‘Behind the scenes, dressing for Egmont,’ replied Sara, laughing.
‘I shall never consent to this sort of thing again,’ said Luise. ‘Or if I do, I shall take a part as well. Did you only come to-day, Herr Falkenberg, or did papa know that you intended to visit us?’
‘No; I only decided yesterday to come, and I only arrived by the evening train from Frankfort. I went to your house, and found where you all were, and came here.’
‘Of course you are staying with us, as usual?’ observed Luise.
‘Your father has kindly asked me to do so,’ he replied, smiling.
Sara, watching his face, felt an indescribable satisfaction in it, and as if an old friend, and one who could be trusted, had suddenly been present. Those were the same honest, critical brown eyes which had looked kindly upon her, as they sat and spoke of friendship in the little Ruheplatz beneath the cathedral walls at Lahnburg. As for Falkenberg, after the first words of greeting, he scarcely spoke to Sara, but allowed himself to be monopolised by Luise, who, true to her nature, had flirted with him, or tried to do so, since she was two years old. Though he did not speak much to Sara, his eyes wandered now and then towards her with an inquiring, considerate expression. She was very quiet, but looked marvellously handsome, in her black velvet gown and pearl necklace. Excitement, pleasure, high, strong emotion, never made her talkative, but they brought a soft glow to her dark grey eyes, which beautified her wonderfully. To-night the pleasure had been very great, the excitement very strong, and she looked proportionately splendid.
Here the curtain went up for the last picture, and when that was over, came the crush to get out of the hall.
‘Look here, mein Bester!’ observed Wilhelmi to Herr Falkenberg. ‘My womenkind will be more than enough for me. Will you take Miss Ford and Miss Wellfield under your charge, and see them home?’
‘With pleasure,’ was the reply; and with an exchange of hasty good-nights, the Wilhelmis were carried forward in the crowd, while Falkenberg and the two English girls made their way slowly after them.
Seated in their Droschke, and driving towards the Jägerstrasse, Falkenberg said: