"That I could not bear!" said Elsa, and stamped her foot.
A figure stood in the outer doorway; his wet macintosh shining in the light of the lanterns, the waterproof cap shining, and the eyes in the brown-bearded face shining too--and it all looked so odd and so funny, that Elsa laughed aloud, and laughing exclaimed:
"Have you come straight out of the water, Captain Schmidt? They are getting frightened about you in here. Make haste and come in. We must be off at once."
"I had thought of remaining here," said Reinhold.
Elsa's laugh was checked. She made a step towards Reinhold:
"I wish you would come with us. You must."
She disappeared into the passage which led on the right to the kitchen and the children's room. Had it been jest or earnest? Her voice had trembled so oddly at the words, and her large eyes had shone so strangely!
The door opened; the General appeared on the threshold, with the two other gentlemen behind him.
"Ah, Captain Schmidt!" said the General.
"At last!" exclaimed the President. "You must tell us by-and-by where you have been hiding. This is Captain Schmidt, Count Golm. You are ready, I suppose, Fräulein von Werben?"