“Yes, I think I might have prevailed on one of them to accept it—what do you say, Auguste?”
“I do not know one lady of the Court on whom it would look better than on the Fräulein,” was the response.
“Come, let me see it on your neck,” said Maurice. “I think I am entitled to fasten it in its place.”
He went towards her for the purpose; and Auguste, glancing round to see if the forester were still about, strolled out of the arbour and joined him.
Left alone with Dorothea, Maurice took a more caressing tone; and the young girl, on her side, seemed to feel more at her ease. They sat side by side, and talked to each other in low tones which could not be heard outside.
After a little while, however, Dorothea noticed that her companion was in a more serious mood than was his wont. Some change seemed to have come over him, and now and again she caught him gazing at her with a meditative air, as if he wished to say something, but were doubtful how to begin.
At length, after a longer pause than usual, he said slowly—
“Have you ever been away from here, Dorothea? Have you seen anything of the outside world?”
“Oh, yes,” she answered readily. “I often go into the village, and once or twice father has taken me to Dresselburg.” This was the name of a small market town some seven miles away. “Besides,” she added, “I sometimes go to the Castle when the Court is not there, and see all over it.”
“Ah!” The young man’s face brightened, as if he had found the opening he sought. “Do you like the Castle? Do you think you should care to come and live there yourself, and see the Court as well?”