aps it was the knowledge of the fact that
the peculiarities of the Sisters elicited so much ridicule from the
world that caused her to use her pride as a defence and a weapon, when
in company with any one save Frau von Trautenau. She always seemed
ready to do battle with Alexander, and yet he had never by word or deed
given cause for such a feeling.

"She is full of pluck and mettle like a thoroughbred horse!" said old
General von Bergen, who, with his daughter and his adjutant, had come
up from the barracks on a visit. "It is a pleasure to provoke her; her
eyes light up so. Pohlen," he said, turning to the adjutant, "you
seemed to be unfortunate in your remarks to her during dinner; those
lovely lips curled as scornfully as if you had seriously offended her,
and her great eyes glowed like fire, as she looked away off, over your
head."

The gentleman addressed laughed as if amused. "And yet I only ventured
on some complimentary speeches. I asked if all the Creoles were as
beautiful as herself. That was surely flattering enough, and I think
this little Moravian ought, by this time, to possess some of the
humility they pride themselves so much on, and not toss her head so
haughtily and look at me so contemptuously."

The gentlemen were comfortably smoking in the veranda, after dinner;
and Alexander, who sat on the steps, half hidden by a large
syringa-bush in full bloom, flushed deeply at Pohlen's words. In a
sharp tone of reprimand, he said:

"My friend, Creole is a term which is not at all agreeable to some
people; for the rest, flattery is often another name for insult;
perhaps the young lady considered yours as such."

"Do you think so?" drawled out Pohlen. "That is altogether a new thing
to me. A lady of higher quality would at least have known how to
receive homage offered to her; and a second time I will not put up with
a rebuff from this Moravian girl, but will treat her as she does me."

Alexander colored with anger, and his blood boiled. It was only by a
powerful effort that he controlled himself sufficiently to answer in a
tolerably calm voice:

"A lady of higher quality? Higher quality presupposes greater merit,
and you will do well to bear in mind, Herr von Pohlen, that this lady
is my mother's guest, and, as such, is under my most special
protection. Any mortification or insult inflicted on her is also
inflicted on me."

"Gentlemen, I beg the conversation may not become serious, but ret