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Hartrey to the commercial responsibilities that burdened him. After a day's delay at Bingen, to study the condition of Mr. Engelman's health and to write the fullest report to Frankfort, the faster I could travel afterwards, and the sooner I could reach London, the better. So hard necessity compelled me to leave the stage, before the curtain rose on the final acts of the drama.
Madame Fontaine could hardly hope, after what I had told her, to obtain the all-important interview with Mr. Keller, through my aunt's intercession. Had she seen her way to trying what Mr. Engelman's influence with his partner could do for her?
There was something terrible in this sudden break-up of poor Engelman's harmless life something cruel and shocking in the passion of love fixing its relentless hold on an innocent old man, fast nearing the end of his days.
Keller had gone before her; walking, as he had walked, to the door at the end of the hall. I had remained with Minna, and was not in a position to see how her mother looked. Mr. Engelman's face, as he stretched out his hands entreatingly to stop Madame Fontaine, told me that the fierce passions hidden deep in the woman's nature had risen to the surface and shown themselves.
This took me completely, and far from agreeably, by surprise. I said piteously, "Must I really leave Frankfort?" "My good fellow, I have other interests to consider besides Engelman's interests," my aunt explained. "Mr. Hartrey is waiting to hear from me. There is no hope that Engelman will be able to travel to London, in his present state of health, and no possibility of Mr.
He showed me the long porcelain bowl of his pipe. "My dear boy, she has done what no woman ever did with me yet she has put my pipe out!" There was something so absurd in the association of Madame Fontaine's charms with the extinction of Mr. Engelman's pipe, that I burst out laughing. My good old friend looked at me in grave surprise.
"But I believe I have caught the infection of your prudence, David don't let us tell Madame Fontaine. Let her suppose that you have gone to Bingen in consequence of the unfavorable news of Engelman's health." She paused, and considered a little. "Or, better still, Bingen is on the way to England. There will be nothing extraordinary in your stopping to visit Engelman, on your journey to London."
For the first few moments, I really think I must have been beside myself, so completely was I overpowered by the horror of my own suspicions. I had just sense enough to keep out of Mr. Engelman's way until I felt my mind restored in some degree to its customary balance. Recovering the power of thinking connectedly, I began to feel ashamed of the panic which had seized on me.
Engelman's tranquillity was in direct conflict with my interest in the speedy marriage of my good friend Fritz. Besides, was it likely that anything I could say would have the slightest effect on the deluded old man, in the first fervor of his infatuation? I thought I would give him a general caution, and wait to be guided by events. "One word, sir, for your private ear," I said.
Fritz once told me that the office here in Frankfort was only the small office and the grand business was Mr. Wagner's business in London. Am I right, Mr. David?" "Quite right, Miss Minna. But we have no such magnificent flower-garden at the London house as Mr. Engelman's flower-garden here. May I offer you a nosegay which he allowed me to gather?"
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