There was a knock at the door. The commissionaire came into the chamber andhanded her a letter. She tore open the envelope and with an involuntarymovement, so as to conceal the expression on her features from thestranger, she turned towards the window.

She read the letter.

"MY DEAREST BERTHA,

"It is somewhat good of you still to give me a choice between the next fewdays but, as indeed I always have already hinted to you in my former letter,it is, unfortunately, absolutely impossible for me to do just as I likeduring that time. Believe me, I regret that it is so, at least as muchas you do.

"0nce more a thousand thanks and a thousand greetings and I trust that wewill be able to arrange a delightful time when next we meet.

"Don't forget me completely,