"Loulou," "Wilhelm," was all they said.

It had happened so quickly, so unconsciously, that they both felt as if they were awaking from a dream, as Loulou a minute later freed herself from his burning lips and encircling arms, and Wilhelm, confused and hardly master of his senses, stood before her.
They turned silently homeward.

She trembled all over and did not dare to take his arm.

He inwardly reproached himself, yet he felt very happy in spite of it.

Then, before they had reached the summit of the castle hill, he gathered all his courage together and said anxiously: "Can you forgive me, Loulou?
I love you so much." "I love you too, Wilhelm," she answered, and stretched out her hand to him.
"Dare I speak to your mother, my own Loulou ?" whispered he into her ear.
"Not here, Wilhelm," she said quickly, "not here.