"Besides Herr von Wendenstein, his wife and daughters, there is the Auditor von Bergfeld," replied Helena.
"Has he been here long?" asked the candidate quickly, casting a searching look at his cousin.
"A year," she replied, with perfect indifference, "and he will soon leave, for a young auditor is always employed here."
"But Herr von Wendenstein has sons?" he asked.
"They are no longer at home," she replied; "one has a government appointment in Hanover, the other is an officer at Lüchow. Here comes my father!" she exclaimed, and pointed out a pathway leading from the high road, at the farther end of which the pastor had just appeared.
"I will make him a fresh cup of coffee. But good heavens!" she exclaimed, whilst a deep blush spread all over her face.
The candidate followed the direction of her eyes, and saw a horseman trotting quickly along the high road in the blue uniform of a dragoon. He must have called out to the pastor, for he stood still; he then turned round and walked back to the road, and held out his hand to the officer, who had reined in his horse.
After a short conversation, the officer rode on, waving his hand to Helena, whom he had seen at the window. She returned his greeting by bending her head.
"Who is that?" asked the candidate.
"Lieutenant von Wendenstein," she replied, and left the window to light the spirit-lamp upon the table, and to prepare afresh the coffee, which her father had before been prevented from drinking.