Fickle Fortune

d thicker every minute, and the delightful north-east wind comes in vigorous blasts whic

difficulty through the accumulated snow on the high-road. Notwithstanding all their efforts, the horses could only advanc

d confidence, or rather the bright audacity of youth beamed in his frank handsome face, in the dark eyes, which were bold and clear as though no trace of a shadow had ever clouded them. There was something pe

end, he possessed little of the latter's attractiveness. He was of powerful, rather than of graceful, build, and he bore himself with an ease which was almost nonchalance. His face would have passed

ctive mark, and made the man appear much older than he really was. The abundant dark hair harmonised with the bushy dark eyebrows, but the eyes themselves were of that uncertain hue which is not generally approved. They made, indeed, scant app

ing out at the hurrying, driving snow; but now he turned, a

d. In our climate, and especially here among the

mported direct from the North Pole, You seem, however, to find no fault with the temperature. The whole journey has been nothing to you but j

ugged his

ideration. It was decided that you were not to travel wi

mund; 'charged with the high mission of watching ov

not succeeded. You have com

I have always had to enjoy it by myself. You have not been a good comrade to me, Oswald, m

ttersberg, or what, at most, will be condoned with a few tender re

is, I must take all the blame. Well, the judgment on my backslidings will not be over-severe, I warrant, whereas,

replied Oswal

n the young Count. 'I got you through that, for I naturally thought you would go into a Government office. We all

gan my University career with you. I have directed all my studies with a view to it; but as I wished to avoid a

one. Think of an Ettersberg turning barrister, and taking up the defence of any thief or forger who comes in his way!

the first grades, and during that time I must

and curt a tone that Edmun

I ever let y

r very generosity ma

the world, merely to shake off this so-called dependence. But what is the matter, I wonder?

et down the window,

s up?'

ply of the post-boy, who seemed to co

ed laugh. 'And the man informs us of it with that sweet phil

he narrow defile through which they must pass was completely blocked by an enormous drift. There the snow lay several feet high, and presented so compact a mass that to get through it seemed impossible. The coachman and h

example and alighted in his turn. 'Why the deuce had not we our own horses sent ou

e latter, with imperturbable serenity. 'Y

make an angry retort, when Os

nnot possibly advance. There is nothing left us but to stop here a while in the

meanwhile. Rather than that, I wou

tic glance over his comrade's dress, which was

g a path where one sinks to the knee at every step? But you will

is cloak, and placed it about the Count's should

l have no protection yourself

ts me. I am

ion, I am?' inquir

stay here in the carriage and send on the post-boy, or we must endeavo

d, with a sigh. 'You are constantly setting one an alternative----

t overcame with tolerable ease the difficulties of the way, until they reached the formidable descent. Here they, too, came to a stand. The coachman drew rein, contemplated the block before him with an ominous shake of the head, and then turned to

use, Anthony. We

t can't be done!' ob

be done. I will jus

ountainous country, and to have taken the necessary precautionary measures, for her costume was one suited to winter. She wore a dark travelling-dress, and over it a fur-trimmed jacket well buttoned about her slender figure, while securely pinned about her hat was a thi

towed a cursory glance on the new-comer, and then addressed his mind again to the critical situati

y. In an instant he was at the stranger's side, and, executing a bo

ther. It is always consolatory to meet with companions in misfortune; and as we are exposed to a like dang

themselves, having found no way of overcoming the obstacle in their path. Unfortunately, he was at once taken at

ess then to make us a

d, dismayed. 'Yo

road through the snow--

, if only you will be so good as to

he ground vigorously, and there was

y, as you proffered your help. Well, we must ge

eped and struggled rebelliously out of the silken net which sought to confine it. Her eyes, of the deepest, deepest blue, were not serene and calm as blue eyes are expected to be; on the contrary, they gleamed and sparkled with the saucy merriment which youth and happiness alone can give. Every smile brought a charming, delicious little dimple into either cheek, but there was an expre

voluntary smile which now chased the petulance from her features. Edmund's silence was not of long duration. Timidity and a want of self-

n, will allow us to harness your horses to our team, it will be possible in the first place

evelopment of his many delightful qualities. The young lady appeared somewhat surprised at the curt dry tone in which the proposal was made. The

aking rather sho

to obey the gentleman's orders, and turning to her carriage, prepare

ich he took up his station on the carriage-step, in order to keep her informed

s. The ramshackle old post-chaise cracks and shakes at every joint; the two men are as awkward in driving as they can possibly be. It is lucky that my companion is commandant of the troop. If there is a thing he thoroughly und

n my carriage-step,' remarked th

u all alone here on the highroad,' said Edmund, taking

robbers. Our highways are safe, so far as I know. Bu

so charming a

rk blue veil was lowered, and the vaunted prospect disappeared from view. Cou

with the horses. Edmund was still on the carriage-step. He had, as it seemed, received absolution for the impertinence of which he had been guilty, for a most animated conversation was going on betwe

and the snow is deep. Our post-chaise was several times within an ace of being overt

d. 'How can this lady pass along su

ave formed some sort of a track; if we follow in that, the journey will really no

ir, do not attribute any such excessive timidity to m

ently held down, and it fluttered high in the air. True, the little hand clutched quickly at the truant gauze, but it had wound itself about the hat, and the

t indistinctly as through a veil, while all further prospect was completely blotted out, hidden in dense mist. It needed the elastic spirits of youth to support with philosophy so severe an ordeal, to find in it food for mirth. Fortunately, this talismanic quality was possessed by the two younger travellers in a high degree. The difficult progress, in the course of which they sank at each step ankle-deep into the snow, the incessant struggle with the wind,

the road branched off in two directions, and no further obstruction was to be apprehended. The ca

ng to the divergent routes. 'You, no doubt, will continue along

mstances, you will allow me, Fr?ulein'--here a violent gust of wind blew the cape of his cloak about his ears, and dashed a shower of wet flakes in his face--'you will allow me to introduce myself, your humble servant. Count Edmund von

tarted at the me

? The heir of

ur ser

s with a strong inclination to

have mutually helped each other in need

amiliar to you,' said Edmund.

not to mention this meeting of ours at Ettersberg, for, innocent as we are in the

such a peal of merry laughter that Oswald looked at her in surpris

appears to be of a cheerful nature, and though you decline to raise the veil of your incognito, you will, I am sure, permit

aking in upon this noisy gaiety. 'It is tim

h an angry toss, looked at the speaker from head to foot, and then without more ado turned her back on him, and walked towards the carriage. Edmund natur

hrown in my way in this kind, but all too tran

ent be known there. I, most certainly, shall not solve the enigma. One question more, h

with strangers. As for any sense of gallantry, of deference towards ladies!' Edmund sighed. 'Ah, you little know, Fr?ul

ied the young lady mischievously; 'and you have an extraordinary pr

position, had not the coachman, who now grasped the reins, given visibl

for your kind

nt only, I may hope,'

ust forego any such wild notion. You will see it y

augh. The horses pulled with a will, and the young man had

nstrant tones of Oswald's voice. 'You were in such a great hurry

ng from him his charming new acquaintance. Presently it disa

ked quickly, as the post-chaise i

ask me? How

y with the carriage. You might

oachmen. Besides, the matter po

e, one would like to have the matter cleared up. I really don't quite know what to make of the girl. She emits sparks, so to say, at the slightest contact--she attracts and repels in a b

wilful, I should say,'

ut who in the world can she be? I saw no crest on the carriage-panels. The coachman wore a plain livery without any particular badge. Some middle-class family in the neighbourhood, evid

be had at each relay. In consequence of the downfall of snow, the available animals at each post-house had been put into requisition, so that the travellers had lost fully a couple of hours on the road since they started from the railway-station at noon. It was growing dark when the carriage at length rolled into the courtyard of Castle Ettersberg,

. 'Here we are at last, in spite of snow and s

dyship was growing very anxious at the delay. She w

ed at the head of a flight of steps which led from the entrance-hall into the interior of the castle. To spring out of the carriage, to

at happiness to see

utterance hitherto. His tone was genuine now, coming from the heart, and a like passionate tenderness thrilled

Edmu

detestable arrangements at the post-houses are to blame

a tone of loving reproach. 'I was hourly expecting a telegram to sa

' Edmund broke in. 'No, mother, I certainly should not hav

in distress about you for several hours. But come now, you mu

to lead him away, but he stood stil

t see Oswa

stood a little aside in the shadow of the great staircase,

e home,

the young man responded to it. He just touched his aunt's hand wi

!' she exclaimed in surpr

ut it. Oswald,' he went on, turning to his cousin, 'I might have given it back to you in the carriage at least; why did yo

quiringly over Oswald's shoulder, which certainly bor

s not worth

is not susceptible to the influence of the weather. He must change his clothes, that is all. Go, Oswald; but no, one word more,' she add

prised and annoyed. 'You know that w

decision; 'and they have obliged me to take possession of Oswald's room. He will have no objec

oubt,

ugh, yet there was something in its tone wh

nding round, he suppressed the remark he had been about to make. Instead

ce--at once, do you hear? If you keep those wet things on any longer, you will give

to forget that I a

von Ettersberg to his room, and see tha

le syllable to all the concern on his account so heartily expressed. He stood for a few seconds, looking

can find my way alone. Loo

t on the young man's face, from which, now that he was alone, the mask of indifference had dropped. The lips were tightly compressed, th

ever come when