Count Arnau stood between them.
Gertrud, too, had shrunk back at Hermann's sudden appearance, as if it were directed against her also. Before Reinert's wild passion she had kept her presence of mind. Now it suddenly seemed to leave her, and it almost looked as if she feared the protector more than the offender. The Count noted her timidity, and an expression of deep bitterness showed itself round his lips, nevertheless he placed himself protectingly before her, crossed his arms, and calmly awaited the next.
Eugen, meanwhile, had risen, and now came up to him, pale with anger--
"What does that mean, Hermann? Why do you follow me secretly to pry, unasked, into my affairs? What right have you to do it?"
The Count remained very calm in face of this threatening violence, but there was an icy scorn in the glance, with which he measured him from head to foot.
"Can you really dare to ask why I must interfere here?"
"You have insulted me!" cried Eugen, passionately, "insulted me deeply, and either you make me an apology, or give me satisfaction with a weapon in your hand!"
Without honouring him with an answer, Hermann turned to Gertrud--
"Mein Fräulein, you see that Herr von Reinert is not sufficiently master of himself to pay the necessary consideration to the presence of a lady. May I beg you to leave us?"
She stood before him, pale, with downcast eyes. Where had the proud unapproachable demeanour of the maiden come from? Her eyes, which but lately had met his so firmly, so ready for conflict, sank now shyly to the ground. She bowed in mute assent, and walked away.