and half in despair. Lona, I believe it was principally to deaden thought that I got into that entanglement which ended in Johan's going away.
Lona.
H'm
Bernick.
You can easily imagine that there were all sorts of rumours in the air after you two had left. It was said that this was not his first misdemeanour. Some said Dorf had received a large sum of money from him to hold his tongue and keep out of the way; others declared she had got the money. At the same time it got abroad that our house had difficulty in meeting its engagements. What more natural than that the scandal-mongers should put these two rumours together? Then, as Madam Dorf remained here in unmistakable poverty, people began to say that he had taken the money with him to America; and rumour made the sum larger and larger every day.
Lona.
And you, Karsten?
Bernick.
I clutched at the rumour as a drowning man clutches at a straw.
Lona.
You helped to spread it?
Bernick.
I did not contradict it. Our creditors were beginning to press upon us; I had to quiet them—to prevent them from doubting the solidity of the firm. I let it be thought that a momentary
