"Indeed?" The peculiar coldness of the Count's tone formed a sharp contrast to Eugen's passionate voice.
"A very painful chance, certainly! And what do you intend to do?"
The young man passed his hand over his brow--
"I don't know!" said he, in a constrained voice. "I was obliged to make an excuse for appearing so disturbed to-day, and got away as quickly as I could, so as to escape questions; but she expects me to-night, and will persecute me with questions and entreaties. Do advise me, Hermann, what am I to do?"
The Count sat down upon the trunk of a tree, with his back to the before-named bush; he did not for a moment alter his cold, repellant manner.
"Something which will be anything but easy, but nevertheless must happen--tell her the truth."
"Impossible! I cannot!"
"Eugen!"
"I cannot!" repeated Eugen passionately. "To any one else I could, but demean myself in her eyes by such a confession, I cannot!"
"You seem to fear those eyes very much. But if you dare not confess it, what then?"