aughed, and in her confusion Eleanore laughed too.

"How tragic you are, little Eleanore," said Daniel in a tone of unusual
flippancy, "what do you want me to do? Do you think that Wurzelmann and
I are just alike when it comes to an evening's amusement? Do you think
the earth claims me as soon as I see a tear?"

"Let him go," whispered Benda to the girl, "he is right. Don't bring an
artificial light into this darkness; it serves his purpose; let him do
with it as he pleases."

Eleanore looked at Benda with wide-opened eyes. "Darkness? What do you
mean? The fire then was merely a will-o'-the-wisp," she said, her eyes
shining with pride, "I see him full of light." Daniel had heard what she
said. "Really, Eleanore?" he asked with greedy curiosity.

She nodded: "Really, Daniel."

"For that you can have anything you want from me."

"Well then I beg you and Benda to come over to our house. Father will
be delighted to see you, and we will have something to eat."

"Fine. That sounds good to me. Addio, Wurzelmann, and remember me to the
girls. You are coming along, aren't you, Friedrich?"

Benda first made a few polite remarks, and then said he would accept.

"You liked it then, did you, Eleanore?" asked Daniel, as they walked
along the street.

Eleanore was silent. To Daniel her silence was moving. But he soon
forgot the impression it made on him; and it was a long, long while,
indeed even years, before he recalled this scene.

XI

Jordan had taken Gertrude home. He was very careful not to ask her any
questions that would cause her pain. On reaching the house he lighted a
lamp and helped her take off her cloak.

"How do you feel?" he asked in a kindly tone, "are you better?"

Gertrude turned to one side, and sat down on a chair.

"Well, we'll drink a cup of hot tea," continued the old man; "then my
child will go to bed, and to-morrow morning she will be all right again.
Yes?"

Gertrude got up. "Father," she sighed, and felt around for the tea table
as a means of support.

"Gertrude, what is the matter?" cried Jordan in dismay.

She moved the upper part of her body in her characteristic way--as
though it were limp and she were trying to drag it along with her--and a
faint smile came over her face. All of a sudden she burst out crying and
ran to her room. Jordan heard her bolt the door, looked anxiously before
him, waited a moment or two, and then crept up to her door on hi