s the question, What will be done here?"

"I have thought of that the whole day," returned Anton, "and I do not
know. There is only one possible plan, and that is, that you should
undertake that part of my office which Karl can not fill."

"Thank you," said Fink, "both for your good opinion and your friendly
offer. You have been, excuse me, a good-natured fool. I am not of that
stamp. In a week's time I should be under the unpleasant necessity of
maltreating the baron. Have you no other plan to propose?"

"None," cried Anton. "If you do not with all your heart and soul
undertake the management of the property, all that we have effected
during the last year will be undone, and our German colony will go to
ruin."

"It will," said Fink.

"And you, Fritz," continued Anton, "have, through your intimacy with me,
become involved in its fate, and are thus in danger of losing too."

"Spoken like a book!" said Fink. "You run off and leave me here tied and
bound. I'll tell you what--wait for me here; I will first of all speak a
few words to Lenore."

"What are you going to do?" cried Anton, holding him fast.

"Not to make love," replied Fink, laughing. "You may rely upon that, my
boy!" He rang the bell, and requested an interview with Fraeulein Lenore
in the drawing-room.

When Lenore entered with eyes red from weeping, and only maintaining her
composure by a strong effort, he politely advanced and led her to the
sofa.

"I abstain from commenting upon what has passed to-day," began he. "We
will assume that my friend's presence in the capital will be more
desirable for your family interests than his stay here. From all I hear,
this is really the case. Wohlfart leaves the day after to-morrow."

Lenore hid her face in her hands.

Fink coldly continued: "Meanwhile, my own interests require that I
should attend to them. I have spent several months here, and acquired a
share in this estate. For this reason, I request you to be the bearer of
a message from me to your father: I am prepared to purchase this estate
from the baron."

Lenore started and rose up, wringing her hands, and exclaiming, "For the
second time!"

"Be kind enough quietly to hear me," continued Fink. "I by no means
intend to play toward the baron the part of angel of deliverance. I have
less of the angelic nature about me than our patient Anton, and feel in
no way inclined to make any offer to your father that will not advance
my own interest. Let us l