said I was ab at to pass my blade through his body, but could not do it as he stood there helpless before me. I appointed the next morning for our meeting, and he left the place. I kept guard at the door till Laura's litter was brought, and I saw her enter it. The torture of mind I felt would not let me sleep, and at midnight I heard a knock at my door. It was Laura's old servant, who handed me a letter, and retired. Señor! heaven forbid that you should ever receive such a letter! She told me that she loved the Swiss long before she knew me that|| she had kept it a secret, knowing how her mother detested foreigners, and that she had been forced to accept my proposals in spite of herself. She took all the blame to herself; she protested solemnly that Tannensee had often wanted to confess the truth to me, and would have done it but for her entreaties. She intimated that the family would be disgraced unless I furnished them with the means of flight. She begged me not to seek a meeting with him, for that if he fell, she, his wife, would not survive him. She ended by appealing to my magnanimity, declaring that she always esteemed, though she could not love me. You can conceive that such an epistle threw cold water on the flame of my love; and it cooled my anger, too, in part. But, as I had been deceived, I felt that honour required me to be at our rendezvous the next morning. The Captain felt, perhaps, how deeply he had injured me, for, though the better swordsman, he merely defended himself, and it was not his fault that I ran my hand, here between the thumb and finger, on his sword, so that I could fight no longer. While they were binding up the wound, I handed him Laura's letter. He begged and implored me to forgive him; I did it, but with a heavy heart. The story of my love is ended, Don Frobenio; for, five days afterwards, Laura and the Swiss Captain had disappeared." "And with your assistance?" "I did all I could to help them. My aunt was deeply grieved; but it was better that she should never see her daughter, than to have disgrace come upon our house." "Noble-hearted man!" cried Froben, "what must it not have cost you! In truth, it was a hard trial.” "It was, indeed!" said the old man, smiling bitterly. "At first, I thought the wound would never heal; but time does wonders, my young friend! I have never since seen or heard of her; only once the papers mentioned Colonel Tannensee as an officer under Napoleon, who had distinguished himself at Brienne. But when I came here, and saw my Laura before me, the same as she was twenty years ago, the old wounds opened afresh, and—you know yourself, I used to go every day to see her." Don Pedro had told his story with all the gravity of an old Castilian. When he had ended, he took off his hat, stroked his beard, and said, "I have told you, Don Frobenio, a story which I have confided to but a few; not to lead you to imitate my confidence, though your secret would be as safe in my breast as the ashes of our kings in the Escurial. I will confess I am anxious to ask why you take such an interest in the lady; but curiosity is unbecoming a man of my years, and I say no more.' Froben answered, "I will tell you my little adventure with pleasure. It does not reveal a lady's secret, and ends. in fact, where other tales usually begin. But, with your permission, as it is now so late, we will leave it till to-morrow." "As you please," said the Spaniard. 66 The next day, Froben was in the gallery, as usual, before the picture. He waited a whole hour; but the old man did not make his appearance. He walked up and down the grounds, but looked in vain for the well-known black breeches and pointed hat. At the hotel, his absence was explained. They are all gone, his highness and all. Despatches came at midnight, and the prince and his suite set off before day-break." Don Pedro had left a card, on the back of which was written in pencil, "Farewell, my dear Don Frobenio, you still owe me your story: kiss Doia Laura for me." He smiled at the commission, but soon felt that his old friend's absence left him solitary. There was nothing now to detain him in Stuttgart, and he left the city as quietly as he had entered it. Froben pursued his journey along the Rhine. His head was still full of the romantic ideas that the portrait had called into being. As he drew near the lovely plain of the Neckar, he began to forget these fantastic visions, and to remember the object of his journey. It was a visit to a friend, in whose company he had travelled through France and England. Similarity of character did not form the ground of their friendship. The Baron von Faldner was somewhat rough and rude, and even his travels had not polished him. He was one of those who, because they neglect books, think they can do without them, and persuade themselves that they are what they call "practical men;" that is, universal geniuses, who know every thing without studying it, and are perfect masters of business, agriculture, housekeeping, and the like. He was happy, because he did not know his own deficiencies; but self-conceit made him overbearing in company, and a tyrant at home. "I wonder if he still says, I told you so,' thought Froben. "He always used to speak thus, even if he had prophesied the contrary the minute before, and there was no undeceiving him."