d responding quickly and daintily with the regulation childish
curtsey.

She was now just seventeen; still slender, and her little face framed
by the same bright golden hair, that seemed almost too great a weight
for her head. Beautiful clear grey eyes she had also; and Reimers
particularly remarked her delicate straight nose, by the trembling of
whose nostrils one could judge if the little lady were excited about
anything. She bore the dignity of being the colonel's daughter
with modest pride. She handled the tea-things with the style of
an accomplished matron, and led the conversation with a sort of
old-fashioned self-possession.

Falkenhein never took his eyes off his child. Sometimes he smiled to
himself, as he noted how unconcernedly she did the honours to her first
guest, knowing well her secret anxiety to play her new part with
success.

When Reimers rose to go, the colonel invited him to supper. The
lieutenant accepted with pleasure. He was sure that intercourse with
his commander would be of a thousand times more value to him than the
dry wisdom of books.

Hitherto when Reimers had supped at the colonel's, after the meal, as
they sat smoking, the senior officer would dilate on his reminiscences
and experiences.

This time, however, there was a little alteration. Before a young girl
the two men could not discuss specially military matters. Nevertheless,
Reimers was not bored.

When Fraeulein Marie showed symptoms of beginning again in her quaint
universal-conversationalist style her father interrupted her.

"Little one," he said, "leave that sort of chatter alone! Keep it for
others. Lieutenant Reimers does not care for that kind of thing. And I
know him well, I assure you, my child; he is one of my best officers."

The little lady opened her eyes wide on the young soldier. "If papa
says that," she said gravely, "I congratulate you, Herr Reimers."

The colonel laughed aloud. Conversation flowed fast and free after
this. The young girl could talk brightly of her little life, and asked
intelligent questions.

She began confidentially to question her guest about the ladies of the
regiment, whereupon Falkenhein said abruptly: "Tell me, Reimers; you
often go to the Guentzes', don't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Of course Guentz is an old friend of yours. Do you know, I am much
taken by his wife. She seems to me to be amiable, straightforward,
sensible. We are neighbours; I should like Marie to see something