Thelittleladybeganherintroductionsinabreathlessvoice。
　　"Good！"HerrPaulsaid，puffingouthislips:"Nowweknoweachother！"and，brushinguptheendsofhismoustaches，hecarriedoffHarzintoanotherroom，decoratedwithpipe—racks，printsofdancing—
　　girls，spittoons，easy—chairswell—seasonedbycigarsmoke，Frenchnovels，andnewspapers。
　　ThehouseholdatVillaRubeinwasindeedofamixedandcuriousnature。Cutonbothfloorsbycorridors，theVillawasdividedintofourdivisions;eachofwhichhaditsseparateinhabitants，anarrangementwhichhadcomeaboutinthefollowingway:
　　WhenoldNicholasTreffrydied，hisestate，ontheboundaryofCornwall，hadbeensoldanddividedupamonghisthreesurvivingchildren——Nicholas，whowasmuchtheeldest，apartnerinthewell—
　　knownfirmofForsyteandTreffry，teamen，oftheStrand;Constance，marriedtoamancalledDecie;andMargaret，atherfather’sdeathengagedtothecurateoftheparish，JohnDevorell，whoshortlyafterwardsbecameitsrector。ByhismarriagewithMargaretTreffrytherectorhadonechildcalledChristian。Soonafterthishecameintosomeproperty，anddied，leavingitunfetteredtohiswidow。
　　Threeyearswentby，andwhenthechildwassixyearsold，Mrs。
　　Devorell，stillyoungandpretty，cametoliveinLondonwithherbrotherNicholas。ItwastherethatshemetPaulvonMorawitz——thelastofanoldCzechfamily，whohadlivedformanyhundredyearsontheirestatesnearBudweiss。Paulhadbeenleftanorphanattheageoften，andwithoutasolitaryancestralacre。Insteadofacres，heinheritedthefaiththatnothingwastoogoodforavonMorawitz。Inlateryearshissavoirfaireenabledhimtolaughatfaith，butitstayedquietlywithhimallthesame。Theabsenceofacreswasofnogreatconsequence，forthroughhismother，thedaughterofabankerinVienna，hecameintoawell—nursedfortune。ItbefittedavonMorawitzthatheshouldgointotheCavalry，but，unshapedforsoldiering，hesoonlefttheService;somesaidhehadadifferencewithhisColoneloverthequalityoffoodprovidedduringsomemanoeuvres;othersthathehadretiredbecausehischargersdidnotfithislegs，whichwere，indeed，ratherround。
　　Hehadanadmirableappetiteforpleasure;aman—about—town’slifesuitedhim。Hewenthisgenial，unreflecting，costlywayinVienna，Paris，London。Helovedexclusivelythosetowns，andboastedthathewasasmuchathomeinoneasinanother。Hecombinedexuberantvitalitywithfastidiousnessofpalate，anddevotedbothtotheacquisitionofaspecialtasteinwomen，weeds，andwines;aboveallhewasblessedwitharemarkabledigestion。HewasthirtywhenhemetMrs。Devorell;andshemarriedhimbecausehewassoverydifferentfromanybodyshehadeverseen。Peoplemoredissimilarwerenevermated。ToPaul——accustomedtostagedoors——freshness，serenetranquillity，andobviouspuritywerethebaits;hehadrunthroughmorethanhalfhisfortune，too，andthefactthatshehadmoneywaspossiblynotoverlooked。Bethatasitmay，hewasfondofher;hisheartwassoft，hedevelopedadomesticside。
　　Gretawasborntothemafterayearofmarriage。Theinstinctofthe"freeman"was，however，notdeadinPaul;hebecameagambler。Helosttheremainderofhisfortunewithoutbeinggreatlydisturbed。
　　Whenhebegantolosehiswife’sfortunetoothingsnaturallybecamemoredifficult。NottoomuchremainedwhenNicholasTreffrysteppedin，andcausedhissistertosettlewhatwasleftonherdaughters，afterprovidingalife—interestforherselfandPaul。Losinghissupplies，thegoodmanhadgivenuphiscards。Buttheinstinctofthe"freeman"wasstilllivinginhisbreast;hetooktodrink。Hewasnevergrosslydrunk，andrarelyverysober。Hiswifesorrowedoverthisnewpassion;herhealth，alreadymuchenfeebled，soonbrokedown。ThedoctorssenthertotheTyrol。Sheseemedtobenefitbythis，andsettleddownatBotzen。Thefollowingyear，whenGretawasjustten，shedied。ItwasashocktoPaul。Hegaveupexcessivedrinking;becameaconstantsmoker，andlentfullreintohisnaturaldomesticity。Hewasfondofboththegirls，butdidnotatallunderstandthem;Greta，hisowndaughter，washisfavourite。VillaRubeinremainedtheirhome;itwascheapandroomy。Money，sincePaulbecamehousekeepertohimself，wasscarce。
　　AboutthistimeMrs。Decie，hiswife’ssister，whosehusbandhaddiedintheEast，returnedtoEngland;Paulinvitedhertocomeandlivewiththem。Shehadherownrooms，herownservant;thearrangementsuitedPaul——itwaseconomicallysound，andtherewassomeonealwaystheretotakecareofthegirls。Intruthhebegantofeeltheinstinctofthe"freeman"risingagainwithinhim;itwaspleasanttorunovertoViennanowandthen;toplaypiquetataClubinGries，ofwhichhewastheshininglight;inaword，togo"onthetiles"alittle。Onecouldnotalwaysmourn——evenifawomanwereanangel;
　　moreover，hisdigestionwasasgoodasever。
　　ThefourthquarterofthisVillawasoccupiedbyNicholasTreffry，whoseannualsojournoutofEnglandperpetuallysurprisedhimself。
　　Betweenhimandhisyoungniece，Christian，thereexisted，however，araresympathy;oneofthoseaffectionsbetweentheyoungandold，which，mysteriouslybornlikeeverythinginlife，seemstheonlyendandaimtoboth，tillanotherfeelingcomesintotheyoungerheart。
　　Sincealonganddangerousillness，hehadbeenorderedtoavoidtheEnglishwinter，andatthecommencementofeachspringhewouldappearatBotzen，drivinghisownhorsesbyeasystagesfromtheItalianRiviera，wherehespentthecoldestmonths。HealwaysstayedtillJunebeforegoingbacktohisLondonClub，andduringallthattimeheletnodaypasswithoutgrowlingatforeigners，theirhabits，food，drink，andraiment，withakindofbigdog’sgrowlingthatdidnobodyanyharm。Theillnesshadbrokenhimverymuch;hewasseventy，butlookedmore。Hehadaservant，aLuganese，namedDominique，devotedtohim。NicholasTreffryhadfoundhimoverworkedinanhotel，andhadengagedhimwiththecaution:"Look——here，Dominique！Iswear！"TowhichDominique，darkoffeature，saturnineandironical，hadonlyreplied:"Tresbiens，M’sieur！"
　　III
　　Harzandhishostsatinleatherchairs;HerrPaul’ssquarebackwaswedgedintoacushion，hisroundlegscrossed。Bothweresmoking，andtheyeyedeachotherfurtively，asmenofdifferentstampdowhenfirstthrowntogether。Theyoungartistfoundhishostextremelynewanddisconcerting;inhispresencehefeltbothshyandawkward。
　　HerrPaul，ontheotherhand，verymuchatease，wasthinkingindolently:
　　’Good—lookingyoungfellow——comesofthepeople，Iexpect，notatallthemanneroftheworld;wonderwhathetalksabout。’
　　PresentlynoticingthatHarzwaslookingataphotograph，hesaid:
　　"Ah！yes！thatwasawoman！Theyarenottobefoundinthesedays。
　　Shecoulddance，thelittleCoralie！Didyoueverseesucharms？
　　Confessthatsheisbeautiful，hein？"
　　"Shehasindividuality，"saidHarz。"Afinetype！"
　　HerrPaulblewoutacloudofsmoke。
　　"Yes，"hemurmured，"shewasfineallover！"Hehaddroppedhiseyeglasses，andhisfullbrowneyes，withlittlecrow’s—feetatthecorners，wanderedfromhisvisitortohiscigar。
　　’He’dbelikeaSatyrifhewasn’ttooclean，’thoughtHarz。’Putvineleavesinhishair，painthimasleep，withhishandscrossed，so！’
