Malvine went very white, all the blood seemed to leave her heart, and she almost gasped for breath.  After a short silence she whispered, “Certainly, Herr Doctor,” and took him into the little room next the drawing-room, which contained a modest bookcase, a writing table, and chairs in red damask.  She sat down, and Wilhelm took a chair near; they were silent for a minute or two, while she, with eyes downcast, went alternately red and white, and could scarcely breathe.  There was no pretense this time about her agitation.  It seemed as if suddenly a flash of lightning had illuminated his mind, showing him a picture of this trembling, pretty girl clashed to his heart, and he with his arms round her.  It only lasted for a second, but it struck him like an electric shock, and left in his mind a mingled feeling of trouble, shame, remorse and vexation.  He had a consciousness of danger, and he felt that he must make a great effort to become master of the situation and of himself.

“Gnadiges Fraulein,” he began, “what I want to say to you will seem odd, and perhaps audacious, but I beg you in spite of that to hear me to the end.”

Malvine sat motionless, breathing quickly.

“I do not know,” he went on, “in what position you and my friend Haber are with regard to each other, but you must have noticed, without any explanation, that he loves you.”

At the mention of Paul’s name, Malvine for the first time raised her eyes, and looked at Wilhelm with such a troubled expression that he felt still further alarmed.  He had broken the ice, however, and he made a courageous effort to regain his asssurance.

“Dear Fraulein,” he said impressively, “I am afraid there has been some misunderstanding between us, which it is my duty toward you, toward my friend, and toward myself, to explain.  My behavior has perhaps aroused an impression which it should not have done.  There is no doubt that I ought not to have shown you how warm my friendship is for you—­for you, a good and beautiful girl, who have inspired my best friend with such a love; but really I considered that so long as the engagement between you and Paul was not clearly arranged, that you would understand my position.  If I seemed happy to be near you, it was because I told myself how happy my friend would be when he could call you his own; if you seemed to read warmth and tenderness when I looked at you, it was because I was and am so grateful to you for so happily influencing Paul.”

While he was speaking Malvine had sunk back in her corner, and had closed her eyes with a deep sigh.  A few large tears began to roll down her cheeks.  Wilhelm touched her hand, which was cold as ice.  She made a feeble effort to draw it away, but he held it fast and went on: