Ernestine opened her eyes wide at this address, but, appreciating his humour, smiled gently.
"And indeed," he continued, "I do not repent in the least that I did so, now that I see you,--for not a student would ever have learned anything with such a comrade beside him."
Ernestine cast down her eyes, and, confused and ashamed, said not a word.
Moritz turned from her, and, with a paternal tap upon Johannes's shoulder, said to him, "Upon my word, you're not to blame for admiring her."
"Men are all alike," said the Staatsräthin in a whisper to Frau Professor Meibert. "My son-in-law, who never has a word to say to any woman but his wife, is already bewitched by her pretty face."
"Yes, and there is my husband making his way towards her," was the reply. "It must be admitted that she is quiet and modest."
"Still waters run deep!" said the Staatsräthin.
"Yes, that's true!" said the other with a nod.
"What do you think, Herr Professor," said Taun's wife to Herbert with an admiring glance at Ernestine, "of our having tableaux vivants next winter? Would it not be beautiful to have her with Angelika for the two Leonoras?"
"Better try Hercules and Omphale. Let the Hartwich be Omphale, and set Professor Möllner at the spinning-wheel. That would make a charming picture!" remarked Herbert.