"

"When my tr-rouble came to me, it was unbearable to stay at the
Schloss, so I must go away. Yet Maximilian was not able to pr-reserve
the estate as it should be kept. He is not r-rich, Max, and he is a
little what you call swift, eh? He spends much."

"I see."

"So if I leave him to care for the Schloss I must leave him also my
incomings, and, if I act so, I cannot live myself in my own country
where I have friends of the army and of society; where I have a--what
is it?--a stand?"

"Position?"

"Yes, yes, a position to hold up. I must go where it concerns nobody if
I am changed in purse. So to America I came, it is about two years
since, and for one year I tr-ravelled everywhere to see where I liked
best, and for the diversion also, for I was most sad. Then my money
grew down so small that I saw I must stop, so to this lovely land I
happened, and I bought my little farm. But, alas! I fear I am not a
farmer. Still, I shall learn. I am determined of that."

"I'm sure you will. You haven't had a chance yet."

"And this year, what can I do? I am so misfortunate as to be away and
sick at the time of planting."

"You won't be without some little return, for when we found that you
would be ill so long we let your fields to two men who have planted
them, and will pay you one-third of their crop of corn. That's the
customary rent here, and it will keep your mule through next winter, at
any rate."

"Now, that is truly kind and thoughtful. It is, indeed, fr-riendly!"

"You must thank Dr. Morgan for that arrangement."

Von Rittenheim sat erect and stared at the little old lady before him.
A look of confused and struggling recollection was called into life by
her words.

"I must thank--whom?"

The spirit of the gallant adventurer who had been Mrs. Carroll's
immigrant ancestor to the Virginia wilds pushed her on to dare the
situation. She also sat upright, and the two faced each other
undauntedly.

"You must thank Dr. Morgan for that kindness, and for others even
greater."

"Dr. Mor-rgan?"

Clearer remembrance brought with it the old feeling of suspicion and
its accompanying look of hatred, which distorted Friedrich's handsome
face.

"Yes, Dr. Morgan. I want you to listen to what I am going to tell you.
You are well enough now to hear the truth."

"It is your right, madam, to say to me what you may like."

Von Rittenheim turned his stern face towards the training-field, and
kept his eyes upon the moving