"Because it would have no influence," he said; but when Johanna, wounded by his unkindness, would have withdrawn her hand from his arm, he drew her closer to his side. "Forgive me," he begged, in the tender tone she had not heard for a long while. "I am detestable to-night. But remember how I am tormented. To whom shall I tell it all, if not to you?" "If you only would be frank with me always," Johanna said, in a tone of gentle reproof. "But sometimes you are so reserved with me." "Because now and then I mistrust even you," he replied, "and have a feeling that you are leagued with my grandfather against me." "Dear Otto----" she began. He interrupted her. "Never mind," he said; "words avail nothing. I will put you to the test." "Do," she said, earnestly. "What do you ask of me?" He hesitated. Involuntarily he had said more than he meant to; but perhaps it was best so. With his own victorious smile he said, "I ask you to hurry on the purchase of this estate, that we may be married as soon as possible and sell it again." She looked at him incredulously. "You cannot be serious." "And why not?" And his eyes flashed. "Consider our grandfather----" "Consider me!" he exclaimed. "Try to understand, if you can, what it is to be snatched from a career that you love and forced year out and year in to do what gives you not the smallest pleasure. But this you cannot comprehend,--no woman can." Unconsciously he raised his voice as he uttered the last words. The Freiherr looked round. "How ungallant!" he exclaimed. "What is he reproaching you with, my child? Let us hear what it is that you cannot understand." Johanna was embarrassed. Otto instantly came to her aid. "I was lamenting the length of our engagement," he replied. "Already!" said the Freiherr; but his tone and air betrayed his pleasure in Otto's impatience. And, throwing down his cards,--his hand was so poor that he had no desire to play any longer,--he continued: "We would appoint the wedding-day if a nest were only found for you." Aunt Thekla hastened to put away her aces, for the Freiherr was cross when he lost a game. "I thought, my dear Johann," she said, to keep up the conversation, "that you were satisfied with Tannhagen." "The estate,--yes," he replied; "and the farm-buildings, too, are all very well; but the house is a ruinous old pile, and Otto cannot wait, as you have just heard, while a new one is building." "Why should I, sir?" Otto said. "If Tannhagen suits you in other respects, we shall do very well in the old house, shall we not, Johanna?" The Freiherr laughed. "Indeed, my boy? 'A hovel with the one we love.' Is it come to that with you?" he said, in high good humour. "Well, we will take the matter into consideration. First of all, as soon as the weather permits, we must ride over and inspect the owl's-nest and see whether it can be made habitable for a while. I should like, children, to have you so near me."