He felt more cheerful now, and hoped for victory in the end. Mrs. Rantzau, he was convinced, would use her utmost influence with her daughter, though of course they would think it looked better not to accept at once!
On returning to the office he fancied Betty was more than usually friendly, and came to the conclusion that she had perhaps begun to think more seriously over the matter.
In order to prepare the children in any case, he thought it best to take William into his confidence, without further delay, as to his intention of marrying again. William was accordingly asked to come upstairs.
When they entered the drawing-room Holm locked the door, and motioned William to a seat on the sofa beside him.
"But what on earth are you making all this mystery about, old man?" said William.
"Old, did you say? You might be thankful, my boy, if you were as youthful as I am."
"Why, what's the matter now?"
"I want to speak to you seriously, my son. For seventeen years now I have been a lone, lone man...."
"Seventeen years?"
"That's what I said. It's seventeen years now since Mrs. Gronlund died. But what is time? A mere trifle. Anyhow, I'm getting tired of this lonely life."