"
"Good heavens, Marie! How can you frighten me so?" exclaimed Katharina,
in alarm.
"Ha, ha!" merrily laughed the young girl, "then I have really frightened
you? But don't be alarmed; directly some one will come who will not let
you 'perish miserably.'"
The baroness's face grew suddenly pallid; but she quickly recovered
herself as Count Vavel came hastily into the outer room.
"Did you summon me, Marie?" he called, when he saw that the screen was
down.
"Yes, I summoned you," replied Marie. "I want you to repeat the
good-night wish you give me every night."
"But it is not night."
"No; but you will not see me again to-day, so you must wish me good
night now."
Ludwig came near to the screen, and said in a low, earnest tone:
"May God give you a good night, Marie! May angels watch over you! May
Heaven receive your prayers, and may you dream of happiness and freedom.
Good night!"
Then he turned and walked out of the room.
"That is his daily custom," whispered Marie. Then she pressed her foot
on the spring in the floor, and the screen was lifted.
CHAPTER VI
Lisette had finished her tasks in the kitchen when the two ladies came
to pay her a visit.
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