"No," replied Peter. "But it soon will be. I'm going to settle it. Any one can see how she feels toward Frederik."
"But," faltered Hartmann lamely, "isn't she very—very young to be married?"
"Not when she marries into the family. Not when I'm here to watch over her. You see—Sit down again, James. I like to talk about it to some one who is interested. And you are interested, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir," the secretary managed to say.
"Very good. Now, in following out my plans——"
"Oom Peter," called Kathrien from the dining-room, "I have your coffee all ready. Shall I bring it in?"
"By and by, dear. By and by. I am busy now. I'll let you know. Shut the door, won't you?"
She obeyed. And to the hungrily watching secretary it seemed as if the door were closing, in his very face, upon the gates of Paradise.
"In following my plans," Grimm was repeating, "I've had to be pretty shrewd and secretive. For it wouldn't do to let either of them suspect too soon. And I flatter myself they didn't. Here's my notion. I made up in my mind to keep Katje in the family. I'm a rich man. And so I've had to guard against young fellows who would dangle around after a girl for her money. I've guarded that point rather well. The whole town, for instance, understands that Katje hasn't a penny. Doesn't it?"
"I believe so."