George nodded slightly. They were now all standing in the broad quiet
light of the arc-lamps.
"It was really a beautiful evening," said Demeter, kissing Anna's hand.
"Goodbye then till Vienna," said Therese and embraced Anna.
Demeter turned to George. "I hope we shall see each other to-morrow
morning on the boat."
"Possibly, but I won't promise."
"Goodbye," said Therese and shook hands with George.
She and Demeter then turned round to go away.
"Are you going with them?" asked Anna, as they went through the door
into the lounge, where men and women were sitting, smoking, drinking,
talking.
"What an idea?" replied George. "I never thought of it."
"Herr Baron," suddenly called some one behind him. It was the porter,
who held a telegram in his hand.
"What is this?" asked George, somewhat alarmed, opening it quickly.
"Oh, how awful!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" asked Anna.
He read it out while she looked at the piece of paper. "Oskar Ehrenberg
tried to commit suicide early this morning in the forest at Neuhaus.
Shot himself in the temples, little hope of saving his life, Heinrich."
Anna shook her head. They went up the stairs in silence and into Anna's
room. The balcony door was wide open. George stepped into the open air.
A heavy perfume of magnolias and roses streamed in out of the darkness.
Not a trace of the lake was visible. The mountains towered up as though
they had grown out of the abyss. Anna came up to George. He laid his
arm on her shoulder and loved her very much. It was as though the
serious event of which he had just had tidings, had compelled him to
realise the true significance of his own experiences. He knew once more
that there was nothing more important for him in the whole world than
the well-being of this beloved woman who was standing with him on the
balcony and who was to bear him a child.