　　"WhenIamtoldapersonhasindividuality，"HerrPaulwassayinginarichandhuskyvoice，"Igenerallyexpectbootsthatbulge，anumbrellaofimpropercolour;Iexpectacreatureof’badform’astheysayinEngland;whowillshavesomedaysandsomedayswillnotshave;whosometimessmellsofIndia—rubber，andsometimesdoesnotsmell，whichisdiscouraging！"
　　"Youdonotapproveofindividuality？"saidHarzshortly。
　　"Notifitmeansdoing，andthinking，asthosewhoknowbetterdonotdo，orthink。"
　　"Andwhoarethosewhoknowbetter？"
　　"Ah！mydear，youareaskingmeariddle？Well，then——Society，menofbirth，menofrecognisedposition，menaboveeccentricity，inaword，ofreputation。"
　　Harzlookedathimfixedly。"Menwhohaven’tthecourageoftheirownideas，noteventhecouragetosmellofIndia—rubber;menwhohavenodesires，andsocanspendalltheirtimemakingthemselvesflat！"
　　HerrPauldrewoutaredsilkhandkerchiefandwipedhisbeard。"I
　　assureyou，mydear，"hesaid，"itiseasiertobeflat;itismorerespectabletobeflat。Himmel！whynot，then，beflat？"
　　"Likeanycommonfellow？"
　　"Certes;likeanycommonfellow——likeme，parexemple！"HerrPaulwavedhishand。Whenheexercisedunusualtact，healwaysmadeuseofaFrenchexpression。
　　Harzflushed。HerrPaulfolloweduphisvictory。"Come，come！"hesaid。"Passmemymenofrepute！quediable！wearenotanarchists。"
　　"Areyousure？"saidHarz。
　　HerrPaultwistedhismoustache。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaidslowly。Butatthismomentthedoorwasopened;arumblingvoiceremarked:"Morning，Paul。Who’syourvisitor？"Harzsawatall，bulkyfigureinthedoorway。
　　"Comein，"’calledoutHerrPaul。"Letmepresenttoyouanewacquaintance，anartist:HerrHarz——Mr。NicholasTreffry。Psummbumm！Allthisintroducingisdrywork。"Andgoingtothesideboardhepouredoutthreeglassesofalight，foamingbeer。
　　Mr。Treffrywaveditfromhim:"Notforme，"hesaid:"WishIcould！
　　Theywon’tletmelookatit。"Andwalkingover，tothewindowwithaheavytread，whichtrembledlikehisvoice，hesatdown。Therewassomethinginhisgaitlikethemovementsofanelephant’shindlegs。
　　Hewasverytall（itwassaid，withthecustomaryexaggerationoffamilytradition，thatthereneverhadbeenamaleTreffryundersixfeetinheight），butnowhestooped，andhadgrownstout。Therewassomethingatoncevastandunobtrusiveabouthispersonality。
　　Heworealoosebrownvelvetjacket，andwaistcoat，cuttoshowasoftfrilledshirtandnarrowblackribbontie;athingoldchainwasloopedroundhisneckandfastenedtohisfob。Hisheavycheekshadfoldsinthemlikethoseinabloodhound’sface。Heworebig，drooping，yellow—greymoustaches，whichhehadahabitofsucking，andagoateebeard。Hehadlonglooseearsthatmightalmosthavebeensaidtogap。Onhisheadtherewasasoftblackhat，largeinthebrimandlowinthecrown。Hisgreyeyes，heavy—lidded，twinkledundertheirbushybrowswithaqueer，kindcynicism。Asayoungmanhehadsownmanyawildoat;buthehadalsoworkedandmademoneyinbusiness;hehad，infact，burnedthecandleatbothends;buthehadneverbeenunreadytodohisfellowsagoodturn。Hehadapassionfordriving，andhisrecklessmethodofpursuingthisarthadcausedhimtobenicknamed:"ThenotoriousTreffry。"
　　Once，whenhewasdrivingtandemdownahillwithalooserein，thefriendbesidehimhadsaid:"Forallthegoodyou’redoingwiththosereins，Treffry，youmightaswellthrowthemonthehorses’necks。"
　　"Justso，"Treffryhadanswered。Atthebottomofthehilltheyhadgoneoverawallintoapotatopatch。Treffryhadbrokenseveralribs;hisfriendhadgoneunharmed。
