few who stood around, and walked away.

He had not gone many paces when a boy overtook him, saying, "Come back,
sir; the postmaster has two letters for you."

Dalton looked stealthily at either side, to be sure that the speech was
addressed to him, and, with a fierceness that startled the boy, said,
"You're certain they're for me?"

"Yes, yes; all right,--here they are," cried the postmaster from the
window. "One, a soldier's letter from Munich, and free. The other is a
heavier packet, and costs four florins and twelve kreutzers."

"I must be satisfied with this one, then," said Dalton, "till I go back
for money. I brought no change out with me."

"No matter: you can send it," said the other.

"Maybe it's not so easy as you think," muttered Dalton to himself; while
he added, aloud, "Very well, I'll do so, and thank you." And he clutched
the two letters, and pressed them to his bosom.

With hurried steps he now paced homewards, but, stopping at every
instant, he drew forth the packets to gaze at them, and be certain that
no self-deception was over him, and that his possession was real and
tangible. His gait grew more firm, as he went, and his tread, as he
mounted the stairs, sounded assured and steady.

"You have a letter, father dearest," cried Nelly, as she flung wide the
door. "I saw you crossing the Platz, and I know, from your walk, that
you've got one."

"No, but better, Nelly--I 've two. That's from Frank; and here's Kate's,
and a bulky one--four florins twelve--devil a less."

"Oh, give it to me! Let me hear of her----let me feel beside her once
again!" cried Nelly. And with bursting eagerness she tore open the
envelope, from which two or three sealed notes fell out. "This is from
Lady 'Hester," said she; "and this a hand I do not know, but addressed
to you; and here are bills or money-orders for a large sum. What can all
this mean?"

"Can't you read what she says?" said Dalton, reddening, and suddenly
remembering that Nelly was not aware of his having written to Kate.
"Give it to me; I 'll read it myself." And he snatched the letter from
her fingers. "There's Frank's for you."

"Oh, father, father!" cried Nelly, in a burst of grief, as she tore
open Lady Hester's letter; "it is as I feared. Kate is about to be
married--if she be not already married."

"Without my leave--without asking my consent!" cried Dalton,
passionately. "Am I nobody at all? Am I the head of the family, or am
I not? Is this