"I think the horses must have been brought round," he said, rising and kissing Frau von Wallbach's hand; "excuse me for to-day; to-morrow, if you will permit it, I will call again. I want to show Fräulein Carla the harbour works. She interests herself very much about them. I hope that you will be of the party. _Au revoir!_" He hurried away without waiting for the lady's answer. As he passed hastily through the anteroom, from which doors opened on all sides, Carla came towards him, holding her whip in one hand and in the other her hat and gloves. "Your sister-in-law is still in the drawing-room," he said out loud. "Thank you," replied Carla equally distinctly. He made her a sign with hand and eye. "Have you examined this charming old painting yet?" "Which one!" "This one, here! look!" They had moved so far on one side that they could not well be seen from the drawing-room, of which the portières were open. "One only," whispered the Count. "You are mad!" "The first--and last to-day." She put up her lips to him. "Angel!" "Really charming!" said Carla out loud; and then in a whisper, "For heaven's sake, go away!" She vanished into the drawing-room, and the Count rushed into the corridor. Neither had remarked, their whole attention being directed to the drawing-room, that at the moment when their lips met the portière of a second door, which led to the inner apartments, was lifted, and as quickly dropped again. "Is Elsa gone?" asked Carla. "I wanted to say good-bye to her." Frau von Wallbach turned her head so far as to be able to see Carla if necessary. "I have spoken to him." "What did you say?" asked Carla eagerly. "That it is too boring here, and I cannot stand it any longer." "That was all?" "It was enough for me. You must manage for yourself." "But Edward himself thinks your presence necessary here." "Your brother cannot expect that I should bore myself to death for you." Carla shrugged her shoulders. "You will be in a better temper to-morrow. Good-bye!" "I go to-morrow, you may depend upon that." To hear a decided resolution from her sister-in-law was something so extraordinary, that Carla, who was already at the door, turned round again. "But, Louisa----" "Well, I do not see it at all," said Frau von Wallbach. "Elsa is always amiable to me, much more so than you are. I was really sorry for the Baroness to-day, to see the trouble she took without receiving the slightest thanks from you, and I am sorry for poor Ottomar. Whatever he may be, he does not show me that he thinks me a fool, as you do, and I do not think it seemly that behind his aunt's back in her own house----" "Warnow has long belonged to the Count," said Carla. "It is all the same. We are staying here with the Baroness, and not with the Count. If you wish to stay with the Count, marry him--for all I care. But I think you would be sorry if you gave up Ottomar, and I do not see how it would be possible now. However, do as you please--I go!"