lity as we discussed
it? Where----oh, Nelly! to you I must reveal all----every
weakness, every littleness of my nature--where would be the
homage of respect the poor Bursche was wont to show the
nephew of a field-marshal? No, it was above my strength;
and so I took his arm, and talked away heedlessly about our
meeting, avoiding, where I could, all mention of my uncle,
and but jocularly affecting to think him an original, whose
strange, old-fashioned manners almost concealed the strong
traits of family affection.

"'What of thy promotion, Frank?' asked Adolf.

"'It will come in its own good time/ said I, carelessly.
'Nothing causes more dissatisfaction than the rapid
advancement of cadets of noble family.'

"'But they could make thee a corporal, at least?'

"I laughed scornfully at the remark, and merely said, 'They
may skip over the whole sous-officier grade, and only
remember me when I'm to be made a lieutenant/

"'Thou hast grown haughtier, Frank,' said he, half
reproachfully, 'since thy meeting with the "Feld." Mayhap in
a day or two thou wilt not like to be seen in company with a
"Wander-Bursche"?'

"I was bursting to throw my arms round his neck, and say,
'Never, whatever fortune have in store for me; thy
friendship is like a brother's, and can never be forgotten;
'but Pride--yes, Nelly, the cursed pride against which you
used to warn me--sealed my lips; and when I spoke, it was
something so cold, so meaningless, and so unworthy that he
left me. I know not how! No sooner was I alone, Nelly, than
I burst into tears. I cried for very shame; and if agony
could expiate my fault, mine should have done so. What
humiliation before my friend could equal that I now felt
before my own heart! I thought of all your teachings,
dearest Nelly; of the lessons you gave me over and over
against this besetting sin of my nature! I thought of our
home, where poor Hanserl was treated by us as a friend! I
thought of our last parting, and the words you spoke to me
in warning against this very pride, ignoble and mean as it
is; and, oh! what would I have given to have thrown myself
into Adolfs arms, and told him everything! I have never seen
him since; he wrote to me a few lines, saying that he
should pass through Baden on his