In the hall great excitement reigned. The preliminary exercises, although they were of the highest artistic excellence, had been listened to with but half an ear. Only when the American had taken his place at the reading-desk did the public experience that piquant satisfaction which one expresses in the three words: “Now it is coming!”
Franka did not come down until just before the recess; she took her place in a somewhat remote and dimly lighted corner. But Helmer caught sight of her and hastened to her. She was alone. Frau Eleonore, afflicted with a bad headache, had gone to bed.
Franka offered Helmer her hand: “Thank you for your letter, Brother Chlodwig. Sit down with me.” And she made room for him on the small sofa on which she was seated. “But tell me how you knew that the prince—”
“He himself told me so.”
“That he was betrothed to me?”
“That he had proposed to you ... and now he has been compelled to go away.”
“You know that, too?”
“He told me this in a note. This is really sad for both of you.”
“He will be back again.”
“Back here? But you were intending to return to Austria after the Rose-Week....”