So at last they descended the broken stair and disappeared into the house. When Greif was ready to go, and the carriage was before the door, Frau von Sigmundskron led him away from Hilda.
‘Let it be done soon,’ she said, earnestly.
‘The marriage?’ asked Greif in surprise.
‘No—the name. Let it be changed as soon as the lawyers can do it.’
‘I will see to it at once,’ he answered, wondering at her haste.
She saw the look of inquiry in his eyes and paused a moment, holding his hand in hers.
‘I have lived long without a son—give me one—and Sigmundskron has had no lord these eighteen years.’
‘I will not lose a day,’ he said. ‘And once more—I thank you with all my heart.’
He kissed her thin hand, and turned away to bid farewell to Hilda. A moment later the light carriage was whirling out through the castle gate. The two ladies watched until it was out of sight.
‘God bless you,’ said the mother solemnly, as though she were speaking to Greif. ‘God bless you and bring you back to be a son to me—no more Greifenstein, but Sigmundskron, you, and yours for ever, and ever! God bless you!’