The young prince breathed more freely; and an uncomfortable, suspicious feeling was set at rest for the moment.
"Now I understand your interest and sympathy," he responded. "Colonel Falkenried is to be pitied indeed."
"Why he?" inquired Adelheid, struck by the hard tone. "And how about your friend?"
"I have no friend. I have lost him," cried Egon with a passionate burst. "What he told me two days ago made a break between us, but what I have since heard has parted us forever."
"You judge a seventeen year old boy—he could not have been much older—very severely."
There was deep reproof in Adelheid's voice as she spoke, but the prince shook his head passionately.
"I'm not speaking of his flight, or his broken word, though they were both bad enough, considering he was an officer's son, but what I learned yesterday—I see, my dear madam, you do not know the worst. How should you? I should not have spoken."
"I beg your highness," began Adelheid again, "to tell me the truth. You say that Rojanow has come back to enter the army. I am not surprised. I expected it, for it was the only thing left for him to do to expiate his old fault. Does he march beneath our colors yet?"
"So far he has not been able to gain admission, and I have been saved a fearful responsibility," said Egon, with intense bitterness. "He endeavored to get into several regiments but was refused every time."
"Refused? And why?"