“Attend to me, Frau Bauer!” he said imperiously. “This matter is perhaps more important than even you know, especially at such a time as this.”
“Ach, yes!” she said. “I have often said that to myself. Willi’s friend may be interned by now in one of those horrible camps—it is indeed a difficult question!”
“I do not say I shall be able to do it, but I will make a big effort to have the whole business settled for you to-morrow morning. What do you say to that?”
“Splendid!” she exclaimed. “You are in truth a good friend to poor old Anna Bauer!”
“I wish to be,” he said. “And you understand, do you not, Frau Bauer, that under no conceivable circumstances are you to bring me into the affair? Have I your word—your oath—on that?”
“Certainly,” she said soberly. “You have my word, my oath, on it.”
“You see it does not do for me to be mixed up with any Germans,” he went on quickly. “I am an Englishman now—as this gratifying Address truly says——” he waited a moment. “What would be the best time for the person who will come to call?”
Anna hesitated. “I don’t know,” she said helplessly. “The marriage is to be at twelve, and before then there will be a great deal of coming and going at the Trellis House.”
“Is it necessary for you to attend the bridal?” he asked.
Anna shook her head. “No,” she said, “I do not think so; I shall not be missed.” There was a tone of bitterness in her voice.