CHAPTER XLIV.
It was summer again. July had commenced, and in the hot, sun-parched days the forest mountains beckoned irresistibly with their cool shadows, and the green, airy splendor of their dales and heights.
Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased immediately before his death, and had not been permitted to live in for even one summer, had since then rested in solitude. But a few days ago the young widow had arrived there in company with her sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen.
Adelaide had left the South German Residenz shortly after the death of her husband and returned home with her brother, who had hastened to her side at the news of her husband's death. Her short married life had lasted but eight months, and now the wife, not yet twenty years old, wore the widow's veil.
Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. The once absolute mistress of Burgsdorf had stood to her "either--or," and as Willibald proved just as obstinate, she had made her threat true, and had moved to town even during the first period of mourning for her brother.
But Frau von Eschenhagen deceived herself if she thought to gain her end by this last move. She had hoped that her son would not let it come to a real separation, but it was in vain that she let him feel the full bitterness of the separation. The young master had had full opportunity to prove that his newly awakened independence and love were not mere momentary feelings.
He tried everything to make his mother reconsider, but when he did not succeed, he showed a like stubbornness, and mother and son had not seen each other for months.
However, his engagement with Marietta had not been made public as yet. He believed he owed his former fiancée and her father too much respect to allow a second betrothal to follow too soon upon the heels of the first. Besides, Marietta was bound by contract to the theatre for fully six months, and as her betrothal was to remain a secret for the present, she could not obtain an earlier release. Only now had the young girl returned to her grandfather at Waldhofen, where Willibald was also expected.
Of course Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing about this or she would hardly have accepted the invitation which brought her into the neighborhood.
The day had been so warm and sunny that only late afternoon brought cooler air, but the road to Ostwalden was mostly shady, as it lay through the forests of Rodeck.
Two horsemen were now on this road; one in gray hunting jacket and hat--the Chief Forester, von Schonan; the other a slender, youthful form clad in a distinguished looking summer suit--Prince Adelsberg. They had met by chance and learned that both were bound for the same, destination.
"I should not have dreamed of meeting you here, Your Highness," said Schonan. "It was said that you would not visit Rodeck at all this summer, and Stadinger, with whom I spoke the day before yesterday, did not know a syllable of your near arrival."
"No; and he cried Ach! and Weh! when I fell upon the house so unexpectedly," replied Egon. "It would not have needed much to make him show me from my own door, because I followed my dispatch instantly, and nothing was prepared for me. But the heat at Ostend was well-nigh unbearable. I could not stand the glowing sands of the beach any longer, and was overcome by an irrepressible longing for my cool, quiet forest nook. God be thanked that I have gotten away from the heat and fuss of a watering place!"
His Highness was pleased not to tell the truth in this case. He had hastened here from the beach of the North Sea to enjoy a certain "neighborhood" of which he happened to hear. Stadinger had mentioned in a report, in which he asked for permission to make some changes at Rodeck, that these same arrangements had already been made at Ostwalden, where Frau von Wallmoden dwelt at present.
To his surprise, instead of the expected permission, his young master arrived in person after three days. The Prince had not known anything better after this news than to throw over all his summer plans.
The Chief Forester did not seem to believe the pretext, for he remarked somewhat sarcastically: "It surprises me, indeed then, that our Court stays at Ostend so long. The Duke and Duchess are there; also Princess Sophie, with a niece--a relative of her late husband, I hear."
"Yes, a niece." Egon turned suddenly and looked at the speaker. "Herr Chief Forester, you, too, want to deliver congratulations to me--I see it in your face--but if you do that I shall challenge you instantly here in the midst of the forest."
"Well, Your Highness, I do not intend to bring a duel upon myself," laughed Schonan, "but the newspapers already speak quite openly of an approaching or already consummated engagement, which suits the wishes of the princely ladies."
"My most gracious aunts wish many things," said Egon coolly. "Their most obedient nephew, though, is often of a different opinion, alas; and it has been the case this time also. I went to Ostend upon the invitation of the Duke, which I could not refuse, but the air did not agree with me at all, and I cannot risk my health so recklessly. I felt the first symptoms of sunstroke, which would certainly have taken me off, so I decided, then, in good time----"
"To take yourself off," finished Schonan. "This is like Your Highness, but now you can count upon a three-fold displeasure."
