"Go then," he said.
I moved towards the door, and was feeling for the latch, for my eyes were blinded with tears.
"George," he cried, "George!"
The tone cut me to the heart; I turned, and seizing both his hands, exclaimed:
"No; I cannot do it. You have been so good to me; I cannot leave you of my own will."
Herr von Zehren led me gently to the great chair, and paced several times up and down the room, while I buried my head in my hands. Then he stood before me and said:
"What did Granow say to you yesterday? Did he slander me to you as he has slandered you to me? Did he warn you against me, as he has warned me against you? No; do not answer; I do not want to know. It is just as if I had been there and heard it all. Every one knows how double-tongued old women talk."
"Then it is not true?" I exclaimed, starting from the chair. "Certainly, certainly, it is not true; I never believed it. I did not believe that miserable creature yesterday--not for one moment."
"And now only, for the first time?" said he, turning his piercing look again upon me. But I did not again lower my eyes; I met his gaze firmly, and calmly answered:
"I will not believe it until I hear it from your own lips."