"My brother succeeded in being allowed to send me word immediately. 'Keep it from father, it would be his death,' he wrote. I knew better than he did that our desperately ill father could not stand such news. But we were alone in a foreign country, without friends or acquaintances, and help had to be had instantly. In this extremity I thought of Herr von Wallmoden, who at the time was at the embassy at Florence. We had known him slightly before, and he had called directly after our arrival and placed himself at our command, should we need the help of the Ambassador. He had come to our house frequently, and now hastened to me immediately upon receiving my request. I told him all, and trusted him, beseeching his advice and help--and received it."
"At what price?" demanded the Colonel, with darkly contracted brows.
Adelaide shook her head.
"No, no; it is not as you think--as Eugene also believed. I was not forced. Herbert gave me free choice, although he did not hide from me that the occurrence was much worse than I feared; that those sums lost in play must, nevertheless, be paid if one wished to keep the affair from publicity; that, in spite of all, it might get into the courts, on account of the injury to the policeman. He explained to me that he might be brought into a wrong light if he mixed himself up in such affairs. 'You desire me to save your brother,' said he; 'perhaps I can do it, but I jeopardize my position--my whole future thereby. One makes such a sacrifice, perhaps, only for his own brother, or--his brother-in-law."
Falkenried arose suddenly and took a turn through the room. Then he stood still before the young wife and said, in angry tones: "And you, of course, believed that in your anxiety?"
"Do you mean that it was not so?" asked Adelaide, startled.
He shrugged his shoulders with a half-contemptuous expression.
"Possibly. I do not know these diplomatic reasons. I know only one thing; Wallmoden has, indeed, proved himself a great diplomat in the whole affair. What did you answer him?"
"I asked for time to think, everything had burst so upon me. But I knew, that no moment was to be lost, and that same evening I gave Herbert the right to act--for his brother-in-law."
"Of course," muttered the Colonel, with deep disdain; "the wise, shrewd Herbert!"