l reap the advantage, and I shall have to pocket the disappointment.
However, perhaps your clairvoyant eyes will solve the enigma more
easily than I."

"I--how should I--?"

"I promised to take her into the country to-morrow and to bring you
with me. She's very anxious to make your acquaintance."

"You're joking, Edwin."

"Not at all. I should like to know what impression she makes upon
perfectly unprejudiced persons. In spite of my own folly, I'm sure that
you're not in love with her. If you become really dangerous to her
peace of mind, so much the better, let her experience for once what the
feeling is and I'll endure the inevitable disappointment with dignity.
Seriously, child, I should like to see what she's worth 'between
brothers.' Besides, you ought not to decline, for Marquard thinks a
drive in this air would do you a great deal of good."

A pause ensued. Balder gazed silently into vacancy and did not seem
disposed to give an immediate answer. At last he said: "You must not
take it amiss, Edwin, but I can't go with you; surely you know it will
be better for me to stay at home."

"Better? For whom?"

"For all. I should only be a burden if I were obliged to limp about
everywhere with you--and then--I've been in ladies' society so little.
I should be either very stupid, or say something awkward which would
embarrass you."

Edwin had risen and now stood directly before him. "Can you look me in
the eyes, you cunning hypocrite?" he exclaimed. "As if you could ever
do or say anything awkward! I know exactly why you don't want to go:
you think I'm only taking you out of brotherly love and courtesy, and
would really much prefer being alone with my cold sweet heart. But this
time, dear searcher of the heart, you're entirely wrong. I assure you,
by all that a private tutor holds sacred: you'll do me a favor by
making one of this party. Besides, I've exhausted my Latin, and fear if
we're alone she'll discover it and give her tutor lover his discharge
in good earnest."

He knew what a trump he was playing, in representing the affair as a
sacrifice Balder was to make for him. But the latter, contrary to his
expectation, remained firm in his refusal, and as he pleaded the
sensitiveness of his chest, Edwin was compelled to desist from urging
him. The real reason: that he was longing for a day when he could give
himself up to his love dream undisturbed and also see Reginchen alone,
he certainly did not confess to Edw