Part 12 (2/2)
”We can have one later. The ladies will leave at ten. Then you others can remain.”
”And who will be sent away _next_, when you are wearied by this _apres soiree_? Who will be allowed to linger on a few minutes and smoke the last cigarette with you?” he added, coaxingly. He looked very handsome at that moment.
”We shall see,” replied the countess, and for the first time her voice thrilled with a warmer emotion. Her hand still rested in his, she had forgotten to withdraw it. Suddenly its warmth roused her, and his blue eyes flashed upon her a light as brilliant as the indiscreet glare which sometimes rouses a sleeper.
She released it, and as the dinner was over, rose from the little table.
”Will you go with me to call on the d.u.c.h.ess later?” she asked. ”If so, I will dress now, while you give the invitation to the gentlemen, and you can return afterward.”
”As you choose!” replied the prince in an altered tone, for the slight variation in the lady's mood had not escaped his notice. ”In half an hour, then. Farewell!”
CHAPTER VI.
THE EVENING BEFORE THE PLAY.
Josepha sat in the countess' room at work on her new dress. She was calm and quiet; the delight in finery which never abandons a woman to her latest hour--the poorest peasant, if still conscious, asks for a nicer cap when the priest comes to bring the last sacrament--had a.s.serted its power in her. The countess noticed it with pleasure.
”Shall you finish it soon, Josepha?”
”In an hour, Your Highness!”
”Very well, I shall return about that time, and then we'll try the dress on.”
”Oh, your ladys.h.i.+p, it's a sin for me to put on such a handsome gown, n.o.body will see me.”
”Not here, if you don't wish them to do so, but to-morrow evening we shall go to Munich, where you will begin a new life, with no brand upon your brow.”
Josepha kissed the countess' hand; a few large tears rolled down on the dress which was to clothe a new creature. Then she helped her mistress to put on a walking toilette, performing her task skillfully and quickly. The latter fixed a long, thoughtful look upon her. ”You are somewhat like your cousin, the Christ, are you not?”
”So people say!”
”I suppose he sees a great many ladies?”
”They all run after him, the high as well as the low. And it isn't the strangers only, the village girls are crazy over him, too. He might have _any_ one he wanted, it seems as if he fairly bewitched the women.”
”I heard that the reason for his secluded life was that he had a love affair with some n.o.ble lady.”
”Indeed?” said Josepha carelessly, ”I don't know anything about it. I don't believe it, though he would not tell me, even if it were true.
Oh, people talk about him so much, that's one reason for the envy. But his secluded life isn't on account of any n.o.ble lady! He has had nothing to say to anybody here since they refused to let me take part in the Play and gossiped so much about me. Though he doesn't speak of it, it cuts him to the heart. Alas, I am to blame, and no one else.”
Countess Wildenau, obeying a sudden impulse, kissed the girl on the forehead: ”Farewell, keep up courage, don't weep, rejoice in your new life; I will soon return.”
As she pa.s.sed out, she spoke to the Gross sisters commending Josepha to their special care.
”The gentlemen are delighted, and send you their most grateful homage,”
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