She was in despair, and scurried to and fro in the room, vainly cudgelling her brain for an idea that would bring her succor. What could she do? Where should she get the money? She would go to Borgert and ask him for the amount. But what would he think of her? Would he not lose all respect for her? For a moment she stood undecided in her room, and pressed both hands against her wildly beating heart. Then she went resolutely to the door and hastened down the back stairs. She found Borgert musing in an easy-chair, and he did not even rise when she entered, but merely waved his hand in greeting to her. But she stepped up to him and kissed him tenderly on the forehead, and then she sat down close by him. He was puzzled by her demeanor, and looked up questioningly into her face. “What kind of visitors do you receive nowadays?” he said pleasantly. “I? Visitors?” Frau Leimann retorted with some embarrassment. “I have received nobody,--truly not, nobody.” And while she said it her eyes wandered about the room without meeting his. “You have received no visitor? Oh, but that is a big fib!” “Why should you say so, George; who should have been to see me?” “Well, I merely thought a certain Herr Krause called on you.” “How do you know that?” she cried, startled by his knowledge. “I know everything, my child; even that the bailiff was just in to see you.” Frau Leimann was covered with confusion, and mechanically began to fondle the seam of her little silk apron. “Well, if you know, it is unnecessary for me to tell you. Yes, he was to see me.” “And what did he want?” The pretty woman told him the details. With a tear-choked voice she exclaimed: “I am lost if my husband hears of it!” “But I don’t see. If he has bought it he must, of course, pay for the dress.” “He knows of nothing. I had to have the dress, the red silk, you know. I told him at that time that my mother had sent it; for he would have refused me, and I had to have it, and so I took it on my own account.” “That was very stupid of you. Where will you take the money from now?” “I really don’t know. Cannot you help me?” “I will go to those people and ask them for time.” “There would be no use in doing that, George; I must have the cash. I need at least a thousand marks, for I have to pay for other things as well--the dressmaker, the hair-dresser, the shoemaker, etc. Get me the money, George, and show me that you really love me as much as you always say you do.” “I?” Borgert set up an unpleasant laugh. “Good heavens, I don’t know myself what is to become of me.” “How so? Are you in debt too?” “If you would take the trouble to devote some attention to that big sheet of paper over there on my desk, you might be able to tell. That sort of thing I get every day.” Frau Leimann stepped up to the desk, unfolded the big sheet, and stared with wide-open eyes at the formidable columns.