Part 27 (1/2)
His greeting was cool but polite, only he turned to the Prince alone with his answer, regretting not being able to chat with the gentlemen, since he was called to the Duke.
The whole meeting had lasted but two minutes, but it had taken place.
”His Excellency is more taciturn to-day than usual,” remarked Egon, walking on. ”Whenever I see this cold, diplomatic face before me I have a chill, and feel a pressing desire to seek warmer zones.”
”Therefore we follow so persistently the track of the beautiful, cold aurora,” said Hartmut, teasingly. ”Whom do we really seek in this walk through the rooms which you continue so untiringly?”
”The Chief Forester,” said the Prince, vexed at seeing himself betrayed. ”I wish to make you acquainted with him, but you are in one of your railing moods to-day. Perhaps I may find Schonan over yonder in the armory. I shall look there.”
He took a speedy departure, and actually turned his steps to the armory, where the ducal couple was at present, and where he also believed Adelaide von Wallmoden to be. But, unfortunately, at the entrance he again crossed the path of his most gracious aunt, who took possession of him. She wished for more particulars of the interesting young Roumanian who stood, indeed, in the sunlight of her favor, and her impatient nephew had to answer all her questions willingly or otherwise.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The fete progressed; the a.s.sembly glided to and fro as Hartmut walked slowly and apparently purposelessly through the long suite of reception rooms. He, too, looked for some one, and was more successful than Egon.
A hasty glance into the tower room, the entrance of which was partly concealed by heavy portieres, showed him the hem of a white train which floated over the floor, and the next moment he had crossed the threshold.
Adelaide von Wallmoden was still sitting in the same position, and slowly turned her head toward the intruder. Suddenly she started, but only for an instant, then with her habitual composure she returned the deep bow of the young man who remained standing at the door.
”I hope I have not disturbed Your Excellency,” he said. ”I fear you came here for solitude into which I have broken suddenly, but it happens quite unintentionally.”
”I only took refuge here from the smothering heat of the salons.”
”The same cause brought me here, and since I did not have the honor to-day to greet you, permit me to do so now.”
The words sounded very formal. Rojanow had drawn nearer, but remained standing at a respectable distance. Nevertheless, the start at his entrance had not been pa.s.sed by un.o.bserved by him. A peculiar smile hovered around his lips as he directed his eyes upon the young Baroness.
She had made a gesture as if to rise and leave the room, but seemed to remember in time that so sudden a move would look like flight. She remained seated and leaned over the plants. Absently she picked one of the large crimson j.a.ponicas as she replied to the question about her health, but that line of severe will-power appeared again, sharply and distinctly, just as in that moment when she stood in the middle of the brook. That day she had stepped without hesitation into ankle-deep water rather than accept the help which was offered her; but that had occurred in the forest loneliness. No such obstacle had to be overcome here in the ducal castle, filled with the pomp of a fete; but the man with the dark, consuming glance was here, and he did not remove his eyes from her face.
”Shall you remain at Rodeck any length of time?” asked Adelaide in the indifferent tone with which remarks are exchanged in society.
”Probably a few weeks longer. Prince Adelsberg will hardly leave his castle as long as the Duke is at Furstenstein. I intend to accompany him to the Residenz later on.”
”And we shall then learn to know you as a poet?”
”Me, Your Excellency?”
”I learned so from the Prince.”
”Oh, that is only Egon's idea,” said Hartmut, lightly. ”He has settled it in his mind that he must see my Arivana upon the stage.”
”Arivana! A strange t.i.tle.”
”It is an Oriental name for an Indian legend, whose poetical charm had prepossessed me so strangely that I could not resist the temptation to form it into a drama.”
”And the heroine of the drama is Arivana?”
”No; that is only the name of an ancient, sacred spot, around which this legend clings. The name of the heroine is--Ada.”