o him in trifles, I
always abode by my own convictions in graver matters. He has a high
respect for strength and independence, and might easily become
tyrannical if he encountered weakness of judgment and will."

"How can a woman be firm and self-reliant with such a one as he?" said
Lenore, cast down.

"No doubt," replied Anton, thoughtfully, "this must be much more
difficult for a woman who passionately loves him. Every thing that looks
like temper or self-will he will rudely break down, and will not spare
the conquered; but if opposed by a worthy and modest nature, he will
respect it. And if I were ever called upon to give his future wife a
counsel, it would be this, that she should carefully guard against
whatever might pass for bold or free in woman. The very thing that might
make a stranger agreeable, because easily establishing a familiar
footing between them, is just what he would least esteem in her."

Lenore clung closer to Anton as he spoke, and bent her head. They
returned in silence to the castle.

In the afternoon Anton went once more over the estate with Karl for
companion. Hitherto he had always felt that he was living in a strange
land; now, when about to leave it, this seemed a home. Wherever he
looked, he saw objects that had for a whole year engaged his attention.
He had bought the wheat with which this field was sown; he had ordered
the plow with which that servant was plowing; here he had roofed-in a
barn; there he had improved a ruinous bridge. Like all who enter upon a
new field of labor, he had had numberless plans, hopes, projects; and
now that he was suddenly called upon to relinquish these, he first
discovered how dear they had been. He next spent an hour in the
forester's house. As they parted, the latter said, "When you first laid
hand on this door, I little thought that the trees around us would stand
so safe, and that I should ever live again among my fellow-men. You have
made dying difficult to an old man, Mr. Wohlfart."

The parting hour came. Anton took a short and formal leave of the baron;
Lenore was quite absorbed in sorrow, and Fink affectionate as a brother.
As Anton stood by him, and looked with emotion at Lenore, he said, "Be
at ease, my friend; here, at least, I will try to be what you were." One
last hand-clasp, one last farewell, then Anton jumped into the carriage.
Karl seized the reins. They drove past the barn into the village road;
the castle disappeared. At the end o