Part 21 (1/2)
He broke off and arose, for his young wife now appeared in the door of the tower.
Prince Adelsberg renewed the acquaintance of yesterday and inquired innocently if his friend, Rojanow, had pa.s.sed by here. He could not explain his absence.
A glance from Wallmoden warned his sister, who was proof this time against surprise. Wallmoden himself regretted not having seen the gentleman, and said that he was just about to leave with his wife and sister, having only awaited the former's return. The order for the carriage was given at once, to which Egon accompanied them, taking leave of them with a deep bow, but following the carriage with attentive eyes.
Hartmut stood alone at a window of the inn, also observing the departure. The same ashy paleness again overspread his face, which had gleamed there at the first mention of the name of Wallmoden; but now it was the whiteness of a wild anger which almost shocked him.
He had expected questions and reproaches, which, of course, he had intended to refute haughtily; but was met instead with a complete ignoring, which was a deadly insult to his pride. Wallmoden's harsh warning to his sister, ”We do not know him--have I to remind you of that?” had wrought up his whole being. He felt the annihilation contained in it. And the woman, who had always shown him a mother's love--even Frau von Eschenhagen--had joined her brother in turning her back upon him, as upon a person one is ashamed to have once known. This was too much.
”Well, here you are!” Egon's voice came from the door. ”You disappeared as if the earth had swallowed you. Has the unlucky letter-case been found?”
Rojanow turned. He was obliged to recall the pretext he had used.
”Yes, indeed,” he answered absently, ”it lay upon the stairs.”
”Well, the guide would have found it just as well. Why did you not come back? Very polite of you to leave Frau von Wallmoden and me without ceremony. You have not even taken leave of the lady. His Excellency's highest displeasure is sure to fall upon you.”
”I shall know how to bear the misfortune,” said Hartmut, shrugging his shoulders.
The Prince drew near and laid his hand jestingly upon his friend's shoulder.
”So? It is probably because you fell into disgrace yesterday. It is not your usual way to run off where the entertainment of a beautiful lady is concerned. Oh, I know all about it. Her Excellency has given you a lecture over your loving tirades against Germany, and the spoiled favorite has been offended. Why, one could afford to be told the truth by such lips.”
”You seem to be quite transported,” sneered Hartmut. ”Beware lest the husband be not jealous in spite of his years.”
”It is a strange couple,” said Egon musingly, as if lost in thought; ”that old diplomat, with his gray hair and immovable face, and his young wife with her brilliant beauty like----”
”An aurora which rises from a sea of ice. It is only a question of which stood furthest below zero.”
The young Prince laughed heartily. ”Very poetical and very malicious; but you are not far wrong. I have also felt something of this polar breath touching me chillingly several times; but that is my luck.
Otherwise I would fall hopelessly in love with the beautiful Excellency. But I think it is time for us to leave, _nicht wahr?_”
He went to the door to call the groom. Hartmut following, threw one more glance out to where, through an opening in the forest, the Amba.s.sador's carriage was again visible, and his hands clinched involuntarily.
”We shall speak yet, Herr Wallmoden,” he muttered. ”I shall remain now.
He shall not think that I fly from his presence. I shall allow Egon to present me at court, and exert my utmost to make my work a success. We shall see then if he dares treat me like a first-cla.s.s adventurer. He shall pay for that tone and look!”
CHAPTER XVIII.
Everything at Furstenstein was in a state of preparation for the arrival of the Court. Their stay was to be of longer duration than for a short hunting expedition; they were to remain several weeks, for which time the d.u.c.h.ess also was expected. The upper stories of the castle, with their numerous suites of rooms, were being aired and put in order. A portion of the court officials and servants had already arrived. Extensive and festive preparations were also being made in Waldhofen, through which the Court was to pa.s.s on its way to the castle.
Wallmoden's stay, which, under ordinary circ.u.mstances, would have been short, was prolonged. The Duke, who was pleased to distinguish the Amba.s.sador in every way, had heard of his attending a family fete at Furstenstein, and had expressed a wish to find him and his wife still there. The invitation was equivalent to a command which had to be obeyed.
Frau von Eschenhagen and her son also wished to remain to look at the Court in close proximity; and the Chief Forester, who wished to distinguish himself in the probably extensive hunts, held daily conferences with the Head Forester and his subordinates, and put the whole forestry in motion.
There was much bustle already about the castle. A sound of merry chattering and clear laughter came from Fraulein von Schonan's room.
Marietta Volkmar had come to her friend for an hour, and as usual there was no end to the talking and laughing.