Candidate hastened with lover's speed to Louise's parents he
struck hard against somebody in the doorway, who was coming out. The two
opponents stepped back each a few paces, and the Candidate and the
Landed-proprietor stared in astonishment on each other.

"Pardon me," said the Candidate, and was advancing; but the
Landed-proprietor held him back, whilst he inquired with great
earnestness, and with a self-satisfied smile, "Hear you, my friend: can
you tell me whether Cousin Louise is in the garden? I came this moment
from her parents, and would now speak with her. Can you tell me where
she is?"

"I--I don't know!" said Jacobi, releasing himself, and hastening with a
secret anxiety of mind up to her parents.

In the mean time the Landed-proprietor had caught a glimpse of "Cousin
Louise's" person in the garden, and hastened up to her.

It was, in fact, no surprise to Louise, when, after all the preliminary
questions, "Cousin, do you like fish? do you like birds?" there came at
last the principal question, "Cousin, do you like me?"

To this question, it is true, she gave a somewhat less blunt, but
nevertheless a decided negative reply, although it was gilded over with
"esteem and friendship."

The Candidate, on his side, in the fulness and warmth of his heart, laid
open to Louise's parents his love, his wishes, and his hopes. It is true
that Jacobi was now without any office, as well as without any property;
but he had many expectations, and amid these, like a sun and a support,
his Excellency O----. The Judge was himself no friend to such supports,
and Elise did not approve of long engagements: but then both of them
loved Jacobi; both of them wished, above all things, the true happiness
and well-being of their daughter; and so it happened that, after much
counsel, and after Louise had been questioned by her parents, and they
found that she had sincerely the same wishes as Jacobi, and that she
believed she should be happy with him, and after Jacobi had combated
with great fervency and effect every postponement of the
betrothal--that, after all this had been brought to a fortunate issue,
he received a formal yes, and he and Louise, on the afternoon of the
same day, whose morning sun had seen their explanation, were betrothed.

Jacobi was beyond description happy; Louise tranquil but gentle. Henrik
declared that her Majesty appeared too merciful. Perhaps all this
proceeded from her thoughts being already occupied wit