by the piano, turning over some music. Henriette's last words had moved her deeply. Could a despised love be

arrived, and she was hastening to receive them. The study-door remained open; the unfinished article was surely in process of comp

courteous and composed, but Kitty had seen his eyes flash and his cheek crimson at Flora's malicious words, and even now the colour in his face was deeper than usual,-he was by no means so calm a

he maid of honour asked, as she went on str

pen's point as quickly as that? I am not in the humour, and I wi

quite honest. "I am very curious to know what the critics will say of your great wor

be denied you, as I am assured by-well, by my little finger." She laughed a low, self-satisfied laugh, shook the

id to Kitty, in passing, with a meaning glance towards the diligent performer at the piano. "Do you sing?"

was standing with several gentlemen. "I know that from the bills I have received from Dres

Moritz. We are practical people in

any talent?" he asked, dubiously. "A gift

l events," she replied, simply, "a

d, hastily. "Compose melodies! You look like it, with those red cheeks and your prosaic training. Quite na

d of dancing, Flora," Kitt

with profound originality in creation. You

last thre

r Lukas"-she always called the former governess thus by her mai

with the doctor, had just seated themselves at a card-table; Doctor Bruck was talking in a low tone to Henriette; and Fr?

m. "You can play, Kitty," she said, surprised,

burned to try this instrument, for it is magnificent, and my cottage piano in Dresden is not worth much. It was not new when we bought it, five years ago. My Frau Doctor wished to ask for a new one lo

ousand thalers for a girl's whim.

ashing eyes. She was evidently deeply wounded. "To whose quiet enjoyment does it minis

rtion. "Do not agitate yourself, my dear child," he said, gently. "Have I ever been a hard or grudging guardian to you? Go play

m his. "I do not wish to buy my piano by playing for it; and who can tell what can convince you

your own compositions," said Flo

e by heart," Kitty answe

o-stool, which Fr?ulein von Giese readily vacated for her, Flora took up the notes she h

ask me to play som

ave made a mistake: t

it is p

Flora asked, hastily, surprised

keys. "I will tell you how I was so honoured," she added, soothingly. Flora had evidently taken her reply very much amiss, for she had

rstand," Flora said, putting

se upon you, Flora!" she exclaimed, with a laugh. "Look there!-Schott & Sons,-that firm would hardly lend itself to a birt

nothing of my first appearance in public. I found my first printed opus

ross upon her breast rise and fall with each breath. Here was no brilliant execution, no crash of chords,-one hardly asked what style of performance it was,-there was no thought of the performance, any more than of the shape of a singer's mouth when an enchanting song is issuing from it; and when the melody ceased with a few low notes, breathed as it were

ein Mangold: I will play it to the princess," s

rt grand' that can be found, Kitty!"

eek against her sister's, and whispered, w

room, at each entrancing turn of the melody casting a half-scared glance at the performer, and, when the last tones

ole celebrity in the Mangold family," Fr?ulein von Giese whis

iled when any one from the court ad

or never telling us of your musical talent," h

" she replied, quietly. "The Frau Doctor is seldom profus

hat is Spart

mislead me, Kitty, with this modest self-depreciation, making so light of your talent that during the five days you have been here you have never betraye

imed. "You who are never weary of vaunting your literary efforts, and alrea

ident called, in a sharp stern tone,-the talk in the music-room wa

yself, and most ungrateful, for it gives me hours of delicious enjoyment. Accident alone has prevented my speaking of my music since my arrival, for indeed it is the cause of my coming here a month earlier than

ntly with great reluctance,-these explanations were so very entertaining; but he

sk. Kitty saw her breast heave and her hand tremble with nervous agitatio

ou about this?" Flora said, striking the title-page with the bac

y of praise as my Frau Doctor, and no one else knows of m

ing finds a

was

it passed through m

es

round red cheeks and phlegmatic nature, while others struggle laboriously up each round of the ladder; they

, while the fiery heart of Vesuvius throbs and glows,-the world knows of its burning core, and exults or trembles when the flames leap forth. Be i

care for results. It is an indescribable pleasure to know that one can sway and touch the souls of men, and I would not resign such knowledge for the wealth of the world. But to

training. You will attain the same end for which your Fr?ulein Lukas strove, and

ir, and even her snowy throat was crimsoned for an instant. "You sneer and laugh as if it had never

. Again she folded her arms and slowly inclined her head in assent. "Yes, my very wise young sister, I certainly was so weak and blind for a m

no conscienc

t me, and ask yourself if it is my r?1e to play the Frau Doctor and devote my time to housekeeping. And for whom?" She nodded her head towards the drawing-room, where the conversation was just then rather lively: old Colonel von Giese

a suppressed tone. "He is ostracized, and with justice. He has decei

from the notes, she found her brother-in law watching her with an intense and indescribable expression, not at all like the brotherly air with which he gave her, as a child, a box of bonbons, or with which he had but yesterday brought her a bouquet from town. She willingly resigned her hand to him when

nding over her. "It is Clotilde, your sister, bu

ocent picture: the guardian was proudly caressing his ward,-the child entrusted to his care by his father-in-law. Henriette's pale face alone flushed crimson; she smiled