insisted upon
pressing his attentions upon her; she was alone, unprotected. I saw what
happened and knocked the fellow down for his pains. He sent me a
challenge which I would not, and dare not decline. I have only Toni's
pardon to beg for loving Marietta, and that I did immediately upon my
arrival. She knows all, and has given me back my freedom. We understand
and respect one another much more since our betrothal is at an end, than
ever we did before."

"Well, this almost passes belief," exclaimed the head forester angrily.
"We did not force you; you could have said no, either of you, if you had
desired."

"Well, we do it now," Willibald answered, so decidedly and quickly that
his uncle looked at him quite bluffed. "Toni sees as well as I that a
mere marriage by arrangement is not right, and when one has felt the
bliss of loving he must marry the object of that love and no other."

Frau von Eschenhagen, who had recovered her breath by this time, felt
the sting of these last words. It had not entered her thoughts that one
betrothal had been broken in order that another might be arranged, but
now the fearful possibility struck her.

"Marry;" she repeated, "who would you marry? Would you marry that
Marietta, that creature--"

"Mother, you must learn to speak of my future wife in a different
tone--" said her son, in so earnest and decided a manner that the
enraged woman was dumbfounded. "As Toni has released me, I am at liberty
to love Marietta, and Marietta's character is blameless, of that I have
had proof. Who vexes or insults her must answer to me--even if it be my
own mother."

"See, see, the boy's getting on bravely," cried the head forester, whose
sense of justice overcame for the moment his anger. But Frau von
Eschenhagen was far removed from any instinct of justice. She had
believed that her mere presence would have subdued her son, and now he
defied her in this manner. His very appearance was different, and this
enraged her the more for she realized how deep and strong was the
feeling which could thus have changed him.

"I will spare you the trouble of calling your own mother to account,"
she said with intense bitterness. "You are of age and are the heir of
Burgsdorf, and I cannot prevent you doing as you choose. But on the day
when you bring Marietta Volkmar to Burgsdorf--I leave it."

The threat had its effect; Willibald moved back a step as he said
excitedly:

"Mother, you are speaking in anger."