"We have not seen you for some time, Herr von Stielow," she said; "where have you been disporting yourself?"
"Our duty is more strict than it was, countess," said von Stielow, "and leaves us but little time--war seems decided upon, so we ought to get a little accustomed to some of its inconveniences."
"Herr von Reischach has just been here, and he spoke of you," said the countess.
"What did he say?" cried von Stielow anxiously; "he told, I fear, some malicious history?"
And his eyes sought the young countess, who continued to look down, and who made no movement.
"He caused us to fear that something had happened to you," said the countess, glancing at him from head to foot, "but I see he was mistaken."
Herr von Stielow smiled, but it was not the merry laugh he would have given a short time before at the lucky termination of a duel; it was a serious happy smile.
"Herr von Reischach takes too great an interest in me," he said, "and the fears he expressed on my behalf are groundless."
Countess Frankenstein looked round quickly at her daughter.
"Are you going this evening to Countess Wilezek's?" she asked.