Chapter 25: Day Is Dawning

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​⁠In the quiet chamber in the ancient hunting-castle, on the spot formerly occupied by the little bed, a casket now stood on two chairs near a wooden crucifix.

Freyer had returned, bringing the body of his child. He had telegraphed to the countess, but received in reply only a few lines: "She was compelled to set off on a journey at once, her mind was so much affected that her physician had advised i