Heaven be thanked, the king did not know it, or we would have experienced still worse!" "I pray you, beloved Clotilda, do not fret yourself needlessly about the past; it is all over, and, as you say, I am unfortunately a prisoner in the house from the gout, which shields me from the temptation." "I did not say unfortunately; I said 'Heaven be praised, the gout had put an end to your fickle life.'" "Then, thank Heaven, my dear; we will not quarrel about it.

It is past, and, as the king has granted all, we shall have a pleasant life now." "We will soon receive from our son-in-law a yearly pension, which will be paid to me, and I shall spend it." The general sighed.

"In that case I fear that I shall not get much of it." "At any rate, more than I have ever received from your pension." "There is but one thing wanting," replied the general, evasively, "Marie's consent." Madame von Werrig gave a short, gruff laugh, which did not in the least brighten her sullen face.

"We will not ask her consent, but command it." The general remarked, timidly, shrugging his shoulders, "Marie had a very decided character, and--" "What do you hesitate to speak out for?
What--and--" "I think she still loves the Conrector Moritz." A second laugh, somewhat menacing, sounded like a challenge.

"The schoolmaster!" she cried, contemptuously.
"Let her dare to tell me again she loves the schoolmaster; she the daughter of a general, and a native-born countess of the empire!" "My dear, it was your fault--the only fault you ever committed, perhaps.
How could you let such a young, handsome, and agreeable man come to the house as teacher to our daughter ?" "How could I suppose my daughter was so degenerated as to love a common schoolmaster, and wish to marry him ?" "It is truly unheard of, and it would make any one angry, my dear wife, for she insists upon loving him." "She will not insist, she will do what she is commanded to do--my word for it! But why talk about it?
It is better to decide the matter at once." So Frau von Werrig rose with a determined manner, and rang the small brass bell which was upon the sofa-table.