"Yes," cried Angelika, amid general amusement, "if we had the money to pay eighty gulden for an excellent cook. But, as we have not, one must either superintend matters one's self, or put up with bad cooking. And you would not have a poor man, coming hungry and tired from his day's work, do that. No, I assure you, when I see Moritz enjoying something that I have prepared for him myself, it gives me almost as much pleasure as it does to feed a child."
Ernestine looked at her blankly. This was entirely beyond her horizon.
Angelika continued: "But indeed it does not make us servants. A service rendered for love cannot degrade,--voluntary obedience is not slavery. We must be guided by some one in life,--why not by a husband who protects and labours for us?" And she held out her hand to Moritz.
"But," said Ernestine, "if we learn to labour for ourselves we need be beholden to no one,--dependent upon no one."
"Oh," said Angelika, with a charming smile and a roguish glance at Moritz out of her large innocent eyes, "we cannot do without them, these stern lords of creation,--at least I could not live without Moritz, if I were ever so rich and wise."
Loud applause greeted this frank declaration; it seemed as if a sudden breath of fresh air were admitted into a sultry, closed apartment,--all breathed more freely. Angelika's genuine sunny nature was a relief to every one, after the distorted, gloomy views that Ernestine had broached.
"And you expect to bring that fool to reason?" whispered Moritz to Johannes.
"Yes," replied the latter curtly.
"Well, I wish you all success. I would not win a wife at such a price."
Supper was ended. The Staatsräthin rose from table, and the company adjourned to the adjoining room, where punch was served.