"While I was a soldier, I became acquainted with the valet of the late king. He was very fond of me and took great pleasure in helping me forward; but he well knew what he was about. I thought it a wonderful piece of luck, when I found I was to marry his daughter. It was only too late, when I discovered that she was sickly and irritable and without a healthy drop of blood in her body. And is my whole life to be wasted, because of this blunder? And is no love left for me in the world? And with you, it's just the same; with both of us, you and I--but why should it be too late, even now?" "Pretty jokes, indeed! but they're not to my taste. It's wrong to talk about such things." "I'm not joking. Are all of earth's joys to be lost to us, just because we have once blundered? In that case, we'd be doubly fools." "I see you're in earnest." "Certainly I am," said Baum, his voice trembling with emotion. "Very well, then. Just listen to what I've got to say. How can you dare insult my Hansei, that way? If it were so--and it isn't--but suppose it were; do you think, even if you were better looking or better mannered than my Hansei, and you're far from being that, let me tell you.--But that doesn't matter one way or the other. There's not a better man living than my Hansei, and even if there be one, he's nothing to me; we're husband and wife and belong to each other.--But it was only a joke, after all, wasn't it? and a mighty stupid one at that. Say that you only meant it for fun, for if I thought you were in earnest, I'd never speak another word to you; and now--Good-night." "No, wait a moment. Now that I know how good you are, I think so much the more of you. If I only had a wife like you!" Baum was greatly agitated. He had at first only dallied with kind words, but his voice had gradually assumed an agitated and touching tone. "I'll give you something," said Walpurga, placing her hand on his shoulder. "What is it; a kiss?" "Get out! Don't talk so. You've just been behaving so well. Now I'll tell you something that my mother taught me. She always says, that he who is not contented with what he has, would be dissatisfied even if he had what he wished for." "Did your mother tell you that?" "Yes, and she knows many other good sayings, and I am glad that this one will be of use to you; it'll do you good." "Of course--but now give me just one kiss, because I've been so good." "What a foolish fellow you are," said Walpurga; "you say you're good, and, the very next minute, want something wicked as a reward. I'm a married woman and, if you were to give me a whole palace with all that's in it and seven palaces besides, I'd not kiss any man but my husband. There, I'll shake hands with you--and now--good-night." They parted, with a mutual promise to remain good friends. Walpurga found Mademoiselle Kramer in great trouble. The child was crying, and would not be pacified until Walpurga sang to it.