A deep sigh, and a movement of impatience was the only answer.
"You love her?"
"I worship her!"
"And this worship gives her only too much satisfaction. But now, do you imagine that my proud cousin would be the one to suffer a rival in the shape of an unknown, insignificant little Bürgermädchen? Take care, if she should find it out sooner or later; I assure you, it would dash all your hopes to the ground at once."
Eugen looked moodily into space.
"Hopes! How could I dare to have any? Am not I bürgerlich, with no great name, no fortune--do you really imagine that she would be ready to sacrifice her name and rank for me, that Countess Arnau could ever become the wife of an unknown painter?"
A sarcastic smile quivered round Hermann's lips--
"Well, if you cannot tell, I am not the one to give you any certainty about the matter. But," added he, mockingly, "it seems to me you are pretty sure of your ground, and that there is not much danger of having 'No' for an answer. Just on that account you must decide for yourself. How shall it be? What have you decided?"
Eugen threw himself back into his chair with a despairing exclamation.
"Do not torment me with such questions, Hermann! You see my difficulties! It would be kinder to show me some way out of this labyrinth."