At first her anger burst forth at the unbearably haughty Frau von Wallmoden, who boasted of her father's burgher pride, while she had married a Baron from vanity, for she could not possibly feel any affection for a man old enough to be her father. Egon was silent as to that, for he had already put the same question to himself, How had this unequal match come to take place? without finding an answer to it; but his silence was now an offence.
"Well, Egon, have you nothing to say? But you seem to have sworn allegiance to this lady; you have been constantly at her side."
"I do homage to beauty wherever I meet it; you know that, most gracious aunt," expostulated the Prince. But alas! he only called forth another storm.
"Yes, alas! I know that. In this respect you are of incomprehensible heedlessness. Perhaps you do not remember all my admonishings and warnings before your departure?"
"Ah, only too well," sighed Egon, who even now felt quite stifled with the remembrance of the endless lecture which he had had to endure at that time.
"Really? But you have not returned any more sensible or sedate. I have heard things---- Egon, there is only one salvation for you--you must marry."
"For heaven's sake, anything but that!" Egon started up so terrified that Princess Sophie opened her fan indignantly.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked in cutting tones.
"Oh, only my un worthiness to enter into that state. Your Highness yourself have often assured me that I was particularly fitted to make a wife unhappy."
"If the wife does not succeed in bettering you, of course. I do not despair yet of that. But this is not the place to speak of such things. The Duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, and I intend to accompany her."