"Pray, pray, Wolf!" Benno protested, in such embarrassment that Elmhorst could not but release him. He observed that his friend had a medical visit to pay, and thus allowed him to take his leave. How this leave was taken the poor doctor never quite understood; he only knew that the delicate white hand was held out to him in token of farewell, and that the kindly brown eyes were lifted half compassionately to his own. Then Elmhorst took his arm, piloted him past all the flowers and statuettes, and then the door was closed between him and the fairy realm.
In the antechamber he asked, timidly, "Wolf--did it go off so very badly?"
"God knows, it could hardly have been worse," was Elmhorst's irritated reply.
"I told you before, I am unused to society," Benno said, piteously.
"But you are a man nearly thirty, and can be resolute enough by the bedside of a patient; while to-day you behaved like a school-boy who has not learned his task."
Thus he hectored his friend after his usual fashion, and Benno meekly submitted. Only when he was entreated earnestly to collect himself and be more sensible the next time, did he ask, in a half-frightened, half-pleased tone, "May I come again, then?"
Elmhorst fairly lost patience: "Benno, I really do not know what to think of you. Have I not begged you to take charge of my betrothed's health?"
"But the old lady was much displeased,--I could see that," Reinsfeld observed, dejectedly, "and I am afraid that Fräulein Nordheim too thinks----" He paused and looked down.
"I do not ask the Baroness Lasberg's permission in my plans for my betrothed," Wolfgang said, haughtily. "And my influence with Alice is supreme. Since it is my wish, she has accepted you for her physician."
The doctor eyed him askance: "Wolf, you really do not deserve your good fortune."