Page:The German Novelists (Volume 2).djvu/404

394 and sighs, and wild fierce laughter, even louder than before.

“Good God!” cried the Professor in much alarm;—“suppose the horrid noises were to awaken the child!” Already he had raised his hand with threatening gesture towards the room above; when instantly checking himself, he sank down upon his knees and said: “Help! help me to pray! good master; that will avail us much better here.” Both then prayed, and all grew still!

When they had again seated themselves at the table, the old master first spoke:

“Assuredly, Mr. Professor, you must have disturbed my mind by some other means, besides those used with the magical mirror. You had better at once speak boldly out, and confess how it is that this strange unhappy lodger continues here; he is in some way connected with your proceedings.”

“So indeed it is,” replied Nordenholm. “For having learned that my Agnes was to be sought for somewhere in the south, I instantly collected the scattered remnants of my fortune, in order to seek her in those parts. The better to further my views, and gain access to various classes of society I assumed the title of Doctor and Professor. While I was absent, you were presented with little Margaret whom you found at your own door, but it was my fate alas, to encounter many less fair and pleasing