　　Hewasagreatsufferernow，but，constitutionallyaversetobeingpitied，hehadadisconcertingwayofhumming，andthis，togetherwiththeshakeinhisvoice，andhisfrequentuseofpeculiarphrases，madetheunderstandingofhisspeechdependattimesonintuitionratherthanintelligence。
　　Theclockbegantostrikeeleven。Harzmutteredanexcuse，shookhandswithhishost，andbowingtohisnewacquaintance，wentaway。
　　HecaughtaglimpseofGreta’sfaceagainstthewindow，andwavedhishandtoher。IntheroadhecameonDawney，whowasturninginbetweenthepoplars，withthumbsasusualhookedinthearmholesofhiswaistcoat。
　　"Hallo！"thelattersaid。
　　"Doctor！"Harzansweredslyly;"theFatesoutwittedme，itseems。"
　　"Serveyouright，"saidDawney，"foryourconfoundedegoism！WaitheretillIcomeout，Ishan’tbemanyminutes。"
　　ButHarzwentonhisway。Acartdrawnbycream—colouredoxenwaspassingslowlytowardsthebridge。Infrontofthebrushwoodpiledonittwopeasantgirlsweresittingwiththeirfeetonamatofgrass——thepictureofcontentment。
　　"I’mwastingmytime！"hethought。"I’vedonenexttonothingintwomonths。BettergetbacktoLondon！Thatgirlwillnevermakeapainter！"Shewouldnevermakeapainter，buttherewassomethinginherthathecouldnotdismisssorapidly。Shewasnotexactlybeautiful，butshewassympathetic。Thebrowwaspleasing，withdark—brownhairsoftlyturnedback，andeyessostraightandshining。
　　Thetwosisterswereverydifferent！Thelittleonewasinnocent，yetmysterious;theelderseemedasclearascrystal！
　　Hehadenteredthetown，wherethearcadedstreetsexudedtheirpeculiarpungentsmellofcowsandleather，wood—smoke，wine—casks，anddrains。Thesoundofrapidwheelsoverthestonesmadehimturnhishead。Acarriagedrawnbyred—roanhorseswaspassingatagreatpace。Peoplestaredatit，standingstill，andlookingalarmed。Itswungfromsidetosideandvanishedroundacorner。HarzsawMr。
　　NicholasTreffryinalong，whitishdust—coat;hisItalianservant，perchedbehind，washoldingtotheseat—rail，withanervousgrinonhisdarkface。
　　’Certainly，’Harzthought，’there’snogettingawayfromthesepeoplethismorning——theyareeverywhere。’
　　Inhisstudiohebegantosorthissketches，washhisbrushes，anddragoutthingshehadaccumulatedduringhistwomonths’stay。Heevenbegantofoldhisblanketdoor。Butsuddenlyhestopped。Thosetwogirls！Whynottry？Whatapicture！Thetwoheads，thesky，andleaves！Beginto—morrow！Againstthatwindow——no，betterattheVilla！Callthepicture——Spring……！
　　IV
　　Thewind，stirringamongtreesandbushes，flungtheyoungleavesskywards。Thetremblingoftheirsilverliningswaslikethejoyfulflutterofaheartatgoodnews。ItwasoneofthoseSpringmorningswheneverythingseemsfullofasweetrestlessness——softcloudschasingfastacrossthesky;softscentsfloatingforthanddying;
　　thenotesofbirds，nowshrillandsweet，nowhushedinsilences;allnaturestrivingforsomething，nothingatpeace。
　　VillaRubeinwithstoodtheinfluenceoftheday，andworeitsusuallookofrestandisolation。Harzsentinhiscard，andaskedtosee"derHerr。"Theservant，agrey—eyed，clever—lookingSwisswithnohaironhisface，camebacksaying:
　　"DerHerr，meinHerr，isintheGardengone。"Harzfollowedhim。
　　HerrPaul，asmallwhiteflannelcaponhishead，glovesonhishands，andglassesonhisnose，waswateringarosebush，andhummingtheserenadefromFaust。
　　Thisaspectofthehousewasverydifferentfromtheother。Thesunfellonit，andoveraverandacreepersclungandscrambledinlongscrolls。Therewasalawn，withfreshlymowngrass;flower—bedswerelaidout，andattheendofanavenueofyoungacaciasstoodanarbourcoveredwithwisteria。
