He opened wide his arms and Hartmut fell upon his breast.
All that had stood between them was buried in this embrace. The old glowing love burst forth powerfully again for the last time, for both felt that they would not meet again--that this was a final farewell.
Scarce fifteen minutes later a horseman dashed away; the slender Arab flying so that his hoof seemed not to touch the ground. In furious gallop he flew along over the snow through ice-covered forests, over frozen brooks on and on into the mountain passes!
CHAPTER LVII.
The next day brought clear, frosty weather, but the sun shone brightly and the cold had somewhat abated.
In Prince Adelsberg's quarters were Eugene Stahlberg and Waldorf, the latter being off duty today on account of a fall upon the ice, resulting in an injury to his hand, which prevented him from marching with his company as Egon had done.
The gentlemen were awaiting their princely comrade, who was expected soon, and entertained themselves in the meantime by teasing Peter Stadinger, who had, as in duty bound, appeared at his young master's this morning, and who also awaited him now.
The young officers knew nothing as yet of the news which had been obtained at headquarters yesterday, and were in the best of spirits--taking all possible pains to call forth in Stadinger the far-famed churlishness. But it was not successful today. The old man remained laconic and reticent. He would only repeat his question: When would His Highness return? and if it would be a serious skirmish to which His Highness had marched? until finally Waldorf lost all patience.
"Stadinger, I believe you would like best to pack up your Prince and take him back with you to your Rodeck, which is safe from bombs," he asserted. "You must get over this anxiety in the war--remember that."
"And, besides, the Prince has only marched out to reconnoitre," added Eugene. "He is just taking a little walk with his people from the Capellenberg into the neighboring dales and ravines, to ascertain how it really looks there. They will probably exchange a few compliments with the French gentlemen, and then retreat politely; the more impolite attacks will follow in a few days."