"Yes," said the countess when the brightness these young people had brought into the room had vanished; and as if answering a question no one had put but which was always in her mind, "and how much suffering, how much anxiety one has had to go through that we might rejoice in them now! And yet really the anxiety is greater now than the joy.

One is always, always anxious! Especially just at this age, so dangerous both for girls and boys.

" "It all depends on the bringing up," remarked the visitor.

"Yes, you're quite right," continued the countess.