"You only wanted a friend outside, and now you have got one.

I see no difficulty about it." At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in her head and exclaimed, "The governor is alighting at the door." Malcolm at once seated himself at the side table and began oiling the wheels of the clock, while the countess and Thekla took up their work again and seated themselves, as before, by the couch of the count.

A moment later the attendant opened the door and in a loud voice announced the Baron of Steinburg.
The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then bowing ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his health, and paid the usual compliments to the countess.

The count replied languidly that he gained strength slowly, while the countess said quietly that he had slept but badly and that his wound troubled him much.

It was well for Thekla that she was not obliged to take part in the conversation, for she would have found it impossible to speak quietly and indifferently, for every nerve was tingling with joy at Malcolm's last words.