oa, French gloves, and a riding-horse. This last, of
course, could not stand upon the table. It was a joy and a happiness;
people walked about, and separated themselves by degrees into groups.

The only one who was not there was Eva. She always preferred remaining
at home; and yet, perhaps, to-day she might have allowed herself to have
been overpersuaded, had she not found herself so extremely weak.

Silently and alone she now sat at home in the great empty parlor. It
was in the twilight; she had laid down her work, and her beautiful,
thoughtful eyes looked straight before her: thoughts which we may not
unveil were agitating her breast.

Suddenly the door opened, and Wilhelm stood before her. Whilst the
others were walking he had stolen away. He knew that Eva was alone at
home; nobody would know that he visited her, nobody would dream of their
conversation.

"You here!" exclaimed Eva, when she saw him.

"I was compelled to come," answered he. "I have slipped away from
the others; no one knows that I am here. I must speak with you, Eva.
To-morrow I set off; but I cannot leave home calmly and happily without
knowing--what this moment must decide."

Eva rose, her checks crimsoned, she cast down her eyes.

"Baron Wilhelm!" stammered she, "it is not proper that I should remain
here!" She was about to leave the room.

"Eva!" said Wilhelm, and seized her hand, "you know that I love you! My
feelings are honorable! Say Yes, and it shall be holy to me as an oath.
Then I shall begin my journey glad at heart, as one should do. Your
assent shall stand in my breast, shall sound in my ear, whenever sin and
temptation assail me! It will preserve me in an upright course, it will
bring me back good and unspoiled. My wife must you be! You have
soul, and with it nobility! Eva! in God's name, do not make a feeble,
life-weary, disheartened being of me!"

"O Heavens!" exclaimed she, and burst into tears, "I cannot, and--will
not! You forget that I am only a poor girl, who am indebted for
everything to your mother! My assent would displease her, and some time
or other you would repent of it! I cannot!--I do not love you!" added
she, in a tremulous voice.

Wilhelm stood speechless.

Eva suddenly rang the bell.

"What are you doing?" exclaimed he.

The servant entered.

"Bring in lights!" said she; "but first of all you must assist me with
these flowers down into the garden. It will do them good to stand in the
dew."

The ser