to be the
possessor of something besides a bed, a chair, a table, a lamp and an
inkstand. My aunt's executor smiles and tells me I can marry whenever I
choose, and have nothing to do but fix upon the bride and the parson.
What he really means is that the bride's not far to seek. He has a
little bit of a daughter himself; a dressy little thing with great big
eyes, excessively childish and innocent in her ways, always gushing
with artlessness, and hopping about like a water-wagtail. I daresay
this may have been all very well, considering her little elfin
figure, some sixteen years ago or so; but now that she's two- or
three-and-thirty, it gives one rather a queer sensation.'

"'Ay,' said Severin, 'and yet how very natural that kind of
self-mystification is. Where is the precise point where a girl, who
has taken up some particular line, in consequence of some personal
peculiarity or other, is to say to herself, "I am no longer what I was;
the colours I put on are still fresh and youthful, but my face has lost
its bloom; so, patience! what can't be cured must be endured!" The
sight of a poor girl in these circumstances fills me with pity, and,
for that very reason, I could put my arms about her, take her to my
heart, and comfort her.'

"'You see, Alexander,' said Marzell, 'that Severin's in his most
beneficent mood to-day. First, he takes up the cudgels for your aunt,
and now the executor's daughter (I think I know who the executor
is--Falter, the Kriegsrath); Falter's little witch of two- or
three-and-thirty, whom I know very well, inspires him with sentiments
of sad, compassionate sympathy; presently he'll advise you to marry her,
and cure her of that inappropriate _naivete_ of hers; for that she will
lay aside, as far as you are concerned at all events, the moment she says
"Yes!" Don't you do anything of the kind. Experience teaches that naive
little creatures of that kind are sometimes--or rather very often--of
feline nature, and, out of the velvet paws which they stroke you with
before the parson's blessing, can soon stick out sharp enough claws, on
suitable opportunity afterwards.'

"'Heavens and earth!' cried Alexander, 'what nonsense you're talking!
Neither Falter's little witch of thirty-two, nor anybody else, were she
ten times as young and charming, could induce me to go and sacrifice,
of my own free will and accord, the golden years of youthful liberty
and freedom which, now that a slice of the good things of