Bertha also met with some other ladies with whom she was superficially acquainted. She felt that her mental attitude towards those ladies had undergone a complete change since her visit to Vienna--that she was freer, superior. It seemed to her that she was the only woman in the town with any experience, and she was almost sorry that nobody knew anything about it, for although, publicly, they would have despised her, in their hearts all those women would have been filled with unutterable envy of her. And if, after all, they _had_ known who.... Although in that hole of a town there were certainly many who had not so much as heard Emil's name! If only there was some one in the world to whom she could open her heart! Frau Rupius--yes, there was Frau Rupius!... But, of course, she was in the habit of going away, of taking trips!... And, to tell the truth, thought Bertha, that was also a matter of indifference to her. She would only like to know how things would eventually turn out so far as she and Emil were concerned, she would like to know how matters actually stood. It was the uncertainty that was causing her that terrible uneasiness.... Had she only had a love affair with him, after all?... Ah, but why had she not gone to him once again?... But, of course, that was quite impossible!... That letter.... He didn't want to see her, that was it!... But then, on the other hand, he had sent her flowers.... And now she was back again with her relations. Richard was going to meet her and embrace her in his playful manner. She pushed him away. "Impudent boy!" she thought to herself. "I know very well what he means by doing that, although he himself does not know. I understand these things--I have a lover in Vienna!..." The music lesson took its course and, at the end of it, Elly and Richard played as a duet Beethoven's [Footnote: Query--Brahms (translator's note).] "Festival Overture" which was intended by them to be a birthday surprise for their father.