CHAPTER XII.

Two days passed, and I perceived another change in Mr. Engelman.

He was now transformed into a serious and reticent man. Had he committed indiscretions which might expose him to ridicule if they were known? Or had the widow warned him not to be too ready to take me into his confidence? In any case, he said not one word to me about Madame Fontaine's reception of him, and he left the house secretly when he paid his next visit to her. Having no wish to meet him unexpectedly, and feeling (if the truth must be told) not

quite at ease about the future, I kept away from Minna and her mother, and waited for events.

On the third day, an event happened. I received a little note from Minna :

'Dear Mr. David,—If you care to see mamma and me, stay at home this evening. Good Mr. Engelman has promised to show us his interesting old house, after business hours.'

There was nothing extraordinary in making an exhibition of the old house.' It was one among the many picturesque specimens of the domestic architecture of bygone days, for which Frankfort is famous; and it had been sketched by artists of all nations, both outside and in. At the same time, it was noticeable (perhaps only as a coinci

dence) that the evening chosen for showing the house to the widow, was also the evening on which Mr. Keller had an engagement with some friends in another part of the city.

As the hour approached for the arrival of the ladies, I saw that Mr. Engelman looked at me with an expression of embar

rassment.

'Are you not going out this evening, David?' he asked.

Am I in the way, sir?' I inquired mischievously.

'Oh, no!'

"In that case then, I think I shall stay at home.'

He said no more, and walked up and down the room with an air of annoyance.

The bell of the street-door rang.

stopped, and looked at me again.

Visitors?' I said.

He

He was obliged to answer me. • Friends of mine, David, who are coming to see the house.'

I was just sufficiently irritated by his persistence in keeping up the mystery to set him the example of speaking plainly.

'Madame Fontaine and her daughter?'

He turned quickly to answer me, and hesitated. At the same moment, the door was opened by the sour old housekeeper, frowning suspiciously at the two elegantlydressed ladies whom she ushered into the

room.

If I had been free to act on my own

impulse, I should certainly (out of regard for Mr. Engelman) have refrained from accompanying the visitors when they were shown over the house. But Minna took my I had no choice but to follow Mr. Engelman and her mother when they left the room.

arm.

Minna spoke to me as confidentially as if

I had been her brother.

you know,' she whispered, 'that nice old gentleman and mamma are like old friends already. Mamma is generally suspicious of strangers. Isn't it odd? And she actually invites him to bring his pipe when he comes to see us! He sits puffing smoke, and admiring mamma-and mamma does all the talking. Do come and see us soon! I have nobody to speak to about