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On the third day, an event happened. I received a little note from Minna: "Dear Mr. David, If you care to see mamma and me, stay at home this evening. Good Mr. Engelman has promised to show us his interesting old house, after business hours." There was nothing extraordinary in making an exhibition of "the old house."
Madame Fontaine, under her husband's instructions, assisted in nursing the sick man, and in giving the nourishment prescribed when he was able to eat. His extraordinary recovery is remembered in the University to this day." I interrupted Mr. Engelman at that point. "Of course you asked her for the prescription?" I said. "I begin to understand it now." "No, David; you don't understand it yet.
At a less distressing time, there would have been something irresistibly comical in her rage and astonishment, when I settled the dispute by locking her out of the room. Soon afterwards Joseph came in with a message. If there was no immediate necessity for his presence in the bedchamber, Mr. Engelman would go out to get a breath of fresh air, before he retired for the night.
Engelman, short and fat, devoted to the office during the hours of business, had never read a book in his life, and had no aspiration beyond the limits of his garden and his pipe. "In my leisure moments," he used to say, "give me my flowers, my pipe, and my peace of mind and I ask no more." Widely as they differed in character, the two partners had the truest regard for one another. Mr.
He turned to his elder colleague. "My dear doctor, I see you want a positive answer. No need to leave the room, Mr. Engelman! You and the young English gentleman, your friend, must not be deceived for a single moment so far as I am concerned.
Fritz and his sweetheart left the house together, on an errand in which they were both equally interested the purchase of the ring which was to typify Minna's engagement. Left alone with Mr. Engelman and the widow, I felt that I might be an obstacle to confidential conversation, and withdrew to the office.
Feeling no such anxiety on my side, I attempted to excuse myself; but he went on without giving me time to speak "Nice little Miss Minna is very dull, poor child. She has no friend of her own age here at Frankfort, excepting yourself. And she has asked me more than once when Mr. David would return from Hanau." My excuses failed me when I heard this. Mr. Engelman and I left the house together.
I dare say I did wrong indeed, judging by later events, I know I did wrong. But I could not view the affair seriously enough to hold out against Mr. Engelman in the matter of the nosegay. He started when I mentioned the widow's name. "Not the mother of the girl whom Fritz wants to marry?" he exclaimed. "Yes, the same. Don't you admire Fritz's taste? Isn't Miss Minna a charming girl?"
I tried to think of some consoling words. Before I could give expression to my thought, the door of the room was gently opened; and Madame Fontaine herself stood before us. Her eyes looked at Mr. Engelman from under their heavy lids, with a quiet and scornful compassion. The poor wretch was of no further use to her. Quite needless to be on her best behavior with him now!
When she sets the room in order in the evening, she takes the night-drink up with her, and so saves a second journey." "Taste it, Minna," said the widow, handing the glass to her daughter. "How refreshing! how pure!" Mr. Engelman, standing on the other side of her, whispered in her ear. I was just behind them, and could not help hearing him.
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