undoubtedly solve a difficulty which had caused me some perplexity. So the upshot of it was that I accepted the proposal unconditionally. Now I dare say it may be in the evil thoughts of many that this was a very wicked conspiracy of ours. All I can say in deprecation is this. We were unaware that in any country it is an illegal act to accept a tutorship which has not been offered to you. I must also explain that I had not at the time read that remark of Viola's, the profound truth of which I fully recognize now:— Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. Notwithstanding, it were foolish to deny that the frolicsome spirit of adventure was present with us at the hearing of the case, sitting in banco with us, and making suggestions unfavorable to the gravity of our judicial tribunal. I might even go farther and admit that the brilliancy of the idea charmed us the more as we turned it about and looked at it under various lights. meeting and communicating. It was resolved that the Poste Restante was a tried and a trusty institution worthy of support. Resolved further, that as to meetings we were to find or make our oppor. tunities as we might; while as to greetings, in the market place or any other resort of men, they must be strictly forsworn. When we all descended together with our baggage at the post-office my composure was severely tried. My friend advanced towards my patron, saying as he gravely saluted him, "Worthy sir, I find that this gentleman is a member of your family. I have ventured to charge him. with my apologies to you in so far as they are duc." Thereupon he handed him my card, and bowing with timid politeness to me, walked away. The banker tore the card angrily through, and flung it on the pavement. Then he turned to me for an explanation. I conceived that after his violence towards the card it would have been indelicate on my part to press upon him the apology with which (by hypothesis) I was charged, and I therefore merely uttered the name "Walter Brandt." There were now certain practical questions to be considered. We were bound The object of my friend's demonstration to exchange names. This was soon had been, as I quickly perceived, to cover effected. I parted with mine - Geoffrey my advance. I was duly grateful for the St. John - the more cheerfully because it escape it afforded me from the necessity was a name that the German mind was un- of alluding to the events of the afternoon; able to assimilate, and I had found it in but how far Herr Goldfuss believed that that country a great encumbrance; and he I had really ranged myself on his side in lent me his- Walter Brandt-which was the quarrel, and that out of consideration much more convenient for international for the honor of the family, I could not use. We did not forget to transfer card- tell. He gave me a most friendly wel. cases also. I did not so clearly gain by come, and took me at once under his prothe next exchange, but it was quite neces-tection in quite a fatherly manner. sary. I had a "presentation " watch That evening, before I retired to my (modesty forbids my describing the occasion) bearing my crest and name conspicuously engraved upon it. The new Geoffrey St. John at first stoutly refused to possess this memorial, even for the month which we assigned in our thoughts as the uttermost limit of the period during which our masquerade was destined to last, but I insisted that it passed by inheritance with the name, and was too obvious a proof of identity to remain in strange hands. As I was inexorable on this point, he gave in. I did not fear being betrayed by my linen, that common informer, for having discovered by induction that laundresses are illiterate, I had long since given up inscribing my name on my apparel, and had adopted instead a hideous but striking device in marking-ink, which better denoted my personality. As our journey drew near its close we began to cast about for secret ways of room, no ceremony had been omitted which could make my installation complete. I was the tutor in a family. The dream of such a transformation had been so far from my morning thoughts that I had to sit down and carefully account for myself. How much of myself had I parted with? How much remained? I was most certainly not in the habit of changing my profession at an hour's notice. For seven years I had been an officer of engineers, and for the four years previous had thought about little else than how to become one. I had not resigned the service, or deserted, and yet here I was what I or certainly we should a fortnight before have been calling "a poor devil of a tutor." I fancied the news of it reaching the mess-room. Then immediately it struck me how accurately the practised intelligence of the corps, after the first burst of incredulity had subsided, would guess the true reason. | received a most liberal endowment of good And I sorrowfully admitted to myself that looks. My tutorial duties were sheer it was indeed disease of the purse which pleasure. We rose early and took a brisk mainly had induced me to seek the shelter ride together. After breakfast we worked of this house as a convalescent's home. with such good will that he promised soon Fortunately, I reflected, the malady was to lay up a very useful store of English, not chronic. The truth (which should be the success of my system, I imagine, betold as a warning to others) was shortly ing greatly due to the fact that I invariably this. Having two months' leave, I had passed quickly, and without discussion, taken my father's advice and come abroad, over grammatical difficulties. After an and a special reason connected with my early lunch, we were free of each other, profession had directed me to Germany. but it was seldom we did not, from choice, The cheque which had accompanied