"Great God! What is the matter?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing! I have sprained my foot a little in jumping down; it will soon be over."
She rested on Oswald's arm, pale, and pressing her lower lip between her teeth to control her pain. But her color returned as she looked up at Oswald.
"Do not trouble yourself," she said--and her voice sounded sweeter than ever. "You have won the wager. Well! now I can walk again."
She was about to withdraw her arm from Oswald's arm, but he was not willing to let his captive escape so easily.
"You cannot walk without support, and will you not grant me the pleasure to render you this slight service?"
"I am only afraid the way is unpleasant enough to you; the sun is so burning. Oh!"
A false step made Melitta sink down once more.
"We shall have to stop here," she said.
"I will carry you the few steps to the wood. There you can at least rest in the shade."