"He hopes to ride over and pay his respects to the countess to-morrow or the next day." And the keen, kind eyes saw what they expected in the flickering light of the lamp.
At this moment Steinmetz was pushed aside from within, and a hulking young man staggered out into the road, propelled from behind with considerable vigor.

After him came a shower of clothes and bedding.
"Pah!" exclaimed Steinmetz, spluttering.

"Himmel! What filth! Be careful, Catrina!" But Catrina had slipped past him.

In an instant he had caught her by the wrist.
"Come back!" he cried.

"You must not go in there!" She was just over the threshold.
"You have some reason for keeping me out," she returned, wriggling in his strong grasp.