“You are mistaken; I was half afraid you might see too much, for he had a wife and five sons.”

“Did his wife enter no protest?”

“I did not see her; but as they were not rich, and had already five young persons in their house, I concluded one more or less could make little difference.”

“But a—if another family could be found, I must say I should prefer it, and would rather not apply to the professor, excepting as a last resource.”

“We have no longer the option, for he has left Munich. I heard, indeed, of another family—but the objections were insurmountable.”

“On the part of husband or wife?”

“This time the objections were on my side; there were unmarried daughters in the house.”

“Oh, that would be no objection at all—on the contrary——”

“I considered it a very serious objection,” said A. Z., quietly.

“I understand what you mean; but surely you do not think me such a fool as to fall in love with every girl I happen to live in the house with? I assure you I am by no means so inflammable.”