one. It
would be confiscated;--confiscated! Dear, dear, only to think of
Josef Tressel's daughter! Let her marry Peter Steinmarc, a good
man,--a very good man! Followed her father, you know, and does his
work very well. The city is not what it used to be, Madame Staubach,
but still Peter does his work very well." Then Herr Molk promised to
come down to the red house, and he did come down.

But Madame Staubach could not trust everything to Herr Molk. It was
necessary that she should do much before he came, and much probably
after he went. As her conception of the true state of things became
strong, and as she was convinced also that Linda was really far
from well, her manner became kinder, and she assumed that sickbed
tenderness which admitted of sleep during the reading of a sermon.
But it was essential that she should not forget her work for an hour.
Gradually Linda was taught to understand that on such a day Steinmarc
was to demand an answer. When Linda attempted to explain that the
answer had been already given, and could not be altered, her aunt
interrupted her, declaring that nothing need be said at the present
moment. So that the question remained an open question, and Linda
understood that it was so regarded. Then Madame Staubach spoke of
Ludovic Valcarm, putting up her hands with dismay, and declaring what
horrid things Herr Molk had told of him. It was at that moment that
Linda was told that she was to be visited in a day or two by the
burgomaster. Linda endeavoured to explain that though it might be
necessary to give up Ludovic,--not saying that she would give him
up,--still it was not on that account necessary also that she should
marry Peter Steinmarc. Madame Staubach shook her head, and implied
that the necessity did exist. Things had been said, and things had
been done, and Herr Molk was decidedly of opinion that the marriage
should be solemnised without delay. Linda, of course, did not submit
to this in silence; but gradually she became more and more silent as
her aunt continued in a low tone to drone forth her wishes and her
convictions, and at last Linda would almost sleep while the salutary
position of Peter Steinmarc's wife was being explained to her.

The reader must understand that she was in truth ill, prostrated
by misery, doubt, and agitation, and weak from the effects of her
illness. In this condition Herr Molk paid his visit to her. He spoke,
in the first place, of the civil honour which she