +where Frau von Wallmoden was, but I don't see her in any place." + +"His excellency was reading her a little sermon on her undiplomatic +utterances in the other room a short time ago." + +"Why, did you hear what she said?" asked Egon, surprised. + +"Certainly, I was standing by the door." + +"Well, I'm glad enough my worshipful aunt was given a snub, and wasn't +she furious over it, though; but do you believe that the ambassador +would take his wife to task for--hush, here he is himself." + +Yes, there was Baron von Wallmoden himself, true enough, and just in +front of them as they came from an adjoining room. + +It was impossible to avoid a meeting now, and the young prince, who had +no premonition that any secret relations existed between the two, +hastened to present them. + +"Permit me, your excellency, to atone for the neglect of which I was +guilty on the mountain the other day, but my friend had disappeared for +the moment when we came down from the Tower. Herr Hartmut Rojanow--Baron +von Wallmoden." + +The eyes of the two men met, the one with a sharp, contemptuous gaze, +the other, equally sharp, but haughty and defiant. The ambassador was +too much of a diplomat, however, to be other than the courteous +gentleman. + +His greeting, though cold, was polite, but he turned at once to the +prince to speak, and chatted to that gentleman alone for the minute or +two that they stood together. + +"His excellency is more of a ramrod than ever to-day," said Egon to his +friend as they went on. "Whenever that cold, calculating countenance +comes near me I feel frost-bitten and long to fly to the torrid zones." + +"I suppose that's why you seek to bask in the rays of that glittering +northern light, his wife," said Hartmut with a sneer. "Can you tell me +for whom we are searching, in this weary pushing and crowding through +these heated rooms?" + +"I want to find the head forester," said the prince, irritated at his +friend. "I want you to meet him, but you are in one of your bad humors +to-day. Perhaps I'll find Schönau in the arrow-room. I'll go and look at +any rate." + +He left his friend abruptly, and did indeed set out for the +arrow-saloon, where the duke and duchess were, and where he hoped to +find Adelheid von Wallmoden. Unhappily for him, just at the entrance of +the room, he was once more entrapped by his aunt, who pointed +imperiously to a chair by her side. She wanted to hear all there was to +be told about the handsome and interesting young Roumanian, who had +quite won her heart, she said, and her uneasy nephew was obliged to +possess his soul in patience as he answered her many questions. + +The noise and the merriment were at their height, as Hartmut now +threaded his way alone among the throng. He also sought someone, but he +was more fortunate than Prince Egon; casting a fleeting glance into the +tower-room, the entrance to which was almost hidden by portieres and +exotics, he saw the edge of a white satin train which swept the floor, +and in the next second he stood upon the threshold. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden still sat on the same spot where her husband had +left her. She turned her head slowly now as some one entered. + +Suddenly she sat erect, and then returned the young man's deep obeisance +with her accustomed icy bow. + +"Have I disturbed you, baroness?" he asked. "I fear you sought this +room for quiet, and my intrusion was unintentional, I assure you." + +"I only sought a cool place; the heat of the larger rooms seems almost +suffocating." + +"I came for a like reason, but as I have not had an opportunity to greet +you before to-day, my dear madame, permit me to do so now." The words +sounded very formal. Rojanow had come a step nearer as he spoke, but he +still remained at a respectful distance. No movement of hers since he +entered had escaped him, and a singular smile lay in his eyes as he +looked steadily at the young wife. + +She had made a motion as if to rise and depart, but the thought that +such a sudden course could only be constructed into flight, restrained +her in time. So she leaned back in her chair again and bent over a +branch of great purple-red camelias. + +As she plucked a blossom, she answered his question carelessly enough, +but her face had assumed the same look of determination and force which +it wore the morning on which she stood for a second in the middle of the +forest brook. Then she had stepped knee deep into the water rather than +accept his services. Here in the castle, with noise and motion on all +sides, there were no such obstacles to be overcome, and now the same +man, with his dark glance, stood opposite her, and never took his eyes +off her face. + +"Will you remain much longer at Rodeck?" she asked, with the +conventional tone and manner usually accorded a chance acquaintance. + +"Probably for a few weeks yet. As long as the duke is at Fürstenstein, +Prince Adelsberg will not be apt to desert his hunting lodge. Later I +intend accompanying him to the capital." + +"And there we shall hear of you as a poet, I presume?" + +"Of me, my dear baroness?" + +"I heard so at least, from the prince." + +"O, that is only one of Egon's ideas," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has +taken it into his head to have my 'Arivana' brought out on the stage." + +"'Arivana?' A singular title." + +"It is an oriental name taken from an Indian legend, but its poetical +witchery made such an impression upon me that I could not resist the +temptation to create a drama from it." + +"And the heroine of this drama, is she called 'Arivana?'" asked the +baroness. + +"No, that is only the name of a sacred place of refuge during the middle +ages, upon which the scene of the drama was laid. The heroine's name +is--Ada." + +Rojanow spoke the name half-aloud, with a certain hesitation, and gave +her a triumphant glance as he saw the same lowering of the head over the +flowers as when he first spoke; he came a few steps nearer now while he +continued: + +"I heard the name for the first time on Indian ground, and it had for me +a strangely sweet sound, so I adopted it for my character, and now I +learn here that it is, in this country, but the abbreviation of a German +name." + +"Of Adelheid--yes. I was always called Ada in my father's house. But it +is not at all remarkable that the same sounds are repeated in different +languages." + +The words were spoken coldly, but the speaker did not raise her eyes +from the flowers with which her hand played. + +"Not at all," agreed Hartmut. "It has often been a surprise to me to +hear the same fable repeated in different countries over and over again. +The coloring is different, to be sure, but the passion, the woe, the +happiness of our human race is alike in them all." + +Adelheid shrugged her shoulders. + +"I won't dispute over the matter with a poet, but doubt it, +notwithstanding. I think our German legends wear a different countenance +from the dreamy tales of India." + +"Perhaps, but when you study them deeply, you will discover the same +features in both. These common features are manifest in the legend of +'Arivana,' at least. The principal character is that of a young priest +who has consecrated himself, body and soul, to the service of his +divinity, to the holy fire, but in time he is mastered by an earthly +love with all its glow and passion, till his priestly vows dissolve in +its consuming flame." + +He stood opposite her, quietly and respectfully, but his voice had an +odd, covert sound, as if something of deeper significance were hidden +beneath this story. Frau von Wallmoden looked up at him suddenly, and +said, gazing earnestly into his face: + +"And--the end?" + +"The end is death, as in all these legends. The knowledge of the broken +vows comes to light and the guilty ones are offered as a sacrifice to an +enraged deity--the priest perishes in the flames with the woman whom he +loves." + +There was a second's pause after the last words were spoken, then +Adelheid rose abruptly; she would end this conversation at once. + +"You are right; no doubt the legends do resemble ours; it is only the +old story of sin and atonement." + +"Do you call that sin, my dear lady?" Hartmut dropped suddenly the more +formal madame or baroness. "Men call it sin and punish it accordingly, +without any premonition that such a punishment will lead to perfect +happiness. To pass away in a flame of fire after one has enjoyed the +highest earthly joys, and is yet surrounded by them in death. Ah! that +is to die like a god--far better such a death than a long, stupid, +humdrum existence. Eternal, undying love rises like a flaming brand to +the heavens above, in defiance of mankind's sentence--do you not think +such an ending is enviable?" + +Adelheid's face was pale, but her voice was as steady and cool as ever, +as she answered: + +"No, nothing is enviable but death for a high and holy duty. One can +forgive sin, but can never admire it." + +Hartmut bit his lips and gave the slender, white robed figure who stood +near him a threatening glance. + +"Ah, what a hard sentence to meet my drama at the outset, for I have +expended all my strength in transfiguring just such love and death. What +if the world's judgment is like yours--I beg your pardon, madame." + +He crossed to the divan upon which she had been sitting, where her fan +and the camelia blossom yet lay. + +"I thank you," said Adelheid, extending her hand for them, but he only +handed her the fan. + +"I beg your pardon--I wrote my 'Arivana' upon the veranda of a little +Indian house where these lovely flowers were gleaming through the dark +foliage on all sides, and to-day they greet me here again in the cold +north. May I not keep this blossom?" + +Adelheid made a little impatient motion. + +"No; for what reason?" + +"For what reason? As a reminder of the harsh sentence which my poem has +received from the lips of a woman who bears the same name as my heroine. +There were many white blossoms, baroness, but you broke off +unconsciously the deep purple-red. Poets are superstitious above all +things. Let me keep this as a token that my work may yet find favor in +your eyes, when you learn to know it. You do not know how much it +contains." + +"Herr Rojanow, I--" + +It was apparent to him, both from her voice and manner, that she meant +to refuse his petition, so he interrupted her in a subdued, but +passionate tone: + +"What is a single blossom to you which you plucked heedlessly and cast +aside so carelessly? To me--baroness, as a favor--I beg you, baroness." + +He stood close by her side. The witchery of voice and eye which had so +often overcome all obstacles in his boyhood's days, and which had then +been exercised, unconsciously, had become a great power in these later +years, and one which he knew how to use only too well. + +His voice had again that soft, persuasive tone which fell on her ear +like music, and his eyes, those dark, fathomless eyes, were fixed on the +young wife with a half melancholy, half pleading expression. Adelheid's +face had grown very white now, but she did not answer. + +"Please," he repeated, in a lower, more pleading tone, as he pressed his +lips to the purple-red blossom; but this last motion seemed to break the +spell. Adelheid reached her hand out suddenly. + +"I must insist upon your giving me my flower, Herr Rojanow. It is for my +husband." + +"Indeed, then, I beg your pardon, madame." + +He held out the flower to her with a profound bow, and she took it with +a scarcely perceptible motion of the head, then the heavy white train of +her robe rustled past him--he was alone. + +All in vain! Nothing affected this icy nature. Hartmut stamped his foot +in a fury. Scarcely fifteen minutes ago he had asserted to Prince Egon +that he could sing to please the ear of any woman. Now he had sung again +that song which never before had failed him, and all to no purpose. But +this proud, arrogant man could not believe that the game which he so +often won had been lost this time, and in this knowledge lay his +determination to win yet at all hazards. + +And should it only remain a game? He had not called himself to account +as yet, but in the intense interest which this beautiful woman excited +within him, there was a strong mixture of hate. There had been an +antagonistic feeling on that first day in the wood, and since then he +had been repelled and attracted by turns; it was just that which spurred +him on. + +Love, the holy, pure significance of that word, was a stranger to the +heart of Zalika's son. He had learned much that was harmful at the side +of his mother, who had made such a shameless spectacle of her own +husband's love; and the many women who were her companions and +associates in her Roumanian home, but echoed her sentiments concerning +love and fidelity. Their later life, unstable and adventurous, with no +ground under their feet, had ruined altogether all ideals of happiness +and love in the young man's breast; he learned contempt before he +learned love, and now he received his well-deserved humiliation as an +insult. + +"You keep me at bay now," he murmured. "You are battling against +yourself. I have felt it and seen it, but in such a battle the man is +always victor." + +A slight rustle of a curtain made him turn round. It was the ambassador +in search of his wife, whom he thought still here; he stood on the +threshold and threw a hasty glance around the room, when he caught sight +of Hartmut. He stopped and hesitated for a moment, then he said half +aloud: + +"Herr Rojanow--" + +"Your Excellency!" + +"I would like to speak to you alone for a few minutes." + +"I am at your service." + +Wallmoden stepped forward into the room now, but he took up his position +so that he could keep his eye on the entrance. + +It was scarcely necessary, for the doors into the dining-hall were just +opened, and the room adjoining the tower-chamber was deserted. + +"I am surprised to see you here," began the ambassador, in the subdued, +but severely cold tone which he had used the day of their first meeting +at Hochberg, and it brought the blood to the younger man's brow to-day, +as it had done then. He straightened himself proudly as he answered: + +"And why, your Excellency?" + +"That question is superfluous; in any case I did not imagine that I +should be forced into the position of being presented to you by Prince +Adelsberg." + +"It was I who was forced," answered Hartmut, sharply and promptly. "I do +not suppose you consider me an intruder? You know full well that I have +a right to be here." + +"Hartmut von Falkenried certainly had a right--but all that is changed." + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Pardon me, but not so loud," interrupted the ambassador. "We can be +heard here easily, and you would certainly not like strange ears to hear +the name which I have just spoken." + +"I am bearing my mother's name at present, to which I have certainly a +right. When I laid aside the other, it was out of respect--" + +"To your father," interrupted Wallmoden, impressively. + +That was an admonition which Hartmut found hard to bear. "Yes," he +answered curtly, "and I confess it would be painful to me if I should be +forced to mention--" + +"And with reason; your _rôle_ here would, in that event, be played to +the end." + +Rojanow stepped close to the ambassador with an angry movement, as he +retorted: + +"You are the friend of my father's youth, Herr von Wallmoden, and I, in +my boyhood days, called you uncle. But you forget that I am no longer +the boy whom you could order about and censure at pleasure. The man +looks on all that as an insult." + +"I purpose neither to insult you, nor to make mention of former +associations which have no longer any existence for either of us," said +the ambassador. "I sought this interview in order that I might explain +to you that it is not possible for me, in my official position, to see +you in constant intercourse with the Court and keep silence. It will be +my duty to explain all to the duke." + +"Explain all? All what?" + +"Many things about which none of the people here, not even your friend +Prince Adelsberg, know. Listen to me, Herr Rojanow. I will not do this +except it is forced upon me, for I have an old and dear friend to spare. +I know how a certain occurrence struck him down ten years ago, an +occurrence which is buried and forgotten these many years in our country +now; but if all this was brought up and gossiped over again--Colonel +Falkenried would die." + +Hartmut paled perceptibly, and the scornful expression faded from his +lips. + +"He would die!" the words rang in his ears. He knew only too well how +true they were, and for the moment all defiance died within him. + +"It is to my father that I am answerable, at any rate," he responded, +controlling his voice with an effort. "To him alone and to no other." + +"He will scarcely call you to account--his son is dead to him. But we +can let that rest. I speak especially of those later years which your +mother and you spent in Rome and Paris, where you lived at a glittering +pace, in spite of the fact that the Roumanian estate had been sold under +the hammer." + +"You seem to know all the particulars," retorted Rojanow, highly +indignant now. "We were not aware that we were under such vigilant +inspection. As to our manner of life, we lived as best pleased +ourselves, upon the remnant of the fortune which was saved from the +wreck." + +"There was nothing saved, the whole fortune was squandered, even to the +last heller." + +"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut stormily. + +"It is true. Don't you think I know more about it than you?" The +ambassador's voice was sharp and sneering now. "It is very possible that +Frau Rojanow did not consider it necessary to explain to her son the +means by which she obtained her gold; better to leave him in ignorance. +I know from whence the money came--if she did not tell you, so much the +better for you." + +"Have a care, sir, about insulting my mother," the young man was beside +himself now, "or I may forget your gray hairs, and demand satisfaction." + +"For what? For an assertion which I can back with indisputable proof at +any moment? Let us put aside all such mad folly and say no more on that +subject. She was your mother and she is dead, so her past shall be a +dead letter to us. I have only this one question to put to you, whether +you will, after this conversation, remain here and become one of the +circle which Prince Adelsberg has opened for you?" + +Hartmut had become deadly pale at the allusion made to his mother, and +the source from which she had obtained money, and the first stare with +which he gazed at the speaker showed only too clearly that he had no +knowledge of anything disreputable, but at the last question he began to +recover himself. He cast an almost insane glance at his enemy, and a +wild determination sounded in his voice as he answered: + +"Yes, Herr Wallmoden, I shall remain." + +The ambassador had not expected this answer; he had thought after his +conversation the matter would be ended. + +He evinced no surprise, however, and said: + +"Really? So you decide to remain? You are accustomed to play high, and +expect to do it here? We will have to interfere with that, I fear. +Better think it well over before you decide finally." + +With that he turned quickly on his heel and left the room, just in time +to meet the head forester at its entrance. + +"Where have you been hiding yourself, Herbert?" Schönau asked +impatiently. "I have been searching the whole place for you." + +"I went to the tower-chamber in search of my wife." + +"She's in the dining-room with all the rest of the world, but you have +been missed already. Come, it is time that we got something to eat." + +With which the head forester took hold of his brother-in-law's arm and +led him away, after his usual jolly manner. + +Hartmut stood where von Wallmoden had left him. His breath came fast and +thick, and he was almost stifled with the feelings of shame, and hate, +and revolt, which surged within him. The ambassador's significant +speeches had crushed him utterly, although he had hardly grasped their +full meaning. They tore aside the veil with which he, half +unconsciously, half purposely, had enveloped himself. He had believed +implicitly what his mother told him concerning the portion of their +fortune which was saved to them, and which enabled them to live and +travel. But there were times when he had chosen to close his eyes rather +than enter into investigations. + +When his mother's hand had torn him so suddenly from his father's side, +when after the hard discipline of obedience and duty, he had been +plunged into a life of boundless freedom, he had allowed himself an +unchecked rein, having no one to whom to account for his actions. He was +too young for reflection or judgment, and later--but it was too late for +him then, and habit had woven a net about him which could not be +destroyed. Now for the first time it was shown him clearly and +definitely what that life was which he had led so long; the life of an +adventurer, and as an adventurer he was to be expelled from society. + +But above all the shame was the sense of ignominy and defeat, the +feeling of intense hatred toward the man who had told him the truth. +That unholy heritage from his mother, the hot, wild, passionate blood, +which had proven so fatal to the boy, welled up like a stream of fire in +the man's breast and extinguished all feeling but that of revenge. +Hartmut's handsome features were still disfigured with passion and +anger, when, with compressed lips, he finally left the tower room. + +He knew and felt but one thing, that he must have revenge, revenge at +any price. + +It was late when the guests arose from the table. The duke and duchess +retired soon after, and carriage after carriage ascended the castle +hill, and descended soon after with its full complement of departing +guests; lights were extinguished, and bolts and bars were drawn, and +Fürstenstein was soon enveloped in silence and darkness. + +From the rooms occupied by Baron von Wallmoden and his wife lights were +still shining. Adelheid stood at the window peering into the darkness. +She yet wore her rich court gown, and as she leaned her head against the +pane, lost in thought, her attitude was one of weariness and languor. + +Wallmoden sat at his writing table, reading hastily the dispatches and +letters which had arrived during the day. One or two seemed to contain +matter of importance, for he did not place them with the pile which were +to be answered or destroyed early in the morning, but took up his pen +and made a check across them in red ink; then he arose and crossed the +room to his wife. + +"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I'll have to go to Berlin at once." + +Adelheid turned round surprised. + +"This is very sudden." + +"Yes, I had hoped to settle the matter by letter, but the minister +desires a personal conference. I must take my leave of the duke early in +the morning, and set off at once. I'll be away about eight days, I +presume." + +In the shadow of the curtain Adelheid's face could not be seen clearly, +but one could fancy a sigh of relief escaped her, as if her heart was to +be lightened of a burden. + +"At what hour do we start?" she asked quickly. "I must give my maid her +orders at once." + +"We? It's a purely business affair, and I am going alone." + +"But that won't prevent my accompanying you!" + +"There would be no object in that. I'll only be away a week or two." + +"But I--I'd like to see Berlin again." + +"What a whim!" her husband answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I'll have +so many claims upon my time that I could not have you with me." + +The young wife had stepped to the table, and stood in the glare of the +lamp. She was very pale now, and her voice had a pleading sound as she +said: + +"Very well, then, I will go home. But it is not possible for me to +remain at Fürstenstein alone, without you." + +"Alone!" The ambassador gave her a puzzled look. "You remain with our +kinsfolk whose guests we are. Since when have you become so anxious for +protection? That is a peculiarity which I had never observed in you +until now. I don't understand you, Adelheid; it's a most singular +caprice which you have taken into your head, this desire to accompany +me." + +"Well, call it a caprice. But let me go with you, Herbert--please let me +go." + +She laid her hand beseechingly on his arm, and her eyes had an intense +and anxious expression, as she looked at her husband. There was a +superior, almost sneering smile on his lips, as he answered her: + +"Now I understand it. The scene with the princess was so unpleasant to +you that you dread other skirmishes of a like nature. You must steel +yourself against such sensitiveness, my child; you should see that for +this very reason, it is imperative for you to remain. At court every +word, every glance signifies, and your sudden departure might give rise +to any kind of a report. You must hold your ground from the very start +at court, or you will find your difficulties increase rather than +diminish." + +The wife's hand dropped slowly from her husband's arm, and her eyes sank +to the ground, as he refused the first request she had preferred since +their married life of only a few short months. + +"Stand my ground?" she repeated, in a low voice. "That I shall ever do, +but I hoped you would be at my side." + +"That is, for the moment, not possible, as you see. As for the rest, you +have shown to-day that you know how to defend yourself. And I have no +doubt that the hint which I found it necessary to give you, will bear +fruit, and that you will, in future, be guarded in your answers. At any +rate, you must stay here until I return." + +Adelheid was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained by further +speech. Wallmoden stepped back to the writing-table and put aside his +papers, and locked his drawers with his usual precision; then he took up +the two letters, with their red checks, and folded them together. + +"One thing more, Adelheid," he said, casually, "Prince Adelsberg was +most noticeable in his attentions to you to-day; he was always near +you." + +"Do you wish me to keep him at a distance?" she asked, indifferently. + +"No, indeed, only keep him within bounds, so that there will be no +unnecessary talk. No harm will come to you from being in his company. We +do not stand on the same plane as the burgers, and it would be ludicrous +for me, in my position, to enact the jealous husband toward every man +who pays my wife attention. I leave all that to your discretion; I have +unbounded faith in your tact." + +This sounded very reasonable, very temperate, and above all, very +indifferent. No one could accuse Herr von Wallmoden of jealousy towards +the young prince, whose undisguised admiration caused him no second +thought; and, as he had just said, he had unbounded faith in his wife's +tact. + +"I will send these telegrams myself," he said. "Since the duke's arrival +there's a telegraph office in the castle. You should ring for your maid, +my child; you look tired and worn--good-night." + +With that he left her, but Adelheid did not follow his advice. She +returned once more to the window, and a bitter, pained expression lay on +her face. She had never before felt so keenly that she was to her +husband nothing more than a glittering bauble, to be exhibited by him to +prove how wisely he had chosen a wife; she was to be treated with the +greatest courtesy and politeness, because a princely fortune had been +received from her hand; but as a woman she was to be refused the most +trifling request with equal courtesy, because it did not suit his +pleasure. + +The night was dark, and the low clouds which surrounded the forest +heights were black and heavy; only here and there, where a break +occurred, was a star to be seen glimmering far and faint in the distant +heavens. The face which peered out into the darkness had not the proud, +cold look which the world knew, but a disturbed, anxious expression, +lacking altogether that repose which was its chief characteristic at +most times. + +The wife had both hands pressed against her breast, as if in pain. She +would have flown from that dark power which she felt was upon her. She +had sought her husband's protection, had plead for it--in vain. He went +and left her alone, and the other remained, with his dark, demoniacal +eyes, with his voice and tones, which exercised such a singular, +irresistible influence over her. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +October had come. It was autumn's reign. The leaves of the trees were +richly colored with deep and varied hues. The landscape lay enveloped +morning and evening in fog and mist, and the nights brought with them +the hoar-frost, but the days, for the most part, were sunny and +delightful. + +Since the gay evening on which the whole country round had assembled, +there had been no special festivities at Fürstenstein; all interest had +centered in the hunt, which was, of course, of paramount importance to +the men. + +The duke, at his wife's instance, decided to have no other great or +noisy entertainment at the castle. The duchess liked a change of faces +in their little circle, but she courted the quiet and freedom from +restraint which her mountain home brought her. There were frequent +arrivals and various excursions, both by horse and on foot, through the +mountain forest, and a goodly number always met around the princely +board at night to discuss the pleasures and excitements of the day. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden belonged, naturally, to this exclusive circle. +The duchess, who had learned through some source, of her sister-in-law's +insulting attitude toward the young wife, had been more amiable than +ever, and had managed to keep Baroness von Wallmoden near herself +whenever it was possible; the duke also, anxious to show all attention +to the Prussian ambassador, seconded his wife's endeavors with zest. + +Wallmoden was still in Berlin, though over two weeks had elapsed since +he left the castle, and he had not yet been able to write definitely as +to the date of his return. + +One of the most frequent guests at Fürstenstein was Prince Egon +Adelsberg, who was an acknowledged favorite among his princely kinsfolk, +and his friend Rojanow was always included in the invitations sent to +Rodeck. The prince's prophesies had proven true; Hartmut had descended +upon them like a brilliant meteor. All eyes were turned upon him with +admiration and wonder, and it pleased his new associates to have him +soar above the old fashioned usages and customs of their monotonous +Court life. He had read his 'Arivana' to the duchess at her request, and +had scored a decided success. The duke had promised him that his drama +should be brought out at the Court theatre, and the princess Sophie had +made a special point of taking the young man under her wing. + +The princely household followed, as usual, in the wake of their master, +but willingly enough in this instance, for Hartmut won friends on all +sides by his cordiality, good temper, and grace of manner and person. + +The prince's hunting wagon stood before the castle of Rodeck. It was +early in the day and the faint mist which yet hung over the hills +concealed a bright, warm sun. Egon stepped out on the terrace dressed +for the hunt, closely followed by the old steward, to whom he was +speaking. + +"So you want to see the hunt, too, do you?" he asked. "Of course, if +there's anything to see, Peter Stadinger must see it. My valet has asked +permission also. For that matter I believe all the inhabitants of the +forest have turned out to-day with their whole families to go to the +hunting grounds." + +"Yes, your highness, they don't often have an opportunity to see such a +sight," replied Stadinger. "The great Court hunts seldom take place in +our woods. There's hunting enough around here to be sure, but then you +never ask any ladies to Rodeck, and the ladies--" + +"Are a great bore," interrupted the prince. "That's my opinion; but what +are you prating about? You are generally down on the women, and unless +they are over eighty don't want to see one of them around the place. Are +you going back to your young and giddy days?" + +"I meant the court ladies, your highness," said Stadinger impressively. + +"'The court ladies,' can honor me with their company for a walk, but +I'll never invite any of them to any hunt of mine, for I'm still a young +bachelor." + +"And why is it that your highness is still a bachelor?" responded the +old servant reprovingly. + +"Man alive, I do believe you are trying to get me married, like my +old--like all the rest of the world. Don't waste any thought or time on +me, for I won't marry." + +"Your highness is wrong," remonstrated old Stadinger, who always gave +his master the title once at least in each sentence, for he thought if +he did have to read the prince a lecture every now and then, he must +show him some respect while doing it, "and it is unchristian, too, for +the marriage relation is a holy state in which it is well to live; your +father, blessed be his memory, married--and so did I." + +"Of course, and so did you. Yes, you are the grandfather of that lovely +girl, Zena, whom you sent away in such shameless haste. By the way, when +is Zena coming back?" + +The steward appeared not to hear the question, but returned obstinately +to his theme. + +"Her highness, the duchess, and princess Sophie, are very anxious to see +you married. Your highness should think it well over." + +"Well, that's enough of your fatherly advice for one day. And it's no +business of princess Sophie. By the way, as you are going to Bucheneck, +where the hunt meets to-day, it's very possible that you will be seen +and spoken to by some of the court." + +"Very possible, your highness," agreed the steward, complacently. "Her +grace often honors me with a little conversation, for she recognizes me +as the oldest servant of a princely house." + +"Well, if the princess should inquire by chance about the snakes and +beasts of prey which I brought with me from my travels, you can tell her +that I'm going to have them sent to one of my other castles." + +"That is not at all necessary, your highness," replied the steward. +"Your gracious aunt has obtained information about everything." + +"Information? About what? Perhaps you have given it." + +"I was questioned the other day at Fürstenstein. Princess Sophie was +just returning from a walk and beckoned me to her to ask me a few +questions." + +"The deuce she did!" muttered the prince, who saw mischief. "And what +answers did you give her?" + +"'Your grace need feel no uneasiness,' I said, 'of living animals we +have only monkeys and parrots at Rodeck, and there's never been a snake +about the place; a sea serpent was coming, but it died on the way, and +the elephants broke loose before they were shipped at all, and went back +to their palm groves--so his highness told me. As to tigers, we have +two, but they are stuffed, and we've only the skin of a lion in the +large hall, so your grace can see that no harm will come from them.'" + +"No, but enough will come from your tattle," said the prince, angrily. +"And the princess, what did she say to it all?" + +"Her grace only smiled and then asked me about the women employed here +at Rodeck, and if all the girls in the region were not here. But I +said," and Stadinger threw his head back proudly, "'all the women at the +castle, your grace, were engaged by me. They are all industrious and +honest; I have seen to that; but his highness ran away when he caught +sight of them, and Herr Rojanow was more put out than the prince even, +so the gentlemen never paid but one visit to the kitchen.' Her grace was +very kind and gracious to me, and took leave of me very well contented, +I could see that." + +"And I'd be very well contented to send you to the devil, you old fool. +To spoil it all with your long tongue," exclaimed the prince, furious +now. + +The old man, who thought he had done everything for the best, looked at +his young master in perplexity. + +"But I only told the truth, your highness." + +"But the truth's not to be spoken at all times." + +"Oh, I did not know that." + +"Stadinger, you have a bad habit of answering back--perhaps you also +told the princess that Zena had been in the city for several weeks?" + +"Yes, your highness, she asked me about my granddaughter, particularly." + +"What's the trouble with Stadinger now?" asked Hartmut, who came out at +this moment, also attired for the day's sport, and who had caught the +last few words. + +"Oh, he's been making a first class fool of himself, that's all," +explained the exasperated prince. The oldest servant of a princely house +could not allow such an insult to pass. + +"I beg your highness's pardon. I have not been making a fool of myself +at all." + +"Perhaps you believe it is I who have been doing it?" + +Stadinger looked his young master well over and then replied, +discreetly: + +"I do not know, your highness--but it might be so." + +"You're an old bear," cried the prince sharply. + +"The whole forest knows that, your highness." + +"Come on, Hartmut, there's nothing to be gained from this old ghost of +the woods," said Egon half angry, half laughing. "First you place me in +all sorts of embarrassments, and then you defend yourself by giving me a +lecture." + +With that he went off with Rojanow to the carriage. Stadinger remained +standing in a respectful attitude, for he never meant to be rebuked for +lack of respect to "his highness." It never occurred to him to yield an +inch of ground; that was for Prince Egon to do, but not for Peter +Stadinger. + +Egon was almost of this opinion himself. He related what had occurred to +Hartmut as they drove along, and with a comical despair he concluded: + +"Now can you imagine what kind of a reception that most worshipful aunt +of mine will give me? She evidently suspected that I wanted to keep her +away from Rodeck. Now my morals are saved in her eyes, but at the +expense of my love of truth. Hartmut, you must do me a favor; you must +be my lightning rod. Expend all your power of fascination upon that +imperious kinswoman of mine. Dedicate a poem to her if necessary, but at +least shield me from the first fierce flashes of her anger." + +"Well, I should have thought you weather-proof in that particular by +now," said Rojanow smiling. "You must have had cause for forgiveness +before this for such enormities. The duchess and the other ladies will +be on horseback to-day, will they not?" + +"Certainly; they could see nothing from the carriages. By the way, did +you know that Frau von Wallmoden was an accomplished horse woman? I met +her day before yesterday returning from a ride with her brother-in-law, +the head forester." + +"Ah, then we'll know where to find Prince Adelsberg to-day." + +Egon, who had been leaning back comfortably, sat erect now, and said, as +he gave his friend a searching look: + +"Not so spitefully, I beg of you. You are not often in the company of +the lady in question, I grant that, and you bear yourself as if you were +only a looker-on at others, but I know you well enough to understand +that you and I are very much of the same opinion concerning her, +nevertheless." + +"Well, and if we are--would you consider it a breach of friendship on my +part?" + +"Not in this instance. For the object is unattainable by either of us." + +"Unattainable?" an ironical smile played around Rojanow's lips. + +"Yes, Hartmut," said the young prince, half in earnest, half in jest, +"the lovely, cold northern light, as you have named her, remains true to +its nature. It gleams on the horizon distant and unapproachable, and the +icy sea above which it shines is not to be broken through. The lady has +no heart. She is free from every feeling of passion, and that is what +gives her her enviable security. Here you must acknowledge all your +influence, all your boasted powers are frustrated by that icy breath; +you are chilled through, and so you keep your distance." + +Hartmut was silent. He was thinking of the moment in the tower room when +he had begged for the bright blossom. She had refused him, but no icy +breath had enveloped the young wife while she stood trembling beneath +his pleading glance and words. He had seen her daily since then, but +had seldom gone near her, but he knew that now, as before, she was under +his influence. + +"But, in spite of it all, I cannot tear myself loose from this foolish +fascination," Egon went on in a dreamy tone. "It always seems to me that +the ice and snow will disappear as if by magic, and warmth and light +burst out in full bloom in their stead. If Adelheid von Wallmoden were +still free--I believe I'd try the experiment." + +Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist +which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now. + +"What experiment? Do you mean by that, you'd offer her your hand?" + +"That thought seems to excite you greatly," said the prince, laughing +out loud. "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I have no such prejudice +against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over +the very thought, and even you don't seem to take to the idea any too +kindly. Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband, +has already secured the prize, and he'll never change her into a +creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of +his--but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck." + +"Call no man happy until his death," said Hartmut, half-aloud. + +"A very wise remark, only not quite original," answered Egon. "Do you +know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively +alarming, like a demon. Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment +as if you were one." + +Hartmut did not answer. + +They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and +Fürstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind, +was plainly visible on its wooded height. + +Half an hour later, their carriage rolled along the broad graveled +carriage-way, where all was life and bustle. Every servant of the +household was stirring; carriages and saddle horses were standing ready +for the start, and nearly all those invited to join the hunt had +arrived. + +As the gay throng started on their way, the sun suddenly burst forth +through the mist, and as it shone down on the glittering cavalcade just +leaving the castle, it made a brilliant and impressive picture. + +The duke and duchess rode at the head, closely followed by their +numerous suite, and then came the many guests. All the younger women +were on horseback, and the whole party were in full hunting costume. + +Away they rode in the clear sunlight of a bright autumn morning. Over +the hills and meadows and through the woods. Shots were fired on every +side, and the flying deer broke through the thicket and across the +clearing, while the whole hunting park resounded with the din of the +sport. + +The whole corps of foresters had been summoned by the head forester, who +saw to it that no arrangements were lacking to make the day a success. +He felt that this was peculiarly his affair, and that no mishaps of any +sort should occur. + +They arrived about midday at Bucheneck, a small hunting lodge belonging +to the duke, which lay in the center of the forest, and which could +offer shelter in case of any unfavorable change in the weather. To-day +no such precaution seemed necessary, as the weather was glorious, only +somewhat too warm for the season. The sun beat down almost too fiercely, +as they took their breakfast in the open air. + +With that exception, everything was a success, and the crowd which +moved hither and thither over the broad, green meadow, near which +Bucheneck lay, were in high spirits. The duke, who had handled his +fowling piece with more than usual skill, was in the best of humors; the +duchess chatted gaily with the ladies, and the head forester fairly +beamed with pleasure, for the prince had congratulated him warmly upon +his faculty for doing perfectly all he undertook. Frau von Wallmoden, +who kept near the duchess, was the object of much attention; she was +unquestionably the most beautiful woman there; the others needed for the +most part rich toilettes and glittering gems to set off their beauty. +Here in the clear light of the midday sun, clad in dark riding habits, +which permitted neither color nor adornment, many paled who were at +other times very attractive in appearance, but Frau von Wallmoden, with +her slender figure and erect bearing, which seemed especially suited to +the saddle, her clear skin, large, earnest eyes and wealth of blonde +hair so simply coiled, was a picture at which to gaze with unmitigated +pleasure. In short, the "northern light," as she was now commonly called +at court, the prince having whispered the name, was the admired of all +beholders, all the more so when it became known that the cold, +statuesque beauty was soon to desert them. + +Frau von Wallmoden had received a letter from her husband yesterday, +stating that his diplomatic business was ended, but that affairs in +North Germany connected with the Stahlberg manufactories would detain +him for some time longer. It was whispered that there were to be many +important changes, great improvements were to be introduced, and in all +this Baron von Wallmoden as executor and guardian of the only son, would +have a decisive voice. The length of his absence from the South Germany +court would necessarily be uncertain, so he had asked his government +for an extended leave, which had been granted, and had announced all +this to the duke. He had written his wife at the same time, leaving her +free to remain at Fürstenstein, or to join him at once and go with him +to her old home to see her brother again; now, after two weeks, if she +chose to leave, no "misconstruction" could be placed upon her departure. +Adelheid had chosen without hesitation; she had announced to the duchess +that she would leave on the following day. + +Princess Sophie and her sister, together with some of the older ladies, +had driven to Bucheneck in carriages, and the Princess Sophie's first +anxiety had been to get hold of her nephew. But so far Prince Egon had +managed to avoid her. He had been everywhere but in the neighborhood of +his deceived aunt, until at last, losing all patience, she ordered a +gentleman of the Court to bring Prince Adelsberg to her at once. This +order was imperative, and Egon did not dare disobey it, but he took the +precaution of having his "lightning rod" with him to get the first +shock. Hartmut was by his side when he presented himself before the +princess. + +"Well, Egon, it's a great privilege to see your face at all to-day," +were the first words. "You are in demand on all sides, it seems." + +"But I am always at the service of my beloved aunt," Egon declared. His +amiability was of no use to him on this occasion, however; the princess +measured him with anything but a conciliatory glance. + +"Whenever your knightly services are not needed in the interest of Frau +von Wallmoden. You will have the opportunity of exhibiting a glittering +example of chivalry and courage, when her husband comes back. You will +learn to know and appreciate him better then." + +"I appreciate him very highly now, as a man, as a diplomat and as 'his +excellency.' Your grace must surely believe that." + +"I believe you absolutely, Egon. Your love of truth is one of the +verities upon which I pin my faith," said the lady, with biting irony. +"For that very reason I was pleased to have the opportunity of a little +talk with old Stadinger the other day. He's not so rusty after all, for +his years." + +"Poor fellow, he suffers greatly from weakness of memory," the prince +hastened to assure her. "Stadinger forgets nearly everything--don't you +know, Hartmut? What he declares most earnestly one day, is entirely +forgotten on the next." + +"I found, on the contrary, that his memory was very fresh; above all, +this faithful old servant of your house is trustworthy, circumspect--" + +"And rude," interrupted Egon, sighing. "You can have no idea of the +incivility in which old Peter Stadinger's whole nature is steeped. He +tyrannizes most terribly over Herr Rojanow and myself. I have thought +seriously of putting him out of the way." + +It is hardly necessary to say he had not thought of anything of the +kind. + +Princess Sophie, who was an autocrat, and who dealt most severely with +her own servants, was inclined to be very lenient in this instance. + +"You should not think of harming so faithful a creature," she answered. +"A man who has served three generations of your race can be forgiven for +slight eccentricities, especially when one thinks of the pleasant life +which the two young masters of Rodeck lead him, for we all know they do +not court company, but prefer loneliness." + +"Ah, yes, loneliness," said Egon with feeling. "It is a great change +after our eventful life in the East, and we enjoy it in full measure. I +occupy myself principally--" + +"With the taming of wild beasts," interrupted the princess, maliciously. + +"No, with--with--reminiscences of my travels, which I recount to +Hartmut, while he poetises a little, and composes melancholy odes from +them. He's writing a little poem now on some reflection he heard your +grace make." + +The princess turned with a radiant smile to the young poet as she +exclaimed: + +"And have you really been able to use any nonsense which I may have +uttered in a poem, Herr Rojanow?" + +"Indeed, I have, your grace, and I am very grateful to you for your +idea," replied Hartmut promptly. He had no idea in the world what the +talk was all about, but was ready to second whatever his friend might +suggest. + +"I am delighted to hear it; I adore poetry, and think it the greatest of +literary productions." + +"You two will agree perfectly as to that," said Egon with admiration. +Having accomplished his object, he escaped, leaving his friend to enter +into a discussion with the princess, on the relative merits of poets and +their inspirations. + +The prince once more approached the duchess's little circle, where he +was sure to find Frau von Wallmoden, and where he was far from the sound +of his malicious aunt's voice. + +The breakfast was ended, and the day's sport was about to begin in +earnest. But since noon the bright, sunny weather had changed; the +heavens were overcast, and there was a fear that one of the sudden, +heavy storms which were frequent at this season, might come before the +day was over. + +The duchess, with some of her friends, had taken their stand upon a +height, from which they thought they could obtain the best view, but the +hunters took a sudden turn, and the lookers on were forced to follow. + +It was at this juncture that a slight accident occurred to Frau von +Wallmoden; her saddle girth broke, and she would have had a disagreeable +fall had she not had the presence of mind to slip at once from her +saddle to the ground. To follow the riders was now an impossibility, for +her groom could not have obtained another saddle for her, so she decided +to send the servant over to Bucheneck with the horse, and follow on +foot, at her leisure. + +It was a relief to her that this accident had occurred, it saved her the +weary necessity of following the hunt to its close, and permitted her to +drop for a time, in this solitude, the mask which she wore before the +world, and which was at times becoming almost too heavy for her to +carry. + +Now that she was alone and unobserved, the cold, proud repose which had +been so noticeable since her wedding-day, departed as a shadow, and she +was a creature of another world. + +Her features, which were an heritage from her father, and betokened a +strong and determined nature, had become more rigid in the last few +months, but over her face lay a new expression, one of pain and anxiety, +as if some secret and hitherto unknown spring had been touched; the blue +eyes lost their cold, passionate look, deep shadows lay in them, which +told of strife and anguish, and the blonde head sank low, as under some +unsupportable burden. + +And yet Adelheid breathed more freely than she had done for many a day, +at the thought that this was the last one at Fürstenstein. To-morrow at +this time, she would be far away, and distance she prayed would save her +from that dark influence against which she had been battling for weeks +in vain, when she would no longer see those eyes whose power she +dreaded, or hear the voice which bewitched her. When she had flown from +the mysterious power which held her, she could conquer and utterly +destroy it. God be praised! + +The sound of the hunt grew each moment less distinct, and was finally +lost altogether in the distance; but in the wood, near the elevation on +which she stood, the baroness could hear crunching footsteps which told +her she was no longer alone. She turned to go in an opposite direction, +but as she turned, a man's form appeared among the trees, and Hartmut +Rojanow stood before her. + +The meeting was so sudden that Adelheid lost her self-possession. + +She drew back as if seeking protection among the trees beneath which she +had been standing, and stared at him with the eyes of a wounded animal +watching the pursuing hunter. + +Rojanow did not appear to perceive this. He bowed and asked hastily: +"Are you alone, baroness? The accident was not serious, then?" + +"What accident?" + +"I heard you'd been thrown from your horse!" + +"What an exaggeration. My saddle girth broke, and as I saw it in time I +jumped to the ground, while the animal stood perfectly still--that was +the accident." + +"Thank God--I heard something of a plunge, a fall, and as you did not +return to the hunting field I--" + +He stopped suddenly, for Adelheid's glance showed him she did not +believe his statement; he had probably met the groom and had questioned +him. Now at last her self-possession returned, and she said very +coldly: + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your solicitude was altogether +unnecessary. You should have reflected that the duchess would not have +allowed me to remain unsought in the wood had so serious an accident +occurred. I sent her word I was on my way to Bucheneck." + +She would have passed by him now, but as he stepped aside, he said in a +low voice: + +"My dear madame--I have to beg your pardon." + +"My pardon--for what?" + +"For the favor for which I plead so hard and injudiciously. I only asked +for a flower. Is my crime then so great that your anger must last for +weeks?" + +Adelheid remained standing, almost without knowing it. She was again +under the influence of those eyes and that wonderful voice. + +"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow," she responded. "I am not angry with +you." + +"No? And yet you assume again that icy tone which is ever yours when I +am near you, and now that you have heard my drama you make no sign of +approval. You were present when I read it at Fürstenstein. I heard words +of praise on all sides. Your lips alone were closed. From you I received +no single word of commendation--will you deny it to me now?" + +"I thought we were out for a hunt, to-day," said Adelheid evasively, +"and this is neither the time nor the place to discuss poetry." + +"We have both left the hunt for to-day; it's on its way now toward the +Rodecker heights. Here is the true forest loneliness. Look at the +perfect autumn landscape around us. It speaks to the heart of peace and +forgiveness. Look at that placid sheet of water, a those heavy +storm-laden clouds against the horizon--to me there is more poetry in +this than in the crowded salons of Fürstenstein." + +The aspect of the landscape had entirely changed since the morning +hours, and a dull, gloomy light had taken the place of the bright, clear +sunshine, beneath whose gleams the cavalcade had set forth so merrily. + +The endless stretch of forest which lay before them was in its gayest +autumn dress, but in the sombre light of the approaching storm, its +brilliant leaves looked faded and faint. The deep reds and many tinted +yellows of the foliage formed a beautiful picture, but these were the +colors of decay and death, and told that the end of their life and bloom +was not far distant. + +Beneath them lay the little lake, dark and motionless, surrounded by +high grasses and swamp reeds. It looked like another lonely sheet of +water in the far northland--the Burgsdorf fish pond, and back from this +little lake stretched a meadow green and marshy, from which, even now, a +faint mist was rising, a mist, which as night came down, would change +into a rain, while the will-o'-the-wisp in its endless sport and motion, +would play in and out among the long green rushes, now gleaming, now +disappearing--thus perfecting that far off picture of long ago. + +The air was oppressive and sultry, and the distant clouds were forming +deeper and darker heights against the horizon. + +Adelheid had not answered Hartmut's question; she stood looking into the +distance with face turned away from the man who was watching her, and +yet she felt the dark consuming glance resting on her, as she had felt +it so many times during the past few weeks. + +"You are going away to-morrow, my dear baroness!" he began again. "Who +knows when you will return--when I shall see you again. May I not beg +for your verdict now, may I not ask whether my words have found favor in +Ada's eyes?" + +Again her name upon his lips, again that soft, veiled, passionate tone +which she so feared, and which rang in her ear like the voice of an +enchanter. She felt there was no escape, no chance for flight, she must +look the danger in the eye. She turned to her questioner, and her face +betrayed that she had decided to fight out the battle--the battle with +herself. + +"Are you interested in my verdict merely because I bear this name?" she +said coldly and proudly. "It stands at the beginning of your poem, which +by the way was sent me the other day by some mysterious hand, without +name." + +"And which you read notwithstanding?" he interrupted triumphantly. + +"Yes, and burned." + +"Burned?" The old savage expression came over Hartmut's face, that +intense angered look which had evoked from Egon's lips the expression, +"You look like a demon, Hartmut." The demon of hate and revenge burned +once again in his breast as he thought of his recent insults from this +woman's husband, insults which must be resented to the full. And yet he +loved the woman before him as only Zalika's son could love, with a wild, +consuming passion. But in this moment hate gained the mastery. + +"My poor pages!" he said with unconcealed bitterness. "They, too, +suffered in the flame; they were, perhaps, worthy a better fate." + +"Then you should not have sent them to me. I will not and dare not +accept such poems." + +"You dare not, my dear Baroness? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at a woman's feet, and poets have had that right for all time. It +is incumbent on you to accept such an offering." + +The words were spoken in such a hot, passionate whisper that Adelheid +trembled. + +"Perhaps you pay homage to the women of your country in such words. +German woman do not understand them." + +"But you understand them," said Hartmut fiercely, "and you understand +the fire and passion of my 'Arivana,' which rises above all laws and +restrictions of this narrow, human life. I saw that on the evening when +you turned your back on me, while the rest of the world applauded and +came forward with their congratulations. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the god-like spark enters two souls, it bursts into flame whether +they be of the south or the cold north, and that spark has ignited and +burns in us both. All strength and will dies in its fiery breath, it +extinguishes all else, nothing remains but that holy, sacred fire which +illumines and blesses, even while it consumes. You love me, Ada, I know +it; do not try to deceive me, and I love you beyond all power of +speech." + +He stood before her in the triumph of victory. Never before had his dark +beauty shone forth so strongly, never before had his eyes glowed with +such intensity, or his face expressed such passion and longing. + +And he had spoken the truth. + +The woman who leaned against the tree, trembling and deadly pale, loved +him; loved him as only a pure, exalted nature can love. This cold, +haughty woman, whom the world had named heartless, was swayed and torn +by this, the first love of her young life. + +She felt within her a passion to which she could no longer blind +herself; the fiery breath, with all its fierceness, was blowing down +upon her. Now came the crucial-test. + +"Leave me at once, Herr Rojanow--this instant," she said. The words had +a choked, scarcely audible sound, and they were spoken to a man who was +not accustomed to yield when he felt himself the victor. He would have +gone closer to her--but something in the young wife's eye, in spite of +all, kept him within bounds. But he spoke her name again, and in a tone +whose power he best knew: + +"Ada!" + +She shuddered, and made a protesting motion. + +"Not that name. For you I am only Adelheid von Wallmoden. I am married; +you know that." + +"Yes, married to a man who is standing on the threshold of old age; who +does not love you, and for whom you could feel no love even if he were +younger. What does that cold, calculating diplomat know of love? The +Court, his position, his advancement, is all in all to him; his wife is +nothing. He exults over the possession of a treasure whom he knows not +how to prize, and to whose happiness and peace he gives not a thought." + +Adelheid's lips trembled. She knew only too well that all he said was +true. She did not answer. + +"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, coming closer. "A +word, a single 'yes,' which you have spoken without knowing its +significance, without knowing yourself. Shall you permit it to bind you +for your whole life? Shall you allow it to make us both miserable for +all time? No, Ada, love, that eternal, undying right of the human heart, +must have its own. Men prate of guilt, others of destiny. It is destiny +which is beckoning us to-day, and we must follow after. A feeble word +cannot separate us." + +At this moment a lightning flash parted the heavy, distant clouds, and +cast a long, narrow, dazzling light over the great forest, and gleamed +across Hartmut's face and figure where he stood. + +Surely he was his mother's son now. He never looked more like her than +at this moment, with his dark, destroying beauty, and his peculiar, +passionate, demoniacal glance. Perhaps it was this glance which brought +Adelheid to her senses, perhaps it was the something concealed behind +all the fire and passion. + +"A freely given and freely received word is an oath," she said, slowly, +"and who breaks it breaks his honor." + +Hartmut breathed hard; keen and cruel like a lightning's flash, came a +memory to his soul, the memory of that hour in which he had freely given +his word--and broken it. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden looked straight at Hartmut now; her face was +pale, and her voice trembled as she addressed him again: + +"I wish you to cease this persecution, which has been going on for weeks +now. You fill me with horror--your eyes, your words, your manner. I feel +that everything which emanates from you is false, and no one can love +that which is false." + +"Ada." There was a tone of passionate entreaty in his voice, but hers +had gained in steadfastness now, and she continued earnestly: + +"And you do not love me. I have seen for some time that your pursuance +of me was from hate, not love. You and your kind have not the capacity +for loving." + +Rojanow was silent from surprise. Who had taught her to read him so +nearly aright? + +He had not even acknowledged to himself how closely the love and hate +were united in his breast. + +"And you say this to the author of Arivana?" he exclaimed with +bitterness. "My drama has been called the ode to love, and--" + +"Then those who so named it have been deceived by the flimsy veil of +oriental legend in which your figures are enveloped, they have seen the +Eastern priest with the woman he loves succumb to an iron, inhuman law. +Perhaps you are a great poet, perhaps you will astonish the world with +your fame, but to me you are something else, for the passion and fiery +language of 'Arivana' have taught me something of its creator; of the +man who believes in nothing, to whom nothing in the world is holy, +neither duty nor pledge, neither manly honor nor womanly virtue; who +would drag the highest in the dust for the sport of his passion. I yet +believe in duty and honor, believe in myself, and with this belief I bid +defiance to the fate which you so triumphantly prophesy will enthrall +me. It can drive me to death--but never into your arms." + +She stood opposite him, neither trembling nor irresolute. All her secret +struggles were over, and with each word one more link of the chain was +loosened. + +Her eyes met his, full and free; she feared their dark, baneful glance +no longer--that mysterious power was broken; she felt it and breathed +deeply, like one whose hour of deliverance had come. + +Again there was a flash of lightning, noiseless, not followed by any +thunder crash, but it seemed to open the heavens to their very depths. +In the palpitating light one could see fantastic cloud pictures, forms +which seemed to struggle and battle with one another as if borne by +force before the storm, and yet the cloud-mountain stood immovable on +the far horizon; and just as immovable stood the man upon whose dark +countenance the lightning flash revealed a deep pallor. + +His eyes had not turned from the young wife's face, but the wild glow +within them was extinguished, and his voice had a strange sound as he +said: + +"And this is the sentence for which I begged. I am then, in your eyes +nothing more than a--reprobate?" + +"A lost man, perhaps--you have forced me to this avowal." + +Hartmut stepped slowly back a few steps. + +"Lost," he repeated in bitter tone. "That is probably what you think. +You may be at rest, my dear madam. I will never approach you again; one +has no desire to hear such words a second time. You stand so proud and +firm upon your watch tower of virtue and judge so severely. You have no +conception what a wild, desperate life can make of a man who goes +through the world without home or family. You are right. I believed in +nothing in the heavens above or on the earth beneath--until this hour." + +There was something in his tone and in his whole bearing which disarmed +Adelheid. + +She felt she had no cause to fear a further explosion of passion, and +her voice grew milder as she answered: + +"I judge no one, but I belong heart and soul to another world, with +other laws than yours. I am the daughter of a father whom I dearly +loved, who, all his life long, trod but one path, the earnest, rigid +path of duty. Upon this he raised himself from poverty and privation to +wealth and honor, and he taught his children to follow in the same way, +and it is this thought which has been my shield and protection in this +hard hour. I could not endure it if I were compelled to lower my eyes +before the noble image which my memory holds. Your father is no longer +alive?" + +There followed a long, oppressive pause. Hartmut did not answer, but his +head sank under the words of whose crushing significance the questioner +had no knowledge, while his eyes seemed to pierce the ground. + +"No," he said at last, slowly. + +"But you have the memory of him and of your mother?" + +"My mother!" Rojanow broke forth wildly now. "Do not speak of her, in +this hour--do not speak to me of my mother." + +It was an alarming cry, a mixture of boundless bitterness, with reproach +and despair. In it the mother was sentenced by her son, he felt her +memory was but a desecration of this hour. + +Adelheid did not understand him, she only saw that she had touched on a +point which admitted of no discussion, but she also saw that the man who +stood before her with his deep, dark glance, with his tone of despair, +was another than he who had stood there a quarter of an hour before. It +was a dark, fathomless mystery upon which she gazed, but she had no +longer any fear. + +"Let us end this interview," she said, earnestly. "You will seek no +second one, I believe that; but one word more before we part. You are a +poet. I have felt that in spite of everything, as I have learned to know +your work. But poets are teachers of mankind, and can lead to good or to +ill. The wild flame of your 'Arivana' springs from a life which you, +yourself, seem to hate. Look yonder," and she pointed to the distant +heavens inflamed now with the lightning's play. "Those are also flaming +brands, but their beginnings are from above and they point out another +way--and now farewell!" + +Long after she had disappeared, Hartmut stood on the same spot as if +rooted to the ground. He had answered no word, made no comment, only +gazed where she had pointed, with fixed, hopeless eyes. + +Flash after flash of lightning was now rending the heavens and the whole +landscape was enveloped in a lurid glare which reflected itself in that +little sheet of water so like the Burgsdorf fish pond; the long reeds +and grasses swayed and bent above the water and the mist from the meadow +rose above it all. + +Under just such long, waving grass the boy had lain long ago and dreamed +of the day when he should mount like the falcon from which his race had +taken their name, always higher and higher into boundless freedom toward +the sun, and now on a similar spot the sentence had fallen upon him like +a judgment from heaven, and the will-o'-the-wisp on this lowering autumn +night seemed in its spectral flashes to dance over the grave of false +hopes and falser aspirations. The falcon had not mounted to the skies, +the earth had held him fast. He had felt for some time that the +intoxicating cup of freedom and of life which his mother's hand had +poured for him was poisoned; there were for him no cherished memories to +guard--he dare not venture to think of his father. + +Darker and darker grew the heavens with their heavy, storm laden clouds, +and wilder and fiercer was the struggle between those giant figures +which were riven at every flash only to come together again with greater +fury, and brighter and more vivid grew that mighty flame as it mounted +higher and higher in the inky firmament. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The winter gaieties had fairly begun in the South-German capital, and in +the exclusive court circle the artistic element played a prominent part. +The duke, who loved and fostered art, took great pride in being +accounted its patron, and strove to make his capital an intellectual and +artistic centre. The young poet who had been received so favorably by +the court, and whose first great work was soon to be produced at the +court theatre, was an object of great interest to the little world. It +was an almost unheard of feat for a Roumanian to write in the German +tongue, even though it was admitted that, in this instance, the writer +had received his education in Germany. Here, as at Rodeck, he was the +bosom friend and guest of Prince Adelsberg, and many strange and +wonderful stories were related of this friendship. But Hartmut's +personality, above all else, created for him an enviable position no +matter where he turned. The young, handsome and genial stranger, +surrounded as he was with a halo of romance and mystery, had only to +appear to have all eyes turned upon him. + +Soon after the return of the court to the city, the rehearsals for +"Arivana" began, and its author and Prince Egon had the matter in +charge. + +The latter entered so enthusiastically into the spirit of it all, that +he made the lives of the director and theatre attachés miserable with +his many and contradictory suggestions concerning the setting of the +drama, a matter about which, it is unnecessary to add, they were much +more capable of directing than he. At first they could not get an +actress to suit them, but they finally secured the services of a young +and favorite opera-singer named Marietta Volkmar. + +The preparations for the performance, which they had intended originally +to bring out late in the season, were now hurried forward with all +speed, for royal visitors were expected at court, and the duke was most +anxious that this weird and poetical drama with its Indian setting +should be presented before them. Unusual honors to the poet were +prophesied as a result of this spectacle. + +Such was the condition of affairs when Herbert von Wallmoden returned to +the court, and he was, naturally, painfully surprised. + +He had asked his wife casually, while inquiring for others, whether the +prince's Roumanian friend had yet left Fürstenstein, and she had +answered in the negative. He had not expected Hartmut to leave at once, +for the latter had declared most positively he would not. But Wallmoden +imagined he would think it all well over, and when Prince Adelsberg left +Rodeck that would end the whole matter. Under no circumstances would +Rojanow appear by the prince's side at the capital where the ambassador +had threatened to denounce him at once. + +But Baron von Wallmoden did not understand the unyielding defiance of +this man, who had indeed dared much. Now, upon his return from the +north, he found this "adventurer" established on a very sure footing, in +close intercourse with the court and society of the capital. It would be +a most embarrassing matter to explain everything at this late day, when +all were on the _qui vive_ of expectation, and when the duke was so +deeply interested both in the new drama and in its author. It would make +a very painful impression in all circles. The experienced diplomat did +not disguise from himself the fact that the duke would complain, and +with reason, that all this exposure should have been made on the first +day of the stranger's appearance rather than at this inopportune time. +There remained nothing for it but to be silent and await developments. + +Wallmoden had no thought of the danger which had threatened himself. He +had not seen fit to tell his wife anything concerning his old friend +Falkenried's history, and decided now that she had better know nothing +more about Prince Adelsberg's friend than was known by their associates. + +No conversation concerning Hartmut had ever passed between them save the +one fleeting question and his wife's monosyllabic answer. + +But he felt he dare keep silence no longer toward his nephew Willibald, +for there would be a similar scene to that enacted by the mother at +Hochberg if the son was surprised by the sight of his boyhood's friend. + +The young heir had accompanied the Wallmodens to the southern capital, +where he intended remaining a few days, when he was going on to +Fürstenstein to see his betrothed, for the head forester had expressly +requested that the September visit, which was so suddenly interrupted, +should be finished later in the season. + +"You were only with us a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and I +desire to see something more of my future son-in-law. Everything is in +order again, I trust, in your much loved Burgsdorf, and there is little +to do in November at any rate. So send Will to us, even if you cannot +come yourself. I will not take no for an answer. Toni is waiting to see +her lover--so don t fail!" + +Frau von Eschenhagen admitted that he was right, and she was glad enough +to have Will go. He had made no further attempt to assert himself +against her motherly authority, and appeared to have fully regained his +reason again. He had grown quieter of late and since his return from +Fürstenstein rushed with greater zest into all his agricultural +pursuits; he had, take it all in all, behaved in a most exemplary +manner. + +On one point alone he remained obstinate, he would not discuss with his +mother the "idiocy" of which he had been guilty and which caused their +sudden journey home, and avoided all reference to the subject. Of course +his mother understood how it was; he was ashamed of his sudden +excitement, and of a passion which had been only momentary, and wanted +to forget it and have her forget it, too, as soon as possible. As for +the rest, he wrote regularly to his bride-elect, who responded most +punctually. Frau Regine, who considered it her special prerogative, read +all this correspondence, and declared herself satisfied with it. There +was no sentiment, no declaration of affection, in these letters; they +were quite practical epistles, telling of home matters in a homely +fashion, but they evinced Will's intention to keep his word and marry +his cousin on the day appointed, and now near at hand. + +So Willibald was told that he could go and visit his bride; the +permission was granted all the more willingly because Frau Regine knew +that Marietta Volkmar must have returned to the city long since. Baron +von Wallmoden and his wife had paid a flying visit to Burgsdorf on their +way south from the Stahlberg factories, and Willibald was put in their +care and was to spend a few days in the South-German Capital. During +those few days in which he would remain in the ambassador's house, he +was perfectly safe, his mother assured herself. + +The baron found that it would be necessary to tell his nephew about his +old friend at once. On the very day of their arrival, Hartmut Rojanow's +name was mentioned several times in Willibald's presence. He asked +promptly to whom the name belonged, and was answered, 'to a young +Roumanian poet.' An unmistakable wink from his uncle was all that saved +him from further questions. + +Then when they were alone the ambassador explained to Willibald who and +what this Hartmut Rojanow was. An adventurer of the lowest and worst +type, whom he would soon expose and force to abandon forever the _rôle_ +which he was now playing with so little right, but with such signal +success. + +Poor Willibald shook his head in a dazed sort of way over this news. His +old friend, for whom he had always had a warm and unchanged affection, +notwithstanding the episode of ten years before, was near him now, and +he dare not see him again. + +Wallmoden was especially sharp and explicit about this, and made his +nephew promise to say nothing about the matter to Frau von Wallmoden or +his uncle von Schönau. But poor Willibald could not understand it at +all; he needed time and quiet with this as with all other things, to +comprehend them fully. + +The day on which "Arivana" was to be produced, came at last. It was the +work of a young and unknown poet, but the circumstances connected with +its production were such that society was anxious to judge for itself of +this work of the duke's latest protégé. The theatre was crowded to +overflowing, and the ducal couple with their suite were early in the +court boxes. Although no special announcement had been made, the evening +was evidently looked upon as a festival occasion, and every one was +attired _a la grande toilette_, the ladies vieing with one another in +the richness and brilliancy of their dress. + +Prince Adelsberg, who was in the ducal box, was as much excited as if +he had written the drama himself. + +His aunt, too, was greatly interested in the success of the evening's +entertainment, and had been looking carefully over the play bill when he +entered the box; she called him to her at once. + +"Our young friend seems to have his whims like all other poets," she +remarked. "What a singular caprice to change the name of his heroine in +the last hour." + +"But that is not the case," Egon answered. "The change was made long +before we left Rodeck. Hartmut took it into his head that 'Ada' was too +cold and clear-cut a name for the passionate character of his heroine, +so he re-baptized her." + +"But the name 'Ada' is here on the programme," interrupted the princess. + +"Certainly, but it belongs to quite a different person in the drama now, +one who only appears in a single scene." + +"Then Herr Rojanow has made his alterations since he read it for us at +Fürstenstein?" + +"Only a few; the play is really quite unchanged with that single +exception. Hartmut has added that scene with Ada in it, and I can assure +your highness it's the most poetical thing he has ever written." + +"Of course, everything your friend writes is wonderful in your eyes," +his aunt answered, but her unusually gracious smiles showed that in this +opinion she did not disagree with him. + +The ambassador and his wife, who had only returned forty-eight hours +before, sat in one of the large proscenium boxes. Baron von Wallmoden +was anything but a willing guest of the court to-night, but he knew it +was incumbent on him in his position to accept this evening's +invitation. The duke had invited the whole diplomatic corps, and as the +North German ambassador and his wife had dined at the ducal table that +evening no excuse could be offered for declining the later +entertainment. + +Willibald had come too, to see and hear the work of his old-time friend; +as his uncle was to be there, surely he had a right also. It did not +please Wallmoden to have him there, but he could not well forbid his +nephew's presence when he himself was present. Will, who had some +difficulty in obtaining a seat in the parquette, unfolded the programme +carelessly, when suddenly his eye caught the name of "Marietta Volkmar," +and knew whom he was to see this evening. He folded the programme +hastily and put it in his pocket; he regretted in this moment that he +had come to the theatre at all. + +Finally the performance began. The curtain rose, and the first act, +little more than a prelude, was soon over. It was an introduction to the +spectators, of that weird, fantastic, legendary world into which they +were to enter, with Arivana, the sacred place of offering, the holy of +holies, in the foreground. + +The principal character in the drama, the young priest, who in the +fanaticism of his belief puts everything earthly far from him, as +unclean, appeared, and in a few masterly, powerful lines, pronounced his +vow, by which, for him, for time and eternity, all earthly bonds were +loosed, and he was committed heart and soul to the service of his God. +The oath was taken, the holy flame blazed and waved on the sacrificial +altar, and the curtain fell. + +The applause, started at once by the duke, resounded on all sides. This +work, about which so much had been said, was bound to be a success, in a +certain sense, for this one evening at least. But there was something +more than idle flattery in this applause. The spectators felt at once +that, a true poet had spoken to them; the creation had already had the +commendation of the court, but the public were carried away with it +now. They were charmed by the diction, by the characters, and by the +subject, and when the curtain rose anew, there was a look of silent +expectancy on every face. + +The drama now moved forward in majestic measure upon a scenic background +as full of warmth and color as the language and characters of the piece. + +The luxuriant vegetation of India, the fabulous pomp of her temples and +her palaces; the men and women with their wild loves and their still +wilder hatred; the rigid laws of their faith; all this was strange and +fantastic, but the manner in which these men and women felt and acted +was familiar to every one. They stood under the influence of a power +which is the same to-day that it was a thousand years ago; the same in +the tropics and in the colder climes of the north; the power of passion +in the heart of man. It was indeed a doctrine of fire, and its burden +was the inalienable right of passion to sweep away every obstacle, to +break down every barrier of law and custom, of oath and pledge, which +stood between it and its aim. + +A right which Hartmut Rojanow well understood and illustrated in the +exercise of his own unbridled will, which knew no law and no duty, and +to which self-gratification was the highest good. + +The awakening of this passion, its mighty growth and final triumph, was +described in words of ravishing eloquence, and depicted in pictures +which seemed drawn, now from the purest heights of ideality, and now +from the depths of the pit. The poet had done wisely to drape his +characters with the veil of an oriental legend, for under this covering +he might express sentiments and present scenes, which otherwise would +scarcely have been forgiven, and he did this now with a boldness which +threw glowing sparks into the souls of those who heard him, and held +them enthralled as if by some infernal spell. + +By the close of the second act, the success of Arivana was assured. + +The work was presented with a skill and perfection of acting never +surpassed on any stage. The actors in the two principal _rôles_ played +their parts with a fire and perfection which could only have come from +genuine enthusiasm. The heroine was no longer called Ada. That name was +borne by a being who stood, strange and alone, in this restless world of +surging passions; one of those half-fabulous creatures with whom the +Indian legends people the icy summits of the Himalayas; cold and pure as +the eternal snows which glisten in those lofty regions. She appeared +only in one scene, and at the decisive moment of the drama, where she +moved through the stormy action as if upon spirits' pinions, warning and +exhorting, and Egon was quite right when he said that the words which +the poet put into her mouth were the most beautiful of the whole play. + +Suddenly the pure, white light of heaven breaks through the red glow of +the drama; the scene is beautiful, but short and swift and fleeting as +the zephyr's breath. The chaste form vanished to the snowy heights of +her distant home, while here below from the river's moonlit shore rose +the song of the Hindoo maiden--Marietta's soft and swelling voice; the +cry of warning from above was lost in these sweet seductive tones. In +the last act came the tragic ending, the judgment upon the guilty pair +who suffer death in the flames. But this death was no atonement, it was +rather a triumph, a glorious apotheosis, and out of the midst of the +fire flamed high toward heaven the infernal doctrine of the +unconditional right of passion. The curtain fell for the last time, and +the applause, which had increased from act to act, rose now to a perfect +storm. The house shouted for the author and would take no denial. At +last Hartmut came forward, free from every trace of embarrassment, and +beaming with pride and joy. He bowed his thanks to the public, which had +held to his lips that night a cup of delight such as he had never before +tasted. They are intoxicating, these first draughts from the goblet of +fame! In the pride of victory the young poet cast a glance toward the +proscenium box whose inmates he had already recognized. + +He did not find what he sought. + +Adelheid had leaned back in her chair and covered her face with an open +fan. He saw only the cold, unmoved countenance of the man who had so +deeply insulted him, and who now was the witness of his triumph. + +Wallmoden understood only too well the mute language of those flashing +dark eyes; they said to him: + +"Dare to despise me now!" + + * * * * * + +At an early hour the next morning, Willibald von Eschenhagen entered the +great city park, which, he had just declared to his uncle, he would +explore for himself. This extensive, well-wooded park, which lay before +the city's very doors, was well worth a visit, but Willibald took scant +notice of its beauties as he hurried on in the keen November morning. He +glanced neither to the right nor to the left, but strode on, striking +into this path and now into that, frequently re-treading the very ground +which he had left but a moment before. + +Perhaps this brisk, aimless walk, would silence or stupefy the passion +and excitement which were struggling for mastery within him. + +Some of his excitement was due to seeing his old friend again, for he +had been greatly moved at the sight of him. Fourteen long years he had +heard nothing of Hartmut, had been forbidden even to mention his name, +and now he stood before him suddenly in all the pride and glory of a +rising poet's fame, wonderfully changed in appearance and manner, but +yet the old Hartmut still, the same with whom he had so often frolicked +and never quarreled in by-gone days. Even had he been unprepared, he +would have known his dear old friend at a glance. + +Wallmoden had been greatly disturbed and annoyed at the result of the +previous night's performance. He had scarcely spoken as they drove from +the theatre, and his wife had been equally taciturn. She explained that +the heat of the crowded room had given her a headache, and in +consequence retired at once upon reaching home. + +Her example was followed by her husband, who, as he bade his nephew +good-night, said: + +"Do not forget our talk, Willibald. Be silent before every one, no +matter who. You'll have to be on your guard, too, for the name of +Rojanow will be on every one's lips for the next few days. He's had luck +this time, like all adventurers!" + +Willibald made no answer to this, but he felt that something beyond +adventurer's luck had come to the author of Arivana. Under other +circumstances he should have looked on this drama as something unheard +of, inexplicable, without in the least understanding it, but last night +he seemed to comprehend it all fully. + +One could love without the consent of parent or guardian; such freedom +was not confined to India alone--it often happened in Germany as well. A +promise given thoughtlessly and blindly could be broken, but what then? +Yes, then came the fate which Hartmut had pictured so beautifully, yet +so vividly. Will was fully determined to transfer the lesson which +Arivana had taught him to Burgsdorf. Surely the punishment invoked by +the furious priestcraft, would be no worse than the vial of Frau von +Eschenhagen's wrath. + +The young heir sighed deeply as he thought of the second act of the +drama, where, from the group of Hindoo maidens, the sacrificial figure +steps forth. How lovely she looked in her soft, white, clinging +garments, with the wealth of flowers in her dark curly hair. His eyes +had never left her during the two or three times when she had appeared +for a moment on the stage; then her song sounded forth from the shore of +the moonlit river, the same clear, sweet voice which had captivated him +in the little parlor of Waldhofen, and here again were the same old +unholy feelings against which he had battled so bravely then. + +And the worst of it was that he no longer considered them unholy. + +The energetic walker came for the third time to a little temple which +was open at one side and within which were seats inviting to rest, and a +marble bust in the centre. Willibald stepped in and sat down, less from +necessity for rest than with the hope he might in this seclusion get his +disturbed thoughts in order. + +It was about ten o'clock in the morning, and the grounds were almost +entirely deserted. + +Only a single pedestrian, a young man elegantly attired, lounged along +slowly, and to the casual observer, purposelessly. + +But he was on the lookout for some one, for he glanced with unconcealed +impatience toward the winding walks which led direct from the city. + +Suddenly he stepped quickly behind one of the pillars which supported +the little temple, where he could see any one approaching without being +seen himself. + +About five minutes later a young lady walking briskly came along a +narrow path which led past the temple. She was of slight, graceful +figure, wore a dark, fur-trimmed mantle with cap and muff to match, and +was glancing over a roll of manuscript as she stepped quickly forward. + +Suddenly she gave a surprised cry, which had anything but a joyful +sound, as the young man stepped in front of her. + +"Oh, Count Westerburg." + +The man bowed low as he exclaimed: + +"What a happy accident! Who would have thought to find Fräulein Marietta +Volkmar seeking the fresh air of the park at this hour." + +Marietta stood still and looked the speaker well over from head to foot, +before she answered, in a tone of mingled anger and contempt: + +"I do not believe it is by accident that you so often and so +persistently cross my path, Herr Count, although I have been very +explicit as to the annoyance which your attentions cause me." + +"Oh, yes, you have been very cruel to me," said the count reprovingly, +but with unmistakable assurance. "You will not permit me to visit you, +despise my gifts of flowers, hardly acknowledge my greetings when you +meet me. What have I done to you? I have ventured to prove my devotion +by laying at your feet a little tribute in the form of jewels, but you +return them with--" + +"With the explanation that I decline such insolent advances now and +always," Marietta interrupted angrily; "that I will have no more of your +brazen impertinences. You have waylaid me purposely to-day." + +"Good heavens! I am only here to sue for pardon for my boldness," said +the count, as he stepped, with apparent submissiveness, directly in +front of her in the narrow path. "I know full well how unapproachable +you are, and that no one guards her reputation more jealously than the +beautiful Marietta." + +"My name is Fräulein Volkmar," cried Marietta angrily. "Save such +familiar speeches for those who appreciate them. I do not, and if you do +not cease your importunities, I will in future claim protection against +them." + +"Whose protection?" sneered the count. "Perhaps that of the old woman +with whom you live, and who is forever at your side! It is only when you +go to Professor Marani that she is left at home; you do not regard the +old singing master as dangerous. But that is the only time when you are +without her." + +"Except for a morning walk in the park, of which you are apparently +aware. Get out of my path, please. I want to go on." + +She attempted to pass him, but the count put out both arms to intercept +her. + +"You will at least, give me permission to accompany you, Fräulein? You +can see for yourself the walks are lonely and deserted, and I'm bound to +offer you my protection." + +The park was indeed deserted; no sign of life in any direction, and the +brave girl was secretly alarmed, but she answered, boldly: + +"Do not attempt to follow me a single step. Your protection would be as +unendurable as is your presence. How often have I to repeat that?" + +"Ah, how angry she can get," said the count with a malicious laugh. "Ah, +I must be repaid for those hard words. I must have a kiss from those +rosy lips which speak so harshly." + +He made a movement to take her in his arms, as the girl drew back, +really alarmed now, but in the same moment he lay sprawling upon the +sward, a heavy blow, well aimed, having thrown him to the damp ground, +where he lay, a most contemptible object! + +Marietta turned, more alarmed than ever, in the direction from which the +blow had come, and the angry, hot expression on her face was succeeded +by one of boundless surprise, when she saw who it was that had come to +her aid so suddenly, and now stood by her side gazing grimly at the +prostrate man whom he had put in this humiliating position with such +evident satisfaction. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen--you?" + +Count Westerburg had in the meantime risen with some difficulty, and now +advanced threateningly toward his new enemy. + +"Sir, what do you mean by this? Who has given you the right--who has +given you the right--" + +"Stay where you are! Don't advance a step nearer this lady," interrupted +Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or I'll send you +flying under those trees, and you won't get up from the second blow as +soon as you did from the first." + +The count, who was neither very large nor very rugged, and who had felt +already the weight of this young giant's fist, measured Willibald for a +minute, but that was long enough to convince him that a hand to hand +scuffle could only result one way. + +"You will give me satisfaction--if you are capable of giving +satisfaction," he began in a half-suffocated voice. "Probably you don't +know that you have before you a--" + +"A low scoundrel whom it will give me pleasure to discipline," said +Willibald, composedly. "Remain where you are, if you please, or I shall +be obliged to do it on the spot. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen of +Burgsdorf, and I am to be found at the residence of the Prussian +ambassador, if you have anything more to say. I beg you to accept my +protection, Fräulein, and I'll pledge myself that you'll not be insulted +again." + +And then something unheard of, almost past belief, happened. + +Herr von Eschenhagen, without awkwardness or embarrassment, with the +grace of a gentleman of the old school, offered Fräulein Volkmar his arm +and led her away, without troubling himself farther about the low +scoundrel! + +Marietta had accepted his arm, but she spoke no word; as soon as they +were out of hearing she began, with an agitation which was anything but +natural to her: "Herr von Eschenhagen--" + +"Yes, Fräulein?" + +"I--I am very grateful to you for your protection. But the Count--you +have insulted him deeply--he will challenge you, and you will accept his +challenge?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest pleasure," answered Will, and a smile +broke over his face which proved that such a state of affairs would give +him great gratification. His stupidity and obtuseness had disappeared, +he felt he was a hero and deliverer, and was very well satisfied with +himself. Marietta looked up at him in speechless surprise. + +"But it is terrible that all this should happen on my account," she +remonstrated. "And that it should be you, of all men." + +The last remark did not please the young man. + +"You evidently regret that, Fräulein," he said rather stiffly. "But +under such circumstances you cannot always have what you want. I was +near by, and you were forced to accept my services even though I do not +stand very well in your esteem." + +A flush crossed Marietta's face as she remembered the time when she had +poured the vials of her wrath and contempt over this man who now came to +her rescue so bravely. + +"I was thinking of Toni and her father," she answered softly. "I am +altogether blameless, but if I should be the cause of tearing you from +your bride--" + +"Then Toni would have to accept it as an intervention of Providence," +answered Willibald, upon whom the mention of his betrothed seemed to +make no impression. "One can but lose his life once, and there is no use +looking on the worst side, either. Where shall I take you, Fräulein? To +Park street? I think I heard you lived on that street." + +She shook her head violently. + +"No, no; I cannot walk, I shall call a carriage; there are some over +there. I had meant to go to Professor Marani, to practice a new part, +but I cannot sing now." + +Willibald turned his steps in the direction where the carriages were +standing, and they went on in silence until they came near them. +Marietta stopped then, and turning to her escort, said anxiously: + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, must it be? Can nothing be done?" + +"Well, hardly. I knocked the count down, and called him a low scoundrel, +and most fellows would regard that as sufficient grounds for a duel. +But, don't you worry about it. The whole affair will be over to-morrow +or next day, with only a couple of scratches to tell the tale, in all +probability." + +"And I shall have to wait two or three days in anxiety and uncertainty. +Cannot you send me some news?" + +Will looked down into the dark, tearful eyes, and a light came in his +own such as had gleamed from them on the first day he saw the little +"singing bird." + +"When all is happily over, I'll come myself and bring you the news if I +may?" + +"Certainly, certainly. But if it should end unfortunately, if you should +fall?" + +"Then hold me in kinder remembrance than you have done hitherto," said +Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You took me for a coward. O, don't +say a word, you were right; I have felt it bitterly enough, but I was +accustomed always to obey my mother, who I knew loved me devotedly. But +now you see that I know also how a man should behave when he sees a +defenseless girl insulted, and I will avenge that insult--if need be +with my blood." + +Without waiting for an answer, he hailed a driver, assisted Marietta +into the carriage, and repeated to the man the street and number which +she gave him. She placed her little hand in his for a moment, and gave +him a long look, then, as the carriage rolled away, she threw herself +back on the cushions with a loud sob. Will looked after the carriage as +long as it was in sight, then he threw his shoulders back and said, with +a sort of fierce pleasure: + +"Now, have a care, Herr Count. It will be a real pleasure for me to have +a shot at you." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The short November day was nearly over, and the twilight shadows were +lengthening rapidly, when Prince Egon, returning from a short walk, +entered his brilliantly lighted palace. + +"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he asked a footman. + +"Yes, your highness," the servant answered with a respectful bow. + +"Then order the carriage for nine o'clock, to take us to the castle." + +So saying Egon sprang quickly up the stairs, and hastened to his +friend's apartments, which were on the first floor, not far from his +own, and which were furnished with all the old-time magnificence of a +princely house. A lamp was burning on the table in Hartmut's little +study, and he himself, looking weary and dejected, was lying full length +upon a couch. + +"He of the laurel wreath is taking his rest," said the prince, laughing, +as he entered the room and came quickly forward to his friend. "I can't +find fault with you this time, for you haven't had a minute's rest +to-day. There's something exciting in being the rising star in the +poet's heaven, but it's hard on the nerves, I must admit. People are +vieing with one another to do you honor. You certainly had an +overwhelming reception to-day." + +"Yes, and we must go to the court to-night," Hartmut answered in a +tired, indifferent tone; evidently the prospect was not an enlivening +one. + +"We must, indeed. The high and mighty desire to do homage to the hero of +the hour, my dear aunt at the head of them. You must know that she +thinks she's the embodiment of soulfulness and poesy herself, and that +she has discovered a responsive spirit in you Praise the Lord! She'll +leave me alone for a while, and if she gets very deep in her illusions, +she'll forget ail about the marriage plan, for the time at least; but +you seem to be very indifferent to the ducal favor which, by the way, is +quite pronounced. You hardly speak. Are you ill?" + +"I'm tired. I wish I could escape from all the noise, and go to Rodeck." + +"To Rodeck? That would be a fine place in the November mists and the +damp, leafless forests. Ugh, it gives me the horrors." + +"All the same, I have a great longing for the dreary loneliness, and I'm +going there, too, after a few days; that is, if you have no objection." + +"Well, I have very serious objections," retorted Egon crossly. "In +heaven's name what's the matter with you anyway? Now when the whole city +is wild over the author of 'Arivana' and your presence is demanded +everywhere, you want to run away from all the glory and triumph, and +hide yourself in a little, dark hole which is only bearable in +midsummer. Such an idea is unheard of." + +"For my own sake--I need quiet and rest--I will go to Rodeck." + +The young prince shook his head. He was accustomed to have his friend do +as he pleased without much heed to his remonstrances, and he knew no +means by which he could combat this new whim; but it did appear to him a +very unaccountable one. + +"I believe my highly esteemed aunt knows what she's talking about +sometimes," he said, between a joke and a reproof. "She said to me last +night, in the theatre, 'Our friend has caprices like other poets.' I +agree with her. What has come over you, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day +you were fairly beaming with triumph and joy, and now I have scarcely +left you for an hour and return to find you in the depths of melancholy. +Have you seen anything in the papers which has annoyed you? Something +from the pen of a malicious, spiteful critic, I'll be bound." + +He turned toward the writing-table, where the evening papers lay. + +"No, no," Rojanow said, hastily, but he turned his face sidewise, so +that it lay in the shadow. "All the papers mention 'Arivana,' and each +strives to outdo his neighbor in writing complimentary things about me. +You know I am of an uncertain temper, and am often cast down, without +being able to give reason for my depression." + +"Yes, but now when you are overwhelmed with praise, fairly extolled to +the skies, such depression should be far from you. You really seem +exhausted. That comes from the excitement we both have undergone during +the past few weeks." + +He bent anxiously over his friend, who stretched out his hand to him as +if to atone for this sudden change. + +"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--I'll be myself again +in a little while." + +"I sincerely hope so. My poet has much honor awaiting him, even +to-night. I'll leave you now. Try and rest, and don't let any one else +disturb you. You have three good hours before we need start." + +The prince went. He had not seen the bitter smile on his friend's face +when he referred to his triumphs and good fortune; and yet the prince +had spoken the truth. Fame was good fortune and happiness, perhaps the +highest in life, and Hartmut was willing to acknowledge that it was so, +until an hour ago, when a bitter drop had mingled in his cup. + +When the young man had entered his room an hour before, he had glanced +hastily over the evening papers. A review of his work was to be found in +each, and he read with interest the impressions which the drama had +made: of its strength, and depth, and power, and how skillfully the +young and talented Roumanian, Hartmut Rojanow, had outlined and +elaborated his characters. + +Then, as he turned the sheet, another name met his gaze, a name which, +for the moment, deadened his very senses. + +The article which caught his eye stated that the recent journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin, had been on a matter of great +significance. Herr von Wallmoden had had an audience of the duke +immediately on his return, and they had discussed matters of the gravest +importance, and now a high Prussian officer was expected, who was the +bearer of certain special dispatches to the duke. It was evident that +some weighty military affair was under discussion, and Colonel Hartmut +von Falkenried would be in the city in a few days. + +Hartmut let the paper drop from his hands; his whole body seemed to turn +to ice. His father to be here in a day or two! Herr von Wallmoden would +of course tell him all. The possibility of meeting him now seemed to +resolve itself into a certainty. + +"When you have made a great, proud name and future for yourself then you +can stand before him and ask him whether he despises you or not," Zalika +had said to her son on that memorable night when he had protested +against breaking his word to his father. Now the first step toward this +brilliant future had been taken. + +Hartmut Rojanow already wore the laurel wreath, and that was enough, +surely, to obliterate the past. It should and must be enough; and it was +this thought which blazed from Hartmut's eyes as he looked toward the +ambassador's box last night. + +But could he look thus into his father's eyes? Despite all his defiance +he feared those eyes, and them alone, in all the world. + +He had partly decided to go to Rodeck, and then he picked up the paper +again to see if any date was named for the distinguished officer's +arrival. He felt within him a something--a secret and burning longing. +Perhaps now when his great triumph was but just begun, the hour for +reconciliation had come; perhaps, when Falkenried saw what the freedom +and life for which his son had craved so long ago, had developed, he +would forgive the boy for the sake of the man. He was his child still, +his only son, whom he had clasped to his arms with such passionate +tenderness on that last evening at Burgsdorf. + +This memory brought with it a mighty longing in Hartmut's soul for those +arms, for a home, for all that he had lost since those boyhood's days, +which, despite their severity, had been so innocent, so peaceful, so +happy. + +The door opened, and a servant entered and extended a card on a salver. +Rojanow made an impatient movement to take it away. + +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't see any one else to-day?" + +"I told the gentleman that," explained the servant, "but he said he'd +like Herr Rojanow to hear his name, anyway--Willibald von Eschenhagen." + +Hartmut rose suddenly from his reclining position; he did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"What name, did you say?" + +"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card." + +"Ah--show him up. Hurry!" + +The servant left the room, and a minute later Willibald entered, but +remained standing, uncertain and hesitating, near the door. Hartmut had +sprung up and was staring at him. Yes, these were the same old features, +the dear face, the honest blue eyes of his youth's friend, and with a +passionate cry of: + +"Will! My own dear Will! Is it really you? You have come to me!" he +threw his arms stormingly around his friend's neck. + +The young heir, who little understood how his appearance just at the +moment when old memories were welling up in Hartmut's brain, had moved +his friend, was almost overcome by this reception. He remembered that +Hartmut had always been his superior, intellectually, and how many times +he had been made to feel this. He had thought that the author of +"Arivana" would have grown even more imperious and self-assertive, and +now he was given this tender and overwhelming reception. + +"Are you then so rejoiced to see me, Hartmut?" he asked, somewhat +timorously. "I almost feared it would not be right for me to come." + +"Not right, when I have not seen you for ten long years?" cried Hartmut, +reprovingly. And then he drew his friend toward him and began to ask +questions and chatter away with such genuine heartiness, that Will soon +lost his shyness and could speak as of old to him. + +He explained that he had only been three days in town, and was on his +way to Fürstenstein. + +"Yes, and you're to be married soon. I heard of your betrothal at +Rodeck, and I have seen Fräulein von Schönau once. I wish you great +happiness, old fellow." + +Willibald took the wish for his happiness with characteristic coolness. +He sat and gazed on the floor, and said in a low tone: + +"Yes--my mother chose a wife for me." + +"I can well believe that," said Hartmut laughing. "But you at least gave +your 'yes' willingly." + +Willibald did not answer, but seemed to be studying the pattern of the +carpet intently; suddenly he asked abruptly: + +"Hartmut--how do you go to work to write poetry anyhow?" + +Hartmut repressed a smile with difficulty. "That is not easy to explain. +I really fear I cannot answer you intelligibly." + +"Yes, writing poetry is a curious thing," sighed Willibald with a sad +shake of the head. "I tried it myself after I came out of the theatre +last night." + +"What! You've taken to poetry?" + +"Haven't I, though," said Will with a lofty self-consciousness. "But," +he added dejectedly, "I can't make it rhyme, and it hasn't the same +sound as your verses. I have it in my head, but I don't suppose I have +it just right. How did you begin yours? The commencement is the +stumbling block. It's nothing very great or romantic, like 'Arivana.'" + +"Addressed to her of course?" hazarded Hartmut. + +"Yes, to her," Willibald admitted with a deep sigh; and now his listener +laughed out loud and clear. + +"Well, you are a model son, one must concede that. It's not unusual for +a man to be engaged in response to a father's or mother's wishes, but +your sense of duty is so strong that you fall in love with the girl and +even go so far as to write verses in her praise." + +"But they are not to her," cried Willibald suddenly, and with so +sorrowful a face that Hartmut gazed at him dumbfounded. He believed that +his friend was out of his mind, and Willibald's next statement quite +overpowered him, without weakening this suspicion. + +"I had a quarrel early this morning with an insolent fellow who +attempted to insult a lady, Fräulein Marietta Volkmar of the Court +theatre of this city. I struck him to the ground and I'd do it again if +I had an opportunity;--him, or any one else who came near Fräulein +Volkmar." + +He had grown so excited, and rose, as he spoke, with such a threatening +air, that Hartmut seized him by the arm and held him fast. + +"Well, I've no intention of going near her, so you needn't shake your +fist at me, old boy. But what have you to do with the opera singer, +Marietta Volkmar, who has always posed as a very mirror of virtue?" + +"Hartmut, have a care. You must speak respectfully of this lady to me. +To make a long story short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me, and +we're going to have a shot at one another, and I sincerely hope I'll +leave him with a remembrance he won't soon forget." + +"Well, you're making very fair progress in your romance, I must say," +Hartmut answered with growing astonishment. "You've been in town two +days, have had a quarrel with a stranger, who has demanded satisfaction, +are the knight and protector of a young singer on whose account you are +going to fight a duel. For God's sake, Will, what'll your mother say?" + +"As it concerns an affair of honor, my mother will have no right to say +anything," Willibald declared with true heroism. "But I will have to +find a second here, where I am a stranger and know no one. Of course +uncle Wallmoden knows nothing of the matter, or he would have the police +interfere at once, so I resolved to come and ask you whether you would +perform that service for me?" + +"Ah, that's why you came?" said Hartmut in a pained voice. "I thought +for the moment it was the old friendship which had brought you. But, all +the same, I am at your service. With what weapons do you fight?" + +"With pistols." + +"That's an advantage for you. When we used to shoot at a target at +Burgsdorf, you were a fine shot. I'll see the Count's second the first +thing in the morning, and let you know of the arrangements at once; but +I must write to you, for I won't enter Herr von Wallmoden's house." + +Willibald only nodded. He had thought that his uncle's enmity would be +returned in full by Rojanow, so considered it better to say nothing on +the subject. + +"Yes, write me," he answered. "You make what arrangements you deem fit. +I have no experience in such matters, and leave it all to you. Here is +the second's address. Now I must go. I have much to do yet--I must +prepare for the worst." + +He rose and held out his hand to his friend, but Hartmut did not see it. +He sat with eyes fastened on the ground, as he said in a low, stifled +tone: + +"Wait a minute, Will--Burgsdorf is not far from Berlin--do you often +see--" + +"Who?" asked Will. + +"My--my father." + +The young heir was evidently embarrassed by the question; he had avoided +the name of Falkenried all through the conversation, and he did not know +that the father was expected in the city. + +"No," he answered finally, "We don't see the Colonel at all." + +"But he comes to Burgsdorf sometimes, does he not?" + +"No--he keeps to himself, but I saw him by chance the other day with +uncle Wallmoden in Berlin." + +"And how does he look? Is he much changed in these last years?" + +Willibald shrugged his shoulders: "He has certainly grown old. You would +hardly recognize him with his white hair." + +"White hair!" exclaimed Hartmut. "He is scarcely fifty-two years +old--has he been ill?" + +"No--not that I know. His gray hair came suddenly in a few months when +he demanded that his resignation be accepted." + +Hartmut grew pale and stared at the speaker with anxious eyes. + +"My father wished to leave the army, he, heart and soul a soldier, +devoted to his profession--in what year did that happen?" + +"They would not accept it," said Will, evasively. "They sent him to a +distant garrison instead, and for the last three years he has been +minister of war." + +"But he wanted to go--in what year was it?" Hartmut asked in a +determined voice now. + +"It was when you disappeared. He believed his honor demanded it. You +should not have treated your father so, Hartmut; it nearly killed him." + +Hartmut gave no answer, made no attempt to vindicate himself, but he +breathed heavily. + +"We'd better not talk about it," said Will, turning to go. "Nothing can +be undone now, I'll expect your letter in the morning, and you'll +arrange everything. Good-night." + +Hartmut did not seem to hear his friend's words nor notice his +departure; he stood and stared on the ground. A few minutes after +Willibald had left the room he threw his head back, and passed his hand +over his eyes. + +"He would have resigned," he muttered, "resigned, because he believed +his honor demanded it--no, no, I cannot see him, not now--I shall go to +Rodeck." + +The gifted poet, who had stood proud and triumphant before the whole +world and received the laurel wreath of fame, dared not meet his +father's eye--rather face loneliness and desolation. + + * * * * * + +Marietta Volkmar lived with an old kinswoman of her grandfather in a +modest little house surrounded by a tiny garden, in one of those +restful, retired streets which are fast disappearing from our large +cities. + +The two women, old and young, lived a quiet, uneventful life, which +permitted no breath of gossip concerning the young singer; they were +objects of interest and affection to the other inmates of the house, and +Marietta's clear voice was a welcome sound and her bright young face a +cheering sight, to the few who had apartments under the same roof. + +For the past two days the "singing bird" had been dumb, and whosoever +caught sight of her face, saw pale, tear-stained cheeks and swollen +eyes. The people of the house could not explain it, and shook their +heads over it until old Fräulein Berger said that Dr. Volkmar was ill, +and his grandchild could not obtain permission just now to go to him. +All this was true enough for the good doctor was suffering from a severe +cold. + +But it was no sufficient reason for Marietta's despondency, which had +caused much comment among her fellow-workers at the theatre. + +She stood at the window of the comfortable little living-room, having +just returned from rehearsal, and looked out drearily into the quiet +street. Fräulein Berger was stitching industriously by the little centre +table, and looked up now at the young girl with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Child, why do you take the thing so hard?" she said, almost sharply. +"You'll wear yourself out with all this anxiety and excitement. What's +the sense of looking on the worst side?" + +Marietta turned toward the speaker; she was very pale and there was a +sob in her voice, as she replied: + +"This is the third day and I can learn nothing. O, it is terrible, this +waiting hour after hour for bad news." + +"But why need it be bad?" remonstrated the old lady. "Yesterday +afternoon Herr von Eschenhagen, was well and happy. I went out myself at +your desire and found he was out driving with Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden. Perhaps the matter has been settled amicably." + +"Then I'd have had news before now," the girl answered, hopelessly. "He +promised me and he'd keep his word, I know it. If anything has happened, +if he has fallen--I believe I can't live through it." + +The last words sounded forth so passionately that Fräulein Berger +glanced at the speaker frightened. + +"Marietta, that sounds very unreasonable," she said. "It wasn't your +fault that you were insulted, neither would you be to blame if your +friend Toni's fiancé was shot. You couldn't really be more despairing if +it was your own lover who was to fight." + +A deep flush overspread the pale features of the girl for a moment, and +she turned again toward the window. + +"You do not understand, auntie," she replied in a low tone. "You do not +know how much happiness I have had in the head forester's house, how +humbly Toni begged my pardon for the insults her future mother-in-law +heaped upon me. What will she think of me when she hears that her lover +has had a duel on my account? