"I do not know it."
"You have it open in your hands."
"No, I was reading the coronation of Joseph II., at Frankfort."
"Let me see it."
She handed him the open book.
"It is even so! But look how ugly that is! Just where Goethe describes the emperor ascending the throne, there is an ugly green spot. Doubtless you pressed the green rose leaves too tenderly upon the leaf of the book; the Emperor, Goethe, and Miss Mertens will hardly forgive you for it."
"That spot is old—I did not touch the rose."
"But you smiled at sight of it."
"Because I thought it came from Miss Mertens."
"Ah, there is something touching in this friendship! It must have been a great disappointment when, instead of your friend, you saw my cousin's handsome face behind you."