"Good night, Lenz!"
"Good night, Annele!"
"Once more, good night!"
"Good night, my heart's treasure!"
"Good night, dear Lenz! pleasant dreams!"
"The same to you a thousand-fold!"
"That will do, that will do!" admonished the landlady, laughing.
Lenz stood in the street. The whole world turned round with him. The stars in heaven danced. Annele--Annele of the Lion--was his! He hurried homewards; he must tell Franzl, who always praised Annele so warmly. How she will rejoice! If I could only shout it out from house to house! He checked himself, however, when he had almost reached his door. He must not tell Franzl; nothing was certain yet, and she could not keep a secret. But he must tell some one. He retraced his steps, and remained long standing before the Lion. To-night he must stand a stranger there; to-morrow he would be one of the family. He tore himself away at last, and went in search of Pilgrim.