The General allowed his son some minutes; now that Ottomar still stared motionless before him—only his teeth bit nervously against his pale lower lip—he remained standing, separated by the width of the room, and asked: "Have you an idea who wrote this letter?"
"No."
"Have you the least suspicion who is the lady in question——?"
"For Heaven's sake!" exclaimed Ottomar in anguish.
"I beg pardon; but I am in the painful situation of having to ask, since you seem inclined not to give the information which I expected."
"What shall I explain in the matter?" asked Ottomar with bitter scorn. "It is as it is."
"Brief and to the point," replied the General, "only not just so clear. There still remain some points which are obscure—to me, at least. Have you anything to object to the lady—I may so express myself?"
"I should have to request you to do so otherwise."
"Then have you anything, even the slightest thing—excepting external circumstances, and of that later—which would prevent you from bringing her into Else's company? On your honor!"
"On my honor, no!"