— His estate lay in one of the loveliest valleys of the Rhine, and our traveller could not but hope that the beauties by which he was surrounded had tended to soften his natural harshness. 66 He entered the park, and saw his friend at a distance. He seemed to be disputing with an old man, who was busy digging round a tree. I don't care if you have done it that way for a hundred years, and not fifty; you must transplant the tree as I tell you." The old man put on his cap with a sigh, looked at the noble tree with a sad eye, and set to work hastily, and, as it seemed, unwillingly. The Baron whistled a tune as he turned away, and saw a stranger, who held out his hand to him with a smile. "What's your wish?" he asked hastily. "Don't you know me then, Faldner? Have your trees made you forget London and Paris?" "Froben! is it possible ?" cried the host as he em braced him. "But how thin and pale you look. That comes from your sitting and studying so much: but you never would take advice. I always told you it would not answer for you." "Think a moment, my dear fellow. Didn't you always tell me that I would never do for a sportsman or farmer, and that I must take to law or diplomacy?" "Ah, I see you are troubled with your old complaint, want of memory. Did not I tell you-” "Let it pass, and tell me where you have been since we parted." The Baron's story was a short one, wholly made up of complaints of bad weather and stupid servants. He gave him to understand that he was a great proficient in farming, but found all his neighbours and people very obstinate. He confessed that he lived a life of care and trouble, of vexation and quarrel. His friend could see plainly that he still rode his hobby, and could not rein it in. It was now Froben's turn, and he said in a few words that he had been attached to one or two embassies, had got tired of them, and asked for a long leave of absence, and was now seeing the world. Happy fellow!" cried Faldner, "I much envy you Here to-day and there to-morrow, nothing to tie you down, and as free as air. I only wish I could live like you." "But why not? Look out for a good overseer, saddle your horse, and set off with me." "Ah, you don't understand," answered Faldner, enr barrassed. "If I am away only one day, every thing goes wrong. Besides, I have done a foolish thing-but no matter. However, my travelling days are over." A servant came up just then to say that his mistress was returned, and asked where tea should be served? Up stairs," said Faldner, in some confusion. "What! are you a married man?" asked Froben, "and haven't told me of it yet! Well, I congratulate, and so forth; but pray, tell me—I should as soon have thought of the sky's falling-how long since ?" "About six months," said the Baron in a low tone, and looking at the ground; "but why should you wonder at it? You ought to know that in such a large establishlishment-" "Certainly, it is very natural and proper; but I remember how you used to talk about marriage. I never supposed you would find anybody to suit you." "No, excuse me. I always told you-" "To be sure, I admit it," answered Froben, with a smile; "and I always told you that with your romantic fancies of ideal perfection, you would always live a bachelor. As there is a lady in the case, I can't appear in my travelling dress, so you will excuse me a few moments. Farewell till we meet again." Just as he left him, a tall and graceful lady came up, and asked the Baron hastily, "Whom were you talking with just now? Who was it that said, 'Farewell, till we meet again?'" The Baron started up and gazed on his wife with astonishment at seeing the delicate paleness of her cheek suffused with crimson "It is too bad, Josephine," he cried. "How often have I told you that Hufeland for. bids violent exercise to people of your constitution? You have been walking here from the house, I suppose, and got warm, and now you want to sit down in the cool air. I have to tell you every thing twenty times over, as I would to a child. You ought to be ashamed of your self." "Oh, don't be angry with me," said his wife in a trem, bling voice. "I only came out to meet you, and rode all the way." "Your cheeks condemn you," was the answer. "Must I be for ever talking to you? No shawl, either, and so late! What is the use of my flinging away money for such nonsense if you don't wear them? It's enough to make a man mad. You will not do any thing to please me. Your self-will wears me out