refuse to see me if I had given it beforehand. And I should like best even
now to remain unknown. Unfortunately, I fear that you will not look at me
with kindness any longer when you know who I am."

"I hate no one in the world," replied Frau Elsbeth, "least of all a name."

"I am called Helene Douglas," said the lady, gently, and she pressed the
invalid's hand closer.

Frau Elsbeth began at once to cry, while the visitor, as if she had been an
old friend, put her arm round her neck, kissed her on the brow, and said,
with a soft, comforting voice:

"Do not be angry with me. Fate has ordained that I should drive you from
this house; but it is no fault of mine. My husband wanted to give me a
pleasant surprise, for the name of this estate is identical with my
Christian-name. My joy vanished directly when I heard under what
circumstances he had acquired it, and how you, especially, dear Mrs.
Meyerhofer, must have suffered in this doubly trying time. Then I felt
compelled to unburden my heart by asking your pardon personally for the
sorrow which I have caused you, and shall still have to cause you, for
your time of suffering is not over yet."

Frau Elsbeth had bent her head on the stranger's shoulder, as if that was
the most natural thing in the world, and went on softly crying to herself.

"And perhaps I can also be of use to you," she continued; "at least, so far
as I can take part of the bitterness from your soul. We women understand
each other better than those hard, passionate men. The common sufferings
that weigh on all of us bring us nearer to each other. And, above all, one