suntide, the "Morning Journal" announced the betrothal of Herr
Robert, Baron von Linden, to Fraeulein Kaethe von Markwald.

The effect of the news on society was like the bursting of a dynamite
cartridge before every individual. Linden capitulated! Linden married!
It was incredible. And to whom had he struck the bold corsair flag which
had so long been the terror of husbands? To Kaethe von Markwald, in whom
nothing piquant could be discovered which would be likely specially to
attract a blase man of the world! She was beautiful, certainly, but he
had passed by many handsomer women. She was not stupid, but how many
cleverer fair ones, with all their craft, had been unable to hold him in
their nets! The event was and remained incomprehensible, it might be--

Frau von der Lehde had sent for Dr. Thiel on Whitsuntide morning, and
when he entered, silently held out the newspaper.

"I know it already," he answered smiling.

"Do you believe that it is true?"

"Of course it is true. The announcement is signed by the betrothed pair.
Besides, Linden told me the news himself."

"Did he ask your advice?"

"No; he merely told me the accomplished fact."

Frau von der Lehde crushed the paper and flung it into the corner.

"But what can have so suddenly led him to this step?"

Thiel shrugged his shoulders. "The resolutions of men are sometimes as
incalculable as those of women."

"He cannot possibly have to atone for a sin."

"Fraeulein von Markwald is above suspicion," said Thiel sternly,
interrupting her.

"Linden may be still more so, but the world, which does not know him so
well as I and--you, will probably think something of the sort."

"Certainly. Evil tongues have already begun their work. The newspaper
containing the announcement is still damp, and I have even now heard the
conjecture expressed that the baron was marrying Fraeulein von Markwald
because he had been forced to do so by her brother, who thought that
Linden had compromised her by his attentions."

"Forced Linden! He who has killed two opponents in a duel! A Hussar
officer will not frighten him. That's nonsense."

"Of course it is nonsense. Only I don't see why people need go so far to
seek an explanation. Linden marries because he thinks he has found a
suitable life-companion. He really isn't too young for it."

"No," remarked Frau von der Lehde, "but I fear: too old."

"I don't know that," observed Thiel.

"Doctor, you are not