“Dearest, best Malvine, do not bear me any grudge for this abominable half-hour, and believe me that it is only out of consideration for your life’s happiness.  I quite understand how it has all happened.  Your kind heart was filled with pity for me, and in your innocence you gave the pity another name.  It was quite natural that you should be uncertain of yourself, while you thought you were loved by two men, and that the confusion prevented you seeing clearly with your own heart.  Now you know that Paul loves you, and that the day on which he dares call you his will be the first happy one I have had for a year.  You will be able to come to a determination more easily, as it concerns your own happiness equally with Paul’s.  Paul is a good fellow, and worthy of the woman who will bear his name.”

He bent over her hand and pressed his lips to it.  Malvine sobbed aloud, and putting her arms on his shoulders kissed his hair, then sprang away and flew to her room.  Wilhelm hurried away in great confusion, thankful that he had been spared meeting either Frau Brohl or Frau Marker.  He only breathed freely when he found himself in the street.

Paul was informed the same afternoon of the conversation which had taken place, Wilhelm delicately passing over Malvine’s outburst of feeling, and he hurried at once to the Lutzowstrasse to take by storm the fortress in which his friend had already made a breach.  He was received by Frau Brohl, who nodded in mysterious manner, and took him into her bedroom, at the back of the flat, through the dining-room.  In her soft, feeble voice she mildly reproached him for not having more confidence and coming to speak to her sooner.  She then related to him what had happened.  She had heard with great surprise that Dr. Eynhardt had come and gone away again, without saying good-day to her.  As she was going to ask what the visit meant, Malvine came and embraced her grandmother, crying bitterly, to the old lady’s great distress.  With many tears she had given a confused and broken account of the interview with Wilhelm, begging Frau Brohl to comfort her and foretell that it should end well.  Frau Brohl explained that Malvine was now in her room, meaning that Paul must not try to see her just at present.  Such a silly, inexperienced creature must have time given her to learn to be reasonable, beside, she (Frau Brohl) would take care of everything, and Herr Haber could call her grandmamma now if he liked.  He kissed her hand, deeply moved and grateful, and her eyes filled with tears.  She then explained the situation to Frau Marker, who, after looking very much surprised, also embraced her son-in-law.  It was a dignified scene, tender, and, as befitted an honorable family, without any over display of feeling; if all the wealthy people of Stettin had been assembled there, they could have expressed nothing but admiration.