that Eric observed her, and she knew that she looked better in
her pretty morning-dress, than in full evening costume. Her movements
were very elastic and graceful. She was a tall, noble, well-made
person; her soft, dark-auburn hair, now partly loose, was confined by a
fine point-lace kerchief, put on with apparent carelessness, as if one
had not taken a second look in the mirror, and tied under the chin. Her
complexion was fresh, as if she had just bathed her face in milk; and
in fact she did wash her face in milk every morning and evening. The
expression of her countenance was keen and bright. All was nobly
formed, except that she had a thin, compressed upper-lip, which a
malicious gentleman at court had once called the lip of a poisoner. It
was very vexatious to Bella that her voice was so masculine.

Her personal charms, her cordial and at the same time arch manners,
showed to great advantage in the light talk at the breakfast table; and
when at intervals she keenly watched Eric, she was surprised at his
appearance. Yesterday she had seen him first only in the evening
twilight, and afterwards by candle-light. He was manifestly a person to
be seen in full daylight; and in fact, there was now a brilliant
lighting up of his countenance, for the happy excitement of his whole
inner being showed itself in his mien, and he looked at Bella, as if he
would say, 'I have become almost the son of thy husband; let the same
noble union be formed between us.'

Bella was unusually friendly, perhaps because she had already used a
little artifice. A note, written in Italian to Fraeulein Perini,
cautioned her in terms as decided in meaning, as they were carefully
worded in expression, of the necessity of subjecting the new-comer to a
sharp examination.

When Clodwig told the messenger that Eric would make his appearance in
the evening, or the next morning, she felt herself justified and at
rest in regard to her previous artifice; for Clodwig had never before
detained a guest with such determination of his own, and no one could
even boast of having made it appear that he was not sufficient for
himself.

Clodwig and Bella had promised each other to live only to themselves,
and until now they had faithfully kept the promise.

"I am a weary soul," Clodwig had said to Bella when he offered her his
hand, and she had answered, that she would refresh the weary one. She
had cut off every relation with the world, for she knew that friendl