sed her hand to her hunting cap to salute the rest of the party. At
this moment her foot caught in the folds of her riding habit, she
stumbled, turned pale, and with a gesture of alarm and a half
suppressed cry fell back into the arms of Gaston and the huntsman, who
had hastily sprung forward.

She could not have hurt herself seriously, yet it was at least five
minutes, ere, with the assistance of the two men, she again stood
erect, with a face whose ghostly pallor seemed scarcely warranted by
the little fright she had had. The other guests had rushed up to offer
their very unnecessary services, and Edwin and the head ranger alone
remained in their former places.

"It's nothing," they now heard the countess say. "I slipped and grew
dizzy for a moment. I thank you, gentlemen."

She bowed with a winning smile to the company and then, leaning on
Gaston's arm, slowly descended the rest of the stairs. When they
approached the main entrance to the castle, beside which Edwin was
standing, she started as if she could not believe her eyes.

"I have the pleasure of presenting to you an old acquaintance, my dear
wife," said the count--"the Herr Doctor Edwin, who has been our guest
since yesterday; an accidental meeting at the railway station--he's
taking a little pedestrian tour--I knew it would give you pleasure."

She did not answer immediately; her eyes were fixed upon Edwin but her
expression was undefinable. "Is it really you?" she said at last,
suddenly recalling her self-control. "It's delightful to see you again.
I thank you," she continued turning to her husband. "But why did you
wait until today--"

"It was late in the evening when we arrived. You don't usually appear
at that hour."

"True," she answered with an absent smile. "However, I might perhaps
have made an exception for the sake of an old acquaintance. You're very
welcome, Herr Doctor, I hope you'll remain our guest for some time."

She had removed her glove and now held out her hand to Edwin, who,
stammering a few incoherent words, pressed his lips upon it in great
embarrassment. Then she turned to the other gentlemen, addressing a few
courteous words to each. It was impossible to discover whether the
sight of her old friend had made any deep impression upon her. But
Edwin couldn't take his eyes from her face. When Count Gaston passed
him and whispered: "Well? Did I say too much?" his only answer was a
forced smile. He was ashamed of himself when he tho