"I have known it long, and I said nothing," answered Mignon. "How is it possible?" cried Barbara. "Whence?" cried Wilhelm.
"The spirit told it me."
"Where? Where?"
"In the vault, when the old man drew his knife, it called to me, 'Bring his father;' and I thought it must be thou."
"Who called to thee?"
"I know not: in my heart, in my head, I was terrified; I trembled, I prayed; then it called, and I understood it."
Wilhelm pressed her to his heart, recommended Felix to her, and retired. He had not observed till then that she was grown much paler and thinner than when he left her. Madam Melina was the first acquaintance he met: she received him in the friendliest manner. "Oh that you might find every thing among us as you wished!" exclaimed she.
"I doubt it," answered Wilhelm: "I do not expect it. Confess that they have taken all their measures to dispense with me."
"Why would you go away?" replied his friend.