"You bring me an answer, uncle?"
"Yes, to be sure. But I would rather far do something else. How happens it that your precious set should choose me for your amiable messenger?"
He threw himself down on the sofa with such force that it fairly groaned under his weight.
"Have you any cognac here?" he inquired, "I am quite upset."
She shook her head without speaking and only gazed at him with gloomy eyes.
"No, I suppose not," grumbled Uncle Henry. "Well then, he says if it amuses you to stay here you are quite welcome to do so."
She started perceptibly,
"Oh, ta, ta! That is the upshot of it--about that," he continued, wiping his forehead with his handkerchief.
"Linden did not say much," he went on, "he was in a silent rage over your flight--however, he kept himself well in hand. He would not keep you, he said, nor would he drag you back to his house by force. He will send Johanna to wait on you, and hopes to be able to fulfil any other desire of yours. He will arrange everything--and it is to be hoped you will soon see your error. And," wound up Uncle Henry, "now that we have got so far, I should be glad to learn from you what is to happen, when you, with your well known obstinacy, do not feel inclined to own yourself wrong?"
She was silent.