a stop
at once."

But Ludwig felt his right knee so stiff that he was obliged to limp,
and his nose was bleeding freely. This induced him to take his
friend's advice and go into the nearest restaurant, though he
generally avoided these places, particularly on Sundays. For the
jubilations of the Sunday townsfolk were exceptionally displeasing to
him, giving him a sensation of being in places which were not by any
means _convenable_--at all events for people of his position.

In the front of this restaurant the people had formed a deep,
many-tinted ring, from the interior of which there Bounded the tones
of a guitar and a tambourine. Ludwig, assisted by his friend, went
limping into the house, holding his handkerchief to his face. And he
begged so pitifully for water, and a little drop of wine-vinegar,
that the landlady, much alarmed, thought he must be at the point of
death. Whilst he was being served with what he required, Euchar (on
whom the sounds of the guitar and tambourine exercised an irresistible
fascination) crept forth, and endeavoured to penetrate into the closed
circle. He belonged to that restricted class of Nature's favourites
whose exterior and whole being ensure a kindly reception everywhere,
and in all circumstances. So that on this occasion some journeymen
mechanics (people who are not usually much given to politeness of a
Sunday) at once made room for him when he asked what was going forward,
so that he as well as themselves might have a look at the strange
little creature who was dancing and playing so prettily and cleverly.
And a curious and delightful scene displayed itself to Euchar, which
fettered all his mind and attention.

In the middle of the ring a girl with her eyes blindfolded was dancing
the fandango amongst nine eggs, arranged three by three behind each
other on the ground, and playing a tambourine as she danced. At one
side stood a little deformed man, with an ill-looking gypsy face,
playing the guitar. The girl who was dancing seemed to be about
fifteen. She was oddly dressed in a red bodice, gold-embroidered, and a
short white skirt trimmed with ribbons of various colours. Her figure
and all her motions were the very ideal of elegance and grace. She
brought the most marvellous variety of sounds out of her tambourine.
Sometimes she would raise it above her head, and then hold it out in
front of her or behind her, with her arms stretched out, in the most
picturesque attitudes. Now i