some suitors who had earnestly courted
her. Entering once the anti-chamber unannounced, I heard both sisters
engaged in a lively conversation, in which my name was mentioned. 'You
will not accept him, I hope,' cried Ernestine; 'he suits neither you
nor us; they say he is not very rich, but he is so proud, so
self-sufficient, so convinced of, and so penetrated with, his own
excellence, that he excites my indignation whenever he comes near us.
You call him amiable, noble; but I tell you he is dogmatical and
obstinate; and, believe me, his mental gifts are not so great as you
seem to think.'

"With a gentle voice Elizabeth undertook my defence, but her sister
discussed all the bad traits in my character so much the more, and
passed all my faults in review. Finding that I was the subject of so
much discussion, I would not surprise them by entering immediately, and
thus I discovered, against my expectation, the dislike the eldest
sister entertained for me. I therefore resolved to reconcile this
unfortunate being, for whom life had so few charms and joys, by
kindness and benevolence. When they had ceased I entered, and the aunt
also joining us we immediately commenced our musical exercises, by
which means I could best conceal my embarrassment.

"After a few visits I actually succeeded in disposing Ernestine more
kindly towards me. When it happened that we were alone, we were deeply
engaged in serious conversation, and I could not help admiring both her
mind and acquirements. I could not but agree with her, when she often
spoke with contempt of those men who only esteem and love in woman the
transient and mutable charms that pass away with their youth. She was
also fond of railing at those girls who so frequently pass themselves
off as phenomena, and only, as it were, wish to please as dolls of
fashion and well-dressed blocks. She revealed without affectation the
wealth of her mind, her deep feeling, and her lofty thoughts, so that,
in admiration of her mighty soul, I hardly remembered her deformed
person. She pressed my hand kindly, and seemed perfectly happy when we
had thus chatted an hour away. I was not less rejoiced when I
perceived how her friendship for me apparently increased every day.

"It struck me as a weakness in my beloved, that she was displeased at
our intimacy. I did not understand this petty jealousy, and censured
it when alone with her, as showing too much female weakness. On the
other hand