"I am very anxious," she exclaimed at last, turning from the window.
"It is certainly strange," said Brandow, "it is now ten minutes of twelve; they ought to have been here an hour ago."
"And my husband does not come either," said Ottilie.
"Be glad that he is having a good time," replied Alma. "Are you going already, my dear friend?"
"I will try to obtain some news of them," answered Brandow, who had hastily risen and taken his hat.
"You won't venture out into this darkness again?" cried Alma.
"Why, Alma!" exclaimed Ottilie.
Brandow was in the act of taking leave, when the doorbell rang, a heavy step passed through the counting-room, and Herr Wollnow entered. Ottilie hurried towards him, and in a few words told him how matters stood. Herr Wollnow greeted the late guest with cold politeness. He saw no special reason for being anxious as yet, if Herr Brandow was not.
"But he is," cried Ottilie.
"In that case Herr Brandow would have gone in search of information long ago," replied Wollnow.