Ernestine was again startled and surprised. "You are right. But I have grown up under his control. It has become a habit with me, so that I am hardly conscious of it, and it has never yet been so opposed to my wishes as to induce me to shake it off." "Now, let me ask you, my dear, whether you regard this dull, half-unconscious habit of submission as nobler and loftier than the loving, voluntary obedience that a wife yields to a husband?" Ernestine was silent for a moment, and then said with her own generous frankness, "No, it is not. But I have brought it upon myself, and cannot escape from it as long as my uncle possesses the legal right of my guardian." "But this legal right does not in any way affect your personal freedom as long as you do not desire to do anything contrary to law." "He always told me that the guardian was the master of the ward. And if this tyrannical regulation had not applied equally to the male and female sex, I should long ago have attacked it in my publications." "That would not have done much good, I fear," said the Staatsräthin dryly. Ernestine shrugged her shoulders. "None of my writings effect much good. But they are not meant to be anything more than a few of the many drops of water that must one day wear away the stone that dams the course of the pure waters of reason." "We will not discuss such abstract subjects," said the Staatsräthin evasively. "I would rather persuade you to stay with us to-day." "If I only thought that I should not be a burden to you!" "You certainly will not be to me, and you will give my son a pleasure far greater than the annoyance to which your absence may subject your guardian. But you are the best judge of what you ought to do." Ernestine laid her hand upon the Staatsräthin's. "I will stay!" "There,--that's right! Johannes would never have forgiven me if I had failed to persuade you to stay." She rang the bell. Regina appeared, and carried away the coffee-tray. "You may bring me the beans, I will prepare them," said the Staatsräthin. Regina brought in the beans in a dish, with a bowl for the stalks. "I'm sure you will excuse me," said the Staatsräthin to Ernestine, and she seated herself by the window, knife in hand, ready to begin her task. Ernestine looked on in astonishment. "Do you do that yourself?" "Why not? The cook has a great deal to do to-day, and I am glad to assist her." "I would help you if I knew how," said Ernestine.