and Frau von
Werrig, surrounded with her work-tools, paper, and colored materials--a
young girl, scarcely twenty, of a proud, dignified appearance, but
simply and gracefully dressed. According to the fashion of the day, her
hair was slightly powdered, and raised high above her broad, clear
brow with a blue rosette, and ends at the side. The nobly-formed
and beautiful face was slightly flushed, and around the month was an
expression of courageous energy. As old Trude entered, the young girl
raised her eyes from the rose-bud which she was just finishing, and
looked at her. What beautiful black eyes they were as they sparkled
underneath the delicately-arched, black eyebrows!

"Now, old one," said she, kindly, "what do you wish? Did you forget that
I wanted to work undisturbed to-day?"

"Didn't forget it, my Fraulein, but--"

"But you have forgotten that up here, in my attic-room, I am not your
Fraulein, but your Marie, whom you have taken care of and watched over
when a child, and whose best and truest friend you have been. Come, give
me your hand, and tell me what you have to say."

Old Trude shuffled hurriedly along in her leather slippers. Her old,
homely face looked almost attractive, with its expression of glowing
tenderness, as she regarded the beautiful, smiling face before her,
and laid her hard brown hand in the little white one extended to her.
"Marie," she said, softly and anxiously, "you must go down at once to
your mother and father. They have something very important to tell you."

"Something very important!" repeated Marie, laying aside her work. "Do
you know what it is?"

"Nothing good, I fear," sighed the old woman. "A soldier has been here
from the war department and brought a letter for the general, and he
told me that it was sent from the king's cabinet at Breslau."

"Oh, Heaven! what does it mean?" cried Marie, frightened, and springing
up. "Something is going to happen, I know. I have noticed certain
expressions which escaped my father; the proud, threatening manner of my
mother; but above all the bold importunity of that man, whom I despise
as one detests vice, stupidity, and ennui. They will not believe that I
hate him, that I rather--"

"Marie, are you not coming?" called the mother, with a commanding voice.

"I must obey," she said, drawing a long breath, and hastening to the
door, followed by Trude, who pulled her back and held her fast upon the
very first step. "You have forbidden me