"So shortly after your betrothal?"
"I must. In the present condition of our work I cannot allow myself a longer leave of absence."
"Do you agree to this, Fräulein Nordheim?" Waltenberg appealed to Alice. "I should think under present circumstances you would have the first claim."
"Duty has the first claim upon me, Herr Waltenberg,--in my opinion, at least."
"Must you take it so seriously,--even now?"
"Wolfgang's eyes flashed. He understood this 'even now?' and understood also the look which he encountered; he had seen the same expression on another face a few hours ago. He bit his lip; for the second time he was reminded that he was considered in society only as 'Alice Nordheim's future husband,'--one who could with her fortune in prospect purchase immunity from duties which he had undertaken to fulfil.
"To fulfil a duty is with me a point of honour," he replied, coldly.
"Yes, we Germans are fanatics for duty," Waltenberg said, negligently. "I have lost somewhat of this national characteristic in foreign countries. Oh, Fräulein von Thurgau, not that disapproving look, I entreat. My unfortunate frankness will ruin me in your estimation, but remember I come from quite another world, and am absolutely uncivilized according to European ideas."
"You certainly seem so with respect to some of your views," Erna said, lightly, but withal with a shade of severity.
He smiled, and, leaning over the back of her chair, said, in a lower tone, "Yes, I need to be harmonized with mankind, and with our worthy Germans. Perhaps some one will have pity upon me and undertake the task. Do you think it would be worth the trouble?"