shrubbery defied the power of the light. Edwin had looked out of his
window for a long time, absorbed in thoughts which were both sad and
cheerful. Once he fancied he saw a female figure walking swiftly along,
which as he bent forward seemed to perceive him and hastily retreated
farther into the shadow of the trees. He turned to Toinette, to tell
her his supposition that Christiane had preferred to traverse the long
distance to the city on foot, and made the discovery that his companion
had fallen asleep. The moonlight was flickering over her little hands,
that lay ungloved in her lap. In the dim light that surrounded her
head, he could see her white teeth glitter as she smiled. For a time he
restrained himself, though the pulses in his temples throbbed
violently, but at last this smile on her lips was stronger than all his
resolution. He cautiously bent toward her, and after a pause of five
minutes, during which he felt her breath on his eyes, lightly pressed a
kiss on the half parted lips.

She instantly awoke, so suddenly that he drew back in alarm, glowing
with blushes. "Where are we," she whispered. "Dear me, what bright
moonlight! I believe I've been asleep. It's very impolite, isn't it?
But people are wearied even by pleasure. I haven't enjoyed myself so
much for a long time."

She talked gaily on; He could not discover whether she had felt the
kiss or thought she had only dreamed of it. To be sure, he had not
noticed that she returned it.

One more short hour, and he helped her out of the carriage in
Rosenstrasse. She thanked him cordially and repeatedly for the
delightful day. "We'll continue the cure to-morrow," she called, just
as she was closing the door of the house. With these words she
dismissed him, and absorbed in blissful dreams, he pursued his way home
through the quiet streets.

CHAPTER V.

Beloved Sun,
To all benign,
Hold in thy heart
This child of thine!

Sleeping I lay
In fevered dreams,
Softly thou com'st,
With healing beams;

Hov'ring gently
With smile so bright,
Flooding my lone cell
With golden light,

Till the prisoned soul