He had the red room as before. The dinner-bell rang.
Louise met him in the passage.
“Thostrup!” exclaimed she, with delight, and seized his hand. “Now, it is almost a year and a day since I saw you!”
“Yes much has happened in this year!” said the Kammerjunker. “Come soon to me, and you shall see what I have had made for pastime—a bowling-green! Miss Sophie has tried her skill upon it.”
The Kammerjunker took the mother to dinner. Otto approached Sophie.
“Will you not take the Kammerjunker’s sister?” whispered she.
Mechanically, Otto made his bow before Miss Jakoba.
“Take one of the young ladies!” said she; “you would rather do that?”
Otto bowed, cast a glance toward Sophie; she had the old pastor. Otto smiled, and conducted Jakoba to table.
The Mamsell, renowned through her work-box, sat on his left hand. He observed the company who, beside those we have already mentioned, consisted of several ladies and gentlemen whom he did not know. One chair was empty, but it was soon occupied; a young girl, quiet in her attire, and dressed like Louise, entered.