CHAPTER IX.

October had come.  It was autumn’s reign.  The leaves of the trees were richly colored with deep and varied hues.  The landscape lay enveloped morning and evening in fog and mist, and the nights brought with them the hoar-frost, but the days, for the most part, were sunny and delightful.

Since the gay evening on which the whole country round had assembled, there had been no special festivities at Fuerstenstein; all interest had centered in the hunt, which was, of course, of paramount importance to the men.

The duke, at his wife’s instance, decided to have no other great or noisy entertainment at the castle.  The duchess liked a change of faces in their little circle, but she courted the quiet and freedom from restraint which her mountain home brought her.  There were frequent arrivals and various excursions, both by horse and on foot, through the mountain forest, and a goodly number always met around the princely board at night to discuss the pleasures and excitements of the day.

Adelheid von Wallmoden belonged, naturally, to this exclusive circle.  The duchess, who had learned through some source, of her sister-in-law’s insulting attitude toward the young wife, had been more amiable than ever, and had managed to keep Baroness von Wallmoden near herself whenever it was possible; the duke also, anxious to show all attention to the Prussian ambassador, seconded his wife’s endeavors with zest.

Wallmoden was still in Berlin, though over two weeks had elapsed since he left the castle, and he had not yet been able to write definitely as to the date of his return.

One of the most frequent guests at Fuerstenstein was Prince Egon Adelsberg, who was an acknowledged favorite among his princely kinsfolk, and his friend Rojanow was always included in the invitations sent to Rodeck.  The prince’s prophesies had proven true; Hartmut had descended upon them like a brilliant meteor.  All eyes were turned upon him with admiration and wonder, and it pleased his new associates to have him soar above the old fashioned usages and customs of their monotonous Court life.  He had read his ‘Arivana’ to the duchess at her request, and had scored a decided success.  The duke had promised him that his drama should be brought out at the Court theatre, and the princess Sophie had made a special point of taking the young man under her wing.

The princely household followed, as usual, in the wake of their master, but willingly enough in this instance, for Hartmut won friends on all sides by his cordiality, good temper, and grace of manner and person.

The prince’s hunting wagon stood before the castle of Rodeck.  It was early in the day and the faint mist which yet hung over the hills concealed a bright, warm sun.  Egon stepped out on the terrace dressed for the hunt, closely followed by the old steward, to whom he was speaking.