Barlasch of the Guard

se trompe, quand on n

om

he was twenty-five. Many of his contemporaries were colonels in these days of quick promotion, when

of occupation. In six months he possessed acquaintances in every stre

Darragon," a town councillor had grimly said to Rapp,

l-met with the new-comers, who were numerous enough at this time, quick to understand the

f a lieutenant," he

it. Charles had, it seemed, nothing to hide, and was indifferent to

arther..." a hundred

ten all about it," he invariably replied, wh

o had introduced Charles to Mathilde Sebastian at a formal reception at General Rapp's. Charles, of course, fell in love with Mathilde, and out again after half-an-hour's conversation. There was something cold

delay what had happened to him. The opportunity presented itself before long; for one morning he saw her walking quickly towards the Kuh-brucke with her skates swinging from her wrist. It was

skates. Then to the Kuh-brucke, where a reach of the Mottlau was cleared and kept in order for skating. He overpaid the sleigh-driver and laughed a

ught again of the pleasant young officer introduced to her by Mathilde.

ld make reply. But she had never imagined the incident as it actually happened. She had never pictured a youth in a gay uniform looking down at her with ardent eyes as he skated by her side through the crisp still air, while the ice s

ducks-and-drakes with their chances of happiness in a manner quite incomprehensible to the careful method of human

indefinite, breathless fear. But the lover who was here now in the flesh by her side inspired none of these feelings. On the contrary, she felt easy and natural and quite at home with him. There was nothing al

n honest mind. She said she would think about it. She did not love him now-she knew that. She could not say that she would not learn to love him some day, but there seemed no likelihood of it at present. Then he would shoot himsel

nd heedless. He was not a fit guardian for her. Was she not the prettiest girl in all Dantzig-in all the world? Her sister was not fond enough of her to care for her properly. He announced

stinct to guide her through these troubled waters; which was much better than experi

unselfish. Of course, some men are honest and unselfish all their lives; which perhaps means that they remain in love-for the first time-a

the Frauenthor for his walk in the morning sun by the side of the fr

, "but in these days, monsieur, y

iver. But Sebastian's face clouded, and Charles, who was quick and sympathetic,

in addition to my pay. I assure you

phan?" said Se

es

e... T

ke much of one's parentage in

name was Charle

es

secon

eur. Did yo

" answered Sebastian, in his stiff ma

alse scent, broke off abruptly. "If love can make mademoiselle happy-," he said; and a ges

l consideration, will be found to have been no more foolish than the present. He made no inquiries respecting Desiree's par

f absence. They were to spend their honeymoon at Zoppot, a little fishing-village hidden in the pines by

iety which all were invited to enjoy. It is said that love is an egoist. Charles and Desiree ha

teristic of the period. Every house in Dantzig looked askance upon its ne

sh. There are to-day Scotch names also, here as elsewhere on the Baltic shores. When the serfs were liberated it was necessary to find su

refore, who hated the French, and cherished a secret love of those bluff British captains-so like themselves in build, and thought, and slowness of speech-who would thrash their wooden brigs through the shallow seas, despite decrees and threats and sloops-of-wa

s and is no more, had been assured that France would set up again the throne of the Jagellons and the

trusted none. Who could tell what thoughts were hidden beneath the ragged fur cap-w

the pendulum of war had swung right across from Cadiz to Dantzig, and swept northwards in

ad continued to exchange courteous and affectionate letters with Alexander of Russia. For more than a year the broad-faced Bavarians (who have borne the brunt of every war in Central Europe) had been peaceably quartered in the to

kept them in their hearts. A hundred secret societies passed from mouth to mouth instruction, warning, encouragement. Germany has always been the home of the secret society. Northern Europe gave birth to those countless a

ushed it once, was watching for its revival; had a whole army of his matchless

ships from the Rhine, from Greece and the Crimea, from Bordeaux and Burgundy, from the Champagne and Tokay. This is not only the Rathskeller, but the real Rathhaus, where the Dantzigers have taken counsel over their afternoon wine from generation to generation, whence have been issued to all the world those decrees of probity and a commercial uprightness between buyer and seller, debtor and creditor, master and man, which reached to every corner of the commercial

ral frontiers, men came and went without attracting undesired atte

this of Antoine Sebastian. Sebastian was poor. All the Frauengasse knew that. But the Frauengasse it

ad died to some purpose, for a wave of manliness had swept across human thought at the b

to gain his daily bread, while his two daughters taught danc

ed the stout and matter-of-fact daughter of

ee with a grave assurance. "He does it so that

or mazurka a quiet grace which was the envy and despair of her pupils. Mathilde was patient with the slow and heavy of foot, while Desiree told them bluntly that they were fat. Nevert

n authority, held the balance evenly between the sisters, and smiled ap

y that their daughter was the best dancer in the school: "Yes, Mathild

was up early and still astir after nine o'clock at night, when the

ilde, who had herself a well-ordered mind, a