the fleet the afternoons together. advice was calculated to bear me bravely for two months. But in the course of one disastrous evening at Homburg nearly four-fifths of its total amount was absorbed. It is true that the great quicksand which formerly existed at Homburg has been removed; but there are spots, hardly distinguishable by the eye, where the soil is still absorbent. I had suffered a serious reverse; I was not, however, utterly beaten, but only (as I have described myself at Beilangen) thinking what to do next. My original intention had been to spend part of my holiday in the Black Forest and the remainder in Frankfort. I had to resign altogether the thought of the Forest, which I did with a heart-wasting sigh, and having no other place in mind I let myself drift towards Frankfort. Drifting has its dangers. I had been caught by an eddy and flung up upon a bare tutorship. But, victim as I felt at that moment, to the whirligig of fate, I could not in my heart accuse it, coming at such an opportune time. So I took "fortune's alms" with a good grace, and determined that I would do this novel outpost duty to the best of my ability, and above all with military composure. I thoroughly enjoyed the boy's companionship. Yet, curiously enough, it was through him that I first came to feel the inconvenience, and, as time went on, the discredit, of personating in that house another character than my own. Friedrich had an elder brother, who was away on duty with his regiment, and this stirred in him an eager desire to learn all about military life. Arms, accoutrements, rank, drill, tactics, fortification, all powerfully interested him, and his curiosity turned continually to me for enlightenment. Pleased as I should have been to gratify his enthusiasm, I was of course obliged to answer after the manner of an ignorant civilian. One day I suppose I had overacted the part, for after having in vain tried to extract from me some information about the ways of life amongst English officers, he gave up in despair, saying reproachfully, "Then don't you know any at all?" The fact being that I knew at this time very few men who were not in the service, I suddenly realized what a false traitor I was. I had not expected to be led to disavow myself so completely, and it would have been a relief to me at that moment to throw off my disguise. It did not take me long to discern that I was stationed in a delightful family. It Our evenings were passed in the hap was difficult to believe that Herr Goldfuss piest fashion. The banker left quite was the same man who had made the an- behind him all cares of business, and engels weep, and young men laugh, at Bei- joyed with single heart the refined pleaslangen. He was a magnate accustomed ures of his home. We were generally to his own way, and it was written on his alone. He passionately loved music, and face that he might be imperious if his daughter gave him liberally of the thwarted, but in family life he showed no sign of selfishness or ill-temper. Towards his daughter, who guided the house, his ways were most gentle, though their discourse together was full of life and spirit. He denied her nothing, not even the last word. The young boy Friedrich, my pupil, shared with her his father's fondness, and might have been spoilt if he had not been of good stuff. He and I became friends at first sight. He was joyous and open-hearted as well as intelligent, and had best. The very memory of those even- I men get the most praise for doing that | titled to go so far. Explain, and if after which they most delight in. that he thinks fit to strike you, act for yourself." Meanwhile I did not lose sight of my friend and namesake. He had very soon I followed my assailant, and we walked found employment, and decided to stay in to a secluded part of the garden in silence, Frankfort. His easy temper and thorough for I was too angry and too much puzzled good-nature, no less than his singular to speak. When we were quite alone swiftness of mind, made his society al- "O man of little guile," he began, "why ways agreeable to me. Little notes, Poste drive me to such fatal extremity? Could Restante, kept us in touch, and I not un-I give a broader hint that I wanted to frequently looked in upon him at his speak to you? A very small shift on your lodgings. I had, however, forgotten him part would have managed it before the old for two or three days, when a critical fire-eater came back. After that no way meeting took place. It was the banker's was left to me but the way of violence. birthday, and we were to celebrate the Of course it did occur to me to walk off evening of this high festival at the with his daughter, and pretend I took Palmengarten. There happened to be her for my sister; that I knew would draw that night a more than usually good selec- him away, only I couldn't see the next tion of music, and we had chosen our table move. However, here you are, that's the in a shaded corner at the right critical point. I sent a messenger to you at the distance from the orchestra, and were house about an hour ago, and learned you prepared to sup royally. The banker had were supping here. Now to business. withdrawn for a few minutes to give direc- An awkward thing has occurred. A fellow tions within, when I saw my namesake lodger in my house has had his jewellery approaching with a waiter in attendance. and purse stolen from his room. What their brief dialogue imported I happened yesterday, when I was away. could not catch, but the waiter laid a cover On my return this evening, my landlady for him at our private table, and there my let out that the police had been good friend, with a grave, general salutation, enough to interest themselves in my priseated himself. I confess I felt inwardly vate lair and personal belongings. You