Oscar made no further attempt at denial, but his eyes flashed with deadly hatred, as fiercely as though he would annihilate his accuser. It was not the accusation itself, which left him no way of escape whatever, but it was the tone of unutterable contempt in which it was made, that provoked the Baron to the utmost. All the pride and insolence of his nature revolted against it. He drew himself up to his full height. "And what object have you in saying all this to me? I have long known what I had to expect of you, and shall know how to defend myself. What signify threats? Why have you not dealt the blow long since?"
"Because I supposed that you would sooner or later leave Odensburg. Neither Eric's marriage nor his death gave you a right to make it your permanent home. Just yesterday I learned that you and Maia were betrothed, and you will understand well when I tell you that this engagement shall not be consummated. I forbid the banns."
"Really! And with what right?"
"With the right of an honest man, who will not consent to see the daughter of Eberhard Dernburg and his Odensburg become the spoil of a villain."
Wildenrod shrank back and his face became as livid as that of a corpse. "Be on your guard!" gasped he with half stifled voice, raising his fist as if to strike. "You will answer to me for this speech."
"That will I, but not in the way you mean," said Egbert, fixing his eye firmly upon him. "Such battles are only fought out in the courts of justice, where one renders an account only through witnesses and proofs.--Do not look so earnestly at that revolver, which hangs yonder above your desk, Baron von Wildenrod. I readily believe it to be loaded, but I am on my guard--at the first step you take in that direction, I shall cast myself upon you."
Oscar's eye had indeed turned to the revolver, and a crazy idea had darted into his mind, only, however, to be rejected instantly. What good would it do if he did shoot down his adversary? Stettin was bringing up the same accusation, Victor von Eckardstein likewise knew about it, and who knows how many more besides--the net was drawing its meshes about him from every side.
"I offer you one way out--the last," began Runeck again. "Leave Odensburg forever--this very day, for Maia shall not be called your betrothed a single hour longer. Whatever people may then guess, nobody will know the full truth, and your sister and Maia will be spared the worst. I shall say nothing, if you give me your word that you will go."
"No," said Wildenrod, with a composure that boded no good.
"Baron von Wildenrod----"