think it would be better that he should go back to England."

"Mamma, if he did, I should--break my heart."

"Isa!"

"Well, mamma! But do not suppose that I mean to complain, whatever
happens."

"But I had been so sure that you had constrained your feelings!"

"So I had,--till I knew myself. Mamma, I could wait for years, if
he were contented to wait by my side. If I could see him happy, I
could watch him and love him, and be happy also. I do not want to
have him kneeling to me, and making sweet speeches; but it has gone
too far now,--and I could not bear to lose him." And thus to her
mother she confessed the truth.

There was nothing more said between Isa and her mother on the
subject, and for two days the matter remained as it then stood.
Madame Heine had been deeply grieved at hearing those last words
which her daughter had spoken. To her also that state of quiescence
which Isa had so long affected seemed to be the proper state at
which a maiden's heart should stand till after her marriage vows had
been pronounced. She had watched her Isa, and had approved of
everything,--of everything till this last avowal had been made. But
now, though she could not approve, she expressed no disapproval in
words. She pressed her daughter's hand and sighed, and then the two
said no more upon the matter. In this way, for two days, there was
silence in the apartments in the Ludwigs Strasse; for even when the