as if by accident, that Eric and Frau Bella walked
together, and Bella tried a little experiment to see in what direction
it would be safe to venture, by remarking that she was surprised at
Eric's understanding her good husband so thoroughly, for it was not so
easy to live with him as it seemed. She said this very warily, and it
might be taken for simple praise. Eric replied:--

"The world is so much the more indebted to you, gracious lady, for the
count has gained new youth through you."

Bella nodded. Eric had quietly and securely taken the first step toward
a good understanding; to recognize her sacrifice was a delicate
politeness on his part. She went on to speak very enthusiastically of
Clodwig, and of her happiness in being able to do anything towards
cherishing a pure spirit, without making any demand for herself. It was
so beautiful to sacrifice one's self, to serve quietly, unrecognized
and unnoticed; and here there came in a word about the childlike mind,
so placed that Eric could apply all she had said to his vocation as a
teacher.

Eric expressed his agreement with her, simply and without
embarrassment, and Frau Bella could not tell whether he had really not
understood her, or whether he chose to seem not to understand. She knew
how to intimate with delicacy how difficult it was to deal with just
such a man as Clodwig, though he seemed so unexacting and so yielding;
she begged Eric to help her in making the evening of his days
completely happy; she said all this with a tone of feeling which was
not to be mistaken.

Eric expressed his doubt whether it would be well to disturb so
peaceful a life by the introduction of a third person; he acknowledged
that he was still wanting in tact, was capricious, and passionate.

"You are so sincere that you have no need of being diffident," answered
Bella.

She looked searchingly at Eric; her fan fell, and as he picked it up
she gave him her hand in thanks. With much tact and elegance of
expression, but with emotion which made her breast heave, she extolled
the good fortune which allowed her to devote herself to a noble man,
and to have a friend who thoroughly understood her. Eric could not tell
whether the latter part of her remark applied to him or to Clodwig.

"There he comes!" cried Bella suddenly. "See, it is a peculiarity of
his never to carry a cane, though he needs it."

She went to meet her husband, and he turned his steps towards her.
Clodwig seated him