with the Captain in making
all sorts of preparations; so that during the whole day I never once
could find a suitable moment to begin the subject. The master of the
village school would bring up to the Castle his best pupils to recite
verses made for the occasion; the clergyman and the notables would
also come to offer their congratulations.

Francis sent me to the post-office to fetch a registered letter for
her. [4] General von Zwenken was in a bad humour because Rolf had no
time to amuse him, and finding myself rather in the way I went off
to my room to write.

Here in the afternoon I found on my table a little Russian leather
case, on which my initials had been embroidered above the word
Souvenir. Inside I found a bank-note equivalent to the sum Francis had
borrowed of me; on the envelope which inclosed it she had written,
in a bold hand, the word Merci, her name, and the date. The case
itself was not new. Poor dear girl! she must have sat up half the
night to work my initials in silk, as a surprise. I now felt more
than ever how dear she was become to me, and I promised myself not
to temporize any longer. Then the idea occurred to me: If I can get
her permission, I will ask her hand of the General to-morrow after
I have congratulated him on his birthday.

This idea threw me into a transport of joy. I got up from my chair
with the intention of seeking my cousin and bringing matters to a
crisis at any risk. My hand was already on the handle of the door,
when I thought I heard a tap at the window. Immediately a hoarse
voice called several times--

"Francis! Francis!"

Astonished, and wishing to know who this could be, I stood
motionless. The voice cried again--

"Francis, if you don't open the window I will break the sash all
to pieces."

CHAPTER XXVI.

As, for very good reasons, Francis gave no answer, a vigorous arm
forced open the window, and a man sprang into the room, seemingly
quite indifferent about any damage he might have caused.

"What is your business with Miss Mordaunt?" I asked, advancing towards
the intruder.

"A stranger here?" he answered, with an expression of surprise;
"I thought they never had visitors now."

"I think the manner of your entrance is much more astonishing, and
I am the person surprised."

"Well, yes, my entrance is somewhat irregular," he replied, in the
most familiar style possible; "however, Mr. Unknown, I am neither a
thief nor a housebreaker. I have