Euphrasia was allowing the dreams of an afternoon nap to float around her. The sisters-in-law were in her room. Reising brushed his hat and repaired to the confectioner's shop. It was situated by the Castle lake, and contained a suite of small rooms, which opened into a large hall looking towards the lake. Reising passed from one room into another and cast questioning glances at several members of the fair sex, who, here or there, were sitting alone. But these questions met with no other response excepting that of an unmeaning stare. Several rattled their newspapers angrily, in the perusal of which they had been absorbed. At last he seated himself in the open hall, and gazed discontentedly at the lake. Had any one ventured to play a practical joke on him? Otherwise he would not have been displeased at a little adventure, although until now he had never thought of such a thing. His imagination, whenever it did picture any particularly delightful event, had always let a torchlight procession in his honour float before him, and in idle moments he had even surprised himself in the effort to express in well-chosen words his thanks for that honour which his pupils vouchsafed to him. Now the play of his imagination had discovered fresh food, for, indeed, there lay an exciting charm in such expectation and tension; because, even while he was looking at the lake he listened at the same time with quickened ears whether the door did not open, whether any little tripping foot or rustling silken gown did not intimate the approaching surprise. At last--a veiled lady appeared--she threw back the veil--it was Cäcilie von Dornau. Reising had always thought her pretty and clever, and he felt particularly flattered that she should have invited him to a _tête-à-tête_. But how dangerous was this meeting! Not only was Cäcilie said to be engaged to Herr von Wegen, but she also possessed a passionate admirer in Dr. Kuhl, and now--he to be the third in the game! The girl was, indeed, enterprising! Cäcilie seemed to be embarrassed when she perceived him. The Professor was so really. He did not quite know how to adapt himself to his good fortune, and how he should behave on so unusual an occasion. He stood there, turning his hat round in his hand. Should he request her to sit down beside him? Cäcilie meanwhile had seated herself at another table. Reising went up to her and gazed at her with most speaking looks. He was waiting for her to address him, and with reason--a pink note has its duties! "It is very cool to-day," said Cäcilie, wrapping herself more closely in her cloak. "You have been spoiled in Italy," said Reising. "It is cold enough there, too. I stayed a year and a half with a friend in Florence and Rome, and have only recently returned home. I assure you I have been as nearly frozen on the Arno and the Tiber as one can be on a Polar expedition. Italy in the winter is a delusion." "In summer, also--at least for many."