It was summer again. July had commenced, and in the hot, sun-parched days the forest mountains beckoned irresistibly with their cool shadows, and the green, airy splendor of their dales and heights.
Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased immediately before his death, and had not been permitted to live in for even one summer, had since then rested in solitude. But a few days ago the young widow had arrived there in company with her sister-in-law, Frau von Eschenhagen.
Adelaide had left the South German Residenz shortly after the death of her husband and returned home with her brother, who had hastened to her side at the news of her husband's death. Her short married life had lasted but eight months, and now the wife, not yet twenty years old, wore the widow's veil.
Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. The once absolute mistress of Burgsdorf had stood to her "either--or," and as Willibald proved just as obstinate, she had made her threat true, and had moved to town even during the first period of mourning for her brother.
But Frau von Eschenhagen deceived herself if she thought to gain her end by this last move. She had hoped that her son would not let it come to a real separation, but it was in vain that she let him feel the full bitterness of the separation. The young master had had full opportunity to prove that his newly awakened independence and love were not mere momentary feelings.
He tried everything to make his mother reconsider, but when he did not succeed, he showed a like stubbornness, and mother and son had not seen each other for months.
However, his engagement with Marietta had not been made public as yet. He believed he owed his former fiancée and her father too much respect to allow a second betrothal to follow too soon upon the heels of the first. Besides, Marietta was bound by contract to the theatre for fully six months, and as her betrothal was to remain a secret for the present, she could not obtain an earlier release. Only now had the young girl returned to her grandfather at Waldhofen, where Willibald was also expected.
Of course Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing about this or she would hardly have accepted the invitation which brought her into the neighborhood.
The day had been so warm and sunny that only late afternoon brought cooler air, but the road to Ostwalden was mostly shady, as it lay through the forests of Rodeck.
Two horsemen were now on this road; one in gray hunting jacket and hat--the Chief Forester, von Schonan; the other a slender, youthful form clad in a distinguished looking summer suit--Prince Adelsberg. They had met by chance and learned that both were bound for the same, destination.