"You must be good enough to give me some definite news to send to Munich."
"You can send them the reason for the delay," I retorted hotly. "I decline your dictation, sir, and can dispense with your interference."
He was about to reply with equal warmth when Minna came out of one of the windows.
"Good morning, gentlemen," she said brightly. "Good morning, cousin Hans," and, her face radiant with smiles, she came to me holding out her hands.
All my anger fled at the sight of her, and when I held her hands in mine and read in her eyes the answering emotions to those which were rushing out through mine I had no thoughts save of peace, gladness, goodwill, and love.
"We must speak together at once," I said. "Shall we walk in the gardens here?"
I led her to a large, wide lawn, through the centre of which ran a broad path. It was a spot where we could not well be overheard.
"I passed the night in wondering what I was to hear this morning," she said. "I think it must be good news, for I was so happy."
"You have not slept, then?"
"Oh, yes. But while I slept I dreamt, and now and then had spells of delicious wakefulness. I don't know which was the better—the dreams that all was right, or the waking beliefs that all would soon be."