The young countess sighed.
"What is it, countess?" asked Count Clam Gallas; "our ladies must not sigh when we mount horse, and draw the sword for the honour of old Austria."
"I am thinking of the poor things whose blood must flow," said the young countess, and she looked up as if she saw a picture of some scene of horror.
The door was thrown open, and Lieutenant Field Marshal Baron Reischach announced.
The Baron entered, smiling and cheerful as ever. He saluted the ladies in his knightly style, with the familiarity of an old acquaintance.
"You have grown, Countess Clara," said he jestingly; "this child really looks over our heads."
He seated himself, and held out his hand to Count Clam Gallas.
"You favoured being," he said, "you will soon be in the field!"
"I expect orders hourly."
"We old cripples must stay at home," said Reischach, sadly, and a look of grave melancholy passed over his jovial countenance, but soon vanished again. "I saw Benedek before he started for Bohemia," he then said.