t in hand
the whole time they were talking to him. The sole problem of the
universe which has any sort of interest for him is the outlook of the
weather for the harvest. The course of human or superhuman events
arouses his wonder, his doubts, or his anxiety only in proportion as it
affects the price of corn. He cannot grasp that one should have any
other aim in life than to become a successful agriculturist. He finds
full satisfaction in his work, and what between a charming wife and an
adored child he would afford an example of what the fables and proverbs
tell us does not exist--a perfectly happy man, if one thing were not
lacking, the little word 'von' in front of his name. I trust he may not
die without obtaining it, and then the world will have contained one
mortal who has known absolutely boundless happiness.

"But in writing to you in this strain my conscience pricks me. Is it
not unkind toward Paul, whose attachment to me is positively touching?
Is it not churlish to exercise such cold crticism upon a friend whose
faithful affection has never for one moment wavered? He surrounds me
with endless proofs of his affection, and is always on the lookout for
something which may give me pleasure. He is a passionate sportsman--his
only passion as far as I can see--and worries me twice a week to join
him on his shooting expeditions. He is a masterly 'skat player, and is
most anxious to enrich my existence by the joys which, according to
him, this intellectual game affords to its adepts. When I venture
timidly to propose that I should leave him and live by myself, he looks
so honestly hurt and grieved that I have not the courage to insist
further. And Frau Haber, kind soul, who is so set upon getting me
married and thereby insuring my happiness! I and marrying! What have I
to offer a woman? Love? I am too poor in illusions.
Amusements--society--the theater? All that is a horror to me. And
moreover, I question if I have a right to bring a being into the world,
over whose destiny I have no control, and whose existence would most
certainly be richer in pain, and misery than in happiness; and I know
unquestionably that I have no right to teach a light-hearted girl to
think, and force her to exchange the artless gayety of a playful little
animal for my own fruitless speculations and never-to-be-satisfied
yearnings.

"In face of all this, serious doubts arise in my mind. Is it for me to
speak with superciliousness and superior