"I have decided, that the young people are to see how they can best settle things for themselves!"
"That is an abominable decision!"
"It is necessary."
"Not for me! I shall speak to the young lady."
"You will not do so if you value my advice ever so little. Moreover, if you felt so sure of this, why did you not do so yesterday?"
"Because I require your co-operation."
"Which I refuse!"
They were talking excitedly, almost vehemently now. Then, there was a pause, a very uncomfortable one for Bertram, although he said to himself that discord between the two ought to be welcome to him. He had closely watched Erna and Ringberg. At dinner, where they had been seated almost directly opposite to each other, they had not exchanged a single word; and just now, whilst Erna had followed the other young ladies into the garden, Ringberg had remained on the verandah and had subsequently gone into the billiard-room. As Erna was so very proud, a meeting of the two seemed difficult, almost impossible, without kind and skilful mediation, and there would be little time or opportunity for it now. To-morrow the regiment was again to leave its quarters. They would again be separated for long--for ever, if he chose to avail himself of the influence which he doubtless had over Erna; and if he could only bring into play something of the robust egotism, with which the handsome soldier by his side was smoothing his own way to rank and unlimited riches.
"Then I only know one way to achieve our object," the Princess said at last, speaking somewhat huskily.
"I knew you would find something," said Waldor; "but what is it?"