"I cannot help it, Herr Doctor. I could not do otherwise,--the gentleman declared positively that he would not stir from the spot until I had announced him."
"Tell the gentleman that we cannot receive visitors."
Frau Willmers looked hesitatingly at Ernestine, who stood as pale and immovable as ever.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" asked Leuthold, and there was a threat conveyed in his tone and manner.
"I am going,--I will go instantly," replied the woman, and hurried from the room.
Ernestine took one step forward, as if she would have followed her. But she controlled herself. She was a prey to a storm of emotions that almost deprived her of consciousness. He had come, then,--he had not utterly given her up. It almost broke her benumbed heart to send him away. But no,--she rebuked her own weakness,--he had waited long before coming, and perhaps had come at last only because he felt it his duty to obey her summons. She would--she could yield to no further weakness.
Leuthold stood by the door, and held his breath while he listened to hear Johannes depart; but, to his immense discomfiture, Frau Willmers reappeared.
"The gentleman will not go," she said with secret exultation. "He says he came to see the Fräulein, and will take no dismissal from her uncle, for, as the Fräulein has been of age for several years, it is for her to say whom she does or does not wish to see."
Ernestine listened eagerly. "What--what does that mean?" She turned with a look of inquiry to her uncle, and was shocked at the great and evident alarm expressed in his countenance. "Uncle," she asked again, "what does this mean? Answer me!"
"Do not heed such stupid gossip. The fellow is a liar--or----"