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?" + +"Well, they can be easily convinced that you are blameless in the whole +affair, and if it ends well, they need know nothing about it. I hardly +know you, child, the last few days. You, who always laughed every care +and anxiety away, to sit and mope and grieve. It's incomprehensible to +me. You have hardly eaten or drunk a thing for two days, and wouldn't +sit down to your breakfast this morning. But you must eat some dinner, +and I must go and see to it at once." + +With this the old lady rose and left the room. She was right, poor +Marietta seemed indeed a changed girl. It was without doubt a painful, +depressing feeling, that blame would undoubtedly rest upon her; her +friends at Fürstenstein perhaps might never be made to understand the +real state of the case, how innocent she was of any intention to wrong +or even annoy them; her reputation, too, of which she had been so +guarded; would not every paper be teeming with this "affair of honor," +if either combatant were killed? + +"If need be with my blood," these had been Willibald's last words to her +and they rang in her ears. "O, God be merciful. Not that! not that!" + +Suddenly a tall, manly figure turned the corner and came forward hastily +through the little street, evidently in search of some special number, +and as Marietta looked down she gave a cry of delight, for she +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. + +She did not wait for the bell to be answered, but rushed out impetuously +to open the door herself. + +Her eyes were wet with tears, but her voice sounded clear and jubilant: + +"You have come at last--God be praised!" + +"Yes, here I am, safe and sound," Willibald replied, while his whole +face glowed at this reception. + +How they got back to the little sitting-room neither of them ever knew, +but he had drawn her arm through his and led her in, while she feasted +her eyes on his flushed, happy face. But now she noticed that his right +wrist was bandaged. + +"You have been hurt?" she said, in an anxious whisper. + +"Only a scratch, not worth talking about," Willibald answered, with +great cheerfulness of spirit. "I gave the count something worth +remembering, though--a fine shot through his shoulder--nothing +dangerous, but slow to heal, so that he'll have plenty of time for +reflection. It's very satisfactory, very!" + +"Then it's all over? I knew it." + +"Yes, we met this morning at eight o'clock. But there's nothing to be +anxious about now, Fräulein. It's all well over." + +The young singer gave a deep sigh, as she said: "I thank you, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I thank you from my heart. You have risked your life on my +account, and I cannot be too grateful." + +"There is no occasion for gratitude, Fräulein, but as I have faced a +pistol on your account, you must, at least accept a little memento of +the occasion. You must not trample this peace offering under your feet." + +As he spoke he unwrapped--somewhat awkwardly, for he had only his left +hand--a full blown rose and two buds from its cover of tissue paper. + +Marietta's eyes sank and a flush of shame o'erspread her features as she +took the flowers, without speaking, and pinned them on her breast; then +she reached out her hand, as if begging for forgiveness; it was grasped +at once. + +"You are accustomed to receive gifts of flowers," he said almost +apologetically. "I hear from all sides how much homage is paid you." + +The young girl smiled, but smiled more sadly than joyfully. + +"You have seen what manner of homage is done me at times," she said. +"Count Westerburg is not the first against whom I have had to contend. +So many men consider it perfectly legitimate to attempt liberties with +any one who appears on the stage, and sometimes even those with whom one +associates are not--believe me, Herr von Eschenhagen, my lot is not +always an enviable one." + +Willibald appeared surprised. + +"Not an enviable one? Why, I thought you loved your profession, heart +and soul, and that nothing could induce you to leave it." + +"Certainly, I love it; but I am realizing each day, more and more, with +how much that is hard and bitter I have to contend. My teacher, +Professor Marani, says 'one must mount with the wings of an eagle, then +he leaves all the dross far beneath him.' I think he is right, but I am +not an eagle, I am only what my dear grandfather has often called me, 'a +singing bird,' with nothing but my voice, and no strength to mount to +dizzy heights. The critics have said before now that my acting lacked +fire and strength, and I feel myself that I have little dramatic talent. +I can only sing, and I'd much rather do that at home in our own green +woods, than here in a golden cage." + +The girl's voice had a worn, discouraged ring, very unusual in one so +full of vivacity. The recent occurrence had brought her unprotected +position before her most forcibly, and unconsciously she opened her +heart to the man who had shielded her so bravely. He listened in +astonishment to her sad words, but instead of showing any pity, his face +and eyes fairly beamed with happiness and joy at her sad admission. He +asked abruptly, almost roughly: + +"You long to get away from here? You will leave the stage?" + +Despite her troubles, Marietta laughed out at this question. + +"No, indeed, I have no such thought. What would I turn to then? My dear +grandfather has scraped and saved for years in order that I might +receive a musical education, and it would be but a poor return for me to +go back to him now, a burden for his few remaining years. He shall never +know that his 'singing bird' longs for her woodland nest, or that she +has hardships and insults to encounter here. I have more courage than +that. I mean to fight it out, no matter how heavy the odds. So do not +let them hear anything about my murmurings at Fürstenstein. How soon are +you going there?" + +A shadow fell across the young heir's happy face, and his eyes sank to +the floor. + +"I am going at two this afternoon," he answered in a strange, depressed +tone. + +"O, then grant me one favor. Tell Toni everything--everything--you hear? +She has cause to blame us both. I shall write to her to-day, at once, +and tell her about this unfortunate affair, and you will explain just +how it happened, too, will you not?" + +Willibald raised his eyes slowly from the ground and looked at the +speaker. + +"You are right, Fräulein, Toni must hear all, the whole truth. I had +decided on that before I came here--but it will be a trying hour for +me." + +"Oh, no indeed, it will not," Marietta said hastily. "Toni is good and +full of confidence; she will know that what we tell her is the exact +truth, and that we were both quite guiltless in the matter." + +"But I am not guiltless, at least toward Toni," said Willibald very +earnestly. "Do not look so frightened, you would hear all later, so it +is, perhaps, as well to hear it from my lips. I am going to Fürstenstein +to ask Toni"--he hesitated and sighed deeply--"to give me back my +freedom." + +"Heaven help us! and why?" cried the young maiden, seriously alarmed at +this declaration. + +"Why? Because, feeling as I do, knowing that Toni has no place in my +heart, it would be wrong to lead her to the altar. Because I know now +what is the one thing needful to make a happy marriage, because," he +stopped and looked at Marietta so steadily and so expressively that she +could not fail to understand him. Her face flushed painfully; she drew +back and made a hasty motion as if to prevent further speech. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, tell me no more." + +"I cannot help it," Willibald continued, almost defiantly. "I fought it +over and over in my own mind when I was alone at Burgsdorf, and honestly +tried to keep my word. I thought it might be possible; then I came here +and saw you again--the other evening in 'Arivana'--and then I realized +that all my struggling had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fräulein Marietta, no, not for an hour, even while I was trying to +persuade myself you must be forgotten, and I should not have forgotten +you my whole life long. I will tell Toni all this frankly, and my +mother, too, when I see her again." + +It was all out at last. The man who could not stand alone at +Fürstenstein, and for whom his mother had done all the talking and +planning, spoke now, warmly and earnestly, from his very heart, as only +a man can speak in such an hour. He had learned what liberty meant when +his affections were aroused, and with this knowledge he had forever cast +aside the dependence of habit and indifference. + +He crossed the room to Marietta, who had gone back to the window. + +"And now one question. You were very pale when you opened the door for +me, and had been crying. Of course this affair was very painful to you. +I can understand that, but--but were you the least bit anxious--on my +account?" + +He received no answer. There was only a low, stifled sob. + +"Were you anxious about me? Only a little 'yes;' you cannot know, +Marietta, how happy it will make me." + +He bent over the maiden whose head had sunk so low, but he could not see +the gleam of happiness which lighted up her face as she said softly: "I +have been so anxious that life has hardly been endurable the past two +days." + +Willibald gave a laugh of exultation, and tried to draw her into his +arms; she gave him one long look, and then released herself. + +"No, no, not now. Go--I beg you." + +He stepped back at once. + +"You are right, Marietta. Not now; but when I am free, I shall come to +you and beg for another 'yes.' Good-bye. God bless you!" + +He was gone in an instant, before Marietta could collect her thoughts; +and now the voice of her old kinswoman, who had entered the room a +moment before, unperceived by its occupants, recalled her to herself. + +"My child, what is this, what does it mean? Have you both forgotten--" + +The excited girl did not let her finish; she flung her arms around her +neck, and cried out, passionately: + +"Ah, now I know why I was so angry when he allowed his mother to insult +me and did not take my part. It grieved me so to think he was weak and +cowardly, for I have loved him from the very first." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made +at the house of the Prussian ambassador. Wallmoden had entered upon the +duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but +his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer +coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social +obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great +government. The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with +great splendor. His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things +possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one +of mark in the southern capital. The following week he was to give his +first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made. + +The ambassador was busily engaged, also, in attending to certain +official matters of more than usual importance. With all his other cares +he was secretly annoyed at the result of the production of "Arivana." If +he had had any thought before of openly denouncing Hartmut Rojanow, such +denunciation was now almost impossible. + +This adventurer had been so praised and so lauded and admired for his +poetical genius and talents, that just at present it was a matter of +doubt whether any statement which Wallmoden could make would have much +effect on the society and the court where the newly risen star was the +hero of the hour. Hartmut had risked much against Wallmoden's +threats--and won. The one thing which completed the ambassador's +discomfiture, and made his position extremely painful, was the coming of +Falkenried. It would be impossible to conceal his son's whereabouts and +doings from the father, and Wallmoden dare not let him learn them from +strangers. When they had met in Berlin, for a brief hour, neither knew +of the journey to the South which the Colonel would have to take almost +immediately. He was to be the guest of his old friend, for he also knew +Adelheid very well; she and her brother had grown up under his eyes. + +When Major Falkenried had taken command of a distant garrison ten years +before, the little city where he was stationed had been very near the +principal Stahlberg factories. The new major's reputation had preceded +him; he was said to be a valiant soldier, devoted to the service, who, +when not on duty, gave all his time to the study of military tactics and +discipline, but who held all mankind, soldiers excepted, in abhorrence. +He had a house and lived among men, but for the rest, he turned his back +upon society and every one connected with it. + +But the head of the house of Stahlberg took little heed of the gossip or +of the major's attitude toward his fellow-men, and approached him +without hesitation. The bitter, disappointed man, who shunned all the +world, could not fail to admire in the manufacturer much that was akin +to his own nature, and while their acquaintance never ripened into +friendship, Falkenried understood and appreciated Stahlberg's rugged +character, and in the years in which they lived near one another the +Stahlberg house was the only one which he ever entered willingly. So he +grew to know the children of the house intimately, and kept up his +intercourse with the family after his return to Berlin. When Wallmoden +married he felt that both he and Adelheid had been hardly treated by the +Colonel, when the latter sent some plausible excuse for not attending +the wedding. Adelheid knew little or nothing of the Colonel's fateful +history. She supposed him to be childless, and had only recently learned +from her husband that he had married very young, been divorced from his +wife for many years, and was now a widower. + +Eight days after the return of the Wallmodens, as Adelheid was sitting +at her writing table late one afternoon, Colonel Falkenried was +announced. She rose at once, threw down her pen and hastened to greet +her old friend. + +"How glad I am to see you, dear Colonel. We received your telegram, and +Herbert was just about to start to the station to meet you himself, when +he received a summons from the duke and had to go at once to the castle, +so we could only send the carriage for you." Her greeting was warm and +cordial, such as an old friend of her father might have expected, but +Falkenried, while not exactly distant, was certainly not hearty. He took +the extended hand, but his manner was cold and earnest, and he said +indifferently, as he took the chair offered him: "Well, we can talk to +one another until his return." + +The colonel had changed, changed so greatly as to be past recognition. +Were it not for the tall and erect bearing he would be taken for an old +man. The hair of this man in his fifty-second year was snow white, his +forehead was deeply ploughed with furrows, and the deep lines in his +face told of sorrow beyond all hope of cure. The countenance, which had +once been so full of expression, had a staring, uncomfortable look now, +and his manner bespoke a reserve and repression which could not be +penetrated. Regine's expression, "The man seems turned to stone," was +only too true. + +One could not help forming the impression that the good or ill of his +fellow creatures were both matters of supreme indifference to him; he +lived only in the fulfillment of the duties of his profession. + +"I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using the old name which he had +always heard in her father's house, as he threw a glance at the +half-finished letter on the writing table. + +"Oh, there's plenty of time," his hostess answered carelessly. "I was +only writing to Eugen." + +"Ah, yes; I saw him day before yesterday, and he sent his love to you." + +"I knew he would go to Berlin on purpose to see you. He has not seen you +for over two years, and neither have I, except for the moment, as we +passed through Berlin. We did hope you would come out to Burgsdorf while +we were there, and Regine felt sorely vexed that you did not accept her +invitation." + +The colonel looked at her gloomily. He knew, too well, the bitter +memories associated with the place. He had only been there a couple of +times since his return to Berlin. + +"Regine understands how much my time is occupied," he answered +evasively. "But to return to your brother, I want to speak to you about +something, Ada, and I am not sorry we are alone. What is the matter +between Eugen and his brother-in-law? What has happened?" + +A shade of embarrassment crossed Adelheid's face at this question, but +she answered carelessly: "Nothing especial, only they don't exactly +understand each other." + +"Not understand one another! Wallmoden is almost forty years your +brother's senior, and he's the lad's guardian, too, for two years more, +until Eugen attains his majority. So the boy had nothing to do but obey +orders for that brief space." + +"Of course, but Eugen, while warm-hearted, is impetuous and +inconsiderate, as he has always been from a small boy." + +"That's a pity! He'll have to change all that when he assumes the +responsible position which is awaiting him, if he expects to follow in +his father's footsteps. But there seems something more than that the +matter here. I made a passing allusion to your marriage, Ada--that it +had surprised me a little, more especially as I had known your husband +so well, and had not imagined you were so ambitious. Whereupon Eugen +turned on me and defended you in the warmest manner. Said you had been +sacrificed for him, and left me quite bewildered by his passionate words +and insinuations." + +"You should not have paid any attention to him," said Adelheid, with +noticeable uneasiness. "Such a young hothead sees the tragical side of +everything. What was it he did say?" + +"Really nothing. He said you had made him promise to say nothing without +your permission, but that he hated his brother-in-law. What does it all +mean?" + +The young wife was silent; this talk was anything but pleasant to her. +The colonel looked at her searchingly, while he continued: + +"You know it is not my habit to force myself into others' secrets. I +take little interest, now-a-days, in the doings of my neighbors, but the +honor of my oldest friend is called into question by the insinuation of +a boy. I had no patience with Eugen, and told him to go to Wallmoden +and threaten him if he had anything to say. His answer was: 'O, Herr von +Wallmoden would explain the thing by calling it diplomatic; he has shown +himself a great diplomat. Ask Ada, let her tell you her experience.' So +I did as he bade me, I asked you, but as you will say nothing, I have no +alternative but to speak to your husband. For I cannot keep silence +concerning such insulting remarks." + +He spoke without excitement, in a measured, cold tone, as if, while a +matter of no moment to himself, he felt it his duty to interrogate his +friend's wife. + +"Pray don't mention it to Herbert, I beg of you," Adelheid said, +hastily. "I will tell you myself. Eugen has been carried away by his +temper; he has taken the affair too much to heart from the beginning. +There was nothing dishonorable in it." + +"I supposed that when Wallmoden had to do with it," the colonel +interrupted with marked emphasis. + +Adelheid lowered her voice, but she avoided the colonel's eye as she +continued: + +"You know that I was not engaged to Herbert until after our year's +residence in Florence. My father was very ill and his physicians ordered +him to Italy for the winter. We went to Florence for a couple of months; +our farther movements were to depend upon my father's condition. My +brother accompanied, us and when the winter set in he was to return +home. After a few weeks we took a villa just outside the city, and +lived, of course, a very retired life. Eugen saw Italy for the first +time under very sad and depressing circumstances; it was very trying for +him, a mere boy, to sit day after day in a sick room, so I seconded his +request to be allowed to go to Rome for a few weeks, and obtained the +desired permission for him. I ought never to have done so. But I did +not know how great was his inexperience or into what it would lead him." + +"Which means that he plunged into frivolous pleasure or dissipation +while his father lay on his death-bed," the Colonel interposed harshly. + +"Do not be hard on him. My brother was scarcely twenty years old, and +while he had a loving father, he had a severe one, who had brought him +up with such strictness that this little breath of freedom proved too +much for him. The young German, with no worldly experience whatever, was +enticed into a circle where play ran high, and where, as was afterwards +proven, cheats and gamblers plied their vocation. Eugen in his ignorance +saw nothing of all this; he lost considerable sums, and at last one +night the club was raided by the police. The Italians resisted them and +a scuffle ensued, into which Eugen was drawn. He only defended himself, +but in so doing severely wounded one of the police, and he was arrested +with the others." + +The Colonel had listened in silence to Adelheid's agitated recital, but +he showed neither interest nor emotion as he said severely: "And poor +Stahlberg had to live to see his son, whom he imagined a model, come to +this!" + +"He never knew it. It was only a momentary seduction, a boy's misstep +through ignorance, which will never be repeated; Eugen has given me his +word of honor for that." + +Falkenried laughed out suddenly, such a bitter, mocking laugh, that the +young wife looked at him in alarm. + +"His word of honor. Certainly, why not? It is as easy given as broken. +Are you really so credulous that you would take the word of such a boy?" + +"Yes, I am, indeed," Adelheid answered earnestly, as she looked +reprovingly into the face of the man whose bitterness she could not +understand. "I know my brother; he is his father's son in spite of +everything and will not break his word." + +"It is well for you you can still trust and believe; for me such days +were over long ago," said Falkenried, scowling, but in a milder tone. +"And what happened then?" + +"My brother had word sent to me at once. 'Do not tell father, it would +kill him,' he wrote. I knew better than he that it would do so; my +father was far too ill then to bear any excitement. It was hard for the +moment to know what to do, for we were strangers in a strange land. Then +I thought of Herbert, who was at that time ambassador to Florence. We +knew him slightly at home, and he had called upon us in Florence, and +offered his services or those of his attachés if we should desire +anything. Since we had taken a house he had been to see father +frequently, and came now immediately in answer to my request. I had +reliance in him, and told him all, asking for advice and help, and he +gave me both." + +"At what price?" asked the Colonel, suddenly, with darkening face. + +"No, no; it is not as you think, or as Eugen will persist in believing. +I have not been forced. Herbert gave me my free choice. He explained to +me that the matter was much more serious than I had thought, that all +sums lost at play must be paid, and that the affair might yet assume +serious proportions on account of the wounding of the policeman. He +explained that it would be very embarrassing for him in his position, to +be personally mixed up in such an affair. 'You desire me to save your +brother," he said. "Perhaps I can do it, but I place my present +position, and my whole future at stake by so doing, and one hardly cares +to do that for any one less than a brother, or brother-in-law!" + +Falkenried rose with a start and paced the room once, then he stood +before his friend's wife, and said in an angry tone: + +"And in your deadly anxiety, naturally you believed him?" + +"Do you mean that it was not so?" questioned Adelheid. + +He shrugged his shoulders as he answered: + +"Possibly. I understand little of diplomatic considerations, but I know +that Wallmoden showed himself a greater diplomat than ever in this hour. +What answer did you give him?" + +"I begged for time, it had all come on me so suddenly. But I knew not a +moment was to be lost, so the same evening I gave Herbert the right to +rescue his brother-in-law." + +"Naturally," muttered Falkenried with keen contempt. "Wise Herbert." + +"He left for Rome at once," continued Baroness von Wallmoden, "and +returned eight days later with my brother. He had succeeded in getting +Eugen off without making him conspicuous; his name was not even +mentioned in the papers as connected with the affair. How Herbert did it +I never knew. He spent money like water, and he told me later that he +pledged half his fortune to cover the gambling debts." + +"That was very magnanimous, when he was about to gain a million by the +sacrifice. And what did Eugen say to this--transaction?" + +"He did not know of it at the time, for he returned at once to Germany, +as had been arranged before. Herbert came to the house now, daily, and +my father grew to like him, and when Herbert finally proposed to him for +my hand, I was thankful that the affair had taken the turn it had, and +my father imagined he had been paying court to me all this time. But +Eugen was not to be deceived. As soon as he heard of our betrothal, his +suspicions were aroused, and he wrung the truth from me. Since then he +has reproached himself continually, and has a hatred for Herbert, +notwithstanding my repeated assurances that I was not coerced, and have +had no cause to regret my marriage, and that I find in Herbert an +attentive, considerate husband." + +Falkenried looked searchingly in her face as if he would read her inmost +thoughts. + +"Are you happy?" he asked at last, slowly. + +"I am contented." + +"That is much in this life; we are not born to be happy. I have done you +an injustice, Ada. I thought that the glitter of court life, the +opportunity to marry a baron and an ambassador had tempted you to become +Frau von Wallmoden, but I find instead--I am sorry, Ada, that I did you +an injustice." + +He extended his hand as he spoke, and in the motion there was a plea for +pardon. + +"Now you know all," said Adelheid with a deep sigh, "and I beg you not +to discuss the subject with Herbert. You see for yourself he did nothing +dishonorable. I repeat to you he used no force, my love for my brother +was the only force. I could not have expected Herbert to exert himself +as he had to do in Rome--for a stranger." + +"If a woman had come to me under such circumstances, I should have saved +her brother--without stipulations," Falkenried exclaimed. + +"Ah, you--I would have followed you with a light heart." + +These words disclosed unconsciously how hard had been the struggle +within this girl's breast. If a sacrifice had to be made, far easier to +make it to the dark, gloomy, rigid man who, notwithstanding all his +bitterness and hardness, she could trust implicitly, than to the polite +and attentive husband who had taken advantage of her inexperience and +fear. + +"You'd have had a sad lot in that case, Ada," the colonel answered with +a shake of the head. "I am one of those human beings who can give or +receive nothing more in this world; life was over for me long ago. But +you are right, it is better for me not to discuss this matter with +Wallmoden, for if I gave him my opinion--but he is and ever will be a +diplomat." + +The conversation was over and Adelheid rose and said in her usual quiet +tone: + +"And now shall I show you to your room? You must be fatigued after your +long journey." + +"No indeed, I'd be a poor soldier to be worn out by a night's travel. In +the service something else is expected from us." + +He bore no marks of fatigue; as he stood, broad and tall before her, his +muscles and sinews seemed made of steel, it was only the face which was +old and haggard. The eyes of the young wife followed him thoughtfully as +he again paced the room. She noted the furrowed forehead, so high and +broad under the white hair. It seemed to her she had seen it somewhere +else, only the locks were dark and curly, and beneath the brow were +strange, large eyes, which illumined a face of southern beauty. But +surely the forehead on which she gazed was strangely like that across +which the sudden wave of passion had passed on that memorable day of the +hunt, even to the deep-set blue veins which stood out so prominently in +the temples. It was a strange, unaccountable, fascinating resemblance. + +A few hours later the two old friends were seated together in +Wallmoden's private study. The host had dreaded this hour, but now the +tale was told and the impression which it made on the Colonel anything +but what his host had expected. He had told of Rojanow's sudden +appearance at Fürstenstein, of the sensation which his drama had created +in the city, of his wandering life with his mother during past years, +and of Zalika's death. Falkenried had leaned back in the chair, his arm +resting on the window sill, and listened to the whole long story without +movement of form or feature, without a question, without a comment; he +hardly seemed to hear, he was indeed made of stone. + +"I believe it is right to tell you all this now," concluded the +ambassador. "Hitherto I have not troubled you with the knowledge which +has come to me from time to time, but now you must learn all I have to +tell and how the land lies." + +The Colonel did not change his position, and his voice betrayed no +emotion as he replied: "I thank you for your good intentions, but you +could have spared yourself the trouble. What do I care for this +adventurer?" + +Wallmoden had not expected such an answer, and looked keenly at his +friend as he continued: + +"I deemed it necessary to tell you because of the possibility of a +meeting. Rojanow plays a conspicuous part here and is to be met with +everywhere. The duke is greatly taken with him; you will be very apt to +come across him at the castle." + +"And what then? I know no one who bears the name of Rojanow, and he will +not dare to know me. We will pass one another as strangers." + +Wallmoden watched his friend's face closely while he was speaking; he +wondered if all feeling was dead, or if this intense coldness and +indifference were assumed. + +"I believed you would have taken the news of your son's re-appearance +differently," he said, half aloud. It was the only time he used the word +"son;" he had called him Rojanow in telling the story, and he did it +with a purpose now. For the first time there was a movement from the +window, but it was a movement of anger. + +"I have no son, bear that in mind, Wallmoden. He died that last night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead return no more." + +Wallmoden was silent, but the colonel stepped up to him and laid his +hand heavily on his arm. + +"You mentioned just now that you felt it your duty to tell the duke, but +consideration for me had kept you silent so far. I have but one thing +left to guard in the wide world, the honor of my name, and such an +explanation on your part would stain it forever. Do what you think is +best. I shall not prevent you, but--I must then do what I think best." + +His voice sounded hard as ever, but there was a tone underlying his +words which fairly frightened the ambassador. + +"For God's sake, Falkenried, what do you mean?" + +"Do as you choose. You diplomats have peculiar ideas of honor at times, +with which ordinary mortals may not agree--I leave it to you." + +"I shall be silent, I give you my word," answered Wallmoden, to whom +Falkenried's words were enigmatical, for Adelheid's confession was +unknown to him. "I had really decided on that before you came. The name +of Falkenried shall not be exposed to scorn or derision through me." + +"Well and good, then we need not discuss the subject farther," said +Falkenried. Then, after a short pause, he began on quite a different +subject. "You have prepared the duke for what I bring him? What does +he say about it?" + +Here was again the old, iron impenetrability which closed the door +against all inquiry. The change was a welcome one to the ambassador, who +was here, as elsewhere, the diplomat, and disliked nothing more than +unnecessary candor and straightforwardness, and who would never have +thought of giving all this information to Falkenried, had not the danger +of his friend learning it elsewhere been very great. Now no matter what +happened, he could say to the father, "I told you. I warned you." Even +the duke could not find fault with a man for sparing an old friend. +"Wise Herbert" understood how to answer them all. + +Colonel Falkenried's stay was limited, and there was so much to be done +that he had scarcely time to breathe. + +Audiences with the duke, consultations with prominent military +officials, hours spent with certain members of foreign embassies, all +these had to be crowded into a few days. Wallmoden was scarcely less in +demand until everything was arranged. The ambassador, and more +especially Colonel von Falkenried, had reason to be contented with the +result, for they had acquired everything which they demanded for their +government, and could count with full reliance on the duke. It was +whispered that some matter of more than ordinary import was on the +tapis, but none of the gossipers knew what, and the few who did know +kept their own counsel. + +The author of "Arivana" was the favorite of the day, and people began to +discuss his very erratic behavior. Almost immediately after his +glittering triumph he had turned his back upon all who had done him +homage, friends and sycophants alike, and gone to the "wilderness," as +Prince Adelsberg explained to every one; where that wilderness lay, no +one knew, for Egon had given his word to his friend that he would not +reveal his retreat, and Hartmut had promised in return that as soon as +he had had a little quiet and rest he would come back. So no one knew +that Herr Rojanow was at Rodeck. + +Baron von Wallmoden's carriage was drawn up on a cold, dark morning +before the door of the Prussian ambassador's residence. + +This time the drive was to be a long one, for servants brought out furs +and robes and piled them on the seats. The ambassador, who had just +risen from his breakfast, was taking leave of the Colonel. + +"Well, good-bye until to-morrow night," he said, holding out his hand. +"We'll be back by that time, anyway, and you'll remain for several days +yet." + +"Yes, as the duke has requested it," answered the Colonel. "I sent my +report off at once to Berlin; so a few days either way doesn't matter +now." + +"Of course not. And they'll certainly be well satisfied with your +reports, too. But we've had a few hot days with little time for rest. +Thank God, everything is arranged and we can breathe again! I feel that +I am free to leave the city now for twenty-four hours, so Adelheid and I +will go to Ostwalden." + +"Ostwalden is the name of your new country seat? I remember, you +mentioned it yesterday, but I did not understand just where it was +situated." + +"It lies about ten miles from Fürstenstein. When we were there in +September, Schönau called my attention to it. It is situated in the most +beautiful part of the celebrated forest, and suits me exactly. They +asked a ridiculous price for it, but since my return I've decided to +take it and am going there now to make some final arrangements." + +"Ada does not appear too well pleased with your choice. She seems to +dislike the neighborhood of Fürstenstein," said the Colonel. But +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +"Just a whim, nothing more. In the beginning Adelheid was in raptures +over Ostwalden, and then later she raised every possible objection to +the place; but I had gone too far to retreat. I shall in all probability +remain some time at my present post, and want to avoid long journeys in +the summer. So that a country seat which can be reached in four hours +from town possesses great attractions in my eyes. The castle has been +sadly neglected of late years, and I'll have to make many altertions. +But I have my plans for rebuilding and altering all arranged, and am +going to make it one of the finest places in the country." + +He talked with great satisfaction over all he was to accomplish at +Ostwalden. Herbert von Wallmoden had possessed but a small fortune of +his own, and had been forced to live very circumspectly all his life +long, in consequence. But now he could give free rein to his desire for +splendor and display, and could talk of fine homes in city and country +without thought of the outlay, or any consideration either for the whims +of the young wife whose fortune he was spending with so lavish a hand. + +Perhaps Falkenried thought of all this as he listened to his friend +grown almost enthusiastic on the subject, but he said nothing. He had +grown more silent and stonier than ever, if that were possible, during +the last few days. And when he did ask a question concerning the +every-day affairs of life, one felt it was merely mechanical, and that +he scarcely cared whether he received an answer or not. + +Now as Adelheid entered the room, fully equipped for her journey, he +turned to her and offered his arm to escort her to the carriage. After +he had helped her in it, Wallmoden entered, and as the coachman cracked +his whip, said: + +"We'll be back to-morrow without fail--good-bye." + +Falkenried bowed and stepped back. It mattered little to him whether +they came back to-morrow or not, all friendships were over for him. But +as he entered the house again, he said: + +"Poor Ada, she deserved a better fate." + +Everything was going on in the usual quiet fashion at Fürstenstein. +Willibald had been there for a week. He was two days later than he had +expected to be; but he had met with a slight accident, and his hand was +hurt, so he told his uncle; and this was perfectly satisfactory, and not +at all alarming, as the hand was nearly healed now. The head forester +found his son-in-law changed since his last visit, and changed for the +better, too. He had become much more earnest and decided than formerly, +and seemed so well satisfied with his daughter, von Schönau thought. + +"I believe Will will turn out to be a man, yet. How much he improves +without his mother to stand by to command and dictate." + +As for the rest, Herr von Schönau had no time to trouble himself with +the lovers. The duke, during his stay at Fürstenstein, had made many +changes and innovations upon the established order of things in the +forestry, and it required both zeal and watchfulness on the part of the +head forester to set things straight again, and bring his subordinates +back to the old regime. He saw Antonie and Willibald daily, and noticed +that they were much together and seemed to understand one another +perfectly, so he did not concern himself much about them. + +In the meantime there had been much anxiety and alarm in the house of +Dr. Volkmar. + +The doctor's sickness, which had not at first been regarded as serious, +had suddenly taken an alarming turn, and owing to his age the worst was +feared. His granddaughter was telegraphed for in hot haste, and she, +after obtaining permission from her manager, who gave her part in +"Arivana" to an understudy, hurried home at once. + +It was at this time that Antonie showed her sincere, unobtrusive +attachment to her childhood's friend. Day after day she went to the +Volkmar cottage, to comfort and cheer Marietta, who hung in an agony of +anguish and suspense over her grandfather's bed. Willibald found it +necessary to go with his cousin and do what he could. All this seemed +natural enough to the head forester, who was sincerely attached to the +Volkmars, and felt a great desire to show more than an ordinary amount +of attention to "the poor little thing" who had been so cruelly insulted +in his house. He had it in for his sister-in-law when he should see her +again. + +At the end of three dreadful days the doctor's strong constitution +asserted itself, and hopes of his recovery were entertained. Herr von +Schönau was as rejoiced as any of the family, and rubbed his hands with +a satisfied air when Toni, on the fourth day, reported a marked +amendment in the doctor's condition. + +But a thunder-storm from the north was descending upon them all. +Suddenly, without any announcement, Frau von Eschenhagen appeared in +their midst. She had wasted no time in the city with her brother, but +came on directly from Burgsdorf, and descended like a veritable +thunder-storm upon her brother-in-law, who was in his own room reading +the papers. + +"Bless us--is it you, Regine?" he cried, really alarmed. "This is a +surprise. Why didn't you send word you were coming?" + +"Where is Willibald?" was her only response in an incensed tone. "Is he +at Fürstenstein?" + +"Of course, where else would he be? He wrote you of his arrival, that +much I know." + +"Let him be called--now, this minute." + +"What's the matter with you, Regine?" asked the head forester, noticing +for the first time her intense excitement. "Is Burgsdorf burned to the +ground? I can't bring your Will to you now, this minute, for he's not +here just now, he's over at Waldhofen--" + +"Probably, at Dr. Volkmar's. In that case she's there too." + +"What 'she?' Toni has gone over as usual to be with Marietta; that poor +little girl has been in despair for the past few days. And I want to +have a word with you, Frau sister-in-law, while we are on this subject. +How could you have spoken so cruelly to Marietta, in my house, too. I +didn't hear of it for some time after, but I can tell you I--" + +A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown aside her bonnet and cloak, and she now +strode angrily to her brother-in-law's chair. + +"Do you still reprove me because I did my best to put an unclean thing +out of your house? You have always been blind. You would not listen to +me--and now it is too late." + +"I believe you're gone clean mad, Regine," said Herr von Schönau +solemnly. He didn't really know what to think. "Control yourself long +enough to tell me what the trouble is." + +For reply Regine unfolded a newspaper and pointing to a certain +paragraph said tragically: + +"Read!" + +The head forester began to read, and he, too, soon became excited, and +grew red and angry as he read on. The paper was a weekly, published in +the South-German capital, and the article which excited their joint +wrath read as follows: + +"We have just learned that a duel with pistols was fought early last +Monday morning, in one of the unfrequented suburbs of our city. The +opponents were the well-known society gentleman, Count W., and a young +North German landlord, W.v.E., who is the nephew and has been for the +past few days the guest of a very prominent member of the diplomatic +circle. The cause of the quarrel which resulted in the duel was a member +of the court theatre company, a young singer who has, until now, enjoyed +a good reputation. Count W. was wounded in the shoulder, and Herr v.E., +who has left the city since, received a trifling wound in the hand." + +"That goes beyond anything I ever heard," cried the head forester, in a +towering rage. "My future son-in-law fights a duel on Marietta's +account. What was the quarrel about? What do you know about it, Regine? +My papers don't mention it." + +"But mine do. You'll find it in yours if you look them over well. I +caught sight of the article yesterday, and started at once, without even +staying over to see Herbert. Evidently he knows nothing about it yet, or +he'd have sent me word." + +"Herbert'll be here to-day; in an hour or two now," said von Schönau, +while glancing hastily over the papers. "He was going to Ostwalden with +Adelheid, he wrote me, and would return to town by way of Fürstenstein +and spend an hour with me. Perhaps he is coming to tell me about it, +but that doesn't change anything. What's the matter with Will, has he +gone mad?" + +"Yes, that he has," answered Regine, all excitement again. "You sneered +at me, Moritz, when I warned you your child would suffer from +association with an actress. That such a thing as this could happen +never entered my head until the moment when I discovered that Willibald, +my own, only son, was in love with this Marietta Volkmar. I tore him +from the danger and returned at once to Burgsdorf. That was the reason +of our sudden flight. I did not tell you for I thought Will was only +dazed for the moment, and would soon recover his reason again. The boy +seemed to have done so, or I would never have trusted him to come here +without me. I put him in Herbert's charge and felt perfectly sure that +all would be well. He could only have been in the city three or four +days at most, and well must he have spent his time." + +She threw herself back in an easy chair, worn out and anxious as well as +angry, while the head forester walked up and down the room angrier than +ever now. + +"And that's not the worst of it," he cried. "The worst is the game which +the rascal has been playing with me and my poor daughter since he came +here. My poor child has been running to Waldhofen day after day to give +what comfort and aid she could, and Willibald has always accompanied her +to comfort Marietta too--oh, its atrocious! Your model son has turned +out well, I must say, Regine." + +"Perhaps you think I intend to shield him!" Regine answered spitefully. +"He shall stand before me, shall stand before us both, and speak. That's +what I have come for. He shall learn to know me!" + +She rose as though ready now for the attack, and her hearer, who was +muttering angrily to himself, said aloud: + +"He shall learn to know us both!" + +Just then, in the middle of their excitement, the door opened, and the +poor, ill-treated fiancé, Antonie von Schönau entered the room quiet and +composed as ever, and said as she went toward her aunt: + +"I heard from the servants of your unexpected arrival, dear aunt--I am +so glad to see you." + +Instead of any answer or word of greeting from her aunt the same +question from both sides sounded in her ears. + +"Where is Willibald?" + +"He'll be here in a few minutes, he waited to give some direction to the +castle gardener; he does not know his mother is here." + +"To the castle-gardener! Doubtless he wants some more roses," Frau von +Eschenhagen broke out afresh, while the father held out both his arms to +Toni and said, in a trembling voice: + +"My child, my poor, deceived child, come to me. Come to your father's +arms." + +He would have drawn his daughter into his arms, but Regine stepped +before him and said in a husky voice: + +"Be composed, Toni, you will have a fearful blow from your false lover; +you will despise him and his deceptions from your very soul." + +This sudden sympathy had in it something alarming, but fortunately Toni +had never been troubled with weak nerves; she released herself now from +this double embrace, and drew back from them both as she said, with +quiet decision: + +"I could not do that, for Will is beginning to please me better now than +he has ever pleased me before in his life." + +"So much the worse," interrupted her father. "Poor child, you know +nothing, suspect nothing. Your lover has fought a duel, and for a woman, +too." + +"I know it, papa." + +"For Marietta," screamed her aunt. + +"I know it, dear aunt." + +"But he loves Marietta," they both cried out with one voice. + +"I know it all," declared Toni in her quiet, drawling tone. "Have known +it for a week." + +The effect of this declaration was so depressing that the two angry +parents were dumb, and looked at one another stupefied. In the meantime +Toni continued with the utmost composure: + +"Will told me all about it just as soon as he got here; and he spoke so +simply and with such true heartedness that he made me weep from very +sympathy; then a letter came from Marietta begging my pardon, and it was +so loving and penitent in its tone that I was deeply moved. There was +nothing for me to do but to give back my lover his freedom." + +"Without asking us?" interposed her aunt. + +"No questions were necessary in this case," Antonie answered, quietly. +"I cannot marry a man who declares to me that he loves another woman. So +we dissolved our engagement without any further discussion." + +"Indeed, and I learn it now for the first time. You two have become very +independent, all at once," cried the head forester, enraged. + +"Will meant to explain to you the next day, papa, but after such an +explanation he felt he could not remain here longer, and just then +Marietta was called home by her grandfather's illness. She was nearly +broken hearted when she thought he would die, and Will felt he could +not leave her until he knew what would be the result of the illness. So +I said to keep silence until the danger was over, and then speak. We +have both gone daily to the cottage to cheer poor Marietta. They are so +grateful to me and call me the guardian angel of their love." + +The young girl seemed quite affected by this thought, and took her +handkerchief to wipe the tears which were welling up in her eyes. + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood stark and stiff as a statue. + +Schönau had folded his arms, and said with a deep sigh: + +"Well, God bless you for your magnanimity, my dear child. So everything +is as if it had never been. But you have been very generous in your +statements, one must acknowledge that. You have taken it very quietly, +and seen your betrothed make love to another girl before your very +eyes." + +Antonie nodded her head. She was greatly pleased to play the _rôle_ of +guardian angel, and she found no difficulty in so doing for her +affection for Willibald had been very mild from the beginning. + +"There was no talk of love making, papa. Dr. Volkmar was far too ill," +she explained. "We had all we could do to comfort poor Marietta, who was +dreadfully alarmed. You can see for yourself now that I have not been +deceived and that Will has been outspoken and honorable throughout. It +was I who advised him to be silent for a few days, particularly as it +was a matter which only concerned us two, and--" + +"Oh, that is what you thought. Then it does not concern us at all?" the +head forester interrupted angrily. + +"No papa, and Will thought with me that in such a case there was no use +in troubling the parents--" + +"What did Will think ?" asked Frau Regine, who at this unheard of +assertion thought it was time to take part in the conversation again. + +"That one should love before one marries, and Will is right," Toni +declared with unwonted vivacity. "When he and I were engaged, there was +no talk of love. It was all settled for us, but that'll never happen to +me a second time. I see now for myself what it means when two people +love one another with their whole hearts, and how greatly it has changed +and improved Will. Now when I marry I must be loved as Will loves +Marietta, and if I can't find a man who will love me devotedly, I'll +remain single all my life." + +And with this declaration and with a decisiveness in which nothing was +lacking, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau tossed her head back, and walked +out of the room leaving her father and aunt in anything but an enviable +state. + +Herr von Schönau turned to his sister-in-law and said in a subdued but +angry tone: + +"Your son has been going ahead beautifully, Regine. Now Toni declares +she will be loved devotedly, too; this is the beginning of fine, +romantic ideas in her head, and Will seems to have them all down fine by +this time. I verily believe he has done his own proposing this time." + +Frau von Eschenhagen did not heed his ironical remarks; she sat gazing +vacantly into space, but the look on her face was not pleasant to see. + +"I'm glad you can see the comical side," she said after a pause. "I +confess I look another way." + +"That won't help you much," Herr von Schönau answered. "When a model son +begins to rebel, that's the end of it. It's hopeless trying to change +him, particularly when he's in love. But I am very curious to see Will +genuinely in love, and to hear what this paragon has to say for +himself." + +His curiosity was to be gratified at once, for just at that moment +Willibald put in an appearance. + +It could be seen at a glance that he had heard of his mother's arrival +and was prepared to face her. The young heir did not hang back +diffidently this time, as he had done when he hid the roses in his +pocket two months before. There was something in his bearing which told +he was prepared for combat. + +"There is your mother, Will," began the head forester. "You must be +greatly surprised to see her." + +"No, uncle, I am not," the young man answered, but he made no attempt to +approach his mother, who stood like a threatening cloud, and whose voice +was an angry growl as she asked: + +"Perhaps you know, then, why I came?" + +"I imagine why, mother, even though I do not know where you obtained +your information." + +"The newspapers keep us advised--there, read that," and his mother +handed him the newspaper from the table. "But Toni has been here and +told us all--do you hear--all!" + +She spoke the last words in a tone of annihilation, but Willibald did +not seem at all disturbed by them, and answered very quietly: + +"Well, then, in that case, there's no need for my saying anything. +Otherwise I should have spoken to my uncle this afternoon." + +That was too much. Now the cloud broke with thunder and lightning, and +the storm descended with such violence upon the head of the sinning son +that there seemed nothing less for him to do than to sink into the +ground as a creature too debased to live; but he did not sink; he bent +his head before the driving tempest, and when his mother stopped a +moment--she had to take breath--he looked up quietly and said: + +"Mother--will you allow me to speak now?" + +"Oh, you are ready to speak? That is really remarkable," Schönau +interrupted with a sneer. He felt he had not been kindly used by his +daughter and her lover. Willibald began to speak, at first hesitatingly +and slowly, but, as he went on, his voice strengthened, and his courage +returned. + +"I am very sorry to have grieved you, but I could do nothing else this +time. I was as innocent of any desire to fight a duel as was Marietta. +She was followed in the park by an impertinent fellow who insisted upon +pressing his attentions upon her; she was alone, unprotected. I saw what +happened and knocked the fellow down for his pains. He sent me a +challenge which I would not, and dare not decline. I have only Toni's +pardon to beg for loving Marietta, and that I did immediately upon my +arrival. She knows all, and has given me back my freedom. We understand +and respect one another much more since our betrothal is at an end, than +ever we did before." + +"Well, this almost passes belief," exclaimed the head forester angrily. +"We did not force you; you could have said no, either of you, if you had +desired." + +"Well, we do it now," Willibald answered, so decidedly and quickly that +his uncle looked at him quite bluffed. "Toni sees as well as I that a +mere marriage by arrangement is not right, and when one has felt the +bliss of loving he must marry the object of that love and no other." + +Frau von Eschenhagen, who had recovered her breath by this time, felt +the sting of these last words. It had not entered her thoughts that one +betrothal had been broken in order that another might be arranged, but +now the fearful possibility struck her. + +"Marry;" she repeated, "who would you marry? Would you marry that +Marietta, that creature--" + +"Mother, you must learn to speak of my future wife in a different +tone--" said her son, in so earnest and decided a manner that the +enraged woman was dumbfounded. "As Toni has released me, I am at liberty +to love Marietta, and Marietta's character is blameless, of that I have +had proof. Who vexes or insults her must answer to me--even if it be my +own mother." + +"See, see, the boy's getting on bravely," cried the head forester, whose +sense of justice overcame for the moment his anger. But Frau von +Eschenhagen was far removed from any instinct of justice. She had +believed that her mere presence would have subdued her son, and now he +defied her in this manner. His very appearance was different, and this +enraged her the more for she realized how deep and strong was the +feeling which could thus have changed him. + +"I will spare you the trouble of calling your own mother to account," +she said with intense bitterness. "You are of age and are the heir of +Burgsdorf, and I cannot prevent you doing as you choose. But on the day +when you bring Marietta Volkmar to Burgsdorf--I leave it." + +The threat had its effect; Willibald moved back a step as he said +excitedly: + +"Mother, you are speaking in anger." + +"I speak in full earnest. As soon as an actress enters that house as +mistress, where I have lived and ruled in honor for thirty years, and +where I had hoped to lay my head down for my last, long sleep, I leave +it forever. So take her to Burgsdorf if you wish--you have your choice +between your mother and the actress." + +"But Regine, don't be so unreasonable," remonstrated Schönau. "You +should give the poor fellow some chance and not leave him such a hard +choice." + +Regine did not heed his remonstrance, she stood there, white to the very +lips, her eyes fixed upon her son. She repeated impressively: + +"Decide which it shall be--she or I." + +Willibald had grown pale, too, and an expression of deep pain lay on his +face as he said gently: "That is hard, mother. You know how dearly I +love you, and what a grief it will be to me if you should leave me. But +if you are so cruel as to leave me no option, then," he straightened +himself and finished with great decision, "then I choose Marietta." + +"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a +sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better +now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you +are not going to be my son-in-law." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had +built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a +wreck. + +She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she +would not have bent her stubborn will then. + +"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and +turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words, +as he rose to follow her. But before they had reached the door, it was +opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly: + +"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes--" + +"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schönau sharply. "Tell +old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and--" + +He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in +the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone: + +"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schönau, but it is a sad one. I +cannot wait, but must speak with you at once." + +"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune +happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?" + +"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me. +He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck, +and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not +heard, "and my lady should come, too." + +"But what is it, what has happened?" cried the forester, seriously +alarmed now. + +The old man hesitated; he seemed not to know how to break his bad news +gently. At last he spoke. + +"His excellency Baron von Wallmoden is at Rodeck--and the baroness, +too." + +"My brother?" Regine cried apprehensively. + +"Yes, my lady. His excellency was thrown from his carriage and now he is +unconscious at Rodeck, and the physician whom we summoned in haste, says +his condition is very serious." + +"God help us! Moritz, we must go at once," exclaimed Regine. + +Schönau had already rung and he ordered horses and carriage to be got +ready at once. "And now, Stadinger, tell us how it happened." + +"The Herr Baron was on his way from Ostwalden to Fürstenstein," began +Stadinger. "The way lay through the Rodeck lands, not far from the +Castle. Our forester, who was in the woods close by with some of the +men, fired a couple of shots at a deer which started out of the thicket +and ran across the road just in front of His Excellency's carriage. The +horses shied and started off, and the coachman lost control of them. +The forester, who reached the road at that moment, heard the Frau +Baroness say to her husband: 'Sit still, Herbert! for God's sake, don't +move!' But the baron must have lost his head, for he stood up and made +one spring. Of course he did not know where he was going, and fell with +great force against a fallen tree. Just a few yards farther on, at a +bend in the road, the coachman succeeded in pulling up the horses. The +baroness, who was not hurt at all, only shaken a little, hastened at +once to her husband, but the poor gentleman was badly hurt, and was +unconscious. The forester and his men brought him to Rodeck. Herr +Rojanow did everything that was necessary, and then sent me in hot haste +for you!" + +In the presence of this new disaster, all dissensions ceased, and Toni +was summoned and orders were hastily given, and as soon as the carriage +was ready the head forester and Frau Regine hurried off. Willibald and +Stadinger followed them at once, but as they descended the stairs, the +former held back for a moment and asked in a whisper: + +"What did the physician say? Did you hear anything?" + +The old man shook his head sadly and answered in a subdued tone: + +"I stood by when Herr Rojanow questioned him in the hall. There is no +hope. The poor baron won't live until night." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The little hunting lodge of Rodeck, which lay so white and silent in the +snow of that first December day, had seldom been witness to so great an +excitement as that occasioned by Baron Wallmoden's accident. It was +about noon when the two foresters appeared with their unconscious burden +in their arms. Hartmut Rojanow had seen at a glance what was to be done. +He had the injured man taken at once to Prince Adelsberg's room, sent +off a messenger for the nearest physician, and gave intelligent orders +concerning the sick man's treatment until the doctor should arrive. + +Then, when the physician told him there was no hope, he dispatched old +Stadinger to Fürstenstein. Frau Regine only arrived in time to see her +brother die. Wallmoden never recovered consciousness after the fearful +shock of his fall; he lay upon the bed silent and motionless, breathing +with difficulty, and recognizing no one, and an hour later all was over. + +Toward evening Herr von Schönau and Willibald returned to Fürstenstein. +Before starting for Rodeck a telegram had been dispatched to the embassy +telling of the accident, and now the head forester sent another +announcing its fatal termination. + +Fran von Eschenhagen remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. The +corpse would be taken to the city early in the morning and until then +the two women would remain with it. Adelheid, who had faced the danger +so bravely, and had done her duty, though there was little to do at her +husband's death bed, now when all was over, seemed to lose her strength. +She was bewildered by the sudden and terrible occurrence. + +Hartmut Rojanow stood at his window in the second story, and glanced +across the desolate, bare forest, which, with its snowy mantle, had a +ghostly, uncanny look. + +The night came down quickly, and the stars shed a faint light over the +tall, leafless branches. Yesterday the first snow storm of the season +had come, and everything as far as eye could reach was enveloped in an +icy mantle. The great level park before the castle was knee deep with +snow, and the broad branches of the fir trees bent to the earth with +their heavy white burden. The stars came out one by one and dotted the +heavens with their clear, quiet light, while far to the north a faint +rosy glow tinted the distant horizon like a first morning greeting in +the eastern sky. But it was night, a cold, icy winter night, upon which +no gleam of a new day could have fallen. + +Hartmut's eyes rested on the distant shimmer, but he heeded not its +light; all was dark and gloomy within him this night. He had not spoken +to Adelheid von Wallmoden since the memorable day in the forest, until +he met her to-day walking beside her bleeding and unconscious husband, +whom they were bearing to his death bed. The moment forbade everything +but action, and Rojanow had not attempted to enter the sick room, but +had waited outside for the physician's reports. Neither had he showed +himself when Frau von Eschenhagen appeared, but he had spoken later with +Herr von Schönau and Willibald. Now all was over, Herbert von Wallmoden +was no longer numbered among the living, and his wife, his widow, was +free! + +Hartmut breathed heavily at this thought, but it brought him no joy. His +feelings were changed since that hour when he had staked his all and +lost, for he loved this woman now, madly. This sudden death had showed +him the chasm which yawned between them, a chasm no less because +Adelheid's marriage bonds were broken. Her aversion had been for the man +who believed in nothing, and to whom nothing was sacred, and that man +was as great a scoffer, as great an unbeliever to-day as ever. + +He had pleaded for forgiveness in the character to which he had given +her name in "Arivana," but that Ada had disappeared again in the heights +above after giving her warning cry, leaving to their fate the creatures +she had exhorted, with their earthly passionate hates and loves. Hartmut +Rojanow could not force the wild blood in his veins to run in quiet +grooves, he could not bend to a life of strict and narrow duty, and he +would not! What were the use of all those gifts which he felt were his, +if they did not lift him out of the old ruts, did not raise him above +the duties and limits of the commonplace world? He knew well that those +great blue eyes urged him to follow the paths which he hated so +bitterly, and which, he told himself over and over again, he could never +take. + +The rosy shimmer yonder over the forest had grown deeper as it mounted +higher in the heavens. Unmovable it shone in the north, mysterious, far +and high--the great northern light in its dawning splendor! + +A roll of carriage wheels and sound of horses' hoofs coming at great +speed waked Hartmut from his dream. It was past nine, who could be +coming at so late an hour? Perhaps the second physician, who had been +sent for early in the day, but had not yet answered the summons; perhaps +some one from Ostwalden, where the news had been sent late. The carriage +turned into the broad road, and came on crunching and cracking over the +icy ground, and drew up under the wide porte cochere at the side of the +house. Hartmut, who was virtually master of the place, left his room +and hastened to see who had come or what was wanted. + +He had taken but a step or two down the stairs which led to the entrance +hall, when he stopped suddenly and held his breath with a gasp. There +sounded a voice which he had not heard for ten long years. It spoke in a +low, subdued tone, and yet he recognized it at the first word. + +"I come from the Prussian Embassy," the new-comer explained. "We +received the telegram early this afternoon, and I started at once. How +is he? Can I see Herr von Wallmoden?" + +Stadinger, who admitted the stranger, answered in a low tone. Hartmut +did not hear what he said, but could imagine from the next words: + +"Then I come too late!" + +"Yes, sir; the Baron died this afternoon." There was a short pause, then +the stranger said: + +"Take me to his widow; tell her it is Colonel von Falkenried." + +Stadinger led the way, and a tall figure wrapped in a military cloak +followed him; the man watching on the stairs could only recognize the +contour of the figure. The two had long since disappeared in the room +beneath, and yet Hartmut stood grasping the ballister, and looking down +into the semi-darkness with vacant eyes. When Stadinger came out again, +Hartmut retraced his steps slowly to his own room. + +For a quarter of an hour he paced restlessly up and down. He was having +a hard, fierce struggle with himself; he had never yet bent his pride, +never been able to yield, and he must bend and bend low before this +deeply injured father; this much he knew. But the longing, the burning +longing to see and be with him again, finally gained the victory. + +He threw back his head with sudden decision. "No, I will be no coward. I +will not avoid him. Now that we are under the same roof, within the same +four walls, I will venture. He is my own father and I am his son!" + +From the castle clock of Rodeck sounded forth ten slow, heavy strokes. +Without in the forest all was still, and within was the silence of +death. The old steward and the servants had all gone to bed, as had also +Frau von Eschenhagen. She had had a long journey without rest, and one +painful excitement after another on this never-to-be-forgotten day, and +now nature demanded rest. Lights yet glimmered from a few windows, and +these belonged to Colonel von Falkenried's and Frau von Wallmoden's +rooms, which were only separated by a long, narrow ante-chamber. + +Falkenried was to accompany Adelheid to the city to-morrow. He had seen +her and Regine, and then had stood for a long time beside the body of +his old friend, who had parted from him with a careless good-by but +yesterday; who had been so full of plans and projects of his hopes and +ambitions for the future. Now everything was at an end. There he lay, +cold and stiff upon the bier. Falkenried stood at the window in his own +room; even this fatal accident had not moved him from his icy calm; he +had long looked upon death as a happy release. Life was hard, very +hard--but not death. + +He gazed out into the silent winter night. The whole northern sky was +aglow with the dark red flame which started out of the darkness like a +sheet of fire. The stars blinked faintly, as through a purple veil, and +far beneath them all the earth lay cold and white and still. + +Falkenried was so deeply wrapt in thought that he did not notice the +opening and closing of the door of the adjoining room. Softly his own +room door opened, but he did not look up nor see the tall figure +standing on the threshold. + +The Colonel still stood by the window, though his face was but half +turned toward it, and the flickering of the candle on the table shone +across it. How deep and sad were the lines around the mouth; how +fearfully furrowed the high forehead beneath the white hair. Hartmut +shuddered unconsciously--he had not thought to find the change so great +nor so painful. This man who was yet in his prime, looked old, so old. +And who had worked this change? Several minutes passed in silence, then +a sound was heard in the room, half aloud and breathless; only one word, +but that one full of inexpressible tenderness: + +"Father!" + +The colonel started as if a voice from another world had fallen on his +ear. Then he turned slowly, but with an expression as though he expected +really to see a vision from the spirit-land. + +Hartmut took a few quick steps forward, and then stood still. "Father, +it is I. I come--" + +He was silent, for now he met his father's eyes--those eyes which he so +dreaded; and meeting them, he was robbed of all courage to speak +farther. His head sank and he was silent. + +Every drop of blood seemed to have left the colonel's face. He had not +known that his son was under the same roof with him, and was totally +unprepared for the meeting. But he made no outcry, showed no sign either +of anger or weakness. Still and stark he stood and looked upon him who +had once been his all. At last he raised his hand slowly, and pointed +toward the door: + +"Go!" + +"Father, hear me." + +"Go, I say!" The order sounded threatening this time. + +"No, I will not go!" cried Hartmut, passionately. "I know that +reconciliation can only come in this hour. I have wronged you deeply; +how deeply, how severely, I feel now for the first time. But I was only +a boy of seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Remember that, +father, and forgive me, forgive your own son." + +"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear; you are no son of +mine. No one devoid of honor can be a Falkenried." + +The words were almost too much for Hartmut. The blood mounted hot and +wild to his brow--the brow so like his father's--and it required all his +strength to keep himself under control. + +The two believed themselves to be alone in the silence of the night, for +all in the castle had retired to rest. They did not know that they had a +witness. Adelheid von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that +sleep would not come to her eyes, which had witnessed the dreadful +accident which left her a widow. Still clad in the dark traveling dress +which she had worn on that fateful journey, she sat in her room, when +the colonel's voice sounded on her ear. With whom could he be speaking +at that late hour? He knew no one, and yet his voice had a strange, +threatening sound. Puzzled and uneasy, the tired woman rose and stepped +into the ante-chamber which separated the two rooms, to see who it was. +She had no desire to overhear any conversation. She had a nervous +feeling that something new might have happened. Then a voice which she +knew only too well, said "Father," and that one word revealed to her +what the next few words confirmed. Like one possessed she stood still +and listened to all which came to her through the half-opened door. + +"You make this hour very hard, father," Hartmut said, laboring to +control his voice, "but I think I hardly expected anything else. +Wallmoden has told you about me, I feel sure, and what I have sought, +and how I have succeeded. I bring you the poet's wreath, father, the +first which has fallen to my share. Learn to know my work, let it speak +to you, then you will realize how impossible it was for a man of my +temperament to live and breathe under the restrictions of a profession +which was death to every poetic feeling; then you will forgive your +unruly son for his boyish trick." + +Hartmut Rojanow was himself again, and spoke with his old domineering +pride. His arrogant self-consciousness clung to him even in this hour. +He was the author of "Arivana," who acknowledged neither obligation nor +duty. + +"The boyish trick," said Falkenried in a harder voice than ever. "Yes, +that's what they called it in order to make it possible for me to remain +in the service. I called it something else, and many of my comrades with +me. You would soon have been an ensign, in a few weeks you would have +been fleeing from the flag you had sworn to defend--I have never known +such another case. You had been well and carefully educated and I had +striven to instill into your mind the keenest sense of honor. You knew +only too well what you did, you were no longer a boy. He who flees like +a thief in the night from the service of his country is a deserter; he +breaks his word and he does not know what honor means. That is what you +did! But it comes easy for you, and such as you, to do such things." + +Hartmut bit his lips and his whole body trembled at these merciless +words. His voice had a hollow, half suffocated sound as he answered: + +"Listen, father, I cannot bear that. I have bowed before you, have plead +for forgiveness, and you drive me from you. It is the same cruel +hardness with which you once drove my mother away. It was your severity +alone which was accountable for her erratic life after you thrust her +from you and for mine through hers." + +The colonel folded his arms and an expression of withering contempt +played round his lips. + +"And you heard all this from her own lips? Possibly! No woman falls so +low that she reveals to her son the disgraceful truths of her life. I +would not soil your soul at that time with the truth, for you were yet +innocent and pure. Now you will understand me when I say that my honor +demanded the separation from your mother. The man who had stained it +fell by my hand, and she, as you know--I put her from me." + +Hartmut grew deadly pale at this revelation. He had never known this, +never dreamed of such a thing, had in fact, believed that it was his +father's cruel disposition which had separated husband and wife. + +The image of his mother whom he had so dearly loved, was suddenly and +ruthlessly despoiled of its purity and its charm, and in its place came +the desolating conviction that she whom he had trusted and followed had +been his destruction. + +"I would have protected you from the poisonous atmosphere of such an +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! Even without her +persuasion you were lost to me. You had your mother's features, and it +was her blood which flowed in your veins, and sooner or later you were +bound to come to your own. You became what you are--a homeless +adventurer who knows neither fatherland nor honor!" + +"That is too much!" cried Hartmut, almost wild now. "I will not be so +insulted by any one, not even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I will go, but the world will judge otherwise +than you. It has already crowned me, and I will force from it the +recognition which my own father denies me." + +The colonel looked at his son, and there was something frightful in his +glance; then he said, slowly and distinctly, in his icy tone: + +"Better be careful that the world does not learn that the 'laurel +crowned poet' was suborned in Paris for over two years--as a spy." + +Hartmut started back as though shot. + +"I? in Paris? you must be out of your mind." + +Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously: + +"Still acting a comedy? you need give yourself no trouble; I know all. +Wallmoden laid before me the proofs of the game which Zalika Rojanow and +her son played in Paris. I know the sources from which the money came on +which you lived after she had lost her fortune. She was greatly sought +after for her peculiar accomplishments, for she was very skillful. He +who paid the highest price--secured her services!" + +Hartmut was completely overwhelmed. + +This then was the solution of Wallmoden's riddle. He had not understood +the ambassador, and had thought his insinuations of a different nature. + +He could understand his mother's hypocrisy now, her evasions, her kisses +and flatteries when he pressed her with questions. This last was indeed +the worst of all--and the last vestige of respect for her who had borne +him died within him as he listened to his father's recital. + +The silence which ensued was awful. It continued for several minutes, +and when Hartmut spoke again his voice seemed to have lost all sound, +and the words came brokenly--scarcely audibly--from his lips: + +"And you believe that I--that I--knew it?" + +"I do," the colonel answered shortly. + +"Father, you cannot, you must not believe that, it would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had not the +slightest premonition of such a disgrace. I believed that part of our +fortune was saved, I did indeed--you must believe that, father." + +"No, you did not," responded Falkenried, more coldly than ever. Hartmut +threw himself upon his knees. + +"Father, by all that is sacred in heaven and earth--oh, do not, do not +look at me that way--you will drive me mad. Father, I give you my word +of honor--" + +A wild, hideous laugh from his father interrupted him. + +"Your word of honor--you gave that at Burgsdorf. Let us end this comedy; +you cannot deceive me. You leave me with one lie, you return to me with +another. You have become the genuine son of your mother. Go your own +way, and I'll go mine. But one thing I tell you, I command you! Never +venture to connect the name of Falkenried with the dishonored name of +Rojanow. Never let the world know who you are. Remember this warning, +otherwise my blood be upon your head--for I will make an end of it all." + +With a cry of despair, Hartmut sprang up and would have rushed to his +father, but the latter held him back with his hand. + +"Perhaps you think that I love life. I have borne it because I must, and +I felt that it was my duty. But there is a point where duty ends, you +know it now--so act accordingly." + +He turned his back to his son and stepped again to the window. Hartmut +spoke no word; in silence he turned and left the apartment. + +The ante-chamber was not lighted, but the dim, distant light from the +northern sky fell upon the face of a woman, who stood pale as death near +the window, and whose eyes gazed with a look of indescribable anguish at +the face of the miserable man who entered the room. He saw her, and a +single glance told him that she knew all. His cup was full! The woman +whom he loved had been a witness to his terrible humiliation. + +Hartmut never knew how he succeeded in leaving the castle; he only knew +that he was suffocating within four walls and must have air. But when he +realized where he was and who he was, he was lying in the deep snow at +the foot of an old fir tree. It was night in the forest, a cold, icy +night, the heavens were illuminated with a deep red glow which centered +in the north and sent up its long, gleaming sheet of flame. + + * * * * * + +It was summer again, the sultry July days were half over. + +The forest trees cast long, cool shadows from their green and sombre +depths, while the sunbeams danced in and out among the branches through +all the silent, bright days. + +Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, had been empty and deserted until within +the past few days, when the young widow, accompanied by her +sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen, had arrived. Adelheid had left the +South German capital soon after her husband's death, and had gone to her +old home accompanied by her brother, who had hastened to her side as +soon as he heard of the sad accident. Her short marriage had only lasted +eight months and now in her twentieth year she wore the weeds of +widowhood. + +Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. She had +never changed her ultimatum regarding her return to Burgsdorf, and it is +needless to add, Willibald had not changed. Adelheid asked her to go +home with her and she had gone, feeling that her threat had as yet borne +no fruit. + +Frau von Eschenhagen believed she could effect a revolution of feeling +in Willibald's heart by this move. But his newly acquired firmness had +not been fleeting, though he tried every argument to persuade his mother +to return to Burgsdorf and to think kindly of his future wife--but all +to no purpose. Regine had no thought of yielding an inch, and now, +mother and son had not seen one another for many months. + +There had been no formal betrothal to Marietta. Willibald felt that he +owed his cousin and uncle the consideration of not having a second +betrothal follow so closely upon the first. Then Marietta's contract +with the Court theatre bound her for the next six months, and as her +engagement was a secret there, it was thought advisable to keep it so +until she had left the theatre forever. The young singer had but just +returned to her grandfather's house, where Willibald was also expected +soon. Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing of all this, or she would hardly +have accepted an invitation which brought her into the neighborhood of +Waldhofen. + +The day had been hot and sunny, but the late afternoon hours brought a +refreshing breeze, and swayed the drooping branches of the trees which +overhung and shaded the road leading from Ostwalden through the Rodeck +forest. Along this road, two men were trotting their horses; the one in +gray jacket and hunting cap was the head forester, Herr von Schönau, the +other in a light summer riding suit, which set off his slender figure +to advantage, was Prince Adelsberg. They had met accidentally, and soon +discovered that they were bound for the same place. + +"I did not dream of meeting your Highness here," said Schönau. "I +understood you were not coming to Rodeck at all this summer. I saw +Stadinger day before yesterday and he certainly didn't expect you then." + +"Stadinger made a great hue and cry because I came upon him so +unexpectedly," answered the prince. "To hear him you'd think it was his +own castle and I was intruding. And then I walked from the station, and +he considered that a most undignified proceeding. But the heat at Ostend +was unbearable; the sun just poured down on the strand, and an +irresistible longing came over me for my own cool forest home. Thank the +Lord, I am rid of the heat and noise of that Babel at last." + +His Highness had not cared in this instance to tell the truth. A certain +attraction in his immediate neighborhood, of which he heard +accidentally, had started him from the North Sea at a moment's notice. +Stadinger in a report which he sent his master concerning certain +matters at Rodeck, had mentioned that preparations were being made at +Ostwalden for the reception of the young widow. And it was in +consequence of his own gossipy letter that the steward was disagreeably +surprised by the prince's sudden appearance. The head forester seemed +somewhat sceptical about the prince's fancy for his "cool forest home," +for he said banteringly: + +"Then I am greatly surprised that our Court remains so long at Ostend. +The duke and duchess are there, and Princess Sophie with a royal niece, +a kinswoman of her late husband, I hear." + +"Yes, with her niece." Prince Egon turned suddenly and looked at his +companion. + +"Herr von Schönau, I see you are about to congratulate me. If you do +I'll demand satisfaction on the spot, right here in the middle of the +forest." + +"I don't intend to get into any difficulty with you," laughed his +hearer. "But the papers speak very openly of an impending betrothal at +Court, and that the duchess and Princess Sophie are charmed with the +prospect." + +"My beloved aunt has many desires which I fear will never be gratified," +said the prince, coolly. "Her obedient nephew doesn't always fall in +with her views, and that's the case in this affair. I went to Ostend +because I had to; in other words, because the duke invited me, and I +could not refuse; but the air did not agree with me, and I prize my +health above all things. I didn't feel well from the first, so at last I +resolved--" + +"To break loose," interrupted the head forester. "That was very like +your highness, but how will you calm your kinsfolk at Court?" + +"Oh, well, I can make it all right with them if they feel aggrieved. As +far as that goes," continued the prince, with seeming frankness, "I made +up my mind last winter to spend part of the summer here, and when +Stadinger wrote me that some alterations were going on, I determined to +come on to Rodeck myself to superintend them." + +"Superintend the putting up of a new chimney?" questioned the head +forester in surprise. "The old one smoked last winter, so Stadinger +determined to put in a new one, but that don't require any attention +from you." + +"What does Stadinger know about it ?" said the prince angrily. He wished +the "old bear" would hold his tongue about what went on at Rodeck. "I +have many changes in view. We are pretty near our destination, I see." + +With that he started his horse on at a faster gait, and the head +forester followed his example, for Ostwalden lay before them. The great +building which Herr von Wallmoden would have made so magnificent, had he +lived, was an old, rambling castle, with two high towers, one on either +side, which gave the building a very picturesque appearance, surrounded +as it was by a wild, partially overgrown park. The present mistress of +the place, so it was said, intended to make few changes, but she would +not sell the place. What mattered a country-seat more or less to the +heiress of the Stahlberg millions. + +The gentlemen found on their arrival that Frau von Wallmoden was walking +in the park, and Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The young prince +announced that he would seek the lady of the house, while the head +forester turned his steps toward his sister-in-law's room. + +He had not seen Regine since the previous winter. As he entered the room +he said in his wonted hearty manner: + +"Here I am. I didn't think it worth while being announced to my +sister-in-law, although she does avoid my house with contempt. I don't +believe in hunting pretexts for quarrels, so have ridden over in this +hot sun to have an explanation." + +Regine reached out her hand to him. A passing glance would reveal no +change in her in these last six or seven months; she was the same +strong, determined woman as ever. But there was a change, nevertheless. +Heretofore her severity and harshness had always been tempered by a +certain winning cheerfulness, but that was gone now. She had not +yielded, but--she had suffered. She was estranged, perhaps forever, from +her only son, who was the idol of her mother's heart. + +"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she said heartily. "I knew you +would be true to the old friendship in spite of all that you and your +daughter were made to suffer; but of course it is very painful for me to +go to Fürstenstein; you must see that." + +"On account of the broken engagement? Well you can console yourself +about that. You saw and heard at the time how good naturedly Toni took +the matter. She played the _rôle_ of guardian angel much better than +that of sweetheart, and she wrote you several times that she had no +regrets and so did I. But, I am sorry to say, our assurances have +amounted to nothing." + +"No, but I know how to appreciate your rare generosity." + +"Rare generosity!" repeated her brother-in-law laughing. "Well, perhaps +a jilted bride and her father do not always want to speak a good word +for a recreant lover, but that is not the case this time, and who knows +but we may be able to persuade the mother to see as we do. Toni and I +have both remarked that Will never was a man until now, and +that--forgive me, Regine, but I must say it--he owes his manhood to +little Marietta." + +Frau von Eschenhagen's brow darkened at this remark; she did not see fit +to answer it though, but showed that she wanted to avoid further +discussion by asking, in a changed tone: + +"Has Toni come back yet? I heard from Adelheid that she had been +visiting in the city, but was expected any day." + +Herr von Schönau, who in the meantime had ensconced himself in a +comfortable chair, answered: + +"Yes, she came home yesterday--and with an escort, too. She brought a +young man with her who was to be her future husband, she declared, and +as he declared so too, with great positiveness, there was nothing left +me but to say, yes and Amen." + +"What's that? Toni engaged again?" exclaimed Frau Regine in surprise. + +"Yes, this time she did it all herself. I knew nothing of it. But you +see, she took it into her head that she must be loved to distraction; +nothing less romantic would do for her. Well, Herr von Walldorf seems to +answer all her requirements. He related to me with the greatest +satisfaction how he fell on his knees and assured her he could not live +without her, and how she gave him a similar touching assurance, with +more to the same effect. Yes, Regine, the day has gone by when we can +keep the children in leading strings. When they get ready, they want to +choose their own partners for life and I must say they're not far +wrong." + +The last sentence was uttered with seeming carelessness, but Regine +understand it fully. Thoughtfully she repeated: + +"Walldorf? The name is strange to me. When did Toni meet him?" + +"He is a friend of my son and came home with him on his last visit. As a +result of that visit, I met the mother, and she invited Toni to spend a +few weeks with her, and that's where all the courting was done. But I +have no reason to feel dissatisfied. Walldorf's a handsome fellow, and +lively, and head over heels in love; he seems a little light and frothy +now, but that will disappear when he gets a sensible wife like Toni. +These model sons are not always to my taste; they get too skittish when +they break loose. We have an example of that in Will. Walldorf will +resign in the Autumn. I won't have my Toni marrying a lieutenant; I will +buy them an estate and they will be married at Christmas." + +"I am greatly rejoiced on Toni's account," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +heartily. "You take a great load from my heart by this news." + +"And now," said the head forester, nodding to her, "you should follow my +example and take a load from the heart of another betrothed couple. Be +reasonable, Regine, and give in. Little Marietta is a dear, good girl, +if she has sung in a theatre. Every one speaks highly of her. You need +never be ashamed of your daughter-in-law." + +Regine rose suddenly and pushed her chair back with a violent movement. + +"I beg you, Moritz, once for all, to spare me such requests. I will +stand by my word. Willibald knows the conditions under which I shall +return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfill them, we are better apart." + +"It will be a long time before he will do that," said her +brother-in-law, dryly. "When a man is asked to abandon the woman he +loves for a mother's whim, he's not apt to do it if he's made of the +right stuff." + +"You express yourself very freely," said Frau Regine, angrily. "But what +does a man know of a mother's love or of the gratitude of children? You +are all an ungrateful, heedless, selfish--" + +"Hold! I have something to say for my own sex," von Schönau began +excitedly. Suddenly, however, he leaned forward and said in a changed +tone: + +"We haven't seen each other for seven months, Regine, so don't let's +quarrel the very first day we meet. We can do that any time, you know. +We won't discuss that obstinate heir of Burgsdorf, but speak of +ourselves. How do you like life in the city? To me you hardly seem +contented." + +"I am very well contented," declared Regine with great decision. "All I +miss is the work; I am not accustomed to an idle life." + +"Of course you miss it. You always have been at the head of a great +establishment, and that's where you should be now, so I--" + +"Don't begin again, I beg you." + +"No, I don't mean Burgsdorf this time," said von Schönau, looking down +at his riding boots. "I only meant--you're all alone in the city, and +I'm all alone at Fürstenstein, and when Toni marries, it will be very +weary. Would it not be better--oh, I've said it all to you +before--perhaps you won't, perhaps you have a better offer in view, +but--wouldn't it be better to have a triple instead of a double +marriage?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked darkly on the ground and shook her head. + +"No, Moritz, I never was less in the humor for marrying than now." + +"Another refusal !" cried the head forester impatiently. "This makes the +second time. First you would not have me because you had your son and +your beloved Burgsdorf to look after, now you won't have me because you +are not in the humor. Humors have nothing to do with marrying, only +common sense; but when a woman hasn't any sense, and is too stubborn +to--" + +"You're in a very flattering mood, I must say," interrupted Regine, +thoroughly aroused now. "It would be a very peaceful marriage, with you +wagging your sharp tongue all the time." + +"It wouldn't be peaceful. I never expected that," Schönau declared, "but +neither would it be monotonous. I believe we could endure one another. +Now, once for all, Regine, will you have me or will you not?" + +"No, I don't care to enter into a marriage of endurance." + +"So be it!" cried the head forester, furious now as he jumped up and +seized his hat. "If it gives you such pleasure to be eternally saying +no, why say it. Willibald will marry and he is right, and now I'll do +everything to hurry on his marriage just to annoy you." So saying he +left the room in a violent temper, slamming the door behind him as he +went, while Frau Regine remained behind equally irritated. These two +were apparently fated to quarrel whenever they met; it seemed a +necessity of their natures, but no quarrel was so bitter that peace +could not be established at their next meeting. + +In the meantime Prince Adelsberg had found Frau von Wallmoden in the +park. He begged her to continue her walk, and now the two were +sauntering under the cool dark shadows of the great lindens, whose +spreading branches protected them from the sun's rays, which beat down +so fiercely on the neighboring meadows. + +Egon had not seen the young wife since her husband's death. He had made +a formal visit of condolence at that time, but Eugen Stahlberg had +received him in his sister's stead, and immediately after the brother +and sister had left for the North. Adelheid still wore deep mourning, +but Prince Egon thought the sombre attire and black veil under which her +fair hair gleamed like a halo, only enhanced her beauty. + +His glance frequently sought the fair young face, and each time he asked +himself what change had come over it; he felt there was a change, but +could not define wherein it lay. Egon had only seen her when her cold, +proud reserve held every one in check. Now all coldness had disappeared, +he saw and felt it, and yet there seemed a mystery about her which he +could not unravel. + +She could not be grieving for a husband old enough to be her father, +who, even had he been nearer her own age, was of a cold, guarded nature, +and could not inspire the love of a fresh young girl. And yet there was +something in the face which told of sorrow, of a deep and voiceless woe. + +"If this icy exterior could be broken through one would find warmth and +life beneath," Prince Egon had declared more than once, half jestingly. +Now this transformation had been partially effected, slowly, almost +imperceptibly. But this soft, half-pained expression, which had taken +the place of the haughty, cold one, this sorrowful glance, gave the +young widow the one charm which had been lacking--gentleness. + +The conversation had been about trifling every-day matters, inquiries +and answers concerning the court and the harmless gossip of the day. +Egon repeated the story he had already related to the head forester +about the heat of Ostend, and his desire for solitude in his little +woodland home. His listener's fleeting smile showed him that she was as +incredulous as Herr von Schönau had been; perhaps she too had read the +newspaper statements concerning the royal niece at Ostend. He was angry, +and was puzzling his brain to know how he could broach the subject, and +correct the error into which the papers had led her, when Adelheid asked +suddenly: + +"Will your highness be alone all summer at Rodeck? Last year you had a +guest with you." + +A shadow darkened the prince's face, and he forgot the correction which +he was about to make concerning his reported betrothal. + +"You mean Hartmut Rojanow ?" he said very seriously. "He will scarcely +join me; he is in Sicily at present, or was, at least, a couple of +months ago. Since then I have not heard from him, and don't even know +where to write." + +Frau von Wallmoden stooped to pluck a flower which grew in her way, as +she said quietly: + +"I believed you were in constant correspondence with one another." + +"I hoped to be when we parted, but the fault is not on my side. Hartmut +has become an unsolvable riddle to me lately. You witnessed the +glittering success of his 'Arivana' on that first night; which success +has been repeated in many cities since then; the drama has fairly taken +the people by storm, and the poet who has done it all flees from the +world, even from me, and buries himself, God knows where. I cannot +understand it. Upon my soul, I cannot understand it." + +Adelheid plucked the petals of her flower as they walked on slowly, then +said in a low tone, as she looked with intense interest into the +prince's face: + +"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" + +"In the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to Rodeck +to spend a few days; that was immediately after 'Arivana' was brought +out. I thought it was a whim of the moment and said little, but suddenly +he came back to me in the city in a state of excitement which fairly +frightened me, and announced that he was going to leave Germany and +travel. He wouldn't listen to reason, wouldn't answer a question, and +was off like a thunder-bolt. He had been gone weeks before I heard from +him again; since then I have had some letters, few and far between. He +was in Greece for several months, then he went to Sicily, and now for +two months I have been waiting anxiously for news." + +Egon spoke in an anxious tone. No need to ask how painfully this +separation from his dearest friend affected him. + +He little knew that the woman by his side could have solved the riddle +for him. She knew what drove poor, unsatisfied Hartmut from land to +land, knew the blemish that soiled the poet's name. This was the first +news she had heard of him since that fatal night at Rodeck, when all had +been revealed to her. + +"I presume poets are formed of different clay from common mortals," she +said slowly, as she scattered the leaves before her. "That's the only +reason one can ascribe for their vagaries." + +The young prince shook his head sadly. + +"No, it is not that; his peculiarities spring from some other source. I +have felt confident for a long time that there is something dark and +mysterious in Hartmut's life, but I never could ascertain what it was. +He would allow no allusions to his past. I have often broached the +subject, but he resented all reference to it. There seems to be a +veritable sword of Damocles hanging over him, and when in some happy +moment he thinks he has escaped, he looks up, and there it hangs as +usual gleaming above his head. I was more impressed than ever with that +idea when he last parted from me, he was so excited--almost +insane--nothing could hold him back. I cannot tell you how sad I am +about him. For more than two years we lived together. I learnt to know +and appreciate his warm heart, and responsive, genial nature. Now +everything is desolate and dreary without him, and all the rich coloring +seems to have gone out of my life." + +They had reached the limit of the park and remained standing for a +moment now. Before them lay a long stretch of meadow with a hot +afternoon sun streaming down on it, while a background of forest-clad +mountains rose high and green in the distance. Adelheid had listened +silently, and now her sad glance rested on the far mountain heights. +Suddenly she turned and held out her hand to her companion. + +"I believe you to be a very self-sacrificing friend. Herr Rojanow should +not desert so true a comrade. Perhaps you could save him from +this--sword of Damocles." + +Egon could hardly credit his senses. + +This warm hand pressure, the sad, tender glance from the eyes brimming +with tears, and the almost passionate earnestness with which she spoke, +surprised and enchanted him. He grasped her hand and pressed it with +fervor to his lips. + +"If I could ever do anything for Hartmut, I would do it gladly. Rest +assured your plea for him will spur me on. While I am here you must +allow me the neighborly privilege of coming to Ostwalden frequently. Do +not say no for I am all alone at Rodeck, and I came here solely for the +purpose--" + +He stopped suddenly, feeling that the time had not yet come when he +could reveal to her why he had come, and he saw that no such confession +would avail him now. Adelheid drew her hand back quickly, and stepped +back; for a moment the old icy manner was upon her again. + +"Of avoiding the heat and noise of Ostend; so you have already +explained." She said very coldly. + +"That was only a pretext," responded the prince earnestly. "I left +Ostend because of certain reports which were being circulated concerning +me. When I saw myself figuring in the newspapers, I determined to make +an end of it. These reports were altogether groundless, as far as I was +concerned. I give you my word for it, Baroness." + +He had at least taken advantage of this opportunity to explain how +untrue were all rumors concerning his engagement to his aunt Sophie's +niece. Frau von Wallmoden was distant and formal as she replied: + +"Why does your Highness deem it necessary to make this declaration to +me? It was only a report, I fancy. It is understood, I believe, that you +have resolved never to give up your freedom. I think we must return to +the castle now? You say my brother-in-law has come with you, and I must +see him." + +Egon turned with her, and as they sauntered back resumed his light, +gossipy chatter. As soon as possible he made some excuse for leaving, +and as Adelheid bade him good-bye, she gave him a courteous invitation +to call again, and that was to him the important thing. + +"My cursed hastiness!" he muttered, as he rode away. "I'll keep away for +a couple of weeks. As soon as any one approaches a step near, she turns +into ice again"--but here the prince's face lighted--"but the ice is +beginning to melt. I saw it and felt it in her tone and glance. I will +have patience--the prize is worth a struggle!" + +Egon von Adelsberg little thought that every glance, every tone had been +inspired by the memory of another, and that the invitation to repeat his +visit had only been spoken because the fair chatelaine of Ostwalden +hoped to hear from her guest the news of a distant wanderer. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +It was midsummer in the warm and pleasant month of July, when the world, +which lay in such dreamy, peaceful repose, was suddenly awakened in +affright as from a deep sleep. From the Rhine to the sea and back again +to the Alps, there blazed an unearthly lightning flash followed by +distant thunder-roar, and from the west the heavy war cloud descended +upon the land; while the cry of "War! War! War with France!" re-echoed +throughout all Germany. + +It came like a whirlwind upon the South Germans,--tearing men from their +homes, changing plans so carefully laid, and parting many who made them, +forever. Where all had been so calm but one short week before, +everything was now confusion and excitement. At Fürstenstein where the +daughter of the house was happy with her lover, all was bustle now, for +the lover must leave at once to join his regiment. At Waldhofen where +Willibald was expected, he appeared suddenly in hot haste to spend with +Marietta the few days which intervened before he marched to the front. +At Ostwalden, Adelheid was making hasty preparations to start for the +North, in order that she might clasp her brother once more in her arms, +before he, too, joined the troops. Prince Adelsberg had left at the +first sound, and was in the city as soon as the duke. The world had +changed its face altogether in a few short hours. + +Willibald was in the little garden of Waldhofen, speaking earnestly and +impressively to the old doctor, who sat upon the rustic bench, but who +hardly seemed persuaded by the younger man's eloquence. + +"But, Will, it seems very precipitate," he said, shaking his head, +"your betrothal to Marietta has never been made public, and now you are +going to be married. What will the world say?" + +"Under existing circumstances the world will say it was the proper thing +to do," Will answered, emphatically. "Though we need not care what it +says. I must go to the war, and it is my duty to make Marietta's future +secure before I go. I couldn't endure the thought that she'd have to +return to the stage if I should die, nor be left to the tender mercies +of my mother; the fortune which I shall inherit is in her hands, and she +will guard it carefully. I have only the estate of Burgsdorf, which if I +should die, goes to a distant branch of the family. According to the old +family law and custom, however, the widow of the heir has a rich dower. +I want Marietta to have my name, and I can then go to the field feeling +assured that her future will be well provided for." + +He spoke quietly but with determination. The indifferent, dull +Willibald, was not to be recognized in this energetic man, who knew what +he wanted, could give clear, sound reasons, and was determined to have +his wishes fulfilled. He had gone through a hard but thorough school in +these last six months in which he had been alone. He had had to fight +against many obstacles, but the manliness and independence within him +had asserted themselves for all time. Even in appearance he was changed +for the better, and the head forester was right when he said that Will +was a man at last. + +Dr. Volkmar could not say him nay; he knew, alas, only too well, if that +war took Marietta's lover from her, she would be friendless, penniless +and alone, and a load was lifted from his heart at the thought of her +future being assured. He made no further objections, but only said: + +"And what does Marietta say? Is she willing?" + +"Certainly. We decided the question last evening, after my arrival. I +didn't alarm her by telling her I might be killed, or bother her with +anything of that kind. There will be time enough for that should +anything serious happen, but I did tell her that if I was wounded my +wife could come to me and nurse me. That decided the matter. We will +have a very quiet wedding, of course." + +The young fellow's face clouded over as he spoke, and he sighed deeply. + +"No, we don't care to have a gay wedding when the mother's blessing +cannot follow the bridal pair to the altar. Have you really done +everything you can, Will?" + +"Everything," Willibald answered, earnestly. "Do you think it is a light +matter to do without my mother on such a day? But she left me no choice, +and I must bear it. I must take the necessary steps at once. I had the +forethought to bring such papers as were needed with me." + +"And do you think it possible to have all the arrangements for the +marriage made in a few days?" asked the Doctor, doubtfully. + +"Certainly. I will attend to all the formalities that are necessary, so +that there will be no difficulty. As soon as we are married, Marietta +will go with me to Berlin, where we will stay until I am ordered to the +field, then she can return to you." + +Dr. Volkmar rose and held out his hand, saying: + +"You are right, it is the best thing to do under the circumstances. +Well! well! my singing-bird, so you are willing to be married off-hand +as this lover of yours wishes?" + +The question was put to Marietta, who had joined them at the moment. Her +face bore traces of recent tears, but her eyes lighted with a smile as +Willibald clasped her hand in his. + +"I won't be long away from you, and you are willing, are you not?" + +The old man's glance was half of pain, half of pleasure, as he thought +how little these two knew of life and its dark shadows, which had closed +in around him so long ago. He said in a trembling tone, "Well, marry, +and God be with you! I give you my blessing from the bottom of my +heart." + +The simple preparations were to be made with all speed, and the marriage +to take place as soon as possible. Willibald, to whom the head forester +had already confided his daughter's engagement, felt that there was no +need of delay now, out of respect to his cousin Toni. + +Toward evening Dr. Volkmar went to visit some patients, and the +betrothed pair, who had had but little opportunity to see one another, +settled themselves for a long, quiet talk. The future was dim and +fraught with fear and dread, but the present belonged to them, and in +that thought there was happiness despite everything. + +They whispered together in the shaded room, talking the old sweet +lovers' talk, and so thoroughly absorbed in one another that they failed +to hear some one cross the hall with slow, hesitating steps. Then the +rustle of a woman's gown attracted their attention, and they looked up +and sprang to their feet as they looked. + +"My mother!" cried Will in an alarmed but joyous tone, putting his arm +around Marietta as he spoke, as though to protect her, for his mother's +face wore its hardest, most forbidding look. Without appearing to notice +the young girl she turned her face to her son. + +"I heard from Adelheid that you were here," said she in a hard, dry +tone, "and I thought I would come and ask you how things were going on +at Burgsdorf. Who have you left in your place during your absence? No +one can tell how long the campaign will last." + +The joyful expression on her son's face disappeared; he had hoped for +another greeting from his mother's unexpected appearance. + +"I have provided for possibilities as well as I could," he answered. +"The greater part of the people will have to go, too, and the inspector +is off already; there is no question of substitutes now. So the work +will be, of necessity, limited, and old Merton can oversee it." + +"Merton's an old sheep," said Regine, in her most decided tone. "If he +has the reins, things will come to a pretty pass at Burgsdorf. There's +nothing else for it, but for me to go and see to it." + +"What! You will go?" Willibald cried, but his mother cut him off +sharply. + +"Do you think I'd let everything you own go to ruin while you were in +the field? Burgsdorf will be safe in my hands, you know that. I have had +charge for many a long year, and I'll take my old place until you +return." + +She still spoke in a hard, cold tone, as if she would stifle all warm +feelings, but now Will took his sweetheart in his arms and came close to +her. + +"For my worldly possessions, mother, you have a care," he said +reprovingly. "But for the best and dearest I possess you have neither +word nor glance. Have you really only come to say you will return to +Burgsdorf?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen's lips trembled; she could retain her forced +composure no longer. + +"I came to see my only son once more before he went to the war, perhaps +to meet his death," she said with painful bitterness. "I had to learn +from others that he was come to take leave of his future wife, but not +to take leave of his mother, and that--that I could not endure." + +"We were coming!" cried the young heir, excitedly. "We were coming +before we left here to make one last attempt to win your heart. See, +mother, here is my love, my Marietta--she waits for a friendly word from +you." + +Regine gave a long look at the lovers, and a pained expression passed +over her face as she saw her son draw Marietta's head down on his +breast, while the girl's happy, blushing face spoke of trust and love +never to be shaken. Motherly jealousy had a last, sharp struggle against +her better nature, and then, conquered by love and justice, disappeared +forever. Frau von Eschenhagen stretched out her hand to the young +maiden. + +"I have grieved you sorely, Marietta," she said half aloud, "and have +done you great injustice, but you have repaid me by taking my boy from +me, my boy, who loved no one but his mother until he met you, and now +loves none but you. I believe that makes us quits." + +"O, Will loves his mother as much as ever," cried Marietta eagerly. "I +know only too well how much this separation has cost him." + +"Well, there, we will have to endure one another on his account," Regine +responded, with an attempt at joking which was far from successful. "We +will both be anxious enough about him in the days to come, when he is in +the field--ah," with a deep sigh, "there'll be sorrow and care enough +then. What do you say, child? I believe we'll bear it better together." + +She held out both arms, and in the next moment Marietta lay sobbing upon +her breast. There were tears in the mother's eyes, too, as she leaned +over to kiss her future daughter. Then she said in her natural sturdy +tone: + +"Do not weep. Keep your head in the air, Marietta. A soldier's +sweetheart must be brave, remember that." + +"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, as his face grew bright. "She +is to be a soldier's wife before I march." + +"Then Marietta will belong by right to Burgsdorf," said the mother, +seemingly not at all surprised at this news, which she took very kindly. +"No demurrers, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing farther +to do with Waldhofen except to visit her grandfather. Or perhaps you are +afraid of the stern mother-in-law? Ah, I know you think he will protect +you," with a nod toward her son, "although he is not at home. He would +even declare war against his own mother if she didn't meet his little +wife with open arms." + +"But she will always do that, I know it," exclaimed her son, with a +happy laugh. "When my mother once opens her heart, then everything she +does is right." + +"Ah, now you can flatter," said Regine with a reproving glance. "You +will come to your future home at once, Marietta! As to the management of +affairs, you need not bother your head about that. I'll take care of +everything, for a little thing like you wouldn't know where to begin, +and candidly, I wouldn't allow any one to have a voice in the management +of Burgsdorf while I lived there. If I decide to live elsewhere that's +another matter; but I can see already that Will will want you to live +like a princess all your days. I can but pray that he'll return to us +whole and sound." + +She threw her arms around her son and they embraced more warmly than +they had ever done in their lives before. + +A quarter of an hour later, the head forester, coming in hastily to see +the old doctor, found the three in earnest conversation. He gave Regine +a look, to which she responded by saying: + +"Well, Moritz, am I still the personification of obstinacy and +unreasonableness?" and she held out her hand to her brother-in-law. But +he did not take it. Her second refusal but the week before was still +fresh in his mind, and he turned to the others now, saying: + +"So you're to be married at once, I hear? I met Dr. Volkmar and he told +me all about it, so I came over to offer our services to the bride, but +as Willibald's mother is here, there's little for me to do." + +"Ah, your services will be heartily welcome, uncle," said Willibald +cordially. + +"Well, well, I won't be sorry to see my nephew married," said the head +forester, kindly. "You've become a very romantic young man of late. +Toni's caught the fever, too, and nothing would do but that Walldorf and +she should be married at once; but I put my foot down on that. I said +the circumstances were quite different, and that I had no intention of +being left all alone like a cat." + +He gave another grim look at Regine, but she went up to him and answered +him cordially: + +"Come now, Moritz, don't growl; let us be happy and without strife for +once. You see I did say yes, to my boy at least, when I found his heart +was set on Marietta." + +The head forester looked at her gravely for a moment, then he seized her +hand and pressed it warmly, as he said: + +"Yes, I see, Regine, and perhaps you'll repent ere long of your no in +another matter, and give a yes instead." + +The old steward of Rodeck stood in his master's dressing-room in the +Adelsberg palace. He had come to the city to receive instructions from +the prince before the latter left for the field. Egon, who wore the +uniform of his regiment, had just finished giving the old man his +orders, and said, finally: + +"And keep everything in good order at Rodeck, I may possibly be able to +spend a few hours there before I start, though the order to march may +come any day. How do you think I look as a soldier?" + +He stood back and straightened himself as he asked the question. + +He was a handsome man, and his tall, slender figure appeared to great +advantage in the rich uniform which he wore. Stadinger looked at him +with eyes full of admiration. + +"You're magnificent!" he said. "It's a pity your highness has to go as a +soldier!" + +"What do you mean? Am I not heart and soul a soldier? Service in the +field won't be any too easy, but I'll soon get accustomed to it. Nothing +should be difficult when it's one's duty." + +"No, your highness thinks a great deal about duty; that's why you left +Ostend when your honored aunt had arranged a marriage for you, so +suitable in every particular, and that's why you--" + +"You old rascal!" said the prince. "There's one thing I shall miss in +the field, and that's your insinuations and sermons. By the way, +remember me to pretty little Zena when you get back to Rodeck. Is she +there now?" + +"Yes, your highness, she is there now," said the old steward with +emphasis. + +"Naturally, because I'm marching to France. But I'll tell you a secret. +I'm going to be a model of reason and virtue when I come back and then I +shall marry." + +"Really?" said Stadinger with delight "How rejoiced the whole court +will be!" + +"That's as it may be," said Egon. "It's more than probable that the +whole court will be in a rage, especially my aunt Sophie. But you be +silent, Stadinger; don't breathe a syllable while I am away. Who knows +but I may never return to you--think kindly of me, old fellow." + +Stadinger's eyes were filled with tears as he turned to go, and he said: + +"How can your highness talk that way? It's not likely an old worn-out +man like me would be left, and you, so handsome, so young, so gay be +taken. That's not according to nature." + +"Well, well, I did not mean to sadden you, you old ghost of the woods!" +said the young prince reaching out his hand. "We'll think of victory and +not of the slain, but if both should come together it would not be so +hard." + +The old man knelt and kissed his young prince's hand. + +"I would I could go with you," he said, half aloud. + +"I've no doubt of it," said the prince laughing. "And you wouldn't make +a bad soldier either, despite your old gray head. This time the young +ones have to go, and the old ones stay at home. Good-bye, Stadinger," +and he shook him heartily by the hand. "What! You're not crying' You +ought to be ashamed of yourself. Away with all tears and sad +forebodings. You'll read me many a lecture yet." + +"God grant it," said old Peter, with a heavy sigh. He gave one glance at +the bright, handsome face, and looked at the moist eyes; then he went +away with sad, drooping head. He realized for the first time, poor old +man, how deep his highness had crept into his heart. + +The prince glanced at the clock. + +He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the +newspapers containing the latest war rumors. + +There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up +surprised. Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always +announced. This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the +palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him. + +"Hartmut, is it you?" + +Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw +himself upon his breast. + +"You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it? You bad boy, to +keep me two whole months without any news! Have you come to see me off +and say good-bye?" + +Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; +he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over +this meeting. + +"I have come directly from the station," he said. "I almost feared I +would not find you, and so much depended on my doing so." + +"Why didn't you write or telegraph that you were coming? I wrote to you +at once when war was declared. You were in Sicily, were you not?" + +"No, I left there as soon as the war seemed to me inevitable, so I did +not get your letter. I have been in Germany a week." + +"And only come to me now?" said Egon reprovingly. + +Rojanow paid no heed to his friend's reproof; his eyes were fastened on +his uniform with consuming jealousy. + +"You are already in the service I see," he said hastily. "I, too, am +anxious to enter the German army." + +Nothing he could have said would have surprised Egon so effectually. In +great astonishment he stepped back a pace. + +"In the German army? You, a Roumanian?" "Yes, and that is why I come to +you; you can make my entrance possible." + +"I?" said the prince, his amazement increasing each moment. "I'm only a +young lieutenant myself. If you are really in earnest you must apply to +some high officer in command." + +"That I have done already, in various places, in the neighboring states, +but no one will take a stranger. A hundred questions are asked, above +all one is treated with suspicion and distrust; no one seems to +understand my decision." + +"To speak openly, Hartmut, neither do I," said Egon earnestly. "You have +always shown the greatest aversion to Germany. You are the son of a land +whose court circles have always followed French manners and customs; the +people have always been closely allied to France, so the distrust and +suspicion are easily explained. But why do you not go to the duke in +person, and prefer your request? You know how much he would do for the +poet who wrote 'Arivana.' All you will have to do will be to obtain an +audience, and that will be granted as soon as your name's sent in. An +order from him would silence every objection." + +Rojanow's eyes sank to the ground, and his dark, frowning brow grew +blacker as he answered: + +"I know it, but I can ask nothing of him. The duke would ask the same +questions as the others. I dare not refuse him an answer, and I could +not tell him the truth." + +"Nor me?" asked the prince, as he stepped up to his friend and placed +his hands on his shoulders. "Why do you wish to fight under the German +flag?" + +Hartmut drew his hand across his brow as if to smooth out something, +then he answered with a gasp: + +"Because it means deliverance or--death." + +"You return as great a mystery as when you went away," said Egon, +shaking his head. "You have avoided my questionings; can you not tell me +your secret now?" + +"Only get me into the army and I'll tell you everything!" cried Rojanow, +feverish with excitement. "I care not under what conditions, only get me +in the army. Don't speak to the duke or to any of the generals, only get +me into some subordinate command. Your name, your kinship to the +reigning house will make your recommendation of great value. They will +not be captious when Prince Adelsberg solicits a place for a friend." + +"But they'll be sure to ask me the same questions they asked you. You +are a Roumanian--" + +"No, no!" exclaimed Rojanow, passionately. "Have you never seen, never +felt that--I am a German?" + +The effect of this declaration was not so great as Hartmut had feared. + +The prince looked steadily at him for a minute, then he said: + +"I have thought that for some time. The man who wrote 'Arivana' never +learned the German language as part of his education; it was born in +him. But you bear the name of Rojanow--" + +"That was my mother's name, she belonged to a Roumanian Bojarin family. +My own name is--Hartmut von Falkenried." + +"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian officer who came from +Berlin with the secret despatches to the duke. Is he a kinsman of +yours?" + +"He is my father." + +The prince glanced sympathetically at his friend, for he saw how it +wrung his very soul to make this confession. He felt that here lay +hidden a family drama, and desirous to avoid all show of curiosity +concerning it, he only said: + +"Take your own name as the son of your father; then every regiment in +Prussia will be open to you." + +"No, that would close them forever--I ran away from the cadet academy +over ten years ago." + +"Hartmut!" There was atone of horror in the exclamation. + +"Ah, you are like my father. You regard me as a criminal. You who were +reared in freedom know naught of the severities and restraints of that +institution, of its tyrannies, to which every one within its walls has +to bow in blind obedience. I endured it as long as I could, then I left +it, for my soul demanded freedom and light. I appealed to my father in +vain; he but tightened the chains--so I tore them apart and went away +with my mother." + +His manner was wild and excited as he told his short, fateful story; but +his eyes, anxious and watchful, never left his listener's face. His +father, with his fierce, severe code of honor, had cursed him, but his +friend, who adored him, who had professed such a deep admiration for his +genius, surely he would understand him, and how he had been driven to +take such a step. But this friend was silent now, and in his silence lay +his sentence. + +"And you, too, Egon?" In the tone of the questioner, who had waited a +long minute, and waited in vain for some word, there was inexpressible +bitterness. "You, who have so often said to me that nothing should +hamper the poet's flight, that he must break all bonds which would bind +him to the earth. That's what I did, and it's what you would have done +in my place." + +The young prince drew himself up proudly, and answered decisively: + +"No, Hartmut, you are in error there! I would perhaps have escaped from +a severe school,--but from military service never!" + +There were again the same old hard words he remembered as a boy--"the +military service"--"the service of arms!" All the blood in his body +rushed to his head. + +"How did it happen you were not an officer?" continued Egon. "The cadets +are promoted while very young in the north! Then in a few years you +could have resigned. Just at the age, too, when life was beginning, and +been free--with honor." + +Hartmut was dumb; that was what his father had said to him once, but he +would not wait. The barriers were an obstruction, and he threw them +down, not recking that he trampled duty and honor in the dust at the +same time. + +"You do not understand how many things pressed upon me at the time," he +explained with difficulty. "My mother--I will not complain, but she has +been my fate. My father was divorced from her when I was little more +than a baby, and I thought she was dead. Then suddenly she appeared in +my life and I was tossed and torn by her hot mother love and her +extravagant promises of freedom and happiness. She alone is accountable +for my broken word--" + +"What broken word?" asked Egon, excitedly. "You had not yet taken the +oath?" + +"No, but I had promised my father to return, when he permitted me a last +interview with my mother." + +"And instead of doing so, you ran away with her?" + +"Yes." + +The answer was almost inaudible, and then followed a long pause. The +young prince spoke no word, but a deep, bitter pain lay on his sunny +face, the bitterest of his lifetime, for in this minute he lost the +friend he had loved so passionately. + +Hartmut began again, but did not look at his friend while he spoke. + +"Now you understand why I will force myself into the army at any price. +On the battle-field I can expiate my boyhood's offense. When I saw in +Sicily that war was imminent, I flew in haste to Germany. I hoped to be +able to enter the service at once. I did not dream of the difficulties +which I should encounter; but you can help me if you will." + +"No, I cannot," said Egon, coldly. "After what I now know it would be an +impossibility." + +Hartmut grew pale to his very lips as he stepped excitedly before him. + +"You cannot? That means you will not." + +The prince was silent. + +"Egon"--there was a tone of wild entreaty in his voice. "You know I have +never asked a favor of you, this is the first and last, but now I beg, I +implore your friendship. It is my release from the fatality which has +followed me since that hour. It means reconciliation to my father, +reconciliation to myself--you must help me!" + +"I cannot," repeated the prince, solemnly. "The repulses which you have +received are hard to bear, I doubt not, but they are right. You have +broken faith with your country and with duty. You fled from the +service--you, an officer's son--so it is closed against you--and you +must bear it." + +"And you say all this to me, so quietly, so coldly?" cried Hartmut +fairly beside himself now. "This is a matter of life and death to me. I +saw my father for the first time in over ten years at Rodeck when he +hurried to Wallmoden's death bed. He scourged me with contempt and +fearful words. That was what drove me from Germany and sent me roaming +through foreign lands, for his words went with me and changed my life +into hell. I hailed the war cry as my release. I would fight for the +land I had once deserted. But you, you, who alone can open the door, +shut it in my face. Egon, you turn from me; only one course is left!" + +He turned with a movement of despair to the table on which the prince's +pistols lay, but the latter pulled him back in affright: + +"Hartmut! Are you mad?" + +Egon was pale too, now, and his voice trembled as he said: + +"I cannot let that happen, I will do my best to get you into some +regiment!" + +"At last I thank you!" + +"I cannot promise anything, for I must keep it from the duke. He leaves +to-morrow for the seat of war. If he learns later that you are in the +army, the excitement of war may prevent him asking the why and +wherefore. But it will be several days before I can know anything +definite. Will you be my guest until then?" + +The prince had recovered his self-possession, and spoke as usual to his +old friend; but Hartmut understood the undertone in this question. + +"No, I will not remain in the city; I will go to the forestry at Rodeck. +You can send me word there, and I'll be in the city in a few hours." + +"As you please. Will you not go to Rodeck castle?" + +Hartmut give him a long, sorrowful glance. + +"No, I will stay at the forestry. Farewell, Egon." + +"Farewell!" + +So they parted without one pressure of the hand, without one cordial +word, these two who had been more than brothers, and as the door closed +between them Hartmut knew that he had lost the dearest friend of his +life. Here, too, he had been judged and sentenced! Surely his punishment +was being meted out to him with no scant measure! + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +A dark, misty vapor enveloped the forest like a veil, and from time to +time the rain fell in torrents. The tree tops swayed in the wind, and +the raw, wet atmosphere reminded one of November rather than of +midsummer. + +The mistress of Ostwalden was in her forest home and alone; she had +received news from her brother telling her he would march at once, and +as her journey to Berlin to see him would be futile, she had been +persuaded to remain in the south until after Willibald's marriage. The +marriage had been a very quiet, simple affair, and Marietta had +accompanied her husband to Berlin, where he was to join his regiment, +and when he marched, she was to go to Burgsdorf, where her mother-in-law +was again established. + +Early one morning Prince Adelsberg drove over to Ostwalden. + +He had obtained a day's leave that he might give some necessary orders +at Rodeck, but it was toward Ostwalden not Rodeck that he ordered the +horses' heads to be turned. He came to say good-bye to Adelheid, whom he +had not seen again since that first visit. + +When he reached Ostwalden, he found its mistress away on some errand of +mercy, and he was ushered into a reception room to await her return. He +paced the room restlessly, thinking of many things, of the struggle for +life or death which lay before him, of the morrow's march, but mainly of +the beautiful woman whose face had warmed with fire and sympathetic +light while discussing his friend, of her dignity, her goodness and +gentleness, and his heart was filled with the hope that he might take +with him some word, some assurance to make him feel that when the strife +was over he could return to peace--and her. He had no foreboding that +the warmth and fire had not been from sympathy with him. + +But in spite of everything, a shadow lay upon the sunny young face. It +was not the war which troubled him, he went into that heart and soul, +with no presentiments, and with all the ardor of youth. He dreamed and +planned a happy future when all the excitement and turmoil were over. + +Then the door opened and Frau von Wallmoden entered. + +"I beg your pardon for keeping your highness waiting so long," she said +after the first greeting. "The servants told you, perhaps, that a member +of the household was dying." + +"I heard that one of the men about the place was very ill," Egon +answered as he hastened toward her. + +"Yes, poor Tanner. He was formerly a tutor somewhere in this +neighborhood, but his health failed, and Herr von Schönau recommended +him to my late husband. He has been here ever since we bought the place. +He told me the other day how thankful his mother was that he had so easy +a position. Since Herr von Wallmoden's death, nothing further has been +done towards a library here, and Tanner was to have had special charge +of that, so that except to act as my secretary occasionally, there has +been literally nothing for him to do. Only yesterday I obtained the +necessary papers for him to enter the army, and he was all enthusiasm +over the prospect. This morning he had a severe hemorrhage, and now the +physician says he cannot live an hour. It seems terrible to see a young +life cut off so suddenly without any warning." The young mistress sighed +deeply as she finished her sad little story. + +After a minute's pause, Egon said quietly: + +"I have come to say good-bye. We march to-morrow or next day, and I +could not go without seeing you once again. I am fortunate in finding +you here; some one said you were going away." + +"Yes, I go to Berlin at once. Ostwalden is too isolated; I want to be +near the centre where I can receive the latest news at this exciting +time. My brother fights for the flag, you know, and I must be where I +can hear from him." + +Again there was a short pause, and the prince was thinking how he should +say what lay nearest his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden asked a +question, speaking indifferently, but with a slight falling in her +voice. + +"When I last saw your highness you were in doubt about your friend's +whereabouts. Has he given any signs of life yet?" + +Egon's eyes fell to the ground, and the shadows which had disappeared +when the baroness entered the room, come back now, darker than ever. + +"Yes!" he answered coldly. "Rojanow is again in Germany." + +"Since the declaration of the war?" + +"Yes, he came--" + +"In order to enter the army? O, I knew it!" + +The prince looked at her in great surprise. + +"You knew it, baroness? I supposed you only knew Hartmut through me, and +considered him a Roumanian!" + +The young widow's face flushed as she realised how unwise she had been +to make this outcry, but she answered quickly: + +"I learned to know who Herr Rojanow was last winter when he was at +Rodeck. I have known his father, however, for many long years, and +the--I take it for granted that your highness knows the whole story?" + +"Yes, I know it all," said Egon in a hopeless tone. + +"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father, and a constant guest +at our house. I had never heard of his son, and took it for granted that +he was childless, until that frightful hour at Rodeck, on the day of my +husband's death. I was witness to the painful conversation between +father and son." + +The young prince breathed more freely; and an uncomfortable, suspicious +feeling was set at rest for the moment. + +"Now I understand your interest and sympathy," he responded. "Colonel +Falkenried is to be pitied indeed." + +"Why he?" inquired Adelheid, struck by the hard tone. "And how about +your friend?" + +"I have no friend. I have lost him," cried Egon with a passionate burst. +"What he told me two days ago made a break between us, but what I have +since heard has parted us forever." + +"You judge a seventeen year old boy--he could not have been much +older--very severely." + +There was deep reproof in Adelheid's voice as she spoke, but the prince +shook his head passionately. + +"I'm not speaking of his flight, or his broken word, though they were +both bad enough, considering he was an officer's son, but what I learned +yesterday--I see, my dear madam, you do not know the worst. How should +you? I should not have spoken." + +"I beg your highness," began Adelheid again, "to tell me the truth. You +say that Rojanow has come back to enter the army. I am not surprised. I +expected it, for it was the only thing left for him to do to expiate his +old fault. Does he march beneath our colors yet?" + +"So far he has not been able to gain admission, and I have been saved a +fearful responsibility," said Egon, with intense bitterness. "He +endeavored to get into several regiments but was refused every time." + +"Refused? And why?" + +"Because he dared not acknowledge himself a German, and all strangers, +especially Roumanians, are regarded with suspicion, and with justice, +too. We can't be too cautious now, for fear of spies!" + +"For God's sake, what do you mean by that?" exclaimed Adelheid, who +began to see toward what Egon was drifting. He sprang up now in great +excitement and came over to her side. + +"If you wish to know, then listen to me. Hartmut came to me and desired +me to use my influence to get him into one of our regiments. I refused +at first, but he finally forced me to promise to do my utmost with a +threat which I now think he had no intention of carrying into execution. +I kept my word, and went at once to a general officer whose brother had +but recently returned from Paris where he was secretary of our legation. +This gentleman was present at the time of my visit, and as soon as he +heard the name of Rojanow, asked many questions and then told us--I +cannot speak of it--I have loved Hartmut more than any one else in the +world, have almost adored him, his talents, his genius, and now I learn +that this friend, who was all in all to me, is but a miserable, low +wretch. He and his mother served as spies--spies, think of it--in +Paris. Perhaps he would do the same in our army, and that was his object +in striving to be admitted." + +He laid his hand over his eyes if to keep out the horrible picture. + +There was something inexpressibly sad in the young man's face and manner +as he told how his idol had been shattered. Adelheid rose, and +supporting herself against a chair, spoke in an eager, excited, +trembling tone. + +"And what did he say when you accused him?" + +"Rojanow, do you mean? I haven't seen him again and do not intend to. It +is better to spare both him and me. He is at the Rodeck forestry +awaiting an answer from me. I sent him three lines telling him what I +had learned, without one word of comment. He has the letter by this +time, I suppose, and that will be sufficient explanation." + +"God help him!" + +"You speak sympathetically," said the prince, sneering. + +"Yes, for this is not the first time I have heard this terrible +accusation. His father threw it into his face during their interview." + +"Well, when his own father acknowledged the disgrace, surely--" + +"He is a sadly injured, deeply embittered man, and could have no +unbiased judgment; but you, Hartmut's friend, who stood so near him, +should shield him from such an imputation!" + +Egon looked with astonishment at the excited woman. + +"That evidently seems an easy matter to you," he said slowly. "I could +not do it. There was too much to condemn in Hartmut's life; he told me +much himself that had seemed mysterious before, and I can find no +excuse, no extenuating circumstances for his actions. Even his +denunciation of--" + +"Of his mother! She was the sword which hung over his head. It was she +who destroyed her son! But he knew nothing of the shameful depths to +which she had sunk; he lived with her but she concealed her life from +him. I saw it, I knew it when his father hurled the dreadful accusation +at him; he was as one struck by lightning. There was truth in the man's +despairing cry. Whatever his youthful misdemeanors, his punishment in +that hour balanced them all. His flight, his broken promise, have robbed +him of a father, and of his dearest friend; but though they turn against +him I will believe in him. Yes, to the death! Their charge is untrue, he +is an innocent man." + +Adelheid was in a state of intense excitement now, her cheeks were +aflame, her voice and manner had that intense passion which love alone +can give. Egon stood and looked at her. There it was, the awaking to +love and life, of which he had so often dreamed; the sea of ice had +melted forever, but for another. + +"I will not venture to decide whether you are right or not, my dear +madame," he said, in a spiritless voice, after a second's pause. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or innocent, he is to be +envied in this hour!" + +Adelheid drew back with a start. She understood the significance of his +words, and her head sank before his pained, sorrowful glance. + +"I came to say good-bye," continued Egon, "and to ask one question, one +favor--but it is fruitless to ask it now. I have only farewell to say to +you." + +Adelheid raised her eyes, in which the hot tears were standing, and held +out her hand to him. + +"Good-bye," she said. "Good-bye. May Heaven protect you!" + +The prince shook his head, and said with bitterness: + +"What does it matter? I had thought to return--do not look at me so +pleadingly. I have made a great mistake. I see it now, and I will not +annoy you with my moaning, but Adelheid, I would willingly fall if I +could but inspire for a moment the feeling and passion which you reserve +for another. God bless you! Good bye!" + +He pressed her hand and was gone. + +A dreary afternoon. The wind had risen since the morning hours, and +whistled ominously through the tall forest trees; the clouds grew darker +and heavier, and the damp air was growing rawer and colder every moment. +The sunshine of yesterday was forgotten in the gloom of to-day. The +fresh green leaves, torn by the rising storm from the tall, waving +branches, fell in a swirl at the feet of the tall, dark man, who, with +folded arms, leaned against an old tree, utterly oblivious to the +tempest which was gathering about him. + +Hartmut's face was deadly pale, and on it there lay a strange, unearthly +quiet; the fiery light was gone from those speaking eyes, and his hair +lay wet and heavy upon his forehead. The storm had whirled his hat from +his head, but he did not notice it, neither did he know that a heavy +shower had drenched him to the skin. After wandering about in the woods +for hours, he had at last found this spot--a fitting place to accomplish +his purpose. + +He had waited with feverish expectancy the message from Egon, and it had +come. No letter, only three lines with the signature, "Egon, Prince +Adelsberg," but these three lines, for him who received them, meant--the +end of all things. Thrust out forever and despised! The friend his heart +held dear asking neither for confirmation nor denial, but condemning +him unheard. + +The crash of a mighty branch which had been broken in the whirlwind, +aroused Hartmut from his brooding. He was not alarmed, and turned his +head slowly to look where the heavy branch had fallen. Only a few feet +from him--why had it not struck him and ended his misery in a moment? +How welcome was the thought of death. Such fatalities follow only those +who love life. He who seeks death must accomplish it with his own hands. +He took his gun from his shoulder and set the stock firmly in the ground +and felt over his breast for the right place. He looked up at the veiled +heavens, then down at the little lake with the deceptive, marshy +meadow-lands beyond, with the old gray mist hovering over it as usual. + +He seemed to see again the will-o'-the-wisp darting in and out, that +spirit of the marsh at which he had often gazed in the long ago over his +mother's shoulder, and while listening to her seductive words. He gave +no second look to the sky, no sign was in the heavens to-day to lead him +up to higher planes. One shot through the heart and all would be over. + +He moved his hand to touch the trigger, when he heard a voice call his +name. It was a quick, desperate cry, and a figure tall and slender, +enveloped in a dark storm cloak, rushed before him. The gun fell from +his hands as he looked up to see Adelheid's face, white and despairing, +looking into his own. + +Several minutes went by before either of them spoke. It was Hartmut who +broke the silence finally. + +"You here, my dear madame?" he asked, forcing himself to speak quietly. +"Why are you abroad in such unseemly weather?" + +Adelheid looked at the weapon which had fallen at her feet and +shuddered. + +"I might ask you the same question," she answered. + +"I started out for a hunt, but this is no day for sport. I was just +emptying my gun, when you--" + +He did not finish, for her pained, reproving glance told him that all +subterfuge was useless--he broke off and gazed gloomily before him. +Adelheid too, abandoned any attempt at an ordinary conversation. Her +voice was trembling and her face white as death, as she said: "Herr von +Falkenried--God help us, what would you have done?" + +"That which would have been finished now, had you not interfered," said +Hartmut, in a hard tone. "Believe me, dear madame, it would have been +better if accident had brought you here five minutes later." + +"It was no accident. I was at the Rodeck forestry and heard that you had +been gone several hours; a terrible suspicion took possession of me and +drove me to follow you. I was almost certain I should find you here." + +"You were seeking me? Me, Ada?" His voice trembled with emotion as he +asked the question. "How did you learn that I was at the forestry?" + +"Through Prince Adelsberg, who was with me to-day. You received a letter +from him this morning?" + +"No, only some intelligence," responded Hartmut, with drawn lips. "The +few short lines contained no word directed personally to me, only +business, only a communication which the prince thought necessary to +make--I understood it!" + +Adelheid was silent; she had felt sure that those few lines would be as +death to him. Slowly she stepped toward him in the shadow of a great +tree, the wind blew so fiercely that it was a necessity to have such +protection as the trees could afford; Hartmut did not seem to notice +its increasing fury. + +"I see that you know what those few lines contained," he began again, +"but it was not new to you. You heard it all at Rodeck. Ada, when I saw +you standing in the shimmering, ghostly light on that frightful night, +and knew that you had seen me trampled in the dust--even my own father, +who loathes me, would have been satisfied with my punishment." + +"You do him injustice," said Frau von Wallmoden, earnestly. "You saw him +only when he was thrusting you from him with such iron relentlessness. I +saw him afterwards when you had disappeared. He broke into the wildest +anguish and I caught a glimpse of the father's heart which loved his son +above all else on earth. Have you made no effort since then to convince +him?" + +"No, he would believe me as little as did Egon. He who has once broken +his word destroys all belief in himself, no matter though he afterwards +give his life in defense of truth. Had I met my death upon the +battle-field, perhaps his eyes and Egon's would have been opened. Now +when I fall by my own hand, the few who know my life will say, 'it was +his guilt which drove him to despair, and forced him to commit the +deed.'" + +"No," said Adelheid softly, "one would not say it. I believe in you +Hartmut, despite everything." + +He looked at her, and through the gray hopelessness of despair a gleam +of the old light shone forth. + +"You, Ada? And you tell me this on the very spot where you condemned me? +At that time, too, you knew nothing--" + +"That was why I had a horror of the man to whom nothing was holy, who +knew no law but his own passions; but when I saw you pleading at your +father's feet, I felt fate rather than guilt had led you astray. Since +then I have known that you could not throw aside that unfortunate +heritage of your mother. Rouse yourself, Hartmut! The way which I showed +you then is yet open. Whether it leads to life or death--it leads onward +and upward." + +Hartmut shook his head darkly! + +"No, that has all gone by now. You do not know what my father did for me +with his frightful words, what my life has been since then; but I will +be silent, no one would understand. I thank you for your belief in me, +Ada. My death will be easier." + +"God help us! You dare not do it." + +"What value has life for me?" said Hartmut with great excitement. "My +mother has marked me with a brand as of seething iron, and that mark +closes every door to atonement, to salvation. I am alone, condemned, +thrust out from my own countrymen. Why, even the poorest peasant can +fight; that right is denied only to the criminal without honor, and such +I am in Egon's eyes. He fears that I would only join with my own +countrymen to betray them, to--be a spy!" He put his hands over his +face, and his last words died out in a groan. Then he felt a hand laid +gently on his arm. + +"The stigma lies in the name of Rojanow. Abandon that name, Hartmut. I +bring you that for which you so ardently long--your admission to the +army." + +Hartmut gazed in unutterable astonishment at the speaker. + +"Impossible! How could you?" + +"Take these papers," said Adelheid, drawing out a long sealed envelope +which she carried under her cloak. "You will answer the description of +Joseph Tanner, twenty-nine years old, slender, dark complexion, dark +hair and eyes. It's all right, you see; no one will question your right +with these papers." + +She handed him the envelope which she held with a convulsive grasp, as +if it were a costly treasure. + +"And these papers?" he asked doubting yet. + +"Belonged to the dead! They were given me for one who will not use them +now, for he died to-day; and I will be forgiven if I save the living by +their use." + +Hartmut tore open the envelope, the wind nearly blew the papers from his +hand, so that it was with difficulty he could master their contents, +while the baroness continued: + +"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden. This morning he had an +unusually severe hemorrhage and died an hour after. Poor fellow, he had +only time to leave a message with me for his old mother. I shall send +her everything belonging to him, except these papers, which I, myself, +obtained for him, and these I have kept for you. We rob no one; they +would be of no use whatever to the mother. A severe judge might question +my right, but I take all responsibility. God and my fatherland will +forgive me." + +Hartmut folded the papers carefully and hid them in his breast, then he +threw the wet locks back from his broad forehead, his father's forehead, +for that mark of the Falkenried blood was patent to the most careless +observer. + +"You are right, Ada. I can never thank you enough for what you have done +to-day, but I will strive to deserve it!" + +"I know that. God guard you from danger, and now good-bye." + +"No, you cannot wish that for me!" said Hartmut sadly. "This battle of +life and death into which I go can ease my own conscience of a load, but +my father and Egon will never know, if I live, that I have fought for my +country, and the old stain will still be there. But if I fall, then you +can tell them that I fought under a strange name, and am at rest, +perhaps under foreign soil. They will at least have some respect for my +grave." + +"You would fall?" asked Ada, with sad reproof in her voice. "Even if I +tell you that your death will be mine too?" + +"Yours, Ada?" he cried excitedly, "and do you no longer turn in +abhorrence from my love, from the fate which threw us together? To +possess you would be my highest glory, for you are free. Such joy comes +to me now, only for a single fleeting minute, and then ascends again to +unattainable heights, like the prophetess of my drama who bore your +name. No matter; it is with me now in this moment of parting." + +He drew her to him and pressed a kiss on her brow, while she broke into +a passion of tears on his shoulder. + +"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death." + +"No, but it will seek me! Good-bye, my own, good-bye." + +He tore himself from her, and rushed away through the storm. She stood +still, leaning in her turn against the old tree, whose branches tossed +their arms and kept time to the moaning and shrieking winds which played +at hide and seek through the leafy foliage. But suddenly in the west, +through a rent in the angry clouds, shone a purple ray. It was only for +a minute, only a single lost beam of the descending sun, but it lighted +up the woodland height and beamed across the face of the departing man, +as he turned back once to wave a last adieu. Then the dark clouds met +again, and hid the light--the last greeting of the setting sun. + +The red, flickering firelight lit up the interior of a small house which +had formerly been the home of a signal man, but now served as +headquarters for the officers of the advanced guard. The room made +anything but a comfortable impression, with its cold, rough, whitewashed +walls, low ceilings and narrow barred windows; the heavy logs of wood +which blazed and crackled in the clumsy stone fire-place, threw out a +grateful warmth, for the weather was bitter cold and the ground covered +with snow. The regiments which lay here were little better off than +those before Paris although these belonged to the army of the South. + +Two young officers entered the room, and one, as he held the door open +for his comrade, said with a laugh: "You'll have to stoop here, for the +entrance to our villa is somewhat out of repair." + +The warning was not unnecessary, for the tall figure of the guest, a +Prussian Lieutenant of Reserves, had need to stoop to avoid the loose, +overhanging plaster. His companion who was doing the honors, wore the +uniform of a South German regiment. + +"Permit me to offer you a chair in our salon," he continued. "Not so bad +after all, considering everything; we'll have worse than this before the +campaign is over. You are looking for Stahlberg. He is at an outpost +near here with one of my comrades, but he'll certainly be back soon. You +won't have to wait above fifteen minutes." + +"I'll wait with pleasure," responded the Prussian. "Eugen's wound was +not very serious, I judge. I looked for him in the hospital and heard +that he had gone on a visit to the outpost, but would probably be back +shortly, so I thought I'd come over and see him at once." + +"The wound was but a slight one, a shot in the arm, but not deep; it's +almost healed now, but Stahlberg cannot use it in active service for +some time yet. You are acquainted with him?" + +"Oh, yes, I was a kinsman of his sister's late husband. I see you do +not remember me. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I have met your +highness several times in past years." + +"At Fürstenstein!" exclaimed Egon with animation. "Certainly, now I +remember you well, but it is wonderful what a change the uniform makes +in one's appearance. I didn't recognize you at all at first." + +He cast an admiring, surprised glance at the tall, handsome man whom he +had once ridiculed as a cabbage grower, but who looked so brave and +manly in his military dress. It was not the uniform which had so altered +Willibald; love, camp life and entire change from the old monotonous +existence had done it. The young heir was no longer a "weak tool," as +his uncle Schönau had called him, but a brave, determined, genuine man. + +"Our former meetings have been but fleeting," the prince went on, "so +you must forgive the liberty if I offer you my congratulations; you are +betrothed, I believe to--" + +"I believe your highness is laboring under a mistake," Willibald +interrupted him, with some embarrassment. "When I last saw you at +Fürstenstein I was to be the future son of that house, but--" + +"That's all changed," interrupted Egon, laughing. "I know all about it +from a comrade of mine, Lieutenant Walldorf, who is to marry your +cousin, Fräulein von Schönau. My words had reference to Fräulein +Marietta Volkmar." + +"Now Frau von Eschenhagen." + +"What! you are a married man?" + +"And have been for five months. We were married just before I marched, +and my wife is at Burgsdorf with my mother." + +"Then I can congratulate you upon your marriage. But seriously, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for your robbery of an artist +from our midst. Please tell your wife that the whole city is in +sackcloth and ashes over her loss." + +"I will tell her, although I think the city has no time for such light +sorrows now. Ah, there are the gentlemen! I hear Eugen's voice." + +There they were, true enough. They entered just as Willibald ceased +speaking. Young Stahlberg greeted his friend with a joyous cry of +surprise. They had not seen each other since the war began, though they +were in the same army corps. Eugen's arm was in a sling, otherwise he +looked well and happy. He had none of his sister's beauty, neither had +he the strength and earnestness of expression which had been her legacy +from their father. The son seemed, to judge from his appearance, of an +amiable and yielding, rather than a strong nature; but notwithstanding +all this he resembled his sister strongly, and that was the secret of +Egon's friendship for him. His companion was a handsome young officer, +with keen, merry eyes, and as he stepped into the room the prince +introduced him to Willibald. + +"I need not fear a duel when I mention your names to one another," he +said laughing. "You'll have to meet some day. Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr +von Walldorf." + +"Bless me! I at least declare for peace!" cried Walldorf gaily. "Herr +von Eschenhagen, I am rejoiced to know my future wife's cousin, who got +ahead of us at the altar. We, too, wanted a marriage from the saddle, +but my future father-in-law assumed his fiercest look and declared: +'First conquer, and then marry.' Now we've been doing the former for the +last five months, and when I go home again I'll see to the latter." + +He shook Toni's cousin warmly by the hand, then turning to the prince, +said: + +"We have something here for you. Orderly from Rodeck, present yourself +before his highness, Herr lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg." + +Through the open door came a tall figure which Egon recognized as that +of his old, gray-haired steward. He closed the door cautiously, and came +forward into the room. + +"Saints preserve us, it's Peter Stadinger!" It was, indeed, old Peter +who stood in front of his master. He was not unknown to the other +officers, either, for they all greeted him with a shout. + +"Well, we must have lights now, that your highness may have a good view +of this old 'ghost of the woods,'" cried Walldorf, as he lit two +candles and placed them with comic gravity before the old man. Egon +laughed as he said: + +"You see, Stadinger, what a prominent personage you are, and how much I +talk about you; now I'll present you in all form; here, gentlemen, is +Peter Stadinger, noted for his unfailing incivility and his everlasting +moral lectures. He thinks that I need both to keep me in order and even +here in the field he has followed me in order that he might keep up the +friendly custom. I trust he pleases you, my masters--now you can let me +go, Peter." + +But instead of obeying this order, the old man held his two hands all +the more firmly, while he said in a tone of deep emotion: "Ah, your +highness, you cannot know how anxious we have been about you at Rodeck." + +The prince answered him impatiently: "Indeed, and that's why you have +run away and left things at sixes and sevens at Rodeck, despite all my +solemn charges? I had not thought you would be so neglectful of duty." + +Stadinger looked at him quite puzzled. + +"But I came on receipt of your letter telling me to do so. You wrote me +to fetch Lois from the hospital, so I started at once. I saw the boy +this morning, and found him as gay as he could be, but he can't be moved +for a week, the doctor said; then I am to take him home. What your +highness, and Lois, and all the rest from Rodeck would have done if I +had not stayed home to guard and control--God alone knows." + +Egon drew his hand back impatiently. + +"I am Herr Lieutenant here, and have no other title but my military one, +remember that! and here you are as meek as a lamb, when I counted on a +fine sermon for the benefit of us all. Lois, gentlemen, is the grandson +of this old growler, a fine, brave fellow, and he has a sister as sweet +as a peach. But her grandfather sends her away regularly the minute I +set foot in Rodeck. Why didn't you bring Zena with you, and let her see +a little of the world?" + +The old man, notwithstanding his desire for peace, threw back his head +at this interrogatory, and answered with all the old acerbity: + +"I believed your highness had no time for folly now." + +"You made a mistake then. We lead the wildest kind of a life in the +army, and when I go home again--" + +"Your highness has promised to marry," finished the steward in such an +impressive manner that the officers all shouted. Egon joined in, but +something was wanting in his merriment, and in his answer too. + +"Yes, yes, I've promised that, sure enough, but I have many matters to +settle in the meantime, I'll keep my word in ten years, or perhaps in +twenty--perhaps never!" + +Stadinger listened to his highness's words--not for worlds would he have +obeyed the order to call him Herr lieutenant--and his face darkened. + +"I almost thought as much, for when your highness really does plan for +the future your plans don't last twenty-four hours. Your blessed father +married, and I married, and all men marry, and it's the only way to cure +you of your foolishness, and--" + +"Now gentlemen, the sermon's coming," laughed Egon good-naturedly. He +was not far wrong, for Stadinger spoke his mind as usual, and to the +point too, so that before he finished the officers felt he had the best +of it against the prince. After half an hour's chatter, Willibald and +Eugen Stahlberg rose to go. As they bade good-night to the prince he +said: + +"You push on to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, we march to R---- at daybreak to meet Major General von +Falkenried and his brigade. We'll be some days on the way, I fancy, for +the whole of this region is infested with the enemy, and our next move +will depend upon theirs," answered Willibald. + +"Then tell the general, Will, that I'll be there at latest in a week," +said Eugen. "It's pretty bad to have to stay behind on account of a +scratch that's not worth talking about. In another week I'll be all +right. I don't care what the doctor says, and I hope to join my regiment +before you take R----." + +"We'll have to be active now," said Egon, "for resistance doesn't +continue long where General von Falkenried commands. He's always first +with his men and has been victorious beyond belief. It seems as if no +difficulties were too great for him to surmount." + +"He seems to stand at the head," answered Lieutenant Walldorf. "He may +take R---- while we are lying here idle; perhaps he has taken it +already. No news can reach us with the enemy between." + +He rose to accompany his departing comrades a short distance, while the +prince remained behind by the fire. He folded his arms and looked +vacantly at the burning logs, but the expression of his face was not in +accord with the gaiety he had exhibited before his friends. It was dark +and gloomy, and all light and happiness seemed gone out of it. He had +forgotten Stadinger's presence until the latter gave a little cough, +then he turned and said: + +"Ah, you are there yet, are you? Tell Lois I asked for him, and that I +will see him to-morrow some time. I'll see you again, of course, for +you'll have to wait several days for him. You didn't think we had such a +fine time here, did you? No need to take life hard just because we may +lose it any day." + +The old man looked keenly at his master. + +"Yes, the gentlemen were jolly enough, and you were the ring-leader, +but--your highness is not gay now." + +"I? What's the matter now? Why shouldn't I be gay?" + +"I don't know, but I see you are not happy," declared Stadinger. "When +you were at Rodeck with Herr Rojanow you were quite different. As you +stood looking into the fire just now I could see that something lay on +your heart." + +"Don't bother me with your observations," exclaimed Egon impatiently. +"Do you think I should never have a serious thought, when it may be we +go into battle to-morrow?" + +Then he resumed his old position, and Stadinger, though silent, was +unconvinced. He knew full well that something was the matter with his +master, that it was no thought of battle which clouded his sunny face. +The door opened and Lieutenant Walldorf entered without closing it. + +"Come in," he cried to some one behind him. "Here's an orderly from the +seventh regiment with some information. Come in, orderly!" + +Walldorf repeated his invitation to enter in an impatient tone. The +soldier who stood on the threshold of the door had hesitated, and made a +movement to retreat into the darkness again. Now he obeyed; he remained +close to the door, his face in the shadow. + +"You come from the outpost yonder on chapel mountain?" questioned +Walldorf. + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +Egon, who had turned round indifferently when the soldier entered, +started as he heard the voice. He took a hasty step forward, then halted +suddenly, as if he remembered something, but his glance embraced the +stranger with a look almost of horror. He was, as far as one could see +in the semi-darkness, a tall young soldier wrapped in the coarse mantle +of the private, with a helmet over his closely cut black hair. He stood +stiff and immovable, and gave his message minutely. His voice had a +suppressed, almost suffocated tone. + +"I come from Herr Captain Salfeld!" he announced. "We have seized a +suspicious looking man, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the +relief corps, who was sneaking into the fortress. There was some writing +found on him." + +"Come over closer," ordered Walldorf sharply. "I can't hear you over +there by the door." + +The soldier obeyed at once, and stepped up to the officers. The +firelight gleamed full upon the face, which was pallid, and on the +tightly compressed lips, but not on the eyes, for they seemed fastened +to the ground. + +Egon's hand seized the hilt of his sabre with convulsive grasp; it was +all he could do not to cry out, while Stadinger stared at the man with +wide open eyes. + +"There was some writing found on him, but it was of no consequence, nor +what he told by word of mouth either. Now the Herr Captain wants to know +whether he shall send the prisoner here, or to headquarters, for he +thinks there is more in the papers than meets the eye." + +There was nothing uncommon in this message. Suspicious characters were +arrested daily, particularly from the relief corps, but Prince Adelsberg +hesitated, as if he feared the sound of his own voice, then he gave the +answer: + +"Tell the Herr Captain to send the prisoner here. We relieve the guard +in two hours, and he can be taken on to headquarters at once." + +"I hope we can make the churl say something," said Walldorf. "Many a +coward loses his hold when he knows there's a court martial ahead of +him. Well, we'll see." + +The soldier stood waiting for his dismissal; not a muscle of his face +moved, but he never lifted his eyes. Egon had recovered himself now, and +he asked, in his coldest, most distant tones: + +"You belong to the seventh regiment?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Your name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Forced into service?" + +"No, a volunteer." + +"Since when?" + +"Since the thirtieth of July." + +"You have been through the whole campaign?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Very well. You can take my message to the Captain." + +The soldier saluted and left the room. Walldorf had been a little +surprised at this examination, but gave no second thought to it. He +looked after the retreating figure and said as he shrugged his +shoulders: "The men on Chapel hill have the devil's own time. They have +no rest day or night, and have to exert themselves to the utmost. The +poor fellows have to work in the hard frozen trenches until the sweat +runs from their faces and their hands are covered with blood. Fighting +is the only relief they get." + +He stepped into another room to order the watch for the expected +prisoner, and to make some additional arrangements. Egon threw open the +window and leaned out--he felt he was suffocating. Then he heard +Stadinger's voice behind him in a half-whisper as though he were too +frightened to speak out loud. + +"Your highness!" + +"What is it?" the prince answered without turning around. + +"But didn't your highness see--?" + +"See what?" + +"The orderly, who was just here--that was Herr Rojanow, as sure as he +lives and breathes." + +Egon saw that presence of mind was necessary here; he turned and said +coldly: "I believe you see ghosts!" + +"But, your highness--" + +"Nonsense! only a passing resemblance. I noticed it myself. That's why I +asked the man his name. You heard him say his name was Tanner!" + +"Yes, but it was Herr Rojanow for all that," said Stadinger, whose sharp +eyes were not to be deceived. "To be sure the black locks were gone, and +the proud, independent manner, but his voice was, the same!" + +"Do cease your senseless chatter," said Egon violently. "You know very +well that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, and now you find him in an orderly +of the seventh regiment. It is really laughable." + +Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or +impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his +friend was only a common soldier. To be sure the Herr Rojanow of Rodeck, +who ordered every one around, even the prince himself, and the orderly +whom Lieutenant Walldorf ordered to come forward because he didn't speak +loud enough, were as far apart as heaven and earth. If it had not been +for the voice! + +"Then your highness, you think--" Stadinger began again. + +"I think you're an old ghost-hunter," said Egon gently. "Go to your +quarters and get a good night's rest after your journey; otherwise +you'll be discovering resemblances throughout the whole +garrison--good-night!" + +Stadinger obeyed, and left for his own quarters at once. He shook his +head as he went--he was by no means satisfied with his master's +peremptory dismissal of the subject. + +The prince paced the little room in great excitement as soon as he was +alone. His former friend had forced his way into the army +notwithstanding. Joseph Tanner! He remembered perfectly to whom the name +had belonged, and knew only too well whose hand had opened the way for +Hartmut. What will not a woman do for the man she loves, what price will +she not pay? She had even sent him into danger in order that he might be +reconciled to life and himself. + +Jealousy, fierce and wild, filled Egon's heart at these thoughts, and +above all rose the fearful suspicion of the man's fidelity to his flag +and country. Was his presence at the dangerous outpost an answer to +suspicions, or was it a cloak to hide secret machinations? + +Then the prince thought of the pale, dark face which had been so dear to +him, and with a motion of torture, he tried to put the memory from him. +He knew, none so well, Hartmut's intense pride, and this pride was +dragged in the dirt day after day in the degrading position which he +occupied. + +He had heard of the ceaseless labor on Chapel hill, of the days and +nights employed in digging trenches, of the worn bodies, the bleeding +hands. That was what Rojanow did now, the same Rojanow who had had a +city at his feet one short year before, who had been the honored guest +at princely boards, whose successful work had not only placed the laurel +wreath on his brow, but had brought him a fortune as well. And besides +all this, he was General von Falkenried's son. + +Egon's breast heaved violently as he thought of it all. Then his lost +confidence came back to him slowly, and banished the unjust doubts. +Hartmut was atoning now for his boyish folly. As for the rest, his +mother, and she alone, was to blame. + +It was about nine o'clock in the evening when the prince left his +quarters in order to visit the commandant. He did not go on an affair of +service, but in answer to an invitation from the general, who had been +an old friend of his father, and had looked after the son, since the +campaign began, with fatherly solicitude. Egon would have given much to +be alone this evening, for his meeting with Hartmut had moved him +deeply, but a soldier has little time for brooding, and an invitation +from a commanding officer must not be set aside. + +As the young prince went into the house he met an adjutant coming out, +who explained breathlessly that there was bad news, but that the general +would tell him all. + +The general was alone, and was pacing the room in great excitement, +gesticulating and muttering as he went. + +"Ah, Prince Adelsberg, is it you?" he exclaimed, halting in his walk as +Egon entered the room. "I can't promise you a pleasant evening, for we +have had intelligence which destroys all sociability for us to-night." + +"The adjutant said something about trouble," answered Egon. "What is it, +your excellency? The despatches at midday were very favorable." + +"I only got the news an hour ago. The man you sent to headquarters +to-night as a suspicious character had it all. Do you know what he had +with him?" + +"Captain Salfeld sent word he had papers of little importance, +apparently, but thought they might contain some secret advices; of +course, a spy would not carry anything in writing that looked suspicious +on the surface." + +"Well, the papers were most important. The man was a coward, naturally, +and when he was threatened with a bullet, he revealed all, and, alas! we +cannot doubt the truth of his statements. You may remember a few lines +on a slip of paper which read that one had better in an extreme case +follow the heroic example of the commanding general before R----." + +"Yes, I didn't understand that, for the fort will have to surrender +soon. General von Falkenried said he hoped to take it to-morrow." + +"Yes, and I fear he will do it!" answered the General, excitedly. + +"You fear, your excellency?" + +"Yes, there's been treachery, there's been foul villainy at work! They +will surrender the fort, and then as soon as their garrison have been +taken off as prisoners of war, and our men occupy the citadel, it will +be blown up." + +"God help us!" cried the young prince, excitedly. "Cannot General +Falkenried be warned?" + +"I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two +different ways, but our direct course to R---- is cut off. The enemy +holds the mountain pass, and it is quite impossible for the messengers +to reach the place in time." + +Egon was silent for a moment. + +The pass was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's +regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a +day or two. + +"We have thought of everything," continued the general, "but there isn't +the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to +close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of +his men, will perish." + +He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince +stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind. + +"Your excellency?" + +"Well?" + +"If it were possible in spite of everything, to send the despatches by +the mountain path--a good rider could get to R---- by to-morrow +morning; to be sure he'd have to ride for life or death--dash right +through the enemy." + +"What folly! You are a soldier and should know that such a course would +be madness. The boldest rider would be shot down before he had been gone +an hour." + +"But if one could find the man who would make the attempt? I know a man +who would do it." + +The general scowled at the young man. + +"Do you mean that you would venture upon this useless exposure? I forbid +it, once for all, Prince Adelsberg. I pride myself upon my officers' +bravery, but I cannot permit any such senseless experiments." + +"I do not mean myself, your excellency," said Egon, earnestly. "The man +whom I mean is in the seventh regiment, and is at this moment on outpost +duty on Chapel mountain. It was he who brought me word of the prisoner." + +The general shook his head thoughtfully. + +"I tell you it's impossible, but--who is the man?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"A private?" + +"Yes, a volunteer." + +"You know something about him?" + +"Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole +army,--bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act +with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do +it." + +"And you believe--it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to +sure death--you believe the man will do it freely--willingly?" + +"I'll swear he will, your excellency." + +"Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for +Tanner at once." + +"May I take the order to him?" interrupted Egon, quickly. The general +turned in surprise and looked at him. + +"You, yourself, do you mean? Why?" + +"Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel +mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting +place an hour would be lost." + +There was nothing to be said in answer to this, and yet the general felt +there was something about the whole affair which he did not understand. +A common soldier rarely undertook, voluntarily, a mission which drove +him into the arms of death, but the old warrior asked no further +questions, he only said: "You will be responsible for the man?" + +"Yes," said Egon, quietly but emphatically. + +"Good, then you can give him all the necessary instructions; there is +one thing more; he must have credentials if he ever reaches our own +posts, for any detention would be fatal where every minute counts." + +He turned to his writing table, and after setting his seal to a paper, +handed it to the prince. + +"Here are the necessary papers, and these are the despatches for General +Falkenried. Let me know at once whether Tanner was willing to go or +not." + +"I'll let your excellency know immediately." + +Egon hurried to his own quarters, where he ordered his horse to be +saddled. In five minutes he was off for Chapel mountain. + +Chapel mountain, which the German troops had so christened from the +little church which stood on its summit, was one of a subordinate range +of hills, which traversed the country in the region where the army corps +of the South were quartered. The little church lay desolate and lonely, +half buried in the deep snow. Priest and sacristan were gone long since, +and the house of God bore traces of demolition, for a deadly battle had +been fought on this height. The walls were standing and part of the +pointed roof; the rest had been carried away by shot and shell, and the +wind whistled through the shattered windows. Ice and snow covered the +surrounding wood, and a faint half-moon lit up the whole with a +ghastly, uncertain light. + +It was a bitter cold night, like that memorable one at Rodeck. A deep +red flame lit up the horizon, but it was no northern light this time, no +purple glow to lessen the gloom, it was the signal of war, the deep, +blood-red flash such as went up from every village and hamlet in +Germany, rousing men to action, waving them on to battle and--to death! + +A single guard stood at one of the lonely outposts--Hartmut von +Falkenried. His eyes were fixed on distant watch fires which from time +to time sent up their showers of sparks to heaven. In the distance, +warmth and light, here, ice and night. The cold which had been intense +all day strengthened with the night, and seemed to freeze out all life +from the solitary watch on duty. True there were other sentinels, at +various posts, but they were not accustomed to winters in the Orient or +in Sicily. Hartmut had spent no winters in the north since his boyhood's +days, and the cold seemed to freeze the very blood in his veins. + +A deadly languor came over him, which was not the forerunner of sleep; +it crept into the limbs and closed the heavy eyelids. He fought it off +bravely, but it would return again and again as the icy air grew colder. +He knew what it meant and struggled bravely against it. Surely he would +not freeze to death. + +His glance turned, as if seeking strength, to the little half-ruined +house of God. What were church and altar to him? He had cast all belief +from him long ago. Death was an eternal night, and life alone could give +him all he wished, full expiation of his early fault, the woman he +loved, the poet's crown, his father's blessing! But here he stood at his +post waiting an inglorious death, which he felt would meet him ere the +night was over. He would not swerve from duty, death might seek him and +find him--on guard. + +Then in the distance he heard steps and voices which came nearer; they +waked him up from the lethargy into which he had fallen. He aroused +himself and grasped his gun more firmly, though he knew it was some one +from his own regiment. What was it? The hour of redemption was close at +hand though he knew it not. A few minutes later a corporal with another +man stood before him. + +"Picket! Orders from headquarters brought by an officer!" cried the +corporal. The relief had come! The man who but a second since stood on +the bleak, dreary shore of despair, felt himself recalled to life at the +sound. + +He started to follow the corporal, when the other man, an officer also, +stepped forward. + +"Let the corporal go on. I wish to speak to you alone, Tanner. Follow +me!" + +Prince Adelsberg, who wished no witnesses, stepped into the little +church, and Hartmut followed him. The pale moonlight entering through +the open window showed only disorder and confusion. The roof had been +pierced by a cannon ball, which had shattered pulpit and desk as well; +only the little altar, in its quiet niche, remained undisturbed. + +Egon stepped into the middle of the room, then he turned and said: + +"Hartmut!" + +"Herr lieutenant?" + +"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another +so soon again." + +"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily. +"You come--" + +"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel +mountain. A fearful night for such a service." + +Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would +have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain +light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned +against a pillar as if needing support. + +"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit," +he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so +for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your +exertions you have the strength, is another question." + +"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my +strength. What is it?" + +"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R---- through +the mountain pass just where the enemy lies." + +"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where--" + +"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not +reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!" + +Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in +an instant. + +"I can save my father? I? What has happened? What am I to do?" + +"Listen. The prisoner which you sent to us this evening has made some +terrible revelations. The fort is to be blown up after the surrender, as +soon as the French garrison are out and our men are in it. The general +has sent two messengers--but they take round-about ways and will never +reach there in time. Your father intends to seize the fort to-morrow. He +must be warned in time, and there's but one way. The news must go +through the mountain pass which the enemy hold; that is the only chance +to reach our friends. But that way--" + +"I know it. Our regiment marched through it two weeks ago before the +enemy had taken it," cried Hartmut. + +"All the better! You must of course lay aside your uniform." + +"I only need exchange my cloak and helmet. If I had stayed here I'd have +been dead in a few hours; now if I ride fast enough I have one chance. +If I only had a good horse." + +"That is ready for you, I brought my own Arabian, Sadi, with me. You +know him well, have ridden him often. He'll fly like a bird on a night +like this, he'll need no whip to spur him on." + +The conversation was whispered in stormy haste, and the prince handed +him the papers. + +"Here is the general's order which you present when you reach our +sentinels, and here are the dispatches. Take a half hour to get some +warmth and strength into your body, then you can start." + +"Do you think I want rest or warmth?" cried Hartmut, the old Hartmut +again. "When I break down now it will be from the enemy's bullet. I +thank you Egon for this hour, in which you have at last, at last, +exonerated me from a fearful suspicion!" + +"And in which I send you to your death," said the prince gently. "We +must not hide the truth from ourselves--only a miracle can save you." + +"A miracle?" Hartmut's glance sought the altar which the flickering +moonlight revealed. He had ceased to pray long years ago, and yet in +this moment a hot, speechless prayer went up to Heaven for strength to +accomplish this miracle. "If I can only save my father then I am +content!" + +In the next second he turned, and Egon, who had put new life into him +and given him back his courage, said gently: + +"And now let us say good-bye! God bless you, Hartmut!" + +The two friends clung to one another in a last embrace. All that had +come between them was lost sight of forever, and the old, warm love was +mightier than ever in this last hour, for they both felt that it was a +farewell for all time. + +Scarcely fifteen minutes later a rider dashed out of the camp. The +slender Arab's hoofs hardly touched the ground over which it sped; in a +wild gallop it went on over the snow-covered ground, through the +ice-clad forest, over frozen streams, on, on, into the mountain pass! + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +The following day brought clear, frosty weather. The intense cold had +abated and the sun shone out warm and bright. Eugen Stahlberg and +Lieutenant Walldorf, free from duty for the time being, were in Prince +Adelsberg's quarters. Walldorf had been thrown from his horse the +previous evening, and his hand had been injured, and this prevented him +from going out with his company, as Egon had done. The gentlemen were +waiting for the return of their princely comrade, who must be back soon +now, and as they waited, they teased and guyed old Peter Stadinger, who +was on duty early at his master's quarters. + +The young officers had heard nothing of the news which had been learned +over night at headquarters, they were as merry as could be, and +indulged in much raillery over old Peter's lectures to his master. But +the old man said little in answer to their banter this morning; his +master was long in returning, and Stadinger had reached the age when he +borrowed trouble, and it rested heavily upon him. Finally Walldorf got +out of all patience with him and said: + +"I believe, Stadinger, you'd like to strap the prince on your back and +take him off to Rodeck with you. The camp is no place for anxiety or +alarm, remember that." + +"Then the prince had to reconnoitre to-day," added Eugen. "He has to +make a detour from Chapel mountain to the valley beneath and through the +ravine, in order to see what the outlook is. We'll probably have a +pleasant exchange of civilities with the French gentlemen within the +next few days, and we want to be ready for them at all points." + +"But there's plenty of chances for them to shoot now, isn't there?" +asked the old man with such anxiety that the officers had to laugh +aloud. + +"Yes, there's chances enough to shoot," Walldorf asserted. "You seem to +be afraid of a gun. You're safe from any stray shots here!" + +"I?" the old man straightened himself; he was deeply insulted. "I wish +to God I could be in the midst of it all." + +"Yes, you'd stay by the prince, and when you saw a bullet coming you'd +give his coat a pull and say: 'Be careful, your highness, here comes a +bullet.' That would be great fun." + +"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man so earnestly that their merriment +was silenced, "you should not talk so to an old hunter, who has climbed +time and again to the mountain's summit, and shot, and killed too, where +he had scarcely room to plant his foot. It is only here that I am so +anxious and discouraged--I would the day were well over." + +"We were only in fun," said Eugen good naturedly. "Of course you're not +afraid of a shot, one only has to look at you to know that. But don't +come to us with your presentiments and misgivings; after men have stood +under a shower of bullets they don't heed croakings. When we're all home +again I am going to visit my sister at Ostwalden and we'll be good +neighbors, you and I. The prince is very fond of his hunting castle at +Rodeck, is he not? But you can banish your gloomy thoughts, for here he +comes." + +There was a quick step without on the stair; the old man gave a relieved +sigh, but when the door opened it was only Eugen's man who appeared. + +"Isn't his highness coming?" asked Walldorf; but Stadinger gave the man +no time to answer. He had glanced at his face, only a glance, then he +started forward and seized his hand half-frantically. + +"What is it? Where--where is my master?" + +The man shook his head sadly and pointed to the window; the two officers +hastened to it, but Stadinger lost no time in looking; he rushed out of +the door and down the steps and across the little yard, and sank down +with a piercing cry beside a litter which two soldiers were carrying, +and upon which a tall, youthful form was stretched. + +"Silence!" said the surgeon, who accompanied the sad little procession. +"Control yourself, the prince is badly wounded." + +"I see that," said the old man, huskily. "But his wound is not mortal? +Tell me it's not mortal!" + +He glanced up at the physician with a look of such despair, that the +latter had not the heart to tell him the truth. He turned to the two +officers who had followed Stadinger, and answered their questions +instead. + +"A bullet in the breast," he said in a whisper. "The prince desired to +be brought to his own quarters, and we have been as careful as we could, +but the end is nearer than I thought." + +"No hope then?" asked Walldorf. + +"Not the slightest." + +The men were already lifting their burden to carry him into the house, +when the physician motioned them to put him down. + +"Wait! The prince wants to speak to his old servant, I think. A few +minutes here or there doesn't matter now." + +Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what was going on around him, he saw +only his master. Egon appeared to be unconscious; the blonde hair was +thrown back, the eyes were closed, and under the mantle with which the +man had covered him was the blood-soaked uniform. + +"Your highness!" said the old man in low, heart-rending tones. "Look at +me, speak to me! It is your old Stadinger." + +The well-known voice found its way to the dying man's ear; he opened his +eyes slowly, and a faint smile crossed his face as he recognized his +faithful servant. + +"My old ghost of the woods," he said softly; "and you are with me at the +last." + +"But you'll not die, your highness," murmured Stadinger. His whole body +was in a tremble, but he never took his eyes from his adored master. +"No, you will not die, you will not die .'" + +"Do you think it is so hard?" said Egon quietly. "Yesterday you were +quite right, a burden was on my heart, now it is light. Take a greeting +to dear Rodeck, and the forest, and to the lady of Ostwalden." + +"To whom? To Frau von Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, thinking he had not +heard aright. + +"Yes, tell her I send her my last greeting; she must think of me +sometimes." + +The words came slowly, brokenly, from the lips which would so soon +refuse to do further service, but there was no mistaking their full +significance. Eugen was startled when he heard his sister's name, and +bent over the dying man, who looked into the countenance which so +resembled Adelheid's, and again a smile lighted his face. Then he raised +his head and laid it heavily on the breast of his old ghost of the +woods, and the sunny blue eyes closed forever. + +It was a short, painless battle with death, a peaceful falling to sleep. +Stadinger hardly breathed while life remained in the body of him he had +nursed as a babe and cherished as a man, but was to lose forever now. +When all was over the old man lost control of himself, and threw himself +in despair on the body of his beloved master, and sobbed like a child. + + * * * * * + +Yonder, on the other side of the mountain-pass, the clear, bright winter +sun lighted up the citadel which had just surrendered to the German +troops. The garrison which had occupied it were marching off prisoners +of war, while a portion of the victors were already on their way to the +fort. + +General von Falkenried, surrounded by his staff, was standing in the +market-place of the little city, and was just on the point of marching +to the fortress. The helmets and guns of the men gleamed brightly in the +morning sun as they marched in solemn order toward the citadel. + +General von Falkenried, who had been giving various orders, now turned +to his officers and gave the signal to move forward. + +At that moment a rider came dashing down the main street at a mad galop. +His noble horse was covered with sweat and froth, and his flanks were +bleeding from the sharp spurs which had been pressed into his side. The +rider's face was covered with blood, too, which evidently came from a +wound in the forehead which had been hastily bound with a cloth. As if +fleeing before a storm, he heeded naught in his path, but rushed on in +his mad ride toward the market-place where the commanding general was to +be found. + +Just a few steps from his goal the horse's strength gave out and he +fell. But in the same instant the rider had sprung from the saddle, and +hastened to the commander-in-chief. + +"I come from General M----." + +Falkenried drew a sharp, quick breath; he had not recognized the +blood-stained face, he only knew that the man must have come on some +important mission, but the tone of the man's voice gave him some +premonition of the truth. + +Hartmut swayed for a moment and put his hand to his head--it seemed as +if he, like his horse, would succumb at the last moment; but he gathered +himself together for a final effort. + +"It is a warning from the general--there is treachery, the citadel is to +be blown up as soon as our men are in it--here are the dispatches." + +He tore the dispatches from his breast and handed them to Falkenried. +The officers were startled by the unexpected news, and gathered around +their chief waiting the corroboration or denial of the statement just +made, but a strange sight met their eyes. Their general, who never lost +his presence of mind, no matter how unexpected or how dreadful the +calamity which he faced, stood gazing at the orderly as if a ghost had +risen from the earth, still holding the unopened dispatches in his hand. + +"Herr General, the dispatches!" said one of the adjutants, half aloud. +He understood his leader as little as did the others. It was enough to +bring Falkenried to his senses. He tore open the dispatches and learned +their contents in a second, then again he was a soldier who thought of +nothing but duty. He gave his orders in a loud, clear voice, the +officers hurried hither and thither, cries of command were given, and +signals sounded in every direction, and a few minutes later the division +marching to the fortress was brought to a standstill, while the +withdrawing garrison was also brought to a sudden halt. + +Now the alarm signal was sounded from the citadel. Neither friend nor +foe knew what it signified, only the newly conquered fort must be +evacuated at once. The orders were carried out promptly. Despite the +haste there was no disorder; the troops turned to march back to the city +as they marched from it. + +Falkenried still stood in the same place issuing orders, receiving +communications, while with glance and word he watched and guided all. +But he found a minute's time to turn to his son, he to whom he had given +no sign of recognition. + +"You are bleeding--your wound must be bound." + +Hartmut shook his head. + +"Later; first I must see the retreat and know we are saved." + +The fearful excitement kept him up. He swayed no more, but watched with +feverish impatience every movement of the troops. Falkenried looked at +him, then he said: + +"Which way did you come?" + +"Over the pass." + +"Why, the enemy hold it," cried the General. + +"Yes--they hold it." + +"And yet you came that way?" + +"There was no choice; we only knew it last night, and I had no time for +any other." + +"That's a piece of heroism without parallel," said a high officer, who +had just come up with a communication and heard the last words. "Man, +how did you dare to run such a risk?" + +Hartmut was silent; he raised his eyes slowly, and looked at his father. +Now he was not afraid to meet those eyes, and in them he read that he +was absolved. + +But even the strength of him who has ventured all--and won, has its +limits. + +His father's face was the last he saw, then a bloody veil covered his +eyes; he felt the blood again, hot and wet, running down his face, and +all was night to him as he sank to the ground. + +There was a roar and a shock which made the whole city quake and +tremble. The citadel whose outline rose bold and clear toward the blue +heavens seemed suddenly to be turned into a seething, glowing crater, +vomiting flame. Within the bursting walls a very hell seemed to gape, as +the shower of stones rose in the air only to sink again in the fiery +hollow, and, as the gigantic wreck burned and blazed, it made one mighty +pillar of fire reaching to the very heavens above--a vengeful, hideous +flame of death. + +The warning had not come a moment too soon. In spite of all precautions +there had been some victims who lived in the immediate vicinity of the +citadel and could not be reached, who were either blown to pieces or +severely wounded; though in comparison with the fearful calamity which +might have occurred and would have paralyzed all Germany, the loss was +slight. + +The General with his officers and all his troops were saved. + +The General, with his wonted foresight and energy, had taken every +precaution to avoid the terrible catastrophe, while his coolness, his +example, had done more than anything else to inspire both officers and +men to action. But now, when his duty as commander-in-chief was done, he +had his rights as a father. + +Hartmut had been carried, when he fell, to a house near by, and lay +unconscious on his narrow cot. He neither saw nor heard his father, who +stood with the surgeon by his side. + +Falkenried looked earnestly at the pale, worn face and closed eyes, then +he turned to the surgeon and said: + +"Do you consider the wound mortal?" + +The physician shrugged his shoulders. + +"The wound of itself is not, but the strain and excitement of that +fearful ride, the loss of blood, and the terrible night--I fear, +General, there's little hope for the brave fellow. We must be prepared +for the worst." + +"I am prepared!" said Falkenried earnestly, then he kneeled and kissed +his son, whom he had only found, he feared, to lose again; as he rose +two hot tears fell on the death-like face. + +But the father had no time to stay by his son. He must be up and doing. +After a few minutes he left the room, leaving repeated injunctions with +the doctor not to relax his watchful care for an instant. + +The General's staff and many other officers were waiting in the +market-place for their commander. As they waited they talked of the man +who had ridden through the jaws of death to save them all; none knew his +name, but he had come through the mountain pass, had faced a revengeful +and infuriated foe, with death on all sides, and had reached them in +time. + +When the general appeared they surrounded and questioned him at once +concerning the brave stranger. + +Falkenried had his usual earnest look, but the settled gloom of his face +was gone forever, and in its stead was an expression which those around +him had never seen before. His eyes were wet, but his voice was firm and +clear as he answered: + +"Yes, gentlemen, he is severely wounded, and perhaps the ride which +saved us all was his death ride. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you would know his name, he is my son--Hartmut von +Falkenried." + +The old manor house of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and quiet in the summer +sunshine. Its young master, who had been away from it for a whole year +had just returned to it and to his young wife, for the war was over. + +The great estate had not suffered during his long absence; it had been +well cared for. The mother had taken the reins in hand again, and had +governed as of old with judgment and a watchful eye, but she now +resigned them willingly to her son, and declared her intention of taking +up her residence in Berlin. + +She looked well and happy to-day as she stood upon the broad stone +veranda talking with her son who was by her side. He had never before +seemed so handsome in her eyes, for his military life and discipline had +given him a fine, stately bearing. She might well feel that he had +gained something with which her education had not provided him, but she +would not have admitted that for the world. + +"So you intend to build?" she asked. + +"I had thought of it." + +"The old house in which your father and I lived is not good enough for +your princess, whom you must needs surround with all possible glitter +and splendor. Not that I care. You have the money to do it with. If all +these fine doings please you, well and good. It's nothing to me, thank +God." + +"Don't try to be so severe, mother," laughed Willibald. "If a stranger +heard you he'd think you were the worst kind of a mother-in-law. If +Marietta's letters had not given me assurance enough that you spoiled +her, your own actions every day would do so." + +"Now and then one plays, even in old age, with a pretty doll," Regine +answered dryly. "And your wife is but a fragile doll. Do not imagine +she'll ever be a capable housewife--I saw at a glance that she hadn't +it in her to manage here." + +"You are quite right," answered her son eagerly "The work and the +management of the estate are my care and mine alone, and I shall never +bother Marietta with them. One takes pleasure in work too with such a +sweet little singing bird by his side and in his heart." + +"Willibald, I don't believe your head is right yet," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with her old acerbity. "Who ever heard a sensible man, a +married man and a landed gentleman, speak in such a manner of his wife, +'A sweet little singing bird.' You've been learning that from your bosom +friend, Hartmut, whom you all think such a great poet." + +"No mother, that's my own poetry," said Willibald, defending himself. "I +never wrote but one poem, and that was on the night when I saw Marietta +play. I gave it to Hartmut and asked him to change it a little and make +it read more like his. I'll tell you what he said in answer. 'Dear Will, +your poem is very beautiful and full of feeling; but you'd better let +it remain as it is. The public would in all probability not appreciate +the lines as they deserve, and your wife will value your work better +without any rearrangement by me.' That was my bosom friend's judgment." + +"It served you right; what had you, a landlord, to do with verses?" +cried Regine sharply. Just then the door from the dining-room opened, +and a dark curly head peeped out, while a fresh voice said playfully: + +"May a poor subject have a moment's speech with her most gracious +majesty?" + +"Come here with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen, but the invitation was +unnecessary, for the young wife was already in her husband's arms, while +he, drawing her to him, whispered something in her ear. + +"There you begin again," said his mother. "Some people never grow tired +of folly." + +The young wife turned toward her mother-in-law and said: + +"You mustn't forget that we had no honeymoon when we were married, and +so we are taking it now. You know from experience that one is permitted +an extra share of happiness during that time." + +Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with Herr von +Eschenhagen of blessed memory had been of another kind. + +"You received a letter from your grandfather, did you not, Marietta?" +she said, changing the subject. "Good news?" + +"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well, and is delighted at the thought +that he'll be here with me in another month. He writes that it's the +quietest summer he has known for a long time around Waldhofen. Rodeck +has been desolate and deserted since the prince's death. Ostwalden is +closed and Fürstenstein will be empty soon, too. Toni is to be married +in two weeks, and then uncle Schönau will be all alone." + +The last words were spoken in a peculiar tone, and Marietta gave her +mother-in-law an odd glance, which the latter did not notice; she only +said: + +"It does seem singular for Hartmut and Ada to spend the first weeks of +their marriage here in that little villa when they could go to the great +castle at Ostwalden or one of the Stahlberg palaces." + +"They wanted to be as near the general as possible," said Willibald. + +"Well, in this case, Falkenried could have gotten leave and gone to +them. God be praised! The man seems to live again since he has his son +with him. I knew better than any one how the boy's flight struck him, +for he fairly worshipped his son, notwithstanding his severity. That +famous ride which saved his father and his troops, absolved him from all +his boyhood's errors, for which, after all, his mother alone was +accountable." + +"If we only had some wedding festivities in the family," said Marietta. +"Will and I were married without any, because the war had commenced, and +now when the war is happily ended, Hartmut and Ada are married just as +quietly as we." + +"My child, when a man has gone through all that Hartmut has endured, he +has little desire for gaieties," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. +"Besides, he has by no means recovered his strength yet. You saw how +pale he was when they were married. Adelheid's first marriage was very +different from her second one. Her poor father gave her away, although +he was so ill, and she in her train and lace and diamonds looked like a +queen; but her face was pale and cold. Now, she seemed like a different +creature as she turned with Hartmut from the altar in her simple white +silk gown and gauzy veil. I have never seen so peaceful, so happy a +face! Poor Herbert! He never possessed his wife's love." + +"Who could love so old a man? Always with his diplomatic coat and manner +on, too. I shouldn't have been able to do it, I'm sure," cried Marietta, +thoughtlessly. + +Her mother-in-law, who held her brother's memory sacred, said tartly: + +"Such an opportunity would never have come in your way. A man like +Herbert von Wallmoden would scarcely have chosen you, you little +insolent thing--" + +The little insolent thing threw her arms around Frau Regine's neck, and +said, flatteringly: + +"Now, don't be angry, mamma! I wouldn't exchange my Will for all the +great ambassadors of the world, and neither would you." + +"You're a little minx," said Regine, striving to look as severe as ever. +"You know very well that one can't be angry with you long. Oh, there'll +be a petticoat government at Burgsdorf from this time on, such as the +place has never witnessed before. Will's a little ashamed before me yet, +but as soon as I'm gone he'll surrender at discretion." + +"Why do you cling to that idea, mother?" said Willibald, reprovingly. +"Why do you want to go when all is love and peace between us?" + +"Just for that reason I go, that peace may continue; we need not discuss +it, my son. I must always be first where I live and work. You must be +that now, and we wouldn't pull together. Until now we have been +distressed and anxious about you, not knowing what hour would bring +tidings to break our hearts. That's all over, but I'm not so old that I +must be set aside as useless. Wherever I am I must be the head, and for +that reason I am going." + +She turned and entered the house, while her son gazed after her and gave +a troubled sigh. + +"Perhaps she is right," he said, "but it will be hard for her to be +without duties or occupation. Enforced quiet will be very hard for her, +I know. You should have begged her to remain, Marietta." + +Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and looked up smiling: + +"O no, I'll do something better. I'll have a care that when she leaves +us she will not be unhappy." + +"You? What will you do?" + +"Only a simple thing--have her get married." + +"What do you mean?" + +"O, Will, to be so wise and yet see nothing," said his wife with her old +sweet silvery laugh. "Have you no idea why uncle Schönau was in such a +bad humor when we met him in Berlin, and urged him to visit us? Your +mother didn't invite him because she feared another proposal; he +understood that, and it made him furious. I saw them at Waldhofen the +time of our marriage, and I knew he would have been very glad to have a +similar ceremony performed for himself, only your mother said him nay. +Don't put on such a face, Will; you look exactly as you did the first +day I saw you." + +Her husband was gazing at her in boundless astonishment. He had never +dreamed of such a possibility as his mother marrying again, or his uncle +either, for that matter. It struck him now as a most excellent +arrangement. + +"Marietta, how wise you are!" he said, looking with admiration at the +smiling girl, who was beaming with satisfaction at the manner in which +her news had been received. + +"I'm wiser than you think," she declared triumphantly, "for I have set +the wheel going. I took occasion to let uncle Schönau know that if he +stormed the fort again, a complete surrender might follow. He said he +had no intention of being refused again, but you'll see him sooner than +you think. In fact he's in the house now, came half an hour ago, but I +determined to say nothing about it before mamma--here he is now!" + +The head forester stepped on the terrace just in time to hear the last +words. + +"Yes, here I am," said Herr von Schönau. "It's all your little wife's +fault, Will, that I am at Burgsdorf. I'm here at her suggestion, and if +that mother of your's is not obstinate and unreasonable and pig-headed +as usual--why I'll marry her." + +"I pray to God you may, uncle," answered Will, to whom this summary of +his mother's wonted characteristics was very singular, to say the least. + +"Yes, so do I," agreed Schönau, "your wife thinks--" + +"I think that you shouldn't lose a moment," cried Marietta, "Mamma has +just gone to her sitting-room and knows nothing of your arrival. Will +and I will remain behind, and if the worst comes to the worst call on +us. Forward, march!" + +With these words she gave him a push, and the sturdy, broad shouldered +man turned at her bidding, saying to Will, who entered the house with +him: + +"They are all commanders whether they be large or small--it's born in +them, I suppose." + +Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her cosy room looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she was to leave in a few days. Though +she had said so decidedly she would go, the decision had been no light +matter to her. The strong, active, capable woman who had been mistress +here for thirty years and over, dreaded the quiet and inactivity of city +life, of which she had had some slight experience at the time of her +quarrel with her son. She dreaded going back to it now, though she knew +it was but just and fitting to leave Willibald and his wife alone, and +she had the courage to do what was right. She heard the door open and +turned to see the head forester enter the room. + +"Moritz, you here?" she said, surprised. "It was very sensible of you to +come." + +"Yes, I'm always sensible," answered the head forester, with his usual +lack of tact. "You didn't have the grace to invite me, but I thought I'd +come in person to invite you and your children to Toni's marriage. You +will come to Fürstenstein, will you not?" + +"Certainly we will come, but we were surprised to hear it was to take +place so soon. I thought you were going to buy them an estate first and +settle the matter more slowly!" + +"No, they wouldn't wait or listen to reason. Our warriors make great +demands when they come home covered with glory. Walldorf said to me +quite coolly: 'You know you said first conquer then marry. Well we have +conquered; now I shall marry without any delay. The estate can wait, the +land won't run away, but we must be married now!' Of course Toni +seconded everything he said. What could I do? I let them name the day +then and there." + +Frau von Eschenhagen laughed. + +"The young are in a hurry to marry, though they have plenty of time to +wait." + +"The old have none to spare, though," said the head forester promptly, +glad of so good a chance to get on the subject near his heart. "Have you +reflected enough over our little affair, Regine?" + +"What affair?" + +"Why, our marriage. I trust you are in the humor for it now." Regine +turned away somewhat embarrassed. + +"How you do love to take one by surprise, Moritz." + +"So that is what you call taking by surprise?" cried the head forester, +irritated. "Over five years ago I asked you to marry me, then last year +a second time, and now for the third time, so you have had plenty of +time to consider the matter. Yes, or no? If you send me away this time +I'll never come again, understand that!" + +Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Notwithstanding her hard, unyielding nature, deep down in her +heart there had always been a warm feeling for the man who was to have +been her husband long years ago, for Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had +turned from her she had married another, for she had no thought of +leading a desolate, useless life; but the same feeling of bitter woe +which had entered the young girl's heart was in the heart of the older +woman to-day and closed her lips. She stood silent for a few minutes, +then cast the sweet, sad memory from her forever, and gave her hand to +her brother-in-law: + +"Well then, yes, Moritz! I will make you a good and true wife." + +"Thank God!" said Schönau earnestly, for he had feared her hesitation +would result in a third refusal. "You should have said that five years +ago, Regine, but better late than never. It's all right at last." + +And with these words the persevering man folded her in his arms with +affectionate tenderness. + + * * * * * + +The sun shone down warm and bright on the meadow land and penetrated +even into the forest depths. It fell across the pathway of General von +Falkenried and his son and daughter, who were sauntering along under +the high firs on the way which led to Burgsdorf. + +Falkenried did not seem the same man he had been for the past ten years. +The war which, despite its victories and final triumph, had made so many +old before their time, had affected him apparently in a different +manner. His white hair was thin over his deeply furrowed brow, but his +features had life again, his eyes had fire and expression, and one saw +at a glance that this was no old man, but one in the zenith of his +strength and power. + +Falkenried's son had not fully recovered his strength yet, and his face +showed traces of great suffering. The war had not left him younger, on +the contrary he had grown older; his pallid face, and the broad, red +scar on his forehead, told a tale of their own. For months after that +fearful night he had lain at death's door, but with returning life and +strength all traces of the old Hartmut, of Zalika's son, disappeared +forever. + +It seemed as if, in casting from him the name of Rojanow, he cast with +it the unholy heritage of her who had borne him. The dark curly locks +were beginning to grow again over the high, broad forehead, so like his +father's. + +The young wife by his side, so beautiful, so winning always, was +lovelier than ever now, for joy and happiness had set their seal on her +bright, girlish face! Who would recognize in this slender, graceful +figure, clad in a simple, summer frock, the proud, cold court beauty in +her laces and jewels? The smile, the tone in which she spoke to her +father and husband, Frau von Wallmoden had never known, for it was Ada +Falkenried who had learned it. + +"You can go no farther to-day," said the general, standing still. "You +have a long walk back, and Hartmut is not strong enough for much yet. +The physician was very decided about his not exerting himself." + +"If you only knew, father, how hard it was to be mistaken for an invalid +when I am getting so well and strong again," said Hartmut. "I am getting +strong enough--" + +"To bring on a relapse by your folly," his father answered. "You have +never learned patience, and it is altogether owing to Ada that you are +as strong as you are." + +"If it hadn't been for her there would be no Hartmut to-day," said her +husband, giving her a glance of tenderest love. "I believe the case was +almost hopeless when she came to me!" + +"The physicians at least gave no hope, when I telegraphed for Ada in +response to your cry. The first minute you recovered consciousness, you +called for her, to my boundless astonishment, for I did not know you +even knew one another." + +"That hardly seemed fair to you, papa, did it?" As she glanced up +laughing into her father's face, he drew her to him, and kissed her +forehead. + +"You know best what you have been to Hartmut and me, my child. I thank +God for bringing him back to me through your nursing. And you are right +in detaining him here, although the physician says he could travel now. +He must first learn to know his fatherland and his home to which he was +so long a stranger." + +"First learn?" said Ada, reprovingly. "What he read to you and to me +to-day shows that he has long since learned it; his new poem breathes a +different spirit from his wild, passionate 'Arivana.'" + +"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is certainly fine," said his father, as he +reached out his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will yet +honor my boy in peace, as well as in war." + +Hartmut's eyes lighted as he returned the warm hand pressure. He knew +what such praise from his father's lips signified. + +"Good-bye," said the general, kissing his daughter. "I'll go on from +Burgsdorf to the city, but in a few days we'll meet again. Good-bye, +children." + +As he disappeared through the trees, Hartmut led Ada toward the +Burgsdorf fish-pond. When they reached it they stood gazing down on the +still sheet of water which lay so placid and clear in its setting of +water lilies and reeds. + +"Here, as a boy, I played for hours with Will," said Hartmut softly, +"and here my destiny was decided for me on that fateful night. I realize +now, for the first time, all that I did to my father in that fearful +hour." + +"Ah, but you have repaid him for all his suffering," answered Ada, as +she laid her hand on her husband's arm. "The world, too, has forgotten +your boyhood's folly. That was proven by the words of praise and +congratulations which poured in upon your father from all sides about +his heroic son." + +Hartmut shook his head. "That was no heroism, it was despair. I did not +think I should succeed. No one thought so; but even had I fallen, the +enemy's bullet would have redeemed my honor. Egon understood that, and +that was why he put my salvation in my own hands. When we two said +good-bye in the little ruined church on that icy winter's night, we knew +we should never meet again, but we both thought I would be the victim, +for I rode to almost certain death. But a spirit-hand seemed to lead me, +and in the hour in which I reached my goal, poor Egon fell. You need +not hide your tears, dear. I have no jealousy of the dead." + +"Eugen brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, the hot tears +standing in her eyes. "And poor Stadinger wrote me, too, of his master's +last words. I fear the old man won't live long; his letter sounded as +though he were heart-broken." + +"My poor Egon!" Hartmut's voice told how deep was his sorrow for his +loss. "He was so sunny, so amiable always. He seemed created for a long, +cloudless life. Perhaps you would have been happier by his side, Ada, +than with your wild, stormy Hartmut, who will so often vex you with the +dark shadows of his life." + +Ada glanced up at him, smiling through her tears. + +"I have only one love, and that is my wild, stormy Hartmut, and I know +no greater happiness than to be his wife!" + +Wood and water lay quiet in the afternoon sunshine. The old firs stood +dark and tall, while the reeds whispered softly to one another, and +thousands of sunny sparks danced on the water. Far above, in the heavens +to which the boy had once longed to mount like a falcon, the sun rode on +his glorious course. In splendor he shed his rays on all +beneath--mighty, eternal and glorious source and promise of life and +joy. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT*** + + +******* This file should be named 16095-8.txt or 16095-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/0/9/16095 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/16095-8.zip b/old/16095-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ee9ab3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/16095-8.zip diff --git a/old/16095.txt b/old/16095.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ef2863 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/16095.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13048 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Northern Light, by E. Werner, Translated +by Mrs. D. M. Lowrey + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Northern Light + + +Author: E. Werner + + + +Release Date: June 20, 2005 [eBook #16095] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT*** + + +E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +THE NORTHERN LIGHT + +From the German of E. WERNER + +Author of "At a High Price," "His Word of Honor," etc. + +Translated by MRS. D. M. LOWREY + +1891 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field. Through +its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward +way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving +a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; +turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog. + +At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the +forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing +earnestly with each other. One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm +and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he +wore. He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and +speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature. Yet +something like a shadow lay upon the man's face, and there were, +wrinkles, on his brow which surely were not the result of age, for he +was yet in the prime of life. + +"The birds have started already on their journey to the south," said he, +after watching the flight attentively until they had finally disappeared +in the cloud of mist. "The autumn has come to nature and to our lives as +well." + +"Not to yours yet," objected his companion. "You are just in the hey-day +of life, in the full strength of your manhood." + +"True enough, as to years, but I have a feeling that age will overtake +me sooner than others. I often feel as if it were autumn with me now." + +The other man, who might have been a few years the speaker's senior, was +slender, and of middle height, and clad in civilian's dress. He shook +his head impatiently at his companion's last observation. He appeared +insignificant when compared with the strong, well-built officer near +him; but his pale, sharply cut face wore a look of cold, superior +repose, and the sarcastic expression around the thin lips, together with +his aristocratic air and bearing, suggested a hidden strength behind a +feeble exterior. + +"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reprovingly. "You have +changed strangely in the last few years. Who would recognize in you now, +the gay young officer of other days? And what's the reason of it all? +The shadow which once darkened your life has long since disappeared. You +are a soldier, heart and soul, and have repeatedly distinguished +yourself in your profession. A high position awaits you in the future, +and the thing above all others is--you have your son." + +Falkenried did not answer; he folded his arms and looked out again into +the mist, while the other continued: "The boy has grown handsome as a +god in the last few years. I was quite overcome with surprise when I +saw him again, and you yourself, told me that he was unusually gifted +and in many things showed great talent." + +"I would that Hartmut had fewer talents and more character," said +Falkenried, in an almost acrid tone. "He can make verses quick enough, +and to learn a language is child's play to him, but as soon as he tries +some earnest science, he's behind all the others, and in military +tactics I can make nothing of him at all. You cannot comprehend, +Wallmoden, what iron severity I am constantly compelled to employ." + +"I fear you accomplish little by this same severity," interrupted +Wallmoden. "You should take my advice and leave your son to his studies. +He has not the qualifications for a soldier. You must see that for +yourself by this time." + +"He shall and must acquire those qualifications. It is the only possible +career for such an intractable nature as his, which revolts at every +restraint and to which every duty is a burden. The life of a student at +the university would give him unrestrained liberty; only the iron +dicipline of the service will force him to bend." + +"The only question is, how long will you be able to force him to do your +will? You should not deceive yourself; there are inherited tendencies +which will not allow themselves to be repressed or eradicated. Hartmut, +now, is in appearance the counterpart of his mother; he has her features +and her eyes." + +"Yes," assented Falkenried gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, glowing +eyes, which cast their spell upon all who knew her." + +"And were your ruin," supplemented Wallmoden. "How often did I warn and +advise you then; but you would not listen. Your passion had seized you +like a fever and held you like chains. I declare I never have been able +to understand it." + +Falkenried's lips were drawn in with a bitter smile. + +"I can readily believe that you, the cool, calculating diplomat, you, +whose every word is weighed, are protected against all such witcheries." + +"I should at least be cautious in my choice. Your marriage carried +unhappiness on its face from the very beginning. A women of a foreign +race, with strange blood in her veins and the wild, passionate Sclave +nature, without character, without understanding of what we here call +duty and morality; and you with your rigid principles, with your +sensitive feeling of honor, it could ultimately lead to but one end. And +I believe you loved her in spite of all, until your separation." + +"No," said Falkenried, in a hard tone, "the fire burned out in the first +year; I saw that only too clearly. But I shrank back from publishing to +the world my household misery by a legal separation. So I bore it until +no choice remained, until I was forced. But enough of this." + +He turned abruptly on his heel and looked from the window again; but the +quick movement betrayed rather than concealed the torture which he with +difficulty repressed. + +"Yes, it takes a great deal to tear up a nature like yours by the +roots," said Wallmoden earnestly. "But the divorce freed you from the +unhappy bond, and why should you not bury the memory as well?" + +Falkenried shook his head and sighed heavily. "One cannot bury such +memories; they are forever rising from their supposed sepulchres, and +just now--" he broke off suddenly. + +"Just now; what do you mean?" + +"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been in Burgsdorf +since day before yesterday; how long do you expect to remain?" + +"About two weeks. I haven't much time at my disposal, and am for that +matter only nominally Willibald's guardian, for my diplomatic position +keeps me out of the country most of the time. The guardianship really +rests in the hands of my sister, who rules over everything." + +"Well, Regine is equal to the position. She governs the great estate and +the numerous servants as though she were a man." + +"And gives her orders like a cavalry officer from morning to night," put +in her brother. "Recognizing all her excellent qualities, I, +nevertheless, feel a slight creepy sensation whenever I am constrained +to visit Burgsdorf, and I always leave the place with shattered nerves. +They live in a most primitive fashion over yonder. Willibald is a +perfect young bear, and of course at the same time the apple of his +mother's eye, and she, by the way, is doing her best to bring him up as +a bluff country squire. It's useless to enter any protest, and, for the +matter of that, it seems just what the youngster's good for." + +Their conversation was interrupted at this moment by a servant, who +entered and handed his master a card. Falkenried glanced at it. +"Counsellor Egern? I am glad of that. Tell the gentleman to come in." + +"You have a business engagement I see," said Wallmoden rising. "Then +I'll not disturb you." + +"On the contrary I beg you to remain. I have had an intimation of this +visit and its purpose, and know what will be the result of our +conversation. The question is--" He did not finish, for the door opened +and the lawyer entered. He seemed surprised not to find the officer +alone, as he had fully expected, but Falkenried took no notice of his +ill-concealed astonishment. + +"Herr Counsellor Egern--Herr von Wallmoden, secretary of legation," said +the host, presenting them. The man of law bowed with cool politeness as +he took the seat offered him. + +"I have the honor of being known to you, I believe, Herr Major," he +began. "As your wife's attorney at the time the suit for divorce was in +progress, I had the opportunity of making your acquaintance." He paused +as if expecting an answer; but Major Falkenried gave no sign beyond an +affirmative nod. + +Wallmoden was all attention. He could understand now his friend's +irritation on his arrival. + +"I come to you to-day in the name of my former client," continued the +counsellor. "She has authorized me--have I your permission to speak +freely?" + +He glanced at the diplomat, but Falkenried answered shortly: "Herr von +Wallmoden is my friend, and knows all about this affair. So you may +speak freely." + +"Very well. The lady has, after an absence of many years, returned to +Germany, and naturally enough wishes to see her son. She has already +written you about the matter but has received no answer." + +"I should think that was answer enough. I do not wish any such meeting, +and I will not permit it." + +"That sounds very blunt, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried, in that case, +has--" + +"Say Frau Zalika Rojanow, if you please," interrupted the Major. "I +believe she assumed her maiden name again when she returned to her own +country." + +"The name does not signify on this occasion," responded the lawyer +composedly. "The question concerns only and alone a mother's natural +desire, which the father neither can nor dare refuse, even though, as +in this case, the son has been unconditionally adjudged to him." + +"Dare not? But suppose he does dare?" + +"In so doing he will overstep the limit of his rights. I beg you, Herr +Major, to consider the matter quietly before giving so decided a no. A +mother has rights of which no judicial decree can ever divest her, and +one of those rights is the privilege of seeing her only child again. In +this case my client has the law on her side, and she will appeal to it, +too, if my demand meets with the same refusal as did her written +request." + +"Very well, she can make the attempt. I'll run the risk. My son does not +know that his mother is living, and shall not learn it now. I will not +have him see her or speak with her, and I will know how to prevent it, +too. My no is absolute under all circumstances." + +This declaration left nothing to be wished for as regarded energy; but +Falkenried's face was deathly pale, and his voice had a hollow, menacing +sound. One could see how fearfully the interview had excited him. He was +scarcely able to preserve the semblance of outward composure. + +The attorney seemed to see the uselessness of further endeavor, and only +shrugged his shoulders. + +"If this is your last word, then my errand is at an end, and we will +determine hereafter what our next step will be. I regret having troubled +you about the matter, Herr Major." He bowed himself out with the same +cool, indifferent manner with which he had entered. As the door closed +upon him, Falkenried sprang up and began pacing excitedly up and down +the room; there were a few minutes of oppressive silence, then Wallmoden +said, half aloud: "You should not have done that. Zalika will not resign +herself readily to your no; she made a desperate struggle for her child +in the beginning." + +"But I obtained the victory. It is to be hoped she has not forgotten +that." + +"At that time the question concerned the possession of the child," +objected the secretary. "Now the mother only asks permission to see him +again, and you will not be able to refuse her that, if she demands it +peremptorily." + +The Major stopped suddenly, and his voice was full of undisguised +contempt as he answered: + +"She will not venture to do that after all that has happened. Zalika +learned to know me in the hour of our separation; she'll be cautious +about driving me to extremes a second time." + +"But perhaps she will seek to accomplish secretly what you have openly +refused." + +"That is impossible; the discipline of our institution is so severe +there could be no intercourse here of which I should not learn at once." + +Wallmoden did not seem to share his friend's confidence. He shook his +head doubtfully. + +"To speak openly, I regard it as a great mistake that you are +obstinately silent toward your son concerning his mother and the fact +that she is living. When he learns it from some other source, what then? +And sometime you must tell him." + +"Perhaps, in a couple of years, when he'll have to enter the world. Now +he's only a student, a half-grown boy, and I cannot disclose to him the +drama which was once played in his father's house--I cannot." + +"So be it. You know the woman who was once your wife, and know what to +expect from her. I fear there is nothing impossible for this woman to +accomplish." + +"Ah, I know her," said Falkenried with intense bitterness, "and because +I know her I will protect my son from her at any price. He shall not +breath the poisonous breath of her presence; no, not even for an hour. I +do not under estimate the danger from Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he is safe from her, for she will never come +near me, I give you my word for that." + +"We will hope so," answered Wallmoden, as he rose and reached out his +hand at parting. "But do not forget that the greatest danger with which +you have to contend lies in Hartmut himself; he is in every trait the +son of his mother. You are coming over to Burgsdorf with him day after +to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, he is to spend his short autumn vacation with Willibald. I shall +be able to remain a day only, but I'll surely come for that time. +Good-bye." + +The secretary left the house, and Falkenried returned once more to the +window, but he only gave a fleeting glance after his friend, who waved +him a parting greeting, then returned gloomily to his own thoughts. + +"The son of his mother." The words rang in his ears, but the thought was +not new to him; he had known it a long time, and it was this knowledge +which had furrowed his brow so deeply, and wrung from him many a deep +sigh. He was a man who could brave any outward danger; but against this +unfortunate heritage of blood in his only child he had battled with all +his energy for years, but in vain. + + * * * * * + +"Now I tell you for the last time that all this noise and confusion must +come to an end, for my patience is finally exhausted. Such goings on as +we have had for the last three days are enough to make one think that +all Burgsdorf is bewitched. That Hartmut is full of mad tricks from his +head to his feet. When he once gets loose from the reins which his +father holds tight enough, I'll admit that, there's no getting on with +him, and of course you follow after him through thick and thin, and obey +your lord and master's slightest behest. Oh, you are a fine pair." + +This philippic, which was delivered in a loud tone, came from the lips +of Frau von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, while sitting with her son and +mother at breakfast. The great dining-room lay on the ground floor of +the old mansion, and was an extremely simple room, with glass doors +leading out upon a broad stone terrace, and to the garden beyond. On the +brightly tinted walls hung a number of antlers, which bore witness to +the sporting tastes of former possessors, but these were the only +adornments of the room. + +A dozen high-backed chairs, arranged stiffly in rows like grenadiers, a +cumbrous dining-table and a couple of old-fashioned sideboards +constituted the entire furniture of the room; and one could see at a +glance that they had already done service for several generations. Such +luxuries as wall-paper, paintings or carpet could not be found here. +Evidently the occupants were contented to live on just as their +ancestors had done, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in +the district. + +The appearance of the mistress of the house was in keeping with her +surroundings She was forty years old or there abouts, with a large, +strong figure, cheeks glowing with health, and firm, solid features, +which could never have been called beautiful, but denoted great energy. +Very little escaped the sharp glance of her gray eye, her dark hair was +brushed back smoothly, her gown was of coarse texture, simply made, and +looking at her hands, you saw at once that they were made for work. + +There was nothing attractive in her appearance, and her manner and +bearing were thoroughly masculine. + +The heir and future master of Burgsdorf, who had just been reprimanded +so sharply, sat opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while +he helped himself liberally to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, +fresh-looking youth, about seventeen years old, whose appearance +indicated no great intellectual strength, but he seemed to beam with +good nature. His sun-burned face was the picture of health, but +otherwise he showed little resemblance to his mother. He lacked her +energetic expression, and the blue eyes and blonde hair were not from +her, but were an inheritance from his father. With his large, but very +awkward limbs, he looked like a young giant, and formed a striking +contrast to his more delicately formed, aristocratic looking uncle, +Wallmoden, who sat next him, and who said now with a slight _soupcon_ of +irony in his tone: "You certainly cannot hold Willibald answerable for +all these mad pranks; he certainly is a model son." + +"I would advise him not to be anything else; who lives with me must obey +orders," cried Frau von Eschenhagen, as she struck an emphatic blow upon +the table, which made her brother wince. + +"A man is bound to obey orders under your government," he answered. "At +the same time I would advise you, dear Regine, to do something more for +the intellectual development of your son. I have no doubt that under +your guidance he will become, in time, a most excellent farmer, but to +the education of a future landed proprietor, something more than that is +needed. Willibald has outgrown home instructors and should be sent away +now." + +"Sent a--?" