"I am ready," said Elsa, who, in hat and cloak, accompanied by the farmer's wife, appeared again in the entrance. "I think we are all ready, are we not, Captain Schmidt?"
"At your orders," answered Reinhold.
"Well, then, good-bye, dear Frau Pölitz! a thousand, thousand thanks for your kindness! and as to the children, you must really send for the doctor, or you will wear yourself to death."
Elsa had spoken the last words so loud, that the Count could not but hear them.
"Are your children ill, Frau Pölitz?" he asked.
"Very ill," answered Elsa. "And Frau Pölitz declares that she cannot expect the doctor to come so far.
"I will myself send from Golmberg to Prora," said the Count hastily: "of course; depend upon it Frau Pölitz! the doctor shall be here to-night--to-night!"
"Then we will not lose another moment," cried Elsa, hastening to lead the way to the carriage.
CHAPTER VII.
The Count had made his arrangements very comfortably. A groom with a lantern rode in front; next came the close carriage, in which the General, Elsa, and the President took their seats; then a dogcart with himself and Reinhold; finally a small luggage-cart for the servants, who were joined by his own man.