She loved to sing gypsy songs in a low voice.

She would not teach them to us.

She was always very quiet, and preferred being alone with us to any society or entertainment." When Wilhelm was four years old there came a little sister, a bright, light-haired, blue-eyed creature after her father's heart.

She was named Luise, but she was always called Blondchen.

She was his only playfellow, as the irritable father in Moscow cared for no acquaintances.