m, and he went on alone in the black darkness. It was not the keen breeze sweeping by him, nor the few snow-flakes touching his cheek like

ow-creature. Surely the gods, impatient of a mortal lot without a thorn, had envied him, and had thus burdened his conscience that there might be some infusion of gall in the clear stream of his prosperity,-and all for nothing. He could be reproached with nothing but silence; and whom could his silence injure? No one,-no one in the wide world! Basta! no more of this. He turned into the broad linden avenue that led directly

portières of violet velvet, the chandeliers of gilded bronze with their gas-lights shining through pearly glass shades, stood out in relief against the surrounding blackness of the winter night like a scene upon some fairy stage. A sudden gust of wind swept down the avenue, tossing snowflakes and dry linde

of high rank, pensioned maids of honour, and members of the ministry sat at the card-tables, or, leaning back in the velvet lounging-chairs, chatted by the warm fireside. The arrogant old councillor of medicine, Von B?r, was there too. As he dealt the cards, sparks of light flashed from the jewels upon his hands,-all gifts from loyal personages. And these people were i

k crimson hue. Beneath the hanging lamp stood a writing-table of peculiar Chinese form, with golden arabesques covering its fine black lacquer; it was made for use in the fullest sense of the word; open books, sheets of writing-paper, and newspapers were scattered over it, with a manuscript, across which a pencil was lying, beside a small silver salver holding a goblet half full of a strong, dark-red wine. It was a room where flowers would not have flourished nor birds have sung. In each of the four co

waist and hips for the sake of convenience, or whether this strange and becoming toilette were the result of careful study; certainly the figure that stood out upon the crimson background was noble in outline, and as purely white as an Iphigenia. The lady was very beautiful, although no longer freshly young. She had a fine Roman profile, and a delicate, suppl

you left the draw

midst of stockings and swaddling-clothes for poor children, and a

gentlemen there

e rest, in spite of thei

humour, ma chère," he said

tz," she said, breathing hard, as if after a momentary struggle with hers

No misfortune can be so b

eption there, Moritz," she

iew of the matter was startling indeed. "Beneath Bruck's knife!" he repeated, in an agitated voice. "I tell you the operation was performed before two o'clock, and the man died

al the knowledge of wrong done by another, let that other be whom he will. Do not think that I do not suffer! It cuts me to the heart like a knife. But you have used the word 'pitilessly'; you could not better have confirmed m

at worthy lady to moderate her appetit

r like one insane? Old Sommer was well known to high and low: everybody was interested in the success of the operation. Even if, as you say, he did not die immediately beneath Bruck's knife, every one of medical knowledge will maintain, and justly,

ot apparelled in the dress of old age; a fichu of white lace was crossed upon her breast and knotted behind at the waist. The overskirt of her pearl-gray silk gown was richly trimmed. Her gray hair, still streaked here and there with its or

omen now in the room had a strong family resemblance in their features; the close relationship between grandmother and grandchildren was evident, but the noble, regular profile of the youngest of the three was too long for perfect beauty, and the chin was too broad and decisively prominent. She had a sickly com

le bird left his nest and flew about her head, "that I

the little lady replied, indifferently. "Come, Jacky, come!" she called; and the bird, after

mma," she said, sharply. "How can you tolerate Henriette's childish nonsense? Be

l, sharp teeth. "They all tolerate you, going about everywhere with

great dignity, and as she graciously gave her hand in greeting to the councillor

ritz; must we wait any longer for you?" she a

dress immediately. Now he replied, with hesitation, "Dearest grandmam

it affect us? I really cannot see

tty's grand-papa has died?" Henriette remarked, looking back over her shoulder from where she w

-coloured head-dress, for Kitty is your step-sister; but with regard to Moritz and myself, the connection is so slight that we

ed the councillor, in despair. "No blame-not the smallest-can be attached

oint," the Frau President said, in interruption, lightly tapping him upon the shoulder an

what B?r's opinion is?" the beautiful girl exclaimed, with bitterness. "Bruck ha

oured her sallow cheek and as quickly faded. Her eyes were wonderfully fine, revealing depths of passionate feeling. Th

ently relieved. "He will tell you himself that he has been driven hard indeed, to-day. You know how many p

e here to me before going to grandmamma; he spoke of the child, whom he saw yesterday, and thou

d hastily approached, and laid her hand upon her brother-in-law's arm. "Give up trying

I doubt no more: I am convinced. I know nothing, it is true, of that feminine weakness that loves without ever asking, 'Is he whom I love worthy my devotion?' I am ambitious, wildly ambitious; I care not who knows it. Without that mainspring I too might saunter along the broad highway of the

re more courage than is needed to hold forth to a roomful of students up

eal?" she said, with a shrug. "But you are right in thinking I should be more at home in the lecture-room th

remarked, while the councillor looked up in dismay. "You mu

ecome the wife of the Chamberlain von Stetten, physical and financial bankrupt though he be. I grant you, a

l. You surely know me well enough to be aware that I would far rather endure great personal annoyance than give any occasion for gossip. I reside here with you, and take upon myself the du

snow-flakes whirled madly hither and thither like the tormenting thoughts in his own brain. He had a short time before debated in his mind whether he should not explain matters fully, at least to Flora; now he knew that she was the last person to whom he could speak upon the subject, if he did not wish that the w

he can easily satisfy you. You will instantly acquit her if she can cover her breach of faith with a silken mantle. But indeed you need not be so sensitive upon the subject of scandal, grandmamm

room, Henriette," the Frau President said, now seriously angry. "In y

uthority, Herr von B?r, and nip his finger, you good little fellow, when he tries to coax you with sugar. Good-night, grandmamma; good-night, Moritz." She paused in her hasty departure, and turned back. "That strong-minded lady there," she said, with cutti

crossed the threshold, the tears which had been plainly audibl

"What an amount of self-control is requi

ondition," the Frau President

ain sense, Flora," the counc

k more difficult by your interference. I am used, as I said just now, to judge for myself in what concerns me, and I shall do so in this cas

ale lips with a few drops of its contents, while the Frau Pres

er hand upon the knob of the door,

castle miller has arranged matters. Kitty is his natural heir, but it is doubtful whether he has left all his property t

rely to-day to the apron-string of her detestable old governess as she was

her beneath my wing and waste my time in schooling her; it is very tiresome. I never really liked her; not because she was the child of my daughter's successor,-that I

e,' and yet-papa's darling," F

r permitted a suspicion, either in herself or in others, that any one belonging to her could

to retire to my dressing-room to write; take my writing-materials and these

rfectly justifiable that he could hardly understand the tormenting scruples that assailed him. Why expose one's self to hostile criticism when one is conscious of entire innocence even in thought? And then such a low affair altogether! All this delightful scandal which was now whispered about, these stories over which each noble guest was glad to throw "a silken mantle," concerned high-born errors; but what mercy could these people show to one among them, not legitimately of