Malcolm remained behind until his strength slowly returned.  The colonel, before leaving, had bade him take his time before rejoining, as months would probably elapse before the regiment would again be fit for service.  As soon as he was able to travel he journeyed to Nuremberg.  On arriving at the abode of Jans Boerhoff he learned that Thekla was no longer an inmate of the family.  The Count of Mansfeld had died in prison, and the countess had arrived at Nuremberg and had taken up her abode there.  Malcolm made his way to the house she occupied.  The meeting was an affecting one.  Malcolm was greatly grieved over the death of his staunch friend, and joined in the sorrow of the countess and her daughter.  A few days after his arrival the countess said to him: 

“I am of course aware, Malcolm, of the conversation which the count had with you concerning Thekla, and my wishes fully agreed with his on the subject.  In other times one would not speak of marriage when Thekla’s father had been but two months dead; but it is no time for conventionalities now.  All Southern Germany is falling away from the Protestant cause, and ere long we may see the Imperialists at the gate of Nuremberg, and it may be that in a few months the whole of Germany will be in their power.  Therefore, I would that there should be no delay.  Thekla is nearly seventeen; you are twenty-one —­ over young both to enter upon the path of matrimony; but the events of the last few months have made a woman of her, while you have long since proved yourself both in thoughtfulness and in valour to be a man.  Thekla is no longer a great heiress.  Since Nordlingen we may consider that her father’s estates have gone for ever, mine may follow in a few months.  Therefore I must ask you, are you ready to take her without dowry?”

“I am,” Malcolm said earnestly, “and that right gladly, for I love her with all my heart.”

“It needs no questioning on my part,” the countess said, “to know that she loves you as truly, and that her happiness depends wholly on you.  I saw her anguish when the news came of the terrible defeat at Nordlingen and of the annihilation of some of the Scottish regiments.  My heart was wrung by her silent despair, her white and rigid face, until the news came that you were among the few who had survived the battle, and, in the outburst of joy and thankfulness at the news, she owned to me that she loved you, her only fear being that you cared for her only as a sister, since no word of love had ever passed your lips.  I reassured her on that score by telling her of your conversation with her father, and that a feeling of duty alone had kept you silent while she remained under your protection.

“However, Malcolm, she will not come to you penniless, for, seeing that it was possible that the war would terminate adversely, and determined to quit the country should he be forbidden to worship according to his own religion here, the count has from time to time despatched considerable sums to the care of a banker at Hamburg, and there are now 10,000 gold crowns in his hands.