time; I need not conceal it,
for it has been no secret. Have you ever heard of my sister? No? She was
older than I, a creature-God never created anything more perfect. And her
singing! She came to my dead aunt's, and there--But I won't excite myself
uselessly--in short, the man whom she loved with all the strength of her
heart thrust her into misery, and my father cursed and would not stretch
out a finger to aid her. I never knew my mother, but through Anna I never
missed her. My sister's fate opened my eyes to men. During the last few
years many have wanted me, but I lacked confidence and, still more, love,
for I shall never have anything to do with that."

"Until it finds you," replied Maria. "It was wrong to speak of such
things with you, it excites you, and that is bad."

"Never mind; it will do me good to relieve my heart. Did you love no one
before your husband?"

"Love? No, Henrica, I never really loved any one except him."

"And your heart waited for the burgomaster, ere it beat faster?"

"No, it had not always remained quiet before; I grew up among social
people, old and young, and of course liked some better than others."

"And surely one best of all."

"I won't deny it. At my sister's wedding, my brother-in-law's friend, a
young nobleman, came from Germany and remained several weeks with us. I
liked him, and remember him kindly even now."

"Have you never heard from him again?"

"No; who knows what has become of him. My brother-in-law expected great
things from him, and he possessed many rare gifts, but was reckless,
fool-hardy, and a source of constant anxiety to his mother."

"You must tell me more about him."

"What is the use, Henrica?"

"I don't want to talk any more, but I should like to be still, inhale the
fragrance of the lindens, and listen, only listen."

"No, you must go to bed now. I'll help you undress and, when you have
been alone an hour, come back again."

"One learns obedience in your house, but when my preserver comes home,
bring him here. He must tell me about the English riders. There comes
Fran Babetta with his decoction. You shall see that I take it
punctually."

The boy returned home late, for he had enjoyed all the glories of the
fair with the doctor's children. He was permitted to pay only a short
visit to Henrica, and did not see his father at all, the latter having
gone to a night council at Herr Van Bronkhorst's.

The next morning the fair holidays were to end,