The Professor saw a small sash-window open and Ilse standing before it, her back turned to them. While the Pastor was showing him the plastered wall and the height that was necessary for the trailing plant, he listened to the conversation at the window. Ilse spoke loudly and was answered from the bed by a shrill voice. He discovered with astonishment that they were not speaking of the vines. "And the gentleman is of a good disposition?" asked the voice. "He is a learned and good man," answered Ilse. "And how long does he remain with you?" "I know not," was Ilse's hesitating reply. "He should remain altogether with you, for you like him," said the invalid. "Ah, that we dare not hope, dear Benz. But this conversation will not help to find you a good prospect," continued Ilse. "I will speak to your neighbor; but nothing will grow between to-day and to-morrow. I have thought that the gardener might nail a shelf under the window, and we shall place some plants from my room upon it." "That will obstruct the view," answered the voice, discontentedly. "I could no longer see the swallows as they fly past, and little of the heads of the people who go by." "That is true," replied Ilse; "but we will put the board so low that only the flowers shall peep through the window." "What kind of flowers are they?" asked Benz. "A myrtle," said Ilse. "That does not blossom," answered Benz, surlily. "But there are two roses blowing and a plant of heliotrope." "I do not know what that is," interposed the invalid. "It smells very sweet," said Ilse. "Then let it come," assented Benz. "But I must also have some sweet basil." "We will see whether it can be had," answered Ilse; "and the gardener shall also train some ivy round the window." "That will be too dark for me," retorted the dissatisfied Benz. "Never mind," said Ilse, decidedly; "we will try, and if it does not suit you, it can be altered." To this the invalid agreed. "But the gardener must not make me wait," he exclaimed; "I should like to have it to-morrow." "Very well," said Ilse; "early in the morning." "And you will show my verses to no one, not even to the strange gentleman; they are only for you." "Nobody shall see them," said Ilse. "Call your daughter Anna, dear Benz." As she prepared to depart, the Pastor gently drew his guest back.