As there was no other convenient
place about, the enterprise had to be given up. Since that time your
father is offended with me because I made his favorite project
impossible. This is the way it stands. That it is painful to me, I need
not assure you. But according to my principles and views I could not do
otherwise. Now judge how far I am to be condemned."

"I speak freely," said Frank. "You have acted from principles that one
must respect, and which my father would have respected if he had known
them."

The proprietor could have observed that he had, in a long letter,
justified himself to Herr Frank. But he suppressed the observation, as
he felt it would be painful to his son.

"Father," said Henry, "hunger and thirst are appeased. Can I ride out
for an hour?"

"Yes, my son; but not longer. Be back by supper-time."

The young man promised, and, after a friendly bow to Frank, hastened
from the garden. The little circle continued some time in friendly
chat. The servants under the lindens became noisy and sang merry songs.
The maids sat around the tea-table in the kitchen and praised St.
Zitta.

The cook appeared in the arbor and announced that Herr von Hamm was in
the house, and wished to speak on important business to Herr and Madame
Siegwart.

"What can he want?" said the proprietor in surprise. "Excuse me, Herr
Frank; the business will soon be over. I beg you to remain till we
return. Angela, prevent him from going."

Angela, smiling, looked after her retiring parents and then at Richard.

"I must keep you, Herr Frank. How shall I begin?"

"That is very easy, Fraeulein. Your presence is sufficient to realize
your father's wish. A weak child of human nature cannot resist one who
can conquer steers."

"Now you make a steer-catcher of me. Such a thing never happened in
Spain; for there the steers are not so cultivated and docile as they
are with us."

She took out her knitting.

"This is Sunday, Miss Angela!"

"Do you consider knitting unlawful after one has fulfilled one's
religious duties?"

"The case is not clear to me," said Frank, smiling secretly at the
earnestness of the questioner. "My casuistic knowledge is not
sufficient to solve such a question reasonably."

"The church only forbids servile work," said she. "I consider knitting
and sewing as something better than doing nothing."

"I am rejoiced that you are not narrow-minded, Fraeulein. But this
little stocking does not fit your feet