What do you say to Tennyson ?' 'That he is a noble poet, a teacher of all good; but too philosophical for my present mood.

May I read you some of Heine's ballads, those songs which you sing so exquisitely, or rather some you do not sing, and which will be fresher to you.

My German is far from perfect, but I am told it is passable, and Fraeulein Mueller can throw her scissors at me when my accent is too dreadful.' 'You speak German beautifully,' said Fraeulein.

'I wonder where you learned it ?' 'I have been a good deal in Germany, and I had a Hanoverian valet who was quite a gentleman, and spoke admirably, I think I learned more from him than from grammars or dictionaries.

I'll go and fetch Heine.' 'What a very agreeable person Mr.Hammond is,' said Fraeulein, when he was gone.