"Aunt Charlotte, do not say such horrible things." "A woman when she becomes a man's wife should see, above all things, that she is not tempted by the devil after this fashion. Remember, Linda, how he goeth about,--ever after our souls,--like a roaring lion. And it is in this way specially that he goeth about after the souls of young women." "But why do you say those things to me?" "It is to you only that I can say them. I would so speak to all young women, if it were given me to speak to more than to one. You talk of love." "No, aunt; never. I do not talk--of love." "Young women do, and think of it, not knowing what love for their husband should mean. A woman should revere her husband and obey him, and be subject to him in everything." Was it supposed, Linda thought, that she should revere such a being as Peter Steinmarc? What could be her aunt's idea of reverence? "If she does that, she will love him also." "Yes,--if she does," said Linda. "And will not this be much more likely, if the husband be older than his wife?" "A year or two," said Linda, timidly. "Not a year or two only, but so much so as to make him graver and wiser, and fit to be in command over her. Will not the woman so ruled be safer than she who trusts herself with one who is perhaps as weak and inexperienced as herself?" Madame Staubach paused, but Linda would not answer the question. She did not wish for such security as was here proposed to her. "Is it not that of which you have to think,--your safety here, so that, if possible, you may be safe hereafter?" Linda answered this to herself, within her own bosom. Not for security here or hereafter, even were such to be found by such means, would she consent to become the wife of the man proposed to her. Madame Staubach, finding that no spoken reply was given to her questions, at last proceeded from generalities to the special case which she had under her consideration. "Linda," she said, "I trust you will consent to become the wife of this excellent man." Linda's face became very hard, but still she said nothing. "The danger of which I have spoken is close upon you. You must feel it to be so. A youth, perhaps the most notorious in all Nuremberg for wickedness--" "No, aunt; no." "I say yes; and this youth is spoken of openly as your lover." "No one has a right to say so." "It is said, and he has so addressed himself to your own ears. You have confessed it. Tell me that you will do as I would have you, and then I shall know that you are safe. Then I will trust you in everything, for I shall be sure that it will be well with you. Linda, shall it be so?" "It shall not be so, aunt Charlotte." "Is it thus you answer me?" "Nothing shall make me marry a man whom I hate." "Hate him! Oh, Linda." "Nothing shall make me marry a man whom I cannot love." "You fancy, then, that you love that reprobate?" Linda was silent. "Is it so? Tell me. I have a right to demand an answer to that question."