“Poor girl, poor girl!”
In another instant her face had resumed its usual cold expression. She stooped and raised Dorothea from the ground, getting up herself at the same time.
“There, my child, be still. You have a friend in me, whatever happens. And my friendship is not given to everybody. Now I will leave you to think over my offer; only let me give you one caution, do not discuss the matter with anybody else. It is a thing which you must decide for yourself, without help. If you make up your mind to come to me, do not wait, but present yourself at the Castle at any time, and I shall be ready and pleased to welcome you. Till then, good-bye.”
The agitated young girl could only stammer fresh words of thanks as she took up the lamp and ushered her visitor to the door. She was going to walk further with her, to point out the way, but the Princess stopped her.
“Do not come out, child. I can find my way back from here. Good night.”
And without waiting for the farewells of the grateful Dorothea, she hastened forward to the spot where she had left her guide.
As soon as the Castle was in sight Hermengarde turned to the favourite and handed him a generous bribe.
“I shall not forget you, Karl,” she said. “And remember that silence and discretion will double the value of your services.”
Karl accepted the money greedily enough, and stole away to his own quarters, while the Princess returned to her apartments absorbed in thought.
And this time she made no attempt to enter into communication with the Chancellor on the subject of the step she had seen fit to take.