Part 36 (2/2)
”Toni must accept it then as providential,” said w.i.l.l.y, upon whom the mention of his betrothed made little impression. ”One can lose his life anywhere, and one must not always expect the worst consequences----Where shall I carry you, Fraulein? To the Parkstra.s.se?
I believe I heard that you wished to go there.”
She shook her head quickly.
”No, no! I intended going to Professor Marani, who is teaching me a new role, but I cannot sing now--it is impossible. Let us look for a carriage; we may find one over there. I would like to go home.”
Willibald turned his steps at once in the appointed direction, and they walked on silently to the edge of the park, where several cabs were standing.
The young girl stopped here and looked anxiously and entreatingly at her companion.
”Herr von Eschenhagen must it really be? Cannot the matter be smoothed over?”
”Hardly: I have given the Count a heavy blow and called him an impudent fellow, and shall stand to that, of course, if it should come to any explanation; but do not worry about that. The affair will probably be settled with a few scratches by tomorrow or the day after.”
”And must I remain two or three days in this anxious uncertainty? Will you not at least send me word about it?”
Willibald looked into the dark, tearful eyes, and with that look there came into his eyes that strange sudden glow as on that day when he heard the voice of the ”_singvogelchen_” for the first time.
”If everything pa.s.ses off happily I shall come myself and bring you word,” he replied. ”May I?”
”Oh, certainly, certainly. But if an accident occurs--if you should fall?”
”Then keep me in better remembrance than heretofore, mein Fraulein,”
said Willibald, earnestly and cordially. ”You must have considered me a great coward--oh, do not say anything! You were right. I felt it myself bitterly enough--but it was my mother whom I was accustomed to obey, and who loves me very much. But you shall see now that I know how a man must act when a defenceless girl is being insulted in his presence. I will now erase, if need be, with my blood, that bad hour.”
Without giving her time to reply he called one of the waiting cabs, opened the door, and gave the driver the street and number which Marietta had given him. She entered the carriage and stretched out her little hand to him once more. He held it for a moment, then the young girl threw herself back upon the cus.h.i.+on with a stifled sob, and the carriage rolled away.
w.i.l.l.y followed it with his eyes until nothing more could be seen of it, then he drew himself up and said with a kind of grim satisfaction: ”Now take care, Herr Count! It will be a real pleasure to me now to fire until sight and hearing leave me.”
CHAPTER x.x.xIV.
Twilight came on early this bleak November day, and the Adelsberg palace was already lighted when the Prince, returning from a short drive, reached the portal.
”Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?” he inquired of the servant who hastened up.
”At your service, Your Highness,” the man replied, bowing low.
”Order the carriage at nine o'clock. We drive to the ducal palace.”
Egon mounted the stairs and entered the apartments of his friend, which adjoined his own on the first floor, and which, like all the rest of the princely house, were furnished with antique splendor.
A lamp burned upon the table of the sitting-room. Hartmut lay stretched upon a lounge in a position indicative of utter weariness and exhaustion.
”Are you resting upon your laurels?” asked the Prince, laughing and drawing near. ”I cannot blame you, for you have not had a moment's peace to-day. It is really a rather trying business to be a new rising star in the poetical firmament; nerve is required for it. The people actually fight each other for the honor of being allowed to tell you flatteries. You have held a grand reception today.”
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