it," said Fink, "I shall be very grateful to you."

Thus the two concluded their treaty in perfect amity, and the baron left
the room with the comfortable impression of having made a clever
bargain.

"The matter is settled," said Fink to Anton, on the return of the
latter. "Make no lamentations, for the mischief is done. I shall settle
myself in two rooms in a corner of this wing, and see to the furnishing
of them myself. To-morrow I am off to Rosmin, and farther still. I am on
the scent of an experienced man who can overlook the undertaking, and I
shall bring him and a few laborers back with me. Can you spare me our
Karl for a week or so?"

"He is not easily spared; but, since it must be so, I will do what I can
to replace him. You must leave me abundant instructions."

The next morning Fink rode away, accompanied by the hussar, and things
returned to their old course. The drill went on regularly; patrols were
sent around as before; frightful reports were greedily listened to and
repeated. Sometimes small detachments of military appeared, and the
officers were welcome guests at the castle, telling as they did of the
strife going on beyond the forest, and comforting the ladies by bold
assurances that the insurrection would soon be put down. Anton was the
only one who felt the heavy burden on the family funds that their
entertainment involved.

Nearly a fortnight had passed away, and Fink and Karl were still absent.
One sunny day, Lenore was busy enlarging her plantation, where about
fifty young firs and birches already made some show. In her straw hat, a
small spade in her hand, she seemed so lovely to Anton as he was
hurrying by that he could not resist standing still to look at her.

"I have you, then, at last, faithless sir," cried Lenore; "for a whole
week you have never given my trees a thought; I have been obliged to
water them all alone. There is your spade, so come at once and help me
to dig."

Anton obediently took the spade and valiantly began to turn up the sods.

"I have seen some young junipers in the wood; perhaps you can make use
of them," said he.

"Yes; on the edge of the plantation," answered Lenore, appeased.

"I have had more to do these last days than usual," continued he. "We
miss Karl every where."

Lenore struck her spade deep in the ground, and bent down to examine the
upturned earth. "Has not your friend written to you yet?" inquired she,
in a tone of indifference.

"I hardly kn