But before they had reached the door, it was
opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly:
"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes--"
"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schoenau sharply. "Tell
old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and--"
He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in
the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone:
"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schoenau, but it is a sad one. I
cannot wait, but must speak with you at once."
"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune
happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?"
"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me.
He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck,
and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not
heard, "and my lady should come, too."
"But what is it, what has happened?" cried the forester, seriously
alarmed now.
The old man hesitated; he seemed not to know how to break his bad news
gently. At last he spoke.
"His excellency Baron von Wallmoden is at Rodeck--and the baroness,
too."
"My brother?" Regine cried apprehensively.
"Yes, my lady. His excellency was thrown from his carriage and now he is
unconscious at Rodeck, and the physician whom we summoned in haste, says
his condition is very serious.
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