o the cottage; "Come to me here every
evening, and bring me the fresh set. Who knows but that I may have a few
to give you in return?"

By this time it was rather too late for the study of the stars, and that
had to be postponed; so Dora and Rolf returned to the rest of the family;
Rolf quite overjoyed with the pleasant interview he had had, and with the
prospect of its repetition; while on his side Uncle Titus wended his way
to the cottage, filled with quiet satisfaction at the thought of his new
friend; for he had always wanted a son, a twelve year old son, who should
have left behind the noise and follies of childhood, and have become old
enough to be an intelligent and agreeable companion. Now Rolf fulfilled
these conditions; and moreover displayed a decided predilection for Uncle
Titus, who began to feel a most paternal interest spring up in his heart
towards the lad. So gladly did he feel it, that as he strode through the
garden, in the light of the shining, starry host, he broke out with,

"Live your life merrily
While the lamp glows;
Ere it can fade and die,
Gather the rose."

For the tune was floating in his memory as he had heard it sung that
morning by the fresh young voices, and out came the joyous notes under
the peaceful heavens.

At the cottage window, Aunt Ninette stood looking out for her husband; and
as she heard his voice singing this merry melody, it was with nothing
short of amazement that she said to herself, "Can that be Uncle Titus?"

CHAPTER IX.

"WHAT MUST BE, MUST BE."

Time passed quickly at the two houses, in this new and happy
companionship.

"Another week gone already!" and "Sunday again so soon!" were the
exclamations heard on every side, as each week went by. And Dora was the
happiest of all; the days fairly danced with her: they certainly had not
more than half as many hours as they had had in Karlsruhe, and every
evening she was sorry to have to go to bed, and lose in sleep so much of
the little time that remained of her visit. If she could only have passed
the whole night at the piano, practising while the others were sleeping,
she thought she could have nothing more to desire. Her arm was now wholly
healed, and she was taking music-lessons with a kind of furor; and in Lili
she had a teacher whose zeal equaled her own. A most agreeable teacher
too, who did not trouble her pupil with finger-exercises and scales, but
gave her tunes at once witho