"Cannot you come with us on foot, Herr Doctor?"
"I should like very much to accompany your ladyship; but really, I have rheumatismus acutus in my foot, and were I to get wet I should certainly have an ischias."
Marie lifted her clasped hands in despair to her lips, but the beseeching expression on her face was hidden by the heavy veil. Could the doctor have seen the tearful eyes, the trembling lips!
Seeing that her voiceless petition was in vain, Marie drew from her bosom a silken purse, and emptied the contents, gold, silver, and copper coins, on the table.
"Here," she exclaimed proudly. "I have much more money like this, and will reward you richly if you will come with me."
The doctor was amazed. There on the table lay more gold than the whole county could have mustered in these days of paper notes. Truly these people were not to be despised.
"If only it did not rain so heavily—"
"I will let you take my umbrella."
"Thanks, your ladyship; I have one of my own."
"Then let us start at once."