Hartmut paled perceptibly, and the scornful expression faded from his lips.

“He would die!” the words rang in his ears.  He knew only too well how true they were, and for the moment all defiance died within him.

“It is to my father that I am answerable, at any rate,” he responded, controlling his voice with an effort.  “To him alone and to no other.”

“He will scarcely call you to account—­his son is dead to him.  But we can let that rest.  I speak especially of those later years which your mother and you spent in Rome and Paris, where you lived at a glittering pace, in spite of the fact that the Roumanian estate had been sold under the hammer.”

“You seem to know all the particulars,” retorted Rojanow, highly indignant now.  “We were not aware that we were under such vigilant inspection.  As to our manner of life, we lived as best pleased ourselves, upon the remnant of the fortune which was saved from the wreck.”

“There was nothing saved, the whole fortune was squandered, even to the last heller.”

“That is not true,” interrupted Hartmut stormily.

“It is true.  Don’t you think I know more about it than you?” The ambassador’s voice was sharp and sneering now.  “It is very possible that Frau Rojanow did not consider it necessary to explain to her son the means by which she obtained her gold; better to leave him in ignorance.  I know from whence the money came—­if she did not tell you, so much the better for you.”

“Have a care, sir, about insulting my mother,” the young man was beside himself now, “or I may forget your gray hairs, and demand satisfaction.”

“For what?  For an assertion which I can back with indisputable proof at any moment?  Let us put aside all such mad folly and say no more on that subject.  She was your mother and she is dead, so her past shall be a dead letter to us.  I have only this one question to put to you, whether you will, after this conversation, remain here and become one of the circle which Prince Adelsberg has opened for you?”

Hartmut had become deadly pale at the allusion made to his mother, and the source from which she had obtained money, and the first stare with which he gazed at the speaker showed only too clearly that he had no knowledge of anything disreputable, but at the last question he began to recover himself.  He cast an almost insane glance at his enemy, and a wild determination sounded in his voice as he answered: 

“Yes, Herr Wallmoden, I shall remain.”

The ambassador had not expected this answer; he had thought after his conversation the matter would be ended.

He evinced no surprise, however, and said: 

“Really?  So you decide to remain?  You are accustomed to play high, and expect to do it here?  We will have to interfere with that, I fear.  Better think it well over before you decide finally.”

With that he turned quickly on his heel and left the room, just in time to meet the head forester at its entrance.