"Possibly. I shall bear it in solitude and self-banishment. I intend, besides"--here the young Prince drew a very solemn face--"to give all my attention this summer to my estates--especially Rodeck. A change in the building shall be made there--Stadinger has already written me about it, but I considered a personal surveillance necessary."
"On account of the chimneys?" asked Schonan dryly. "Stadinger thought that as the chimneys smoked last winter, he would like to have new ones built."
"What does Stadinger know about it?" cried Egon, vexed that his old "Waldgeist" had again gotten ahead of him with his most uncomfortable love for truth. "I have very grand plans for beautifying---- Ah, here we are!"
He started his horse into a quicker gait and the Chief Forester followed his example, for Ostwalden indeed lay before them.
The extensive changes with which the late Wallmoden had intended to convert Ostwalden into a splendid show place had not been made; but the old ivy-covered castle, with its two side turrets, and the shady, although somewhat neglected park, possessed a picturesque charm. It was understood that the present mistress intended neither changes nor a sale of the property, for to the heiress of the Stahlberg wealth a villa more or less was of no consequence.
Upon their arrival the gentlemen learned that Frau von Wallmoden was in the park; but Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The Prince allowed himself to be announced to the lady of the house, while the Chief Forester first looked up his sister-in-law, whom he had not seen since the previous winter. He went to her apartments and entered without more ado.
"Here I am," he announced in his usual unceremonious manner. "I don't need to be announced to my Frau sister, even if she seems to hold me at arm's length. Why did you not come along, Regine, when Adelaide drove to Furstenstein the day before yesterday? Of course, I do not believe the excuse which she brought me in your name, and have now come two hours' riding on horseback to ask for an explanation."
Regine offered him her hand. She had not changed outwardly in these six or seven months. She still bore the same strong, self-reliant appearance and decided way, but her former serenity and cheerfulness, which, in spite of her brusquerie, were so winning, had disappeared from her manner. If she never acknowledged it under any circumstances, it was plainly to be seen that she suffered because her only son grew strange to her--the son to whom once his mother's love and will had been all things.
"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she replied. "I know that you have retained the old friendship for me in spite of all that has been done to you and your daughter; but you ought to understand how embarrassing it is to me to visit Furstenstein again."
"On account of the dissolved engagement? You ought to be consoled about it at last. You were present and saw and heard how easily Toni took matters. She was decidedly better pleased with her rôle of 'guardian angel' than with that of fiancée; and she has tried several times to change your mind by her letters, just as I have; but we both have been unsuccessful."
"No; I know how to value your rare magnanimity."
"Rare magnanimity!" repeated Schonan, laughing. "Well, yes, it might not happen often that the former fiancée and prospective father-in-law put in a good word for the recreant betrothed, so that he and his sweetheart may gain the maternal blessing. But for once we are thus superior in our frankness; and besides, both of us came to the conclusion that Willy, in fact, has only now become a sensible person, and this has been accomplished solely and alone by--yes, I cannot help it, Regine--by the little Marietta."
Frau von Eschenhagen frowned at this remark. She did not consider it best to answer it, but asked in a tone that plainly betrayed her wish to change the subject: "Has Toni returned? I learned through Adelaide that she had been at the Residenz, but was daily expected home."
The Chief Forester, who had accepted a seat in the meantime, leaned back comfortably in his chair.
"Yes, she returned yesterday, but with a second shadow, for she brought some one along, who she insists must and shall be her future husband, and he insists upon it likewise with such emphasis, that really nothing is left for me to do but to say Yes--Amen!"
"What! Toni engaged again?" asked Frau von Eschenhagen in surprise.
"Yes, but this time she managed it all by herself; I did not have an inkling of it. You will remember that she took it into her head at that time that she, too, wanted to be loved in a surpassing manner, and enjoy the usual romance of it. Herr Lieutenant von Waldorf seems to have attended to that. He has, as she told me with highest satisfaction, sunk on his knees before her, and declared he could not and would not live without her, while she gave him a similar touching assurance, and so forth. Yes, Regine, it will not do any longer to lead the children by the apron strings when they become of age. They imagine that marriage is solely their affair, and really they are not so far wrong about it."
