Upon reaching the entrance to the village, Waldemar reined in the horses, sprang from the seat, and offered to assist Wanda in alighting. She declined the proffered aid. No parting word came from her compressed lips; she merely bowed.
"I shall send back the sleigh to-morrow, with my thanks," Waldemar said, coldly, "if you will not reject them."
Wanda seemed to be passing through an inward conflict; she should already have been on the way, but she still lingered.
"Herr Nordeck!"
"What is your pleasure, Countess Morynski?"
"I--you must promise me not to be so rash as to again expose yourself to danger as you were on the point of doing to-day. You are right: all Villica hates you; do not make it so easy for your enemies to attack you, I entreat."
Waldemar's face flushed deeply--he cast only a single glance at her's, and all his enmity vanished. "I will be more cautious," he said, in a low voice.
"Then farewell!"
Wanda turned and took the way leading to the village; Waldemar gazed after her until she disappeared in the distance; he then resumed his seat and drove swiftly to Villica. The road soon entered the forest; he drew his pistol from his pocket, and laid it beside him. While he held the reins with his usual firmness, his eyes glanced in all directions. The daring, fearless man had all at once become cautious and vigilant; he had promised to be so, and he now knew that there was one person who trembled even for his life.