A minute's silence followed, at last Hermann turned round. His features were calm and cold as usual, but a dark cloud was still on his brow.
"Pardon me, grandmother, that I have tormented you, too, with this subject."
"You are right, it is better to let it rest? What were we talking of before?"
He sat down again by her side, and she at once seized the opportunity of introducing another subject.
"I have wished to ask you a question some time, Hermann. Have you not yet thought that it will soon be necessary for you, as head of our family, and only male representative of the house of Arnau, to form an alliance with some daughter of the nobility?"
The Count leaned his head on his hands.
"Certainly I have thought of it," replied he indifferently, "especially now that I see the necessity of forming an establishment in the capital, and of moving frequently in society there."
"Have you made a choice?"
"No. You are aware that ladies have not much attraction for me, and from my standpoint I consider a marriage of convenience the best. I shall have very little time to devote to my wife, and seek in her chiefly a representative of my house."
The grandmother bowed her head assentingly.