The grim-looking man laughed a grim little laugh, as if satisfied with the audacity of the boy, and his grizzled mustache swept the soft cheek.
“I ride no further this morning; but this afternoon I shall go to Mulhausen. Wilt thou come with me?”
“Yes, uncle.”
Neither willing nor unwilling was the tone, and the answer appeared to dissatisfy the other, who said:
“‘Yes, uncle’—what does that mean? Dost thou not wish to go?”
“Oh, yes! I would as soon go as stay at home.”
“But the distance, Bruno,” here interposed the countess, in a low tone. “I am sure it is too far. He is not too strong.”
“Distance? Pooh! Hildegarde, I wonder at you; considering what stock you come of, you should be superior to such nonsense! Wert thou thinking of the distance, Sigmund?”
“Distance—no,” said he, indifferently.
“Come with me,” said the elder. “I want to show thee something.”