he would be taken for an old
man. The hair of this man in his fifty-second year was snow white, his
forehead was deeply ploughed with furrows, and the deep lines in his
face told of sorrow beyond all hope of cure. The countenance, which had
once been so full of expression, had a staring, uncomfortable look now,
and his manner bespoke a reserve and repression which could not be
penetrated. Regine's expression, "The man seems turned to stone," was
only too true.

One could not help forming the impression that the good or ill of his
fellow creatures were both matters of supreme indifference to him; he
lived only in the fulfillment of the duties of his profession.

"I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using the old name which he had
always heard in her father's house, as he threw a glance at the
half-finished letter on the writing table.

"Oh, there's plenty of time," his hostess answered carelessly. "I was
only writing to Eugen."

"Ah, yes; I saw him day before yesterday, and he sent his love to you."

"I knew he would go to Berlin on purpose to see you. He has not seen you
for over two years, and neither have I, except for the moment, as we
passed through Berlin. We did hope you would come out to Burgsdorf while
we were there, and Regine felt sorely vexed that you did not accept her
invitation."

The colonel looked at her gloomily. He knew, too well, the bitter
memories associated with the place. He had only been there a couple of
times since his return to Berlin.

"Regine understands how much my time is occupied," he answered
evasively. "But to return to your brother, I want to speak to you about
something, Ada, and I am not sorry we are alone. What is the matter
between Eugen and his brother-in-law? What has happened?"

A shade of embarrassment crossed Adelheid's face at this question, but
she answered carelessly: "Nothing especial, only they don't exactly
understand each other."

"Not understand one another! Wallmoden is almost forty years your
brother's senior, and he's the lad's guardian, too, for two years more,
until Eugen attains his majority. So the boy had nothing to do but obey
orders for that brief space."

"Of course, but Eugen, while warm-hearted, is impetuous and
inconsiderate, as he has always been from a small boy."

"That's a pity! He'll have to change all that when he assumes the
responsible position which is awaiting him, if he expects to follow in
his father's footsteps. But there seems