I strove to divert my attention from the perils which surrounded me, by conversing on different subjects with the Baroness.

I talked of Germany, declaring my intention of visiting it immediately: God knows, that I little thought at that moment of ever seeing it! She replied to me with great ease and politeness, professed that the pleasure of making my acquaintance amply compensated for the delay in her journey, and gave me a pressing invitation to make some stay at the Castle of Lindenberg.
As She spoke thus, the Youths exchanged a malicious smile, which declared that She would be fortunate if She ever reached that Castle herself.

This action did not escape me; But I concealed the emotion which it excited in my breast.

I continued to converse with the Lady; But my discourse was so frequently incoherent, that as She has since informed me, She began to doubt whether I was in my right senses.

The fact was, that while my conversation turned upon one subject, my thoughts were entirely occupied by another.