of intention to flirt with
poor Franziska, nor yet to extinguish and annihilate Dr. Krumm.

The heartbroken boy was in very good spirits at dinner. He was inclined
to wink. Tita, on the contrary, maintained an impressive dignity of
demeanour; and when Franziska's name happened to be mentioned she spoke
of the young girl as her very particular friend, as though she would
dare Charlie to attempt a flirtation with one who held that honour. But
the young man was either blind or reckless, or acting a part for mere
mischief. He pointed the finger of scorn at Dr. Krumm. He asked Tita
if he should bring her a yellow fox next day. He declared he wished
he could spend the remainder of his life in a Black Forest Inn, with a
napkin over his arm, serving chopins. He said he would brave the wrath
of the Furst by shooting a capercailzie on the very first opportunity,
to bring the shining feathers home to Franziska.

When Tita and I went upstairs at night the small and gentle creature was
grievously perplexed.

"I cannot make it out," she said. "He is quite changed. What is the
matter with him?"

"You behold, madam, in that young man the moral effects of vulpicide. A
demon has entered into him. You remember, in 'Der Freischutz,' how--"

"Did you say vulpicide?" she asks, with a sweet smile. "I understood
that Charlie's crime was that he did _not_ kill the fox."

I allow her the momentary triumph. Who would grudge to a woman a little
verbal victory of that sort? And, indeed, Tita's satisfaction did not
last long. Her perplexity became visible on her face once more.

"We are to be here three weeks," she said, almost to herself, "and he
talks of flirting with poor Franziska. Oh, I never meant that!"

"But what did you mean?" I ask her, with innocent wonder.

Tita hangs down her head, and there is an end to that conversation; but
one of us, at least, has some recollection of a Christmas wager.

IV--CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Charlie was not in such good spirits next morning. He was standing
outside the inn, in the sweet, resinous-scented air, watching Franziska
coming and going, with her bright face touched by the early sunlight,
and her frank and honest eyes lit up by a kindly look when she passed
us. His conscience began to smite him for claiming that fox.

We spent the day in fishing a stream some few miles distant from
Huferschingen, and Franziska accompanied us. What need to tell of our
success with the trout and the grayli