"I mean that--that----"
The sound of a ritornella drummed upon the piano suddenly fell on their ears, and then came the notes of a thin, clear, expressionless soprano.
His sister-in-law was singing. He listened breathless.
Just then Countess Lenzdorff with Frau von Norbin appeared. "Ah, here you are, Erika!" she exclaimed. "This I call pretty conduct. I have been looking for you everywhere. H'm! to run away from one's admirers, to be made love to by a young gentleman---- What do you say to it, Hedwig?" This last to Frau von Norbin.
"It was only Goswyn," the old lady replied, in her musical-box voice.
"Yes, that is an extenuating circumstance," Countess Anna admitted.
"And he did not make love to me," Erika assured them.
"Indeed? That I take ill of him," Countess Lenzdorff said, with a laugh, while Erika went on with sincere cordiality. "I suddenly felt so lonely and sad, and he was very, very kind to me!" She raised her eyes gratefully to his.
"Ah, well----but come now, child; we are going home. I have had quite enough of this.--Adieu, Goswyn."
"Perhaps you will permit me to take you home," said Goswyn.