onate speech of the good Major.

Whilst Manna and the Major were standing together, Bella went through
the park.

Hate, deadly hate was excited within her, and her eye seemed to be
seeking something on which to vent her rage. What can I destroy here?
what can I do to make people angry? Here are pyramids of flowers--if I
should throw them all in a heap, if I should nip off the choice
plants?--that would be childish! She looked round for something in
vain.

She had forced herself to appear friendly, but the constraint was
evident. She especially hated Eric and his mother; there was a
different tone all through the neighborhood, and she had nothing to do
with it; these people had given it. Who are they? sermonizing
pedagogues,--nothing but eternal second-hand traders in sublime
thoughts! And she, Bella, the brilliant, the admired, who could once
confer happiness by a single word, she stood in the background! But
they must be off, these parasites, and they should be made to feel who
they are, and they should know who has found them out, who has
demolished them!

She thought about Eric, about the Mother, about the Aunt, as if looking
everywhere for some hook by which to grapple them and dash them to
pieces.

She went restlessly to and fro several times between the villa and the
green cottage, and at last went into the Professorin's. Here she met
Fraeulein Milch.

Stop! this is just the person! she shall be the hammer to hit the
others.

When Bella entered, Fraeulein Milch got up, bowed very politely, and was
about to go.

"Do remain," urged the Professorin. "You are already acquainted with
the Countess Wolfsgarten?"

"I have the honor."

Bella looked at the modest person whom she was desiring to demolish,
and then said:--

"Ah, yes, I recollect. The Major's housekeeper, if I do not mistake?"

"Fraeulein Milch is my friend," interposed the Professorin.

"Your friend? I was not aware of that. You are very kind."

"Fraeulein Milch is my friend, and is my noble assistant in the work of
charity."

"Ah, yes, you peddle out the money of Herr Sonnenkamp."

It was uncertain whether this was addressed to both the ladies present,
or solely to Fraeulein Milch.

Bella saw how the Professorin's face quivered, and she felt greatly
encouraged. Now she had found out the point to begin at. This
Professorin had inflicted a wound upon her by means of her son--no, not
that, but she had wounded her personally, she had ass