　　Intheeast，mountainpeaks——fingersofsnow——glitteredabovethemist。Agravesimplicitylayonthatscene，ontheroofsandspires，thevalleysandthedreamyhillsides，withtheiryellowscarsandpurplebloom，andwhitecascades，liketailsofgreyhorsesswishinginthewind。
　　HerrPaulheldouthishand:"Whatcanwedoforyou？"hesaid。
　　"Ihavetobegafavour，"repliedHarz。"Iwishtopaintyourdaughters。Iwillbringthecanvashere——theyshallhavenotrouble。
　　Iwouldpainttheminthegardenwhentheyhavenothingelsetodo。"
　　HerrPaullookedathimdubiously——eversincethepreviousdayhehadbeenthinking:’Queerbird，thatpainter——thinkshimselfthedevilofaswell！Looksadeterminedfellowtoo！’Now——staringinthepainter’sface——itseemedtohim，onthewhole，bestifsomeoneelserefusedthispermission。
　　"Withallthepleasure，mydearsir，"hesaid。"Come，letusaskthesetwoyoungladies！"andputtingdownhishose，heledthewaytowardsthearbour，thinking:’You’llbedisappointed，myyoungconqueror，orI’mmistaken。’
　　MissNaylorandthegirlsweresittingintheshade，readingLaFontaine’sfables。Greta，withoneeyeonhergoverness，wasstealthilycuttingapigoutoforangepeel。
　　"Ah！mydeardears！"beganHerrPaul，whointhepresenceofMissNayloralwaysparadedhisEnglish。"Hereisourfriend，whohasaveryflatteringrequesttomake;hewouldpaintyou，yes——bothtogether，alfresco，intheair，inthesunshine，withthebirds，thelittlebirds！"
　　Greta，gazingatHarz，gusheddeeppink，andfurtivelyshowedhimherpig。
　　Christiansaid:"Paintus？Ohno！"
　　ShesawHarzlookingather，andadded，slowly:"Ifyoureallywishit，Isupposewecould！"thendroppedhereyes。
　　"Ah！"saidHerrPaulraisinghisbrowstillhisglassesfellfromhisnose:"AndwhatsaysGretchen？Doesshewanttobehandeduptoposteritiesalittlepeacockalongwiththeotherlittlebirds？"
　　Greta，whohadcontinuedstaringatthepainter，said:"Of——course——
　　I——want——to——be。"
　　"Prrt！"saidHerrPaul，lookingatMissNaylor。Thelittleladyindeedopenedhermouthwide，butallthatcameforthwasatinysqueak，assometimeshappenswhenoneisanxioustosaysomething，andhasnotarrangedbeforehandwhatitshallbe。
　　Theaffairseemedended;Harzheavedasighofsatisfaction。ButHerrPaulhadstillacardtoplay。
　　"ThereisyourAunt，"hesaid;"therearethingstobeconsidered——
　　onemustcertainlyinquire——so，weshallsee。"KissingGretaloudlyonbothcheeks，hewenttowardsthehouse。
　　"Whatmakesyouwanttopaintus？"Christianasked，assoonashewasgone。
　　"Ithinkitverywrong，"MissNaylorblurtedout。
　　"Why？"saidHarz，frowning。
　　"Gretaissoyoung——therearelessons——itissuchawasteoftime！"
　　Hiseyebrowstwitched:"Ah！Youthinkso！"
　　"Idon’tseewhyitisawasteoftime，"saidChristianquietly;
　　"therearelotsofhourswhenwesithereanddonothing。"
　　"Anditisverydull，"putinGreta，withapout。
　　"Youarerude，Greta，"saidMissNaylorinalittlerage，pursingherlips，andtakingupherknitting。
　　"Ithinkitseemsalwaysrudetospeakthetruth，"saidGreta。MissNaylorlookedatherinthatconcentratedmannerwithwhichshewasinthehabitofexpressingdispleasure。
　　Butatthismomentaservantcame，andsaidthatMrs。DeciewouldbegladtoseeHerrHarz。Thepaintermadethemastiffbow，andfollowedtheservanttothehouse。MissNaylorandthetwogirlswatchedhisprogresswithapprehensiveeyes;itwasclearthathehadbeenoffended。
