f him? He will say --"

"You're not to buy it of him, Mr. Herder."

"No?" said the naturalist. "Of who, then? I thought you said
he was going to sell it."

"Yes, he is -- but he has somebody else to do it for him. Here,
Mr. Herder, -- here is the advertisement; -- see -- don't read
the first part, -- all _that_ has nothing to do with it, -- here
is the place. 'At the Merchant's Exchange, in the city of
Mannahatta, on the first day of September, 1821, at 12 o'clock
noon of that day' -- and then comes the description of the
place. It is to be sold at public auction."

"Auc-sion? --" said the naturalist.

"It's to be sold in public, to whoever offers to give most for
it."

"O, I know that," said Mr. Herder.

"And dear Mr. Herder, all I ask of you is to be there, at 12
o'clock the first of September, and buy it for me; and let
nobody know. Can you do it?"

"I can do so much," said the naturalist. "I think I can. But
suppose somebody will give more than you."

"Do not suppose that, sir. I will give more than anybody."

"Are you sure you will?" said the naturalist. "Maybe you do
not know."

"I do know, sir, and am sure."

"Well," said the naturalist, shaking his head, -- "I do not
know much about buying grounds -- I do know a leetle of some
things -- but I do not know what sort of a lesson is this, Miss
Elisabet'. But I will see if I can do it. Who is going to live
up there wiz you?"

"Don't you suppose I can live alone, Mr. Herder."

"No, not there," said the naturalist. "You want some one to
take care of you -- de engineer, Miss Elisabet'," said he
smiling.

Elizabeth made no answer; she had risen up to go; and he
guided her through the halls and down the staircases, till she
was in the open street again. Then, after a farewell squeeze
of his hand and nod of her little head, she pulled her veil
down and went homeward, more slowly than she had come.

"_Do_ I want somebody to take care of me?" she thought. "I
believe I do! An engineer? -- I do not think the engine _is_
under very good guidance -- it _is_ too strong for me -- How could
he know that? Oh what earthly thing would I give, for a hand
wise and strong enough to lead me, and good enough that I
could submit myself to!"

The wish was so deep drawn that her breast heaved with it, and
starting tears made her draw her veil thicker before them. She
bit her lip, and once more quickened her steps towards home.

CHAPTER III.

Then think I of d