At that moment someone came to say Käte was much worse, and should they send for the doctor?
Fräulein von Schwertfeger left the room reluctantly, saying as she went, "I shall be back before long."
In the flash of a moment Lilly had opened the verandah door and was slipping down the terrace steps into the dusky park. The intense silence was only broken by a faint splashing from behind the cypresses, where old Haberland was filling his cans, as he had not finished watering the rose-trees. She walked straight towards the gable end of the lodge, wondering how she should attract his attention and bring him to the window. She was spared the trouble, however, for he was lying full length on the green bench outside the house, puffing serenely at the end of a cigarette. The red dog, whose chain he had twisted round his wrist, was asleep at his feet. None of his colleagues were to be seen. She could scarcely breathe, her heart beat so violently.
"Herr von Prell!"
He started up, the dog with him.
"Herr von Prell, I've something to say to you."
He grabbed at his head to take off the cap which wasn't there.
"At your service, gracious baroness."
"Will you come and take a little stroll with me?"
"If the gracious baroness wishes, certainly."