completely. enough-" It's "Pray, forgive me, Franz," said she, wiping away the big tears from her eyes. "I have not seen you all day long, and I wanted to surprise you, and forgot all about a shawl. You will forgive me-you will forgive your wife, won't you?" 66 Yes, yes, that's enough; now leave me alone. You know I don't like such scenes. And in tears, too! Do for heaven's sake break yourself of this foolish habit of crying at any thing and every thing. We have a guest to-day-Froben, who travelled with me. Behave your self as you ought-do you hear me? See that nothing is wanting, for I don't like to have to keep house besides all my other business." He walked before her to the castle in silence. When Faldner showed Froben to his room, he could not refrain from congratulating his host on his choice. "Really. Franz, I never saw her equal. You were always a lucky fellow, but I never thought you would get such a|| prize, with your strange ideas." which he always carried with him; but what was his sur The next morning, when Froben can.e down to the drawing-room, he found himself alone. His host had ridden out to view the estate, and his lady was busied with household affairs. He took up carelessly the cards that lay on the mantel. Among them was his friend's wed ding-card, on which he saw, "Baron Von Faldner and Josephine Von Tannensee." The name surprised him. It was the very name of the Swiss officer who had figured in Don Pedro's story. He had hardly time to collect his thoughts, disturbed by this coincidence, when Josephine appeared. She apologized for her husband's absence, adding, "His life is always a laborious and anxious one; but I really believe, he is so accustomed to a press of business, that he would not be contented without it." "Is there more than usual to be attended to on the estate?" "No, he is always so; he is never at rest; and be spends the whole day, from morning to night, among hie workmen." "You must often feel solitary, I should suppose, during his absence." Solitary!" she repeated, and her voice trembled a little," no-memory is the companion of those win are alone; and besides," she added, with an effort at a sinile, "in so large an establishment as ours, there are a thou sand things to be attended to-so that I do not, must not, feel lonesome." The slight accent of sorrow with which she spoke, im pressed Froben deeply; and he paused a while before he answered. "Women, now-a-days, possess talents and acquirements which can be developed in society alone. And I have often thought how unhappy one of your sex would be, supposing her to possess a cultivated mind, a taste for reading and for intellectual society, if she finds no kindred spirit in her domestic circle, and yet is con fined to it." Josephine blushed, and our hero could not but feel that he had unconsciously reminded her of her own situation To give the conversation a more general character, she replied, "We country ladies, of course, enjoy such pleas. ures less frequently, but still we are not so lonely as you might suppose; we visit each other often-only see what a pile of cards there is on the mantel there." "Yes, yes; she is well enough," answered the Baron, dryly, as he snuffed the candle; "a man can't have every thing, and ought not to expect it in this world." "Why! I hope and trust you are not insensible to such excellence. I have seen many women in my day, but That reminds me," said Froben, "that I was guilty never one of such perfect beauty! What eyes! What a of a petty larceny just now ;" and he produced the wed figure! And I do not know but that I admire her culti-ding-card. "Will you believe it, that I did not know of vated mind and delicate taste even still more highly." "You seem quite captivated," rejoined Faldner, laughing, "but you have read too much; you are not a practical man; I always told you so. Believe me, a smart, active housekeeper is worth more than what you call your accomplished women. Good-night-thank your stars that you are a freeman, and—don't be in a hurry to choose." my friend's marriage till last night? The card first in formed me of your name. It is Tennensee, I find." "Yes," she answered, with a smile, "and I was no loser in exchanging so insignificant a name for the noble one of Faldner." "If your father was, as I suppose, Colonel Von Tennensee, you cannot call it insignificant." She blushed. My dear father! They tell me the Emperor esteemed him a gallant officer, and he died a general. I never knew him." "Was he not a Swiss ?" She looked at him with some surprise. "If I am no mistaken, my mother told me he was.” Laura, and of a "Laura was het Froben had not failed to observe how anxiously she had watched her husband's looks, and how much she seemed to stand in awe of him. He felt that so ill-assorted a union must have been the work of interest, and not of affection, and that so delicate, so sensitive a creature, was ill-fitted