"He is below in the dining-room, where he is asking Madame von Beling's permission to pay his respects, to you."
"Do you recognize the gentleman in that?" asked Count Monte Nuovo. "Another man would not even have asked for your grandmother, but have flown straight to you."
"And I could have pardoned him." Then, in a louder voice. "Karl, dear Karl!" she said. "This way!"
Karl came in and threw himself into Helen's arms, who pressed him to her breast. Then, looking round him, he saw Count Monte Nuovo, and held out his hand to him.
"Excuse me, count," said he, "for not having seen you before; but you will readily understand that I had eyes for none but her. Is not Helen as beautiful as I told you, count?"
"More beautiful," replied he.
"Oh! dear, dear Helen," cried Karl, falling on his knees and kissing her hands.
Count Monte Nuovo began to laugh.
"My dear Karl," said he, "I arrived here an hour ago; I asked to be quartered at Madame von Beling's, in order to be able to carry out my commission. It was done as you knocked. I have nothing more to do here. If I have forgotten anything, here you are, and you can supply it. Fräulein, may I have the honour of kissing your hand?"
Helen held out her hand, looking at Karl as if for his permission, which he gave with a nod. The count kissed Helen's hand, then that of his friend, and went out.