"Anna Maria raised her head only once during the sermon, when Pastor Grüne, in speaking of the Dambitz fire, mentioned the man who had perished, and, in a few moving words, uttered a prayer of thanksgiving that God had protected him who had risked his own life to save another, almost lost. Then she cast a long look across at Stürmer's empty seat. Susanna, too, raised her lashes, but dropped them at once, shyly, as if she were doing something wrong.
"On the way home Anna Maria walked beside me with her usual firm step, Susanna's hand in hers. There was something solemn in her manner, and when we stood in the garden-parlor, the tall, fair girl drew Susanna to her.
"'Make him happy,' she bade her softly; 'a nobler, a better man does not exist. God has bestowed a very rich happiness upon you.' She kissed the girl on the forehead, and went down into the garden. But Susanna suddenly fell on my neck and broke out in convulsive sobs.
"'Why, Susanna, are you not happy?' I asked. No answer; she only clung more closely to me.
"'Have you thought that you have now a home and the heart of a noble man; that you are his bride-elect, loved beyond everything?'
"'Come, Susanna,' I begged, kindly; 'you belong to us now; you have now a family home and I am now your aunt,' I added, jokingly. 'Stop crying. Come, let us go down to Anna Maria; you have not said a friendly word to her yet.'
"She threw her head back, and seemed to be deliberating for a moment; then she ran out. I heard her swiftly retreating steps in the corridor. 'I will seek Anna Maria, at least to learn what has passed,' I murmured, arid turned at once to the garden. So it had come about. Klaus was betrothed; how often I had imagined it formerly. And to-day? A sort of film came over my eyes, and the grayest of gray seemed the world round about.
"Anna Maria was standing by the little pond, looking into the brown water; she gave me her hand, quietly and kindly.
"'My dear Anna Maria,' said I, 'God leads human hearts together.'
"'It is already done. I wrote on that night,' she replied.
"'It has not been easy for you, Anna Maria?'
"She raised her hand, defensively. 'I love Klaus very much,' she said, gently.
"'When did you speak with Susanna, Anna Maria; may I know?'