Otto was indistinctly conscious of a peril in the silence, but could find no words to utter.

Suddenly the Countess seemed to awake.
'As for your wife--' she began in a clear and steady voice.
The word recalled Otto, with a shudder, from his trance.

'I will hear nothing against my wife,' he cried wildly; and then, recovering himself and in a kindlier tone, 'I will tell you my one secret,' he added.

'I love my wife.' 'You should have let me finish,' she returned, smiling.

'Do you suppose I did not mention her on purpose?
You know you had lost your head.
Well, so had I.