to bear the humours of her stern and selfish lord. He sat, plunged in such thoughts, till he began to reproach himself for them. "I have been false to my first love to-night," thought he. "Another image has filled my thoughts, and I have given way to ideas that are per- To account for this curiosity, Froben told the story of haps sinfu, certainly idle!" With these words, he un-his meeting with Don Pedro, and his firm belief that she rolled the engraving from the beloved picture in his bosom, was the daughter of that Laura whom the Spaniard hai "And was not your mother named Spanish family?" She turned pale. name, but-what do you know about her? Spanish! no, she spoke German, and was of that nation." "Alas! it is my evil fate to have no kindred,” said she. || Happy are they who can look back to a long line of bonourable ancestors: who have kind and good relatives, endeared to them by the ties of blood. I was an only child, and I have always lived among strangers. My father, 1 heard, quarrelled with his relations in Swit: erland, because they wanted him to marry a rich heiress at home; and when my mother died, there was not a sc in the world to whom I could say, Have pity on me!" Froben was anxious, as well as affected at her grief. Was not your mother's name Tortosi ?" he asked. "She was called Laura Von Tortheim." "The names are the same: and I believe you will now have no cause to complain of being alone in the world. One kinsman, at least, you have, and one of the most excellent of men. Faldner will be delighted when he hears of our discovery." Her tears began to flow afresh. "You do not know my husband," she replied. "You have no idea how suspicious he is. Every thing must go on regularly and soberly; and he detests any thing like a surprise, or a change, from the very bottom of his soul. I had to regard it as a favour," she added, bitterly, "as a favour, that a man of such an ancient family would make me his wife, and be satisfied with the few papers I had to show my birth. He tells me every day that he might have married into the first houses-or else, that my family is only newly ennobled that he knows nothing about my mother, and that some of the Tennensees have even turned merchants." It was plain that she had married from poverty, not enoice, and that her brutal husband treated her with rude. ess and cruelty. Faldner's return to dinner cut short the conversation. His wife came forward to meet him, but he passed hastily by her. "Is it not enough to drive a man mad, Froben?" were his first words. "I have spent a fortune in getting a steam-engine from England, and it won't work at all! Something has been left out or lost. I brought down an engineer from Mentz, to put it up. I showed him the drawings. There is the whole story, all lettered and numbered, and yet the bungler cannot put it up!" "And you are as happy as the day is long." "Why, so so; she has nothing of a practical turn; but lock up all her books, and make her keep house. But come, let us look at my unlucky steam-engine." As the gentlemen were mounting their horses, Froben saw Josephine at a window waving her handkerchief "The Baroness is saluting you," he said; but his host only laughed, and rode on. Why do you support her in all that sentimental folly, so that we must kiss and flourish handkerchiefs whenever I am going away for a few hours? It is enough to spoil any woman; and whenever you marry, do as I do. You never say where you are going. Your horse is brought round. Where are you going, dear?' she asks two or three times. You say nothing, but put on your gloves. How can you go away and leave me here all alone?' she asks, and lays her hand on your shoulder. You pick up your whip and say, 'I am going to so-and-so; there is something to be done to-day. Adieu; and if I don't come back by supper-time, don't wait for me.' She is shocked-you whis tle; she goes to the window and flourishes her handkerchief-you ride straight on, and take no notice of her. That makes a woman respect you. After two or three such scenes, my wife gave up asking me any question, I assure you." The engineer was at work, but had made no progress Faldner grew violent, and called him a bungler and rogue. The man's face was crimson with resentment, but he suppressed it. "I will engage to put any machine in order, but I must have my own way about it, and in this case-" "I've been helping you a little, and that I suppose has put you out? I have seen half a dozen such machines, and I know perfectly well that the large wheels work on the cylinder, and the small ones above-❞ "This is of another pattern, however, as the drawings show." "What do I care for drawings? I'm deceived all round-cheated by everybody." Froben, meanwhile, had been examining the drawings carefully, and said at last, "I will lay a bet that it is all as it should be. F and H here go with I, and this connects the stamping-mill