incensed at his coolness, but outwardly I remember the banker's letter which I gave no sign. The banker soon returned, showed you that day on the coach? Well, and finding him there looked quickly that was still in the pocket of my dust-coat. towards me, and asked me, courteously, and being addressed to Walter Brandt, it but coldly, if I had invited this new guest. no doubt gave a touching interest to this I answered that I certainly had not. Then Mr. St. John as evidently a gentleman summoning a waiter, "Pray at once re- with an alias. Anyway, they took a copy move," he said, "that plate from our table, of that letter, and, as a matter of course, and ask that gentleman to withdraw." My will show it to-morrow to Herr Goldfuss, friend, still keeping his seat, strove to and ask questions. Now you understand, explain, but failed to command an audi- perhaps, why I was bound at any risk to see you this evening." ence. The banker was willing to ignore bim, but it takes two not to make a quar rel. Perhaps if the waiter had been more prompt, the strife might have been foreclosed, but unfortunately Herr Goldfuss was not patient, and flung the intrusive plate to some distance on the grass. At this my friend, who had been hitherto imperturbable quite lost his self-control. "An insult!" he cried. "You think, perhaps, that your age protects you; then let your son see to it" at the same time striking me across the cheek with the glove he held in his hand. I was on my feet in an instant, prepared to follow him as he walked slowly from the table to a spot a few yards distant. The banker laid a firm hand on my shoulder. "I forbid you," he said, " as if you were my son, to take up my quarrel. I am en This all I did very clearly understand. I tried to realize the exact dimensions of the dilemma, and to invent, if possible, some means of avoiding so unpleasant a revela. tion of our little plot. But his plan was ready before I had even started mine. 46 What folly it was!" he was muttering to himself, "not to hand over that letter originally; of course it had no business in my possession." Then, turning quickly to me "And that's the point to pivot on, don't you see? What we have to do is to provide Herr Goldfuss with a neat and crisp explanation of how that letter came into my hands. I see it all! Why, it's just the very document that would be wanted to prove to a stranger like myself that you are not his son. I challenge you as a Goldfuss, you hand me the letter to show you are only the tutor; nothing more natural, though I'm afraid I can't take credit for having foreseen all that when I struck you." This seemed to be a parry to the thrust, and we agreed that the letter should arrive with some ceremony in the morning. So we parted, but not before he had offered me his apology. "Now, sir, let me ask pardon for my unmannerly blow. It was, I assure you, as misplaced as it was unpremeditated. But if you can't forgive it, only say how much of my heart's best blood you require, and the precise quantity shall be measured out." "It is all smoothly arranged," I said. "He knows now who I am.' Then, turning to the good banker with a smile, I added, "And he did not think fit, sir, to challenge me on my own merits." "I wish he had," was the reply not of the banker, but of Adelaide "but no, I am wrong to say that, for it is noble in you not to resent a mere mistake." Alas for my nobility! it stood just then upon slippery ground. However, I tried hard to make us all forget this untimely interlude, and conversation soon flowed with its customary cheerful ripple. Once Friedrich broke out, "I wish it had been really Albert here instead of Mr. Brandt." Once again, as we walked homeward, a clear, low voice noiselessly dropped the words, "Assure me that all danger is over. I gave the assurance, and no word more was said about it that night. In the morning I received the suspected letter "returned with thanks," and under the same cover a formal apology such as any gentleman might accept. The banker also received a letter which he tossed across the table to me:— "Under circumstances sufficiently known to you, I purposely affronted a gentleman in your company last night. I have since had in my hands an autograph letter of yours, written to the gentleman then about to accept a tutorship in your family, from which it clearly appears that you have no son at home who is of age to take up a quarrel in your behalf. As the gentleman whom I struck is generously inclined to accept my explanation and apology, I consent in my turn to overlook the rudeness of your conduct." Adelaide read the letter after me, and as she laid it down looked at me for a few moments with a smile of approval in her honest grey eyes, which I blushed to think I fell so lamentably short of deserving. I could not help reflecting that, dashing as was my friend's attack, there was a weak point in his defences. If the police followed up the evidence closely, the alibi of the letter would not be completely proved, for they had taken a copy of it at six o'clock, while the quarrel, which was the presumable occasion of placing it in my friend's hands, did,not take place until full two hours afterwards. It was unlikely, however, that they would cross-question Herr Goldfuss. His simple assurance that the tutor, Walter Brandt, was actually in his family, and that he was aware that the letter in question had been in Mr. St. John's possession, would be accepted as satisfactory, and he would naturally have no desire to sow gossip-seed gratuitously by talking of the scene at the Palmengarten. It fell out as I expected. The police were satisfied, and there the matter ended. The incident above related brought me no little discomfort of mind. I had been just able, thanks to my friend's adroitness, to steer through without