Sad and overcome, yet not sinking entirely while any work of
comfort remained, her heart yearned over her companion in misfortune,
the mother who had lost both husband and son; and all her fears of
the dread Freiherrinn could not prevent her from bending her steps,
trembling and palpitating as she was, towards the hall, to try
whether the daughter-in-law's right might be vouchsafed to her, of
weeping with the elder sufferer.
The Freiherrinn sat by the chimney, rocking herself to and fro, and
holding consultation with Hatto. She started as she saw Christina
approaching, and made a gesture of repulsion; but, with the feeling
of being past all terror in this desolate moment, Christina stepped
nearer, knelt, and, clasping her hands, said, "Your pardon, lady."
"Pardon!" returned the harsh voice, even harsher for very grief,
"thou hast naught to fear, girl. As things stand, thou canst not
have thy deserts. Dost hear?"
"Ah, lady, it was not such pardon that I meant. If you would let me
be a daughter to you."
"A daughter! A wood-carver's girl to be a daughter of Adlerstein!"
half laughed the grim Baroness.
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