"Ah, Madam, I don't know; to be sure, she got a long letter this evening."
Mining returned quickly, and Frau Nüssler and Korlin took the young Frau into the bedroom, and when she was undressed, and had drunk the tea, and lay in Frau Nüssler's bed, her senses returned, for it was mere physical weakness which had overpowered her, and if the first shock, and the dreadful feeling that there was no creature who could help her, had turned her brain a little, here by this friendly face, and this friendly treatment, she was herself again. She sat up in bed, and looked confidingly into Frau Nüssler's eyes: "You told me once, if I were ever in trouble, you would help me."
"And so I will," said Frau Nüssler, quite overcome, and stroking her hands she said "Tell me, what is it?"
"Ah, much!" cried the young Frau, "our laborers are discontented, we are in debt, deeply in debt, they are going to sell the estate----"
"Preserve us!" cried Frau Nüssler, "but there is time enough for that!"
"I could have borne that," said the young Frau, "but another trouble has driven me to you, and I cannot and dare not tell you----"
"Don't speak of it, then, gracious Frau. But this isn't business for women; we ought to have a man's counsel, and if you feel able, we might drive over to see my brother Karl, at Rahnstadt."
"Ah, I could go; but how should I look the man in the face, whom----"
"That is where you are mistaken, gracious Frau, you don't know him. Jochen!" she cried at the door, "let Krischan harness up, but let him make haste, and do you make haste, too! Mining!" she cried at another door, "bring your new Sunday mantle and hat, and a shawl; we are going out."
All was quickly ready, and as she got into the carriage, Frau Nüssler said to Krischan: