off the table, wiping the marks which the
wine had left on the slate slab with which the table was inlaid. Albert
had retired to one of the windows, and though he did not feel quite
reconciled to his love, yet he could not mistake a sign she gave him.
He was particularly anxious her father should, as yet, know nothing of
their mutual feeling, for he feared he might attribute to it the
principal motive which had induced him to join Wuertemburg's cause, and
thereby lose the favourable opinion he had formed of him. Thinking it
the wisest plan to pacify the old woman, he approached her, and tapping
her gently on the shoulder, said, in a kind manner, "Miss Rosalie, you
have a very pretty cap on, but the riband does not match it properly,
it looks old and faded."

"Eh! what?" she answered in a pet, expecting to be addressed with more
respect: "don't trouble yourself about my cap; every one has enough to
do to sweep before his own door. Look first to yourself and your own
affairs, and then find fault with me and mine. I am a poor woman, and
can't dress like a countess. If all the world were alike, and all rich,
and all sat at the same table together, who would you find to serve up
the eatables and drinkables?"

"I did not mean to affront you," said Albert, and by way of soothing
her, took a silver coin out of his purse, adding, "but Rosalie will do
me a favour by changing her riband: and that my request may not sound
unreasonable, she will not, I hope, refuse to accept a broad piece!"

Who has not seen the sun disperse the mists of a day of October? In
like manner was old Rosel's ill-humour dispelled. The polite manner of
the young knight, who had touched her weak point, by calling her
Rosalie, her favourite name, instead of the familiar one of old Rosel,
and presenting her with a dollar, having the bust of the Duke on one
side, and the arms of Teck on the reverse, were charms too potent for
her to withstand. "Ah, I see you are still the same good friendly
gentleman," she said; whilst, stooping down, she glided the dollar into
a large leather pocket which hung to her side, and carried the hem of
Albert's cloak to her lips: "just so used you to do in Tuebingen. When I
stood at the fountain of St. George, or went from the hill down to the
market place, I was sure to hear you call to me,--'Good morning,
Rosalie; and how is your young lady?' And did you not often give me
presents? why at least two thirds of the gown I wear come