Egon was evidently of the same opinion as he narrated the proceeding to his friend, and concluded with comic despair: "Now you can imagine what a reception will be mine from the most ill.u.s.trious aunt. She has guessed that I wished to keep her away from Rodeck. My morals are rescued in her eyes, but at the expense of my veracity. Hartmut, do me the favor of showering your sweetest affability upon my revered aunt.

If necessary, compose a poem for her as a lightning rod; otherwise the flash of her most high anger will annihilate me."

"Well, I should think you were weather-proof in this respect," quoth Hartmut. "You have had to have forgiveness for many similar escapades.

The d.u.c.h.ess and the younger ladies will be at the chase on horseback, will they not?"

"Yes, they could not see much from a carriage. Do you know that Frau von Wallmoden sits her horse perfectly. I met her the day before yesterday as she returned from a ride with her brother-in-law, the Chief Forester."

"Ah, so? Well, one knows, then, where Prince Adelsberg will be to-day exclusively."

Egon, who had been reclining comfortably, straightened himself and looked at his friend inquiringly.

"Not so much sarcasm, if you please. Although you are not to be found so frequently in the presence of the afore-mentioned lady, and even pretend a certain coldness toward her, I know you too well not to see that we are only too much of the same opinion."

"And if it were so, would you consider it a break in our friendship?"

"Not in this case, where the object is un.o.btainable to both."

"Un.o.btainable!" That unpleasant smile again pa.s.sed over his lips.

"Yes, Hartmut," said the Prince, seriously, "the beautiful, cold Aurora, as you have christened her, remains true to her nature. She stands far removed and unapproachable on the horizon, and the ice sea from which she rises is not to be penetrated. The lady has no heart; she is incapable of a pa.s.sionate feeling, and this gives her this enviable security. Come, confess that here your power is wrecked. The icy breath has chilled you, and therefore you flee from it."

Hartmut was silent. He thought of those moments in the tower room, when he asked for the brilliant flower. It had been refused him, but it had not been an icy breath which came from the Baroness when she had trembled under the gaze of the beseecher.

He had since seen her almost daily, but had rarely approached her, although he knew that he held her under his spell now as before.

"Nevertheless, I cannot get free from this foolish infatuation,"

continued Egon, with a half dreamy expression. "It seems to me that life and warmth could grow up in that nature, and change the snow region into a blooming world. If Adelaide von Wallmoden were still free, I believe I should make the attempt."

Rojanow, who had been gazing into the misty forest, lost in thought, turned quickly and sharply:

"What attempt? Does that perhaps mean that you would offer her your hand?"

"You seem really horror-stricken at the idea." The Prince laughed aloud. "I meant that, indeed. I have no prejudice against the manufacturing world, like my most gracious aunt, whom such a possibility would indeed throw into convulsions. Strange to say, you seem to think so, too. Well, both of you may rest easy. His Excellency, the husband, has seized the prize; but he truly does not make a life of roses for her with his tiresome diplomatic face. Ah! but the man has had enviable good luck."

"Call no man happy before his death," muttered Hartmut under his breath.

"A very wise remark, and one not quite new to me. But you sometimes have something in your eyes which frightens me. Do not be offended, Hartmut; but you look like a demon at this moment."

Rojanow made no answer.

The road now left the forest, and yonder Furstenstein rose into view, where the ducal colors floated in the morning breeze. Half an hour later the carriage rolled into the castle court, where an animated scene reigned.

The entire force of servants was at hand; saddle horses and carriages were ready, and the greater number of invited guests had already arrived.

The start took place at the appointed hour, and the bright light of the sun, breaking through the mist, shone resplendent on the imposing cavalcade as it moved down the Schlossberg.

The Duke and d.u.c.h.ess led the party; then followed the numerous suite and the whole a.s.sembly of guests, and the grooms in full livery who were permitted to go.

Out through the sunny autumn morning into the forests and heights of the hunting preserves, where it soon became lively. Firing resounded on all sides; the flying game broke through the thickets or sped across the openings, now alone and now in droves, only to be reached finally by a ball; and the usually quiet forest gave back the echo of the chase.

The Chief Forester had ordered out the entire forester staff of the Wald, and had made all arrangements so excellently that it brought him great honor to lead the chase, which was not marred by any accident.

Toward noon a rendezvous was held at Bucheneck, a small ducal forest lodge situated in the midst of the Wald, and which could afford shelter in case of unfavorable weather. This was not necessary to-day, for the weather had turned out to be fine, only a little too warm for an October day. The sun burned so hotly as to render it unpleasant at luncheon, which was partaken of out of doors; but otherwise all pa.s.sed off happily and unceremoniously, and a gay scene developed upon the large green meadow, at the border of which Bucheneck was situated.

