y be placed on those who are committed to a convent.
The hopelessness, the silence, the gloom, to say nothing of threats,
menaces, and constant and unremitting pressure, are sufficient to break
down the firmest resolution. The body becomes enfeebled, the nerves
shattered, and the power of resistance enfeebled. No, my darling, brave
as you are in your young strength, you could not resist the influence
which would be brought to bear upon you."

"Then it is clear," Malcolm said cheerfully, "that we must get your
daughter out of the clutches of the emperor and the nuns."

"That is what I have thought over again and again as I have lain here
helpless, but I can see no means of doing so. We have no friends in the
city, and, could the child be got safely out of this place, there is
nowhere whither she could go."

"And it is for that I have sent for you," the countess said. "I knew
that if it were in any way possible you would contrive her escape and
aid her to carry it out."

"Assuredly I will, my dear countess," Malcolm said. "You only wanted a
friend outside, and now you have got one. I see no difficulty about it."

At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in her
head and exclaimed, "The governor is alighting at the door." Malcolm at
once seated himself at the side table and began oiling the wheels of the
clock, while the countess and Thekla took up their work again and seated
themselves, as before, by the couch of the count. A moment later the
attendant opened the door and in a loud voice announced the Baron of
Steinburg.

The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then
bowing ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his health,
and paid the usual compliments to the countess. The count replied
languidly that he gained strength slowly, while the countess said
quietly that he had slept but badly and that his wound troubled him
much. It was well for Thekla that she was not obliged to take part
in the conversation, for she would have found it impossible to speak
quietly and indifferently, for every nerve was tingling with joy at
Malcolm's last words. The prospect had seemed so hopeless that her
spirits had sunk to the lowest ebb. Her mother had done her best to
cheer her, but the count, weakened by pain and illness, had all along
taken the most gloomy view. He had told himself that it was better for
the girl to submit to her fate than to break her heart like a wild bird