"_As we love_ one another." He put his hand on his waistcoat.

"And won't there be any children if people love as you love? You must
be mad! But you are a decent, respectable member of society, and
therefore I'll give my consent; but make good use of the time, my boy,
and increase your income, for hard times are coming. The price of
wheat is rising."

The assistant grew red in the face when he heard the last words, but
his joy at the old man's consent was so great that he seized his hand
and kissed it. Heaven knew how happy he was! When he walked for the
first time down the street with his future bride on his arm, they both
radiated light; it seemed to them that the passers-by stood still and
lined the road in honour of their triumphal march; and they walked
along with proud eyes, squared shoulders and elastic steps.

In the evening he called at her house; they sat down in the centre of
the room and read proofs; she helped him. "He's a good sort," chuckled
the old man. When they had finished, he took her in his arms and said:
"Now we have earned three crowns," and then he kissed her. On the
following evening they went to the theatre and he took her home in a
cab, and that cost twelve crowns.

Sometimes, when he ought to have given a lesson in the evening, he (is
there anything a man will not do for love's sake?) cancelled his lesson
and took her out for a walk instead.

But the wedding-day approached. They were very busy. They had to
choose the furniture. They began with the most important purchases.
Louisa had not intended to be present when he bought the bedroom