u have not always taken my daughter's part?"

"I do not deny it. I have nursed her from childhood, and I love her as
my own child, and would do any thing to make her happy!"

"Do you believe, Trude," cried the general, "that Marie could be
happy with that poor, starving wretch of a school-master? Has she not
experienced in her own home the misfortune and shame of poverty?"

"I know it well," sighed the old one, sadly, "and it has converted me to
believe that it would be a great misfortune for Marie to marry the poor
school-master."

"Well, will you then faithfully help us to prevent it?" quickly asked
Ebenstreit.

"How can I do it?" she sighed, shrugging her shoulder.

"You can persuade my daughter to be reasonable, and yield to that which
she cannot prevent. You are the only one who can make any impression
upon Marie, as she confides in you. Watch her, that in a moment of
passionate desperation she does not commit some rash act. You can tell
us, further, what she says, and warn us of any crazy plan she might form
to carry out her own will."

"That is to say, I must betray my Marie?" cried Trude, angrily.

"No, not betray, but rescue her. Will you do it?" asked Ebenstreit.

"I wish to be paid my wages, my two hundred thalers, that I have
honestly earned, and I will have them."

Ebenstreit took a piece of paper from his pocket. Writing a few lines
with a pencil, he laid it upon the table. "If you will take this to
my cashier after the ceremony to-morrow, he will pay you four hundred
thalers."

"Four hundred thalers in cash," cried Trude, joyfully clapping her
hands. "Shall all that beautiful money be mine, and--No, I do not
believe you," she cried, her face reassuming its gloomy, suspicious
look. "You promise it to me to-day, that I may assist you, and persuade
Marie to the marriage, but to-morrow, when old Trude is of no more use,
you will send me away penniless. Oh, I know how it is. I have lived
long enough to understand the tricks of rich people. I will see the cash
first--only for that will I sell myself."

"The old woman pleases me," said Ebenstreit. "She is practical, and
she is right.--If I promise you the money in an hour, will you persuade
Marie to cease her foolish resistance, and be my wife? Will you watch
over her, and tell us if any thing unusual occurs?"

"Four hundred thalers is a pretty sum," repeated Trude, in a low voice
to herself. "I might buy myself a place in the hospital, and have e