Her exquisitely dignified patronage of himself, as a species of inferior animal, who, being in pain and distress, she was bound in common charity to take some notice of, caused him no umbrage whatever; but it annoyed him to see a gentle, ladylike girl like Madaleine subjected to the whims and caprices of an old woman, who, in spite of her high birth, was naturally vulgar and inconsiderate.

"Hang the fussy old thing!" he repeated, with considerable heat.

"I wish you had nothing to do with her.

I'm sure she would drive me mad in a day if I were constantly associated with her!" "Ah, dear friend, beggars mustn't be choosers," said Madaleine sadly.
"You forget my position, in your kind zeal on my behalf! A poor orphan girl such as I, left friendless and penniless, ought to be glad to be under the protection of so grand a lady as the Baroness Stolzenkop.

She is kind to me, too, in her way." "But, what a way!" interposed Fritz angrily.