She had risen hastily and now stood before the little old gentleman.
"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."
"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?"
"As for the rest, Frank utterly denies having had any connection with Wolff. And, I should like to know, Gertrude--you were always a reasonable woman--why have you taken it into your head to believe that old ass who was always known as a scoundrel, rather than your husband?"
Gertrude quickly put her hand in her pocket and grasped the letter--there was her proof. She made a motion to give it to him--but no, she could not do it, she could not bring out the small hand that had closed tightly over the fatal paper.
"You ought both of you to give way a little, I think," said Uncle Henry after awhile. "You are married now, and--_au fond_--what if he did inquire about your fortune?"
"Now-a-days it is not such a wonderful thing if a man--" he stammered on.
"It is not that, it is not that, uncle! Stop, I beg of you!" cried Gertrude.
"Oh yes, I understand, women are more sensitive in such matters, and justly too," assented Uncle Henry. "Well, I fear the name of Baumhagen will be the talk of the town again for the next six months. Goodbye, Gertrude. I can't exactly say I have enjoyed my visit. Don't be too lonely."