where the grandfather had died. Here everything yet stood as
formerly--the large book case, with the glass doors, behind which
the intellectual treasure was preserved: Wieland and Fielding,
Millot's "History of the World," and Von der Hagen's "Narrenbuch,"
occupied the principal place: these books had been those most read
by the old gentleman. Here was also Otto's earliest intellectual
food, Albertus Julius, the English "Spectator," and Evald's
writings. Upon the wall hung pikes and pistols, and a large old
sabre, which the grandfather had once worn. Upon the table beneath
the mirror stood an hour-glass; the sand had run out. Rosalie
pointed toward the bed. "There he died," said she, "between six
and seven o'clock in the evening. He was only ill three days; the
two last he passed in delirium: he raised himself in bed, and shook
the bed posts; I was obliged to let two strong men watch beside
him. 'To horse! to horse!' said he; 'the cannons forward!' His
brain dreamed of war and battles. He also spoke of your blessed
father severely and bitterly! Every word was like the stab of a
knife; he was as severe toward him as ever!"

"And did the people understand his words?" asked Otto with a
wrinkled brow.

"No, for the uninitiated they were dark words; and even had they
possessed any meaning, the men would have believed it was the
sickness which spoke out of him. 'There stands the mother with the
two children! The one shall fall upon the flank of the enemy and
bring me honor and joy. The mother and daughter I know not!' That
was all which I heard him say about you and your mother and sister.
By noon on the third day the fever had spent itself; the strong,
gloomy man was become as weak and gentle as a child; I sat beside