The new laying-out of the park came to be spoken of; and immediately after dinner they went to look at what was going on.  Ottilie withdrew, under pretence of having household matters to look to; in reality, it was to set to work again at the transcribing.  The Count fell into conversation with the Captain, and Charlotte afterward joined them.  When they were at the summit of the height, the Captain good-naturedly ran back to fetch the plan, and in his absence the Count said to Charlotte: 

“He is an exceedingly pleasing person.  He is very well informed, and his knowledge is always ready.  His practical power, too, seems methodical and vigorous.  What he is doing here would be of great importance in some higher sphere.”

Charlotte listened to the Captain’s praises with an inward delight.  She collected herself, however, and composedly and clearly confirmed what the Count had said.  But she was not a little startled when he continued: 

“This acquaintance falls most opportunely for me.  I know of a situation for which he is perfectly suited, and I shall be doing the greatest favor to a friend of mine, a man of high rank, by recommending to him a person who is so exactly everything which he desires.”

Charlotte felt as if a thunder-stroke had fallen on her.  The Count did not observe it:  women, being accustomed at all times to hold themselves in restraint, are always able, even in the most extraordinary cases, to maintain an apparent composure; but she heard not a word more of what the Count said, though he went on speaking.

“When I have made up my mind upon a thing,” he added, “I am quick about it.  I have put my letter together already in my head, and I shall write it immediately.  You can find me some messenger who can ride off with it this evening.”

Charlotte was suffering agonies.  Startled with the proposal, and shocked at herself, she was unable to utter a word.  Happily, the Count continued talking of his plans for the Captain, the desirableness of which was only too apparent to Charlotte.

It was time that the Captain returned.  He came up and unrolled his design before the Count.  But with what changed eyes Charlotte now looked at the friend whom she was to lose.  In her necessity, she bowed and turned away, and hurried down to the summer-house.  Before she was half way there, the tears were streaming from her eyes, and she flung herself into the narrow room in the little hermitage, and gave herself up to an agony, a passion, a despair, of the possibility of which, but a few moments before, she had not had the slightest conception.

Edward had gone with the Baroness in the other direction toward the ponds.  This ready-witted lady, who liked to be in the secret about everything, soon observed, in a few conversational feelers which she threw out, that Edward was very fluent and free-spoken in praise of Ottilie.  She contrived in the most natural way to lead him out by degrees so completely that at last she had not a doubt remaining that here was not merely an incipient fancy, but a veritable, full-grown passion.