Yet the blow was not unkindly meant, for even while he drew back she
voluntarily clasped both his hands, scrutinized him intently from head to
foot, and said calmly:

"Welcome to the old home, Sir Knight!" Then, laughing gaily, she added:
"Why, such a thing is unprecedented! Not a feature, not a look is unlike
what it used to be! And yet you've been roaming five years in foreign
lands! Changes take place--only look at me!--changes take place more
swiftly here in Ratisbon. How you stare at me! I thought so! Out with
it! Hasn't the feather-head of those days become quite a charming young
lady?"

Now Wolf would gladly have made as many flattering speeches as she could
desire, but his tongue refused to obey him. The new meeting was too
unlike his expectation. The sight of the self-conscious woman who, in
her wonderful beauty, stood leaning with folded arms on the ironing-table
stirred his heart and senses too strongly.

Standing motionless, he strove for words, while his eyes revealed plainly
enough the passionate rapture which agitated his soul. Barbara perceived
what was passing in his thoughts, and also noticed how her dress had
become disarranged during her work.

Flushing slightly, she pursed up her lips as if to whistle, and with her
head thrust forward she blew into the air in his direction. Then,
shaking her finger at him, she hastily sat down on the chest beside the
fireplace, wound the kerchief which had fallen off closer around her
neck, and, without the least embarrassment, pulled up her stockings.