'What, you also pleading for him, my worthy friend? Then, indeed, I must give in. Well, the foolish madcap has found intercessors enough, I think,' said the Justitsraad, as he held out his hand to me.
'He is petitioning for his friend,' said Jettè.
'For my benefactor,' said Gustav.
'For his old father,' said my uncle.
'For himself,' said Hannè. 'This is the pretended cousin himself, in disguise; this is the very man himself who threw our family into such confusion; but what his real name may be, Heaven only knows.'
'He is my sister's son--Adolph Kerner, a son of Mr. Kerner, the well-known Copenhagen merchant; he has no need to be ashamed of his name,' said my uncle.
Everyone was astonished; there was a general silence from amazement.
At length Jettè exclaimed, 'The pretended cousin himself?'
'The young Kerner who went to Hamburg?' asked the Justitsraad.
'What! the impostor my own nephew?' cried my uncle, upon whom the truth began to dawn. The formidable explanation was given, forgiveness followed, and we were reconciled. The Justitsraad shook hands with me cordially.