"Anna Maria was in her room. I told her that Klaus was lying down on his bed. She sat quite still. 'Poor Klaus,' she whispered.
"'Stürmer is back again, too, my child,' I added. She made no answer to that. We sat silent together in the dark room.
"After a while Brockelmann's voice was heard at the door. 'Fräulein, perhaps it would be better if you were just to look after the master. The gracious Frau'—she spoke lower—'probably knows no better; she sits there chattering to him, and he doesn't seem at all well to me.'
"'Anna Maria had sprung up impetuously. Then she slowly sat down again. 'Dear aunt, go,' she begged.
"'Willingly,' I replied; 'I only thought you should be the one to go to him.'
"'I?' she asked, in a tone that cut me to the heart. 'I? No; it is better that I should not go; I could not keep calm.'
"I found Klaus's sleeping-room brightly lighted, Susanna sitting by the bed, her tongue going like a mill-clapper. Over the nearest chair hung a pale blue silk gown, richly adorned with lace; the candelabra were burning on the toilet table, and the lamp stood on the little table beside the bed, throwing its dazzling light right into Klaus's red eyes. He held a cloth pressed to his fore head and was groaning softly.
"From out-of-doors came the sound of beating carpets and furniture, and in the hall opposite they were at work with wax and brushes, none too quietly.
"'Then I may send off the note, Klaus?' Susanna was saying. 'Can Frederick ride over now, or shall the coachman take it? Do you think Stürmer is at home by this time? Klaus, do answer, dear Klaus!'
"He made a motion of assent with his hand, and turned his head away.