have a chance of speaking to each other and rejoicing that they have met
once more. I will step in presently, and be the anxious, motherly
friend. Tine, Tine! And if it does not end in a wedding, I will make a
pilgrimage to St. Agatha, barefoot."

"And I with only one shoe!" the senator declared, "for, everything in
reason--but the talk about Dora was at last beyond all bounds. It was no
longer possible to have them both together under the same roof. And you
yourself--no, seriously; go in to them."

"Directly, directly.--But first look out of this window once more. Oh,
what a sun!--there, now it is too late. Only two minutes ago the whole
heaven was of the hue of my red Syrian cloak; and now it is all dark!--
The house and garden are beautiful, and everything is old and handsome;
just what I should have expected in the home of the rich Mukaukas."

"And I too," replied Justinus. "But now, go. If they have come to an
understanding, Dora may certainly congratulate herself."

"I should think so! But she need not be ashamed even of her villa, and
they must spend every summer there, I will manage that. If that poor,
dear fellow Narses does not escape with his life--for two years of
slavery are a serious matter--then I should be able. . . ."

"To alter your will? Not a bad idea; but there is no hurry for that; and
now, you really must go."

"Yes, yes, in a minute. Surely I may have time to speak.--I, for my
part, know of no one whom I would sooner put in the place of Narses....."