In the second place, his sudden appearance at Bingen would prove to be a serious, perhaps a fatal, shock to his old friend.
"What is to be done, then ?" he exclaimed.
"I think my aunt may be of some use, sir, in this emergency." "Your aunt?
How can she help us ?" I informed him of my aunt's project; and I added that Madame Fontaine had not positively said No.

He listened without conviction, frowning and shaking his head.
"Mrs.Wagner is a very impetuous person," he said.

"She doesn't understand a complex nature like Madame Fontaine's." "At least I may show my aunt the letter from Bingen, sir ?" "Yes.

It can do no harm, if it does no good." On my way to my aunt's room, I encountered Minna on the stairs.

She was crying.