　　Crossingtheveranda，andpassingthroughanopenwindowhungwithsilkcurtains，Hartenteredacooldarkroom。ThiswasMrs。Decie’ssanctum，wheresheconductedcorrespondence，receivedhervisitors，readthelatestliterature，andsometimes，whenshehadbadheadaches，layforhoursonthesofa，withafan，andhereyesclosed。Therewasascentofsandalwood，asuggestionoftheEast，akindofmystery，inhere，asifthingslikechairsandtableswerenotreallywhattheyseemed，butsomethingmuchlesscommonplace。
　　Thevisitorlookedtwice，tobequitesureofanything;thereweremanyplants，beadcurtains，andadealofsilverworkandchina。
　　Mrs。Deciecameforwardintheslightlyrustlingsilkwhich——whetherinoroutoffashion——alwaysaccompaniedher。Atallwoman，overfifty，shemovedasifshehadbeentiedtogetherattheknees。Herfacewaslong，withbroadbrows，fromwhichhersandy—greyhairwasseverelywavedback;shehadpaleeyes，andaperpetual，pale，enigmaticsmile。HercomplexionhadbeenruinedbylongresidenceinIndia，andmightunkindlyhavebeencalledfawn—coloured。ShecameclosetoHarz，keepinghereyesonhis，withherheadbentslightlyforward。
　　"Wearesopleasedtoknowyou，"shesaid，speakinginavoicewhichhadlostallring。"ItischarmingtofindsomeoneinthesepartswhocanhelpustorememberthatthereissuchathingasArt。WehadMr。C———herelastautumn，suchacharmingfellow。Hewassointerestedinthenativecustomsanddresses。Youareasubjectpainter，too，Ithink？Won’tyousitdown？"
　　Shewentonforsometime，introducingpainters’names，askingquestions，skatingroundtheedgeofwhatwaspersonal。Andtheyoungmanstoodbeforeherwithacuriouslittlesmilefixedonhislips。’ShewantstoknowwhetherI’mworthpowderandshot，’hethought。
　　"Youwishtopaintmynieces？"Mrs。Deciesaidatlast，leaningbackonhersettee。
　　"Iwishtohavethathonour，"Harzansweredwithabow。
　　"Andwhatsortofpicturedidyouthinkof？"
　　"That，"saidHarz，"isinthefuture。Icouldn’ttellyou。"Andhethought:’WillsheaskmeifIgetmytintsinParis，likethewomanTrampertoldmeof？’
　　TheperpetualpalesmileonMrs。Decie’sfaceseemedtoinvitehisconfidence，yettowarnhimthathiswordswouldbesuckedinsomewherebehindthosebroadfinebrows，andcarefullysorted。Mrs。
　　Decie，indeed，wasthinking:’Interestingyoungman，regularBohemian——noharminthatathisage;somethingNapoleonicinhisface;probablyhasnodressclothes。Yes，shouldliketoseemoreofhim！’Shehadafineeyeforpointsofcelebrity;hisnamewasunfamiliar，wouldprobablyhavebeenscoutedbythatfamousartistMr。C———，butshefeltherinstincturgingherontoknowhim。Shewas，todoherjustice，oneofthose"lion"finderswhoseektheanimalforpleasure，notforthegloryitbringsthem;shehadthecourageofherinstincts——lion—entitieswereindispensabletoher，butshetrustedtodivinationtosecurethem;nobodycouldfoista"lion"onher。
　　"Itwillbeverynice。Youwillstayandhavesomelunch？Thearrangementshereareratherodd。Suchamixedhousehold——butthereisalwayslunchattwoo’clockforanyonewholikes，andwealldineatseven。Youwouldhaveyoursittingsintheafternoons，perhaps？
　　Ishouldsoliketoseeyoursketches。Youareusingtheoldhouseonthewallforstudio;thatissooriginalofyou！"
　　Harzwouldnotstaytolunch，butaskedifhemightbeginworkthatafternoon;heleftalittlesuffocatedbythesandalwoodandsympathyofthissphinx—likewoman。
　　Walkinghomealongtheriverwall，withthesingingofthelarksandthrushes，therushofwaters，thehummingofthechafersinhisears，hefeltthathewouldmakesomethingfineofthissubject。Beforehiseyesthefacesofthetwogirlscontinuallystartedup，framedbythesky，withyoungleavesgutteringagainsttheircheeks。
　　V
