I then determined that I would never marry until I had found another middle-class girl who should be just as beautiful, just as virtuous, as she was, and who could sing the 'Stabat Mater' just as nicely.

And now I have been knocking about in the world these nine years without being able to find what I seek; for either she whom I found sang well and was not beautiful, or she was beautiful but not virtuous, or she was virtuous but could not sing, and therefore could not be mine.
And now, sir, in this little town, I have actually found at last the very thing I seek--a girl who is beautiful, virtuous, and can sing; and her I am going to take to wife.

So now I want your advice as to what sort of furniture I am to give her as wedding-present." All these words were plainly audible in the adjoining room.

Teresa involuntarily covered Fanny's head, which was hidden in her breast, as if she feared that this artless tale would win her credence, and so deceive her youthful mind, for young girls are so very credulous.

Why, they even inquire of the flowers, "Does he love me, or does he not love me ?" What will they not do, then, if any one looks straight into their eyes?
Mr.Boltay had gradually pulled himself together during the course of this speech, and all the answer he gave when it was quite finished was to step to a writing-table, search diligently for something, and begin to write rapidly.
"I suppose he is looking up his patterns and making out his account," thought Abellino to himself; and meanwhile he began looking about him, wondering in which of the rooms this Philistine kept his little sugar-plum, and whether the girl had heard what he had just been saying.
The master-carpenter had by this time finished his scribbling and rummaging, and he now beckoned Karpathy to the table, and counted out before him a bundle of hundred-florin notes in six lots, together with four florins in twenty-kreutzer pieces, and thirty red copper kreutzers besides.
"Look here!" said he; "count.