He was busily engaged raking
together the fallen leaves, when Marie suddenly appeared by his side,
and said breathlessly:
"Please take this letter."
The youth, who was speechless with astonishment and confusion at sight
of the lady he had been forbidden to look at, slowly extended his hand
to comply with her request when Count Vavel, who had swiftly approached,
unseen by either the youth or Marie, with one hand seized the letter,
and with the other sent Josef flying across the sward so rapidly that he
fell head over heels into some shrubbery.
Then the count thrust the letter into his pocket, and without a word
drew the young girl's hand through his arm, and walked swiftly with her
into the castle. The count conducted his charge into the library. He had
not yet spoken a word. His face was startlingly pale with anger and
terror.
When they two were alone within the four walls of the library, he said,
fixing a reproachful glance on her:
"You were going to send a letter to some one?"
The young girl calmly returned his glance, but did not open her lips.
"To whom are you writing, Marie?"
Marie smiled sadly, and drooped her head.
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