her husband herself, and no longer allow the intruder to keep her from
the place which belonged to her alone. The old countess's power of
persuasion had strengthened her courage, and the unwonted energy of the
weak, more than yielding woman, exerted so startling and at the same time
disheartening an effect upon the wearied, tortured young creature that
she attempted no resistance. The entreaties of the leech and kind Herr
Teufel, however, induced her to persist a short time longer.

But when, soon after, the same incident occurred a second time, it seemed
impossible to remain in their house even another day.

Without opposing her lover's mother, she retired to her chamber and,
weeping silently, spite of the earnest entreaties of the Sister of
Charity, packed the few articles she had brought with her and prepared to
leave the post maintained with so much difficulty. To be again with Eva
under the protection of her uncle and aunt now seemed the highest goal of
her longing. She did not wish to go home; for after his liberation from
the tower her father had had a long conversation with Wolff and old
Berthold Vorchtel, and then, at the desire of the Council, had ridden to
Augsburg and Ulm to arrange the affairs of the Eysvogel firm. He had
felt that he could be spared by his family, knowing that his younger
daughter was safe at Schweinau, and having heard that Wolff's pardon
would not be long delayed.

Eva, too, had experienced toilsome days and many an anxious night. True,
Biberli and the carrier's widow, with her children, had been moved to the
Beguines' house, where she could pursue her charitable work safe from the
rude attacks of the criminal inmates of the hospital; but what heavy
cares had burdened her concerning the two patients for whom she was
battling with death! how eagerly she watched for tidings from the