“My father took no such title, your highness,” said Adelheid, meeting the other’s glance quietly but directly. “It was offered to him but he refused it.”
The ambassador pressed his lips tightly together; he could not forbear thinking this last utterance of his wife very undiplomatic. The countenance of the princess assumed at once an irritated expression, and she answered, with an unconcealed sneer:
“Well, it is at least fortunate that this aversion was not inherited by the daughter. Your excellency will know how to appreciate it. Please give me your arm, Egon. I want to find my brother.”
She bowed coldly to those around her as she took the arm of her nephew, in whose face was plainly written:
“Now it is my turn.”
He did not deceive himself, his aunt had no intention of seeking the duke; she turned into an adjoining room with her young kinsman that she might have him under her eyes without interruption for a little time. At first she expended her anger against this unbearable, arrogant Frau von Wallmoden, who boasted of the vulgar pride of her father, while she herself married a baron for his title, for, of course, she could feel no love for a man who was old enough to be her father. Egon was silent for he had speculated on that matter himself. How had so unequal a marriage ever come about? But his silence just now was resented by his incensed aunt.
“Well, Egon, why don’t you say something? Really it does seem as if you were this woman’s sworn knight, you are by her side continually.”
“I always do homage to beauty, when it comes in my way, you certainly know that, my dear aunt,” explained the prince, striving to shield himself, but he only brought down a fresh storm on his head.
“Yes, I know that—I’m sorry to say. You have in this particular always exhibited great folly. You do not seem to remember all my warnings and admonitions before you started for the Orient.”
“O, yes, I do,” sighed Egon, to whom the very memory of those endless lectures was an oppression.
“Really! But you have not returned more sensible or settled. I have heard things—Egon, there’s only one salvation for you—you must marry!”
“For heaven’s sake! Anything but that!” exclaimed Egon, in such a voice of affright that the princess shut her fan with an angry snap, as she said in a sharp tone:
“What do you mean by that?”
“O, nothing but my own unworthiness to enter into such a holy state. You yourself, your highness, have often assured me that I was specially created to make a wife unhappy.”
“If the wife does not succeed in making you better. But you are a hopeless case. At any rate this is neither the time nor the place to discuss so serious a matter. The duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, and I am thinking of accompanying her.”
“What a charming idea,” said Egon, to whom the thought of an invasion by his noble kinsfolk was even more terrifying than the marriage plan. “I am rejoiced that Rodeck, notwithstanding its isolated situation, contains something worthy of notice just at present. I brought a good many curiosities home with me from my journey, among other things a lion, two young tigers, and some very rare snakes.”