ence."

"That's the very reason why you must go into society," replied Fink,
severely. "You must get rid of this miserable timidity as soon as
possible. Can you waltz? Have you any remote conception of the figures
of a quadrille?"

"A few years ago I had some dancing-lessons in Ostrau."

"Very well; now you shall have some more. Frau von Baldereck informed me
yesterday that a few families purposed instituting a private assembly,
where their half-grown chickens might learn to spread their wings,
secure from birds of prey. It is to be held in her house, as she has a
chicken of her own to bring up for the market. It's the very thing for
you, and I will introduce you."

"Fink," said our hero, "this is another of your mad adventures. Frau von
Baldereck belongs to the aristocratic set; you would only occasion me
the mortification of being rejected, or, worse, treated with hauteur."

"Is he not enough to put a saint out of patience?" cried Fink, in
dudgeon; "you and your class have more reason to hold your heads high
than half of those here assembled. And yet you are the very people, with
your timidity and subserviency, to keep up their foolish pretensions!
How can you suppose yourself their inferior? I should never have
expected to have found such meanness in you."

"You mistake me," replied Anton, angry in his turn. "I am not wanting in
self-respect; but it would be foolish and unbecoming to intrude into a
circle where I am not wished for, and where a man would be despised for
being in a counting-house."

"Nonsense! you _are_ wished for. There is a paucity of gentlemen. The
lady of the house (I am a favorite--no honor, mind you) has asked me to
introduce three young men of my acquaintance, and so nothing can be more
simple. You pay for your lessons like another; and whether you whirl
round a countess or a young _bourgeoise_, what matters it?"

"It won't do," replied Anton, shaking his head; "I have an inward
conviction that it is unbecoming, and wish to be guided by this."

"Well, then," said Fink, impatiently, "I have one other proposal to
make. You shall this very day call with me upon Frau von Baldereck. I
will introduce you as Anton Wohlfart, one of the clerks in the firm of
T. O. Schroeter. Not a word shall be said of these dancing-lessons, and
you shall see that she herself will invite you. If she does not, or if
she shows the very least hauteur, you can stay away. This you can not
object to."

Anton demurr