The young wife of the Prussian Ambassador was a new star among the ladies present. Mourning for her father, who had died shortly after her marriage, had kept her from all festivities, and she entered to-day for the first time this brilliant circle, where the position of her husband assured her a prominent place, and where she was being treated by the Duke and Duchess with noticeable distinction.
The rising of this new star was noticed by the ladies, of course, with some displeasure. They found Frau von Wallmoden very haughty in her cool composure, and that she had very little occasion for such bearing; for, of course, they all knew that she was a born burgher, who did not properly belong in this circle, even if her father's wealth and his prominent position with the industries of the country gave her a certain distinction. Nevertheless, she moved upon the foreign soil with a strange ease--the husband must have schooled her well for this first appearance.
The gentlemen were of a different opinion. They found that His Excellency the Ambassador had proved his talent most strikingly in his own cause. He who already stood upon the border of old age had understood how to gain, with the hand of this young, beautiful wife, a fortune extensive enough in itself, but magnified by rumor into the immeasurable. For this he was envied on all sides.
Wallmoden did not seem at all surprised at the impression which the beauty and stateliness of his wife too apparently caused, but accepted it as something natural. He had expected nothing else; the contrary would have surprised him in the highest degree.
At present he was standing in a window recess with his brother-in-law, the Chief Forester, and after exchanging a few indifferent remarks about the fête and the guests, he asked casually: "What sort of person is that whom Prince Adelsberg has introduced? Do you know him?"
"You mean the young Roumanian?" said Schonan. "No; I see him to-day for the first time, but have heard of him before. He is the bosom friend of the Prince, whom he accompanied upon his Eastern travels, and a young man handsome as a picture--his eyes positively sparkle with fire."
"He impresses me as an adventurer," remarked Wallmoden coldly. "How does he happen to have an invitation? Has he been presented to the Duke?"
"Yes, at Rodeck, if I am not mistaken; the Duke was there recently. Prince Adelsberg loves to throw etiquette aside as much as possible. But this invitation to-day signifies no acceptance, since everybody has been asked."
The Ambassador shrugged his shoulders.
"Nevertheless, one should hesitate about bringing such elements near one before they come well recommended."