uld have no pleasure in a
higher rank, in a larger income, if you on that account must leave a
sphere where you feel yourself in your place, and where you can work
according to the desire of your own heart, and where you are surrounded
by persons who esteem and love you! No; let us remain here!"

"But you, you Elise," said he; "speak of yourself, not of me."

"Yes, you!" answered she, with the smile of a happy heart, "that is not
so easy to do--for you see all that belongs to the one is so interwoven
with what belongs to the other. But I will tell you something about
myself. I looked at myself this morning in the glass--no satirical
looks, my love!--and it seemed to me as if I appeared strong and
healthy. I thought of you, thought how good and kind you were, and how,
whilst I had walked by your side, I had been strengthened both in body
and mind; how I must still love you more and more, and how we had become
happier and happier together. I thought of your activity, so rich in
blessing both for home and for the general good; thought on the
children, how healthy and good they are, and how their characters have
unfolded so happily under our hands. I thought of our new house which
you have built so comfortable and convenient for us all, and just then
the sun shone cheerfully into my little, beloved boudoir, and I felt
myself so fortunate in my lot! I thanked God both for it and for you! I
would willingly live and die in this sphere--in this house. Let us then
remain here."

"God bless you for these words, Elise!" said he. "But the children--the
children! Our decision will influence their future; we must also hear
what they have to say; we must lay the matter before them: not that I
fear their having, if they were aware of our mode of reasoning, any wish
different to ours, but at all events they must have a voice in the
business. Come, Elise! I shall have no rest till it is all talked over
and decided."

* * * * *

When the Judge laid the affair before the family council, it occasioned
a great surprise; on which a general silence ensued, and attractive
visions began to swarm before the eyes of the young people, not exactly
of the highest Court of Judicature, but of the seat of the same--of the
Capital. Louise looked almost like a Counsellor of Justice herself. But
when her father had made known his and his wife's feelings on the
subject, he read in their tearful eyes gratitude for the conf