"By the bye, I'm leaving. I shan't disturb you any more. I'm leaving tomorrow. I forgot to tell you." * * * * * He did not leave. Various things kept him, he had business to do, things to buy, bills to pay, the morning passed and evening came. He rushed about as though out of his wits. At last he rang at the Chamberlain's door. Was Victoria at home? Victoria was out shopping. He explained that they came from the same place, Miss Victoria and he, he only wanted to pay her his compliments if she had been in, to take the liberty of paying his compliments. There was a message he wanted to send home. All right. Then he went into the town. Perhaps there was a chance of meeting her, coming across her; she might be sitting in a carriage. He wandered about till the evening. Outside the Theatre he saw her; he bowed, smiled and bowed, and she returned his greeting. He was going up to her, a few paces away--when he saw that she was not alone, she had Otto with her, the Chamberlain's son. He was in lieutenant's uniform. Johannes thought: now perhaps she'll give me a sign, a little glance of the eyes? She hurried into the theatre, blushing, with her head bowed, as though she did not wish to be seen. Perhaps he could see her inside? He took a ticket and went in. He knew where the Chamberlain's box was; of course, these rich people, they had boxes. There she sat in all her glory looking about her. Did she look at him? Never! When the act was over he waited for her outside in the corridor. He bowed again; she looked at him, rather surprised, and nodded. "This is where you can get a glass of water," said Otto, pointing. They walked past. Johannes followed them with his eyes. A strange twilight settled about him. All these people were annoyed with him and shoved him as they passed; he mechanically excused himself and stayed where he was. She had disappeared. When she came back she bowed deeply and said: "Excuse me...." "It's Johannes," she said, introducing him. "Do you recognize him?" Otto made some answer and puckered his eyes as he looked at him. "I suppose you want to know how your people are," she continued, and her face was calm and handsome. "I really don't know, but I expect they're quite well. Very well indeed. I'll give them your love." "Thank you. Are you going home soon, Miss Victoria?" "One of these days. All right, I'll give them your love." She nodded and passed on. Johannes' eyes followed her again till she had vanished, then he went out. He killed time with an everlasting ramble, a dull and dismal tramp up one street and down another. At ten o'clock he was waiting outside the Chamberlain's house. Now the theatres would soon be over, now she would come. He might open the carriage door perhaps, and take his hat off, open the carriage door and bow to the ground.