"You are going already?" said Frau Pölitz sorrowfully; "but indeed it is a long way to Warnow."
"I have much farther to go," said Elsa, putting on her hat. "Three miles, did you say?"
"Where to?"
"To Wissow Head." Frau Pölitz stared at Elsa, as if she were talking nonsense. "Yes," said Elsa, "to the Head. I cannot miss the way?"
"A road goes from here straight through the marshes, but makes a great bend at Ahlbeck on account of the brook. But, my dear young lady, for heaven's sake what do you want to go there for?"
Elsa had put on her shawl, and now grasped Frau Pölitz by both hands. "I will tell you. To have one look--one look only--at the place where the man I love lives. You need not look at me so anxiously, dear Frau Pölitz, He really lives at Wissow."
"The Superintendent of Pilots?" exclaimed Frau Pölitz.
She sat down and burst into tears of joy.
"You also love him," said Elsa with a proud smile.
"Oh! indeed I do," cried Frau Pölitz, sobbing; "and oh! how happy my husband will be! May I tell him----"