"We must be prepared for it," replied his friend.
"It is half-past four now, the sitting is sure to be over by this time."
"You will know the result to-morrow, and early enough, too!"
"I think that Lotter, who has had to go to town, will have waited to hear the result of the vote; I asked him to. He said he would be back in time for dinner. But I no longer believe in his influence."
"All the better."
Both were speaking in gloomy tones, as though a heavy pressure was weighing equally on either. Bertram was staring down in front of him with arms crossed behind his back, and Otto's eyes were wandering about the room--he was mechanically fingering the arms of his chair, then suddenly gave a convulsive clutch at them.
"I must go," he said.
He jumped up and was making for the door.
"Otto!"
"Are you coming too?"