they will turn from
you with contempt, when you crave their pity or aid."

"I think that you exaggerate, dearest," said Ebenstreit, fawningly. "You
have many devoted friends among the ladies, and I can well say that I
have found, among the distinguished gentlemen who visit our house, many
noble, excellent ones who have met me with a warmth of friendship--"

"Because they would borrow money of the rich man," interrupted Marie.

"Of course my coffers have always been accessible to my dear friends,
and I prized the honor of proving my friendship by my deeds."

"You will realize to-day how they prove their gratitude to you for it.
Go, receive the good friends whom you have invited. It is time that they
were here, and I perceive the carriages are approaching."

Marie motioned to the door, with a dictatorial wave of her hand, and
Ebenstreit betook himself to the reception-room. Just as he crossed the
threshold, the usher announced "Herr Gedicke! Ebenstreit greeted him
hastily in passing, and the old man went on to meet the baroness, who
was hastening toward him.

"You have most graciously invited me to your house to-day, and you will
excuse me that my earnest wish to see you has brought me earlier than
any other guest."

"I begged you to come a quarter of an hour sooner, for I would gladly
speak with you alone a few moments."

"I thought so, and hastened up here."

"Did not my old Trude go to see you some days since?" asked Marie,
timidly.

"She did, and you can well understand that I was much affected and
surprised at her visit. I thought that you had forgotten me, baroness,
and that every souvenir of the past had fled from your memory. I now
see that your noble, faithful heart can never forget, and therefore has
never ceased to suffer, which I ought to regret, for your sake, but for
my own it pleased me to receive your kind greeting."

Marie pressed her hand to her eyes and sighed audibly. "Pray do not
speak so gently to me--it enervates me, and I would force myself to
endure to-day. Only tell me, did Trude communicate to you my wishes, and
will it be possible for you to fulfil them?"

"Your brave, good friend brought me a thousand dollars, praying me to
convey this to Herr Moritz in order to defray the expenses of a journey
to Italy."

"Have you accomplished it, and in such a manner that he does not suspect
the source from whence it came? He would not receive it if he had the
least suspicion of it. I have