The Countess could not speak, because of her great anger: she breathed heavily, pressing her bosom with one hand, with the other pointing imperiously to the door.
Watzdorf before obeying bent over the girl's hand and pressed it to his lips; the mother pulled it from him, and trembling continually pointed to the door.
Watzdorf looked at the pale girl and went out slowly. The Countess fell on the sofa--her daughter remained cold and indifferent like a statue. The Countess cried from anger.
'Shame on you!' cried she, 'you dare to receive that man in your room!'
'Because I love him!' answered the girl calmly.
'And you dare to tell me that!'
'Why should I not say what I feel?'
The Countess sobbed.
'And you think that because of your stupid love for that good-for-nothing man, who is hardly tolerated in the court, I shall sacrifice your future? Never!'
'I did not expect that I could be happy and honest,' answered the girl coolly.