The young nobleman followed the others, who had already entered the house and gone into Brandow's room on the right of the hall, where the gaming-table, as Gotthold had noticed through the window, was already prepared. "Why, Herr Weber, are you going to stay out here?" asked Rieke, who had been standing in the hall, and now approached him. Her gray eyes rested upon him with a very friendly expression, and the thought passed through his mind that it probably depended only upon himself to win the goodwill of this avaricious creature, and even now he might make up for his neglect, nay must do so if he wished to accomplish the object for which he had returned to Dollan. He had given her a very handsome present when he took his departure that morning; perhaps he only needed to go on as he had begun. "We didn't expect to see you again so soon," added the girl; "and you went away so suddenly: you left a great many things behind; a beautiful red silk handkerchief--shall I get it for you?" She was now standing close beside him, and as if by accident, touched his arm. "I think it would be very becoming to you," said Gotthold. "Do you? I should think you would know a great deal about what was becoming to me. You never had eyes for anybody except--some one else." "Where is your mistress to-day? Why doesn't she appear?" asked Gotthold, and then as he fancied he saw a cloud pass over the girl's face, added: "I would give a great deal to know." "How much?" said the girl, with a roguish laugh. "Rieke, where are you?" cried Brandow's voice from the dining-room. "We want some more glasses. Where is the girl?" and he banged the door angrily behind him. "He didn't see us," whispered Rieke. "I must go in now, but I'll come back again directly." She glided away; Gotthold stood still a few moments, undecided whether to make an attempt to see Cecilia on his own account or not. There was no question that the girl could be of use to him if she chose; but would she choose? She seemed really frightened when Brandow called; but he had not relied much upon the fickle favor of the frivolous lass, and perhaps the whole thing was a preconcerted plot between Brandow and the girl in order to make sure of him, entangle him the more firmly in the net. No, it was better, trusting only to his own skill, to take advantage of the opportunity.