Withthetailofhiseyehesawthedoor——evenglancedatitfromtimetotimedirectly，likeabesiegedcommanderpleasedtoverifythegoodestateofhisdefences。Butintruthhewasatpeace。Therainfallinginthestreetsoundednaturalandpleasant。Presently，ontheotherside，thenotesofapianowerewakenedtothemusicofahymn，andthevoicesofmanychildrentookuptheairandwords。Howstately，howcomfortablewasthemelody！Howfreshtheyouthfulvoices！
Markheimgaveeartoitsmilingly，ashesortedoutthekeys;andhismindwasthrongedwithanswerableideasandimages：church-goingchildren，andthepealingofthehighorgan;childrenafield，bathersbythebrookside，ramblersonthebramblycommon，kite-flyersinthewindyandcloud-navigatedsky;andthen，atanothercadenceofthehymn，backagaintochurch，andthesomnolenceofsummerSundays，andthehighgenteelvoiceoftheparson（whichhesmiledalittletorecall）andthepaintedJacobeantombs，andthedimletteringoftheTenCommandmentsinthechancel。
Andashesatthus，atoncebusyandabsent，hewasstartledtohisfeet。Aflashofice，aflashoffire，aburstinggushofblood，wentoverhim，andthenhestoodtransfixedandthrilling。Astepmountedthestairslowlyandsteadily，andpresentlyahandwaslaidupontheknob，andthelockclicked，andthedooropened。
FearheldMarkheiminavice。Whattoexpectheknewnot——whetherthedeadmanwalking，ortheofficialministersofhumanjustice，orsomechancewitnessblindlystumblingintoconsignhimtothegallows。Butwhenafacewasthrustintotheaperture，glancedroundtheroom，lookedathim，noddedandsmiledasifinfriendlyrecognition，andthenwithdrewagain，andthedoorclosedbehindit，hisfearbrokeloosefromhiscontrolinahoarsecry。Atthesoundofthisthevisitantreturned。
\"Didyoucallme？\"heasked，pleasantly，andwiththatheenteredtheroomandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
Markheimstoodandgazedathimwithallhiseyes。Perhapstherewasafilmuponhissight，buttheoutlinesofthenewcomerseemedtochangeandwaverlikethoseoftheidolsinthewaveringcandle-lightoftheshop;andattimeshethoughtheknewhim;andattimeshethoughtheborealikenesstohimself;andalways，likealumpoflivingterror，therelayinhisbosomtheconvictionthatthisthingwasnotoftheearthandnotofGod。
Andyetthecreaturehadastrangeairofthecommonplace，ashestoodlookingonMarkheimwithasmile;andwhenheadded，\"Youarelookingforthemoney，Ibelieve？\"itwasinthetonesofeverydaypoliteness。
Markheimmadenoanswer。
\"Ishouldwarnyou，\"resumedtheother，\"thatthemaidhaslefthersweetheartearlierthanusualandwillsoonbehere。IfMr。Markheimbefoundinthishouse，Ineednotdescribetohimtheconsequences。\"
\"Youknowme？\"criedthemurderer。
Thevisitorsmiled。\"Youhavelongbeenafavouriteofmine，\"hesaid;
\"andIhavelongobservedandoftensoughttohelpyou。\"
\"Whatareyou？\"criedMarkheim;\"thedevil？\"
\"WhatImaybe，\"returnedtheother，\"cannotaffecttheserviceI
proposetorenderyou。\"
\"Itcan，\"criedMarkheim;\"itdoes！Behelpedbyyou？No，never;notbyyou！Youdonotknowmeyet;thankGod，youdonotknowme！\"
\"Iknowyou，\"repliedthevisitant，withasortofkindseverityorratherfirmness。\"Iknowyoutothesoul。\"
\"Knowme！\"criedMarkheim。\"Whocandoso？Mylifeisbutatravestyandslanderonmyself。Ihavelivedtobeliemynature。Allmendo;
allmenarebetterthanthisdisguisethatgrowsaboutandstiflesthem。Youseeeachdraggedawaybylife，likeonewhombravoshaveseizedandmuffledinacloak。Iftheyhadtheirowncontrol——ifyoucouldseetheirfaces，theywouldbealtogetherdifferent，theywouldshineoutforheroesandsaints！Iamworsethanmost;myselfismoreoverlaid;myexcuseisknowntomeandGod。But，hadIthetime，I
coulddisclosemyself。\"
\"Tome？\"inquiredthevisitant。
\"Toyoubeforeall，\"returnedthemurderer。\"Isupposedyouwereintelligent。Ithought——sinceyouexist——youwouldproveareaderoftheheart。Andyetyouwouldproposetojudgemebymyacts！Thinkofit——myacts！IwasbornandIhavelivedinalandofgiants;giantshavedraggedmebythewristssinceIwasbornoutofmymother——thegiantsofcircumstance。Andyouwouldjudgemebymyacts！Butcanyounotlookwithin？Canyounotunderstandthatevilishatefultome？
Canyounotseewithinmetheclearwritingofconscience，neverblurredbyanywilfulsophistry，althoughtoooftendisregarded？Canyounotreadmeforathingthatsurelymustbecommonashumanity——
theunwillingsinner？\"
\"Allthisisveryfeelinglyexpressed，\"wasthereply，\"butitregardsmenot。Thesepointsofconsistencyarebeyondmyprovince，andIcarenotintheleastbywhatcompulsionyoumayhavebeendraggedaway，soasyouarebutcarriedintherightdirection。Buttimeflies;theservantdelays，lookinginthefacesofthecrowdandatthepicturesonthehoardings，butstillshekeepsmovingnearer;andremember，itisasifthegallowsitselfwasstridingtowardsyouthroughtheChristmasstreets！ShallIhelpyou——I，whoknowall？ShallItellyouwheretofindthemoney？\"
\"Forwhatprice？\"askedMarkheim。
\"IofferyoutheserviceforaChristmasgift，\"returnedtheother。
Markheimcouldnotrefrainfromsmilingwithakindofbittertriumph。
\"No，\"saidhe，\"Iwilltakenothingatyourhands;ifIweredyingofthirst，anditwasyourhandthatputthepitchertomylips，Ishouldfindthecouragetorefuse。Itmaybecredulous，butIwilldonothingtocommitmyselftoevil。\"
\"Ihavenoobjectiontoadeath-bedrepentance，\"observedthevisitant。
\"Becauseyoudisbelievetheirefficacy！\"Markheimcried。
\"Idonotsayso，\"returnedtheother;\"butIlookonthesethingsfromadifferentside，andwhenthelifeisdonemyinterestfalls。
Themanhaslivedtoserveme，tospreadblacklooksundercolourofreligion，ortosowtaresinthewheat-field，asyoudo，inacourseofweakcompliancewithdesire。Nowthathedrawssoneartohisdeliverance，hecanaddbutoneactofservice：torepent，todiesmiling，andthustobuildupinconfidenceandhopethemoretimorousofmysurvivingfollowers。Iamnotsohardamaster。Tryme;acceptmyhelp。Pleaseyourselfinlifeasyouhavedonehitherto;pleaseyourselfmoreamply，spreadyourelbowsattheboard;andwhenthenightbeginstofallandthecurtainstobedrawn，Itellyou，foryourgreatercomfort，thatyouwillfinditeveneasytocompoundyourquarrelwithyourconscience，andtomakeatrucklingpeacewithGod。
Icamebutnowfromsuchadeath-bed，andtheroomwasfullofsinceremourners，listeningtotheman’slastwords;andwhenIlookedintothatface，whichhadbeensetasaflintagainstmercy，Ifounditsmilingwithhope。\"
