"And—_ach, ja, naturlich_! There is a countryman of yours who is most anxious to meet you again." She saw Nora’s colour change, and added quickly, "I do not mean an Englishman—a captain from the dragoons in Karlsburg—Herr Rittmeister!" A tall figure in a pale-blue uniform disengaged itself from a group of officers by the window and came towards them. Nora recognised Bauer instantly, but this time his good-looking face, with its expression of almost insolent indifference, aroused no feeling either of aversion or alarm. She determined to treat him as she would have treated any other acquaintance, satisfied that a great change divided the hot-headed child of then from the dignified married woman of now. Bauer’s manner also reassured her. He kissed her extended hand with a grave respect which was almost apologetic and caused her to answer his greeting with an impulsive friendliness worthy of a younger and less experienced Nora. Frau von Gersdorf nodded her satisfaction. She evidently felt that two of her guests were settled for the evening, and patted Nora’s arm with a hand whose white beauty was one of the few remaining traces of the past. "You two can talk Karlsburg news as soon as Herr Rebenski has finished his sonata," she said as she prepared to bustle off. "He is one of my protégés—a real genius, you know." Bauer looked at Nora with a faint, whimsical grimace. "Her Excellency has always a genius on hand," he said. "It is part of her own genius—this ’discovering’ instinct. Apparently the latest belongs to the piano _virtuoso_ class. We shall have to listen in respectful silence."