give the information at once.

True, the hastily written sentences presented some difficulties even for
Biberli, but after glancing through the whole letter, he exclaimed with
a satisfied smile: "Just as I expected! At the first look one might
think that the devout little lady was wholly unlike the rest of her
sex, but on examining more closely she proves as much like any other
beautiful girl as two peas. With good reason and prudent caution she
forbids the languishing knight to remain beneath her window, yet she
will risk a pleasant little interview in some safe nook. That is wise
for so young a girl, and at the same time natural and womanly. I don't
know why you knit your brows. Since the first Eve came from a crooked
rib, all her daughters prefer devious ways. But first hear what she
writes." Then, without heeding his master's gloomy face, he began to
read the note aloud.

Heinz listened intently, and after he had heard that the lady of his
love did not desire to meet him alone, but only under the protection of
a friend and her saint, when he heard her name her colour, it is true,
but also express the expectation that, as a godly knight, he would fight
for her sake in honour of the gracious Virgin, his face brightened.

During Biberli's scoffing comments he had felt as if a tempest had
hurled her pure image in the dust. But now that he knew what she asked
of him, it returned as a matter of course to its old place and, with
a sigh of relief, he felt that he need not be ashamed of the emotions
which this wonderful young creature had awakened in his soul. She had
opened her pious heart like a trusting sister to an older brother, and
what he had seen there was something unusual--things which had appeared
sacred to him even when a child. Since he took leave of her in the
ball-room he had felt as though Heaven had loaned this, its darling,
to earth for but a brief space, and her brocade robe must conceal angel
wings. Should it surprise him that the pure innocence which filled her
whole being was expressed also in her letter, if she summoned him, not
to idle love-dalliance but to a covenant of souls, a mutual conflict for
what was highest and most sacred? Such a thing was incomprehensible to
Biberli; but notwithstanding her letter--nay, even on its account--he
longed still more ardently to lead her home to his mother and see her
receive the blessing of the woman whom he so deeply honoured.

He had Eva's letter read for