"We? It's a purely business affair, and I am going alone."
"But that won't prevent my accompanying you!"
"There would be no object in that. I'll only be away a week or two."
"But I—I'd like to see Berlin again."
"What a whim!" her husband answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I'll have so many claims upon my time that I could not have you with me."
The young wife had stepped to the table, and stood in the glare of the lamp. She was very pale now, and her voice had a pleading sound as she said:
"Very well, then, I will go home. But it is not possible for me to remain at Fürstenstein alone, without you."
"Alone!" The ambassador gave her a puzzled look. "You remain with our kinsfolk whose guests we are. Since when have you become so anxious for protection? That is a peculiarity which I had never observed in you until now. I don't understand you, Adelheid; it's a most singular caprice which you have taken into your head, this desire to accompany me."
"Well, call it a caprice. But let me go with you, Herbert—please let me go."
She laid her hand beseechingly on his arm, and her eyes had an intense and anxious expression, as she looked at her husband. There was a superior, almost sneering smile on his lips, as he answered her: