Only Herr Ellrich saw nothing.

In his foreign newspapers, in the blue smoke from his cigars, in the clouds of powder from his gun, he found nothing which could enlighten him as to the two young people's beautiful secret.
Frau Ellrich certainly had more knowledge than that.

In spite of her correspondence and her long afternoon naps, she retained enough observation to see the condition of things pretty clearly.

She waited for a confession from Loulou, and as this did not come soon enough for the impatience of her mother's heart, she tried a loving question.
After a warm embrace from the girl, a few tears, a great many kisses, the mother and daughter understood each other.

Wilhelm had pleased Frau Ellrich very much, and she had no objection to raise, but she could make no answer on her own responsibility, as she knew the views of her husband on the marriage of his only child, and after a few days she made him a cautious communication.