away abruptly, bent over his glass, and was busily engaged in
furtively passing his table-napkin across his face and eyes. Schrotter
put his lips to his glass and closed his eyes. One could positively
trace upon his broad brow how a thought passed over it like a shadow.

The dinner lasted fully two hours, and brought Malvine in many a fiery
compliment, especially from the chamberlain, which she could accept
with a good conscience, knowing well how much she would have to pay to
the great Hamburg pastry-cook who had provided it. At dessert the heir
was handed round. Willy, who was really beginning to grow a little, was
unquestionably a well-bred child. He went with much dignity and
propriety from guest to guest, closely followed by Fido, who had grown
far too stout, offered his cheek politely to each one, shook hands
prettily, and was permitted to withdraw, accompanied by his
short-winded dog, after they had all sufficiently admired him.

After dinner the guests amused themselves according to their several
tastes. Some went to enjoy Paul's excellent cigars in the smoking room,
others went down to the village to look on at the rural festival
arranged by the master for his people, and where, between singing,
music, dancing, and drinking, the fun ran high; others again took a
walk through the fields of the estate where the young crops were just
coming up, spreading a green haze over the yellow coating of sand. It
was altogether a radiant picture of joy and prosperity; and the
happiest of all, whether of the guests flushed with the good dinner or
the villagers stamping on the green, seemed to be the master of the
house. He was rich, respected, full of health and spirits, his family
life unclouded; he had a high position, possessed numberless
decorations, was a captain of the Landwehr, had been promoted to the
cavalry, and now was even raised to the nobility. What more could he
desire?

Well then, if he seemed happy appearances were deceptive. A worm gnawed
at his heart. He had hoped to be created Freiherr--baron--and here he
was a simple "Herr von." How rarely is happiness perfect here below.

Pleading important business next morning in Berlin, Schrotter left soon
after four o'clock. He would not hear of Paul's deserting his guests to
accompany him to the station, as he was most anxious to do, but drove
alone to Harburg, and took the train that left at five o'clock,
bringing him to Berlin by way of Uelzen.

It was nearl