"Heavens, what an idea!" cried Wildenrod, shocked, and at the same time dazzled by the unsuspected prospect that opened up before him. "You are not seriously thinking of retiring?"
"For the present--no!" said Dernburg, straightening himself up. "I have never yet avoided a battle when forced upon me, and shall fight this one through also."
"And depend upon me to stand by you!" said Oscar, offering him his hand. "But one thing more: the director seems to dread lest there be disturbances at the works to-day, when it comes to paying off and discharging the offenders. The necessary measures have been taken, indeed, but I place myself at your disposal, if the authority of the officers should not prove adequate. You yourself should not appear in person. You owe it to yourself and your station not to expose yourself to insults that, from words, might extend to acts. Leave that to me!"
An infinitely bitter smile played about Dernburg's lips, but he made a gesture of dissent.
"I thank you, Oscar. Of your courage I have never had a doubt, but in such affairs I allow no one to represent me. But you shall have your place by my side. People shall see and know that I concede to you the rights of a son. I no longer make any secret of that."
The two men again shook hands warmly, then Wildenrod went. In the ante-room, a servant came forward with this announcement:
"Baron von Wildenrod, you will find upon your desk a note from Castle Eckardstein, which came about a half hour ago. We did not dare to disturb you, and the messenger was not to wait for an answer."
"It is well," said the Baron, abstractedly. He had other things on his mind now--that expression which had been dropped just now, Dernburg's hint, that he might possibly give up the management of Odensburg very shortly. Had this been nothing but an ebullition of anger, a passing whim, that one was not to take in earnest? No, the man was cut to the quick; if he was actually forced into a prolonged battle with his workmen, it was likely, yea, certain, that he would put that thought into action,--and Oscar von Wildenrod would step into his place. Was it indeed true that the hotly contested goal was so close at hand? Oscar's eyes flashed. Oh, he would have no sentimental scruples like his future father-in-law--that rebellious Odensburg should learn to know its new master, this he vowed to himself.
Not until he entered his own room and saw the note lying on his desk, did he recall the servant's message, and with some surprise he picked up the communication. From Castle Eckardstein? What could they have to say to him from there? The new proprietor knew, or at all events suspected, who had stood in the way of his acceptance with Maia, and surely would not make the attempt to renew neighborly relations.
Oscar broke open the seal, ran his eye over the first lines and stopped. Quickly he turned the page over, looked at the signature, and turned pale. "Frederick von Stettin!" he murmured. "What evil spirit leads him to Eckardstein, and what does he want of me?"