They stood a moment face to face, after which she asked: “Have you any doubt of it?” “Oh _es kann sein_. Only the woman of the house told me five minutes ago that he came in.” “Well then he probably went out again.” “Yes, but she didn’t hear him.” The Princess reflected and was conscious she was flushing. She knew what Schinkel knew about their young friend’s actual situation and she wished to be very clear with him and to induce him to be the same with her. She was rather baffled, however, by the sense that he was cautious—justly cautious. He was polite and inscrutable, quite like some of the high personages—ambassadors and cabinet ministers—whom she used to meet in the great world. “Has the woman been here in the house ever since?” she asked in a moment. “No, she went out for ten minutes half an hour ago.” “Surely then he may have gone out again in that time,” the Princess argued. “That’s what I’ve thought. It’s also why I’ve waited here,” said Schinkel. “I’ve nothing to do,” he added serenely. “Neither have I,” she returned. “We can wait together.” “It’s a pity you haven’t some nice room,” the German suggested with sympathy. “No indeed; this will do very well. We shall see him the sooner when he comes back.” “Yes, but perhaps it won’t be for long.” “I don’t care for that; I’ll wait. I hope you don’t object to my company,” she smiled. “It’s good, it’s good,” Schinkel responded through his smoke. “Then I’ll send away my cab.” She returned to the vehicle and paid the driver, who said with expression “Thank you, my lady” and drove off. “You gave him too much,” observed Schinkel when she came back. “Oh he looked like a nice man. I’m sure he deserved it.” “It’s very expensive,” Schinkel went on sociably. “Yes, and I’ve no money—but it’s done. Was there no one else in the house while the woman was away?” the Princess resumed. “No, the people are out; she only has single men. I asked her that. She has a daughter, but the daughter has gone to see her cousin. The mother went only a hundred yards, round the corner there, to buy a pennyworth of milk. She locked this door and put the key in her pocket; she stayed at the grocer’s, where she got the milk, to have a little conversation with a friend she met there. You know ladies always stop like that—_nicht wahr?_ It was half an hour later that I came. She told me he was at home, and I went up to his room. I got no sound, as I have told you. I came down and spoke to her again, and she told me what I say.” “Then you determined to wait, as I’ve done,” said the Princess. “Oh yes, I want to see him.” “So do I, very much.” She said nothing more for a minute, but then added: “I think we want to see him for the same reason.” “_Das kann sein—das kann sein._”