The Torrents Of Spring

XXXII
He found her in the shop with her mother. Frau Lenore was stooping
down, measuring with a big folding foot-rule the space between the windows.
On seeing Sanin, she stood up, and greeted him cheerfully, though
with a shade of embarrassment.
‘What you said yesterday,’ she began, ‘has set my head in a whirl with
ideas as to how we could improve our shop. Here, I fancy we might put
a couple of cupboards with shelves of looking-glass. You know, that’s
the fashion nowadays. And then … ’
‘Excellent, excellent,’ Sanin broke in, ‘we must think it all over… . But
come here, I want to tell you something.’ He took Frau Lenpre and
Gemma by the arm, and led them into the next room. Frau Lenore was
alarmed, and the foot-rule slipped out of her hands. Gemma too was almost
frightened, but she took an intent look at Sanin, and was reassured.
His face, though preoccupied, expressed at the same time keen self-confidence
and determination. He asked both the women to sit down, while
he remained standing before them, and gesticulating with his hands and
ruffling up his hair, he told them all his story; his meeting with Polozov,
his proposed expedition to Wiesbaden, the chance of selling the estate.
‘Imagine my happiness,’ he cried in conclusion: ‘things have taken such
a turn that I may even, perhaps, not have to go to Russia! And we can
have our wedding much sooner than I had anticipated!’
‘When must you go?’ asked Gemma.
‘To-day, in an hour’s time; my friend has ordered a carriage – he will
take me.’
‘You will write to us?’
‘At once! directly I have had a talk with this lady, I will write.’
‘This lady, you say, is very rich?’ queried the practical Frau Lenore.
‘Exceedingly rich! her father was a millionaire, and he left everything
to her.’
‘Everything – to her alone? Well, that’s so much the better for you.
Only mind, don’t let your property go too cheap! Be sensible and firm.
Don’t let yourself be carried away! I understand your wishing to be
Gemma’s husband as soon as possible … but prudence before
everything! Don’t forget: the better price you get for your estate, the
more there will be for you two, and for your children.’
Gemma turned away, and Sanin gave another wave of his hand. ‘You
can rely on my prudence, Frau Lenore! Indeed, I shan’t do any
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