equence of his large
undertakings and the variety of his concerns were employed by old Herr
Balthasar, none seemed to enjoy his confidence in so high a degree as
Edward, the head overseer of his mines and manufactories, and the
manager of his accounts. He was about thirty years old, tall and of a
fine figure, had always something sprightly and good-humoured on his
lips, and thus formed a striking contrast to his morose monosyllabic
master, who had grown old before his time, and whose withered,
wrinkled features, with the faint sad look from his hollow eyes, were
no less repulsive to all, than Edward's cheerful frankness was
attractive of confidence and affection.

It was still very early on a summer morning when Edward was looking
thoughtfully down into the smoking valley: the sun lay behind a thick
mass of clouds; and the mists that were travelling along the bottom,
and mingled with the black vapours from the steaming pits, checkt his
view, and wrapt the landscape in a kind of grey veil. He mused over
his youth, over the plans he had once formed, and then thought how,
contrary to them all, he had become fixt in this melancholy solitude,
which, as he was already verging on the maturity of manhood, he
probably would never quit again. While he was thus losing himself in
his meditations, young William hurried by him, fully equipt as it
seemed for a journey, without even bidding him goodbye. The young man
started as in passing he observed Edward standing there, and he looked
very loth to meet his questions.

"How now?" said Edward; "are you already leaving us again, young man,
after all the entreaties and persuasions it cost us both but three
weeks ago to prevail on our master to take you into his house, and
after he has just forgiven you your sudden departure the other day?"

"I must begone!" cried the young man: "do not stop me! I must submit
to appear ungrateful; but I cannot help it."

"Without speaking to our master?" replied Edward; "without leave of
absence? What are we to think of you? Besides Herr Balthasar will want
you; for there is no one here just now to take your post of
secretary."

"My dearest sir," exclaimed the young man uneasily, "if you knew my
situation, you would not blame or think ill of me."

"Has our master offended you? have you any ground of complaint?"

"No, no! quite the contrary!" cried the young man impetuously; "the
old gentleman is kindness itself; I appear to be base and
good-for-n