live in ducal style, a little court
must not be lacking. After I had lived entirely by myself for two
weeks, I fortunately made your acquaintance. Then I was perfectly
satisfied, and no longer feared the return of the count, although he
wrote me letters, in which he abandoned his formal style of address and
gradually became warmer and warmer. He confessed that even anxiety
about his father's life had been unable to drive my image from his
memory, begged for one line to assure him that his attentions were not
wholly indifferent to me, described his state of mind in more and more
exaggerated colors, and the more resolutely I left these foolish
epistles unanswered, the more passionate they became. This was all that
was wanting to completely disgust me with the acquaintance. I gave my
little Jean orders to receive no more letters, and if a gentleman whose
appearance I described, ever called upon me, not to admit him under any
circumstances.

"And now this scene of yesterday! I could not sleep half the night from
pure indignation. What does he imagine? For what must he take me, if he
expects by this bold intrusion--for the servant had his orders--to
obtain any concessions! Oh! these men, and what they call love! Am I
not right when I fear this mad passion, which makes positively
dangerous, people otherwise well-bred. And you--you have become
perfectly silent and not interrupted me once. Speak at least, or I
shall be forced to believe that you think me not only a poor fool, but
a poor sinner."

She hastily withdrew her hand from his arm and stepped out from under
the umbrella. The rain had nearly ceased, a faint ray of sunlight
pierced the grey autumnal mist, she threw back her hood and revealed
her face, deeply flushed by her eager words and rapid pace.

"My dear Fraeulein," he said smiling, "confession for confession: the
fool and sinner stands before you. But he hopes for absolution. It was
beyond human power to solve unaided an enigma so simple and yet so
singular. Besides, I must now confess--that 'worthy woman,' your
landlady--"

"What! Do you know her? What do you know about her? Oh I pray do not
leave me in ignorance any longer!" she exclaimed with anxious haste.

He soothed her for she had suddenly grown very pale. "We must not talk
so loud," said he, "little Jean's great ears have approached nearer to
us--" She again took his arm and turned hurriedly into one of the side
avenues. "Well? Well?" she urged. "Oh m