As Karl was helping Fergus into his uniform, he asked:
"How long were you in coming here, count?"
"We did it in a day. I sent on relays of horses, two days before; and as the carriage is of course on runners, and the snow in good order, we made quick work of it. Your man went on with the horses, and rode with us from the last place where we changed. I did most of the journey sitting by the coachman; which gave them more room inside, and was more pleasant for me, also."
In a few minutes they reached the hotel, and the count led Fergus to a door.
"You will find Thirza alone there. We thought that you had best see her so, at first."
Half an hour later, the count and countess entered the room.
"He looks very pale and thin, mother," Thirza said, after the countess had affectionately embraced Fergus.
"You would hardly have expected to find him fat and rosy," the count laughed. "A man does not lose his arm, and go about as if the matter was not worth thinking of, a few weeks afterwards. He is certainly looking better than I expected to find him.
"That empty sleeve is a sad disfigurement, though," he added slyly.
"How can you say so, father?" Thirza exclaimed indignantly. "I think quite the contrary, and I feel quite proud of him with it."