e plainly written.

Veronica was convinced that the letter she was in search of lay before
her. So Jost had written as she had expected he would do, the day before.
He had undoubtedly seen that Dietrich's letter had been opened. Did he
write so promptly in order to frighten Dietrich into going farther away?
Had he suggested to him a new address now that the old one had been
discovered? She felt sure that Jost was trying to prevent anyone but
himself from having any communication with Dietrich. There was not a
moment to lose. What would she not have given to be able to withhold the
letter! But she did not dare. She returned it to the postmaster and asked
for a piece of paper. Her hand trembled with excitement and her heart beat
so loud, that she thought the post-master must hear it.

She wrote the following words:

"Dear Dietrich; your mother is very weak. Come home directly. You have
nothing to fear. Veronica."

She enveloped it, and addressed it as Jost had done his, and handed it to
the post-master.

"I thank you very much indeed," she said, "will you kindly see that this
letter goes by this morning's mail?"

"Yes, yes, I understand; it's a thread-and-needle business," he said
laughing, as he threw the letters down on the same pile. "They will travel
side by side and reach Hamburg together."

All day Veronica's hand trembled at her work. Outwardly she was tranquil
and composed; but within was a storm of conjectures, fears and hopes. What
had Jost written to Dietrich about his mother; what about her? Jost had
evidently let him believe that he had killed a man. What reason had Jost
for deceiving him and keeping him at a distance? These questions brought
the color to Veronica's cheeks as she suspected what the answers might be.
Did Jost think that she would marry him if Dietrich did not come back? or
were there other reasons why he did not dare to let him come? All sorts of
possible solutions flew through Veronica's head, and the conclusion she
arrived at frightened her. She did not wish to suspect any one of being a
rogue without good reason; yet the evidence seemed in this case to be
irresistible. If Dietrich came home, everything would be cleared up. But
if he did not come, what then? Would everything have to be allowed to go
on as it was? She would talk it all over with Gertrude this very evening.

CHAPTER XI.

THE MOTTO PROVES TRUE.

Veronica for once did not carry out her plans. When she reached