To-day she was paler than usual and her features were so grave, that the young man asked her in surprise, yet full of sympathy: "What is the matter, little one?
Are you not well ?" "Yes, yes," she answered, quickly, "only I must talk with you once more alone." "Do you wish to hear my confession, Belita ?" "Cease jesting now.

I am no longer a child.

My heart aches, and I must not conceal the cause." "Speak, speak! How you look! One might really be alarmed." "If I only can! No one here tells you the truth; but I--I love you; so I will do it, ere it is too late.

Don't interrupt me now, or I shall lose courage, and I will, I must speak." "My studies lately have not pleased you; nor me either.

Your father...." "He has led you in false paths, and now you are going to Italy, and when you see what the greatest artists have created, you will wish to imitate them immediately and forget Meister Moor's lessons.