aid Talander, mockingly, "but
it is something uncommon for him to give his word of honour; it sounds
rather cavalier-like, and you must act more in character. I have done
now," continued he, fastening the bandage; "give me the handkerchief
and ribbon to return to the Fraeulein."

"Never," cried Axel, as he concealed the precious pledges in his bosom.

"'Never;' say you, youngster! you are rather too bold for me," said the
old man, menacing with his finger. "Go, settle it yourself with the
Fraeulein. There she stands in the garden, near the rose-tree, herself
the most beautiful rose in the garden. How wicked must be that worm
that would malignantly approach this flower to poison its sweet
bloom--are you not of the same opinion?"

"Indeed I am of the same opinion," said the groom; "be unconcerned
about this sweet flower which so proudly sets forth your care as its
gardener. With the ray of love it will bloom more beautifully, and if
myrtle and laurel shall once be entwined around it you will weep tears
of joy."

"Amen," said the old man, with emotion, and Axel ran to the garden to
Tugendreich.

"The magister demanded from me the handkerchief and ribbon in your
name, Fraeulein," said Axel; "I only bring you back the former, stained
with the blood which flowed for you. May it speak a friendly word for
poor Axel, when some day he will sigh far from you. The ribbon I must
keep. It rested on your angelic heart, it is hallowed, and it will
also hallow and purify the heart upon which it shall rest from this
time."

Tugendreich wished to answer but was unable, she wished to look up but
could not. It then occurred to her that she ought really to be
indignant at this audacity, but that she could do still less; and the
beautiful rose which she held in her hand became the victim of her
inward struggle, for she plucked off leaf after leaf, dropping them on
the ground.

"May I keep the ribbon?" asked Axel, imploringly. She at length raised
her beautiful eyes, and a ray of love flashed powerfully from them.
Enraptured he stretched out his arms to embrace her; deeply blushing,
she sank into them, and he pressed the first pure kiss of ardent love
on her lips. At this moment the baron suddenly appeared from behind
the hedge, contemplating the group with a truly noble horror. "Begone
to the castle!" he cried to his daughter; "to the stable!" he cried, in
a voice of thunder, to Axel. Like a finger-post, he pointed to th