"Brandow will send a close carriage in any case," said Alma.
"So much the worse," cried the Assessor. "You could not endure an hour in a close carriage, poor child. And then those terrible roads--I know them! To cross Dollan moor after it has rained all night--it's actually dangerous."
"I will not expose you to the danger all alone," said Alma smiling.
"That is very different, dear child. Men must follow wherever duty calls."
"And the prospect of a good dinner--"
"In a word, dear Alma, you would do me a favor if you would stay here."
"I have not the least inclination to do you this favor, dear Hugo, and now what else is there, if I may ask?"
The Assessor had risen and walked up and down the room.
"Well, then," he said pausing, "you know how unwilling I am to deny you anything; but this time I really cannot allow you to go."
Alma looked at her husband in astonishment; Ottilie, who could no longer control herself, burst into a merry laugh, exclaiming: