I see you do
not remember me. My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I have met your
highness several times in past years."
"At Fuerstenstein!" exclaimed Egon with animation. "Certainly, now I
remember you well, but it is wonderful what a change the uniform makes
in one's appearance. I didn't recognize you at all at first."
He cast an admiring, surprised glance at the tall, handsome man whom he
had once ridiculed as a cabbage grower, but who looked so brave and
manly in his military dress. It was not the uniform which had so altered
Willibald; love, camp life and entire change from the old monotonous
existence had done it. The young heir was no longer a "weak tool," as
his uncle Schoenau had called him, but a brave, determined, genuine man.
"Our former meetings have been but fleeting," the prince went on, "so
you must forgive the liberty if I offer you my congratulations; you are
betrothed, I believe to--"
"I believe your highness is laboring under a mistake," Willibald
interrupted him, with some embarrassment. "When I last saw you at
Fuerstenstein I was to be the future son of that house, but--"
"That's all changed," interrupted Egon, laughing. "I know all about it
from a comrade of mine, Lieutenant Walldorf, who is to marry your
cousin, Fraeulein von Schoenau.
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