le his nose for its sad destiny of being misunderstood.

"You now perceive," he continued, as Edwin obstinately remained silent,
"that nothing can be more offensive to a man whose principal maxim is
frankness and honesty, than to have those whose opinions he values
believe him an intriguer. They thereby imply either that they don't
think it worth while to understand his character, or consider him too
pitiful a wight to venture to show himself as God created him. This
mortification, I must confess, is not a new experience to me, but old
as I am I can't yet summon up sufficient philosophy to endure it with
composure. So long as my patroness, the count's mother, lived, I was
now and then compelled to submit to humiliations, and forced to see
that I was considered an insignificant though useful man, a harmless
domestic animal, fed at the general crib. Since the young countess came
into the house--you, my friend, as I know, have long been attached to
her, of course in a very beautiful, intellectual relation, far beyond
all suspicion. But for that very reason, I think you'll be just the
person to do me a real service with the noble lady, whom no one can
more sincerely respect than I."

Edwin looked keenly at the little man. He really could not decide,
whether his quiet respectful demeanor was a mask or the outward
expression of his "frankness and honesty." "I'm curious to learn in
what this service can consist," said he.

"It's a very simple matter, my dear fellow, merely to aid the countess
in forming a somewhat better opinion of her most obedient servant;
nothing exaggerated, only mere fairness and justice. The countess, as
you've perceived, treats me with an aversion which, in the presence of
a third person, is concealed behind the veil of sarcastic courtesy. If
she meets me alone, even under the most favorable circumstances, I'm an
object on which to vent her displeasure, or I see her charming little
foot make a movement as if it longed to crush some worm or reptile, and
only refrained in order that the sole of the dainty shoe might not be
soiled. You'll admit, that for a man of my years this is not exactly
pleasant."

"But have you understood her aright? Why should she feel such a
passionate dislike to--"

"To a harmless domestic animal? Ha! ha! Because even the most innocent
creatures are made responsible for--hm! You understand me--I won't say
too much; but that the flower of mutual happiness, _felicitas
pratensi