“Are you fond of Marianne?”

“Yes, very.”

“Still?”

“Yes, still.”

“Constance....”

“Yes, Bertha?”

“It is just as well ... that we are going to Baarn.... Tell me, Constance: Van der Welcke....”

“Well?”

“What sort of a man is he?”

“What do you mean, Bertha?” asked Constance, gently.