“Why methinks,” began a nice looking young man, “had I heard such a description before I passed through Klarenburg, I would have made better use of my eyes while riding through it the other day. Indeed, one is almost tempted to take a ride back to try to pick up this paragon of all excellencies! Surely that happiest of mortals, the rich young heir, will choose your fair niece for himself,—but there are still, how many do you say, remaining of these adjutants? Six do you say? Why one might still have a chance!”
“To be sure there are,” said the reporter.
Here I called for another half-bottle of wine, for I needed some cordial to assist me while listening to the anticipated review of my grandmother’s fair adjutants.
“In primo,” began Mr Sander, placing his forefinger on the thumb of his left hand, “there is Miss Adelaide Struhlenthal. That girl comes upon you like a clap of thunder and lightning! Eighteen years of age,—tall and straight as a pine-tree,—belonging to one of the most honourable families in town,—blameless in reputation,—an only child, and her father the proprietor of two very fine estates, a little principality of themselves.—In secundo, there is Prokofjefna Tschimaduno, a Russian. Her mother, the only daughter of our afternoon preacher, married a Russian colonel, who had been wounded in the battle of Austerlitz, and easily conquered the heart of the minister’s daughter. Six months after his marriage he set out for his own country, and up to this moment has never returned, as he promised, to carry home his wife and child. Prokofjefna has got one of those pretty little, turned-up, a la Roxolane noses; she is about sixteen years of age, and presents you altogether with a very witching miniature figure. Fortune she has none, of course; but Mrs Milbirn has provided her with a handsome legacy.—In tertio, there is Julia, the youngest daughter of my most honoured chief and patron, the first councillor. She is one of those sort of beauties who look quite fascinating at a distance. When you observe her more, observe her more closely, you discover
