other through--as if each in this contest would measure
his strength against the other.

Suddenly her arms were flung wildly round his neck, a burning kiss was
pressed upon his lips, and the next moment she was out of the room.

Elise sate in her boudoir. She still wept bitter tears. It was twilight,
and her knees were suddenly embraced, and her hands and her dress were
covered with kisses and with tears. When she put forth her hands to
raise the one who embraced her, she had vanished. "Sara, Sara! where are
you?" exclaimed she, full of anxiety.

Petrea came down from her chamber; she met some one, who embraced her,
pressed her lips to her forehead, and whispered, "Forget me!"

"Sara, Sara! where are you going?" exclaimed she, terrified, and running
after her to the house door.

"Where is Sara?" inquired the Judge, violently, above in the chambers of
his daughters. "Where is Sara?" inquired he, below in the library.

"Ah!" exclaimed Petrea, who now rushed in weeping, "she is this moment
gone out--out into the street; she almost ran. She forbade me to follow
her. Ah, she certainly never will come back again!"

"The devil!" said the Judge, hastening from the room, and taking up his
hat, went out. Far off in the street he saw a female figure, which, with
only a handkerchief thrown over her head and shoulders, was hastening
onward, and who, spite of the twilight, he recognised to be Sara. He
hastened after her; she looked round, saw him, and fled. Certain now
that he was not mistaken, he followed, and was almost near enough to
take hold of her, when she suddenly turned aside, and rushed into a
house--it was that of Schwartz. He followed with the quickness of
lightning; followed her up the steps, and was just laying his hand on
her, when she vanished through a door. The next moment he too opened it,
and saw her--in the arms of Schwartz!

The two stood together embracing, and evidently prepared to defy him. He
stood for some moments silent before them, regarding them with an
indescribable look of wrath, contempt, and sorrow. He looked upon the
pale breathless Sara, and covered his eyes with his hand; the next
moment, however, he seemed to collect himself, and with all the calm and
respect-commanding dignity of a parent, he grasped her hand, and said,
"You now follow me home. On Sunday the banns shall be proclaimed."

Sara followed. She took his arm, and with a drooping head, and without a
word, accompanied him home.