"And may I ask in what the signal consists that announces to the man-fearing poet that other mortals have approached his goddess?" "It is no secret," said Madame von Arnim. "I will tell you, count. The signal is a lighted candle placed at the window of our dressing-room. When he sees this light, he beats a retreat, and turns his back on our house." "Will he come if no light is burning for him?" inquired Count Kunheim, quickly. "He will," replied Madame von Arnim, laughing. "Therefore, if no light should burn in the window, he would come this evening?" "Certainly he would. He vows that he only lives and thinks when in my daughter's presence; and he would undoubtedly have come this evening if I had not given him the signal." "But, mother," exclaimed Marie, "you are mistaken; we did not give the signal to-day." "Then, as you gave no signal, he has simply declined to avail himself of your invitation for this evening," remarked Count Kunheim. "No, no, count, he has not come, because I gave the signal." "Not so, my lady," observed a cold, quiet voice behind her; "true, you gave the signal, but he has come nevertheless." "Schiller!" exclaimed Marie, turning pale, and yet she smiled and her eyes sparkled. She was on the point of hastening forward with extended hands to meet him, but her mother had already interposed her colossal figure between her and the poet, and was gazing at him defiantly, as if to signify her readiness to take up the gauntlet if he should meditate warfare. "You are heartily welcome, Councillor Schiller," said she, in dulcet tones. "We feel highly honored and are particularly pleased to have you join us at last on an evening when we have company. These gentlemen will all be delighted to make your acquaintance. We were speaking of you when you entered, and all were regretting that you were not here, and--" "Of that I am aware," said Schiller, interrupting her. "I had been standing in the doorway for some time, but you were conversing so eagerly that no one noticed my presence. I saw and heard all." Schiller's voice trembled while uttering these words, and his countenance was deathly pale. "Then you heard us all express an ardent desire to make your acquaintance," said Count Kunheim, stepping forward. "I esteem myself highly fortunate in being able to gratify this desire. Permit me to introduce myself. I am Count von Kunheim."