g some one so inspiring as you.'

'Come,' said Madame, rising, 'the carriages are at the door. Let us take
a drive. Mr. Walstein, you shall give me your opinion of my ponies.'

CHAPTER III.

_Containing a Drive in the Park with a Very Charming Lady._

MADAME DE SCHULEMBOURG'S carriage, drawn by two beautiful Hanoverian
ponies, cream in colour, with long manes and tails like floss silk, was
followed by a britzka; but despatches called away Mr. Revel, and Novalis
stole off to his studio. The doctor, as usual, was engaged. 'Caroline,'
he said, as he bid his guest adieu, 'I commend Mr. Walstein to your
care. When I return in the evening, do not let me find that our friend
has escaped.'

'I am sure that though unhappy he is not ungallant,' replied Caroline,
with a smile; and she took his offered arm, and ascended her seat.

Swiftly the little ponies scudded along the winding roads. The Corso was
as yet but slightly attended. Caroline passed through the wide avenue
without stopping, but sometimes recognising with bow and smile a
flitting friend. They came to a wilder and woodier part of the park, the
road lined on each side with linden trees, and in the distance were vast
beds of tall fern, tinged with the first rich hues of autumn.

'Here, Mr. Walstein,' said Caroline, 'with your permission, I shall take
my afternoon walk.' Thus speaking, she stopped the carriage, which
she and her companion quitted. Walstein offered her his arm, but she
declined it, folding herself up in her shawl.

'Which do you like best, Mr. Walstein, Constantinople or Dresden?' said
Madame de Schulembourg.

'At this moment, decidedly Dresden,' replied her companion.

'Ah! that is a compliment,' said Madame de Schulembourg, after a
moment's musing. 'My dear Mr. Walstein,' she continued, looking up with
an arch expression, 'never pay me compliments.'

'You mistake me: it was not a compliment,' replied Walstein. 'It was a
sincere and becoming tribute of gratitude for three hours of endurable
existence.'

'You know that you are my patient,' rejoined Madame de Schulembourg.
'I have orders to cure your melancholy. I am very successful in such
complaints.'

'I have no doubt of it,' replied Walstein, with a slight bow.

'If we could but find out the cause!' continued Caroline. 'I venture to
believe that, after all, it will turn out an affair of the heart. Come,
be frank with your physician. Tell me, have you left it captive with
a fa