Suddenly the mist scatters----" "And mountain and forest, land and water, lie before us in the radiant sunlight!" cried the countess.

"How well I know such scenes! And how I should rejoice if a favourable wind would sweep the grey mist away for you right speedily! Only--indeed, I am not disposed to look on the dark side--only, perhaps you do not know how resolute the Emperor is that the peace of the country shall be maintained.

If your lover allowed himself to be carried away----" "This was not the first time," Els eagerly interrupted, "that young Vorchtel tried to anger him in the presence of others; and he believed that he was justified in bearing a grudge against his former friend--it was considered a settled thing that Wolff and his sister Ursula were to marry." "Until," Cordula broke in, "he gazed into your bright eyes." "How could you know that ?" asked Els in confusion.
"Because, in love and hate, as well as in reckoning, two and three follow one," laughed the countess.

"As for your Wolff, in particular, I will gladly believe, with you, that he can succeed in clearing himself before the judges.

But with regard to old Eysvogel, who looks as though, if he met our dear Lord Himself, he would think first which of the two was the richer, your future brother-in-law Siebenburg, that disagreeable 'Mustache,' and his poor wife, who sits at home grieving over her dissolute husband--what gratitude you can expect from such kindred--" "None," replied Els sadly.