Again resounded the post-horn.
"They are gone," murmured Trude, bowing her head and praying long and fervently.
The general was particularly fortunate this evening, which caused him to be unusually cheerful and satisfied. After every rubber he gathered up the thalers, until he had amassed a most satisfactory pile. As the clock struck ten, Frau von Werrig declared that they must finish and go to bed.
The general yielded, with a sigh, to her decision, for he knew, by long years of experience, that it would be in vain to defy her will.
He shoved his winnings into a leather bag, which he always carried with him, and gave Leberecht the order to roll away his chair, when the servant, with a solemn bow, stepped closely to him, and begged the general to listen to him a moment.
"Well, what have you to say?" he asked.
"I have only one request--that you will permit me to prove that I am a faithful servant, who looks out for the good of his employers. You have given Trude five hundred thalers that she might watch over your daughter. I can show you how well she deserved it, and how differently your humble servant would have done.--Have the goodness, Frau yon Werrig, to call Trude to bid Fraulein come down, for you have something important to communicate to her."His mistress proudly regarded him and seemed to try to read his meaning in his smiling, humble face. "And if my daughter comes, what have you to say?""If she comes, then I am a miserable fool and scoundrel, but I beg you to call Trude."It was a long time before the old woman appeared, confused and sleepy, asking--"what they wanted at such a late hour?""Go and tell my daughter that I wish to see her at once."Trude trembled, but composed herself, saying, "There is time enough to-morrow. Fraulein has been asleep a long time.""She lies," sneered Leberecht, taking the precaution to protect himself behind the general's arm-chair. "She knows that she is not in bed.""Oh, you sneak, you rascal," cried Trude, shaking her fist at him, "how dare you say that I tell a lie? How can such a miserable creature as you impute to others what you do yourself every time that you open your mouth?""Frau yon Werrig, she is only quarrelling, in order to gain time--every moment is precious. I beg you to go up-stairs, and see for yourself, if your daughter is there.""Fraulein has locked the door so as not to be disturbed.""Ah," said Leberecht, "Trude has locked it, and has the key in her pocket.""Give up the key," shrieked the general, who in vain tried to rise, "or I will call the police, and send you to prison.""Do it, but I will not give it to you."
"Do you not see she has it?" cried Leberecht.
"Oh, you wretch, I will pay you--I will scratch your eyes out, you miserable creature!""Trude, be quiet," commanded Ebenstreit; "the general orders to give up the key--do it!""Yes, do it at once," shrieked Frau von Werrig, "or I will dismiss you from my service.""That you will not have to do, as I shall go myself. I will not give up the key.""The door is old, and with a good push one could open it," said Leberecht.
"Come, my son, let us see," said the mother.
