did not crave for another; for, she had a
good deal of that old-fashioned, starched formality which the German
nobility affect, mixed up with a fidgety, condescending, patronising
manner which much annoyed the generous-minded young fellow. He burned
with indignation all the time the visit of the old lady to him had
lasted, for she ordered Madaleine to do this and corrected her for doing
that, in, as he thought, the rudest manner possible. Her exquisitely
dignified patronage of himself, as a species of inferior animal, who,
being in pain and distress, she was bound in common charity to take some
notice of, caused him no umbrage whatever; but it annoyed him to see a
gentle, ladylike girl like Madaleine subjected to the whims and caprices
of an old woman, who, in spite of her high birth, was naturally vulgar
and inconsiderate. "Hang the fussy old thing!" he repeated, with
considerable heat. "I wish you had nothing to do with her. I'm sure
she would drive me mad in a day if I were constantly associated with
her!"

"Ah, dear friend, beggars mustn't be choosers," said Madaleine sadly.
"You forget my position, in your kind zeal on my behalf! A poor orphan
girl such as I, left friendless and penniless, ought to be glad to be
under the protection of so grand a lady as the Baroness Stolzenkop. She
is kind to me, too, in her way."

"But, what a way!" interposed Fritz angrily. "I wouldn't speak to a dog
in that fashion."

"You are different."

"I should hope so, indeed!"

"Besides, Herr Fritz, remember, that if it hadn't been for this old
lady, of whom you speak in such disrespectful terms, I should never have
come here to Mezieres and been able to nurse you."

"I forgot for the moment, Fraulein. My blessing on the old catamaran
for the fancy that seized her, so auspiciously, to go touring on the
trail of the war and thus to bring you here. I don't believe I would
have lived, if it had not been for your care and kindness!"

"Meinherr, you exaggerate. It is to your own good constitution and to
Providence that your thanks are due; I have only been a simple means
towards that happy end."

"Well, I shall always attribute my recovery to you, at all events; and
so will my good mother, who I hope will some day be able to thank you in
person for all that you've done for me and her."

"I should like to see her," said Madaleine; "she must be a kind, good
lady, from her letters to you."

"And the fondest mother in the