By the light of the lamp Frau Zsuzsa recognized the shining silver coins, and the door was opened its full width.
When she saw before her the veiled lady she became quite complaisant.
Curiosity is a powerful lever.
"I humbly beg your ladyship to enter." "Please tell the doctor the lady from the Nameless Castle wishes to see him." Frau Zsuzsa placed the lamp on the kitchen table, and left the visitors standing in the middle of the floor.
"Well, what were you talking about so long out yonder ?" demanded the doctor, when she burst into his study.
"Make haste and put on your coat again; the veiled lady from the Nameless Castle is here." "What?
Well, that is an event!" exclaimed the doctor, hurriedly thrusting his arms into the sleeves of his coat.

"Is the count with her ?" "No; the groom accompanied her." These magic words, "the veiled lady," had more influence on the doctor than any imaginable number of ducats.
At last he was to behold the mythological appearance--yes, and even hear her voice! "Show her ladyship into the guest-chamber, and take a lamp in there," he ordered, following quickly, after he had adjusted his cravat in front of the looking-glass.
Then she stood before him--the mysterious woman.

Her face was veiled as usual.

Behind her stood the groom, with whose appearance every child in the village was familiar.
"Herr Doctor," stammered the young girl, so faintly that it was difficult to tell whether it was the voice of a child, a young or an old woman, "I beg that you will come with me at once to the castle; the gentleman is very seriously ill." "Certainly; I am delighted!--that is, I am not delighted to hear of the worshipful gentleman's illness, but glad that I am fortunate enough to be of service to him.

I shall be ready in a few moments." "Oh, pray make haste." "The carriage will take us to the castle in five minutes, your ladyship." "But we did not come in a carriage; we walked." Only now the doctor noticed that the lady's gown was thickly spattered with mud.
"What?
Came on foot in such weather--all the way from the Nameless Castle?
and your ladyship has a carriage and horses ?" "Cannot you come with us on foot, Herr Doctor ?" "I should like very much to accompany your ladyship; but really, I have _rheumatismus acutus_ in my foot, and were I to get wet I should certainly have an _ischias_." Marie lifted her clasped hands in despair to her lips, but the beseeching expression on her face was hidden by the heavy veil.