"It was high time," said he, with evident satisfaction; "that Frank was growing to be a real danger. Unfortunately, we must still put up with him for a time. His contract stipulates for a notice of several months."
"It does; but the clause will not be insisted on. The steward has long been independent of his situation; it is even said he means to buy a place of his own. Besides this, he is a man of high spirit; one scene that hurt his pride, and he would go at once. I give you my word for it! That will not be difficult to obtain, now that he has once decided upon going. What, Leo, back from your walk already?"
The last words were addressed to the young Prince, who at that moment entered the room and came up to them.
"Wanda would not stay in the park any longer," he answered. "I was coming ... But perhaps I am interrupting a consultation?"
Count Morynski rose. "We have finished. I have just heard of your brother's expected arrival, and we were discussing the consequences, one of which will be that our present visit must be shortened. We shall remain to-morrow for the fête, but return next day to Rakowicz before Waldemar makes his appearance. He ought not, on coming home, to find us here as guests of his house."
"Why not?" asked the Princess, coolly. "On account of that old childish folly, do you mean? Pooh! who gives it a thought now? Certainly not Wanda! And Waldemar--well, in four years he has had time to get over the imagined insult! That his heart was not deeply involved in the matter we know through Leo, to whom but a week afterwards he declared that he had forgotten the whole affair. Our sojourn at Wilicza, too, is proof enough that he no longer attaches any importance to it. I consider it will be most judicious and show the best tact for us to ignore the matter altogether. If Wanda meets him without any embarrassment, in a cousinly way, he will hardly remember that he once cherished a romantic feeling for her."
"Perhaps it would be wisest," said the Count, as he turned to go. "At all events, I will talk it over with Wanda."
Leo, contrary to his habit, had taken no part in the conversation; and now that his uncle had left the room, he sat down in his place without speaking. He had looked agitated on his entrance, and there were still signs in his face of a perturbation he strove in vain to hide. His mother, at least, had remarked it at once.
"Your intended walk was soon over," she said, nonchalantly. "Where is Wanda?"
"In her room--or so I suppose."