ore, laughing. "And only
think, the little Countess Lara is to be married next week! She and I
were talking of you not long ago; and Eugene, too, has written to us
about you. How enchanting, that you should have become acquainted with
my brother! Come this way, Mr. Wohlfart; I must hear how the time has
passed with you." She led him into the drawing-room, and made him sit by
her on the sofa, looking at him with those smiling eyes, whose light
used formerly to make him so happy. Much in him had changed since then;
perhaps another maiden occupied his imagination now; but when he looked
upon the mistress of his early youth, the wild, high-spirited girl
matured into the noble and graceful woman, all the feelings of the past
revived, and he breathed with rapture the perfumed air of the elegant
saloon.

"Now that I see you," said Lenore, "it seems to me as if our
dancing-lessons had only been yesterday. That was a pleasant time for me
too. Since then I have had much sorrow," added she, drooping her head.

Anton lamented this with a fervor which made her look up brightly again.

"What has brought you to my father?" inquired she, at length, in an
altered tone.

Anton spoke of Bernhard, of his long sickness, and deep regard for her
family, not concealing that she herself was the chief cause of it, which
made her look down, and fold the corners of her handkerchief together.
"If you can find a way of recommending your father to use Bernhard's
influence, do so. I can not get rid of a fear that there is a conspiracy
carrying on against him in Ehrenthal's office. Perhaps you will find
means of letting Bernhard or me know how we can best be useful."

Lenore looked mournfully in Anton's face, and moved nearer to him. "You
are to me like an old friend, and I can trust my sorrows to you. My
father conceals the cause of his anxiety from my mother and me, but he
is sadly changed the last few years. This factory requires much money,
and he is often without any, I am sure. My mother and I pray daily that
peace may be restored to us--a happy time like that when I first became
acquainted with you. As soon as I can discover any thing, I will write
to you," said she, with firm resolve; "and when Eugene comes home on
leave, he will seek you out."

Thus Anton left the baron's house, excited by his meeting with his fair
friend, and full of anxiety to serve the whole family. At the house door
he stumbled upon Ehrenthal, who, in return for his