that required no finery. Her own condition and that of her proposed
husband, she said, made it quite unnecessary. When she was told that
Steinmarc would be offended by such exaggerated simplicity, she
turned upon her aunt with such a look of scorn that Madame Staubach
did not dare to say another word. Indeed at this time Madame Staubach
had become almost afraid of her niece, and would sit watching the
silent stern industry of the younger woman with something of awe.
Could it be that there ever came over her heart a shock of regret for
the thing she was doing? Was it possible that she should already be
feeling remorse? If it was so with her, she turned herself to prayer,
and believed that the Lord told her that she was right.

But there were others who watched, and spoke among themselves, and
felt that the silent solemnity of Linda's mode of life was a cause
for trembling. Max Bogen's wife had come to her father's house, and
had seen Linda, and had talked to Tetchen, and had said at home that
Linda was--mad. Her father had become frightened, and had refused to
take any part in the matter. He acknowledged that he had given his
advice in favour of the marriage, but he had done this merely as a
matter of course,--to oblige his neighbour, Madame Staubach. He would
have nothing more to do with it. When Fanny told him that she feared
that Linda would lose her senses, he went into his workshop and
busied himself with a great chair. But Tetchen was not so reticent.
Tetchen said much to Madame Staubach;--so much that the unfortunate
widow was nearly always on her knees, asking for help, asking in very
truth for new gifts of obstinate persistency; and Tetchen also said
much to Fanny Bogen.

"But what can we do, Tetchen?" asked Fanny.

"If I had my will," said Tetchen, "I would so handle him that he
would be glad enough to be off his bargain. But you'll see they'll
never live together as man and wife,--never for a day."

They who said that Linda was mad at this time were probably
half-right; but if so, her madness had shown itself in none of those
forms which are held to justify interference by authority. There was
no one in Nuremberg who could lock a woman up because she was silent;
or could declare her to be unfit for marriage because she refused to
buy wedding clothes. The marriage must go on. Linda herself felt that
it must be accomplished. Her silence and her sternness were not now
consciously used by her as means of oppos