this juncture Manna appeared, holding a
branched candlestick with two lighted candles. A cry of astonishment
went through the crowd; then all was still for a second, all eyes being
rivetted on the girl as she stood there, pale, with sparkling eyes and
dishevelled hair.

Roland, placing himself beside Eric, called out in a voice which
resounded far and wide,--

"Stone us! Tear us in pieces! Come on; we are unarmed!"

"We don't want to hurt the children!"

"But the man-seller must begone!"

"Yes, he must clear out!"

"Be off!"

Again the tumult seemed increasing, the rioters pushing one another
forward. All at once they recoiled, even those upon the steps shrinking
back. Beneath the great door-way a white-robed form appeared, and her
hair was gray.

The noisy wretches in the court were struck dumb, gazing upward with
glances of amazement. Those assembled on the steps, turning round, saw
the Professorin, standing there like a being from another world, from
the boundless space of Eternity. Stepping quietly to the balustrade,
she first raised and then lowered her hands as in blessing, as if
calming the stormy waves. Profound silence reigned, and she spoke in
tones which might be heard a great way off:

"No man can expiate his brother's sin by wrong-doing. Do not sin
yourselves. Restrain yourselves, lest to-morrow you weep over to-day."

Her voice grew more powerful, as she said:--

"Conquer yourselves!"

Laying her hand on Sonnenkamp's shoulder, she said, in sonorous
tones:--

"I promise you that this man, who has already done good, shall perform
a deed so great as to reconcile you all to him. Do you believe me?"

"Yes, we believe the Professorin!"

"Hurrah for the Professorin! Huzza! Huzza!"

"Come along home! It's enough!"

A man carrying a drum struck up a march, when, just as the mob was
about to depart, something came rattling along, helmets gleamed, the
fire-engine came up, and a jet of water suddenly spurted over them all.
A like shower came from the other side; for Joseph had hastened to the
head-gardener's, and the hose was now used with effect. The stream from
either side rose high into the air, and they all went off, grumbling,
laughing, and cursing.

The men were still standing on the steps, and Eric was the first to
speak, saying:--

"Mother, you here? And from your sick-bed? This may cause your death."

"No, my son, it has given life to me, to you, to all, and purity to
all. I am ill