Johannes and his mother exchanged looks of surprise. Was Hilsborn quite right in his mind?
"I will tell you nothing more," he said. "See for yourselves." He left the room, and appeared again in a few moments with Gretchen upon his arm. The poor child ventured only one timid, beseeching look at the strangers, but the touching expression of her eyes won their hearts immediately.
"Good God! his child?" asked the Staatsräthin.
"His child," Hilsborn replied with grave emphasis.
The old lady went up instantly to the lovely, shrinking girl and embraced her, saying significantly to Hilsborn, "Now I understand you!"
"Dear Fräulein Gleissert," said Johannes, "you are most welcome, and you must allow us to offer you a home until you find a better."
"You are too kind," stammered Gretchen. "I know how bold I am, but my guardian----"
"What! Hilsborn, are you her guardian?"
"Her dying father wished it to be so, and therefore I brought her here to place her under your protection, although she wished to see no one except Ernestine."
"She can hardly see her for sometime yet," said Möllner. "Ernestine's fever may be infectious."