She saw all this in a flash, and her eyes shone with the light of ambitious desire. "Oh, Herr Bastable! But do you think it could be done?"
"Shall I make some inquiries? I have friends on whom I can rely."
"Oh, you would be the best friend a poor lonely girl could have in the world. But we must be quite certain first, mustn’t we?"
"You would lose the man you love, remember."
She sighed and cast down her eyes, a picture of beautiful resignation. "It would be terrible," she murmured. "But there is dear Althea to think of, isn’t there? It is, perhaps, my duty."
She pressed my hand warmly at parting, and urged me to come again as soon as I had any news to bring; and before I left the house, I heard her rich melodious voice ring out. She had resumed her practice.
As I closed the front door behind me I saw Hagar Ziegler again. She was now in close conversation with Hugo von Felsen; and as I did not wish him to know of my visit to Chalice at such a time, I walked off in the opposite direction.
He had seen me, however, and presently came hurrying after me. "Ah, Herr Bastable! It is you then," he said as he reached me. "How did you find the ladies?"
"I don’t know that I am much concerned to tell you," I answered curtly.
"Has Fräulein Althea returned? Isn’t that an extraordinary affair?"
"I really have no time to discuss gossip with you."
"I think it will be worth your while," he replied meaningly. "I heard of your change of plans, too, when you were actually at the station. My friend Bernhoff told me. He is a grand fellow, Bernhoff."
"A testimonial from you is certainly a strong recommendation," I replied as nastily as I could speak.
But he only smiled and spread out his hands. "I’m afraid you are still angry with me on account of that chat of ours the other night at the Ohlsen’s dance--about Fräulein Althea. But I’m not a fellow to bear malice. And you know, as every one knows, how intensely I admire her."
"I don’t care a hang whether you bear malice or not."
"You are very difficult, Bastable; but really I wish to be your friend, and to warn you. People are talking about you."
"This visit to this house here on the morning after Fräulein Althea’s disappearance; your sudden change of plans yesterday; the hurried visit of Prince von Graven to your house this morning. These things cause questions"; and he gave me a very sly significant smile.