Part 13 (1/2)

Rojanow pointed out a narrow, half-covered path which led in the direction of Furstenstein, and entered it without further ado. He decided to retain his role as guide, for the little adventure began to interest him.

His protege was, indeed, beautiful enough to make the encounter interesting. The pure, delicate oval of her face; the high, clear brow surrounded by s.h.i.+ning blonde hair; the lines of the features--all was perfect symmetry, but there was something chilling in the strong regularity of these lines, which was rather increased by a mark of energetic will power most plainly p.r.o.nounced. The young lady could not be more than eighteen or nineteen years old at the utmost, but she had nothing of the charm of mirth and gayety belonging to that age. The large blue eyes looked as calm and grave as if a girlish dream had never brightened them, and the same cold, proud composure was visible in the carriage and whole appearance.

This tall, slender figure affected one like a chilling breath. Her plain but elegant apparel showed that she belonged to the high cla.s.ses.

Rojanow had time enough to observe her as he walked now behind her and now before, bending back the low-hanging bows, or warning of the unevenness of the ground. This narrow forest path was truly not comfortable, and proved itself not very appropriate for the toilet of a lady. More than once her dress was caught by the bushes; the veil of her hat was entangled in the boughs at every opportunity, while the mossy soil proved at times very damp and foggy.

All of this, however, was borne with perfect indifference, but Hartmut felt that he was not doing himself much credit with his post as guide.

”I am sorry to have to lead you over such a rough path, Fraulein,” he said courteously. ”I am really afraid of fatiguing you, but we are in the densest forest and there is no choice whatever.”

”I am not easily fatigued,” was the calm rejoinder. ”I care little for the roughness of the road if it only leads to the desired end.”

The remark sounded somewhat unusual from the lips of a young girl.

Rojanow seemed to think so, and smiled rather sarcastically as he repeated:

”If it only leads to the desired end? Quite so--that is my opinion, but ladies are usually of a different mind; they wish to be borne softly over every inconvenience.”

”All of them? There are also women who prefer to go alone, without being led like a child.”

”Perhaps, as an exception. I prize the chance which gives me the good fortune of meeting such a charming exception----”

Hartmut was about to utter a bold compliment, but suddenly grew silent, for the blue eyes looked at him with an expression that made the words die upon his lips.

At this moment the lady's veil was caught again by a th.o.r.n.y bush, which held it fast relentlessly. She stood still, but hardly had her companion stretched forth his hand to disengage the delicate fabric, when she tore herself free with a quick motion of the head. The veil remained hanging in shreds on the bough, but his help had become totally superfluous.

Rojanow bit his lip. This adventure was developing quite differently from what he had expected. He had thought to play the agreeable in that bold, vainglorious manner which had become his second nature toward ladies, to a timid young being who trusted herself entirely to his protection, but he was being shown back to his proper place by a mere glance at his first attempt. It was made very clear to him that he was to be guide here and nothing else.

Who, then, in truth, was this girl who, with her eighteen or nineteen years, already showed the perfect ease of a great lady and who knew so well how to make herself unapproachable? He concluded to have light about it at any cost.

The narrow path now ended; they emerged into an opening, the forest continuing on the other side.

It was not easy to be a guide here, where one was as little acquainted with the country as Hartmut, but he would never confess his ignorance now.

Apparently quite certain, he kept in the same direction, choosing one of the wood roads which crossed through the forest. There must surely be a spot somewhere which would offer a free outlook and make it possible to find the right road.

The wider path now permitted them to walk side by side, and Hartmut took immediate advantage of it to start a conversation, which thus far had been impossible, since they had had to struggle with so many obstacles.

”I have neglected so far to introduce myself, gracious Fraulein,” he commenced. ”My name is Rojanow. I am at present at Rodeck, a guest of Prince Adelsberg, who enjoys the privilege of being your neighbor, since you live at Furstenstein.”

”No; I am likewise only a guest there,” replied the lady.

The princely neighbor seemed to be as indifferent to her as the name of her companion; at all events, she did not seem to consider it necessary to give her name in return, but accepted the introduction with that proud, aristocratic movement of the head which seemed to be peculiar to her.

”Ah, you live, then, at the Residenz, and have taken advantage of the beautiful fall weather for an excursion here?”

”Yes.”