"I want you to meet him, but you are in one of your bad humors
to-day. Perhaps I'll find Schoenau in the arrow-room. I'll go and look at
any rate."
He left his friend abruptly, and did indeed set out for the
arrow-saloon, where the duke and duchess were, and where he hoped to
find Adelheid von Wallmoden. Unhappily for him, just at the entrance of
the room, he was once more entrapped by his aunt, who pointed
imperiously to a chair by her side. She wanted to hear all there was to
be told about the handsome and interesting young Roumanian, who had
quite won her heart, she said, and her uneasy nephew was obliged to
possess his soul in patience as he answered her many questions.
The noise and the merriment were at their height, as Hartmut now
threaded his way alone among the throng. He also sought someone, but he
was more fortunate than Prince Egon; casting a fleeting glance into the
tower-room, the entrance to which was almost hidden by portieres and
exotics, he saw the edge of a white satin train which swept the floor,
and in the next second he stood upon the threshold.
Adelheid von Wallmoden still sat on the same spot where her husband had
left her. She turned her head slowly now as some one entered.
Suddenly she sat erect, and then returned the young man's deep obeisance
with her accustomed icy bow.
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