But Baron von Wallmoden did not understand the unyielding defiance of this man, who had indeed dared much.  Now, upon his return from the north, he found this “adventurer” established on a very sure footing, in close intercourse with the court and society of the capital.  It would be a most embarrassing matter to explain everything at this late day, when all were on the qui vive of expectation, and when the duke was so deeply interested both in the new drama and in its author.  It would make a very painful impression in all circles.  The experienced diplomat did not disguise from himself the fact that the duke would complain, and with reason, that all this exposure should have been made on the first day of the stranger’s appearance rather than at this inopportune time.  There remained nothing for it but to be silent and await developments.

Wallmoden had no thought of the danger which had threatened himself.  He had not seen fit to tell his wife anything concerning his old friend Falkenried’s history, and decided now that she had better know nothing more about Prince Adelsberg’s friend than was known by their associates.

No conversation concerning Hartmut had ever passed between them save the one fleeting question and his wife’s monosyllabic answer.

But he felt he dare keep silence no longer toward his nephew Willibald, for there would be a similar scene to that enacted by the mother at Hochberg if the son was surprised by the sight of his boyhood’s friend.

The young heir had accompanied the Wallmodens to the southern capital, where he intended remaining a few days, when he was going on to Fuerstenstein to see his betrothed, for the head forester had expressly requested that the September visit, which was so suddenly interrupted, should be finished later in the season.

“You were only with us a week,” he wrote to his sister-in-law, “and I desire to see something more of my future son-in-law.  Everything is in order again, I trust, in your much loved Burgsdorf, and there is little to do in November at any rate.  So send Will to us, even if you cannot come yourself.  I will not take no for an answer.  Toni is waiting to see her lover—­so don t fail!”

Frau von Eschenhagen admitted that he was right, and she was glad enough to have Will go.  He had made no further attempt to assert himself against her motherly authority, and appeared to have fully regained his reason again.  He had grown quieter of late and since his return from Fuerstenstein rushed with greater zest into all his agricultural pursuits; he had, take it all in all, behaved in a most exemplary manner.