"I have never been introduced to her," replied the young officer in a tone of regret.
"At least you will accompany us there, will you not?" said the countess rising; "I have a slight alteration to make in my toilette; my daughter is quite ready and will entertain you until I return."
Herr von Stielow rose and said, joy beaming from his eyes:
"I am quite at your commands, countess."
Countess Frankenstein left the room without heeding the appealing looks of her daughter. The two young people were left alone. They were silent. At last Stielow approached the young lady's chair:--
"Countess Clara!" he said in a low voice.
The young countess raised her eyes and looked at him with surprise, while an expression of pain appeared on her lips. The light fell on her face as she lifted her head, and he saw that her eyelids were slightly red.
"Good heavens!" he cried, "you have been weeping?"
"No," said the young lady firmly, "I have a headache. I have begged mamma to leave me at home this evening."
"Countess Clara," he said, in the same earnest, gentle voice, "I wish to give you an answer to a question--an explanation," he stammered, "of a conversation we had at Countess Mensdorff's. I have never since spoken to you alone."