"Your words sound well; but I shall not have my little plot marred by them. Will you or will you not, accompany me to the parsonage, and conduct yourself as you should before the young ladies?"
"I will behave politely towards any young lady; but, aunt, if you have any other meaning concealed beneath those words then—I will say no!"
"You wish to quarrel with me, then. Do you understand what that means, my dear nephew?"
"I dare not think of such a misfortune."
"Yet that misfortune will certainly come. God knows I would do much for you; but consider upon your words while you have yet time—you need not trouble yourself to be present at the fishing excursion this evening."
"Why so, aunt, am I outlawed?"
Mrs. Ulrica Eugenia assumed an air of haughtiness.
"Then I have fallen into disgrace," continued Gottlieb.
"I will not deny," replied Mistress Ulrica, coldly, "that you are on the road to disgrace; but I hope this wholesome lesson will cause you to think better of my exertions in your behalf."
"Of that I have my doubts," thought Gottlieb as his aunt majestically left the room; "and yet perhaps it is foolish on my part not to take her advice.—Oh, why is not my little nymph of the fountain the possessor of a ton and a half of gold?—The little creature—hm—She is really too beautiful!"