\"Anddoyou，then，supposemesuchacreature？\"askedMarkheim。\"DoyouthinkIhavenomoregenerousaspirationsthantosinandsinandsinandatlastsneakintoheaven？Myheartrisesatthethought。Isthis，then，yourexperienceofmankind？orisitbecauseyoufindmewithredhandsthatyoupresumesuchbaseness？Andisthiscrimeofmurderindeedsoimpiousastodryuptheveryspringsofgood？\"
\"Murderistomenospecialcategory，\"repliedtheother。\"Allsinsaremurder，evenasalllifeiswar。Ibeholdyourrace，likestarvingmarinersonaraft，pluckingcrustsoutofthehandsoffamineandfeedingoneachother’slives。Ifollowsinsbeyondthemomentoftheiracting;Ifindinallthatthelastconsequenceisdeath，andtomyeyes，theprettymaidwhothwartshermotherwithsuchtakinggracesonaquestionofaball，dripsnolessvisiblywithhumangorethansuchamurdererasyourself。DoIsaythatIfollowsins？I
followvirtuesalso。Theydiffernotbythethicknessofanail;theyarebothscythesforthereapingangelofDeath。Evil，forwhichI
live，consistsnotinactionbutincharacter。Thebadmanisdeartome，notthebadact，whosefruits，ifwecouldfollowthemfarenoughdownthehurtlingcataractoftheages，mightyetbefoundmoreblessedthanthoseoftherarestvirtues。Anditisnotbecauseyouhavekilledadealer，butbecauseyouareMarkheim，thatIoffertoforwardyourescape。\"
\"Iwilllaymyheartopentoyou，\"answeredMarkheim。\"Thiscrimeonwhichyoufindmeismylast。OnmywaytoitIhavelearnedmanylessons;itselfisalesson——amomentouslesson。HithertoIhavebeendrivenwithrevolttowhatIwouldnot;Iwasabond-slavetopoverty，drivenandscourged。Therearerobustvirtuesthatcanstandinthesetemptations;minewasnotso;Ihadathirstofpleasure。Butto-day，andoutofthisdeed，Ipluckbothwarningandriches——boththepowerandafreshresolvetobemyself。Ibecomeinallthingsafreeactorintheworld;Ibegintoseemyselfallchanged，thesehandstheagentsofgood，thisheartatpeace。Somethingcomesovermeoutofthepast——somethingofwhatIhavedreamedonSabbatheveningstothesoundofthechurchorgan，ofwhatIforecastwhenIshedtearsovernoblebooks，ortalked，aninnocentchild，withmymother。Thereliesmylife;Ihavewanderedafewyears，butnowIseeoncemoremycityofdestination。\"
\"YouaretousethismoneyontheStockExchange，Ithink？\"remarkedthevisitor;\"andthere，ifImistakenot，youhavealreadylostsomethousands？\"
\"Ah，\"saidMarkheim，\"butthistimeIhaveasurething。\"
\"Thistime，again，youwilllose，\"repliedthevisitorquietly。
\"Ah，butIkeepbackthehalf！\"criedMarkheim。
\"Thatalsoyouwilllose，\"saidtheother。
ThesweatstarteduponMarkheim’sbrow。\"Wellthen，whatmatter？\"heexclaimed。\"Sayitbelost，sayIamplungedagaininpoverty，shallonepartofme，andthattheworse，continueuntiltheendtooverridethebetter？Evilandgoodrunstronginme，hailingmebothways。Idonotlovetheonething;Iloveall。Icanconceivegreatdeeds，renunciations，martyrdoms;andthoughIbefallentosuchacrimeasmurder，pityisnostrangertomythoughts。Ipitythepoor;whoknowstheirtrialsbetterthanmyself？Ipityandhelpthem。Iprizelove;I
lovehonestlaughter;thereisnogoodthingnortruethingonearthbutIloveitfrommyheart。Andaremyvicesonlytodirectmylife，andmyvirtuestoliewithouteffect，likesomepassivelumberofthemind？Notso;good，also，isaspringofacts。\"
Butthevisitantraisedhisfinger。\"Forsixandthirtyyearsthatyouhavebeeninthisworld，\"saidhe，\"throughmanychangesoffortuneandvarietiesofhumour，Ihavewatchedyousteadilyfall。Fifteenyearsagoyouwouldhavestartedatatheft。Threeyearsbackyouwouldhaveblenchedatthenameofmurder。Isthereanycrime，isthereanycrueltyormeanness，fromwhichyoustillrecoil？FiveyearsfromnowIshalldetectyouinthefact！Downward，downward，liesyourway;norcananythingbutdeathavailtostopyou。\"
\"Itistrue，\"Markheimsaidhuskily，\"Ihaveinsomedegreecompliedwithevil。Butitissowithall;theverysaints，inthemereexerciseofliving，growlessdainty，andtakeonthetoneoftheirsurroundings。\"
\"Iwillpropoundtoyouonesimplequestion，\"saidtheother;\"andasyouanswerIshallreadtoyouyourmoralhoroscope。Youhavegrowninmanythingsmorelax;possiblyyoudorighttobeso;andatanyaccount，itisthesamewithallmen。Butgrantingthat，areyouinanyoneparticular，howevertrifling，moredifficulttopleasewithyourownconduct，ordoyougoinallthingswithalooserrein？\"
\"Inanyone？\"repeatedMarkheim，withananguishofconsideration。
\"No，\"headded，withdespair;\"innone！Ihavegonedowninall。\"
\"Then，\"saidthevisitor，\"contentyourselfwithwhatyouare，foryouwillneverchange;andthewordsofyourpartonthisstageareirrevocablywrittendown。\"
Markheimstoodforalongwhilesilent，and，indeed，itwasthevisitorwhofirstbrokethesilence。\"Thatbeingso，\"hesaid，\"shallIshowyouthemoney？\"
\"Andgrace？\"criedMarkheim。
\"Haveyounottriedit？\"returnedtheother。\"TwoorthreeyearsagodidInotseeyouontheplatformofrevivalmeetings，andwasnotyourvoicetheloudestinthehymn？\"
\"Itistrue，\"saidMarkheim;\"andIseeclearlywhatremainsformebywayofduty。Ithankyoufortheselessonsfrommysoul;myeyesareopened，andIbeholdmyselfatlastforwhatIam。\"
Atthismoment，thesharpnoteofthedoor-bellrangthroughthehouse;andthevisitant，asthoughthisweresomeconcertedsignalforwhichhehadbeenwaiting，changedatonceinhisdemeanour。
\"Themaid！\"hecried。\"Shehasreturned，asIforewarnedyou，andthereisnowbeforeyouonemoredifficultpassage。Hermaster，youmustsay，isill;youmustletherin，withanassuredbutratherseriouscountenance;nosmiles，nooveracting，andIpromiseyousuccess！Oncethegirlwithin，andthedoorclosed，thesamedexteritythathasalreadyridyouofthedealerwillrelieveyouofthislastdangerinyourpath。Thenceforwardyouhavethewholeevening——thewholenight，ifneedful——toransackthetreasuresofthehouseandtomakegoodyoursafety。Thisishelpthatcomestoyouwiththemaskofdanger。Up！\"hecried;\"up，friend。Yourlifehangstremblinginthescales;up，andact！\"
Markheimsteadilyregardedhiscounsellor。\"IfIbecondemnedtoevilacts，\"hesaid，\"thereisstillonedooroffreedomopen：Icanceasefromaction。Ifmylifebeanillthing，Icanlayitdown。ThoughI
be，asyousaytruly，atthebeckofeverysmalltemptation，Icanyet，byonedecisivegesture，placemyselfbeyondthereachofall。Myloveofgoodisdamnedtobarrenness;itmay，andletitbe！ButI
havestillmyhatredofevil;andfromthat，toyourgallingdisappointment，youshallseethatIcandrawbothenergyandcourage。\"
