ty, she had inspected the linen-closet, for the old housekeeper insisted that the miller's wife was not to be trusted, and that "no one could keep their hands off be

d her around. It was pleasanter here than at the councillor's, where there was no cosy talk in the twilight hour as in Dresden. No sooner had

be in its foundations and had mixed the mortar for them with precious wine! All these recollections were but faintly present to her now: her eyes were fixed upon the southern window, whence a faint light was still visible in the sky,-upon the spot where the castle miller had breathed his last; and she was thinking of the way in which Dr. Bruck had told her of the verdict passed upon him by the public, and of his self-vindication, to which she now wondered more than ever that he had condescended. Why, even should the whole

hed pair the subject of conversation; but from casual remarks of hers, Kitty had

erson, had soon made him a popular physician as well as a great social favourite. It was therefore no condescension even on the part of the haughty Flora Mangold to yield him the coveted treasure of her hand. She had herself made decided advances to him in persisting in placing herself under the skilful young doc

paradise he had dreamed of. No; she sided with Moritz and Henriette. Flora could not and should not break her troth; the whole family must combine to prevent such wretched treachery. What folly so blinded her as thus to induce her

upwards among the pillars of the gallery, even to her feet, while from the mill itself, the door of which opened at that moment, came the noise of loud voices. Light and sound instantly dissipated the alluring phantoms that were crowding into the young girl's mind. There was the huge whitewashed hall of the castle

filled the clear sky with glittering arabesques. Kitty was ashamed of her idle dreaming; but had it not as

piano. It was a magnificent instrument, but was being shamefully maltreated at present. This was one of the Frau President's reception evenings,-old

on the ground-floor. There were but few guests this evening; only one card-table was in d

sly, into Kitty's ear, pointing through the adjoining music-room, where the grand piano was being so punished, towards Flora's study. "Kitty, he really seems grown, so tall and majestic-- Good heavens! do not look 'so sober, steadfast, and demure'!" she hastily interrupted herself. She was strangely agitated. "They are all so cross to-day; M

iece, raised their voices in the ardour of their discussion, for the invalid's last exclamation was loud and passionately uttered. Kitty gave her a warning glance, and the Frau President looked keenly and disapprovingly over her eye-glass towards the tea-tab

er to Dresden. She declined the cup of tea which Henriette filled for her w

n your needle and draw out that tiresome thread?" She arose and put her hand within her sister's arm. "Let us go into the mus

nto Flora's study were, as was usual when the reception was small, wide open, allowing a full view of the interior. Its subdued light made it seem

octor Bruck stood looking through a new pamphlet. He was unusually pale; the light falling from the lamp above him brought out two dark wrinkles in

lled by Flora's air, which was impatient, almost angry. She was evidently in an ill humour. She surveyed with a sarcastic g

angel, and enough to make the strongest of us nervous with the perpetual rustle. Tell me, for heaven's sake, why

h enough, no doubt; but I like to hear an attendant rustle of silk,-it sound

in a linen apron among your pots and pans! Well, every one to his liking; I beg to be excused.

t amusement. "Five months ago you often paid a visit yourself to Christel's kitchen. Whether you were of an

take it for what it was,-a mere whim." She folded her arms, and, drooping her head as in thought, slowly wal

s very empty, for a good reason,-the prince holds a diplomatic audience to-night," he added, by way of silencing his own di

iently. "I must finish the article I have on hand to-night. The man

here such haste? And why?" he asked, not witho

h, that amuses you! It is, to be sure, only a woman's work, and you canno

my views with regard to

, yes, the general world-wide idea,-cooking-sewing

ur. I am much interested in the woman question, and desire nothing more, in common with all thoughtful men,

ss, my friend; we want more: we would be the equa

ong since by the most intelligent, and will be warmly opposed by all friends of reform in church and state so long as woman shows herself liable to such excesses as we have witnessed in the 'praying bands' of

with apparent indifference and fitted it into a holder. Then she drew a casket t

room hurriedly, as if to fulfil some suddenly-remembered duty. Kitty was troubled. She saw the trembling

twice while speaking. "Strangely enough, however, the feminine brain, although weighing four ounces less than that of the lord of creation, shares with

d now appeared upon the threshold. "What, Flora! smoking? Why, you never co

sure, as he walked to the writing-table, "and will be quite satisfie

e glowing in her eyes. She had taken the cigar from her mou

Forbid it as your lover?" he asked, with a shrug. "My rights, as yet, do not extend so far. I might entreat you, but I dislike repetition and useless words

l smile. "And the Councillor von B?r, who has attended me from my infancy, never said a word of it. Tales to frighten children! Besides, I have no reason for so loving my life that I should deny m

eveal to you your true vocation," the doctor in

er head and shoulders bent forward, as if eager to catch every word of this interesting dispute, that from it and from the embarrassed faces of the bystanders she might extract material for a charming dish of co

e. "Will you have the kindness to leave my vocation out of t

e," she said, pertly, with

humour. "I shall have to order my card-tables to be placed here in future, if I would not have my friends neglected," she said, in an irritated tone. "How came you to leave the tea-table so early, Henriette? I shall be obliged to place my maid there. And, Flora, I cannot understand your withdrawing to yo

grandmamma," she said, coldly. "I cannot prevent people from coming to me here, and I should have sacrif

nalled to Kitty to follow her. "These exciting scenes kil

," Kitty rejoined, in a strange, agitated tone. "But I cannot understand hi

of a human soul." She paused, and drew a long and labouring breath. "You do not know how enchanting and seductive Flora can be if she chooses. You know her only in he