Count Monte Nuovo, which title disguised the celebrated name of Neuburg, was the son of Marie Louise. He was a handsome, tall, fashionable general of forty-eight or fifty, who presented himself to Madame von Beling with all the Austrian grace and courtesy, and who, in saluting Helen, let fall from his lips the name of Karl von Freyberg. Helen started. Emma had excused herself, as the wife of a Prussian, from doing the honours of her house to a man with whom her husband might be fighting on the morrow. This absence gave Count Monte Nuovo the opportunity of being alone with Helen. Helen, it is hardly necessary to say, awaited this moment with impatience. "Count," said she, as soon as they were alone, "you mentioned a certain name." "The name of a man who adores you, Fräulein." "The name of my _fiancé_," said Helen, rising. Count Monte Nuovo bowed and signed to her to reseat herself. "I know it, Fräulein," he said; "Count Karl is my friend. He has bidden me hand you this letter and to give you news of him with my own lips." Helen took the letter. "Thank you, sir," she said, and, eager to read it. "You will allow me, won't you?" "Certainly," said the count bowing, and he appeared to become absorbed in a portrait of Herr von Beling in his uniform. The letter was all vows of love and protestations of tenderness such as lovers write to each other. Old phrases always new; flowers plucked on the day of creation, and, after six thousand years, as sweet as on the first day. Having finished the letter, as Count Monte Nuovo still looked straight at the portrait: "Sir," said Helen, in a low voice. "Fräulein?" answered the count, approaching her; "Karl lets me hope that you will give me some details yourself," and he adds: 'Before coming to grips with the Prussians, he will, or indeed we shall perhaps, have the pleasure of seeing you again.'" "It is possible, Fräulein, especially if we meet the Prussians in three or four days." "Where did you leave him?" "At Vienna, where he was organizing his volunteer regiment. We arranged a meeting-place at Frankfort, my friend Karl von Freyberg having done me the honour of wishing to serve under my orders." "He tells me that he has as his lieutenant a Frenchman whom I know. Do you know of whom he is speaking?" "Yes; he met him at the King of Hanover's, where he went to pay his respects; a young Frenchman called Benedict Turpin." "Ah! yes," said Helen smiling, "he whom my brother-in-law wished me to marry in gratitude for the sabre-cut he received from him." "Fräulein," said Count Monte Nuovo, "these things are riddles to me." "And a little to me also," said Helen; "I will explain to you." And she told him what she knew of Frederic's duel with Benedict. She had scarcely finished when some one simultaneously knocked and rang at the door. Hans went to open it, and a voice asking for Madame von Beling, and reaching her ears through all the closed doors between, made her start.