Thefeaturesofthevisitorbegantoundergoawonderfulandlovelychange：theybrightenedandsoftenedwithatendertriumph，and，evenastheybrightened，fadedanddislimned。ButMarkheimdidnotpausetowatchorunderstandthetransformation。Heopenedthedoorandwentdownstairsveryslowly，thinkingtohimself。Hispastwentsoberlybeforehim;hebehelditasitwas，uglyandstrenuouslikeadream，randomaschancemedley——asceneofdefeat。Life，ashethusreviewedit，temptedhimnolonger;butonthefurthersideheperceivedaquiethavenforhisbark。Hepausedinthepassage，andlookedintotheshop，wherethecandlestillburnedbythedeadbody。Itwasstrangelysilent。Thoughtsofthedealerswarmedintohismind，ashestoodgazing。Andthenthebelloncemorebrokeoutintoimpatientclamour。
Heconfrontedthemaiduponthethresholdwithsomethinglikeasmile。
\"Youhadbettergoforthepolice，\"saidhe;\"Ihavekilledyourmaster。\"
QUEENTITA’SWAGER
byWILLIAMBLACK
I
FRANZISKAFAHLER
ItisaChristmasmorninginSurrey——cold，stillandgray，withafrailglimmerofsunshinecomingthroughthebaretreestomeltthehoar-frostonthelawn。Thepostmanhasjustgoneout，swingingthegatebehindhim。Afireburnsbrightlyinthebreakfast-room;andthereissilenceaboutthehouse，forthechildrenhavegoneofftoclimbBoxHillbeforebeingmarchedtochurch。
Thesmallandgentleladywhopresidesoverthehouseholdwalkssedatelyin，andliftsthesolitaryletterthatislyingonherplate。
Aboutthreesecondssufficetoletherrunthroughitscontents，andthenshesuddenlycries：
\"Iknewit！Isaidit！Itoldyoutwomonthsagoshewasonlyflirtingwithhim;andnowshehasrejectedhim。Andoh！Iamsogladofit！
Thepoorboy！\"
Theotherpersonintheroom，whohadbeenmeeklywaitingforhisbreakfastforhalfanhour，venturestopointoutthatthereisnothingtorejoiceoverinthefactofayoungmanhavingbeenrejectedbyayoungwoman。
\"Ifitwerefinal，yes！Ifthesetwoyoungfolkswerenotcertaintogoandmarrysomebodyelse，youmightcongratulatethemboth。Butyouknowtheywill。Thepoorboywillgocourtingagaininthreemonths’
time，andbevastlypleasedwithhiscondition。\"
\"Oh，never，never！\"shesays。\"Hehashadsuchalesson！YouknowI
warnedhim。Iknewshewasonlyflirtingwithhim。PoorCharlie！NowI
hopehewillgetonwithhisprofession，andleavesuchthingsoutofhishead。Andasforthatcreature——\"
\"Iwilldoyouthejusticetosay，\"observesherhusband，whoisstillregardingthetablewithalongingeye，\"thatyoudidopposethismatch，becauseyouhadn’tthemakingofit。Ifyouhadbroughtthesetwotogethertheywouldhavebeenmarriederethis。Nevermind;youcanmarryhimtosomebodyofyourownchoosingnow。\"
\"No，\"shesays，withmuchdecision;\"hemustnotthinkofmarriage。Hecannotthinkofit。Itwilltakethepoorladalongtimetogetoverthisblow。\"
\"Hewillmarrywithinayear。\"
\"Iwillbetyouwhateveryoulikethathedoesn’t，\"shesays，triumphantly。
\"WhateverIlike！Thatisabigwager。Ifyoulose，doyouthinkyoucouldpay？Ishouldlike，forexample，tohavemyownwayinmyownhouse。\"
\"IfIloseyoushall，\"saysthegenerouscreature;andthebargainisconcluded。
Nothingfurtherissaidaboutthismatterforthemoment。ThechildrenreturnfromBoxHill，andareriggedoutforchurch。Twoyoungpeople，friendsofours，andrecentlymarried，havingnodomesticcircleoftheirown，andhavingpromisedtospendthewholeChristmasDaywithus，arrived。Thenwesetout，tryingasmuchaspossibletothinkthatChristmasDayisdifferentfromanyotherday，andpleasedtoobservethattheyoungerfolk，atleast，cherishthedelusion。
ButjustbeforereachingthechurchIsaytothesmallladywhogottheletterinthemorning，andwhomwegenerallycallTita：
\"WhendoyouexpecttoseeCharlie？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"sheanswers。\"Afterthiscruelaffairhewon’tliketogoaboutmuch。\"
\"YourememberthathepromisedtogowithustotheBlackForest？\"
\"Yes;andIamsureitwillbeapleasanttripforhim。\"
\"ShallwegotoHuferschingen？\"
\"Isupposeso。\"
\"Franziskaisaprettygirl。\"
NowyouwouldnotthinkthatanygreatmischiefcouldbedonebythemereremarkthatFranziskawasaprettygirl。AnybodywhohadseenFranziskaFahler，nieceoftheproprietorofthe\"GoldenenBock\"inHuferschingen，wouldadmitthatinamoment。Butthisisneverthelesstrue，thatourimportantbutdiminutiveQueenTitawasverythoughtfulduringtherestofourwalktothislittlechurch;andinchurch，too，shewasthinkingsodeeplythatshealmostforgottolookattheeffectofthedecorationsshehadnailedupthedaybefore。YetnothingcouldhaveoffendedinthebareobservationthatFranziskawasaprettygirl。
AtdinnerintheeveningwehadourtwoguestsandafewyoungfellowsfromLondonwhodidnothappentohavetheirfamiliesorhomesthere。
Curiouslyenough，therewasavastdealoftalkabouttravelling，andalsoaboutBaden，andmoreparticularlyaboutthesoutherndistrictsofBaden。TitasaidtheBlackForestwasthemostcharmingplaceintheworld;andasitwasChristmasDay，andaswehadbeenlisteningtoasermonallaboutcharityandkindnessandconsiderationforothers，nobodywasrudeenoughtocontradicther。Butourforbearancewasputtoaseveretestwhen，afterdinner，sheproducedaphotographicalbumandhandeditround，andchallengedeverybodytosaywhethertheyoungladyinthecornerwasnotabsolutelylovely。
Mostofthemsaidthatshewascertainlyverynice-looking;andTitaseemedalittledisappointed。
IperceivedthatitwouldnolongerdotosaythatFranziskawasaprettygirl。Weshouldhenceforthhavetoswearbyeverythingwehelddearthatshewasabsolutelylovely。
II
ZUM\"GOLDENENBOCK\"
Wefeltsomepityfortheladwhenwetookhimabroadwithus;butitmustbeconfessedthatatfirsthewasnotaverydesirabletravellingcompanion。Therewasagloomabouthim。Despitetheeightmonthsthathadelapsed，heprofessedthathisoldwoundwasstillopen。Titatreatedhimwiththekindestmaternalsolicitude，whichwasagreatmistake;tonics，notsweets，arerequiredinsuchcases。Yethewasverygrateful，andhesaid，withablush，that，inanycase，hewouldnotrailagainstallwomenbecauseofthebadnessofone。Indeed，youwouldnothavefanciedhehadanygreatgrudgeagainstwomankind。
TherewereagreatmanyEnglishabroadthatautumn，andwemetwholebatchesofprettygirlsateverystationandatevery/tabled’hote/
