"They are much too good for me," she whispered, still smiling, still glancing at him in half-ashamed coquetry. But she was not yet daughter of Eve enough to take a sidelong peep at herself in the glass.
On going to turn down his bed for the night, she was astonished to see how it had diminished in size, but gulped back an exclamation of surprise, lest he should be annoyed. Then wishing him good-night she left the room.
With a grin of inward satisfaction he thought of the great surprise that was in store for her, and soon became engrossed in his manuscripts again.
About an hour had elapsed, when he was startled by a rustling sound at the back of his chair. He turned round and found her standing beside him. Her face was very white, her lips trembling, her breath coming quick through dilated nostrils. The fur collarette was unfastened at the throat, and showed the coarse chemise underneath, the folds of which rose and fell with her billowing breast. In the excitement of the moment she had forgotten to arrange her clothing.
"How handsome she is!" he thought, filled with involuntary admiration of her strange beauty, and then he tried not to look at her.
"Now then, what's the matter?" he asked in his gentlest tones.
She made an effort to speak, but some moments passed before a sound escaped her lips.
"Oh, Herr!" she stammered forth at last, "was it you--did you do that with the beds?"
"Yes, of course. Who else should do it?"
"But--why--why?" and she lifted her swimming eyes in alarm and consternation.