"On account of the chimneys?" asked Schonan dryly. "Stadinger thought that as the chimneys smoked last winter, he would like to have new ones built."
"What does Stadinger know about it?" cried Egon, vexed that his old "Waldgeist" had again gotten ahead of him with his most uncomfortable love for truth. "I have very grand plans for beautifying---- Ah, here we are!"
He started his horse into a quicker gait and the Chief Forester followed his example, for Ostwalden indeed lay before them.
The extensive changes with which the late Wallmoden had intended to convert Ostwalden into a splendid show place had not been made; but the old ivy-covered castle, with its two side turrets, and the shady, although somewhat neglected park, possessed a picturesque charm. It was understood that the present mistress intended neither changes nor a sale of the property, for to the heiress of the Stahlberg wealth a villa more or less was of no consequence.
Upon their arrival the gentlemen learned that Frau von Wallmoden was in the park; but Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The Prince allowed himself to be announced to the lady of the house, while the Chief Forester first looked up his sister-in-law, whom he had not seen since the previous winter. He went to her apartments and entered without more ado.
"Here I am," he announced in his usual unceremonious manner. "I don't need to be announced to my Frau sister, even if she seems to hold me at arm's length. Why did you not come along, Regine, when Adelaide drove to Furstenstein the day before yesterday? Of course, I do not believe the excuse which she brought me in your name, and have now come two hours' riding on horseback to ask for an explanation."
Regine offered him her hand. She had not changed outwardly in these six or seven months. She still bore the same strong, self-reliant appearance and decided way, but her former serenity and cheerfulness, which, in spite of her brusquerie, were so winning, had disappeared from her manner. If she never acknowledged it under any circumstances, it was plainly to be seen that she suffered because her only son grew strange to her--the son to whom once his mother's love and will had been all things.
"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she replied. "I know that you have retained the old friendship for me in spite of all that has been done to you and your daughter; but you ought to understand how embarrassing it is to me to visit Furstenstein again."
"On account of the dissolved engagement? You ought to be consoled about it at last. You were present and saw and heard how easily Toni took matters. She was decidedly better pleased with her rôle of 'guardian angel' than with that of fiancée; and she has tried several times to change your mind by her letters, just as I have; but we both have been unsuccessful."
"No; I know how to value your rare magnanimity."