A false alarm of the arrival of the guests put an end to the reading; the baroness went out; and the countess, while about to shut her writing-desk, which was standing open, took up her casket, and put some other rings upon her finger. "We are soon to part," said she, keeping her eyes upon the casket: "accept a memorial of a true friend, who wishes nothing more earnestly than that you may always prosper." She then took out a ring, which, underneath a crystal, bore a little plait of woven hair beautifully set with diamonds. She held it out to Wilhelm, who, on taking it, knew neither what to say nor do, but stood as if rooted to the ground. The countess shut her desk, and sat down upon the sofa. "And I must go empty?" said Philina, kneeling down at the countess's right hand. "Do but look at the man: he carries such a store of words in his mouth, when no one wants to hear them; and now he cannot stammer out the poorest syllable of thanks. Quick, sir! Express your services by way of pantomime at least; and if to-day you can invent nothing, then, for Heaven's sake, be my imitator." Philina seized the right hand of the countess, and kissed it warmly. Wilhelm sank upon his knee, laid hold of the left, and pressed it to his lips. The countess seemed embarrassed, yet without displeasure. "Ah!" cried Philina, "so much splendor of attire, I may have seen before, but never one so fit to wear it. What bracelets, but also what a hand! What a neckdress, but also what a bosom." "Peace, little cozener!" said the countess. "Is this his lordship, then?" said Philina, pointing to a rich medallion, which the countess wore on her left side, by a particular chain. "He is painted in his bridegroom-dress," replied the countess. "Was he, then, so young?" inquired Philina: "I know it is but a year or two since you were married." "His youth must be placed to the artist's account," replied the lady. "He is a handsome man," observed Philina. "But was there never," she continued, placing her hand on the countess's heart, "never any other image that found its way in secret hither?" "Thou art very bold, Philina," cried she: "I have spoiled thee. Let me never hear the like again." "If you are angry, then am I unhappy," said Philina, springing up, and hastening from the room. Wilhelm still held that lovely hand in both of his. His eyes were fixed on the bracelet-clasp: he noticed, with extreme surprise, that his initials were traced on it, in lines of brilliants. "Have I, then," he modestly inquired, "your own hair in this precious ring?" "Yes," replied she in a faint voice; then, suddenly collecting herself, she said, and pressed his hand, "Arise, and fare you well!" "Here is my name," cried he, "by the most curious chance!" He pointed to the bracelet-clasp. "How?" cried the countess: "it is the cipher of a female friend!"