"I have been delayed at Frau von Stuckardt's," she then said; "or, rather, Frau von Stuckardt would not let me leave."
"Stuckardt told me," interrupted the colonel, "that his wife was not well."
"Yes, she has got the old pain in her face back again, which no doctor can relieve, and that was why I had to stay so long. I had to keep my hands on her cheeks. She says I have soothing hands and can do her good."
Reimers looked across at her. She was sitting a little in the shadow, so that her white straw hat and light blouse stood out distinctly. On her bosom sparkled a small diamond. Only the tip of her foot was visible in the lamplight, a beautiful, narrow, elegantly-shod foot, which was swinging rapidly backwards and forwards.
To avoid catching her eye, Reimers turned to Marie Falkenhein, his neighbour. The _Maibowle_ had got into his head a little. He chatted away cheerfully, the young girl listening with flushed cheeks and radiant eyes, and answering laughingly from time to time. They neither of them noticed that meanwhile Frau von Gropphusen had emptied her glass and was preparing to go.
"Many thanks," she said. "I was nearly fainting. The _Maibowle_ has done me good. But it's getting late; I must go home."
"Of course they are expecting you at home?" asked Falkenhein.
Hannah Gropphusen laughed rather bitterly.
"Expecting me?" she replied. "Who? Oh no, I don't suppose my husband is at home. But pray, colonel, don't punish him for that!"
This was rather painful. However, Frau von Gropphusen afterwards said good-bye to them so simply and naturally that no one thought anything more about it.
The colonel accompanied her to the gate, and the four in the arbour went over to the balustrade. Güntz had put his arm tenderly round Frau Kläre, and Reimers was standing beside Marie Falkenhein. They watched Hannah Gropphusen mount her bicycle and ride slowly away. She turned round in the saddle, waved her right hand, and shouted out a laughing "Good-night."
A little further along she looked back, and the white-gloved hand waved again, but they could no longer distinguish her features.
Then the rushing wheels disappeared in the darkness.
The servant was waiting at the door. He took the machine from her, asking if she would take tea.
