as busily stirring. That made her feel good. When
our own life gently begins to incline toward its end, we must warm
ourselves at the strong young life of others, keep our hands full of
great cool roses, and drink in with open lips the morning scent of this
garden. Some one spoke to her from the maple-avenue yonder. Ah yes,
that was Moritz, going down to the lake to bathe. The poor lad. Ever
since he had fallen so desperately in love with Billy, he never was out
of the water, was forever on his way to the lake. The dear children,
how they loved each other and caused each other pain, and how pretty it
all was. Aye, life, this beloved life. Query? will anything come about
between the lieutenant and Elsa. Countess Betty was going to talk to
Madame Bonnechose about it; she had a very keen eye for such matters.
She gathered her roses together and went into the house.

She was astonished to find Boris in the living-room as early as this.
In his suit of cream-colored silk, with the carnation-red belt, he sat
in a chair waiting, pale, very handsome, and a trifle solemn.

"What? Up already, my boy?" said the old lady.

"Yes," said Boris seriously, "I got up on purpose, for I sent to ask
uncle whether he would see me directly after breakfast; I must speak to
him."

Countess Betty looked at her nephew uncertainly and a little anxiously.
"Oh, that's it, well, why shouldn't he see you? But--what is it? Is it
about ... about--"

Boris nodded:--"Yes, about Billy."

"Dear Boris," said the old lady, bending her head back a little so as
to look her nephew in the eyes, "must that be, just at this time? It
will excite Billy so--and your uncle, and me, and us all, and we have
just been so happy and so jolly together. Can't you put it off?"

But Boris grew still more solemn: "I am sorry, dear aunt, that I must
disturb the contentment here. That is, I fear, the part which I am once
and for all destined to play," and he laughed bitterly; "no, I am a
kill-joy, but I do what I have to."

"Oh, oh yes," said Countess Betty anxiously, "well in that
case--perhaps ail will be well. I will go right up to see Billy, for in
any case she must stay in bed for the present; I will take her
breakfast to her." Busily she hurried away, and Boris again seated
himself in his chair, pale and resolute, and waited.

When Boris was called to his uncle, he found the latter in his study,
sitting by the window. He was smoking his morning cigar and looking out