At last Wildenau resumed the conversation. "I don't understand how a man who surely might find a pleasant position anywhere, can be so dependent on a fine lady's whims. You won't take it amiss, I see that your kinsman's position troubles you--were I in his place I would give up the largest salary rather than--"
"Salary?" interrupted Josepha, with flashing eyes. "Do you suppose that my cousin would do anything for the sake of a salary? Oh, you don't know him. If the countess described him to you in that way, the shame is hers!"
Wildenau listened intently. "But, my dear woman, that isn't what I meant, you would not let me finish! I was just going to add that such a motive would not affect your kinsman, that it could be nothing but sincere devotion, which bound him to our cousin--a loyalty which apparently wins little gratitude."
"Yes, I always tell him so--but he won't admit it--even though his heart should break."
Two dark interlaced veins in Josepha's sunken, transparent temples throbbed feverishly.
"But--how do you feel? We are certainly disturbing you!" said the baron.
"Oh, no! It does not matter!" replied Josepha, courteously.
"Could you not take us into some other room--the countess doubtless comes here constantly--there must be other apartments which can be heated."
"Yes, but no fire has been made in them for weeks; the stoves will smoke."
"Has not the countess been here for so long?"