“I am betrothed to Hans,” Liza said, blushing.

“I always knew you were fond of Hans,” said the Disagreeable Man.  “He is a good fellow, Liza, and I’m glad you love him.  But haven’t you just teased him!”

“That was good for him,” Liza said brightly.

“Is he here to-day?” Robert Allitsen asked.

Liza nodded.

“Then I shall take your photographs,” he said.

While they had been speaking, Catharina rose from her seat, and passed into the house.

Her mother followed her, and watched her go into the kitchen.

“I should like to cook the forellen,” she said very quietly.

It was months since she had done anything in the house.  The old mother’s heart beat with pleasure.

“Catharina, my best loved child!” she whispered; and she gathered the poor suffering soul near to her.

In about half an hour the Disagreeable Man and Bernardine sat down to their meal.  Robert Allitsen had ordered a bottle of Sassella, and he was just pouring it out when Catharina brought in the forellen.

“Why, Catharina,” he said, “you don’t mean you’ve cooked them?  Then they will be good!” She smiled, and seemed pleased, and then went out of the room.

Then he told Bernardine her history, and spoke with such kindness and sympathy that Bernardine was again amazed at him.  But she made no remark.

“Catharina was always sorry that I was ill,” he said.  “When I stayed here, as I have done, for weeks together, she used to take every care of me.  And it was a kindly sympathy which I could not resent.  In those days I was suffering more than I have done for a long time now, and she was very pitiful.  She could not bear to hear me cough.  I used to tell her that she must learn not to feel.  But you see she did not learn her lesson, for when this trouble came on her, she felt too much.  And you see what she is.”

They had a cheery meal together, and then Bernardine talked with the old mother, whilst the Disagreeable Man busied himself with his camera.  Liza was for putting on her best dress, and doing her hair in some wonderful way.  But he would not hear of such a thing.  But seeing that she looked disappointed, he gave in, and said she should be photographed just as she wished; and off she ran to change her attire.  She went up to her room a picturesque, homely working girl, and she came down a tidy, awkward-looking young woman, with all her finery on, and all her charm off.

The Disagreeable Man grunted, but said nothing.

Then Hans arrived, and then came the posing, which caused much amusement.  They both stood perfectly straight, just as a soldier stands before presenting arms.  Both faces were perfectly expressionless.  The Disagreeable Man was in despair.

“Look happy!” he entreated.

They tried to smile, but the anxiety to do so produced an expression of melancholy which was too much for the gravity of the photographer.  He laughed heartily.