ll," replied Anton; "how delighted I am to see you in town!"

"We are living here at present," said the young lady, with less
stateliness, "at No. 20 Bear Street."

"May I inquire for the pony?" said Anton, respectfully.

"Only think, he had to be left behind!" was the sorrowful reply; "and
what are you doing here?"

"I am in the house of T. O. Schroeter," said Anton, bowing.

"Oh! a merchant; and what do you deal in?"

"In colonial produce. It is the largest firm in that department in the
whole town," replied Anton, complacently.

"And have you met with kind people who take care of you?"

"My principal is very kind, but I must take care of myself."

"Have you any friends here with whom you can amuse yourself?"

"A few acquaintances. But I have much to do, and I must improve myself
in my leisure hours."

"You look rather pale," said the young lady, with motherly interest;
"you should move more about, and take long walks. I am glad to have met
you, and shall be pleased to hear of your well-doing," added she,
majestically; and, with an inclination of her pretty little head, she
vanished in the crowd, while Anton remained gazing after her, hat in
hand.

Lenore did not consider it necessary to mention this meeting. But a few
days later, when the baroness happened to inquire where they should get
some necessary stores, she looked up from her book and said, "The
largest firm here is that of T. O. Schroeter, dealer in colonial produce."

"How do you know that?" inquired her father, laughing; "you speak like
an experienced merchant."

"All the result of the Young Lady's Institution," answered Lenore,
pertly.

Meanwhile, in the midst of his social pleasures, the baron did not
forget the chief end of his town life. He made close inquiries as to the
speculations of other landed proprietors, visited the factories in the
town, became acquainted with educated manufacturers, and acquired some
knowledge of machinery. But the information thus gained was so
contradictory, that he thought it best not to precipitate matters, but
to wait till some specially advantageous and safe undertaking should
offer.

We must not omit to mention that about this time the family property was
increased by a small, handsome, brass-inlaid casket, with a lock that
defied any thief's power of opening, so that, if minded to steal, he
would have nothing for it but to carry off the casket itself. In it were
laid forty-five thousand dollars in