But the exertion seemed to have enabled Johann Leopold completely to conquer his disease. From this time he made rapid strides in convalescence; he was soon able to leave his bed, and at the end of January Aunt Thekla announced one morning with tears of joy, "He is coming down at noon to-day."
Just after this news, as Johanna and Magelone were left alone in the room, the latter said, "Have you written to Otto?"
"No, not yet." And Johanna bent over her work.
"He begged you so earnestly to do so. Why should you be so cruel to your friend?" Magelone continued. "You really must do it; I ask you for my own sake. Otto must have carried off with him my little ivory tablets which he took from me to tease me. Write to him to send them back to me."
"Why not do so yourself?" Johanna asked. "Then you could inform him concerning Johann Leopold."
"I? What are you thinking of?" exclaimed Magelone. "I think he showed great tact in asking you to write."
"Tact?" Johanna repeated. "I do not understand you."
"Why, yes; of course it would have been painful for me to destroy Otto's hopes. You are unconcerned, and can do so much better. How you look at me!" she went on. "Did you never think that if Johann Leopold were to die, Otto would be the heir?"
"Magelone! You cannot believe that Otto reckoned upon that?" cried Johanna.
"I do not believe it: I know it. He has talked with me of it more than once," Magelone replied. And after a pause she added, with a mocking smile, "How you look, my dear Johanna! Is it possible that you can have been at all mistaken in our cousin Otto? His is no ideal character. He is a thorough man of the world, selfish and grasping in the extreme."