Sabine turned to Anton, and tried to be cheerful, but he saw the effort it cost her.
This large garden, with its hot-houses and conservatories, was one of Sabine's favorite resorts, both in summer and winter.

While the merchant carried off Fink to look at a plot of neighboring ground which he thought of buying, the clerks besieged Sabine with questions as to the names and peculiarities of the different plants.

She showed them a great palm-tree that her brother had given her, tropical ferns, gorgeous cactuses, and told them that she often drank coffee under these large leaves on sunny winter days.

Just then the gardener came up to her with crumbs of bread and bird-seed on a plate.

"Even when I have not so large a party with me as to-day, I am not quite alone," said she.
"Pray let us see your birds," cried Anton.
"You must go out of sight, then, and keep quite still.