"Good heavens!" cried the schoolmaster, "they are persecuting a lady! Oh, yes! Herr Professor, look! she is trying to escape into the houses! The women thrust her out and shut their doors upon her----"
"Brutes!" exclaimed Johannes, beside himself with rage, for one glance from the window had shown him how matters stood.
"Holy Maria! they are throwing stones and apples at her!" cried Frau Keller.
Johannes had rushed from the room as the schoolmaster turned towards him with the words, "It is Fräulein von Hartwich!"
But, just as Johannes reached the stairs, Keller burst in, pale and agitated, and locked the door after him.
"What do you mean?" cried Johannes. "Do you wish to shut me in here?"
"Ah, sir!" implored Keller, blocking up the passage, "do not open it,--the Hartwich wants to come in----"
"Well, then, let her in instantly! why do you delay?"
"For God's sake, keep her out!" said Keller.
"Are you mad," cried Johannes, "that you would close your doors upon a fellow-being imploring protection? Open the door, or I will force the lock."