"Yes," she replied, scarcely conscious of his meaning.
"And you are happy?" he repeated.
"Why shouldn't I be?" she said. "I suppose I have everything to make me."
She stopped playing. This seemed to bring Von Barwig to a sense of his surroundings.
"Come," he said. "We must work! To the lesson! One, two, three; one, two, three."
He could not resist the impulse. He leaned over and again grasped her hands in his. She looked up at him, this time in utter surprise.
"You were slurring again, slurring again," he said, frightened at his lack of self-control.
"Was I, indeed?" said Hélène. "Well, you'll have to punish me severely if this goes on."
"One, two, three; one, two, three," he counted. His voice was choked with emotion, and he could barely see for his tears.
"No, no; I could not punish you. I could not put one straw in your way—only—I want to meet your father. Yes," he said in a more decided tone, "I want to meet your father! One, two, three; one, two, three." Whenever Von Barwig wanted to conceal his real feelings he counted.