CHAPTER XXVI

Lookingupfromherbreakfastthemorningafterthefiretoseewhoitwasridingdownthestreet,FrauManskebeheldDellwigcomingtowardshergardengate.Herhusbandwasinhisdressing-gownandslippers,acostumeheaffectedearlyintheday,andtheyweretakingtheircoffeethisfineweatheratatableintheirroomyporch.Therewas,therefore,nopossibilityofhidingthedressing-gown,noryetthefactthathercapwasnotasfreshasacaponwhichthegreatDellwig'seyesweretorest,shouldbe.SheknewthatDellwigwasnotastarofthefirstmagnitudelikeHerrvonLohm,buthewasaverymagnificentspecimenofthoseofthesecondorder,andshethoughthimmuchmoreimposingthanAxel,whosequietwaysshehadneverunderstood.Dellwigsnubbedhersosystematicallyandsobrutallythatshecouldnotbutrespectandadmirehim:shewasoneofthosewomenwhoenjoykissingtherod.Inagreatfluttershehurriedtothegatetoopenitforhim,receivinginreturnneitherthanksnorgreeting."Good-morning,good-morning,"shesaid,bowingrepeatedly."Afinemorning,HerrDellwig." "Where'sKlutz?"heaskedcurtly,neithergettingoffhishorsenortakingoffhishat. "Oh,thepooryoungman,HerrDellwig!"shebeganwithupliftedhands."Hehashadaletterfromhome,andismuchupset.