"No: no actress I have ever met of the better sort was really
coquettish. I don't know how it is with them, but I believe they
have overcome coquettishness."

"But you think, then, Counsellor Bang is coquettish?"

"Not Bang--Bagger. Yes; for although he said he had this romantic
love for a fairy, he often does court to modest earthly ladies. He
is properly somewhat of a flirt."

"That is unbecoming an old man."

"Yes; but he is not old."

"Oh!" said Miss Hjelm, laughing: "I have only known one war
counsellor, and he was old; so I thought of all war counsellors as
old."

"Yes; but Counsellor Bagger is not war counsellor, but a real
Superior Court Counsellor."

"Oh, how earnest that is! And so he is in love with a fairy?"

"Yes: it is ridiculous!" said Miss Brandt, laughing. During this
conversation they had reached the house, and Miss Brandt
complained that something was yet pricking her ankle. They went
into Miss Hjelm's room, and here a thorn was discovered and taken
out.