"Catherine," said the young maiden, who felt that she must say something. "Catherine Weise. You are Conrad, Lambert's brother. I see it by the resemblance. Your brother Lambert has been very kind to me--very kind. We have just arrived. He has gone to put the horse in the stable. I think he will soon be here. You should have met him. Will the others also come soon?" "Who should come?" asked Conrad. "Your parents," said Catherine. She said it very faintly, fear, increasing every moment, almost strangling her. Conrad showed his white teeth. "Our parents!" cried he, "our parents! They are long since dead. You must be satisfied with us two." "I will look for Lambert," said Catherine, and tried to pass Conrad to the door. Conrad stepped in her way. "So," said he smiling provokingly, "then Lambert has brought you along for himself, the cunning fellow--and I must look further. Now, as for myself, I am the younger man and can wait a little; but one kiss, beautiful sister-in-law, that you must give me--that is the least." He stretched out his powerful hands and with giant strength insolently drew the resisting girl to him and kissed her glowing cheeks. At this moment the water, which for a long time had simmered, noisily, sissing and whizzing, poured over the edge of the kettle in a large swell into the fire which it almost extinguished. A thick, gray vapor, through which the light of the fire looked red, rose and filled the room. Catherine tore herself loose, or was torn loose, she could not tell which; but there were now two persons there struggling together, and the other might well be Lambert. She also thought she had heard Lambert call her name, and so again, as outside the evening wind fanned her cheeks glowing with anger and shame. Within, the vapor had disappeared. Conrad, having disengaged himself with a powerful effort from his assailant, fell laughing on his neck. "Lambert, dear, best Lambert!" "Let me go!" said Lambert, freeing himself from the embrace. "Let me go. Catherine!" He looked with wandering, anxious eyes about the poorly lighted room. "She has gone out," said Conrad. "I will bring her again for you." "No, no, _I_ will, I must," called Lambert, already at the door. "At least take me along--I beg you, Conrad, let me. I will afterwards explain everything to you. Catherine! For the mercy of God! She may have fallen into the creek!" "Stupid stuff!" said Conrad, who, less excited than his brother, had cast his eyes, sharp as those of a falcon, in every direction. "There she sits, there, do you see?" "I will go to her alone." "You may, so far as I am concerned. And Lambert, listen, have you not also brought me a wife?" But Lambert was already hastening with beating heart to the place where he saw Catherine sit, or lie, he could not tell which, on account of the distance and the evening twilight which now prevailed.