that I should go and seek a more prosperous life in Wirtemberg. Yes; I
told Monsieur Gabriel. Yes; he said he would give me the money for my
journey. I warn you that I shall go, and it will be of no avail if you
attempt to hinder me.'

'You will not go,' said Frau von Graevenitz harshly. 'The money you have
earned by your dishonour I shall give to the poor.'

'It is not yours to give,' answered Wilhelmine coldly.

'We shall see,' replied her mother grimly, and commenced an undignified
scramble beneath the table, as she gathered up the scattered gold pieces.
When she had found all, and carefully counted it out, she placed it in an
oaken cupboard, double locked the door thereof, and placed the key in her
pocket, Wilhelmine watching her the while.

The evening meal was eaten in utter silence. Frau von Graevenitz
superintended the washing up of the plates, knives, and forks; then going
to the house door she fastened it securely, taking the key with her.
While the old woman was occupied at the house door, Wilhelmine slipped up
the stairs, with the noiseless tread of a cat, and abstracted the key
from her mother's bedroom door, then passing to her attic she undressed,
and, wrapping her bedgown round her, lay down on her bed. The stolen key
she tied firmly in a knot of her hair, close to her head, well hidden by
her thick curls. Having accomplished this, she feigned sleep. As she
expected, her mother soon discovered the absence of the key, and after a
fruitless search in her own room she stormed into Wilhelmine's attic, and
accused her of having removed it. The girl looked at her from sleepy
eyes, and denied all knowledge of the missing article. Frau von Graevenitz
searched the room, and then bidding her daughter rise, she felt beneath
her mattress and pillow. Then she ran her hand over her daughter's body,
but she never thought of examining the waves of hair, under which the key
was safely hidden. At length, she was satisfied that it was not in her
daughter's keeping, and she retired to bed grumbling.

Wilhelmine listened attentively for some half-hour, then gently pushed
aside the covering and noiselessly unlatched the door. She crept towards
her mother's door and listened. For some time she heard nothing, but at
length her patience was rewarded by the sound of a long, even breath, and
she knew her mother was asleep. Wilhelmine returned to her apartment.
Slowly and silently she resumed her clothes. Fortunately there was