His own eyes were wet; he had not expected to be received with so much affection by this strong stern man. It was but a passing emotion, and Uncle Ernst said, "Your things came yesterday. Where is Ferdinanda?" "Is she here?" "There she comes." A tall handsome girl came hurriedly up to them. "I had quite lost you, father. How do you do, my dear cousin! Welcome to Berlin!" A pair of melancholy blue eyes glanced at him with what Reinhold thought a rather uncertain look. There was a sort of hasty indifference, too, in the tone of the full deep voice, while the pressure of the hand she gave him was but slight. "I certainly should not have known you," said Reinhold. "Nor I you." "You were still a child then, and now----" "And now we will try and get out of the crowd," said Uncle Ernst, "and you can say what you have got to say to each other on the way and at home." He had already turned and went on a few steps; Reinhold was about to offer his arm to his cousin when suddenly Herr von Werben stood before him. "I must say good-bye." "I beg your pardon, Herr von Werben, but you disappeared so suddenly----" "I had hoped to be of some use, but I see I am too late. Will you introduce me?" "Lieutenant von Werben--my cousin, Fräulein Ferdinanda Schmidt." Ottomar bowed, hat in hand. Ferdinanda returned the bow, very formally it seemed to Reinhold. "I have often had the pleasure of seeing Fräulein Schmidt at the window when I have been riding by. I will not presume to think that I have been honoured by any such notice in return." Ferdinanda did not answer. There was a gloomy, almost severe, expression upon her face, which made her look like her father. "I will not detain you," said Ottomar; "I hope to have the pleasure of meeting my fellow-traveller again. Good-bye, Fräulein Schmidt." He bowed again and walked quickly away. Some knots of people collected at the entrance came between them. "Oh, do come!" said Ferdinanda. She had taken Reinhold's arm and suddenly pressed forward impatiently. "I beg your pardon, but I could not help introducing that man to you. You did not seem to like him?" "I? Why should I mind it? My father cannot bear waiting." "Who was that?" asked Uncle Ernst. "A Herr von Werben--a soldier. I knew him during the war, and fell in by accident with some of his people on my way here." "A son of the General's?" "Yes." Reinhold felt a touch from the hand which lay on his arm, and a low voice said in his ear, "My father hates the Werbens--at least the General--since '48----" "Yes, by the way," said Reinhold. Ferdinanda's shrinking from the introduction, her haste to put an end to it--all was clear to him; and then he felt that sensation which is common to every one who has suddenly seen a vista of pleasure opening out before him, and as suddenly seen it withdrawn. "There is my carriage," said Uncle Ernst. "Friedrich!"