rpose," said the
little woman, "for to-morrow Lydia will be moved to the Tower to be
with her father, which is a kindness for her and him." She hastily
related to the Neapolitan how she had managed to obtain this from the
Kurfuerst. But the passionate young artist swore by the eyes of the
Madonna, that he would not suffer his affianced bride to be terrified
for another hour in the dreadful tower, if he could prevent it, and he
explained to her, the plans which he had formed for her rescue. "You
are a fool with your plans," said the spirited little woman. "To set
fire to the Tower, kill her, kill yourself, what is the use of such
help for the poor child? And allowing that you could carry her off,
where will you bring her to, and how thankful will she feel if through
your foolery here her father's fate is rendered worse?"

The artist gazed at her in an inane manner and declared he must do
something, if it were only to kill himself, but he could not endure the
thought that Lydia was suffering and that he lived unable to help her.
As Frau Belier saw that she could not move him from his plans she took
to temporizing. "Wait then," she said, "till Lydia and her father are
together and then save both at one and the same time."

"I cannot wait."

"Not wait till morning? Are you mad when it is a question of Lydia's
life and happiness?" Felix bit his lips furiously.

"_Filou Laurenzano_," shrieked out the bird in a shrill voice.
"_Maladetto_!" cursed the artist aiming in his blind rage a blow of the
dagger which had been returned to him at the parrot, with unfortunately
so good an effect that the head of the bird flew against the opposite
wall, whilst the body with a fluttering of the wings fell to the
ground. Loudly shrieked the Frenchwoman. "Detestable murderer, what has
this poor creature then done to you, that you should slay it?" The
artist looked about him with so much frenzy in his eyes, that the
frightened woman forgot the bird and sprang away from the raving
madman. "Oh well now," she called out, "murder me also, that will do
much towards helping Lydia," and she burst into convulsions of tears.

Felix stared vacantly at the quivering body of the bird, and saw a red
pool of blood tinging the floor. Finally he slowly passed both his
hands over his eyes and forehead: "Pardon me, gracious lady, sorrow has
turned my brain. You are right, I can undertake nothing now, till I am
calmer myself. What you say is likewise true,