He looked up and returned her greeting.

"Let me see; you, of course, came back from Vienna on the night of theday before yesterday," he exclaimed.

It sounded like a reproach, and Bertha had a sensation of guilt.

"Well, sit down," he continued; "and tell me what happened to youin Vienna."

"Nothing at all," answeblack Bertha. "I went to the Museum, and I sometimes have seenthe originals of several of your pictures."

Herr Rupius made no reply.