uncement of the betrothal, until the resolute persistence of
Wolff, who meanwhile had entered the great commercial house, and the
wish of his own aged mother, a sensible woman, who from the first had
approved her grandson's choice and to whom Herr Casper was obliged
to show a certain degree of consideration, compelled him to give it
publicity.

A few days later Herr Casper's brother died, and soon after his
estimable old mother. He used these events as a pretext for longer
delay, saying that both he and his wife needed at least six months'
interval ere they could forget their mourning in a gay wedding festival.
Besides, he would prefer not to have the marriage take place until after
Wolff's election to the Council, which, in all probability, would occur
after Walpurgis of the coming year.

Ernst Ortlieb had sullenly submitted to all this. Nothing but his love
for his child and respect for Herr Casper's dead mother, who had taken
Els to her heart like a beloved granddaughter, would have enabled him
to conquer his hasty temper in his negotiations with the man whom
he detested in his inmost soul, and not hurl back the consent so
reluctantly granted to his son.

The friends who knew him admired the strength of will with which he
governed his impetuous nature in this transaction. Some asserted that
secret obligations compelled him to yield to the rich Eysvogel; for
though the Ortlieb mercantile house was reputed wealthy, the business
prudence of its head resulted in smaller profits, and people had not
forgotten that it had suffered heavy losses during the terrible period
of despotism which had preceded the Emperor Rudolph's accession to the
throne.

The insecurity of the high-roads had injured every merchant, but in
trying to find some explanation for Herr Ortlieb's submission the
attacks which had cost him one and another train of wares were regarded
as specially disastrous.

Finally, the dowry which Els was to bring bore no comparison to the
large sums Ernst Ortlieb had lavished upon the erection of the St.
Clare Convent, and hence it was inferred that the wealth of the firm had
sustained considerable losses. This found ready credence, owing to the
retired life led by the Ortliebs,--whose house had formerly been one
of the most hospitable in the city,--ever since the wife had become an
invalid and Eva had grown up with an aversion to the world. Few took the
trouble to inquire into the very apparent causes for the cha