"Yes, child, I heard; what of it?"
"Do you believe the forester will submit?"
"No, he dares not. His district is the most important of all for us; it is doubly important now in view of impending events. We must have a reliable man in charge there. The fools, to jeopardize the post just at this crisis!"
"We have lost it!" exclaimed Wanda, excitedly. "Waldemar will enforce obedience."
"He will not do so in this case," replied the princess. "The forester will yield only to superior force, and Waldemar will not resort to violence. Have we not just heard that he is going over alone?"
"You certainly will not permit it. Are you not going to Villica to warn him--to keep him back?"
The princess gazed at her niece in surprise. "What are you thinking of, Wanda?" she said. "A warning from me would betray everything to Waldemar, and he would at once perceive that the men obey me and not him. He would then absolutely insist upon the overseer's removal, which may yet be prevented,--and it shall be, cost what it may."
"Do you believe that your son will tolerate open disobedience? He has not done so as yet, I do not believe that he ever will. This overseer is a desperate man capable of anything, and I do not believe that his subordinates are any better."
"Waldemar knows his character," returned the princess, "and will be careful how he irritates him. He has perfect self-control, and will always maintain that attitude toward his subordinates."
"They hate him," said Wanda, with quivering lips. "One ball has already missed him, the second may fulfil its mission better."