onourroute。Didheavoidthem，orglareatthemsavagely，orsayhardthingsofthem？Ohno！quitethereverse。Hewasalittleshyatfirst;andwhenhesawapartyofdistresseddamselsinastation，withtheirbewilderedfatherinvainattemptingtomakehimselfunderstoodtoaporter，hewouldassisttheminabriefandbusinesslikemannerasifitwereaduty，lifthiscap，andthenmarchoffrelieved。Butby-and-byhebegantomakeacquaintancesinthehotel;andashewasahandsome，English-lookinglad，whoboreacertificateofhonestyinhiscleargrayeyesandeasygait，hewasrathermademuchof。Norcouldanyfaultbedecentlyfoundwithhisappetite。
SowepassedonfromKonigswintertoCoblenz，andfromCoblenztoHeidelberg，andfromHeidelbergsouthtoFreiburg，wherewebadeadieutothelastofthetowns，andlaidholdofatrapwithapairofancientandangularhorses，andplungedintotheHollenthal，thefirstgreatgorgeoftheBlackForestmountains。Fromonepointtoanotherweslowlyurgedourdeviouscourse，walkingthemostoftheday，indeed，andputtingthetrapandourselvesupforthenightatsomequaintroadsidehostelry，whereweateofroe-deeranddrankofAffenthaler，andendeavouredtospeakGermanwithapureWaldshutaccent。Andthen，oneevening，whenthelastraysofthesunwereshiningalongthehillsandtouchingthestemsofthetallpines，wedroveintoanarrowvalleyandcaughtsightofalargebrownbuildingofwood，withprojectingeavesandquaintwindows，thatstoodclosebytheforest。
\"Hereismydearinn！\"criedTita，withagreatglowofdelightandaffectioninherface。\"Hereis/meingutesThal！Ichgruss’dicheintausendMal！/AndhereisoldPetercomeouttoseeus;andthereisFranziska！\"
\"Oh，thisisFranziska，isit？\"saidCharlie。
Yes，thiswasFranziska。Shewasawell-built，handsomegirlofnineteenortwenty，withahealthy，sunburntcomplexion，anddarkhairplaitedintotwolongtails，whichweretakenupandtwistedintoaknotbehind。Thatyoucouldseefromadistance。ButonnearerapproachyoufoundthatFranziskahadreallyfineandintelligentfeatures，andapairoffrank，clear，bigbrowneyesthathadaverystraightlookaboutthem。Theyweresomethingoftheeyesofadeer，indeed;wideapart，soft，andapprehensive，yetlookingwithacertaindirectnessandunconsciousnessthatovercamehernaturalgirlishtimidity。Titasimplyflewatherandkissedherheartilyandaskedhertwentyquestionsatonce。FranziskaansweredinveryfairEnglish，alittleslowandformal，butquitegrammatical。ThenshewasintroducedtoCharlie，andsheshookhandswithhiminasimpleandunembarrassedway;andthensheturnedtooneoftheservantsandgavesomedirectionsabouttheluggage。FinallyshebeggedTitatogoindoorsandgetoffhertravellingattire，whichwasdone，leavingustwooutside。
\"She’saveryprettygirl，\"Charliesaid，carelessly。\"Isupposeshe’ssortofheadcookandkitchen-maidhere。\"
Theimpudenceoftheseyoungmenissomethingextraordinary。
\"Ifyouwishtohaveyourheadinyourhands，\"Iremarkedtohim，\"justyourepeatthatremarkatdinner。Why，Franziskaisnoendofaswell。Shehastwothousandpoundsandthehalfofamill。ShehasasistermarriedtotheGeheimer-Ober-HofbaurathofHesse-Cassel。ShehadvisitedbothParisandMunich，andshehasherdressesmadeinFreiburg。\"
\"Butwhydoessuchanillustriouscreatureburyherselfinthisvalley，andinanoldinn，andgoaboutbareheaded？\"
\"Becausetherearefolksintheworldwithoutambition，wholiketoliveaquiet，decent，homelylife。Everygirlcan’tmarryaGeheimer-
Ober-Hofbaurath。Ziska，now，ismuchmorelikelytomarrytheyoungdoctorhere。\"
\"Oh，indeed！andlivehereallherdays。Shecouldn’tdobetter。HappyFranziska！\"
Wewentindoors。Itwasalow，large，ramblingplace，withoneimmenseroomallhungroundwithroe-deers’horns，andwithonelesserroomfittedupwithabilliard-table。TheinnlayacoupleofhundredyardsbackfromHuferschingen;butithadbeenmadetheheadquartersofthekeepers，andjustoutsidethisroomtherewereanumberofpegsforthemtoslingtheirgunsandbagsonwhentheycameinofaneveningtohaveapipeandachopinofwhitewine。Ziska’suncleandauntwerebothlarge，stout，andsomnolentpeople，verygood-naturedandkind，butatrifledull。Ziskareallyhadthemanagementoftheplace，andshewasnotslowtolendahandiftheservantswereremissinwaitingonus。Butthat，itwasunderstood，wasdoneoutofcomplimenttooursmallQueenTita。
By-and-bywesatdowntodinner，andFranziskacametoseethateverythingwasgoingonstraight。Itwasadinner\"withscenery。\"Youforgottobeparticularaboutthesoup，thevenison，andtheAffenthalerwhenfromthewindowatyourelbowyoucouldlookacrossthenarrowvalleyandbeholdalongstretchoftheBlackForestshiningintheredglowofthesunset。Thelowerthesunsankthemoreintensebecamethecrimsonlightonthetallstemsofthepines;andthenyoucouldseethelineofshadowslowlyrisingupthesideoftheoppositehilluntilonlythetopmosttreesweretouchedwithfire。
Thenthesetoolostit，andalltheforestaroundusseemedtohaveapale-bluemiststealingoveritasthenightfellandthetwilightfadedoutoftheskyoverhead。Presentlythelongundulationsoffirgrewblack，thestarscameout，andthesoundofthestreamcouldbehearddistantlyinthehollow;andthen，atTita’swish，wewentoffforalaststrollinamongthesoftmossandunderthedarknessofthepines，nowandagainstartingsomegreatcapercailzie，andsendingitflyingandwhirringdowntheglades。
Whenwereturnedfromthatprowlintotheforest，wefoundtheinndark。Suchpeopleasmayhavecalledinhadgonehome;butwesuspectedthatFranziskahadgiventheneighboursahintnottooverwhelmusonourfirstarrival。Whenweenteredthebigroom，Franziskacameinwithcandles;thenshebroughtsomematches，andalsoputonthetableanoddlittlepackofcards，andwentout。Heruncleandaunthad，evenbeforewewentout，comeandbadeusgood-
nightformally，andshakenhandsallround。TheyareearlyfolkintheBlackForest。
\"Wherehasthatgirlgonenow？\"saysCharlie。\"Intothatlonelybilliard-room！Couldn’tyouaskhertocomeinhere？Orshallwegoandplaybilliards？\"
Titastares，andthendemurelysmiles;butitiswithanassumedseveritythatsherebukeshimforsuchawickedproposal，andremindshimthathemuststartearlynextmorning。Hegroansassent。Thenshetakesherleave。
Thebigyoungmanwassilentforamomentortwo，withhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsstretchedout。IbegintothinkIaminforit——theoldstoryofblightedhopesandangrydenunciationandhypocriticaljoy，andalltherestofit。ButsuddenlyCharlielooksupwithabusinesslikeairandsays：
\"Whoisthatdoctorfellowyouwerespeakingabout！Shallweseehimto-morrow？\"
\"Yousawhimto-night。Itwashewhopassedusontheroadwiththetwobeagles。\"
\"What！thatlittlefellowwiththebandylegsandthespectacles？\"hecries，withagreatlaugh。
\"Thatlittlefellow，\"Iobservetohim，\"isapersonofsomeimportance，Icantellyou。He——\"
