“Only yesterday evening I was again vaunting your good qualities, for you are really a grand young fellow—pleasant, discreet——”
“Whatever do you want with me?”
“Just to give your horse the spur and ride off.”
Tilling was by this time quite near. Conrad looked first at him, then at me, and, without speaking a word, nodded at me with a smile, and went off as if he was flying for his life.
“This Althaus again” were Tilling’s first words after he had turned round, so as to ride on by my side. In his tone and his manner jealousy was plainly expressed.
I was pleased at it.
“Is he so out of patience at seeing me? or has his horse run away?”
“I sent him away, because——”
“Countess Martha, odd that I should meet you with this Althaus, of all people! Do you know that the world says he is in love with his cousin?”
“It is true.”