t to look on
at the horses feeding.

Anton is on his way to the Polish property. He is now the baron's agent.
Anxious months have the last proved to him. The parting from his
principal and the firm had been painful in the extreme. For some time
before it, indeed, Anton had found himself alone in the midst of his
colleagues. The quiet Baumann still remained his friend, but the others
considered him a castaway. The merchant received his resignation with
icy coldness; and even in the hour of parting, his hand lay impassive as
metal in Anton's grasp. Since then, our hero had undertaken several
journeys to the capital and to creditors in the family's behalf, and now
he was on his way to set the new estate in order, accompanied by Karl,
whom he had induced to become the baron's bailiff.

Ehrenthal had, by the authority conferred on him, taken possession of
the property from the time of the sale by auction, and hired the Polish
bailiff for the baron. There had been unfair dealings between them at
the time, and it was well known in Rosmin that the bailiff had sold off
a good deal, and been guilty of all sorts of frauds since, so that Anton
had even now no prospect of a quiet life.

"The hour is come when I may execute my commission," cried Karl, groping
in the straw under the seat. He drew out a large japanned tin case, and
carried it to Anton. "Miss Sabine gave me this in charge for you." He
then joyously opened the lid, produced the materials for an excellent
breakfast, a bottle of wine, and a silver goblet. Anton took hold of the
case.

"It has a very knowing look," said Karl. "Miss Sabine planned it
herself."

Anton examined it on all sides, and placed it carefully on a tuft of
grass; then he took up the goblet, and saw his initials engraved on it,
and underneath the words, "To thy welfare." Whereupon he forgot the
breakfast and all around him, and stood gazing at the goblet, lost in
thought.

"Do not forget the breakfast, sir," suggested Karl, respectfully.

"Sit down by me, my faithful friend; eat and drink with me. Leave off
your absurd politeness. We shall have but little, either of us, but what
we have we will share like brothers. Take the bottle if you have no
glass."

"There's nothing like leather," said Karl, taking a small leathern
drinking-cup out of his pocket. "As for what you have just said, it was
kindly meant, and I thank you; but there must be subordination, if it
were but for the sake of the othe