"Uncle, what is it?" cried Ernestine, flushing up.
"Come into the laboratory now. We will see, upon the spot, what can be done."
"Uncle," said Ernestine, overflowing with gratitude, "you give me new life! Forgive me for doubting you and doing you injustice for a moment!"
"Never mind, my dear child, it is all forgotten. I can easily imagine how others have assailed me to you, and that you gave heed to them. Have we not all our hours of weakness?"
"Yes, oh, yes, uncle, it was an hour of weakness!" And in deep humiliation she covered her face with her hands.
"I can guess," said Leuthold calmly, with his melodious insinuating voice. "They burdened your heart,--you have been spoken to of love,--you have been sought for a wife. Is it not so?"
Ernestine made no reply.
"They knew you for the feminine Samson that you are, and would have shorn your hair, that they might call out, 'The Philistines are upon you!'"
Ernestine interrupted him. "Hush, uncle! not one word, in that tone, of a man who is sacred to me!"
"God forbid that I should offend you! I am not speaking of him, but of his lady-mother, who has him fast by her apron-string." And he gave her a quick, keen glance.