"'I don't know, Klaus,' I replied.
"He came nearer to me. 'If it only might be, aunt,' he said gently; 'do you think that this time Anna Maria would, again——'
"'No, Klaus; if I understand Anna Maria aright, she still loves Stürmer.'
"'Still, aunt? Now, you mean to say?'
"I knew not what answer to make.
"'I should be so glad,' he began again, 'if Anna Maria and Edwin——'
"He broke off, for Susanna had entered; she had such a light, floating gait that we did not notice her till she was already standing in the middle of the room. Slowly she came nearer; she was doubtless suffering at the thought of separation, for she looked very pale and scarcely spoke that evening. When Klaus folded her in his arms on his departure she looked up into his true, agitated face, and for an instant, raising herself on tip-toe, she put both arms around his neck, but for his affectionate words she had no reply.
"She remained standing beside me on the front steps, looking after him, as, wrapped in his great cloak, he got into the carriage. Anna Maria went down the steps with him, and put extra rugs and foot-sacks in with her own hands. The brother and sister held out their hands to each other, but Klaus's looks sped past Anna Maria up to the delicate figure standing motionless in the flickering light of the lanterns. Brockelmann looked, suddenly transfixed, at the girl, who only waved her hand lightly. The carriage drove rattling away; once more he leaned his head out; then the carriage rolled through the gateway, out into the night.
"Susanna did not wait till Anna Maria had come up the steps; she ran back into the house as if pursued, and I heard her light step going up-stairs.
"Anna Maria and I went back to the garden-parlor. Neither of us spoke; I laid my knitting-work and glasses in my work-basket, and Anna Maria stood, reflecting, in the middle of the room. All at once I saw her take a few steps forward and quickly stoop over; when she stood upright again she had grown pale. Her hand held a small, shining object—Susanna's engagement ring!