with the machine." "To be sure it does!" cried the engineer, triumphantly. "This makes the whole thing easy." The Baron laughed to conceal his surprise, and left the management to his friend, expressing little faith in his success. He was deceived, however, for in a very short time the machine was put up and at work. Faldner ate little, but drank freely; and his displeasure gradually gave way to boisterous mirth. At the close of the meal, Josephine gathered courage and addressed him. I had a singular conversation with our guest this morn'ng, which has led to the discovery of a kinsman of mine." This restored him to good humour, and he gave a little Froben repeated the story, not with at some anxiety as entertainment in honour of his success. Cheerful and to the effect it would produce; but, contrary to his expec-good-humoured as he seemed, it did not escape Froben tations, the Baron seemed delighted. "Tis as clear as day!" he cried; "Tortheim and Tortosi-all the same thing. And you say the old chap is rich, my dear fellow ? Rich, and a bachelor, and always talking about his Laura! Zounds! Josephine, there's a chance for lots of piastres!" Josephine was not much pleased, perhaps, at his coarse way of expressing himself; but she answered calmly, This will account for the snatches of Spanish songs that always floated in my mind, and also for my having been Drought up a Catholic." With these words she retired. that he persecuted his wife incessantly. She did every thing wrong, and he drove her, without remorse, from the kitchen to the parlour and back again. His visitors were delighted with her grace and beauty, and the old ladies were loud in their praises of her good housewifery. "See now," the Baron whispered to his friend, "what wonders good discipline will do! She has got along very well today, with a little help from me, of course. But she'll mend-she'll mend." The general mirth and the good wine elevated his spirits still higher, and it was soon high time to leave the table, as he and some of his friends were indulging in some excellent jokes, which were rather too no-broad for the delicate ears of the ladies. Sport of every kind was now the order of the day, and even the good old-fashioned game of forfeits was tolerated. It chanced to be Froben's turn to redeem his favour, and Josephine, who fixed the forfeits, decided that he should tell some true passage in his life. The choice was loudly applauded. most of all by Faldner, and when he saw Froben hesitate, he cried, "Come, begin! or I will for you, and tell you piquant adventure with the beggar-girl of the Pont-des Arts." "Write to the old man, will you, Froben and tell him you have found his Laura's daughter. I always told Countess Landstrom that, even though my wife had thing, I was sure she would bring luck to the house. How much do you suppose the Don will cut up?" Froben changed colour. "How should I know? Do you suppose I asked him? But what were you saying about Countess Landstrom ?" "Oh, it was there I met my wife. You know I'm a practical man. I might have married the richest girl in the country; but I said to myself, All is not gold that gitters. Josephine was a kind of companion to the Froben blushed and looked displeased; but the company, who suspected that some good jest was at the bottom of the allusion, cried, "The story!-the story of the Pont-des-Arts!" And he made up his mind to tell it, chiefly to avoid any indiscretion on the part of his host, who was warmed with wine. Faldner promised, if the narrator departed from the truth in any respect, to bring him back to it, as he was himself a witness of the adventure. have chosen a poor stand: there will be few people com. you, "I do not know," began Froben, "whether you are aware that some years ago our friend Faldner and I travelled together, and lived in Paris in the same house. Our studies were the same-we visited the same circles -in a word, we were inseparable. We had a mutual friend, Doctor M—, a fellow-countryman, who lived in || the Rue Taranne, which, as you know, lies on the left bank of the Seine, and leads into the Rue Dominique. Our regular evening walk was through the Champs Ely- "What," cried the Baron, bursting into a laugh, as sées, across to the Fauxbourg St. Germain, and thence Froben seemed to pause, "do you mean to stop here? to our friends, where we often sat till very late, chatting || Do you want to deceive me now, as you tried to then? about Germany, France, and what not. We lived, I Thus far, ladies and gentlemen, he has spoken the exact ought to add, in the Place des Victoires, a good way off historical truth. He supposed, probably, that I was far from the Rue Taranne, and we generally came home by away; but I was standing some two paces off from this the Pont-des-Arts, so as to cross the Louvre, and save moving, good Samaritan dialogue, under the portal of the time. One night—it was