It happened quite unintentionally.

I only thought of her as my friend's fiancee, and believed her also to be a friend of mine." "I don't mean that, Wilhelm; you have always behaved awfully well--with great tact, and all that.

But you have not seen how it has been with Malvine; she is quite mad about you, especially since you have been free." "You imagine these things." "Be quiet, you impatient baby, and hear what I have to say.

I believe it is not love Malvine has for you, but it only wants a word or a look from you to turn it into love.

If she were convinced that you feel only as a friend for her, she would be contented to admire you from a distance, and begin to care a little more for an inferior specimen of mankind like myself." "I feel quite in despair about it.