The last word had scarcely left her lips when she felt herself lifted from the ground like a feather by two strong arms and carried down the steps.
"Foolish child!" he said, as he set her down upon the grass outside. "I will not have you dashed to pieces upon the stone pavement of that dreary tower."
She entered the path which led directly to Castle Lindhof,—it was the shortest. Herr von Walde walked silently by her side.
"Do you intend to leave me to-night without saying one kind word to me?" he suddenly asked, standing still. Pain and suppressed auger strove in his voice for the mastery. "Have I had the misfortune to offend you?"
"Yes, you have wounded me grievously."
"Because I did not instantly chastise my cousin?"
"You could not,—his suit had your entire approbation. You, as well as the others, would have forced me to accept Herr von Hollfeld."
"I force you? Oh, child, how little you understand a man's heart? I was the victim of a terrible error when I uttered that 'yes.' I longed to try if it were a delusion, and to free myself from it. Now you shall learn that I will banish everything that can remind you of to-day's terror. You like Lindhof?"
"Yes."
"The Baroness Lessen is about to leave the castle. Let me entreat you to be my sister's stay and support when I leave her again, when I begin my wanderings anew. Will you consent?"