"Be still, Babette! Speak quietly; I want to surprise him. Is he at home?"
"Yes, the Herr Doctor is in his study. Do you wish to go there, Fraulein?"
"No; I will steal into the sitting room and sing his favorite song. Careful now, Babette; so that he does not hear us."
Like a fairy she slipped lightly and noiselessly to the other side of the house and opened a door. Babette followed her, not noticing, in the joy and surprise of her Fraulein's return, that some one else stood in the dark hall. The door was left wide open, a chair was carefully moved, and directly a low prelude began in trembling notes, probably from a venerable old piano; but it sounded like the music of a harp, and then a voice arose, clear and sweet and joyous as a lark.
It did not last many minutes, for a door opposite was hastily opened, and a white-haired old man appeared.
"Marietta, my Marietta! is it really you?"
"Grandpapa!" was cried back, joyfully. The song broke off and Marietta threw herself upon her grandfather's neck.
"You naughty child, how you have frightened me!" he scolded, tenderly. "I did not expect you until the day after to-morrow, and intended to meet you at the station. Now I hear your voice, and do not dare to believe my ears."
The young girl laughed merrily as a child. She was more than happy and content.
"Yes, the surprise has been a complete success, grandpapa. I drove into the lane and actually stuck in the bog. I came in the back door. What do you want, Babette?"