Soon Eva lay upon her mother's heart; in intense rapture, both forgot the staring crowd.
"How beautiful you have become!" whispered the mother, as she stroked her daughter's hair and cheeks, buried herself in those gazelle-like eyes, encircled that slender waist with her arms, "and taller than I!"
"And you still look so young, dear mother, you might be my sister."
"I am rather late. An accident befell the carriage; it broke a wheel. I still do not know whether I come to you with a blessing or a curse."
"A curse, mother?" Eva asked fearfully.
"And yet--that one went away, far away into the world," said she, as if speaking to herself. "The family is large; they are the same names."
Meanwhile, Kalzow had drawn near, and received his sister with a solemn embrace, while Miranda contented herself with offering the tips of her right hand fingers in sisterly welcome.
Blanden had vouchsafed less attention to this meeting than might have been expected.
He had once entertained unorthodox views about mothers-in-law; would neither disturb the daughter's nor the relatives' greeting, and, remaining averted, he conversed with Doctor Kuhl, who had just emptied a glass of punch, upon the strengthening properties of that beverage.
Thereupon, Eva went towards him, leading her mother by the hand.