ferent of them all, and welcomes Lenz kindly.

CHAPTER XVI.
A HEART IS WON.

The Landlord seated himself beside Lenz, and was very fatherly. "You
have got the money for your musical work?" asked he, abruptly.

"Yes," answered Lenz.

"You would be wise," began the Landlord again, "if you secured shares
in the New Railway Loan: they will become very profitable soon. You
have still the money in hard cash, I presume?"

"No; I had eight hundred over, and I lent three thousand gulden in one
round sum to my neighbour, the bailiff. He required it to pay his
redemption money."

"Really? Have you any good security, and what interest does he pay?"

"I have merely an acknowledgment, and he gives five per cent."

"The bailiff is a solid man, and fire per cent. solid also; but, as I
said before, if you wish to make money, my advice is at your service."

"I prefer keeping to what I understand; though, of course, I should be
quite willing to follow your advice blindfold. I am pretty far advanced
already with the new work that you intend to buy from me, and I believe
it will be the best I have yet finished."

"Lenz, don't forget that I said nothing positive--an upright man goes
no further than----"

"Not another syllable; I can never----"

"As I said, even with one's best friends, a man can never be too clear
and precise. I hope there will be one day written on my tombstone,
'Here lies an honest and accurate man.'"

Lenz was quite delighted with the just and equitable character of the
worthy Landlord; he was indeed pure gold.

Annele came in, saying, "By your leave," and seated herself at the
table with her father and Lenz. In a short time the Landlord rose, and
Lenz said: "Annele, you may well be proud of such a father--he is a man
of a thousand. It does one good to converse with him; and just because
he says little, every word is--what shall I say?--sound grain,
unadulterated ore."

"True," said Annele; "and there is nothing more pleasing to a child
than to hear her father spoken of in such a manner; and he deserves it,
too. To be sure he is often cross and perverse, like all men."

"All men?" asked Lenz.

"Yes, all--I may say it to your face; you are one of the best of them,
but I dare say you have your humours also; but we must have patience
with them, I suppose."

"That is very good of you, Annele; I must say it pleases me exceedingly
to hear y