posal
again, and determined to accept it.

"What proposal?" asked Reginchen. The old man himself would have been
sorely puzzled if he had been obliged to answer the question. But Leah
replied in his stead.

"For," she hastily burst forth, "what better could I do? My father is
old and does not like to travel. Edwin, will not return until the end
of the week; I've nothing to detain me here, and who knows when I shall
find another such opportunity. How long is it before the train starts?
A whole hour? Well, you must allow my presence here until then. At
home--it's ridiculous--but I think if I had remained at home, my
headache would have come on again. We're so weak, so irresolute when
we're all alone, and yet nothing can be more sensible than this plan.
Edwin himself, if he were here--but no, then I should not be alone. You
say nothing, Herr Feyertag. Do you repent having offered to be my
escort? I'll not make you the slightest trouble, you can smoke and
sleep as much as you choose, I--I'll go in the ladies' coupe, I hope to
be able to sleep too; after such a headache as I've had all day, I am
not very entertaining in conversation."

"How can you think of such a thing?" said the old man. Then all were
silent for a long time. Nothing was heard but the clicking of a little
pair of scissors, which Leah had taken from Reginchen's work table and
was opening and shutting.

"Before I forget it," Leah carelessly remarked, "as it's possible Edwin
may return a few days before me, I've written him a few lines. If
meantime a letter should come from him containing his address, or he
himself should arrive--at any rate, you'll doubtless do me the favor to
see that this note reaches him."

"Give it to me, Leah dear," said Reinhold rising. "Father, will you
have another glass of wine? But you're not eating anything."

"It's not my time. And your famous dinner--Well, I'll go and look after
my baggage. I've only to shut my little trunk."

He hastily rose--he evidently did not understand matters--and left the
room.

Reinhold had also risen. He had put the little note which Leah had
given him, in his pocket and now said: "I'll accompany you to the
station of course. I must first give some business directions, but I'll
come back again directly." He exchanged a significant glance with his
wife, and left the room. The two women were now alone, Reginchen on the
sofa in the dark corner, Leah at the window with her back turned toward
the