, greatly enhanced the
atrocity of the sin in the estimation of Madame Staubach;--if the
young woman had intrigued in order that her lover might come to
her, of course she would intrigue again. In spite of Linda's solemn
protestation as to her self-esteem, the thing would be going on. This
infamous young man, who, in Madame Staubach's eyes, was beginning to
take the proportions of the Evil One himself, would be coming there
beneath her very nose. It seemed to her that life would be impossible
to her, unless Linda would consent to be married to the respectable
suitor who was still willing to receive her; and that the only way
in which to exact that consent would be to insist on the degradation
to which Linda had subjected herself. Linda had talked of going into
service. Let her go into that service which was now offered to her by
those whom she was bound to obey. "Of course Herr Steinmarc knows it
all," said Madame Staubach.

"I do not regard in the least what Herr Steinmarc knows," replied
Linda.

"But he is still willing to overlook the impropriety of your conduct,
upon condition--"

"He overlook it! Let him dare to say such a word to me, and I would
tell him that his opinion in this matter was of less moment to me
than that of any other creature in all Nuremberg. What is it to him
who comes to me? Were it but for him, I would bid the young man come
every day."

"Linda!"

"Do not talk to me about Peter Steinmarc, aunt Charlotte, or I shall
go mad."

"I must talk about him, and you must hear about him. It is now more
than ever necessary that you should be his wife. All Nuremberg will
hear of this."

"Of course it will,--as Peter Steinmarc knows it."

"And how will you cover yourself from your shame?"

"I will not cover myself at all. If you are ashamed of me, I will go
away. If you will not say that you are not ashamed of me, I will go
away. I have done nothing to disgrace me, and I will hear nothing
about shame." Having made this brave assertion, she burst into tears,
and then escaped to her own bed.

When Madame Staubach was left alone, she sat down, closed her eyes,
clasped her hands, and began to pray. As to what she should do in
these terrible circumstances she had no light, unless such light
might be given to her from above. A certain trust she had in Peter
Steinmarc, because Peter was a man, and not a young man; but it was
not a trust which made her confident. She thought that Peter was
very good