Adelaide turned in surprise. "So suddenly?"
"Yes; I thought to accomplish this very serious affair by letter, but the Minister expressly desires a personal interview. Therefore I shall take leave of the Duke to-morrow morning for a period of about a week, and depart immediately."
The young bride's features could not be distinguished in the semi-darkness, but her breast heaved with a deep sigh, which betrayed a perhaps unconscious relief.
"At what hour do we leave?" she asked quickly; "I should like to notify my maid."
"We? This is entirely a business trip, and, naturally, I go alone."
"But I could accompany you."
"What for? You understand that it means an absence of only a week or two."
"No matter. I--I should like to see Berlin again."
"What a whim!" said Wallmoden, shrugging his shoulders. "I shall be so occupied this time that I could not accompany you anywhere."
The young wife had approached the table and now stood in the full light of the lamp. She was much paler than usual, and her voice had a suppressed sound as she returned: "Well, then, I shall go home. I should really not like to remain here alone at Furstenstein without you."