Part 43 (1/2)
He saw and heard daily that Antonie and w.i.l.l.y were on the best terms, so he left them mostly to themselves.
Meanwhile in the house of the doctor at Waldhofen care and anxiety had made their appearance. The sickness of the doctor, which at first had given no cause for fear, suddenly took a dangerous turn, which was augmented greatly by the age of the patient. He had called persistently for his granddaughter, and she had been telegraphed for. She had at once obtained leave of absence--her role in Arivana was filled by another--and she hastened without delay to Waldhofen.
Antonie showed a touching fidelity to her friend at this time. Day after day found her at the home of the Volkmars to console and cheer Marietta, who clung to her grandfather with her whole soul.
Willibald seemed to be likewise necessary at these consolations, for he accompanied Toni regularly, and the Chief Forester thought it quite natural that ”the poor little thing” was being consoled and helped to the best of their ability, more especially as she had suffered so unmerited an insult in his house, for which he could not to this day forgive his sister-in-law.
Finally, after three long, sorrowful days and nights, the doctor's strong const.i.tution conquered; the danger was pa.s.sed, and hopes of a full recovery were entertained.
Herr von Schonan, who was cordially attached to the doctor, was heartily glad of it, and so everything seemed to have come into the best of order.
But threatening weather arose from the north. Without a word of warning Frau von Eschenhagen suddenly appeared at Furstenstein. She had not taken time to stop in town where her brother lived, but came directly from Burgsdorf, and burst like a hurricane upon her brother-in-law, who sat in his room very comfortably reading the paper.
”All good spirits--is it you, Regine?” he cried, amazed. ”This is what I call a surprise; you ought to have sent us word.”
”Where is Willibald?” demanded Regine in a dangerous tone, by way of answer. ”Is he at Furstenstein?”
”Of course, where else should he be? I believe he has announced his arrival here to you.”
”Let him be called--immediately.”
”But what is the matter?” asked Schonan, noticing now for the first time his sister-in-law's excitement. ”Is there a fire at Burgsdorf, or what? I cannot call w.i.l.l.y to you this moment, for he is at Waldhofen----”
”Probably at Dr. Volkmar's--and she is probably there, too.”
”Who is 'she'? Toni has, of course, gone with him. They visit that poor little thing daily--Marietta--who was quite despairing at first. I must speak a word with you on this point, Regine. How could you offend the dear girl so deeply, and in my house besides? I only heard of it afterward, or----”
A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown hat and cloak upon a chair and now drew close to her brother-in-law.
”Are you to reproach me because I tried to avert the evil which you have brought upon yourself? Of course you have always been blind and would never listen to my warnings--now it is too late.”
”I believe you are not in your right mind, Regine,” said the Forester, who really did not know what to think of it all. ”Will you be so kind as to tell me what you mean?”
Regine drew forth a newspaper and handed it to him, pointing with her finger to a paragraph.
”Read!”
Schonan obeyed, and now his face also grew red in angry surprise. The article, which was dated from the South German Residenz, read as follows:
”We have just learned that a duel with pistols took place last Monday, very early in the morning, in a remote part of our park. The opponents were a well-known resident, Count W--, and a young North German landowner, W--v. E--, who is visiting his relative here--a high and distinguished diplomat. The cause of the duel is reported to be a member of our Court Theatre, a young singer who bears the best of reputations. Count W-- was injured in the shoulder. Herr v. E-- carried off a slight wound in the hand, and departed immediately.”
”Thunder and lightning!” burst forth the Chief Forester, violently.
”The betrothed of my Toni has a duel for Marietta's sake! So this is the cause of the injured hand which he brought with him! This is charming, indeed! What else do you know about it, Regine? My paper did not notice it.”
”But mine did; it was copied from one of your papers, as you see. I read it yesterday and hastened here at once. I did not even stop to see Herbert, who cannot have known anything about it, or he would have notified me.”
”Herbert will be here at noon,” said Schonan, throwing the paper angrily upon the table. ”He is at Ostwalden with Adelaide, and has written that he will return by Furstenstein and stop over a few hours.
Perhaps he is coming on this account, but that does not change anything in the matter. Has that boy--that Willibald--gone crazy?”