your mother not a woman?"

"Yes," said Gellert, softly, after a pause--"yes, she was a woman, a
whole-hearted,' noble woman. She was the golden star of my childhood,
the saintly ideal of the youth, as she is now in heaven the guardian
angel of the man; there is no woman like her, Conrad. She was the
impersonation of love, of self-sacrifice, of goodness, and of devotion."

"You are right," said Conrad, softly, "she was a true woman; the entire
village loved and honored her for her benevolence and piety; when she
died, it seemed as though we had all lost a mother."

"When she died," said Gellert, his voice trembling with emotion, "my
happiness and youth died with her; and when the first handful of earth
fell upon her coffin I felt as if my heart-strings broke, and that
feeling has never left me."

"You loved your mother too deeply, professor," said Conrad; "that is the
reason you are determined not to love and marry some other woman."

"Why, man, do not talk to me again of marrying," cried Gellert. "What
has that fatal word to do in my study?"

"A great deal, sir; only look how miserable every thing is here; not
even neat and comfortable, as it should certainly be in the room of so
learned and celebrated a professor. Only think of the change that would
be made by a bright young wife. You must marry, professor, and the lady
must be rich. This state of things cannot continue; you must take a
wife, for you cannot live on your celebrity."

"No, Conrad, but on my salary," said Gellert. "I receive two hundred and
fifty thalers from my professorship; only think, two hundred and fifty
thalers! That is a great deal for a German poet, Conrad; I should
consider myself most fortunate. It is sufficient for my necessities, and
will certainly keep me from want."

"It would be sufficient, professor, if we were not so extravagant. I
am an old man, and you may very well listen to a word from me. I served
your father for fifteen years--in fact, you inherited me from him. I
have the right to speak. If it goes so far, I will hunger and thirst
with you, but it makes me angry that we should hunger and thirst when
there is no necessity. Have you dined today?"

"No, Conrad," said Gellert, looking embarrassed. "I had, accidentally,
no money with me as I came out of the academy, and you know that I do
not like to go to the eating-house without paying immediately."

"Accidentally you had no money? You had probably left it at home."

"Yes