The Sign Of Flame Part 49

Green meadows lay before them in the sunlight, and over yonder rose the heights of the forest mountains. Adelaide had listened in silence, while her gaze was lost in the far distance; but now she turned suddenly and stretched out her hand to her companion.

"I believe you can be a very sacrificing friend, Your Highness. Herr Rojanow ought not to have left you; perhaps you could have saved him from this--doom."

Egon could not believe his senses; the warmth of the heartfelt tone--the eyes in which a tear glimmered--the whole, almost pa.s.sionate, sympathy with his sorrow surprised as much as it delighted him. He grasped the hand fervently and pressed his lips upon it.

"If anything can console me for Hartmut's departure, it is your sympathy!" he cried. "You will permit me to use the privilege of a neighbor and come occasionally to Ostwalden? Do not deny me this, as I am so lonely at Rodeck, and I came here only and solely----"

He checked himself suddenly, for he felt that such a confession was not appropriate but an offense, as he saw plainly.

The young widow withdrew her hand quickly and drew back. It had required only this moment to transform her again into "Aurora."

"To flee from the heat and noise of a watering place like Ostend," she finished coolly. "You said so, at least, a little while ago, Your Highness."

"It was a pretext," declared the Prince, gravely. "I left Ostend only to put an end to certain rumors which were connected with my stay there, and which even found their way into the papers. They were positively without foundation so far as I am concerned, I give you my word, Your Excellency."

He had quickly embraced the opportunity to dispel the error which he did not wish to suffer at this place at any price, but the result did not come up to his expectation. Frau von Wallmoden had again wrapped herself up in her old, unapproachable manner and made him suffer for his premature haste.

"Why this solemn explanation, Your Highness? As it was only a rumor, I understand just as fully as your other neighbors that you wish to retain the privilege of choice. But I believe we must return to the castle, as you said that my brother-in-law had come with you, and I should like to see him before he leaves."

Egon bowed a.s.sent, and tried obediently to accept the indifferent and every-day tone by which he was made aware that he should not be anything more here than a "neighbor." He took the first favorable moment at the castle to make his excuses, which were immediately accepted, but not without an invitation to come again had been given, and that was at present the most important thing.

"Blamed haste!" he muttered as he galloped away. "Now I shall be kept as distant as ever, perhaps for weeks. As soon as one tries to approach the woman a little nearer--the ice stares into one's face. But"--and here the face of the Prince lit up--"but at last the ice commences to melt. I saw and felt it in that tone and look. I must be patient here--the prize is worthy one's perseverance."

Egon von Adelsberg did not dream that this look and tone, upon which he built his hopes, were for another, and that she wished only to hear from that other when the permission to call again had been given.

CHAPTER XLVI.

July had only half gone when the world, which seemed but now to repose in deepest calm, was suddenly startled from this peace. A lightning had flamed up on the Rhine, the glare and uncanny light of which reached from ocean to the Alps. A war-cloud stood heavy and threatening in the west, and soon the cry of war resounded through the land.

It broke over Southern Germany like a whirlwind--tore men from their field of action, changed all conditions and overthrew all plans. Where a week ago comfort and security reigned, men were now grasped and carried away by storm.

At Furstenstein the daughter of the house was celebrating her betrothal, but she had to take leave of her betrothed, who hastened to his regiment.

At Waldhofen, where Willibald was expected for a long visit, he appeared suddenly in stormy haste to see Marietta once more in the few days which remained before he, too, should be called away.

At Ostwalden, Adelaide prepared for departure, to once more embrace the brother who had hastened to join the standard.

Prince Adelsberg had left Rodeck at the first news of war, and hurried to the Residenz, which he reached at the same hour as the Duke. The world seemed all at once to have gotten an entirely changed face, and the people with it.

In the little garden of Dr. Volkmar's house stood Willibald von Eschenhagen, talking earnestly and impressively with the grandfather of his fiancee, who sat before him upon a bench, and did not seem to be acquiescent to what w.i.l.l.y was explaining.

"But, my dear w.i.l.l.y, this is precipitation without an equal," the good doctor said, shaking his head. "Your engagement with Marietta has not yet been made public, and now you want to be married heels over head.

What will the world say to it?"

