ain
the bantering tone in which I began it. Let what has been said lead to
nothing unpleasant," interrupted the general, in a pacifying manner.
"Herr von Pohlen will, of course, remember what he owes to the inmates
of this hospitable mansion. You two fortunate knights must vie with
each other as to who shall win the favor of this young maiden, who is
as beautiful as a dream. For myself, I lament nothing so much as my
sixty years, which prevent me from entering the lists with you."

Alexander rose as the old man finished speaking, and as he passed down
the steps, said:

"If agreeable, let us find the ladies now, General; they are, I think,
awaiting us on the lawn."

He paused abruptly, for at the foot of the steps stood Carmen, as if
irresolute whether to advance or withdraw. She had evidently heard the
foregoing conversation, for she was very pale and trembled slightly.
The young officer descended quickly toward her, as she raised her head,
and calmly waited for him to pass. As he came up to where she stood,
she whispered softly:

"I thank you!" and a gentle glance from the beautiful black eyes
thrilled him with pleasure. Then seeing the other gentlemen preparing
to descend also, her face became suffused with blushes.

"I came to find a cushion for Frau von Trautenau," she remarked
confusedly.

"Allow me, Fraulein Carmen, to take it to my mother," said Alexander,
coming to her assistance; and he ran back, upstairs, as she hastened
away.

Games were now arranged on the lawn, and Fraulein von Bergen, a merry
maiden, soon had every one actively engaged in them. There were
familiar ones, which Carmen had often played at school with the
day-pupils; but how different they seemed here, when the gentlemen took
part in them! Carmen could never have been as unrestrained as the
general's daughter; but she laughed merrily and enjoyed it all,
contenting herself with allowing Adele to catch her, and carefully
avoiding any contact with the others.

After a while a drop of rain fell, then another, and at last a hard
shower drove the party from the open air into the drawing-room; but the
spirit of merriment had been aroused, and sitting down quietly was not
to be thought of.

"Come, papa, lead out your war-horse to the front!" urged the general's
daughter; and the old gentleman good-naturedly seated himself at the
piano and began thrumming the one, solitary piece he could play--a
lively galop. Herr von Pohlen seize