d, bound by a hundred ties to the customs
of this house, to the little domestic duties of every day, and to my
brother's life."

Fink looked down darkly. "You are punishing severely in this hour all
that you have disapproved in me hitherto."

"No," cried Sabine, holding out her hand, "not so, my friend. If there
have been hours in which you have pained me, there have been others in
which I have looked up to you in admiration; and this is the very reason
that keeps us apart forever. I can never be at rest near you; I am
constantly tossed from one extreme of feeling to another; I am not sure
of you, nor ever should be. I should have to conceal this inward
conflict in a relation where my whole nature ought to be open to you,
and you would find that out, and would be angry with me."

She gave him her hand. Fink bent low over the little hand, and pressed a
kiss upon it.

"Blessings on your future!" said Sabine, trembling all over. "If ever
you have spent a happy hour among us, oh! think of it when far away. If
ever in the German merchant's house, in the career of my brother, you
have found any thing to respect, think, oh! think of it in that far
country. In the different life that awaits you, in the great
enterprises, the wild struggles that you will engage in, never think
slightly of us and of our quiet ways;" and she held her left hand over
his head, like an anxious mother blessing her parting darling.

Fink pressed her right hand firmly in his own; both looked long into
each other's eyes, and both faces were pale. At last Fink said, in his
deep, melodious voice, "Fare you well!"

"Fare you well!" replied she, so low that he hardly caught the words. He
walked slowly away, while she looked after him motionless, as one who
watches the vanishing of an apparition.

When the merchant, after the close of his day's work, went into his
sister's room, Sabine flew to meet him, and, clasping him in her arms,
laid her head on his breast.

"What is it, my child?" inquired he, anxiously stroking back her hair
from her damp brow.

"Fink has been with me; I have been speaking with him."

"About what? Has he been disagreeable? Has he made you an offer?" asked
the merchant, in jest.

"He has made me an offer," said Sabine.

Her brother started: "And you, my sister?"

"I have done what you might expect me to do--I shall not see him again."

Tears started at the words; she took her brother's hand and kissed it.

"Do not be