\"IsupposehissistermarriedaGeheimer-Ober-under——whatthedickensisit？\"saysthisdisrespectfulyoungman。
\"Dr。KrummhasgottheIronCross。\"
\"Thatwon’tmakehislegsanythestraighter。\"
\"HewasatWeissenburg。\"
\"Isupposehegotthatcastintheeyethere。\"
\"Hecanplaythezitherinawaythatwouldastonishyou。Hehasgotalittlemoney。Franziskaandhewouldbeabletoliveverycomfortablytogether。\"
\"Franziskaandthatfellow？\"saysCharlie;andthenheriseswithasulkyair，andproposesweshouldtakeourcandleswithus。
Butheisnotsulkyverylong;forZiska，hearingourfootsteps，comestothepassageandbidsusafriendlygood-night。
\"Good-night，MissFahler！\"hesays，inratherashamefacedway;\"andI
amsoawfullysorrywehavekeptyouupsolate。Wesha’n’tdoitagain。\"
Youwouldhavethoughtbyhismannerthatitwastwoo’clock，whereasitwasonlyhalf-pasteleven！
III
DR。KRUMM
TherewasnoparticularreasonwhyDr。KrummshouldmarryFranziskaFahler，exceptthathewasthemostimportantyoungmaninHuferschingen，andshewasthemostimportantyoungwoman。Peoplethereforethoughttheywouldmakeagoodmatch，althoughFranziskacertainlyhadthemosttogiveinthewayofgoodlooks。Dr。Krummwasashort，bandy-legged，sturdyyoungman，withlong，fairhair，atannedcomplexion，light-blueeyesnotquitelookingthesameway，spectacles，andageneralairofindustriouscommonsenseabouthim，ifonemayusesuchaphrase。TherewascertainlylittleoftheloverinhismannertowardZiska，andaslittleinherstowardhim。Theywereverygoodfriends，though，andhecalledherZiska，whileshegavehimhisnicknameofFidelio，hisrealnamebeingFidele。
Nowonthis，thefirstmorningofourstayinHuferschingen，allthepopulationhadturnedoutatanearlyhourtoseeusstartfortheforest;andastheOber-ForsterhadgoneawaytovisithisparentsinBavaria，Dr。Krummwasappointedtosuperintendtheoperationsoftheday。Andwheneverybodywasbusyrenewingacquaintancewithus，gatheringthestrayingdogs，examininggunsandcartridge-belts，andgenerallyaidingintheprofoundcommotionofoursettingout，Dr。
KrummwasfoundtobetalkinginaveryfriendlyandfamiliarmannerwithourprettyFranziska。Charlieeyedthemaskance。HebegantosaydisrespectfulthingsofKrumm：hethoughtKrummaplainperson。Andthen，whenthebandy-leggeddoctorhadgotallthedogs，keepers，andbeaterstogether，wesetoffalongtheroad，andpresentlyplungedintothecoolshadeoftheforest，wherethethickmosssuddenlysilencedourfootsteps，andwheretherewasamoistandresinoussmellintheair。
Well，theincidentsoftheforenoon’sshooting，picturesqueastheywere，andfullofnoveltytoTita’sprotege，neednotbedescribed。Attheendofthefourthdrive，whenwehadgotonnearlytoluncheon-
time，itappearedthatCharliehadkilledahandsomebuck，andhewassopleasedwiththisperformancethathegrewfriendlywithDr。Krumm，whohad，indeed，givenhimthe/haupt-stelle/。Butwhen，aswesatdowntooursausagesandbreadandredwine，Charlieincidentallyinformedourcommander-in-chiefthat，duringoneofthedrives，asplendidyellowfoxhadcomeoutoftheunderwoodandstoodandstaredathimforthreeorfourseconds，thedoctorutteredacryofdespair。
\"Ishouldhavetoldyouthat，\"hesaid，inEnglishthatwasnotquitesogoodasZiska’s，\"ifIhadremembered，yes！TheEnglishwillnotshootthefoxes;buttheyareverybadforus;theykilltheyoungdeer。Wearegladtoshootthem;andFranziskashetoldmeshewantedayellowfoxfortheskintomakesomething。\"
Charliegotveryredintheface。He/had/missedachance。IfhehadknownthatFranziskawantedayellowfox，alltheinstinctivevenerationforthatanimalthatwasinhimwouldhavegonecleanout，andthefateoftheanimal——forCharliewasasmartshot——wouldhavebeendefinitelysealed。
\"Aretheremanyofthem？\"saidhe，gloomily。
\"No;notmany。Butwherethereisonetherearegenerallyfourorfive。Inthenextdrivewemaycomeonthem，yes！Iwillputyouinagoodplace，sir，andyoumustnotthinkoflettinghimgoaway;forFranziska，whohaswaitedtwo，threeweeks，andnotoneyellowfoxnotanywhere，anditisforthevarietyoftheskinina——a——Idonotknowwhatyoucallit。\"
\"Arug，Isuppose，\"saidCharlie。
IsubsequentlyheardthatCharliewenttohispostwithafixeddeterminationtoshootanythingofyellowcolourthatcamenearhim。
HisstationwasnexttothatofDr。Krumm;butofcoursetheywereinvisibletoeachother。Thehornsofthebeaterssoundedawarning;
thegunnerscockedtheirgunsandstoodonthealert;intheperfectsilenceeachonewaitedforthefirstglimmerofabrownhidedownthelonggreengladesofyoungfir。Then，accordingtoCharlie’saccount，bywenttwoorthreedeerlikelightning——allofthemdoes。Abuckcamelast，butswervedjustashecameinsight，andbackedandmadestraightforthelineofbeaters。Twomoredoes，andthenanabsoluteblank。Oneortwoshotshadbeenheardatadistance;eithersomeofthemoredistantstationshadbeenmorefortunate，oroneorotherofthebeatershadtriedhisluck。SuddenlytherewasashotfiredclosetoCharlie;heknewitmusthavebeenthedoctor。Inaboutaminuteafterwardhesawsomepale-yellowobjectslowlywormingitswaythroughtheferns;andhere，atlength，hemadesurehewasgoingtogethisyellowfox。Butjustastheanimalcamewithinfairdistance，itturnedover，madeastruggleortwo，andlaystill。Charlierushedalongtothespot：itwas，indeed，ayellowfox，shotinthehead，andnowasdeadasadoor-nail。
Whatwashetodo？LetDr。KrummtakehomethisprizetoFranziska，afterhehadhadsuchachanceintheafternoon？Never！Charliefiredabarrelintotheair，andthencalmlyawaitedthecomingupofthebeatersandthedrawingtogetherofthesportsmen。
Dr。Krumm，beingatthenextstation，wasthefirsttoarrive。HefoundCharliestandingbythesideoftheslainfox。
\"Ha！\"hesaid，hisspectaclesfairlygleamingwithdelight，\"youhaveshottedhim！Youhavekilledhim！Thatisverygood——thatisexcellent！NowyouwillpresenttheskintoMissFranziska，ifyoudonotwishtotakeittoEngland。\"
\"Ohno！\"saidCharlie，withalordlyindifference。\"Idon’tcareaboutit。Franziskamayhaveit。\"
Charliepulledmeaside，andsaid，withasolemnwink：
\"Canyoukeepasecret？\"
\"MywifeandIcankeepasecret。Iamnotallowedtohaveanyformyself。\"
\"Listen，\"saidtheunabashedyoungman;\"Krummshotthatfox。Mindyoudon’tsayaword。ImusthavetheskintopresenttoFranziska。\"
Istaredathim;Ihadneverknownhimguiltyofadishonestaction。
ButwhenyoudogetadecentyoungEnglishfellowcondescendingtodoanythingshabby，besureitisagirlwhoisthecause。Isaidnothing，ofcourse;andintheeveningatrapcameforus，andwedrovebacktoHuferschingen。
