Stefeli uttered a suppressed cry of joy, and pulled violently at her mother's sleeve.
"Mother, it is Vinzi!" she exclaimed, greatly excited.
The mother had recognized her Vinzi at her first glance toward the organ and the sight of his curly black head had so surprised and agitated her that it took all her power to keep from sobbing aloud. Her husband must know too. She nudged him gently and whispered, "Vinzenz, it is Vinzi!"
He made no reply, nor did he look up, unwilling to show how the music had moved him.
And now the music suddenly changed. From low mourning it grew to loud lamentation, as if a great choir of despairing mortals gave voice to their suffering and penitence. Bitter pain, then supplication and fervent, humble prayer for succor and mercy. Suddenly it was as though the heavens opened and angels on high sang of merciful love and everlasting joy. Then above the heavenly choir there arose a voice, clear and powerful, filling the great church with the words:
"Yes, the holy hymn of grace
Sounds through all eternity."
It was Jos. Hearing those well-known notes sounding afresh so powerfully and inspiringly had overcome him and he could but add his voice to the angelic choir. When the last note died away, perfect silence reigned in the church. Then the two gentlemen rose, and Vinzenz Lesa also got up, wiping his eyes.
"You surely don't believe that," he said in a hoarse voice, as his wife followed him, in answer to the words she had whispered to him some time before. "No one can tell me that was our Vinzi!"
Mr. Delrick was standing just behind him and said, clapping him on the shoulder, "We will not take anything on faith. Let us climb up to the organ loft and see for ourselves who plays like this."
