The two young cuirassier officers rushed in to announce that the train was in sight. When they saw the baron they appeared suddenly abashed. They waited awkwardly till he offered them his hand, and then seized it with somewhat excessive warmth. But Kletzingk was far from paying heed to their manners. It was with an effort that he roused himself sufficiently to bid the old lady and gentleman a courteous farewell.
"I hope Sellenthin will speak to us," called Frau von Stolt after him.
He did not hear. With his long stork-like steps he hurried on to the platform. His breast heaved, and the veins started out in knots on his wide arched temples. He stood there with his clenched fist pressed to his left side, and stared with frightened eyes at the incoming train.
"Uli!" cried a resonant voice in jubilation echoing along the platform, and a blond head was thrust out of one of the carriage windows. Beneath the yellow hair were cheeks tanned to copper hue, a pair of merrily twinkling eyes, and a long flowing beard which the draught from the train swept backwards like a besom.
Frau von Stolt caught hold of her husband's arm. "He has not improved in looks," said she.
"Grown rather wild," he assented.
Four eye-glasses were directed with breathless attention to the two friends as they flew into each other's embrace.
"It was wise of him, after all, to wait till the grass had grown over that affair," went on Frau Malwine.
But Herr von Stolt, as sceptical well-wisher, reserved his opinion. He let his eye-glass fall, made a grimace, and merely muttered--
"Unsavoury story; unsavoury story!"