She went into the far corner of the apartment, where her bed stood, and with a quick movement loosened the floating wealth of tresses till they hung below her hips. In the middle of her combing, aware that his eyes were fixed on her in admiration, she suddenly spread out her arms, as if overcome with shame and joy, and threw herself on her knees by the bed, burying her face in the pillows.
He waited silently till she got up. When her hair was done she went to the hearth and busied herself among the pots and kettles, without looking at him.
"Tell me, Regina, what have you been doing with yourself all this time?"
She shook her head. "Bockeldorf was the same as ever; besides the grocer and his wife, I never saw a single soul. During the floods I didn't go once down to the village. As I told you in my letter, I had to starve for a time, but I didn't mind. And then, during the last few weeks, some letters have come, from Wartenstein, and Königsberg too--and to-day one--from----"
"Ah, never mind! I'll look at them later, when you've brought some light."
What concern had he with the outer world to-day, when he had burnt the bridges that connected him with his past, and nothing remained of all he had suffered and lived through?
Then when the supper table was spread, and the lamp shone at him from Regina's hand, he crossed over with her to the sitting-room.
"You have not laid a place for yourself," he remarked.
"May I, Herr?"
"Of course you may."