The Chief Forester found that his future son-in-law had changed much for the better during the short intervening time of his absence, and that he had become much more earnest and decided; and he remarked to his daughter with the highest satisfaction: "I believe that Willy is only now commencing to be human. One notices directly when his lady mamma is not standing commandingly at his side."
But Herr von Schonan did not have much time at his disposal to notice the engaged couple, as he was at present overwhelmed with official duties. The Duke had ordered several changes in the forest government to be made according to the suggestions of the Chief Forester, who was now zealously occupied in executing all of them.
He saw and heard daily that Antonie and Willy were on the best terms, so he left them mostly to themselves.
Meanwhile in the house of the doctor at Waldhofen care and anxiety had made their appearance. The sickness of the doctor, which at first had given no cause for fear, suddenly took a dangerous turn, which was augmented greatly by the age of the patient. He had called persistently for his granddaughter, and she had been telegraphed for. She had at once obtained leave of absence--her rôle in Arivana was filled by another--and she hastened without delay to Waldhofen.
Antonie showed a touching fidelity to her friend at this time. Day after day found her at the home of the Volkmars to console and cheer Marietta, who clung to her grandfather with her whole soul.
Willibald seemed to be likewise necessary at these consolations, for he accompanied Toni regularly, and the Chief Forester thought it quite natural that "the poor little thing" was being consoled and helped to the best of their ability, more especially as she had suffered so unmerited an insult in his house, for which he could not to this day forgive his sister-in-law.
Finally, after three long, sorrowful days and nights, the doctor's strong constitution conquered; the danger was passed, and hopes of a full recovery were entertained.
Herr von Schonan, who was cordially attached to the doctor, was heartily glad of it, and so everything seemed to have come into the best of order.
But threatening weather arose from the north. Without a word of warning Frau von Eschenhagen suddenly appeared at Furstenstein. She had not taken time to stop in town where her brother lived, but came directly from Burgsdorf, and burst like a hurricane upon her brother-in-law, who sat in his room very comfortably reading the paper.
"All good spirits--is it you, Regine?" he cried, amazed. "This is what I call a surprise; you ought to have sent us word."