"God willing, we shall soon have a double wedding in N----."
"Ah, mother, yours are bold dreams!" cried Johannes.
"But why not? Be sure, my son, she will soon be well again. Her constitution, both mental and physical, is strong. In two weeks your holidays will be at an end, and then we will carry her back to town with us, and when her trousseau, that I shall provide, is complete, where will there be any need of delay?"
"Why, mother, you yourself have just said that her mind is vigorous as well as her body. I shall never believe she can be mine until she is actually my affianced bride."
"Ah, Moritz and Angelika!" cried the Staatsräthin, rising to meet them as they entered.
Angelika kissed her mother and brother. She was, if possible, plumper and rosier than ever.
"Aha!" laughed Moritz, "we frightened you for nothing yesterday. I know--I know all about it from Heim. Your coy damsel has come to her senses--congratulate you! If she can be cured of the rest of her brain-sickness, why, Heaven speed the wooing! There'll be no getting any good out of you until you are married."
Angelika put her plump, dimpled little hand over his mouth. "Can you not let poor Johannes have some peace?"
Moritz kissed the soft, warm fetter placed upon his lips and freed himself from it.
"'Poor' Johannes! Why poor? He's sure of her now. She hasn't a groschen. Let her thank Heaven that there is a comfortable home ready for her, and she will,--no one can accuse her of stupidity," said Moritz.