"I sought this interview in order that I might explain
to you that it is not possible for me, in my official position, to see
you in constant intercourse with the Court and keep silence. It will be
my duty to explain all to the duke."
"Explain all? All what?"
"Many things about which none of the people here, not even your friend
Prince Adelsberg, know. Listen to me, Herr Rojanow. I will not do this
except it is forced upon me, for I have an old and dear friend to spare.
I know how a certain occurrence struck him down ten years ago, an
occurrence which is buried and forgotten these many years in our country
now; but if all this was brought up and gossiped over again--Colonel
Falkenried would die."
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.
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