s
me. A look of resolute determination had settled down upon her face. I
learnt afterwards that parts of my conversation with Herr Mueller had been
injudiciously quoted by him in the talk he had had with her. I thought I
would leave her to herself, and wait till she unburdened herself of the
feeling of unjust resentment towards me. But it was days before she
spoke to me with anything like her former frankness. I had heard all
about it from my host long before.

He had gone to her straight on leaving me; and like a foolish, impetuous
lover, had spoken out his mind and his wishes to her in the presence of
his sister, who, it must be remembered, had heard no explanation of the
conduct which had given her propriety so great a shock the day before.
Herr Mueller thought to re-instate Thekla in his sister's good opinion by
giving her in the Fraeulein's very presence the highest possible mark of
his own love and esteem. And there in the kitchen, where the Fraeulein
was deeply engaged in the hot work of making some delicate preserve
on the stove, and ordering Thekla about with short, sharp displeasure
in her tones, the master had come in, and possessing himself of the
maiden's hand, had, to her infinite surprise--to his sister's infinite
indignation--made her the offer of his heart, his wealth, his life; had
begged of her to marry him. I could gather from his account that she had
been in a state of trembling discomfiture at first; she had not spoken,
but had twisted her hand out of his, and had covered her face with her
apron. And then the Fraeulein had burst forth--"accursed words" he called
her speech. Thekla uncovered her face to listen; to listen to the end;
to listen to the passionate recrimination between the brother and the
sister. And then she went up, close up to the angry Fraeulein, and had
said quite quietly, but with a manner of final determination which had
evidently sunk deep into her suitor's heart, and depressed him into
hopelessness, that the Fraeulein had no need to disturb herself; that on
this very day she had been thinking of marrying another man, and that
her heart was not like a room to let, into which as one tenant went out
another might enter. Nevertheless, she felt the master's goodness. He
had always treated her well from the time when she had entered the house
as his servant. And she should be sorry to leave him; sorry to leave the
children; very sorry to leave little Max: yes, she should even be sorry