Titaclappedherhandswithdelight;forCharliewasafavouriteofhers，andnowhewasreturninglikeahero，withasprigoffirinhiscaptoshowthathehadkilledabuck。
\"Andhere，MissFranziska，\"hesaid，quitegaily，\"hereisayellowfoxforyou。Iwastoldthatyouwantedtheskinofone。\"
Franziskafairlyblushedforpleasure;notthattheskinofafoxwasveryvaluableforher，butthatthecomplimentwassoopenandmarked。
Shecameforward，inGermanfashion，andrathershylyshookhandswithhimintokenofherthanks。
WhenTitawasgettingreadyfordinnerItoldherabouttheyellowfox。Amarriedmanmusthavenosecrets。
\"Heisnotcapableofsuchathing，\"shesays，withagrandair。
\"Buthedidit，\"Ipointout。\"Whatismore，hegloriesinit。WhatdidhesaywhenIremonstratedwithhimonthewayhome！’/Why/，’sayshe，’/IwillputanendtoKrumm！IwillabolishKrumm！IwillextinguishKrumm！/’Now，madame，whoisresponsibleforthis？WhohadbeenpraisingFranziskanightanddayasthesweetest，gentlest，cleverestgirlintheworld，untilthisyoungmandeterminestohaveaflirtationwithherandastonishyou？\"
\"Aflirtation！\"saysTita，faintly。\"Ohno！Oh，Inevermeantthat。\"
\"Askhimjustnow，andhewilltellyouthatwomendeservenobetter。
Theyhavenohearts;theyaretreacherous。Theyhavebeautifuleyes，butnoconscience。Andsohemeanstotakethemastheyare，andhavehismeasureofamusement。\"
\"Oh，Iamsureheneversaidanythingsoabominablywicked，\"criedTita，layingdowntherosethatFranziskahadgivenherforherhair。
\"Iknowhecouldnotsaysuchthings。Butifheissowicked——ifhehassaidthem——itisnottoolatetointerfere。/I/willseeaboutit。\"
ShedrewherselfupasifJupiterhadsuddenlyarmedherwithhisthunderbolts。IfCharliehadseenheratthismomenthewouldhavequailed。Hemightbychancehavetoldthetruth，andconfessedthatallthewickedthingshehadbeensayingaboutwoman’saffectionwereonlyasortofrhetoric，andthathehadnosortofintentiontoflirtwithpoorFranziska，noryettoextinguishandannihilateDr。Krumm。
Theheartbrokenboywasinverygoodspiritsatdinner。Hewasinclinedtowink。Tita，onthecontrary，maintainedanimpressivedignityofdemeanour;andwhenFranziska’snamehappenedtobementionedshespokeoftheyounggirlasherveryparticularfriend，asthoughshewoulddareCharlietoattemptaflirtationwithonewhoheldthathonour。Buttheyoungmanwaseitherblindorreckless，oractingapartformeremischief。HepointedthefingerofscornatDr。
Krumm。HeaskedTitaifheshouldbringherayellowfoxnextday。HedeclaredhewishedhecouldspendtheremainderofhislifeinaBlackForestInn，withanapkinoverhisarm，servingchopins。HesaidhewouldbravethewrathoftheFurstbyshootingacapercailzieontheveryfirstopportunity，tobringtheshiningfeathershometoFranziska。
WhenTitaandIwentupstairsatnightthesmallandgentlecreaturewasgrievouslyperplexed。
\"Icannotmakeitout，\"shesaid。\"Heisquitechanged。Whatisthematterwithhim？\"
\"Youbehold，madam，inthatyoungmanthemoraleffectsofvulpicide。
Ademonhasenteredintohim。Youremember，in’DerFreischutz，’
how——\"
\"Didyousayvulpicide？\"sheasks，withasweetsmile。\"IunderstoodthatCharlie’scrimewasthathedid/not/killthefox。\"
Iallowherthemomentarytriumph。Whowouldgrudgetoawomanalittleverbalvictoryofthatsort？And，indeed，Tita’ssatisfactiondidnotlastlong。Herperplexitybecamevisibleonherfaceoncemore。
\"Wearetobeherethreeweeks，\"shesaid，almosttoherself，\"andhetalksofflirtingwithpoorFranziska。Oh，Inevermeantthat！\"
\"Butwhatdidyoumean？\"Iaskher，withinnocentwonder。
Titahangsdownherhead，andthereisanendtothatconversation;
butoneofus，atleast，hassomerecollectionofaChristmaswager。
IV
CONFESSIOAMANTIS
Charliewasnotinsuchgoodspiritsnextmorning。Hewasstandingoutsidetheinn，inthesweet，resinous-scentedair，watchingFranziskacomingandgoing，withherbrightfacetouchedbytheearlysunlight，andherfrankandhonesteyeslitupbyakindlylookwhenshepassedus。Hisconsciencebegantosmitehimforclaimingthatfox。
WespentthedayinfishingastreamsomefewmilesdistantfromHuferschingen，andFranziskaaccompaniedus。Whatneedtotellofoursuccesswiththetroutandthegrayling，orofthebeautifulweather，oroftheattentiveandhumblemannerinwhichtheunfortunateyouthaddressedFranziskafromtimetotime？
IntheeveningwedrovebacktoHuferschingen。Itwasastillandbeautifulevening，withthesilenceofthetwilightfallingoverthelonelyvalleysandthemilesuponmilesofdarkeningpines。Charliehasnotmuchofavoice，buthemadeanefforttosingwithTita：
\"Thewindswhistlecoldandthestarsglimmerred，Thesheepareinfoldandthecattleinshed;\"
andthefineoldgleesoundedfairlywellaswedrovethroughthegatheringgloomoftheforest。ButTitasang，inherlow，sweetfashion，thatSwedishbridalsongthatbegins：
\"Oh，welcomehersofair，withbrightandflowinghair;
MayFatethroughlifebefriendher，loveandsmilesattendher;\"
andthoughshesangquietly，justasifsheweresingingtoherself，wealllistenedwithgreatattention，andwithgreatgratitudetoo。
WhenwegotoutofHuferschingen，thestarswereoutoverthedarkstretchesofforest，andthewindowsofthequaintoldinnwereburningbrightly。
\"Andhaveyouenjoyedtheamusementoftheday？\"saysMissFahler，rathershyly，toacertainyoungmanwhoisemptyinghiscreeloffish。Hedropsthebaskettoturnroundandlookatherfaceandsayearnestly：
\"Ihaveneverspentsodelightfuladay;butitwasn’tthefishing。\"
Thingswerebecomingserious。
AndnextmorningCharliegotholdofTita，andsaidtoher，inratherashamefacedway：
\"WhatamItodoaboutthatfox？Itwasonlyajoke，youknow;butifMissFahlergetstohearofit，she’llthinkitwasrathershabby。\"
ItwasalwaysMissFahlernow;acoupleofdaysbeforeitwasFranziska。
\"Formypart，\"saysTita，\"Ican’tunderstandwhyyoudidit。Whathonouristhereinshootingafox？\"
\"ButIwantedtogivetheskintoher。\"
Itwas\"her\"bythistime。
\"Well，Ithinkthebestthingyoucandoistogoandtellherallaboutit;andalsotogoandapologisetoDr。Krumm。\"
Charliestarted。
\"Iwillgoandtellher，certainly;butasforapologisingtoKrumm，thatisabsurd！\"
\"Asyouplease，\"saysTita。
By-and-byFranziska——orratherMissFahler——cameoutofthesmallgardenandroundbythefrontofthehouse。
\"OMissFahler，\"saysCharlie，suddenly，——andwiththatshestopsandblushesslightly，——\"I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou。Iamgoingtomakeaconfession。Don’tbefrightened;it’sonlyaboutafox——thefoxthatwasbroughthomethedaybeforeyesterday;Dr。Krummshotthat。\"
