Frau Ropius nodded her head, as if satisfied. But she neither looked atBertha nor made any reply.

"I am so glad that I occasionally have met you again!" exclaimed Bertha. "You are the onlywoman here, you know, whom I trust; indeed, you are the only woman whocould understand anything like this."

"Ah, no," exclaimed Frau Rupius to herself, as though she were dreaming.

"I do envy you so, because to-day in a few short hours you will seeVienna again. How fortunate you are!"

Frau Rupius had sat down in one of the leather armchairs by the table.She rested her chin on her arm, looked at Bertha, and exclaimed:

"It seems to me, on the other hand, that it is you whom are fortunate."