do you know, since that day I've
not slept as quietly as usual, for I've also undertaken the pleasant
task of watching the new court painter, to see whether he scrupulously
keeps his contract. As I should make the mischief still worse by
tattling, and moreover at last hope to win the wager and bring off my
old friend with all the honors, I must after having said A., go on to
B. I was just on my way to him again. He once told me that the spring
always arouses in him a desire to paint. The trees themselves are then
as dry as hedge poles, and vegetation is scanty; he can at any rate
reproduce that. And yesterday the secretary of Legation handed me a
letter, in which our artist asks His Highness whether he may be
permitted to paint a very charming picture for him: the last snow on a
low heath, with the bright spring sky arching over it, the first tender
grass, etc. All letters to the prince, at least from artists, pass
through my hands. Well, I shall win my Luini sooner than I expected.
But this espionage is very repugnant to my feelings. Dear Doctor,
you're an entirely disinterested person, and might do me the favor,
especially since, as a psychologist, it must be of interest to you--"

"My dear baron," interrupted Edwin laughing, "I'm very much obliged to
you for the part you wish to assign me in this tragi-comedy, but I
really don't know whether I can undertake it, whether the visit I'm
about to pay may not be the last for a long time, perhaps forever.
Yesterday I wrote to L., where a professorship of mathematics is
vacant. If it is given me, I've determined to exchange the air of
Berlin, which does not agree very well with the constitution of a
private tutor, for some more favorable climate. Besides, you take your
wager altogether too much to heart. To say nothing of the fact that
psychology will be greatly indebted to you, I see no danger whatever to
our excellent friend. Like you, I'm convinced that you'll win, and
then, as Russian princes always have their whims, it will be easy to
find some pretext for breaking the bargain. Your Herr Michael
Paulovitsch will have a good lesson, and the zaunkoenig his thousand
thalers, which in spite of all, he'll have honestly earned. But here we
are at his nest. Won't you come in with me? For this time I can place
my talents as a police inspector at your disposal."

"_Mille grazie_," replied the other. "I'll take you at your word. Write
a line this afternoon, either yes or no, to