doctor and undress the invalid. Meantime I led Francis
into a cabinet where Rudolf had taken refuge and was breathlessly
awaiting the doctor's verdict.

As we had left the door ajar we heard the patient recover
consciousness, and call for Francis in a strangely altered voice,
and address questions to her in a frightened tone; which questions
the doctor, not understanding, put down to delirium, though they
made it clear enough to us that he had seen and recognized Rudolf,
although he mentioned no names.

"If the patient is not kept strictly quiet, I fear it will turn to
brain fever," said the doctor on leaving.

"Would you like to see the person you referred to just now?" I asked
the General in a whisper, as soon as we were alone.

"No, indeed! I know he is here; he must leave in peace, and at once,
never more to appear before my eyes, or--I will curse him."

We could hear a suppressed sigh in the neighbouring cabinet. Rudolf
had understood.

Rolf and Francis undertook the duty of watching at the bedside of
the patient during the night; and I led Rudolf to my room--I may say
supported him, for the strong man reeled. He threw himself on the
sofa and wept like a child.

"It is finished," he said. "I could not, after all, have expected
anything else, and I have my deserts."

"Francis was in the right, you see; you ought not to have broken
your promise."

"It is not my fault I broke it. Fritz caught me this morning just as I
was scaling the garden wall, and I was obliged to make myself known to
him, otherwise he would have given me in charge as a housebreaker. He
then offered to hide me in an unoccupied room on the ground floor until
to-night. Thence, unseen, I could watch the movements of my father;
and when his guests were gone, I saw him walking alone towards the
summer-house, where he sat down, and, as I thought, he had fallen
asleep. Then it was I ventured out of my hiding-place and approached
him. It appears, however, he must both have seen me and recognized
me. But now I have said enough, and this time I will go away for
good. God bless him! May the Almighty strengthen dear Francis."

I persuaded him to spend this night with me, and try to get a little
rest. From time to time I went to make inquiries about the General,
and towards morning I was able to inform Rudolf that his father had
passed a fair night and was now sleeping calmly; he could therefore
leave with his mind more at ease. I accompanied him a