She felt that Mary was justified in disapproving of what she had done the day before; for she herself had been unable to sleep and had become more and more convinced that she had acted wrongly, nay, unpardonably.

And now again she had done an inexcusable thing.

She felt that she had deeply hurt the child's feelings, and this sincerely grieved her.

She followed Mary in silence, at some little distance, like a maid-servant.

She longed to hold her back by her dress, to say something kind to her, nay, to ask her pardon.
As they drew near to the spot where the governess had dropped into her chair again, a hapless victim to the heat of Egypt, Katharina called Mary by her name, and when the child paid no heed, laid her hand on her shoulder, saying in gentle entreaty: "Forgive me for having so far forgotten myself.