to my care.

"And to you, Thirza, do I swear to be a loving husband, to the end
of my life."

"And now," the count said, "we will leave these young people till
the bell rings," and taking the countess's hand, he led her into
the next room.

The ten minutes that passed, before the signal for dinner was
given, sufficed to do much to lessen the awkwardness of the
occasion; and Fergus was heartily grateful to the count for having
left them to themselves for that short time. The dinner passed off
as usual, the count chatting gaily; while Fergus attempted, with
indifferent success, to follow him. Thirza was very silent, but her
cheeks were flushed, and her eyes radiant with happiness.

It did not escape the attention of the servants who waited that
instead of, as usual, leading down the countess while the count
brought down his daughter; this time the count and his wife had
come down first, followed by Fergus and the young countess. Nor
were they slow to notice Thirza's flushed face.

The count's household had been deeply interested in the visits of
Fergus. The women had always been unanimous in their opinion that
they would all have been murdered by the marauders, had it not been
for his interposition; and had also agreed that the most proper
thing in the world, after what had happened, would be that the
young countess should someday marry this brave young officer. Each
time that he had come, during the last four years, they had watched
and hoped that they should hear that this was coming about; but
hitherto they had been terribly disappointed, and had almost agreed
that, if nothing came of this long visit, nothing would ever come
of it. The news, therefore, brought down by the menservants excited
a lively interest.

"I said all along that it would be so some day," one of the women
exclaimed. "The countess would never have allowed our young lady to
be out in the garden, every afternoon, if she and the count had not
been willing that there should be a match; and I am sure I don't
see how he could help falling in love with the young countess."

"Nor she with him," another woman added. "He is the
pleasantest-looking young gentleman I have ever seen, and we know
that he is one of the bravest; and though he is a Prussian officer,
there is not a bit of stiffness about him. Well, I only hope it is
true."

"I would not count on it too much," one of the older women said.
"You never can take menfolks' opinions on such matt