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in unbounded +astonishment. "Sent away," she exclaimed, greatly irritated, "and in the +name of common sense, where?" + +"Well, first to the university, and later to travel, that he may learn +something of the world and of men." + +"That he may be altogether ruined by this world and these men, and no +comfort to me at all! No, Herbert, I'll never do that, and I tell you so +now, once for all. I have educated my son to be honest and fear God, and +do not think I shall turn him loose in your Sodom and Gomorrah which the +dear Lord in his forbearance has yet spared from the fire and brimstone +which it so richly deserves." + +"You only know this Sodom and Gomorrah by hearsay, Regine," interrupted +Herbert, sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever since your +marriage; you must acknowledge that yourself!" + +"I acknowledge nothing at all," declared Frau von Eschenhagen, +obstinately. "Will shall become a capable farmer; he is qualified for +that, and for that he needs no cramming at your universities. Or perhaps +you'd like to educate him in your own school, and make a diplomatist of +him? That would be too great an honor." + +She began to laugh loudly, and Will, to whom the whole conversation had +appeared very comical, joined in in the same key. Herr von Wallmoden +took no part in this sudden explosion of gaiety; he only winced again, +as though his nerves were affected, and shrugged his shoulders. + +"No, I had not thought of that. I know full well I should have my +trouble for my pains. But Willibald and I are the only representatives +of our family, and if I should not marry--" + +"Should not? You are not thinking of marrying in your old age?" +interrupted his sister, sharply. + +"I am in my forty-fifth year, dear Regine, and a man is not usually +considered old at that age," said Wallmoden, somewhat vexed. "Above all +things I consider marriages made late in life by far the happiest; one +is not influenced then by passion, as Falkenried was, to his lasting +wretchedness, but gives to reason the decisive word." + +"The saints protect us! What if Willibald should wait to marry until he +is fifty years old and gray-headed?" cried Frau von Eschenhagen, greatly +vexed. + +"As an only son and future heir he will have to consider such matters; +as for the rest, the main point will be his own inclinations. What do +you think, Willibald?" + +The young heir, who had disposed of his ham and eggs by this time, and +with undiminished appetite was now attacking the sausage, was evidently +much astonished that his opinion had been asked. Such a thing had never +happened before, and he was obliged to reflect deeply before he could +answer at all. + +At length he reached a conclusion. "Yes, of course I must marry some +time, but mamma will choose a wife for me when the right time comes." + +"She will indeed, my boy," assented his mother, warmly. "That is my +affair, so you need not trouble your head about it, and until then you +will remain here in Burgsdorf where I can have my eye upon you. As to +the university and traveling, that matter is--settled." + +She threw a defiant glance at her brother, but he was gazing with a look +of horror at the enormous sausage to which his nephew and ward was +helping himself for the second time. + +"Have you always such a large appetite, Will?" he asked. + +"Always," Will assured him complacently, as he helped himself to a +large slice of bread and butter. + +"No, we don't suffer thank God, with indigestion or any other stomach +trouble," said the mistress of the house tartly, "but we earn our bread +honestly here. First pray and work, then eat and drink, but what we do, +we do thoroughly, and that keeps body and soul together. Just look at +Will, now, and you will see that what I say is true." She gave her +brother a friendly slap on the shoulder with her last words, but this +token of her good will was so energetic that Wallmoden shrank back in +his chair, and immediately moved it sidewise to be out of the reach of +that muscular hand. + +The expression of his face showed clearly that the "creepy sensation" +was coming over him again. In the presence of these patriarchial +conditions, he thought it best to forego any attempt to enforce his +prerogative as guardian, an office, moreover, which, so far as he was +concerned, had always been purely nominal. It was plain from Will's +manner that his mother's praise was highly gratifying to the young man's +feelings. + +"And Hartmut is not here for breakfast again, this morning. He seems to +think there is no necessity for being punctual at Burgsdorf, but I will +enlighten the young gentleman when he comes and make it clear to him +that--" + +"There he is now," exclaimed Willibald. On the clear sunshine which +flooded the room through the open windows, there fell a shadow, and a +tall, slender figure appeared suddenly at the window and vaulted upon +the high sill. + +"Well, what kind of an imp are you anyway, that you can only come in +through the window?" said Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are +the doors for?" + +"For Will and all other well-ordered human beings," laughed the +new-comer good-naturedly. "I always take the nearest way, and that led +this time through the window." So saying he gave one spring from the +high seat into the middle of the room. + +Hartmut Falkenried, like the young heir of Burgsdorf, stood upon the +boundary line where boyhood and manhood meet, but it needed only a +glance to recognize that he was his friend's superior in every respect. +He wore a cadet's uniform which became him well, but yet there was +something in his whole appearance which seemed to be at war with the +military cut and fit. The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth +and beauty, yet there was something odd about this beauty, something +wild in his motions and appearance, with absolutely nothing to remind +one of the martial figure and earnest repose of his father. The +luxuriant, curly locks which crowned the high forehead, were of a deep, +blue black, and the warm, dark coloring of the skin betokened rather a +son of the south than of German parentage. Neither did the eyes, which +flashed in the youthful countenance, belong to the cool, earnest north; +they were enigmatical eyes, dark as the night, and full of hot, +passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, however, there was something +uncanny hidden in their depths, and though the laughter which +accompanied Hartmut's words was free and unrestrained, it was not a +hearty, merry boy's laugh. + +"You certainly conduct yourself in a very free and easy manner," said +Wallmoden, sharply. "You evidently take advantage of the fact that the +inmates of Burgsdorf think little of etiquette. I have no doubt, +however, that your father would protest against such an entrance into +the dining-room." + +"He would not do it if his father were here," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +who did not seem to notice the stab intended for herself in her +brother's remark. "And so you have come to your breakfast at last, +Hartmut. But laggards get nothing to eat; did you know that?" + +"Yes, I know that," replied Hartmut, quite undisturbed, "so I got my +breakfast some time ago from the housekeeper. You can't starve me, Aunt +Regine. I stand on too good a footing with your people." + +"And so you think you can do as you please and go unpunished," cried the +irate lady. "Break all the rules of the house, leave no one and nothing +in peace, and stand all Burgsdorf on its head; but I'll soon stop all +this business, my lad. To-morrow I'll send a messenger over to your +father requesting him to come and take home his son who knows neither +punctuality nor obedience." + +The threat had its effect. The youth was frightened, and thought it well +to surrender at discretion. + +"Oh, you are only jesting; shall I not enjoy my short vacation with--" + +"With all manner of folly?" Frau von Eschenhagen added for him. "Will +has not done so much mischief in all his life as you have accomplished +in the last three days, and you'll spoil him with your bad example and +lead him into all manner of misdoing." + +"Oh, Will is not the kind to be spoiled. I could not do it if I tried," +said Hartmut very warmly. + +The young heir, who certainly did not look as if he could be led into +any impropriety, ate on, untroubled by these personal allusions, until +he had finished the last slice of bread on the table; but his mother was +highly incensed at this remark. + +"That must grieve you greatly," she retorted. "It is certainly not your +fault, for you have tried hard enough to ruin him; but as I just said I +will write to your father to-morrow." + +"That he is to come and fetch me away? You won't do that Aunt Regine, +you are far too good. You know how very strict papa is, how severely he +can punish; you won't complain of me to him; you have never done it +yet." + +"Leave me alone, don't bother me with your flatteries." Frau Regine's +face was as inflexible as ever, but her voice had a certain unsteadiness +which made Hartmut feel he had won the day. He laid his arm upon her +shoulder with the freedom of a child. + +"I believe you do love me a little, Aunt Regine, and I--I have been +happy for weeks over the thought of my visit to Burgsdorf. I have been +sick with longing for woods and sea, for the green meadows and the far +blue heavens. I have been so happy here; but of course, if you really do +not want me, I'll go away from the place. I won't wait to have you send +me." + +His voice had sunk to a soft, seductive whisper, while his eyes spoke +more eloquently than his tongue. They could plead more powerfully than +the lips, and Frau von Eschenhagen, who yielded to no one, from her only +son to the lowest tenant on the estate, permitted herself to be +persuaded by them now. + +"You are incorrigible, you merry-andrew" she said, brushing the curls +from his forehead. "And as to sending you away, you know only too well +that Will and all my people are always ready to make fools of themselves +for you, and I, too, for that matter." + +Hartmut laughed aloud at the last words, and kissed her hand with +impetuous gratitude, then he turned to his friend, who, having finally +ended his meal, was looking on in silent wonderment. + +"Have you finished your breakfast at last, Will? Come, we'll go to the +Burgsdorf fishing pond--don't be so vexatiously slow. Good-bye, Aunt +Regine, I can see Uncle Wallmoden does not approve of your having +pardoned me. Hurrah, now we're off for the woods." And away he rushed +over the terrace and across the garden. There was something attractive +in his exuberance and enthusiasm. The lad was all life and fire. Will +trotted after him like a young deer, and in a few moments the two +disappeared behind the trees. + +"He comes and goes like a wind storm," said Frau von Eschenhagen, gazing +after them. "That boy is not to be restrained once the reins are +slackened." + +"A dangerous youth," said Wallmoden. "He even understands how to manage +you, who usually have all your commands obeyed. It is, within my +knowledge, the first time you have ever forgiven disobedience and lack +of punctuality." + +"Yes, Hartmut has something about him which bewitches one," exclaimed +Regine, half angry at her own irresolution. "If he did not look at me +with those big black eyes of his while he begged and flattered, I might +be able to resist him. You are right, he is a dangerous lad." + +"Well, we've had enough of Hartmut for this morning. The question which +interests me concerns the education of your own son. You have really +decided--" + +"To keep him here. Don't bother yourself about him, Herbert; you may be +a great diplomatist, and have the politics of the whole country in your +pocket, but I wont give my boy into your keeping; he belongs to me +alone, and I intend to keep him, and--that's enough." + +A sounding blow on the table accompanied the "that's enough." Then the +ruling lady of Burgsdorf rose from her chair and left the room. Her +brother shrugged his shoulders and said half aloud: "He can grow up an +ignorant country squire for all of me--perhaps it's the best thing for +him after all." + +Hartmut and Willibald had, in the meantime, reached the tolerably +extensive forest which belonged to the estate. The Burgsdorf fish pond, +a lonely, reedy sheet of water in the middle of the wood, lay glittering +in the sun in the still morning hours. Willibald had chosen for himself +a shady place upon the bank, and gave himself up, with as much +perseverance as comfort, to the delights of angling, while the impatient +Hartmut wandered here and there, now scaring a bird, now breaking off a +branch for the blossoms, and at last, after a series of gymnastic +performances, seating himself on the trunk of an old tree which lay half +in the water. "Can you never be quiet in any place? You frighten the +fish away every time," exclaimed Will, out of humor. "I've caught +nothing at all to-day!" + +"How can you sit for hours on the one spot waiting for the stupid fish +to bite?" retorted Hartmut. "Ah, you can spend the whole long year in +the woods if you desire, you are free, free." + +"Are you a prisoner, then?" asked his friend. "You and your comrades are +out daily, are you not?" + +"But never alone, never without supervision and control. We are always +and eternally in the service, even in recreation hours. O how I hate it, +this service, and the whole slavish life." + +"But Hartmut, what if your father heard you?" + +"Oh, then he would punish me again as he always does. He has nothing +else for me but force and punishment, all for my own good--that goes +without saying." + +He threw himself full length on the grass, but hard as the words +sounded, there was a tremor in his tone which told of pain and passion. +The young heir only shook his head soberly while he put a new bait on +his hook and for a few minutes there was perfect silence. + +Then suddenly something black swooped down like a flash of lightning +from the height above them into the water, and a second later rose again +in the air with the slippery, glittering prey in its beak. + +"Bravo, that was a good catch!" cried Hartmut, rising. But Will spoke +angrily. + +"The wretched robber robs our whole pond. I will speak to the forester +and tell him to fill him full of lead." + +"A robber?" repeated Hartmut, as his glance followed the heron who was +just disappearing behind the high tree tops. "Yes, of course, but how +fine it must be to live such a free robber's life up there in the air. +To descend like a flash for your booty and be up and off again where no +one can follow; that's a hunt that pays." + +"Hartmut, I verily believe you'd take pleasure in such a wild, lawless +life," said Willibald, with the repugnance of a well-trained boy for +such sentiments. + +His companion laughed, but it was the same bitter laugh without the +joyousness of youth in its sound. + +"Well, if I had any such desire, they'd take it out of me at the +military academy. There obedience and discipline is the Alpha and Omega +of all things. Will, have you never wished that you had wings?" + +"I, wings?" asked Will, whose whole attention was again directed to his +bait. "How ridiculous! Who would wish for impossibilities?" + +"I only wish I had them," cried Hartmut excitedly. "I would I were one +of the falcons from whom we take our name. Then I would mount higher and +always higher in the blue sky towards the sun, and never come back +again." + +"I believe you're crazy," answered his listener good-naturedly. "Well, I +wont catch anything, if I sit here all day, for the fish wont bite. I +must move to another place." + +With that he gathered up his fishing tackle and crossed to the other +side of the pond, while Hartmut threw himself on the ground again. + +It was one of those autumn days which during the midday hours recall +thoughts of early spring. The sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, +the woods so fresh and odorous. Upon the glistening little lake danced +thousands of shining sparks, and the long grass whispered softly and +mysteriously to itself whenever a breath of wind passed over it. + +Hartmut lay stretched out motionless on the grass as if listening to the +secrets it told to the autumnal wind. The wild passion and excitement +which flashed from his eyes when he spoke of the bird of prey had all +vanished. Now the eyes which looked into the heavens above were sad and +dreamy, and there rested in them an expression of ardent longing. + +A light step, almost unheard on the soft ground, approached, and the low +bushes rustled as if against a silk garment. Then they parted and a +woman's figure appeared and stood looking intently at the young dreamer. + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy started and sprang up instantly. He knew neither the voice nor +the apparition which stood before him, but saw it was a lady, and he +made her one of his courtly bows. + +"Pardon, Madame--" + +A slender, trembling hand was laid quickly and restrainingly on his arm. + +"Be quiet, not so loud; your companion might hear us, and I want to +speak to you, and to you alone, Hartmut." + +She stepped back again into the thicket and motioned him to follow. +Hartmut hesitated a moment. How came this heavily-veiled and +richly-attired stranger into the lonely wood, and why did she speak so +familiarly to him whom she had never seen before? But the mysteriousness +of her behavior beginning to charm him, he followed. + +She stood now in the shadow of the low trees, where she could not be +seen from the lake, and slowly threw back her veil. She was not very +young, a woman of more than thirty, but her face with its great burning +eyes, possessed an indefinable witchery, and a certain charm lay in her +voice, which, though she talked in whispers, had a soft, deep tone, and +an odd intonation, as though the German which she spoke so fluently was +not her mother tongue. + +"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not know me any more? Does no memory +of your childhood come back to you, to tell you who I am?" + +The young man shook his head slowly, and yet some dreamy and obscure +memory did come to his recollection, of having heard this voice before, +and of this face which had looked into his at some far distant period. +Half shy, half fascinated, he stood looking at this stranger, who +suddenly threw her arms around him. + +"My son, my only child! Do you not know your own mother?" + +"My mother is dead," he answered, half aloud. + +The stranger laughed bitterly, shrilly, and her laugh seemed but an echo +of the hard, joyless sounds which had come from Hartmut's lips a few +moments since. + +"So that's how it is. They would even say I was dead and not leave you +the memory of a mother. It is not true, Hartmut. I live, I stand before +you; look at me, look at my features, are they not your very own? That +at least they could not take from you. Child of my heart, do you not +feel that you belong to me?" + +Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into that face in which his own +was so faithfully mirrored. He saw the same lines, the same luxuriant, +blue-black hair, the same dark, flashing eyes; and the same demoniacal +expression which was a flame in the eye of the mother, was a spark in +the eye of the son. Their close resemblance to one another was witness +enough that they were of one blood. The young man felt the influence of +the mysterious tie. + +He demanded no explanation, no proof; the dreamy, confused recollections +of his childhood were suddenly clear, and after a second's hesitation he +threw himself into the arms which were stretched out to him. + +"Mother!" + +In this cry lay the whole fervid intensity of the boy, who had never +known what it was to have a mother, and who had longed for one with all +the passion of his nature. His mother! And now he lay in her arms, now +she covered him with warm kisses, and called him by sweet, tender names, +which had been strangers to his ear until that moment--everything else +seemed forgotten by him in this flood of stormy ecstasy. + +After a few minutes Hartmut loosed himself from the arms which still +enfolded him. + +"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why have +I always been told that you were dead?" + +Zalika stepped back, and in an instant all tenderness had died out of +her eyes, and in its place was a wild, deadly hate, as the answer came +like a hiss from between her set lips. + +"Because your father hates me, my son--and because he wishes to deny me +the love of my only child since he thrust me from him." + +Hartmut was silent. He knew well enough that the name of his mother +dare not be mentioned in his father's presence, and that he had been +sharply reproved once for doing so, but he had been too much a child at +the time to ask "why." Zalika gave him no time to do so now. She brushed +the thick locks back from his brow and a shadow crossed her face. + +"You get your forehead from him," she said slowly. "But that is the only +thing that reminds me of him, all the rest belongs to me and me alone. +Every feature tells that you are mine--I always knew that." + +She suddenly clasped him in her arms again with unspeakable tenderness, +and Hartmut returned the embrace with ardor. It seemed to him like the +fairy tales which he had so often dreamed, and he gave himself up +unresistingly to the spell of happiness which some wonderful magic had +cast over him. + +Just at that moment, Will called loudly to his friend from the opposite +shore to come on, that it was time to go home. Zalika spoke at once. + +"We must part now. Nobody must learn that I have seen and spoken with +you; above all things your father must not know it. When do you return +to him?" + +"In eight days." + +"Not for eight days?" The words sounded almost triumphant. + +"Until then I can see you daily. Be here by the pond to-morrow at this +same hour; make some pretext for leaving your friend behind, so that we +may be undisturbed. You will come, Hartmut?" + +"Certainly, mother, but--" + +She gave him no time for any objection, but continued in a passionate +whisper: + +"Above all things maintain absolute silence toward every one. Do not +forget that. Good-bye, my child, my own dear son, good-bye." + +Another kiss and she had retreated in the woods as noiselessly as she +had come. It was high time, for Willibald appeared at this moment, +though not noiselessly by any means, for he broke the twigs with many a +crackle as he stepped heavily on them. + +"Why didn't you answer me?" he asked. "I called you three times. You +have been asleep; you look as if you were dreaming." + +Hartmut did have a dazed look as he stood gazing at the trees behind +which his mother had disappeared. Now he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his forehead. + +"Yes, I have been dreaming. A very strange, marvelous dream," he said +slowly. + +"You had better have been fishing," returned Will. "See what a fine +catch I have made. A man should never dream in daylight--that's the time +to be at something serious--mother says." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The Falkenried and Wallmoden families had been on friendly terms for +years. Living upon adjoining estates, their intercourse was frequent, +and their children grew up together, while many common interests united +the bonds of friendship still more closely. Neither of the families were +wealthy, and the sons, after completing their education, always had to +make their own way in the world, and this in their turn Major Hartmut +von Falkenried and Herbert von Wallmoden had done. + +They had played together in their youth, and as men had remained true to +their boyhood's friendship. At one time it looked as if they would be +more closely allied, for their parents had planned a marriage between +Lieutenant Falkenried, as he was then, and Regine Wallmoden. The young +couple seemed to understand one another fully, and everything stood on +the happiest footing, when an event occurred which put an abrupt +termination to all their plans. + +A cousin of the Wallmoden family, an incorrigible idler and spendthrift, +who had made his longer residence at home an impossibility by his wild +conduct, had gone out into the world years before, and after much +wandering, and an adventurous career, had finally turned his steps in +the direction of Roumania, where he obtained the management of a wealthy +Bojar's estate. After the Bojar's death he succeeded in winning the +widow's hand, and once more regained the position among the nobility +which he had lost earlier in life, through his own folly. And now, after +an absence of more than ten years, he returned with his wife to make a +long visit to his kinsfolk. + +Frau von Wallmoden was by no means a youthful bride. She had long since +reached maturity, but she was accompanied by her daughter by her first +marriage, Zalika Rojanow; and this young Sclave, scarcely seventeen +years old, turned the heads of the simple country gentry, who after all +had seen but little of the world, by her grace and strange beauty, and +the fascination of her warm southern temperament. She was a strange +enough figure in this little circle, whose forms and customs she set +aside with such sovereign indifference. But there was many an earnest +shake of the head, many a word of blame, which was not outspoken, +because they only considered the girl a fleeting guest; she would vanish +again as suddenly as she had appeared on their little horizon. + +Then Hartmut Falkenried came home from his garrison on leave, and met +the new family in the house of his friends. He saw Zalika, and his +life's destiny was sealed. It was a sudden and blinding passion, for +which one too often pays with the peace of a whole life. + +He forgot the wishes of his parents, their plans for his future, and his +quiet, warm attachment for his youth's playfellow, Regine. He had eyes +no longer for the simple woodland flower, which yet bloomed young and +fresh for him; but, inhaling the fragrance of the strange and beautiful +exotic, all else sank into insignificance. In an unguarded hour he threw +himself at her feet, and told her of his love. + +Strangely enough, Zalika returned his affection. Perhaps it was +according to the old adage of extremes meeting, for this man was, in +every particular, her opposite; perhaps it flattered her to see that a +word, a glance from her, could so powerfully effect this earnest, quiet +officer, who, even then, had a touch of melancholy in his disposition. +Enough, she accepted him, and with joy he clasped his affianced bride in +his arms. + +The news of their betrothal aroused a storm in the family circle. From +all sides came objections and warnings. Zalika's mother and step-father +were sorely opposed to it, but resistance only increased the ardor of +the young lovers. The engagement, in spite of kinsfolk, was soon an +established fact, and six months later Falkenried took his young bride +to his own house. + +But the voices which had foretold unhappiness from this marriage were +prophetic. + +It was not long before the brief intoxication of joy was followed by +bitter disenchantment. It had been a fatal error to believe a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, who had grown up in the unrestrained freedom of a +disorderly, extravagant Bojar family, could accommodate herself to the +rules and restrictions of a settled German household. + +The only life she had ever known, and the only life which suited her +temper, was one of excitement and outward splendor. A house full of +guests, horses, cards, hunting, racing, and the utmost liberty of +conversation with the men of her acquaintance; this was the life she had +led in her Roumanian home. + +She had no notion of duty and no understanding for the obligations and +requirements of her new position. And this was the wife who must adapt +herself to the narrow life of a little German garrison town, and direct +the household of a young officer with but limited means at his command. +That it was impossible for her to do so, was shown within the first few +weeks. Zalika began at once; regardless of all prudent considerations, +to order her house after the same fashion as her father's, and +squandered her large marriage portion right and left. + +In vain her husband pleaded with and admonished her; she paid no heed to +him. She had nothing but jeers for forms and ceremonies which were +sacred to him, only a shrug of the shoulders for his strict ideas of +honor and propriety. Soon there were violent quarrels, and Falkenried +recognized, too late, what his precipitancy had done for him. + +He had had great faith in the power of love, notwithstanding all the +warnings he had received about Zalika's foreign birth, and the seal +which her erratic education had stamped upon her character. But he had +now to learn that she had never loved him; that it was the whim of the +hour, or, more probably, the fleeting passion of a moment, which had +made her throw herself into his arms. And she saw in him only an +uncomfortable companion, who spoiled all her pleasure in life with his +foolish pendantries and his laughable notions of honor with which he +wished to bind her hand and foot. But with it all, she feared this man, +who, in his energy and force, was striving to bend her characterless +nature to his will. + +The birth of little Hartmut did nothing to relieve the strain of this +unhappy marriage, but it was a tie which, outwardly at least, still +bound them together. Zalika loved her child passionately, and she knew +her husband well enough to recognize fully, that if it ever came to a +separation between them, he would demand the boy. That thought alone +kept her by his side, while Falkenried suffered intensely, hid his +misery in his own breast, and gave a brave front to the world. + +But, in spite of all, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which +the husband had never dreamed, and was only silent out of compassion for +him. But at last there came a day when his eyes were opened, and what +had been so long an open secret to all his little world excepting +himself, was known to him. + +The immediate consequence of this knowledge was a duel, in which +Falkenried's antagonist fell. + +Falkenried was sentenced to a long imprisonment, but very soon released, +for every one recognized that he had only fought to vindicate his +wounded honor. + +In the meantime the suit for divorce had been begun, and a decree +obtained; Zalika made no contest, nor did she venture to approach her +husband again. + +Since the last terrible hour when he had called her to account, she +trembled at the thought of him. She made desperate efforts however to +secure possession of her son, but all in vain. + +Hartmut was given to the father unconditionally, and Falkenried barred +the mother's every effort with iron inexorableness. Zalika made many +attempts to see her son once more, but to no purpose, and fully +convinced at last, that she could accomplish nothing, she returned to +her own country and her mother's house. + +For years her husband had heard nothing from her, until now when she +suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in the neighborhood of the German +capital, where Major von Falkenried had assumed control of a large +military school. + +It was the eighth day since Hartmut's arrival at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room, and opposite her sat the Major, who +had arrived but fifteen minutes before. + +Her conversation must have been as disagreeable as it was earnest, for +Falkenried listened with a face which grew darker at every word, as she +went on with her account. + +"Hartmut seemed to me greatly altered after the third or fourth day he +was here. The first few days nothing could check his overflow of +spirits, and indeed one morning I had to threaten to send him home. But, +all of a sudden, he became silent and quite downcast. He attempted no +more of his mad pranks, spent hours by himself in wandering through our +woods, and when he returned from his solitary rambles, just sat and +dreamed with open eyes, so that we often had to arouse him as if from a +sound slumber. 'He's beginning to think of the future,' Herbert said, +but I said: 'There's something more than that wrong; there's something +back of all this.' So I took Will to task and questioned him closely; he +astonished me with what I extorted from him. He was in the conspiracy. +He had surprised the mother and the son one day at their tryst, and +Hartmut had pledged him to secrecy, and my boy had really kept silence +towards me, me, his own mother! He finally confessed the little he knew, +after I had talked to him seriously. Well, it won't happen a second +time. I'll look after my Will more sharply for the future." + +"And Hartmut, what does he say?" interrupted the father hastily. + +"Nothing at all, for I haven't spoken a syllable to him on the subject. +He would probably have asked why he had never been allowed to see, or +speak to his mother, and that question can only be answered--by his +father." + +"He has heard it all from the other side, by this time," answered the +father bitterly. "Though, of course, he has not heard the truth." + +"That is what I feared, so I didn't lose a moment in communicating with +you after I discovered the thing. And what will you do?" + +"I'll have to think that over," responded the Major with enforced quiet. +"I thank you, Regine. I suspected mischief when your letter came urging +me to come over at once. Herbert was right, I should not have allowed +Hartmut to leave my side for an hour, under any circumstances. But I +believed him to be so safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +was so rejoiced at the thought of spending his little vacation here, had +so set his heart upon it, that I had not the strength to refuse +him;--and then he is seldom happy except when away from me." + +A hidden pain lay in the last words, but his listener only shrugged his +shoulders. + +"That's not altogether the boy's fault," she answered, outspokenly. "I +keep my Will under pretty sharp discipline, but he knows well enough, in +spite of all that, that he lives in his mother's heart. Hartmut has +never learned as much of his father; he only knows his severe, +unapproachable side. If he imagined that you almost adored--"' + +"He would at once misuse the knowledge and leave me weaponless with his +flattery and caresses. He'd rule over me as he does over every one else +who comes near him. His comrades follow him blindly, and are as often +punished as he for his misdoings. He has your Willibald completely under +his control, and his teachers treat him with especial indulgence. I am +the only one whom he fears, and, as a natural consequence, the only one +whom he respects." + +"And you believe fear to be the only weapon to use against him? just +now, too, when his mother is, without doubt, overwhelming him with +lavish caresses? Do not turn away, old friend, you know I have never +mentioned that name before you, but now that it is brought unavoidably +to the front again I must speak plainly. I must admit we could expect +nothing less from Frau Zalika, than that she would appear again. Nothing +would have been gained even if you had not allowed him to leave your +side, for you could not guard a lad of seventeen like a little child. +The mother would have found some way to see her child, and that is her +right--I should do the same." + +"Her right?" interrupted the Major violently. "And you say that to me, +Regine?" + +"I say it, because I know what it is to have an only son. It was right +for you to take your child, for such a mother was not fit to educate +him; but that you should refuse to let her see her son again, after an +absence of twelve years, is a hardness and cruelty which can only be +prompted by hate. No matter how great her guilt may have been--the +punishment is too hard." + +Falkenried looked gloomily on the ground; he knew there was truth in her +words; at last he said slowly: + +"I should never have believed you would espouse Zalika's cause. Once I +injured you deeply for her sake. I tore asunder a bond--" + +"Which never had been united," broke in Frau von Eschenhagen, anxious to +avoid the subject. "It was only a plan of our parents, nothing more." + +"But the thought was a familiar and cherished one in our childhood's +years. Do not seek to shield me, Regine, I know only too well how I +treated you then--and myself too." + +Regine looked straight at him with her clear, gray eyes, but there was +something like moisture in them as she answered: + +"Well, well, Hartmut, it's all over now, so many years that I do not +hesitate to admit that I would have had you then, willingly enough, and +perhaps you would have been able to make something more out of me than I +have become. I was always a headstrong creature, you know, and not +easily ruled, but I should have obeyed you, perhaps you alone, of all +the world. But when Willibald Eschenhagen led me to the altar three +months after your own marriage, the situation was reversed, and I took +the reins in my own hands and began to govern, and have had plenty of +practice since then. But let's not talk of that time so long gone by. I +never have borne any grudge against you, you know that; we have always +been friends in spite of everything, and if you want my assistance or +advice now--here I am." + +She held out her hand and he placed his own in it. + +"I know it, Regine, but in this matter I can only help and advise +myself. If you will send Hartmut to me now, I'll speak with him." + +Frau von Eschenhagen arose at once to fulfil his wish, but as she left +the room she murmured half aloud: + +"If it be not already too late. She blinded the father and made him +almost insane once; she has surely done as much for the son by this +time." + +In about ten minutes Hartmut entered; he closed the door behind him, but +remained standing near it. Falkenried turned to him. "Come near, +Hartmut, I wish to speak with you." + +His son obeyed, but reluctantly. He knew already that Willibald had +confessed, and that Regine had summoned his father at once, but, united +to the shyness with which he always approached his father, there was +to-day an obvious defiance, which did not escape the Major. He gave his +handsome young son a long, gloomy look. + +"My sudden arrival does not appear to surprise you. Perhaps you know why +I am come!" + +"Yes father, I imagine why!" + +"That is well; then we need waste no time with explanatory words. You +have learned that your mother still lives, she has seen you and spoken +with you. I know that already. When did you see her first?" + +"Five days ago." + +"And have you seen her daily since then?" + +"Yes, at the Burgsdorf fish pond?" + +Questions and answers were alike short and precise. Hartmut was +accustomed to the abrupt, military manner of his father, for in all his +intercourse with him, no superfluous word, no hesitancy or evasion of an +answer, was permitted. + +To-day Falkenried was especially abrupt, in order that he might conceal +his intense excitement from his son's unpracticed eye. But Hartmut saw +only the earnest, unmoved countenance, and heard only the cold, severe +accents as his father continued: + +"I have nothing for which to reprove you, for in this matter I have +given you no commands and no word has ever been spoken on the subject +between us. But now I am forced to break the silence. You have always +believed your mother dead, and I have tacitly encouraged this belief, +for I have wished to protect you from recollections which poisoned my +life. Your youth at least should be free, I said. But I have not been +able to carry out that plan, I see, so now you must learn the truth." + +The father paused a moment. To a man of his sensitive feelings it was +torture to discuss this subject with his son, but there was no option +now, he must speak farther. + +"When I was a young man I loved your mother devotedly, and married her +against the wishes of my parents, who saw only unhappiness for me in a +union with a woman from a foreign land. They were right, the marriage +was a most unhappy one, and was finally dissolved by my desire. My son +was awarded to me unconditionally, for it was my absolute right. More I +will not tell you, for I cannot denounce a mother to her own son, so let +that be enough for you." + +Short and bitter as this declaration was, it made a singular impression +upon Hartmut. His father would not denounce his mother to him, to him, +who heard daily the bitterest accusations and invectives against his +father from her lips. + +Zalika had, as might be supposed, cast all the blame of the separation +upon her husband and his countless tyrannies, and her son, who had +suffered so much from his father's austerity, gave a willing ear to all +her tirades. And yet these few short, earnest words had more effect than +all Zalika's passionate outbreaks. Hartmut felt instinctively on which +side the truth lay. + +"And now, to the main point," Falkenried went on. "What was the tenor of +your daily interviews?" + +Perhaps Hartmut had not expected this question; a deep red overspread +his face, he was silent and cast his eyes on the ground. + +"Ah, you do not care to repeat it. I desire to know it. I command you +to answer me!" + +But Hartmut was still silent; he only pressed his lips closer together, +and looked defiantly at his father, who had come close to him now. + +"You will not speak? Perhaps a command from the other side keeps you +silent? No matter, your silence tells me more than any words. I see how +much you are estranged from me already; a little longer with such +influences, and you would be lost to me forever. These meetings with +your mother are now at an end. I forbid you to see her again. You will +go home with me to-day and remain under my protection. Whether that +appears cruel to you or not, it must be, and you must obey." + +But the Major erred when he believed his son would, as formerly, bow to +his stern decree. Hartmut had been for the past few days in a school +where all the antagonism of his nature had been aroused against his +father. + +"Father, you cannot, you dare not order me thus," he cried out now in +great excitement. "It is my own mother whom I have found at last, the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I will not be separated from +her again as I once was. I will not be forced to hate her; threaten, +punish me, do what you will with me, but I will not obey this time, I +will not obey!" + +All the ungovernable passion of his nature broke out in these words; an +unearthly fire gleamed in his eyes, and his hands were clenched; every +fiber quivered in wild revolt; he was resolved to fight out this battle +with his father to the bitter end. + +But the burst of anger which he expected did not come. Falkenried looked +silently at him, but with a glance of earnest, sad reproof. + +"The only one in the whole world who loves you," he repeated slowly. +"You seem to forget that you have a father." + +"Who has never loved me," cried Hartmut with excessive bitterness. +"Since I have found my mother, I have learned for the first time what +love is." + +"Hartmut!" + +The boy seemed almost staggered by this strange tone, vibrating with +pain, which he had never heard in all his life before, and the defiance +which was about to break forth anew, died on his lips. + +"Because I have had no flattering words and caresses for you, because I +have been strict and severe in my training, have you doubted my love?" +said Falkenried, even in that same strange tone. "Do you know what that +severity has cost me against my only, my dearly loved child?" + +"Father!" The word had a shy, hesitating sound, but it was not the old +shyness and fear; there lay in it a joyful, almost incredulous +astonishment, and Hartmut gazed on his father's face as if he could +never take his eyes from it. Falkenried put his hand on his son's arm +and drew him nearer, while he continued: + +"Once I was ambitious, had proud hopes of life, great plans and +projects, but I received a blow from which I could never recover. If I +strive and struggle now, Hartmut, the only spur I have in life, besides +my sense of duty, is you, my son. All my ambitions are centered in you. +I strive for nought else on earth but to make your future great and +happy; and you can become great my boy, for your talents are unusual, +and your mind is as capable for good as for evil. But there is +something more, there are dangerous elements in your nature which are +less your fault than your fate, and which must be curbed in time, before +they obtain a mastery over you, and plunge you into misery. I have been +severe with you in order to expel the germs, but it has not been easy +for me." + +The youth's countenance was in a glow, he hung with bated breath upon +his father's every word, and now he said in a whisper, behind which he +could scarcely conceal his joy: + +"I never dared to think you loved me, you were always so inflexible, so +unapproachable--" he broke off and looked up at his father, who put his +arm around him and drew him closer to himself. Their eyes met in a long, +tender gaze, and the iron man's voice broke as he said softly: + +"You are my only child, Hartmut, all that remains to me of a dream of +happiness which vanished, leaving only bitterness and disenchantment in +its wake. I lost much and bore it;--but if I were to lose you, you,--I +could not bear it." + +He held his son close in his arms, and the boy threw himself sobbing on +his breast, and in this passionate embrace all else seemed to sink from +view. They had both forgotten the threatening shadow from the past which +was forcing itself between them. + +In the meantime Frau von Eschenhagen was harangueing Will in the +dining-room. She had already performed that duty once this morning, but +she thought the occasion required a second portion. The young heir +looked sorely disturbed, he felt himself in a false position both as +regarded his mother and his friend, and yet he was quite innocent in the +matter. As a dutiful son he listened patiently to the tirade, and only +threw a wistful glance now and then toward the table upon which the +evening meal was already spread, and of which his mother took not the +slightest notice. + +"This is what comes of it, when a boy has secrets behind his parents' +back," she said in conclusion. "Hartmut will be well watched now, and +the Major won't deal any too gently with him, either, and you, I think, +will refrain from assisting in any more plots, if I have anything to +say." + +"I had nothing to do with it," said Will, defending himself. "I only +promised to be silent, and I had to keep my word." + +"You should never keep silence toward your mother. She is always and +ever an exception," said Frau Regine, decidedly. + +"Yes, mamma, that was probably what Hartmut thought; that's how he acted +toward his mother," said Willibald, and the remark was so just that +nothing could be said in contradiction; it provoked Frau von +Jischenhagen none the less, on that account. + +"That's something different, something quite different," she answered +shortly. But her son asked obstinately: + +"Why is it something different here, then?" + +"Do not bother me any more with your talk and your questions," his +mother went on angrily. "That is a thing which you do not understand, +and about which you have no business to trouble your head. It's bad +enough that Hartmut has brought you into the affair at all. Now be +quiet, and don't trouble me any more about it. Do you understand?" + +Will was silent as requested. It was the first time in his life that he +had been catechised so sharply and had received so severe a lecture. At +this moment his uncle Wallmoden, just back from a walk, entered the +room. + +"I hear Falkenried has come already?" he said to his sister. + +"Yes," she answered. "He came immediately upon receipt of my letter." + +"And how did he take the news?" + +"Quietly enough, outwardly; but I saw only too well that he was moved +to his very soul. He is alone with Hartmut now, and the pent-up storm +will burst." + +"How unfortunate. But I warned him of all this as soon as I heard of +Zalika's return. He should have spoken to his son at once. Now I fear he +is adding a second blunder to the first in seeking, with commands and +force, to prevent further meetings. That fatal stubbornness of his, +which knows no alternative, is terribly out of place now." + +"Yes, and their talk has lasted a long time already. I'll just go and +see how they're getting on, and whether the Major is too severe or not. +You remain here, Herbert. I'll be back immediately." + +She left the room, and while Wallmoden paced the floor dejectedly, his +nephew sat alone at the supper-table, which no one but himself seemed to +notice. He did not venture to eat his supper, for his mother was in +anything but a pleasant humor to-day, and he felt no liberties were to +be taken. Fortunately she came back in a short time with a gleam of +bright sunshine across her face. + +"It's all right," she said shortly and concisely. "He has the boy in his +arms and Hartmut is clinging to him. They can do as they please now. God +be praised! Now you can eat your supper, Will; the confusion that the +house has been in all day is over at last." + +Will didn't wait to be told twice, but began his meal at the word. +Wallmoden shook his head and said half aloud: + +"If it only really is over at last!" + +Neither Falkenried nor his son perceived that the door had been softly +opened and closed again. + +Hartmut still clung to his father. He seemed to have lost all shyness +and reserve in his newly found happiness. He was so tender, so +caressing, that perhaps the Major was not far wrong in saying he would +be left defenseless when his son learned of his great love for him. He +said little; but pressed his lips again and again to his boy's forehead, +and his eyes never left his son's glowing face, which was so near his +own. At last Hartmut said softly: + +"And my mother?" + +A shadow darkened Falkenried's face, but he did not unclasp the arms +which held his son. + +"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she learns that she must keep +aloof from you," he said, this time without harshness, but most +decisively. "You may write her that I will allow you to correspond with +her under certain conditions, but I cannot nor dare not allow any +personal intercourse." + +"Father, consider--" + +"I cannot, Hartmut, it is impossible!" + +"Do you hate her so much, then?" asked the boy reprovingly. "It was you +that sought the divorce, not my mother; she told me so herself." + +Falkenried's lips trembled, and bitter words were on them; he felt like +telling his son, once for all, that his honor had demanded the +separation; but he looked in his child's dark, questioning eyes, and the +words died on his lips. He could not betray the mother to her son. + +"Let that question rest," he said gloomily. "Perhaps later, you may +learn to appreciate my reasons. Now I cannot spare you the bitter +alternative; you can only belong to one of us, and must shun the other; +you must accept that as your fate." + +Hartmut bowed his head; he felt that nothing more was to be said. That +all meetings with his mother must cease when he was again under the +rigid discipline of the institute, he knew full well; now he was at +least permitted to write to her, which was more than he had ventured to +hope. + +"Well, I will tell my mother," he said, dejectedly. "Now that you know +all, you will not oppose my seeing her again?" + +The Major was startled; he had not thought of such a possibility. + +"When were you to see her again?" he asked. + +"To-day, at this hour, at the lake in the wood. She is already waiting +for me there." + +Falkenried had a fierce battle with himself; a voice within him warned +him not to permit this meeting, but he felt that it would seem cruel for +him to refuse. + +"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked at last. + +"Certainly father, or sooner, if you desire it." + +"Well, go," said the Major with a deep sigh. It was only his sense of +justice which forced the permission from his lips. "As soon as you come +back, we will go home. It is nearly the end of your vacation anyway." + +Hartmut, who was on the point of starting, turned back suddenly. The +words brought forcibly to his mind, what he had forgotten in the last +hour, the compulsion and severity of the hated regimen he would again +have to endure. He had never ventured openly to avow his aversion for +the army, but this hour, which took from him all shyness towards his +father, also removed the seal from his lips. After a moment's hesitation +he returned to his father, and putting his arm around his neck, said: + +"I have a request, a most earnest request to make of you, which I know +you will grant, as a proof of your love for me." + +The Major's brows contracted as he asked, reprovingly: + +"Do you need any proof? Well, let's hear it." + +Hartmut clung still closer to him and his voice assumed its sweetest +and most flattering tones, and the dark eyes were almost irresistible in +their look of entreaty, as he said beseechingly: + +"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not like the profession +you have chosen for me, and I shall never learn to like it. If I have +until now, bowed to your will, it has been with repugnance and secret +hatred, for I have been wretchedly unhappy; but I have never dared until +now, to tell you of it." + +The frown on Falkenried's brow deepened, and he unfolded his son's arms +from his neck. + +"In other words you will not obey," he said in a bitter tone, "and for +you obedience is more necessary than anything else." + +"I cannot endure force and compulsion," Hartmut broke out passionately. +"And the service is nothing else but force and slavery. Always and +eternally, obedience; never to have your own way, but ever, day after +day, to bow to an iron discipline. Always the same still, cold forms, +with your own feelings never allowed to come to the surface--I cannot +bear it longer! Everything within me strives for freedom, for light and +life. Let me leave it, father; do not confine me longer in such chains. +I shall die, I shall suffocate!" + +He could not have chosen more ill-advised words with which to plead his +cause, to a man who was heart and soul a soldier. They sounded +passionate and bitter, yet his arm was still on his father's shoulder; +but the Major pushed him back now. + +"I had thought the service an honor, and no slavery," he said cuttingly. +"It is pretty bad when my own son is the first one to bring it to my +notice. Freedom, light and life! Perhaps you think when one reaches his +seventeenth year he has acquired the right to plunge into life without +any further care or guidance. For you, freedom from restraint would +mean destruction." + +"And if it did?" cried Hartmut, quite beside himself. "Rather +destruction with freedom, than longer life with such restraint. For me +the army means bondage and slavery--" + +"Silence! Not a word more," ordered Falkenried, so threateningly that +the youth, in spite of his fearful passion, was awed. "You have now no +choice, and woe to you if you forget your duty. First you must become an +officer and do your duty as such to the full, like your comrades; then, +if you are still of the same mind and I have no power to prevent it, you +can leave, but if I am alive then, I will receive my death blow when my +only son--runs away from the service." + +"Father, do you take me for a coward?" interrupted Hartmut. "If there +were only a war and I could stand in battle--" + +"Yes, you would plunge madly and blindly into danger, and, with that +very self-will which knows no discipline, rush on to destruction. I +know, only too well, this wild, measureless desire for freedom from +every restraint, which knows no limits, recognizes no duties; I know +from whom you have inherited it, and to what it will eventually lead. +But as long as you are under my jurisdiction I will hold you fast to +that 'slavery' whether you hate it or not. You shall obey and learn to +yield while there is yet time; and you shall learn it. I give you my +word for that." + +His voice had again the old harsh sound to which his son was so well +accustomed, and every vestige of tenderness had died out of his face. +Hartmut knew that prayers or defiance were alike useless now. He uttered +no syllable, but the old demon-like gleam in his eyes, which robbed him +of all his beauty, was again manifest land on the lips so tightly +pressed together lay a strange, evil expression as he turned silently +to leave the room. His father followed him with his eyes, again he heard +the warning voice which came to him as a presentiment of coming evil, +and he called his son back. + +"Hartmut, you'll be back in two hours? You give me your word for it?" + +"Yes, father." The answer sounded angry, but steadfast. + +"Very well, then I will treat you as a man. You have pledged your word +and may go in peace; be punctual." + +The young man had only been gone a few minutes when Wallmoden entered. + +"I knew you were alone," he said. "I would not have disturbed you, but I +saw Hartmut hasten across the garden just now. Where is he going so +late?" + +"To his mother, to take leave of her." + +The diplomatist looked up startled at this unexpected intelligence. + +"With your consent?" he said surprised. + +"Certainly, I gave him permission." + +"How unwise. I thought you would have seen to it that Zalika did not +accomplish her ends; and now, whether it's right or wrong, you are +sending your son to her." + +"Only for an hour, and only for a farewell, which I could not refuse. +What are you afraid of now? Not that there will be any foul play? +Hartmut is no baby to be carried off in a carriage in spite of himself." + +"But if he were willing it would be a different matter." + +"I have his word that he'll be back in a couple of hours," said the +Major with emphasis. + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders: "The word of a boy of seventeen!" + +"Who has had a soldier's education and knows the significance of his +word of honor. That gives me no anxiety; my fears are in another +direction." + +"Regine told me you and he understood one another at last," remarked +Wallmoden, with a glance at his friend's dark, gloomy face. + +"For a few minutes; then I had to be the stern, hard father again, and +this last hour has shown me how hard a task it will be to conquer and +direct this unruly, undisciplined nature, but for all that, I must and +will subdue it." + +His friend stepped to the window and looked out upon the garden. + +"It is twilight already and the Burgsdorf fish-pond is half an hour's +walk from here," he said, half aloud. "You could have this last meeting +held in your presence if you saw fit." + +"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could and would not do that." + +"If this farewell does not end as you anticipate--if Hartmut does not +come back?" + +"Then he would be beneath contempt, a liar," said Falkenried, "a +deserter too, for he already carries arms at his side. But do not insult +me with such thoughts, Herbert. It is my son of whom you speak." + +"He is Zalika's son also. But we won't discuss it any more. They are +waiting for you in the dining-room; you will not go to-night?" + +"Yes, in two hours," answered the Major, steadily and quietly. "Hartmut +will be back by then--I'll answer for it." + +The gray shadows of evening already lay on field and meadow, and they +grew each moment thicker and darker. The short hazy autumn day was at an +end, and the clouded sky brought the night down more quickly than usual. +A woman's figure could be seen pacing impatiently up and down on the +shore of the little lake. She had a dark mantle drawn closely around +her shoulders, but she paid little heed to the frosty evening air which +was blowing about her; she was feverish with expectation, and her ear +was strained to catch the first echo of approaching footsteps. + +Since the first day on which Willibald had surprised them both, and they +had been forced to take him into their confidence, Zalika had chosen a +late hour in the afternoon, and a lonely place in the wood for her +meetings with her son. She was accustomed to meet him before the +twilight began, in order that he might not attract attention by +returning late to Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but to-day his +mother had waited already an hour, in vain. What accident had detained +him, or had their secret been disclosed? Since a third knew it, she was +prepared for such a contingency. + +All was so silent in the wood that the rustle of her gown and her light +footsteps as she walked to and fro, were the only sounds which greeted +her ear. + +Beneath the tall trees lay long nocturnal shadows; over the pond where +there was more light, being free from shade, hung a faint vapory cloud, +and over yonder in the meadows, where a pool of water, concealed by the +mossy moorland, had formed, the mists had gathered still more thickly +and hung like a gray-white veil over all the heath. The air from the +meadows was blowing damp and chill. + +At last there was a light step, faint and uncertain--then, as it came on +quickly in the direction of the pond, firmer and more resolute. Now a +slender figure came in view, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +darkness, and Zalika flew to meet her son, who, in the next minute lay +in her arms. + +"What has happened?" she asked amidst the wonted stormy caresses. "Why +are you so late? I had begun to despair of seeing you to-day. What +detained you?" + +"I could not come sooner," Hartmut explained, still breathless, after +his long run. "I come from my father." + +Zalika drew back. + +"From your father? And he knows--?" + +"All!" + +"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? who told him?" + +The young man related in a few words all that had happened, but he had +not finished when a bitter laugh from his mother interrupted him. + +"Of course, they are all in the plot together to keep me from my child. +And your father? He has threatened and punished you again as if you were +a criminal, because you have been in your mother's arms?" + +Hartmut shook his head. The memory of the moment when his father drew +him to his breast was yet before him, despite all the bitterness with +which the scene had ended. + +"No," he said sadly, "but he has forbidden me to see you again, and +sternly commanded me to part from you." + +"And in spite of all, you are here? O, I knew it!" + +Her words had a joyful sound. + +"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," her son answered her bitterly. "I only +came to say good-bye." + +"Hartmut!" + +"Father has given me permission to see you this time, and then--" + +"Then he will take you away again, and you will be forever lost to me. +Is that it?" + +Hartmut did not answer, he only threw himself upon his mother's breast +with a wild, passionate sob, which had as much anger and bitterness in +it, as pain. + +It had now grown quite dark and the night was upon them, a cold, misty, +autumn night, without moon or starlight, and over in the meadows, where +the vapor was so dense, a light rain had just begun to fall, and +through the rain and the mist a blue shimmering light appeared, now +faint and dull, now with a clear, bright gleam like a flame. + +It disappeared, then started forth again a second and a third time--the +will-o'-the-wisp had begun its unearthly, spectral dance. + +"You are crying!" said Zalika holding her son fast in her arms. "I have +long foreseen this day, and if young Eschenhagen had not surprised us +the other morning. I should before this have given you the choice +between returning to your father and forming some other plan." + +"What other plan? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed. + +Zalika bent over him and although they were alone, her voice sank into a +whisper. + +"Will you allow this tyranny to go on, will you permit yourself to be +separated from your mother and our holy love trodden under foot, without +asserting yourself, or protecting our joint right? If you do permit it, +you are no son of mine, and my blood does not flow in your veins. He +sent you to bid me farewell, and you take his word as final. Do you +really come to take leave of me, for long years, in all probability?" + +"I must do it," her son broke out despairingly. "You know my father. +Against his iron will there is no appeal." + +"If you return to him--no! But who will force you to return?" + +"Mamma. Do not tempt me, for the love of heaven!" he cried trying to +free himself from the arms which held him so fast, but the passionate +voice still whispered in his ear: + +"What alarms you in the thought? You but go with your mother, who loves +you with a boundless love and will live only for you. You have often +complained to me that you hate the service into which you are forced. +Have you forgotten your longing for freedom? If you go back you have no +option, for your father will bind you fast in the chains, and he will +but shorten the links, when he sees you are intolerant of them." + +She had no need to tell her son this, for he knew it all better than she +could tell him. Scarcely an hour since, had he not heard the words: "You +shall obey and learn to yield while yet there is time." + +His voice was full of bitterness as he replied. + +"In any case, I must go back. I have given my word to be at Burgsdorf +again in two hours." + +"Really?" asked Zalika, sharply and scornfully. "I thought as much. I +see he treats you like a child, marks out your every step for you and +gives you your allotted time, as if you had no judgment or mind of your +own; but the time has gone by to treat you thus, you are old enough to +assume the prerogatives of a man. The day has come when you must show +that you are a man in action as well as word. A promise wrung from one +is valueless; tear asunder this invisible chain by which you are held, +and set yourself free." + +"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with another effort to free himself, but his +mother held him fast in her arms. He turned his face away and looked +with hot eyes into the dark night, upon the desolate blackness of the +wood and across at the will-o'-the-wisp, still pursuing its erratic +course, now rising with convulsive, trembling flame, now sinking into +the ground beneath, only to come up again quivering and glimmering. +There was something ghostly and horrible, and withal strangely +fascinating in the ceaseless dance of this imp of night. + +"Come with me, my son," Zalika begged, in those dulcet tones which were +hers, as well as her son's. "I have long since prepared all for your +coming; I knew of a certainty that this day would surely come. My +carriage is waiting a short distance from here. We can soon reach the +railway station and will be far on our way before they are any the wiser +at Burgsdorf. With me lies freedom, life, happiness! I will take you +away and show you the great world, and when you are once in it, you will +learn to breathe freely and enjoy life, as one redeemed from slavery. I +know what it is to be liberated from slavery. I, too, wore the chains +which, in an hour of foolish fascination, I forged for myself, but I +should have torn them apart in the first year had it not been for my +unborn child. O, freedom is sweet, as you will soon learn." + +She knew only too well the words to choose to accomplish her purpose. +Freedom, life, happiness. They signified so much. They echoed and +re-echoed in the heart of the boy, whose longing for freedom had always +been repressed by a powerful hand. Now like a picture from a magician's +hand, the fairy-like visions of promised liberty stood before him. He +need but stretch out his hand and it was his own. + +"My word," he murmured with a last feeble attempt to rescue himself. "My +father will despise me--" + +"When you have attained to a great, proud future," Zalika interrupted +him excitedly, "then go to your father and ask him if he dares to +despise you; he would bind you to the earth, but you have wings to fly +above it. He does not understand a nature like yours, and never will. +Will you destroy yourself for the sake of a mere word and be a slave +forever? Come with me, Hartmut, with me to whom you are all the world." + +She led him slowly away, and he did not tear himself from her, but, as +she caressed him and called him fond names she felt that his going was +under protest, and that she had needed all her wiles to accomplish it. A +few minutes later the pond was deserted, mother and son had disappeared, +and even the sound of their retiring footsteps had died out in the night +air. Over the moor moved only that weird, spectral life. The flashing +lights appeared and sank again in restless play,--mysterious breaths of +flame from the deep. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +It was autumn again, and the warm, golden light of a September day lay +upon the woodland, which stretched away like a green ocean as far as eye +could reach. + +Hill and valley alternated with each other, all forest clad, and many a +mighty and moss-grown trunk in that great wilderness told of the forest +primeval which in the early days had covered all this part of South +Germany. Elsewhere in the land, railways had been built, until there was +scarcely a hamlet whose slumbers were undisturbed by the shrill scream +of the locomotive--but "the forest," as the people called it, remained +apart, cut off from the world, a vast territory many miles in width, +like a great, green island, unmoved by the waves of commotion and +progress from without. + +Here and there amid the forest green a little village peeped out, or an +old castle reared its gray and weather-beaten battlements on high, as if +protesting against its impending decay. There was but one building in +the whole region which yet stood strong, intact and massive, +notwithstanding it was gray with age. + +It was called Fuerstenstein, and was originally built as a hunting box, +for the use of the sovereign. The duke's head forester occupied it all +the year round; and during the hunting season some members of the ducal +family always held court there for several weeks. It had been built in +the early part of the last century, with the lavish waste of room which +marked the style of that period. Standing on a high elevation, it +commanded a superb view over the surrounding country. + +The approach to the castle allowed no view of its proportions, for woods +covered the hill upon which it stood, and in places tall fir trees threw +their shadows on tower and turret, so that one scarcely realized the +immensity of the building until he stood quite at the entrance gate. +There were also a number of little structures clustering around the main +edifice, which had been added at different periods. Time was not allowed +to make inroads here; everything was in perfect order and repair, and +the countless rooms on the second floor were always kept ready for the +prince, who took possession of them at any time. + +The head forester, von Schoenau, had occupied the immense ground floor +for years, and between filling his house with guests, and making +frequent visits to his neighbors, managed to have a very agreeable time, +notwithstanding the lonely situation. + +He had visitors now; his sister-in-law, Frau Regine von Eschenhagen had +arrived yesterday, and her son was expected soon. The two daughters of +the Wallmoden family had made good marriages; while the elder married +the heir to Burgsdorf, the younger had wedded Herr von Schoenau, the son +of a wealthy landed gentleman of a noble South German family. + +The sisters, in spite of the distance which separated them, had always +maintained a close and affectionate intercourse, and since Frau von +Schoenau's death, which occurred a few years after her marriage, Frau +Regine had kept up the intimacy with her brother-in-law. + +It was a singular enough friendship which existed between these two, for +they always met, armed cap-a-pie, for battle. They were both strong, +inconsiderate natures, and every time they saw one another they +quarrelled, and as regularly made their peace again, always promising +there should be no further strife between them, which promise was kept +until their next dispute, for which some opportunity would give rise, +sometimes within an hour after their reconciliation, when another +pitched battle would begin, as passionate and wordy as the last. + +At the present moment there seemed a truce between them as they sat on +the terrace in front of the reception room. The head forester, in spite +of his advancing years, was an erect, stately man, with strong, sunburnt +features; his hair and beard were slightly gray, but still luxuriant. +Now he leaned back in his chair listening to his sister-in-law, who +generally did most of the talking. Frau Regine was now in her fiftieth +year, but the last ten years had not changed her much; her life ran on +so smoothly and evenly. + +A wrinkle was to be found here and there in her face, and silver threads +were weaving their way into her dark hair, but the gray eyes had lost +nothing of their clearness and sharpness, the voice was as full and +resolute as ever, and her bearing as erect and energetic as formerly. + +"Willibald will be here in eight days," she was saying. "The harvesting +was not quite done; but everything will be finished within the week, and +then he can come to meet his bride. The matter has been settled between +us for a long time, but I was resolved to postpone it for some time, for +what did a young thing of sixteen or seventeen, with childish notions +still in her head know about the orderly direction of a household? Now +that Toni is twenty years old, and Will twenty-seven, it is all right. +Are you still perfectly satisfied that this betrothal is the best thing +for our children's future?" + +"Perfectly satisfied," assented the head forester. "I think everything +is as it should be. One half my fortune will go, some day, to my son, +the other half to my daughter, and I think you may be well content with +the portion I have set aside as Toni's wedding gift." + +"Yes, you have been very liberal. As to Will, he came into possession of +Burgsdorf three years ago; the remainder of the fortune remains, by the +will, in my hands, and at my death goes, of course, to him. But I've +seen to it that the young people won't suffer. I have made ample +provision for them." + +"No need for haste. We are only going to celebrate the betrothal now; +the marriage won't be until next spring." + +And now the first cloud appeared on the clear heaven of their perfect +harmony. Frau von Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially: + +"We won't postpone it any longer now. The wedding must take place this +winter. Willibald has no time to get married in the spring." + +"Nonsense, a man always has time to get married," declared Schoenau, just +as dictatorially. + +"Not in the country," asserted Frau Regine. "There something else must +be considered; first work, then pleasure. That's always been the rule +with us, and that's what I've taught Will." + +"I trust he'd make an exception as regards his young wife; otherwise +he's little better than a milksop," cried the forester, angrily. "Above +all, Regine, you must remember my stipulation. My Toni has not seen your +son for two years. If he does not please her--she has free choice, you +understand." + +His speech touched his sister-in-law on her most sensitive point; her +motherly pride was outraged. + +"My dear Moritz, I have more confidence than you, apparently, in your +daughter's good taste. As for the rest, I hold to the good old custom +that children should marry whom their parents select. It was that way in +our day, and we have found no cause of complaint. What do young people +know of such serious matters any way? But you have let your children +have their own way from the very start; any one could soon tell that +there was no mother in this house." + +"Well, was that my fault?" asked Schoenau, incensed. "Perhaps, I ought to +have given them a step-mother. I suggested it to you once, but you +wouldn't hear of it, Regine." + +"No, I had been married once," was the dry answer, and it seemed to +increase the head forester's irritation. He shrugged his shoulders +spitefully. + +"Well, I certainly think you had no cause for complaint against poor +Eschenhagen. He, and all his people at Burgsdorf danced when you piped. +With me you would not have ordered the regiment about so easily." + +"In about four weeks," Frau Regine declared calmly, "you would all have +been under my command, Moritz." + +"What! You say that to my face? Well, I'd just like to prove it for +once," retorted Schoenau, full of wrath now. + +"Thank you, I shouldn't care to marry a second time, so give yourself no +uneasiness." + +"I can assure you I didn't mean an offer. I wouldn't think of such a +thing for a moment. One refusal was enough for me. So you need not +trouble giving me a second one." + +With these words the master of the house rose, pushed back his chair +noisily, and left his guest abruptly. Frau von Eschenhagen remained +quietly sitting alone for some time, then she called out in a friendly +tone: + +"Moritz." + +"What is it?" he growled from the other side of the terrace. + +"When are Herbert and his young wife coming?" + +"At twelve o'clock," the voice had an ill-tempered ring yet. + +"I am so glad. I have not seen him since he was sent to the South German +capital, but I have always maintained that Herbert was the pride of our +family, and he keeps up enough state for us all. Now you see he is +Prussian ambassador at your court, and is 'Your Excellency.'" + +"And then he's a young husband of six and fifty, don't forget that," +interrupted the forester spitefully. + +"Yes, he took his time about marrying, but he made a dazzling match at +last. For a man of his years it was no easy matter to win such a wife as +Adelheid, young, beautiful, rich--" + +"And of common birth," added Schoenau. + +"Stuff and nonsense! Who asks any questions now-a-days about birth when an +immense fortune stands behind it? Herbert can use money now, too; he has +been hampered for means his life long, and now, as ambassador, he needs +more to keep up the position than he could possibly supply. But my +brother need never be ashamed of his father-in-law. Stahlberg was at the +head of one of our greatest industries, and a man of honor, through and +through. It was a pity he died so soon after his daughter's marriage. +At all events they made a very sensible choice." + +"So that's what you call a sensible choice, do you, when a girl of +eighteen marries a man old enough to be her father?" asked Schoenau, who, +in the heat of discussion, came back to his sister-in-law again. "To be +sure she has a high place in society now, as the wife of His Excellency, +the Ambassador, and is a baroness and all that. But to me this +beautiful, cool Adelheid, with her 'sensible' ideas, which would do a +grandmother credit, is not at all sympathetic. A thoughtless maiden, who +falls over head and ears in love, and then declares to her parents, +'This one, or none,' suits me far better." + +"Those are fine opinions for the father of a family to express," cried +Frau von Eschenhagen, much ruffled. "It's a good thing that Toni +inherited my sister's good sense, otherwise she would be coming to you +with some such a speech one of these days. But Stahlberg educated his +daughter better. I know it from himself. She was trained to follow his +wishes, and accepted Herbert at once when he offered himself. But of +course you know nothing about educating children; it stands to reason +that you should not." + +"What? I, a man and a father, and know nothing about educating +children?" cried Schoenau, red with anger. They were now both on the fair +way to have another pitched battle, when they were happily interrupted +by the appearance of a young girl, the daughter of the house, who +stepped out on the terrace at this moment. + +Antonie von Schoenau could never be called beautiful, but she had her +father's fine figure and a fresh, glowing face, with clear brown eyes. +Her nut-brown hair was laid in smooth braids around her head, and her +attire, although perfectly suitable for a girl of her station, was yet +quite simple. But Antonie was in the first bloom of youth, and that +charm outweighed all others. As she stepped out now, looking so fresh +and rosy and healthy, she was a daughter after Frau Regine's own heart, +and that lady immediately brought the strife to an end and gave her a +smiling nod. + +"Father, the carriage is on its way back from the station," said the +young lady, in very deliberate, almost drawling tones. "It is at the +foot of the castle hill already, and Uncle Wallmoden will be here in +fifteen minutes." + +"Bless me, they have driven quickly!" exclaimed her father, whose face +had cleared at the news. "Are the guest chambers in order?" + +Toni nodded composedly, as if to say her duties were never neglected; +then, as her father left the terrace to watch the approach of the +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen, with a glance at the basket which the girl +carried on her arm, said: + +"Well, Toni, you are always busy." + +"I have been in the kitchen-garden, dear auntie. The gardener declared +there were no more ripe pears, so I went out to see for myself, and +picked a whole basket full." + +"That's right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly pleased, +"you must keep an eye on the servants and use your hands, too, +occasionally, if you want to get on in this world. You'll make a fine +housekeeper. But come, now, we must go to meet your uncle, too." + +Herr von Schoenau was already far across the terrace, and was just +starting down the broad flight of stone steps which led from the castle +court, when a man stepped out from one of the side buildings, and stood, +respectful and silent, with his hat off. + +"Well, Stadinger, is that you? What's brought you to Fuerstenstein?" the +head forester called out. "Come here!" + +Stadinger approached as commanded; in spite of his snow-white hair he +came forward with a firm, erect step, while a pair of sharp, dark eyes +peered out from his brown, weather-beaten face. + +"I was with the castellan, Herr von Schoenau," he explained, "and have +been asking him to lend us a few of his servants to help us, for we're +busy up to our eyes at Rodeck, and have not people enough for all the +work." + +"Ah, yes, Prince Egon is back from his Oriental tour. I heard that +before," said Schoenau. "But how does it happen that he's come to such a +small place as Rodeck, with little room and less comfort?" + +Stadinger shrugged his shoulders. "Heaven knows! But our young prince +follows his own sweet will, and no one dare ask why. One morning the +news came, and the castle people hardly know whether they are standing +on their heads or their heels. I had enough trouble to get the place +ready in two days." + +"I can believe that; no one has visited Rodeck for years, but the +prince's visit will put some life in the old walls, at any rate." + +"Well, it turns everything topsy-turvey," growled the castle steward. +"If you only knew how we have been upset, Herr Schoenau. The hunting-room +is crammed full of lion and tiger skins, and all sorts of stuffed +animals, and monkeys and parrots are sitting around in all the rooms. +The whole place is in such an uproar from them that one can't hear one's +self speak. And now his highness has just announced to me that there are +a troop of elephants and a great sea-serpent on the way. I think I +struck a blow at them, though." + +"What is on the way?" inquired the head forester, who did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"A sea-serpent and a dozen elephants. I have fought against them with +all my might. 'Your highness,' I said, 'we cannot accommodate any more +animals, and as to the sea-serpent, such a beast will need water and we +have no pond at Rodeck. And if the elephants do come we'll have to chain +them to trees in the forest, I know no other way.'" + +"'That's just the thing' his highness answered, 'just chain them to the +trees, that'll be very wild and picturesque, and we'll send the +sea-serpent to board at Fuerstenstein; the castle fish-pond is big +enough.' Herr Schoenau, he will people the whole neighborhood with these +monsters, I believe." + +The head forester laughed aloud, and gave the steward, who seemed to +enjoy his special favor, a hearty slap on the shoulder. + +"But, Stadinger, have you really taken all this in earnest? You ought to +know the prince better. He certainly does not seem to come back any +steadier than he went away." + +"No indeed, he does not," sighed Stadinger. "And what his highness does +not devise for himself, Herr Rojanow hatches for him. He is the worst of +the two. It's hard lines that such a dare-devil should be quartered on +us." + +"Rojanow? Who is he?" asked Schoenau, all attention now. + +"I hardly know, but he's come with the prince, who cannot live without +him. He met this friend in some heathen country. Maybe he is a +half-heathen, or Turk; he looks enough like one, with his dark face and +strange eyes. And the fellow, with his airs and orders acts as if he +were the lord and master of Rodeck. But he's as handsome as a picture, +handsomer even than our prince, who, by the way has given orders that +Herr Rojanow is to be obeyed in all things just like himself." + +"More than probable it's an adventurer with whom the prince is amusing +himself," murmured Schoenau, and aloud he said: "Well good-bye, +Stadinger, I must meet my brother-in-law now, and don't lose any sleep +over the sea-serpent. When his highness threatens you with it again, +tell him I will gladly keep it for him in our fish-pond, but I must see +it alive first." + +He nodded laughingly to the old steward and stepped down to the entrance +gateway. Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece were already there, and a +minute after he joined them, the carriage turned into the broad, smooth +road and was driven rapidly up to the great entrance. + +Regine was the first to greet the travelers. She pressed her brother's +hand so heartily that he was forced to draw it back. The head forester +was somewhat diffident; he had a certain feeling of shyness in the +presence of his diplomatic brother-in-law, whose sarcastic tongue he +secretly feared. But Toni did not allow "his excellency" her uncle, or +his wife, either, to ruffle her wonted composure. + +The years had not treated Herbert von Wallmoden so gently as they had +his sister. He had aged perceptibly; his hair was grey now, and the +sarcastic lines around his mouth had deepened. But he was the same cold +aristocrat as ever, perhaps even a shade colder and more distant. With +the exalted position to which he had attained, the feeling of +superiority, which had ever been his chief characteristic, seemed to +strengthen. + +The young wife by his side was always taken by strangers to be his +daughter. Unquestionably the ambassador's choice had proved his good +taste. Adelheid von Wallmoden was indeed lovely, but her beauty was of +that chill, statuesque type which awakens only cold admiration, and she +seemed to have been born to occupy the position in the world to which +her marriage had raised her. The young bride, not quite nineteen, and +only six months a wife, exhibited a coolness of behavior and as complete +a knowledge of all the forms and obligations of her social position, as +if she had been at the side of her elderly husband for half a lifetime. + +Wallmoden was politeness and attentiveness itself to her. He offered her +his arm now, after the first greetings were over, to conduct her to her +own apartments, and a few minutes later returned alone to the terrace to +have a talk with his sister. + +The intercourse between this brother and sister was in many respects +very singular. + +Regine was as uncouth in outward appearance as she was rugged in +character, and the direct opposite of her courtly brother in every +particular; but still, as they sat side by side now, after their long +separation, there was a look on both faces which told that the +mysterious bond of kinship was much to them both, despite the antagonism +which so often came to the fore. + +Herbert was made rather nervous during their conversation, for Regine +did not think it necessary to refrain from brusque questioning or candid +comment, and her brother was frequently embarrassed and annoyed by both, +but he had learned from experience the uselessness of striving to check +her open speech, so gave himself up to the inevitable with a sigh. Of +course, among other things, she spoke of Willibald's and Toni's +betrothal, of which Wallmoden fully approved. + +The subject had been worn threadbare long years ago, so there was little +really to be said. And now Frau von Eschenhagen branched off on another +theme. + +"Well, Herbert, how do you feel now you're a married man?" asked his +sister. "You certainly were long enough about making up your mind, but +better late than never, and I must admit that for an old gray-head like +you, you have made a very good selection." + +This frank reference to his age did not seem to please the ambassador; +he pressed his lips tightly together for a moment, and then answered his +sister sharply: + +"My dear Regine, you should strive to use a little tact in your +conversation. I know my age well enough, but the position which I +occupy, and to which I elevated Adelheid by marriage, more than +compensates for the difference in our ages." + +"Well, that's true enough, and the marriage portion she brought you is +not to be despised," assented Regine, quite unmoved by his sharp tones. +"Have you presented your wife at Court yet?" + +"Yes, two weeks ago, at the summer Capitol. My father-in-law's death +prevented my doing so before. But this winter we must keep open house, +as my position demands it. I was greatly surprised and pleased at +Adelheid's behavior at Court. She acted with a calmness and proud +security, upon this entirely strange ground, which was worthy of all +praise. I was all the more convinced how wise my choice had been in +every respect. Well now, about home matters; before everything else, +tell me about Falkenried?" + +"Well, what is there for me to tell? Don't you write one another +regularly?" + +"Yes, but his letters are always short and monosyllabic. I wrote him of +my marriage, but his congratulations were very laconic. You must see him +frequently, since he has been made minister of war, as you are so near +the city." + +A shadow darkened Regine's clear eyes, and she shook her head sadly. +"You are mistaken, the colonel scarcely ever comes to Burgsdorf. He +grows more reserved and unapproachable each year." + +"I am sorry to hear it; he has always made an exception of you, and I +hoped you could use your influence to bring him often to Burgsdorf. Have +you made no attempt to renew the old intimacy?" + +"I did at first, but I have finally given it up as hopeless, for I saw +that I was only annoying him. There is nothing to be done, Herbert. +Since that unfortunate catastrophe he has been turned to stone. You have +seen him several times yourself, since then, and know he lives bereft of +hope." + +Wallmoden's face clouded darkly, and his voice was very bitter as he +replied: "Yes, that boy Hartmut has done for him, that's certain. It's +over ten years ago now, however, and I did hope Falkenried would take +some interest in life again by this time." + +"I never hoped that," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. "The life +has all gone from the roots. I shall never forget, as long as I live, +how he looked on that fateful evening, when we waited and waited, first +with uneasiness and apprehension, then with deadly anxiety. You grasped +the truth at once, but I would not let you say a word while there was a +chance. I can see him now as he stood at the window staring out into the +night, with drawn features and face like death, and to every word of +ours only the one answer. 'He will come! He must come! I have his word.' +And when in spite of all, Hartmut did not come, and we repaired to the +railway station at daybreak, only to learn that they two, mother and +son, had taken the express train hours before. God preserve us, may I +never see such a look on a man's face again. I made you promise to stay +by him, for I thought he would put a bullet through his heart before the +day was over." + +"You were wrong there," said Wallmoden with decision. "A man of +Falkenried's temperament would consider it cowardice to commit suicide, +even though the days of his life were one continued torture. I do not +venture to think what would have happened though, had he been allowed to +carry out his intention at that time." + +"I know," interrupted his sister, "that he asked for his discharge, +because, with his keen sense of honor, he could not bear to serve +longer, after his son had become a deserter. It was a step prompted by +despair." + +"Yes, and it was his only salvation, that he, with his military +knowledge and skill, was not allowed to sink into oblivion. The chief of +the General's staff took up the matter and brought it before the King, +and they decided that the father should not be allowed to sacrifice +himself for a boy's rash action, and that the service could not lose +such a highly esteemed officer. So they would not accept his +resignation, but permitted him to go to a distant garrison, where the +matter was never mentioned in his presence. Now, after ten years, it's +buried and forgotten by the whole world." + +"With one exception," said Regine sorrowfully. "My heart aches whenever +I think of what Falkenried once was, and what he is now. The bitter +experience of his marriage made him gloomy and unsocial, but in good +time he recovered himself a little, and his whole soul turned to his boy +and his boy's advancement. Now everything is lost and the rigid, stark +fulfilment of duty is all that remains; all else is dead within him, and +as a sequence, all his old friendships have become painful to him--we +must let him go his own way." + +She broke off with a sigh, as the face of her girlhood's friend came +before her mind's eye. Then laying her hand on her brother's arm, she +said in conclusion: + +"Perhaps you are right, Herbert, when you say that a man chooses more +wisely when he has come to years of discretion. You need not fear +Falkenried's fate; your wife has good blood in her veins. I knew Herr +Stahlberg well; he worked earnestly and with capability, too, or he +would never have succeeded as he did in life. And he was ever an honest +man, even after he became a millionaire, and Adelheid is her father's +daughter, bone and sinew. You have chosen well for yourself, and I +rejoice with you from the bottom of my heart." + + * * * * * + +The little hunting castle of Rodeck which belonged to the princely house +of Adelsberg, lay but a few miles distant from "Fuerstenstein," in the +midst of the deep forest. The small, plain building containing at most +but a dozen rooms, had been hastily prepared for the unexpected coming +of the prince. It had not been used for years, and had a neglected +appearance. But as one stepped out from the dark, gloomy forest upon the +light greensward, and saw the old building with its high, pointed roof, +and its four little towers guarding the corners, it seemed very +picturesque in its loneliness. + +The Adelsbergs were old-time princes of the German empire who had long +since lost their sovereignty, but who still retained their princely +title, together with an immense fortune which included very great landed +possessions. The family had dwindled in number so that there were but +few representatives left, and only one in the direct line, Prince Egon, +and he as owner of the family estates and through kinship on his dead +mother's side with the reigning house, played a conspicuous part among +the nobility of the country. + +The young prince was understood to be very wild and erratic, and a man +who was always forming eccentric attachments. He cared little for +princely etiquette, and followed the whim of the moment. The old prince +had held the reins with a tight hand, but at his death Egon von +Adelsberg became his own master, and since that time, had followed his +own free course without check or restraint. + +He had just now returned from a two years' tour in the East, and instead +of going to his palace in the capital, or to one of his magnificently +appointed castles, always in readiness to receive him, no matter what +the season, he had, on the spur of the moment, decided upon this little +hunting castle of Rodeck, where he could not be comfortably housed, and +where the few retainers who took charge of the place, were ill-prepared +for such an honor. But as old Stadinger had said, no one dare ask why of +the prince; he did as the humor of the hour pleased him. + +It was the morning of a sunny autumn day. Upon the broad velvety lawn, +two men attired in hunting costume, were standing talking to the +steward, while in the broad court a few yards beyond, stood a light, +open carriage, awaiting its owner's pleasure. The two young men seemed, +at a first glance, to resemble one another. Both had tall, slender +figures, deeply browned faces, and eyes in which the fiery arrogance of +youth burned fiercely; but a nearer view showed how totally dissimilar +they were, after all. + +It was evident that the younger man, who was about twenty-four years +old, owed his dark complexion to his long residence beneath a fierce +sun, for his light, curly hair and blue eyes were not the fitting +accompaniments for such a browned skin, but were unquestionably German. +He had a blonde beard, curly like the hair which surrounded his +handsome, open countenance, but the face hardly coincided with one's +ideas of perfect beauty. The forehead was somewhat too narrow and the +features were not regular, but something in his expression reminded one +of clear sunshine, it was so good-natured and so winning. + +His companion, who was a few years his senior, had nothing of this +sunlight in his face, although his appearance was undoubtedly the more +distinguished of the two. Slender, like his companion, he was much the +taller, and his dark skin was not the legacy of an eastern sun. It was +of that faint brown which makes the freshest face look pale, and the +blue-black hair, which fell in heavy locks on his high forehead, only +served to heighten this appearance of pallor. It was a beautiful face, +with its noble, proud lines so marked and expressive, but there were +deep shadows on it, too, on the brow and across the eyes, shadows found +but seldom in so youthful a countenance. The great, dark eyes in which a +shade of melancholy always lay, spoke of hot, unrestrained passion, and +the fire which blazed within them had a mysterious, unearthly +fascination. One felt that these orbs possessed some uncanny power, but +they were in accord with the man's whole personality, which had about it +something of this same strange witchery. + +"Well, I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the men. "The +new cases must be unpacked and places found for the things. Where--that +is your business." + +"But, your highness, it is absolutely impossible!" remonstrated +Stadinger, in a tone which showed that he was on a pretty sure footing +with his young master. "There's not an empty corner in all Rodeck. I +have had the greatest trouble already to house all the people your +highness brought with you, and every day chests bigger than a house are +arriving, and ever the same cry: 'Unpack that, Stadinger! Make a place +for this, Stadinger.' And hundreds of rooms empty in the other castles." + +"Stop grumbling, you old ghost of the woods, and make places," +interrupted the prince. "The chests that have come must be unpacked in +Rodeck for the time being at least, and if the worst comes to the worst, +you must find room in your own house for them." + +"Yes, indeed, Stadinger has room and to spare in his own house for +them," it was the tall, dark man who spoke now. "And I'll superintend +the unpacking myself." + +"That's a good plan," said the prince, heartily, "and Zena can assist +him; she is at home yet, I suppose?" + +"No, your highness, she has gone away." + +"Away!" cried prince Egon. "And where has she gone?" + +"To the city," was the laconic answer. + +"That won't do. You should keep your grandchild with you here at Rodeck +all winter." + +"That matter seems to have arranged itself," answered the steward with +quiet dignity. "Just now my old sister, Rosa, is at home with me. If you +should come to my humble dwelling, Herr Rojanow, she would feel greatly +honored." + +Rojanow gave him a glance which was anything but friendly, and the young +prince said sharply: + +"Look here, Stadinger, you are treating us after a most unwarrantable +fashion. You send Zena away, for no reason in the world, and she's the +only one worth seeing about the whole place. There's not a woman in +Rodeck who isn't past sixty and whose head doesn't wobble from side to +side, and as to the belles of the kitchen whom you brought from +Fuerstenstein to help us out, they're worse looking than our own people." + +"Your highness need not look at them," suggested the steward. "I gave +strict orders that none of the maids were to come into the castle, but +if your highness goes to the kitchen, as you did the day before +yesterday--" + +"Well, I must inspect my domestic arrangements once in a while. But I +won't go near the kitchen a second time, I promise you that. But I'm +provoked enough at you for having gathered together all the repulsive +looking creatures in the neighborhood as soon as you knew I was coming. +You should be ashamed of yourself, Stadinger." + +The old man looked his young master full in the face, and his voice had +an impressive sound, as he answered: "I am not at all ashamed, your +highness. When that prince of blessed memory, your father, assigned me +to this peaceful post, he said to me: 'Keep everything quiet and orderly +at Rodeck, Stadinger; remember, I depend upon you.' Well, I have kept +everything in order around this castle for twelve years, and more +especially have I guarded those of my own household, and I mean to do so +for the future, too. Has your highness any other orders for me?" + +"No, you old boor!" cried the prince, half amused, half angry. "Go on, +now; we don't need any sermon on morals." + +Stadinger obeyed, he bowed low and marched off. Rojanow glanced after +him and shrugged his shoulders with a sneer. + +"I admire your forbearance, Egon; you certainly permit your servants to +speak very freely--" + +"Oh, Stadinger is an exception," declared Egon. "Of late days he has +allowed himself great latitude, but as to his sending Zena away he +wasn't far wrong. I'd have done the same thing in his place." + +"It isn't the first time the old fellow has made so bold as to call us +both to account. If I were his master--he'd get his dismissal in this +same hour." + +"I'm afraid if I attempted that, it would be all the worse for me," +laughed the prince. "Such an old heir-loom, who has served three +generations already, and trotted me on his knee as a baby, deserves to +be treated with respect. I would gain nothing by commanding and calling +him to account. Peter Stadinger does what he pleases, and whenever it +suits him, reads me a little text into the bargain." + +"How you can permit such liberties is incomprehensible." + +"It is natural that you should not understand it, Hartmut," said his +friend, earnestly. "You only know the submissiveness of Sclavish +servants in your own home, and in the Orient. They kneel and prostrate +themselves whenever opportunity offers, and betray their masters at +every turn, when it can be done with safety. Stadinger is a man with no +civility in him. It doesn't make the least difference to him that I am +'your highness.' He is no respecter of persons, and has often said the +most insulting things to my face, but I could leave hundreds of +thousands in his hands, and he would guard every pfennig, and if Rodeck +were in a blaze, and I within it, his seventy years would not prevent +him plunging into the flames to rescue me--that's how it is with us in +Germany." + +"Yes, with you in Germany," Hartmut repeated slowly, as he fixed his +eyes dreamily on the forest shadows. + +"Are you as much prejudiced against us as ever?" asked Egon. "I had to +beg you hard enough to get you to come with me, for you seemed resolved +never to put foot on German soil again." + +"I would I had not done so," said Rojanow, darkly. "You know--" + +"That you associate bitter memories with my country--yes. You told me +that much, but you must have been a boy at the time. You should have +outgrown your dislike by now. You are, on this point, so obstinately +reserved, that to this day I have never learned what it is that you--" + +"Egon, I beg you, drop the subject," said Hartmut, almost rudely. "I +have declared to you more than once, that I will not and cannot speak on +the subject of my early life. If you are suspicious of me, let me go; I +have not forced myself upon you, you know that, but I will not endure +this questioning." + +The hard, proud tone which he used toward his princely friend, seemed +not unknown to the latter, who only shrugged his shoulders and said +appeasingly: + +"How excited you get in a moment; I believe you are right when you +maintain that the air of Germany makes you nervous. You certainly have +changed since you set foot in the country." + +"Possibly; I feel it myself, and I know I annoy you with my queer +tempers lately, so you'd better let me go, Egon." + +"I will guard you well, instead. I did not catch you so easily that I +can let you fly again after all my trouble. So remember that, Hartmut, +for I won't let you go free at any price." + +The words had a joking sound, but Rojanow seemed to resent them. His +eyes were dark, almost threatening, as he replied: + +"But what if I will go?" + +"But you won't, for I will hold you closer than ever." Egon laid his +arm affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "I wonder how this bad, +obstinate Hartmut can answer to his conscience for even thinking of +leaving me alone. Have we not lived together for nearly two years, and +shared the same dangers and pleasures like brothers? And now you talk +about deserting me, without even a question as to how I'll get along +without you. Do you think I value your friendship so little, dear old +fellow?" + +The words were so warm and sincere that Rojanow's ill-temper was +conquered. His eyes lighted up at the mention of their long and close +friendship, and he answered in a voice which bespoke a sincere affection +for his friend: + +"Do you think that any one but you could have drawn me to Germany at +all?" he said, softly. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable nature and +have always been a rover since--since my boyhood." + +"Well, learn to settle yourself here--here in my home," exclaimed Egon. +"I only stay at Rodeck that you may see its many and varied beauties. +This old building, hidden away in the midst of the forest, is a +veritable production of fairy-land, a woodland poem, such as you will +not find at any of my other castles. The others suit me better, though I +know this is to your taste. But now I must really go. You won't ride?" + +"No, I will enjoy the much-praised poetry of these woods, which seem to +weary you so soon. You can make your visit alone." + +"I'll admit I'm not a poet like you, who can muse and dream all day +long," said Egon laughing. "For a full week we have led hermits' lives, +but I cannot live on sunshine, woody odors and Stadinger's sermons any +longer. I must see my fellow-men, and the head forester is the only +gentleman in the neighborhood; and besides, Herr von Schoenau is a +splendid, jolly fellow. You will like him when you meet him." + +He jumped into the carriage, waved a parting greeting to his friend, and +was off. Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared +behind the trees, then he turned and struck into a path which led into +the forest. + +He carried a gun over his shoulder, but his thoughts were not bent on +sport. He went on heedlessly, with no idea of direction, and with no +thought of the distance which he was putting between himself and Rodeck, +which was each moment becoming greater. + +Prince Adelsberg was right when he said he knew this wild, mountain +scenery was to his friend's taste. The very air had for him a certain +sorcery. He stood still at last and took some long, deep breaths, but +the cloud on his brow had not yet disappeared; it grew darker instead, +as he leaned against a tree and cast his eyes around him. + +The beauty of the sunny, autumn day, the picturesqueness of the grand +old wood, could not bring to this handsome, joyless face one expression +of peace or content. + +He saw this country for the first time; his boyhood's home lay far to +the north, and yet this place, so different from his father's birthplace +and his own, brought back the past with all its painful recollections, +and awakened anew within him feelings he had thought long dead and +buried. Feelings and thoughts which had never troubled him during the +long years in which by land or sea, he had drunk of that freedom for +which he had sacrificed so much. + +The old German woods! They whispered here in the South, just as they had +done in the North; the same wind moved the branches of the fir and the +oak, and whistled through the tops of the distant pine trees. Yes, these +were the self-same voices which had once told all their secrets to the +willful boy lying on the mossy bank of the Burgsdorf fish pond. + +There was a stir and sound as of some one moving between the trees. +Hartmut looked up indifferently, expecting to see an animal of some kind +spring out, but he saw instead the fluttering of a light gown between +the low bushes, and from a little side path, which he had not before +noticed, a young lady stepped out, almost in front of him, and stood +hesitatingly, evidently uncertain what direction to take. + +Rojanow was roused from his dreaming by this unexpected apparition, and +the stranger caught sight of him at once. She appeared surprised, too, +but only for a second, then she stepped forward, and said, with a slight +bow: + +"May I beg you, sir, to show me the way to Fuerstenstein? I am a stranger +here and have lost my way, and am, I fear, far from the place I seek." + +Hartmut had taken in at a glance the young lady's appearance; and +resolved immediately to become her guide. He did not know the way for +which she inquired, and only had a vague idea of the direction in which +the castle lay, but that troubled him little. He bowed gracefully as he +said: + +"I place myself quite at your disposal, Fraeulein. Fuerstenstein is some +distance from here, and it would be impossible for you to find the way +alone. I must, therefore, beg you to allow me to accompany you." + +The lady had expected nothing more than that the way would be pointed +out to her; this stranger's offer was not altogether agreeable, but she +feared she might lose her way a second time, and the perfect politeness +with which the offer was made, scarcely left her any choice. After a +moment's hesitation she bowed slightly and said: + +"I thank you. Pray let us lose no time, then." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Rojanow fastened the strap which held his gun a little more securely, +and turned at once into a narrow, half overgrown path, which lay +unquestionably in the direction of Fuerstenstein. + +Without further parley he assumed the role of guide, and the adventure +began to have charms for him. + +The stranger was certainly lovely enough to inspire him with zeal in her +service. The clear, delicate oval of her face, the high, smooth +forehead, with its heavy crown of blonde hair, the regular features, +were all in perfect harmony. The beauty of the countenance was +faultless, though cold and symmetrical, with an expression which +betokened energy of character and great strength of purpose. The girl +was at most only eighteen or nineteen years old, but oddly enough, she +possessed none of that indescribable attractiveness which seems the +natural accompaniment of girlhood, nothing of the hilarity and naivete +of youth. The great blue eyes gazed at you earnestly but coldly, and you +felt instinctively that the soul which looked out through them never +lost itself in girlish dreams of brave heroes and suppliant lovers. The +bearing and appearance was haughty and reserved, yet in form and gesture +she was gracefulness itself. + +Rojanow had time and leisure to notice all this as he directed her +course, sometimes behind her, sometimes in front, now holding back the +low, overhanging branches, and a second later warning her of some sudden +irregularity in the ground. The narrow forest footpath was anything but +a pleasant road for a ramble, and was an especially trying passage for +the woman. Her dress caught frequently on thorn and branch, and her long +gauze veil had to be loosened from more than one bramble, while her feet +sank, time and again, in the soft, moist, moss-covered earth. It could +not be helped, and yet Hartmut felt in his self assumed position as +guide, that he was not covering himself with as much glory as be could +have wished. + +"I regret extremely, Fraeulein, that you are obliged to take so +uncomfortable a path," he said politely. "I fear you will be exhausted, +but we are in the thickest part of the forest and have consequently no +choice." + +"I do not become exhausted so easily," was the answer. "I care little +about the disagreeable features of the way, if it will but lead me to +the goal." + +The remark had a somewhat unusual sound coming as it did from the mouth +of a young girl; Rojanow thought so, at any rate, and he gave a slight +mocking smile as he repeated: + +"If it lead to the goal! You are quite right, that is my idea too; but +ladies generally cherish other opinions. They prefer to be carried +quietly over all the rough places." + +"Not all! You err there; many women much prefer going alone, without +submitting to watch and ward, as though they were children." + +"Well, perhaps there are exceptions. I prize the accident which has +afforded me the opportunity of seeing so charming--" + +Hartmut, who was on the point of uttering a very florid compliment, +stopped suddenly, for the cold blue eyes met his with such a look of +surprise and hauteur that the words died on his lips. + +At this moment the lady's veil caught once more in the branch of an +overhanging thorn, which held it fast. She stopped, and her attentive +companion reached out his hand to free the delicate tissue, when she +suddenly tore it from her hat, with a quick motion, and left it +fluttering on the branch. + +Rojanow bit his lips in vexation; the adventure was not at all what he +had expected. He had thought to find this young woman a dependent, timid +creature, who would be very grateful and would turn to him for +protection, just like many another with whom he had come in contact in +his rovings; but this pale girl made it very clear to him by a glance, +that he was nothing but a guide and must conduct himself as such. Who, +and what was she? Still in her teens, and yet acting with all the +reserve and self-possession of a great lady, knowing full well how to +make herself unapproachable. He resolved to enlighten himself on this +matter. + +Now the narrow path ended and they stepped out into a small clearing in +the forest, with thick woods again to the left. It was not an easy thing +just here for a man who knew nothing of the region to decide which +direction to take. But Hartmut was not to be daunted, neither did he +intend to exhibit any irresolution, so with apparent security he went on +in the same direction they had followed from the beginning, and +fortunately enough soon struck into a broad wagon road which crossed +that part of the forest. Before long, thought Hartmut, they must surely +come to some place where they could obtain a view of the surrounding +country and get their bearings. + +The wider road enabled him to walk beside his companion, and he resolved +to enter upon a conversation which the many obstacles in their path had +made, until now, almost an impossibility. + +"I have hesitated about presuming to present myself to you, Fraeulein," +he began. "My name is Rojanow, and I am, for the time being, at Rodeck, +a guest of Prince Adelsberg, who, if you reside at Fuerstenstein, has the +advantage of being your neighbor." + +"No, I do not belong to Fuerstenstein. I am, also, only a guest," replied +the lady. The princely neighbor and name of her companion, appeared to +be alike matters of indifference to her; neither did she deem it +necessary to give her own name in return. She merely bowed slightly as +she spoke. + +"Ah, then you probably live in the capital, and are only here to enjoy a +few weeks of the fine autumn weather?" continued Rojanow. + +"Yes." + +The monosyllable had a very cold, reserved sound, but Hartmut was not +the man to be turned from his course by a rebuff. He was accustomed to +overcome all restraints and obstructions by the power of his +fascinations, and that one of the sex from which he had never received +anything but adulation, should refuse to succumb, was little less than +an insult. There lay a charm, too, in the thought that he would force +this lovely creature into conversation with him, notwithstanding her +reserve. + +"Are you pleased with Fuerstenstein?" he asked. "I have never been near +the castle, and have only seen it in the distance, but it seems to +overawe the whole region with its magnificence. A singular taste indeed +to find anything lovely in this landscape, and erect a palace here." + +"Evidently not your taste, at least." + +"I am not specially fond of uniformity, and here there is nothing but +sameness. Woods and woods, and nothing but woods--at times one is almost +driven to despair." + +There was a hidden rancour in these words, as if the poor German forest, +with its whispers and its winds was to blame for all the bitterness +which lay in the soul of this returned wanderer; it almost seemed as if +he must flee from them, for he could hardly endure the simple, earnest +song of olden times which fluttered down to him from the tall fir trees. +But his companion only heard the slighting tone. + +"Are you a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked. + +A black shadow crossed Hartmut's brow, and he hesitated for a moment +before he answered, coldly: + +"Yes, Fraeulein." + +"I thought as much from your name and appearance, and from the peculiar +opinions which you express, as well." + +"At any rate, they are unbiased and candid," answered Hartmut, nettled +by the reproof which lay in the last words. "I have been pretty much all +over the world, and am just back now from the Orient. To him who knows +the ocean with its radiant, transparent blue, or its terrible, deadly +storms, to one who has basked in the witcheries of the warmth and light +of the tropics, everything here seems cold and colorless; these eternal +green forests are, in fact, the only features of a German landscape." + +The compassionate shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded, +appeared to rouse his companion from her imperturbability. An expression +of displeasure crossed her face, and her voice had in it a tone of +resentment, as she answered: + +"That is altogether a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at +least Southern Europe very well; those sunny, glowing landscapes, with +their vivid colorings attract one in the beginning--that is true +enough--but soon, too soon, exhaust one. You lose all strength and +vitality; you can stagnate and dream, but you can never live and work. +But why discuss it? Naturally you know nothing of our great forests, or +our people either, I presume." + +Hartmut smiled with an unmistakable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking through this icy reserve. All his arts and blandishments had +been exercised in vain, but he now saw that the momentary resentment had +added the charm which was needed to her lovely, cold features, so he +determined to arouse her still further. + +If he felt aggrieved he would also find pleasure in exciting her. + +"That sounds like a reproof which I shall have to bear," he said +derisively. "Possibly I don't view the affairs of life as you do. I am +accustomed to use other scales of measurement for nature, and for +mortals as well. 