I was entering a golden coach.

It was very high, so I put my foot on your hand, and you lifted me in." Then, without the least embarrassment, she held out her right hand, but slapped his fingers smartly when he passionately endeavoured to raise it to his lips.
Yet the blow was not unkindly meant, for even while he drew back she voluntarily clasped both his hands, scrutinized him intently from head to foot, and said calmly: "Welcome to the old home, Sir Knight!" Then, laughing gaily, she added: "Why, such a thing is unprecedented! Not a feature, not a look is unlike what it used to be! And yet you've been roaming five years in foreign lands! Changes take place--only look at me!--changes take place more swiftly here in Ratisbon.

How you stare at me! I thought so! Out with it! Hasn't the feather-head of those days become quite a charming young lady ?" Now Wolf would gladly have made as many flattering speeches as she could desire, but his tongue refused to obey him.

The new meeting was too unlike his expectation.

The sight of the self-conscious woman who, in her wonderful beauty, stood leaning with folded arms on the ironing-table stirred his heart and senses too strongly.
Standing motionless, he strove for words, while his eyes revealed plainly enough the passionate rapture which agitated his soul.