"He had entered, meanwhile, before I could answer. 'I saw you coming through the garden, Anna Maria,' he cried joyfully, holding her two hands; 'thank God that you are here again!'
"The next instant she fell, weeping, on his neck. They had so much to say to each other; I would not hear them beg forgiveness of each other, and went softly out.
"And Susanna? I asked myself. I found the young wife down-stairs in the salon the sound of her merry laugh came toward me. There were one or two ladies from the neighborhood there, and Isa had just brought in the child. There was so much laughing, chattering, and congratulating that I got no chance at first to inform Susanna that her sister-in-law had arrived. At last the ladies took their leave, and we two were alone. Susanna walked up and down the great room, playing with the child.
"'So stupid,' she scolded, 'that I don't know a single cradle-song! But I can't bear the silly things they sing here, about goslings and black and white sheep. But it is all the same, he doesn't understand the words.' And lightly she began the old refrain:
'Home have I come, and my heart burns with pain. Ah, that I only could wander again!'
"'Susanna,' said I, quickly, 'Anna Maria has come back, a little while ago.'
"She stood still, as if rooted to the spot. I could no longer distinguish her features in the deep twilight, and she spoke not a word. 'Susanna!' I cried, in a low, reproachful tone.
"Just at that moment Brockelmann brought in a light. 'The master is coming with Fräulein Anna Maria!' she cried joyfully. 'Oh, Fräulein, Anna Maria--how pleased she will be with that little doll!'
"Hand in hand Klaus and Anna Maria entered the room. She had been weeping hot tears, but now a smile was on her lips, and she went up to Susanna, who had dropped into the nearest chair.
"'Let everything be forgotten, Susanna,' she begged. 'Let us be sisters!' She knelt beside her and kissed the slumbering child. 'I shall love him very much!' And now she raised her tear-stained face to Susanna and offered her lips, but the young wife slowly turned her head to one side.
"Anna Maria stood up instantly; a reproachful look met Klaus.
"'Susanna!' said he, going up to his wife and taking the child from her arms, 'give Anna Maria your hand and be at peace with her!'