and Fink was summoned. On
entering, he looked with astonishment at Anton's excited aspect, and
cried, without particularly heeding the principal's presence, "The
devil! you have been weeping!"

"Over calumnies," said the merchant, gravely, "which affect his own
character as a respectable man of business, and the honor of his
family." And he proceeded to state the whole affair.

"He is quite innocent," said Fink, good-naturedly: "innocent and
harmless as the violet that blows in the shade. He knew nothing of this
ridiculous affair; and, if any one be to blame, it is I, and the
babbling fools who have spread the story. Don't torment yourself, Anton;
since it annoys you, we will soon set it all to rights."

"I shall go once more," declared Anton, "to Frau von Baldereck, and tell
her that I can no longer attend the dancing-parties."

"As you like," said Fink. "At all events, you have learned to dance, and
to hold your hat like a gentleman."

Before dinner, the merchant said to his sister, "You were right,
Wohlfart had nothing to do with it; it was all Fink's invention."

"I knew it," cried Sabine, drawing out her needle vehemently.

Anton worked hard all day, said little, and, when evening came, went up
stairs to dress, like a man whose mind is made up.

If Fink could have seen into his heart, he would have been shocked at
the sorrow there. It was not alone wounded self-love, mortification,
shame, but the anguish of bidding farewell to Lenore. As it was, "I
say," cried he, "I have a notion that you take this nonsense a great
deal too tragically. Are you angry with me?" holding out his hand.

"Neither with you nor with any one else; but let me for once act for
myself."

"What are you going to do?"

"Do not ask me. I have but one thing to do."

"So be it, then," was the good-humored reply; "but do not forget that
any thing like a scene would only amuse those people."

"Trust me," said Anton, "I shall make none."

It happened to be a very gay meeting, and there were more gentlemen
present than usual. Anton at once went up to Lenore, who came to meet
him more lovely than ever, in her first ball-dress, saying, "How late
you are! Come, papa is here, and I want to introduce you to him. But
what is the matter, you look so grave?"

"Dear lady," returned Anton, "I do indeed feel sad. I can not dance the
next dance with you, and am only come to apologize to you, and to the
lady of the house, for my abrupt departure.