as it bore Him who took upon Himself the sorrow of the whole
world!" She kissed it with pious devotion, and then handed it to
Otto.

The whole became clear to him. He recollected how in his boyish
wantonness he had caused Heinrich's tricks to miscarry, which
occasioned much pleasure to the spectators, but in Heinrich
displeasure: they soon again became friends, and Otto recognized in
him the merry weaver of the manufactory, as he called his former
abode. They were alone, Otto asked whether he did not remember his
name: Heinrich shook his head. Then Otto uncovered his shoulder,
bade him read the branded letters, and heard the unhappy
interpretation which gave the death-blow to his gayety. Heinrich
must have seen what an impression his words made upon the boy: he
gained through them an opportunity of avenging himself, and at the
same time of bringing himself again into repute: as a sorcerer. He
had tamed him, whispered he to the old woman,--he had tamed the boy
with a single word. At any future wantonness of Otto's, gravity and
terror would immediately return should any one ask him, What word
did the German Heinrich whisper into thy ear? "Only ask him," had
Heinrich said.

In a perfectly natural manner there lay, truly, enchantment in
Heinrich's words, even although it were not that enchantment which
the superstition of the old woman would have signified. A
revelation of the connection of affairs would have removed her
doubts, but here an explanation was impossible to Otto. He pressed
her hand, besought her to be calm; no sorrow lay heavy on his
heart, except the loss of his dear grandfather.