"We certainly shan't agree to-day," he said to Therese.
Therese smiled. "Scarcely. Hope you will enjoy your journey and I want once more to ... to thank you in the name of...."
"Hush!" said Ehrenberg and vanished.
"What are you thanking papa for?" said Else.
"For a gift of money for which I came to ask him in the most shameless manner. Apart from him there is not a single rich man in the circle of my acquaintances. I am not in a position to speak of the purpose for which it is wanted."
Frau Ehrenberg came up to Bermann and Nürnberger, who were continuing their conversation over the top of the piano, and said softly: "Of course you know that she"—then she looked at Therese—"has just been released from prison."
"I read about it," said Heinrich.
Nürnberger half shut his eyes and cast a glance at the group in the corner where the three girls were talking to Stanzides and Willy Eissler and shook his head.
"What cynicism are you suppressing?" said Frau Ehrenberg.
"I was just thinking how easily it might have come about for Fräulein Else to have languished two months in prison and for Fräulein Therese to have held receptions in a stylish drawing-room as daughter of the house."