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."