ut of the very commonest way, is
it not talked of in my house by those who come and go? But this thing
is in everybody's mouth, and people don't scruple to say that there
were a vast number of golden pieces in the purse--some say a hundred.'

"'Nay, nay,' replied Meeta, 'that is overdoing it; I really don't think
there are more than fifteen.'

"'Well,' returned Heister, 'I don't want to know exactly how many there
are--I am not curious; no one troubles herself less with other people's
affairs than I do; but I am glad this good luck has come to Martin
Stolberg, above all others in the valley.'

"'That is very kind of you,' replied Meeta, 'but I do not see what luck
it is to him, for the money is not his, and he could not think of
spending it: it is all put by in some safe place in the house.'

"'Very good, very right,' answered Heister. 'No, no! Martin could never
have such a thought. But where in the world can you find a place in the
house safe enough for so many pieces? I should doubt whether they could
count as many together even at Madame Eversil's. So you say there are
fifteen, pretty Meeta? and though no doubt they take but little
house-room, yet I should be sorry to keep so many in my poor little
cottage, for I know not where I could stow them safely. I suppose
neighbour Monique keeps them in her blue cupboard near the
kitchen-stove?--a very good and a very safe place, no doubt, for them.'

"'Oh, no,' cried Meeta, 'she has them in her chest above stairs, and
my uncle keeps the key himself, and carries it about with him; but what
am I doing here, lingering? Ella will have left the pastor's before I
have reached there, if I stay with you, neighbour, any longer. So
good-even,' she added, 'and pray don't say a word about where my Uncle
Stolberg keeps the money, or else grandmother will think I have told
you, and she will, perhaps, be angry with me.'

"'And who else did tell me but yourself, giddy one?' cried Heister
Kamp, laughing. 'It was all guess with me, I promise you, till you had
it all out. Ella and Jacques, and even little Margot, would not tell me
a word about it; and I really began to think that Father St. Goar had
mistaken what the little one had said, till you let the cat out of the
bag. But you ought to make haste after Ella, so don't let me hinder
you.' And she arose and went laughing into the house, whilst Meeta
hastened after her cousin.

"We cannot suppose that Meeta's reflections were very ple