"The world finds everything explained under the present circ.u.mstances,"

returned Willibald; "and we cannot go after outside considerations. I have to go to war, and it is my duty to secure Marietta's future in any case. I cannot bear the thought that she should have to return to the stage after my death, or should be dependent upon my mother's mercy.

The fortune to which I am heir is in my mother's hands, who disposes of it exclusively. I possess as yet only the entailed estates which, in case I die, go over to a side branch of the family; but our family law secures the widow of the lord of the estates a rich dowry. If it should not be granted me to return from battle, I want to give my fiancee at least the name and position in life to which she has a right. I cannot go to the war contentedly until this has been arranged first."

He spoke quietly, but with much decision. The awkward, timid Willibald could not be recognized in this young man, who overlooked the situation so clearly and pleaded so earnestly for his wishes to be granted.

He had had, however, a school of independence in those last six months, when he had been put entirely upon his own resources, and had his firmness continually tried in the contest with his mother; and one could see that he had learned something in this school.

His outward appearance was also more prepossessing; in fact, as the Chief Forester expressed it, he had only now become a man.

Dr. Volkmar could not resist these arguments. He well knew that if the war took away her betrothed, Marietta would again be without means and without protection; and a burden fell from his heart at the thought of her secure future. Therefore he gave up all argument and only asked: "What does Marietta say to it? Has she given her consent?"

"Yes; we decided on it last night, directly after my arrival. Of course, I did not speak to her about security and widowhood, for she would have been beside herself if I had dwelt at length upon the case of my death; but I told her that in case of my being wounded, she, as my wife, could hasten to me without preliminaries or companions, and could remain with me, and this decided her. We should have had but a quiet wedding, anyway."

His face clouded at the last words, and the doctor said, with a sigh: "Yes, indeed, none of us would have been inclined to celebrate the wedding with festivities if the couple had to go to the altar without the blessing of the mother. Have you really tried every way with her, w.i.l.l.y?"

"Everything," replied the young lord, solemnly. "Do you think it will be easy for me to miss my mother on such a day? But she has left me no choice, therefore I must bear it. I shall now take the necessary steps instantly, and in antic.i.p.ation thereof have brought my papers with me."

"And do you believe that a marriage can be possible on such short notice?" asked the doctor, doubtfully.

"At this time, yes. The formalities have been reduced to the necessities, and all preliminaries are dispensed with where a hasty marriage is desired. As soon as Marietta is my wife, she will accompany me to Berlin, where she will remain until my regiment leaves. Then she will return to you until the close of the war."

Volkmar arose and gave Willibald his hand.

"You are right; it is perhaps best so under the present circ.u.mstances.

Well, my little _singvogel_, so you will really marry as quickly as your betrothed wishes?"

The question was addressed to Marietta, who now entered the garden. Her pale cheeks showed the trace of tears, but it was with an exceedingly happy look that she flew into Willibald's open arms.

"I am ready at any time, grandpapa," she said, simply. "The leave-taking will be easier to us after we belong to each other and you give your blessing."

The old gentleman looked half sadly, half happily upon the young couple, who wished to be united before their sad separation should so quickly take place. Then he said, with emotion: "Well, so be it: marry then with my blessing. I give it to you from my inmost heart."

Everything necessary was then quickly discussed. The marriage was to take place as soon as possible, and, of course, quietly and simply.

Willibald intended to go to Furstenstein to-day to notify the Chief Forester of the settled plan.

Dr. Volkmar left them to make a call upon a patient, and Willibald remained alone with his fiancee. They had not seen each other for so long, and now the future lay dark and threatening before them. But the next few days belonged to them, and they were happy in this thought, in spite of everything.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Engaged in their subdued chatting, they did not notice that the house door was opened, and some one came with slow, rather hesitating steps along the hall, until the rustle of a woman's dress upon the gravel path made them listen, and suddenly both sprang to their feet.

"My mother!" cried Willibald, in joyful surprise; but at the same time he put his arm around Marietta as if he wished to protect her from a renewed attack, for Frau von Eschenhagen's face seemed hard and gloomy, and her bearing did not look like reconciliation.

Without noticing the young girl, she turned to her son:

"I learned through Adelaide that you were here," she began in a rather harsh tone, "and I only wanted to ask how everything is at Burgsdorf.