"Rare magnanimity!" repeated Schonan, laughing. "Well, yes, it might not happen often that the former fiancée and prospective father-in-law put in a good word for the recreant betrothed, so that he and his sweetheart may gain the maternal blessing. But for once we are thus superior in our frankness; and besides, both of us came to the conclusion that Willy, in fact, has only now become a sensible person, and this has been accomplished solely and alone by--yes, I cannot help it, Regine--by the little Marietta."
Frau von Eschenhagen frowned at this remark. She did not consider it best to answer it, but asked in a tone that plainly betrayed her wish to change the subject: "Has Toni returned? I learned through Adelaide that she had been at the Residenz, but was daily expected home."
The Chief Forester, who had accepted a seat in the meantime, leaned back comfortably in his chair.
"Yes, she returned yesterday, but with a second shadow, for she brought some one along, who she insists must and shall be her future husband, and he insists upon it likewise with such emphasis, that really nothing is left for me to do but to say Yes--Amen!"
"What! Toni engaged again?" asked Frau von Eschenhagen in surprise.
"Yes, but this time she managed it all by herself; I did not have an inkling of it. You will remember that she took it into her head at that time that she, too, wanted to be loved in a surpassing manner, and enjoy the usual romance of it. Herr Lieutenant von Waldorf seems to have attended to that. He has, as she told me with highest satisfaction, sunk on his knees before her, and declared he could not and would not live without her, while she gave him a similar touching assurance, and so forth. Yes, Regine, it will not do any longer to lead the children by the apron strings when they become of age. They imagine that marriage is solely their affair, and really they are not so far wrong about it."
The last remark sounded very suggestive, but Regine overlooked it completely. She repeated thoughtfully:
"Waldorf? the name is quite strange to me. Where did Toni get acquainted with the young officer?"
"He is my son's friend and he brought him home with him at his last visit. In consequence of that an acquaintance with his mother was begun, which ripened until she invited Toni to visit her some weeks, and there and then the falling in love and engagement took place. I have nothing to say against it. Waldorf is handsome, jolly, and in love up to his ears. He does seem to be a little volatile, but he will settle down when he gets a sensible wife. The model boys are not after my taste; they are the very worst when they do get wild, as we have seen in your Willy. Waldorf will get his discharge in the fall, for my daughter is not suited for a lieutenant's wife. I will buy an estate for the young couple, and the wedding will occur at Christmas."
"I am so glad for Toni's sake," said Frau von Eschenhagen, cordially. "You take a burden from my heart by this news."