His confusion and anger were so intense that he could not find any reply to make to my jibe. He dropped back into his seat and sat biting his nails and scowling. I was delighted with my success.
"Well?" I asked at length. "A bit awkward, isn't it? I told you it was getting to be my turn to laugh. But I'm ready to come to an understanding. Drop this hunting business, and I'll hold my tongue to Ziegler."
"You've cornered me," he admitted with an oath. Then he laughed and swore again. "It wasn't my doing."
"What wasn't?"
"About Althea. I had to seem to wish it. It's my father's plan."
"You did the seeming very realistically," I retorted drily. "What are you going to do?"
"Marry the Ziegler girl when the time comes. I've no choice"; and he shrugged his shoulders and sneered.
"Why did your father wish you to marry a poor girl like Fräulein Althea?"
"If I'm not going to do it, what does that matter?"
"Not much, and I'll see that you don't do it," I replied as I rose. "We'll call a halt on both sides. I shan't talk so long as you run straight. But mind you do"; and with that I let him go.