"Well, I am glad they please you at least, dear Otto," returned Agnes, in her matter-of-fact way, for she was really so free from vanity that the subject did not seem to her worth a thought, except to be satisfied that he whom she loved was content. He appeared very easily contented meantime, for nothing seemed to make him so happy as to sit and watch Agnes when she was talking to others, and her speaking countenance flushed and paled with every varying emotion. There was always the loving, mirthful smile when his eye caught hers, and it provoked Agnes occasionally, that when she, wishing to silence the fun of their companions, responded with a gaze of calm good nature, he only looked more amused, as if conscious of power, and calculating how long she could control her temper or feelings! Fortunately for his wishes regarding Agues, or, perhaps, in consequence of them, for love has subtle links of affinity towards all connected with its object, Otto Bayer had formed a ready friendship with David Huntingdon. The lively and intelligent young Scotchman found a sympathising listener and aid in the capable German, who enjoyed a good talk and a good joke with equal and hearty zest. Naturally, Otto Bayer spent many pleasant evenings in Dr. Huntingdon's house playing chess or in animated conversation with David and the boys, listening to the father reading, now and then, on some point of common interest, giving ear to Marion singing; but all the time his eyes rested on Agnes as her deft and eager fingers plied the needle, or, very frequently, were occupied in sketching, for she and her elder brother were fond of picture making in all its forms. It was remarkable how he knew-seemingly without lookingwhen she needed anything, and he was instantly by her side assisting with quiet courtesy, and most often saying nothing but what the singularly sweet smile spoke as his eyes sought hers. Very strange it was that Dr. Huntingdon, a shrewd, far-seeing man in all else, never suspected any attachment between the German and his daughter; he admired the former's politeness, and thought still more highly of his good sense in that he preferred talking to a girl like Agnes, whom her father regarded with affectionate esteem and thorough confidence. This she truly justified, for no sooner did Otto Bayer directly seek her love than she submitted the matter to her parents, who should ever be the first confidants, in all cases, of their children; Agnes only asked that they would not mention or notice her betrothal for the present, and they were too wise and good to interfere rashly in what was so serious to those most concerned. The intercourse which Otto Bayer enjoyed in such Christian and happy home-life could not but have a good influence upon him, and he did not see it only in Dr. Hant ingdon's, but in Mr. Anderson's family, and in many another true British home in the distant northern town. 66 "You see, my dear fellow," David Huntingdon would roguishly say, we are putting you in training for a British wife if you should take a fancy to one; our girls would never tolerate being left alone in the evening, as we are told is the bad habit on the Continent generally." "But we have happy homes in Germany, too, and leave not our wives lonely, oh no; I will stay in all evening gladly if my wife will make all pleasant," said Otto, with much earnestness. "Fairly promised, Mr. Bayer," laughed his friend, "but con ditional! It sometimes amuses me to consider whether, in a trial of cautiousness, you Germans or we Scotch would hold out longest; I believe the run would be a pretty close one; what do you think?" "I think certainly we should be almost equal; and yet I have heard that, with all the sympathy of character between Scotch and Germans, you are not such pure-blooded Teutons as the English," observed Bayer. "True, Saxon and Norman are of the one Germanic stock, while the variation of both mental and physical characteristics in the Scotch shows a clear mixture of the Keltic. Do you know, I believe it is just because you and the English are so like each other that you cannot always agree! Now I think my sister Agnes will get on all the better when she goes, as our father intends, to finish her music and German in its native soil, in that she has a good deal of the Kelt in her." And her mirth-loving brother looked teasingly at Agnes. “I, David! How do you make that out?" asked Agnes, hotly blushing, and in broad astonishment. "Easily, my good sister, easily; see how you have fired up even this moment," mischievously answered her brother, "and Mr. Bayer would be greatly edified if he could witness but the excitement a little judicious contradiction puts you into." "I am not always most angry at those times, though," smiled Agnes, but with blazing cheeks. "No, I must acknowledge you are most dangerous when our Norse self-command is aroused. It is necessary to explain, my dear Bayer," said David Huntingdon, with assumed importance, "that our family are supposed to come straight from the old seakings; I really wonder Agnes has not been initiating you into this interesting history; am not I a fair representative of the race?" and the young man raised his undoubtedly noble figure to its full height; "as for Agnes, I should advise you not to prove her imperiousness." "Could Miss Agnes be jealous?" inquired her lover, keenly regarding her with a look of fun in which lurked a consciousness of power. "In a fashion," rejoined Agnes, shaking her head with a blush; "but I would never trouble any man with persuasions to return to his duty towards me," and her lips set themselves in scornful firmness. Otto Bayer smiled, but he appeared a little provoked, and as if he had an inclination to give Agnes a chance of testing her theory. Perhaps it was with some such thought as this that, a short time after, he slackened his attentions, and seemed to transfer them to & Miss Helen McLeod, whose father was one of the wealthiest merchants in B—. At first Agnes took this change goodhumouredly; she thought it wise, under the circumstances, and was content in her faith in Otto and her affection for him. On every hand she heard of his supposed engagement to Helen McLeod; but, though listening gravely, she evinced no change towards him, but met him with the same tenderness, and with no shadow of reproach. But he misinterpreted her reticence, which was simply the expression of her respect for him as much as for herself, and believing she did not care