"I have something to tell you of him that may agitate you, and I scarcely dare to do it."
"What can agitate me, after all the terrors that my own fancy has conjured up?" Ernestine asked composedly.
"Well, then, the girl who has helped to nurse you with touching fidelity for the last four weeks is Leuthold's daughter, and--an orphan!"
"Good God!" she exclaimed. "Poor child! Is Leuthold dead?"
"Yes, he inflicted upon himself the punishment of his crimes. This world is past for him."
Ernestine looked up gravely. "I cannot mourn him. He was my evil genius, and shamefully abused my confidence. But I will not visit it upon his daughter,--poor, innocent child. I pray you bring her to me,--she is the only creature in this world who is linked to me by the tie of kindred!"
Johannes went to the window and beckoned to Gretchen, who was approaching the house with Hilsborn.
She came instantly, and a minute later was upon her knees at Ernestine's bedside. Ernestine would have drawn her towards her, but she sobbed, "Let me kneel at your feet,--only so should the daughter of one who greatly wronged you dare to approach you."
"Gretchen, poor, innocent orphan," cried Ernestine, "come to my heart!" Then, regarding her with emotion, she declared, "Indeed, if anything could lighten his errors, it would be his affection for such a child. For the sake of that pure human love, I forgive him. If I were rich, I would share all with you as with a sister. If I had anything to give, I would give it to you. But I have nothing for you, except sympathy and affection."
And the two girls were clasped in each other's arms.