"What do those persons do who become angry with one another?" "They avoid each other. If they are very angry they fight; and if they are very, very angry they kill each other." The maid was tortured with curiosity to-day. She drew a pin from her robe, and secretly thrust the point into Ludwig's hand. "What art thou doing?" he asked, in surprise. "I want to see what thou art like when thou art angry. Did it hurt thee?" "Certainly it hurt me; see, the blood is flowing." "Ah, heaven!" cried the maid, in terror, drew the young man's head toward her, and pressed a kiss on his face. He sprang to his feet, his face pale as death, extreme horror depicted in his glance. "There!" exclaimed the maid. "Thou dost not kill me, and yet I have made thee very angry." "This is not anger," sighed the young man. "What is it, then?" "It has no name." "Then I may not kiss thee? Thou lettest me kiss thee last year, and the year before, and every other year." "But thou art fifteen years old to-day." "Ah! Then what was allowed last year, and always before that, is not allowed now. Dost not thou love me any more?" "All my thoughts are filled with thee." "Thou knowest that I have always been allowed to make one wish on my birthday, and that it has always been granted. That is what some one accustomed me to--thou knowest very well who." "Thy desires have always been fulfilled." "Yes; and children understand how to desire what is impossible. But grown persons are clever enough to know how to impose on the children. Three years ago I asked thee to bring me some one with whom I could talk--some one who would be company for me. Thou broughtest me cats and dogs and a bird! Two years ago I wished I might learn how to make pictures; and I was given paper patterns to color with water-colors. One year ago to-day I wished I might learn how to make music; and a hand-organ was bought for me. Oh, yes; my wishes have always been fulfilled, but always in a way that cheated me. Children are always treated so. To-day thou sayest that I am fifteen years old, and that I am not any more to be treated as a child. Mark that! To-day, as heretofore, I ask something of thee which thou canst give me--and thou canst not cheat me, either!" "Whatever it may be, thou shalt have it, Marie." "Thy hand on it! Now, thou knowest that I asked thee not long ago to send to Paris for a 'Melusine costume' for me!" "And has it not already arrived? I myself delivered the box into thy hands." "Knowest thou what a Melusine costume is? See, this is it." With these words she sprang from her seat, untied the cord about her waist, flung off the silken wrapper, and stood in front of the speechless young man in one of those costumes worn by Paris dames at the sea-shore when they disport themselves amid the waves of the ocean. The Melusine costume was a bathing-dress. "To-day, Ludwig, I ask that thou wilt teach me how to swim. The lake is just out yonder below the garden."