"I don't see how that would make any difference; it's the young man himself I object to! Besides, I have tremendous prospects for Jenny; she is going to marry a rich man, a very rich man."
"This is news," said Von Barwig.
"Yes," replied Miss Husted.
"Who is the gentleman?" asked Von Barwig.
"We don't know him yet; he—" Miss Husted hesitated.
"Ah, I see!" said Von Barwig, a flood of light breaking in on him.
"But I know he will come!"
Von Barwig shook his head. "You have been consulting Mrs. Mangenborn, the lady who promises you a fortune for fifty cents. Ah, my dear Miss Husted, when will you understand life as it is? You take the false for the real and the real for the false!"
"I take Mr. Poons for a fool!" said Miss Husted with some asperity, "and I am not far wrong."
"On the contrary," assented Von Barwig, "to some extent you are right, quite right! But he is young, and he is in love. To you, perhaps; love is foolishness; but love is all there is in life." There was quite a pause. Miss Husted toyed with the letter she had not yet given to the professor.