after eleven-it had rained a Louvre, and witnessed the whole affair. Whether the little, and the wind blew chilly and keen, especially along conversation is truly reported or not, I cannot say, for the the river. We were going from Quai Malaquois across confounded wind made me lose it; but I saw the damsel the Pont-des-Arts. The bridge is only for foot passen- blow out her lantern, and go back with him over the gers, and of course, at that time of night, every thing was bridge. The night was so cold that I did not follow up quite still around it. We walked across in silence, wrap- his adventure; but, after all, I will bet that he did not ping our cloaks around us; and I was just hurrying down find mamma sick, or any thing of the kind; but the fair the steps on the other side, when I saw an extraordinary dame was only singing the old siren-song to a new tune." sight. A tall, slim female stood leaning against the side He laughed loudly at his own wit, and the men joined of the bridge. A little black hat was tied close before him; the ladies looked down, and Josephine seemed disher face, which was still more completely hidden by a pleased both at her husband's remarks and her guest's green veil: she wore a black silk cloak, and the wind be- strange story; for her fingers trembled so that she could trayed a delicate, youthful figure; a little hand holding a hardly hold her plate; and she eyed the narrator with a plate peeped out of the cloak. In front stood a little lan-look which he felt himself bound to interpret in a way tern, whose flickering light showed a small neat foot. little honourable to himself: "I cannot allow my friend There is no place, perhaps, where the contrast between here," he continued in a loud voice that silenced the comthe greatest splendour and the lowest depths of misery is pany, "to put such an interpretation on my conduct: as striking as in Paris; but still you meet few beggars. allow me, therefore, to proceed, and by my life,"—and as They seldom attack you forwardly, and you never find he spoke his colour grew deeper and his eyes brightened, them follow you up or persecute you with their demand. "I will tell you nothing but the truth." A blind old man sometimes sits or kneels at the corner "The girl crossed the bridge I had just passed over. I of the street, holding out his hand quietly, and leaves it had time enough to look at her, as I walked silently by to the passer-by to notice his look of entreaty or not. her side, or rather behind her. Her figure, so far as I The most affecting of all, as I thought, were the shame- could see for her cloak, and more particularly her voice, faced ones, who stand motionless, almost breathless, in a were quite youthful. Her gait was quick, but easy. I corner, with their faces covered, and a taper burning be. offered her my arm, but she would not take it. At the fore them. Many of my acquaintances assured me that corner of the bridge she turned into the Rue Mazarin. they were generally people of the better class, who had Has your mother been sick long?' I asked her, stepping become so much reduced that they must either go to la-up alongside, and trying to get a peep at her face. bour, or if they were ashamed, or unable to work for their two years,' she answered, with a deep sigh; but for a daily bread, chose this last resource before ending their week past she has been much worse.' 'Have you been lives and sorrows in the Seine. The female figure at the there often before now?' 'Where?' she asked. 'On the bridge which enchained my attention was of this class. Iidge.' This is the first time,' was her answer. 'You eyed her more closely; her limbs seemed to tremble with the cold even more than the flickering light in her lantern; but she was silent, and let her sorrow and the cold night-wind speak for her. I felt in my pockets, but I had no small change, and not even a single franc. I turned to Faldner and asked him to lend me some; but he was out of temper, as it seemed, at my keeping him waiting in the cold; and he called to me in German, Leave the beggar alone, and come home to bed-I'm almost frozen.' 'Give me a couple of sous, my dear fellow,' I said; but he pulled me by the cloak and tried to drag me away. The veiled figure before me spoke in a trembling but sweet-toned voice, and, to our surprise, in good German, O, gentlemen, have pity on me!' The tone and the Language made such an impression on me, that I again ked him for some money: he laughed- Very well; there is a couple of francs,' said he; try your luck with the girl if you choose, but let me go to sleep.' He gave me the money and walked away. I was really consed, for she must have heard what Faldner said; and the unhappy are the last that I should wish to insult. I drew nearer to her, irresolutely. My girl,' I said, 'you For did not choose a good place, then; the other avenues are more frequented.' I was