Not a domestic was near.

And with this disquieting knowledge she was obliged to return.
At the very moment when she returned, Rudolf noticed that Fanny had hastily concealed a book which she evidently had hitherto been reading, and flung a handkerchief over it in order that he might not see it.
Rudolf was interested, he felt he must take a deeper glance into the character of this woman.

What book could it be that she was so anxious to hide from him?
These modern women read risky books in private, and love to be rigid moralists in public at the same time.
He raised the handkerchief from the book, and he opened the book--it was a Prayer-book.

And as the book opened wide of its own accord in two places, he perceived two pressed flowers between its leaves--an iris and an amaranth.
Rudolf suddenly grew grave.

His heart felt heavy.