a much more beautiful complexion than he ever had had in his
life, and was looking several years younger. In the excess of his
delight he jumped up and down with both feet together, and cried, in a
voice of sweet emotion--"Oh, just Heaven! what do I see? what do I
contemplate? Most honoured Herr Professor, I have no doubt that it is
to you that I am indebted for this great happiness!--to you alone! Ah!
now I feel little doubt that Miss Albertine Bosswinkel--for whose dear
sake I was so very nearly jumping into the frog-pond--won't make much
difficulty about accepting me. Really, dearest Professor, you have
rescued me from the very profoundest depths of misery. There is no
doubt that I did feel a certain sense of relief and well-being when you
were so kind as to pass that snow-white handkerchief of yours over my
face. You really were my benefactor, were you not?"

"I won't deny, Tussmann," the Goldsmith answered, "that I wiped the
green colour away from your face; and, from that, you may gather that I
am not by any means so much your enemy as you have supposed me to be.
What I can't bear to think of is this ridiculous notion of yours (which
you have allowed the Commissionsrath to put in your head) that you are
going to go and marry a splendid young creature, bursting with life and
love. It is this, I say, which I can't bear to think about. And even
now--though you have scarcely got clear of the little trick which has
been played on you--you see, you go and begin at once to think about
this marriage again. I feel inclined to take away your appetite for it
in a very effectual style; and I could do so if I chose, without the
slightest difficulty. However, I don't want to go so far as that. But
what my advice to you would be is--that you should keep as quiet, and
as much out of the way as ever you can till Sunday next, at twelve
o'clock at noon, and then you will see more into things. If you dare to
go and see Albertine before that time, I will make you go on dancing in
her presence till your breath and senses abandon you. Then I will
transform you into the very greenest of frogs, and chuck you into the
basin of the Thiergarten, or into the River Spree itself, where you'll
go on croaking till the end of your days. Good-bye! I have something to
do in town which obliges me to get back there as quickly as possible.
You won't be able to follow me, or keep up with me. Good-bye!"

The Goldsmith was right in saying that it would n