The theater season was brilliant, the weather for skating lasted longer than usual, and balls succeeded each other in her father's and friends' houses in rapid succession.

Wilhelm only went once or twice, and then he firmly declined any more, to the great astonishment of Frau Ellrich, and the vexation of Loulou, whose pretty face always lit up with pleasure when she saw his dark eyes watching her from the doorways or window recesses while she danced.

He said that the sight of social frivolity bored him, and she thought in her naive way, "It is always like that.

Men must have some fad." Paul was just the other way.

He accepted every invitation, and he had a great many.