"I can find my way through the forest.

No one will venture to follow me there in the dark." Steinmetz hesitated, shrugged his shoulders, and went back into the room.
The ladies at Thors were dressed for dinner--were, indeed, awaiting the announcement of that meal--when Paul broke in upon their solitude.

He did not pause to lay aside his furs, but went into the long, low room, withdrawing his seal gloves painfully, for it was freezing as it only can freeze in March.
The countess assailed him with many questions, more or less sensible, which he endured patiently until the servant had left the room.

Catrina, with flushed cheeks, stood looking at him, but said nothing.
Paul withdrew his gloves and submitted to the countess' futile tugs at his fur coat.

Then Catrina spoke.
"The Baron de Chauxville has left us," she said, without knowing exactly why.
For the moment Paul had forgotten Claude de Chauxville's existence.
"I have news for you," he said; and he gently pushed the chattering countess aside.