bsent fourteen
days to take an urgent, unavoidable journey; that ten days had already
expired, and he would soon return."

"Then he will be here in four days, and perhaps will bring hope and aid!
He has gone to seek it; I know and I feel it, though I cannot divine
where the assistance will come from. Oh, Trude, if I could only gain a
favorable delay until Moritz returns!"

"Every thing is arranged," murmured Trude. "The marriage license is
already made out, and Parson Dietrich has promised to be ready at any
hour. Herr Ebenstreit has sent the money, doubling the amount required
to the 'Invalids' Hospital' at Berlin, so that when the papers of
nobility arrive, there--"

"Hush!" interrupted Marie, "do not speak of it. It is fearful to think
of, and it crazes me to hear it. I will resort to every extreme. Since
my father and mother are deaf to my entreaties, I will try to move him
to pity. I have never been able to see him alone; my mother is watchful
that an explanation should be impossible between us. I will implore this
man to have pity upon me, and confide in him to whom they would sell
me."

Trude shook her head mournfully. "I fear it will be in vain, dear child.
This man has no heart. I have proved him, and I know it.--Hark the bell
rings! Who can it be?"

Both stepped out of the little garret-room to peep over the banister.
Since Marie had been betrothed to the rich banker Ebenstreit, the
general had received from his kind wife a servant in pompous livery for
his own service. This servant had already opened the door, and Marie
heard him announce in a loud voice, "Herr Ebenstreit!"

"He!" Marie started back with horror. "He, so early in the morning! this
is no accident, Trude. What does it mean? Hush! the servant is coming!"

"I will go down," whispered Trude; "perhaps I can hear something."

Trude hurried away as her young lady glided back into her room, and
never glanced at the servant who sprang past her upon the stairs.

"He is a hypocrite and a spy; he has been hired to watch and observe my
child, and he will betray her if he discovers any thing."

The servant announced, with respectful, humble mien, that Herr
Ebenstreit had arrived, and Frau von Werrig desired her daughter to
descend to the parlor.

"Very well--say that I will come directly."

The servant remained rubbing his hands in an undecided, embarrassed
manner.

"Why do you not go down?" asked Marie. "Have you any thing further to
tell m