once more, was my heart's dearest wish. And beg my father," she breathed
the words into Joanna's ear, "to love Orion as a son. And tell them both
that I loved them to the last, deeply, perfectly, beyond words!" Then
she added aloud as: she kissed each on her eyes and lips: "I love you
and shall always love you--you, Joanna, and you, my Pulcheria, and you,
Mary, my sweet, precious darling."

At this the water-wagtail humed forward with outstretched arms, but Dame
Joanna put out a significantly warning hand; and they who were one in
heart clasped each other in a last embrace as though they were indeed but
one and no stranger could have any part in it.

Once more Katharina tried to approach Paula; but Martina, whose eyes
filled with tears as she looked on the parting, held her back by the
shoulder and whispered:

"Do not disturb them, child. Such hearts spontaneously attract those for
whom they yearn. I, old as I am, would gladly be worthy to be called."

The interpreter now sternly insisted on starting. The three women
parted; but still the little girl held tightly to Paula, even when she
went up to the matron and kissed her with a natural impulse. Martina
took her head between her hands, kissed her fondly, and said in a voice
she could scarcely control: "God protect and keep you, child! I thank
Him for having brought us together. A soul so pure and clear as yours is
not to be found in the capital, but we still know how to be friends to
our friends--at any rate I and my husband do--and if Heaven but grants me
the opportunity you shall prove it. You never need feel alone in the
world; never, so long as Justinus and his wife are still in it. Remember
that, child; I mean it in solemn earnest."