She sat up after a while, her thoughts dancing around each other in that half state between wakefulness and sleep. She had to decide what to do now, so she made a list of the facts. She had found Max’s ring. The situation with the Schloss seemed hopeless. Anna could hardly take on the largest landowner in Prussia. Nor could Wil, who might be risking his job and everything he had worked so hard for if he were to do so. So, what now? She should probably leave it alone. Leave Wil to his life, leave the Schloss to Ingrid. Let everyone think what they liked about Max. She knew differently. That was the most important thing. And she, Anna, should go back to the life she had created for herself, the life that afforded her security and peace of mind. Things could be far worse. She was better off without all those feelings that seemed to confuse her here. She would do what she had always done—rely on herself. Anna climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the elaborate mirror.
