"Uncle, you have no right to mock at my love," said Dagobert, somewhat dejectedly from behind his arm-chair--but the doctor was already outside the door, on his way to his sitting-room, whence he got his hat and cane.
"Hoar-frost of old age!" growled he. "Silly fellow! I'll teach him whether my heart is dead or not! You are to be surprised!" And so saying, at a rapid pace he set off for the Manor-house.
Leonie Friedberg sat at her desk, finishing a letter, when the doctor was announced; amazed she looked up:
"What, is that you, Doctor? I was just looking for Dagobert, he is generally so punctual."
"Dagobert is not coming to-day," answered Hagenbach shortly.
"Why not? Is he unwell?"
"No, but I have ordered him to stay at home--the accursed boy!"
"You are too hard upon the young man. You always treat him as though he were still a boy, although he is twenty years old!"
The doctor hardly listened to the fault found with him, but seated himself and continued wrathfully:
"A wretched tale he has gotten up again. I ought not to tell you, properly, but spare you the vexation. However, there is no help for it, you must learn about it."