"You will drink a health with me?" I asked.
She raised her glass. I assumed a profoundly sentimental air.
"It is to a little girl in Frankfort," I said sighing. "To meine liebe
Elsie! Soon I shall return to marry her!"
Madame raised her glass.
"To Elsie!" she repeated, and drank very nearly the whole of its contents. Then she set the glass down and looked at it thoughtfully.
"So," she murmured, "you have in Frankfort a little girl?"
"Yes, Madame!" I answered.
My hostess became thoughtful for a few moments. I could not flatter myself that it was disappointment which had furrowed her brow. She had, however, the air of one who finds it necessary to readjust her plans. It was during those few moments that I noticed the bulge in the curtains, concerning which I was wise enough to hold my peace.
"You will marry her some day?" she inquired.
"As soon," I answered, "as I have saved enough money. My uncle offers me the chance now. It is for that that I came back from America."