"I am very grateful to you for your zeal, dear Wegen; but whither are you going in such haste?" asked Blanden. "You see I am freighted with music; I am going to Fräulein Cäcilie von Dornau. She will sing a solo, and I shall accompany her, but we have not yet decided what we shall select." Doctor Kuhl's fingers drummed impatiently upon the table. "I have searched out every note that was to be met with amongst the principal stars in the heaven of the Neukuhren musicians, and also amongst the Baute Pleiaides; besides that, I have plundered all pianos and music cupboards. But I must away, Fräulein Cäcilie expects me." Wegen bade adieu as breathlessly and hastily as he had arrived. Blanden looked smilingly at the Doctor, who now sat there with moody glances and folded arms. "But tell me, friend, what does this signify? It almost looks as if it were impious desecration of your sanctuary. Does the flame of the Dioscuri no longer shine at the mast of your life's ship? Cäcilie, the beloved one of your intellectual days, appears to have become faithless to you." "It is possible," replied the Doctor. "Friend Wegen at least moves briskly and cheerily in the channel of a new affection which is surely not to be discouraged, otherwise he would not be in so roseate an humour." "I do not know if this Lacertes is escaping me," said Kuhl, with defiant resignation, "I do not know if it is in earnest or in play when she shows such particular attention to Herr von Wegen; I almost think she is playing with us both." "Is she a coquette, then?" "All are, women and girls, each in her own manner. I think she will make fun of me and my views. Yesterday I called her to account for her response to Herr von Wegen, and she excused herself with the most charming grace. She quite shared my views; life is much too rich to be able to restrict oneself; besides, nothing is so ridiculous as jealousy. She likes me much, but only on her intellectual days; therefore, for her foolish days, of which she experiences many now, she has sought out Herr von Wegen. And, at the same time, she smiled so politely, and made me such a pretty curtsey." Blanden could not suppress loud merriment at this communication. "She beats you with your own weapons." "Laugh away! It drives me to despair! Who can explain to such a sprite, in solemn earnest, what a great difference exists between man and woman in restriction of the affections?" "Nor would that be so easy." "Simple as a child, I tell you, only I have no inclination to do so at present. Besides, I am curious to see how far she carries it." "Perhaps to marriage. Our whole life is only directed towards that, and you always go groping about in an Utopia with your theories. But girls have sense and tact, and, at a certain age, they begin to freeze in the open air, and seek a shelter."