Herr von Wallmoden had lingered in the circle a few moments after the
departure of the Princess; then, with his wife on his arm, he walked
slowly through the suite of rooms, greeting an acquaintance here,
conversing briefly there, until they finally reached the last of the
reception rooms, which was rather deserted.
The tower room, opening directly from this, was not generally used in
entertainments, but for tonight it had been transformed into a small,
cosy apartment with curtains and carpets and a picturesque group of
plants, and, with its dim lights, offered a pleasing contrast to the
blinding flood of light and the commotion of the other rooms.
It was quite vacant now, which the Ambassador seemed to have counted
upon when he entered with his wife and offered her a seat upon a divan.
"I must draw your attention to the fact, Adelaide, that you did an
unwise thing just now," he began in a low tone. "Your remark to the
Princess----"
"Was self-defense," finished the young wife. "You must have felt, as
well as I did, what the object of the conversation was."
"Nevertheless, at your first appearance you have made for yourself an
antagonist whose enmity can materially render your own and my position
more difficult."
"Yours?" Adelaide looked at him in surprise. "Are you, the Ambassador
of a great power, to ask the grace of a malicious woman who happens to
be related to a ducal family?"
"My child, you do not understand," returned Wallmoden coldly. "An
intriguing woman can be more dangerous than a political opponent, and
Princess Sophie is well known in that line. Even the Duchess is known
to be in fear of her malicious tongue."
"That is the Duchess' affair. I am not in fear of it."
"My dear Adelaide," said the Ambassador, with a superior smile, "that
proud turn of your head is very becoming to you, and I approve entirely
of your making yourself unapproachable with it in other circles, but
you will have to leave it off at Court, as well as several other
things. One does not give royalty a lesson before so many observers,
and you did that when you spoke of the refusal of the title. In any
case, it was not necessary for you to lay so much stress upon the
descent of your father."
"Should I perhaps have denied it?"
"No, for it is a well-known fact."
"Of which I am as proud as was my father."
"But you are not Adelaide Stahlberg any longer, but the Baroness
Wallmoden." The voice of the Ambassador had acquired a certain
sharpness. "And you will admit that it is very contradictory to boast
of your burgher pride when you have given your hand to a man of the old
nobility."
A slight bitterness quivered around the lips of the young wife, and
although the conversation had been carried on in low tones, her voice
sank even lower as she returned: "Perhaps you have forgotten, Herbert,
why I gave you my hand."
"Have you had cause to regret it?" he asked instead of replying.
"No," said Adelaide, drawing a deep breath.
"I should think you could be satisfied with the position you have at my
side. Besides, you remember that I did not compel you. I left you
perfectly free choice."
The wife was silent, but the bitter expression did not leave her lips.
Wallmoden arose and offered his arm.
"You must permit me, my child, to come to your assistance sometimes in
your inexperience," he said in his usual polite tone. "So far I have
had every reason to be satisfied with your tact and manner. To-day is
the first time I have had to give you a hint. May I ask if you are
ready to return?"
"I should like to remain here a few moments longer," said Adelaide in a
smothered voice. "It is so insufferably hot in the salons."
"Just as you desire, but I beg that you will not remain too long, as
your absence would cause remark."
He saw and felt that she was offended, but found it expedient not to
notice it. Baron Wallmoden, in spite of all his politeness and
attention, understood that in the training of his wife such kinds of
sentiment must not be encouraged. He left the room, and Adelaide
remained alone. She leaned her head upon her hand, and with unseeing
eyes stared at the group of plants near her, whispering almost
inaudibly: "Free choice--O, my God!"
* * * * *
In the meantime Prince Adelsberg and his friend were being most
graciously dismissed. They bowed low before the Princess, who arose and
left the salon with an unusually mild expression on her sharp features.
"Hartmut, I believe you can magnetize," said Egon under his breath. "I
have seen many examples of your irresistibility, but that my most
gracious aunt has a regular attack of affability in your presence is
something never heard of before. It puts all your other victories into
the shade."
"Well, the reception was cool enough," laughed Hartmut. "Her Highness
really seemed to take me for a brigand at first."
"But in ten minutes you stood in the full sunshine of her grace, and
have been dismissed a prime favorite. Do tell me what you have in you
that everybody, without exception, bows to your charm. One might well
believe in the old fairy tale of the rat-catcher."
Again the harsh, repulsive sarcasm which took for a moment every beauty
from his face, passed over Hartmut's lips, giving him a satanic
expression.
"I understand how to play the thing they like best to hear. It has a
different sound to every one, but if one knows how to strike the right
chord, none can resist it."
"None?" repeated Egon, while his glance passed searchingly through the
room.
"Not one, I tell you."
"Yes, you are a pessimist in this respect. I at least recognize some
exceptions. If I only knew where Frau von Wallmoden was. I cannot see
her anywhere."
"His Excellency is probably reading her a lecture upon the undiplomatic
remark of a short time since."
"Did you also hear it?" asked Egon quickly.
"Yes; I stood in the door."
"Well, I do not in the least begrudge our most gracious one the lesson.
Naturally she was beside herself about it, but do you really believe
that the Ambassador---- Hush! there he is himself."
It was, indeed, the Ambassador before them, just returning from the
tower room. An encounter now could not be avoided, and the young
Prince, who had no idea of the existing connection, hastened to
introduce his friend.
"Allow me, Your Excellency, to make good a neglect which was forced
upon me that day upon the Hochberg by the disappearance of my friend. I
only found him after your departure. Herr Hartmut Rojanow, Baron von
Wallmoden."
The eyes of the two men met. The sharp, penetrating eyes of the one met
the expression of challenging defiance in the other, but Wallmoden
would not have been the finished diplomat he was if he were not equal
to the present moment.
His greeting was cool but polite, only he turned to the Prince alone
with his answer, regretting not being able to chat with the gentlemen,
since he was called to the Duke.
The whole meeting had lasted but two minutes, but it had taken place.
"His Excellency is more taciturn to-day than usual," remarked Egon,
walking on. "Whenever I see this cold, diplomatic face before me I have
a chill, and feel a pressing desire to seek warmer zones."
"Therefore we follow so persistently the track of the beautiful, cold
aurora," said Hartmut, teasingly. "Whom do we really seek in this walk
through the rooms which you continue so untiringly?"
"The Chief Forester," said the Prince, vexed at seeing himself
betrayed. "I wish to make you acquainted with him, but you are in one
of your railing moods to-day. Perhaps I may find Schonan over yonder in
the armory. I shall look there."
He took a speedy departure, and actually turned his steps to the
armory, where the ducal couple was at present, and where he also
believed Adelaide von Wallmoden to be. But, unfortunately, at the
entrance he again crossed the path of his most gracious aunt, who took
possession of him. She wished for more particulars of the interesting
young Roumanian who stood, indeed, in the sunlight of her favor, and
her impatient nephew had to answer all her questions willingly or
otherwise.