he
shooting gallery, but, on the other hand, he made diligent use of his
friend's book-shelves, and having, after arduous study, gained some
insight into the mysteries of the English language, he was anxious to
exercise his conversational powers upon Fink. But the latter proving a
most irregular and careless master, Anton thought it best to put himself
in the hands of a well-educated Englishman.

One day, looking up from his desk as the door opened, he saw, to his
amazement, Veitel Itzig, his old Ostrau schoolfellow. Hitherto they had
but seldom met, and whenever they did so, Anton had taken pains to look
another way.

"How are you getting on?" asked he, coldly enough.

"Poorly," was the reply; "there is nothing to be made in our business. I
was to give you this letter, and to inquire when Mr. Bernhard Ehrenthal
may call upon you."

"Upon me!" said Anton, taking the letter and a card with it.

The letter was from his English master, asking whether he would join
young Ehrenthal in a systematic course of some of the older English
writers.

"Where does Mr. Bernhard Ehrenthal live?" asked Anton.

"At his father's," said Itzig, making a face. "He sits in his own room
all the day long."

"I will call upon him," rejoined Anton; and Itzig took his departure.

Anton was not much inclined to agree to the proposal. The name of
Ehrenthal did not stand high, and Itzig's appearance had not conferred
any pleasant associations upon it. But the ironical way in which he had
mentioned his master's son, and something Anton had heard of him
besides, determined him to take the matter at least into consideration.

Accordingly, one of the next days he mounted the dingy staircase, and
was at once ushered into Bernhard's room, which was long and narrow, and
filled with books great and small.

A young man came toward him with the uncertainty of manner that
short-sight gives. He had fine features, a fragile frame, brown curling
hair, and deep, expressive gray eyes. Anton mentioned the reason of his
visit, and inquired the terms for the course. To his astonishment, young
Ehrenthal did not know them, but said that, if Anton insisted upon
sharing the expense, he would inquire. Our hero next asked whether
Bernhard was in business with his father.

"Oh no," was the reply; "I have been at the University, and as it is not
easy for a young man of my creed to get a government appointment, and I
can live with my family, I occupy myself with m