"All at once she stopped in front of me. 'Aunt Rosamond, do you think that Susanna Mattoni has been overworked in any way? I mean, can her temporary weakness be the result of that?'
"'Yes, Anna Maria,' I replied, 'I am convinced of it, for she had not been accustomed to doing anything. She has hitherto sat in a cage like a bird; when such a creature tries to fly all at once, it is soon made lame by the motion.'
"She made no reply, and continued her walking. The conversation grew louder indoors; the gentlemen were now sitting over their Rhine wine. The cool breeze of approaching evening began to blow, and the sun was hidden behind a bank of clouds.
"'Ah! Stürmer, do stay till evening,' I heard Klaus say. 'It will never do not to finish the day together, after beginning it so; do not pervert our good old custom.'
"Anna Maria stood still and listened. But instead of an answer we heard the chairs pushed back, and then Klaus's voice again:
"'Ah! Susanna, have you quite recovered? Allow me to present Baron Stürmer.'
"Anna Maria turned and looked out toward the garden.
"Pastor Grüne inquired after the health of the young girl, and soon they all came out on the terrace. Susanna went up to Anna Maria at once, and held out her hand, saying: 'Forgive me for having frightened you this morning. I do not know how it happened; everything grew dark before my eyes, and——'
"'Oh! certainly,' interrupted Anna Maria, touching the girl's hand but lightly; 'I was not at all frightened; a swoon is nothing so unusual.'
"Susanna blushed up to her black curls, and sat down quietly by my side.