The entire hunting cortege was a.s.sembled here. The Duke, who had been especially fortunate in the chase to-day, was in the very best of spirits. The d.u.c.h.ess chatted with animation to her surrounding ladies, and the Chief Forester beamed with pleasure, for the Duke had expressed his satisfaction in the most flattering manner.

Frau von Wallmoden, who was near the d.u.c.h.ess, was the subject of general admiration to-day. She was, without doubt, the most beautiful of all the a.s.sembled ladies, nearly all of whom needed rich dressing and candle-light to bring out their beauty. Here, in the bright, midday sun, in plain, dark riding habits, which permitted no colors or jewels, many an otherwise admired appearance faded. The young Baroness alone remained victorious in this simplicity. Her tall, slender figure looked as if formed for her habit, while the transparent clearness and freshness of her skin, and the shining blondness of her hair were even more to be admired in daylight than at the night fete. Besides, she had really proved herself an able horsewoman, who sat in the saddle with as much ease as security; in short, the "beautiful Aurora," as Frau von Wallmoden was now called in the court circle since Prince Adelsberg had given her that name, was admired on all sides, and received the more attention as it was known that she was to disappear for several weeks.

The Amba.s.sador had notified his wife yesterday that his diplomatic work was now finished, but that he would utilize his presence in North Germany in looking after the Stahlberg works.

Important changes had been planned there, and new improvements spoken of, for which a final decision had to be made, and Wallmoden, as executor and guardian of the heir, had the deciding voice in it. His presence at the conference was indispensable; he had asked leave of absence from his office, and had notified the Duke of a return later.

At the same time he left it to his wife to decide whether she would remain at Furstenstein or take the trip to her old home with him, if she wished to see her brother. Now, after fully two weeks, no one could misconstrue her departure. The young wife had immediately chosen to go with her husband, and had notified the d.u.c.h.ess that she should leave on the morrow.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Princess Sophie had arrived at Bucheneck with her lady of honor and the elder ladies in carriages, and now attempted, above everything, to lay hands on her ill.u.s.trious nephew; but he developed an incredible aptness at keeping out of her reach. He was everywhere except in the near presence of his most gracious aunt, until finally she lost patience and ordered a gentleman to call Prince Adelsberg into her presence.

Egon had to obey this command, but he used the precaution of taking the "lightning rod" with him. Rojanow was at his side when he stood before the Princess.

"Well, Egon, do I really get a glimpse of you?" was the not very gracious reception. "You seem to have been taken possession of on all sides to-day."

"I am always ready for the service of my most gracious aunt," declared Egon in honeyed accents; but the sweetness did him no good. The Princess measured him with an annihilating glance.

"As far as your knightly service to Frau von Wallmoden leaves you time.

She will give this chivalry a glowing mention to her husband. You may know him, perhaps?"

"Certainly. I revere him highly as a man, as a diplomat and as His Excellency. Your Highness may believe that."

"I believe you unconditionally, Egon. Your love for veracity is far above any doubts with me," said the lady, with stinging sarcasm. "I just happen to remember speaking the day before yesterday with the steward of Rodeck--the old Stadinger--who is still very active for his years."

"But he suffers seriously from failing memory," the Prince hastened to a.s.sure her. "I am sorry to say that Stadinger forgets everything. Is it not so, Hartmut? He positively does not know to-day what he saw yesterday."

"On the contrary, I found that his memory was exceptionally fresh.

Besides, he is the oldest and truest servant of your house, reliable--careful----"

"And a churl," interrupted Egon, sighing. "Your Highness, you have no idea of the unlimited gruffness which dwells in this Peter Stadinger.

He tyrannizes over Herr Rojanow and me shamefully. I have actually thought of retiring him."

Of course, he did not dream of that. His Highness knew better than to make Peter Stadinger such a proposition, and would have fared badly if he had. But Princess Sophie, who had the reputation of being very haughty and relentless toward her servants, now favored a very mild course.

"You should not do that," she remonstrated. "A man who is now serving the third generation of the ducal family may be pardoned such a thing, particularly considering the somewhat loose housekeeping which the young gentlemen lead at Rodeck. It seems that they do not like to see visitors there, preferring the solitude."

"Ah, yes, the solitude!" sighed Egon, sentimentally. "It does one so much good after the stormy life of travel, and we enjoy it in full draughts. I occupy myself mostly----"