hink she would like Jacobi?" asked the father.

"To tell the truth," returned she, "I think it probable she might."

"Nay," said he, "that would be very unpleasant, and very imprudent: I am
very fond of Jacobi, but he has nothing, and he is nothing."

"But, my love," reasoned his wife, "he may become something, and he may
get something. I confess, dear Ernst, that he would suit Louise better
for a husband than almost any one else, and I would willingly call him
son."

"Would you, Elise!" exclaimed the Judge, "then I suppose I must prepare
myself to do the same. You have had most trouble, most labour, with the
children, and you have, therefore, most to say in their affairs."

"You are so good, Ernst," said Elise.

"Say reasonable--nothing more than reasonable," said he; "beyond this I
have the belief that our thoughts and our inclinations do not differ
much. I confess that I consider Louise as a great treasure, and I know
nobody whom, of my own will, I would confer her upon; still, if Jacobi
obtains her affections, I could not find in my heart to oppose a union
between them, although, on account of his uncertain prospects, it would
make me anxious. I am much attached to Jacobi, and on Henrik's account
we have much to thank him for. His excellent heart, his honesty, his
good qualities, will make him as good a citizen as husband and father,
and he belongs at the same time to that class of persons with whom it is
most pleasant to have daily intercourse. But, God forbid! I am talking
just as if I wished the union, and I am a long way from that yet. I
would much rather keep my daughters with me as long as they could feel
themselves happy with me; but when girls grow up, one cannot reckon on
peace. I wish all wooers and question-askers at Jericho! Now, we could
live here as in a kingdom of heaven, since we have got all into such
nice order--some little improvements, it is true, I could yet make,
though things are well enough, if we could be at peace. I have been
thinking that we could so easily make a wardrobe. See on this side, in
the wall; don't you think that if we here opened----Heavens! are you
already asleep, my dear?"

CHAPTER V.

AN INVITATION.

About this time the sisters of the house began to dream a great deal
about conflagrations, and there was no end of the meanings of dreams,
hints, little jokes, and communications among the sisters, none of whom
dreamt more animated or more significant dreams t