"Then I'll go and say good-by to her."
The old baron, Oswald, and the boys went through the gate in the iron railing of the park into the courtyard, where a groom was walking two horses up and down. Oswald admired the beauty of the animals, especially that with the lady's saddle, a thoroughbred, and Melitta's pet--Bella.
Melitta stepped quickly out of the portal, followed by the baroness and mademoiselle. The old baron helped her in the saddle.
"Good-by! good-by!" she called out. "Allez, Bella!" and thus she galloped away out of the courtyard into the dim evening air.
The others had gone back into the house. Oswald alone remained, his eyes fixed upon the gate through which Melitta had disappeared, and sunk in deep thought.
"Had we not better go in, Oswald?" said Bruno, seizing his hand. "It is quite dark now."
"It is quite dark now," repeated the young man, and followed the boy dreamily.
CHAPTER VIII.
The baron had offered Oswald a carriage to drive to church, but the young man declined, remembering still the evil thoughts to which he had been tempted by the slowness of the bays on the night of his arrival. Bruno and Malte were looking for a visit from the sons of a neighbor. Bruno would have liked best to accompany Oswald, but as the latter begged him to stay at home, he said:
"You are very glad to get rid of me for a few hours, I know, but I know also what I shall do. I shall go into the woods, and not return home till evening."