Loulou had
never known it so pleasant. The theater season was brilliant, the
weather for skating lasted longer than usual, and balls succeeded
each other in her father's and friends' houses in rapid succession.
Wilhelm only went once or twice, and then he firmly declined any
more, to the great astonishment of Frau Ellrich, and the vexation of
Loulou, whose pretty face always lit up with pleasure when she saw
his dark eyes watching her from the doorways or window recesses
while she danced. He said that the sight of social frivolity bored
him, and she thought in her naive way, "It is always like that. Men
must have some fad." Paul was just the other way. He accepted every
invitation, and he had a great many. He had always some new
acquaintances to tell Wilhelm of, and often spoke of Fraulein
Malvine Marker, who appeared to be Loulou's dearest friend, and no
feeling of jealousy prevented him from repeating to Wilhelm that the
pretty girl had often inquired about him, always regretting his
absence from the Ellrichs' dances.
The beautiful time of the year drew near. Outside the gates of the
city, where open places were free to her, the spring triumphed in
the budding trees of the Thiergarten. Arrangement of plans for the
summer was the chief occupation with most people.
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