t it will do no good to
resist any longer. She will be ready for the ceremony at eleven o'clock
to-morrow morning."

The general uttered a cry of joy, and struck the table so violently,
with his hand, that the cards were thrown together.

His wife bowed dignifiedly, and the happy bridegroom gave old Trude some
gold-pieces upon the favorable news.

"Has she, then, been converted by your persuasion?" he asked.

"Through my persuasion and her own good sense. She understands that,
if she cannot marry her dear Moritz, Herr Ebenstreit is the most fit
husband, because he loves her, and is so generous to her old parents.
One thing she would like an answer to--can I accompany her to her new
home?"

"Yes, old woman, it will be very agreeable to have so sensible a
person," said Ebenstreit. "Tell Marie that it gives me pleasure to
fulfil her wish."

"In that case I would repeat that Fraulein begs for indulgence and
forbearance until to-morrow, and would like to remain alone to compose
herself."

"I do not wish, in the least, to see her," said her mother; "she can do
what she likes until then."

"I will tell Marie, and she will rejoice," cried Trude.

"Tell her, from her father, that it is very agreeable to him not to see
her pale, wretched-looking face again till morning.--Now, my son,
pay attention, and you, Trude, do not presume to interrupt us again.
Leberecht, play out my ace of hearts."

The latter, with his eyes cast down, and with a perfectly indifferent
manner, played the card indicated, and Trude left the room quietly and
unobserved.

"Every thing is arranged, my child," said Trude, as she re-entered
Marie's room. "They are playing cards, which always lasts two hours,
then Herr Ebenstreit goes away, and the family will go to bed. You have
eighteen hours, before you will be discovered. Hark! it strikes seven,
and it is already quite dark. When the post-horn sounds, then it is
time."

"Oh, Trude! my dear mother, my heart almost ceases to beat, with
anxiety, and I quake with fear," sighed Marie. "I am conscious that I
have commenced a fearful undertaking!"

"They have driven you to it--it is not your fault," said Trude,
consolingly. "Every human being is free to work out his own good or bad
fortune, and, as our dear Old Fritz says, 'to be happy in the future
world in his own way.' They have sold you for money, and you only prove
to them that you are no slave."

"And I prove also that I am a disobedient dau