“A professor! that does not promise much, nor would it answer my purpose. I should see little or nothing of domestic life.” “You are mistaken; I was half afraid you might see too much, for he had a wife and five sons.” “Did his wife enter no protest?” “I did not see her; but as they were not rich, and had already five young persons in their house, I concluded one more or less could make little difference.” “But a—if another family could be found, I must say I should prefer it, and would rather not apply to the professor, excepting as a last resource.” “We have no longer the option, for he has left Munich. I heard, indeed, of another family—but the objections were insurmountable.” “On the part of husband or wife?” “This time the objections were on my side; there were unmarried daughters in the house.” “Oh, that would be no objection at all—on the contrary——” “I considered it a very serious objection,” said A. Z., quietly. “I understand what you mean; but surely you do not think me such a fool as to fall in love with every girl I happen to live in the house with? I assure you I am by no means so inflammable.” “Very possibly; but as I could not answer for your not being inflammatory, and am aware that German girls do not understand the word ‘flirtation,’ and are much too serious on such occasions, I thought it better to avoid leading you into temptation. Do not, however, be vexed; I have many friends in Munich, and have no doubt of being able to find some family——” “Where there are five unlicked cubs in the house,” cried Hamilton, petulantly, interrupting her. “Then, John, you will make the half-dozen complete,” she answered, laughing. “But now listen to reason. A family who would consent to receive a young man as inmate in their house, and who, without any degree of relationship or connection with his family, could enter into pecuniary arrangements with him about board and lodging, and all that sort of thing, must either be in straitened circumstances or in a much lower rank of life than yours. I acknowledge that such arrangements are common here, and in some cases they are very judicious; but when the proposal, as in this instance, came from a widow with three unmarried daughters, I found it very injudicious, indeed, and refused at once. Without thinking you either a fool, or disposed to fall in love with every girl you happen to reside with, I do think there is some danger of your forming an attachment which might cause you, and perhaps another person, great pain to break off, or which might hereafter prove embarrassing. Living in the house with three girls, who very probably would vie with each other in their endeavours to please you would be a severe trial for the impenetrability of so very young a man as you are, and I doubt your standing the test.” “But I assure you——”