Wilhelmine kept silence. An anxious, preoccupied look replaced her bright expression: her animation had died down. At last she murmured:
"Dear father, I have nothing to hide from you, and I willingly confess that I love Henri with my whole heart. I know he loves me also; but I ask myself whether he will not raise objections when he learns my life's secret!"
"My dear child, there is nothing in this secret which impugns your honor: you are not the responsible party. If, up to the present, I have thought it well to introduce you to my friends as my dau."...
De Naarboveck stopped short; the library door had opened. A footman appeared and announced:
"A woman has just arrived with her son, and wishes to see Mademoiselle or Monsieur. She says it is the new groom she has brought."
The baron looked puzzled. Wilhelmine rose.
"I forgot to tell you I was expecting the stable boy this evening. He replaces Charles."
She turned to the impassive footman.
"Please ask Mademoiselle Berthe to attend to these persons. They come late—much too late!"
"Mademoiselle will please excuse me for troubling her," replied the footman, "but Mademoiselle is still out, and."...