He did not mention marriage, however, and his formal offer had not yet been made.

Loulou thought this very odd, and one day she spoke to her mother about it.

Frau Ellrich, however, caressed her pretty child, and kissing her on the forehead said: "It is nothing but modesty.

I think it is very nice of him to leave you in freedom for the whole season." "I am not free, however." "I mean before the world, dear child.

You are both so young that it would not matter if you did not take the cares of marriage upon you for another year." And to Loulou that was evident..