They went down, and heard that, contrary to the original plan, they were to set out immediately, and send the next day a carriage for Aunt Claudine.
Bella extended her gloved right hand to Eric, saying in a low tone:—
"Good-night, Herr Captain."
The carriage drove off.
CHAPTER IX.
THOUGHTS OF THE RELEASED.
Bella sat quietly as she rode homewards with her husband. After a long silence. Count Clodwig said,—
"My heart is full of happiness and joy; it is a real blessedness to see a woman who is sixty years old, and who has never had a thought that she needed to repent of."
Bella looked up quickly. "What does this mean? Has he any idea of what has transpired?
"That cannot be; he would not, in that case, have referred to it. But perhaps it is his lofty manner of giving a hint towards a life of purity."