"But Alice does not seem well. She will not, it is true, admit any indisposition, nor will she allow Dr. Reinsfeld to be summoned, but she looked so pale and ill awhile ago when she came out of her father's room, that I was quite alarmed."
She seemed to expect an answer, but Elmhorst continued to gaze towards the bridge in silence.
"Surely you ought to forsake your work for to-day and see after your betrothed."
"I have no longer the right to call Fräulein Nordheim my betrothed," Wolfgang said, coldly.
"Herr Elmhorst!"
"Yes, Fräulein von Thurgau. Differences of opinion have arisen between the president and myself of so decided a character that any adjustment is impossible. We have both withdrawn from the intended connection."
"And Alice?"
"She knows nothing of it as yet, at least through me. Possibly her father may have acquainted her with the matter; in any case, she will submit to his decision."
The words testified clearly to the nature of the strange alliance, which had in fact existed only between Nordheim and his intended son-in-law. Alice had been betrothed since the interests of both men required that so it should be, and now when these interests no longer existed the betrothal was dissolved without even referring the matter to her; it was taken for granted that she would submit. Erna too seemed to have no doubt upon the subject, but she changed colour at the unexpected intelligence. "It has come, then, to this," she said, softly.
"Yes, it has come to this. I was asked to pay a price far too high for me or----, and I made my choice."