nature. But if called on to work for him, that she could do as long
as strength remained to her. But there was no sacrifice which would
be of service, nor any work which would avail. Therefore she was
driven to think what she might do on his behalf, and at last she
resolved to make her personal appeal to Uncle Hatto.

"Shall I tell papa?" Isa asked of her mother.

"I will do so," said Madame Heine. And then the younger member of
the firm was informed as to the step which was to be taken; and he,
though he said nothing to forbid the attempt, held out no hope that
it would be successful.

Uncle Hatto was a little snuffy man, now full seventy years of age,
who passed seven hours of every week-day of his life in the dark
back chamber behind the banking-room of the firm, and he had so
passed every week-day of his life for more years than any of the
family could now remember. He had made the house what it was, and
had taken his brother into partnership when that brother married.
All the family were somewhat afraid of him, including even his
partner. He rarely came to the apartments in the Ludwigs Strasse,
as he himself lived in one of the older and shabbier suburbs on the
other side of the town. Thither he always walked, starting
punctually from the bank at four o'clock, and from thence he always
walked in the morning, reaching the bank punctually at nine. His
two nieces knew him well; for on certain stated days they were wont
to attend on him at his lodgings, where they would be regaled with
cakes, and afterwards go with him to some old-fashioned beer-garden
in his neighbourhood. But these festivities were of a sombre kind;
and if, on any occasion, circumstances prevented the fulfilment of