"Captain von Wehlen," said Zaklika, "if it could be done, you should introduce me to the Countess."
"With great pleasure," said Wehlen, who was glad to have a pretext for approaching the Countess.
They both went towards the wall of the garden. Captain von Wehlen saluted the Countess.
"Permit me to introduce to you Captain von Zaklika, newly arrived."
Cosel turned, apparently with indifference, and bowed slightly to the new-comer, who stood pale, full of emotion, looking at that beautiful face, still alight with the same charm which first shone for him under the linden trees in Laubegast.
After a moment of silence the Countess said,--
"Are you here on a visit?"
"No, madam, I am on service, which I daresay will last quite a long time, for I doubt whether anybody would care to exchange with me."
"It is surely the worst prison any one could find," exclaimed the Countess. "In a dark room the world is unseen, and so forgotten; but here the whole vast horizon lies before one's eyes, separated only by a big wall."
The officers stood speechless.