We must disperse, gentlemen; we have already sat here too long." The officers then retired with clank of arms, and Anton and his principal remained alone with the empty bottles.

The merchant opened the window, and then turning to Anton, who had listened to the foregoing conversation in the greatest excitement, began, "We must part here, dear Wohlfart--" Before he could finish his sentence Anton caught hold of his hand, and said, with tears in his eyes, "Let me go with you; do not send me back to the firm.

I should reproach myself intolerably my whole life through if I had left you on this journey." "It would be useless, perhaps unwise, that you should accompany me.

I can perfectly well do alone all that has to be done; and if there be any risk to run, which, however, I do not believe, your presence could not protect me, and I should only have the painful feeling of having endangered another for my sake." "Still, I should be very grateful to you if you would take me with you," urged Anton; "and Miss Sabine wished it too," added he, wisely keeping his strongest argument for the last.
"She is a terrible girl," said the merchant, with a smile.

"Well, then, so let it be.