e?"

"I would say," said he, spying about the room, as if he were afraid some
one were listening, "that if a poor, simple man like myself could be
useful to you, and you could confide in me your commissions, I should be
too happy to prove to you that Carl Leberecht is an honest fellow, and
has a heart, and it hurts his feelings to see the miss suffer so much."

"I thank you," said Marie, gently. "I am glad to feel that you have
sympathy for me."

"If I can be of the least service to you, have the goodness to call me,
and give me your commissions."

"Indeed I will, although I do not believe it practicable."

"I hope miss will not betray me to Frau von Werrig or old Trude."

"No, I promise you that, and here is my hand upon it."

The servant kissed the extended hand respectfully. "I will enter into
the service of my young lady at once, and tell her she must prepare
for the worst: Herr Ebenstreit just said, 'The diploma of nobility has
arrived.'"

Marie turned deadly pale, and for an instant it seemed as if she would
sink down from fright, but she recovered herself and conquered her
weakness.

"Thank you, it is very well that I should know that; I will go down
directly," said she.

With calm, proud bearing Marie entered the sitting-room of her parents,
and returned the salutations of her betrothed, who hastened toward her
with tender assiduity.

"My dear Marie," cried her mother, "I have the honor to present to you
Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen. The certificate of nobility arrived this
morning."

"I congratulate you, mother--you have at last found the long-desired
heir to your name."

"Congratulate me above all, my beautiful betrothed," said Herr
Ebenstreit, in a hoarse, scarcely intelligible voice. "This title crowns
all my wishes, as it makes me your husband. I came to beg, dear Marie,
that our marriage should take place to-morrow, as there is nothing now
to prevent."

"Sir," she proudly interrupted him, "have I ever permitted this familiar
appellation?"

"I have allowed it," blurted out the general, packed in cushions in his
roiling chair. "Proceed, my dear son."

The latter bowed with a grateful smile, and continued: "I would beg,
my dear Marie, to choose whether our wedding-journey shall be in the
direction of Italy, Spain, France, or wherever else it may please her."

"Is it thus arranged?" asked Marie. "Is the marriage to take place early
to-morrow, and then the happy pair take a journey?"

"Y