He might still become very useful to her and, besides, the modest companion of her childhood was dear to her.

She would have sincerely regretted an irreparable breach with him.
Her father indulged her in every respect, only he strictly forbade his beautiful child to leave the house alone after sunset.

Therefore Barbara had not told him the real object of her visit.

She now had no occasion to fear his following her.
Yet she made all possible haste, and, as she found Frau Lerch at home, and the skilful little woman was instantly at her service, she crowded into the space of an hour the many points about the cutting which were to be discussed.
Then she set out on her way home, expecting to traverse the short distance swiftly and without delay; but, when she had gone only a few paces from the Grieb, a tall man came toward her.
To avoid him she crossed nimbly to the other side of the dark little street, but just where it turned into Red Cock Street he suddenly barred her way.

She was startled, but the oft-proved courage of the Blomberg race, to which she had just alluded, really did animate her, and, with stern decision, she ordered her persecutor to stand aside.
He, however, was not to be intimidated, but exclaimed as joyously as though some great piece of good fortune had befallen him: "Thanks for accosting me, Jungfrau Barbara, for, though the words are harsh, they prove that, in spite of the darkness here, my eyes did not deceive me.