they had almost settled upon and they determined to
put it all the sooner into execution. The post chaise was kept in a
state of readiness, alike with the horse that drew it on these important
occasions, a surefooted nag whose pace was better than her appearance.
Claudius, to be sure, rested under the disadvantage of being a stranger
to the roads, as he had traveled only upon one to enter this
city--commonly accounted dull, but so far crammed with serious
adventures. This blank in his topographical lore was easily filled: the
bright-eyed Hedwig was to meet him at the first corner, mount into the
vehicle of which the capacious hood of enameled cloth would hide her,
and there pilot him in steering to the Sendling _Thur_ or gate. Once in
the open country, the road was plainer--in fact, he could be guided
by the locomotive's smoke and whistle till he reached the little
station. Even twenty miles out, the Persepolitan's landlord had
acquaintances--perhaps they were brothers in some occult league--and the
vehicle could be left without misgivings at any of the inns which he
named.

There was nothing in this plan, so simple as to promise success, to
trouble the brain, but, all the same, Claudius had a sleepless night,
though he retired early to be prepared for the probably eventful
morrow.

He wished to think only of Rebecca, who had added sound hints to her
father's and the host's experienced advice; but, do what he could, it
was another's image that haunted him. It was the winning one of the
aristocratic singer. Again he beheld her matchless shape, her caressing
and enthralling eyes, her supple undulations in the waltz and her
shimmering golden curls. And whatever the sounds in the street, where
there seemed more footfalls than before that evening, all though actual,
were overpowered and formed the burden to the ghostly but delightful
strains from that silvery voice. He was not only at the age to be
impressionable, but he had not known one of those college amorettes
which may be as innocent as a page of a scientific text-book. No woman
even in the poetry had caused him to vibrate in the untouched
heart-chords like this unexpected star in the firmament of beer fumes
and tobacco smoke! But it was not joyous to muse upon this vision for he
had no doubt that she marked a new starting-point in his life.

Did he love her, or Rebecca? They had appeared to him so closely
together that he was confused. He viewed them as a double-s