CHAPTER VIII.
They looked back after the groom as he galloped back to the castle.
"Carla!" said the Count.
He had brought his horse close up to hers; she bent towards him, and he put his right arm round her slender form and kissed her again and again on lips and cheek.
"Bad man!" said Carla.
He hastily put up his hand to remove the veil which the wind was blowing between their faces, and in so doing pulled off her hat.
"Axel, do be sensible!"
She dropped the reins on her horse's neck and tied her veil round her hat.
"Sensible!" cried the Count; "when I am really alone for the first time with the prettiest girl in all the world!"
"You are too bad," said she. She put on her hat again and secured it; he tried to renew the charming game. "You shall not have another kiss!" cried she, touching her horse with the whip and starting forward.