All was silent again. Irma had dressed herself and lay dreamily at the edge of the woods, while sweet melodies passed through her soul.
Suddenly, she heard her name called again and again, and in a loud voice. She answered as loud as she could, and at last Gundel came up and said:
"Irmgard, come to the cottage right away. There's a gentleman there with a servant, and he wants to speak to you."
Irma, who had partly raised herself, lay down again. She felt a heart pang. What could it be? Had her time come? and must she again return to the busy world?
She arose to her feet and asked:
"Don't you know who it is?"
"No, but he says he spent the night with us some years ago. He's a tall, handsome young man; but, poor man, he's stone blind."
"The blind man wandering?" thought Irma to herself, turning toward the hut.
"God greet you!" cried she, while still distant.
"Yes, that's your voice," replied the blind man, stretching out his arms and opening and closing his hands. "Come! Come nearer. Give me your hand!" He quickly drew off his gloves with his teeth, and his face wore a strange expression. Irma drew near and took his delicate, white hand in hers.