"Perhaps so, constituted as you are. Another man, on the contrary, might use it to force from Nordheim a consent which he assuredly would otherwise refuse. That you never could be induced to do."
"No, never!" Benno said, sadly. "I am going to Neuenfeld, and I shall in all probability never see Alice again."
They were interrupted by the announcement that Herr Waltenberg wished to speak with the engineer-in-chief. Elmhorst instantly arose, and Reinsfeld prepared to leave. "Good-night, Wolf," he said, cordially extending his hand. "Nothing can sever our friendship; we must always be what we have always been to each other,--eh?"
Wolfgang warmly returned the pressure of the hand thus given: "Good-night, Benno. I shall see you to-morrow."
He went with him to the door of the room, just as Waltenberg made his appearance; a few words were exchanged among the young men, and then Reinsfeld departed, and the two were left alone.
Ernst seemed to have regained his self-control during his lonely ride of two hours; his manner, at least, was cold and collected, although there was still a gleam in his eyes that boded no good.
"I hope I do not interrupt you, Herr Elmhorst?" he said, slowly approaching the young engineer.
"No, Herr Waltenberg; I expected you," was the reply.
"So much the better; there is no need, then, of any preface to what I am come to say. No, thank you!" he interrupted himself, as Elmhorst offered him a chair. "Between us formal courtesy is superfluous. I need not tell you why I am here. Our interpretation of the scene of this afternoon differed from that of the strangers then present, and I have a few words to say to you with regard to it."
"I am quite at your service."