Wilhelm, who followed slowly.

"Yes, certainly," he answered at once.

"Then we may become good friends. My parents will be glad to make
your acquaintance. I did not tell you before that my father is Herr
Ellrich."

As Wilhelm merely bowed, without seeming to recognize the name, she
said rather sharply, and slightly raising her voice:

"I thought as you came from Berlin you would be sure to know my
father's name--Councilor Ellrich, Vice-President of the
'Seehandlung.'"

The name and title made very little impression on Wilhelm, but his
politeness brought forth an "Ah!" which satisfied Fraulein Ellrich.
They left the ruins by an easy path which Wilhelm had not noticed
before, and walked together to the entrance of the hotel, where she
took leave of him by an inclination of her head. He betook himself
to his room in a dream, and while he recalled to his mind the
picture of her beautiful face, and the clear ring of her voice, he
thought how grateful he was to this chance, that not only had he
become acquainted with the girl, but that he had avoided in such a
glorious fashion the discomfort of a formal introduction. Also
Wilhelm knew himself well, and felt sure that, badly endowed as he
was for forming new acquaintances, he could never have become
friends with Fraulein Ellrich apart from the accident of his fall in
the castle yard.