At that moment Baron Cloten returned, his face beaming with delight. "Miss Emily," he said, "your aunt wishes to speak to you. May I have the honor to take you to her?" "Directly," said Emily, and then to Felix: "Rely on what I told you. You have sharp eyes and ears." She took Cloten's arm. "I must find that out," said Felix to himself when he was alone again. "Helen's manner has really been extraordinary of late." He went up to the piano. "Shall I turn the music for you, Helen?" "Thanks," Helen replied dryly. "I play from memory." After a short pause: "Please, cousin, go away. It makes me nervous to have anybody stand so close behind me." "It seems to me Doctor Stein stood yesterday half an hour behind you and you did not show any great nervousness." "Then I will rise," said Helen. She wound up with a short finale and left the piano, without paying any attention to the general Ah! of the dancers. "That is rather strong," said Felix to himself. "Why did Helen stop playing so suddenly?" asked the baroness, who had watched the scene from a distance, and now came up. "I do not know. She probably took something I said amiss. She is more capricious and obstinate than I thought. Don't you think, aunt, that man Stein, with his corrupt notions, may exercise a bad influence on Helen as well as on Bruno?" "I have always told you I have no faith in that man." "Why don't you turn him out?" "Without any cause?" "Pshaw! That is easily found. Will you give me permission to find one?" "But there must be no scene?" "Let me manage that." "You must bring it about that he shall himself ask to be relieved." "Why?" "I have my reasons.--And, Felix, do not speak of it to Grenwitz. Of late he has become very self-willed. I am even afraid he thinks of interfering with our plan. I pray you, Felix, be cautious! I should be beside myself if we fail, after having represented the whole matter everywhere as a _fait accompli_!" "Pshaw! aunt! Anxious again? Rely on me; I'll carry out what I have begun!" CHAPTER IX.