"You must put on breeches," said Hummel; "you cannot otherwise go alone in your wanderings.'
"I will take some one with me," answered Laura, softly.
"Our maid Susan? She can carry a lantern for you. The paths in this world are sometimes muddy."
"No, father; I mean the Doctor."
She whispered to him:
"I want the Doctor to elope with me."
"Ah, you little spider!" cried Hummel, amazed. "The Doctor elope with you! If you were to elope with him, there would be more sense in it."
"That's just what I want to do," replied Laura.
"Mutually, then!" said Hummel. "Listen: the matter becomes serious. Leave off embracing me, keep your hands away, and make a face beseeming a citizen's daughter and not an actress."
He pushed her down on the window-seat.