must allow chance to decide between them. Set up
three caskets for them to choose amongst, and let the one who finds her
portrait in his casket be her husband."

"What an extraordinary idea," said the Commissionsrath; "and even if I
were to go in for it, do you suppose, dear Mr. Leonhard, that I should
be one bit better off? When chance did decide the matter, I should
still have to deal with the rage and hatred of the unsuccessful two."

"Wait a moment," the Goldsmith said; "it is just there that the
important part of the business lies. I promise that I will order and
arrange the affair of the caskets so that it shall turn out happily and
satisfactorily for all parties. The two who make mistakes shall find in
their caskets, not a scornful dismissal, like the Princes of Morocco
and Arragon, but something which shall so greatly please and delight
them that they will think no more of marrying Albertine, but will look
upon you as the author of unhoped, undreamt of happiness to them."

"Oh, can it be possible!" the Commissionsrath cried.

"Not only is it possible," the Goldsmith answered, "but it will, it
must happen, exactly as I have said it will; I give you my word for
it."

The Commissionsrath made no further objection, and they arranged that
the Goldsmith's plan should be put in execution on the next Sunday at
noon. Leonhard undertook to provide the three caskets, all ready.

CHAPTER VI.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CHOOSING OF THE CASKETS, AND THE
CONCLUSION OF THE TALE.

As may be imagined, Albertine got into a condition of the most utter
despair when her father told her about the wretched lottery in which
her hand was to be the prize, and all her prayers and tears were
powerless to turn him from this idea, when he had once got it fairly
into his head. Then, besides this, Lehsen seemed indifferent and
indolent, in a way that nobody who really loved could be, not making
any attempt to see her privately, or even to send her a message.

On the Saturday night before the fateful Sunday she was sitting alone
in her room, as the twilight was deepening into night, her mind full of
the misfortune which was threatening her. She was calculating whether
or not it would be better to come to a speedy determination to fly from
her father's roof, rather than wait till the most fearful destiny
conceivable should accomplish itself, that of marrying either the
pedantic