finally took the
road leading to the church. Here on this road, now, on this morning, he
would bring Manna to a decision; then he would have his own way with
the house, and discharge the teacher's family. He waited long; but
Manna did not come. At last, seeing Fraeulein Perini alone, he greeted
her, and asked where Manna was, and whether she was well.

"Why don't you ask after _my_ health?" replied she somewhat tartly. "I
have something of great importance to impart to you; but you do not
seem to think it worth while to trouble yourself about me."

"Indeed I do; but you should reflect"--

"I do reflect that you ought to reflect that I too have an existence.
However, I have something of great importance to impart to you."

"Oh! please, you were always so kind"--

"Yes, yes, only too kind; but you forget me too quickly. Well, then,
what would you do if you were told that that arrogant tutor aspired to
win the hand of your betrothed?"

Fraeulein Perini laughed, and Pranken was frightened, terrified. He had
never heard her laugh so; and now she laughed in exactly the same tone,
and made precisely the same bending of the neck, as little Nelly. How
ridiculous, how inconceivable, that she should occur to his mind at
this juncture!

"You seem in a very good humor after the riot," said he, trying to
appear jocose. "You must tell me the rest after church: the third bell
is just ringing."

"Oh, no! I can neglect church for this matter. A work of mercy
absolves"--

"A work of mercy?"

"Yes."

And now Fraeulein Perini told how she had seen Manna coming out of
Eric's room; and how every thing had evidently been arranged in the
green cottage, and was now settled; also how the maid-servant of
the green cottage had even said that Manna had taken with her the
marriage-contract, which had been drawn up in the library.

Pranken shook his head incredulously. Fraeulein Perini, however, stung
him again by asking whether he would promise, in case he came into
possession of Manna and of all her property, to consecrate the Villa as
a convent. He shrugged his shoulders; and the look came again into
Fraeulein Perini's eyes, which she had once given to Bella after she had
turned away. She stung and irritated Pranken; for she saw that he still
despised her, and she wished to ruin him. He must promise her, that, if
the affair proved inevitable, he would challenge this Herr Dournay, and
shoot him if possible.

Pranken looked bewilder