Part 68 (1/2)
I wronged you that day--the second day after I came here. Forgive me!
I'll never wrong you again, even in thought; and no one shall. No one shall ever slander you to me; but, I beg of you, leave the palace as soon as you can! Go home to--”
”Enough, enough,” said Irma, deprecatingly, and holding her hands before her face as if Walpurga's words were stones hurled at her.
”Enough,” added she, ”farewell; do not forget me.”
She held out her hand to Walpurga, who kissed it. The hand was hot, as if with fever.
Walpurga left. The parrot in the ante-room was still crying: ”G.o.d keep you, Irma.” Walpurga started with terror, and hurried away as if some one were after her.
CHAPTER XVII.
When Walpurga came out to Hansei, he asked:
”Shall I go in, too?”
”No, we're ready.”
”I think I ought to go to the king and queen. I've got a good deal to say to them.”
”No; that won't do at all.”
”Why not? I know how to talk to them.”
He had frequently rehea.r.s.ed what he intended to say to the king and queen. He would let them know that he deserved something more for giving up his wife for so long a time.
Walpurga found it difficult to make him understand that it would not do to press the matter. Hansei was not inclined to give up the point, and was, moreover, ashamed of confessing to the innkeeper that he had not sat at the same table with their majesties, and that he had not even seen them.
Walpurga, who herself needed support, was now obliged to make a double effort in order to pacify Hansei, who threatened to become rude and troublesome.
”But I may see your prince? You still have a right to take me there?”
asked Hansei.
”Yes, yes,” replied Walpurga, ”that can be done.” She, too, was herself glad to have a chance to see the child once more, and this would furnish a good excuse. ”What matters it if Mademoiselle Kramer or Frau von Gerloff make sport of Hansei? Day after to-morrow all these people will be nothing to me, and I shall be nothing to them.” Her cheeks glowed with excitement, while she hurriedly led Hansei toward the prince's apartments. She was met at the door by Mademoiselle Kramer, who, when Walpurga stated her wish, answered:
”No; it can't be done. You must not go in again. Doctor Gunther is there and the child is crying and screaming terribly. Go; in G.o.d's name, go.”
Mademoiselle Kramer disappeared, closing the door after her. Walpurga heard the child cry, and was not allowed to go in and help it. She was shut out--thrust out of doors. Shame at the treatment she had received in Hansei's presence, and anger at these cruel, ungrateful people struggled within her. At last, she said:
”Come, Hansei; we mustn't demean ourselves.”
”Of course not,” said Hansei. ”It's plain enough that this is the way they treat folks when they have no further need for them.”
”Nor do we need them any more. Thank G.o.d, that's over,” said Walpurga.
She left the palace in an angry mood, and Hansei muttered to himself that he would thrash the first man he met on the way.
They returned to the inn where the chests had been left. They met Baum there, and Hansei again said: