ed before the gentlemen had escorted the ladies to their
chairs, and the arrangement appointed according to rank and precedence,
which had governed the seats assigned at the table, had yielded to free
gathering in groups. Mrs. Burgess had dismissed her lieutenant with a
somewhat curt bow, and took her place before a beautiful little Menzel,
which she examined a long time. Frau von Jagerfeld and Bergmann
released themselves almost at the same moment, the former from her old
general, the latter from his banker's wife, and again found themselves
side by side.

"Do you want me to introduce you to Ada?" she asked, quickly.

He bowed silently, and offered his arm. On reaching Ada, she lightly
touched her on the shoulder, white as mother-of-pearl, with her fan,
and when the lady, somewhat surprised, turned, Frau von Jagerfeld,
smiling pleasantly, said: "My dear child, let me present to you our
best friend, Dr. Bergmann. I must devote myself to the rest of my
guests, and, unfortunately, have not time to tell you all the good I
think of him. But you will discover all that is necessary for
yourself. You know, my dear, that you are the two most interesting
people here. It is fitting for you to be together." With these words
she rustled away to address a few kindly words to the architect of the
castle, who was surrounded by a numerous group.

Bergman stood before Mrs. Burgess, gazing at her gravely and intently.
The more at ease of the two, she sat down on a sofa and, with a gesture
of the hand, invited him to take the arm-chair in front of it.

"Frau von Jagerfeld has talked of you a great deal, and very
enthusiastically," she said, in a musical, somewhat deep, resonant
voice, which thrilled his every nerve like the sound of bells, and as
he bowed, she added, smiling mischievously: "And of me to you; I
watched you at the table."

"Yes," he answered, "and enthusiastically, also."

"She is a kind friend, I know." A brief pause followed, which she
abruptly interrupted. "You are a physician, and in spite of your
youth, a famous one--modesty is unnecessary. It is strange--I like
physicians, and yet I fear them."

"Why?"

"Yes, why? I like them because they are usually earnest, talented men,
who have experienced much, know much, and from whom new and remarkable
things can always be learned. I fear them because they have no
illusions."

"Perhaps that is not always correct."

"Oh, pardon me; how is a physician to