Hartmut was silent.  He was thinking of the moment in the tower room when he had begged for the bright blossom.  She had refused him, but no icy breath had enveloped the young wife while she stood trembling beneath his pleading glance and words.  He had seen her daily since then, but had seldom gone near her, but he knew that now, as before, she was under his influence.

“But, in spite of it all, I cannot tear myself loose from this foolish fascination,” Egon went on in a dreamy tone.  “It always seems to me that the ice and snow will disappear as if by magic, and warmth and light burst out in full bloom in their stead.  If Adelheid von Wallmoden were still free—­I believe I’d try the experiment.”

Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now.

“What experiment?  Do you mean by that, you’d offer her your hand?”

“That thought seems to excite you greatly,” said the prince, laughing out loud.  “Yes, that’s precisely what I mean.  I have no such prejudice against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over the very thought, and even you don’t seem to take to the idea any too kindly.  Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband, has already secured the prize, and he’ll never change her into a creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of his—­but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck.”

“Call no man happy until his death,” said Hartmut, half-aloud.

“A very wise remark, only not quite original,” answered Egon.  “Do you know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively alarming, like a demon.  Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment as if you were one.”

Hartmut did not answer.

They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and Fuerstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind, was plainly visible on its wooded height.

Half an hour later, their carriage rolled along the broad graveled carriage-way, where all was life and bustle.  Every servant of the household was stirring; carriages and saddle horses were standing ready for the start, and nearly all those invited to join the hunt had arrived.

As the gay throng started on their way, the sun suddenly burst forth through the mist, and as it shone down on the glittering cavalcade just leaving the castle, it made a brilliant and impressive picture.

The duke and duchess rode at the head, closely followed by their numerous suite, and then came the many guests.  All the younger women were on horseback, and the whole party were in full hunting costume.

Away they rode in the clear sunlight of a bright autumn morning.  Over the hills and meadows and through the woods.  Shots were fired on every side, and the flying deer broke through the thicket and across the clearing, while the whole hunting park resounded with the din of the sport.