he would not be driving at that rate for anything else. It is late for the
old gentleman to be out."

"Work!" said Jost, "well, I speak for that kind of work; sitting in a
chaise behind a horse. It's another part of speech to have to work with
one's hands, as we do."

"The doctor has to work with his hands too, I'm sure of that. And besides,
we have our evenings to ourselves, while he may be kept at it till eleven
o'clock at night, as he is this evening, and later."

"Oh drop all this stupid talk and give us an answer; yes or no. Will you
be a fool and go on pricking your fingers over your work, or will you join
me and have things comfortable without working at all? Anybody but you
would be grateful to me for the chance I offer you. I came to you with it
because of our old friendship. I know plenty of fellows who would jump at
the chance. You can think it over till tomorrow, and then I'm sure you'll
be glad to accept. I'll meet you here to-morrow evening, and bring some
one with me who will explain it all clearly."

Dietrich agreed to think about it till to-morrow, and now, in high
good-humor and increasing confidence in the coming good-fortune, he helped
Blasi and Jost to empty the bowl, in a toast to the success of their new
projects.

It was Veronica's habit to work on her embroidery for some time after
going up to her bedroom, and this evening she was so much interested in
her work, that she did not observe the flight of time, until she heard the
clock strike one. She put by her sewing, and hastened to prepare for bed,
as she must be up and stirring again by five o'clock. Presently she heard