"Mamma, show a little kindness to Linden--do try to like him a little--make to-day really a day of honor to him. Oh, mamma," she continued after a pause, "if he is offended to-day it will pierce my heart like a knife--dear mamma--"
The big tears trembled on her lashes.
Once more she asked, "Will you, mamma?"
Mrs. Baumhagen was just ready. She stretched out both her little hands, looked at them inside and out, and said without looking up:
"Kind?--of course--like him? One cannot force one's self to do that, my child. I hardly know him."
"For my sake," Gertrude would have said, but she bethought herself. The days of her childhood had passed, and since then--?
Mrs. Baumhagen rose.
"It is almost five," she remarked. "Go back to your room. Linden will be here in a moment."
She kissed Gertrude on the forehead, then quickly on the lips.
"Go, my child,--you know I don't like to be upset--God grant you all happiness." Gertrude went back to her room, chilled to the heart. A tall figure stepped hastily out of the window recess, and a strong arm was around her.