r, to Gertrude's urgent
request, and consented to remain with her at least till the future
prospects of the business could be decided upon; and Gertrude agreed that
if it should prosper she would hand it over to him, in case Dietrich
should not return within a certain time.

And so the mother set herself again to her task. She worked early and
late; she seemed to have gained new strength and courage instead of being
crushed down by this new burden.

It was curious to see how differently the two women nearest to Dietrich
were affected by this trouble. Gertrude's countenance gradually resumed
its customary look of cheerfulness and peace, while on Veronica's handsome
features rested a heavy scowl which now seldom left her clouded brow. Yet
she was almost an object of envy to all the young girls of the
neighborhood, and no wonder; for she was an attractive sight to all eyes,
with her neat, well-fitting clothes, that always looked new and fresh, and
her air of strength and activity. Not a few of the strangers who came to
Fohrensee, made inquiries about her, wondering where she could have come
from; for they noticed the marked difference between her and the other
women of the place. The work which passed through her hands, even if it
were most elaborately embroidered, was never crumpled nor soiled, but
looked as fresh as if it had not been handled at all. She could obtain any
price she chose to set upon her work, and everything she did found ready
sale. Moreover, she had been appointed to the place of which Sabina had
spoken to her. She was at the head of the great Industrial School for
women, where she received so handsome a salary, that she was in a fair way
to the accumulation of a nice little fortune. It was common to hear it
said of her, "She is really a lady! she can have whatever she pleases,"
and it was often added, "If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't go about with
a face like a thirty days' storm, as she does, when she can be a
gentleman's wife whenever she chooses!" It had been proposed that
Veronica should go to live in the school-buildings at Fohrensee. But she
did not accept the offer; she could not leave her mother alone in this
time of trouble. Every evening after her work she returned to Gertrude's
cottage.

During the long summer days it was easy for Veronica to get home before
the twilight was over. But when the days grew shorter, dusk came on even
before she could reach the wood. One bright Saturday after