have protected her future
votary. Besides, it pleases the arrogant little lady to show me as
plainly as possible, on every occasion, that I am a horror to her. Let
those who will accept such insults. My Christianity does not go far
enough to offer her the right cheek too. And shall I tell you something?
To spoil her game, I should be capable, in spite of all the life
preservers in the world, of binding Schorlin to me in good earnest."

"Do not!" pleaded Els, raising her clasped hands beseechingly, and
added, as if in explanation: "For the noble Boemund Altrosen's sake, do
not."

"To promise that, my darling, is beyond my power," replied Cordula
coolly, "because I myself do not know what I may do or leave undone
tomorrow or the day after. I am like a beech leaf on the stream. Let us
see where the current will carry it. It is certain," and she looked
at her bandaged hands, "that my greatest beauty, my round arms, are
disfigured. Scars adorn a man; on a woman they are ugly and repulsive.
At a dance they can be hidden under tight sleeves, but how hot that
would be in the 'Schwabeln' and 'Rai'! So I had better keep away from
these foolish gaieties in future. A calf turns a countess out of a
ballroom! What do you think of that? New things often happen."

Here she was interrupted; the housekeeper called Els. Sir Seitz
Siebenburg, spite of the untimely hour, had come to speak to her about
an important matter. Her father had gone to rest and sleep. The knight
also enquired sympathisingly about Countess von Montfort and presented
his respects.

"Of which I can make no use!" cried Cordula angrily. "Tell him so,
Martsche."

As the housekeeper withdrew she exclaimed impatiently: "How it burns!
The heat would be enough to convert the rescued calf into an appetising
roast. I wish I could sleep off the pain of my foolish prank! The
sunlight is beginning to be troublesome. I cannot bear it; it is
blinding. Draw the curtain over the window."

Cordula's own maid hastened to obey the order. Els helped the countess
turn on her pillows, and as in doing so she touched her arm, the
sufferer cried angrily: "Who cares what hurts me? Not even you!"

Here she paused. The pleading glance which Els had cast at her must have
pierced her soft heart, for her bosom suddenly heaved violently and,
struggling to repress her sobs, she gasped, "I know you mean kindly,
but I am not made of stone or iron either. I want to be alone and go to
sleep."