sorry, even while saying so; for I felt that it must hurt her deeply, and she whispered and sobbed in reply, I am a stranger here, and—I was ashamed to go into the crowd.' How great must be the misery, I said to myself, that can force such a creature to ask alms! It is true, some such thoughts as Faldner had expressed, occurred to me now and then; but I set myself against them-they were too unnatural. If she really belonged to that wretched class of women, why should she hide her features, and stand in such a lonely place? Why should she take such care to conceal a figure which, so far as I could judge from a few hasty glimpses, was a fine one? No-it could be nothing but real wretchedness, and that shame of unmerited poverty which makes it so touching. Has your mother a phy. sician?' I asked, after a while. She had; but when we got to be too poor to buy medicines, he wanted to send her to the Hopital des Incurables, and I could not bear that. Oh, heavens! my dear mother in a hospital! She wept at this, and raised her handkerchief to her eyes: as the plate and lantern which she held in the other hand prevented her from keeping her cloak close folded, the || though the capital of the eivilized world, with all its at wind blew it aside, and I saw that I was not mistaken; tractions, had nothing worth noticing except the Pont-desher figure was tall and graceful, her dress plain; but, as Arts. At last the Friday came. I used every stratagem far as I could notice, perfectly neat. She caught at her to get rid of Faldner and the rest of my friends, and set cloak, and, in assisting her, I felt the touch of a soft, out as soon as it was dark. It was an hour's walk, and white hand. I had time enough for reflection; and I determined to see By this time we had walked through the Rue Maga-her face at any rate, and to make up my mind what to sin, St. Germain, Ecole de Médecine, and a few little al- think of her. I had started off so early, that it was only leys, when all at once she stopped short, and said she had ten when I reached the Ecole de Médecine-a full hour lost her way. She said she lived in Rue St. Severin. I before my time. I stepped into a café, and tumbled over was puzzled, for I did not know where to find it myself. a file of newspapers: at last it struck eleven. I saw a light in a brandy-shop in a cellar, and went down "There were few people about, and no green veil to be to ask the way, leaving her alone. When I came up, I seen anywhere. Suppose she should not come, thought heard voices speaking loud, and saw, by the dim light of I, as I walked up and down for the tenth time. The half a street lamp, that the girl was struggling with two gen-hour struck, and I began to grumble at my own folly, tlemen, one of whom had seized her hand, while the other when I saw something green, under a lamp some thirty had hold of her cloak; they were laughing and talking paces off. I hurried up-and it was she. 'Good evento her. I suspected what was going on, and pulled the ing,' said I, 'I am glad you are come-I was afraid you cloak out of his grasp. She clung to my arm, sobbing would not keep your appointment.' She bowed low, withand speechless. Gentlemen,' I said, 'you see you are out taking my hand, and walked by my side. She seemed mistaken. Let go the lady's cloak this moment! Ah! deeply moved. Sir, my noble-hearted countrymen,' said excuse me, sir,' said the stranger, I see you have a prior she, I could not but keep my word, if only to thank you. right to the lady,' and they went off laughing. We walked Be assured it is not in order to make fresh demands on on, and the poor girl clung to my arm as though she was your benevolence. Oh, how richly, how generously you afraid of falling down in the street. Courage, courage! have treated us! Can a daughter's heartfelt thanks, can I said, St. Severin is only a little way off, and you'll my sick mother's prayers and blessings be any return for soon be at home.' When we reached the street, she it? Don't say a word about it,' answered I; how is stopped short. No, sir, you must not go any farther your mother?'I believe I may begin to hope again with me,' said she. 6 Why not, pray, since you have the physician does not speak decidedly, but she feels brought me so far with you already? I beg of you not stronger. Oh, how much I thank you! Your liberal preto suspect me of an improper motive.' I had unconsciously sent enabled me to buy her strengthening food; and, betaken her hand, and perhaps pressed it; she withdrew it lieve me, sir, the thought that such good men are still to hastily, and added, Forgive me my rudeness in bringing be found in the world has done her almost as much seryou so far out of your way. I beg of you, leave me now!' vice.' What did your mother say to you you came I understood that the advances of the strangers had home?' I inquired. She was very anxious, as it was so wounded her