n the citizen society, not only
in words but sometimes also in action; yet, nevertheless, in secret we
were extremely wounded or flattered by all those who came in contact
with us from this circle; and not unfrequently too the family
conversation turned, quite accidentally as it were, on the subject of
its being ennobled on the plea of the important service which our father
could render to the state in the House of Knights; and in the hearts of
us young girls it excited a great pleasure when we were addressed as "my
lady." Beyond this agitation of the question nothing came.

The daughters of the house were taught that all pomp and pleasure of
this world was only vanity, that nothing was important and worth
striving after but virtue and inward worth; yet for all this, it so
happened that their most lively interest and endeavours, and the warmest
wishes of the hearts of all, were directed to wealth, rank, and worldly
fortune of every kind. The daughters were taught that in all things the
will of God must alone direct them; yet in every instance they were
guided by the fear of man. They were taught that beauty was nothing, and
of no value; yet they were often compelled to feel, and that painfully,
in the paternal house, that they wore not handsome. They were allowed to
cultivate some talents, and acquire some knowledge, but God forbid that
they should ever become learned women; on which account they learned
nothing thoroughly, though in many instances they pretended to
knowledge, without possessing anything of its spirit, its nourishing
strength, or its pure esteem-inspiring earnestness. But above all
things they learned, and this only more and more profoundly the more
their years increased, that marriage was the goal of their being; and in
consequence (though this was never definitely inculcated in words, but
by a secret, indescribable influence), to esteem the favour of men as
the highest happiness, denying all the time that they thought so.

We were three sisters. As children, it was deeply impressed upon us that
we must love one another; but in consequence of partiality on the side
of our teachers, in consequence of praise and blame, rewards and
punishments, which magnified little trifles into importance, envy and
bitterness were early sown among the sisters. It was said of my eldest
sister and myself, that we were greatly attached to each other; that we
could not live asunder. We were cited as examples of sisterly lov