“I will return,” he said drily; “for if you do not decide I shall take the other course.” With that threat he went away.
It was a curious situation that he left behind him. Helga had not said a word since his pointed sentence in reply to my offer to take her to her father, and I could not of course guess what she thought. But I knew my own mind very clearly; and that is always a circumstance in a two-sided discussion. At the same time I was not a little embarrassed.
Helga was the first to speak.
“Can it be true, do you think? Or is it only another of his schemes?”
“It differs a good deal from any others—at least in one point.”
“I don’t believe it. I won’t. I am sure it is false. My father was the soul of honour and loyalty.”
“You would at any rate see him!”
“Ah, my God, what would I not do to see him,” she cried.
But I wished to get her away from this strenuous mood, so I said with a smile:
“Even comply with his suggested condition?”