"A regular one," said Friedrich.
"And you are dunderheads," cried the cook, "to put up quietly with such a thing!"
"One should not enter into any discussion with such a person," said Friedrich.
"The house-door bell has rung," said August, delighted to be able to break off the conversation, which was taking so disagreeable a turn. "Our master can hardly be back yet? And we cannot receive any one to-day?"
"That depends," said the cook. "Our poor young lady has not seen a soul to-day, and the poor thing must want to speak out. But it must be to a real friend."
"Of course," said August, buttoning his livery-coat, "one of the A 1's. Herr von Schönau or----"
"Well, make haste and go upstairs."
"Ah! the Captain!" cried August, seeing Reinhold in the anteroom. The Captain stood high in August's favour, and the Captain, who always looked so amiable, looked so grave to-day.
"The Captain, of course, knows all about it already," said August.
"For heaven's sake!" cried Reinhold, "what has happened? Is any one ill in the house?"