er, that it is all right, that she may come back--that
I forgive her--that I apologize if you will"--and a secretary forthwith
despatched a note to that effect, which was carried off by a fleet
messenger.

"Now write to the Superior of the monastery at Cologne, and bid him send
me back my boy, my darling, my Otto--my Otto of roses!" said the fond
father, making the first play upon words he had ever attempted in his
life. But what will not paternal love effect? The secretary (smiling
at the joke) wrote another letter, and another fleet messenger was
despatched on another horse.

"And now," said Sir Ludwig, playfully, "let us to lunch. Holy hermit,
are you for a snack?"

The hermit could not say nay on an occasion so festive, and the three
gentles seated themselves to a plenteous repast; for which the remains
of the feast of yesterday offered, it need not be said, ample means.

"They will be home by dinner-time," said the exulting father. "Ludwig!
reverend hermit! we will carry on till then." And the cup passed gayly
round, and the laugh and jest circulated, while the three happy friends
sat confidentially awaiting the return of the Margravine and her son.

But alas! said we not rightly at the commencement of a former chapter,
that betwixt the lip and the raised wine-cup there is often many a
spill? that our hopes are high, and often, too often, vain? About three
hours after the departure of the first messenger, he returned, and with
an exceedingly long face knelt down and presented to the Margrave a
billet to the following effect:--

"CONVENT OF NONNENWERTH, Friday Afternoon.

"SIR--I have submitted too long to your ill-usage, and am disposed
to bear it no more. I will no longer be made the butt of your ribald
satire, and the object of your coarse abuse. Last week you threatened me
with your cane! On Tuesday last you threw a wine-decanter at me, which
hit the butler, it is true, but the intention was evident. This morning,
in the presence of all the servants, you called me by the most vile,
abominable name, which heaven forbid I should repeat! You dismissed me
from your house under a false accusation. You sent me to this odious
convent to be immured for life. Be it so! I will not come back, because,
forsooth; you relent. Anything is better than a residence with a wicked,
coarse, violent, intoxicated, brutal monster like yourself. I remain
here for ever and blush to be obliged to sign myself

"THEODORA VON GODE