"What? what is it?" ran from mouth to mouth, and the company drew together in a large group.
"Permit me," said Moritz in a loud voice to Herbert, "to be the interpreter of my brother-in-law's conduct, as I certainly understand it better than a stranger. The truth is, the Hartwich was insulted by a Hochstetten mob, and my brother-in-law interfered to prevent her from receiving personal injury."
"Ah," said Herbert, as if he were comprehending it all for the first time, "this, then, was the generous motive that took your brother two miles from town to that retired village?"
"I myself have never yet presumed to cross-examine my brother-in-law as to his motives,--I leave the bold undertaking to you," replied Moritz, challenging Herbert with his keen glance.
"What can have happened there?"
"What did the Hartwich do? A whole village certainly does not rise against a private individual without some cause."
"This Hartwich must be a dreadful person!" Such were the remarks made by one and another.
"Gentlemen, let me pray you to come to supper," said the Staatsräthin, who was evidently embarrassed.
But her invitation was unheeded. All the ladies and several gentlemen had, like hungry wolves, had a taste of the interesting subject, and they were not to be tempted by the promise of other food. There was no end to their amazement and conjectures. To be sure, it was impossible to express before Möllner's relatives all that was thought, but they could gain some information by their questions.
They could not understand how Professor Möllner could befriend such a person. It was no wonder that public opinion was so opposed to her.