"My child, when one has gone through such things as Hartmut has, all pleasure in festivities is lost," said Frau Eschenhagen, gravely. "And, besides, he has not fully recuperated yet. You saw how pale he was at the wedding. Adelaide's first marriage was, indeed, celebrated with more pomp. Her father insisted upon it, in spite of his low state of health, and the bride was really a queenly, if cold, apparition in her satin train and her laces and diamonds. But, truly, she looked different when she drew near the altar with her Hartmut, in the simple white silk dress and the dainty veil. I never in my life saw her so lovely. Poor Herbert! He never possessed the love of his wife."
"But how could one love such an old Excellency in his diplomatic frock coat? I could not have done it, either," said Marietta, pertly.
But she had touched a weak point; her mother-in-law held the remembrance of her brother in high esteem.
"The necessity would never have come to you," she remarked, with pique. "A man like Herbert von Wallmoden would hardly have wooed you--you little saucy----"
But she got no further, for the saucy little sprite already hung around her neck coaxingly.
"Please don't get angry, mamma. How can I help it that my most undiplomatic Willy is dearer to me than all the Excellencies in the whole world, and he is that to you, too; eh, mamma?"
"You little flatterer!" Regine tried in vain to keep up her severe mien. "You know very well that nobody can get angry with you. A regime will now probably commence here at Burgsdorf which has had no precedent. Willy is ashamed before me now, but after I am gone, he will surrender to you upon grace or displeasure."
"Mamma, do you still cling to that idea?" asked Willibald, reproachfully. "Will you go now, when everything is love and peace between us?"
"Just because of that I shall go, so that it may remain. Do not oppose it, my son. I have to be first where I live and work. You want to be that now; therefore it is best we are not together; and your little princess must not get angry about it. We have heretofore had great anxiety about you, and people do not quarrel when they have to tremble anew each day for husband and son. But that is over now, and I am still too much of the old kind to fit myself to your youth. Do whatever you like, but things must go as I like in my house, and therefore I go."
She turned and went into the house, while the young lord looked after her with a half-suppressed sigh.