ady believes me a stray sheep.' He laughed and said he did not wish
to give me up, I should have to run away from him till he could become
reconciled, and besides he only wanted to know my opinion; the affair
had seemed to him very improbable.

"I clearly perceived that Aunt Valentin, to whom he can never refuse
anything, was at the bottom of the matter. But with all his mildness
and gentleness, there is one point where he becomes firm as a rock, and
we perfectly understand each other: a person who lacks real nobility
and greatness of soul can not influence him, spite of the best
qualities. And therefore--"

* * * * *

"What I wrote yesterday afternoon has been strangely verified.

"Aunt Valentin interrupted me and induced father also to leave his work
and enjoy the fine weather in the Thiergarten. A concert was to be
given for some benevolent object. When we reached the place, we found,
as I suspected, N--r already there. As it was very crowded, he had
secured places for us, so we sat very comfortably looking at the gaily
dressed ladies and children, who moved up and down near us, and
listening to all sorts of overtures and dances, which failed in
producing a pleasant impression, on my ears at least. But the air was
like balsam, the recent rain had made it soft and free from dust, and
in the midst of the music a calm, cheerful feeling took possession of
me, and I was very grateful to aunt for having afforded me this
pleasure. She looked very bright; I often think she does not grow old,
but in spite of her hard, dogmatic ideas, retains some of the innocence
of childhood in her features; my father was very gay, his new coat
fitted him perfectly, and we joked about it; even N--r seemed more
agreeable than usual. Among all the _blase_ vacant, or frivolous faces,
his grave modest countenance looked like a human face amid mere masks.
Suddenly, in a pause between two pieces of music, we heard from an
adjoining table, where several officers were sitting, loud words about
us, or rather me. A very saucy looking young lieutenant was beginning
to tell his companions why he thought me pretty. I will not repeat his
language here, but though not intended to be insulting, it was an
offence against all good breeding, especially as various jests,
stories, and satirical remarks, such as are common among gay young men,
were added. Father turned pale and looked at Frau Valentin. 'We ought
to go aw