imperfectly comprehended his purposes as respected herself.
    These were not easily explained. She found the Landgrave pacing the room
with violence. His back was turned towards her as she entered; but, as the usher
announced loudly on her entrance, »The Countess Paulina of Hohen-helder,« he
turned impetuously, and advanced to meet her. With the Landgrave, however
irritated, the first impulse was to comply with the ceremonious observances that
belonged to his rank. He made a cold obeisance, whilst an attendant placed a
seat, and then, motioning to all present to withdraw, began to unfold the causes
which had called for Lady Paulina's presence.
    So much art was mingled with so much violence that for some time Paulina
gathered nothing of his real purposes. Resolved, however, to do justice to her
own insulted dignity, she took the first opening which offered to remonstrate
with the Landgrave on the needless violence of his summons. His Serene Highness
wielded the sword in Klosterheim, and could have no reason for anticipating
resistance to his commands.
    »The Lady Paulina then distinguishes between the power and the right? I
expected as much.«
    »By no means; she knew nothing of the claimants to either. She was a
stranger, seeking only hospitality in Klosterheim, which apparently was violated
by unprovoked exertions of authority.«
    »But the laws of hospitality,« replied the Landgrave, »press equally on the
guest and the host. Each has his separate duties. And the Lady Paulina, in the
character of guest, violated hers from the moment when she formed cabals in
Klosterheim, and ministered to the fury of conspirators.«
    »Your ear, sir, is abused; I have not so much as stepped beyond the
precincts of the convent in which I reside, until this day in paying obedience
to your Highness's mandate.«
    »That may be; and that may argue only the more caution and subtlety. The
personal presence of a lady so distinguished in her appearance as the Lady
Paulina at any resort of conspirators or intriguers would have published too
much the suspicions to which such a countenance would be liable. But, in
writing, have you dispersed nothing calculated to alienate the attachment of my
subjects?«
    The Lady Paulina shook her head; she knew not even in what direction the
Landgrave's suspicions pointed.
    »As, for example, this - does the Lady Paulina recognise this particular
paper?«
    Saying this, he drew forth from a portfolio a letter or paper of
instructions, consisting of several sheets, to which a large official seal was
attached. The