han Petrea. Gabriele,
who, in her innocence, did not dream at all, wondered what all this
extraordinary talk about conflagration meant; but she could not learn
much, for as often as she desired to have her part in the mysteries, it
was said, "Go out for a little while, Gabriele dear."

One evening Sara, Louise, Eva, and Petrea were sitting together at a
little table, where they were deep in the discussion of something which
seemed to possess extraordinary interest for them, when Gabriele came
and asked just for a little place at the table for herself and her
books; but it was impossible, there was no room for the little one.
Almost at the same moment Jacobi and Henrik came up; they too sought for
room at the circle of young ladies, and now see! there was excellent
room for them both, whereupon Gabriele stuck her little head between
Louise and Petrea, and prayed her sisters to solve the following riddle:

"What is that at which six places may be found, but not five?"

The sisters laughed; Louise kissed the little refined moralist; and
Petrea left the table, the gentlemen, and a political discussion, which
she had begun with Henrik, in order to sit on one side and relate to
Gabriele the Travels of Thiodolf, which was one of the greatest
enjoyments of our little lady.

"Apropos!" cried Henrik, "will there not be a wedding celebrated the day
after to-morrow, to which we ought naturally to be invited.--N. B.
According to my reckoning, Aunt Evelina has far less genius than I gave
her credit for, if----"

"Aunt Evelina stands here now ready, if possible, to vindicate her
genius," said a friendly voice, and to the amazement of all Aunt Evelina
stood in the middle of the room.

After the first salutations and questions, Evelina presented an
invitation, not as Henrik expected for the marriage, but for the
entertainment after the marriage.[7]

Laura's marriage with Major G. was to be celebrated in the quietest
manner, at her adopted mother's house, and only in the presence of a few
relations. But the mother of the bridegroom, one of those joyous persons
who in a remarkable manner lightens the world of its cares--and for
which the world thanks them so little--one of those who, if possible,
would entertain and make glad all mankind, and whom mankind on that
account very willingly slanders;--she, the stout and cordial widow of a
Councillor of War, was determined to celebrate the marriage of her only
and beloved son in a festi