"Hertha Prachwitz--Johanna's stepdaughter."
Leo recollected. He had never seen her, but his mother had raved about her in nearly every letter.
"I suppose you know," Ulrich said, smiling, "that she is heiress to the Podlinsky estates. It is said that your mother jealously guards this treasure, with the express purpose of offering her to you immediately on your return."
Leo laughed.
"That is just like her, dear old lady. Since I was in jackets she has coupled me with every female possessor of a respectable fortune. I shall have no objection to seeing the little heiress. But, what is more important than that or anything else, Uli----"
"Well?"
"What are you and I to do?"
"Yes, what are you and I to do?"
The friends looked at each other in blank silence.