which divided the little garden from
the court, without being subject to the charge of making herself
public to the passers-by. Not but what she might be seen when so
standing by those in the Ruden Platz on the other side of the river,
as had often been pointed out to her by her aunt. But it was a habit
with her to stand there, perhaps because while so standing she would
often hear the gay laugh of her old friend Fanny, and would thus,
at second hand, receive some impress from the gaiety of the world
without. Now, in her musing, without thinking much of whither she was
going, she went slowly down the stairs and out of the door, and stood
leaning upon the gate looking over the river at the men who were
working in the front of the warehouses. She had not been there long
when Fanny ran across to her from the door of her father's house.
Fanny Heisse was a bright broad-faced girl, with light hair, and
laughing eyes, and a dimple on her chin, freckled somewhat, with a
pug nose, and a large mouth. But for all this Fanny Heisse was known
throughout Nuremberg as a pretty girl.

"Linda, what do you think?" said Fanny. "Papa was at Augsburg
yesterday, and has just come home, and it is all to come off the week
after next."

"And you are happy?"

"Of course I'm happy. Why shouldn't a girl be happy? He's a good
fellow and deserves it all, and I mean to be such a wife to him! Only
he is to let me dance. But you don't care for dancing?"

"I have never tried it--much."

"No; your people think it wicked. I am so glad mine don't. But,
Linda, you'll be let come to my marriage--will you not? I do so want
you to come. I was making up the party just now with mother and his
sister Marie. Father brought Marie home with him. And we have put
you down for one. But, Linda, what ails you? Does anything ail you?"
Fanny might well ask, for the tears were running down Linda's face.

"It is nothing particular."

"Nay, but it is something particular--something very particular.
Linda, you mope too much."

"I have not been moping now. But, Fanny, I cannot talk to you about
it. I cannot indeed--not now. Do not be angry with me if I go in and
leave you." Then Linda ran in, and went up to her bedroom and bolted
the door.

CHAPTER III

Peter Steinmarc had a cousin in a younger generation than himself,
who lived in Nuremberg, and who was named Ludovic Valcarm. The mother
of this young man had been Peter's first cousin, and when she died
L