hrown himself into the arms of his future father-in-law,
with such heart-rending sobs, that Herr Feyertag, who hitherto had
placed no great confidence in him, because he believed him to be a
bloodthirsty revolutionist, secretly admitted that his wife was right;
Reginchen could not have found a better husband.

It was strange that neither of the friends ventured to let Edwin see
their first sorrow, that both paid the common toll of human weakness
before making their daily visit to the tun. Was it because of the habit
formed during the last few weeks, of considering that room a sacred
place, from which all the tumult of selfish sorrows and passions must
be kept away, or did they fear that they could not endure the sight of
the survivor, if they had not first regained their own composure?

They met on the stairs, just as Mohr was leaving Christiane's room.
Without uttering a word, the old antagonists fell into each others
arms, kissing and embracing each other as if there had never been any
ill-blood between them. Thus a solemn vow of eternal friendship was
exchanged, and they mounted the stairs hand in hand.

They found Edwin alone, still sitting in the same attitude as when
Marquard had left him an hour before, to visit some patients. Balder
was lying wrapped in his cloak, like a victor who had fallen on the
battle field. Edwin was bent forward, leaning on the foot of the bed.
He now half rose and with a faint smile held out his hands to his
friends.

"Have you come too?" said he. "I'm glad. He's so beautiful! I can
scarcely pity my own loneliness when I look at his face. Can you
believe that he will never open his eyes again? And yet he never will,
Marquard says he never will, and he must know." After a pause he
continued: "Take a chair, Franzel. Pardon me that I keep my seat. We
need not stand upon ceremony, and it is hard for me to move a limb.
He's better off, I don't grudge him his happiness,--but it's hard to
think we shall soon see his face no more."

Mohr had taken a chair opposite the bed, Franzelius was leaning against
the door gazing through his tears at the closed eye-lids and marble
brow of the beloved dead. When the room grew so dark, that they could
scarcely distinguish each other's features, Mohr rose and insisted upon
taking Edwin to his room, where he could get some wine and some light
food to strengthen him. "You've a great deal before you; you must
husband your strength. Franzel will stay here. W