"See, my child," said the old lady, joyously; "this is the surprise I told you about yesterday."
"It is certainly very unexpected," replied the girl.
"Allow me to hope, Fräulein, that at least it was not undesired?"
"Oh, no," said Veronica, laughing, as Cornelia made no answer. "You may be sure that she belongs to the ranks of your greatest adorers; but she is an obstinate little thing, and never pays any one a compliment willingly." A glance of earnest entreaty from the Prison Fairy silenced her enthusiastic kindliness.
"Fräulein," said Henri, firmly, "you have hitherto eluded me in so remarkable a manner that you will not be angry if I now implore you to grant me a few words of explanation? You will not refuse this satisfaction to the man who rejoices in the favor of your honored foster-mother?"
"Do you permit it?" asked Cornelia.
"What would I not permit to you, my dear child?" replied Veronica. "Speak on; I shall not disturb you, for I must go back to my guests."
The two were left alone. A violent struggle now arose in Ottmar as to which of his two individualities should rule this scene. It urged Henri irresistibly towards the sofa upon which the beautiful figure had sank, while Heinrich was unwilling to lose any of the precious moments he had longed for during the last weeks. The two natures had never struggled with each other so obstinately before. At last Henri drew back that Heinrich might, so to speak, do him credit with the talented girl. Heinrich seated himself in an arm-chair near the sofa, and tried to collect his thoughts after Henri's fierce revolt.
"So I have found you at last, wonderful, wilful creature!" he began. "Speak, why have you made it so difficult for me to do so?"
"I would tell you if I did not fear offending you."