"Why from me?" The tone in which the question was put was sharp and cold.
"Because you seem to me perfectly capable of preserving your self-control. Your entire personality is indicative of such decision, such perfect command of circumstances, that I am convinced you always know what you are about. Unfortunately, that is not so with us idealists; we ought to learn of you."
The words sounded courteous, but the sting in them made itself felt, and Elmhorst was not a man to allow them to pass unresented. His look grew dark: "Ah, indeed? You consider yourself an idealist, Herr Waltenberg?"
"I do,--or do you count yourself among them?"
"No," Wolfgang said, coldly; "but among those quick to resent an insult."
His attitude and manner were so provoking that Waltenberg perceived the necessity for moderation, although his nature rebelled against yielding to the 'fortune-hunter' who confronted him so proudly. What turn the conversation might have taken, however, it is impossible to say, for Herr Gersdorf here interrupted it. He had no suspicion of what was going on, and turned to Wolfgang with, "I have just heard, Herr Elmhorst, that you leave town to-morrow. May I beg you to carry my warm remembrances to my cousin Reinsfeld?"
"I will do so with pleasure, Herr Gersdorf. I may tell him of your betrothal?"
"Certainly. I shall write to him shortly, and trust we may see him upon our wedding-tour."
Waltenberg had turned away, quite conscious that he could not possibly provoke a quarrel with his guest, and well pleased that Gersdorf had intervened. Veit Gronau, however, seemed suddenly interested.
"Pardon me, gentlemen," said he: "you mentioned a name which I remember from the time of my boyhood. Are you speaking of the engineer Benno Reinsfeld?"