"Yes," said the young lady, reining in her pony; "the gardener laid it out under mamma's own direction." "Then the lady who stood with you on the balcony was your mother?" timidly inquired Anton. "What! you have been watching us, then? Do you know that that was wrong?" "Forgive me," was the humble reply; "I retreated at once, but it was such a lovely sight--the two ladies, the roses in full blossom, the framework of vine leaves--I shall never forget it." "He is charming!" thought the young girl. "Since you have already seen the garden," said she, condescendingly, "you must go to the point from which we have the best view. I am on my way thither now, if you like to follow." Anton followed, lost in delight. The lady bade her horse walk slowly, and played the cicerone. At last she dismounted and led the pony, whereupon Anton ventured to stroke his neck--an attention which the little fellow took in good part, and returned by sniffing his coat pockets. "He trusts you," said the young lady; "he is a sagacious beast." She then tied the bridle round his neck, told him to go home, and turning to Anton, added, "We are going into the flower-garden, where he must not come; and so, you see, he trots back to his stable." "This pony is a perfect wonder," cried Anton. "He is very fond of me; he does all I tell him," was the reply. Anton thought that the most natural thing in the world. "I think you are of a good family," said the little lady, decidedly, looking at Anton with a discriminating air. "No," replied he, sadly. "My father died last month, my dear mother a year ago; I am alone, and on my way to the capital." His lips quivered as he spoke. The lady looked at him with the utmost sympathy, and in some embarrassment. "Oh, poor, poor lad!" cried she. "But come quickly; I have something to show you. These are the beds of early strawberries; there are still a few. Do, pray, take them. No guest must leave my father's house without partaking of the best each season brings. Pray, pray eat them." Anton looked at her with tearful eyes. "I am going to share with you," said she, taking two strawberries. Upon that, the youth obediently followed her example. "And now I will take you across the garden," said she, leading him to a little lake where old swans and young were swimming about. "They are coming hither," cried Anton, in delight. "They know that I have something for them," said his companion, loosening the while the chain of a small boat. "Now, sir, jump in, and I will row you across, for yonder lies your way." "I can not think of troubling you." "No opposition!" said she, imperatively, and they set off. Anton was entranced. Behind, the rich green trees; beneath, the clear water rippling round the prow; opposite him, the slender figure of his companion, and the swans, her snowy subjects, following in her train--it was a dream such as is only granted to youth.