seen him secretly several times as he
passed to and fro from the Gymnasium, and he appeared to me to grow
paler and more languid every day."

"It is true that since you have come back he has changed. The old
melancholy seems to have returned."

"He needs distraction; he must go away and forget me. It has always been
his earnest wish to travel in Italy. You must tell him that you have
succeeded in getting the money for him."

"I bethought myself of Moritz's publisher, represented to him how
necessary it was for the health of Professor Moritz to travel, begged
of him to order a work upon Italy, and particularly the works of art of
Rome, and propose to Moritz the acceptance of the money for that object,
as he was quite too proud to receive it as a present."

"That was an excellent idea," cried Marie. "Has it been accomplished?"

"Yes, as Herr Maurer made the proposal, and Moritz replied, sighing,
that he had not the means for such a journey, the publisher immediately
offered him half of the remuneration in advance; consequently he starts
to-morrow for Italy, unknowing of the thousand dollars being your
gift." [Footnote: This work, which was published after his return, still
excites the highest interest, and is entitled "Travels of a German in
Italy during 1786 and 1787.--Letters of Philip Carl Moritz," 8 vols.,
Berlin, published by Frederick Maurer.]

"How much I thank you!" she joyfully cried. "Moritz is saved; he
will now recover, and forget all his grief in studying the objects of
interest in the Eternal City."

"Do you really believe that?" asked Herr Gedicke. "Were you not also in
Italy?"

"I was indeed there two years, but it was very different with me. It is
difficult to forget you are a slave, when listening all the while to the
clanking of your chains."

"My poor child, I read with sorrow the history of the past years in
your grief-stricken face. It is the first time we have met since your
marriage."

"See what these years have made of me!--a miserable wife, whom the world
esteems, but who recoils from herself. My heart has changed to stone,
and I feel metamorphosed. The sight of you recalls that fearful hour,
melting my heart and causing the tears to flow. At that time you blessed
me, my friend and father. Oh, grant me your blessing again in this hour
of sorrow! I implore you for it, before an important decision! I long
for the sympathy of a noble soul!"

"I know not, my child, with what grief this