"Do you remain long at Frankenhöhe?"
"Only to-day and to-morrow. Work requires dispatch, and old custom has so bound me to my occupation that the knowledge of work to be done makes me feel uneasy."
"Do you work every day regularly in the counting-room?"
"I am punctual to the hours, for the work demands regularity and order. There are every day some hours for recreation."
"And what is the most pleasant recreation for you?"
"Music and painting. I like them the best. But of late," he added hesitatingly, "unavoidable thoughts press on me, and many hours of recreation pass in useless dreaming."
Angela thought of his former mental troubles and looked anxiously in his eyes.
"Now, you have promised me," she said softly, "to forget all those things in those bad books that disturbed your mind."
"The fulfilment of no duty was lighter or more pleasant to me than to keep my promise to you, Angela."
His voice trembled. She leaned over her work and her cheeks glowed. The delicate fingers went astray; but Frank did not notice that the colors in the embroidery were getting into confusion. There was a long pause. Then Frank remembered the doctor's final admonition, "Be not like a bashful boy; put aside all false shame and speak your mind;" and he took courage.