“In the meantime, since I have devoted myself to this occupation, I cannot but entertain a devout hope that one day, with the companionship of some faithful helpmate, I may succeed in cultivating purely in my pupils that, and that only, which they will require when they pass out into the field of independent activity and self-reliance; that I may be able to say to myself, in this sense is their education completed.  Another education there is indeed which will again speedily recommence, and work on well nigh through all the years of our life—­the education which circumstances will give us, if we do not give it to ourselves.”

How true Ottilie felt were these words!  What had not a passion, little dreamed of before, done to educate her in the past year!  What trials did she not see hovering before her if she looked forward only to the next—­to the very next, which was now so near!

It was not without a purpose that the young man had spoken of a helpmate—­of a wife; for with all his diffidence, he could not refrain from thus remotely hinting at his own wishes.  A number of circumstances and accidents, indeed, combined to induce him on this visit to approach a few steps toward his aim.

The Lady Superior of the school was advanced in years.  She had been already for some time looking about among her fellow-laborers, male and female, for some person whom she could take into partnership with herself, and at last had made proposals to the Assistant, in whom she had the highest ground for feeling confidence.  He was to conduct the business of the school with herself.  He was to work with her in it, as if it was his own; and after her death, as her heir, to enter upon it as sole proprietor.

The principal thing now seemed to be, that he should find a wife who would cooperate with him.  Ottilie was secretly before his eyes and before his heart.  A number of difficulties suggested themselves, and yet again there were favorable circumstances on the other side to counterbalance them.  Luciana had left the school; Ottilie could therefore return with the less difficulty.  Of the affair with Edward, some little had transpired.  It passed, however, as many such things do, as a matter of indifference, and this very circumstance might make it desirable that she should leave the castle.  And yet, perhaps, no decision would have been arrived at, no step would have been taken, had not an unexpected visit given a special impulse to his hesitation.  The appearance of remarkable people, in any and every circle, can never be without its effects.

The Count and the Baroness, who often found themselves asked for their opinion, almost every one being in difficulty about the education of their children, as to the value of the various schools, had found it desirable to make themselves particularly acquainted with this one, which was generally so well spoken of; and under their present circumstances, they were more easily able to carry on these inquiries in company.