house, as she had hitherto filled it with the care of the house of
another man.

'So it is all right,' said her aunt, rushing up to her with warm
congratulations, ready to flatter her, prone to admire her. It
would be something to have a niece married to Adrian Urmand, the
successful young merchant of Basle. Marie Bromar was already in her
aunt's eyes something different from her former self.

'I hope so, aunt.'

'Hope so; but it is so, you have accepted him?'

'I hope it is right, I mean.'

'Of course it is right' said Madame Voss. 'How can it be wrong for
a girl to accept the man whom all her friends wish her to marry? It
must be right. And your uncle will be so happy.'

'Dear uncle!'

'Yes, indeed. He has been so good; and it has made me wretched to
see that he has been disturbed. He has been as anxious that you
should be settled well, as though you had been his own. And this
will be to be settled well. I am told that M. Urmand's house is one
of those which look down upon the river from near the church; the
very best position in all the town. And it is full of everything,
they say. His father spared nothing for furniture when he was
married. And they say that his mother's linen was quite a sight to
be seen. And then, Marie, everybody acknowledges that he is such a