下载辰思小说免费APP
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。
