“I’ll have to lock the door,” Potter laughed. “You know what affection her father has for me, Cantor.”
“Indeed, yes.... But fathers don’t learn everything.”
Potter pressed his lips together, for this hint of something clandestine in his relations with Hildegarde affronted him. He said nothing.
Then the door burst open and Herman von Essen rushed into the room, bristling, panting. He stopped, glared at the little group, and pointed a trembling finger at Hildegarde. “There you are.... I had you watched. I knew you would come here.... It is like you, disgracing yourself. Have you no brains? Rushing here to this man that has made your name common in the whole city.... Out of here, out of here while I attend to him!” He advanced threateningly, but Hildegarde did not move, only eyed him with level contempt. “You,” he raved at Potter, “you entice my daughter!... By God! I’ll show you!...” He advanced again, burly fists doubled, Bismarck-like face purple and distorted by rage.
At the instant when it seemed the furious German would rush upon Potter, Cantor took one step forward and spoke. His voice was incisive, cold, compelling. It cut through von Essen’s rage to his consciousness and halted him. “Von Essen,” said Cantor, “you forget yourself.” That was all. He stood very straight, heels together, shoulders squared—the attitude of an officer facing his company.
Von Essen stopped, and his rage dropped from him as if it had been some false face which could flutter to the ground. He was compelled. Cantor’s cool voice had a surprising, a powerful effect. “I—” he faltered, seeming to grow smaller of stature, to wilt.
“You will take your daughter home,” said Cantor, still in that cool, commanding voice, “and you will treat her as a gentleman treats a lady. Am I understood?”
Von Essen nodded. He was inarticulate.
“See to it,” Cantor said. “Miss von Essen.” He bowed to Hildegarde, and, walking to the door, held it open for her, standing cold and straight while she passed her father and came toward him.
Von Essen followed. He had the appearance of a man suddenly caved in.