"No, my fine fellow, but of the young lady of the house."
"For Heaven's sake, no!" cried Anton, springing up; "that would, indeed, be a pretty business."
"Why so?" was the cool reply. "Either she takes me, and I am a lucky man, or she takes me not, and I start without a wife."
"But have you ever thought of it before?" inquired Anton, uneasily.
"Sometimes—indeed often during the last year. She is the best housewife, and the noblest, most unselfish creature in the world."
Anton looked at his friend in growing astonishment. Not once had Fink given him the remotest hint of such a thing.
"But you never told me of it."
"Have you ever told me of your feelings for another young lady?" replied Fink, laughing.
Anton blushed and was silent.
"I think," continued Fink, "that she does not dislike me; but whether she will go with me or not I can not tell; however, we shall soon know, for I am going at once to ask her."