"Is it true?" he asked, after glancing at it, looking at her with timid, sportive reproach. "Are you ill?"
"Yes!" she said caressingly, laying her hand, as if she felt a pang, upon her heart. "I am!"
He clasped both in his own and asked softly in a tone which sent a thrill of happiness through every vein: "How shall we cure this illness?"
She felt his warm breath on her waving hair--and dared not stir.
Then, with sudden resolution he shook off the thrall: "Good-night, Countess!"
The next moment he was hurrying past the window.
Ludwig, wondering at his Mend's hasty departure, entered.
"What has happened, Countess?"
"Signs and wonders have happened," she said, extending her arms as if transfigured.