king at
himself in the glass than of looking after them. The fine breast-pin
that he is wearing is of false stones. He laughs to show his white
teeth. An actual fop--a fool, perhaps! There, now, he looks at himself
again in the glass!"

Elise sought to catch her husband's eye, but he evidently avoided
meeting hers; yet something of discontent, and something of trouble too,
showed itself in his manner. The Candidate, on the contrary, appeared
not in the slightest degree troubled, but reclined perfectly at his ease
in an armchair, and cast searching glances on three ladies, who
evidently were strangers in the company. The eldest of these, who kept
on sewing incessantly, appeared to be upwards of forty, and was
distinguished by a remarkably quiet, bright, and friendly aspect. Judge
Frank and she talked much together. The other two appeared neither of
them to have attained her twentieth year: the one was pale and fair; the
other a pretty brunette; both of them were agreeable, and looked good
and happy. These ladies were introduced to Jacobi as Miss Evelina
Berndes and her adopted daughters, Laura and Karin. Laura had always one
of the children on her knee, and it was upon her that his eyes were most
particularly fixed. It was indeed a very pretty picture, which was
formed by Laura, with the lovely little Gabriele on her knee, decorated
with the flowers, bracelets, necklace, in short, with all the pretty
things that just before had ornamented herself.

The conversation soon became general, and was remarkably easy, and the
Candidate had an opportunity of taking his part well and interestingly
in it whilst speaking of certain distinguished men in the University
from which he was just come. Elise mentioned one celebrated man whom she
had a great desire to see, upon which Jacobi said he had lately made a
little sketch of him, which, on her expressing a wish to see, he
hastened to fetch.

He returned with a portfolio containing many drawings and pictures;
partly portraits, and partly landscapes, from his own pencil; they were
not deficient in talent, and afforded pleasure. First one portrait was
recognised and then another, and at last the Candidate himself. The
children were quite enchanted, and thronged with enthusiasm round the
table. The Candidate placed some of them on his knee, and seemed
particularly observant of their pleasure, and it was not long,
therefore, before they appeared entirely to forget that he was only a