"Linda," said Madame Staubach, "put your hand in his." Linda put
forth her little hand a few inches, and Peter took it within his own,
looking the while into Madame Staubach's face, as though he were to
repeat some form of words after her. "You are now betrothed in the
sight of God, as man and wife," said Madame Staubach; "and may the
married life of both of you be passed to His glory.--Amen."

"Amen," said Steinmarc, like the parish clerk. Linda pressed her lips
close together, so that there should be no possibility of a chance
sound passing from them.

"Now, I think we will go back again, Peter, as the poor child
can hardly stand." Peter raised no objection, and then Linda was
conducted back again to her bed. There was one comfort to her in the
remembrance of the scene. She had escaped the dreaded contamination
of a kiss.

CHAPTER X

Peter Steinmarc, now that he was an engaged man, affianced to a young
bride, was urgent from day to day with Madame Staubach that the date
of his wedding should be fixed. He soon found that all Nuremberg knew
that he was to be married. Perhaps Herr Molk had not been so silent
and discreet as would have been becoming in a man so highly placed,
and perhaps Peter himself had let slip a word to some confidential
friend who had betrayed him. Be this as it might, all Nuremberg knew
of Peter's good fortune, and he soon found that he should have no
peace till the thing was completed. "She is quite well enough, I
am sure," said Peter to Madame Staubach, "and if there is anything
amiss she can finish getting well afterwards." Madame Staubach was
sufficiently eager herself that Linda should be married without
delay; but, nevertheless, she was angry at being so pressed, and
used rather sharp language in explaining to Peter that he would not
be allowed to dictate on such a subject. "Ah! well; if it isn't this
year it won't be next," said Peter, on one occasion when he had
determined to show his power. Madame Staubach did not believe the
threat, but she did begin to fear that, perhaps, after all, there
might be fresh obstacles. It was now near the end of November, and
though Linda still kept her room, her aunt could not see that she
was suffering from any real illness. When, however, a word was said
to press the poor girl, Linda would declare that she was weak and
sick--unable to walk; in short, that at present she would not leave
her room. Madame Staubach was beginning to be angered at