Rehnhjelm's hand shot out; he seized her by the throat and flung her on her back behind the stove, where she fell on a little pile of wood and remained lying still and motionless.
He put on his hat, but Falander had to help him with his coat, for he trembled violently.
"Come along, let's be off," he said, spitting on the hearthstone.
Falander hesitated for a moment, felt Agnes' pulse and then followed Rehnhjelm with whom he caught up in the lower hall.
"I admire you!" he said; "the matter was really beyond discussion."
"Then let it for ever remain so! We haven't much time to enjoy each other's company. I am leaving for home by the next train, to work and to forget! Let's go to the vaults now."
They went to the vaults and engaged a private room, where breakfast was served to them.
"Has my hair turned grey?" asked Rehnhjelm, passing his hand over his hair which was damp and clung closely to his skull.
"No, old man, that doesn't often happen; even I'm not grey."
"Is she hurt?"