“Answer you? What?”
“There is somebody else, I know. I learnt it the other night. Tell me. Is it you?” he demanded.
“Herr Ehrenstein, is it too much to beg an explanation of these somewhat enigmatic questions?” retorted Gustav.
But Ehrenstein eagerly noted that his eyes never once left the piece of paper in his hand.
“It is unworthy to trifle with me in this way. I see that you know her, and that you understand too well the meaning of those lines. They are perhaps addressed to you.”
“And if it were so?” said Gustav, coldly.
“It would be better to know it at once. Anything would be better than this suspense. Listen, I will tell you something I overheard one night in a conversation between my uncle and her father.”
“Her father? Is Selaka here?” cried Gustav.
“He is. And so is she.”
“She! here? In this house? Now?” exclaimed Gustav, jumping up.