If Adelheid von Wallmoden were
still free--I believe I'd try the experiment."
Rojanow, who had been lost in thought as he gazed steadily into the mist
which yet shrouded the hills, turned around suddenly and violently now.
"What experiment? Do you mean by that, you'd offer her your hand?"
"That thought seems to excite you greatly," said the prince, laughing
out loud. "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I have no such prejudice
against trade as my respected aunt, who would go into convulsions over
the very thought, and even you don't seem to take to the idea any too
kindly. Well, you can both calm yourselves, his excellency her husband,
has already secured the prize, and he'll never change her into a
creature of warmth and light with those tiresome diplomatic speeches of
his--but the man is happy; he has had no end of good luck."
"Call no man happy until his death," said Hartmut, half-aloud.
"A very wise remark, only not quite original," answered Egon. "Do you
know that at times you have a look in your eyes which is positively
alarming, like a demon. Forgive my saying so, but you looked this moment
as if you were one."
Hartmut did not answer.
They were just turning from the forest into the broad road, and
Fuerstenstein, with its ducal flag flapping gaily in the morning wind,
was plainly visible on its wooded height.
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