"Are you not fearful! Do you not shudder at the possibility of an unpleasant event?"
"O, my dearest Ulgenie, can I for a moment doubt your strength of soul, your virtue?"
"It is true I am thus strongly armed, and I thank you, my dear Fabian, for confiding in my faithfulness."—As was usual a few cheering sun-beams followed the cooling shower.—"Forgive me, my dear husband, for harrowing your feelings; but there are times when even the strongest minded are weak."
"You are an exception, my love."
These confident words had nearly renewed the vexation within Mistress Ulrica's bosom; but suddenly she was struck with an idea that caused her to assume a still more affectionate expression of countenance.
"We will trouble ourselves no more concerning that deeply to be pitied young man. I have something else which I wish to confide to you."
"Another lover?" inquired Mr. Fabian, widening his eyes.
"I refer to a youth, for whose welfare I am deeply concerned."
"Fabian, you must not hate him, for the young man does not understand himself, this I will answer for with my life, and perhaps he only indulges a platonic affection for one who realizes the romantic ideas which his youthful imagination had formerly brought forth."