“You know him?”
He told her of their meeting on the previous day.
“Neither Galabin nor I could make him out,” he added. “How did he frighten you?”
“Oh, perhaps I ought not to have been afraid,” she answered with a laugh. “Only he asked me questions in such a fierce, strange way.”
“Ah! As he did yesterday when he was with us. If he did not frighten us, at least he puzzled us horribly. I fear that, what with that fellow and this,” pointing to the boar, “and Count Zarka, you will be glad when your stay in the forest comes to an end, Fräulein.”
“Perhaps. And yet, how lovely it would be if one might only enjoy it unmolested.”
“By man and beast,” he laughed. “I would take your hint, Fräulein, if I did not consider it my duty to stay near for your protection.”
“I did not mean it as a hint,” she replied simply.
“Then you do not wish me to go?”
“No,” she said, “stay. At least, no; it is getting late, and I must go.”