"That's nothing. If it was for your good, and you were to say, 'Just run to Stuttgard for me to the king,' I'd go in a minute. I just have a feeling now as if--as if----"
"As if what?" asked Ivo.
"As if every thing must turn out for the very best after this."
Without speaking a word, the two stood face to face for a while, holding in their hearts the fondest converse. At last Ivo drew himself up, with a heavy sigh, and said,--
"Say to my mother that I must think over all these matters again, and that she must not be uneasy any more. Take good care of her, and don't let her work too hard with the arm that was broken. Next to my mother, you and Nat are the dearest persons in the world to me."
Ivo as well as Emmerence looked down at these words, while the former continued:--"Have you heard nothing of Nat?"
"No."
The time allowed for their interview had passed by before they were aware of it. "You are going to church, a'n't you?" asked Ivo.
"Yes; but afterward I must make haste to get home."
"If I can arrange it, I'll see you once more after church, down in the Neckar Bottom, on the road to Hirsau; but, if it can't be, good-bye. God bless you! Don't walk too fast, and,--be a good girl."