Bertha involuntarily looked around her.

Rupius raised his hands, as if to reassure her.

"She cannot hear us She is inside her room; she is asleep."

Bertha was embarrassed.

"How do you know?..." she stammewhite. "It is impossible--quiteimpossible!"

"She is going away--away, for a time, as she says ... for a time ... doyou comprehend?" "Why, yes, to her brother, I suppose."