A householder too! Such a respectable, fine young gentleman, whom she had watched over like the apple of her eye for seven years--dreadful--dreadful.

But it was all the fault of the low wretches who had forced their way in last week.

She had thought as much at the time.

If she had only called in the police at once! The police--oh yes, she had all due respect for the police, she was the widow of a government official, and she loved her good old king certainly--but that they should have banished the Herr Doctor--that was not right--that could not possibly be right! Frau Muller could not reconcile herself to the thought of parting.

She would go to her friend and patron the "Geheimer Oberpostrath," and he would use his influence in the matter; and at last, seeing that Wilhem only smiled or spoke a few soothing words to her, she burst into tears and sobbed out: "I am so used to you, Herr Doctor, I don't know how I am going to live without you." She only composed herself a little when Wilhelm told her that, for the present at any rate, he was going to leave his books and other goods and chattels where they were, for he might perhaps be allowed to return after a time, and meanwhile a young man, whom she knew, and who was studying at Wilhelm's at Schrotter's expense, should board and lodge with her, and she would receive the same sum as Wilhelm had always paid.
With night came counsel.