"It was certainly a strange scene which I had to look upon. Will you be so good as to explain what it really meant? That little thing actually glared with anger and said the most impertinent things to your face, and you stood there like a sheep, without defending yourself."
"Because she was right," murmured Willibald, still looking at the roses.
"She was what?" demanded the mother, who could not believe that she had heard aright.
The young lord raised his head and looked at her. He had a peculiar expression on his face.
"She was right, I say, mamma. It is true, you have treated me like a schoolboy. I ought not to have submitted to it."
"Boy, I believe you are not in your senses," said Frau Regine, but Willibald started in irritation:
"I am no boy. I am lord of Burgsdorf and twenty-seven years old. You forget that always, mamma, and I have forgotten it always--but now I recall it."
Frau von Eschenhagen looked with boundless astonishment at her hitherto obedient son, who was now suddenly making resistance.
"I actually believe you would like to be rebellious, my boy. Do not try; you know I will not permit it. What possesses you suddenly to be so arbitrary? While I try to end a highly improper intercourse and put aside this Marietta, you go and, behind my back, actually offer an apology for it--even offer her the roses which you had intended for your betrothed. Although I do not know how you came to do it, it is the first time in your life--but Toni will not thank you for it. It served you right that the little witch crushed them. You will leave such foolishness alone in the future."
She scolded him in the usual tone without taking any notice of his rebellion, but Willibald took it wrongly this time. He who had but ten minutes before hidden the flowers in his pocket with fear now had a touch of heroism. Instead of leaving his mother in her belief and hushing the dangerous storm, he positively challenged it.