"That depends on what you call beauty," he said surlily. "She is a witch-woman, and half Dyak."
Peter Gross looked up in pretended surprise.
"Well, mynheer, I am astonished. They told me in Batavia—" He checked himself abruptly.
"What did they tell you in Batavia?" Muller demanded eagerly.
Peter Gross shook his head. "I should not have spoken, mynheer. It was only idle gossip."
"Tell me, mynheer," Muller pleaded. "Lieve hemel, this is the first time in months that some one has told me that Batavia still remembers Muller of Bulungan."
"It was only idle rumor," Peter Gross deprecated. "I was told you were going to marry—naturally I believed—but of course as you say it's impossible—"
"I to marry?" Muller exclaimed. "Who? Koyala?"
Peter Gross's silence was all the confirmation the controlleur needed. A gratified smile spread over his face; he was satisfied now that the resident had no intention of being his rival.
"They say that in Batavia?" he asked. "Well, between you and me, mynheer, I would have to look far for a fairer bride."