The Countess stared at him in surprise. "You do not seem to know the subject of the picture; it is destined for the church at Saint Michael."
"For the church?" asked Wehlau, surprised in his turn.
"Certainly, since it is a sacred picture."
The Professor started to his feet. "What! My son paint a sacred picture!"
"Assuredly. Did he never tell you of it?"
"He took good care not to do that. Nor did Michael even mention it to me, although he doubtless knew all about it."
"He certainly did, for Captain Rodenberg stood to him for a model."
"Ah! He must have made a charming saint!" the Professor laughed, bitterly. "Michael is well suited to the part. Have the fellows gone crazy? Excuse me, madame,--I am conscious of my discourtesy,--but it is beyond belief,--that is, I must find out about it."
He bowed hastily, and rushed off so quickly that he very nearly ran against a young girl who was standing hidden in a window-recess, behind the Countess, and who looked after him half terrified.
"Gerlinda, are you there?" asked the Countess, turning towards her. "My child, what is to be done if, whenever you go into society, you hide yourself behind the window-curtains! If you had only been beside me you would have been presented to one of the celebrities of the capital."