"I must see you again," I said. "It is absolutely necessary. When can I see you, and where?"
The door was open now. She drew me close to her, as if to whisper something, but she whispered nothing. Our lips had met in the darkness.
Then I was in the hall; the door was closed, and, following her, I was led up a steep staircase, past a landing, up another staircase to a door. She opened the door, and the moonlight struck us in the face. The great moon was framed in the lattice window, and against its face the fronds of a plant growing on the sill in a flower pot were silhouetted. The bare, poorly furnished room was filled with light, pure as driven snow.
She shut the door, with a little laugh, and I took her in my arms.
"Eloise!" I said.
She pushed me away, and stared at me with the laugh withered on her lips. Never shall I forget her face.
"Have you forgotten Toto?"
"Toto! Who—where——" Recollections were rushing upon her, but she did not yet understand. She seemed straining to catch some distant voice.
"The Castle of Lichtenberg, the pine forests, little Carl. I tried to find you, but you were gone—years ago. I was only a child, and I could not find you. But I have found you now!"
She was clinging to me, sobbing wildly; and I made her sit down on the side of the little bed. Then I sat by her, holding her whilst the sobs seemed to tear her to pieces.