“Papa” Suttner, at that time fifty-one years of age, a goodly man, an Austrian cavalier of the old school, conservative—not to say reactionary—in his political ideas, always welcome at court. “Mamma” Suttner, about the same age, with traces of great beauty, somewhat formal and cold in her bearing. The daughters, Lotti, Marianne, Luise, and Mathilde, aged twenty, nineteen, seventeen, and fifteen, each prettier than the other. Especially Mathilde, the mother’s favorite, had a truly angelic look with her wavy blond hair, her dazzling complexion, and her regular features. Two other living beings belonged to the family,—Schnapfel, a yellow-haired _Pintscher_, a constant companion to Papa and Mamma; and Amie, a wise white poodle with a laughing physiognomy, the confidante of the girls. It was a great establishment; the household servants were a valet, a chasseur, serving men, a lady’s maid, housemaids, a cook, a scullery maid, a coachman, and a porter. Carriages and opera box. The dwelling—I still see it before me: antechamber with Gobelin tapestries on the walls; a suite of three drawing-rooms, one green, one yellow, and one blue; the mother’s bedchamber in lilac; the father’s office, which served also for a smoking room, with leather-covered furniture and wooden wainscoting. Then two other chambers for the girls,—Lotti and Marianne slept together, and so did Luise and Mathilde; my room was next to theirs. The girls and I were soon the best of friends. I did not play my rôle as instructor too strictly; a few hours in the morning were regularly spent in the study of music and the languages, but the rest of the time was nothing but enjoyment, joking, and jollity. I did not parade the dignity of my thirty years, nor yet the authority of my position. We five were playmates. Our days were fairly regular: in the morning, before breakfast, a walk in the neighboring city park; at nine o’clock, coffee together in Papa’s office (in connection with which Mamma made inquiries about the progress of the lessons and laid down all sorts of rules of behavior and other good advice); from ten till twelve, lessons; at noon, _déjeuner à la fourchette_ all together in the dining-room; from one o’clock on, music, school tasks, etc., alternating, until it was time to dress for the five-o’clock dinner.