"An old servant or coachman, I did not know him."
Mrs. Baumhagen shook her head as she took the letter and read it.
She rose suddenly, with a deep flush on her face, and called:
"Gertrude! Gertrude!"
The young girl came at once.
The active little woman had already rung the bell and said to Sophie as she entered:
"Call Mrs. Fredericks and my son-in-law, tell them to come quickly, quickly!--Gertrude, I must have an explanation of this. But I must collect myself first, must--"
"Mamma," entreated the young girl, turning slightly pale, "let us discuss the matter alone--why should Jenny and Arthur--?"
"Do you know then what is in this letter?" cried the excited mother.
"Yes," replied Gertrude, firmly, coming up to the arm chair into which her mother had thrown herself.