!" exclaimed the artist,
making such an enthusiastic use of the permission, that the blushing
lady was at last obliged to defend herself by force. "Yes indeed," he
continued, when he recovered his breath, "this marriage has really been
made in heaven, all the signs prove it. Think, dear Frau Valentin, how
wonderful it is, that this very morning I was sitting thinking whether
it would not be better to resign my position and salary as court
painter to His Russian Highness, rather than continue to live on the
money so indolently and dreamily. For I said: who knows whether the
prince has not already forgotten me, and that I may not sit year after
year, like a fool, waiting for orders which will never come?' But now I
see that the dear God has so arranged this, that I need not portion my
Leah quite so shabbily. Dear Frau Valentin, I know what you've always
said--that that was your affair. But after all a father would also--"

He was just in the mood to tell everything he had planned for the
immediate future, when Frau Valentin's maid-servant entered and
announced a visitor. The gentleman only wanted to ask a question, and
would not give his name. Before her mistress had time to answer, a
hasty step was heard in the ante-room, and to the zaunkoenig's no small
surprise, the gigantic figure of Heinrich Mohr crossed the threshold.

"I beg ten thousand pardons," he exclaimed in his hoarse voice.
"Although I've the reputation of being unceremonious, I'm not usually
so bold and uncivil as to enter a lady's room without ceremony. But
circumstances which will be explained at some future day--the
conviction, that there's danger in delay--perhaps several lives
may depend upon whether this lady will grant me five minutes
conversation--"

He had poured forth these words with such strange agitation, his whole
appearance was so singular, that Frau Valentin really did not know
whether she ought to grant his request. But the little artist relieved
her of all hesitation.

"My dear friend," he exclaimed, "don't have the slightest scruple. My
mission here is fulfilled, and I must hurry home to illuminate the
Venetian palace; our lagune must flash and sparkle like the Grand Canal
at the weddings of the doges, and you're invited too, my dear Herr
Mohr. No refusals. You owe it to your friend."

"To whom?"

"Why our doctor, your friend Edwin, my little Leah's betrothed husband.
Haven't you heard of it yet?"

"Not a syllable. So he's engage