other side sat her husband, and opposite the daughter's face smiled
at him.

The councilor was a well-preserved man of about fifty, of good
height, dressed in a well-made gray traveling suit, with a light
gray silk tie adorned with a pin of black pearl. His closely-cut
hair was very thin, and had almost disappeared from the top of his
head. His chin was clean-shaven, but his well-brushed whiskers and
closely-cut mustache showed signs of gray. His light blue eyes were
cold and rather tired-looking, at the corners of the mouth were
evident signs of indolence, and his whole appearance gave an
impression of self-consciousness mixed with indifference toward the
rest of mankind; his wife, stout, blooming, and tranquil, appeared
to be a kindly soul.

The conversation opened trivially on the circumstances of Wilhelm
meeting with Fraulein Ellrich, and on the beauty of the
neighborhood, which Herr Ellrich glorified as not being overrun.

"I would much rather recommend it for quiet than Switzerland with
its crowds," he said.

Wilhelm agreed with him, and related how he was induced by the
romantic aspect of the place to give up his original plans, and to
anchor himself here. When they questioned him, he gave them some
information about Heidelberg and his journey to Hornberg. Frau
Ellrich complimented him on his sketch, and while he modestly
disclaimed the praise, she asked him why he had not devoted himself
to art.