"If that should take place, Mevrouw, do you fancy that I could remain with you? Did you think I could endure that? But it is not going to be, is it? It was only a jest. Tell me that it was! You were only teasing me! Tell me that you were only teasing me!"
It was all too clear now, and she could dissemble no longer. Half in kindness, half in compassion, she said:
"But, my boy, my boy, what has got into your head?"
Johannes rested his hand on her arm, and asked, imploringly:
"You were not in earnest, were you?"
But she freed her arm gently, saying:
"Yes, Johannes, I was in earnest."
And now he knew that he was hoping against hope.
"Is there no hope for me?"
The countess smilingly shook her head.