Hagenbach bowed, recognizing the name and knowing that he had before him the brother of the deceased Countess Eckardstein. Stettin offered him his hand.
"You are treating my nephew, as I learn."
"I am, Herr von Stettin, being called in by the express desire of the family physician. My colleague did not want to undertake the responsibility alone."
"In that he did perfectly right. His report was so alarming that I determined to accompany Victor. The case is a serious one, is it not?"
"An inflammation of the lungs is always serious," answered the doctor evasively. "We must build upon the powerful constitution of the patient. We considered it a duty, at any rate, not to keep the Count in ignorance of the danger hanging over his brother."
"I thank you," said Victor with emotion. He looked pale and agitated, the thought of seeing that brother, from whom he had parted in anger, lying upon what was perhaps his death-bed, evidently oppressed him sorely. He kept silent, while Stettin asked the most particular questions, informed himself exactly as to the condition of his elder nephew. Out of doors in front of the railroad station stood an Eckardstein carriage, and the doctor took leave of the two gentlemen, promising to be at the Castle early the next morning. Then he went over to the "Golden Lamb" to bid his coachman prepare likewise for departure.
In the hall he once more met Runeck and Landsfeld, who had rid themselves of their comrades and were just inquiring of the host if he could not furnish them with a private room, as they wanted to confer about something.
This time Egbert bowed and paused hesitatingly, as though he were in doubt whether he should address the doctor or not. At the same time he cast an almost shy glance over at the steps where Landsfeld stood.
"Well?" asked he sharply, the word sounding more like a command than a summons.
That decided the matter. The young engineer defiantly threw back his head and stepped up to the physician.