The child was born to live but it was not
his fate to fulfil his destination.
Anna wept when he was taken to the orphanage, but the good food at the
Manor (her dinner was sent up to her from the dining-room, and she had
as much porter and wine as she wanted) consoled her. She was also
allowed to go out driving in the big carriage, with a footman by the
side of the coachman. And she read _A Thousand and One Nights_. Never
in all her life had she been so well off.
After an absence of two months Anders returned. He had done nothing
but eat, drink, and rest. He took possession of the farm, but he also
wanted his Anna. Couldn't she, at least, come and see him sometimes?
No, the Baroness objected. No nonsense of that sort!
Anna lost flesh and the little Baron screamed. The doctor was
consulted.
"Let her go and see her husband," he said.
"But supposing it did the baby harm?"
"It won't!"
But Anders must be "analysed" first. Anders objected.
Anders received a present of a few sheep and was "analysed."
The little Baron stopped screaming.
But now news came from the orphanage that Anna's boy had died of
diphtheria.
Anna fretted, and the little Baron screamed louder than ever. She was
discharged and sent back to Anders and a new foster mother was
engaged.
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