"What shall we do?" whispered Helen, who seemed to have lost all her self-control.
"Of course we must say: 'Walk in!' What else can we do?" replied Sophie, laughing involuntarily. "Walk in!"
The person who entered was probably unable to recognize the ladies in the half-dark room; he remained standing near the door, as if he hesitated.
"Come nearer, doctor," said Sophie, holding Helen's hands. "I must ask your pardon for receiving you in the dark; but we will have light directly."
Oswald had approached her as she said these words, and had bowed to the ladies. Evidently he had not yet recognized Helen, who stood aside, looking towards the window.
"I have to ask pardon," he said, "for I fear I have interrupted the ladies. But as I found nobody in the hall----"
Suddenly he stopped; the blood rushed to his heart. He shuddered all over. Was not the silent figure by Miss Roban, Helen? He approached a little nearer. There was no doubt; that head whose outline he had so often admired almost reverently, could belong to no one but Helen ... He hardly heard Sophie say "You do not recognize Fräulein von Grenwitz; I will go myself to order lights." He heard the door close behind Miss Roban; he only knew that he was alone with her. He knelt down before her and seized her hand to cover it with burning kisses.
The surprise and the darkness favored Oswald's boldness. Helen trembled so violently that she could not prevent him; she had barely strength enough to say:
"For God's sake, Oswald, get up! I pray you, get up!"
It was high time, for at that moment Sophie returned, followed by a servant who brought a lamp.