"If you wish it--no!"
"And you will wait in patience till--you can see the bottom of my heart?"
"Yes!"
"Give me your hand on it."
Oldenburg pressed her hand to his face; she felt his tears flowing. She bent down and kissed his brow. Then she sat down on the other side of the fire and fell into deep thought.
The bells of a sleigh interrupted the silence. It was Doctor Balthasar. While the old gentleman was warming his hands by the fire, Oldenburg told him what was the matter.
"Hem! hem!" said Doctor Balthasar. "Know all: tubercles in the lungs--travelling in this weather--can't recover. Hem! hem! Where is she?--let us have a look at her."
As the three were turning round to leave the room, the door opened, and old Baumann, with Czika by his side, entered.
"You are too late!" he said to Doctor Balthasar.
Melitta, sobbing aloud, drew Czika to her heart.