day approached, threatening and heavy, like a thundercloud. The
evening preceding arrived. I could scarcely breathe. I had
carefully filled a large chest with gold, and sat down to await the
appointed time--the twelfth hour--it struck.

Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, counting
the seconds--the minutes--which struck me to the heart like daggers.
I started at every sound--at last daylight appeared. The leaden
hours passed on--morning--evening--night came. Hope was fast fading
away as the hand advanced. It struck eleven--no one appeared--the
last minutes--the first and last stroke of the twelfth hour died
away. I sank back in my bed in an agony of weeping. In the morning
I should, shadowless as I was, claim the hand of my beloved Minna.
A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my eyes.



CHAPTER III.



It was yet early, when I was suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute
in my antechamber. I listened. Bendel was forbidding Rascal to
enter my room, who swore he would receive no orders from his equals,
and insisted on forcing his way. The faithful Bendel reminded him
that if such words reached his master's ears, he would turn him out
of an excellent place. Rascal threatened to strike him if he
persisted in refusing his entrance.

By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open the