He spoke quietly but with determination.  The indifferent, dull Willibald, was not to be recognized in this energetic man, who knew what he wanted, could give clear, sound reasons, and was determined to have his wishes fulfilled.  He had gone through a hard but thorough school in these last six months in which he had been alone.  He had had to fight against many obstacles, but the manliness and independence within him had asserted themselves for all time.  Even in appearance he was changed for the better, and the head forester was right when he said that Will was a man at last.

Dr. Volkmar could not say him nay; he knew, alas, only too well, if that war took Marietta’s lover from her, she would be friendless, penniless and alone, and a load was lifted from his heart at the thought of her future being assured.  He made no further objections, but only said: 

“And what does Marietta say?  Is she willing?”

“Certainly.  We decided the question last evening, after my arrival.  I didn’t alarm her by telling her I might be killed, or bother her with anything of that kind.  There will be time enough for that should anything serious happen, but I did tell her that if I was wounded my wife could come to me and nurse me.  That decided the matter.  We will have a very quiet wedding, of course.”

The young fellow’s face clouded over as he spoke, and he sighed deeply.

“No, we don’t care to have a gay wedding when the mother’s blessing cannot follow the bridal pair to the altar.  Have you really done everything you can, Will?”

“Everything,” Willibald answered, earnestly.  “Do you think it is a light matter to do without my mother on such a day?  But she left me no choice, and I must bear it.  I must take the necessary steps at once.  I had the forethought to bring such papers as were needed with me.”

“And do you think it possible to have all the arrangements for the marriage made in a few days?” asked the Doctor, doubtfully.

“Certainly.  I will attend to all the formalities that are necessary, so that there will be no difficulty.  As soon as we are married, Marietta will go with me to Berlin, where we will stay until I am ordered to the field, then she can return to you.”

Dr. Volkmar rose and held out his hand, saying: 

“You are right, it is the best thing to do under the circumstances.  Well! well! my singing-bird, so you are willing to be married off-hand as this lover of yours wishes?”

The question was put to Marietta, who had joined them at the moment.  Her face bore traces of recent tears, but her eyes lighted with a smile as Willibald clasped her hand in his.

“I won’t be long away from you, and you are willing, are you not?”

The old man’s glance was half of pain, half of pleasure, as he thought how little these two knew of life and its dark shadows, which had closed in around him so long ago.  He said in a trembling tone, “Well, marry, and God be with you!  I give you my blessing from the bottom of my heart.”