immediate answer. The sick man was then lying almost unconscious.
Hermann broke the seal without hesitation, and read as follows:

"MY DEAR FRIEND,--A visit to Europe which my father had long planned
has at last been undertaken. I did not mention it to you, in order
to have the pleasure of surprising you. On reaching this place, I
learn that the illness of which you spoke in your last letter has
not yet left you. Under these circumstances, I will not venture to
present myself without warning you of my arrival, and making sure
that you are able to receive me. I am here with my brother, who,
like myself, would not come so near to you without seeing you. My
father has gone on to Paris, where Francis and I will join him in a
few days. ELLEN."

Hermann, after one instant's thought, took up his hat and dismissed
the messenger, saying he would give the answer himself. At the hotel
he sent in his card, with the words, "From Mr. Warren," and was
immediately ushered into Ellen's presence.

She was alone. Hermann examined her rapidly. He saw an extremely
beautiful woman, whose frank and fearless eyes were fixed on him
with a questioning look.

Hermann had not frequented the society of women much, and was
usually rather embarrassed in their presence. But on this occasion
he thought only of his friend, and found no difficulty in explaining
the motive of his visit. He told her his friend was ill--very ill--
dying--and that he had opened the letter addressed to Warren. Ellen
did not answer for some time; she seemed not to have understood what
she had heard. After a while her eyes filled with tears, and she