A burning blush suffused the countess' face--had he--? He might have passed through the garden from the other side to avoid the spectators. "Come in!" she called.
It was Josepha with a telegram in her hand. The messenger was waiting for an answer.
The countess opened it and read the contents. It was from the prince. "Please inform me whether I shall countermand the dinner."
"Very well. I will send the reply."
Josepha withdrew.
"If Ludwig were only here!" thought the countess. "He must be waiting to bring Freyer, as he did yesterday."
The rapid pulsing of her heart almost stifled her. One quarter of an hour passed after another. At last Ludwig came--but alone.
The countess was sitting at the open window and Ludwig paused beside it.
"Well, how was the play to-day?"
"Magnificent," he replied. "I never saw Freyer so superb. He was perfect, fairly superhuman! It is a pity that you were not there."