a manner?"

"It is some one who does not wish us to know his name, professor," cried
Conrad, gayly; "and we will not break our hearts over it. But now, sir,
we will not content ourselves with bread and coffee; we are rich, and we
need not live so poorly! I will go to the eating-house and bring you a
nice broiled capon, and some preserved fruit, and a glass of wine."

"It is true," said Gellert, well pleased; "a capon would strengthen me,
and a glass of wine; but no, Conrad, we will have the coffee; we have no
money to pay for such a meal."

"Well, we can borrow it! To-morrow you will receive the first quarterly
payment of your pension, and then I will pay for your dinner."

"No, Conrad, no!" said Gellert, firmly. "You should never eat what you
cannot pay for immediately. Go to the kitchen and make the coffee."
Conrad was on the point of going discontentedly to obey the command of
his master, when a loud and hasty ring was heard at the outer door of
the professor's modest lodging.

"Perhaps the banker has sent the money to-day," cried Conrad, as he
hurried off, whilst Gellert again took the letter and examined the
handwriting.

But Conrad returned, looking very important.

"The Prussian major, Quintus Icilius, wishes to speak to the professor,
in the name of the king," he said, solemnly.

"In the name of the king!" cried Gellert; "what does the great
warrior-hero want with poor Gellert?"

"That I will tell you," replied a voice from the door; and as Gellert
turned, he saw before him the tall figure of a Prussian officer. "Pardon
me for having entered without your permission. Your servant left the
door open, and I thought--"

"You thought, I hope, that Gellert would be happy to receive an officer
from the king, especially one who bears so celebrated a name," said
Gellert, courteously, as he signed to Conrad to leave the room--a sign
that Conrad obeyed most unwillingly, and with the firm determination to
listen outside the door.

"In the first place, allow me to say how happy I am to make the
acquaintance of so learned and celebrated a man as Professor Gellert,"
said Quintus, bowing deeply; "then I must announce the cause of my
appearance. His majesty the King of Prussia wishes to know you, and he
has sent me to conduct you to him at once."

"At once?" cried Gellert. "But, sir, you must see that I am weak and
ill. The king will not care to see a sick man who cannot talk."

Quintus glanced sympathizingly at