"I shall be very
obedient and dutiful. If I do anything that displeases you, you must
scold me, and praise me when I do what is right."
"And I am not to be asked if I consent to this abduction of my ward?"
here smilingly interposed Count Vavel.
"Why can't you come with us?" innocently inquired Marie.
The other young woman laughed merrily.
"He may come for a brief visit; later we will let him come to stay
always." Then she added in a more serious tone: "Count Vavel, you may
rest perfectly content that your treasure will be safe with me. My house
is prepared for assault. My people are brave and well armed. There is no
possible chance of another attack from robbers like that from which you
delivered me."
"Ludwig delivered you from robbers?" repeated Marie, in astonishment.
"When? How?"
"Then he did not tell you about his adventure? What a singular man!"
Here the vice-palatine interposed with: "What is this I hear? Robbers? I
heard nothing about robbers."
"The baroness herself asked me not to speak of the affair," explained
the count.
"Yes, but I did not forbid you to tell Marie, Herr Count," responded
Katharina.
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