"It was a fearful thought to father and lover, that there was even a
possibility of Bettina's remaining in the hands of those fierce and
lawless men for such a period of time as had been named. Yet it
would be impossible to raise the amount of the ransom in a shorter
period of time. Four months seemed to them almost as so many years,
and Egbert longed, at the head of a few faithful followers, to
attack the redoubtable brigand; but this would have been to
sacrifice Bettina's life at once. Alas! the ransom, and the ransom
only, could liberate her, all agreed.

"But I weary you, dearest, and will at another time complete my
story."

"Nay, by no means."

"But the story is not yet half told."

"The more of interest is then in store."

"But it will keep until our next meeting."

"As you will, Carlton; and so now, indeed, good night. You will come
with the sunset, tomorrow?"

"I will, dearest."

And Carlton turned away to seek his own humble lodgings, while the
lady returned to the sumptuous apartments which she called her home,
to dream of the young artist, and the tale he had thus left but half
related. In the meantime with the reader we will turn to another