Erard. Yes, dear papa; and when I was coming away, he called me back, and giving me this flower, said to me, "Erard, go to your father and tell him that Theobald sent this:" and he wept much. Here it is, dear papa. I did not dare to give it to you at first, because I did not know whether Ethbert----
"Embrace me, my child," said Arnold; "and go, and tell my good father, that I entreat him to come to me."
Erard. O, dear papa, grandpapa would have come before—but he went away in the night, with two servants, in a carriage.
Arnold. My father went away in the night, Erard! And do you know, and can you tell me where he is gone?
Erard. No, papa. Only he said, when he set out—for I was awake and heard him—"Go by way of the heath."
"He is then gone to Waldhaus," said Ethbert; "since the heath is on the direct road to the chateau."
These are the fruits of Christian love! It is active, fervent, and does not put off until to-morrow the good that may be done to-day. Sure and powerful consolation was necessary for the heart of the wife and mother whom God had afflicted, and the servant of the "God of consolation" was hastening, in his name, to Hildegarde, whom he hoped to bring to him whose death she was deploring.