uld have occasion thoroughly to enjoy herself with Kolberg until the
hour of separation from him should strike. She felt with great relief
that with her husband away she had no longer to give an account of her
actions to anybody.

One day the Weil family were seated with their guest at table, when a
military servant brought in a letter for Frau Kahle which the carrier
had just left. She opened it, rapidly looked over its contents, and
then put it away in the pocket of her robe, her cheeks reddening.

"Frau Pastor Klein is writing me to come and take a cup of coffee with
her this afternoon, since she wants to see me once more before my
going,--amiable of her, isn't it? I think I will start at once, so as
not to be too late."

She arose, and sidled out of the room with a "Till this evening,
then!"

A few minutes later Weil saw her hastening down the street in the
direction of the town.

"Strange!" he then said to his wife. "I don't think she ever
associated with her before, and scarcely knows her. I hope this is not
one of madame's little tricks."

"Let her go where she will, Max," retorted Frau Weil, indifferently.
"It's none of our affair. She will leave in a day or two, anyway, and,
after all, she is responsible for her own actions."

But Weil shook his head doubtfully and went to his study.

The clock on the mantel indicated eight, and Frau Kahle had not yet
returned. They began to fear anxiety on the score of their guest. What
could have happened to her?

The maid was just setting the table for the evening meal in the
adjoining room when the couple were giving expression to their
surmises, explaining in one way or another this prolonged absence.

"Minna,"--Frau Weil turned to the girl,--"I think you had better go to
the house of Frau Pastor Klein and ask whether Frau Major Kahle is
still there. I shall have no rest until I know what has become of
her."

"I don't think I shall find her at the Frau Pastor's, gracious lady,"
replied the girl, "for I saw the Frau Major up on the avenue, about
half-past four, as I was fetching the milk, and the Frau Pastor lives
right behind the church."

"In that case there is no use in sending there," and Frau Weil
shrugged her shoulders.

"I think my idea will prove the right one," said the first
lieutenant,--"it was a mere pretext on her part. She did not want to
tell us where she was really going. I have my own thoughts about the
matter."

"And what do you think,