"Albert is married and likes it extremely. Do you doubt it?"
"Oh, no, assuredly not," poor Benno hastened to reply; "but I----"
"Well, you, Herr Doctor?" his new relative persisted.
"I am not accustomed to ladies' society, and my manners are very rude," he said, sadly,--"very rude, madame,--and that unfits me for social enjoyment."
This confession found favour with Molly. A man who felt his deficiencies so profoundly deserved sympathy. She laid aside her air of severity and rejoined, kindly,--
"They can easily be improved. Come, sit down, Herr Doctor, and let us discuss the matter."
"What! Marriage?" Benno asked, in renewed dismay. This seemed like an immediate settlement of his future life, and he was naturally startled.
"Oh, no: only your manners, for the present. You are anxious to learn, I can see; all you want is some one to advise and train you. I will do it!"
"Oh, madame, how kind you are!" said the doctor, with so touching an expression of gratitude that his instructor of eighteen was entirely won over.
"I am your cousin, and my name is Molly," she rejoined. "We must call each other by our first names; so, Benno, come and sit down by me."