he, "they may never have such another opportunity to
enjoy themselves."

Seldom, indeed, does it happen that people beg and pray and counsel a
mother to take all her six daughters with her. Long may such counsellors
live! But then it must be acknowledged, that the daughters of the Franks
were universally beloved on account of their kind, agreeable manners,
and their many good qualities.

Elise must promise to take them all with her--Sara, Louise, Eva,
Leon----no! It is true Leonore could not go with her; the poor Leonore
must remain at home, on account of indisposition; and very soon,
therefore, Eva and Petrea emulated each other as to which should remain
with her. Leonore declared coldly and peevishly that nobody should stay
at home on her account; she needed nobody; she would much rather be
alone; the sisters might all go, without hesitation; there was no fear
of her not living through it! Poor Leonore had become changed by her
sickness and her sedentary life;--her better self had become hidden
under a cloud of vexation and ill-humour, which chilled the kindliness
and friendliness that people otherwise would have shown to her.

In the mean time there was a stir among the young people of the family;
for much had to be bought, much to be made, and much to be put in order,
that they might be able to make an honourable appearance at the marriage
festival. What a review was there then of dresses, flowers, ribbons,
gloves, etc.! what counsel-takings and projects regarding the new
purchases! what calculations, so that the present of money which the
good father had, all unsolicited, made to each daughter might not be
exceeded. Louise was invaluable to everybody; she had counsel and
contrivance for everybody; besides all this, she was unwearied in
shopping, and never disheartened in buying. She made very few
compliments--would let them in a shop open all they had, if she wanted
only an ell of cloth; and would go to twelve places in order to get a
piece of ribbon cheaper or of better quality--she paid great regard to
_quality_. According to her own opinion, as well as that of her family,
she was an excellent hand at getting good bargains; that is, for
obtaining good wares at unheard-of low prices. With all this our Louise
was held in great consideration in all the shops of the city, and was
served with the greatest zeal and respect; whilst, on the contrary,
Petrea, who never bargained about anything, and always took that whic