Ernst folded his arms, and there was a trace of contempt in his voice as he continued: "I am, as you know, betrothed to Baroness von Thurgau, and I am not inclined to allow in my betrothed so intense an interest in the peril of another man. But that is a matter between herself and myself. What I desire to know at present is how far you are implicated in this interest. Do you love Fräulein von Thurgau?"
The question sounded like a threat, but Wolfgang's answer came instantly and simply: "Yes."
A flash of deadly hatred shot from Ernst Waltenberg's eyes, and yet this confession told him nothing new. He knew from Erna herself that she had loved another, but he had fancied that he should have to seek that other in the grave, among the shades. Here he stood living before him, the man who could sacrifice an Erna to wretched mammon; a man incapable of a pure, exalted affection, and who yet held his head as haughtily erect as if there were no reason why he should bow before any on earth. This irritated Ernst still more.
"And this love does not probably date from to-day or from yesterday? As far as I know, you have frequented the house of the president for years,--before I returned from Europe, before Baroness von Thurgau was betrothed."
"I regret being obliged to refuse to give you any satisfaction on these points," Wolfgang replied, as frigidly as before. "I am quite ready to answer any question you have a right to put. I refuse to submit to a cross-examination."
"I can well believe it," Waltenberg declared, with a bitter laugh. "You would fare but ill in such an examination,--as the betrothed of Alice Nordheim."
Elmhorst bit his lip,--the shot found a joint in his armour, but he recovered himself in an instant:
"First of all, Herr Waltenberg, I must request you to change your tone, if this conversation is to be prolonged. I will tolerate no insults, least of all, as you well know, from yourself."
"I am not to blame if the truth insults you," Ernst retorted, arrogantly. "Contradict my words, and I will retract them. Until you do, you must allow me to entertain my own opinion with regard to a man who loves, or pretends to love, a woman while he woos and wins a wealthy heiress. You cannot possibly ask esteem for such a paltr----"
"Enough!" Wolfgang cut short his words. "No need of abuse to attain your end. I am perfectly aware of why you are here, and I will not balk you. But such words as you are using I forbid. I am in my own house."