What more could he desire?
Well then, if he seemed happy appearances were deceptive.

A worm gnawed at his heart.

He had hoped to be created Freiherr--baron--and here he was a simple "Herr von." How rarely is happiness perfect here below.
Pleading important business next morning in Berlin, Schrotter left soon after four o'clock.

He would not hear of Paul's deserting his guests to accompany him to the station, as he was most anxious to do, but drove alone to Harburg, and took the train that left at five o'clock, bringing him to Berlin by way of Uelzen.
It was nearly two in the morning when he reached home.

He stole on tiptoe into his room, but Bhani, whose sleep was light and restless when he was not there, heard him directly.