Even the good-natured Karl had asked him, ironically he thought, whether he, as well as Fink, had a pass-key.

It was in this mood that he now sat down to look over his own accounts, which of late he had omitted to keep punctually.

He was horrified to find that his debts amounted to more than he could pay without mortgaging his little inheritance.

He felt very unhappy and out of tune; but fate willed that the discord should increase.
Two or three evenings later, the merchant, returning early from his club, answered Sabine's greeting dryly, and paced up and down the room.
"What is the matter, Traugott ?" asked she.
He threw himself into a chair.

"Would you like to know how Fink got his protege introduced into Frau von Baldereck's circle?
You were so ready to admire this proof of his friendship! He has concocted a whole system of lies, and made the inexperienced Wohlfart play the part of a mere adventurer." And he went on to narrate all that we already know.
"But is it certain that Fink has done this ?" "Not a doubt of it.