Paul looked at her for a long time, but she did not see him. She would not be disturbed in her devotion by any worldly thought.
And then the vicar came; the bells pealed, the organ resounded, and the procession, ranged in couples, advanced slowly towards the altar.
Paul walked close behind the two Erdmanns, who in their long black coats looked very solemn and demure. Suddenly the consciousness of his guilt overcame him more forcibly than ever. He bent forward a little, touched them softly on the shoulder, and whispered, with moist eyes,
“Forgive me, I have behaved so badly to you.”
They nudged each other and smiled maliciously. One of them half turned round, and whispered, with a face of pathetic misery and a look of injured innocence,
“My son, we forgive you.”
Paul felt very well that they were mocking him, but his heart was so full of devotion and love that no mocking could affect him.
The children ranged themselves on both sides of the altar.
Paul sent a shy glance into the body of the church, which was crammed with people, but he could not distinguish anybody.
The hour for the sermon was past. He gazed down before him. All seemed like a dream.