The sooner the first meeting was over the better.

Were she to remain away from him till they should be brought together at the supper-table, there would almost be a necessity for her to explain her conduct.

She would go down to him and treat him exactly as she might have done, had there never been any special love between them.

She would do so as perfectly as her strength might enable her; and if she failed in aught, it would be better to fail before her aunt than in the presence of her uncle.

When she had resolved, she waited yet another minute or two, and then she went down-stairs.
As she entered her aunt's room George Voss was sitting before the stove, while Madame Voss was in her accustomed chair, and Peter was preparing the table for his young master's dinner.