"Precisely, Madam--or to be more exact, I disapprove of marriage as now generally practised. I regard it as a social contract, useful to humanity in general, since no better substitute has been found as yet, but I certainly do not consider it an ideal state, and it would be against my avowed principles to urge any young person--much more so one of the 'élite,' among whom I place Ragna--to enter upon a form of contract which I personally consider both futile and degrading--an insult to the intelligence." This was too much for Fru Boyesen; she gasped angrily, but found herself unable to give articulate utterance to her amazement and indignation. The Professor, his eyes twinkling more and more, pursued in a calm deliberate voice. "Since you do not answer, I take it that you agree with me in the main--or perhaps your estimation of your niece is not the same as mine?" "I most certainly do not agree with you, Dr. Tommsen," said Fru Boyesen hotly; "I am a married woman myself, and a respectable one, and I assure you I have found nothing either degrading or futile in the married state. I do not think you should use such words in connection with a divine institution." "Ah, that is where we differ, dear Madam," returned the Professor, gently rubbing his palms together--it amused him on occasions to tease the conventionally-minded--"You consider it a divine institution and I do not--however that is not the point. I admit that some persons are obviously qualified for matrimony and find their vocation in it--you think your niece to be one of those, I do not." Fru Boyesen interrupted him. "But there is where you are wrong, Herr Doctor. Ragna is made for marriage, trust an old woman for that. She is not the girl to be an old maid. I am anxious for that reason--if she lets her best years go by and despises the chances that offer, she will regret it when it is too late. I love her, Herr Doctor, and old women see farther than young ones--I want to see her happy in the way that God intended her to be." "Then for God's sake leave her alone, Madam, leave her to God. If you are right about her, and she does marry, let it be at her own time and by her own choice; nothing but harm can come of forcing her inclinations in any way." "But, Doctor, she has already refused two of the most eligible--I think it a poor return after all I have done for her--" "Let her refuse ten, let her refuse twenty! To show her gratitude must she sell her body to the highest bidder?" Fru Boyesen bounded rather than rose from her chair; the very ribbons on her bonnet bristled with indignation. Her back was a study in outraged virtue as she moved majestically towards the door. The doctor was before her. "One moment, Madam, I beg!" "I have heard quite enough, more than enough," she said in a frozen voice.