"Much, and little, just as one takes it. Above all things, she must be of ancient and noble family; wealthy, for I have found that poor ladies, who are thrown suddenly into the arms of fortune, are apt to give way to all sorts of extravagances, and not too beautiful, for I have no desire to have to watch over my wife continually--the rest is of small importance." The young Count set forth these qualifications for his future marriage with as perfect indifference, as if he were speaking of the purchase of an estate, but his way of looking at the matter seemed to meet with the Praesidentin's full approval. "I quite agree with you," replied she, "and I am very glad that you look at the affair so clearly. What do you want, my dear?" interrupted she at this moment, turning towards the door. "The children wished to say good-bye to the Frau Praesidentin before going for their walk." Count Hermann got up from his chair at the sound of this voice, and looked at the lady with an expression of boundless astonishment as she entered, leading two little girls of six and eight by the hand. It was Gertrud, once betrothed to Reinert. The Praesidentin observed his surprise. "Ah, so! Mademoiselle Walter--the Herr Count Arnau." She bent down to her two grandchildren and gave them her cheek to kiss. Hermann's bow was returned with the most measured formality and coldness, and not the slightest change in Gertrud's face betrayed her recognition. She took the children's hands, and at once prepared to leave the garden house. "Do not make the walk too long to-day, mademoiselle, it is too hot for the children." "I will see that they do not go too far, we will not go beyond the park to-day." A second bow, as formal as the first, and she crossed the terrace with the children, and went down towards the park. The Praesidentin turned once more to her grandson. "I think we were saying--but why don't you sit down, Hermann?" He still remained standing, his hand on the arm chair, and his eyes fixed upon the avenue, where the three had disappeared; mechanically following the invitation, he sat down once more. "Well, I thing we were speaking of your future wife. I imagine the choice lies open to you; Count Hermann Arnau will hardly receive a refusal, however ambitious he may be." "Who is this Mademoiselle Walter?" asked Hermann, instead of answering, without turning his eyes from the window. The grandmother looked at him with some astonishment, the question seemed to her to have very little place in this important conversation. "She is the new governess for Eurt's daughters," replied the Praesidentin coldly. "She is said to be pretty well educated and useful, and the children are wonderfully fond of her considering the short time she has been with them. I have a certain antipathy against her, for I fear that she carries something like haughtiness underneath her unfailing calm politeness, which is, of course, insufferable in a person of her dependent position."