easures which render such
generosity on your part unnecessary. I am going to travel about in
the world, and I have taken steps to separate myself from the past
entirely. I have made my contract with Mr. Stonehouse, to whom Rudolf
is to introduce me as soon as he arrives here to sign the same."

"Your Uncle Rudolf came here, my dear, to dissuade you from such a
step; and if you are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stonehouse, you will
have to wait a long time," responded Rudolf, coolly. "Did you think
me such a fool, Francis, as to assist you in your insane idea?"

"Then you never delivered my letter to your master?"

"Certainly not, I did much better. I warned your Cousin Leopold that
you were going to commit a folly which would lead to your inevitable
ruin."

"Oh, I see! this is another plot against me. Enough; as I cannot
trust any one but myself, I will ride off at once and ask to see
Mr. Stonehouse in person."

"You will do nothing of the sort," I said, authoritatively, seeing
that she rose to depart. "The General is dead, Rudolf civilly dead,
and I am consequently, in the eyes of the law, your nearest male
relation. Therefore I forbid your entering this abyss, from whence
no one ever rises again, in the flower of your age."

"What am I to do?" she cried passionately, yet with an accent of
submission in her tone.

"You have simply to return to the Werve," I answered, "where you will
find a friend actively preparing for your reception."

"A friend!" she repeated, in astonishment.

"Yes, Rolf; who is to stay there until further orders. Don't be
afraid--I shall not importune you with my presence, for I am going
to travel."

This latter declaration seemed to make a great impression on her. She
regarded me with a strange kind of look, and replied in a tone of
voice which betrayed something more than pride and anger--

"In very sooth, Leopold, you are going to travel? Well, then, I will
stay at the Werve. Farewell."

And she escaped from the room quickly, shutting the door after her. We
soon heard the pawing of her horse outside, and we trusted she would
ride back to the Castle.

"Ought I not to follow her?" Rudolf inquired of me.

"No; any mistrust on our part would offend her."

"She is in an unusual state of excitement, and such a reckless
rider. Only lately she had an accident."

"That's true; for Heaven's sake follow her! But if you should be
recognized yourself?"

"Never fear, I am too well disguis