He had spent the evening before with Clara, in the sweet and charming converse of two loving hearts, who say so much, yet never can say enough; an hour had flown rapidly, then she had complained of violent pain from the small wound in her arm; they had applied cooling lotions, but the pain had increased, and the arm had swelled considerably. They sent for their usual medical attendant, and he had tried various remedies; but the poor girl said that the pain became still more violent; the wound was greatly inflamed and the swelling grew larger. Stielow remained at the Countess Frankenstein's house until the small hours of the morning; at last the doctor, after hearing how the injury had been received, tried a different ointment, and gave the young countess a sleeping draught. Countess Frankenstein had insisted upon Herr von Stielow's returning home and resting a little, and she promised him early in the morning to call in the celebrated Oppolzer. No one thought there was any real danger; but the young man had passed the night in great anxiety, possessed by forebodings he could not overcome. In the morning he sent his servant to make inquiries, and heard in reply that the countess had slept, and that Oppolzer was expected every moment. He dressed, and prepared to hasten to the countess's house. He had on his uniform, and was just buckling his sword, when his servant announced Count Rivero. Stielow made an impatient movement; but at the same time he gave his servant a sign to admit the visitor. The count entered the room, looking grave, though fresh and elegant. With a graceful bow he held out his hand to the young baron and said in his resonant voice, whilst his eyes beamed with an expression of warm friendship: "I heard that you were here with Field-Marshal Gablenz, and I hastened to visit you before you perhaps left us again, to express my joy that you have so happily escaped the dangers of war." "You are very kind, count," replied von Stielow in a slightly constrained tone; "I'm heartily glad to see you again." The count seemed to expect an invitation to sit down. Herr von Stielow looked on the ground with some embarrassment. Then he raised his candid eyes and said: "Count, you will forgive me if I speak quite openly to you. I beg you urgently, to repeat the honour of your visit at some other time, that I may have the happiness of increasing our acquaintance, which I hope," he added politely, "will become much more intimate; at this moment I must own I am pressingly engaged, and in great anxiety." "Anxiety?" asked the count, "it is not idle curiosity that urges me to inquire the cause." "Oh! I hope it is nothing very serious," said von Stielow, "the young Countess Frankenstein--you know I am engaged?" "I have heard so," replied the count, "and I wished to offer you my hearty congratulations." Herr von Stielow bowed slightly, and said: