Part 55 (2/2)
”That has been changed,” finished Egon, smiling. ”I knew it, for the comrade of whom I spoke just now is Lieutenant Waldorf, the happy fiance of Baroness Schonan. My words were meant for Fraulein Marietta Volkmar.”
”At present Frau von Eschenhagen.”
”What! You are already married?”
”Have been for five months. We were married just before marching orders came, and my wife is now at Burgsdorf with my mother.”
”Then accept my congratulations on your marriage. But really, Herr Comrade, I ought to call you to account for the unwarrantable damage you have done to art. Please tell your wife that, as far as I can learn out here in the campaign, the entire Residenz still mourns her loss in sackcloth and ashes.”
”I shall not forget it, although I fear the Residenz has not much time for such mourning at present. Ah, the gentlemen are returning--I hear Eugene's voice.”
Steps were heard outside and the expected ones entered. Young Stahlberg greeted his relative with an exclamation of the most joyful surprise.
He had not seen Willibald during the campaign, although both served in the same army corps. He still bore his arm in a sling, but otherwise looked well and happy.
Eugene did not possess the beauty of his sister, and the feature of decided will-power which the daughter had inherited from her father was missing. The son showed a gentle, more conciliatory nature in his appearance as well as demeanor, but still he resembled his sister closely, which might have been the cause of Prince Adelsberg's intimacy with him.
His companion, a handsome young officer with sparkling, saucy eyes, now approached, and the Prince performed the introduction.
”I will not fear that the gentlemen will challenge each other when I mention the names,” he said, jestingly. ”They are obliged to be called--so then, Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr von Waldorf.”
”G.o.d forbid! For my part I am peace personified,” cried Waldorf gayly.
”Herr von Eschenhagen, I am glad to meet the cousin of my fiancee, and so much more so because he is already in the bonds of holy matrimony.
We also would have liked to do as you did--marry before the march--but my father-in-law put on his grimmest mien and declared, 'Gain victory first and then marry.' Well, we have done the first continually for five months, and as soon as I return home I shall speedily ask for the second.”
He cordially shook the hand of his bride-elect's former fiance, then turned to the Prince.
”We brought along something for Your Highness--something we seized outside. Orderly of Rodeck, advance to His Highness--the Lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg.”
The door opened, and in spite of the gathering twilight the Prince recognized the wrinkled face and snow-white hair of him who entered. He started.
”All good spirits defend us! It is Peter Stadinger!”
It was, indeed, the live Stadinger who stood before his young master.
He did not seem to be wholly a stranger to the others, for although they now saw him for the first time, they greeted his appearance with the liveliest joy.
”Above everything, let us have light to take a good look at the 'Waldgeist' of His Highness,” cried Waldorf, lighting candles and holding them with comical solemnity close before the old man.
Egon laughed.
”You see, Stadinger, what a well-known and frequently spoken of person you are here. Now let me introduce you in proper form. Behold here, gentlemen, Peter Stadinger--celebrated for his unequaled churlishness and his moral lectures, which make one quake. He probably thinks I cannot exist without them, and he will doubtless give to me here also upon the battlefield the satisfaction of this friendly habit. I hope that some of it will fall upon your heads, gentlemen--and now begin, Stadinger!”
But the old man, instead of obeying, grasped the hand of his master in both of his and said in a heartrending tone: ”Ach, Your Highness, how we have trembled and feared for you at Rodeck!”
”Well, that is polite!” said Eugene Stahlberg, but the Prince a.s.sumed a displeased air.
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