e
violently with her hurried breathing ended with a low exclamation, "I
will come."

The nurse, whom Isabella sent out of the room when she entered with her
husband, silently obeyed, but stopped at the door to watch. She saw the
turbulent knight kneel beside the children's cradle before the wife
whom he had so basely neglected, raise his tearful eyes to the majestic
woman, whose stature was little less than his own and, lifting his
clasped hands, make a confession which she could not hear; saw her draw
him towards her, nestle with loving devotion against his broad breast,
and place first one and then the other twin boy in his arms.

The young mother's cheeks as well as the father's were wet, but the eyes
of both sparkled with grateful joy when Isabella, in taking leave of her
husband, thanked him with a last loving kiss for the vow that, wherever
he might go, he would treasure her and the children in his heart, and do
everything in his power to secure a fate that should be worthy of them.

As Siebenburg went downstairs he met his father-in-law on the
second-story landing. Herr Casper, deadly pale, was clinging with his
right hand to the baluster, pressing his left on his brow, as he vainly
struggled for composure and breath. He had forgotten to strengthen
himself with food and drink, and the terrible blows of fate which had
fallen upon him during these last hours of trial crushed, though but
for a short time, his still vigorous strength. The knight went nearer
to help him, but when he offered Herr Casper his arm the old merchant
angrily thrust it back and accepted a servant's support.

While the man assisted him upstairs he repented that he had yielded
to resentment, and not asked his son-in-law to try to discover Wolff's
hiding place, but no sooner had food and fiery wine strengthened him
than his act seemed wise. The return of the business partner, without
whose knowledge he had incurred great financial obligations, would have
placed him in the most painful situation. The old gentleman would have
been obliged to account to Wolff for the large sum which he owed to the
Jew Pfefferkorn, the most impatient of his creditors, though he need
not have told him that he had used it in Venice to gratify his love of
gaming. How should he answer his son if he asked why he had rejected his
betrothed bride, and soon after condescended to receive her again as his
daughter and enter into close relations with her father? Yet this mu