the mysteries of the scarf than her mother had. "You are not far
wrong," he answered, smiling; "but I am not uneasy on that account, as
I hope to see her again very shortly."

"Ah! what joy there will be at Lichtenstein when that happy event comes
to pass," said Barbelle, whose countenance had now resumed its wonted
gaiety.

What could be the meaning of this, thought Albert? could her father
have made known to her the secret of his love? "In Lichtenstein, did
you say? what do you know about me and Lichtenstein?"

"Ah! I rejoice to think of the happiness the noble lady will have when
she sees you again. I have heard how miserable she was when you were
ill."

"Miserable, did you say?" cried Albert, springing upon his feet, and
approaching her; "was she aware of my state? O speak! what do you know
of Bertha? Are you acquainted with her? What has your father said of
her?"

"My father has not said a single word to me; and I should not have
known there was such a person as a lady of Lichtenstein, if my aunt was
not her nurse. But you must not be offended at me, sir, if I listened a
little; look ye, this is the way I know it." She then related how she
became acquainted with the secret; and that her father was probably
gone to Lichtenstein to give the lady comforting intelligence of his
recovery.

Albert was painfully affected at this news. He had all along cherished
the hope that Bertha would have heard of his misfortune and recovery at
the same time, and have been spared much anxiety on his account. He
well knew how the cruel uncertainty of his being safe from the
vigilance of the enemy's patroles, even had his health been restored,
would wear upon her spirits; perhaps affect her health also. Truly his
own misfortune appeared nothing, when he compared it to the distress of
that dear girl. How much had she not gone through in Ulm! how painful
the separation from him! and now scarcely had she enjoyed the thought
of his having quitted the colours of the League, scarcely had she been
able to look forward to a more cheerful futurity, when she was
terrified by the news of his being almost mortally wounded. And all
this she was obliged to suffer in secret, to conceal it from the looks
of her father--without possessing one single soul as a friend, to whose
sympathy she could confide the secret of her heart--and from whom she
might seek consolation. He now felt more than ever how necessary it
became to hasten his departure fo