The young Countess Frankenstein stood up and walked to the darkest part of the drawing-room to a flower-table. There she bent over the flowers.
"I have heard the name of this lady in connexion with Herr von Stielow," said Countess Clam Gallas.
"The new rights and the old came in collision," remarked the baron.
"And has any thing serious happened?" asked Count Clam Gallas.
"Not that I heard," replied von Reischach, "but I fear for our friend Stielow; Count Rivero is well known as an excellent shot. But where is our young countess?" he said, breaking off suddenly and turning his head towards the other end of the drawing-room.
She was still bending over the flowers. Her mother gave her a quick anxious look. She came slowly back to the light, with a freshly gathered rose in her hand. Her face was very pale and her lips tightly closed.
"I have plucked a rose," she said, in a voice that trembled slightly, "to complete my toilette."
She fastened the rose into her dress, and took her place again mechanically.
"Ah! I forgot the Countess Wilezek's soirée," cried Countess Clam Gallas rising, "you will wish to prepare, and I must go home first."
"Allow me to accompany you," said Baron von Reischach, and they all took leave.