And with this declaration and with a decisiveness in which nothing was lacking, Fräulein Antonie von Schönau tossed her head back, and walked out of the room leaving her father and aunt in anything but an enviable state.
Herr von Schönau turned to his sister-in-law and said in a subdued but angry tone:
"Your son has been going ahead beautifully, Regine. Now Toni declares she will be loved devotedly, too; this is the beginning of fine, romantic ideas in her head, and Will seems to have them all down fine by this time. I verily believe he has done his own proposing this time."
Frau von Eschenhagen did not heed his ironical remarks; she sat gazing vacantly into space, but the look on her face was not pleasant to see.
"I'm glad you can see the comical side," she said after a pause. "I confess I look another way."
"That won't help you much," Herr von Schönau answered. "When a model son begins to rebel, that's the end of it. It's hopeless trying to change him, particularly when he's in love. But I am very curious to see Will genuinely in love, and to hear what this paragon has to say for himself."
His curiosity was to be gratified at once, for just at that moment Willibald put in an appearance.
It could be seen at a glance that he had heard of his mother's arrival and was prepared to face her. The young heir did not hang back diffidently this time, as he had done when he hid the roses in his pocket two months before. There was something in his bearing which told he was prepared for combat.
"There is your mother, Will," began the head forester. "You must be greatly surprised to see her."
"No, uncle, I am not," the young man answered, but he made no attempt to approach his mother, who stood like a threatening cloud, and whose voice was an angry growl as she asked:
"I imagine why, mother, even though I do not know where you obtained your information."
"The newspapers keep us advised--there, read that," and his mother handed him the newspaper from the table. "But Toni has been here and told us all--do you hear--all!"
She spoke the last words in a tone of annihilation, but Willibald did not seem at all disturbed by them, and answered very quietly:
"Well, then, in that case, there's no need for my saying anything. Otherwise I should have spoken to my uncle this afternoon."