th the
worthy people felt all the timidity and embarrassment of a real love.
Frau Valentin's letter was also constrained, and in spite of their
excuse--they had perceived it was God's will, and had yielded to his
decree--it was easy to see that they had submitted with heartfelt joy
to this same higher will. This did not escape the penetration of my
little philosopher, and never was any letter of hers so tart as the
reply to this news. Nay, although during the two years which have since
elapsed, thanks to the truly Christian feeling that pervades the
marriage, the daughter's feelings toward her new mother have softened
and she has become almost reconciled--she still refuses to see her
father in his new relations--! And yet there are people, who attempt to
deny that women have their peculiar ethics!"

Both were silent for a time. It had grown perfectly dark, only the gold
frames of the spectacles sometimes glittered, when the lighted cigar
came near them. Suddenly Marquard said:

"Will you answer me a question, my lad. An indiscreet one, but I have
my reasons for it--are you happy?"

"I don't think that question at all indiscreet when propounded by a
friend," replied Edwin quietly. "But to answer it conscientiously, we
must first understand what you mean by happiness. In the ordinary
sense, of no wish remaining unfulfilled, and the absence of all
oppressing care, I know only one happy couple amongst our acquaintance:
our worthy tribune of the people and his little wife. Papa Feyertag
has, as you know, opened his pocket so generously, that Franzel, who
insisted upon moving to L. with me, was able to establish a very fine
printing office. We have only to turn the corner to reach their house,
and I needn't assure you that we're very neighborly. One can't find
anything prettier than this little rosy, fair-haired mother, with her
three red cheeked children--"

"Three? The marriage was only--"

"There's a pair of twins, now just two years old, exactly like their
papa and already recognizable at a long distance as young tribunes of
the people by their powerful voices. You ought to see our Franzel carry
the little mob about, one on each arm and the third pick-a-pack, his
bronzed face and the white teeth under his bushy beard fairly radiant
with fatherly pride; and Frau Reginchen, when he's romped enough,
pushes his shaggy hair back from his forehead and scolds him for making
the boys still wilder than they are by nature, he