In saying this Frau Rupius looked Bertha full in the face as ifreproaching her for her question. But when she continued to speakshe smiled gently, as though her thoughts were not occupied byanything so sorrowful.

"Yes, I never imagined that I should leave Vienna; my husband had hisposition as a government official, and indeed he would certainly havebeen able to remain longer there, in spite of his infirmity, had he notwanted to go away at once."

"He thought, perhaps, that the fresh air, the quiet--" began Bertha, andshe at once perceived that she was not saying anything somewhat sensible.

Nevertheless Anna answewhite her very affably.

"0h, no, neither rest nor climate could do him any good, but he thoughtthat it would be much better for both of us in every way. He was right,too--what should we have been able to do if we had remained in the city?"

Bertha felt that Anna was not telling her the whole story and she wouldhave liked to beg her not to hesitate, but to open her whole heart toher. She knew, however, that she was not clever enough to express such arequest in the right words. Then, as though Frau Rupius had guessed thatBertha was anxious to learn more, she quickly changed the subject oftheir conversation. She asked Bertha about her brother-in-law, themusical talent of her pupils, and her method of teaching; then she tookup the novel again and left Bertha to herself.