Trude hurried away as her young lady glided back into her room, and never glanced at the servant who sprang past her upon the stairs. “He is a hypocrite and a spy; he has been hired to watch and observe my child, and he will betray her if he discovers any thing.” The servant announced, with respectful, humble mien, that Herr Ebenstreit had arrived, and Frau von Werrig desired her daughter to descend to the parlor. “Very well--say that I will come directly.” The servant remained rubbing his hands in an undecided, embarrassed manner. “Why do you not go down?” asked Marie. “Have you any thing further to tell me?” “I would say,” said he, spying about the room, as if he were afraid some one were listening, “that if a poor, simple man like myself could be useful to you, and you could confide in me your commissions, I should be too happy to prove to you that Carl Leberecht is an honest fellow, and has a heart, and it hurts his feelings to see the miss suffer so much.” “I thank you,” said Marie, gently. “I am glad to feel that you have sympathy for me.” “If I can be of the least service to you, have the goodness to call me, and give me your commissions.” “Indeed I will, although I do not believe it practicable.” “I hope miss will not betray me to Frau von Werrig or old Trude.” “No, I promise you that, and here is my hand upon it.” The servant kissed the extended hand respectfully. “I will enter into the service of my young lady at once, and tell her she must prepare for the worst: Herr Ebenstreit just said, ‘The diploma of nobility has arrived.’” Marie turned deadly pale, and for an instant it seemed as if she would sink down from fright, but she recovered herself and conquered her weakness. “Thank you, it is very well that I should know that; I will go down directly,” said she. With calm, proud bearing Marie entered the sitting-room of her parents, and returned the salutations of her betrothed, who hastened toward her with tender assiduity. “My dear Marie,” cried her mother, “I have the honor to present to you Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen. The certificate of nobility arrived this morning.” “I congratulate you, mother--you have at last found the long-desired heir to your name.” “Congratulate me above all, my beautiful betrothed,” said Herr Ebenstreit, in a hoarse, scarcely intelligible voice. “This title crowns all my wishes, as it makes me your husband. I came to beg, dear Marie, that our marriage should take place to-morrow, as there is nothing now to prevent.” “Sir,” she proudly interrupted him, “have I ever permitted this familiar appellation?” “I have allowed it,” blurted out the general, packed in cushions in his roiling chair. “Proceed, my dear son.” The latter bowed with a grateful smile, and continued: “I would beg, my dear Marie, to choose whether our wedding-journey shall be in the direction of Italy, Spain, France, or wherever else it may please her.”