for him, he came but rarely to the Huntingdons, and wholly gave up escorting Agnes when they met, while he devoted himself to Miss McLeod. Poor Agnes felt and wondered honestly at all this; and now her true character began to develop. There was more than one gen. tleman of good position who would gladly have won her love, bat instead of violently encouraging other admirers, as many weaker natures would have done, she pursued her usual occupations of duty and pleasure, only, perhaps, with more intensity. When, however, one day, as Agnes was walking below the old church— which tradition related had been founded and endowed by her ancestors—and in a path winding through the shrubbery by the riverside, she met him at their former trysting-place, and passed on quickly with a bow, Otto stood dumb in amazement and began to feel all was scarcely right, for he sincerely and deeply loved Agnes, and had no thought but of proving her attachment to him. Turning swiftly after her, and laying his hand with a light and hesitat ing touch upon her arm, he exclaimed, "Agnes, have you ceased to love me?" No, truly, and never shall," replied she, while her eyes shone -and softened with the deepest love; but remembering all that had lately occurred, she drew herself coldly away, with the remark, “I am not of those, Mr. Bayer, who would pursue a man's love, as you ought to know; and, further, if love has gone, and only your plighted word remains, of course the latter goes for nothing, by your own showing." Agnes, dear Agnes, you have entirely misunderstood me; I love you dearly, and hold myself strictly bound to you." "You are not bound, Mr. Bayer, but free the instant you wish yourself so; that is how a Scottish maiden shows her love, while remaining true to it herself." "But, Agnes, my dearest, I was miserable in the thought that you had given up caring for me; I have no feeling beyond that of a mere acquaintance for any one else, and I would not marry Miss McLeod for all her wealth," said Otto, with great vehemence. "I never did you or myself," returned Agnes, with calm pride, "the discredit of thinking money could have aught in the matter." The point was gained, though, when she listened to his earnest pleadings, and the old confidence and even warmer love was estab lished between them. Otto had learned something new of Agnes, however, and he shuddered as he saw how near he had been to losing her, though her love was sure; she was not jealous in the ordinary way, but honest and without vanity; she understood no playing, no trifling with affection, and was all too ready to accept desertion, while change was to her impossible. She, too, had a perception that she also had failed in not showing towards her lover the interest which she felt only more passionately because of the restraint she imposed on herself. To step out of her reserve was not in the girl's nature, however; only some great need would call forth the depths of feeling whose presence the warm lighted eyes alone gave occasionally note of now. But the time came when Agnes and Otto must separate, till favourable circumstances permitted their being united for life. A thorough German for all his English culture, he preferred returning to seek his fortune in his native land, and for this Agnes, in her unselfish devotion, honoured and loved him all the more. Just at this period occurred what was to materially alter their relation, and, at least to Agnes, affect their whole future life. A few days before Otto's departure for Scotland, his most intimate friends had got up a farewell party in the form of an excursion to the neighbouring sea-coast. They went by rail to the nearest town, then walked some miles to the picturesque shore shivered into many creeks, round, and stretching away from which the rocks rose boldly and in high masses sculptured by the sea into many varied forms. In a sort of open cave, formed by two gigantic fluted rocks, they had a merry dinner facing the ocean, whose roar, as it rushed through the openings below and around them, made not unpleasant music in the calm of that bright summer day. Returning in the evening, some proposed taking the inland road, and of these were Otto and Agnes, who had wandered off to a cottage which had attracted their attention, and so fell behind their friends. In real fact, it was their last chance of saying good-bye alone, and the good woman who supplied them with a flowing bowl of milk, shrewdly questioned Otto about his "guid leddy!" "What does she mean? whispered he to Agnes. "She thinks I-am your wife!" replied Agnes, with blushing hesitation. "So you are in the sight of God, darling-my dear little wife,' rejoined Otto, fervently. "My dearest husband," said Agnes, with an arch smile, as they turned on their way, while Otto delightedly rewarded the speech with a long, warm pressure of his lips to hers. The first kiss! Agnes held the act in true, womanly sacredness, as one which only the dearest and nearest of the opposite sex should be permitted; it was to her the seal of betrothal-nay, of marriage! She suddenly recollected that, by Scotch law,* Otto and she were now actually husband and wife, having acknowledged themselves as such. The thought frightened her at first, but she resolved to say nothing, so that Otto might be free. If this were wise, experience only could show. CHAPTER III. Und nennt man uns Schönheits arm Prussian Ballad. There is scarcely another metropolis about which there are such various opinions as Berlin; yet, among those who have lived any length of time in it, the conclusion must be that it is one of the most pleasant of the world's great cities. Let their private thoughts be what they may, its lively inhabitants do not fail in affability and kindness to strangers, and, while they may wonder at the specimens we not infrequently give them of our excellent British prejudices, even in an exaggerated form, for their benefit, they seldom notice these if their good-natured advances are met with any similar sympathy. And we think there are few places where a true Englishman might find himself more comfortable *Said Lord Deas, one of the highest authorities on Scotch law :-"Consent makes marriage. No form or ceremony, civil or religious; no notice before, or publication after; no cohabitation, no writing, no witnesses even, are essential to this the most important contract which two persons can enter into." And are we called poor in beauty Amid the sand and lakes of the Mark |