going far out of her way that she might have some little
time for reflection, turning all this in her mind, she began almost
to fear that if she went back to her aunt, her aunt would prevail,
and that in very truth Peter Steinmarc would become her lord and
master. Then there was another plan, as impracticable as that scheme
of running away. What if she were to become sullen, and decline to
speak at all? She was well aware that in such a contest her aunt's
tongue would be very terrible to her; and as the idea crossed her
mind, she told herself that were she so to act people would treat
her as a mad woman. But even that, she thought, would be better than
being forced to marry Peter Steinmarc. Before she had reached the
island, she knew that the one scheme was as impossible as the other.
She entered the house very quietly, and turning to the left went at
once into the kitchen.

"Linda, your aunt is waiting dinner for you this hour," said Tetchen.

"Why did you not take it to her by herself?" said Linda, crossly.

"How could I do that, when she would not have it? You had better go
in now at once. But, Linda, does anything ail you?"

"Very much ails me," said Linda.

Then Tetchen came close to her, and whispered, "Have you heard
anything about him?"

"What have you heard, Tetchen? Tell me at once."

"He is in trouble."

"He is in prison!" Linda said this with a little hysteric scream.
Then she began to sob and cry, and turned her back to Tetchen and hid
her face in her hands.

"I have heard that too," said Tetchen. "They say the burgomasters
have caught him with letters on him from some terrible rebels up in
Prussia, and that he has been plotting to have the city burned down.
But I don't believe all that, fraulein."

"He is in prison. I know he is in prison," said Linda. "I wish I
were there too;--so I do, or dead. I'd rather be dead." Then Madame
Staubach, having perhaps heard the lock of the front door when it was
closed, came into the kitchen. "Linda," she said, "I am waiting for
you."

"I do not want any dinner," said Linda, still standing with her face
turned to the wall. Then Madame Staubach took hold of her arm, and
led her across the passage into the parlour. Linda said not a word as
she was being thus conducted, but was thinking whether it might not
even yet serve her purpose to be silent and sullen. She was still
sobbing, and striving to repress her sobs; but she allowed herself to
be led without res