"I have found little nosegays on the bench in the park, with dear little poems, and the name of my home given by a letter and stars. See, first a large B, and then----" Laura, in her delight at this account, looked up, from her handkerchief. Her cheeks were suffused with color. There was a roguish smile in her eyes. Ilse looked at the beaming countenance and, as she spoke, guessed that she was the giver. Laura bent down to kiss her hand, but Ilse raised the curly head, threatening her with her finger and kissing her. "You are not angry with me," said Laura, "for being so bold?" "It was very sweet and kind of you, but you must know that it caused us a great deal of uneasiness. The Doctor discovered you, but he did not tell us your name." "The Doctor?" exclaimed Laura, starting up. "Must that man always interfere where I am concerned!" "He kept your secret faithfully. Now I may tell my husband all about it, may I not? but, between ourselves, he was very much displeased for a time." This was a triumph for Laura. Again she seated herself at Ilse's feet and archly begged her to relate what the Professor had said. "That would not be right," answered Ilse, gravely; "that is his secret." Thus an hour passed in pleasant talk till the clock struck, and Ilse rose hastily. "My husband will wonder where I have disappeared to," said she. "You are a dear girl. If you like we will become good friends." Ah! that pleased Laura very much. She accompanied her visitor to the staircase, and on the step it occurred to her that she had forgotten the principal thing she wanted to say; her room was directly above that of the Professor's wife, and when Ilse opened the window she could communicate quickly with her by signals. Just as Ilse was about to close her door, Laura ran down once more in order to express her joy that Ilse had granted her this hour. Laura returned to her room, paced up and down with rapid steps, and snapped her fingers like one who has won the great prize in a lottery. She confided to her journal her account of the consecrated hour, and of every word that Ilse had spoken, and concluded with verses: "I found thee, pure one! Now my dream will live. And tho' 'twixt joy and pain thy soul may pine, I touch thy garment's hem and homage give, And lovingly thee in my heart enshrine." Then she seated herself at the piano and played with impassioned expression the melody which Ilse had sung to her. And Ilse below heard this heartfelt outburst of thanks for her visit. _CHAPTER XIV_. A DAY OF VISITS. A carriage drove up to the door. Ilse entered her husband's study, attired for her first visit. "Look at me," she said; "do I look all right?"