"I beg your pardon then, Herr Steinmarc."
"Will you let me address you, then, as your lover?"
"Oh, no!"
"Because of that young man; is it?"
"Oh, no, no. I have said nothing to the young man—not a word. He is nothing to me. It is not that."
"Linda, I see it all. I understand everything now. Unless you will promise to give him up, and do as your aunt bids you, I must tell your aunt everything."
"There is nothing to tell."
"Linda!"
"I have done nothing. I can't help any young man. He is only over there because of the brewery." She had told all her secret now. "He is nothing to me, Herr Steinmarc, and if you choose to tell aunt Charlotte, you must. I shall tell aunt Charlotte that if she will let me keep out of your way, I will promise to keep out of his. But if you come, then—then—then—I don't know what I may do." After that she escaped, and went away back into the kitchen, while Peter Steinmarc stumped up again to his own room.
"Well, my friend, how has it gone?" said Madam Staubach, entering Peter's chamber, at the door of which she had knocked.