ft hand to his heart, said at last, "The count has
expressed what I wished to say, but it is better for him to have said
it, and he has done it much better than I could. Carry out your
purpose, comrade."

Pranken now came up, and said, in a very affable tone, that it was he
who had advised and recommended Eric. Lina had opened a window, and
called out in a clear voice, "The storm is over."

A fresh, fragrant air streaming into the saloon gave relief to their
constraint, and every one breathed freely again. A gentle rain still
pattered down, but the nightingales were again singing in the woods.
They now urged the forester's wife to sing. She declined, but could not
withstand the request of Bella, who very seldom played, that she would
sing to her accompaniment.

The forester's wife sang some songs with so fresh and youthful a voice,
so clear and simple, that the hearts of all the hearers were touched.
Lina also was urged to sing. She insisted that she could not to-day,
but, on receiving a reproving glance from her mother, she seated
herself at the piano, sang some notes, and then gave up. Without
embarrassment, as if nothing had happened, she said, "I have now proved
to you that I can't sing to-day."

The wife of the Justice bit her lips, and breathed hard with quivering
nostrils, at the foolish girl acting as if nothing was the matter. The
forester's wife sang another song; and now Lina, placing herself at her
side, said that she would sing a duet, but she could not sing alone.
And she did sing, in a fresh soprano voice, somewhat timidly, but with
clear and pure tone.

With unconscious simplicity, as if he were an old acquaintance, she now
asked Eric to sing. The whole company united in the request, but Eric
positively declined, and looked up surprised when Pranken joined in
with the remark, "The captain is right in not exhibiting at once all
his varied talents." It was said in the gentlest tone, but the
sarcastic point was unmistakable.

"I thank you for standing by me like a good comrade," said Eric,
looking round.

The sky was clear, only it still lightened over the Taunus mountains.
The company took their leave, with many thanks for the delightful day
they had spent, and the charming evening. Even the perpetually silent
"Mrs. Lay-figure" now spoke, appearing in her fashionable new hood,
which she had put on very becomingly. Just as they were departing, the
physician made his appearance. He had been detained