She looked extremely beautiful; she nodded affectionately to her father as she entered the room, but she cast down her eyes when she saw the look with which the candidate surveyed her whole appearance.
"I am ready, papa," she said.
"Quite right my child; then we can go."
He stood up, and laid aside his cap.
"You must accompany us," he said to his nephew; "I will introduce you to our president."
"Should I not first call at the castle?" asked the candidate.
"You will do so now with me," replied the pastor; "we are not formal people here,--I answer for it you will always be welcomed by our friends."
The candidate put on his glossy, well-brushed black hat, and they all three left the parsonage.
In the old castle at Blechow, the president's family was assembled in the large garden drawing-room. Madame von Wendenstein sat on the large sofa, in her snow-white point-lace cap and flowing dark silk dress, and her daughter was preparing the tea-table at an earlier hour than usual.
The lieutenant had drawn a low arm-chair close to his mother, and was endeavouring to amuse her with lively conversation, and she sometimes replied to his remarks with a melancholy smile, though she could not prevent the tears from falling upon her white hands, as she mechanically continued her needle-work.