Etta was sitting by the fire, alone.
She glanced back over her shoulder in a quick, hunted way which had only
become apparent to Steinmetz since her arrival at Petersburg.
"Good-evening," she said.
"Good-evening, madame," he answered.
He closed the door carefully behind him.
CHAPTER XX
AN OFFER OF FRIENDSHIP
Etta did not move when Steinmetz approached, except, indeed, to push one
foot farther out toward the warmth of the wood fire. She certainly was
very neatly shod. Steinmetz was one of her few failures. She had never
got any nearer to the man. Despite his gray hair and bulky person she
argued that he was still a man, and therefore an easy victim to
flattery--open to the influence of beauty.
"I wonder why," she said, looking into the fire, "you hate me."
Steinmetz looked down at her with his grim smile. The mise en scene was
perfect, from the thoughtful droop of the head to the innocent display
of slipper.
"I wonder why you think that of me," he replied.
"One cannot help perceiving that which is obvious."
"While that which is purposely made obvious serves to conceal that which
may exist behind it," replied the stout man.
Etta paused to reflect over this. Was Steinmetz going to make love to
her? She was not an inexperienced girl, and knew that there was nothing
impossible or even improbable in the thought.
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