red her
nursing of the paralysed patient, and he rarely recognised his watcher at
night.

How long Els had been separated from her lover! When Eva greeted the
reunited pair they had already poured forth to each other the events
which had driven them to the verge of despair, and which now once more
permitted them with budding hope to anticipate new happiness.

Eva had little time, yet the sisters found an opportunity to confide many
things to each other, though at first their father often interrupted them
by opposing his younger daughter's intention of going to the Emperor as a
supplicant.

The girl whose wishes but a short time ago he had refused or gratified,
according to the mood of the moment, like those of a child, had since
gained, even in his eyes, so well founded a claim to respect, she opposed
him in her courteous, modest way with such definiteness of purpose,
Biberli's fate interested him so much, and the prospect of seeing his
daughters brought before the court was so painful, that he admitted the
force of Eva's reasons and let her set forth on her difficult mission
accompanied by his good wishes.

Els had dropped her maternal manner; nay, she received her sister as her
superior, and began to describe her work in the hospital to Wolff in such
vivid colours that Eva laid her hand on her lips and hurried out of the
room with the exclamation, "If you insist upon our changing places, we
will stand in future side by side and shoulder to shoulder! Farewell till
after the battle!"

She could not have given much more time to her relatives under any
circumstances, for the Burgravine's maid of honour who was to attend her
to the reception was already waiting somewhat impatiently in Frau
Gertrude's room, and took her to the castle without delay.

The place where they were to stay was the large apartment adjoining the
dining hall.

The confidence which Eva had regained on her way to her relatives
vanished only too quickly in the neighbourhood of the sovereign and the
sight of the formal reception bestowed on all who entered. Her heart
throbbed more and more anxiously as she realised for the first time how
serious a step she had taken; nay, it was long ere she succeeded in
calming herself sufficiently to notice the clatter of the metal vessels
and the Emperor's deep voice, which often drowned the lower tones of the
guests. Reverence for royalty was apparent everywhere.

How much quieter this banquet was than thos