\"Indeed，\"saysFranziska，quiteinnocently，\"Ithoughtyoushotit。\"
\"Well，Iletthemimagineso。Itwasonlyajoke。\"
\"Butitisofnomatter;therearemanyyellowfoxes。Dr。Krummcanshootthematanothertime;heisalwayshere。Perhapsyouwillshootonebeforeyougo。\"
WiththatFranziskapassedintothehouse，carryingherfruitwithher。Charliewaslefttorevolveherwordsinhismind。Dr。Krummcouldshootfoxeswhenhechose;hewasalwayshere。He，Charlie，onthecontrary，hadtogoawayinlittlemorethanafortnight。TherewasnoFranziskainEngland;nopleasantdrivingthroughgreatpinewoodsinthegatheringtwilight;noshootingofyellowfoxes，tobebroughthomeintriumphandpresentedtoabeautifulandgratefulyoungwoman。CharliewalkedalongthewhiteroadandovertookTita，whohadjustsatdownonalittlecamp-stool，andgotoutthematerialsfortakingawater-coloursketchoftheHuferschingenValley。Hesatdownatherfeetonthewarmgrass。
\"IsupposeIsha’n’tinterruptyourpaintingbytalkingtoyou？\"hesays。
\"Ohdear，no，\"isthereply;andthenhebegins，inasomewhathesitatingway，toaskindirectquestionsanddrophintsandfishforanswers，justasifthissmallcreature，whowasbusywithhersepiasandolivegreens，didnotseethroughallthistransparentcunning。
Atlastshesaidtohim，frankly：
\"YouwantmetotellyouwhetherFranziskawouldmakeagoodwifeforyou。Shewouldmakeagoodwifeforanyman。ButthenyouseemtothinkthatIshouldintermeddleandnegotiateandbecomeago-between。
HowcanIdothat。Myhusbandisalwaysaccusingmeoftryingtomakeupmatches;andyouknowthatisn’ttrue。\"
\"Iknowitisn’ttrue，\"saysthehypocrite;\"butyoumightonlythisonce。Ibelieveallyousayaboutthisgirl;Icanseeitformyself;
andwhenshallIeverhavesuchachanceagain？\"
\"Butdearme！\"saysTita，puttingdownthewhitepaletteforamoment，\"howcanIbelieveyouareinearnest？Youhaveonlyknownherthreedays。\"
\"Andthatisquiteenough，\"saysCharlie，boldly，\"toletyoufindoutallyouwanttoknowaboutagirlifsheisoftherightsort。Ifsheisn’tyouwon’tfindoutinthreeyears。NowlookatFranziska;lookatthefine，intelligentfaceandthehonesteyes;youcanhavenodoubtabouther;andthenIhavealltheguaranteeofyourlongacquaintancewithher。\"
\"Oh，\"saysTita，\"thatisallverywell。Franziskaisanexcellentgirl，asIhavetoldyouoften——frank，kind，welleducated，andunselfish。Butyoucannothavefalleninlovewithherinthreedays？\"
\"Whynot？\"saysthisblunt-spokenyoungman。
\"Becauseitisridiculous。IfImeddleintheaffairIshouldprobablyfindyouhadgivenupthefancyinotherthreedays;orifyoudidmarryherandtookhertoEnglandyouwouldgettohatemebecauseI
aloneshouldknowthatyouhadmarriedthenieceofaninnkeeper。\"
\"Well，Ilikethat！\"sayshe，withaflushinhisface。\"DoyouthinkIshouldcaretwostrawswhethermyfriendsknewIhadmarriedthenieceofaninnkeeper？IshouldshowthemFranziska。Wouldn’tthatbeenough？Aninnkeeper’sniece！Iwishtheworldhadmoreof’em，ifthey’relikeFranziska。\"
\"Andbesides，\"saysTita，\"haveyouanynotionastohowFranziskaherselfwouldprobablytakethismadproposal？\"
\"No，\"saystheyoungman，humbly。\"Iwantedyoutotryandfindoutwhatshethoughtaboutme;andif，intimesomethingweresaidaboutthisproposal，youmightputinawordortwo，youknow，justto——togiveheranidea，youknow，thatyoudon’tthinkitquitesomad，don’tyouknow？\"
\"Givemeyourhand，Charlie，\"saysTita，withasuddenburstofkindness。\"I’lldowhatIcanforyou;forIknowshe’sagoodgirl，andshewillmakeagoodwifetothemanwhomarriesher。\"
Youwillobservethatthispromisewasgivenbyaladywhonever，inanycircumstanceswhatsoever，seekstomakeupmatches，whoneverspeculatesonpossiblecombinationswhensheinvitesyoungpeopletoherhouseinSurrey，andwhoisprofoundlyindignant，indeed，whensuchachargeispreferredagainsther。Hadshenot，onthatformerChristmasmorning，repudiatedwithscornthesuggestionthatCharliemightmarrybeforeanotheryearhadpassed？Hadshenot，inherwildconfidence，stakedonawagerthatassumptionofauthorityinherhouseholdandoutofitwithoutwhichlifewouldbeaburdentoher？
YetnosoonerwasthenameofFranziskamentioned，andnosoonerhadshebeenremindedthatCharliewasgoingwithustoHuferschingen，thanthenimblelittlebrainsettowork。OftentimesithasoccurredtoonedispassionatespectatorofherwaysthatthissameTitaresembledthesmallobjectwhich，thrownintoadishofsomeliquidchemicalsubstance，suddenlyproducesamassofcrystals。Theconstituentsofthosebeautifulcombinations，yousee，werethere;buttheywantedsomelittleshocktohastentheslowprocessofcrystallisation。Nowinoursocialcirclewehavecontinuallyobservedgroupsofyoungpeoplefloatingaboutinanamorphousandchaoticfashion——goodfornothingbutdawdlingthroughdances，andflirting，andcarelesslyseparatingagain;butwhenyoudroppedTitaamongthem，thenyouwouldseehowrapidlythisjellyfishsortofexistencewasabolished——howthegroupsgotbrokenup，andhowthesharp，businesslikerelationsofmarriagewereprecipitatedandmadepermanent。Butwouldsheowntoit？Never！SheoncewentandmarriedherdearestfriendtoaPrussianofficer;andnowshedeclareshewasaselfishfellowtocarryoffthegirlinthatway，andrateshimsoundlybecausehewon’tbringhertostaywithusmorethanthreemonthsoutofthetwelve。TherearesomeofusgetquiteenoughofthisPrussianoccupationofourterritory。
\"Well，\"saysTitatothislongEnglishlad，whoislyingsprawlingonthegrass，\"Icansafelytellyouthis，thatFranziskalikesyouverywell。\"
Hesuddenlyjumpsup，andthereisagreatblushonhisface。
\"Hasshesaidso？\"heasks，eagerly。
\"Ohyes！inaway。Shethinksyouaregood-natured。ShelikestheEnglishgenerally。Sheaskedmeifthatringyouwearwasanengagedring。\"
ThesedisconnectedsentencesweredroppedwithatantalisingslownessintoCharlie’seagerears。
\"Imustgoandtellherdirectlythatitisnot，\"saidhe;andhemightprobablyhavegoneoffatoncehadnotTitarestrainedhim。
\"YoumustbeagreatdealmorecautiousthanthatifyouwishtocarryoffFranziskasomedayorother。Ifyouweretoaskhertomarryyounowshewouldflatlyrefuseyou，andveryproperly;forhowcouldagirlbelieveyouwereinearnest？Butifyoulike，Charlie，Iwillsaysomethingtoherthatwillgiveherahint;andifshecaresforyouatallbeforeyougoawayshewon’tforgetyou。IwishIwasassureofyouasIamofher。\"
\"OhIcananswerformyself，\"saystheyoungman，withabecomingbashfulness。