deeply, and perhaps even made her suspi-late; she had been very unwilling to let me go out, and cious of me, and this had a great effect upon me. I took was afraid of some mischief happening. I told her every out the silver I had got from Faldner, and was going to thing; but when I untied my handkerchief and drew out hand it to her, but the thought of the trifling aid this the presents you gave me, and there was gold among small sum would afford, made me withdraw my hand, them-gold among the copper and silver-she was astonand I gave her what little gold I had about me. Herished, and-" She stopped and seemed unable to go on. hand trembled as she took it: she seemed to suppose it I could guess that her mother had suspected something was silver, thanked me in an unsteady but sweet voice, wrong, and I put some more questions; but she answered, and was going away. Stop,' said I, I hope your with touching frankness, that her mother said their genmother will be better; but she may perhaps be in want erous countryman must be either a prince or an angel.' of something, and, my girl, you are not the right person I am neither the one nor the other,' I replied; but how for such night excursions as this. Will you not be in much have you left ?-any thing?' 'Oh, yes,' said she, front of the Ecole de Médecine this day week at the same confidently; but it did not escape me that she sighed unhour, so that I can hear how your mother is?' She seem-consciously at the same time. How much is there left?' ed to hesitate, but at last said 'Yes.' And put on that hat with the green veil, so that I may know you again.' She promised to do so, thanked me again, ran hastily up the street, and was lost in the darkness." 6 when I asked, and more peremptorily. Oh, we paid our bill at the apothecary's, and a month's rent, and I bought something for mother to eat, and there is something left yet!" How wretchedly they must live, thought I, when out of this trifle they can pay for medicines and a month's rent, and buy food for a week! I want you to tell me "When I awoke the next morning, my adventure exactly how much there is left,' I continued. 'Sir!' was seemed like a dream. But Faldner, who came soon, and her reply, as she drew back a step. My good girl, you began to rally me with his usual delicacy, removed all do not, or you will not understand me. I ask you seriously doubts. The thing seemed to me, when considered in the what you expect to do when this little sum is gone? have clear light of the morning, altogether too fabulous to be you any prospect of assistance?' 'No, none!' was the told to my skeptical friend. We have reached, now-a- sad answer. Think of your mother, and do not reject days, a pitch of delicacy which borders closely on indeli- my aid,' I added. I offered her my hand, and she pressed cacy; we had often rather seem wild and debauched, than it to her heart gratefully. Come with me, then,' said I; singular or unused to the ways of the world. I was dis-I do not come straight from home, and am unluckily turbed by some undefinable feeling, even more than by Faldner's jokes. I reproached myself for not having got a sight of her face, at any rate. 'Why this excessive delicacy?' I said to myself; 'really, for a couple of Na. poleons, it would not have been too much just to ask her to raise her veil for a moment.' And yet when I reflected an her whole deportment, which, simple as it was, was wholly free from vulgarity, I was forced, half unwillingly, must not, I cannot,' she cried, bursting into ears. to own that I did right. The voice alone is a sufficient Why not ?-what is the matter?' asked I. I will ot distinction between good-breeding and rudeness; and the go further-I cannot go with you.' Upon my word,' I sweet tones I had listened to must belong to a person of cried, with some anger, 'you really have very little confisome education and refinement. I could not get rid of dence in me; if it was not for your mother I would quit these thoughts all day long; and at night, when I visited || you at once, for you insult me.' She took my hand and orilliant circle of ladies, I was accompanied in my mind pressed it fervently. 'Have I offended you? God knows by the poor girl in her black hat, green veil, and impene-I did not mean it. Pardon a poor ignorant girl. You trable cloak. The rest of the week I kept blaming my. are so generous, how could I think of offending you?' es for my folly, and yet indulging in it. It seemned as Come along then,' I rejoined, 'we have no time to lose. without money; be good enough to go a little way with me, and I will give you something for your mother.' She went with me in silence; and though I was pleased with the thought of having her with me, I felt almost urt that she should go with me so readily, by night, to a gentleman's lodgings-but it was not so. After walking a few hundred paces, she drew her arm out of mine. No, no, ་ |