"That's hard, mamma; you know how I love you, and how you hurt me with your going away; but if you really are so cruel as to force me to choose, well then"--he straightened himself with decision--"then I choose my betrothed."
"Bravo!" cried the Chief Forester, forgetting entirely that he was one of the offended ones. "Willy, I feel like Toni. I begin only now to really like you. I am positively sorry now that you will not be my son-in-law."
Frau von Eschenhagen had not expected such a turn of affairs. She had trusted in her old power, which she now saw fall into fragments, but she was not the woman to give in. She would not have bent her obstinate will even if her life had depended upon it.
"Good! then we have finished with each other," she said curtly, and turned to go without heeding her brother-in-law, who followed her, trying to pacify her; but before they reached the door it was opened and a servant entered with a hasty announcement:
"The steward of Rodeck is outside and begs----"
"I have no time now," stormed the impulsive Schonan. "Tell Stadinger I cannot speak with him at present. I have important family affairs----"
He did not finish, for Stadinger already stood upon the threshold, having followed the servant closely, and said in a peculiarly suppressed tone: "I come about a family affair also, Herr Chief Forester, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak to you immediately."
"But what is it?" asked Schonan, mystified. "Has something happened? The Prince is not at Rodeck so far as I know."
"No, mein Herr. His Highness is in town, but Herr Rojanow is there and sends me. He begs you and Herr von Eschenhagen to come to Rodeck immediately, and you, gracious lady"--he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, whom he knew from her former visits to Furstenstein--"you would do well to come likewise."
"But why? What has happened?" cried Schonan, now really disturbed.