The Northern Light eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 408 pages of information about The Northern Light.

The Northern Light eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 408 pages of information about The Northern Light.

“You old rascal!” said the prince.  “There’s one thing I shall miss in the field, and that’s your insinuations and sermons.  By the way, remember me to pretty little Zena when you get back to Rodeck.  Is she there now?”

“Yes, your highness, she is there now,” said the old steward with emphasis.

“Naturally, because I’m marching to France.  But I’ll tell you a secret.  I’m going to be a model of reason and virtue when I come back and then I shall marry.”

“Really?” said Stadinger with delight “How rejoiced the whole court will be!”

“That’s as it may be,” said Egon.  “It’s more than probable that the whole court will be in a rage, especially my aunt Sophie.  But you be silent, Stadinger; don’t breathe a syllable while I am away.  Who knows but I may never return to you—­think kindly of me, old fellow.”

Stadinger’s eyes were filled with tears as he turned to go, and he said: 

“How can your highness talk that way?  It’s not likely an old worn-out man like me would be left, and you, so handsome, so young, so gay be taken.  That’s not according to nature.”

“Well, well, I did not mean to sadden you, you old ghost of the woods!” said the young prince reaching out his hand.  “We’ll think of victory and not of the slain, but if both should come together it would not be so hard.”

The old man knelt and kissed his young prince’s hand.

“I would I could go with you,” he said, half aloud.

“I’ve no doubt of it,” said the prince laughing.  “And you wouldn’t make a bad soldier either, despite your old gray head.  This time the young ones have to go, and the old ones stay at home.  Good-bye, Stadinger,” and he shook him heartily by the hand.  “What!  You’re not crying’ You ought to be ashamed of yourself.  Away with all tears and sad forebodings.  You’ll read me many a lecture yet.”

“God grant it,” said old Peter, with a heavy sigh.  He gave one glance at the bright, handsome face, and looked at the moist eyes; then he went away with sad, drooping head.  He realized for the first time, poor old man, how deep his highness had crept into his heart.

The prince glanced at the clock.

He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the newspapers containing the latest war rumors.

There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up surprised.  Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always announced.  This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him.

“Hartmut, is it you?”

Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw himself upon his breast.

“You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it?  You bad boy, to keep me two whole months without any news!  Have you come to see me off and say good-bye?”

Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over this meeting.

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Project Gutenberg
The Northern Light from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.