said Fico.

"Well, I celebrate it now! It is my birthday, I celebrate it when I
please. Come, no more questions, let us make this a day of rejoicing!
Come, wish me luck! Your hands in mine, boys, and wish me luck and
God-speed!"

They did not understand, but did as he asked them. Miss Husted and
Jenny understood, and they were sad and silent as they watched the men
wish Von Barwig good luck. As they stood there, clasping each other by
the hands and singing one of their glees, Thurza rushed up stairs and
shouted: "Some one to see Miss Husted." The good lady invited them all
downstairs to her room to have a glass of wine in honour of the
occasion, and disappeared below stairs, followed by the men. Von
Barwig promised to join them later, but now he wanted to be alone.

After they had gone he seated himself by the stove.

"All is finished," he thought. "Helene is married; a happy marriage.
Jenny and Poons are provided for, so my work is done. To-morrow I
shall be here no longer! Leipsic, once more Leipsic. Heimweh,
Heimweh!"

Although he spoke habitually in English, he thought in the German
language. How strange it all seemed! The music of his last symphony
had been running through his head all morning. He could hear it
plainly.

"I pick up the pieces of my life where I left off," he mused. "Back to
Leipsic I go. How strange it will seem after all these years?" Home,
home; the thought soothed him. He was tired out, for he had been awake
since early dawn and the food he had eaten and the warm glow of the
fire on his face made him drowsy. With the music of his last symphony
echoing in his mind, the old man fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-five

Without doubt it was one of the largest and most fashionable weddings
ever given in New York's social history. Society attended _en masse_,
not so much because it was the fashionable thing to do, as that the
young people were great favourites in their world.

The wedding breakfast was a crowded affair, and both Helene and her
husband were glad when that function was finished, and the business of
receiving congratulations and saying good-byes was over and done with.

The steamer on which they were going to Europe was to sail in three
hours.

"Let us go early, and escape from our friends," whispered Beverly to
his bride.

"I must have an interview with my father before I go. I must!" said
Helen. Then she added in a voice that sounded strangely har