"'Yes.' continued Hertha, inarticulately and with great hesitation; 'with my big fortune I am not likely to be an old maid.' "'Child!' exclaimed the old lady, 'of whom are you thinking?' "Hertha blushed to her neck. 'I?' she stammered, trying to preserve an indifferent tone of voice, 'of nobody.' "'Oh, then you were merely talking generally?' "'Of course; I only meant generally' "'Well, and what do you want to know?' "'I want to know--how it is with--you understand--with love when one----' "'When one----' "'Well, when one is married?' "'Then you go on loving just as you did before.' replied her grandmother, lightly. "'Yes, I know that. But suppose you love another man to whom you aren't married?' "'Wha--t!' In her terror the old lady let her spectacles fall off her nose. 'What other?' "Hertha suddenly felt as if she must collapse. She had to summon all her courage and pull herself together in order to go on. "'Can't it happen, grandmother dear, that some one to whom you're not married takes it into his head----' "'My dear child' replied the grandmother, 'never come to me with such foolish questions. You cannot understand such things. Now give me a kiss and get your knitting.'" So that plan did not answer. There was still one further possibility of discovery. Hertha had a school friend who had lately got married. She would ask her. So she began:-- "'Wives love their husbands, that goes without saying. But do you think it possible that wives can be loved by other men?' "'How odd you are', replied Meta. 'You can't prevent people loving.' "'I know that. But a man, don't you see, who would----' "'Well, that sort of thing does happen.' "'What! is some one in love with you?' "Meta blushed, 'I don't bother about it. It's quite enough that Hans loves me, and of course I should very politely forbid anything of the sort.' "'Then people do forbid such things?' "'Certainly, if they're told of it.' "'What! you might be told?' "'Sometimes, if the man who is in love with you is very bold.' "'Good gracious,' said Hertha, shocked, 'If anyone behaved like that to me, I should box his ears.' But in great anxiety she continued, 'Do you think it likely that there are women who have a different opinion?' "'Oh, yes!' said Meta. "'Who--in the end--return the bold mans love?' "'Even so.'" Then Meta repeats certain gossip that confirms Hertha's worst fears. The whole chapter should be read in order to appreciate rightly the charm and pathos and naturalness of the delightful piece of character drawing.