The last remark sounded very suggestive, but Regine overlooked it completely. She repeated thoughtfully:
"Waldorf? the name is quite strange to me. Where did Toni get acquainted with the young officer?"
"He is my son's friend and he brought him home with him at his last visit. In consequence of that an acquaintance with his mother was begun, which ripened until she invited Toni to visit her some weeks, and there and then the falling in love and engagement took place. I have nothing to say against it. Waldorf is handsome, jolly, and in love up to his ears. He does seem to be a little volatile, but he will settle down when he gets a sensible wife. The model boys are not after my taste; they are the very worst when they do get wild, as we have seen in your Willy. Waldorf will get his discharge in the fall, for my daughter is not suited for a lieutenant's wife. I will buy an estate for the young couple, and the wedding will occur at Christmas."
"I am so glad for Toni's sake," said Frau von Eschenhagen, cordially. "You take a burden from my heart by this news."
"I am glad, too," nodded the Chief Forester, "but now you ought to follow my example and take a burden from the hearts of a certain other couple. Be reasonable, Regine, and give in! The little Marietta has remained true, although she was on the stage. Everybody praises her blameless conduct. You do not need to be ashamed of your daughter-in-law."
Regine arose suddenly and pushed her chair back.
"I beg you once for all, Moritz, to spare me such requests. I shall stand firm at my word. Willibald knows the condition under which alone I will return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfil it--the separation remains."
"He knows better," said Schonan dryly, "than to give up his bride-elect and marriage solely because she does not suit his Frau mamma. Such conditions are never fulfilled."
"You express yourself very amiably indeed," returned Frau von Eschenhagen angrily. "Of course, what do you know of the love and anxiety of a mother, or of the gratitude her children owe her? All of you are ungrateful, inconsiderate, selfish----"
"Oho! I beg you, in the name of my sex, to refrain from such vituperations," interrupted the Chief Forester hotly; but suddenly he reconsidered and said: "We have not seen each other for seven months, Regine; we really ought not to quarrel the first day again--we can do that later on. Let us therefore leave your refractory son alone for the present, and speak of ourselves. How do you like it in town? You do not exactly look so very well satisfied."
"I am exceptionally satisfied," declared Regine with great decision. "What I need only is work. I am not used to idleness."
"Then create work for yourself. It rests solely with you to again step to the head of a large household."
"Are you commencing again----"
"I did not mean Burgsdorf this time," said Schonan, playing with his riding whip. "I only meant--you sit all alone in town, and I shall sit all alone at Furstenstein when Toni marries--that is very tiresome! How would it be--well, I have already explained it to you once before, but you did not want me then. Perhaps you have bethought yourself better now. How would it be if we should make the third couple at this double wedding?"
Frau von Eschenhagen looked gloomily to the floor and shook her head.
"No, Moritz. I feel less like marrying now than ever."
"Already a 'No' again!" shouted the Chief Forester wrathfully. "Is this a second refusal you give me? At first you did not want me because your son and your beloved Burgsdorf had grown too near your heart, and now when you see that both get along very well without you, you do not want me because you do not 'feel like it.' Feeling does not belong to marrying, anyhow only some sense is wanted; but if one is unreasonableness and obstinacy personified----"
"You woo me in a very flattering manner, indeed," interrupted Regine, now wrathful also. "It would be an exceedingly peaceful marriage if you act like this as a suitor."
"It would not be peaceful, but neither would it be tiresome," declared Schonan. "I believe we could both stand it. Once more, Regine, do you want me or do you not want me?"
"No; I do not care to 'stand' a married life."
"Then let it alone!" cried the Chief Forester furiously, jumping up and snatching his hat. "If it gives you so much pleasure to say 'No' forever, then say it. But Willy will marry in spite of you, and he is right; and now I shall be the best man at the wedding just to spite you."
With which he rushed off, quite beside himself at this second jilting, and Frau von Eschenhagen remained behind in a similar frame of mind. They had really quarrelled again at the first Wiedersehen, and even the second refusal could not be left out of this friendly habit.