The justice's wife and her daughter Lina joined Eric and his hostess. People were surprised that he was leaving Sonnenkamp's house, as the report had already spread that he was to remain there. And now Eric learned that Roland had really ridden through the town, passing several times before the physician's house, and letting his horse prance so that it frightened one to look at him.
Lina was burning with eagerness to speak to Eric alone for a moment, and she found her opportunity when they met the school-director and his wife, and the two elder ladies stopped to inquire about the health of the forester's wife, who lived in the director's house. Lina went on with Eric, and said abruptly:—
"Do you know that your pupil Roland has a sister?"
"Certainly. I have heard so."
"Heard so? Why, you have seen her. She was the young girl with the star on her forehead, and the wings, who met us in the twilight on the cloister steps."
"Ah, indeed!"
"Ah, indeed!" mimicked Lina. "Oh! you men are dreadful; I have always thought that you-—-"
She stopped and Eric asked:—
"That I—what of me?"
"Ah, mother is right, I am too heedless and clumsy, and say everything that comes into my head; I should have believed you now-—-"