Ernestine turned away. The fire seemed to have scorched the pinions of her soul. She hung her head, like the god with the inverted torch, and wept! Leuthold did not disturb her; he felt that he must spare her now. Suddenly the door opened, and Frau Willmers said in a tone of great trepidation, "Herr Professor Möllner!" Leuthold started as if struck by an arrow. Ernestine leaned against the chimney-piece, or she would have fallen. "How dare you admit any one just at this moment?--how dare you?" he said, transported with rage and terror. "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----" "Tell him so yourself, if you have the courage," Ernestine interrupted him in rising wrath. "Ask the gentleman to walk in," she said authoritatively. Willmers hurried out. "Ernestine!" cried Leuthold in despair,--"this to me?" "I will understand what this means about my being of age," cried the girl, with a glance at Leuthold before which his eyes sought the ground. Möllner entered. He regarded Leuthold with entire composure and profound contempt, then bowed to Ernestine without looking at her. He wished to spare her, to give her time to collect herself. She misunderstood him. She thought he was cold, and met him with coldness. A long pause ensued.