“I shall not say that to my husband, but to my betrothed as soon as he makes his appearance.”
“But suppose he does not want to marry a girl who does not love him?”
“Then he is the one who breaks off the match, not I, and father cannot blame me for it. But do you not hear footsteps in the hall? It is my betrothed. I begged him to be here a quarter of an hour previous to the commencement of the ceremony, because I desired to speak to him about a very serious matter. He is coming. Now pray go to the parlor, and wait for me there. I shall rejoin you, perhaps alone, and in that case I shall be free; perhaps, however, Arnstein will accompany me, and in that eventuality he will have accepted the future as I am going to offer it to him. Farewell, sisters; may God protect us all.”
“May God protect YOU.” said Lydia, tenderly embracing her sister. “You have a courageous and strong soul, and I wish mine were like yours.”
“Would that save you, Lydia?” asked Fanny, sharply. “Courage and energy are of no avail in our case; in spite of our resistance, we should have to submit and to suffer. He is coming.”
She pushed her sisters gently toward the parlor door, and then went to meet her betrothed, who had just entered.
“Mr. Arnstein,” said Fanny, giving him her hand, “I thank you for complying so promptly with my request.”
“A business man is always prompt,” said the young baron, with a polite bow.
“Ah, and you treat this interview with me likewise as a business affair?”
“Yes, but as a business affair of the rarest and most exquisite character. A conference with a charming young lady is worth more than a conference with the wealthiest business friend, even if the interview with the latter should yield a profit of one hundred per cent.”