saying a word which was not textually true. But I was conscious that as a sleeping partner I was responsible for transactions which were not pure white. I began to feel that I ought not to remain where I was. Even as a frolic this masquerade would be mean and disloyal enough. But pure frolic it was not, for here was I living on it and drawing pay under false colors. I wonder how I could have so missed the plain path of honor. Yet on the other hand could I face exposure? When lately it seemed imminent I had most vividly realized the irretrievable disgrace it would bring upon me. To be looked upon as an adventurer and an impostor! To be found to have been acting in secret concert with one whom openly I disowned! To have been helping him (if nothing worse) in making a fool of a man who had shown me nothing but kindness! I saw myself, sternly and without a word, thrust off by Herr Goldfuss, who was a man likely to take the short way in dealing with duplicity. I heard myself denounced by Friedrich in that inexact but forcible language in which boys express their | it is true, had most to bear from her railsense of wrong. But there was condem-lery, but I did not escape. On the connation which I dreaded far worse. I should trary, I had to learn that obedience to be judged unheard, and sentenced in silence, by one whose judgment was more righteous than theirs, as well as more generous and gentle. This would be hard to bear; nay, it would be intolerable to one who believed, as I did, that she would all the while be yearning to know what plea could be raised in my defence, and long. ing for the power to reverse her sentence in open court. I could not, it is true, accuse myself of one disloyal thought since I had crossed that threshold. The single fault to which I could plead guilty was that of having originally consented to a disguise. But this first thoughtless act had entailed others yet more questionable. I could not excuse them to my most lenient self, - how then to others? I gave it up; and finally I resolved to remain where I was until my two months' leave should expire, and then at the instance of "urgent private affairs," to return to my duty. command was, in civil life, compatible with the highest liberty of the subject. Perhaps she felt in the freshness of the morning air that the day had not yet be-' gun, with its demure occupations and regulated movements. Rather I liked to believe that during our rides she went back four or five years to the blithehearted freedom of her girlhood. And her looks bore out the fancy. A fresher color came into her cheek, and a gayer light into her serious eyes. Even her hair now and then claimed its native liberty without rebuke. It was a charming picture, seen for an hour under the morning light. And then to watch, half an hour after our return, her entrance into the breakfast room. The girl Adelaide had vanished; Adelaide the woman came back to guide the house; and either was as natural as the other. About a week before the date which I had fixed in my own mind for my return to England, it was announced to me, late one morning, that a messenger was below wishing to speak with me. He bore a note from my friend summoning me to his lodgings that afternoon "alive or dead." This I accepted simply as the due penalty; and it brought me some consolation to reflect that it was no light one. I should be forbidden ever to allude to this escapade, a humiliating veto to one whose private journal had hitherto lain fairly open to his friends. I must forget the very I went. My friend, with a dejected air, happiest hours which my days of life had called my attention by a sweep of the known, and bide myself from those who hand to two letters and a tin box, which had made them the happiest. Nevertheless had arrived for me from England. The it must be. Better this than to be igno- letters caused me no surprise, as I was in miniously cast out. In a few weeks I constant communication with the mother would steal quietly away, and in the mean country, which had been all along intime try to be as much myself as a change-structed to address me at my friend's ling could safely venture. lodging. I was wondering which to open first, when he broke forth into an impassioned appeal : "Give me my old familiar self again. I'm weary of this distinguished stranger. Ye powers! is it not enough that I am worshipped, ay, have been even slightly moistened by maternal tears, for having saved a fellow's life whom I had never seen or heard of? Must I also be summoned to the tented field to marshal foreign hosts, and bestride the fiery warhorse who snorteth and swalloweth the earth? St. John, I abjure thee. Thou art too renowned! Restore me to my lowly friend Brandt." The knowledge that the end was near made me dismal enough when alone, but I think it made me prize the more the happy_companionship that yet remained to me. Just then a new phase of Adelaide | flashed upon me which had hitherto been obscured. I had by this time established the reputation of being a careful horseman, and Herr Goldfuss asked me, as a favor, to take his daughter under my charge in the morning rides, which had been, before her elder brother had left home, her daily delight. At home she was thoughtful and sedate. On horseback she became highspirited and joyous, and would have been a wild bird in flight if I had not been a steady falconer. She soon became obedi-" ent enough to discipline, when once she saw that I had not assumed a merely nominal command. Still it was no part of my duty to check her merry spirit. Friedrich, VOL. LXXIII. 3754 LIVING AGE. "Do be sane one moment," I exclaimed, and tell me in queen's prose what all this means." "Then, simply, that I can't stand this any longer. Listen to this note, written this morning in this very apartment, the |