‘Ah, _mein Fräulein_, we thought you were lost!’ he said, addressing Sara, and studiously avoiding even looking at her companion. ‘The countess is waiting to seek her carriage, for the road to Trockenau is rough.’ ‘Well, show us the way to where she is, please,’ said Sara, with a touch of impatience. Hans von Lemde walked stiffly in advance, trying rather feebly to look dignified. He was not naturally majestic in demeanour, and the circumstances deprived him of what little scrap of dignity he might in ordinary moments rejoice in. The effect of the procession was that of a noble and his lady preceded by a somewhat weak-minded retainer, new to his duties and afraid of taking too much upon himself. The Countess of Trockenau was not in the violent hurry which might have been expected from Lemde’s representations. She had time again to greet Jerome Wellfield, and to say: ‘By-the-bye, Mr. Wellfield, I have a party to-morrow. Will you come?’ ‘A very large party?’ ‘Oh, _so ziemlich_—quite without ceremony. The ladies come to coffee and remain; the gentlemen later, to the _Abendbrod_ and music. And a little dancing for the young people, I daresay, and wandering in the garden for those who like it. I shall expect you.’ ‘If my father is better, or rather if he should be no worse, _gnädige Frau_, I shall have the utmost pleasure,’ he said, bowing, while Sara stood a little apart and carefully fastened her glove. The countess turned to speak to some one else, and Wellfield, with a half-smile, politely suggested to Sara that perhaps he could button her glove. ‘There is your carriage, _gnädige Frau_, going slowly down the road,’ exclaimed young Lemde, as if eager to end the scene. ‘Call it, then,’ said Frau von Trockenau, in much the same tone as that lately used by Miss Ford. It was a tone very generally adopted towards ‘poor Lemde.’ Obediently he hurried forward and hailed the coachman of the lady, who was still in lively conversation with a friend. ‘The carriage is here, most gracious, by the roadside, waiting!’ announced Hans, in a voice growing gradually louder and more portentous; and he repeated the information impressively. ‘_Aber, dieser Mensch!_’ murmured the ‘gracious lady,’ as Wellfield advanced, gave her his arm, and led her across the avenue to the roadside, where her carriage was waiting. Lemde wished very much to offer his arm to Sara, but, looking furtively at her, decided with a sigh not to venture, and turned instead to Emily Leigh, the other English girl, who immediately put her hand within his arm, and tripped after Frau von Trockenau with the utmost cheerfulness. Sara followed, dignified and solitary. It was Jerome Wellfield who handed her into the carriage. ‘_Also—bis Morgen!_’ said the countess, bowing, and waving her hand as they drove away. Wellfield and Hans Lemde were left alone. ‘Are you going to the party to-morrow?’ asked Wellfield. ‘I? certainly. I go to all Frau von Trockenau’s parties.’