Not so very difficult a task, methinks," she added coquettishly, acting the part she had indicated.
"By no means," Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really good looking, "and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at present you might well have another captive to look after; and now tell me, how is it possible for me to obtain an interview with the count ?" "And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla," the girl said laughing, "for I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young countess is always talking.

I don't see that it is possible." "Twenty ducats are worth earning," Malcolm said quietly.
"Very well worth earning," the woman replied, "but a costly day's work if they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows." "But we must take care that you run no risk," Malcolm said.

"Surely such a clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me to get in." "Yes; it might be managed," the girl said thoughtfully.

"The orders were strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move from his couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no motive in seeking to leave him, the strictness has been relaxed.

The orders of the sentry are stringent that neither of the ladies shall be allowed to set foot outside the door, but I do not think they have any orders to prevent others from going in and out had they some good excuse for their visit." "Then it is not so impossible after all," Malcolm said with a smile, "for I have an excellent excuse.
"What is that ?" the woman asked.
"The clock in the count's chamber has stopped, and it wearies him to lie there and not know how the time passes, so he has requested you to fetch in a craftsman to set it going again." "A very good plan," the girl said.