"I know the danger of the way," answered Egbert, composedly, "and therefore do not challenge it."
"Danger? I did not think of that! You thought I would not dare to follow this path, or, at best give up and go back in five minutes. What say you now?"
She gave him a challenging glance,--now, at last, a word of admiration must come from those stern lips! But there came only the cool counter-question:
"Do they know of your expedition at Odensburg, noble lady?"
"Why, no!" cried the young lady laughing. "Then they would have confined me to the house or at least set a guard over my going out and coming in. I set off this morning betimes, while they were all asleep, slipped away secretly, had the horses hitched up and drove to Crownwood. From there the road can hardly be missed, and, you see I have found it."
"Alone? That was more than incautious! If you had made a false step, if you had fallen, no help was at hand and then----"
"Dear me? Do not you begin to preach at me," interrupted she impatiently. "I shall hear enough of lectures when I get back to Odensburg."
"I have neither the purpose nor the right to preach to you, Fräulein von Wildenrod, that is for Eric to do, if any one."
"And he is the very last from whom I would take it."
"What, not from your future husband?"