"Really," said George feeling reassured, for he now remembered that after the concert in which Fräulein Bellini had sung his songs a critic had described him as an aristocratic dilettante. George's friends had explained at the time that the reason for this malicious critique was that he had omitted to call on the gentleman in question, who was notoriously vain. So that was it once again. There were always extrinsic reasons for people criticising one unfavourably, and Else's touchiness to-day, what was it at bottom but sheer jealousy.... The table was cleared. They went into the drawing-room. George went up to Anna, who was leaning on the piano, and said gently to her: "You do look beautiful, dear." She nodded with satisfaction. He then went on to ask: "Did you have a pleasant talk with Heinrich? What did you speak about? Therese, isn't that so?" She did not answer, and George noticed with surprise that her eyelids suddenly drooped and that she began to totter. "What is the matter?" he asked, frightened. She did not hear him, and would have fallen down if he had not quickly caught hold of her by the wrists. At the same moment Frau Ehrenberg and Else came up to her. "Did they notice us?" thought George. Anna had already opened her eyes again, gave a forced smile and whispered: "Oh, it is nothing. I often stand the heat so badly." "Come along!" said Frau Ehrenberg in a motherly tone. "Perhaps you will lie down for a moment." Anna, who seemed dazed, made no answer and the ladies of the house escorted her into an adjoining room. George looked round. The guests did not seem to have noticed anything. Coffee was handed round. George took a cup and played nervously with his spoon. "So after all," he thought, "she will not finish up in middle-class life." But at the same time he felt as far away from her psychologically, as though the matter had no personal interest for him. Frau Oberberger came up to him. "Well, what do you really think about platonic love? You are an expert, you know." He answered absent-mindedly. She went on talking, as was her way, without bothering whether he was listening or answering. Suddenly Else returned. George inquired how Anna was, with polite sympathy. "I am certain it is not anything serious," said Else and looked him strangely in the face. Demeter Stanzides came in and asked her to sing. "Will you accompany me?" She turned to George. He bowed and sat down at the piano. "What shall it be?" asked Else. "Anything you like," replied Wilt, "but nothing modern." After supper he liked to play the reactionary at any rate in artistic matters. "Right you are," said Else, and gave George a piece of music.