"How do you wish it to be then?" inquired Nanna innocently.
"Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed in better circumstances—" Nanna dropped her eyelids over their soft tell-tale orbits; but not so quickly but that Gottlieb detected a ray of hope gleaming from their deep wells.
"Will you advise me what course to take, when I have obtained a competency?" continued Gottlieb.
"No, that would be of no use; but Mr. Gottlieb, when I hear that you have wedded the rich wife of whom you have spoken, I will rejoice at your good fortune."
"And does not the thought of that rich wife cost you even half a sigh?"
"Not if that wife will render you happy."
"Nanna, you speak as though you did not love me at all!" exclaimed Gottlieb hastily, forgetting entirely the part he had determined to play during this interview.
"And should I love you?" inquired Nanna blushing deeply. "I think I am not such a foolish girl as that."
"But I believe that you love me," replied Gottlieb. "Can you deny that your heart is mine?"
"I do not deny it; but I shall not allow it to be so," said Nanna with a glance that immediately cooled Gottlieb's sudden ardor. "My heart is my own, and should not be an object of trouble to you; and I assure you Mr. Gottlieb that I shall not allow any weakness on my part to cause you to break the judicious contract we have made."