He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. She stood quietly before him, and gathered calmness from his look. And again that significant silence ensued so dear to those whose hearts are full of what they cannot or dare not speak. Suddenly Frau Willmers softly opened the door.
"There is a lady without, who wishes to speak with you, Fräulein Hartwich."
"With me!" asked Ernestine in displeased surprise. "Who is she?"
"She refuses to give her name, and will not be denied. She says if Fräulein von Hartwich is not at leisure now, she will wait any length of time."
"Did you tell her I was engaged with a visitor?"
"No, there is no knowing whether the lady"--here she cast an embarrassed glance at Johannes--"might not tell your uncle!"
Ernestine looked down confused. "That is true--if it should chance--What is to be done? How very annoying!"
"I thought perhaps the gentleman would allow me to take him through the laboratory and down the other staircase?" said Frau Willmers in a tone of anxious entreaty.
"Shall I?" asked Johannes, not without evident vexation.
Ernestine looked at Frau Willmers. "Pray do," she begged, "out of pity for poor Frau Willmers, who will have to bear the whole burden of my uncle's displeasure if he should learn that she had connived at our meeting."