"Yes," says mamma, "only make haste and come in, and tell Uncle Oldenburg not to busy himself so long with Almansor's saddle."
CHAPTER IX.
It was after tea. Julius had gone to bed. Old Baumann had removed the tea-things, and then gone out, casting a benevolent glance at his mistress and her visitor. Melitta and Oldenburg were alone in the "red-room."
"Now tell me candidly, Adalbert, why you are so out of humor to-day," said Melitta, who sat on the sofa, while the baron was slowly walking up and down the room, as was his habit. "I am not out of humor."
"Well then, troubled?"
"That perhaps. I had a letter this afternoon from Birkenhain."
"That is strange. I have just been writing to him this afternoon."
"Have you heard from him lately?" said Oldenburg, pausing in his walk and looking kindly at Melitta.
"No; why?"
"Hem!"