His father had received him with warm affection, had paid his debts unhesitatingly and without a word of reproach, and now it was his part to turn over a new leaf: to break with his former reckless life and set up a home of his own.

The bride, as he knew, was chosen for him.

"Susannah was here just now," she said.

"You scapegrace, she confessed that you had quite turned her Katharina's little head this morning." "I am sorry for it," he interrupted in a tone of annoyance.

"These ways with women have grown upon me as a habit; but I have done with them henceforth.