Ulgenie, a word which the reader will observe, is compounded from the words Ulrica and Eugenie, was one of those contorted terms of endearment, which Mrs. H——­ permitted her husband to use during their moments of tenderness.  Should he wish to address her in an extremely affectionate manner, he would term her his “pet Ulte,” an expression which had also originated in the fertile mind of the loving wife!

On this occasion the husband considered the first expression sufficiently affectionate, and in all probability many tender recollections were associated with those three syllables, for no sooner had he uttered the name “Ulgenie,” than she cast her eyes downward with an unusual gentle expression, and in a changed tone of voice, she whispered:—­

“Never again my dearest husband shall we differ in our opinions.  Equality in marriage renders it a useful institution; but to change the subject, it is long since you have made any hunting excursions, dear Fabian, to-morrow you must go.”

As Mistress Ulrica was determined that her husband should become a skillful sportsman, she gave him rest neither night nor day, unless he devoted at least two days of the week to hunting or fishing excursions.  Not that Mr. H——­ was a sportsman; but that it afforded his wife great pleasure to inform her guests, that a certain moorcock was killed by her dear Fabian, or that he had caught the pike which then graced their table, for, she would add complacently, her Fabian was well aware that she took great delight in eating the game taken by his skillful hand.

Therefore there were no means of escape for him, he must by force become a sportsman, for a wife who is laboring for the emancipation of womankind, never will permit her desires to remain ungratified.  During the conversation the vehicle approached the mansion.  Mr. Fabian H——­, during the entire ride, had thought upon the pipe and sofa which awaited him upon his return, for he smoked like a Turk, and loved the ease of oriental life.  There was one pursuit, however, which afforded him still greater pleasure, and that was to ogle other men’s wives, for he was an unfortunate son of Adam, never being able to discover beauties which his wife might have possessed.

* * * * *

“Who can that be!” exclaimed Mistress Ulrica Eugenia as the gig entered the court-yard, “who is that elegant young man descending the door steps? is it possible that he is my nephew little Gottlieb?”

“Yes he is, my dear Aunt Ulrica, I was little Gottlieb, but I have grown up to be big Gottlieb,” answered a cheerful voice, and the next moment the young man whose acquaintance we have before made, embraced the lady warmly, and then heartily shook his uncle’s extended hand.  Uncle Fabian however, was not overjoyed at his wife’s determination of introducing into his house a stripling who might perhaps become a spy upon his actions and make reports that would call forth the entire vigor of his wife’s tongue.