A few hours after he left the chamber of death he was obliged to go to the Town Hall on business which could not be deferred; and when, shortly before sunset, he returned home and locked himself into his own room, old Eysvogel again appeared.
He looked pale and agitated, and ordered the manservant--who denied him admittance as he had been directed--to call Jungfrau Els.

His voice trembled as he entreated her to persuade her father to see him again.
The matter in question was the final decision of the fate of his ancient house, of Wolff, and also her own and her marriage with his son.

Perhaps the death of his beloved wife might render her father's mood more gentle.

He did not yet know all Now he must learn it.

If he again said "No," it would seal the ruin of the Eysvogel firm.
How imploringly he could plead! how humbly the words fell from the old merchant's lips, moving Els to her inmost heart as she remembered the curt inflexibility with which, only yesterday, this arrogant man, in that very spot, had refused any connection with the Ortliebs! How much it must cost him to bow his stiff neck before her, who was so much younger, and approach her father, whose heart he had so pitilessly trampled under foot, in the character of a supplicant for aid, perhaps a beggar! Besides, Wolff was his son! Whatever wrong the father had done her she must forget it, and the task was not difficult; for now--she felt it--no matter from what motive, he honestly desired to unite her to his son.