ch other for seven months, Regine, so don't let's
quarrel the very first day we meet. We can do that any time, you know.
We won't discuss that obstinate heir of Burgsdorf, but speak of
ourselves. How do you like life in the city? To me you hardly seem
contented."

"I am very well contented," declared Regine with great decision. "All I
miss is the work; I am not accustomed to an idle life."

"Of course you miss it. You always have been at the head of a great
establishment, and that's where you should be now, so I--"

"Don't begin again, I beg you."

"No, I don't mean Burgsdorf this time," said von Schoenau, looking down
at his riding boots. "I only meant--you're all alone in the city, and
I'm all alone at Fuerstenstein, and when Toni marries, it will be very
weary. Would it not be better--oh, I've said it all to you
before--perhaps you won't, perhaps you have a better offer in view,
but--wouldn't it be better to have a triple instead of a double
marriage?"

Frau von Eschenhagen looked darkly on the ground and shook her head.

"No, Moritz, I never was less in the humor for marrying than now."

"Another refusal !" cried the head forester impatiently. "This makes the
second time. First you would not have me because you had your son and
your beloved Burgsdorf to look after, now you won't have me because you
are not in the humor. Humors have nothing to do with marrying, only
common sense; but when a woman hasn't any sense, and is too stubborn
to--"

"You're in a very flattering mood, I must say," interrupted Regine,
thoroughly aroused now. "It would be a very peaceful marriage, with you
wagging your sharp tongue all the time."

"It wouldn't be peaceful. I never expected that," Schoenau declared, "but
neither would it be monotonous. I believe we could endure one another.
Now, once for all, Regine, will you have me or will you not?"

"No, I don't care to enter into a marriage of endurance."

"So be it!" cried the head forester, furious now as he jumped up and
seized his hat. "If it gives you such pleasure to be eternally saying
no, why say it. Willibald will marry and he is right, and now I'll do
everything to hurry on his marriage just to annoy you." So saying he
left the room in a violent temper, slamming the door behind him as he
went, while Frau Regine remained behind equally irritated. These two
were apparently fated to quarrel whenever they met; it seemed a
necessity of their natures, but no quarrel was so bi