It was he who opened the door
for Mathilde, who returned in half an hour. She thanked him absent-
mindedly and went upstairs. He could hear the sisters talking
together in a low voice in the drawing-room, which he had never
seen, at the top of the stairs.
Then Desiree came down, and he helped her to find in a shed in the
yard one of those travelling-trunks which he had recognized as being
of French manufacture. He took off his boots, and carried it
upstairs for her.
It was ten o'clock before Sebastian came in. He nodded his thanks
to Barlasch, and watched him bolt the door. He made no inquiry as
to Mathilde, but extinguished the lamp, and went to his room. He
never mentioned her name again.
Early the next morning, the girls were astir. But Barlasch was
before them, and when Desiree came down, she found the kitchen fire
alight. Barlasch was cleaning a knife, and nodded a silent good
morning. Desiree's eyes were red, and Barlasch must have noted this
sign of grief, for he gave a contemptuous laugh, and continued his
occupation.
It was barely daylight when the Grafin's heavy, old-fashioned
carriage drew up in front of the house. Mathilde came down, thickly
veiled and in her travelling furs. She did not seem to see
Barlasch, and omitted to thank him for carrying her travelling-trunk
to the carriage.
He stood on the terrace beside Desiree until the carriage had turned
the corner into the Pfaffengasse.
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