‘No, don’t, or I shall of course be exceedingly displeased. “Freely, but not extravagantly,” is an excellent motto; and you were born to devise and carry into execution schemes of economy.’
‘Now you are laughing at me,’ said Sara.
‘Sometimes I cannot help it.’
‘But why do you do it?’ she asked, piqued.
‘Heaven forbid that I should tell you why. You would never give me the chance of doing it again, and that would afflict me sorely. Now I must go,’ he added, looking at his watch, and rising.
‘Go! No, you will stay for the Mittagessen, at least. You have never taken a meal in this house since I came into it–you, the master of it.’
‘I wish I could stay. But you see, Rupert was to meet me—’
‘Let him wait!’ said Sara, with a heightened colour. ‘Rudolf, I beg you to remain. You are not starting off to-day. Please do remain till afternoon.’
‘Wie du willst,’ he replied, using the du for the first time, as Sara instantly noticed.
‘Thank you,’ she answered; ‘and here they are to say that lunch is ready. Shall we go to the dining-room?’