'Live and work!' The whole question hinges upon the +definition of these words. I have lived, years at a time, in Paris, that +great central point of all civilization, where life ebbs and flows in a +thousand streams. He who has been wont to stem the tide in these great, +almost overwhelming waters, can nevermore find a place in the little +relations, in the narrow judgments and pedantries, in all this marasmus +which the noble Germans call life." + +The insulting expression which he laid upon the last words, obtained for +him his desire. His companion suddenly stood still and measured him from +head to foot, while a flash of anger shot from her cold blue eyes. She +seemed for the minute to have an angry answer at her tongue's end, but +she forced it back, and drawing herself up to her full height, said in a +tone of contempt and disdain: + +"You forget, sir, that you are speaking to a German--I now remind you +of that fact." + +Hartmut colored to the roots of his hair at this merited reproof given +to a stranger, a foreigner, as she supposed, who had forgotten himself. +What if this girl knew to whom she was talking, what if she ever learned +--a feeling of shame overcame him for the second, but he was a man of +the world and controlled himself once more. + +"I beg your pardon," he said, with a slight, half-mocking bow. "I was +under the impression that we were merely exchanging impersonal opinions. +I sincerely regret having annoyed you, Fraeulein." + +A scarcely perceptible movement of her head, and a slight shrug of the +shoulders showed him that he had no power to really annoy her. + +"I could certainly not think of influencing your judgments, but as our +ideas are so radically opposed, I think it would be better to drop the +conversation altogether." + +Rajanow showed no disposition to continue it. Now he knew for a surety +that the cold eyes could sparkle and blaze with anger, he had forced +them to do it, but the thing had ended otherwise than he had expected. +He gave the slight figure at his side a half-inimical glance, and then +his eyes lost themselves again in the dense green of the forest. + +There was something captivating after all about this forest loneliness +under the first light breath of autumn, a breath which touched the +leaves tenderly and laid such delicate tints upon them, brightening the +lovely landscape with its vivid reds and varied browns, with its +glimpses here and there of bright gold where the sunlight pierced the +woodland shade. The branches of the tall trees, centuries old, swayed +gently to and fro, and threw long, cool shadows across the occasional +open spaces, where the wild forest flowers rested on the breast of the +moss-covered earth. An occasional pool of water, lying silent and +placid, mirrored the clear, blue sky with its fleecy clouds, which +seemed to intermingle with the tall green branches, as both cast their +reflection in the water beneath. Only the soft rustling of the leaves, +and the hum of thousands of insects as they sang together a sweet, +dreamy forest song was to be heard. The very sunbeams seemed to echo +this melody as they followed closely the two wanderers, as if this man +and woman had come beneath their ban and would have some penalty to pay +for crossing their shining path so carelessly. Suddenly an unexpected +barrier stood in their way. From a thickly wooded elevation, a broad +mountain stream came rushing down, seeking its way between bushes and +rocks. Rojanow halted abruptly and cast a quick glance up and down, to +see if any means of crossing were to be found, but his eyes could +discover nothing, and turning to his companion, he said: + +"I fear we are in an unpleasant situation here. This stream barricades +our path completely. Usually it is no hard matter to cross it, for those +mossy stones make a good enough bridge, but yesterday's heavy rain has +misplaced them or covered them completely." + +The young lady had stopped, too, and was looking up and down the stream +also, for some crossing. + +"Could we not cross farther up?" she asked, indicating a certain spot +above them. + +"No, because the water is swifter and deeper in that direction. This is +the best place to get across. There is nothing to be done but to carry +you over, and that, with your permission, I will do." + +The offer was made most courteously, almost hesitatingly, but there was +a gleam of triumph in Hartmut's eye, notwithstanding his modest +demeanor. This time she must accept his assistance, even if she had +left the veil hanging in the thorns rather than do so. There was no +choice now, she must trust herself in his arms in order to reach the +opposite shore. He came up to her now as if he took her consent for +granted, but she drew back. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." Hartmut smiled with an irony which he made +no attempt to conceal. He was master of the situation now, and thought +to remain so. + +"Would you rather go around?" he asked. "It will take us more than an +hour and here we will be across in a minute or two. You need not doubt +the strength of my arms, and I am sure footed; it is not at all a +dangerous place to cross." + +"I agree with you," was the quiet answer, "and for that reason I will +essay to cross it alone." + +"Alone? That is impossible, Fraeulein." + +"To step through a forest brook? I do not consider that an especially +difficult achievement." + +"But the water is deeper than you believe. You will be wet through and +through, and besides--it is really impossible." + +"A wetting will do me no harm, for I do not take cold easily. Pray lead +the way and I will follow." + +That was clear enough and sounded so peremptory that further +remonstrance was impossible. Hartmut bowed without speaking, and stepped +at once into the water, his high hunting boots serving him good purpose. + +He was right enough, the water was deep and swift, and the stones were +so slippery that he found it difficult enough to set his foot firmly on +them. He had a slight sneer on his lips as he stepped upon the opposite +bank and turned to wait for the girl whom he was so anxious to protect, +but who rejected all his advances so proudly. Would she venture or would +the first step terrify her and force her to call him back? No, she had +gathered up her skirts and followed without hesitation, notwithstanding +the fact that her silk stockings and thin low shoes afforded no +protection whatever. She stepped slowly and carefully on the stones over +which he had just gone, until she came to the middle of the stream. +Here, while the strong man's foot had been able to find a safe resting +place, the woman's smaller one sought in vain for a secure support on +the slimy stones. Her high heels were as much in her way as her gown, +the edges of which were already thoroughly drenched. Her courage forsook +her for the moment, she made several false steps, then stood perfectly +quiet and cast an involuntary glance toward the opposite bank, where +Hartmut stood watching her in silence, resolved to raise no hand toward +her assistance until requested to do so. Perhaps she read this in his +eyes and it gave her back her strength. With a look of decision on her +face she gave up all further search for a secure stepping stone, and +planted her foot firmly on the pebbly bottom of the stream, and a second +later, thoroughly wet now, she clutched the low bough of a tree in +preference to Hartmut's outstretched hand, and drew herself up on the +further bank. Then turning with dripping garments, to her guide, said: + +"We will go on, if you please. We cannot be very far from Fuerstenstein." + +Hartmut gave no syllable of reply, but a feeling akin to hate rose +within him as he looked at this woman who preferred such great +discomfort rather than come into closer contact with him even for a +moment. + +This proud, spoiled man whose dazzling personality won all hearts, felt +the humiliation which had been forced upon him most keenly, and +execrated within himself the chance which had brought about this +meeting. + +They went on as rapidly as possible now, and Hartmut cast a glance, from +time to time, at the slender, silent figure with its heavy bedraggled +skirts, the drippings from which marked their course by a long line of +moisture. He kept an attentive eye on the woods on either side; this +dark forest road must come to an end some time. + +His course had been the right one after all, which at least was some +slight satisfaction to him. After a few minutes he came to an elevation +which afforded him a view of the region round about. Yonder, across a +sea of forest trees, rose the towers of Fuerstenstein, and at the foot of +the hill on which he stood a broad carriage road was plainly visible, +and this road, winding through a part of the forest, led directly to the +foot of the castle hill. + +"Yonder is Fuerstenstein," said he, as he turned and spoke to the young +girl for the first time since they had left the stream. "It is about +half an hour's walk from here, though." + +"O, that is nothing. I am grateful to you for guiding me so +successfully, but the way is very plain now, and I will trouble you no +longer." + +"I am subject to your orders," said Hartmut coldly. "If you desire to +dismiss your guide so summarily, he will no longer force himself upon +you." + +The lady felt the reproof implied in his words. After a man had spent a +couple of hours in her service, he did deserve something more than a +contemptuous dismissal, even though she had found it necessary to keep +him at a distance. + +"I have taken too much of your time already," she said, unbending a +little. "You have introduced yourself to me, Herr Rojanow, and I must, +in return, tell you my name before I say good morning--Adelheid von +Wallmoden." Hartmut drew a short breath, and a fleeting red colored his +face as he repeated, slowly: + +"Wallmoden!" + +"Are you familiar with the name?" + +"I have heard it, but not here, in--in North Germany." + +"Very probable; that is my husband's home, and mine, too." + +Rojanow's face showed extreme surprise as he heard this young girl, whom +he had taken as a matter of course, for unmarried, speak in so +matter-of-fact a tone about her husband, but he bowed, and said most +courteously: + +"I beg your pardon, my dear madame, for mistaking you for a girl, but I +could not know you were married. And I now know that I have never had +the honor of meeting your husband. The only one of the name with whom I +was ever familiar, was a gentleman now past middle life. He belonged to +the diplomatic service, and his name, if I do not mistake, was Herbert +von Wallmoden." + +"That is my husband, and he is at present ambassador to this country. He +will be looking anxiously for me now, so I must not linger a moment +longer. Again let me thank you, Herr Rojanow." And with a bow of adieu, +the lady hurried down the hill toward the carriage road. + +Hartmut stood looking after her, like one in a maze; heavy beads of +perspiration stood out on his forehead. So soon? He had scarcely set +foot on German soil, and here he was met at once by the old names and +all the painful memories which their mention entailed. + +Herbert von Wallmoden, Frau von Eschenhagen's brother, Willibald's +guardian and his own boyhood's friend. Rojanow felt a sharp cut like a +dagger thrust through his breast. He drew himself up and threw his +shoulders back, as though he would throw from him some overwhelming +burden, and the old bitter, mocking smile came to his lips again, as he +said, half aloud: + +"Uncle Wallmoden hasn't wasted any of his opportunities, that's evident. +His hair's gray by this time, but it hasn't prevented him winning a +lovely young wife. To be sure, an ambassador is a fine match, and it is +evident that Adelheid von Wallmoden was born to marry such a man. She +has all the aristocratic airs and manners which are the one thing +needful in the diplomatic circle. Doubtless he's had her well trained to +take her place in the diplomatic school. Well, he's fared well in this +world, there's no doubt of that." + +His eyes followed the young wife, who had just reached the foot of the +hill, and a deep scowl settled on his brow. + +"If I meet Wallmoden here, and perhaps I won't be able to avoid it, +he'll recognize me without a doubt. Then he'll tell her all about it, +and if she ever sees me again, and gives me one of her contemptuous +glances, I'll--" He stamped his foot on the ground with fury at the +thought, and then gave a bitter laugh. + +"Pah! What need I care? What does this pale, blue-eyed creature, with +her cold blood, know of freedom, of the throes of passion, of the storms +which come to some lives? Let her pronounce sentence on me. Why should I +shun a meeting? I will face her and bid her beware." + +And with a haughty movement of his head he turned his back on the +slender figure, and strode back again into the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +The betrothal festivities to which Baron von Wallmoden and his wife had +been bidden were carried out to the letter. Antonie von Schoenau plighted +her troth to her cousin, the heir of Burgsdorf. + +The young people had known their parents' plan for years, and were fully +agreed as to its accomplishment. Willibald subscribed like a dutiful +son, to his mother's opinion that she was the suitable person to choose +his life's companion for him, and he had waited patiently her pleasure +as to the time when his betrothal should become an accomplished fact; +the thought of having his little cousin Toni for a wife was very +pleasant to him. He had known her since childhood, and she suited him +exactly. She was a girl absolutely bereft of romance, and Willibald knew +she would make no sentimental demands upon him, to which he, with the +best will in the world, had not the temperament to respond. Toni, for +her part, possessed that good taste for which Frau Regine had given her +credit. Will pleased her very well, and the prospect of being mistress +of Burgsdorf pleased her still better--in short, everything was as it +should be. + +The newly betrothed pair were at the piano in the drawing-room, and Toni +was entertaining her lover with music, not voluntarily, however, but at +her father's request, for she herself considered music a wearisome and +superfluous accomplishment. But the head forester had insisted that his +daughter should show she was not educated in housewifery alone, but had +learned something at boarding-school as well. He was walking to and fro +on the terrace with his sister-in-law now; they had come there to listen +to the music, and discuss for the hundredth time the happiness and +prospects of their children. They had, as usual, soon drifted away from +pleasant topics and their contention was growing fiercer each moment. + +"I really don't know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, very red in the face. "You don't seem to comprehend the +impropriety of permitting such an intimacy. When I ask you who is the +school-girl friend of Toni's who is expected at Waldhofen, you answer me +coolly and complacently, that she is a singer who has been on the stage +of the Court theatre for some time. An actress, a theatrical star. One +of those wretched, frivolous creatures who--" + +"But, Regine, don't fly into such a passion," interrupted her host +angrily. "You speak as though the poor soul had lost her character just +because she went on the stage." + +"So she has, so she has!" Regine answered excitedly. "Who ever enters +that Sodom and Gomorrah goes down to the bottom at once and can never +rise again." + +"That's flattering to the Court theatre company, at least," said Schoenau +dryly. "But we go to see them just the same." + +"As spectators! That's quite a different thing, though, for my part, I'm +opposed to encouraging such people at all. Will goes to the theatre very +little, and never without me. But while I, in the performance of my duty +as a mother, have guarded him from any intercourse whatever with such +people, you permit his future wife to come within their poisonous +influence. It's enough to make the heavens cry out!" + +She had raised her voice almost to a shriek at the last, partly from +excitement, and partly to be heard by her brother-in-law, for the +musical production was noisy now, and sent forth loud, discordant sounds +through the open glass door. Toni had good strong wrists, and her touch +on the piano reminded one of the stroke of an axe on hard wood. Her +three listeners had strong nerves, but low speech was certainly an +impossibility. + +"Let me explain the matter to you," said the forester appeasingly. "I +have told you already that this was an exceptional case." + +"Marietta Volkmar is the grandchild of our good old doctor at Waldhofen. +His son died while still in the flower of youth. The young widow +followed her husband the very next year, and the poor little orphan came +to her grandfather. That was ten years ago, just after I had been +assigned to Fuerstenstein. Doctor Volkmar became our family physician, +and his grandchild the playfellow of my children. As the school in +Waldhofen was a miserable affair, I begged the doctor to permit his +little one to come here and share the childrens' instruction. Then while +Toni was at boarding-school for two years, Marietta was in the city +pursuing her musical education, and, as a matter of course, their daily +intercourse ceased. Marietta, however, has always visited us regularly +during her vacations, when she came home to her grandfather, and I do +not see why I should forbid her doing so as long as she remains +respectable and honest." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to this reasonable explanation without +unbending in the least. She now said spitefully: + +"Respectable and honest in a theatre! Every one knows well enough what +goes on in such iniquitous places; but you seem to take it as lightly as +does Dr. Volkmar, who for that matter looks honest and venerable enough +with his open face and long white hair. How he can send a soul +entrusted to his care, his own flesh and blood at that, on to certain +destruction, is beyond my comprehension." + +"Regine, I always thought you a most rational woman, but in this matter +you have no sense at all. The theatre and every one connected with it +has always been proscribed by you, and yet you know absolutely nothing +about it. It was no easy matter for the doctor to allow Marietta to go +on the stage. That I know, for we talked it over frequently. It is not +for us who sit in warm nests and can provide lavishly for our children, +to sit in judgment upon other parents who earn their daily food with +labor and bitter care. Volkmar, though seventy years of age, works day +and night, but his practice brings him in little, for this is a poor, +sparsely settled neighborhood, and after his death Marietta will have +nothing." + +"Then he should have made a teacher or a companion of her; that is a +decent way to earn one's bread." + +"God preserve me from bread so earned. No one knows how the poor thing +would be used and ill treated. If I had a child who was dearer to me +than life, whose fate it was to earn her own living, and I was told that +she would have a brilliant future, and put money in her purse if she +went on the stage, I would say 'go!' you may depend upon it." + +This avowal seemed to take the ground from under Regine's feet. She +stood for a moment gazing at him with frightened face. Then she said, +solemnly: + +"Moritz--it makes me shudder to hear you." + +"Well, if it gives you pleasure to shudder, don't stop on my account. +But when Marietta comes as usual to Fuerstenstein, I will not send her +back, neither shall I raise any objection if Toni goes to her at +Waldhofen. So we need say nothing more about it." + +Then Herr von Schoenau cried out to his daughter, who was still pounding +away, that the window-panes were rattling and the strings of the piano +would be ruined. He did not really care a particle how much noise she +made, neither did her aunt, who answered him now, promptly and sharply: + +"Well, there's one comfort at least, Toni will soon be married. Then +this friendship with the theatrical prodigy will be at an end. I give +you my word for it, that no such guests will be allowed within the walls +of Burgsdorf, and Willibald will not permit his young wife to keep up +any correspondence either." + +"That means that you will not permit it," sneered the head forester. +"There are no yeas or nays in poor Will's life, he is only the obedient +servant of his dear mother. It is really remarkable how you can keep the +fellow, a man grown and soon to be a husband, so cowed down and under +the lash." + +Frau von Eschenhagen threw her head back, more insulted than ever now. + +"I believe I understand my responsibilities better than you. Perhaps you +would like to reprove me for educating my son to honor and love his +parents?" + +"Ah, but there's a point where love leaves off and tyranny begins. You +have made Will quite stupid under your eternal tutelage. You couldn't +let him make his own offer of marriage even. The matter was an old story +to you, so you interfered as usual, without giving the poor boy a +chance. 'The affair is all arranged for you, children. Your parents have +settled it all for you. You are to marry one another. I give you my +blessing; now kiss one another, for you are betrothed.' That's the kind +of a stand you took. I, also, was taught to love and honor my parents, +but if they had attempted to woo my bride for me, they'd have heard me +sing another tune. And that boy of yours took it as quietly as possible; +I really believe he was rejoiced that he did not have to propose for +himself." + +The excitement of the two had by this time reached fever heat, and it +was a fortunate thing that the noise from the piano drowned all further +conversation. Fraeulein Antonie had great strength in her hands, and her +only idea of music was to make all the noise she could; one would have +thought a regiment of soldiers was storming a fort. Just now the noise +irritated her father, who wanted to hear himself speak. + +"Toni, Toni, don't break the new piano in two with your thumping," he +shouted crossly. "What is it you are playing, anyway?" + +Toni was working away bravely, notwithstanding the perspiration was +running down her face. Near her sat her lover on a little sofa, his eyes +shaded by his arm as he leaned back, his very soul steeped, as it were, +in the music. At her father's question the fair musician turned slowly +on her stool and answered in a half-sleepy tone: + +"That is the 'Janizary March,' papa. I thought it would please Will, as +he is a soldier, you know." + +"Yes; a dragoon by accident," muttered her father, as he stepped over to +his future son-in-law, who hardly seemed to appreciate the delicate +attentions of his fiancee. + +"Well Will, what do you say to all this fine music?--Will, don't you +hear me? I believe upon my life he's sound asleep." + +The young heir, aroused now by the scolding voices on all sides, rubbed +his eyes and looked at them with a dazed, drowsy air. + +"What--what is the matter? Yes, it was very beautiful, dear Toni." + +"Yes, to be sure it was," cried the head forester with an angry flash of +his eye. "You need never trouble yourself to play for him again, my +child. But come, let us leave this ardent lover to finish his nap in +peace. He has good strong nerves, I must say that for him." + +With these words the irate father gave Antonie his arm and led her from +the room. But Frau von Eschenhagen, already highly incensed, felt that +her son's inattention to his sweetheart was an additional insult, and +now turned upon poor Willibald in a fury. + +"Well, you have overstepped the limits of common decency, this time!" +she cried in a rage. "Your blessed father wasn't much of a carpet knight +in his day. He was engaged to me just twenty-four hours when he fell +asleep, too, while I played for him; but I waked him up after such a +fashion he never did it a second time I can assure you. Now go after +Toni this minute and say what you can to excuse yourself; she has reason +to be sorely vexed with you." + +Regine took him by the shoulder and pushed him out of the door, as she +ended her tirade. + +Will took all she said quietly enough, and went at once to make his +peace with his cousin. He felt really frightened over his ill-timed +slumber, but he had been tired, and the music wearied him greatly. + +So he was very contrite as he entered the room in which his cousin was +standing at the window. + +"Dearest Toni, do not be angry with me," he began, apologetically. "It +was so hot, and your beautiful music had something so soothing in it +that--" + +Toni turned to him. It was certainly the first time that the Janizary +March had ever been called a soothing composition; but the crushed, +penitent look of her lover, who stood like a sinner awaiting +condemnation, restored her to good humor, and she held out her hand to +him, as she said heartily: + +"No, I am not in the least angry with you, Will. I never cared about the +stupid music, myself. We'll find something more sensible than that to do +when we get to Burgsdorf." + +"Yes, that we will," answered Will, cordially, as he pressed the +outstretched hand warmly. He would never have thought of kissing it. +"You are so good, Toni." + +When Frau von Eschenhagen came upon the lovers a few minutes later, she +found them absorbed in the milk and cream question. The mode of +conducting a dairy in South Germany differed from that common in the +North. It was a subject of which Will never tired, and his mother felt +grateful in her heart for a daughter-in-law who had no uncomfortable +sensitiveness. + +A little later, Will found an opportunity to win complete forgiveness. +Toni was anxious to get the evening post as soon as it arrived. She +complained, also, that something which had been ordered for supper had +not been sent from Waldhofen, and that a message which had been +entrusted to a groom, had not, she feared, been properly delivered. So +Willibald offered to go at once, and set all these vexatious trifles to +rights, and his offer was graciously accepted. + +Waldhofen was a place of great importance to the mountaineers, though in +itself it was but a small town. It was about thirty minutes' walk from +Fuerstenstein, and was an important centre for all the little villages +and hamlets scattered through the forest. + +There was seldom a soul to be seen on the streets during the afternoon +hours, and it seemed a deserted, desolate place to Herr von Eschenhagen, +as he crossed the dreary market-place on his way from the post-office. + +He had attended to the other errands first, and delivered the message, +which concerned the sending of a chest to Fuerstenstein. As the streets +were of no interest to him, he turned now into a side road, where there +were neat little houses, with fresh, green little lawns in front. The +road was uneven and muddy after yesterday's heavy rain, but Willibald +was a countryman himself, and paid no heed to bad roads, so he walked on +now without a murmur. + +He was in a very contented frame of mind, both as regarded himself and +the world at large. Here he was, a strong, healthy young man, with a +generous share of this world's goods, and the pleasurable thought that +he was engaged to be married to a girl who suited him, and who would, he +knew, make him a good wife. + +A heavy, lumbering carriage came up the narrow, uneven road, along which +he was trudging. There was a large trunk strapped on the back, and +various bundles and boxes covered the seats within. Willibald wondered +to himself why any one had chosen such a miserable little lane, which +the recent rains had made totally unfit for vehicles, instead of taking +the wide, decently paved street. The coachman seemed to be in anything +but a happy frame of mind. He turned now in his seat, and said to the +traveler, of whom Willibald had not caught a glimpse: + +"Now really Fraeulein, we can go no farther. I told you before that we +couldn't get through here, and now you see for yourself how the wheels +stick in the mud--its a pretty piece of business." + +"It is not very far," sounded a clear young voice from the depths of the +carriage. "Only a few hundred steps, farther. So please go on no matter +how slowly." + +"What can't be done, can't be done!" announced the driver in a +philosophic tone. "I cannot go forward through this mire, and I won't. +We must turn back." + +"I will not ride through the town." The clear voice had a decided, +defiant tone this time. "If you won't go through this lane, stop, and +I'll get out here." + +The driver stopped at once, clambered down from his seat and opened the +heavy door, and a second later a slender girl jumped from the carriage; +jumped skillfully, too, for she landed on a dry place without coming in +contact with the mud and mire which surrounded her on all sides. Then +she took a view of her surroundings. But just before her the road had an +abrupt turn, so she could not see very far. + +The young lady was evidently annoyed to find herself farther from her +destination than she had supposed. Then her glance fell on Herr von +Eschenhagen, who, coming from the other direction, had just reached the +bend in the road. + +"I beg pardon, sir, but is the road passable?" + +He did not answer at once for he was dumb with admiration at the +wonderful and graceful leap which she had just made. She had gone +through the air like a feather, and landed on the only dry spot on the +whole road. + +"Don't you hear me?" she repeated, impatiently. "Do you know whether the +road is passable or not?" + +"I--I am on the road now," he answered, rather staggered by the sharp, +dictatorial tone. + +"I can see that for myself. But I have no high boots like you. What I +want to know is whether the road is as muddy as this all the way or not? +Are there any dry places? Great heavens! can't you answer?" + +"I--I believe you will find it dry after you get past this bend here." + +"Very well, then, I will venture. So you can turn back, driver, and +leave my luggage at the post-office opposite the market-place, and I'll +send for it. Wait. Hand me down that black satchel, and I'll take it +with me." + +"But it's too heavy for you to carry, Fraeulein, and I can't leave my +horses to take it for you," objected the coachman. + +"Well, then, give it to that gentleman yonder. It's not very far to our +garden gate. Will you please take that black leather satchel, sir--the +one on the back seat with the heavy straps. Can't you hurry?" + +The little foot stamped impatiently on the ground, for the master of +Burgsdorf stood and stared at her with open mouth. It was something new +to him to be commanded and disposed of in this way by a young woman; but +at the last imperious words he came bashfully forward and took the +satchel from the driver's hand. The young lady evidently thought it the +most natural thing in the world to ask his assistance. + +"There," she said, shortly. "Now, driver, go back to the post-office, +and I'll pick my way through the Waldhofen mud." + +She gathered her gray traveling cloak and frock around her and stepped +along quickly, picking her way carefully as she went, and keeping as +close as possible to the low hedge which bordered the road, while +Willibald, of whom she took no notice, trotted on behind with her +belongings. He thought he had never seen anything half so lovely as this +graceful, slender creature, who scarcely reached up to his shoulder, and +he feasted his eyes on the little figure as he followed after. + +There was something more than ordinarily gracious and pleasing in the +young girl's movements, and in her whole appearance, and she carried her +little head with its mass of curly dark hair which no hat could keep +concealed, with a jaunty air. Her features were irregular, but they +wore an expression of saucy defiance, which with her large, dark eyes +and rosy mouth, and the little dimple in the chin, made up for all +imperfections of contour. The gray traveling costume, while simple in +the extreme, was well and tastefully made, and told that its fair wearer +was of another world than that of Waldhofen. + +The road, after they had rounded the bend, was, as Willibald said, much +drier, though they still had to keep close to the low, hedge-hidden +wall, and take very careful steps to avoid the wet, muddy hollows. There +was no conversation between the two. Will would never have thought of +speaking, so he trudged on patiently, while his guide hurried forward as +rapidly as the way would permit, and apparently never troubling herself +about the meek burden-bearer in the rear. + +In about ten minutes they reached a low garden gate at which the girl +stopped abruptly. She leaned over, and pulling out a little wooden bar, +opened it. Then she turned to her escort, if such he could be called, +and said: + +"I thank you, sir. Please give me my satchel now." + +The satchel, in spite of its small size, was much too heavy for her +little hands to hold. Willibald was, for the first time in his life, +seized with a knightly impulse, and declared the satchel was much too +heavy for her, and that he would carry it to the house for her. She +accepted his courtesy with a careless nod of approval, and turning +hastily, went through the small, well-kept garden to the back door of +the little old-fashioned house, on which the long afternoon shadows were +lingering. Now for the first time, the new-comer was seen from within, +and an elderly woman started out from the little kitchen, crying: + +"Fraeulein! Fraeulein Marietta, you have come to-day. Ah, what joy, what--" + +Marietta flew toward her and put her hand over her mouth. + +"Hush! hush! Babette. Speak softly, I want to surprise grandpapa. Is he +at home?" + +"Yes, the Herr Doctor is at home and is in his study. Will you go right +in, Fraeulein?" + +"No, I'll go into the front room and play a soft accompaniment, and sing +him his favorite song! Be careful, Babette, he must not hear us." + +She went in on tiptoe, as noiselessly as an elf, across the old hall, +and softly opened the door of a little, low-ceilinged corner room; +Babette, who, overcome by joy and surprise, had not noticed the stranger +standing in the shadow, followed her dear Fraeulein. The door was left +open, and Willibald could hear a cover laid back cautiously and a chair +pushed gently in place. Then she began a low prelude. The sounds which +the old worn out spinet gave forth were tremulous and thin, and made one +think of an ancient harp; but the maiden's voice recalled the lark's +song of rejoicing. + +The singing was not long continued, for a door opposite was opened +hastily, and an old man with white hair appeared upon the threshold. + +"Marietta! my Marietta, is it really you?" + +"Grandpapa!" cried the young girl exultantly, as she ceased her song and +rushed forward to throw herself in the old man's arms. + +"You bad child. Why did you frighten me so?" he said, tenderly. "I did +not expect you until day after to-morrow, and intended going to the +railway station to meet you. When I heard your voice so suddenly just +now, I believed my ears had deceived me." + +The girl laughed out gaily like an excited child. + +"Ah, I have succeeded in surprising you, grandpapa, haven't I? I came up +the back road, but the wheels stuck so in the mud that I had to get out +and walk part of the way. I came in through the garden and by the back +door--well, Babette, what is it?" + +"Fraeulein, the carrier is still waiting with the satchel," Babette had +just discovered that a stranger was on the premises. "Shall I give him +money for a drink and let him go?" + +The young man, thus designated as the carrier, still stood, satchel in +hand, awaiting Marietta's pleasure. Dr. Volkmar turned at once, and +recognizing who it was, cried in a frightened tone: + +"Good heavens--Herr von Eschenhagen!" + +"Do you know the gentleman?" asked Marietta, without any especial +interest or surprise, for her grandfather, being the only physician in +the region, of course knew every one. + +"To be sure I know him. Babette, take the valise at once. I beg your +pardon, sir. I did not know that you were acquainted with my +granddaughter." + +"Why, we never saw each other before to-day," explained Marietta. "But, +grandpapa, will you not introduce me to this gentleman?" + +"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf--" + +"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta delighted. "O, how comical that +we should meet each other for the first time in the mud. If I had known +who it was I would not have treated you so cavalierly, Herr von +Eschenhagen. I let you walk behind me as though you were a veritable +porter. But why didn't you speak?" + +Willibald didn't speak now, but looked stupidly at the little hand +which was extended to him. He felt he must do or say something, and as +it was an impossibility for him to speak, he grasped the little hand in +his great, brawny palm and pressed and shook it vigorously. + +"Oh!" cried Marietta as she drew back hastily. "You have a terrible +grip, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my finger." + +Willibald, glowing from embarrassment and mortification, was about to +stammer an apology, when the doctor came to his rescue by inviting him +to come in. This invitation he accepted without speaking, and followed +his host into the house. Marietta took the principal part in the +conversation. She gave a very amusing account of her meeting with +Willibald. Now that she knew he was her dear Toni's lover, she treated +him with all the familiarity and freedom of an old friend. She asked +question after question about Toni and the head forester, and her tongue +went on without rest or intermission. + +To the young man who sat so silent and listened so eagerly, the girl's +pleasant, bird-like chatter was quite bewildering. He had met the doctor +on the previous day at Fuerstenstein and had heard some talk of a certain +Marietta who was a friend of his fiancee. Who or what she was, or from +whence she came, he did not know, for Toni had not been very +communicative on that occasion. + +"And to think of this excited child leaving you standing at the back +door, while she came in to play and sing to decoy me from my study," +said Dr. Volkmar shaking his head. "That was very impolite, Marietta, +very impolite indeed." + +The young girl laughed merrily, and shook her short, curly hair. + +"O, Herr von Eschenhagen has not taken it amiss. But as he only heard a +bar or two of your favorite song, I think the least I can do is to sing +it all for him now." + +And without waiting for an answer, she seated herself at the piano, and +again the clear, silvery voice with its bird-like notes, broke forth on +the evening air. She sang an old, simple ballad, but with such +expression, such pathos and sweetness, that a bright spring sunlight +seemed to enter and flood the little rooms of the old house. But no +sunshine was half so bright as the joy which lit up the face of the old +white-headed man, upon whose forehead lay the shadows of years and +sorrow, and on whose cheeks care had pressed deep furrows. With a +half-pathetic, happy smile he listened to the old familiar melody, which +spoke to his heart like a voice from his own lost youth. + +But he was not the only attentive listener. The master of Burgsdorf, who +had fallen asleep amid the thunders of a military march, and who had +felt himself entirely in accord with Tom when she declared music to be +stupid, listened almost breathlessly to the enchanting strains. Such +music was a revelation to him. He sat, leaning forward in his chair, as +if fearful of losing a single note, with his eyes fastened upon the +pretty maiden, who, singing with all her soul, moved her little head +backward and forward with a graceful movement as she warbled forth her +sweet song. When it was ended Willibald leaned back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, and drew his hand across his eyes. + +"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar tenderly, as he rose and +leaned over his grandchild and kissed her forehead. + +"Well, grandpapa," she said teasingly, "has my voice lost anything +within the last few months? But I fear it does not please Herr von +Eschenhagen. He has no word of commendation for me." + +She turned to Willibald with the assumed sulky look of a spoiled child. +He rose now and came over to her. + +A slight flush diffused his face, and in his eyes, usually so +expressionless, shone a new light. + +"Oh, it was very beautiful!" + +The young singer might be forgiven for having expected something more +then these few embarrassed words; but she felt the deep, honest +admiration which they conveyed, and understood at once that her song had +deeply impressed the taciturn stranger. She smiled pleasantly as she +replied: + +"Yes, it is a sweet song. I have scored more than one triumph singing it +as an encore." + +"As an encore?" repeated Will, with no idea of what she meant. + +"Yes, at the theatre, which I have just left to visit grandpapa. I was +such a success, grandpapa, and the director wanted me to give up all my +vacation, but I had surrendered so much of it already to suit him that I +declared I would have these few weeks with you." + +Willibald listened to all this with increasing astonishment. Theatre, +vacation, director, what did it all mean? The doctor noticed his +astonishment. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know what you are, my child," he said +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for an opera singer." + +"How soberly you say it, grandpapa," cried Marietta, springing up and +drawing her little slender figure to its full height, as she said, with +an assumption of great dignity: + +"For the past five months a member of the renowned and worshipful Ducal +Court theatre, a person in a responsible position and worthy of all +honor. Hats off, gentlemen!" + +A member of the Court theatre company! Willibald drew himself together, +as it were, when he heard the fatal words. The well trained son of his +mother, he had a great abhorrence for all actors and actresses. He +stepped unwittingly, three steps back, and stared in amazement at the +young lady who had just made so startling and so frightful an +announcement. She laughed out loud as he did so. + +"Oh, you need not manifest so much respect for me, Herr von Eschenhagen, +I will permit you to stand by the piano. Has Toni never told you that I +belong to the theatre?" + +"Toni? No!" stammered Willibald, greatly disconcerted. "But she is +waiting for me. I must go to Fuerstenstein. I have stayed here much too +long already." + +"How extremely polite," laughed the girl, with a good-natured sneer. "It +is not very polite to us, but where your bride is, there should you be +also." + +"Yes, and with my mother, too," said Will, who had a feeling that +something dreadful was threatening him, and to whom his mother seemed a +protecting angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have been here much too long +already." + +He stopped abruptly, remembering that he had said these words once +before, but as none better offered themselves to his disturbed brain he +repeated them for the third time. + +Marietta was half dead from suppressed laughter. Dr. Volkmar declared, +most courteously, that he would not think of detaining his guest a +second longer, and begged him to give his compliments to the head +forester and to Fraeulein von Schoenau. + +The young man scarcely heard him; he reached for his hat, muttering some +word of farewell, and was off without delay. He had but one thought, +and that was to get away as quickly as possible. The good-natured, +scarcely restrained laughter confused him greatly. + +When the doctor returned, after having accompanied Willibald to the +door, he found his grandchild half suffocated with laughter, while the +tears were rolling down her cheeks. + +"I don't believe that lover of Toni's is quite right here," she said, as +she tapped her forehead with her finger. "First, he carried my satchel +and was as dumb as a fish; then he thawed out a little when I sang, and +now he is off on a run to Fuerstenstein and his mother, before I have a +chance even to send Toni a message" + +The doctor smiled, but it was a pained smile. He had observed this +stranger more closely than Marietta, and knew only too well what caused +the sudden and great anxiety to get away from the house. + +"Evidently the young man is not much accustomed to ladies' society," he +answered evasively; "he's under his mother's thumb apparently, but he +seems to please his sweetheart, and that's the main thing." + +"He's a handsome man," mused Marietta, "a very handsome man. But, +grandpapa, I believe he's also a very stupid one." + +Willibald in the meantime had gone, almost on a run, to the nearest +street corner, and there he halted and tried to overcome his +bewilderment and collect his thoughts. It was some time before he +started slowly on his homeward way, and while standing dazed and stupid +in the little country road, he threw more than one glance back at the +doctor's house. + +What would his mother say? She, who all her life had spurned the +play-actor as she would a reptile. And she was right, Will saw that +clearly; there was a sorcery about such people against which one needed +protection. + +But if this Marietta Volkmar should see fit to go to Fuerstenstein to +visit her girlhood's friend! The young heir was horrified at the +thought, and assured himself that he was horrified, but there was a new +light in his eyes all the while. He saw suddenly, in his mind's eye, the +reception room at Fuerstenstein, and the piano at which his betrothed had +sat so long that day, but in her place was a dainty little figure, with +a perfect glory of curly brown hair around her head; and the heavy notes +of the "Janizary March" changed into the soft, pleading tones of the +old-time ballad, and in the midst of it all, broke out the clear, +bubbling laugh which sounded like music, too. + +And all this sweetness was lost forever, both in this world and in the +next, because it had been seen and heard on the stage. Frau von +Eschenhagen had often expressed her views on that subject, and her son, +a good, obedient son always, looked upon her as an oracle. But now he +heaved a deep sigh, as he said half aloud: + +"What a shame! What a lamentable shame!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The little mountain of Hochberg rose about half way between Fuerstenstein +and Rodeck. It was celebrated, and justly, for the fine and extensive +view which could be obtained from its highest point. An ancient stone +tower, all that now remained of a castle long since fallen into decay, +stood upon the extreme summit. + +A few peasants, more zealous than their neighbors, had built a little +inn or house of rest and refreshment at its base. They made a pretense +of keeping the mountain roads in order, and demanded a fair toll from +the stray tourist who came to climb the winding tower stairs. + +Strangers came but seldom, however, into this wild, unknown mountain +region. In the autumn especially, visitors were few and far between. +This bright, warm September day had, however, proved seductive. Two +gentlemen on horseback, attended by a groom, had dismounted at the door +and gone up into the little tower, and they had been followed, a half +hour later, by some guests from the neighborhood, who had driven up the +mountain-side in a light carriage. + +The gentlemen were now standing on a little stone platform of the tower, +and one of them was talking eagerly and excitedly as he called his +companion's attention to certain newly-discovered beauties in the +landscape. "Yes, our Hochberg is celebrated, there's no doubt of that," +he said finally. "I felt I must show it to you, Hartmut. Do you not +think the view across this far green ocean of forest is unparalleled?" + +Hartmut did not answer. He seemed to be searching for some particular +place through his field glass. + +"In which direction does Fuerstenstein lie? Ah, I see, over yonder. It +seems to be an immense old building." + +"Yes, the castle is well worth seeing," said Prince Adelsberg. "You were +quite right, though, day before yesterday, to refuse to accompany me +there. The visit worried me to death." + +"Indeed! You spoke very enthusiastically of the head forester to me." + +"Yes, I always enjoy a chat with him, but he had gone driving, worse +luck, and only returned just as I was leaving. His son is not at +Fuerstenstein either, he's at college studying forestry, and so I was +entertained by the daughter of the house, Fraeulein Antonie von Schoenau. +I had a weary hour, I can assure you. A word every five minutes, and a +minute getting that one out. She's a fine housewife, I fancy, with no +brains for anything beyond. It was up hill work talking to her, and no +mistake; then I had the honor of meeting her lover. A genuine, +unsophisticated country squire, with a very energetic mother, who +evidently has both him and her future daughter-in-law well under her +control. Oh, we had a highly intellectual conversation, which ended in +their asking my advice about the culture of turnips--I'm so well up in +turnips, you know. Just then, happily, the head forester and his +brother-in-law, Baron Wallmoden, returned." + +Rojanow still held the field glass to his eyes, and was seemingly +indifferent to his friend's gossip. Now he said in a questioning tone, +"Wallmoden?" + +"The new Prussian ambassador to our court. A genuine diplomatist, too, +if I may judge from appearances; aristocratic, cold, dignified and +reserved to the last degree, but good form, very good form. His wife, +the baroness, was not visible, but I bore her absence with resignation, +for he's a white-haired elderly man, and I doubt not his wife's of the +same stripe." + +Hartmut's lip curled as he took the glass down from his eyes. He had not +mentioned his meeting with Frau von Wallmoden. Why not forget the very +name as soon as possible? + +"Our romantic loneliness will soon end, Herr von Schoenau tells me," +continued Egon. "The whole court is coming to Fuerstenstein for the +hunting season, and I can count on a visit from the duke. He'll come +over to Rodeck as soon as he arrives. I'm not overjoyed, I can tell you, +for my respected uncle will preach at me about my morals in a way poor +Stadinger never thought of doing, and I'll have to stand it, too. At any +rate Hartmut, I can take this opportunity to present you." + +"If you think it necessary, and the etiquette of the court permits." + +"Bah! The etiquette won't be so strictly observed here, and besides the +Rojanows belong to one of the Bojarin families of your country." + +"Certainly." + +"Well then, there's nothing to prevent your being presented. I am very +anxious to have the duke meet you, then I'll tell him about your +'Arivana,' and as soon as he hears your play, he'll have it put on the +court stage. I've no question of it." + +The words conveyed the deep, almost passionate admiration which the +prince had for his friend. The latter only shrugged his shoulders as he +replied carelessly: + +"That is possible, if you intercede for me, but I do not want to owe my +success to any man's efforts in my behalf. I am no poet of repute; I +scarcely know whether I am a poet at all or not, and if my work cannot +make its own way I shall not force it on the world." + +"You'll be obstinate enough to let a fine opportunity slip, that's like +you. Have you no ambition?" + +"Only too much, I fear; perhaps that's the origin of what you call my +obstinacy. I have never been able to subordinate myself and conform to +the rules of every day life, and as to the restrictions and trammels of +your German courts, I could not adjust myself to them." + +"Who told you you would have to adjust yourself to them?" questioned +Egon laughingly. "You will be flattered and spoiled there, as everywhere +else, for you will appear in the heavens like a meteor and no one ever +requires stars of that nature to follow a prescribed orbit. Moreover +you will be both a guest and a foreigner; and as such will occupy an +exceptional position. When in addition to that, the poet's halo shines +round your head--" + +"You will have found means to bind me to your country, you think?" +interjected Hartmut. + +"Well yes, I certainly have not supposed that I, myself, possessed the +power to attach to us permanently so wild and restless a spirit. But the +rising fame of a poet is a bond which is not so easily broken. This very +morning I took an oath to keep you here at any cost." + +Rojanow gave him a surprised, searching look. "Why this morning?" + +"Ah, that's my secret," said Egon mischievously. "But here comes some +one to join us. I hear steps on the stairs." + +Yes, there were steps coming up the old stone stairway, and a second +later the bearded face of the old watchman peered out at the men on the +platform. + +"Please be careful, my lady," he was saying. "The last few steps are +very steep; now here we are on the platform." He held out his hand to +assist the lady, who was following him closely, but she paid no heed to +his offer and stepped lightly out on the little stone balcony. + +"What a lovely girl," whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend; but +Hartmut, instead of answering, was making a deep and formal bow to the +lady, who could not conceal a look of surprise when she saw him. + +"Ah, Herr Rojanow, you here?" + +"I am admiring the fine views from Hochberg of which you, madame, have +heard also, apparently." + +The prince's face bore a surprised look when he heard Hartmut address +this lovely girl as madame, and saw that she knew him. He came forward +immediately, in order that he might share his friend's acquaintance, so +Hartmut was constrained to introduce Prince Adelsberg to the Baroness +von Wallmoden; he made a passing allusion to the meeting in the wood, +for the young wife was wrapped in her mantle of icy indifference. It was +scarcely necessary to-day, for Rojanow was as fully determined as she, +to consider their acquaintance as of the slightest. + +Egon cast a reproving glance toward his friend, for he could not +comprehend how any one could keep silence about such a happy accident as +that of piloting so lovely a woman through the wood. He entered at once, +and with animation, into a conversation with the baroness. He spoke of +himself as a neighbor, and of his recent visit to Fuerstenstein, and his +regret, great regret, at not meeting her on that occasion. But with all +his chatter, the prince kept himself well within bounds, and was the +polite and agreeable courtier. He knew full well that the wife of the +Prussian ambassador, no matter how young and beautiful, was not to be +approached with vapid, idle compliments. Hartmut had made that error in +addressing the unknown girl in the wood, but Egon had the advantage of +knowing to whom he spoke, and succeeded at last in thawing the beautiful +baroness by his gracious, suave manner. Finally he showed her the +landscape, and pointed out and explained the especial objects of +interest. + +Hartmut did not enter into the conversation at all, but after handing +the field glass to his friend, excused himself on the plea of searching +for a lost pocket-book. The watchman of the tower volunteered to go in +search of it for him, but Rojanow declared he would go and look for it +himself. He remembered the exact place, where, as he mounted the stairs, +he had heard something drop, but had paid no attention to it at the +time. He would go and find it, and then return to the platform. And +with a bow he left them. + +Egon, under other circumstances, would have expressed his surprise that +Hartmut did not accept the old watchman's offer, instead of going +himself. But now he saw his friend depart without protest; he was not +unwilling to have the field to himself. The baroness had already raised +the glass to her eyes, and was following attentively his explanations +and comments on the surrounding country. + +"And over yonder, behind that mountain of forest, lies Rodeck," he said +at last. "The little hunting lodge where we two misanthropes live like +hermits, cut off from all the world beside, save the apes and parrots +which we brought from the East, and they, by the way, are growing very +melancholy in their new home." + +"One would never take your highness for a misanthrope," said Frau von +Wallmoden with a fleeting smile. + +"I confess I haven't much taste for it, myself, but once in a while +Hartmut has a touch of the disease, and it is for his sake that I have +buried myself in this solitude." + +"Hartmut? That is a Hungarian name! It's very surprising that Herr +Rojanow speaks such pure German without the slightest accent. And yet he +told me he was a foreigner." + +"Yes, he is from Roumania, but he was educated, partially at least, by +kinsfolk in Germany, from whom he also got his Christian name." The +young prince explained so unconcernedly that it was evident he knew as +little about his friend's family as did his listener. + +"You seem to be very partial to him." There was a slighting tone in her +voice. + +"Yes, I am indeed," exclaimed Egon, roused in an instant. "And not I, +alone. Hartmut has one of those attractive, genial natures, which wins +upon all who know him. But the stranger who does not see him +unrestrained and at his best, can form no judgment of what he is. Then a +flame of fire bursts from his soul, and touches all those with whom he +comes in contact. He exercises a charm which none can resist, and where +he leads all must follow." + +This glowing eulogy was listened to with cool indifference by the young +woman, whose whole attention seemed to be centered in the landscape, as +she answered: + +"You are right, doubtless. Herr Rojanow's eyes indicate an unusually +fiery temperament, but their expression is uncanny and surely not +sympathetic." + +"Perhaps because they have that peculiar and demoniacal expression which +is always the indication of genius. Hartmut has great talent; he +sometimes frightens me with it, and yet it attracts me irresistibly. I +really do not know how I could live without him, now. I shall do +everything in my power to make him remain with me." + +"In Germany? Your highness sets yourself a hard task. Herr Rojanow has a +very contemptuous opinion of our country, I can assure you. He expressed +himself most forcibly to that effect, the other day in the wood." + +The prince listened attentively. These words explained to him what he +had at first thought so singular; why Hartmut had not mentioned to him +the meeting with the baroness. He smiled as he said: "Ah, that's why he +never mentioned meeting you to me. You probably showed him you did not +approve of his candid avowal concerning Germany; you served him just +right, for there's no sense in his lying so persistently. He has often +angered me with his harangues against my country, all of which I thought +he meant, at the time, but now I know better." + +"You do not believe, then?" Adelheid turned suddenly and faced the +speaker. + +"No, I have the proof of it in my hand. He fairly revels in our German +scenery. Your ladyship looks at me incredulously; may I tell you a +secret?" + +"Well?" + +"I went to Hartmut's room, this morning, to look for him," began the +prince, "and he was not there; but I found on his desk what was better +than finding him--a poem which he had evidently forgotten to lock up, +for he never intended it for my eyes, that's certain. No pricks of +conscience prevented my stealing it, and I have it with me this minute. +If you would care to glance at it--" + +"I do not understand the Roumanian tongue," responded Frau von +Wallmoden, with a slight sneer; "and I imagine Herr Rojanow has not +condescended to write in German." + +For answer Egon drew a paper from his pocket, and unfolded it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend, I see, but I do not want to leave him in +the false light in which he has placed himself in your eyes. May I not +read this to you, and let his own words be his justification?" + +"If you desire." + +The words were spoken indifferently, but Adelheid's eyes sought the +paper with an expression of keen interest. A few verses, written in a +careless, hasty hand, covered the white page. Egon began to read. They +were indeed German verses, but in them was a pureness and euphony which +told that they could only have been written by a master of that tongue, +and the description which they gave was one well known to both +listeners. Deep, sad, woodland loneliness, pervaded by the first breath +of autumn; endless green depths which swayed and beckoned with their +gloomy shadows; fragrant meadows flooded with the golden sunlight; +silent stretches of water in the far distance, and the noisy murmur of +the mountain brook, as it rushed down from some nearer height. This +picture had life and speech in it, too, and had its echoes of an +old-time woodland song; the rustle and whisper of the swaying branches +sounded to the ear like a soft, low melody, and above all and through +all, was the deep, pent-up longing for that peace which was the +background of the whole scene. + +The prince had begun with fervor, and entering into the spirit of the +poem, read clearly and intelligently. As he finished, he turned to the +baroness with a triumphant, "What do you say to that?" + +Frau von Wallmoden had not lost a word; she had not looked at the +reader, though, but had gazed across the distant hills. Now, at the +prince's question, she turned slowly. "Is this the language of one who +despises our country?" he continued, confident he had the best of the +argument. And as he looked closely at her, while demanding justice for +his friend, he realized for the first time, just how lovely this Frau +von Wallmoden was. The rosy tints of the setting sun softened the look +in the lovely eyes, and added beauty to the tender oval of her face; but +there was no softness in the cold, deliberate answer: "It is really +quite surprising that a foreigner should understand our language so +well." + +Egon stared at her. Was this all she had to say? He had expected +something quite different. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" +he asked. + +"Very full of sentiment. Herr Rojanow seems to possess a great deal of +poetical talent. Many thanks for your field glass, and now I must go +down to my husband. I fear he is tired already, waiting for me." + +Egon folded his paper without a word and returned it to his pocket. He +had been very enthusiastic over his friend's production, and this young +woman, colder and more frozen than ever now, chilled him to the bone. + +"I have had the honor of meeting his excellency, and will accompany you +down, with your permission," he said, courteously. + +She gave a slight bow of acknowledgment and left the platform, followed +by the Prince, who had grown suddenly very taciturn. He felt annoyed on +his friend's account, and regretted now that he had read, what to him +seemed such a wonderful poem, to a woman who evidently knew nothing +whatever of poesy. + +Hartmut had, in the meantime, after leaving the platform, descended the +winding stairs slowly. The lost purse was a mere subterfuge, for it lay +in its accustomed place in an inner pocket. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden had mentioned to the prince, soon after she +joined them on the platform, that her husband was awaiting her in the +little inn, but that he had not cared to climb the steep, dark stairs. +Hartmut knew he could not avoid a meeting, but he would at least brave +it without witnesses. + +If Wallmoden saw his old friend's son and recognized him, he might not +be able, for the moment, to master his surprise. + +Hartmut did not fear this meeting, though he knew it would be both +painful and uncomfortable. There was but one in the whole world whom he +feared; but one pair of eyes under whose gaze he would lack courage to +lift his own, and in all probability he would never meet that one. + +He could face all others with a proud defiance; he had but exercised his +right in abandoning a hated career. He was decided that there should be +no questioning or reproving; if he were recognized, he should request +the ambassador in a most decided manner, to make no reference whatever +to a past with which he was done forever. + +Upon the little veranda of the summer inn, Herbert von Wallmoden sat +with his sister. The impending arrival of the duke and his court for the +autumn hunting had detained the head forester at home, where he was in +great demand. The betrothed pair stayed at Fuerstenstein, also, and as +nothing better offered itself for the day, the three guests decided to +come to Hochberg. + +The view was especially fine this afternoon and the air was like summer. +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, as +her eyes went searchingly over the landscape. "But we have nearly as +good a view here as up above. I certainly will never climb up those dark +stairs, and lose my breath to see any more. No, I thank you." + +"Adelheid was of a different opinion," responded her brother, as he gave +a fleeting glance up the tower. "She suffers neither from fatigue nor +heat." + +"Or cold either. That was proven the day she was drenched to the skin. +She hasn't even a sniffle from it." + +"I have requested her to take a servant with her in future when she goes +upon her rambles," said Herbert quietly. "To be lost in the forest and +have to wade through a brook and then finally be forced to call to her +aid a stray huntsman, are things that I do not care to have repeated. +Adelheid saw that as clearly as I, and will not go unattended for the +future." + +"Ah, she's an excellent, sensible wife, a healthy nature through and +through, with a proper aversion for adventure and romance," said Regine +warmly. "Ah, there are other visitors on the tower. I thought we would +be the only guests to-day." + +Wallmoden glanced indifferently toward the tall, aristocratic young man +who had just emerged from the tower door and was coming toward them; +Frau von Eschenhagen's glance was careless, too, but her look changed to +one both sharp and intense, and she cried out: + +"Herbert, look!" + +"At what?" + +"At that stranger. What a strange resemblance." + +"To whom?" asked Herbert, looking searchingly, too, into the face of the +stranger, who was nearer them now. + +"It's impossible! That is no passing resemblance. It is he, himself," +cried his sister. + +She sprang up pale with excitement, with her eyes fixed and staring at +the young stranger, who was just putting his foot on the first step of +the shaded veranda. Now his eyes met hers, his large, dark, flaming eyes +which had so often looked into her own and pleaded for him in his +childhood, and all doubts vanished. + +"Hartmut, Hartmut Falkenried! You!" + +She stopped suddenly, for Wallmoden laid his hand heavily, very heavily, +on her arm, and said sharply: "You are in error, Regine, we do not know +this gentleman." + +Hartmut was startled, when, upon reaching the top step, he recognized +Frau von Eschenhagen. The lattice-work had prevented his recognizing +her, and for her presence he was not prepared. But at the very moment +when he realized who it was, the ambassador's words sounded in his ears. +He understood only too well what the tone and words implied and the +blood rushed to his temples. + +"Hartmut!" Frau Regine called again, looking uncertainly at her brother, +who still held her arm fast. + +"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. "Must I repeat it to +you again, Regine?" + +She understood his meaning now, and turned with a half-threatening, +half-pained glance from the son of her old-time friend, as she said +bitterly: "You are right. I was mistaken." + +Hartmut drew himself to his full height, and an angry look flashed +across his face as he drew a step nearer. + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"What is it?" answered the other in a sharp, but contemptuous tone. + +"Your excellency has but forestalled me," said Hartmut, forcing himself +by mighty effort to speak quietly. "I came to request you not to know +me. We are strangers to one another." + +Then he turned with a haughty, defiant air, and disappeared within the +little inn. + +Wallmoden looked after him with knitted brow, and then turned to his +sister. "Could you not have restrained yourself, Regine? Why make a +scene? This Hartmut exists no more for us." + +Regine's face showed clearly her intense excitement, and her lips +trembled as she answered: + +"I am no such staid diplomat as you, Herbert. I have not yet learned to +be calm and indifferent when one whom I have for years imagined dead, or +gone to ruin, suddenly springs up before me." + +"Dead? He was too young to make that a probability. Gone to ruin? That +is indeed possible, judging from his life lately." + +"What do you mean?" asked his sister excitedly. "What do you know of +his life?" + +"I know something of it. Falkenried is too dear to me to make me lose +sight altogether of his son. I have never mentioned what I knew to +either of you. But as soon as I returned to my post, ten years ago, I +used my diplomatic position to ascertain what I could concerning them." + +"And what did you learn?" + +"At first, only what we already knew, that Zalika had taken her son to +Roumania. You knew that her step-father, our cousin Wallmoden, had died +some time before, and after her divorce from Falkenried she always lived +with her mother. From that time we heard nothing of her until she came +to Germany to capture her son, but just before she came, as I learned, +she inherited a large fortune by the death of her brother." + +"Her brother? I never knew she had one." + +"Yes, he was ten years her senior, and on attaining his majority had +become master of a large estate. His mother's second marriage was +childless and he never married. When he met with a sudden death while +hunting, Zalika, being next of kin, fell heir to his large possessions. +As soon as she entered into possession, she began at once to plan how +she could get her son. You know that part of the story. Then they passed +a few years in a wild, erratic life upon her Roumania estate, and they +fairly flung money away in their extravagance. After that they became +bankrupt, and mother and son went out into the world like gypsies." + +Wallmoden told all this in the same cold, contemptuous tone as that in +which he had spoken to Hartmut and in Regine's face, too, was a look of +abhorrence for the wife and mother who had fulfilled so ill the duties +of her station. But she could not restrain the anxiety she felt for the +son, as she asked: + +"And since then? Have you heard nothing further?" + +"Yes, on several occasions. Once when I was with the embassy at +Florence, I heard her name mentioned incidentally. She was at Rome; then +a year after that she was back in Paris again; and sometime later I +heard that Frau Zalika Rojanow was dead." + +"So she is dead," said Regine, softly. "How did they live all these +years?" + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. "How do all adventurers live? Perhaps +they had saved something from the shipwreck, perhaps they hadn't. At any +rate she was to be found in the saloons of Rome and Paris. A woman like +Zalika could always find assistance and protection. As a Bojar's +daughter she had her title of nobility, and even the forced sale of her +Roumanian estate, about which many knew, may have aided her to play her +_role_. Society opens its arms only too willingly to such as she, +especially when they have talent, and that Zalika undoubtedly had. By +what means she lived is another question." + +"But Hartmut, upon whom she forced such a life, what of him?" + +"He's an adventurer. What else could you expect?" said the ambassador in +his curtest tone. "He inherited her temperament, and his life with her +has developed the dormant tendency. Since his mother's death, three +years ago, I have heard nothing of him." + +"And why did you keep all this from me?" said Regine, reprovingly. + +"I wanted to spare you all I could. You had always given the boy too +warm a place in your heart, and I thought it better to let you imagine +him dead. Have you ever told Falkenried any of your idle speculations +concerning him?" + +"Once I ventured to speak of the past to him. I hoped to break through +the icy reserve which he always maintains towards me now. He looked at +me, I will not soon forget his eyes, and said with fearful +impressiveness: 'My son is dead. You know that, Regine. We will let the +dead rest in peace.' I have never mentioned Hartmut's name since then." + +"I suppose I hardly need counsel you to be silent when we return home," +continued her brother. "On no account let Willibald hear of this +meeting, for he's so good-natured that he'd be off at once if he heard +his boyhood's friend was in the neighborhood. It's much better he should +know nothing about it. If there should be a second meeting I will just +ignore the fellow. Adelheid does not know him; in fact she doesn't even +know that Falkenried had a son." + +He broke off suddenly and arose, for his young wife and her escort +emerged at that moment from the tower door. The prince greeted the +ambassador and his sister, whom he had met a day or two before, and +asked quite innocently whether they had seen his friend Rojanow, who had +disappeared from the tower a few moments before. + +Wallmoden threw a warning glance toward his sister, who stared at the +prince in surprise, and answered promptly and politely that he had seen +no gentleman, and added that he was just on the point of going in search +of his wife, as it was quite time they should return home. The order to +the groom was given at once, and a minute later the prince was bowing +low to the fair woman and her husband, whom he had accompanied to the +carriage. He stood a full minute looking after them when the carriage +rolled away. + +Hartmut stood at the window of the little public room looking at the +trio in the carriage, also. + +On his face lay the same deadly pallor as when the name of Wallmoden was +mentioned two days before, but to-day it was the pallor of a wild, +intense anger. He had steeled himself against question or reproof; these +he would have met with supercilious arrogance, but the contemptuous +manner in which he had been set aside struck him to his heart's core. +Wallmoden's words to his sister, "We do not know him. Must I repeat that +again?" incited his whole being to revolt. He felt keenly the sentence +which lay in them. And Aunt Regine, too, the woman who had once shown an +almost motherly affection for him, she turned her back on him as if +ashamed of her first impulse to speak to him. That was too much! + +"Oh, here you are at last," sounded Egon's voice from the door. "You +disappeared most mysteriously. Well, did you find your pocket-book?" + +Hartmut turned toward his friend; he felt he must be on his guard. + +"Yes," he said absently. "I found it on the stair, as I expected." + +"You might as well have let the watchman get it for you. But why didn't +you come back? 'Twas very shabby of you to desert Frau von Wallmoden and +me. You have not, I fear, won the lovely lady's favor. You were most +ungracious." + +"I shall have to endure my misfortune as best I can," said Hartmut with +a shrug. + +The young prince came nearer, and laid his hand affectionately on his +shoulder. + +"Or perhaps you incurred her displeasure day before yesterday? It is not +your wont to go off on a tangent when you are conversing with a charming +woman. O, I know all about it; the baroness thought fit to reprove you +for your attack on Germany, and you resented it. Now, a man should agree +to everything which comes from such lips." + +"You seem to be quite excited," sneered Hartmut. "Better look to it that +the gray-haired husband does not grow jealous, in spite of his years." + +"Yes, they're a singular couple," said Egon, half aloud, as if lost in +thought. "This old diplomat, with his gray hair and his keen, immobile +face, and the young wife with her dazzling beauty like a--like a--" + +"Northern light, above a sea of ice. It is a question which of the two +is farthest below freezing point." + +Prince Egon laughed out at the comparison. "Very poetical and very +malicious. But you are right enough. I felt the icy breath of this polar +star several times myself. It's just as well I did, for it is all that +saved me from falling head over heels in love with her. But I think we'd +better be starting now, don't you?" He turned to the door to order the +groom to bring around the horses. + +Hartmut, on the point of following him, turned once more to glance from +the window at the carriage, which could be seen through an opening in +the trees. He clenched his fist as he muttered: + +"We will speak yet, Herr von Wallmoden. I will remain now. He shall not +imagine that I am a coward and flee from him. Egon shall bring my work +to the notice of the court. We shall see then whether he will dare to +treat me like an adventurer. He shall pay yet for that glance and tone." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +At Fuerstenstein everything was in readiness for the reception of the +Court. The ducal party was coming this autumn for the entire hunting +season, which lasted for several weeks, and the duchess was expected as +well. The second floor of the castle, with its countless rooms, was +prepared for the illustrious guests, and some of the officials and +servants had already arrived. The little town of Waldhofen, through +which the duke would pass, was in a state of excitement, too, as the +townspeople made their modest preparations to do the great man honor. +The Wallmodens had come for a short visit, but under existing +circumstances, decided to prolong it; in fact the duke himself, learning +of their whereabouts, and desirous of showing the ambassador and his +wife some especial mark of his favor, had expressed a desire to meet +them at Fuerstenstein. This amounted to an invitation which it would have +been unwise to refuse. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her son were to remain also, to have an +opportunity of "viewing these Court people close at hand." The head +forester, in view of the prospective hunting which was his especial +care, had daily interviews with the under foresters and their +subordinates, and kept them all pretty well on their legs, that nothing +might be neglected. Life at the castle just at present was anything but +monotonous. In Fraeulein von Schoenau's room, this bright morning, there +were sounds of gay chatter, and many a clear, good-natured laugh. +Marietta Volkmar had come for a little gossip with her old friend, and +as usual during such visits, the laughter and the babble knew no end. +Toni sat in the window-seat, and near her stood Willibald, who, by his +mother's special orders, was to play the _role_ of sentinel. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not yet been able to accomplish her purpose +concerning the opera singer. Her brother-in-law had remained obdurate, +and even from her future daughter, whom she imagined so pliant, she had +met with decided resistance when she demanded that all intercourse +should be broken off between the two. "I cannot do that, dear auntie. +You ask too much," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so noble and good. I +could not wound her so deeply." + +"Noble and good!" Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of this girl whose eyes she might not open; but she was +diplomatic enough to let the subject drop for the present and bide her +time. Willibald, accustomed to confide in his mother, had told her of +his meeting with Fraeulein Volkmar, and how he had enacted the part of +porter at her suggestion. Frau von Eschenhagen was, naturally enough, +incensed at the thought that her son, the heir of Burgsdorf, should act +as lackey for a "theatrical hussy." She drew, for his benefit, a picture +of this child of the devil, and explained how it would be an +impossibility for her to follow such a shameless life without being +thoroughly bad. Willibald, of course, was horror stricken at what he +heard, and agreed fully with his mother that his future wife must be +protected from so contaminating an influence. + +He received orders never to let the young girls be alone, and to watch +carefully how this Marietta behaved. At the very first intimation of a +disgraceful word or action, Regine would go to her brother-in-law and +demand that he should no longer permit his daughter to associate with +such an one; then she would call her son as witness, and the incubus +would be expelled at once and forever from their presence. Willibald +had been on guard when Marietta paid her first visit to Fuerstenstein, +had accompanied Toni to Waldhofen when she went to the old doctor's to +see her friend, and he was now at his post again, to-day, in Antonie's +boudoir. + +Antonie and Marietta were chatting over the approaching arrival of the +Court at Fuerstenstein, and the former, who possessed little taste in the +matter of dress, was asking her friend's advice about some details of +the toilette, and Marietta was giving it eagerly. + +"What are you going to wear with this gown?" asked Marietta. "Roses of +course, white or very delicate ones. They will suit admirably with this +faint blue." + +"No, I can't get roses," Toni declared. "I shall wear china asters." + +"Better wear sunflowers. Why should you, a young girl, just affianced, +too, wear such autumnal flowers? I do love roses so, and wear them +whenever opportunity offers. I was so disappointed that I couldn't have +one for my hair for the burgermeister's party to-night, but there isn't +one to be had in Waldhofen. It is getting late in the year for them." + +"The castle gardener has a rose tree in bloom in one of the hot-houses," +said Antonie in her sleepy manner, which formed so decided a contrast to +her friend's sharp, decisive tones. + +Marietta shook her head with a laugh. "They're for the duchess without +doubt, so we cannot beg for them, and must think of something in their +stead. And now that we are entering upon the toilet question, your +presence, Herr von Eschenhagen, is quite unnecessary. You don't know +anything about such matters, and our chatter must weary you greatly. But +in spite of all, you don't desert us, and what have I done so very +remarkable, pray, that you stare at me all the time?" + +The words sounded very ungracious. Will was startled, for the last +question was only too true. He had just been thinking how well a fresh, +half-blown rose would look peeping from those dark, curly locks. Toni, +who had not observed how attentively he was gazing at her friend, now +said good-naturedly: + +"Yes, Will, do go. You'll be wearied to death with our gossip, and I'm +not half through yet--I have a great deal to tell Marietta." + +"As you will, dear Toni," answered her lover, hesitatingly. "But I may +come back again?" + +"Of course, whenever you wish." + +Willibald went. It did not annoy him in the least, this having to desert +his post of observation. He was thinking of something quite different as +he stood for a moment alone in a little ante-room. The result of his +thoughts was that he left the castle a few minutes later, and directed +his steps toward the head gardener's quarters. + +Scarcely had he left the room when Marietta sprang up exclaiming: + +"Heavens, but you're a pokey pair of lovers!" + +"But, Marietta," said Toni, vexed. + +"Yes, whether you are vexed with me or not, I must say it. I had +expected such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You never were +particularly lively, but as for this fiance of yours he don't seem to +know how to talk at all. What in the world did he say when he proposed +to you? Or did his mother do it for him?" + +"Don't jest all the time," said Toni, really angry now. "It's only in +your presence he's so silent; when we're alone he can talk glibly +enough." + +"Yes, over the new threshing-machine which he has invented himself. I +heard him talking about it just as I came in, and you were listening all +ears. Oh, you'll be a pattern man and wife, and rule Burgsdorf in a most +exemplary manner, but heaven protect me from such a happy marriage." + +"Marietta, you are very rude," said the young girl, highly incensed now. +In the same moment her friend had thrown her arms around her neck, and +said coaxingly: "Do not be angry, Toni. I did not mean to be +disagreeable, and do indeed rejoice in my heart if you are happy; only +you see--every one to his taste; my husband must be different from +yours." + +"Well, what must he be, pray?" asked Toni, resentful yet, but mollified +by her friend's coaxing tone. + +"In the first place he must be under my rule and not under his mother's; +second, he must be an honest, upright man, of whose protection I can +feel assured--that's not inconsistent with petticoat government, so long +as I do the governing. He need not be much of a talker. I'll attend to +that part myself. But he must love me, love me better than father and +mother or houses or lands, better than his threshing-machine, even--I +must be first in his thoughts, ever and always." + +Toni shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "You have very childish +ideas at times, Marietta; but let us decide about the gowns." + +"Yes, we'd better do that at once, for your dearly beloved will come +back soon and plant himself down like a sentinel between us. He +certainly has a talent for standing sentry. Now as to this blue silk--" + +Even now the pros and cons of dress could not go on smoothly, for Frau +von Eschenhagen opened the door at this moment, and called Toni to give +her advice concerning some household matter. Toni rose at once and left +the room, but, instead of following her, her aunt remained and sank +down in a chair by the window. Frau von Eschenhagen wished to see for +herself. Will had not satisfied her; he had grown red and embarrassed +when called upon to repeat the girlish gossip which had taken place +between the two maidens, and his mother, who believed all this light +chatter but a cloak for something worse, determined to take the matter +into her own hands. + +Marietta had risen respectfully at the entrance of the elder woman, whom +she had met but once before, and whose inimical bearing toward herself +she had not perceived in the joy of her first meeting again with her +friends. She only noticed that Toni's future mother-in-law was not a +cordial woman. This morning Frau Regine looked her over from head to +foot with a critical eye. Marietta seemed to her like all other girls, +but she was pretty, very pretty--and that was bad. She had short curly +hair all over her head--and that was worse. + +There was no mistaking Frau Regine's attitude toward the young singer, +whom she now begun to question. "You are a friend of my son's betrothed, +I believe?" + +"Yes, my lady," was the unconcerned reply. + +"A friend since childhood, I understand. You were brought up and +educated by Dr Volkmar?" + +"Yes, I lost my parents when I was very young." + +"So my brother-in-law was telling me. And what was your father's +calling?" + +"He was a physician, the same as grandfather," answered Marietta, more +amused than annoyed by this examination, the object of which she did not +suspect. "And my mother was a physician's daughter, so we might well be +called a medical family, might we not? I'm the only one who has branched +off into another profession." + +"Ah--what a pity," said Frau von Eschenhagen, impressively. The young +girl looked at her puzzled. Was she joking? No, there was no expression +of pleasantry on the lady's face as she continued: "You will agree with +me, my child, that the descendant of an honorable and respected race +should show herself worthy of her family. And you should have thought of +that in choosing your vocation." + +"Good heavens, but I couldn't study medicine like my father and +grandfather," cried Marietta, laughing outright. The matter seemed a +joke to her, but her merriment displeased her severe questioner, who +said, sharply: + +"There are, thank God, plenty of honorable positions for young girls. +You are a singer?" + +"Yes, madame, at the Court theatre." + +"I know it, I know it! Do you feel inclined to resign your position +there?" + +The question was put so suddenly and in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily drew back. Since her first meeting with the son, +when he had seemed so stupid and silent, and had run off so +precipitately, she had decided within herself that he was not of sound +mind. Now the thought came to her that his weakness was an inherited +disease from his mother; for certainly this woman could not be in her +right mind. + +"To resign my position?" she repeated. "And why?" + +"Upon moral grounds, altogether. I am ready to offer you a helping hand. +If you will turn your back upon those paths of frivolity and vice, I +pledge myself to obtain for you a respectable position as governess or +companion." + +The young singer understood at last why the matron had been so +concerned; she threw her head back with an angry, half spiteful +movement. "I thank you very much. I love my profession dearly, and have +no thought of exchanging it for any dependent position. Besides, I fear +my education has not fitted me to make an efficient upper housemaid." + +"I expected some such answer," Frau von Eschenhagen replied, nodding her +head darkly, "but I felt it my duty to make at least one appeal to your +conscience. You are very young, and, consequently, are not altogether +responsible; the heavier blame falls upon Dr. Volkmar for allowing his +son's child to enter such a vicious career." + +"My dear madame, I must request you to leave my grandfather out of the +play altogether," Marietta spoke excitedly now. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law, otherwise I would not have allowed this questioning. But +an insult to my grandfather I will not permit from any human being." + +The two excited women had not heard a distant door open, and did not +know that Willibald had entered. He seemed frightened when he saw his +mother, and slipped something which he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, into his coat-pocket, but he kept his place by the door. + +"I have no intention of quarreling with you, my child," said Frau Regine +in an arrogant tone. "But I am, as you say, Toni's future mother-in-law, +and as such deem it my duty to protect her from all improper +intercourse. I beg you will not misunderstand me. I am not proud, and +the grandchild of Dr. Volkmar is, in my eyes, a fit companion for my +niece; but a lady of the theatre will, rightly enough, seek her +companions among the theatrical circle, but here at Fuerstenstein--you +understand me, I hope?" + +"Oh, yes, I understand you, my dear madame," cried Marietta, her whole +face aflame now. "You need say nothing further; I have but one word to +ask. Do Herr von Schoenau and Antonie agree with you in what you have +just said?" + +"As regards the root of the matter, certainly. But I would not have you +think for a moment that they would refuse to--" a very expressive shrug +of the shoulders concluded this sentence. The upright and truth-loving +woman did not for a moment imagine she was guilty of an untruth; her +prejudices were deeply rooted, and she could not imagine the head +forester not agreeing with her at bottom, notwithstanding his +contradictory nature prevented him admitting it frankly; as for Antonie, +she was a good-natured little thing, but she lacked the stamina required +to end such an intimacy, and her aunt, in consequence, was resolved to +end it for her. But at this critical moment something unexpected +happened. Willibald stepped forward and said, half reproachfully: + +"But, mother--" + +"Is it you, Will? What are you doing here?" asked his mother, to whom +this interruption was anything but pleasant. + +Willibald understood full well that his mother had been ungracious, and +he usually retreated as quickly as possible when he found her in a bad +humor. To-day he took his stand with unwonted bravery. He came a step +nearer and repeated: "But, mother, you must have misunderstood them. +Toni never thought of such a thing, Fraeulein Volkmar." + +"What do you know about it? Do you mean to accuse me of falsehood?" his +enraged mother turned on him. "What business is it of yours what I +discuss with Fraeulein Volkmar? Your bride's not here, you can see that +for yourself, so you may go, also, and at once!" + +The young heir had flushed deeply at this tone, to which he was well +accustomed; but before this girl it seemed to shame him, and he looked +as though he would resist his mother's authority for once. His face +assumed a defiant expression, but a threatening, "Well, don't you hear +me?" conquered him as usual. He turned hesitatingly, and left the room, +but the door behind him remained half open. + +Marietta glanced after him with a contemptuous curl of the lip and then +turned back to her adversary. "You need give yourself no further +uneasiness, my dear madame. I have come to Fuerstenstein for the last +time. As the head forester had received me with his old-time cordiality, +and as Antonie was as affectionate toward me as ever, I could not know +that they felt that there was a stain upon me on account of the +profession which I follow. Had I suspected such a thing I surely would +not have inflicted myself upon them. It will not happen in the future, +never again." + +Her voice failed her, and her face bore a new, pained expression, while +it was with difficulty she restrained the tears. Frau von Eschenhagen +felt she had gone too far in her candid statement. + +"I do not want to annoy you, my child," she said, unbending a little. "I +only wanted to make it clear to you that--" + +"Not want to annoy me when you say such things to me?" interrupted the +girl with flashing eyes. "You treat me like an outcast, not fit any +longer for association with decent people, and why? Because I earn my +bread with the talent which God has given me, and give pleasure to +mankind at the same time. You traduce my old grandfather who made great +sacrifices to have me well educated, and who saw me go out into the +world with a heavy heart. The bitter tears stood in his eyes as he +clasped me in his arms, and said, as he bade me good-bye: 'Be honest and +true, my Marietta. One can be that always, no matter what their road in +life. When I close my eyes on this world I shall have nothing to leave +you. You will have to fight your own battle. Well, I have remained +honest and true, and shall remain so, even though everything is not as +easy for me as for Toni, the daughter of a rich father, who only leaves +her parent's home to go into her husband's. But I don't envy her the +happiness of calling you mother." + +"Fraeulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," said the insulted mother +drawing herself to her full height. But Marietta wasn't going to be +silenced now, she was too excited. + +"O, no, it is not I who forget myself. It was you who insulted me +without cause, and the head forester and Antonie must be well under your +influence to turn away from me. But no matter. I do not desire the +friendship of any girl who will allow herself to be bullied and +brow-beaten by a mother-in-law. I am done, once for all. Tell Toni I say +that, Frau von Eschenhagen." + +She turned away with a passionate motion and left the room. In the front +one, however, she could retain her composure no longer, and the hot +tears, kept back so bravely until now, forced themselves from her eyes. +With a passionate sob the young girl leaned her head against the wall +and wept bitterly. She heard her name called in a low, trembling tone, +and turning, she saw Willibald von Eschenhagen, in his hand the very +paper which he had so hastily concealed in his pocket. It was crumpled +now, but within, as he unfolded the paper, lay a delicate spray of +leaves with two fragrant half-blown roses. + +"Fraeulein Volkmar," he stammered again. "You wished for a rose, please +accept--" In his eyes and in his whole bearing one could read plainly +that he deplored his mother's ruthless candor. Marietta repressed her +sobs, the tears were still glistening in her eyes, as she looked up at +him with an expression of disdain and contempt. + +"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she said with acerbity. "You heard +distinctly the words which your mother spoke to me, and whatever else +they may have meant, they most certainly meant that I was to be shunned. +Why do you not obey them?" + +"My mother has done you an injustice," said Willibald, half-aloud. "And +she did not speak in the name of the others. Toni knew nothing about it, +believe me. She--" + +"Then why didn't you speak out and say so?" interrupted the girl with +growing anger. "There you stood, listening to a shameful, insulting +attack upon a young, defenseless girl, and hadn't enough manhood to come +forward and take her part. True enough, you did attempt something of the +kind, but you were well scolded, and sent off like a school-boy, and you +went without a word, too." + +Willibald stood like one in whose ears heavy thunder is echoing. He had +felt most keenly the injustice of his mother's scathing remarks, and was +trying in his timid way, to do what he could to make amends and show his +good will, and here he was being soundly rated for his pains. He stood +and stared at her without speaking, and his silence incensed the girl +still more. + +"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued with growing +excitement. "Secretly, behind your mother's back, and do you think I +would accept such an insult? First learn how a man should behave when he +witnesses such an iniquity, then pay attention to trifling courtesies +afterwards. Now--now, I will show you what I think of you and your +present." She tore the paper from his hand, rolled it like a ball and +threw it upon the floor, where she stamped on it passionately with her +little foot. + +"But Fraeulein--" Willibald, vacillating between shame and anger, would +have interfered to save his roses, but the dangerous look in the dark +eyes warned him to keep back. + +"Now we are quits. If Toni knows nothing about all this I am sorry, but +I shall stay away for the future rather than expose myself to fresh +insults. I pray she may be happy, though I should certainly not be so in +her place. I am only a poor girl, but I would never marry a man who was +afraid to speak without his mother's permission. No, not if he were heir +to Burgsdorf ten times over." + +With this she turned her back upon the heir, and a second later left the +room. + +"Will, what does this mean?" sounded the voice of Frau von Eschenhagen, +who stood in the half-open door. As she received no answer, she crossed +the room to her son's side with a step and manner which prophesied no +good for that young man. + +"That was a most remarkable scene which I have just witnessed. Will you +be good enough to explain to me what it signifies? That little +insignificant thing, bubbling over with passion and anger, telling you +the most disgraceful things to your very face, and you standing there +like a sheep, taking them all." + +"Because she had the right to say them," said Will, still looking down +at the scattered rose leaves. + +"She had what?" asked the mother, who could not believe she heard +aright. + +The young heir raised his head and looked at her; his face wore a new +and singular expression. + +"She had the right of it, mother. It is true you have always treated me +like a school-boy, so how could I defend myself against such an +accusation?" + +"Boy, I believe you have lost your senses," said Frau Regine. + +Willibald was roused now. He continued: "I am no boy, I am the heir of +Burgsdorf, and twenty-seven years old. You have always forgotten that, +mother, and so have I, for that matter, but I remember it to-day." + +Frau von Eschenhagen gazed astonished at her son, so tractable all his +life until this moment. "I verily believe you are becoming refractory. +Let us have no more of it, for you know I would never permit such a +thing. What has come over you that you make such reckless assertions? +Because I have seen fit to bring this very unsuitable intercourse to an +end, and dismiss this Marietta, do you take it upon yourself, as soon as +my back is turned, to make formal apologies and present her with roses +which you have just plucked for your bride? I don't know what's come +over you. It's the first time in your life you ever acted so. Toni will +be very much displeased when she learns what has become of her roses. It +served you just right to have the little vixen trample them under foot. +You won't be guilty of such idiotic folly soon again, I fancy." + +"I did not pluck the roses for Toni, but for Fraeulein Volkmar," Will +explained, defiantly. + +"For--?" the name stuck in the excited woman's throat. + +"For Fraeulein Volkmar! She was wishing she had a rose to wear in her +hair this evening, and said she could not get any in Waldhofen. So I +went to the gardener and got them for her--now you know all about it, +mother." + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood like the pillar of salt; she had become +deadly pale and for a moment the light seemed to go out; she saw such +fearful possibilities that she lost all power of speech and motion. Then +suddenly she regained all her old strength. She grasped her son's arm +impressively, as if to make sure of him under all circumstances, and +said curtly: + +"Will--we will start to-morrow." + +"Start where?" + +"For home. We will start early, at eight o'clock, in order to catch the +afternoon express, and reach Burgsdorf the day following. So go at once +to your room and do your packing." + +The commanding tone did not this time make the slightest impression on +her son. "I do not intend to pack," he declared, doggedly. + +"You will pack at once, I tell you!" + +"No," said the son. "If you wish to go, mother, then go--I remain here." + +This was rebellion, and it removed the last doubt in the mother's mind +that there was something at the bottom of all her son's assertiveness. +She said now in her hardest tone: "Boy, wake up, be yourself again! I +really don't believe you know what has come over you. But I will tell +you. You are in love--in love with Marietta Volkmar." + +She brought out the last words in a towering rage, but Will was not +overwhelmed by them. He stood for a moment staring in surprise, as if +wondering if it was really that which had overtaken him, then a light +seemed to dawn upon him. + +"O!" he said, drawing a deep breath, and a slight smile flitted across +his face. + +"O! is that your only answer?" broke forth the furious mother, who, in +spite of everything, still hoped for a contradiction. "You do not even +deny it. And this is what I must live to see in my own son, whom I +educated so carefully and never allowed to leave my side. While I was +having you watch and protect your betrothed from this infamous woman, +you were acting a hypocrite. And she playing the virtuous, deeply +injured part before me, that creature--" + +"Mother, be silent! I will not allow that," interrupted Willibald, angry +too, now. + +"You will not allow it--what does that mean?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen stopped suddenly and listened. + +"There comes Toni, your betrothed bride, to whom you have pledged your +word, who wears your ring. How do you purpose treating her?" She had at +last found the right means to conquer her son, who now hung his head +despondently as Antonie entered the room. + +"You're here already, are you, Will?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +the matter? Has anything happened?" + +"Yes," said Regine, who, as usual seized the reins without fear. "We +have just received a telegram from Burgsdorf which will compel us to +start for home to-morrow morning. You need not be alarmed, my dear +child, it is nothing serious, only a piece of stupidity,"--she laid a +sharp accent upon the last words,--"a piece of stupidity which will soon +right itself, and the sooner its checked, the sooner the matter'll be +ended. I'll explain it all to you later, but we must go now; it can't be +helped." + +Antonie listened attentively, but it required more than such an +announcement to stir her from her wonted repose, and the declaration +that it was nothing of moment, satisfied her. "But will Willibald have +to go, too?" she asked, without any special eagerness. "Can not he +remain?" + +"Well, Will, can't you answer your sweetheart?" said his mother, +fastening her sharp gray eyes on her son. "You know best all the +circumstances. Do you think you can afford to remain here?" + +There followed a short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then +he turned toward Toni and said, in a half-depressed tone: + +"No, Toni, I must go home--there is nothing else for it." + +Toni took this news, which another girl would have seriously deplored, +very calmly, and began to plan where they had better dine on the morrow, +for they had a long distance to go by carriage before they would meet +the express train. This troubled her much more than the parting, and she +finally decided that she would prepare a luncheon for them, so that they +need have no care concerning their midday meal. + +Frau von Eschenhagen triumphed in her heart as she went to announce +their departure to her brother-in-law. She had already decided upon the +reason which she would give him for their abrupt departure. Of course a +great many things could happen on a large estate like Burgsdorf, which +would demand the master's presence at a moment's notice. So the head +forester knew no more than his daughter, although he, in his blindness, +had been the cause of it all. + +As for the rest, Frau Regine did not doubt her powers as soon as she +should get her son away from the influence of this witch. He had shown +himself amenable to reason at the last moment. She would say nothing +more to him now, save to point out what his betrothal to Toni demanded +from him as a man of honor, and what a fatal error it had been to allow +another to influence him even for an hour. + +"Wait, my son," she said grimly, to herself, after conning over the +whole thing for the twentieth time, "wait. I will teach you to harbor +such sentiments, and revolt against your mother. Only wait until I get +you to Burgsdorf, then God have mercy on you, if you evince any signs of +obstinacy!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +There was life and animation and excitement upon that momentous day when +the duke and duchess, with their numerous retinue, were expected at +Fuerstenstein; even the old forest, which had been witness to so many +magnificent hunts in its time, put on its warmest colors, and showed in +the clear sunlight its deepest reds and most vivid greens. + +The reigning duke was, above all things, an ardent and keen sportsman, +and he rarely missed a few days of sport at this season. Now when he was +coming for several weeks, and was bringing with him such a large suite, +it was found that Fuerstenstein, notwithstanding its size, could not +accommodate them all. Suitable quarters had to be found in Waldhofen, +and that little town was in a state of pleasurable excitement in +consequence. + +Prince Adelsberg, besides being the owner of the adjoining estate and +castle, was also connected in some way with nearly all the families +forming the ducal suite, and could not of course neglect them. Some of +the men had been invited to take up their quarters at his little hunting +lodge, so that the life and bustle which centered at Fuerstenstein, +extended to the woodland loneliness of Rodeck. + +To-night the castle was brilliantly illuminated, and the colored lights +which gleamed from its many windows, threw a rosy glow over wall and +tower. It was the first large gathering since the arrival of the Court, +and every one in the whole neighborhood who laid any claims whatever to +social rank, had been invited. The interior of the castle had been +gorgeously decorated, and the spacious rooms with their lights and +music, and throngs of elegantly attired woman, together with the +glittering appearance of the men in their court costumes, formed a scene +not soon forgotten. + +Prominent among the many grand ladies of the little court was the wife +of the Prussian ambassador. It was her first appearance among them, her +father's death, following immediately upon her marriage, having secluded +her, and now, in the little circle where her husband's position gave her +much prominence, she was the cynosure of all eyes. The duke, too, and +his duchess, to whom she had been presented a few weeks previous, +treated the ambassador's wife with special deference. + +The court ladies, however, looked upon the appearance of this new star +with anything but satisfaction. They all discovered soon enough, that +Frau von Wallmoden, with her cold and haughty manner, was a very proud +woman, and certainly she had no reason to be so; they knew only too well +who she was: only a burger's daughter, who had no right to be in their +charmed circle at all; her father's great wealth, and a certain +prominence to which he had attained by success in his manufacturing +interests, were all she could lay claim to at best. But she certainly +carried herself with remarkable security; they all admitted that it was +evident her husband had schooled her carefully for her first appearance, +for she made no mistakes. + +The men were of another opinion. They found that the ambassador had +proven himself a profound diplomatist in this, as in other things. He, +standing on the threshold of old age, had married a beautiful young girl +with a fortune, which fortune, if report did not err, had been greatly +augmented since their marriage, and was still on the increase. Such a +condition of affairs was to be envied. Wallmoden was not the least +surprised at the impression which his wife's beauty and manners made +upon them all, and he took it, as the true diplomatist takes all things, +as a matter of course. He had expected nothing else, and would on the +contrary have been surprised if she had not created a sensation. + +He stood for one moment now, in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the head forester, and asked casually, while he glanced indifferently +over the heads of the guests: + +"Who is it Prince Adelsberg has with him? Do you know?" + +"You mean the young Roumanian? No. I see him to-day for the first time; +but I have heard about him before. He is Prince Egon's bosom friend, and +accompanied him on his oriental tour. He's as handsome as a picture, and +how the fire does flash in his eyes." + +"He looks to me like an adventurer," said Wallmoden, coldly. "How did he +come to be invited here? Has he been presented to the duke?" + +"Yes, at Rodeck, so I heard. The duke went over there the first thing. +Once in a while Prince Adelsberg succumbs to the, rules of etiquette. +But as to this invitation, it signifies nothing; every one is invited +here to-day." + +The ambassador shrugged his shoulders. + +"It is hardly wise to invite persons about whom you know absolutely +nothing into your midst." + +"You diplomatists want all the credentials sealed and delivered," +laughed his brother-in-law. "There's something aristocratic looking +about this Rojanow, too, which one does not expect to see in a +foreigner. But I'm glad enough to invite any one out of the common for +his grace. He must be wearied with this endless court etiquette and +court gossip, year in and year out. The duke, by the way, seems to have +taken a great fancy to this young Roumanian already." + +"Yes, so it seems," said Wallmoden, a cloud gathering on his brow. + +"As for the man's history, if he has any, what does it matter to us? +Well, I must look after Toni, and see how she's getting along without +that lover of hers. That was a queer freak of Regine's. As soon as +anything concerning her beloved Burgsdorf comes on the tapis, nothing +will keep her. And she raises such a racket with her son, too. She might +as well have left Will here. No one knows why she dragged him away; just +before the duke came, too.--I'm sure I'll never understand your sister." + +"It's a good thing she did," muttered Wallmoden, as he separated from +von Schoenau. "If Willibald had seen his boyhood's friend here, there +would have been another scene, doubtless. Who would have thought that +Hartmut would carry his defiance so far as to go to a house where he +must have known he would meet the ambassador." + +Prince Adelsberg, who, through his name and wealth, and his near kinship +to the reigning house, took a first position in the brilliant little +circle, had made a point of introducing his dearest friend to the duke, +at Rodeck, and the stranger had impressed the duke so favorably that he +had made special comment of him to the duchess. + +This Rojanow, with his charming personality and the air of mystery which +surrounded him, had only to exert himself to receive due attention on +all sides. + +And to-day he exercised all those fascinating qualities which he +possessed in fullest measure. His conversation sparkled with wit and +animation, and his ardent temperament imparted to everything he said the +stamp of originality, while united with this he showed himself a master +of social courtesies. + +It was no difficult matter for the ambassador to avoid the Roumanian; in +a large house filled with guests, such avoidance is an easy matter, and +neither of these two were anxious for a meeting. Wallmoden turned now +into an adjoining room, where the duke's sister, the Princess Sophie, +was holding a little court. The princess had married the younger son of +a princely house, but had been a widow now for years, and had lived +since her widowhood at her brother's court, where she was by no means a +favorite. The duchess was beloved for her gentleness and kind +heartedness, by all who came in her way, but her elderly sister-in-law +was disliked heartily for her arrogance and acerbity. They all feared +her sharp tongue, which never failed to bring to light disagreeable +features or fancies, as the case might be, concerning those with whom +she had to do. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate; he was received most +graciously and congratulated at once upon the great beauty of his wife, +about which there could be no dispute. + +"Your excellency has indeed my warmest congratulations. I was quite +surprised when your young wife was presented to me. I had, as a matter +of course, expected to meet a much older woman." + +The "matter of course" had a malicious sound, for the princess had known +for the past six months that the elderly ambassador was married to a +girl of nineteen; he smiled in a perfectly placid manner, as he +answered: + +"Your highness is very good. I cannot be too thankful if my wife has +made a favorable impression upon yourself and your family." + +"O, you need not doubt that the duke and duchess are quite of my +opinion. Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems +to think so also. Perhaps you have not noticed how greatly he admires +her?" + +"Yes, your highness, I have noticed it." + +"Really? And what do you say to it?" + +"I?" asked Wallmoden, composedly. "Whether or no she cares to accept the +prince's homage is wholly and solely my wife's affair. If she finds any +pleasure in it--I certainly will lay no commands upon her." + +"Your enviable confidence in your wife should be an example to younger +husbands," replied the princess, angry that her arrow had missed its +aim. "It is very pleasant, at least for a young wife, to feel that her +husband is not jealous. Ah, here comes Frau von Wallmoden herself, with +her knight by her side. My dear baroness, we were just speaking of you." + +Adelheid von Wallmoden, who with Prince Adelsberg, had just entered the +room, made a courtesy to the princess. She was indeed dazzling in her +beauty to-day, for her rich Court toilette so well chosen, suited her +most admirably. The costly white brocade, with its long, heavy folds, +set off her slender figure to advantage, the pearls which encircled her +neck, and the diamonds which glistened in her light blonde hair, were +jewels well worth the notice of connoisseurs; but that which was most +worthy of attention was the singular coldness and earnestness of this +young wife's face and bearing. She bore no resemblance whatever to +others of her own age in this brilliant assemblage, who were for the +most part married also, and who were decked out in all the witcheries of +lace and flowers. They possessed nothing of her stateliness, but she in +turn had none of their sweetness or assumed gentleness; none of that +premeditated amiability which society women assume under the public +gaze. The severe rigidity of that lovely face was a heritage from her +father, whose stern, austere nature had left its impress upon her soul +as well. + +Egon kissed the hand of his illustrious aunt, and murmured a few polite +words of greeting, but the amiable attention of her highness was +directed toward the beautiful woman who had just joined them. + +"I was just saying to his excellency, that you found yourself at home +very readily in our little Court circle, my dear baroness. You are +entering our little society for the first time to-day, and have lived, +no doubt, in a very different atmosphere until now. Your name was--?" + +"Stahlberg, your highness," was the quiet reply. + +"Oh, yes, I remember it now. I have heard the name often enough. It was +well known, I believe--in mercantile circles." + +"My dearest aunt, you must permit me to set you right in this matter," +interrupted Prince Egon, not wishing to lose an opportunity to anger his +aunt. "The Stahlberg manufacturies have a worldwide reputation, and are +as celebrated across the ocean as here. I had an opportunity, when I was +in North Germany, to learn something about them, and can assure you that +these works, with their iron foundries and enormous factories, their +colony of officers and army of workmen, could absorb many a little +principality, whose rulers have no such unlimited power as had the +baroness' father." + +The lady threw her princely nephew anything but a friendly glance; his +interference was to her mind most uncalled for. + +"Indeed! I had no conception of such greatness," said she innocently. "I +shall have to greet your excellency from this time forth as a great +ruler." + +"Only as a regent of the empire, your highness," answered the +ambassador, seconding, a little apparently harmless joke. "I am only my +father-in-law's executor, and guardian of my wife's younger brother, who +will assume the entire management of the works as soon as he reaches his +majority." + +"Ah, indeed. The son will have to learn to keep a watchful eye over his +inheritance. It is really astonishing to me to see what in these days +can be accomplished by the energy of a single man. It is all the more +creditable, too, when he, like the father of our dear baroness here, +springs from the people. I think I heard that, but I may be mistaken!" + +Princess Sophie knew well that the ambassador, with his old Prussian +noble ancestry would find this rehearsal of his father-in-law's station +in life anything but pleasant, and it gave her great satisfaction to +note that none of the little group who surrounded her, lost a word of +the conversation, which was meant to humiliate the lovely new comer. +Baroness von Wallmoden drew herself up proudly as she replied: + +"Your highness has been correctly informed. My father was of the people, +and entered the capital a poor boy with no means whatever at his +command. He had many and great struggles, and worked for years as a +simple artisan, before he could lay even the foundations for his great +undertaking." + +"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that," cried the princess laughing. +"O I love such childlike attachment, above everything. And Herr +Stahlberg--or was it von Stahlberg? The great industrial heads often get +titles of nobility." + +"My father took no such title, your highness," said Adelheid, meeting +the other's glance quietly but directly. "It was offered to him but he +refused it." + +The ambassador pressed his lips tightly together; he could not forbear +thinking this last utterance of his wife very undiplomatic. The +countenance of the princess assumed at once an irritated expression, and +she answered, with an unconcealed sneer: + +"Well, it is at least fortunate that this aversion was not inherited by +the daughter. Your excellency will know how to appreciate it. Please +give me your arm, Egon. I want to find my brother." + +She bowed coldly to those around her as she took the arm of her nephew, +in whose face was plainly written: + +"Now it is my turn." + +He did not deceive himself, his aunt had no intention of seeking the +duke; she turned into an adjoining room with her young kinsman that she +might have him under her eyes without interruption for a little time. At +first she expended her anger against this unbearable, arrogant Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of the vulgar pride of her father, while she +herself married a baron for his title, for, of course, she could feel no +love for a man who was old enough to be her father. Egon was silent for +he had speculated on that matter himself. How had so unequal a marriage +ever come about? But his silence just now was resented by his incensed +aunt. + +"Well, Egon, why don't you say something? Really it does seem as if you +were this woman's sworn knight, you are by her side continually." + +"I always do homage to beauty, when it comes in my way, you certainly +know that, my dear aunt," explained the prince, striving to shield +himself, but he only brought down a fresh storm on his head. + +"Yes, I know that--I'm sorry to say. You have in this particular always +exhibited great folly. You do not seem to remember all my warnings and +admonitions before you started for the Orient." + +"O, yes, I do," sighed Egon, to whom the very memory of those endless +lectures was an oppression. + +"Really! But you have not returned more sensible or settled. I have +heard things--Egon, there's only one salvation for you--you must marry!" + +"For heaven's sake! Anything but that!" exclaimed Egon, in such a voice +of affright that the princess shut her fan with an angry snap, as she +said in a sharp tone: + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"O, nothing but my own unworthiness to enter into such a holy state. You +yourself, your highness, have often assured me that I was specially +created to make a wife unhappy." + +"If the wife does not succeed in making you better. But you are a +hopeless case. At any rate this is neither the time nor the place to +discuss so serious a matter. The duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, +and I am thinking of accompanying her." + +"What a charming idea," said Egon, to whom the thought of an invasion by +his noble kinsfolk was even more terrifying than the marriage plan. "I +am rejoiced that Rodeck, notwithstanding its isolated situation, +contains something worthy of notice just at present. I brought a good +many curiosities home with me from my journey, among other things a +lion, two young tigers, and some very rare snakes." + +"But not alive?" interrupted his aunt. + +"Of course, your highness." + +"The Lord preserve us! Your life is not safe." + +"Oh, they're not so dangerous after all. Only a few of the beasts have +broken away; the people are so afraid of feeding them--but they were +caught again and have not done any harm up to this time." + +"Up to this time! A nice condition of affairs, I must say," exclaimed +the princess angrily, "to keep every one in the region in constant +danger of their lives. The duke ought to forbid you such diabolical +amusement." + +"Oh, I trust not, for I'm just trying to tame them. But I have some +domesticated creatures to show, as well. Among my servants are several +lovely girls who are well worth looking at in their picturesque national +costumes." + +Egon thought with a shudder, as he made this assertion, of the wretched +old woman for whose appearance he had to thank the ever-watchful +Stadinger, but he had not miscalculated the effect of his announcement. +His amiable aunt drew herself up with an angry snort, and measured him +with no conciliatory glance. + +"Oh, you have them at Rodeck also?" + +"Yes, indeed; and little Zena, the granddaughter of my old steward, is a +lovely little thing, and if you do me the honor of visiting me, dear +aunt, I'll--" + +"I will not go near the place," his aunt interrupted sharply. "There +must be nice goings on at Rodeck anyway, which keep you there with that +young foreigner who is another of the curiosities you brought from the +Orient. He looks like an out and out brigand." + +"My friend Rojanow? He longs for the honor of being presented to you +above all things. I may introduce him now, may I not?" and without +waiting an answer, he hurried away to fetch Hartmut. + +"Now its your turn, my boy," he said, seizing his friend by the arm. "I +have been the sacrificial lamb long enough, and now my angelic aunt must +have some one else to turn on the spit. She wants to marry me off at +once, and she thinks you're a veritable brigand, but, God be praised, +she won't come to Rodeck. I've made that my special care." + +The next moment the two friends were standing before the princess, and +Egon presented the latest victim with an amiable smile. + +After the princess's abrupt departure, Herr von Wallmoden remained for a +few minutes chatting with the little group which the irate lady had +deserted. Then, offering his wife his arm, he walked slowly through the +long salons, greeting an acquaintance here, or saying a word to a friend +there, until they had reached the last of the gaily decked suite which +happened to be empty. The tower-room was used generally only as a +resting place and a point of observation, from which a very good view of +the forest heights could be obtained, but to-day it was richly carpeted +and the walls were hung with heavy tapestries, while choice plants were +scattered about in artistic groupings and designs, so that the little +room was as shaded and picturesque as could be desired, and a rest to +both eye and brain, after the glitter and noise and light of the larger +ones. The ambassador had judged aright in thinking he would have an +uninterrupted moment with his wife, for whom he now drew forward a low +chair. + +"I must call your attention to the fact, Adelheid," he began in a low, +condemnatory tone, "that you were guilty of great imprudence, just now. +Your speech to the princess--" + +"Was in self-defence," the young wife broke in. "You understood, as well +as I, the object of the whole conversation." + +"That's as it may be. You have, on your first entrance into society, +made an enemy who will make both you and me feel her animosity very +keenly as time goes on." + +"You!" Adelheid looked at him in surprise. "Will you, the ambassador of +a great nation, have anything to fear from a malicious woman, who +happens to be related to the ducal house?" + +"My child, you do not comprehend," responded her husband, coolly. "An +evil-tongued woman can be more dangerous than any political opponent, +and Princess Sophie is famed in this respect; even the duchess herself +fears her slanderous tongue." + +"In that the duchess and I differ--I do not fear her." + +"My dear Adelheid," said the ambassador with a superior smile, "that +proud movement of the head does you great credit. But at Court, you must +learn to do as others do. One cannot give royalty a lesson before too +many witnesses, and that is what you did when you spoke of your father's +declination of a title of nobility. It was not necessary for you to be +so explicit concerning your father's origin." + +"Should I have falsified?" + +"No, but it was a well known fact--" + +"Of which I am proud, as was my father before me." + +"You are no longer Adelheid Stahlberg, but the Baroness Wallmoden"--the +baron's voice had assumed a sudden sharpness. "And you, yourself, will +be forced to admit that when a woman has married into a family of the +old nobility, it is hardly fitting for her to sneer at the nobles." + +The young wife's lips were drawn in with a bitter expression. Although +she had been speaking in a subdued tone, she dropped her voice still +lower, as she said now: "Have you forgotten, Herbert, why I gave you my +hand?" + +"Perhaps you have had cause to regret it?" he said, questioning instead +of answering. + +"No," said Adelheid with a deep breath. + +"I thought you were perfectly contented with the position to which you +had attained by marrying me. As for the rest you know I exercised no +control over you. I left it to your own free will." + +His wife was silent, but the bitter expression was yet on her lips. +Wallmoden rose and offered her his arm. + +"You must permit me, my child, to help you at times, for you are +inexperienced," he said in his wonted polite tone. "I have had every +reason to be contented with your tact and discretion, but to-day I +thought it necessary to give you a hint. Will you take my arm?" + +"I will remain here a few minutes if you please," said Adelheid. "It is +so stifling in the saloon." + +"As you please. But I must beg you to come back soon, otherwise your +absence will be noticed." + +He saw that she was vexed and disturbed, but he thought best to take no +notice of it. He knew well what was expected from them both in their +little world, and felt for both their sakes it was better to educate his +wife from the start in those matters which she did not seem to grasp +fully. + +He left her now, and Adelheid leaned back in her chair and gazed fixedly +at the flowering plants which were grouped by her side, but under her +breath she whispered with a gasp: + +"_My own free will. O my God!_" + +Prince Adelsberg and his friend had, in the meantime, been dismissed, +and had made profound bows before the princess as she rose to leave the +room. The sharp features of her highness wore an unusually mild +expression, and Rojanow was favored with a very gracious smile as she +departed. + +"Hartmut, I believe you are a witch," said Egon, half aloud. "I have had +proof many times that you are irresistible, but this last effort of +yours throws all others in shadow. For my gracious aunt to have so +prolonged an attack of amiability is unknown in the annals of the +family." + +"Well, my reception was ungracious enough. Your aunt seemed to think at +first that I was a full-fledged brigand." + +"But it only took ten minutes to win her smiles and make you a declared +favorite. What is it you have about you, old fellow, which wins on every +one? It makes one believe in the old fable of the rat-catcher." + +The old scornful expression, which effaced all his beauty, swept across +Hartmut's face now, as he said contemptuously: + +"I understand how to sing to tickle the ears of my hearers. You have to +strike the chords according to the taste of your listener, but after you +have learned that secret no one can withstand you." + +"No one?" repeated Egon, as his eye glanced over the room. + +"No, not a single soul, I assure you." + +"Oh, you're a pessimist with all your inferences. I only wish I knew +where Frau von Wallmoden was, but I don't see her in any place." + +"His excellency was reading her a little sermon on her undiplomatic +utterances in the other room a short time ago." + +"Why, did you hear what she said?" asked Egon, surprised. + +"Certainly, I was standing by the door." + +"Well, I'm glad enough my worshipful aunt was given a snub, and wasn't +she furious over it, though; but do you believe that the ambassador +would take his wife to task for--hush, here he is himself." + +Yes, there was Baron von Wallmoden himself, true enough, and just in +front of them as they came from an adjoining room. + +It was impossible to avoid a meeting now, and the young prince, who had +no premonition that any secret relations existed between the two, +hastened to present them. + +"Permit me, your excellency, to atone for the neglect of which I was +guilty on the mountain the other day, but my friend had disappeared for +the moment when we came down from the Tower. Herr Hartmut Rojanow--Baron +von Wallmoden." + +The eyes of the two men met, the one with a sharp, contemptuous gaze, +the other, equally sharp, but haughty and defiant. The ambassador was +too much of a diplomat, however, to be other than the courteous +gentleman. + +His greeting, though cold, was polite, but he turned at once to the +prince to speak, and chatted to that gentleman alone for the minute or +two that they stood together. + +"His excellency is more of a ramrod than ever to-day," said Egon to his +friend as they went on. "Whenever that cold, calculating countenance +comes near me I feel frost-bitten and long to fly to the torrid zones." + +"I suppose that's why you seek to bask in the rays of that glittering +northern light, his wife," said Hartmut with a sneer. "Can you tell me +for whom we are searching, in this weary pushing and crowding through +these heated rooms?" + +"I want to find the head forester," said the prince, irritated at his +friend. "I want you to meet him, but you are in one of your bad humors +to-day. Perhaps I'll find Schoenau in the arrow-room. I'll go and look at +any rate." + +He left his friend abruptly, and did indeed set out for the +arrow-saloon, where the duke and duchess were, and where he hoped to +find Adelheid von Wallmoden. Unhappily for him, just at the entrance of +the room, he was once more entrapped by his aunt, who pointed +imperiously to a chair by her side. She wanted to hear all there was to +be told about the handsome and interesting young Roumanian, who had +quite won her heart, she said, and her uneasy nephew was obliged to +possess his soul in patience as he answered her many questions. + +The noise and the merriment were at their height, as Hartmut now +threaded his way alone among the throng. He also sought someone, but he +was more fortunate than Prince Egon; casting a fleeting glance into the +tower-room, the entrance to which was almost hidden by portieres and +exotics, he saw the edge of a white satin train which swept the floor, +and in the next second he stood upon the threshold. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden still sat on the same spot where her husband had +left her. She turned her head slowly now as some one entered. + +Suddenly she sat erect, and then returned the young man's deep obeisance +with her accustomed icy bow. + +"Have I disturbed you, baroness?" he asked. "I fear you sought this +room for quiet, and my intrusion was unintentional, I assure you." + +"I only sought a cool place; the heat of the larger rooms seems almost +suffocating." + +"I came for a like reason, but as I have not had an opportunity to greet +you before to-day, my dear madame, permit me to do so now." The words +sounded very formal. Rojanow had come a step nearer as he spoke, but he +still remained at a respectful distance. No movement of hers since he +entered had escaped him, and a singular smile lay in his eyes as he +looked steadily at the young wife. + +She had made a motion as if to rise and depart, but the thought that +such a sudden course could only be constructed into flight, restrained +her in time. So she leaned back in her chair again and bent over a +branch of great purple-red camelias. + +As she plucked a blossom, she answered his question carelessly enough, +but her face had assumed the same look of determination and force which +it wore the morning on which she stood for a second in the middle of the +forest brook. Then she had stepped knee deep into the water rather than +accept his services. Here in the castle, with noise and motion on all +sides, there were no such obstacles to be overcome, and now the same +man, with his dark glance, stood opposite her, and never took his eyes +off her face. + +"Will you remain much longer at Rodeck?" she asked, with the +conventional tone and manner usually accorded a chance acquaintance. + +"Probably for a few weeks yet. As long as the duke is at Fuerstenstein, +Prince Adelsberg will not be apt to desert his hunting lodge. Later I +intend accompanying him to the capital." + +"And there we shall hear of you as a poet, I presume?" + +"Of me, my dear baroness?" + +"I heard so at least, from the prince." + +"O, that is only one of Egon's ideas," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has +taken it into his head to have my 'Arivana' brought out on the stage." + +"'Arivana?' A singular title." + +"It is an oriental name taken from an Indian legend, but its poetical +witchery made such an impression upon me that I could not resist the +temptation to create a drama from it." + +"And the heroine of this drama, is she called 'Arivana?'" asked the +baroness. + +"No, that is only the name of a sacred place of refuge during the middle +ages, upon which the scene of the drama was laid. The heroine's name +is--Ada." + +Rojanow spoke the name half-aloud, with a certain hesitation, and gave +her a triumphant glance as he saw the same lowering of the head over the +flowers as when he first spoke; he came a few steps nearer now while he +continued: + +"I heard the name for the first time on Indian ground, and it had for me +a strangely sweet sound, so I adopted it for my character, and now I +learn here that it is, in this country, but the abbreviation of a German +name." + +"Of Adelheid--yes. I was always called Ada in my father's house. But it +is not at all remarkable that the same sounds are repeated in different +languages." + +The words were spoken coldly, but the speaker did not raise her eyes +from the flowers with which her hand played. + +"Not at all," agreed Hartmut. "It has often been a surprise to me to +hear the same fable repeated in different countries over and over again. +The coloring is different, to be sure, but the passion, the woe, the +happiness of our human race is alike in them all." + +Adelheid shrugged her shoulders. + +"I won't dispute over the matter with a poet, but doubt it, +notwithstanding. I think our German legends wear a different countenance +from the dreamy tales of India." + +"Perhaps, but when you study them deeply, you will discover the same +features in both. These common features are manifest in the legend of +'Arivana,' at least. The principal character is that of a young priest +who has consecrated himself, body and soul, to the service of his +divinity, to the holy fire, but in time he is mastered by an earthly +love with all its glow and passion, till his priestly vows dissolve in +its consuming flame." + +He stood opposite her, quietly and respectfully, but his voice had an +odd, covert sound, as if something of deeper significance were hidden +beneath this story. Frau von Wallmoden looked up at him suddenly, and +said, gazing earnestly into his face: + +"And--the end?" + +"The end is death, as in all these legends. The knowledge of the broken +vows comes to light and the guilty ones are offered as a sacrifice to an +enraged deity--the priest perishes in the flames with the woman whom he +loves." + +There was a second's pause after the last words were spoken, then +Adelheid rose abruptly; she would end this conversation at once. + +"You are right; no doubt the legends do resemble ours; it is only the +old story of sin and atonement." + +"Do you call that sin, my dear lady?" Hartmut dropped suddenly the more +formal madame or baroness. "Men call it sin and punish it accordingly, +without any premonition that such a punishment will lead to perfect +happiness. To pass away in a flame of fire after one has enjoyed the +highest earthly joys, and is yet surrounded by them in death. Ah! that +is to die like a god--far better such a death than a long, stupid, +humdrum existence. Eternal, undying love rises like a flaming brand to +the heavens above, in defiance of mankind's sentence--do you not think +such an ending is enviable?" + +Adelheid's face was pale, but her voice was as steady and cool as ever, +as she answered: + +"No, nothing is enviable but death for a high and holy duty. One can +forgive sin, but can never admire it." + +Hartmut bit his lips and gave the slender, white robed figure who stood +near him a threatening glance. + +"Ah, what a hard sentence to meet my drama at the outset, for I have +expended all my strength in transfiguring just such love and death. What +if the world's judgment is like yours--I beg your pardon, madame." + +He crossed to the divan upon which she had been sitting, where her fan +and the camelia blossom yet lay. + +"I thank you," said Adelheid, extending her hand for them, but he only +handed her the fan. + +"I beg your pardon--I wrote my 'Arivana' upon the veranda of a little +Indian house where these lovely flowers were gleaming through the dark +foliage on all sides, and to-day they greet me here again in the cold +north. May I not keep this blossom?" + +Adelheid made a little impatient motion. + +"No; for what reason?" + +"For what reason? As a reminder of the harsh sentence which my poem has +received from the lips of a woman who bears the same name as my heroine. +There were many white blossoms, baroness, but you broke off +unconsciously the deep purple-red. Poets are superstitious above all +things. Let me keep this as a token that my work may yet find favor in +your eyes, when you learn to know it. You do not know how much it +contains." + +"Herr Rojanow, I--" + +It was apparent to him, both from her voice and manner, that she meant +to refuse his petition, so he interrupted her in a subdued, but +passionate tone: + +"What is a single blossom to you which you plucked heedlessly and cast +aside so carelessly? To me--baroness, as a favor--I beg you, baroness." + +He stood close by her side. The witchery of voice and eye which had so +often overcome all obstacles in his boyhood's days, and which had then +been exercised, unconsciously, had become a great power in these later +years, and one which he knew how to use only too well. + +His voice had again that soft, persuasive tone which fell on her ear +like music, and his eyes, those dark, fathomless eyes, were fixed on the +young wife with a half melancholy, half pleading expression. Adelheid's +face had grown very white now, but she did not answer. + +"Please," he repeated, in a lower, more pleading tone, as he pressed his +lips to the purple-red blossom; but this last motion seemed to break the +spell. Adelheid reached her hand out suddenly. + +"I must insist upon your giving me my flower, Herr Rojanow. It is for my +husband." + +"Indeed, then, I beg your pardon, madame." + +He held out the flower to her with a profound bow, and she took it with +a scarcely perceptible motion of the head, then the heavy white train of +her robe rustled past him--he was alone. + +All in vain! Nothing affected this icy nature. Hartmut stamped his foot +in a fury. Scarcely fifteen minutes ago he had asserted to Prince Egon +that he could sing to please the ear of any woman. Now he had sung again +that song which never before had failed him, and all to no purpose. But +this proud, arrogant man could not believe that the game which he so +often won had been lost this time, and in this knowledge lay his +determination to win yet at all hazards. + +And should it only remain a game? He had not called himself to account +as yet, but in the intense interest which this beautiful woman excited +within him, there was a strong mixture of hate. There had been an +antagonistic feeling on that first day in the wood, and since then he +had been repelled and attracted by turns; it was just that which spurred +him on. + +Love, the holy, pure significance of that word, was a stranger to the +heart of Zalika's son. He had learned much that was harmful at the side +of his mother, who had made such a shameless spectacle of her own +husband's love; and the many women who were her companions and +associates in her Roumanian home, but echoed her sentiments concerning +love and fidelity. Their later life, unstable and adventurous, with no +ground under their feet, had ruined altogether all ideals of happiness +and love in the young man's breast; he learned contempt before he +learned love, and now he received his well-deserved humiliation as an +insult. + +"You keep me at bay now," he murmured. "You are battling against +yourself. I have felt it and seen it, but in such a battle the man is +always victor." + +A slight rustle of a curtain made him turn round. It was the ambassador +in search of his wife, whom he thought still here; he stood on the +threshold and threw a hasty glance around the room, when he caught sight +of Hartmut. He stopped and hesitated for a moment, then he said half +aloud: + +"Herr Rojanow--" + +"Your Excellency!" + +"I would like to speak to you alone for a few minutes." + +"I am at your service." + +Wallmoden stepped forward into the room now, but he took up his position +so that he could keep his eye on the entrance. + +It was scarcely necessary, for the doors into the dining-hall were just +opened, and the room adjoining the tower-chamber was deserted. + +"I am surprised to see you here," began the ambassador, in the subdued, +but severely cold tone which he had used the day of their first meeting +at Hochberg, and it brought the blood to the younger man's brow to-day, +as it had done then. He straightened himself proudly as he answered: + +"And why, your Excellency?" + +"That question is superfluous; in any case I did not imagine that I +should be forced into the position of being presented to you by Prince +Adelsberg." + +"It was I who was forced," answered Hartmut, sharply and promptly. "I do +not suppose you consider me an intruder? You know full well that I have +a right to be here." + +"Hartmut von Falkenried certainly had a right--but all that is changed." + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Pardon me, but not so loud," interrupted the ambassador. "We can be +heard here easily, and you would certainly not like strange ears to hear +the name which I have just spoken." + +"I am bearing my mother's name at present, to which I have certainly a +right. When I laid aside the other, it was out of respect--" + +"To your father," interrupted Wallmoden, impressively. + +That was an admonition which Hartmut found hard to bear. "Yes," he +answered curtly, "and I confess it would be painful to me if I should be +forced to mention--" + +"And with reason; your _role_ here would, in that event, be played to +the end." + +Rojanow stepped close to the ambassador with an angry movement, as he +retorted: + +"You are the friend of my father's youth, Herr von Wallmoden, and I, in +my boyhood days, called you uncle. But you forget that I am no longer +the boy whom you could order about and censure at pleasure. The man +looks on all that as an insult." + +"I purpose neither to insult you, nor to make mention of former +associations which have no longer any existence for either of us," said +the ambassador. "I sought this interview in order that I might explain +to you that it is not possible for me, in my official position, to see +you in constant intercourse with the Court and keep silence. It will be +my duty to explain all to the duke." + +"Explain all? All what?" + +"Many things about which none of the people here, not even your friend +Prince Adelsberg, know. Listen to me, Herr Rojanow. I will not do this +except it is forced upon me, for I have an old and dear friend to spare. +I know how a certain occurrence struck him down ten years ago, an +occurrence which is buried and forgotten these many years in our country +now; but if all this was brought up and gossiped over again--Colonel +Falkenried would die." + +Hartmut paled perceptibly, and the scornful expression faded from his +lips. + +"He would die!" the words rang in his ears. He knew only too well how +true they were, and for the moment all defiance died within him. + +"It is to my father that I am answerable, at any rate," he responded, +controlling his voice with an effort. "To him alone and to no other." + +"He will scarcely call you to account--his son is dead to him. But we +can let that rest. I speak especially of those later years which your +mother and you spent in Rome and Paris, where you lived at a glittering +pace, in spite of the fact that the Roumanian estate had been sold under +the hammer." + +"You seem to know all the particulars," retorted Rojanow, highly +indignant now. "We were not aware that we were under such vigilant +inspection. As to our manner of life, we lived as best pleased +ourselves, upon the remnant of the fortune which was saved from the +wreck." + +"There was nothing saved, the whole fortune was squandered, even to the +last heller." + +"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut stormily. + +"It is true. Don't you think I know more about it than you?" The +ambassador's voice was sharp and sneering now. "It is very possible that +Frau Rojanow did not consider it necessary to explain to her son the +means by which she obtained her gold; better to leave him in ignorance. +I know from whence the money came--if she did not tell you, so much the +better for you." + +"Have a care, sir, about insulting my mother," the young man was beside +himself now, "or I may forget your gray hairs, and demand satisfaction." + +"For what? For an assertion which I can back with indisputable proof at +any moment? Let us put aside all such mad folly and say no more on that +subject. She was your mother and she is dead, so her past shall be a +dead letter to us. I have only this one question to put to you, whether +you will, after this conversation, remain here and become one of the +circle which Prince Adelsberg has opened for you?" + +Hartmut had become deadly pale at the allusion made to his mother, and +the source from which she had obtained money, and the first stare with +which he gazed at the speaker showed only too clearly that he had no +knowledge of anything disreputable, but at the last question he began to +recover himself. He cast an almost insane glance at his enemy, and a +wild determination sounded in his voice as he answered: + +"Yes, Herr Wallmoden, I shall remain." + +The ambassador had not expected this answer; he had thought after his +conversation the matter would be ended. + +He evinced no surprise, however, and said: + +"Really? So you decide to remain? You are accustomed to play high, and +expect to do it here? We will have to interfere with that, I fear. +Better think it well over before you decide finally." + +With that he turned quickly on his heel and left the room, just in time +to meet the head forester at its entrance. + +"Where have you been hiding yourself, Herbert?" Schoenau asked +impatiently. "I have been searching the whole place for you." + +"I went to the tower-chamber in search of my wife." + +"She's in the dining-room with all the rest of the world, but you have +been missed already. Come, it is time that we got something to eat." + +With which the head forester took hold of his brother-in-law's arm and +led him away, after his usual jolly manner. + +Hartmut stood where von Wallmoden had left him. His breath came fast and +thick, and he was almost stifled with the feelings of shame, and hate, +and revolt, which surged within him. The ambassador's significant +speeches had crushed him utterly, although he had hardly grasped their +full meaning. They tore aside the veil with which he, half +unconsciously, half purposely, had enveloped himself. He had believed +implicitly what his mother told him concerning the portion of their +fortune which was saved to them, and which enabled them to live and +travel. But there were times when he had chosen to close his eyes rather +than enter into investigations. + +When his mother's hand had torn him so suddenly from his father's side, +when after the hard discipline of obedience and duty, he had been +plunged into a life of boundless freedom, he had allowed himself an +unchecked rein, having no one to whom to account for his actions. He was +too young for reflection or judgment, and later--but it was too late for +him then, and habit had woven a net about him which could not be +destroyed. Now for the first time it was shown him clearly and +definitely what that life was which he had led so long; the life of an +adventurer, and as an adventurer he was to be expelled from society. + +But above all the shame was the sense of ignominy and defeat, the +feeling of intense hatred toward the man who had told him the truth. +That unholy heritage from his mother, the hot, wild, passionate blood, +which had proven so fatal to the boy, welled up like a stream of fire in +the man's breast and extinguished all feeling but that of revenge. +Hartmut's handsome features were still disfigured with passion and +anger, when, with compressed lips, he finally left the tower room. + +He knew and felt but one thing, that he must have revenge, revenge at +any price. + +It was late when the guests arose from the table. The duke and duchess +retired soon after, and carriage after carriage ascended the castle +hill, and descended soon after with its full complement of departing +guests; lights were extinguished, and bolts and bars were drawn, and +Fuerstenstein was soon enveloped in silence and darkness. + +From the rooms occupied by Baron von Wallmoden and his wife lights were +still shining. Adelheid stood at the window peering into the darkness. +She yet wore her rich court gown, and as she leaned her head against the +pane, lost in thought, her attitude was one of weariness and languor. + +Wallmoden sat at his writing table, reading hastily the dispatches and +letters which had arrived during the day. One or two seemed to contain +matter of importance, for he did not place them with the pile which were +to be answered or destroyed early in the morning, but took up his pen +and made a check across them in red ink; then he arose and crossed the +room to his wife. + +"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I'll have to go to Berlin at once." + +Adelheid turned round surprised. + +"This is very sudden." + +"Yes, I had hoped to settle the matter by letter, but the minister +desires a personal conference. I must take my leave of the duke early in +the morning, and set off at once. I'll be away about eight days, I +presume." + +In the shadow of the curtain Adelheid's face could not be seen clearly, +but one could fancy a sigh of relief escaped her, as if her heart was to +be lightened of a burden. + +"At what hour do we start?" she asked quickly. "I must give my maid her +orders at once." + +"We? It's a purely business affair, and I am going alone." + +"But that won't prevent my accompanying you!" + +"There would be no object in that. I'll only be away a week or two." + +"But I--I'd like to see Berlin again." + +"What a whim!" her husband answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I'll have +so many claims upon my time that I could not have you with me." + +The young wife had stepped to the table, and stood in the glare of the +lamp. She was very pale now, and her voice had a pleading sound as she +said: + +"Very well, then, I will go home. But it is not possible for me to +remain at Fuerstenstein alone, without you." + +"Alone!" The ambassador gave her a puzzled look. "You remain with our +kinsfolk whose guests we are. Since when have you become so anxious for +protection? That is a peculiarity which I had never observed in you +until now. I don't understand you, Adelheid; it's a most singular +caprice which you have taken into your head, this desire to accompany +me." + +"Well, call it a caprice. But let me go with you, Herbert--please let me +go." + +She laid her hand beseechingly on his arm, and her eyes had an intense +and anxious expression, as she looked at her husband. There was a +superior, almost sneering smile on his lips, as he answered her: + +"Now I understand it. The scene with the princess was so unpleasant to +you that you dread other skirmishes of a like nature. You must steel +yourself against such sensitiveness, my child; you should see that for +this very reason, it is imperative for you to remain. At court every +word, every glance signifies, and your sudden departure might give rise +to any kind of a report. You must hold your ground from the very start +at court, or you will find your difficulties increase rather than +diminish." + +The wife's hand dropped slowly from her husband's arm, and her eyes sank +to the ground, as he refused the first request she had preferred since +their married life of only a few short months. + +"Stand my ground?" she repeated, in a low voice. "That I shall ever do, +but I hoped you would be at my side." + +"That is, for the moment, not possible, as you see. As for the rest, you +have shown to-day that you know how to defend yourself. And I have no +doubt that the hint which I found it necessary to give you, will bear +fruit, and that you will, in future, be guarded in your answers. At any +rate, you must stay here until I return." + +Adelheid was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained by further +speech. Wallmoden stepped back to the writing-table and put aside his +papers, and locked his drawers with his usual precision; then he took up +the two letters, with their red checks, and folded them together. + +"One thing more, Adelheid," he said, casually, "Prince Adelsberg was +most noticeable in his attentions to you to-day; he was always near +you." + +"Do you wish me to keep him at a distance?" she asked, indifferently. + +"No, indeed, only keep him within bounds, so that there will be no +unnecessary talk. No harm will come to you from being in his company. We +do not stand on the same plane as the burgers, and it would be ludicrous +for me, in my position, to enact the jealous husband toward every man +who pays my wife attention. I leave all that to your discretion; I have +unbounded faith in your tact." + +This sounded very reasonable, very temperate, and above all, very +indifferent. No one could accuse Herr von Wallmoden of jealousy towards +the young prince, whose undisguised admiration caused him no second +thought; and, as he had just said, he had unbounded faith in his wife's +tact. + +"I will send these telegrams myself," he said. "Since the duke's arrival +there's a telegraph office in the castle. You should ring for your maid, +my child; you look tired and worn--good-night." + +With that he left her, but Adelheid did not follow his advice. She +returned once more to the window, and a bitter, pained expression lay on +her face. She had never before felt so keenly that she was to her +husband nothing more than a glittering bauble, to be exhibited by him to +prove how wisely he had chosen a wife; she was to be treated with the +greatest courtesy and politeness, because a princely fortune had been +received from her hand; but as a woman she was to be refused the most +trifling request with equal courtesy, because it did not suit his +pleasure. + +The night was dark, and the low clouds which surrounded the forest +heights were black and heavy; only here and there, where a break +occurred, was a star to be seen glimmering far and faint in the distant +heavens. The face which peered out into the darkness had not the proud, +cold look which the world knew, but a disturbed, anxious expression, +lacking altogether that repose which was its chief characteristic at +most times. + +The wife had both hands pressed against her breast, as if in pain. She +would have flown from that dark power which she felt was upon her. She +had sought her husband's protection, had plead for it--in vain. He went +and left her alone, and the other remained, with his dark, demoniacal +eyes, with his voice and tones, which exercised such a singular, +irresistible influence over her. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +October had come. It was autumn's reign. The leaves of the trees were +richly colored with deep and varied hues. The landscape lay enveloped +morning and evening in fog and mist, and the nights brought with them +the hoar-frost, but the days, for the most part, were sunny and +delightful. + +Since the gay evening on which the whole country round had assembled, +there had been no special festivities at Fuerstenstein; all interest had +centered in the hunt, which was, of course, of paramount importance to +the men. + +The duke, at his wife's instance, decided to have no other great or +noisy entertainment at the castle. The duchess liked a change of faces +in their little circle, but she courted the quiet and freedom from +restraint which her mountain home brought her. There were frequent +arrivals and various excursions, both by horse and on foot, through the +mountain forest, and a goodly number always met around the princely +board at night to discuss the pleasures and excitements of the day. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden belonged, naturally, to this exclusive circle. +The duchess, who had learned through some source, of her sister-in-law's +insulting attitude toward the young wife, had been more amiable than +ever, and had managed to keep Baroness von Wallmoden near herself +whenever it was possible; the duke also, anxious to show all attention +to the Prussian ambassador, seconded his wife's endeavors with zest. + +Wallmoden was still in Berlin, though over two weeks had elapsed since +he left the castle, and he had not yet been able to write definitely as +to the date of his return. + +One of the most frequent guests at Fuerstenstein was Prince Egon +Adelsberg, who was an acknowledged favorite among his princely kinsfolk, +and his friend Rojanow was always included in the invitations sent to +Rodeck. The prince's prophesies had proven true; Hartmut had descended +upon them like a brilliant meteor. All eyes were turned upon him with +admiration and wonder, and it pleased his new associates to have him +soar above the old fashioned usages and customs of their monotonous +Court life. He had read his 'Arivana' to the duchess at her request, and +had scored a decided success. The duke had promised him that his drama +should be brought out at the Court theatre, and the princess Sophie had +made a special point of taking the young man under her wing. + +The princely household followed, as usual, in the wake of their master, +but willingly enough in this instance, for Hartmut won friends on all +sides by his cordiality, good temper, and grace of manner and person. + +The prince's hunting wagon stood before the castle of Rodeck. It was +early in the day and the faint mist which yet hung over the hills +concealed a bright, warm sun. Egon stepped out on the terrace dressed +for the hunt, closely followed by the old steward, to whom he was +speaking. + +"So you want to see the hunt, too, do you?" he asked. "Of course, if +there's anything to see, Peter Stadinger must see it. My valet has asked +permission also. For that matter I believe all the inhabitants of the +forest have turned out to-day with their whole families to go to the +hunting grounds." + +"Yes, your highness, they don't often have an opportunity to see such a +sight," replied Stadinger. "The great Court hunts seldom take place in +our woods. There's hunting enough around here to be sure, but then you +never ask any ladies to Rodeck, and the ladies--" + +"Are a great bore," interrupted the prince. "That's my opinion; but what +are you prating about? You are generally down on the women, and unless +they are over eighty don't want to see one of them around the place. Are +you going back to your young and giddy days?" + +"I meant the court ladies, your highness," said Stadinger impressively. + +"'The court ladies,' can honor me with their company for a walk, but +I'll never invite any of them to any hunt of mine, for I'm still a young +bachelor." + +"And why is it that your highness is still a bachelor?" responded the +old servant reprovingly. + +"Man alive, I do believe you are trying to get me married, like my +old--like all the rest of the world. Don't waste any thought or time on +me, for I won't marry." + +"Your highness is wrong," remonstrated old Stadinger, who always gave +his master the title once at least in each sentence, for he thought if +he did have to read the prince a lecture every now and then, he must +show him some respect while doing it, "and it is unchristian, too, for +the marriage relation is a holy state in which it is well to live; your +father, blessed be his memory, married--and so did I." + +"Of course, and so did you. Yes, you are the grandfather of that lovely +girl, Zena, whom you sent away in such shameless haste. By the way, when +is Zena coming back?" + +The steward appeared not to hear the question, but returned obstinately +to his theme. + +"Her highness, the duchess, and princess Sophie, are very anxious to see +you married. Your highness should think it well over." + +"Well, that's enough of your fatherly advice for one day. And it's no +business of princess Sophie. By the way, as you are going to Bucheneck, +where the hunt meets to-day, it's very possible that you will be seen +and spoken to by some of the court." + +"Very possible, your highness," agreed the steward, complacently. "Her +grace often honors me with a little conversation, for she recognizes me +as the oldest servant of a princely house." + +"Well, if the princess should inquire by chance about the snakes and +beasts of prey which I brought with me from my travels, you can tell her +that I'm going to have them sent to one of my other castles." + +"That is not at all necessary, your highness," replied the steward. +"Your gracious aunt has obtained information about everything." + +"Information? About what? Perhaps you have given it." + +"I was questioned the other day at Fuerstenstein. Princess Sophie was +just returning from a walk and beckoned me to her to ask me a few +questions." + +"The deuce she did!" muttered the prince, who saw mischief. "And what +answers did you give her?" + +"'Your grace need feel no uneasiness,' I said, 'of living animals we +have only monkeys and parrots at Rodeck, and there's never been a snake +about the place; a sea serpent was coming, but it died on the way, and +the elephants broke loose before they were shipped at all, and went back +to their palm groves--so his highness told me. As to tigers, we have +two, but they are stuffed, and we've only the skin of a lion in the +large hall, so your grace can see that no harm will come from them.'" + +"No, but enough will come from your tattle," said the prince, angrily. +"And the princess, what did she say to it all?" + +"Her grace only smiled and then asked me about the women employed here +at Rodeck, and if all the girls in the region were not here. But I +said," and Stadinger threw his head back proudly, "'all the women at the +castle, your grace, were engaged by me. They are all industrious and +honest; I have seen to that; but his highness ran away when he caught +sight of them, and Herr Rojanow was more put out than the prince even, +so the gentlemen never paid but one visit to the kitchen.' Her grace was +very kind and gracious to me, and took leave of me very well contented, +I could see that." + +"And I'd be very well contented to send you to the devil, you old fool. +To spoil it all with your long tongue," exclaimed the prince, furious +now. + +The old man, who thought he had done everything for the best, looked at +his young master in perplexity. + +"But I only told the truth, your highness." + +"But the truth's not to be spoken at all times." + +"Oh, I did not know that." + +"Stadinger, you have a bad habit of answering back--perhaps you also +told the princess that Zena had been in the city for several weeks?" + +"Yes, your highness, she asked me about my granddaughter, particularly." + +"What's the trouble with Stadinger now?" asked Hartmut, who came out at +this moment, also attired for the day's sport, and who had caught the +last few words. + +"Oh, he's been making a first class fool of himself, that's all," +explained the exasperated prince. The oldest servant of a princely house +could not allow such an insult to pass. + +"I beg your highness's pardon. I have not been making a fool of myself +at all." + +"Perhaps you believe it is I who have been doing it?" + +Stadinger looked his young master well over and then replied, +discreetly: + +"I do not know, your highness--but it might be so." + +"You're an old bear," cried the prince sharply. + +"The whole forest knows that, your highness." + +"Come on, Hartmut, there's nothing to be gained from this old ghost of +the woods," said Egon half angry, half laughing. "First you place me in +all sorts of embarrassments, and then you defend yourself by giving me a +lecture." + +With that he went off with Rojanow to the carriage. Stadinger remained +standing in a respectful attitude, for he never meant to be rebuked for +lack of respect to "his highness." It never occurred to him to yield an +inch of ground; that was for Prince Egon to do, but not for Peter +Stadinger. + +Egon was almost of this opinion himself. He related what had occurred to +Hartmut as they drove along, and with a comical despair he concluded: + +"Now can you imagine what kind of a reception that most worshipful aunt +of mine will give me? She evidently suspected that I wanted to keep her +away from Rodeck. Now my morals are saved in her eyes, but at the +expense of my love of truth. Hartmut, you must do me a favor; you must +be my lightning rod. Expend all your power of fascination upon that +imperious kinswoman of mine. Dedicate a poem to her if necessary, but at +least shield me from the first fierce flashes of her anger." + +"Well, I should have thought you weather-proof in that particular by +now," said Rojanow smiling. "You must have had cause for forgiveness +before this for such enormities. The duchess and the other ladies will +be on horseback to-day, will they not?" + +"Certainly; they could see nothing from the carriages. By the way, did +you know that Frau von Wallmoden was an accomplished horse woman? I met +her day before yesterday returning from a ride with her brother-in-law, +the head forester." + +"Ah, then we'll know where to find Prince Adelsberg to-day." + +Egon, who had been leaning back comfortably, sat erect now, and said, as +he gave his friend a searching look: + +"Not so spitefully, I beg of you. You are not often in the company of +the lady in question, I grant that, and you bear yourself as if you were +only a looker-on at others, but I know you well enough to understand +that you and I are very much of the same opinion concerning her, +nevertheless." + +"Well, and if we are--would you consider it a breach of friendship on my +part?" + +"Not in this instance. For the object is unattainable by either of us." + +"Unattainable?" an ironical smile played around Rojanow's lips. + +"Yes, Hartmut," said the young prince, half in earnest, half in jest, +"the lovely, cold northern light, as you have named her, remains true to +its nature. It gleams on the horizon distant and unapproachable, and the +icy sea above which it shines is not to be broken through. The lady has +no heart. She is free from every feeling of passion, and that is what +gives her her enviable security. Here you must acknowledge all your +influence, all your boasted powers are frustrated by that icy breath; +you are chilled through, and so you keep your distance." + +Hartmut was silent. He was thinking of the moment in the tower room when +he had begged for the bright blossom. She had refused him, but no icy +breath had enveloped the young wife while she stood trembling beneath +his pleading glance and words. He had seen her daily since then, but +had seldom gone near her, but he knew that now, as before, she was under +his influence. + +"But, in spite of it all, I cannot tear myself loose from this foolish +fascination," Egon went on in a dreamy tone. "It always seems to me that +the ice and snow will disappear as if by magic, and warmth and light +burst out in full bloom in their stead. If Adelheid von Wallmoden were +still free--I believe I'd try the experiment." + +Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist +which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now. + +"What experiment? Do you mean by that, you'd offer her your hand?" + +"That thought seems to excite you greatly," said the prince, laughing +out loud. "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I have no such prejudice +against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over +the very thought, and even you don't seem to take to the idea any too +kindly. Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband, +has already secured the prize, and he'll never change her into a +creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of +his--but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck." + +"Call no man happy until his death," said Hartmut, half-aloud. + +"A very wise remark, only not quite original," answered Egon. "Do you +know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively +alarming, like a demon. Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment +as if you were one." + +Hartmut did not answer. + +They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and +Fuerstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind, +was plainly visible on its wooded height. + +Half an hour later, their carriage rolled along the broad graveled +carriage-way, where all was life and bustle. Every servant of the +household was stirring; carriages and saddle horses were standing ready +for the start, and nearly all those invited to join the hunt had +arrived. + +As the gay throng started on their way, the sun suddenly burst forth +through the mist, and as it shone down on the glittering cavalcade just +leaving the castle, it made a brilliant and impressive picture. + +The duke and duchess rode at the head, closely followed by their +numerous suite, and then came the many guests. All the younger women +were on horseback, and the whole party were in full hunting costume. + +Away they rode in the clear sunlight of a bright autumn morning. Over +the hills and meadows and through the woods. Shots were fired on every +side, and the flying deer broke through the thicket and across the +clearing, while the whole hunting park resounded with the din of the +sport. + +The whole corps of foresters had been summoned by the head forester, who +saw to it that no arrangements were lacking to make the day a success. +He felt that this was peculiarly his affair, and that no mishaps of any +sort should occur. + +They arrived about midday at Bucheneck, a small hunting lodge belonging +to the duke, which lay in the center of the forest, and which could +offer shelter in case of any unfavorable change in the weather. To-day +no such precaution seemed necessary, as the weather was glorious, only +somewhat too warm for the season. The sun beat down almost too fiercely, +as they took their breakfast in the open air. + +With that exception, everything was a success, and the crowd which +moved hither and thither over the broad, green meadow, near which +Bucheneck lay, were in high spirits. The duke, who had handled his +fowling piece with more than usual skill, was in the best of humors; the +duchess chatted gaily with the ladies, and the head forester fairly +beamed with pleasure, for the prince had congratulated him warmly upon +his faculty for doing perfectly all he undertook. Frau von Wallmoden, +who kept near the duchess, was the object of much attention; she was +unquestionably the most beautiful woman there; the others needed for the +most part rich toilettes and glittering gems to set off their beauty. +Here in the clear light of the midday sun, clad in dark riding habits, +which permitted neither color nor adornment, many paled who were at +other times very attractive in appearance, but Frau von Wallmoden, with +her slender figure and erect bearing, which seemed especially suited to +the saddle, her clear skin, large, earnest eyes and wealth of blonde +hair so simply coiled, was a picture at which to gaze with unmitigated +pleasure. In short, the "northern light," as she was now commonly called +at court, the prince having whispered the name, was the admired of all +beholders, all the more so when it became known that the cold, +statuesque beauty was soon to desert them. + +Frau von Wallmoden had received a letter from her husband yesterday, +stating that his diplomatic business was ended, but that affairs in +North Germany connected with the Stahlberg manufactories would detain +him for some time longer. It was whispered that there were to be many +important changes, great improvements were to be introduced, and in all +this Baron von Wallmoden as executor and guardian of the only son, would +have a decisive voice. The length of his absence from the South Germany +court would necessarily be uncertain, so he had asked his government +for an extended leave, which had been granted, and had announced all +this to the duke. He had written his wife at the same time, leaving her +free to remain at Fuerstenstein, or to join him at once and go with him +to her old home to see her brother again; now, after two weeks, if she +chose to leave, no "misconstruction" could be placed upon her departure. +Adelheid had chosen without hesitation; she had announced to the duchess +that she would leave on the following day. + +Princess Sophie and her sister, together with some of the older ladies, +had driven to Bucheneck in carriages, and the Princess Sophie's first +anxiety had been to get hold of her nephew. But so far Prince Egon had +managed to avoid her. He had been everywhere but in the neighborhood of +his deceived aunt, until at last, losing all patience, she ordered a +gentleman of the Court to bring Prince Adelsberg to her at once. This +order was imperative, and Egon did not dare disobey it, but he took the +precaution of having his "lightning rod" with him to get the first +shock. Hartmut was by his side when he presented himself before the +princess. + +"Well, Egon, it's a great privilege to see your face at all to-day," +were the first words. "You are in demand on all sides, it seems." + +"But I am always at the service of my beloved aunt," Egon declared. His +amiability was of no use to him on this occasion, however; the princess +measured him with anything but a conciliatory glance. + +"Whenever your knightly services are not needed in the interest of Frau +von Wallmoden. You will have the opportunity of exhibiting a glittering +example of chivalry and courage, when her husband comes back. You will +learn to know and appreciate him better then." + +"I appreciate him very highly now, as a man, as a diplomat and as 'his +excellency.' Your grace must surely believe that." + +"I believe you absolutely, Egon. Your love of truth is one of the +verities upon which I pin my faith," said the lady, with biting irony. +"For that very reason I was pleased to have the opportunity of a little +talk with old Stadinger the other day. He's not so rusty after all, for +his years." + +"Poor fellow, he suffers greatly from weakness of memory," the prince +hastened to assure her. "Stadinger forgets nearly everything--don't you +know, Hartmut? What he declares most earnestly one day, is entirely +forgotten on the next." + +"I found, on the contrary, that his memory was very fresh; above all, +this faithful old servant of your house is trustworthy, circumspect--" + +"And rude," interrupted Egon, sighing. "You can have no idea of the +incivility in which old Peter Stadinger's whole nature is steeped. He +tyrannizes most terribly over Herr Rojanow and myself. I have thought +seriously of putting him out of the way." + +It is hardly necessary to say he had not thought of anything of the +kind. + +Princess Sophie, who was an autocrat, and who dealt most severely with +her own servants, was inclined to be very lenient in this instance. + +"You should not think of harming so faithful a creature," she answered. +"A man who has served three generations of your race can be forgiven for +slight eccentricities, especially when one thinks of the pleasant life +which the two young masters of Rodeck lead him, for we all know they do +not court company, but prefer loneliness." + +"Ah, yes, loneliness," said Egon with feeling. "It is a great change +after our eventful life in the East, and we enjoy it in full measure. I +occupy myself principally--" + +"With the taming of wild beasts," interrupted the princess, maliciously. + +"No, with--with--reminiscences of my travels, which I recount to +Hartmut, while he poetises a little, and composes melancholy odes from +them. He's writing a little poem now on some reflection he heard your +grace make." + +The princess turned with a radiant smile to the young poet as she +exclaimed: + +"And have you really been able to use any nonsense which I may have +uttered in a poem, Herr Rojanow?" + +"Indeed, I have, your grace, and I am very grateful to you for your +idea," replied Hartmut promptly. He had no idea in the world what the +talk was all about, but was ready to second whatever his friend might +suggest. + +"I am delighted to hear it; I adore poetry, and think it the greatest of +literary productions." + +"You two will agree perfectly as to that," said Egon with admiration. +Having accomplished his object, he escaped, leaving his friend to enter +into a discussion with the princess, on the relative merits of poets and +their inspirations. + +The prince once more approached the duchess's little circle, where he +was sure to find Frau von Wallmoden, and where he was far from the sound +of his malicious aunt's voice. + +The breakfast was ended, and the day's sport was about to begin in +earnest. But since noon the bright, sunny weather had changed; the +heavens were overcast, and there was a fear that one of the sudden, +heavy storms which were frequent at this season, might come before the +day was over. + +The duchess, with some of her friends, had taken their stand upon a +height, from which they thought they could obtain the best view, but the +hunters took a sudden turn, and the lookers on were forced to follow. + +It was at this juncture that a slight accident occurred to Frau von +Wallmoden; her saddle girth broke, and she would have had a disagreeable +fall had she not had the presence of mind to slip at once from her +saddle to the ground. To follow the riders was now an impossibility, for +her groom could not have obtained another saddle for her, so she decided +to send the servant over to Bucheneck with the horse, and follow on +foot, at her leisure. + +It was a relief to her that this accident had occurred, it saved her the +weary necessity of following the hunt to its close, and permitted her to +drop for a time, in this solitude, the mask which she wore before the +world, and which was at times becoming almost too heavy for her to +carry. + +Now that she was alone and unobserved, the cold, proud repose which had +been so noticeable since her wedding-day, departed as a shadow, and she +was a creature of another world. + +Her features, which were an heritage from her father, and betokened a +strong and determined nature, had become more rigid in the last few +months, but over her face lay a new expression, one of pain and anxiety, +as if some secret and hitherto unknown spring had been touched; the blue +eyes lost their cold, passionate look, deep shadows lay in them, which +told of strife and anguish, and the blonde head sank low, as under some +unsupportable burden. + +And yet Adelheid breathed more freely than she had done for many a day, +at the thought that this was the last one at Fuerstenstein. To-morrow at +this time, she would be far away, and distance she prayed would save her +from that dark influence against which she had been battling for weeks +in vain, when she would no longer see those eyes whose power she +dreaded, or hear the voice which bewitched her. When she had flown from +the mysterious power which held her, she could conquer and utterly +destroy it. God be praised! + +The sound of the hunt grew each moment less distinct, and was finally +lost altogether in the distance; but in the wood, near the elevation on +which she stood, the baroness could hear crunching footsteps which told +her she was no longer alone. She turned to go in an opposite direction, +but as she turned, a man's form appeared among the trees, and Hartmut +Rojanow stood before her. + +The meeting was so sudden that Adelheid lost her self-possession. + +She drew back as if seeking protection among the trees beneath which she +had been standing, and stared at him with the eyes of a wounded animal +watching the pursuing hunter. + +Rojanow did not appear to perceive this. He bowed and asked hastily: +"Are you alone, baroness? The accident was not serious, then?" + +"What accident?" + +"I heard you'd been thrown from your horse!" + +"What an exaggeration. My saddle girth broke, and as I saw it in time I +jumped to the ground, while the animal stood perfectly still--that was +the accident." + +"Thank God--I heard something of a plunge, a fall, and as you did not +return to the hunting field I--" + +He stopped suddenly, for Adelheid's glance showed him she did not +believe his statement; he had probably met the groom and had questioned +him. Now at last her self-possession returned, and she said very +coldly: + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your solicitude was altogether +unnecessary. You should have reflected that the duchess would not have +allowed me to remain unsought in the wood had so serious an accident +occurred. I sent her word I was on my way to Bucheneck." + +She would have passed by him now, but as he stepped aside, he said in a +low voice: + +"My dear madame--I have to beg your pardon." + +"My pardon--for what?" + +"For the favor for which I plead so hard and injudiciously. I only asked +for a flower. Is my crime then so great that your anger must last for +weeks?" + +Adelheid remained standing, almost without knowing it. She was again +under the influence of those eyes and that wonderful voice. + +"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow," she responded. "I am not angry with +you." + +"No? And yet you assume again that icy tone which is ever yours when I +am near you, and now that you have heard my drama you make no sign of +approval. You were present when I read it at Fuerstenstein. I heard words +of praise on all sides. Your lips alone were closed. From you I received +no single word of commendation--will you deny it to me now?" + +"I thought we were out for a hunt, to-day," said Adelheid evasively, +"and this is neither the time nor the place to discuss poetry." + +"We have both left the hunt for to-day; it's on its way now toward the +Rodecker heights. Here is the true forest loneliness. Look at the +perfect autumn landscape around us. It speaks to the heart of peace and +forgiveness. Look at that placid sheet of water, a those heavy +storm-laden clouds against the horizon--to me there is more poetry in +this than in the crowded salons of Fuerstenstein." + +The aspect of the landscape had entirely changed since the morning +hours, and a dull, gloomy light had taken the place of the bright, clear +sunshine, beneath whose gleams the cavalcade had set forth so merrily. + +The endless stretch of forest which lay before them was in its gayest +autumn dress, but in the sombre light of the approaching storm, its +brilliant leaves looked faded and faint. The deep reds and many tinted +yellows of the foliage formed a beautiful picture, but these were the +colors of decay and death, and told that the end of their life and bloom +was not far distant. + +Beneath them lay the little lake, dark and motionless, surrounded by +high grasses and swamp reeds. It looked like another lonely sheet of +water in the far northland--the Burgsdorf fish pond, and back from this +little lake stretched a meadow green and marshy, from which, even now, a +faint mist was rising, a mist, which as night came down, would change +into a rain, while the will-o'-the-wisp in its endless sport and motion, +would play in and out among the long green rushes, now gleaming, now +disappearing--thus perfecting that far off picture of long ago. + +The air was oppressive and sultry, and the distant clouds were forming +deeper and darker heights against the horizon. + +Adelheid had not answered Hartmut's question; she stood looking into the +distance with face turned away from the man who was watching her, and +yet she felt the dark consuming glance resting on her, as she had felt +it so many times during the past few weeks. + +"You are going away to-morrow, my dear baroness!" he began again. "Who +knows when you will return--when I shall see you again. May I not beg +for your verdict now, may I not ask whether my words have found favor in +Ada's eyes?" + +Again her name upon his lips, again that soft, veiled, passionate tone +which she so feared, and which rang in her ear like the voice of an +enchanter. She felt there was no escape, no chance for flight, she must +look the danger in the eye. She turned to her questioner, and her face +betrayed that she had decided to fight out the battle--the battle with +herself. + +"Are you interested in my verdict merely because I bear this name?" she +said coldly and proudly. "It stands at the beginning of your poem, which +by the way was sent me the other day by some mysterious hand, without +name." + +"And which you read notwithstanding?" he interrupted triumphantly. + +"Yes, and burned." + +"Burned?" The old savage expression came over Hartmut's face, that +intense angered look which had evoked from Egon's lips the expression, +"You look like a demon, Hartmut." The demon of hate and revenge burned +once again in his breast as he thought of his recent insults from this +woman's husband, insults which must be resented to the full. And yet he +loved the woman before him as only Zalika's son could love, with a wild, +consuming passion. But in this moment hate gained the mastery. + +"My poor pages!" he said with unconcealed bitterness. "They, too, +suffered in the flame; they were, perhaps, worthy a better fate." + +"Then you should not have sent them to me. I will not and dare not +accept such poems." + +"You dare not, my dear Baroness? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at a woman's feet, and poets have had that right for all time. It +is incumbent on you to accept such an offering." + +The words were spoken in such a hot, passionate whisper that Adelheid +trembled. + +"Perhaps you pay homage to the women of your country in such words. +German woman do not understand them." + +"But you understand them," said Hartmut fiercely, "and you understand +the fire and passion of my 'Arivana,' which rises above all laws and +restrictions of this narrow, human life. I saw that on the evening when +you turned your back on me, while the rest of the world applauded and +came forward with their congratulations. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the god-like spark enters two souls, it bursts into flame whether +they be of the south or the cold north, and that spark has ignited and +burns in us both. All strength and will dies in its fiery breath, it +extinguishes all else, nothing remains but that holy, sacred fire which +illumines and blesses, even while it consumes. You love me, Ada, I know +it; do not try to deceive me, and I love you beyond all power of +speech." + +He stood before her in the triumph of victory. Never before had his dark +beauty shone forth so strongly, never before had his eyes glowed with +such intensity, or his face expressed such passion and longing. + +And he had spoken the truth. + +The woman who leaned against the tree, trembling and deadly pale, loved +him; loved him as only a pure, exalted nature can love. This cold, +haughty woman, whom the world had named heartless, was swayed and torn +by this, the first love of her young life. + +She felt within her a passion to which she could no longer blind +herself; the fiery breath, with all its fierceness, was blowing down +upon her. Now came the crucial-test. + +"Leave me at once, Herr Rojanow--this instant," she said. The words had +a choked, scarcely audible sound, and they were spoken to a man who was +not accustomed to yield when he felt himself the victor. He would have +gone closer to her--but something in the young wife's eye, in spite of +all, kept him within bounds. But he spoke her name again, and in a tone +whose power he best knew: + +"Ada!" + +She shuddered, and made a protesting motion. + +"Not that name. For you I am only Adelheid von Wallmoden. I am married; +you know that." + +"Yes, married to a man who is standing on the threshold of old age; who +does not love you, and for whom you could feel no love even if he were +younger. What does that cold, calculating diplomat know of love? The +Court, his position, his advancement, is all in all to him; his wife is +nothing. He exults over the possession of a treasure whom he knows not +how to prize, and to whose happiness and peace he gives not a thought." + +Adelheid's lips trembled. She knew only too well that all he said was +true. She did not answer. + +"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, coming closer. "A +word, a single 'yes,' which you have spoken without knowing its +significance, without knowing yourself. Shall you permit it to bind you +for your whole life? Shall you allow it to make us both miserable for +all time? No, Ada, love, that eternal, undying right of the human heart, +must have its own. Men prate of guilt, others of destiny. It is destiny +which is beckoning us to-day, and we must follow after. A feeble word +cannot separate us." + +At this moment a lightning flash parted the heavy, distant clouds, and +cast a long, narrow, dazzling light over the great forest, and gleamed +across Hartmut's face and figure where he stood. + +Surely he was his mother's son now. He never looked more like her than +at this moment, with his dark, destroying beauty, and his peculiar, +passionate, demoniacal glance. Perhaps it was this glance which brought +Adelheid to her senses, perhaps it was the something concealed behind +all the fire and passion. + +"A freely given and freely received word is an oath," she said, slowly, +"and who breaks it breaks his honor." + +Hartmut breathed hard; keen and cruel like a lightning's flash, came a +memory to his soul, the memory of that hour in which he had freely given +his word--and broken it. + +Adelheid von Wallmoden looked straight at Hartmut now; her face was +pale, and her voice trembled as she addressed him again: + +"I wish you to cease this persecution, which has been going on for weeks +now. You fill me with horror--your eyes, your words, your manner. I feel +that everything which emanates from you is false, and no one can love +that which is false." + +"Ada." There was a tone of passionate entreaty in his voice, but hers +had gained in steadfastness now, and she continued earnestly: + +"And you do not love me. I have seen for some time that your pursuance +of me was from hate, not love. You and your kind have not the capacity +for loving." + +Rojanow was silent from surprise. Who had taught her to read him so +nearly aright? + +He had not even acknowledged to himself how closely the love and hate +were united in his breast. + +"And you say this to the author of Arivana?" he exclaimed with +bitterness. "My drama has been called the ode to love, and--" + +"Then those who so named it have been deceived by the flimsy veil of +oriental legend in which your figures are enveloped, they have seen the +Eastern priest with the woman he loves succumb to an iron, inhuman law. +Perhaps you are a great poet, perhaps you will astonish the world with +your fame, but to me you are something else, for the passion and fiery +language of 'Arivana' have taught me something of its creator; of the +man who believes in nothing, to whom nothing in the world is holy, +neither duty nor pledge, neither manly honor nor womanly virtue; who +would drag the highest in the dust for the sport of his passion. I yet +believe in duty and honor, believe in myself, and with this belief I bid +defiance to the fate which you so triumphantly prophesy will enthrall +me. It can drive me to death--but never into your arms." + +She stood opposite him, neither trembling nor irresolute. All her secret +struggles were over, and with each word one more link of the chain was +loosened. + +Her eyes met his, full and free; she feared their dark, baneful glance +no longer--that mysterious power was broken; she felt it and breathed +deeply, like one whose hour of deliverance had come. + +Again there was a flash of lightning, noiseless, not followed by any +thunder crash, but it seemed to open the heavens to their very depths. +In the palpitating light one could see fantastic cloud pictures, forms +which seemed to struggle and battle with one another as if borne by +force before the storm, and yet the cloud-mountain stood immovable on +the far horizon; and just as immovable stood the man upon whose dark +countenance the lightning flash revealed a deep pallor. + +His eyes had not turned from the young wife's face, but the wild glow +within them was extinguished, and his voice had a strange sound as he +said: + +"And this is the sentence for which I begged. I am then, in your eyes +nothing more than a--reprobate?" + +"A lost man, perhaps--you have forced me to this avowal." + +Hartmut stepped slowly back a few steps. + +"Lost," he repeated in bitter tone. "That is probably what you think. +You may be at rest, my dear madam. I will never approach you again; one +has no desire to hear such words a second time. You stand so proud and +firm upon your watch tower of virtue and judge so severely. You have no +conception what a wild, desperate life can make of a man who goes +through the world without home or family. You are right. I believed in +nothing in the heavens above or on the earth beneath--until this hour." + +There was something in his tone and in his whole bearing which disarmed +Adelheid. + +She felt she had no cause to fear a further explosion of passion, and +her voice grew milder as she answered: + +"I judge no one, but I belong heart and soul to another world, with +other laws than yours. I am the daughter of a father whom I dearly +loved, who, all his life long, trod but one path, the earnest, rigid +path of duty. Upon this he raised himself from poverty and privation to +wealth and honor, and he taught his children to follow in the same way, +and it is this thought which has been my shield and protection in this +hard hour. I could not endure it if I were compelled to lower my eyes +before the noble image which my memory holds. Your father is no longer +alive?" + +There followed a long, oppressive pause. Hartmut did not answer, but his +head sank under the words of whose crushing significance the questioner +had no knowledge, while his eyes seemed to pierce the ground. + +"No," he said at last, slowly. + +"But you have the memory of him and of your mother?" + +"My mother!" Rojanow broke forth wildly now. "Do not speak of her, in +this hour--do not speak to me of my mother." + +It was an alarming cry, a mixture of boundless bitterness, with reproach +and despair. In it the mother was sentenced by her son, he felt her +memory was but a desecration of this hour. + +Adelheid did not understand him, she only saw that she had touched on a +point which admitted of no discussion, but she also saw that the man who +stood before her with his deep, dark glance, with his tone of despair, +was another than he who had stood there a quarter of an hour before. It +was a dark, fathomless mystery upon which she gazed, but she had no +longer any fear. + +"Let us end this interview," she said, earnestly. "You will seek no +second one, I believe that; but one word more before we part. You are a +poet. I have felt that in spite of everything, as I have learned to know +your work. But poets are teachers of mankind, and can lead to good or to +ill. The wild flame of your 'Arivana' springs from a life which you, +yourself, seem to hate. Look yonder," and she pointed to the distant +heavens inflamed now with the lightning's play. "Those are also flaming +brands, but their beginnings are from above and they point out another +way--and now farewell!" + +Long after she had disappeared, Hartmut stood on the same spot as if +rooted to the ground. He had answered no word, made no comment, only +gazed where she had pointed, with fixed, hopeless eyes. + +Flash after flash of lightning was now rending the heavens and the whole +landscape was enveloped in a lurid glare which reflected itself in that +little sheet of water so like the Burgsdorf fish pond; the long reeds +and grasses swayed and bent above the water and the mist from the meadow +rose above it all. + +Under just such long, waving grass the boy had lain long ago and dreamed +of the day when he should mount like the falcon from which his race had +taken their name, always higher and higher into boundless freedom toward +the sun, and now on a similar spot the sentence had fallen upon him like +a judgment from heaven, and the will-o'-the-wisp on this lowering autumn +night seemed in its spectral flashes to dance over the grave of false +hopes and falser aspirations. The falcon had not mounted to the skies, +the earth had held him fast. He had felt for some time that the +intoxicating cup of freedom and of life which his mother's hand had +poured for him was poisoned; there were for him no cherished memories to +guard--he dare not venture to think of his father. + +Darker and darker grew the heavens with their heavy, storm laden clouds, +and wilder and fiercer was the struggle between those giant figures +which were riven at every flash only to come together again with greater +fury, and brighter and more vivid grew that mighty flame as it mounted +higher and higher in the inky firmament. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The winter gaieties had fairly begun in the South-German capital, and in +the exclusive court circle the artistic element played a prominent part. +The duke, who loved and fostered art, took great pride in being +accounted its patron, and strove to make his capital an intellectual and +artistic centre. The young poet who had been received so favorably by +the court, and whose first great work was soon to be produced at the +court theatre, was an object of great interest to the little world. It +was an almost unheard of feat for a Roumanian to write in the German +tongue, even though it was admitted that, in this instance, the writer +had received his education in Germany. Here, as at Rodeck, he was the +bosom friend and guest of Prince Adelsberg, and many strange and +wonderful stories were related of this friendship. But Hartmut's +personality, above all else, created for him an enviable position no +matter where he turned. The young, handsome and genial stranger, +surrounded as he was with a halo of romance and mystery, had only to +appear to have all eyes turned upon him. + +Soon after the return of the court to the city, the rehearsals for +"Arivana" began, and its author and Prince Egon had the matter in +charge. + +The latter entered so enthusiastically into the spirit of it all, that +he made the lives of the director and theatre attaches miserable with +his many and contradictory suggestions concerning the setting of the +drama, a matter about which, it is unnecessary to add, they were much +more capable of directing than he. At first they could not get an +actress to suit them, but they finally secured the services of a young +and favorite opera-singer named Marietta Volkmar. + +The preparations for the performance, which they had intended originally +to bring out late in the season, were now hurried forward with all +speed, for royal visitors were expected at court, and the duke was most +anxious that this weird and poetical drama with its Indian setting +should be presented before them. Unusual honors to the poet were +prophesied as a result of this spectacle. + +Such was the condition of affairs when Herbert von Wallmoden returned to +the court, and he was, naturally, painfully surprised. + +He had asked his wife casually, while inquiring for others, whether the +prince's Roumanian friend had yet left Fuerstenstein, and she had +answered in the negative. He had not expected Hartmut to leave at once, +for the latter had declared most positively he would not. But Wallmoden +imagined he would think it all well over, and when Prince Adelsberg left +Rodeck that would end the whole matter. Under no circumstances would +Rojanow appear by the prince's side at the capital where the ambassador +had threatened to denounce him at once. + +But Baron von Wallmoden did not understand the unyielding defiance of +this man, who had indeed dared much. Now, upon his return from the +north, he found this "adventurer" established on a very sure footing, in +close intercourse with the court and society of the capital. It would be +a most embarrassing matter to explain everything at this late day, when +all were on the _qui vive_ of expectation, and when the duke was so +deeply interested both in the new drama and in its author. It would make +a very painful impression in all circles. The experienced diplomat did +not disguise from himself the fact that the duke would complain, and +with reason, that all this exposure should have been made on the first +day of the stranger's appearance rather than at this inopportune time. +There remained nothing for it but to be silent and await developments. + +Wallmoden had no thought of the danger which had threatened himself. He +had not seen fit to tell his wife anything concerning his old friend +Falkenried's history, and decided now that she had better know nothing +more about Prince Adelsberg's friend than was known by their associates. + +No conversation concerning Hartmut had ever passed between them save the +one fleeting question and his wife's monosyllabic answer. + +But he felt he dare keep silence no longer toward his nephew Willibald, +for there would be a similar scene to that enacted by the mother at +Hochberg if the son was surprised by the sight of his boyhood's friend. + +The young heir had accompanied the Wallmodens to the southern capital, +where he intended remaining a few days, when he was going on to +Fuerstenstein to see his betrothed, for the head forester had expressly +requested that the September visit, which was so suddenly interrupted, +should be finished later in the season. + +"You were only with us a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and I +desire to see something more of my future son-in-law. Everything is in +order again, I trust, in your much loved Burgsdorf, and there is little +to do in November at any rate. So send Will to us, even if you cannot +come yourself. I will not take no for an answer. Toni is waiting to see +her lover--so don t fail!" + +Frau von Eschenhagen admitted that he was right, and she was glad enough +to have Will go. He had made no further attempt to assert himself +against her motherly authority, and appeared to have fully regained his +reason again. He had grown quieter of late and since his return from +Fuerstenstein rushed with greater zest into all his agricultural +pursuits; he had, take it all in all, behaved in a most exemplary +manner. + +On one point alone he remained obstinate, he would not discuss with his +mother the "idiocy" of which he had been guilty and which caused their +sudden journey home, and avoided all reference to the subject. Of course +his mother understood how it was; he was ashamed of his sudden +excitement, and of a passion which had been only momentary, and wanted +to forget it and have her forget it, too, as soon as possible. As for +the rest, he wrote regularly to his bride-elect, who responded most +punctually. Frau Regine, who considered it her special prerogative, read +all this correspondence, and declared herself satisfied with it. There +was no sentiment, no declaration of affection, in these letters; they +were quite practical epistles, telling of home matters in a homely +fashion, but they evinced Will's intention to keep his word and marry +his cousin on the day appointed, and now near at hand. + +So Willibald was told that he could go and visit his bride; the +permission was granted all the more willingly because Frau Regine knew +that Marietta Volkmar must have returned to the city long since. Baron +von Wallmoden and his wife had paid a flying visit to Burgsdorf on their +way south from the Stahlberg factories, and Willibald was put in their +care and was to spend a few days in the South-German Capital. During +those few days in which he would remain in the ambassador's house, he +was perfectly safe, his mother assured herself. + +The baron found that it would be necessary to tell his nephew about his +old friend at once. On the very day of their arrival, Hartmut Rojanow's +name was mentioned several times in Willibald's presence. He asked +promptly to whom the name belonged, and was answered, 'to a young +Roumanian poet.' An unmistakable wink from his uncle was all that saved +him from further questions. + +Then when they were alone the ambassador explained to Willibald who and +what this Hartmut Rojanow was. An adventurer of the lowest and worst +type, whom he would soon expose and force to abandon forever the _role_ +which he was now playing with so little right, but with such signal +success. + +Poor Willibald shook his head in a dazed sort of way over this news. His +old friend, for whom he had always had a warm and unchanged affection, +notwithstanding the episode of ten years before, was near him now, and +he dare not see him again. + +Wallmoden was especially sharp and explicit about this, and made his +nephew promise to say nothing about the matter to Frau von Wallmoden or +his uncle von Schoenau. But poor Willibald could not understand it at +all; he needed time and quiet with this as with all other things, to +comprehend them fully. + +The day on which "Arivana" was to be produced, came at last. It was the +work of a young and unknown poet, but the circumstances connected with +its production were such that society was anxious to judge for itself of +this work of the duke's latest protege. The theatre was crowded to +overflowing, and the ducal couple with their suite were early in the +court boxes. Although no special announcement had been made, the evening +was evidently looked upon as a festival occasion, and every one was +attired _a la grande toilette_, the ladies vieing with one another in +the richness and brilliancy of their dress. + +Prince Adelsberg, who was in the ducal box, was as much excited as if +he had written the drama himself. + +His aunt, too, was greatly interested in the success of the evening's +entertainment, and had been looking carefully over the play bill when he +entered the box; she called him to her at once. + +"Our young friend seems to have his whims like all other poets," she +remarked. "What a singular caprice to change the name of his heroine in +the last hour." + +"But that is not the case," Egon answered. "The change was made long +before we left Rodeck. Hartmut took it into his head that 'Ada' was too +cold and clear-cut a name for the passionate character of his heroine, +so he re-baptized her." + +"But the name 'Ada' is here on the programme," interrupted the princess. + +"Certainly, but it belongs to quite a different person in the drama now, +one who only appears in a single scene." + +"Then Herr Rojanow has made his alterations since he read it for us at +Fuerstenstein?" + +"Only a few; the play is really quite unchanged with that single +exception. Hartmut has added that scene with Ada in it, and I can assure +your highness it's the most poetical thing he has ever written." + +"Of course, everything your friend writes is wonderful in your eyes," +his aunt answered, but her unusually gracious smiles showed that in this +opinion she did not disagree with him. + +The ambassador and his wife, who had only returned forty-eight hours +before, sat in one of the large proscenium boxes. Baron von Wallmoden +was anything but a willing guest of the court to-night, but he knew it +was incumbent on him in his position to accept this evening's +invitation. The duke had invited the whole diplomatic corps, and as the +North German ambassador and his wife had dined at the ducal table that +evening no excuse could be offered for declining the later +entertainment. + +Willibald had come too, to see and hear the work of his old-time friend; +as his uncle was to be there, surely he had a right also. It did not +please Wallmoden to have him there, but he could not well forbid his +nephew's presence when he himself was present. Will, who had some +difficulty in obtaining a seat in the parquette, unfolded the programme +carelessly, when suddenly his eye caught the name of "Marietta Volkmar," +and knew whom he was to see this evening. He folded the programme +hastily and put it in his pocket; he regretted in this moment that he +had come to the theatre at all. + +Finally the performance began. The curtain rose, and the first act, +little more than a prelude, was soon over. It was an introduction to the +spectators, of that weird, fantastic, legendary world into which they +were to enter, with Arivana, the sacred place of offering, the holy of +holies, in the foreground. + +The principal character in the drama, the young priest, who in the +fanaticism of his belief puts everything earthly far from him, as +unclean, appeared, and in a few masterly, powerful lines, pronounced his +vow, by which, for him, for time and eternity, all earthly bonds were +loosed, and he was committed heart and soul to the service of his God. +The oath was taken, the holy flame blazed and waved on the sacrificial +altar, and the curtain fell. + +The applause, started at once by the duke, resounded on all sides. This +work, about which so much had been said, was bound to be a success, in a +certain sense, for this one evening at least. But there was something +more than idle flattery in this applause. The spectators felt at once +that, a true poet had spoken to them; the creation had already had the +commendation of the court, but the public were carried away with it +now. They were charmed by the diction, by the characters, and by the +subject, and when the curtain rose anew, there was a look of silent +expectancy on every face. + +The drama now moved forward in majestic measure upon a scenic background +as full of warmth and color as the language and characters of the piece. + +The luxuriant vegetation of India, the fabulous pomp of her temples and +her palaces; the men and women with their wild loves and their still +wilder hatred; the rigid laws of their faith; all this was strange and +fantastic, but the manner in which these men and women felt and acted +was familiar to every one. They stood under the influence of a power +which is the same to-day that it was a thousand years ago; the same in +the tropics and in the colder climes of the north; the power of passion +in the heart of man. It was indeed a doctrine of fire, and its burden +was the inalienable right of passion to sweep away every obstacle, to +break down every barrier of law and custom, of oath and pledge, which +stood between it and its aim. + +A right which Hartmut Rojanow well understood and illustrated in the +exercise of his own unbridled will, which knew no law and no duty, and +to which self-gratification was the highest good. + +The awakening of this passion, its mighty growth and final triumph, was +described in words of ravishing eloquence, and depicted in pictures +which seemed drawn, now from the purest heights of ideality, and now +from the depths of the pit. The poet had done wisely to drape his +characters with the veil of an oriental legend, for under this covering +he might express sentiments and present scenes, which otherwise would +scarcely have been forgiven, and he did this now with a boldness which +threw glowing sparks into the souls of those who heard him, and held +them enthralled as if by some infernal spell. + +By the close of the second act, the success of Arivana was assured. + +The work was presented with a skill and perfection of acting never +surpassed on any stage. The actors in the two principal _roles_ played +their parts with a fire and perfection which could only have come from +genuine enthusiasm. The heroine was no longer called Ada. That name was +borne by a being who stood, strange and alone, in this restless world of +surging passions; one of those half-fabulous creatures with whom the +Indian legends people the icy summits of the Himalayas; cold and pure as +the eternal snows which glisten in those lofty regions. She appeared +only in one scene, and at the decisive moment of the drama, where she +moved through the stormy action as if upon spirits' pinions, warning and +exhorting, and Egon was quite right when he said that the words which +the poet put into her mouth were the most beautiful of the whole play. + +Suddenly the pure, white light of heaven breaks through the red glow of +the drama; the scene is beautiful, but short and swift and fleeting as +the zephyr's breath. The chaste form vanished to the snowy heights of +her distant home, while here below from the river's moonlit shore rose +the song of the Hindoo maiden--Marietta's soft and swelling voice; the +cry of warning from above was lost in these sweet seductive tones. In +the last act came the tragic ending, the judgment upon the guilty pair +who suffer death in the flames. But this death was no atonement, it was +rather a triumph, a glorious apotheosis, and out of the midst of the +fire flamed high toward heaven the infernal doctrine of the +unconditional right of passion. The curtain fell for the last time, and +the applause, which had increased from act to act, rose now to a perfect +storm. The house shouted for the author and would take no denial. At +last Hartmut came forward, free from every trace of embarrassment, and +beaming with pride and joy. He bowed his thanks to the public, which had +held to his lips that night a cup of delight such as he had never before +tasted. They are intoxicating, these first draughts from the goblet of +fame! In the pride of victory the young poet cast a glance toward the +proscenium box whose inmates he had already recognized. + +He did not find what he sought. + +Adelheid had leaned back in her chair and covered her face with an open +fan. He saw only the cold, unmoved countenance of the man who had so +deeply insulted him, and who now was the witness of his triumph. + +Wallmoden understood only too well the mute language of those flashing +dark eyes; they said to him: + +"Dare to despise me now!" + + * * * * * + +At an early hour the next morning, Willibald von Eschenhagen entered the +great city park, which, he had just declared to his uncle, he would +explore for himself. This extensive, well-wooded park, which lay before +the city's very doors, was well worth a visit, but Willibald took scant +notice of its beauties as he hurried on in the keen November morning. He +glanced neither to the right nor to the left, but strode on, striking +into this path and now into that, frequently re-treading the very ground +which he had left but a moment before. + +Perhaps this brisk, aimless walk, would silence or stupefy the passion +and excitement which were struggling for mastery within him. + +Some of his excitement was due to seeing his old friend again, for he +had been greatly moved at the sight of him. Fourteen long years he had +heard nothing of Hartmut, had been forbidden even to mention his name, +and now he stood before him suddenly in all the pride and glory of a +rising poet's fame, wonderfully changed in appearance and manner, but +yet the old Hartmut still, the same with whom he had so often frolicked +and never quarreled in by-gone days. Even had he been unprepared, he +would have known his dear old friend at a glance. + +Wallmoden had been greatly disturbed and annoyed at the result of the +previous night's performance. He had scarcely spoken as they drove from +the theatre, and his wife had been equally taciturn. She explained that +the heat of the crowded room had given her a headache, and in +consequence retired at once upon reaching home. + +Her example was followed by her husband, who, as he bade his nephew +good-night, said: + +"Do not forget our talk, Willibald. Be silent before every one, no +matter who. You'll have to be on your guard, too, for the name of +Rojanow will be on every one's lips for the next few days. He's had luck +this time, like all adventurers!" + +Willibald made no answer to this, but he felt that something beyond +adventurer's luck had come to the author of Arivana. Under other +circumstances he should have looked on this drama as something unheard +of, inexplicable, without in the least understanding it, but last night +he seemed to comprehend it all fully. + +One could love without the consent of parent or guardian; such freedom +was not confined to India alone--it often happened in Germany as well. A +promise given thoughtlessly and blindly could be broken, but what then? +Yes, then came the fate which Hartmut had pictured so beautifully, yet +so vividly. Will was fully determined to transfer the lesson which +Arivana had taught him to Burgsdorf. Surely the punishment invoked by +the furious priestcraft, would be no worse than the vial of Frau von +Eschenhagen's wrath. + +The young heir sighed deeply as he thought of the second act of the +drama, where, from the group of Hindoo maidens, the sacrificial figure +steps forth. How lovely she looked in her soft, white, clinging +garments, with the wealth of flowers in her dark curly hair. His eyes +had never left her during the two or three times when she had appeared +for a moment on the stage; then her song sounded forth from the shore of +the moonlit river, the same clear, sweet voice which had captivated him +in the little parlor of Waldhofen, and here again were the same old +unholy feelings against which he had battled so bravely then. + +And the worst of it was that he no longer considered them unholy. + +The energetic walker came for the third time to a little temple which +was open at one side and within which were seats inviting to rest, and a +marble bust in the centre. Willibald stepped in and sat down, less from +necessity for rest than with the hope he might in this seclusion get his +disturbed thoughts in order. + +It was about ten o'clock in the morning, and the grounds were almost +entirely deserted. + +Only a single pedestrian, a young man elegantly attired, lounged along +slowly, and to the casual observer, purposelessly. + +But he was on the lookout for some one, for he glanced with unconcealed +impatience toward the winding walks which led direct from the city. + +Suddenly he stepped quickly behind one of the pillars which supported +the little temple, where he could see any one approaching without being +seen himself. + +About five minutes later a young lady walking briskly came along a +narrow path which led past the temple. She was of slight, graceful +figure, wore a dark, fur-trimmed mantle with cap and muff to match, and +was glancing over a roll of manuscript as she stepped quickly forward. + +Suddenly she gave a surprised cry, which had anything but a joyful +sound, as the young man stepped in front of her. + +"Oh, Count Westerburg." + +The man bowed low as he exclaimed: + +"What a happy accident! Who would have thought to find Fraeulein Marietta +Volkmar seeking the fresh air of the park at this hour." + +Marietta stood still and looked the speaker well over from head to foot, +before she answered, in a tone of mingled anger and contempt: + +"I do not believe it is by accident that you so often and so +persistently cross my path, Herr Count, although I have been very +explicit as to the annoyance which your attentions cause me." + +"Oh, yes, you have been very cruel to me," said the count reprovingly, +but with unmistakable assurance. "You will not permit me to visit you, +despise my gifts of flowers, hardly acknowledge my greetings when you +meet me. What have I done to you? I have ventured to prove my devotion +by laying at your feet a little tribute in the form of jewels, but you +return them with--" + +"With the explanation that I decline such insolent advances now and +always," Marietta interrupted angrily; "that I will have no more of your +brazen impertinences. You have waylaid me purposely to-day." + +"Good heavens! I am only here to sue for pardon for my boldness," said +the count, as he stepped, with apparent submissiveness, directly in +front of her in the narrow path. "I know full well how unapproachable +you are, and that no one guards her reputation more jealously than the +beautiful Marietta." + +"My name is Fraeulein Volkmar," cried Marietta angrily. "Save such +familiar speeches for those who appreciate them. I do not, and if you do +not cease your importunities, I will in future claim protection against +them." + +"Whose protection?" sneered the count. "Perhaps that of the old woman +with whom you live, and who is forever at your side! It is only when you +go to Professor Marani that she is left at home; you do not regard the +old singing master as dangerous. But that is the only time when you are +without her." + +"Except for a morning walk in the park, of which you are apparently +aware. Get out of my path, please. I want to go on." + +She attempted to pass him, but the count put out both arms to intercept +her. + +"You will at least, give me permission to accompany you, Fraeulein? You +can see for yourself the walks are lonely and deserted, and I'm bound to +offer you my protection." + +The park was indeed deserted; no sign of life in any direction, and the +brave girl was secretly alarmed, but she answered, boldly: + +"Do not attempt to follow me a single step. Your protection would be as +unendurable as is your presence. How often have I to repeat that?" + +"Ah, how angry she can get," said the count with a malicious laugh. "Ah, +I must be repaid for those hard words. I must have a kiss from those +rosy lips which speak so harshly." + +He made a movement to take her in his arms, as the girl drew back, +really alarmed now, but in the same moment he lay sprawling upon the +sward, a heavy blow, well aimed, having thrown him to the damp ground, +where he lay, a most contemptible object! + +Marietta turned, more alarmed than ever, in the direction from which the +blow had come, and the angry, hot expression on her face was succeeded +by one of boundless surprise, when she saw who it was that had come to +her aid so suddenly, and now stood by her side gazing grimly at the +prostrate man whom he had put in this humiliating position with such +evident satisfaction. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen--you?" + +Count Westerburg had in the meantime risen with some difficulty, and now +advanced threateningly toward his new enemy. + +"Sir, what do you mean by this? Who has given you the right--who has +given you the right--" + +"Stay where you are! Don't advance a step nearer this lady," interrupted +Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or I'll send you +flying under those trees, and you won't get up from the second blow as +soon as you did from the first." + +The count, who was neither very large nor very rugged, and who had felt +already the weight of this young giant's fist, measured Willibald for a +minute, but that was long enough to convince him that a hand to hand +scuffle could only result one way. + +"You will give me satisfaction--if you are capable of giving +satisfaction," he began in a half-suffocated voice. "Probably you don't +know that you have before you a--" + +"A low scoundrel whom it will give me pleasure to discipline," said +Willibald, composedly. "Remain where you are, if you please, or I shall +be obliged to do it on the spot. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen of +Burgsdorf, and I am to be found at the residence of the Prussian +ambassador, if you have anything more to say. I beg you to accept my +protection, Fraeulein, and I'll pledge myself that you'll not be insulted +again." + +And then something unheard of, almost past belief, happened. + +Herr von Eschenhagen, without awkwardness or embarrassment, with the +grace of a gentleman of the old school, offered Fraeulein Volkmar his arm +and led her away, without troubling himself farther about the low +scoundrel! + +Marietta had accepted his arm, but she spoke no word; as soon as they +were out of hearing she began, with an agitation which was anything but +natural to her: "Herr von Eschenhagen--" + +"Yes, Fraeulein?" + +"I--I am very grateful to you for your protection. But the Count--you +have insulted him deeply--he will challenge you, and you will accept his +challenge?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest pleasure," answered Will, and a smile +broke over his face which proved that such a state of affairs would give +him great gratification. His stupidity and obtuseness had disappeared, +he felt he was a hero and deliverer, and was very well satisfied with +himself. Marietta looked up at him in speechless surprise. + +"But it is terrible that all this should happen on my account," she +remonstrated. "And that it should be you, of all men." + +The last remark did not please the young man. + +"You evidently regret that, Fraeulein," he said rather stiffly. "But +under such circumstances you cannot always have what you want. I was +near by, and you were forced to accept my services even though I do not +stand very well in your esteem." + +A flush crossed Marietta's face as she remembered the time when she had +poured the vials of her wrath and contempt over this man who now came to +her rescue so bravely. + +"I was thinking of Toni and her father," she answered softly. "I am +altogether blameless, but if I should be the cause of tearing you from +your bride--" + +"Then Toni would have to accept it as an intervention of Providence," +answered Willibald, upon whom the mention of his betrothed seemed to +make no impression. "One can but lose his life once, and there is no use +looking on the worst side, either. Where shall I take you, Fraeulein? To +Park street? I think I heard you lived on that street." + +She shook her head violently. + +"No, no; I cannot walk, I shall call a carriage; there are some over +there. I had meant to go to Professor Marani, to practice a new part, +but I cannot sing now." + +Willibald turned his steps in the direction where the carriages were +standing, and they went on in silence until they came near them. +Marietta stopped then, and turning to her escort, said anxiously: + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, must it be? Can nothing be done?" + +"Well, hardly. I knocked the count down, and called him a low scoundrel, +and most fellows would regard that as sufficient grounds for a duel. +But, don't you worry about it. The whole affair will be over to-morrow +or next day, with only a couple of scratches to tell the tale, in all +probability." + +"And I shall have to wait two or three days in anxiety and uncertainty. +Cannot you send me some news?" + +Will looked down into the dark, tearful eyes, and a light came in his +own such as had gleamed from them on the first day he saw the little +"singing bird." + +"When all is happily over, I'll come myself and bring you the news if I +may?" + +"Certainly, certainly. But if it should end unfortunately, if you should +fall?" + +"Then hold me in kinder remembrance than you have done hitherto," said +Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You took me for a coward. O, don't +say a word, you were right; I have felt it bitterly enough, but I was +accustomed always to obey my mother, who I knew loved me devotedly. But +now you see that I know also how a man should behave when he sees a +defenseless girl insulted, and I will avenge that insult--if need be +with my blood." + +Without waiting for an answer, he hailed a driver, assisted Marietta +into the carriage, and repeated to the man the street and number which +she gave him. She placed her little hand in his for a moment, and gave +him a long look, then, as the carriage rolled away, she threw herself +back on the cushions with a loud sob. Will looked after the carriage as +long as it was in sight, then he threw his shoulders back and said, with +a sort of fierce pleasure: + +"Now, have a care, Herr Count. It will be a real pleasure for me to have +a shot at you." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The short November day was nearly over, and the twilight shadows were +lengthening rapidly, when Prince Egon, returning from a short walk, +entered his brilliantly lighted palace. + +"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he asked a footman. + +"Yes, your highness," the servant answered with a respectful bow. + +"Then order the carriage for nine o'clock, to take us to the castle." + +So saying Egon sprang quickly up the stairs, and hastened to his +friend's apartments, which were on the first floor, not far from his +own, and which were furnished with all the old-time magnificence of a +princely house. A lamp was burning on the table in Hartmut's little +study, and he himself, looking weary and dejected, was lying full length +upon a couch. + +"He of the laurel wreath is taking his rest," said the prince, laughing, +as he entered the room and came quickly forward to his friend. "I can't +find fault with you this time, for you haven't had a minute's rest +to-day. There's something exciting in being the rising star in the +poet's heaven, but it's hard on the nerves, I must admit. People are +vieing with one another to do you honor. You certainly had an +overwhelming reception to-day." + +"Yes, and we must go to the court to-night," Hartmut answered in a +tired, indifferent tone; evidently the prospect was not an enlivening +one. + +"We must, indeed. The high and mighty desire to do homage to the hero of +the hour, my dear aunt at the head of them. You must know that she +thinks she's the embodiment of soulfulness and poesy herself, and that +she has discovered a responsive spirit in you Praise the Lord! She'll +leave me alone for a while, and if she gets very deep in her illusions, +she'll forget ail about the marriage plan, for the time at least; but +you seem to be very indifferent to the ducal favor which, by the way, is +quite pronounced. You hardly speak. Are you ill?" + +"I'm tired. I wish I could escape from all the noise, and go to Rodeck." + +"To Rodeck? That would be a fine place in the November mists and the +damp, leafless forests. Ugh, it gives me the horrors." + +"All the same, I have a great longing for the dreary loneliness, and I'm +going there, too, after a few days; that is, if you have no objection." + +"Well, I have very serious objections," retorted Egon crossly. "In +heaven's name what's the matter with you anyway? Now when the whole city +is wild over the author of 'Arivana' and your presence is demanded +everywhere, you want to run away from all the glory and triumph, and +hide yourself in a little, dark hole which is only bearable in +midsummer. Such an idea is unheard of." + +"For my own sake--I need quiet and rest--I will go to Rodeck." + +The young prince shook his head. He was accustomed to have his friend do +as he pleased without much heed to his remonstrances, and he knew no +means by which he could combat this new whim; but it did appear to him a +very unaccountable one. + +"I believe my highly esteemed aunt knows what she's talking about +sometimes," he said, between a joke and a reproof. "She said to me last +night, in the theatre, 'Our friend has caprices like other poets.' I +agree with her. What has come over you, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day +you were fairly beaming with triumph and joy, and now I have scarcely +left you for an hour and return to find you in the depths of melancholy. +Have you seen anything in the papers which has annoyed you? Something +from the pen of a malicious, spiteful critic, I'll be bound." + +He turned toward the writing-table, where the evening papers lay. + +"No, no," Rojanow said, hastily, but he turned his face sidewise, so +that it lay in the shadow. "All the papers mention 'Arivana,' and each +strives to outdo his neighbor in writing complimentary things about me. +You know I am of an uncertain temper, and am often cast down, without +being able to give reason for my depression." + +"Yes, but now when you are overwhelmed with praise, fairly extolled to +the skies, such depression should be far from you. You really seem +exhausted. That comes from the excitement we both have undergone during +the past few weeks." + +He bent anxiously over his friend, who stretched out his hand to him as +if to atone for this sudden change. + +"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--I'll be myself again +in a little while." + +"I sincerely hope so. My poet has much honor awaiting him, even +to-night. I'll leave you now. Try and rest, and don't let any one else +disturb you. You have three good hours before we need start." + +The prince went. He had not seen the bitter smile on his friend's face +when he referred to his triumphs and good fortune; and yet the prince +had spoken the truth. Fame was good fortune and happiness, perhaps the +highest in life, and Hartmut was willing to acknowledge that it was so, +until an hour ago, when a bitter drop had mingled in his cup. + +When the young man had entered his room an hour before, he had glanced +hastily over the evening papers. A review of his work was to be found in +each, and he read with interest the impressions which the drama had +made: of its strength, and depth, and power, and how skillfully the +young and talented Roumanian, Hartmut Rojanow, had outlined and +elaborated his characters. + +Then, as he turned the sheet, another name met his gaze, a name which, +for the moment, deadened his very senses. + +The article which caught his eye stated that the recent journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin, had been on a matter of great +significance. Herr von Wallmoden had had an audience of the duke +immediately on his return, and they had discussed matters of the gravest +importance, and now a high Prussian officer was expected, who was the +bearer of certain special dispatches to the duke. It was evident that +some weighty military affair was under discussion, and Colonel Hartmut +von Falkenried would be in the city in a few days. + +Hartmut let the paper drop from his hands; his whole body seemed to turn +to ice. His father to be here in a day or two! Herr von Wallmoden would +of course tell him all. The possibility of meeting him now seemed to +resolve itself into a certainty. + +"When you have made a great, proud name and future for yourself then you +can stand before him and ask him whether he despises you or not," Zalika +had said to her son on that memorable night when he had protested +against breaking his word to his father. Now the first step toward this +brilliant future had been taken. + +Hartmut Rojanow already wore the laurel wreath, and that was enough, +surely, to obliterate the past. It should and must be enough; and it was +this thought which blazed from Hartmut's eyes as he looked toward the +ambassador's box last night. + +But could he look thus into his father's eyes? Despite all his defiance +he feared those eyes, and them alone, in all the world. + +He had partly decided to go to Rodeck, and then he picked up the paper +again to see if any date was named for the distinguished officer's +arrival. He felt within him a something--a secret and burning longing. +Perhaps now when his great triumph was but just begun, the hour for +reconciliation had come; perhaps, when Falkenried saw what the freedom +and life for which his son had craved so long ago, had developed, he +would forgive the boy for the sake of the man. He was his child still, +his only son, whom he had clasped to his arms with such passionate +tenderness on that last evening at Burgsdorf. + +This memory brought with it a mighty longing in Hartmut's soul for those +arms, for a home, for all that he had lost since those boyhood's days, +which, despite their severity, had been so innocent, so peaceful, so +happy. + +The door opened, and a servant entered and extended a card on a salver. +Rojanow made an impatient movement to take it away. + +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't see any one else to-day?" + +"I told the gentleman that," explained the servant, "but he said he'd +like Herr Rojanow to hear his name, anyway--Willibald von Eschenhagen." + +Hartmut rose suddenly from his reclining position; he did not believe he +had heard aright. + +"What name, did you say?" + +"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card." + +"Ah--show him up. Hurry!" + +The servant left the room, and a minute later Willibald entered, but +remained standing, uncertain and hesitating, near the door. Hartmut had +sprung up and was staring at him. Yes, these were the same old features, +the dear face, the honest blue eyes of his youth's friend, and with a +passionate cry of: + +"Will! My own dear Will! Is it really you? You have come to me!" he +threw his arms stormingly around his friend's neck. + +The young heir, who little understood how his appearance just at the +moment when old memories were welling up in Hartmut's brain, had moved +his friend, was almost overcome by this reception. He remembered that +Hartmut had always been his superior, intellectually, and how many times +he had been made to feel this. He had thought that the author of +"Arivana" would have grown even more imperious and self-assertive, and +now he was given this tender and overwhelming reception. + +"Are you then so rejoiced to see me, Hartmut?" he asked, somewhat +timorously. "I almost feared it would not be right for me to come." + +"Not right, when I have not seen you for ten long years?" cried Hartmut, +reprovingly. And then he drew his friend toward him and began to ask +questions and chatter away with such genuine heartiness, that Will soon +lost his shyness and could speak as of old to him. + +He explained that he had only been three days in town, and was on his +way to Fuerstenstein. + +"Yes, and you're to be married soon. I heard of your betrothal at +Rodeck, and I have seen Fraeulein von Schoenau once. I wish you great +happiness, old fellow." + +Willibald took the wish for his happiness with characteristic coolness. +He sat and gazed on the floor, and said in a low tone: + +"Yes--my mother chose a wife for me." + +"I can well believe that," said Hartmut laughing. "But you at least gave +your 'yes' willingly." + +Willibald did not answer, but seemed to be studying the pattern of the +carpet intently; suddenly he asked abruptly: + +"Hartmut--how do you go to work to write poetry anyhow?" + +Hartmut repressed a smile with difficulty. "That is not easy to explain. +I really fear I cannot answer you intelligibly." + +"Yes, writing poetry is a curious thing," sighed Willibald with a sad +shake of the head. "I tried it myself after I came out of the theatre +last night." + +"What! You've taken to poetry?" + +"Haven't I, though," said Will with a lofty self-consciousness. "But," +he added dejectedly, "I can't make it rhyme, and it hasn't the same +sound as your verses. I have it in my head, but I don't suppose I have +it just right. How did you begin yours? The commencement is the +stumbling block. It's nothing very great or romantic, like 'Arivana.'" + +"Addressed to her of course?" hazarded Hartmut. + +"Yes, to her," Willibald admitted with a deep sigh; and now his listener +laughed out loud and clear. + +"Well, you are a model son, one must concede that. It's not unusual for +a man to be engaged in response to a father's or mother's wishes, but +your sense of duty is so strong that you fall in love with the girl and +even go so far as to write verses in her praise." + +"But they are not to her," cried Willibald suddenly, and with so +sorrowful a face that Hartmut gazed at him dumbfounded. He believed that +his friend was out of his mind, and Willibald's next statement quite +overpowered him, without weakening this suspicion. + +"I had a quarrel early this morning with an insolent fellow who +attempted to insult a lady, Fraeulein Marietta Volkmar of the Court +theatre of this city. I struck him to the ground and I'd do it again if +I had an opportunity;--him, or any one else who came near Fraeulein +Volkmar." + +He had grown so excited, and rose, as he spoke, with such a threatening +air, that Hartmut seized him by the arm and held him fast. + +"Well, I've no intention of going near her, so you needn't shake your +fist at me, old boy. But what have you to do with the opera singer, +Marietta Volkmar, who has always posed as a very mirror of virtue?" + +"Hartmut, have a care. You must speak respectfully of this lady to me. +To make a long story short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me, and +we're going to have a shot at one another, and I sincerely hope I'll +leave him with a remembrance he won't soon forget." + +"Well, you're making very fair progress in your romance, I must say," +Hartmut answered with growing astonishment. "You've been in town two +days, have had a quarrel with a stranger, who has demanded satisfaction, +are the knight and protector of a young singer on whose account you are +going to fight a duel. For God's sake, Will, what'll your mother say?" + +"As it concerns an affair of honor, my mother will have no right to say +anything," Willibald declared with true heroism. "But I will have to +find a second here, where I am a stranger and know no one. Of course +uncle Wallmoden knows nothing of the matter, or he would have the police +interfere at once, so I resolved to come and ask you whether you would +perform that service for me?" + +"Ah, that's why you came?" said Hartmut in a pained voice. "I thought +for the moment it was the old friendship which had brought you. But, all +the same, I am at your service. With what weapons do you fight?" + +"With pistols." + +"That's an advantage for you. When we used to shoot at a target at +Burgsdorf, you were a fine shot. I'll see the Count's second the first +thing in the morning, and let you know of the arrangements at once; but +I must write to you, for I won't enter Herr von Wallmoden's house." + +Willibald only nodded. He had thought that his uncle's enmity would be +returned in full by Rojanow, so considered it better to say nothing on +the subject. + +"Yes, write me," he answered. "You make what arrangements you deem fit. +I have no experience in such matters, and leave it all to you. Here is +the second's address. Now I must go. I have much to do yet--I must +prepare for the worst." + +He rose and held out his hand to his friend, but Hartmut did not see it. +He sat with eyes fastened on the ground, as he said in a low, stifled +tone: + +"Wait a minute, Will--Burgsdorf is not far from Berlin--do you often +see--" + +"Who?" asked Will. + +"My--my father." + +The young heir was evidently embarrassed by the question; he had avoided +the name of Falkenried all through the conversation, and he did not know +that the father was expected in the city. + +"No," he answered finally, "We don't see the Colonel at all." + +"But he comes to Burgsdorf sometimes, does he not?" + +"No--he keeps to himself, but I saw him by chance the other day with +uncle Wallmoden in Berlin." + +"And how does he look? Is he much changed in these last years?" + +Willibald shrugged his shoulders: "He has certainly grown old. You would +hardly recognize him with his white hair." + +"White hair!" exclaimed Hartmut. "He is scarcely fifty-two years +old--has he been ill?" + +"No--not that I know. His gray hair came suddenly in a few months when +he demanded that his resignation be accepted." + +Hartmut grew pale and stared at the speaker with anxious eyes. + +"My father wished to leave the army, he, heart and soul a soldier, +devoted to his profession--in what year did that happen?" + +"They would not accept it," said Will, evasively. "They sent him to a +distant garrison instead, and for the last three years he has been +minister of war." + +"But he wanted to go--in what year was it?" Hartmut asked in a +determined voice now. + +"It was when you disappeared. He believed his honor demanded it. You +should not have treated your father so, Hartmut; it nearly killed him." + +Hartmut gave no answer, made no attempt to vindicate himself, but he +breathed heavily. + +"We'd better not talk about it," said Will, turning to go. "Nothing can +be undone now, I'll expect your letter in the morning, and you'll +arrange everything. Good-night." + +Hartmut did not seem to hear his friend's words nor notice his +departure; he stood and stared on the ground. A few minutes after +Willibald had left the room he threw his head back, and passed his hand +over his eyes. + +"He would have resigned," he muttered, "resigned, because he believed +his honor demanded it--no, no, I cannot see him, not now--I shall go to +Rodeck." + +The gifted poet, who had stood proud and triumphant before the whole +world and received the laurel wreath of fame, dared not meet his +father's eye--rather face loneliness and desolation. + + * * * * * + +Marietta Volkmar lived with an old kinswoman of her grandfather in a +modest little house surrounded by a tiny garden, in one of those +restful, retired streets which are fast disappearing from our large +cities. + +The two women, old and young, lived a quiet, uneventful life, which +permitted no breath of gossip concerning the young singer; they were +objects of interest and affection to the other inmates of the house, and +Marietta's clear voice was a welcome sound and her bright young face a +cheering sight, to the few who had apartments under the same roof. + +For the past two days the "singing bird" had been dumb, and whosoever +caught sight of her face, saw pale, tear-stained cheeks and swollen +eyes. The people of the house could not explain it, and shook their +heads over it until old Fraeulein Berger said that Dr. Volkmar was ill, +and his grandchild could not obtain permission just now to go to him. +All this was true enough for the good doctor was suffering from a severe +cold. + +But it was no sufficient reason for Marietta's despondency, which had +caused much comment among her fellow-workers at the theatre. + +She stood at the window of the comfortable little living-room, having +just returned from rehearsal, and looked out drearily into the quiet +street. Fraeulein Berger was stitching industriously by the little centre +table, and looked up now at the young girl with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Child, why do you take the thing so hard?" she said, almost sharply. +"You'll wear yourself out with all this anxiety and excitement. What's +the sense of looking on the worst side?" + +Marietta turned toward the speaker; she was very pale and there was a +sob in her voice, as she replied: + +"This is the third day and I can learn nothing. O, it is terrible, this +waiting hour after hour for bad news." + +"But why need it be bad?" remonstrated the old lady. "Yesterday +afternoon Herr von Eschenhagen, was well and happy. I went out myself at +your desire and found he was out driving with Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden. Perhaps the matter has been settled amicably." + +"Then I'd have had news before now," the girl answered, hopelessly. "He +promised me and he'd keep his word, I know it. If anything has happened, +if he has fallen--I believe I can't live through it." + +The last words sounded forth so passionately that Fraeulein Berger +glanced at the speaker frightened. + +"Marietta, that sounds very unreasonable," she said. "It wasn't your +fault that you were insulted, neither would you be to blame if your +friend Toni's fiance was shot. You couldn't really be more despairing if +it was your own lover who was to fight." + +A deep flush overspread the pale features of the girl for a moment, and +she turned again toward the window. + +"You do not understand, auntie," she replied in a low tone. "You do not +know how much happiness I have had in the head forester's house, how +humbly Toni begged my pardon for the insults her future mother-in-law +heaped upon me. What will she think of me when she hears that her lover +has had a duel on my account? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?" + +"Well, they can be easily convinced that you are blameless in the whole +affair, and if it ends well, they need know nothing about it. I hardly +know you, child, the last few days. You, who always laughed every care +and anxiety away, to sit and mope and grieve. It's incomprehensible to +me. You have hardly eaten or drunk a thing for two days, and wouldn't +sit down to your breakfast this morning. But you must eat some dinner, +and I must go and see to it at once." + +With this the old lady rose and left the room. She was right, poor +Marietta seemed indeed a changed girl. It was without doubt a painful, +depressing feeling, that blame would undoubtedly rest upon her; her +friends at Fuerstenstein perhaps might never be made to understand the +real state of the case, how innocent she was of any intention to wrong +or even annoy them; her reputation, too, of which she had been so +guarded; would not every paper be teeming with this "affair of honor," +if either combatant were killed? + +"If need be with my blood," these had been Willibald's last words to her +and they rang in her ears. "O, God be merciful. Not that! not that!" + +Suddenly a tall, manly figure turned the corner and came forward hastily +through the little street, evidently in search of some special number, +and as Marietta looked down she gave a cry of delight, for she +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. + +She did not wait for the bell to be answered, but rushed out impetuously +to open the door herself. + +Her eyes were wet with tears, but her voice sounded clear and jubilant: + +"You have come at last--God be praised!" + +"Yes, here I am, safe and sound," Willibald replied, while his whole +face glowed at this reception. + +How they got back to the little sitting-room neither of them ever knew, +but he had drawn her arm through his and led her in, while she feasted +her eyes on his flushed, happy face. But now she noticed that his right +wrist was bandaged. + +"You have been hurt?" she said, in an anxious whisper. + +"Only a scratch, not worth talking about," Willibald answered, with +great cheerfulness of spirit. "I gave the count something worth +remembering, though--a fine shot through his shoulder--nothing +dangerous, but slow to heal, so that he'll have plenty of time for +reflection. It's very satisfactory, very!" + +"Then it's all over? I knew it." + +"Yes, we met this morning at eight o'clock. But there's nothing to be +anxious about now, Fraeulein. It's all well over." + +The young singer gave a deep sigh, as she said: "I thank you, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I thank you from my heart. You have risked your life on my +account, and I cannot be too grateful." + +"There is no occasion for gratitude, Fraeulein, but as I have faced a +pistol on your account, you must, at least accept a little memento of +the occasion. You must not trample this peace offering under your feet." + +As he spoke he unwrapped--somewhat awkwardly, for he had only his left +hand--a full blown rose and two buds from its cover of tissue paper. + +Marietta's eyes sank and a flush of shame o'erspread her features as she +took the flowers, without speaking, and pinned them on her breast; then +she reached out her hand, as if begging for forgiveness; it was grasped +at once. + +"You are accustomed to receive gifts of flowers," he said almost +apologetically. "I hear from all sides how much homage is paid you." + +The young girl smiled, but smiled more sadly than joyfully. + +"You have seen what manner of homage is done me at times," she said. +"Count Westerburg is not the first against whom I have had to contend. +So many men consider it perfectly legitimate to attempt liberties with +any one who appears on the stage, and sometimes even those with whom one +associates are not--believe me, Herr von Eschenhagen, my lot is not +always an enviable one." + +Willibald appeared surprised. + +"Not an enviable one? Why, I thought you loved your profession, heart +and soul, and that nothing could induce you to leave it." + +"Certainly, I love it; but I am realizing each day, more and more, with +how much that is hard and bitter I have to contend. My teacher, +Professor Marani, says 'one must mount with the wings of an eagle, then +he leaves all the dross far beneath him.' I think he is right, but I am +not an eagle, I am only what my dear grandfather has often called me, 'a +singing bird,' with nothing but my voice, and no strength to mount to +dizzy heights. The critics have said before now that my acting lacked +fire and strength, and I feel myself that I have little dramatic talent. +I can only sing, and I'd much rather do that at home in our own green +woods, than here in a golden cage." + +The girl's voice had a worn, discouraged ring, very unusual in one so +full of vivacity. The recent occurrence had brought her unprotected +position before her most forcibly, and unconsciously she opened her +heart to the man who had shielded her so bravely. He listened in +astonishment to her sad words, but instead of showing any pity, his face +and eyes fairly beamed with happiness and joy at her sad admission. He +asked abruptly, almost roughly: + +"You long to get away from here? You will leave the stage?" + +Despite her troubles, Marietta laughed out at this question. + +"No, indeed, I have no such thought. What would I turn to then? My dear +grandfather has scraped and saved for years in order that I might +receive a musical education, and it would be but a poor return for me to +go back to him now, a burden for his few remaining years. He shall never +know that his 'singing bird' longs for her woodland nest, or that she +has hardships and insults to encounter here. I have more courage than +that. I mean to fight it out, no matter how heavy the odds. So do not +let them hear anything about my murmurings at Fuerstenstein. How soon are +you going there?" + +A shadow fell across the young heir's happy face, and his eyes sank to +the floor. + +"I am going at two this afternoon," he answered in a strange, depressed +tone. + +"O, then grant me one favor. Tell Toni everything--everything--you hear? +She has cause to blame us both. I shall write to her to-day, at once, +and tell her about this unfortunate affair, and you will explain just +how it happened, too, will you not?" + +Willibald raised his eyes slowly from the ground and looked at the +speaker. + +"You are right, Fraeulein, Toni must hear all, the whole truth. I had +decided on that before I came here--but it will be a trying hour for +me." + +"Oh, no indeed, it will not," Marietta said hastily. "Toni is good and +full of confidence; she will know that what we tell her is the exact +truth, and that we were both quite guiltless in the matter." + +"But I am not guiltless, at least toward Toni," said Willibald very +earnestly. "Do not look so frightened, you would hear all later, so it +is, perhaps, as well to hear it from my lips. I am going to Fuerstenstein +to ask Toni"--he hesitated and sighed deeply--"to give me back my +freedom." + +"Heaven help us! and why?" cried the young maiden, seriously alarmed at +this declaration. + +"Why? Because, feeling as I do, knowing that Toni has no place in my +heart, it would be wrong to lead her to the altar. Because I know now +what is the one thing needful to make a happy marriage, because," he +stopped and looked at Marietta so steadily and so expressively that she +could not fail to understand him. Her face flushed painfully; she drew +back and made a hasty motion as if to prevent further speech. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, tell me no more." + +"I cannot help it," Willibald continued, almost defiantly. "I fought it +over and over in my own mind when I was alone at Burgsdorf, and honestly +tried to keep my word. I thought it might be possible; then I came here +and saw you again--the other evening in 'Arivana'--and then I realized +that all my struggling had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fraeulein Marietta, no, not for an hour, even while I was trying to +persuade myself you must be forgotten, and I should not have forgotten +you my whole life long. I will tell Toni all this frankly, and my +mother, too, when I see her again." + +It was all out at last. The man who could not stand alone at +Fuerstenstein, and for whom his mother had done all the talking and +planning, spoke now, warmly and earnestly, from his very heart, as only +a man can speak in such an hour. He had learned what liberty meant when +his affections were aroused, and with this knowledge he had forever cast +aside the dependence of habit and indifference. + +He crossed the room to Marietta, who had gone back to the window. + +"And now one question. You were very pale when you opened the door for +me, and had been crying. Of course this affair was very painful to you. +I can understand that, but--but were you the least bit anxious--on my +account?" + +He received no answer. There was only a low, stifled sob. + +"Were you anxious about me? Only a little 'yes;' you cannot know, +Marietta, how happy it will make me." + +He bent over the maiden whose head had sunk so low, but he could not see +the gleam of happiness which lighted up her face as she said softly: "I +have been so anxious that life has hardly been endurable the past two +days." + +Willibald gave a laugh of exultation, and tried to draw her into his +arms; she gave him one long look, and then released herself. + +"No, no, not now. Go--I beg you." + +He stepped back at once. + +"You are right, Marietta. Not now; but when I am free, I shall come to +you and beg for another 'yes.' Good-bye. God bless you!" + +He was gone in an instant, before Marietta could collect her thoughts; +and now the voice of her old kinswoman, who had entered the room a +moment before, unperceived by its occupants, recalled her to herself. + +"My child, what is this, what does it mean? Have you both forgotten--" + +The excited girl did not let her finish; she flung her arms around her +neck, and cried out, passionately: + +"Ah, now I know why I was so angry when he allowed his mother to insult +me and did not take my part. It grieved me so to think he was weak and +cowardly, for I have loved him from the very first." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made +at the house of the Prussian ambassador. Wallmoden had entered upon the +duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but +his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer +coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social +obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great +government. The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with +great splendor. His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things +possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one +of mark in the southern capital. The following week he was to give his +first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made. + +The ambassador was busily engaged, also, in attending to certain +official matters of more than usual importance. With all his other cares +he was secretly annoyed at the result of the production of "Arivana." If +he had had any thought before of openly denouncing Hartmut Rojanow, such +denunciation was now almost impossible. + +This adventurer had been so praised and so lauded and admired for his +poetical genius and talents, that just at present it was a matter of +doubt whether any statement which Wallmoden could make would have much +effect on the society and the court where the newly risen star was the +hero of the hour. Hartmut had risked much against Wallmoden's +threats--and won. The one thing which completed the ambassador's +discomfiture, and made his position extremely painful, was the coming of +Falkenried. It would be impossible to conceal his son's whereabouts and +doings from the father, and Wallmoden dare not let him learn them from +strangers. When they had met in Berlin, for a brief hour, neither knew +of the journey to the South which the Colonel would have to take almost +immediately. He was to be the guest of his old friend, for he also knew +Adelheid very well; she and her brother had grown up under his eyes. + +When Major Falkenried had taken command of a distant garrison ten years +before, the little city where he was stationed had been very near the +principal Stahlberg factories. The new major's reputation had preceded +him; he was said to be a valiant soldier, devoted to the service, who, +when not on duty, gave all his time to the study of military tactics and +discipline, but who held all mankind, soldiers excepted, in abhorrence. +He had a house and lived among men, but for the rest, he turned his back +upon society and every one connected with it. + +But the head of the house of Stahlberg took little heed of the gossip or +of the major's attitude toward his fellow-men, and approached him +without hesitation. The bitter, disappointed man, who shunned all the +world, could not fail to admire in the manufacturer much that was akin +to his own nature, and while their acquaintance never ripened into +friendship, Falkenried understood and appreciated Stahlberg's rugged +character, and in the years in which they lived near one another the +Stahlberg house was the only one which he ever entered willingly. So he +grew to know the children of the house intimately, and kept up his +intercourse with the family after his return to Berlin. When Wallmoden +married he felt that both he and Adelheid had been hardly treated by the +Colonel, when the latter sent some plausible excuse for not attending +the wedding. Adelheid knew little or nothing of the Colonel's fateful +history. She supposed him to be childless, and had only recently learned +from her husband that he had married very young, been divorced from his +wife for many years, and was now a widower. + +Eight days after the return of the Wallmodens, as Adelheid was sitting +at her writing table late one afternoon, Colonel Falkenried was +announced. She rose at once, threw down her pen and hastened to greet +her old friend. + +"How glad I am to see you, dear Colonel. We received your telegram, and +Herbert was just about to start to the station to meet you himself, when +he received a summons from the duke and had to go at once to the castle, +so we could only send the carriage for you." Her greeting was warm and +cordial, such as an old friend of her father might have expected, but +Falkenried, while not exactly distant, was certainly not hearty. He took +the extended hand, but his manner was cold and earnest, and he said +indifferently, as he took the chair offered him: "Well, we can talk to +one another until his return." + +The colonel had changed, changed so greatly as to be past recognition. +Were it not for the tall and erect bearing he would be taken for an old +man. The hair of this man in his fifty-second year was snow white, his +forehead was deeply ploughed with furrows, and the deep lines in his +face told of sorrow beyond all hope of cure. The countenance, which had +once been so full of expression, had a staring, uncomfortable look now, +and his manner bespoke a reserve and repression which could not be +penetrated. Regine's expression, "The man seems turned to stone," was +only too true. + +One could not help forming the impression that the good or ill of his +fellow creatures were both matters of supreme indifference to him; he +lived only in the fulfillment of the duties of his profession. + +"I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using the old name which he had +always heard in her father's house, as he threw a glance at the +half-finished letter on the writing table. + +"Oh, there's plenty of time," his hostess answered carelessly. "I was +only writing to Eugen." + +"Ah, yes; I saw him day before yesterday, and he sent his love to you." + +"I knew he would go to Berlin on purpose to see you. He has not seen you +for over two years, and neither have I, except for the moment, as we +passed through Berlin. We did hope you would come out to Burgsdorf while +we were there, and Regine felt sorely vexed that you did not accept her +invitation." + +The colonel looked at her gloomily. He knew, too well, the bitter +memories associated with the place. He had only been there a couple of +times since his return to Berlin. + +"Regine understands how much my time is occupied," he answered +evasively. "But to return to your brother, I want to speak to you about +something, Ada, and I am not sorry we are alone. What is the matter +between Eugen and his brother-in-law? What has happened?" + +A shade of embarrassment crossed Adelheid's face at this question, but +she answered carelessly: "Nothing especial, only they don't exactly +understand each other." + +"Not understand one another! Wallmoden is almost forty years your +brother's senior, and he's the lad's guardian, too, for two years more, +until Eugen attains his majority. So the boy had nothing to do but obey +orders for that brief space." + +"Of course, but Eugen, while warm-hearted, is impetuous and +inconsiderate, as he has always been from a small boy." + +"That's a pity! He'll have to change all that when he assumes the +responsible position which is awaiting him, if he expects to follow in +his father's footsteps. But there seems something more than that the +matter here. I made a passing allusion to your marriage, Ada--that it +had surprised me a little, more especially as I had known your husband +so well, and had not imagined you were so ambitious. Whereupon Eugen +turned on me and defended you in the warmest manner. Said you had been +sacrificed for him, and left me quite bewildered by his passionate words +and insinuations." + +"You should not have paid any attention to him," said Adelheid, with +noticeable uneasiness. "Such a young hothead sees the tragical side of +everything. What was it he did say?" + +"Really nothing. He said you had made him promise to say nothing without +your permission, but that he hated his brother-in-law. What does it all +mean?" + +The young wife was silent; this talk was anything but pleasant to her. +The colonel looked at her searchingly, while he continued: + +"You know it is not my habit to force myself into others' secrets. I +take little interest, now-a-days, in the doings of my neighbors, but the +honor of my oldest friend is called into question by the insinuation of +a boy. I had no patience with Eugen, and told him to go to Wallmoden +and threaten him if he had anything to say. His answer was: 'O, Herr von +Wallmoden would explain the thing by calling it diplomatic; he has shown +himself a great diplomat. Ask Ada, let her tell you her experience.' So +I did as he bade me, I asked you, but as you will say nothing, I have no +alternative but to speak to your husband. For I cannot keep silence +concerning such insulting remarks." + +He spoke without excitement, in a measured, cold tone, as if, while a +matter of no moment to himself, he felt it his duty to interrogate his +friend's wife. + +"Pray don't mention it to Herbert, I beg of you," Adelheid said, +hastily. "I will tell you myself. Eugen has been carried away by his +temper; he has taken the affair too much to heart from the beginning. +There was nothing dishonorable in it." + +"I supposed that when Wallmoden had to do with it," the colonel +interrupted with marked emphasis. + +Adelheid lowered her voice, but she avoided the colonel's eye as she +continued: + +"You know that I was not engaged to Herbert until after our year's +residence in Florence. My father was very ill and his physicians ordered +him to Italy for the winter. We went to Florence for a couple of months; +our farther movements were to depend upon my father's condition. My +brother accompanied, us and when the winter set in he was to return +home. After a few weeks we took a villa just outside the city, and +lived, of course, a very retired life. Eugen saw Italy for the first +time under very sad and depressing circumstances; it was very trying for +him, a mere boy, to sit day after day in a sick room, so I seconded his +request to be allowed to go to Rome for a few weeks, and obtained the +desired permission for him. I ought never to have done so. But I did +not know how great was his inexperience or into what it would lead him." + +"Which means that he plunged into frivolous pleasure or dissipation +while his father lay on his death-bed," the Colonel interposed harshly. + +"Do not be hard on him. My brother was scarcely twenty years old, and +while he had a loving father, he had a severe one, who had brought him +up with such strictness that this little breath of freedom proved too +much for him. The young German, with no worldly experience whatever, was +enticed into a circle where play ran high, and where, as was afterwards +proven, cheats and gamblers plied their vocation. Eugen in his ignorance +saw nothing of all this; he lost considerable sums, and at last one +night the club was raided by the police. The Italians resisted them and +a scuffle ensued, into which Eugen was drawn. He only defended himself, +but in so doing severely wounded one of the police, and he was arrested +with the others." + +The Colonel had listened in silence to Adelheid's agitated recital, but +he showed neither interest nor emotion as he said severely: "And poor +Stahlberg had to live to see his son, whom he imagined a model, come to +this!" + +"He never knew it. It was only a momentary seduction, a boy's misstep +through ignorance, which will never be repeated; Eugen has given me his +word of honor for that." + +Falkenried laughed out suddenly, such a bitter, mocking laugh, that the +young wife looked at him in alarm. + +"His word of honor. Certainly, why not? It is as easy given as broken. +Are you really so credulous that you would take the word of such a boy?" + +"Yes, I am, indeed," Adelheid answered earnestly, as she looked +reprovingly into the face of the man whose bitterness she could not +understand. "I know my brother; he is his father's son in spite of +everything and will not break his word." + +"It is well for you you can still trust and believe; for me such days +were over long ago," said Falkenried, scowling, but in a milder tone. +"And what happened then?" + +"My brother had word sent to me at once. 'Do not tell father, it would +kill him,' he wrote. I knew better than he that it would do so; my +father was far too ill then to bear any excitement. It was hard for the +moment to know what to do, for we were strangers in a strange land. Then +I thought of Herbert, who was at that time ambassador to Florence. We +knew him slightly at home, and he had called upon us in Florence, and +offered his services or those of his attaches if we should desire +anything. Since we had taken a house he had been to see father +frequently, and came now immediately in answer to my request. I had +reliance in him, and told him all, asking for advice and help, and he +gave me both." + +"At what price?" asked the Colonel, suddenly, with darkening face. + +"No, no; it is not as you think, or as Eugen will persist in believing. +I have not been forced. Herbert gave me my free choice. He explained to +me that the matter was much more serious than I had thought, that all +sums lost at play must be paid, and that the affair might yet assume +serious proportions on account of the wounding of the policeman. He +explained that it would be very embarrassing for him in his position, to +be personally mixed up in such an affair. 'You desire me to save your +brother," he said. "Perhaps I can do it, but I place my present +position, and my whole future at stake by so doing, and one hardly cares +to do that for any one less than a brother, or brother-in-law!" + +Falkenried rose with a start and paced the room once, then he stood +before his friend's wife, and said in an angry tone: + +"And in your deadly anxiety, naturally you believed him?" + +"Do you mean that it was not so?" questioned Adelheid. + +He shrugged his shoulders as he answered: + +"Possibly. I understand little of diplomatic considerations, but I know +that Wallmoden showed himself a greater diplomat than ever in this hour. +What answer did you give him?" + +"I begged for time, it had all come on me so suddenly. But I knew not a +moment was to be lost, so the same evening I gave Herbert the right to +rescue his brother-in-law." + +"Naturally," muttered Falkenried with keen contempt. "Wise Herbert." + +"He left for Rome at once," continued Baroness von Wallmoden, "and +returned eight days later with my brother. He had succeeded in getting +Eugen off without making him conspicuous; his name was not even +mentioned in the papers as connected with the affair. How Herbert did it +I never knew. He spent money like water, and he told me later that he +pledged half his fortune to cover the gambling debts." + +"That was very magnanimous, when he was about to gain a million by the +sacrifice. And what did Eugen say to this--transaction?" + +"He did not know of it at the time, for he returned at once to Germany, +as had been arranged before. Herbert came to the house now, daily, and +my father grew to like him, and when Herbert finally proposed to him for +my hand, I was thankful that the affair had taken the turn it had, and +my father imagined he had been paying court to me all this time. But +Eugen was not to be deceived. As soon as he heard of our betrothal, his +suspicions were aroused, and he wrung the truth from me. Since then he +has reproached himself continually, and has a hatred for Herbert, +notwithstanding my repeated assurances that I was not coerced, and have +had no cause to regret my marriage, and that I find in Herbert an +attentive, considerate husband." + +Falkenried looked searchingly in her face as if he would read her inmost +thoughts. + +"Are you happy?" he asked at last, slowly. + +"I am contented." + +"That is much in this life; we are not born to be happy. I have done you +an injustice, Ada. I thought that the glitter of court life, the +opportunity to marry a baron and an ambassador had tempted you to become +Frau von Wallmoden, but I find instead--I am sorry, Ada, that I did you +an injustice." + +He extended his hand as he spoke, and in the motion there was a plea for +pardon. + +"Now you know all," said Adelheid with a deep sigh, "and I beg you not +to discuss the subject with Herbert. You see for yourself he did nothing +dishonorable. I repeat to you he used no force, my love for my brother +was the only force. I could not have expected Herbert to exert himself +as he had to do in Rome--for a stranger." + +"If a woman had come to me under such circumstances, I should have saved +her brother--without stipulations," Falkenried exclaimed. + +"Ah, you--I would have followed you with a light heart." + +These words disclosed unconsciously how hard had been the struggle +within this girl's breast. If a sacrifice had to be made, far easier to +make it to the dark, gloomy, rigid man who, notwithstanding all his +bitterness and hardness, she could trust implicitly, than to the polite +and attentive husband who had taken advantage of her inexperience and +fear. + +"You'd have had a sad lot in that case, Ada," the colonel answered with +a shake of the head. "I am one of those human beings who can give or +receive nothing more in this world; life was over for me long ago. But +you are right, it is better for me not to discuss this matter with +Wallmoden, for if I gave him my opinion--but he is and ever will be a +diplomat." + +The conversation was over and Adelheid rose and said in her usual quiet +tone: + +"And now shall I show you to your room? You must be fatigued after your +long journey." + +"No indeed, I'd be a poor soldier to be worn out by a night's travel. In +the service something else is expected from us." + +He bore no marks of fatigue; as he stood, broad and tall before her, his +muscles and sinews seemed made of steel, it was only the face which was +old and haggard. The eyes of the young wife followed him thoughtfully as +he again paced the room. She noted the furrowed forehead, so high and +broad under the white hair. It seemed to her she had seen it somewhere +else, only the locks were dark and curly, and beneath the brow were +strange, large eyes, which illumined a face of southern beauty. But +surely the forehead on which she gazed was strangely like that across +which the sudden wave of passion had passed on that memorable day of the +hunt, even to the deep-set blue veins which stood out so prominently in +the temples. It was a strange, unaccountable, fascinating resemblance. + +A few hours later the two old friends were seated together in +Wallmoden's private study. The host had dreaded this hour, but now the +tale was told and the impression which it made on the Colonel anything +but what his host had expected. He had told of Rojanow's sudden +appearance at Fuerstenstein, of the sensation which his drama had created +in the city, of his wandering life with his mother during past years, +and of Zalika's death. Falkenried had leaned back in the chair, his arm +resting on the window sill, and listened to the whole long story without +movement of form or feature, without a question, without a comment; he +hardly seemed to hear, he was indeed made of stone. + +"I believe it is right to tell you all this now," concluded the +ambassador. "Hitherto I have not troubled you with the knowledge which +has come to me from time to time, but now you must learn all I have to +tell and how the land lies." + +The Colonel did not change his position, and his voice betrayed no +emotion as he replied: "I thank you for your good intentions, but you +could have spared yourself the trouble. What do I care for this +adventurer?" + +Wallmoden had not expected such an answer, and looked keenly at his +friend as he continued: + +"I deemed it necessary to tell you because of the possibility of a +meeting. Rojanow plays a conspicuous part here and is to be met with +everywhere. The duke is greatly taken with him; you will be very apt to +come across him at the castle." + +"And what then? I know no one who bears the name of Rojanow, and he will +not dare to know me. We will pass one another as strangers." + +Wallmoden watched his friend's face closely while he was speaking; he +wondered if all feeling was dead, or if this intense coldness and +indifference were assumed. + +"I believed you would have taken the news of your son's re-appearance +differently," he said, half aloud. It was the only time he used the word +"son;" he had called him Rojanow in telling the story, and he did it +with a purpose now. For the first time there was a movement from the +window, but it was a movement of anger. + +"I have no son, bear that in mind, Wallmoden. He died that last night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead return no more." + +Wallmoden was silent, but the colonel stepped up to him and laid his +hand heavily on his arm. + +"You mentioned just now that you felt it your duty to tell the duke, but +consideration for me had kept you silent so far. I have but one thing +left to guard in the wide world, the honor of my name, and such an +explanation on your part would stain it forever. Do what you think is +best. I shall not prevent you, but--I must then do what I think best." + +His voice sounded hard as ever, but there was a tone underlying his +words which fairly frightened the ambassador. + +"For God's sake, Falkenried, what do you mean?" + +"Do as you choose. You diplomats have peculiar ideas of honor at times, +with which ordinary mortals may not agree--I leave it to you." + +"I shall be silent, I give you my word," answered Wallmoden, to whom +Falkenried's words were enigmatical, for Adelheid's confession was +unknown to him. "I had really decided on that before you came. The name +of Falkenried shall not be exposed to scorn or derision through me." + +"Well and good, then we need not discuss the subject farther," said +Falkenried. Then, after a short pause, he began on quite a different +subject. "You have prepared the duke for what I bring him? What does +he say about it?" + +Here was again the old, iron impenetrability which closed the door +against all inquiry. The change was a welcome one to the ambassador, who +was here, as elsewhere, the diplomat, and disliked nothing more than +unnecessary candor and straightforwardness, and who would never have +thought of giving all this information to Falkenried, had not the danger +of his friend learning it elsewhere been very great. Now no matter what +happened, he could say to the father, "I told you. I warned you." Even +the duke could not find fault with a man for sparing an old friend. +"Wise Herbert" understood how to answer them all. + +Colonel Falkenried's stay was limited, and there was so much to be done +that he had scarcely time to breathe. + +Audiences with the duke, consultations with prominent military +officials, hours spent with certain members of foreign embassies, all +these had to be crowded into a few days. Wallmoden was scarcely less in +demand until everything was arranged. The ambassador, and more +especially Colonel von Falkenried, had reason to be contented with the +result, for they had acquired everything which they demanded for their +government, and could count with full reliance on the duke. It was +whispered that some matter of more than ordinary import was on the +tapis, but none of the gossipers knew what, and the few who did know +kept their own counsel. + +The author of "Arivana" was the favorite of the day, and people began to +discuss his very erratic behavior. Almost immediately after his +glittering triumph he had turned his back upon all who had done him +homage, friends and sycophants alike, and gone to the "wilderness," as +Prince Adelsberg explained to every one; where that wilderness lay, no +one knew, for Egon had given his word to his friend that he would not +reveal his retreat, and Hartmut had promised in return that as soon as +he had had a little quiet and rest he would come back. So no one knew +that Herr Rojanow was at Rodeck. + +Baron von Wallmoden's carriage was drawn up on a cold, dark morning +before the door of the Prussian ambassador's residence. + +This time the drive was to be a long one, for servants brought out furs +and robes and piled them on the seats. The ambassador, who had just +risen from his breakfast, was taking leave of the Colonel. + +"Well, good-bye until to-morrow night," he said, holding out his hand. +"We'll be back by that time, anyway, and you'll remain for several days +yet." + +"Yes, as the duke has requested it," answered the Colonel. "I sent my +report off at once to Berlin; so a few days either way doesn't matter +now." + +"Of course not. And they'll certainly be well satisfied with your +reports, too. But we've had a few hot days with little time for rest. +Thank God, everything is arranged and we can breathe again! I feel that +I am free to leave the city now for twenty-four hours, so Adelheid and I +will go to Ostwalden." + +"Ostwalden is the name of your new country seat? I remember, you +mentioned it yesterday, but I did not understand just where it was +situated." + +"It lies about ten miles from Fuerstenstein. When we were there in +September, Schoenau called my attention to it. It is situated in the most +beautiful part of the celebrated forest, and suits me exactly. They +asked a ridiculous price for it, but since my return I've decided to +take it and am going there now to make some final arrangements." + +"Ada does not appear too well pleased with your choice. She seems to +dislike the neighborhood of Fuerstenstein," said the Colonel. But +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +"Just a whim, nothing more. In the beginning Adelheid was in raptures +over Ostwalden, and then later she raised every possible objection to +the place; but I had gone too far to retreat. I shall in all probability +remain some time at my present post, and want to avoid long journeys in +the summer. So that a country seat which can be reached in four hours +from town possesses great attractions in my eyes. The castle has been +sadly neglected of late years, and I'll have to make many altertions. +But I have my plans for rebuilding and altering all arranged, and am +going to make it one of the finest places in the country." + +He talked with great satisfaction over all he was to accomplish at +Ostwalden. Herbert von Wallmoden had possessed but a small fortune of +his own, and had been forced to live very circumspectly all his life +long, in consequence. But now he could give free rein to his desire for +splendor and display, and could talk of fine homes in city and country +without thought of the outlay, or any consideration either for the whims +of the young wife whose fortune he was spending with so lavish a hand. + +Perhaps Falkenried thought of all this as he listened to his friend +grown almost enthusiastic on the subject, but he said nothing. He had +grown more silent and stonier than ever, if that were possible, during +the last few days. And when he did ask a question concerning the +every-day affairs of life, one felt it was merely mechanical, and that +he scarcely cared whether he received an answer or not. + +Now as Adelheid entered the room, fully equipped for her journey, he +turned to her and offered his arm to escort her to the carriage. After +he had helped her in it, Wallmoden entered, and as the coachman cracked +his whip, said: + +"We'll be back to-morrow without fail--good-bye." + +Falkenried bowed and stepped back. It mattered little to him whether +they came back to-morrow or not, all friendships were over for him. But +as he entered the house again, he said: + +"Poor Ada, she deserved a better fate." + +Everything was going on in the usual quiet fashion at Fuerstenstein. +Willibald had been there for a week. He was two days later than he had +expected to be; but he had met with a slight accident, and his hand was +hurt, so he told his uncle; and this was perfectly satisfactory, and not +at all alarming, as the hand was nearly healed now. The head forester +found his son-in-law changed since his last visit, and changed for the +better, too. He had become much more earnest and decided than formerly, +and seemed so well satisfied with his daughter, von Schoenau thought. + +"I believe Will will turn out to be a man, yet. How much he improves +without his mother to stand by to command and dictate." + +As for the rest, Herr von Schoenau had no time to trouble himself with +the lovers. The duke, during his stay at Fuerstenstein, had made many +changes and innovations upon the established order of things in the +forestry, and it required both zeal and watchfulness on the part of the +head forester to set things straight again, and bring his subordinates +back to the old regime. He saw Antonie and Willibald daily, and noticed +that they were much together and seemed to understand one another +perfectly, so he did not concern himself much about them. + +In the meantime there had been much anxiety and alarm in the house of +Dr. Volkmar. + +The doctor's sickness, which had not at first been regarded as serious, +had suddenly taken an alarming turn, and owing to his age the worst was +feared. His granddaughter was telegraphed for in hot haste, and she, +after obtaining permission from her manager, who gave her part in +"Arivana" to an understudy, hurried home at once. + +It was at this time that Antonie showed her sincere, unobtrusive +attachment to her childhood's friend. Day after day she went to the +Volkmar cottage, to comfort and cheer Marietta, who hung in an agony of +anguish and suspense over her grandfather's bed. Willibald found it +necessary to go with his cousin and do what he could. All this seemed +natural enough to the head forester, who was sincerely attached to the +Volkmars, and felt a great desire to show more than an ordinary amount +of attention to "the poor little thing" who had been so cruelly insulted +in his house. He had it in for his sister-in-law when he should see her +again. + +At the end of three dreadful days the doctor's strong constitution +asserted itself, and hopes of his recovery were entertained. Herr von +Schoenau was as rejoiced as any of the family, and rubbed his hands with +a satisfied air when Toni, on the fourth day, reported a marked +amendment in the doctor's condition. + +But a thunder-storm from the north was descending upon them all. +Suddenly, without any announcement, Frau von Eschenhagen appeared in +their midst. She had wasted no time in the city with her brother, but +came on directly from Burgsdorf, and descended like a veritable +thunder-storm upon her brother-in-law, who was in his own room reading +the papers. + +"Bless us--is it you, Regine?" he cried, really alarmed. "This is a +surprise. Why didn't you send word you were coming?" + +"Where is Willibald?" was her only response in an incensed tone. "Is he +at Fuerstenstein?" + +"Of course, where else would he be? He wrote you of his arrival, that +much I know." + +"Let him be called--now, this minute." + +"What's the matter with you, Regine?" asked the head forester, noticing +for the first time her intense excitement. "Is Burgsdorf burned to the +ground? I can't bring your Will to you now, this minute, for he's not +here just now, he's over at Waldhofen--" + +"Probably, at Dr. Volkmar's. In that case she's there too." + +"What 'she?' Toni has gone over as usual to be with Marietta; that poor +little girl has been in despair for the past few days. And I want to +have a word with you, Frau sister-in-law, while we are on this subject. +How could you have spoken so cruelly to Marietta, in my house, too. I +didn't hear of it for some time after, but I can tell you I--" + +A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown aside her bonnet and cloak, and she now +strode angrily to her brother-in-law's chair. + +"Do you still reprove me because I did my best to put an unclean thing +out of your house? You have always been blind. You would not listen to +me--and now it is too late." + +"I believe you're gone clean mad, Regine," said Herr von Schoenau +solemnly. He didn't really know what to think. "Control yourself long +enough to tell me what the trouble is." + +For reply Regine unfolded a newspaper and pointing to a certain +paragraph said tragically: + +"Read!" + +The head forester began to read, and he, too, soon became excited, and +grew red and angry as he read on. The paper was a weekly, published in +the South-German capital, and the article which excited their joint +wrath read as follows: + +"We have just learned that a duel with pistols was fought early last +Monday morning, in one of the unfrequented suburbs of our city. The +opponents were the well-known society gentleman, Count W., and a young +North German landlord, W.v.E., who is the nephew and has been for the +past few days the guest of a very prominent member of the diplomatic +circle. The cause of the quarrel which resulted in the duel was a member +of the court theatre company, a young singer who has, until now, enjoyed +a good reputation. Count W. was wounded in the shoulder, and Herr v.E., +who has left the city since, received a trifling wound in the hand." + +"That goes beyond anything I ever heard," cried the head forester, in a +towering rage. "My future son-in-law fights a duel on Marietta's +account. What was the quarrel about? What do you know about it, Regine? +My papers don't mention it." + +"But mine do. You'll find it in yours if you look them over well. I +caught sight of the article yesterday, and started at once, without even +staying over to see Herbert. Evidently he knows nothing about it yet, or +he'd have sent me word." + +"Herbert'll be here to-day; in an hour or two now," said von Schoenau, +while glancing hastily over the papers. "He was going to Ostwalden with +Adelheid, he wrote me, and would return to town by way of Fuerstenstein +and spend an hour with me. Perhaps he is coming to tell me about it, +but that doesn't change anything. What's the matter with Will, has he +gone mad?" + +"Yes, that he has," answered Regine, all excitement again. "You sneered +at me, Moritz, when I warned you your child would suffer from +association with an actress. That such a thing as this could happen +never entered my head until the moment when I discovered that Willibald, +my own, only son, was in love with this Marietta Volkmar. I tore him +from the danger and returned at once to Burgsdorf. That was the reason +of our sudden flight. I did not tell you for I thought Will was only +dazed for the moment, and would soon recover his reason again. The boy +seemed to have done so, or I would never have trusted him to come here +without me. I put him in Herbert's charge and felt perfectly sure that +all would be well. He could only have been in the city three or four +days at most, and well must he have spent his time." + +She threw herself back in an easy chair, worn out and anxious as well as +angry, while the head forester walked up and down the room angrier than +ever now. + +"And that's not the worst of it," he cried. "The worst is the game which +the rascal has been playing with me and my poor daughter since he came +here. My poor child has been running to Waldhofen day after day to give +what comfort and aid she could, and Willibald has always accompanied her +to comfort Marietta too--oh, its atrocious! Your model son has turned +out well, I must say, Regine." + +"Perhaps you think I intend to shield him!" Regine answered spitefully. +"He shall stand before me, shall stand before us both, and speak. That's +what I have come for. He shall learn to know me!" + +She rose as though ready now for the attack, and her hearer, who was +muttering angrily to himself, said aloud: + +"He shall learn to know us both!" + +Just then, in the middle of their excitement, the door opened, and the +poor, ill-treated fiance, Antonie von Schoenau entered the room quiet and +composed as ever, and said as she went toward her aunt: + +"I heard from the servants of your unexpected arrival, dear aunt--I am +so glad to see you." + +Instead of any answer or word of greeting from her aunt the same +question from both sides sounded in her ears. + +"Where is Willibald?" + +"He'll be here in a few minutes, he waited to give some direction to the +castle gardener; he does not know his mother is here." + +"To the castle-gardener! Doubtless he wants some more roses," Frau von +Eschenhagen broke out afresh, while the father held out both his arms to +Toni and said, in a trembling voice: + +"My child, my poor, deceived child, come to me. Come to your father's +arms." + +He would have drawn his daughter into his arms, but Regine stepped +before him and said in a husky voice: + +"Be composed, Toni, you will have a fearful blow from your false lover; +you will despise him and his deceptions from your very soul." + +This sudden sympathy had in it something alarming, but fortunately Toni +had never been troubled with weak nerves; she released herself now from +this double embrace, and drew back from them both as she said, with +quiet decision: + +"I could not do that, for Will is beginning to please me better now than +he has ever pleased me before in his life." + +"So much the worse," interrupted her father. "Poor child, you know +nothing, suspect nothing. Your lover has fought a duel, and for a woman, +too." + +"I know it, papa." + +"For Marietta," screamed her aunt. + +"I know it, dear aunt." + +"But he loves Marietta," they both cried out with one voice. + +"I know it all," declared Toni in her quiet, drawling tone. "Have known +it for a week." + +The effect of this declaration was so depressing that the two angry +parents were dumb, and looked at one another stupefied. In the meantime +Toni continued with the utmost composure: + +"Will told me all about it just as soon as he got here; and he spoke so +simply and with such true heartedness that he made me weep from very +sympathy; then a letter came from Marietta begging my pardon, and it was +so loving and penitent in its tone that I was deeply moved. There was +nothing for me to do but to give back my lover his freedom." + +"Without asking us?" interposed her aunt. + +"No questions were necessary in this case," Antonie answered, quietly. +"I cannot marry a man who declares to me that he loves another woman. So +we dissolved our engagement without any further discussion." + +"Indeed, and I learn it now for the first time. You two have become very +independent, all at once," cried the head forester, enraged. + +"Will meant to explain to you the next day, papa, but after such an +explanation he felt he could not remain here longer, and just then +Marietta was called home by her grandfather's illness. She was nearly +broken hearted when she thought he would die, and Will felt he could +not leave her until he knew what would be the result of the illness. So +I said to keep silence until the danger was over, and then speak. We +have both gone daily to the cottage to cheer poor Marietta. They are so +grateful to me and call me the guardian angel of their love." + +The young girl seemed quite affected by this thought, and took her +handkerchief to wipe the tears which were welling up in her eyes. + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood stark and stiff as a statue. + +Schoenau had folded his arms, and said with a deep sigh: + +"Well, God bless you for your magnanimity, my dear child. So everything +is as if it had never been. But you have been very generous in your +statements, one must acknowledge that. You have taken it very quietly, +and seen your betrothed make love to another girl before your very +eyes." + +Antonie nodded her head. She was greatly pleased to play the _role_ of +guardian angel, and she found no difficulty in so doing for her +affection for Willibald had been very mild from the beginning. + +"There was no talk of love making, papa. Dr. Volkmar was far too ill," +she explained. "We had all we could do to comfort poor Marietta, who was +dreadfully alarmed. You can see for yourself now that I have not been +deceived and that Will has been outspoken and honorable throughout. It +was I who advised him to be silent for a few days, particularly as it +was a matter which only concerned us two, and--" + +"Oh, that is what you thought. Then it does not concern us at all?" the +head forester interrupted angrily. + +"No papa, and Will thought with me that in such a case there was no use +in troubling the parents--" + +"What did Will think ?" asked Frau Regine, who at this unheard of +assertion thought it was time to take part in the conversation again. + +"That one should love before one marries, and Will is right," Toni +declared with unwonted vivacity. "When he and I were engaged, there was +no talk of love. It was all settled for us, but that'll never happen to +me a second time. I see now for myself what it means when two people +love one another with their whole hearts, and how greatly it has changed +and improved Will. Now when I marry I must be loved as Will loves +Marietta, and if I can't find a man who will love me devotedly, I'll +remain single all my life." + +And with this declaration and with a decisiveness in which nothing was +lacking, Fraeulein Antonie von Schoenau tossed her head back, and walked +out of the room leaving her father and aunt in anything but an enviable +state. + +Herr von Schoenau turned to his sister-in-law and said in a subdued but +angry tone: + +"Your son has been going ahead beautifully, Regine. Now Toni declares +she will be loved devotedly, too; this is the beginning of fine, +romantic ideas in her head, and Will seems to have them all down fine by +this time. I verily believe he has done his own proposing this time." + +Frau von Eschenhagen did not heed his ironical remarks; she sat gazing +vacantly into space, but the look on her face was not pleasant to see. + +"I'm glad you can see the comical side," she said after a pause. "I +confess I look another way." + +"That won't help you much," Herr von Schoenau answered. "When a model son +begins to rebel, that's the end of it. It's hopeless trying to change +him, particularly when he's in love. But I am very curious to see Will +genuinely in love, and to hear what this paragon has to say for +himself." + +His curiosity was to be gratified at once, for just at that moment +Willibald put in an appearance. + +It could be seen at a glance that he had heard of his mother's arrival +and was prepared to face her. The young heir did not hang back +diffidently this time, as he had done when he hid the roses in his +pocket two months before. There was something in his bearing which told +he was prepared for combat. + +"There is your mother, Will," began the head forester. "You must be +greatly surprised to see her." + +"No, uncle, I am not," the young man answered, but he made no attempt to +approach his mother, who stood like a threatening cloud, and whose voice +was an angry growl as she asked: + +"Perhaps you know, then, why I came?" + +"I imagine why, mother, even though I do not know where you obtained +your information." + +"The newspapers keep us advised--there, read that," and his mother +handed him the newspaper from the table. "But Toni has been here and +told us all--do you hear--all!" + +She spoke the last words in a tone of annihilation, but Willibald did +not seem at all disturbed by them, and answered very quietly: + +"Well, then, in that case, there's no need for my saying anything. +Otherwise I should have spoken to my uncle this afternoon." + +That was too much. Now the cloud broke with thunder and lightning, and +the storm descended with such violence upon the head of the sinning son +that there seemed nothing less for him to do than to sink into the +ground as a creature too debased to live; but he did not sink; he bent +his head before the driving tempest, and when his mother stopped a +moment--she had to take breath--he looked up quietly and said: + +"Mother--will you allow me to speak now?" + +"Oh, you are ready to speak? That is really remarkable," Schoenau +interrupted with a sneer. He felt he had not been kindly used by his +daughter and her lover. Willibald began to speak, at first hesitatingly +and slowly, but, as he went on, his voice strengthened, and his courage +returned. + +"I am very sorry to have grieved you, but I could do nothing else this +time. I was as innocent of any desire to fight a duel as was Marietta. +She was followed in the park by an impertinent fellow who insisted upon +pressing his attentions upon her; she was alone, unprotected. I saw what +happened and knocked the fellow down for his pains. He sent me a +challenge which I would not, and dare not decline. I have only Toni's +pardon to beg for loving Marietta, and that I did immediately upon my +arrival. She knows all, and has given me back my freedom. We understand +and respect one another much more since our betrothal is at an end, than +ever we did before." + +"Well, this almost passes belief," exclaimed the head forester angrily. +"We did not force you; you could have said no, either of you, if you had +desired." + +"Well, we do it now," Willibald answered, so decidedly and quickly that +his uncle looked at him quite bluffed. "Toni sees as well as I that a +mere marriage by arrangement is not right, and when one has felt the +bliss of loving he must marry the object of that love and no other." + +Frau von Eschenhagen, who had recovered her breath by this time, felt +the sting of these last words. It had not entered her thoughts that one +betrothal had been broken in order that another might be arranged, but +now the fearful possibility struck her. + +"Marry;" she repeated, "who would you marry? Would you marry that +Marietta, that creature--" + +"Mother, you must learn to speak of my future wife in a different +tone--" said her son, in so earnest and decided a manner that the +enraged woman was dumbfounded. "As Toni has released me, I am at liberty +to love Marietta, and Marietta's character is blameless, of that I have +had proof. Who vexes or insults her must answer to me--even if it be my +own mother." + +"See, see, the boy's getting on bravely," cried the head forester, whose +sense of justice overcame for the moment his anger. But Frau von +Eschenhagen was far removed from any instinct of justice. She had +believed that her mere presence would have subdued her son, and now he +defied her in this manner. His very appearance was different, and this +enraged her the more for she realized how deep and strong was the +feeling which could thus have changed him. + +"I will spare you the trouble of calling your own mother to account," +she said with intense bitterness. "You are of age and are the heir of +Burgsdorf, and I cannot prevent you doing as you choose. But on the day +when you bring Marietta Volkmar to Burgsdorf--I leave it." + +The threat had its effect; Willibald moved back a step as he said +excitedly: + +"Mother, you are speaking in anger." + +"I speak in full earnest. As soon as an actress enters that house as +mistress, where I have lived and ruled in honor for thirty years, and +where I had hoped to lay my head down for my last, long sleep, I leave +it forever. So take her to Burgsdorf if you wish--you have your choice +between your mother and the actress." + +"But Regine, don't be so unreasonable," remonstrated Schoenau. "You +should give the poor fellow some chance and not leave him such a hard +choice." + +Regine did not heed his remonstrance, she stood there, white to the very +lips, her eyes fixed upon her son. She repeated impressively: + +"Decide which it shall be--she or I." + +Willibald had grown pale, too, and an expression of deep pain lay on his +face as he said gently: "That is hard, mother. You know how dearly I +love you, and what a grief it will be to me if you should leave me. But +if you are so cruel as to leave me no option, then," he straightened +himself and finished with great decision, "then I choose Marietta." + +"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a +sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better +now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you +are not going to be my son-in-law." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had +built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a +wreck. + +She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she +would not have bent her stubborn will then. + +"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and +turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words, +as he rose to follow her. But before they had reached the door, it was +opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly: + +"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes--" + +"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schoenau sharply. "Tell +old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and--" + +He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in +the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone: + +"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schoenau, but it is a sad one. I +cannot wait, but must speak with you at once." + +"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune +happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?" + +"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me. +He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck, +and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not +heard, "and my lady should come, too." + +"But what is it, what has happened?" cried the forester, seriously +alarmed now. + +The old man hesitated; he seemed not to know how to break his bad news +gently. At last he spoke. + +"His excellency Baron von Wallmoden is at Rodeck--and the baroness, +too." + +"My brother?" Regine cried apprehensively. + +"Yes, my lady. His excellency was thrown from his carriage and now he is +unconscious at Rodeck, and the physician whom we summoned in haste, says +his condition is very serious." + +"God help us! Moritz, we must go at once," exclaimed Regine. + +Schoenau had already rung and he ordered horses and carriage to be got +ready at once. "And now, Stadinger, tell us how it happened." + +"The Herr Baron was on his way from Ostwalden to Fuerstenstein," began +Stadinger. "The way lay through the Rodeck lands, not far from the +Castle. Our forester, who was in the woods close by with some of the +men, fired a couple of shots at a deer which started out of the thicket +and ran across the road just in front of His Excellency's carriage. The +horses shied and started off, and the coachman lost control of them. +The forester, who reached the road at that moment, heard the Frau +Baroness say to her husband: 'Sit still, Herbert! for God's sake, don't +move!' But the baron must have lost his head, for he stood up and made +one spring. Of course he did not know where he was going, and fell with +great force against a fallen tree. Just a few yards farther on, at a +bend in the road, the coachman succeeded in pulling up the horses. The +baroness, who was not hurt at all, only shaken a little, hastened at +once to her husband, but the poor gentleman was badly hurt, and was +unconscious. The forester and his men brought him to Rodeck. Herr +Rojanow did everything that was necessary, and then sent me in hot haste +for you!" + +In the presence of this new disaster, all dissensions ceased, and Toni +was summoned and orders were hastily given, and as soon as the carriage +was ready the head forester and Frau Regine hurried off. Willibald and +Stadinger followed them at once, but as they descended the stairs, the +former held back for a moment and asked in a whisper: + +"What did the physician say? Did you hear anything?" + +The old man shook his head sadly and answered in a subdued tone: + +"I stood by when Herr Rojanow questioned him in the hall. There is no +hope. The poor baron won't live until night." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The little hunting lodge of Rodeck, which lay so white and silent in the +snow of that first December day, had seldom been witness to so great an +excitement as that occasioned by Baron Wallmoden's accident. It was +about noon when the two foresters appeared with their unconscious burden +in their arms. Hartmut Rojanow had seen at a glance what was to be done. +He had the injured man taken at once to Prince Adelsberg's room, sent +off a messenger for the nearest physician, and gave intelligent orders +concerning the sick man's treatment until the doctor should arrive. + +Then, when the physician told him there was no hope, he dispatched old +Stadinger to Fuerstenstein. Frau Regine only arrived in time to see her +brother die. Wallmoden never recovered consciousness after the fearful +shock of his fall; he lay upon the bed silent and motionless, breathing +with difficulty, and recognizing no one, and an hour later all was over. + +Toward evening Herr von Schoenau and Willibald returned to Fuerstenstein. +Before starting for Rodeck a telegram had been dispatched to the embassy +telling of the accident, and now the head forester sent another +announcing its fatal termination. + +Fran von Eschenhagen remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. The +corpse would be taken to the city early in the morning and until then +the two women would remain with it. Adelheid, who had faced the danger +so bravely, and had done her duty, though there was little to do at her +husband's death bed, now when all was over, seemed to lose her strength. +She was bewildered by the sudden and terrible occurrence. + +Hartmut Rojanow stood at his window in the second story, and glanced +across the desolate, bare forest, which, with its snowy mantle, had a +ghostly, uncanny look. + +The night came down quickly, and the stars shed a faint light over the +tall, leafless branches. Yesterday the first snow storm of the season +had come, and everything as far as eye could reach was enveloped in an +icy mantle. The great level park before the castle was knee deep with +snow, and the broad branches of the fir trees bent to the earth with +their heavy white burden. The stars came out one by one and dotted the +heavens with their clear, quiet light, while far to the north a faint +rosy glow tinted the distant horizon like a first morning greeting in +the eastern sky. But it was night, a cold, icy winter night, upon which +no gleam of a new day could have fallen. + +Hartmut's eyes rested on the distant shimmer, but he heeded not its +light; all was dark and gloomy within him this night. He had not spoken +to Adelheid von Wallmoden since the memorable day in the forest, until +he met her to-day walking beside her bleeding and unconscious husband, +whom they were bearing to his death bed. The moment forbade everything +but action, and Rojanow had not attempted to enter the sick room, but +had waited outside for the physician's reports. Neither had he showed +himself when Frau von Eschenhagen appeared, but he had spoken later with +Herr von Schoenau and Willibald. Now all was over, Herbert von Wallmoden +was no longer numbered among the living, and his wife, his widow, was +free! + +Hartmut breathed heavily at this thought, but it brought him no joy. His +feelings were changed since that hour when he had staked his all and +lost, for he loved this woman now, madly. This sudden death had showed +him the chasm which yawned between them, a chasm no less because +Adelheid's marriage bonds were broken. Her aversion had been for the man +who believed in nothing, and to whom nothing was sacred, and that man +was as great a scoffer, as great an unbeliever to-day as ever. + +He had pleaded for forgiveness in the character to which he had given +her name in "Arivana," but that Ada had disappeared again in the heights +above after giving her warning cry, leaving to their fate the creatures +she had exhorted, with their earthly passionate hates and loves. Hartmut +Rojanow could not force the wild blood in his veins to run in quiet +grooves, he could not bend to a life of strict and narrow duty, and he +would not! What were the use of all those gifts which he felt were his, +if they did not lift him out of the old ruts, did not raise him above +the duties and limits of the commonplace world? He knew well that those +great blue eyes urged him to follow the paths which he hated so +bitterly, and which, he told himself over and over again, he could never +take. + +The rosy shimmer yonder over the forest had grown deeper as it mounted +higher in the heavens. Unmovable it shone in the north, mysterious, far +and high--the great northern light in its dawning splendor! + +A roll of carriage wheels and sound of horses' hoofs coming at great +speed waked Hartmut from his dream. It was past nine, who could be +coming at so late an hour? Perhaps the second physician, who had been +sent for early in the day, but had not yet answered the summons; perhaps +some one from Ostwalden, where the news had been sent late. The carriage +turned into the broad road, and came on crunching and cracking over the +icy ground, and drew up under the wide porte cochere at the side of the +house. Hartmut, who was virtually master of the place, left his room +and hastened to see who had come or what was wanted. + +He had taken but a step or two down the stairs which led to the entrance +hall, when he stopped suddenly and held his breath with a gasp. There +sounded a voice which he had not heard for ten long years. It spoke in a +low, subdued tone, and yet he recognized it at the first word. + +"I come from the Prussian Embassy," the new-comer explained. "We +received the telegram early this afternoon, and I started at once. How +is he? Can I see Herr von Wallmoden?" + +Stadinger, who admitted the stranger, answered in a low tone. Hartmut +did not hear what he said, but could imagine from the next words: + +"Then I come too late!" + +"Yes, sir; the Baron died this afternoon." There was a short pause, then +the stranger said: + +"Take me to his widow; tell her it is Colonel von Falkenried." + +Stadinger led the way, and a tall figure wrapped in a military cloak +followed him; the man watching on the stairs could only recognize the +contour of the figure. The two had long since disappeared in the room +beneath, and yet Hartmut stood grasping the ballister, and looking down +into the semi-darkness with vacant eyes. When Stadinger came out again, +Hartmut retraced his steps slowly to his own room. + +For a quarter of an hour he paced restlessly up and down. He was having +a hard, fierce struggle with himself; he had never yet bent his pride, +never been able to yield, and he must bend and bend low before this +deeply injured father; this much he knew. But the longing, the burning +longing to see and be with him again, finally gained the victory. + +He threw back his head with sudden decision. "No, I will be no coward. I +will not avoid him. Now that we are under the same roof, within the same +four walls, I will venture. He is my own father and I am his son!" + +From the castle clock of Rodeck sounded forth ten slow, heavy strokes. +Without in the forest all was still, and within was the silence of +death. The old steward and the servants had all gone to bed, as had also +Frau von Eschenhagen. She had had a long journey without rest, and one +painful excitement after another on this never-to-be-forgotten day, and +now nature demanded rest. Lights yet glimmered from a few windows, and +these belonged to Colonel von Falkenried's and Frau von Wallmoden's +rooms, which were only separated by a long, narrow ante-chamber. + +Falkenried was to accompany Adelheid to the city to-morrow. He had seen +her and Regine, and then had stood for a long time beside the body of +his old friend, who had parted from him with a careless good-by but +yesterday; who had been so full of plans and projects of his hopes and +ambitions for the future. Now everything was at an end. There he lay, +cold and stiff upon the bier. Falkenried stood at the window in his own +room; even this fatal accident had not moved him from his icy calm; he +had long looked upon death as a happy release. Life was hard, very +hard--but not death. + +He gazed out into the silent winter night. The whole northern sky was +aglow with the dark red flame which started out of the darkness like a +sheet of fire. The stars blinked faintly, as through a purple veil, and +far beneath them all the earth lay cold and white and still. + +Falkenried was so deeply wrapt in thought that he did not notice the +opening and closing of the door of the adjoining room. Softly his own +room door opened, but he did not look up nor see the tall figure +standing on the threshold. + +The Colonel still stood by the window, though his face was but half +turned toward it, and the flickering of the candle on the table shone +across it. How deep and sad were the lines around the mouth; how +fearfully furrowed the high forehead beneath the white hair. Hartmut +shuddered unconsciously--he had not thought to find the change so great +nor so painful. This man who was yet in his prime, looked old, so old. +And who had worked this change? Several minutes passed in silence, then +a sound was heard in the room, half aloud and breathless; only one word, +but that one full of inexpressible tenderness: + +"Father!" + +The colonel started as if a voice from another world had fallen on his +ear. Then he turned slowly, but with an expression as though he expected +really to see a vision from the spirit-land. + +Hartmut took a few quick steps forward, and then stood still. "Father, +it is I. I come--" + +He was silent, for now he met his father's eyes--those eyes which he so +dreaded; and meeting them, he was robbed of all courage to speak +farther. His head sank and he was silent. + +Every drop of blood seemed to have left the colonel's face. He had not +known that his son was under the same roof with him, and was totally +unprepared for the meeting. But he made no outcry, showed no sign either +of anger or weakness. Still and stark he stood and looked upon him who +had once been his all. At last he raised his hand slowly, and pointed +toward the door: + +"Go!" + +"Father, hear me." + +"Go, I say!" The order sounded threatening this time. + +"No, I will not go!" cried Hartmut, passionately. "I know that +reconciliation can only come in this hour. I have wronged you deeply; +how deeply, how severely, I feel now for the first time. But I was only +a boy of seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Remember that, +father, and forgive me, forgive your own son." + +"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear; you are no son of +mine. No one devoid of honor can be a Falkenried." + +The words were almost too much for Hartmut. The blood mounted hot and +wild to his brow--the brow so like his father's--and it required all his +strength to keep himself under control. + +The two believed themselves to be alone in the silence of the night, for +all in the castle had retired to rest. They did not know that they had a +witness. Adelheid von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that +sleep would not come to her eyes, which had witnessed the dreadful +accident which left her a widow. Still clad in the dark traveling dress +which she had worn on that fateful journey, she sat in her room, when +the colonel's voice sounded on her ear. With whom could he be speaking +at that late hour? He knew no one, and yet his voice had a strange, +threatening sound. Puzzled and uneasy, the tired woman rose and stepped +into the ante-chamber which separated the two rooms, to see who it was. +She had no desire to overhear any conversation. She had a nervous +feeling that something new might have happened. Then a voice which she +knew only too well, said "Father," and that one word revealed to her +what the next few words confirmed. Like one possessed she stood still +and listened to all which came to her through the half-opened door. + +"You make this hour very hard, father," Hartmut said, laboring to +control his voice, "but I think I hardly expected anything else. +Wallmoden has told you about me, I feel sure, and what I have sought, +and how I have succeeded. I bring you the poet's wreath, father, the +first which has fallen to my share. Learn to know my work, let it speak +to you, then you will realize how impossible it was for a man of my +temperament to live and breathe under the restrictions of a profession +which was death to every poetic feeling; then you will forgive your +unruly son for his boyish trick." + +Hartmut Rojanow was himself again, and spoke with his old domineering +pride. His arrogant self-consciousness clung to him even in this hour. +He was the author of "Arivana," who acknowledged neither obligation nor +duty. + +"The boyish trick," said Falkenried in a harder voice than ever. "Yes, +that's what they called it in order to make it possible for me to remain +in the service. I called it something else, and many of my comrades with +me. You would soon have been an ensign, in a few weeks you would have +been fleeing from the flag you had sworn to defend--I have never known +such another case. You had been well and carefully educated and I had +striven to instill into your mind the keenest sense of honor. You knew +only too well what you did, you were no longer a boy. He who flees like +a thief in the night from the service of his country is a deserter; he +breaks his word and he does not know what honor means. That is what you +did! But it comes easy for you, and such as you, to do such things." + +Hartmut bit his lips and his whole body trembled at these merciless +words. His voice had a hollow, half suffocated sound as he answered: + +"Listen, father, I cannot bear that. I have bowed before you, have plead +for forgiveness, and you drive me from you. It is the same cruel +hardness with which you once drove my mother away. It was your severity +alone which was accountable for her erratic life after you thrust her +from you and for mine through hers." + +The colonel folded his arms and an expression of withering contempt +played round his lips. + +"And you heard all this from her own lips? Possibly! No woman falls so +low that she reveals to her son the disgraceful truths of her life. I +would not soil your soul at that time with the truth, for you were yet +innocent and pure. Now you will understand me when I say that my honor +demanded the separation from your mother. The man who had stained it +fell by my hand, and she, as you know--I put her from me." + +Hartmut grew deadly pale at this revelation. He had never known this, +never dreamed of such a thing, had in fact, believed that it was his +father's cruel disposition which had separated husband and wife. + +The image of his mother whom he had so dearly loved, was suddenly and +ruthlessly despoiled of its purity and its charm, and in its place came +the desolating conviction that she whom he had trusted and followed had +been his destruction. + +"I would have protected you from the poisonous atmosphere of such an +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! Even without her +persuasion you were lost to me. You had your mother's features, and it +was her blood which flowed in your veins, and sooner or later you were +bound to come to your own. You became what you are--a homeless +adventurer who knows neither fatherland nor honor!" + +"That is too much!" cried Hartmut, almost wild now. "I will not be so +insulted by any one, not even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I will go, but the world will judge otherwise +than you. It has already crowned me, and I will force from it the +recognition which my own father denies me." + +The colonel looked at his son, and there was something frightful in his +glance; then he said, slowly and distinctly, in his icy tone: + +"Better be careful that the world does not learn that the 'laurel +crowned poet' was suborned in Paris for over two years--as a spy." + +Hartmut started back as though shot. + +"I? in Paris? you must be out of your mind." + +Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously: + +"Still acting a comedy? you need give yourself no trouble; I know all. +Wallmoden laid before me the proofs of the game which Zalika Rojanow and +her son played in Paris. I know the sources from which the money came on +which you lived after she had lost her fortune. She was greatly sought +after for her peculiar accomplishments, for she was very skillful. He +who paid the highest price--secured her services!" + +Hartmut was completely overwhelmed. + +This then was the solution of Wallmoden's riddle. He had not understood +the ambassador, and had thought his insinuations of a different nature. + +He could understand his mother's hypocrisy now, her evasions, her kisses +and flatteries when he pressed her with questions. This last was indeed +the worst of all--and the last vestige of respect for her who had borne +him died within him as he listened to his father's recital. + +The silence which ensued was awful. It continued for several minutes, +and when Hartmut spoke again his voice seemed to have lost all sound, +and the words came brokenly--scarcely audibly--from his lips: + +"And you believe that I--that I--knew it?" + +"I do," the colonel answered shortly. + +"Father, you cannot, you must not believe that, it would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had not the +slightest premonition of such a disgrace. I believed that part of our +fortune was saved, I did indeed--you must believe that, father." + +"No, you did not," responded Falkenried, more coldly than ever. Hartmut +threw himself upon his knees. + +"Father, by all that is sacred in heaven and earth--oh, do not, do not +look at me that way--you will drive me mad. Father, I give you my word +of honor--" + +A wild, hideous laugh from his father interrupted him. + +"Your word of honor--you gave that at Burgsdorf. Let us end this comedy; +you cannot deceive me. You leave me with one lie, you return to me with +another. You have become the genuine son of your mother. Go your own +way, and I'll go mine. But one thing I tell you, I command you! Never +venture to connect the name of Falkenried with the dishonored name of +Rojanow. Never let the world know who you are. Remember this warning, +otherwise my blood be upon your head--for I will make an end of it all." + +With a cry of despair, Hartmut sprang up and would have rushed to his +father, but the latter held him back with his hand. + +"Perhaps you think that I love life. I have borne it because I must, and +I felt that it was my duty. But there is a point where duty ends, you +know it now--so act accordingly." + +He turned his back to his son and stepped again to the window. Hartmut +spoke no word; in silence he turned and left the apartment. + +The ante-chamber was not lighted, but the dim, distant light from the +northern sky fell upon the face of a woman, who stood pale as death near +the window, and whose eyes gazed with a look of indescribable anguish at +the face of the miserable man who entered the room. He saw her, and a +single glance told him that she knew all. His cup was full! The woman +whom he loved had been a witness to his terrible humiliation. + +Hartmut never knew how he succeeded in leaving the castle; he only knew +that he was suffocating within four walls and must have air. But when he +realized where he was and who he was, he was lying in the deep snow at +the foot of an old fir tree. It was night in the forest, a cold, icy +night, the heavens were illuminated with a deep red glow which centered +in the north and sent up its long, gleaming sheet of flame. + + * * * * * + +It was summer again, the sultry July days were half over. + +The forest trees cast long, cool shadows from their green and sombre +depths, while the sunbeams danced in and out among the branches through +all the silent, bright days. + +Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, had been empty and deserted until within +the past few days, when the young widow, accompanied by her +sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen, had arrived. Adelheid had left the +South German capital soon after her husband's death, and had gone to her +old home accompanied by her brother, who had hastened to her side as +soon as he heard of the sad accident. Her short marriage had only lasted +eight months and now in her twentieth year she wore the weeds of +widowhood. + +Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. She had +never changed her ultimatum regarding her return to Burgsdorf, and it is +needless to add, Willibald had not changed. Adelheid asked her to go +home with her and she had gone, feeling that her threat had as yet borne +no fruit. + +Frau von Eschenhagen believed she could effect a revolution of feeling +in Willibald's heart by this move. But his newly acquired firmness had +not been fleeting, though he tried every argument to persuade his mother +to return to Burgsdorf and to think kindly of his future wife--but all +to no purpose. Regine had no thought of yielding an inch, and now, +mother and son had not seen one another for many months. + +There had been no formal betrothal to Marietta. Willibald felt that he +owed his cousin and uncle the consideration of not having a second +betrothal follow so closely upon the first. Then Marietta's contract +with the Court theatre bound her for the next six months, and as her +engagement was a secret there, it was thought advisable to keep it so +until she had left the theatre forever. The young singer had but just +returned to her grandfather's house, where Willibald was also expected +soon. Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing of all this, or she would hardly +have accepted an invitation which brought her into the neighborhood of +Waldhofen. + +The day had been hot and sunny, but the late afternoon hours brought a +refreshing breeze, and swayed the drooping branches of the trees which +overhung and shaded the road leading from Ostwalden through the Rodeck +forest. Along this road, two men were trotting their horses; the one in +gray jacket and hunting cap was the head forester, Herr von Schoenau, the +other in a light summer riding suit, which set off his slender figure +to advantage, was Prince Adelsberg. They had met accidentally, and soon +discovered that they were bound for the same place. + +"I did not dream of meeting your Highness here," said Schoenau. "I +understood you were not coming to Rodeck at all this summer. I saw +Stadinger day before yesterday and he certainly didn't expect you then." + +"Stadinger made a great hue and cry because I came upon him so +unexpectedly," answered the prince. "To hear him you'd think it was his +own castle and I was intruding. And then I walked from the station, and +he considered that a most undignified proceeding. But the heat at Ostend +was unbearable; the sun just poured down on the strand, and an +irresistible longing came over me for my own cool forest home. Thank the +Lord, I am rid of the heat and noise of that Babel at last." + +His Highness had not cared in this instance to tell the truth. A certain +attraction in his immediate neighborhood, of which he heard +accidentally, had started him from the North Sea at a moment's notice. +Stadinger in a report which he sent his master concerning certain +matters at Rodeck, had mentioned that preparations were being made at +Ostwalden for the reception of the young widow. And it was in +consequence of his own gossipy letter that the steward was disagreeably +surprised by the prince's sudden appearance. The head forester seemed +somewhat sceptical about the prince's fancy for his "cool forest home," +for he said banteringly: + +"Then I am greatly surprised that our Court remains so long at Ostend. +The duke and duchess are there, and Princess Sophie with a royal niece, +a kinswoman of her late husband, I hear." + +"Yes, with her niece." Prince Egon turned suddenly and looked at his +companion. + +"Herr von Schoenau, I see you are about to congratulate me. If you do +I'll demand satisfaction on the spot, right here in the middle of the +forest." + +"I don't intend to get into any difficulty with you," laughed his +hearer. "But the papers speak very openly of an impending betrothal at +Court, and that the duchess and Princess Sophie are charmed with the +prospect." + +"My beloved aunt has many desires which I fear will never be gratified," +said the prince, coolly. "Her obedient nephew doesn't always fall in +with her views, and that's the case in this affair. I went to Ostend +because I had to; in other words, because the duke invited me, and I +could not refuse; but the air did not agree with me, and I prize my +health above all things. I didn't feel well from the first, so at last I +resolved--" + +"To break loose," interrupted the head forester. "That was very like +your highness, but how will you calm your kinsfolk at Court?" + +"Oh, well, I can make it all right with them if they feel aggrieved. As +far as that goes," continued the prince, with seeming frankness, "I made +up my mind last winter to spend part of the summer here, and when +Stadinger wrote me that some alterations were going on, I determined to +come on to Rodeck myself to superintend them." + +"Superintend the putting up of a new chimney?" questioned the head +forester in surprise. "The old one smoked last winter, so Stadinger +determined to put in a new one, but that don't require any attention +from you." + +"What does Stadinger know about it ?" said the prince angrily. He wished +the "old bear" would hold his tongue about what went on at Rodeck. "I +have many changes in view. We are pretty near our destination, I see." + +With that he started his horse on at a faster gait, and the head +forester followed his example, for Ostwalden lay before them. The great +building which Herr von Wallmoden would have made so magnificent, had he +lived, was an old, rambling castle, with two high towers, one on either +side, which gave the building a very picturesque appearance, surrounded +as it was by a wild, partially overgrown park. The present mistress of +the place, so it was said, intended to make few changes, but she would +not sell the place. What mattered a country-seat more or less to the +heiress of the Stahlberg millions. + +The gentlemen found on their arrival that Frau von Wallmoden was walking +in the park, and Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The young prince +announced that he would seek the lady of the house, while the head +forester turned his steps toward his sister-in-law's room. + +He had not seen Regine since the previous winter. As he entered the room +he said in his wonted hearty manner: + +"Here I am. I didn't think it worth while being announced to my +sister-in-law, although she does avoid my house with contempt. I don't +believe in hunting pretexts for quarrels, so have ridden over in this +hot sun to have an explanation." + +Regine reached out her hand to him. A passing glance would reveal no +change in her in these last six or seven months; she was the same +strong, determined woman as ever. But there was a change, nevertheless. +Heretofore her severity and harshness had always been tempered by a +certain winning cheerfulness, but that was gone now. She had not +yielded, but--she had suffered. She was estranged, perhaps forever, from +her only son, who was the idol of her mother's heart. + +"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she said heartily. "I knew you +would be true to the old friendship in spite of all that you and your +daughter were made to suffer; but of course it is very painful for me to +go to Fuerstenstein; you must see that." + +"On account of the broken engagement? Well you can console yourself +about that. You saw and heard at the time how good naturedly Toni took +the matter. She played the _role_ of guardian angel much better than +that of sweetheart, and she wrote you several times that she had no +regrets and so did I. But, I am sorry to say, our assurances have +amounted to nothing." + +"No, but I know how to appreciate your rare generosity." + +"Rare generosity!" repeated her brother-in-law laughing. "Well, perhaps +a jilted bride and her father do not always want to speak a good word +for a recreant lover, but that is not the case this time, and who knows +but we may be able to persuade the mother to see as we do. Toni and I +have both remarked that Will never was a man until now, and +that--forgive me, Regine, but I must say it--he owes his manhood to +little Marietta." + +Frau von Eschenhagen's brow darkened at this remark; she did not see fit +to answer it though, but showed that she wanted to avoid further +discussion by asking, in a changed tone: + +"Has Toni come back yet? I heard from Adelheid that she had been +visiting in the city, but was expected any day." + +Herr von Schoenau, who in the meantime had ensconced himself in a +comfortable chair, answered: + +"Yes, she came home yesterday--and with an escort, too. She brought a +young man with her who was to be her future husband, she declared, and +as he declared so too, with great positiveness, there was nothing left +me but to say, yes and Amen." + +"What's that? Toni engaged again?" exclaimed Frau Regine in surprise. + +"Yes, this time she did it all herself. I knew nothing of it. But you +see, she took it into her head that she must be loved to distraction; +nothing less romantic would do for her. Well, Herr von Walldorf seems to +answer all her requirements. He related to me with the greatest +satisfaction how he fell on his knees and assured her he could not live +without her, and how she gave him a similar touching assurance, with +more to the same effect. Yes, Regine, the day has gone by when we can +keep the children in leading strings. When they get ready, they want to +choose their own partners for life and I must say they're not far +wrong." + +The last sentence was uttered with seeming carelessness, but Regine +understand it fully. Thoughtfully she repeated: + +"Walldorf? The name is strange to me. When did Toni meet him?" + +"He is a friend of my son and came home with him on his last visit. As a +result of that visit, I met the mother, and she invited Toni to spend a +few weeks with her, and that's where all the courting was done. But I +have no reason to feel dissatisfied. Walldorf's a handsome fellow, and +lively, and head over heels in love; he seems a little light and frothy +now, but that will disappear when he gets a sensible wife like Toni. +These model sons are not always to my taste; they get too skittish when +they break loose. We have an example of that in Will. Walldorf will +resign in the Autumn. I won't have my Toni marrying a lieutenant; I will +buy them an estate and they will be married at Christmas." + +"I am greatly rejoiced on Toni's account," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +heartily. "You take a great load from my heart by this news." + +"And now," said the head forester, nodding to her, "you should follow my +example and take a load from the heart of another betrothed couple. Be +reasonable, Regine, and give in. Little Marietta is a dear, good girl, +if she has sung in a theatre. Every one speaks highly of her. You need +never be ashamed of your daughter-in-law." + +Regine rose suddenly and pushed her chair back with a violent movement. + +"I beg you, Moritz, once for all, to spare me such requests. I will +stand by my word. Willibald knows the conditions under which I shall +return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfill them, we are better apart." + +"It will be a long time before he will do that," said her +brother-in-law, dryly. "When a man is asked to abandon the woman he +loves for a mother's whim, he's not apt to do it if he's made of the +right stuff." + +"You express yourself very freely," said Frau Regine, angrily. "But what +does a man know of a mother's love or of the gratitude of children? You +are all an ungrateful, heedless, selfish--" + +"Hold! I have something to say for my own sex," von Schoenau began +excitedly. Suddenly, however, he leaned forward and said in a changed +tone: + +"We haven't seen each other for seven months, Regine, so don't let's +quarrel the very first day we meet. We can do that any time, you know. +We won't discuss that obstinate heir of Burgsdorf, but speak of +ourselves. How do you like life in the city? To me you hardly seem +contented." + +"I am very well contented," declared Regine with great decision. "All I +miss is the work; I am not accustomed to an idle life." + +"Of course you miss it. You always have been at the head of a great +establishment, and that's where you should be now, so I--" + +"Don't begin again, I beg you." + +"No, I don't mean Burgsdorf this time," said von Schoenau, looking down +at his riding boots. "I only meant--you're all alone in the city, and +I'm all alone at Fuerstenstein, and when Toni marries, it will be very +weary. Would it not be better--oh, I've said it all to you +before--perhaps you won't, perhaps you have a better offer in view, +but--wouldn't it be better to have a triple instead of a double +marriage?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked darkly on the ground and shook her head. + +"No, Moritz, I never was less in the humor for marrying than now." + +"Another refusal !" cried the head forester impatiently. "This makes the +second time. First you would not have me because you had your son and +your beloved Burgsdorf to look after, now you won't have me because you +are not in the humor. Humors have nothing to do with marrying, only +common sense; but when a woman hasn't any sense, and is too stubborn +to--" + +"You're in a very flattering mood, I must say," interrupted Regine, +thoroughly aroused now. "It would be a very peaceful marriage, with you +wagging your sharp tongue all the time." + +"It wouldn't be peaceful. I never expected that," Schoenau declared, "but +neither would it be monotonous. I believe we could endure one another. +Now, once for all, Regine, will you have me or will you not?" + +"No, I don't care to enter into a marriage of endurance." + +"So be it!" cried the head forester, furious now as he jumped up and +seized his hat. "If it gives you such pleasure to be eternally saying +no, why say it. Willibald will marry and he is right, and now I'll do +everything to hurry on his marriage just to annoy you." So saying he +left the room in a violent temper, slamming the door behind him as he +went, while Frau Regine remained behind equally irritated. These two +were apparently fated to quarrel whenever they met; it seemed a +necessity of their natures, but no quarrel was so bitter that peace +could not be established at their next meeting. + +In the meantime Prince Adelsberg had found Frau von Wallmoden in the +park. He begged her to continue her walk, and now the two were +sauntering under the cool dark shadows of the great lindens, whose +spreading branches protected them from the sun's rays, which beat down +so fiercely on the neighboring meadows. + +Egon had not seen the young wife since her husband's death. He had made +a formal visit of condolence at that time, but Eugen Stahlberg had +received him in his sister's stead, and immediately after the brother +and sister had left for the North. Adelheid still wore deep mourning, +but Prince Egon thought the sombre attire and black veil under which her +fair hair gleamed like a halo, only enhanced her beauty. + +His glance frequently sought the fair young face, and each time he asked +himself what change had come over it; he felt there was a change, but +could not define wherein it lay. Egon had only seen her when her cold, +proud reserve held every one in check. Now all coldness had disappeared, +he saw and felt it, and yet there seemed a mystery about her which he +could not unravel. + +She could not be grieving for a husband old enough to be her father, +who, even had he been nearer her own age, was of a cold, guarded nature, +and could not inspire the love of a fresh young girl. And yet there was +something in the face which told of sorrow, of a deep and voiceless woe. + +"If this icy exterior could be broken through one would find warmth and +life beneath," Prince Egon had declared more than once, half jestingly. +Now this transformation had been partially effected, slowly, almost +imperceptibly. But this soft, half-pained expression, which had taken +the place of the haughty, cold one, this sorrowful glance, gave the +young widow the one charm which had been lacking--gentleness. + +The conversation had been about trifling every-day matters, inquiries +and answers concerning the court and the harmless gossip of the day. +Egon repeated the story he had already related to the head forester +about the heat of Ostend, and his desire for solitude in his little +woodland home. His listener's fleeting smile showed him that she was as +incredulous as Herr von Schoenau had been; perhaps she too had read the +newspaper statements concerning the royal niece at Ostend. He was angry, +and was puzzling his brain to know how he could broach the subject, and +correct the error into which the papers had led her, when Adelheid asked +suddenly: + +"Will your highness be alone all summer at Rodeck? Last year you had a +guest with you." + +A shadow darkened the prince's face, and he forgot the correction which +he was about to make concerning his reported betrothal. + +"You mean Hartmut Rojanow ?" he said very seriously. "He will scarcely +join me; he is in Sicily at present, or was, at least, a couple of +months ago. Since then I have not heard from him, and don't even know +where to write." + +Frau von Wallmoden stooped to pluck a flower which grew in her way, as +she said quietly: + +"I believed you were in constant correspondence with one another." + +"I hoped to be when we parted, but the fault is not on my side. Hartmut +has become an unsolvable riddle to me lately. You witnessed the +glittering success of his 'Arivana' on that first night; which success +has been repeated in many cities since then; the drama has fairly taken +the people by storm, and the poet who has done it all flees from the +world, even from me, and buries himself, God knows where. I cannot +understand it. Upon my soul, I cannot understand it." + +Adelheid plucked the petals of her flower as they walked on slowly, then +said in a low tone, as she looked with intense interest into the +prince's face: + +"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" + +"In the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to Rodeck +to spend a few days; that was immediately after 'Arivana' was brought +out. I thought it was a whim of the moment and said little, but suddenly +he came back to me in the city in a state of excitement which fairly +frightened me, and announced that he was going to leave Germany and +travel. He wouldn't listen to reason, wouldn't answer a question, and +was off like a thunder-bolt. He had been gone weeks before I heard from +him again; since then I have had some letters, few and far between. He +was in Greece for several months, then he went to Sicily, and now for +two months I have been waiting anxiously for news." + +Egon spoke in an anxious tone. No need to ask how painfully this +separation from his dearest friend affected him. + +He little knew that the woman by his side could have solved the riddle +for him. She knew what drove poor, unsatisfied Hartmut from land to +land, knew the blemish that soiled the poet's name. This was the first +news she had heard of him since that fatal night at Rodeck, when all had +been revealed to her. + +"I presume poets are formed of different clay from common mortals," she +said slowly, as she scattered the leaves before her. "That's the only +reason one can ascribe for their vagaries." + +The young prince shook his head sadly. + +"No, it is not that; his peculiarities spring from some other source. I +have felt confident for a long time that there is something dark and +mysterious in Hartmut's life, but I never could ascertain what it was. +He would allow no allusions to his past. I have often broached the +subject, but he resented all reference to it. There seems to be a +veritable sword of Damocles hanging over him, and when in some happy +moment he thinks he has escaped, he looks up, and there it hangs as +usual gleaming above his head. I was more impressed than ever with that +idea when he last parted from me, he was so excited--almost +insane--nothing could hold him back. I cannot tell you how sad I am +about him. For more than two years we lived together. I learnt to know +and appreciate his warm heart, and responsive, genial nature. Now +everything is desolate and dreary without him, and all the rich coloring +seems to have gone out of my life." + +They had reached the limit of the park and remained standing for a +moment now. Before them lay a long stretch of meadow with a hot +afternoon sun streaming down on it, while a background of forest-clad +mountains rose high and green in the distance. Adelheid had listened +silently, and now her sad glance rested on the far mountain heights. +Suddenly she turned and held out her hand to her companion. + +"I believe you to be a very self-sacrificing friend. Herr Rojanow should +not desert so true a comrade. Perhaps you could save him from +this--sword of Damocles." + +Egon could hardly credit his senses. + +This warm hand pressure, the sad, tender glance from the eyes brimming +with tears, and the almost passionate earnestness with which she spoke, +surprised and enchanted him. He grasped her hand and pressed it with +fervor to his lips. + +"If I could ever do anything for Hartmut, I would do it gladly. Rest +assured your plea for him will spur me on. While I am here you must +allow me the neighborly privilege of coming to Ostwalden frequently. Do +not say no for I am all alone at Rodeck, and I came here solely for the +purpose--" + +He stopped suddenly, feeling that the time had not yet come when he +could reveal to her why he had come, and he saw that no such confession +would avail him now. Adelheid drew her hand back quickly, and stepped +back; for a moment the old icy manner was upon her again. + +"Of avoiding the heat and noise of Ostend; so you have already +explained." She said very coldly. + +"That was only a pretext," responded the prince earnestly. "I left +Ostend because of certain reports which were being circulated concerning +me. When I saw myself figuring in the newspapers, I determined to make +an end of it. These reports were altogether groundless, as far as I was +concerned. I give you my word for it, Baroness." + +He had at least taken advantage of this opportunity to explain how +untrue were all rumors concerning his engagement to his aunt Sophie's +niece. Frau von Wallmoden was distant and formal as she replied: + +"Why does your Highness deem it necessary to make this declaration to +me? It was only a report, I fancy. It is understood, I believe, that you +have resolved never to give up your freedom. I think we must return to +the castle now? You say my brother-in-law has come with you, and I must +see him." + +Egon turned with her, and as they sauntered back resumed his light, +gossipy chatter. As soon as possible he made some excuse for leaving, +and as Adelheid bade him good-bye, she gave him a courteous invitation +to call again, and that was to him the important thing. + +"My cursed hastiness!" he muttered, as he rode away. "I'll keep away for +a couple of weeks. As soon as any one approaches a step near, she turns +into ice again"--but here the prince's face lighted--"but the ice is +beginning to melt. I saw it and felt it in her tone and glance. I will +have patience--the prize is worth a struggle!" + +Egon von Adelsberg little thought that every glance, every tone had been +inspired by the memory of another, and that the invitation to repeat his +visit had only been spoken because the fair chatelaine of Ostwalden +hoped to hear from her guest the news of a distant wanderer. