stepfather, I hear
the earnest voice of my husband in conversation with my merry, handsome
cousin. Let us go to meet them, and grant me the pleasure of introducing
Lord Elliot to you--not here, but in the brilliantly lighted saloon.
Afterward I will ask you, on your word of honor, if you still find I
have made a happy choice, and if my windspeil of a husband is of more
value than my handsome cousin?"

She took the arm of the major with a gay smile, and tried to draw him
forward.

"But your mother," said Du Trouffle, "you forget your mother?"

"Listen now, mamma, how cruel he is, always reminding you that you are
my mother; that is as much as to say to you, in other words, that you
will soon be a grandmother. Mamma, I could die of laughter to think of
you as a grandmother. I assure you, mamma, that in the midst of all my
sorrows and disappointments this thought is the only thing which diverts
and delights me. Only think, I shall soon make you a worthy grandmother.
Say now, grandmother, will you come with us?"

"No, I will remain here, your gayety has made me sad--I do not feel
fit for society. I will await my husband here, and we will return to
Berlin."

"Adieu, then, mamma," said Camilla, rapidly drawing the major onward.

Louise du Trouffle remained alone in the grotto; she leaned her head
against the palm-tree, and looked sorrowfully after the retreating form
of her daughter. It seemed to her that a shudder passed through her
soul; that a cold, dead hand was laid upon her heart, as if a phantom
pressed against her, and a voice whispered: "This is thy work. Oh,
mother worthy of execration, you alone have caused the destruction of
your daughter; through you that soul is lost, which God intrusted to
you, and which was endowed with the germ of great and noble qualities.
It was your duty to nourish and build them up. God will one day call you
to account, and ask this precious soul of you, which you have poisoned
by your evil example, which is lost--lost through you alone."

Louise shuddered fearfully, then rousing herself she tried to shake off
these fearful thoughts, and free herself from the stern voices which
mastered her. They had so often spoken, so often awaked her in the
middle of the night, driven sleep from her couch, and tortured her
conscience with bitter reproaches!

Louise knew well this gray phantom which was ever behind her or at her
side; ever staring at her with dark and deadly earnestness, even