rdian more than once under the
Lippheim's overflowing roof in Leipsig, and it was a vision of Frau
Lippheim that came to her as her guardian unfolded the letter--of the
near-sighted, pale blue eyes, heavy, benignant features, and crinkled,
red-brown hair. So very ugly, almost repulsively so; yet so kind, so
valiant, so untiring. The thought of her was touching, and affectionate
solicitude almost effaced Karen's personal anxiety; for she could not
connect Frau Lippheim with any matrimonial project.

Madame von Marwitz, glancing through her letter, looked up from the last
sheet. "I have talked with the good Lise more than once, Karen," she
said, "about a hope of hers. She first spoke of it some two years ago;
but I told her then that I would say nothing to you till you were older.
Now, hearing that I am going away, to leave you for so long, she writes
of it again. Did you know that Franz was very much attached to you,
Karen?" Franz was Frau Lippheim's eldest son.

The vision that now flashed, luridly, for Karen, was that of an immense
Germanic face with bright, blinking eyes behind glasses; huge lips; a
flattened nose, modelled thickly at the corners, and an enormous laugh
that rolled back the lips and revealed suddenly the Semitic element and
a boundless energy and kindliness. She had always felt fond of Franz
until this moment. Now, amazed, appalled, a violent repulsion went
through her. She became pale. "No. I had not guessed that," she said.

Her eyes were averted. Madame von Marwitz glanced at her and vexation
clouded her countenance. She knew that flinty, unresponsive look. In
moments of deep emotion Karen could almost disconcert her. Her face
expressed no hostility; but a sternness, blind and resisting, like that
of a rock. At such moments she did not look young.

Madame von Marwitz, after her glance, also averted her eyes, sighing
impatiently. "I see that you do not care for the poor boy. He had hoped,
with his mother to back him, that he might have some chance of winning
you;--though it is not Franz who writes."

She paused; but Karen said nothing. "You know that Franz has talent and
is beginning, now, to make money steadily. Lise tells me that. And I
would give you a little _dot_; enough to assure your future, and his. I
only speak of the material things because it is part of your
childishness never to consider them. Of him I would not have spoken at
all, had I not believed that you felt friendship and affec