"Yes, if he is not busy,--see that you do not trouble him."
Käthchen still lingered, with a look of inquiry at Ernestine, who perceived it, and held out her hand. "My good little Käthchen, do you remember me? I would like to give you a kiss, but you might fear my touch would harm you again."
"Oh, no. That cannot be," said Käthchen. "I am not at all afraid of you."
"Then come here, my sweet child." And she took her upon her lap, and kissed her kindly. It was the first time that she had ever had a child in her arms, and the pleasure that it gave her was new and strange.
"Oh, Father Leonhardt," she said, "how many different kinds of love there are! Strange that they all seem so new and delightful to me!"
"You are like the man with the heart of stone, in Hauff's story. Your uncle put a marble heart in your breast, and Möllner has given you a warm, living heart instead."
Ernestine blushed at these words. She was glad that Leonhardt could not see her, yet he did see her.
"He brings a blessing wherever he comes," the old man continued. "He has done everything for this child. Did he tell you? The Countess Worronska sent the forty thousand roubles, as she promised, and Dr. Möllner succeeded at last in persuading the Kellers to send Käthchen to a good school. She will leave now in about a week."
"I knew nothing of it," said Ernestine.
"It is not his custom to speak of the good he does," said Leonhardt, "but indeed he is a benefactor to all."