"Go, though, to the baron," implored Bernhard, "and if he remain silent, ask the young lady. I have seen her," continued he; "I have kept it back from you as men will keep their dearest secret; now you shall hear it. I have been more than once on the Rothsattel estate. I know how fair she is, how proud her bearing, how noble her every gesture. When she walks over the grass, she seems the queen of nature; an azure glory shines around her head; wherever she looks, all things bow down before her; her teeth like pearls, her bosom a bed of lilies," whispered he, and sank down on his pillows with folded hands and flashing eyes. "He too!" cried Anton to himself. "My poor Bernhard, you are delirious!" Bernhard shook his head. "Since that day," said he, "I know that life is not commonplace, but it is terrible! Will you now consent to speak to the baron and his daughter?" "I will," said Anton, rising to go. "But I repeat to you that, in doing this, I am taking an important step, which may easily lead to fresh involvements for us both." "One in my state fears no involvements," said Bernhard; "and as for you," and he cast a searching glance at Anton, "you will be what you have spoken of to me this day, a man who can cut his way through difficulties, and whose business it is, even though wounded, to fight with fate. Me, Anton Wohlfart, me the whirlwind will sweep away." "Faint-heart," cried Anton, tenderly, "it is your disease that speaks thus. Courage will return with health." "You hope so?" inquired the invalid, doubtingly. "I do so too, at times; but often I grow faint-hearted, as you say. Yes, I will live, and I will live no longer as of yore. I will try hard to grow stronger. I will not dream so much as I do now, will not fret and excite myself in solitude. I will make trial of the life of a brave and wise man, who gives back every blow that he receives," cried he, with flushed cheeks, and holding out his hand to his friend. Anton bent over him, and left the room. That evening Ehrenthal went to his son's bedside, as he always did, after having closed the office door and hidden the key in his own room. "What did the doctor say to you to-day, my Bernhard?" Bernhard had turned his face to the wall, but he now suddenly flung himself round, and said impetuously, "Father, I have something to speak to you about. Lock the door, that no one may disturb us." Ehrenthal, in amazement, ran to both doors, locked and bolted them obediently, and then hurried back to his son's bedside. "What is it that vexes you, my Bernhard?" inquired he, stretching out his hand to feel his son's brow. Bernhard drew back his head, and his father's hand sank on the bedclothes. "Sit down there," said the invalid, darkly, "and answer my questions as sincerely as if you were speaking to yourself." The old man sat down. "Ask, my son, and I will answer you."