Frau Ropius nodded her head, as if satisfied. But she neither looked at
Bertha nor made any reply.
"I am so glad that I have met you again!" said Bertha. "You are the only woman here, you know, whom I trust; indeed, you are the only woman who could understand anything like this."
"Ah, no," said Frau Rupius to herself, as though she were dreaming.
"I do envy you so, because to-day in a few short hours you will see
Vienna again. How fortunate you are!"
Frau Rupius had sat down in one of the leather armchairs by the table.
She rested her chin on her hand, looked at Bertha, and said:
"It seems to me, on the other hand, that it is you who are fortunate."
"No, I must, you see, remain here."
"Why?" asked Frau Rupius. "You are free, you know. But go and put that letter into the box at once, or I shall see the address, and so learn more than you wish to tell me."
"I will, though not because of that—but I should be glad if the letter went by this train and not later."
Bertha hurried into the vestibule, posted the letter and at once returned to Anna, who was still sitting in the same quiet attitude.