The door was open wide enough to admit a delicate feminine hand, which pressed into the housekeeper's palm a little heap of money. By the light of the lamp Frau Zsuzsa recognized the shining silver coins, and the door was opened its full width.
When she saw before her the veiled lady she became quite complaisant. Curiosity is a powerful lever.
"I humbly beg your ladyship to enter."
"Please tell the doctor the lady from the Nameless Castle wishes to see him."
Frau Zsuzsa placed the lamp on the kitchen table, and left the visitors standing in the middle of the floor.
"Well, what were you talking about so long out yonder?" demanded the doctor, when she burst into his study.
"Make haste and put on your coat again; the veiled lady from the Nameless Castle is here."
"What? Well, that is an event!" exclaimed the doctor, hurriedly thrusting his arms into the sleeves of his coat. "Is the count with her?"
"No; the groom accompanied her."
These magic words, "the veiled lady," had more influence on the doctor than any imaginable number of ducats.