increases to a physical anguish keener than all other."

He rose and took her hand. "Dear Toinette, you're in a morbid,
over-excited state, and must allow your friend to cure you. Will you
trust yourself to me? You shall not swallow any bitter draught, or have
your heart cut out, that we may see what this obstinate little muscle
wants ere it can do its duty like a thousand others. I'll show you a
little of the world, teach you how it is constituted on an average and
how men bear with each other and till the void of which you complain,
on week-days and holidays. To-morrow will be Sunday. I should think we
might do like nine-tenths of our fellow citizens, and take advantage of
the fine weather for a little excursion into the country.

"Willingly. But where shall we go?"

"That's my affair. I must beg you to leave the whole arrangement to me.
Fortunately you have dismissed your carriage, so you will leave the
striped waistcoat at home."

"Poor boy! Why don't you give him a share in the pleasure?"

"Because private tutors are not able to go out to amuse themselves with
a train of attendants. I'll persuade my brother to accompany us
instead. I hope you don't object."

"I! Didn't I tell you long ago, how curious I've always been to see
what kind of a brother you have."

"You'll make the acquaintance of a very charming young fellow, and I
warn you in advance, do not allow it to be too evident that you like
him much better than your pedantic friend. With all my brotherly love,
I won't answer for it that I should not feel a certain degree of
jealousy. But many things which you think 'wise' and don't understand
in me, will perhaps become clearer when you've seen a man like Balder.
By the bye, you'll not wear a very magnificent dress? I hope to show
you that the fewer ducal pretensions people make, the more royally they
can amuse themselves."

She smiled. "You're a good man, to take so much trouble about a poor,
incurable creature. Do whatever you choose, you shall have unlimited
authority to improve me as much as you can."

"To-morrow morning at ten, then! Farewell, most august friend."

"You're graciously dismissed, worthy friend and marshal of the royal
household." With a bow of mock condescension, she gave him her hand,
which he raised to his lips with smiling reverence.

"And until to-morrow morning, neither poison nor dagger!" he cried on
reaching the doorway, shaking his finger.

"I'll hold out until then," sh