But even that, she thought, would be better than being forced to marry Peter Steinmarc. Before she had reached the island, she knew that the one scheme was as impossible as the other. She entered the house very quietly, and turning to the left went at once into the kitchen. "Linda, your aunt is waiting dinner for you this hour," said Tetchen. "Why did you not take it to her by herself?" said Linda, crossly. "How could I do that, when she would not have it? You had better go in now at once. But, Linda, does anything ail you?" "Very much ails me," said Linda. Then Tetchen came close to her, and whispered, "Have you heard anything about him?" "What have you heard, Tetchen? Tell me at once." "He is in trouble." "He is in prison!" Linda said this with a little hysteric scream. Then she began to sob and cry, and turned her back to Tetchen and hid her face in her hands. "I have heard that too," said Tetchen. "They say the burgomasters have caught him with letters on him from some terrible rebels up in Prussia, and that he has been plotting to have the city burned down. But I don't believe all that, fraulein." "He is in prison. I know he is in prison," said Linda. "I wish I were there too;--so I do, or dead. I'd rather be dead." Then Madame Staubach, having perhaps heard the lock of the front door when it was closed, came into the kitchen. "Linda," she said, "I am waiting for you." "I do not want any dinner," said Linda, still standing with her face turned to the wall. Then Madame Staubach took hold of her arm, and led her across the passage into the parlour. Linda said not a word as she was being thus conducted, but was thinking whether it might not even yet serve her purpose to be silent and sullen. She was still sobbing, and striving to repress her sobs; but she allowed herself to be led without resistance, and in an instant the door was closed, and she was seated on the old sofa with her aunt beside her. "Have you seen Herr Molk?" demanded Madame Staubach. "Yes; I have seen him." "And what has he said to you?" Then Linda was silent. "You told me that you would seek his counsel; and that you would act as he might advise you." "No; I did not say that." "Linda!" "I did not promise. I made no promise."