He was rejoiced at this motionless silence, which he ascribed to surprise at his sudden return, and he said: "General Gablenz has been sent for by the emperor, and he brought me here, so that I greet my darling sooner than I expected!" And taking from his uniform a gold case set with a C in brilliants, he added with a happy smile, "here is the talisman from my lady's hand, which preserved me through every danger; it has rested on my heart, and it can tell you that its every beat has been true to my love." He opened the case, and in the interior, upon blue velvet beneath a glass setting, lay a faded rose. "Now," he cried, "I need the dead talisman no longer, I see my living rose blooming before me!" He stood up, gently laid his arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss upon her brow. A slight shudder passed through her, her eyes sparkled with anger and contempt, a brilliant red glowed on her cheeks. With a hasty movement she tore herself free. "Baron," she cried, "I must beg--you surprise me!" She stammered; her lips trembled, she could not find words to express what she thought and felt, she could not say what she wished to say. After a moment's silence she turned to leave the room. The young officer stood as if struck by lightning, her strange words, the expression on her face, told him that something must have taken place to cause a breach between him and his love, but it was impossible for him to form any clear idea as to what it could be, and he looked at her in blank amazement. But when she turned to leave him and had actually reached the door, he stretched out both his arms towards her, and cried in a voice so full of love and regret, of grief and inquiry, that it could only proceed from the deepest and truest feeling, "Clara!" She started at this voice, which found an echo in her heart, she stood still, her strength left her, she tottered. He was beside her in a moment, he supported her, and led her to an easy-chair, in which he gently placed her. Then he knelt before her and cried in an imploring tone, "For God's sake, Clara, what has happened, what distresses you?" She held her handkerchief before her eyes and wept, struggling violently for composure. The door opened, and Countess Frankenstein entered. She looked at the scene before her in utter amazement. Herr von Stielow sprang to his feet. "Countess!" he cried, "can you explain the riddle I find here--what has happened to Clara?" The countess looked at him with grave severity. "I did not expect you to-day, Herr von Stielow," she said, "or I should have given orders for you to be told at once that my daughter is suffering, and very unwell. We must leave Vienna for a long time; and I think under the circumstances it would be better to annul the plans we had formed for the future. My child," she said, turning to her daughter who sat still, weeping quietly, "go to your room."