"I speak in full earnest. As soon as an actress enters that house as
mistress, where I have lived and ruled in honor for thirty years, and
where I had hoped to lay my head down for my last, long sleep, I leave
it forever. So take her to Burgsdorf if you wish--you have your choice
between your mother and the actress."

"But Regine, don't be so unreasonable," remonstrated Schoenau. "You
should give the poor fellow some chance and not leave him such a hard
choice."

Regine did not heed his remonstrance, she stood there, white to the very
lips, her eyes fixed upon her son. She repeated impressively:

"Decide which it shall be--she or I."

Willibald had grown pale, too, and an expression of deep pain lay on his
face as he said gently: "That is hard, mother. You know how dearly I
love you, and what a grief it will be to me if you should leave me. But
if you are so cruel as to leave me no option, then," he straightened
himself and finished with great decision, "then I choose Marietta."

"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a
sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better
now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you
are not going to be my son-in-law."

Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had
built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a
wreck.

She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she
would not have bent her stubborn will then.

"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and
turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words,
as he rose to follow her. 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,