human
None of your namby-pamby literature, Goswyn, but a bright, witty book. Tell me, do you think that in my grand-daughter's honour I ought to lock up all my entertaining books and subscribe to the 'Children's Friend'?
gpt
Let us take for granted that your grand-daughter has not contracted the habit of dipping into every book she sees lying about,
human
Let us hope so, she said, with a laugh;
gpt
Oh, Countess!
human
What would you have? Such cases do occur. Look at your sister-in-law Dorothea: she told me, with an air of great satisfaction, that before her marriage she had read all Belot.
gpt
She avowed the same thing to me just after she came home from her wedding journey, and she seemed to think it very clever,
human
H'm! the wicked fairy always asserts that you were in love with your sister-in-law,
gpt
Indeed? I should like to know upon what my aunt Brock founds her assertion,
human
Why, upon the intense dislike you always parade for your pretty sister-in-law,
gpt
I do not parade it at all.
human
But you feel it.
gpt
It is very late,
human
I have not driven you away with my poor jests?
gpt
No, he replied,--
human
And until then----?
gpt
I shall not have that pleasure, unfortunately; I leave with the General to-morrow for Kiel, and came to-night only to bid you good-bye. When I return I shall hardly find you still in Berlin.
human
Indeed? I am sorry, she replied,
gpt
It would suit you precisely, Countess, he said, rallying her,
human
What an idea! cried the Countess.
gpt
But you are quite mistaken: I should be furious if my grand-daughter should be found to have read all Belot's works.
human
Indeed?
gpt
Of course; because then there would be absolutely no hope of your taking the child off my hands.
human
Do you understand me?
gpt
Partly.
human
Unfortunately, you seem to have very little desire for matrimony.
gpt
I confess that for the present it is but faint.
human
Let us hope that this mysterious Erika will be charming enough to----