d Baron Thaddeus. "Quite unparalleled! at their time
of life!" And Fran von Brakel sighed out, "Oh, Jemini! what little
angels! What in the world is to become of _our_ little ones, out in the
country here!"

Baron Thaddeus now joining in his wife's lamentations, Count Cyprianus
comforted their hearts, by promising to send them, shortly, a man of
much erudition, and specially skilled in the education of children.

Meanwhile the beautiful carriage had driven up to the door, and the
"jaeger" came in with two great bandboxes, which Herrmann and Adelgunda
took and handed to Felix and Christlieb. Herrmann, making a polite bow,
said, "Are you fond of playthings, _mon cher_?--here I have brought you
some of the finest kind." Felix hung his head. He felt melancholy; he
did not know why. He held the bandbox in his hands, without expressing
any thanks, and said in a murmur, "I'm not '_mon cher_,' and I'm not
'you'; I'm 'thou.'" And Christlieb was nearer crying than laughing,
although the box which Adelgunda had handed her was giving forth the
most delightful odours, as of delicious things to eat. The dog Sultan,
Felix's faithful friend and darling, was dancing and barking, according
to his wont; but Herrmann was so frightened at him that he hid himself
in a corner and began to cry. "He's not touching _thee_," Felix cried.
"He's only a dog. What art thou howling and screaming about? You know
all about the most terrible wild beasts in the world, don't you?--and
even if he were going to set upon you, haven't you your sword on?"

But Felix's words were of no avail. Herrmann went on howling till the
servant had to take him in his arms and bear him off to the carriage.
Adelgunda, suddenly infected by her brother's terror--or heaven knows
from what other cause!--also began to scream and howl, which so
affected poor Christlieb that _she_ began to cry too. Amid this yelling
and screaming of the children, Count Cyprianus von Brakel took his
departure from Brakelheim; and so terminated the visit of those
distinguished relations.

THE NEW PLAYTHINGS.

When the carriage containing Count Cyprianus von Brakel and his family
had rolled down the hill, Herr Thaddeus quickly threw off his green
coat and his red waistcoat; and when he had, as quickly, put on his
loose jacket, and passed his big comb two or three times through his
hair, he drew a long breath, stretched himself, and cried, "God be
thanked!" The chil