　　ThreedayshadpassedsinceHarzbeganhispicture，whenearlyinthemorning，GretacamefromVillaRubeinalongtheriverdykeandsatdownonabenchfromwhichtheoldhouseonthewallwasvisible。
　　ShehadnotbeentherelongbeforeHarzcameout。
　　"Ididnotknock，"saidGreta，"becauseyouwouldnothaveheard，anditissoearly，soIhavebeenwaitingforyouaquarterofanhour。"
　　Selectingarosebud，fromsomeflowersinherhand，shehandedittohim。"Thatismyfirstrosebudthisyear，"shesaid;"itisforyoubecauseyouarepaintingme。To—dayIamthirteen，HerrHarz;thereisnottobeasitting，becauseitismybirthday;but，instead，weareallgoingtoMerantoseetheplayofAndreasHofer。Youaretocometoo，please;Iamheretotellyou，andtheothersshallbeheredirectly。"
　　Harzbowed:"Andwhoaretheothers？"
　　"Christian，andDr。Edmund，MissNaylor，andCousinTeresa。Herhusbandisill，sosheissad，butto—daysheisgoingtoforgetthat。Itisnotgoodtobealwayssad，isit，HerrHarz？"
　　Helaughed:"Youcouldnotbe。"
　　Gretaansweredgravely:"Ohyes，Icould。Itooamoftensad。Youaremakingfun。Youarenottomakefunto—day，becauseitismybirthday。Doyouthinkgrowingupisnice，HerrHarz？"
　　"No，FrauleinGreta，itisbettertohaveallthetimebeforeyou。"
　　Theywalkedonsidebyside。
　　"Ithink，"saidGreta，"youareverymuchafraidoflosingtime。
　　Chrissaysthattimeisnothing。"
　　"Timeiseverything，"respondedHarz。
　　"Shesaysthattimeisnothing，andthoughtiseverything，"Gretamurmured，rubbingaroseagainsthercheek，"butIthinkyoucannothaveathoughtunlessyouhavethetimetothinkitin。Therearetheothers！Look！"
　　Aclusterofsunshadesonthebridgeglowedforamomentandwaslostinshadow。
　　"Come，"saidHarz，"let’sjointhem！"
　　AtMeran，underSchlossTirol，peoplewerestreamingacrossthemeadowsintotheopentheatre。Hereweretallfellowsinmountaindress，withleatherbreeches，bareknees，andhatswitheagles’
　　feathers;herewerefruit—sellers，burghersandtheirwives，mountebanks，actors，andeverykindofvisitor。Theaudience，packedintoanenclosureofhighboards，swelteredundertheburningsun。
　　CousinTeresa，tallandthin，withhard，redcheeks，shadedherpleasanteyeswithherhand。
　　Theplaybegan。ItdepictedtherisingintheTyrolof1809:thevillagelife，dancesandyodelling;murmuringsandexhortations，thewarningbeatofdrums;thenthegathering，withflintlocks，pitchforks，knives;thebattleandvictory;thehomecoming，andfestival。Thenthesecondgathering，theroarofcannon;betrayal，capture，death。TheimpassivefigureofthepatriotAndreasHoferalwaysinfront，black—bearded，leathern—girdled，underthebluesky，againstascreenofmountains。
　　HarzandChristiansatbehindtheothers。Heseemedsointentontheplaythatshedidnotspeak，butwatchedhisface，rigidwithakindofcoldexcitement;heseemedtobetransportedbythelifepassingbeforethem。Somethingofhisfeelingseizedonher;whentheplaywasovershetoowastrembling。Inpushingtheirwayouttheybecameseparatedfromtheothers。
　　"There’sashortcuttothestationhere，"saidChristian;"let’sgothisway。"
　　Thepathrosealittle;anarrowstreamcreptalongsidethemeadow，andthehedgewasspangledwithwildroses。Christiankeptglancingshylyatthepainter。Sincetheirmeetingontheriverwallherthoughtshadneverbeenatrest。Thisstranger，withhiskeenface，insistenteyes，andceaselessenergy，hadrousedastrangefeelinginher;hiswordshadputshapetosomethinginhernotyetexpressed。
　　Shestoodasideatastiletomakewayforsomepeasantboys，dustyandrough—haired，whosangandwhistledastheywentby。