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +It was midsummer in the warm and pleasant month of July, when the world, +which lay in such dreamy, peaceful repose, was suddenly awakened in +affright as from a deep sleep. From the Rhine to the sea and back again +to the Alps, there blazed an unearthly lightning flash followed by +distant thunder-roar, and from the west the heavy war cloud descended +upon the land; while the cry of "War! War! War with France!" re-echoed +throughout all Germany. + +It came like a whirlwind upon the South Germans,--tearing men from their +homes, changing plans so carefully laid, and parting many who made them, +forever. Where all had been so calm but one short week before, +everything was now confusion and excitement. At Fuerstenstein where the +daughter of the house was happy with her lover, all was bustle now, for +the lover must leave at once to join his regiment. At Waldhofen where +Willibald was expected, he appeared suddenly in hot haste to spend with +Marietta the few days which intervened before he marched to the front. +At Ostwalden, Adelheid was making hasty preparations to start for the +North, in order that she might clasp her brother once more in her arms, +before he, too, joined the troops. Prince Adelsberg had left at the +first sound, and was in the city as soon as the duke. The world had +changed its face altogether in a few short hours. + +Willibald was in the little garden of Waldhofen, speaking earnestly and +impressively to the old doctor, who sat upon the rustic bench, but who +hardly seemed persuaded by the younger man's eloquence. + +"But, Will, it seems very precipitate," he said, shaking his head, +"your betrothal to Marietta has never been made public, and now you are +going to be married. What will the world say?" + +"Under existing circumstances the world will say it was the proper thing +to do," Will answered, emphatically. "Though we need not care what it +says. I must go to the war, and it is my duty to make Marietta's future +secure before I go. I couldn't endure the thought that she'd have to +return to the stage if I should die, nor be left to the tender mercies +of my mother; the fortune which I shall inherit is in her hands, and she +will guard it carefully. I have only the estate of Burgsdorf, which if I +should die, goes to a distant branch of the family. According to the old +family law and custom, however, the widow of the heir has a rich dower. +I want Marietta to have my name, and I can then go to the field feeling +assured that her future will be well provided for." + +He spoke quietly but with determination. The indifferent, dull +Willibald, was not to be recognized in this energetic man, who knew what +he wanted, could give clear, sound reasons, and was determined to have +his wishes fulfilled. He had gone through a hard but thorough school in +these last six months in which he had been alone. He had had to fight +against many obstacles, but the manliness and independence within him +had asserted themselves for all time. Even in appearance he was changed +for the better, and the head forester was right when he said that Will +was a man at last. + +Dr. Volkmar could not say him nay; he knew, alas, only too well, if that +war took Marietta's lover from her, she would be friendless, penniless +and alone, and a load was lifted from his heart at the thought of her +future being assured. He made no further objections, but only said: + +"And what does Marietta say? Is she willing?" + +"Certainly. We decided the question last evening, after my arrival. I +didn't alarm her by telling her I might be killed, or bother her with +anything of that kind. There will be time enough for that should +anything serious happen, but I did tell her that if I was wounded my +wife could come to me and nurse me. That decided the matter. We will +have a very quiet wedding, of course." + +The young fellow's face clouded over as he spoke, and he sighed deeply. + +"No, we don't care to have a gay wedding when the mother's blessing +cannot follow the bridal pair to the altar. Have you really done +everything you can, Will?" + +"Everything," Willibald answered, earnestly. "Do you think it is a light +matter to do without my mother on such a day? But she left me no choice, +and I must bear it. I must take the necessary steps at once. I had the +forethought to bring such papers as were needed with me." + +"And do you think it possible to have all the arrangements for the +marriage made in a few days?" asked the Doctor, doubtfully. + +"Certainly. I will attend to all the formalities that are necessary, so +that there will be no difficulty. As soon as we are married, Marietta +will go with me to Berlin, where we will stay until I am ordered to the +field, then she can return to you." + +Dr. Volkmar rose and held out his hand, saying: + +"You are right, it is the best thing to do under the circumstances. +Well! well! my singing-bird, so you are willing to be married off-hand +as this lover of yours wishes?" + +The question was put to Marietta, who had joined them at the moment. Her +face bore traces of recent tears, but her eyes lighted with a smile as +Willibald clasped her hand in his. + +"I won't be long away from you, and you are willing, are you not?" + +The old man's glance was half of pain, half of pleasure, as he thought +how little these two knew of life and its dark shadows, which had closed +in around him so long ago. He said in a trembling tone, "Well, marry, +and God be with you! I give you my blessing from the bottom of my +heart." + +The simple preparations were to be made with all speed, and the marriage +to take place as soon as possible. Willibald, to whom the head forester +had already confided his daughter's engagement, felt that there was no +need of delay now, out of respect to his cousin Toni. + +Toward evening Dr. Volkmar went to visit some patients, and the +betrothed pair, who had had but little opportunity to see one another, +settled themselves for a long, quiet talk. The future was dim and +fraught with fear and dread, but the present belonged to them, and in +that thought there was happiness despite everything. + +They whispered together in the shaded room, talking the old sweet +lovers' talk, and so thoroughly absorbed in one another that they failed +to hear some one cross the hall with slow, hesitating steps. Then the +rustle of a woman's gown attracted their attention, and they looked up +and sprang to their feet as they looked. + +"My mother!" cried Will in an alarmed but joyous tone, putting his arm +around Marietta as he spoke, as though to protect her, for his mother's +face wore its hardest, most forbidding look. Without appearing to notice +the young girl she turned her face to her son. + +"I heard from Adelheid that you were here," said she in a hard, dry +tone, "and I thought I would come and ask you how things were going on +at Burgsdorf. Who have you left in your place during your absence? No +one can tell how long the campaign will last." + +The joyful expression on her son's face disappeared; he had hoped for +another greeting from his mother's unexpected appearance. + +"I have provided for possibilities as well as I could," he answered. +"The greater part of the people will have to go, too, and the inspector +is off already; there is no question of substitutes now. So the work +will be, of necessity, limited, and old Merton can oversee it." + +"Merton's an old sheep," said Regine, in her most decided tone. "If he +has the reins, things will come to a pretty pass at Burgsdorf. There's +nothing else for it, but for me to go and see to it." + +"What! You will go?" Willibald cried, but his mother cut him off +sharply. + +"Do you think I'd let everything you own go to ruin while you were in +the field? Burgsdorf will be safe in my hands, you know that. I have had +charge for many a long year, and I'll take my old place until you +return." + +She still spoke in a hard, cold tone, as if she would stifle all warm +feelings, but now Will took his sweetheart in his arms and came close to +her. + +"For my worldly possessions, mother, you have a care," he said +reprovingly. "But for the best and dearest I possess you have neither +word nor glance. Have you really only come to say you will return to +Burgsdorf?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen's lips trembled; she could retain her forced +composure no longer. + +"I came to see my only son once more before he went to the war, perhaps +to meet his death," she said with painful bitterness. "I had to learn +from others that he was come to take leave of his future wife, but not +to take leave of his mother, and that--that I could not endure." + +"We were coming!" cried the young heir, excitedly. "We were coming +before we left here to make one last attempt to win your heart. See, +mother, here is my love, my Marietta--she waits for a friendly word from +you." + +Regine gave a long look at the lovers, and a pained expression passed +over her face as she saw her son draw Marietta's head down on his +breast, while the girl's happy, blushing face spoke of trust and love +never to be shaken. Motherly jealousy had a last, sharp struggle against +her better nature, and then, conquered by love and justice, disappeared +forever. Frau von Eschenhagen stretched out her hand to the young +maiden. + +"I have grieved you sorely, Marietta," she said half aloud, "and have +done you great injustice, but you have repaid me by taking my boy from +me, my boy, who loved no one but his mother until he met you, and now +loves none but you. I believe that makes us quits." + +"O, Will loves his mother as much as ever," cried Marietta eagerly. "I +know only too well how much this separation has cost him." + +"Well, there, we will have to endure one another on his account," Regine +responded, with an attempt at joking which was far from successful. "We +will both be anxious enough about him in the days to come, when he is in +the field--ah," with a deep sigh, "there'll be sorrow and care enough +then. What do you say, child? I believe we'll bear it better together." + +She held out both arms, and in the next moment Marietta lay sobbing upon +her breast. There were tears in the mother's eyes, too, as she leaned +over to kiss her future daughter. Then she said in her natural sturdy +tone: + +"Do not weep. Keep your head in the air, Marietta. A soldier's +sweetheart must be brave, remember that." + +"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, as his face grew bright. "She +is to be a soldier's wife before I march." + +"Then Marietta will belong by right to Burgsdorf," said the mother, +seemingly not at all surprised at this news, which she took very kindly. +"No demurrers, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing farther +to do with Waldhofen except to visit her grandfather. Or perhaps you are +afraid of the stern mother-in-law? Ah, I know you think he will protect +you," with a nod toward her son, "although he is not at home. He would +even declare war against his own mother if she didn't meet his little +wife with open arms." + +"But she will always do that, I know it," exclaimed her son, with a +happy laugh. "When my mother once opens her heart, then everything she +does is right." + +"Ah, now you can flatter," said Regine with a reproving glance. "You +will come to your future home at once, Marietta! As to the management of +affairs, you need not bother your head about that. I'll take care of +everything, for a little thing like you wouldn't know where to begin, +and candidly, I wouldn't allow any one to have a voice in the management +of Burgsdorf while I lived there. If I decide to live elsewhere that's +another matter; but I can see already that Will will want you to live +like a princess all your days. I can but pray that he'll return to us +whole and sound." + +She threw her arms around her son and they embraced more warmly than +they had ever done in their lives before. + +A quarter of an hour later, the head forester, coming in hastily to see +the old doctor, found the three in earnest conversation. He gave Regine +a look, to which she responded by saying: + +"Well, Moritz, am I still the personification of obstinacy and +unreasonableness?" and she held out her hand to her brother-in-law. But +he did not take it. Her second refusal but the week before was still +fresh in his mind, and he turned to the others now, saying: + +"So you're to be married at once, I hear? I met Dr. Volkmar and he told +me all about it, so I came over to offer our services to the bride, but +as Willibald's mother is here, there's little for me to do." + +"Ah, your services will be heartily welcome, uncle," said Willibald +cordially. + +"Well, well, I won't be sorry to see my nephew married," said the head +forester, kindly. "You've become a very romantic young man of late. +Toni's caught the fever, too, and nothing would do but that Walldorf and +she should be married at once; but I put my foot down on that. I said +the circumstances were quite different, and that I had no intention of +being left all alone like a cat." + +He gave another grim look at Regine, but she went up to him and answered +him cordially: + +"Come now, Moritz, don't growl; let us be happy and without strife for +once. You see I did say yes, to my boy at least, when I found his heart +was set on Marietta." + +The head forester looked at her gravely for a moment, then he seized her +hand and pressed it warmly, as he said: + +"Yes, I see, Regine, and perhaps you'll repent ere long of your no in +another matter, and give a yes instead." + +The old steward of Rodeck stood in his master's dressing-room in the +Adelsberg palace. He had come to the city to receive instructions from +the prince before the latter left for the field. Egon, who wore the +uniform of his regiment, had just finished giving the old man his +orders, and said, finally: + +"And keep everything in good order at Rodeck, I may possibly be able to +spend a few hours there before I start, though the order to march may +come any day. How do you think I look as a soldier?" + +He stood back and straightened himself as he asked the question. + +He was a handsome man, and his tall, slender figure appeared to great +advantage in the rich uniform which he wore. Stadinger looked at him +with eyes full of admiration. + +"You're magnificent!" he said. "It's a pity your highness has to go as a +soldier!" + +"What do you mean? Am I not heart and soul a soldier? Service in the +field won't be any too easy, but I'll soon get accustomed to it. Nothing +should be difficult when it's one's duty." + +"No, your highness thinks a great deal about duty; that's why you left +Ostend when your honored aunt had arranged a marriage for you, so +suitable in every particular, and that's why you--" + +"You old rascal!" said the prince. "There's one thing I shall miss in +the field, and that's your insinuations and sermons. By the way, +remember me to pretty little Zena when you get back to Rodeck. Is she +there now?" + +"Yes, your highness, she is there now," said the old steward with +emphasis. + +"Naturally, because I'm marching to France. But I'll tell you a secret. +I'm going to be a model of reason and virtue when I come back and then I +shall marry." + +"Really?" said Stadinger with delight "How rejoiced the whole court +will be!" + +"That's as it may be," said Egon. "It's more than probable that the +whole court will be in a rage, especially my aunt Sophie. But you be +silent, Stadinger; don't breathe a syllable while I am away. Who knows +but I may never return to you--think kindly of me, old fellow." + +Stadinger's eyes were filled with tears as he turned to go, and he said: + +"How can your highness talk that way? It's not likely an old worn-out +man like me would be left, and you, so handsome, so young, so gay be +taken. That's not according to nature." + +"Well, well, I did not mean to sadden you, you old ghost of the woods!" +said the young prince reaching out his hand. "We'll think of victory and +not of the slain, but if both should come together it would not be so +hard." + +The old man knelt and kissed his young prince's hand. + +"I would I could go with you," he said, half aloud. + +"I've no doubt of it," said the prince laughing. "And you wouldn't make +a bad soldier either, despite your old gray head. This time the young +ones have to go, and the old ones stay at home. Good-bye, Stadinger," +and he shook him heartily by the hand. "What! You're not crying' You +ought to be ashamed of yourself. Away with all tears and sad +forebodings. You'll read me many a lecture yet." + +"God grant it," said old Peter, with a heavy sigh. He gave one glance at +the bright, handsome face, and looked at the moist eyes; then he went +away with sad, drooping head. He realized for the first time, poor old +man, how deep his highness had crept into his heart. + +The prince glanced at the clock. + +He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the +newspapers containing the latest war rumors. + +There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up +surprised. Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always +announced. This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the +palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him. + +"Hartmut, is it you?" + +Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw +himself upon his breast. + +"You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it? You bad boy, to +keep me two whole months without any news! Have you come to see me off +and say good-bye?" + +Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; +he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over +this meeting. + +"I have come directly from the station," he said. "I almost feared I +would not find you, and so much depended on my doing so." + +"Why didn't you write or telegraph that you were coming? I wrote to you +at once when war was declared. You were in Sicily, were you not?" + +"No, I left there as soon as the war seemed to me inevitable, so I did +not get your letter. I have been in Germany a week." + +"And only come to me now?" said Egon reprovingly. + +Rojanow paid no heed to his friend's reproof; his eyes were fastened on +his uniform with consuming jealousy. + +"You are already in the service I see," he said hastily. "I, too, am +anxious to enter the German army." + +Nothing he could have said would have surprised Egon so effectually. In +great astonishment he stepped back a pace. + +"In the German army? You, a Roumanian?" "Yes, and that is why I come to +you; you can make my entrance possible." + +"I?" said the prince, his amazement increasing each moment. "I'm only a +young lieutenant myself. If you are really in earnest you must apply to +some high officer in command." + +"That I have done already, in various places, in the neighboring states, +but no one will take a stranger. A hundred questions are asked, above +all one is treated with suspicion and distrust; no one seems to +understand my decision." + +"To speak openly, Hartmut, neither do I," said Egon earnestly. "You have +always shown the greatest aversion to Germany. You are the son of a land +whose court circles have always followed French manners and customs; the +people have always been closely allied to France, so the distrust and +suspicion are easily explained. But why do you not go to the duke in +person, and prefer your request? You know how much he would do for the +poet who wrote 'Arivana.' All you will have to do will be to obtain an +audience, and that will be granted as soon as your name's sent in. An +order from him would silence every objection." + +Rojanow's eyes sank to the ground, and his dark, frowning brow grew +blacker as he answered: + +"I know it, but I can ask nothing of him. The duke would ask the same +questions as the others. I dare not refuse him an answer, and I could +not tell him the truth." + +"Nor me?" asked the prince, as he stepped up to his friend and placed +his hands on his shoulders. "Why do you wish to fight under the German +flag?" + +Hartmut drew his hand across his brow as if to smooth out something, +then he answered with a gasp: + +"Because it means deliverance or--death." + +"You return as great a mystery as when you went away," said Egon, +shaking his head. "You have avoided my questionings; can you not tell me +your secret now?" + +"Only get me into the army and I'll tell you everything!" cried Rojanow, +feverish with excitement. "I care not under what conditions, only get me +in the army. Don't speak to the duke or to any of the generals, only get +me into some subordinate command. Your name, your kinship to the +reigning house will make your recommendation of great value. They will +not be captious when Prince Adelsberg solicits a place for a friend." + +"But they'll be sure to ask me the same questions they asked you. You +are a Roumanian--" + +"No, no!" exclaimed Rojanow, passionately. "Have you never seen, never +felt that--I am a German?" + +The effect of this declaration was not so great as Hartmut had feared. + +The prince looked steadily at him for a minute, then he said: + +"I have thought that for some time. The man who wrote 'Arivana' never +learned the German language as part of his education; it was born in +him. But you bear the name of Rojanow--" + +"That was my mother's name, she belonged to a Roumanian Bojarin family. +My own name is--Hartmut von Falkenried." + +"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian officer who came from +Berlin with the secret despatches to the duke. Is he a kinsman of +yours?" + +"He is my father." + +The prince glanced sympathetically at his friend, for he saw how it +wrung his very soul to make this confession. He felt that here lay +hidden a family drama, and desirous to avoid all show of curiosity +concerning it, he only said: + +"Take your own name as the son of your father; then every regiment in +Prussia will be open to you." + +"No, that would close them forever--I ran away from the cadet academy +over ten years ago." + +"Hartmut!" There was atone of horror in the exclamation. + +"Ah, you are like my father. You regard me as a criminal. You who were +reared in freedom know naught of the severities and restraints of that +institution, of its tyrannies, to which every one within its walls has +to bow in blind obedience. I endured it as long as I could, then I left +it, for my soul demanded freedom and light. I appealed to my father in +vain; he but tightened the chains--so I tore them apart and went away +with my mother." + +His manner was wild and excited as he told his short, fateful story; but +his eyes, anxious and watchful, never left his listener's face. His +father, with his fierce, severe code of honor, had cursed him, but his +friend, who adored him, who had professed such a deep admiration for his +genius, surely he would understand him, and how he had been driven to +take such a step. But this friend was silent now, and in his silence lay +his sentence. + +"And you, too, Egon?" In the tone of the questioner, who had waited a +long minute, and waited in vain for some word, there was inexpressible +bitterness. "You, who have so often said to me that nothing should +hamper the poet's flight, that he must break all bonds which would bind +him to the earth. That's what I did, and it's what you would have done +in my place." + +The young prince drew himself up proudly, and answered decisively: + +"No, Hartmut, you are in error there! I would perhaps have escaped from +a severe school,--but from military service never!" + +There were again the same old hard words he remembered as a boy--"the +military service"--"the service of arms!" All the blood in his body +rushed to his head. + +"How did it happen you were not an officer?" continued Egon. "The cadets +are promoted while very young in the north! Then in a few years you +could have resigned. Just at the age, too, when life was beginning, and +been free--with honor." + +Hartmut was dumb; that was what his father had said to him once, but he +would not wait. The barriers were an obstruction, and he threw them +down, not recking that he trampled duty and honor in the dust at the +same time. + +"You do not understand how many things pressed upon me at the time," he +explained with difficulty. "My mother--I will not complain, but she has +been my fate. My father was divorced from her when I was little more +than a baby, and I thought she was dead. Then suddenly she appeared in +my life and I was tossed and torn by her hot mother love and her +extravagant promises of freedom and happiness. She alone is accountable +for my broken word--" + +"What broken word?" asked Egon, excitedly. "You had not yet taken the +oath?" + +"No, but I had promised my father to return, when he permitted me a last +interview with my mother." + +"And instead of doing so, you ran away with her?" + +"Yes." + +The answer was almost inaudible, and then followed a long pause. The +young prince spoke no word, but a deep, bitter pain lay on his sunny +face, the bitterest of his lifetime, for in this minute he lost the +friend he had loved so passionately. + +Hartmut began again, but did not look at his friend while he spoke. + +"Now you understand why I will force myself into the army at any price. +On the battle-field I can expiate my boyhood's offense. When I saw in +Sicily that war was imminent, I flew in haste to Germany. I hoped to be +able to enter the service at once. I did not dream of the difficulties +which I should encounter; but you can help me if you will." + +"No, I cannot," said Egon, coldly. "After what I now know it would be an +impossibility." + +Hartmut grew pale to his very lips as he stepped excitedly before him. + +"You cannot? That means you will not." + +The prince was silent. + +"Egon"--there was a tone of wild entreaty in his voice. "You know I have +never asked a favor of you, this is the first and last, but now I beg, I +implore your friendship. It is my release from the fatality which has +followed me since that hour. It means reconciliation to my father, +reconciliation to myself--you must help me!" + +"I cannot," repeated the prince, solemnly. "The repulses which you have +received are hard to bear, I doubt not, but they are right. You have +broken faith with your country and with duty. You fled from the +service--you, an officer's son--so it is closed against you--and you +must bear it." + +"And you say all this to me, so quietly, so coldly?" cried Hartmut +fairly beside himself now. "This is a matter of life and death to me. I +saw my father for the first time in over ten years at Rodeck when he +hurried to Wallmoden's death bed. He scourged me with contempt and +fearful words. That was what drove me from Germany and sent me roaming +through foreign lands, for his words went with me and changed my life +into hell. I hailed the war cry as my release. I would fight for the +land I had once deserted. But you, you, who alone can open the door, +shut it in my face. Egon, you turn from me; only one course is left!" + +He turned with a movement of despair to the table on which the prince's +pistols lay, but the latter pulled him back in affright: + +"Hartmut! Are you mad?" + +Egon was pale too, now, and his voice trembled as he said: + +"I cannot let that happen, I will do my best to get you into some +regiment!" + +"At last I thank you!" + +"I cannot promise anything, for I must keep it from the duke. He leaves +to-morrow for the seat of war. If he learns later that you are in the +army, the excitement of war may prevent him asking the why and +wherefore. But it will be several days before I can know anything +definite. Will you be my guest until then?" + +The prince had recovered his self-possession, and spoke as usual to his +old friend; but Hartmut understood the undertone in this question. + +"No, I will not remain in the city; I will go to the forestry at Rodeck. +You can send me word there, and I'll be in the city in a few hours." + +"As you please. Will you not go to Rodeck castle?" + +Hartmut give him a long, sorrowful glance. + +"No, I will stay at the forestry. Farewell, Egon." + +"Farewell!" + +So they parted without one pressure of the hand, without one cordial +word, these two who had been more than brothers, and as the door closed +between them Hartmut knew that he had lost the dearest friend of his +life. Here, too, he had been judged and sentenced! Surely his punishment +was being meted out to him with no scant measure! + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +A dark, misty vapor enveloped the forest like a veil, and from time to +time the rain fell in torrents. The tree tops swayed in the wind, and +the raw, wet atmosphere reminded one of November rather than of +midsummer. + +The mistress of Ostwalden was in her forest home and alone; she had +received news from her brother telling her he would march at once, and +as her journey to Berlin to see him would be futile, she had been +persuaded to remain in the south until after Willibald's marriage. The +marriage had been a very quiet, simple affair, and Marietta had +accompanied her husband to Berlin, where he was to join his regiment, +and when he marched, she was to go to Burgsdorf, where her mother-in-law +was again established. + +Early one morning Prince Adelsberg drove over to Ostwalden. + +He had obtained a day's leave that he might give some necessary orders +at Rodeck, but it was toward Ostwalden not Rodeck that he ordered the +horses' heads to be turned. He came to say good-bye to Adelheid, whom he +had not seen again since that first visit. + +When he reached Ostwalden, he found its mistress away on some errand of +mercy, and he was ushered into a reception room to await her return. He +paced the room restlessly, thinking of many things, of the struggle for +life or death which lay before him, of the morrow's march, but mainly of +the beautiful woman whose face had warmed with fire and sympathetic +light while discussing his friend, of her dignity, her goodness and +gentleness, and his heart was filled with the hope that he might take +with him some word, some assurance to make him feel that when the strife +was over he could return to peace--and her. He had no foreboding that +the warmth and fire had not been from sympathy with him. + +But in spite of everything, a shadow lay upon the sunny young face. It +was not the war which troubled him, he went into that heart and soul, +with no presentiments, and with all the ardor of youth. He dreamed and +planned a happy future when all the excitement and turmoil were over. + +Then the door opened and Frau von Wallmoden entered. + +"I beg your pardon for keeping your highness waiting so long," she said +after the first greeting. "The servants told you, perhaps, that a member +of the household was dying." + +"I heard that one of the men about the place was very ill," Egon +answered as he hastened toward her. + +"Yes, poor Tanner. He was formerly a tutor somewhere in this +neighborhood, but his health failed, and Herr von Schoenau recommended +him to my late husband. He has been here ever since we bought the place. +He told me the other day how thankful his mother was that he had so easy +a position. Since Herr von Wallmoden's death, nothing further has been +done towards a library here, and Tanner was to have had special charge +of that, so that except to act as my secretary occasionally, there has +been literally nothing for him to do. Only yesterday I obtained the +necessary papers for him to enter the army, and he was all enthusiasm +over the prospect. This morning he had a severe hemorrhage, and now the +physician says he cannot live an hour. It seems terrible to see a young +life cut off so suddenly without any warning." The young mistress sighed +deeply as she finished her sad little story. + +After a minute's pause, Egon said quietly: + +"I have come to say good-bye. We march to-morrow or next day, and I +could not go without seeing you once again. I am fortunate in finding +you here; some one said you were going away." + +"Yes, I go to Berlin at once. Ostwalden is too isolated; I want to be +near the centre where I can receive the latest news at this exciting +time. My brother fights for the flag, you know, and I must be where I +can hear from him." + +Again there was a short pause, and the prince was thinking how he should +say what lay nearest his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden asked a +question, speaking indifferently, but with a slight falling in her +voice. + +"When I last saw your highness you were in doubt about your friend's +whereabouts. Has he given any signs of life yet?" + +Egon's eyes fell to the ground, and the shadows which had disappeared +when the baroness entered the room, come back now, darker than ever. + +"Yes!" he answered coldly. "Rojanow is again in Germany." + +"Since the declaration of the war?" + +"Yes, he came--" + +"In order to enter the army? O, I knew it!" + +The prince looked at her in great surprise. + +"You knew it, baroness? I supposed you only knew Hartmut through me, and +considered him a Roumanian!" + +The young widow's face flushed as she realised how unwise she had been +to make this outcry, but she answered quickly: + +"I learned to know who Herr Rojanow was last winter when he was at +Rodeck. I have known his father, however, for many long years, and +the--I take it for granted that your highness knows the whole story?" + +"Yes, I know it all," said Egon in a hopeless tone. + +"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father, and a constant guest +at our house. I had never heard of his son, and took it for granted that +he was childless, until that frightful hour at Rodeck, on the day of my +husband's death. I was witness to the painful conversation between +father and son." + +The young prince breathed more freely; and an uncomfortable, suspicious +feeling was set at rest for the moment. + +"Now I understand your interest and sympathy," he responded. "Colonel +Falkenried is to be pitied indeed." + +"Why he?" inquired Adelheid, struck by the hard tone. "And how about +your friend?" + +"I have no friend. I have lost him," cried Egon with a passionate burst. +"What he told me two days ago made a break between us, but what I have +since heard has parted us forever." + +"You judge a seventeen year old boy--he could not have been much +older--very severely." + +There was deep reproof in Adelheid's voice as she spoke, but the prince +shook his head passionately. + +"I'm not speaking of his flight, or his broken word, though they were +both bad enough, considering he was an officer's son, but what I learned +yesterday--I see, my dear madam, you do not know the worst. How should +you? I should not have spoken." + +"I beg your highness," began Adelheid again, "to tell me the truth. You +say that Rojanow has come back to enter the army. I am not surprised. I +expected it, for it was the only thing left for him to do to expiate his +old fault. Does he march beneath our colors yet?" + +"So far he has not been able to gain admission, and I have been saved a +fearful responsibility," said Egon, with intense bitterness. "He +endeavored to get into several regiments but was refused every time." + +"Refused? And why?" + +"Because he dared not acknowledge himself a German, and all strangers, +especially Roumanians, are regarded with suspicion, and with justice, +too. We can't be too cautious now, for fear of spies!" + +"For God's sake, what do you mean by that?" exclaimed Adelheid, who +began to see toward what Egon was drifting. He sprang up now in great +excitement and came over to her side. + +"If you wish to know, then listen to me. Hartmut came to me and desired +me to use my influence to get him into one of our regiments. I refused +at first, but he finally forced me to promise to do my utmost with a +threat which I now think he had no intention of carrying into execution. +I kept my word, and went at once to a general officer whose brother had +but recently returned from Paris where he was secretary of our legation. +This gentleman was present at the time of my visit, and as soon as he +heard the name of Rojanow, asked many questions and then told us--I +cannot speak of it--I have loved Hartmut more than any one else in the +world, have almost adored him, his talents, his genius, and now I learn +that this friend, who was all in all to me, is but a miserable, low +wretch. He and his mother served as spies--spies, think of it--in +Paris. Perhaps he would do the same in our army, and that was his object +in striving to be admitted." + +He laid his hand over his eyes if to keep out the horrible picture. + +There was something inexpressibly sad in the young man's face and manner +as he told how his idol had been shattered. Adelheid rose, and +supporting herself against a chair, spoke in an eager, excited, +trembling tone. + +"And what did he say when you accused him?" + +"Rojanow, do you mean? I haven't seen him again and do not intend to. It +is better to spare both him and me. He is at the Rodeck forestry +awaiting an answer from me. I sent him three lines telling him what I +had learned, without one word of comment. He has the letter by this +time, I suppose, and that will be sufficient explanation." + +"God help him!" + +"You speak sympathetically," said the prince, sneering. + +"Yes, for this is not the first time I have heard this terrible +accusation. His father threw it into his face during their interview." + +"Well, when his own father acknowledged the disgrace, surely--" + +"He is a sadly injured, deeply embittered man, and could have no +unbiased judgment; but you, Hartmut's friend, who stood so near him, +should shield him from such an imputation!" + +Egon looked with astonishment at the excited woman. + +"That evidently seems an easy matter to you," he said slowly. "I could +not do it. There was too much to condemn in Hartmut's life; he told me +much himself that had seemed mysterious before, and I can find no +excuse, no extenuating circumstances for his actions. Even his +denunciation of--" + +"Of his mother! She was the sword which hung over his head. It was she +who destroyed her son! But he knew nothing of the shameful depths to +which she had sunk; he lived with her but she concealed her life from +him. I saw it, I knew it when his father hurled the dreadful accusation +at him; he was as one struck by lightning. There was truth in the man's +despairing cry. Whatever his youthful misdemeanors, his punishment in +that hour balanced them all. His flight, his broken promise, have robbed +him of a father, and of his dearest friend; but though they turn against +him I will believe in him. Yes, to the death! Their charge is untrue, he +is an innocent man." + +Adelheid was in a state of intense excitement now, her cheeks were +aflame, her voice and manner had that intense passion which love alone +can give. Egon stood and looked at her. There it was, the awaking to +love and life, of which he had so often dreamed; the sea of ice had +melted forever, but for another. + +"I will not venture to decide whether you are right or not, my dear +madame," he said, in a spiritless voice, after a second's pause. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or innocent, he is to be +envied in this hour!" + +Adelheid drew back with a start. She understood the significance of his +words, and her head sank before his pained, sorrowful glance. + +"I came to say good-bye," continued Egon, "and to ask one question, one +favor--but it is fruitless to ask it now. I have only farewell to say to +you." + +Adelheid raised her eyes, in which the hot tears were standing, and held +out her hand to him. + +"Good-bye," she said. "Good-bye. May Heaven protect you!" + +The prince shook his head, and said with bitterness: + +"What does it matter? I had thought to return--do not look at me so +pleadingly. I have made a great mistake. I see it now, and I will not +annoy you with my moaning, but Adelheid, I would willingly fall if I +could but inspire for a moment the feeling and passion which you reserve +for another. God bless you! Good bye!" + +He pressed her hand and was gone. + +A dreary afternoon. The wind had risen since the morning hours, and +whistled ominously through the tall forest trees; the clouds grew darker +and heavier, and the damp air was growing rawer and colder every moment. +The sunshine of yesterday was forgotten in the gloom of to-day. The +fresh green leaves, torn by the rising storm from the tall, waving +branches, fell in a swirl at the feet of the tall, dark man, who, with +folded arms, leaned against an old tree, utterly oblivious to the +tempest which was gathering about him. + +Hartmut's face was deadly pale, and on it there lay a strange, unearthly +quiet; the fiery light was gone from those speaking eyes, and his hair +lay wet and heavy upon his forehead. The storm had whirled his hat from +his head, but he did not notice it, neither did he know that a heavy +shower had drenched him to the skin. After wandering about in the woods +for hours, he had at last found this spot--a fitting place to accomplish +his purpose. + +He had waited with feverish expectancy the message from Egon, and it had +come. No letter, only three lines with the signature, "Egon, Prince +Adelsberg," but these three lines, for him who received them, meant--the +end of all things. Thrust out forever and despised! The friend his heart +held dear asking neither for confirmation nor denial, but condemning +him unheard. + +The crash of a mighty branch which had been broken in the whirlwind, +aroused Hartmut from his brooding. He was not alarmed, and turned his +head slowly to look where the heavy branch had fallen. Only a few feet +from him--why had it not struck him and ended his misery in a moment? +How welcome was the thought of death. Such fatalities follow only those +who love life. He who seeks death must accomplish it with his own hands. +He took his gun from his shoulder and set the stock firmly in the ground +and felt over his breast for the right place. He looked up at the veiled +heavens, then down at the little lake with the deceptive, marshy +meadow-lands beyond, with the old gray mist hovering over it as usual. + +He seemed to see again the will-o'-the-wisp darting in and out, that +spirit of the marsh at which he had often gazed in the long ago over his +mother's shoulder, and while listening to her seductive words. He gave +no second look to the sky, no sign was in the heavens to-day to lead him +up to higher planes. One shot through the heart and all would be over. + +He moved his hand to touch the trigger, when he heard a voice call his +name. It was a quick, desperate cry, and a figure tall and slender, +enveloped in a dark storm cloak, rushed before him. The gun fell from +his hands as he looked up to see Adelheid's face, white and despairing, +looking into his own. + +Several minutes went by before either of them spoke. It was Hartmut who +broke the silence finally. + +"You here, my dear madame?" he asked, forcing himself to speak quietly. +"Why are you abroad in such unseemly weather?" + +Adelheid looked at the weapon which had fallen at her feet and +shuddered. + +"I might ask you the same question," she answered. + +"I started out for a hunt, but this is no day for sport. I was just +emptying my gun, when you--" + +He did not finish, for her pained, reproving glance told him that all +subterfuge was useless--he broke off and gazed gloomily before him. +Adelheid too, abandoned any attempt at an ordinary conversation. Her +voice was trembling and her face white as death, as she said: "Herr von +Falkenried--God help us, what would you have done?" + +"That which would have been finished now, had you not interfered," said +Hartmut, in a hard tone. "Believe me, dear madame, it would have been +better if accident had brought you here five minutes later." + +"It was no accident. I was at the Rodeck forestry and heard that you had +been gone several hours; a terrible suspicion took possession of me and +drove me to follow you. I was almost certain I should find you here." + +"You were seeking me? Me, Ada?" His voice trembled with emotion as he +asked the question. "How did you learn that I was at the forestry?" + +"Through Prince Adelsberg, who was with me to-day. You received a letter +from him this morning?" + +"No, only some intelligence," responded Hartmut, with drawn lips. "The +few short lines contained no word directed personally to me, only +business, only a communication which the prince thought necessary to +make--I understood it!" + +Adelheid was silent; she had felt sure that those few lines would be as +death to him. Slowly she stepped toward him in the shadow of a great +tree, the wind blew so fiercely that it was a necessity to have such +protection as the trees could afford; Hartmut did not seem to notice +its increasing fury. + +"I see that you know what those few lines contained," he began again, +"but it was not new to you. You heard it all at Rodeck. Ada, when I saw +you standing in the shimmering, ghostly light on that frightful night, +and knew that you had seen me trampled in the dust--even my own father, +who loathes me, would have been satisfied with my punishment." + +"You do him injustice," said Frau von Wallmoden, earnestly. "You saw him +only when he was thrusting you from him with such iron relentlessness. I +saw him afterwards when you had disappeared. He broke into the wildest +anguish and I caught a glimpse of the father's heart which loved his son +above all else on earth. Have you made no effort since then to convince +him?" + +"No, he would believe me as little as did Egon. He who has once broken +his word destroys all belief in himself, no matter though he afterwards +give his life in defense of truth. Had I met my death upon the +battle-field, perhaps his eyes and Egon's would have been opened. Now +when I fall by my own hand, the few who know my life will say, 'it was +his guilt which drove him to despair, and forced him to commit the +deed.'" + +"No," said Adelheid softly, "one would not say it. I believe in you +Hartmut, despite everything." + +He looked at her, and through the gray hopelessness of despair a gleam +of the old light shone forth. + +"You, Ada? And you tell me this on the very spot where you condemned me? +At that time, too, you knew nothing--" + +"That was why I had a horror of the man to whom nothing was holy, who +knew no law but his own passions; but when I saw you pleading at your +father's feet, I felt fate rather than guilt had led you astray. Since +then I have known that you could not throw aside that unfortunate +heritage of your mother. Rouse yourself, Hartmut! The way which I showed +you then is yet open. Whether it leads to life or death--it leads onward +and upward." + +Hartmut shook his head darkly! + +"No, that has all gone by now. You do not know what my father did for me +with his frightful words, what my life has been since then; but I will +be silent, no one would understand. I thank you for your belief in me, +Ada. My death will be easier." + +"God help us! You dare not do it." + +"What value has life for me?" said Hartmut with great excitement. "My +mother has marked me with a brand as of seething iron, and that mark +closes every door to atonement, to salvation. I am alone, condemned, +thrust out from my own countrymen. Why, even the poorest peasant can +fight; that right is denied only to the criminal without honor, and such +I am in Egon's eyes. He fears that I would only join with my own +countrymen to betray them, to--be a spy!" He put his hands over his +face, and his last words died out in a groan. Then he felt a hand laid +gently on his arm. + +"The stigma lies in the name of Rojanow. Abandon that name, Hartmut. I +bring you that for which you so ardently long--your admission to the +army." + +Hartmut gazed in unutterable astonishment at the speaker. + +"Impossible! How could you?" + +"Take these papers," said Adelheid, drawing out a long sealed envelope +which she carried under her cloak. "You will answer the description of +Joseph Tanner, twenty-nine years old, slender, dark complexion, dark +hair and eyes. It's all right, you see; no one will question your right +with these papers." + +She handed him the envelope which she held with a convulsive grasp, as +if it were a costly treasure. + +"And these papers?" he asked doubting yet. + +"Belonged to the dead! They were given me for one who will not use them +now, for he died to-day; and I will be forgiven if I save the living by +their use." + +Hartmut tore open the envelope, the wind nearly blew the papers from his +hand, so that it was with difficulty he could master their contents, +while the baroness continued: + +"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden. This morning he had an +unusually severe hemorrhage and died an hour after. Poor fellow, he had +only time to leave a message with me for his old mother. I shall send +her everything belonging to him, except these papers, which I, myself, +obtained for him, and these I have kept for you. We rob no one; they +would be of no use whatever to the mother. A severe judge might question +my right, but I take all responsibility. God and my fatherland will +forgive me." + +Hartmut folded the papers carefully and hid them in his breast, then he +threw the wet locks back from his broad forehead, his father's forehead, +for that mark of the Falkenried blood was patent to the most careless +observer. + +"You are right, Ada. I can never thank you enough for what you have done +to-day, but I will strive to deserve it!" + +"I know that. God guard you from danger, and now good-bye." + +"No, you cannot wish that for me!" said Hartmut sadly. "This battle of +life and death into which I go can ease my own conscience of a load, but +my father and Egon will never know, if I live, that I have fought for my +country, and the old stain will still be there. But if I fall, then you +can tell them that I fought under a strange name, and am at rest, +perhaps under foreign soil. They will at least have some respect for my +grave." + +"You would fall?" asked Ada, with sad reproof in her voice. "Even if I +tell you that your death will be mine too?" + +"Yours, Ada?" he cried excitedly, "and do you no longer turn in +abhorrence from my love, from the fate which threw us together? To +possess you would be my highest glory, for you are free. Such joy comes +to me now, only for a single fleeting minute, and then ascends again to +unattainable heights, like the prophetess of my drama who bore your +name. No matter; it is with me now in this moment of parting." + +He drew her to him and pressed a kiss on her brow, while she broke into +a passion of tears on his shoulder. + +"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death." + +"No, but it will seek me! Good-bye, my own, good-bye." + +He tore himself from her, and rushed away through the storm. She stood +still, leaning in her turn against the old tree, whose branches tossed +their arms and kept time to the moaning and shrieking winds which played +at hide and seek through the leafy foliage. But suddenly in the west, +through a rent in the angry clouds, shone a purple ray. It was only for +a minute, only a single lost beam of the descending sun, but it lighted +up the woodland height and beamed across the face of the departing man, +as he turned back once to wave a last adieu. Then the dark clouds met +again, and hid the light--the last greeting of the setting sun. + +The red, flickering firelight lit up the interior of a small house which +had formerly been the home of a signal man, but now served as +headquarters for the officers of the advanced guard. The room made +anything but a comfortable impression, with its cold, rough, whitewashed +walls, low ceilings and narrow barred windows; the heavy logs of wood +which blazed and crackled in the clumsy stone fire-place, threw out a +grateful warmth, for the weather was bitter cold and the ground covered +with snow. The regiments which lay here were little better off than +those before Paris although these belonged to the army of the South. + +Two young officers entered the room, and one, as he held the door open +for his comrade, said with a laugh: "You'll have to stoop here, for the +entrance to our villa is somewhat out of repair." + +The warning was not unnecessary, for the tall figure of the guest, a +Prussian Lieutenant of Reserves, had need to stoop to avoid the loose, +overhanging plaster. His companion who was doing the honors, wore the +uniform of a South German regiment. + +"Permit me to offer you a chair in our salon," he continued. "Not so bad +after all, considering everything; we'll have worse than this before the +campaign is over. You are looking for Stahlberg. He is at an outpost +near here with one of my comrades, but he'll certainly be back soon. You +won't have to wait above fifteen minutes." + +"I'll wait with pleasure," responded the Prussian. "Eugen's wound was +not very serious, I judge. I looked for him in the hospital and heard +that he had gone on a visit to the outpost, but would probably be back +shortly, so I thought I'd come over and see him at once." + +"The wound was but a slight one, a shot in the arm, but not deep; it's +almost healed now, but Stahlberg cannot use it in active service for +some time yet. You are acquainted with him?" + +"Oh, yes, I was a kinsman of his sister's late husband. I see you do +not remember me. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I have met your +highness several times in past years." + +"At Fuerstenstein!" exclaimed Egon with animation. "Certainly, now I +remember you well, but it is wonderful what a change the uniform makes +in one's appearance. I didn't recognize you at all at first." + +He cast an admiring, surprised glance at the tall, handsome man whom he +had once ridiculed as a cabbage grower, but who looked so brave and +manly in his military dress. It was not the uniform which had so altered +Willibald; love, camp life and entire change from the old monotonous +existence had done it. The young heir was no longer a "weak tool," as +his uncle Schoenau had called him, but a brave, determined, genuine man. + +"Our former meetings have been but fleeting," the prince went on, "so +you must forgive the liberty if I offer you my congratulations; you are +betrothed, I believe to--" + +"I believe your highness is laboring under a mistake," Willibald +interrupted him, with some embarrassment. "When I last saw you at +Fuerstenstein I was to be the future son of that house, but--" + +"That's all changed," interrupted Egon, laughing. "I know all about it +from a comrade of mine, Lieutenant Walldorf, who is to marry your +cousin, Fraeulein von Schoenau. My words had reference to Fraeulein +Marietta Volkmar." + +"Now Frau von Eschenhagen." + +"What! you are a married man?" + +"And have been for five months. We were married just before I marched, +and my wife is at Burgsdorf with my mother." + +"Then I can congratulate you upon your marriage. But seriously, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for your robbery of an artist +from our midst. Please tell your wife that the whole city is in +sackcloth and ashes over her loss." + +"I will tell her, although I think the city has no time for such light +sorrows now. Ah, there are the gentlemen! I hear Eugen's voice." + +There they were, true enough. They entered just as Willibald ceased +speaking. Young Stahlberg greeted his friend with a joyous cry of +surprise. They had not seen each other since the war began, though they +were in the same army corps. Eugen's arm was in a sling, otherwise he +looked well and happy. He had none of his sister's beauty, neither had +he the strength and earnestness of expression which had been her legacy +from their father. The son seemed, to judge from his appearance, of an +amiable and yielding, rather than a strong nature; but notwithstanding +all this he resembled his sister strongly, and that was the secret of +Egon's friendship for him. His companion was a handsome young officer, +with keen, merry eyes, and as he stepped into the room the prince +introduced him to Willibald. + +"I need not fear a duel when I mention your names to one another," he +said laughing. "You'll have to meet some day. Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr +von Walldorf." + +"Bless me! I at least declare for peace!" cried Walldorf gaily. "Herr +von Eschenhagen, I am rejoiced to know my future wife's cousin, who got +ahead of us at the altar. We, too, wanted a marriage from the saddle, +but my future father-in-law assumed his fiercest look and declared: +'First conquer, and then marry.' Now we've been doing the former for the +last five months, and when I go home again I'll see to the latter." + +He shook Toni's cousin warmly by the hand, then turning to the prince, +said: + +"We have something here for you. Orderly from Rodeck, present yourself +before his highness, Herr lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg." + +Through the open door came a tall figure which Egon recognized as that +of his old, gray-haired steward. He closed the door cautiously, and came +forward into the room. + +"Saints preserve us, it's Peter Stadinger!" It was, indeed, old Peter +who stood in front of his master. He was not unknown to the other +officers, either, for they all greeted him with a shout. + +"Well, we must have lights now, that your highness may have a good view +of this old 'ghost of the woods,'" cried Walldorf, as he lit two +candles and placed them with comic gravity before the old man. Egon +laughed as he said: + +"You see, Stadinger, what a prominent personage you are, and how much I +talk about you; now I'll present you in all form; here, gentlemen, is +Peter Stadinger, noted for his unfailing incivility and his everlasting +moral lectures. He thinks that I need both to keep me in order and even +here in the field he has followed me in order that he might keep up the +friendly custom. I trust he pleases you, my masters--now you can let me +go, Peter." + +But instead of obeying this order, the old man held his two hands all +the more firmly, while he said in a tone of deep emotion: "Ah, your +highness, you cannot know how anxious we have been about you at Rodeck." + +The prince answered him impatiently: "Indeed, and that's why you have +run away and left things at sixes and sevens at Rodeck, despite all my +solemn charges? I had not thought you would be so neglectful of duty." + +Stadinger looked at him quite puzzled. + +"But I came on receipt of your letter telling me to do so. You wrote me +to fetch Lois from the hospital, so I started at once. I saw the boy +this morning, and found him as gay as he could be, but he can't be moved +for a week, the doctor said; then I am to take him home. What your +highness, and Lois, and all the rest from Rodeck would have done if I +had not stayed home to guard and control--God alone knows." + +Egon drew his hand back impatiently. + +"I am Herr Lieutenant here, and have no other title but my military one, +remember that! and here you are as meek as a lamb, when I counted on a +fine sermon for the benefit of us all. Lois, gentlemen, is the grandson +of this old growler, a fine, brave fellow, and he has a sister as sweet +as a peach. But her grandfather sends her away regularly the minute I +set foot in Rodeck. Why didn't you bring Zena with you, and let her see +a little of the world?" + +The old man, notwithstanding his desire for peace, threw back his head +at this interrogatory, and answered with all the old acerbity: + +"I believed your highness had no time for folly now." + +"You made a mistake then. We lead the wildest kind of a life in the +army, and when I go home again--" + +"Your highness has promised to marry," finished the steward in such an +impressive manner that the officers all shouted. Egon joined in, but +something was wanting in his merriment, and in his answer too. + +"Yes, yes, I've promised that, sure enough, but I have many matters to +settle in the meantime, I'll keep my word in ten years, or perhaps in +twenty--perhaps never!" + +Stadinger listened to his highness's words--not for worlds would he have +obeyed the order to call him Herr lieutenant--and his face darkened. + +"I almost thought as much, for when your highness really does plan for +the future your plans don't last twenty-four hours. Your blessed father +married, and I married, and all men marry, and it's the only way to cure +you of your foolishness, and--" + +"Now gentlemen, the sermon's coming," laughed Egon good-naturedly. He +was not far wrong, for Stadinger spoke his mind as usual, and to the +point too, so that before he finished the officers felt he had the best +of it against the prince. After half an hour's chatter, Willibald and +Eugen Stahlberg rose to go. As they bade good-night to the prince he +said: + +"You push on to-morrow, I hear?" + +"Yes, we march to R---- at daybreak to meet Major General von +Falkenried and his brigade. We'll be some days on the way, I fancy, for +the whole of this region is infested with the enemy, and our next move +will depend upon theirs," answered Willibald. + +"Then tell the general, Will, that I'll be there at latest in a week," +said Eugen. "It's pretty bad to have to stay behind on account of a +scratch that's not worth talking about. In another week I'll be all +right. I don't care what the doctor says, and I hope to join my regiment +before you take R----." + +"We'll have to be active now," said Egon, "for resistance doesn't +continue long where General von Falkenried commands. He's always first +with his men and has been victorious beyond belief. It seems as if no +difficulties were too great for him to surmount." + +"He seems to stand at the head," answered Lieutenant Walldorf. "He may +take R---- while we are lying here idle; perhaps he has taken it +already. No news can reach us with the enemy between." + +He rose to accompany his departing comrades a short distance, while the +prince remained behind by the fire. He folded his arms and looked +vacantly at the burning logs, but the expression of his face was not in +accord with the gaiety he had exhibited before his friends. It was dark +and gloomy, and all light and happiness seemed gone out of it. He had +forgotten Stadinger's presence until the latter gave a little cough, +then he turned and said: + +"Ah, you are there yet, are you? Tell Lois I asked for him, and that I +will see him to-morrow some time. I'll see you again, of course, for +you'll have to wait several days for him. You didn't think we had such a +fine time here, did you? No need to take life hard just because we may +lose it any day." + +The old man looked keenly at his master. + +"Yes, the gentlemen were jolly enough, and you were the ring-leader, +but--your highness is not gay now." + +"I? What's the matter now? Why shouldn't I be gay?" + +"I don't know, but I see you are not happy," declared Stadinger. "When +you were at Rodeck with Herr Rojanow you were quite different. As you +stood looking into the fire just now I could see that something lay on +your heart." + +"Don't bother me with your observations," exclaimed Egon impatiently. +"Do you think I should never have a serious thought, when it may be we +go into battle to-morrow?" + +Then he resumed his old position, and Stadinger, though silent, was +unconvinced. He knew full well that something was the matter with his +master, that it was no thought of battle which clouded his sunny face. +The door opened and Lieutenant Walldorf entered without closing it. + +"Come in," he cried to some one behind him. "Here's an orderly from the +seventh regiment with some information. Come in, orderly!" + +Walldorf repeated his invitation to enter in an impatient tone. The +soldier who stood on the threshold of the door had hesitated, and made a +movement to retreat into the darkness again. Now he obeyed; he remained +close to the door, his face in the shadow. + +"You come from the outpost yonder on chapel mountain?" questioned +Walldorf. + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +Egon, who had turned round indifferently when the soldier entered, +started as he heard the voice. He took a hasty step forward, then halted +suddenly, as if he remembered something, but his glance embraced the +stranger with a look almost of horror. He was, as far as one could see +in the semi-darkness, a tall young soldier wrapped in the coarse mantle +of the private, with a helmet over his closely cut black hair. He stood +stiff and immovable, and gave his message minutely. His voice had a +suppressed, almost suffocated tone. + +"I come from Herr Captain Salfeld!" he announced. "We have seized a +suspicious looking man, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the +relief corps, who was sneaking into the fortress. There was some writing +found on him." + +"Come over closer," ordered Walldorf sharply. "I can't hear you over +there by the door." + +The soldier obeyed at once, and stepped up to the officers. The +firelight gleamed full upon the face, which was pallid, and on the +tightly compressed lips, but not on the eyes, for they seemed fastened +to the ground. + +Egon's hand seized the hilt of his sabre with convulsive grasp; it was +all he could do not to cry out, while Stadinger stared at the man with +wide open eyes. + +"There was some writing found on him, but it was of no consequence, nor +what he told by word of mouth either. Now the Herr Captain wants to know +whether he shall send the prisoner here, or to headquarters, for he +thinks there is more in the papers than meets the eye." + +There was nothing uncommon in this message. Suspicious characters were +arrested daily, particularly from the relief corps, but Prince Adelsberg +hesitated, as if he feared the sound of his own voice, then he gave the +answer: + +"Tell the Herr Captain to send the prisoner here. We relieve the guard +in two hours, and he can be taken on to headquarters at once." + +"I hope we can make the churl say something," said Walldorf. "Many a +coward loses his hold when he knows there's a court martial ahead of +him. Well, we'll see." + +The soldier stood waiting for his dismissal; not a muscle of his face +moved, but he never lifted his eyes. Egon had recovered himself now, and +he asked, in his coldest, most distant tones: + +"You belong to the seventh regiment?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Your name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Forced into service?" + +"No, a volunteer." + +"Since when?" + +"Since the thirtieth of July." + +"You have been through the whole campaign?" + +"At your service, Herr lieutenant." + +"Very well. You can take my message to the Captain." + +The soldier saluted and left the room. Walldorf had been a little +surprised at this examination, but gave no second thought to it. He +looked after the retreating figure and said as he shrugged his +shoulders: "The men on Chapel hill have the devil's own time. They have +no rest day or night, and have to exert themselves to the utmost. The +poor fellows have to work in the hard frozen trenches until the sweat +runs from their faces and their hands are covered with blood. Fighting +is the only relief they get." + +He stepped into another room to order the watch for the expected +prisoner, and to make some additional arrangements. Egon threw open the +window and leaned out--he felt he was suffocating. Then he heard +Stadinger's voice behind him in a half-whisper as though he were too +frightened to speak out loud. + +"Your highness!" + +"What is it?" the prince answered without turning around. + +"But didn't your highness see--?" + +"See what?" + +"The orderly, who was just here--that was Herr Rojanow, as sure as he +lives and breathes." + +Egon saw that presence of mind was necessary here; he turned and said +coldly: "I believe you see ghosts!" + +"But, your highness--" + +"Nonsense! only a passing resemblance. I noticed it myself. That's why I +asked the man his name. You heard him say his name was Tanner!" + +"Yes, but it was Herr Rojanow for all that," said Stadinger, whose sharp +eyes were not to be deceived. "To be sure the black locks were gone, and +the proud, independent manner, but his voice was, the same!" + +"Do cease your senseless chatter," said Egon violently. "You know very +well that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, and now you find him in an orderly +of the seventh regiment. It is really laughable." + +Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or +impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his +friend was only a common soldier. To be sure the Herr Rojanow of Rodeck, +who ordered every one around, even the prince himself, and the orderly +whom Lieutenant Walldorf ordered to come forward because he didn't speak +loud enough, were as far apart as heaven and earth. If it had not been +for the voice! + +"Then your highness, you think--" Stadinger began again. + +"I think you're an old ghost-hunter," said Egon gently. "Go to your +quarters and get a good night's rest after your journey; otherwise +you'll be discovering resemblances throughout the whole +garrison--good-night!" + +Stadinger obeyed, and left for his own quarters at once. He shook his +head as he went--he was by no means satisfied with his master's +peremptory dismissal of the subject. + +The prince paced the little room in great excitement as soon as he was +alone. His former friend had forced his way into the army +notwithstanding. Joseph Tanner! He remembered perfectly to whom the name +had belonged, and knew only too well whose hand had opened the way for +Hartmut. What will not a woman do for the man she loves, what price will +she not pay? She had even sent him into danger in order that he might be +reconciled to life and himself. + +Jealousy, fierce and wild, filled Egon's heart at these thoughts, and +above all rose the fearful suspicion of the man's fidelity to his flag +and country. Was his presence at the dangerous outpost an answer to +suspicions, or was it a cloak to hide secret machinations? + +Then the prince thought of the pale, dark face which had been so dear to +him, and with a motion of torture, he tried to put the memory from him. +He knew, none so well, Hartmut's intense pride, and this pride was +dragged in the dirt day after day in the degrading position which he +occupied. + +He had heard of the ceaseless labor on Chapel hill, of the days and +nights employed in digging trenches, of the worn bodies, the bleeding +hands. That was what Rojanow did now, the same Rojanow who had had a +city at his feet one short year before, who had been the honored guest +at princely boards, whose successful work had not only placed the laurel +wreath on his brow, but had brought him a fortune as well. And besides +all this, he was General von Falkenried's son. + +Egon's breast heaved violently as he thought of it all. Then his lost +confidence came back to him slowly, and banished the unjust doubts. +Hartmut was atoning now for his boyish folly. As for the rest, his +mother, and she alone, was to blame. + +It was about nine o'clock in the evening when the prince left his +quarters in order to visit the commandant. He did not go on an affair of +service, but in answer to an invitation from the general, who had been +an old friend of his father, and had looked after the son, since the +campaign began, with fatherly solicitude. Egon would have given much to +be alone this evening, for his meeting with Hartmut had moved him +deeply, but a soldier has little time for brooding, and an invitation +from a commanding officer must not be set aside. + +As the young prince went into the house he met an adjutant coming out, +who explained breathlessly that there was bad news, but that the general +would tell him all. + +The general was alone, and was pacing the room in great excitement, +gesticulating and muttering as he went. + +"Ah, Prince Adelsberg, is it you?" he exclaimed, halting in his walk as +Egon entered the room. "I can't promise you a pleasant evening, for we +have had intelligence which destroys all sociability for us to-night." + +"The adjutant said something about trouble," answered Egon. "What is it, +your excellency? The despatches at midday were very favorable." + +"I only got the news an hour ago. The man you sent to headquarters +to-night as a suspicious character had it all. Do you know what he had +with him?" + +"Captain Salfeld sent word he had papers of little importance, +apparently, but thought they might contain some secret advices; of +course, a spy would not carry anything in writing that looked suspicious +on the surface." + +"Well, the papers were most important. The man was a coward, naturally, +and when he was threatened with a bullet, he revealed all, and, alas! we +cannot doubt the truth of his statements. You may remember a few lines +on a slip of paper which read that one had better in an extreme case +follow the heroic example of the commanding general before R----." + +"Yes, I didn't understand that, for the fort will have to surrender +soon. General von Falkenried said he hoped to take it to-morrow." + +"Yes, and I fear he will do it!" answered the General, excitedly. + +"You fear, your excellency?" + +"Yes, there's been treachery, there's been foul villainy at work! They +will surrender the fort, and then as soon as their garrison have been +taken off as prisoners of war, and our men occupy the citadel, it will +be blown up." + +"God help us!" cried the young prince, excitedly. "Cannot General +Falkenried be warned?" + +"I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two +different ways, but our direct course to R---- is cut off. The enemy +holds the mountain pass, and it is quite impossible for the messengers +to reach the place in time." + +Egon was silent for a moment. + +The pass was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's +regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a +day or two. + +"We have thought of everything," continued the general, "but there isn't +the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to +close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of +his men, will perish." + +He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince +stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind. + +"Your excellency?" + +"Well?" + +"If it were possible in spite of everything, to send the despatches by +the mountain path--a good rider could get to R---- by to-morrow +morning; to be sure he'd have to ride for life or death--dash right +through the enemy." + +"What folly! You are a soldier and should know that such a course would +be madness. The boldest rider would be shot down before he had been gone +an hour." + +"But if one could find the man who would make the attempt? I know a man +who would do it." + +The general scowled at the young man. + +"Do you mean that you would venture upon this useless exposure? I forbid +it, once for all, Prince Adelsberg. I pride myself upon my officers' +bravery, but I cannot permit any such senseless experiments." + +"I do not mean myself, your excellency," said Egon, earnestly. "The man +whom I mean is in the seventh regiment, and is at this moment on outpost +duty on Chapel mountain. It was he who brought me word of the prisoner." + +The general shook his head thoughtfully. + +"I tell you it's impossible, but--who is the man?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"A private?" + +"Yes, a volunteer." + +"You know something about him?" + +"Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole +army,--bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act +with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do +it." + +"And you believe--it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to +sure death--you believe the man will do it freely--willingly?" + +"I'll swear he will, your excellency." + +"Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for +Tanner at once." + +"May I take the order to him?" interrupted Egon, quickly. The general +turned in surprise and looked at him. + +"You, yourself, do you mean? Why?" + +"Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel +mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting +place an hour would be lost." + +There was nothing to be said in answer to this, and yet the general felt +there was something about the whole affair which he did not understand. +A common soldier rarely undertook, voluntarily, a mission which drove +him into the arms of death, but the old warrior asked no further +questions, he only said: "You will be responsible for the man?" + +"Yes," said Egon, quietly but emphatically. + +"Good, then you can give him all the necessary instructions; there is +one thing more; he must have credentials if he ever reaches our own +posts, for any detention would be fatal where every minute counts." + +He turned to his writing table, and after setting his seal to a paper, +handed it to the prince. + +"Here are the necessary papers, and these are the despatches for General +Falkenried. Let me know at once whether Tanner was willing to go or +not." + +"I'll let your excellency know immediately." + +Egon hurried to his own quarters, where he ordered his horse to be +saddled. In five minutes he was off for Chapel mountain. + +Chapel mountain, which the German troops had so christened from the +little church which stood on its summit, was one of a subordinate range +of hills, which traversed the country in the region where the army corps +of the South were quartered. The little church lay desolate and lonely, +half buried in the deep snow. Priest and sacristan were gone long since, +and the house of God bore traces of demolition, for a deadly battle had +been fought on this height. The walls were standing and part of the +pointed roof; the rest had been carried away by shot and shell, and the +wind whistled through the shattered windows. Ice and snow covered the +surrounding wood, and a faint half-moon lit up the whole with a +ghastly, uncertain light. + +It was a bitter cold night, like that memorable one at Rodeck. A deep +red flame lit up the horizon, but it was no northern light this time, no +purple glow to lessen the gloom, it was the signal of war, the deep, +blood-red flash such as went up from every village and hamlet in +Germany, rousing men to action, waving them on to battle and--to death! + +A single guard stood at one of the lonely outposts--Hartmut von +Falkenried. His eyes were fixed on distant watch fires which from time +to time sent up their showers of sparks to heaven. In the distance, +warmth and light, here, ice and night. The cold which had been intense +all day strengthened with the night, and seemed to freeze out all life +from the solitary watch on duty. True there were other sentinels, at +various posts, but they were not accustomed to winters in the Orient or +in Sicily. Hartmut had spent no winters in the north since his boyhood's +days, and the cold seemed to freeze the very blood in his veins. + +A deadly languor came over him, which was not the forerunner of sleep; +it crept into the limbs and closed the heavy eyelids. He fought it off +bravely, but it would return again and again as the icy air grew colder. +He knew what it meant and struggled bravely against it. Surely he would +not freeze to death. + +His glance turned, as if seeking strength, to the little half-ruined +house of God. What were church and altar to him? He had cast all belief +from him long ago. Death was an eternal night, and life alone could give +him all he wished, full expiation of his early fault, the woman he +loved, the poet's crown, his father's blessing! But here he stood at his +post waiting an inglorious death, which he felt would meet him ere the +night was over. He would not swerve from duty, death might seek him and +find him--on guard. + +Then in the distance he heard steps and voices which came nearer; they +waked him up from the lethargy into which he had fallen. He aroused +himself and grasped his gun more firmly, though he knew it was some one +from his own regiment. What was it? The hour of redemption was close at +hand though he knew it not. A few minutes later a corporal with another +man stood before him. + +"Picket! Orders from headquarters brought by an officer!" cried the +corporal. The relief had come! The man who but a second since stood on +the bleak, dreary shore of despair, felt himself recalled to life at the +sound. + +He started to follow the corporal, when the other man, an officer also, +stepped forward. + +"Let the corporal go on. I wish to speak to you alone, Tanner. Follow +me!" + +Prince Adelsberg, who wished no witnesses, stepped into the little +church, and Hartmut followed him. The pale moonlight entering through +the open window showed only disorder and confusion. The roof had been +pierced by a cannon ball, which had shattered pulpit and desk as well; +only the little altar, in its quiet niche, remained undisturbed. + +Egon stepped into the middle of the room, then he turned and said: + +"Hartmut!" + +"Herr lieutenant?" + +"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another +so soon again." + +"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily. +"You come--" + +"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel +mountain. A fearful night for such a service." + +Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would +have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain +light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned +against a pillar as if needing support. + +"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit," +he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so +for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your +exertions you have the strength, is another question." + +"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my +strength. What is it?" + +"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R---- through +the mountain pass just where the enemy lies." + +"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where--" + +"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not +reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!" + +Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in +an instant. + +"I can save my father? I? What has happened? What am I to do?" + +"Listen. The prisoner which you sent to us this evening has made some +terrible revelations. The fort is to be blown up after the surrender, as +soon as the French garrison are out and our men are in it. The general +has sent two messengers--but they take round-about ways and will never +reach there in time. Your father intends to seize the fort to-morrow. He +must be warned in time, and there's but one way. The news must go +through the mountain pass which the enemy hold; that is the only chance +to reach our friends. But that way--" + +"I know it. Our regiment marched through it two weeks ago before the +enemy had taken it," cried Hartmut. + +"All the better! You must of course lay aside your uniform." + +"I only need exchange my cloak and helmet. If I had stayed here I'd have +been dead in a few hours; now if I ride fast enough I have one chance. +If I only had a good horse." + +"That is ready for you, I brought my own Arabian, Sadi, with me. You +know him well, have ridden him often. He'll fly like a bird on a night +like this, he'll need no whip to spur him on." + +The conversation was whispered in stormy haste, and the prince handed +him the papers. + +"Here is the general's order which you present when you reach our +sentinels, and here are the dispatches. Take a half hour to get some +warmth and strength into your body, then you can start." + +"Do you think I want rest or warmth?" cried Hartmut, the old Hartmut +again. "When I break down now it will be from the enemy's bullet. I +thank you Egon for this hour, in which you have at last, at last, +exonerated me from a fearful suspicion!" + +"And in which I send you to your death," said the prince gently. "We +must not hide the truth from ourselves--only a miracle can save you." + +"A miracle?" Hartmut's glance sought the altar which the flickering +moonlight revealed. He had ceased to pray long years ago, and yet in +this moment a hot, speechless prayer went up to Heaven for strength to +accomplish this miracle. "If I can only save my father then I am +content!" + +In the next second he turned, and Egon, who had put new life into him +and given him back his courage, said gently: + +"And now let us say good-bye! God bless you, Hartmut!" + +The two friends clung to one another in a last embrace. All that had +come between them was lost sight of forever, and the old, warm love was +mightier than ever in this last hour, for they both felt that it was a +farewell for all time. + +Scarcely fifteen minutes later a rider dashed out of the camp. The +slender Arab's hoofs hardly touched the ground over which it sped; in a +wild gallop it went on over the snow-covered ground, through the +ice-clad forest, over frozen streams, on, on, into the mountain pass! + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +The following day brought clear, frosty weather. The intense cold had +abated and the sun shone out warm and bright. Eugen Stahlberg and +Lieutenant Walldorf, free from duty for the time being, were in Prince +Adelsberg's quarters. Walldorf had been thrown from his horse the +previous evening, and his hand had been injured, and this prevented him +from going out with his company, as Egon had done. The gentlemen were +waiting for the return of their princely comrade, who must be back soon +now, and as they waited, they teased and guyed old Peter Stadinger, who +was on duty early at his master's quarters. + +The young officers had heard nothing of the news which had been learned +over night at headquarters, they were as merry as could be, and +indulged in much raillery over old Peter's lectures to his master. But +the old man said little in answer to their banter this morning; his +master was long in returning, and Stadinger had reached the age when he +borrowed trouble, and it rested heavily upon him. Finally Walldorf got +out of all patience with him and said: + +"I believe, Stadinger, you'd like to strap the prince on your back and +take him off to Rodeck with you. The camp is no place for anxiety or +alarm, remember that." + +"Then the prince had to reconnoitre to-day," added Eugen. "He has to +make a detour from Chapel mountain to the valley beneath and through the +ravine, in order to see what the outlook is. We'll probably have a +pleasant exchange of civilities with the French gentlemen within the +next few days, and we want to be ready for them at all points." + +"But there's plenty of chances for them to shoot now, isn't there?" +asked the old man with such anxiety that the officers had to laugh +aloud. + +"Yes, there's chances enough to shoot," Walldorf asserted. "You seem to +be afraid of a gun. You're safe from any stray shots here!" + +"I?" the old man straightened himself; he was deeply insulted. "I wish +to God I could be in the midst of it all." + +"Yes, you'd stay by the prince, and when you saw a bullet coming you'd +give his coat a pull and say: 'Be careful, your highness, here comes a +bullet.' That would be great fun." + +"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man so earnestly that their merriment +was silenced, "you should not talk so to an old hunter, who has climbed +time and again to the mountain's summit, and shot, and killed too, where +he had scarcely room to plant his foot. It is only here that I am so +anxious and discouraged--I would the day were well over." + +"We were only in fun," said Eugen good naturedly. "Of course you're not +afraid of a shot, one only has to look at you to know that. But don't +come to us with your presentiments and misgivings; after men have stood +under a shower of bullets they don't heed croakings. When we're all home +again I am going to visit my sister at Ostwalden and we'll be good +neighbors, you and I. The prince is very fond of his hunting castle at +Rodeck, is he not? But you can banish your gloomy thoughts, for here he +comes." + +There was a quick step without on the stair; the old man gave a relieved +sigh, but when the door opened it was only Eugen's man who appeared. + +"Isn't his highness coming?" asked Walldorf; but Stadinger gave the man +no time to answer. He had glanced at his face, only a glance, then he +started forward and seized his hand half-frantically. + +"What is it? Where--where is my master?" + +The man shook his head sadly and pointed to the window; the two officers +hastened to it, but Stadinger lost no time in looking; he rushed out of +the door and down the steps and across the little yard, and sank down +with a piercing cry beside a litter which two soldiers were carrying, +and upon which a tall, youthful form was stretched. + +"Silence!" said the surgeon, who accompanied the sad little procession. +"Control yourself, the prince is badly wounded." + +"I see that," said the old man, huskily. "But his wound is not mortal? +Tell me it's not mortal!" + +He glanced up at the physician with a look of such despair, that the +latter had not the heart to tell him the truth. He turned to the two +officers who had followed Stadinger, and answered their questions +instead. + +"A bullet in the breast," he said in a whisper. "The prince desired to +be brought to his own quarters, and we have been as careful as we could, +but the end is nearer than I thought." + +"No hope then?" asked Walldorf. + +"Not the slightest." + +The men were already lifting their burden to carry him into the house, +when the physician motioned them to put him down. + +"Wait! The prince wants to speak to his old servant, I think. A few +minutes here or there doesn't matter now." + +Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what was going on around him, he saw +only his master. Egon appeared to be unconscious; the blonde hair was +thrown back, the eyes were closed, and under the mantle with which the +man had covered him was the blood-soaked uniform. + +"Your highness!" said the old man in low, heart-rending tones. "Look at +me, speak to me! It is your old Stadinger." + +The well-known voice found its way to the dying man's ear; he opened his +eyes slowly, and a faint smile crossed his face as he recognized his +faithful servant. + +"My old ghost of the woods," he said softly; "and you are with me at the +last." + +"But you'll not die, your highness," murmured Stadinger. His whole body +was in a tremble, but he never took his eyes from his adored master. +"No, you will not die, you will not die .'" + +"Do you think it is so hard?" said Egon quietly. "Yesterday you were +quite right, a burden was on my heart, now it is light. Take a greeting +to dear Rodeck, and the forest, and to the lady of Ostwalden." + +"To whom? To Frau von Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, thinking he had not +heard aright. + +"Yes, tell her I send her my last greeting; she must think of me +sometimes." + +The words came slowly, brokenly, from the lips which would so soon +refuse to do further service, but there was no mistaking their full +significance. Eugen was startled when he heard his sister's name, and +bent over the dying man, who looked into the countenance which so +resembled Adelheid's, and again a smile lighted his face. Then he raised +his head and laid it heavily on the breast of his old ghost of the +woods, and the sunny blue eyes closed forever. + +It was a short, painless battle with death, a peaceful falling to sleep. +Stadinger hardly breathed while life remained in the body of him he had +nursed as a babe and cherished as a man, but was to lose forever now. +When all was over the old man lost control of himself, and threw himself +in despair on the body of his beloved master, and sobbed like a child. + + * * * * * + +Yonder, on the other side of the mountain-pass, the clear, bright winter +sun lighted up the citadel which had just surrendered to the German +troops. The garrison which had occupied it were marching off prisoners +of war, while a portion of the victors were already on their way to the +fort. + +General von Falkenried, surrounded by his staff, was standing in the +market-place of the little city, and was just on the point of marching +to the fortress. The helmets and guns of the men gleamed brightly in the +morning sun as they marched in solemn order toward the citadel. + +General von Falkenried, who had been giving various orders, now turned +to his officers and gave the signal to move forward. + +At that moment a rider came dashing down the main street at a mad galop. +His noble horse was covered with sweat and froth, and his flanks were +bleeding from the sharp spurs which had been pressed into his side. The +rider's face was covered with blood, too, which evidently came from a +wound in the forehead which had been hastily bound with a cloth. As if +fleeing before a storm, he heeded naught in his path, but rushed on in +his mad ride toward the market-place where the commanding general was to +be found. + +Just a few steps from his goal the horse's strength gave out and he +fell. But in the same instant the rider had sprung from the saddle, and +hastened to the commander-in-chief. + +"I come from General M----." + +Falkenried drew a sharp, quick breath; he had not recognized the +blood-stained face, he only knew that the man must have come on some +important mission, but the tone of the man's voice gave him some +premonition of the truth. + +Hartmut swayed for a moment and put his hand to his head--it seemed as +if he, like his horse, would succumb at the last moment; but he gathered +himself together for a final effort. + +"It is a warning from the general--there is treachery, the citadel is to +be blown up as soon as our men are in it--here are the dispatches." + +He tore the dispatches from his breast and handed them to Falkenried. +The officers were startled by the unexpected news, and gathered around +their chief waiting the corroboration or denial of the statement just +made, but a strange sight met their eyes. Their general, who never lost +his presence of mind, no matter how unexpected or how dreadful the +calamity which he faced, stood gazing at the orderly as if a ghost had +risen from the earth, still holding the unopened dispatches in his hand. + +"Herr General, the dispatches!" said one of the adjutants, half aloud. +He understood his leader as little as did the others. It was enough to +bring Falkenried to his senses. He tore open the dispatches and learned +their contents in a second, then again he was a soldier who thought of +nothing but duty. He gave his orders in a loud, clear voice, the +officers hurried hither and thither, cries of command were given, and +signals sounded in every direction, and a few minutes later the division +marching to the fortress was brought to a standstill, while the +withdrawing garrison was also brought to a sudden halt. + +Now the alarm signal was sounded from the citadel. Neither friend nor +foe knew what it signified, only the newly conquered fort must be +evacuated at once. The orders were carried out promptly. Despite the +haste there was no disorder; the troops turned to march back to the city +as they marched from it. + +Falkenried still stood in the same place issuing orders, receiving +communications, while with glance and word he watched and guided all. +But he found a minute's time to turn to his son, he to whom he had given +no sign of recognition. + +"You are bleeding--your wound must be bound." + +Hartmut shook his head. + +"Later; first I must see the retreat and know we are saved." + +The fearful excitement kept him up. He swayed no more, but watched with +feverish impatience every movement of the troops. Falkenried looked at +him, then he said: + +"Which way did you come?" + +"Over the pass." + +"Why, the enemy hold it," cried the General. + +"Yes--they hold it." + +"And yet you came that way?" + +"There was no choice; we only knew it last night, and I had no time for +any other." + +"That's a piece of heroism without parallel," said a high officer, who +had just come up with a communication and heard the last words. "Man, +how did you dare to run such a risk?" + +Hartmut was silent; he raised his eyes slowly, and looked at his father. +Now he was not afraid to meet those eyes, and in them he read that he +was absolved. + +But even the strength of him who has ventured all--and won, has its +limits. + +His father's face was the last he saw, then a bloody veil covered his +eyes; he felt the blood again, hot and wet, running down his face, and +all was night to him as he sank to the ground. + +There was a roar and a shock which made the whole city quake and +tremble. The citadel whose outline rose bold and clear toward the blue +heavens seemed suddenly to be turned into a seething, glowing crater, +vomiting flame. Within the bursting walls a very hell seemed to gape, as +the shower of stones rose in the air only to sink again in the fiery +hollow, and, as the gigantic wreck burned and blazed, it made one mighty +pillar of fire reaching to the very heavens above--a vengeful, hideous +flame of death. + +The warning had not come a moment too soon. In spite of all precautions +there had been some victims who lived in the immediate vicinity of the +citadel and could not be reached, who were either blown to pieces or +severely wounded; though in comparison with the fearful calamity which +might have occurred and would have paralyzed all Germany, the loss was +slight. + +The General with his officers and all his troops were saved. + +The General, with his wonted foresight and energy, had taken every +precaution to avoid the terrible catastrophe, while his coolness, his +example, had done more than anything else to inspire both officers and +men to action. But now, when his duty as commander-in-chief was done, he +had his rights as a father. + +Hartmut had been carried, when he fell, to a house near by, and lay +unconscious on his narrow cot. He neither saw nor heard his father, who +stood with the surgeon by his side. + +Falkenried looked earnestly at the pale, worn face and closed eyes, then +he turned to the surgeon and said: + +"Do you consider the wound mortal?" + +The physician shrugged his shoulders. + +"The wound of itself is not, but the strain and excitement of that +fearful ride, the loss of blood, and the terrible night--I fear, +General, there's little hope for the brave fellow. We must be prepared +for the worst." + +"I am prepared!" said Falkenried earnestly, then he kneeled and kissed +his son, whom he had only found, he feared, to lose again; as he rose +two hot tears fell on the death-like face. + +But the father had no time to stay by his son. He must be up and doing. +After a few minutes he left the room, leaving repeated injunctions with +the doctor not to relax his watchful care for an instant. + +The General's staff and many other officers were waiting in the +market-place for their commander. As they waited they talked of the man +who had ridden through the jaws of death to save them all; none knew his +name, but he had come through the mountain pass, had faced a revengeful +and infuriated foe, with death on all sides, and had reached them in +time. + +When the general appeared they surrounded and questioned him at once +concerning the brave stranger. + +Falkenried had his usual earnest look, but the settled gloom of his face +was gone forever, and in its stead was an expression which those around +him had never seen before. His eyes were wet, but his voice was firm and +clear as he answered: + +"Yes, gentlemen, he is severely wounded, and perhaps the ride which +saved us all was his death ride. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you would know his name, he is my son--Hartmut von +Falkenried." + +The old manor house of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and quiet in the summer +sunshine. Its young master, who had been away from it for a whole year +had just returned to it and to his young wife, for the war was over. + +The great estate had not suffered during his long absence; it had been +well cared for. The mother had taken the reins in hand again, and had +governed as of old with judgment and a watchful eye, but she now +resigned them willingly to her son, and declared her intention of taking +up her residence in Berlin. + +She looked well and happy to-day as she stood upon the broad stone +veranda talking with her son who was by her side. He had never before +seemed so handsome in her eyes, for his military life and discipline had +given him a fine, stately bearing. She might well feel that he had +gained something with which her education had not provided him, but she +would not have admitted that for the world. + +"So you intend to build?" she asked. + +"I had thought of it." + +"The old house in which your father and I lived is not good enough for +your princess, whom you must needs surround with all possible glitter +and splendor. Not that I care. You have the money to do it with. If all +these fine doings please you, well and good. It's nothing to me, thank +God." + +"Don't try to be so severe, mother," laughed Willibald. "If a stranger +heard you he'd think you were the worst kind of a mother-in-law. If +Marietta's letters had not given me assurance enough that you spoiled +her, your own actions every day would do so." + +"Now and then one plays, even in old age, with a pretty doll," Regine +answered dryly. "And your wife is but a fragile doll. Do not imagine +she'll ever be a capable housewife--I saw at a glance that she hadn't +it in her to manage here." + +"You are quite right," answered her son eagerly "The work and the +management of the estate are my care and mine alone, and I shall never +bother Marietta with them. One takes pleasure in work too with such a +sweet little singing bird by his side and in his heart." + +"Willibald, I don't believe your head is right yet," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with her old acerbity. "Who ever heard a sensible man, a +married man and a landed gentleman, speak in such a manner of his wife, +'A sweet little singing bird.' You've been learning that from your bosom +friend, Hartmut, whom you all think such a great poet." + +"No mother, that's my own poetry," said Willibald, defending himself. "I +never wrote but one poem, and that was on the night when I saw Marietta +play. I gave it to Hartmut and asked him to change it a little and make +it read more like his. I'll tell you what he said in answer. 'Dear Will, +your poem is very beautiful and full of feeling; but you'd better let +it remain as it is. The public would in all probability not appreciate +the lines as they deserve, and your wife will value your work better +without any rearrangement by me.' That was my bosom friend's judgment." + +"It served you right; what had you, a landlord, to do with verses?" +cried Regine sharply. Just then the door from the dining-room opened, +and a dark curly head peeped out, while a fresh voice said playfully: + +"May a poor subject have a moment's speech with her most gracious +majesty?" + +"Come here with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen, but the invitation was +unnecessary, for the young wife was already in her husband's arms, while +he, drawing her to him, whispered something in her ear. + +"There you begin again," said his mother. "Some people never grow tired +of folly." + +The young wife turned toward her mother-in-law and said: + +"You mustn't forget that we had no honeymoon when we were married, and +so we are taking it now. You know from experience that one is permitted +an extra share of happiness during that time." + +Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with Herr von +Eschenhagen of blessed memory had been of another kind. + +"You received a letter from your grandfather, did you not, Marietta?" +she said, changing the subject. "Good news?" + +"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well, and is delighted at the thought +that he'll be here with me in another month. He writes that it's the +quietest summer he has known for a long time around Waldhofen. Rodeck +has been desolate and deserted since the prince's death. Ostwalden is +closed and Fuerstenstein will be empty soon, too. Toni is to be married +in two weeks, and then uncle Schoenau will be all alone." + +The last words were spoken in a peculiar tone, and Marietta gave her +mother-in-law an odd glance, which the latter did not notice; she only +said: + +"It does seem singular for Hartmut and Ada to spend the first weeks of +their marriage here in that little villa when they could go to the great +castle at Ostwalden or one of the Stahlberg palaces." + +"They wanted to be as near the general as possible," said Willibald. + +"Well, in this case, Falkenried could have gotten leave and gone to +them. God be praised! The man seems to live again since he has his son +with him. I knew better than any one how the boy's flight struck him, +for he fairly worshipped his son, notwithstanding his severity. That +famous ride which saved his father and his troops, absolved him from all +his boyhood's errors, for which, after all, his mother alone was +accountable." + +"If we only had some wedding festivities in the family," said Marietta. +"Will and I were married without any, because the war had commenced, and +now when the war is happily ended, Hartmut and Ada are married just as +quietly as we." + +"My child, when a man has gone through all that Hartmut has endured, he +has little desire for gaieties," said Frau von Eschenhagen, earnestly. +"Besides, he has by no means recovered his strength yet. You saw how +pale he was when they were married. Adelheid's first marriage was very +different from her second one. Her poor father gave her away, although +he was so ill, and she in her train and lace and diamonds looked like a +queen; but her face was pale and cold. Now, she seemed like a different +creature as she turned with Hartmut from the altar in her simple white +silk gown and gauzy veil. I have never seen so peaceful, so happy a +face! Poor Herbert! He never possessed his wife's love." + +"Who could love so old a man? Always with his diplomatic coat and manner +on, too. I shouldn't have been able to do it, I'm sure," cried Marietta, +thoughtlessly. + +Her mother-in-law, who held her brother's memory sacred, said tartly: + +"Such an opportunity would never have come in your way. A man like +Herbert von Wallmoden would scarcely have chosen you, you little +insolent thing--" + +The little insolent thing threw her arms around Frau Regine's neck, and +said, flatteringly: + +"Now, don't be angry, mamma! I wouldn't exchange my Will for all the +great ambassadors of the world, and neither would you." + +"You're a little minx," said Regine, striving to look as severe as ever. +"You know very well that one can't be angry with you long. Oh, there'll +be a petticoat government at Burgsdorf from this time on, such as the +place has never witnessed before. Will's a little ashamed before me yet, +but as soon as I'm gone he'll surrender at discretion." + +"Why do you cling to that idea, mother?" said Willibald, reprovingly. +"Why do you want to go when all is love and peace between us?" + +"Just for that reason I go, that peace may continue; we need not discuss +it, my son. I must always be first where I live and work. You must be +that now, and we wouldn't pull together. Until now we have been +distressed and anxious about you, not knowing what hour would bring +tidings to break our hearts. That's all over, but I'm not so old that I +must be set aside as useless. Wherever I am I must be the head, and for +that reason I am going." + +She turned and entered the house, while her son gazed after her and gave +a troubled sigh. + +"Perhaps she is right," he said, "but it will be hard for her to be +without duties or occupation. Enforced quiet will be very hard for her, +I know. You should have begged her to remain, Marietta." + +Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and looked up smiling: + +"O no, I'll do something better. I'll have a care that when she leaves +us she will not be unhappy." + +"You? What will you do?" + +"Only a simple thing--have her get married." + +"What do you mean?" + +"O, Will, to be so wise and yet see nothing," said his wife with her old +sweet silvery laugh. "Have you no idea why uncle Schoenau was in such a +bad humor when we met him in Berlin, and urged him to visit us? Your +mother didn't invite him because she feared another proposal; he +understood that, and it made him furious. I saw them at Waldhofen the +time of our marriage, and I knew he would have been very glad to have a +similar ceremony performed for himself, only your mother said him nay. +Don't put on such a face, Will; you look exactly as you did the first +day I saw you." + +Her husband was gazing at her in boundless astonishment. He had never +dreamed of such a possibility as his mother marrying again, or his uncle +either, for that matter. It struck him now as a most excellent +arrangement. + +"Marietta, how wise you are!" he said, looking with admiration at the +smiling girl, who was beaming with satisfaction at the manner in which +her news had been received. + +"I'm wiser than you think," she declared triumphantly, "for I have set +the wheel going. I took occasion to let uncle Schoenau know that if he +stormed the fort again, a complete surrender might follow. He said he +had no intention of being refused again, but you'll see him sooner than +you think. In fact he's in the house now, came half an hour ago, but I +determined to say nothing about it before mamma--here he is now!" + +The head forester stepped on the terrace just in time to hear the last +words. + +"Yes, here I am," said Herr von Schoenau. "It's all your little wife's +fault, Will, that I am at Burgsdorf. I'm here at her suggestion, and if +that mother of your's is not obstinate and unreasonable and pig-headed +as usual--why I'll marry her." + +"I pray to God you may, uncle," answered Will, to whom this summary of +his mother's wonted characteristics was very singular, to say the least. + +"Yes, so do I," agreed Schoenau, "your wife thinks--" + +"I think that you shouldn't lose a moment," cried Marietta, "Mamma has +just gone to her sitting-room and knows nothing of your arrival. Will +and I will remain behind, and if the worst comes to the worst call on +us. Forward, march!" + +With these words she gave him a push, and the sturdy, broad shouldered +man turned at her bidding, saying to Will, who entered the house with +him: + +"They are all commanders whether they be large or small--it's born in +them, I suppose." + +Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her cosy room looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she was to leave in a few days. Though +she had said so decidedly she would go, the decision had been no light +matter to her. The strong, active, capable woman who had been mistress +here for thirty years and over, dreaded the quiet and inactivity of city +life, of which she had had some slight experience at the time of her +quarrel with her son. She dreaded going back to it now, though she knew +it was but just and fitting to leave Willibald and his wife alone, and +she had the courage to do what was right. She heard the door open and +turned to see the head forester enter the room. + +"Moritz, you here?" she said, surprised. "It was very sensible of you to +come." + +"Yes, I'm always sensible," answered the head forester, with his usual +lack of tact. "You didn't have the grace to invite me, but I thought I'd +come in person to invite you and your children to Toni's marriage. You +will come to Fuerstenstein, will you not?" + +"Certainly we will come, but we were surprised to hear it was to take +place so soon. I thought you were going to buy them an estate first and +settle the matter more slowly!" + +"No, they wouldn't wait or listen to reason. Our warriors make great +demands when they come home covered with glory. Walldorf said to me +quite coolly: 'You know you said first conquer then marry. Well we have +conquered; now I shall marry without any delay. The estate can wait, the +land won't run away, but we must be married now!' Of course Toni +seconded everything he said. What could I do? I let them name the day +then and there." + +Frau von Eschenhagen laughed. + +"The young are in a hurry to marry, though they have plenty of time to +wait." + +"The old have none to spare, though," said the head forester promptly, +glad of so good a chance to get on the subject near his heart. "Have you +reflected enough over our little affair, Regine?" + +"What affair?" + +"Why, our marriage. I trust you are in the humor for it now." Regine +turned away somewhat embarrassed. + +"How you do love to take one by surprise, Moritz." + +"So that is what you call taking by surprise?" cried the head forester, +irritated. "Over five years ago I asked you to marry me, then last year +a second time, and now for the third time, so you have had plenty of +time to consider the matter. Yes, or no? If you send me away this time +I'll never come again, understand that!" + +Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Notwithstanding her hard, unyielding nature, deep down in her +heart there had always been a warm feeling for the man who was to have +been her husband long years ago, for Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had +turned from her she had married another, for she had no thought of +leading a desolate, useless life; but the same feeling of bitter woe +which had entered the young girl's heart was in the heart of the older +woman to-day and closed her lips. She stood silent for a few minutes, +then cast the sweet, sad memory from her forever, and gave her hand to +her brother-in-law: + +"Well then, yes, Moritz! I will make you a good and true wife." + +"Thank God!" said Schoenau earnestly, for he had feared her hesitation +would result in a third refusal. "You should have said that five years +ago, Regine, but better late than never. It's all right at last." + +And with these words the persevering man folded her in his arms with +affectionate tenderness. + + * * * * * + +The sun shone down warm and bright on the meadow land and penetrated +even into the forest depths. It fell across the pathway of General von +Falkenried and his son and daughter, who were sauntering along under +the high firs on the way which led to Burgsdorf. + +Falkenried did not seem the same man he had been for the past ten years. +The war which, despite its victories and final triumph, had made so many +old before their time, had affected him apparently in a different +manner. His white hair was thin over his deeply furrowed brow, but his +features had life again, his eyes had fire and expression, and one saw +at a glance that this was no old man, but one in the zenith of his +strength and power. + +Falkenried's son had not fully recovered his strength yet, and his face +showed traces of great suffering. The war had not left him younger, on +the contrary he had grown older; his pallid face, and the broad, red +scar on his forehead, told a tale of their own. For months after that +fearful night he had lain at death's door, but with returning life and +strength all traces of the old Hartmut, of Zalika's son, disappeared +forever. + +It seemed as if, in casting from him the name of Rojanow, he cast with +it the unholy heritage of her who had borne him. The dark curly locks +were beginning to grow again over the high, broad forehead, so like his +father's. + +The young wife by his side, so beautiful, so winning always, was +lovelier than ever now, for joy and happiness had set their seal on her +bright, girlish face! Who would recognize in this slender, graceful +figure, clad in a simple, summer frock, the proud, cold court beauty in +her laces and jewels? The smile, the tone in which she spoke to her +father and husband, Frau von Wallmoden had never known, for it was Ada +Falkenried who had learned it. + +"You can go no farther to-day," said the general, standing still. "You +have a long walk back, and Hartmut is not strong enough for much yet. +The physician was very decided about his not exerting himself." + +"If you only knew, father, how hard it was to be mistaken for an invalid +when I am getting so well and strong again," said Hartmut. "I am getting +strong enough--" + +"To bring on a relapse by your folly," his father answered. "You have +never learned patience, and it is altogether owing to Ada that you are +as strong as you are." + +"If it hadn't been for her there would be no Hartmut to-day," said her +husband, giving her a glance of tenderest love. "I believe the case was +almost hopeless when she came to me!" + +"The physicians at least gave no hope, when I telegraphed for Ada in +response to your cry. The first minute you recovered consciousness, you +called for her, to my boundless astonishment, for I did not know you +even knew one another." + +"That hardly seemed fair to you, papa, did it?" As she glanced up +laughing into her father's face, he drew her to him, and kissed her +forehead. + +"You know best what you have been to Hartmut and me, my child. I thank +God for bringing him back to me through your nursing. And you are right +in detaining him here, although the physician says he could travel now. +He must first learn to know his fatherland and his home to which he was +so long a stranger." + +"First learn?" said Ada, reprovingly. "What he read to you and to me +to-day shows that he has long since learned it; his new poem breathes a +different spirit from his wild, passionate 'Arivana.'" + +"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is certainly fine," said his father, as he +reached out his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will yet +honor my boy in peace, as well as in war." + +Hartmut's eyes lighted as he returned the warm hand pressure. He knew +what such praise from his father's lips signified. + +"Good-bye," said the general, kissing his daughter. "I'll go on from +Burgsdorf to the city, but in a few days we'll meet again. Good-bye, +children." + +As he disappeared through the trees, Hartmut led Ada toward the +Burgsdorf fish-pond. When they reached it they stood gazing down on the +still sheet of water which lay so placid and clear in its setting of +water lilies and reeds. + +"Here, as a boy, I played for hours with Will," said Hartmut softly, +"and here my destiny was decided for me on that fateful night. I realize +now, for the first time, all that I did to my father in that fearful +hour." + +"Ah, but you have repaid him for all his suffering," answered Ada, as +she laid her hand on her husband's arm. "The world, too, has forgotten +your boyhood's folly. That was proven by the words of praise and +congratulations which poured in upon your father from all sides about +his heroic son." + +Hartmut shook his head. "That was no heroism, it was despair. I did not +think I should succeed. No one thought so; but even had I fallen, the +enemy's bullet would have redeemed my honor. Egon understood that, and +that was why he put my salvation in my own hands. When we two said +good-bye in the little ruined church on that icy winter's night, we knew +we should never meet again, but we both thought I would be the victim, +for I rode to almost certain death. But a spirit-hand seemed to lead me, +and in the hour in which I reached my goal, poor Egon fell. You need +not hide your tears, dear. I have no jealousy of the dead." + +"Eugen brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, the hot tears +standing in her eyes. "And poor Stadinger wrote me, too, of his master's +last words. I fear the old man won't live long; his letter sounded as +though he were heart-broken." + +"My poor Egon!" Hartmut's voice told how deep was his sorrow for his +loss. "He was so sunny, so amiable always. He seemed created for a long, +cloudless life. Perhaps you would have been happier by his side, Ada, +than with your wild, stormy Hartmut, who will so often vex you with the +dark shadows of his life." + +Ada glanced up at him, smiling through her tears. + +"I have only one love, and that is my wild, stormy Hartmut, and I know +no greater happiness than to be his wife!" + +Wood and water lay quiet in the afternoon sunshine. The old firs stood +dark and tall, while the reeds whispered softly to one another, and +thousands of sunny sparks danced on the water. Far above, in the heavens +to which the boy had once longed to mount like a falcon, the sun rode on +his glorious course. In splendor he shed his rays on all +beneath--mighty, eternal and glorious source and promise of life and +joy. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NORTHERN LIGHT*** + + +******* This file should be named 16095.txt or 16095.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/0/9/16095 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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