Stielow affectionately pressed her hand and looked with admiration at her lovely, blushing face.
"I thank you for recollecting it," said the countess; "we can never do enough for those who fight and suffer for their country, and we ought to set an example to the classes beneath us."
"I must beg you to excuse me," said von Stielow, looking at his watch, "I must wait on General Gablenz and hear if he has any commands for me."
Clara looked disappointed.
"But in the evening you will be free?" she asked.
"I certainly hope so," said the young man, "for there is now little for the aides-de-camp to do."
The carriage had reached the railway station. At a sign from the lieutenant it drew up at the entrance.
"We shall meet again then," said Countess Frankenstein to Herr von Stielow, who took leave of the ladies, and Clara's looks said plainer than words: "We shall soon meet again."
The footman sprang from the box, opened the carriage-door, took a basket from the boot, and followed the ladies into the interior of the station.
It presented a touching, grave, and melancholy picture; but at the same time much that was pleasing and affecting.