"That would be premature," answered Berthold. "My colleagues and the party know my intention all right, but the thing isn't official yet." "The news is bound to create a great sensation in the circles affected by it," said Herr Rosner--"particularly after the lively debate the other day in which you showed such spirit and determination. I suppose you've read about it, Baron?" He turned to George. "I must confess," answered George, "that I don't follow the parliamentary reports as regularly as I really ought to." "Ought to," repeated Berthold meditatively. "There's no question of 'ought' about it really, although the session has not been uninteresting during the last few days--at any rate as a proof of how low a level a public body can sink to." "The debate was very heated," said Herr Rosner. "Heated?... Well, yes, what we call heated here in Austria. People were inwardly indifferent and outwardly offensive." "What was it all about then?" inquired George. "It was the debate arising out of the questions on the Golowski case.... Therese Golowski." "Therese Golowski ..." repeated George. "I seem to know the name." "Of course you know it," said Anna. "You know Therese herself. She was just leaving the house when you called the last time." "Oh yes," said George, "one of your friends." "I wouldn't go so far as to call her a friend; that seems to imply a certain mental sympathy that doesn't quite exist." "You certainly don't mean to repudiate Therese," said Doctor Berthold smiling, but dryly. "Oh no," answered Anna quickly. "I really never thought of doing that. I even admire her; as a matter of fact I admire all people who are able to risk so much for something that doesn't really concern them at all. And when a young girl does that, a pretty young girl like Therese"--she was addressing herself to George who was listening attentively--"I am all the more impressed. You know of course that Therese is one of the leaders of the Social Democratic Party?" "And do you know what I took her for?" said George. "For a budding actress." "You're quite a judge of character, Herr Baron," said Berthold. "She really did mean to go on the stage once," corroborated Frau Rosner coldly. "But just consider, Frau Rosner," said Berthold. "What young girl is there with any imagination, especially if she lives in cramped surroundings into the bargain, who has not at some time or other in her life at any rate coquetted with such an idea." "Your forgiving her is good," said Anna, smiling. It struck Berthold too late that this remark of his had probably touched a still sensitive spot in Anna's mind. But he continued with all the greater deliberation. "I assure you, Fräulein Anna, it would be a great pity if Therese were to go on the stage, for there's no getting away from the fact that she can still do her party a tremendous lot of good if she isn't torn away from her career." "Do you regard that as possible?" asked Anna.