the descent into the shaft.
"But," continued he, recollecting himself, "this keepsake will soon be
destroyed, therefore take another of a solid material from my own
native country." And, taking out a Swedish copper dollar, he broke it
with gigantic strength, offered one-half to the Fraeulein, and said, "He
who shall bring you the other half will come from me." Before
Tugendreich was aware how she had got the burning kiss which glowed
upon her lips he had vanished, and Talander stood before her like a
personified lecture. He was on the point of delivering it, when the
baron, who was somewhat wearied by the first impetuous demands of his
new guest, approached in a gloomy mood, and asked, astonished and
peevishly, "What was the meaning of the flower which the Fraeulein was
still affectionately contemplating?"

"I was just disputing with the good magister about it," replied she,
with genuine female composure, whilst she wiped away her last tears.
"Being my instructor in botany, he thinks he can make me believe
anything. Only think, he maintains that this is the _Myosotis
palustris_, or mouse-ear, and it is evidently the _Veronica
chamaedrys_, or germander, which moreover rhymes with Talander. Am I
not right, dear father?" So saying, she bounded away out of the
garden, to cast, if possible, one more look from the tower after her
departing favourite, whilst Talander raised his hands in utter
astonishment at the consummate ingenuity which his timid pupil so
readily displayed.

* * * * *

The calamities of war which the large armies marching to and fro
brought upon the country did not press with particular weight upon the
inhabitants of the castle. For this they were indebted to the colonel
who was quartered within it with his company. But it soon became
evident that his services were not altogether disinterested, for he
daily made nearer and more evident advances towards the beautiful
daughter of the house, and ventured many a time to storm her heart with
tender, chivalrous courtesy. His noble demeanour and manly beauty, in
addition to his high rank as a soldier, his birth and his fortune,
powerfully supported his suit. But an invincible antagonist was in
Tugendreich's heart; the image of poor Axel and the half-copper dollar
were to her a more precious treasure than the rich necklace which Baron
Grotta ordered from Dresden, and which she was forced to accept by the
command of her father.