Titawasveryhappyandpleasedallthatday。Therewasanairofmysteryandimportanceabouther。Iknewwhatitmeant;Ihadseenitbefore。
Alas！poorCharlie！
V
\"GABMIREIN’RINGDABEI\"
UnderthefriendlyinstructionsofDr。Krumm，whomhenolongerregardedasapossiblerival，Charliebecameamightyhunter;andyoumaybesurethathereturnedofaneveningwithsprigsoffirinhiscapforthebuckshehadslain，Franziskawasnotthelasttocomeforwardandshakehandswithhimandcongratulatehim，asisthecustomintheseprimitiveparts。Andthenshewasquitemadeoneofthefamilywhenwesatdowntodinnerinthelong，low-roofedroom;
andnearlyeveryevening，indeed，Titawouldhavehertodinewithusandplaycardswithus。
Youmaysuppose，ifthesetwoyoungfolkhadanyregardforeachother，thoseeveningsintheinnmusthavebeenapleasanttimeforthem。Therewerenevertwopartnersatwhistwhoweresocourteoustoeachother，socharitabletoeachother’sblunders。Indeed，neitherwouldeveradmitthattheotherblundered。Charlieusedtomakesomefrightfulmistakesoccasionallythatwouldhavedrivenanyotherplayermad;butyoushouldhaveseenthemannerinwhichFranziskawouldexplainthathehadnoalternativebuttotakeherkingwithhisace，thathecouldnotknowthis，andwasrightinchancingthat。Weplayedthree-pennypoints，andCharliepaidforhimselfandhispartner，inspiteofherentreaties。Twoofusfoundthegameofwhistaprofitablething。
OnedayaregisteredlettercameforCharlie。Heseizedit，carriedittoawindow，andthencalledTitatohim。Whyneedhehaveanysecretaboutit？Itwasnothingbutaring——aplainhoopwitharowofrubies。
\"Doyouthinkshewouldtakethisthing？\"hesaid，inalowvoice。
\"HowcanItell？\"
Theyoungmanblushedandstammered，andsaid：
\"Idon’twantyoutoaskhertotakethering，buttogettoknowwhethershewouldacceptanypresentfromme。AndIwouldaskhermyselfplainly，onlyyouhavebeenfrighteningmesomuchaboutbeinginahurry。AndwhatamItodo？Threedayshencewestart。\"
Titalookeddownwithasmileandsaid，rathertimidly：
\"IthinkifIwereyouIwouldspeaktohermyself——butverygently。\"
Weweregoingoffthatmorningtoalittlelakesomedozenmilesofftotryforajackortwo。Franziskawascomingwithus。Shewas，indeed，alreadyoutside，superintendingtheplacinginthetrapofourrodsandbags。WhenCharliewentoutshesaidthateverythingwasready;andpresentlyourpeasantdrivercrackedhiswhip，andawaywewent。
Charliewasalittlegrave，andcouldonlyreplytoTita’sfunwithaneffort。Franziskawasmostlyanxiousaboutthefishing，andhopedthatwemightnotgosofartofindnothing。
Wefoundfewfishanyhow。Thewaterwasasstillasglass，andasclear;thepikethatwouldhavetakenourspinningbitsofmetalmusthavebeenverydull-eyedpikeindeed。Titasatatthebowofthelongpuntreading，whileourboatmansteadilyandslowlypliedhissingleoar。Franziskawasforatimeeagerlyengagedinwatchingtheprogressofourfishing，untilevenshegottiredoftheexcitementofrollinginanimmenselengthofcord，onlytofindthatourspinningbaithadhookedabitoffloatingwoodorweed。AtlengthCharlieproposedthatheshouldgoashoreandlookoutforapicturesquesiteforourpicnic，andhehintedthatperhapsMissFranziskamightalsolikeashortwalktorelievethemonotonyofthesailing。MissFranziskasaidshewouldbeverypleasedtodothat。Werantheminamongtherushes，andputthemashore，andthenoncemorestartedonourlaboriouscareer。
Titalaiddownherbook。Shewasalittleanxious。SometimesyoucouldseeCharlieandFranziskaonthepathbythesideofthelake;atothertimesthethicktreesbythewater’ssidehidthem。
Thesolitaryoardippedinthelake;theboatglidedalongtheshores。
Titatookupherbookagain。Thespaceoftimethatpassedmaybeinferredfromthefactthat，merelyasanincidenttoit，wemanagedtocatchachuboffourpounds。Whentheexcitementoverthiseventhadpassed，Titasaid：
\"Wemustgobacktothem。Whatdotheymeanbynotcomingonandtellingus？Itismostsillyofthem。\"
Wewentbackbythesamesideofthelake，andwefoundbothFranziskaandhercompanionseatedonthebankattheprecisespotwherewehadleftthem。Theysaiditwasthebestplaceforthepicnic。Theyaskedforthehamperinabusinesslikeway。Theypretendedtheyhadsearchedtheshoresofthelakeformiles。
AndwhileTitaandFranziskaareunpackingthethings，andlayingthewhiteclothsmoothlyonthegrass，andpullingoutthebottlesforCharlietocoolinthelake，Iobservethattheyoungerofthetwoladiesratherendeavourstokeepherlefthandoutofsight。Itisapaltrypieceofdeception。Arewemoles，andblinderthanmoles，thatweshouldcontinuallybemadethedupesofthesewomen？Isaytoher：
\"Franziska，whatisthematterwithyourlefthand？\"
\"LeaveFranziska’slefthandalone，\"saysTita，severely。
\"Mydear，\"Ireply，humbly，\"IamafraidFranziskahashurtherlefthand。\"
AtthismomentCharlie，havingstuckthebottlesamongthereeds，comesback，and，hearingourtalk，hesays，inaloudandaudaciousway：
\"Oh，doyoumeanthering？It’saprettylittlethingIhadaboutme，andFranziskahasbeengoodenoughtoacceptit。Youcanshowittothem，Franziska。
Ofcoursehehaditabouthim。Youngmenalwaysdocarryastockofrubyringswiththemwhentheygofishing，toputinthenosesofthefish。Ihaveobserveditfrequently。
FranziskalookstimidlyatTita，andthensheraisesherhand，thattremblesalittle。SheisabouttotaketheringofftoshowittouswhenCharlieinterposes：
\"Youneedn’ttakeitoff，Franziska。\"
Andwiththat，somehow，thegirlslipsawayfromamongus，andTitaiswithher，andwedon’tgetaglimpseofeitherofthemuntilthesolituderesoundswithourcriesforluncheon。
InduetimeCharliereturnedtoLondon，andtoSurreywithusinverygoodspirits。Heusedtocomedownveryoftentoseeus;andoneeveningatdinnerhedisclosedthefactthathewasgoingovertotheBlackForestinthefollowingweek，althoughtheNovembernightswerechilljustthen。
\"Andhowlongdoyouremain？\"
\"Amonth，\"hesays。
\"Madam，\"Isaytothesmallladyattheotherendofthetable，\"amonthfromnowwillbringustothe4thofDecember。YouhavelostthebetyoumadelastChristmasmorning;whenwillitpleaseyoutoresignyourauthority？\"
\"Oh，botherthebet，\"saysthisunscrupulousperson。
\"Butwhatdoyoumean？\"saysCharlie。
\"Why，\"Isaytohim，\"shelaidawagerlastChristmasDaythatyouwouldnotbemarriedwithinayear。AndnowyousayyoumeantobringFranziskaoveronthe4thofDecembernext。Isn’titso？\"
\"Oh，no！\"hesays;\"wedon’tgetmarriedtillthespring。\"
Youshouldhaveheardtheburstoflow，delightfullaughterwithwhichQueenTitawelcomedthisannouncement。Shehadwonherwager。