The request sounded like a demand, and this must have awakened Maia's pride. With a decided gesture of repulse, she drew back a step.
"No, Herr von Wildenrod. I'll not give up my blossoms."
A flash of angry surprise shot from the Baron's eyes: he had not believed the child capable of such decided opposition to his will, and it was precisely this that goaded him into having his way, at any price.
"Do you attach so great value to it?" he asked, with bitter scorn. "The Count seemed to do so too. Perhaps this 'pledge of peace' has some secret significance for you both?"
"A jest, nothing more! Victor is an old playmate----"
"And I am a stranger to you! Is that what you would say, Maia? I understand."
At these words, spoken with intense bitterness, the brown eyes were lifted to his in a shocked and pleading manner. "Oh, no, Herr Von Wildenrod, I did not mean that--Oh, certainly not."
"No? And yet you speak of 'Victor' and immediately grant him a renewal of the former familiar relations. I have been, and still am, nothing to you but 'Herr Von Wildenrod.' How often have I begged you to call me by my first name, just for once. I have never yet heard it from your lips."
Maia gave no reply, there she stood motionless, with glowing cheeks and downcast eyes; but still she felt the fervent glance that rested upon her.
"Is it so hard for you to give me a name, that the future family connection has nevertheless the right to claim? Is it really so hard? Well, I will be content to forego my claim when others are present, but now, that we are alone, I must and shall hear it ... Maia!"