Otto did not answer; his mind was too much filled with doubt that Henk’s kindliness could have cheered him. He recollected how he had once told Eline that she had but one single fault, that she did not know herself, that there were hidden treasures within her, that he would arouse those latent gifts, but now he saw but too well that he had not the power to do so, that he only irritated her, and—that he drove her mad!
“She can be confoundedly hasty at times!” resumed Henk, as he walked inwardly enraged up and down the room. “But any one whom she likes, and whom she can look up to, can lead her easily enough, and then—Shall I go and have a talk to her?”
“I should—let—her be!” replied Otto, speaking with difficulty. “I dare say she will herself——”
He tried to think himself in her place, and to guess how she now felt. But it was in vain, he could not think, he still smarted too much under the blow she had given him. Never had he heard her utter such words before, in that strident, shrieking voice; never before had he seen her features so distorted—even to ugliness—by her passions; and try as he might, he could not collect his thoughts under that great torturing grief that cut him to the quick.
It pained Henk to see his weary, hopeless attitude. And suddenly he felt himself nerved to action. No, he would not permit it, that Eline should thus treat Otto with contempt, he would not permit it. With a firm and elastic step he left the room. Henk went up-stairs and entered Eline’s boudoir. He found no one there, for Vincent, tired as he was after his first trip, had already gone into his bedroom, quite unconscious of the storm that had been raging down-stairs. Henk knocked at Eline’s door.
“Eline!” he called.
There was no answer, and he quietly opened the door. On the floor lay Eline, her slight form quivering with inaudible sobs, her face hidden in her hands. He waited for a moment, but she did not move.
“Eline, get up!” he said curtly, almost commandingly.
Savagely she lifted herself up, and savagely she shrieked—
“What is it? What do you want here? Go away.” [[219]]