Greek cameo, or a nixie, comparisons
which the beautiful woman was compelled to hear so often that they
seemed unbearably commonplace.

The young lieutenant--a count--who sat at her left hand, was probably
whispering something of the sort into her little ear, for her face
assumed a repellently cold, bored expression, and her eyes were fixed
dreamily on vacancy,--many times farther away than the earth from the
sun,--from her gallant neighbor, the table, and the hall. But
Bergmann's gaze must have followed her all this distance, for it
suddenly met hers, and the tall, grave fellow flushed under her pensive
glance. The hostess looked at him just at this moment, and saw the
blood mount into his cheeks.

"What is the matter?" she could not help whispering.

He blushed a second time, even more deeply.

But Frau von Jagerfeld had followed his eye, and now said, smiling:
"Ah, your opposite neighbor!"

"Who is the lady?" Bergmann asked, with some little embarrassment.

"Doctor," replied Frau von Jagerfeld, this time smiling, "take care.
Many wings have already been scorched by her."

"Don't fear, madame. I can endure flames somewhat better than a moth."

"Come, come, a suspicious reflection of fire is already visible on your
cheeks."

A shadow of annoyance flitted across Bergmann's face. His hostess laid
her hand quickly on his arm, saying:

"Don't be vexed by a little jest, my dear friend. I will tell you who
the beautiful woman is. She is a German-American, and her name is Mrs.
Ada Burgess. Young and charming, as you see, the poor woman is
unhappy. Her father is the owner of a gold mine somewhere in Nebraska,
and was reputed a very wealthy man; at least he lived in extremely
handsome style in St. Louis, and his daughter, who was considered the
handsomest girl in the west, from the time of her entrance into society
was the reigning belle of every ball and entertainment. Mr. Burgess,
who seems to have been a handsome and elegant man, was her most devoted
suitor and appeared to be madly in love with her. Ada did not remain
insensible to the persistent homage, and Burgess bore away the victory
over numerous rivals. But it now appears that he has a base soul and
his main object was the dowry. There, however, he was disappointed.
Gold mines, evidently, are not always productive, at least Ada's father
was ruined by his, and Ada did not receive a penny. Then the comedy of
love played by Burgess ended. At firs