They were passing under the light of a street lamp as he spoke, and Arnim glanced at his companion's face. There was perhaps something written on the plain yet honest and soldierly features which touched him, for his own relaxed, and the softened expression made him seem almost boyish.
"If I do my duty as well as you have done, I shall be very proud," he said earnestly.
They walked on in silence, each absorbed in his own thoughts, and then Seleneck came to a standstill.
"Our ways end here," he said. "I suppose you are going to Frau von Arnim's?"
"Yes; I must let her know my good luck. She will be very glad."
"And the little cousin—will she be 'very glad'?"
Arnim met the quizzical not unkindly glance with an almost imperceptible change of countenance.
"I suppose so. Why shouldn't she?"
"She will miss you."
Arnim did not answer, nor did he show any sign of continuing on his way. He seemed suddenly caught in a painful train of thought, from which his companion made no effort to arouse him.